For Those Who Say Saddam Isn't Corrupt

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It is a well-known fact to news fanatics that Saddam illegally sold and/or gave oil to people in France, Russia, and other countries, probably in an effort to lift sanctions and encourage them to look kindly on Iraq. Parts of a document (far better authenticated than Dan Rather's documents) were even published online with translations, naming individuals and the value of the oil they received. This included a French minister, whom I believe made several million dollars from this particular bit of corruption.

Now, some major news sources finally realizes that Iraq was abusing and circumventing the oil-for-food program. This fact has been known practically since the start of the oil-for-food program, and considerable evidence appeared shortly after US troops entered Baghdad. The AP also neglected to note that Iraq held some weaponry that it was not supposed to have. One such weapon is a pretty powerful airplane. Or, more accurately, this airplane:

A copy of the story involved is here. It was posted on that website because the original source deleted it, as most newspapers do to save money. Ignore the comments at the end. That jet is a Mig-25. I'll quote a description:

MiG-25 is very well-known aircraft. It was the aircraft that caused quite a commotion among Western defense analysts and the US Air Force generals when it first became public. The aircraft was conceived as a response to the US XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic strategic bomber project. With time the MiG-25 developed into a leading supersonic reconnaissance platform. The MiG-25s from Egypt and Syria for a long time operated with impunity over Israel gathering photo intelligence used for planning the 1973 war. A MiG-25 was taken to Japan by a Soviet defector VVS pilot Belenko, who later served with the USAF. To this day the MiG-25 is operated by Russia as a reconnaissance platform and it is still one of the fastest military aircraft in the world. Over Israel a MiG-25RB was clocked by the Israelis at Mach 3.1. A MiG-25 was the only Iraqi fighter to ever score a victory against a US fighter (a USN F/A-18) during the first Persian Gulf War.

Iraq was not known to have any two-seated Mig-25, but it did. The media, however, did report that the US dug up (literally, they were buried) about two dozen Iraqi jets after Baghdad fell. These aircraft were found because an American base was built nearly on top of them. Many of the jets were operational when recovered.

So, Iraq was known to be exploiting the oil-for-food treaty and possessing very advanced, very expensive weapons that it should not have had. Several dozen jets don't get overlooked in a slight paperwork error. Nor are they buried, with delicate parts preserved adequately for years under sand, by some minor accident. Also, billions in kickbacks and bribes arn't caused by accidents, especially since Saddam's government ensured profits from tose kickbacks.

Also a little-known event; Saddam insisted payment in Euros for his oil when the US started talking about an invasion. This helped the European economy. In addition, Saddam offered a few cents discount per barrel for those who purchased with Euros. That alone is a bit illegal.


There is tons of evidence to say the oil-for-food program was corrupt. I am amazed that the major news sources are finally reporting this, after ignoring it for years. You have the link to the report and my comments, which are far more comprehensive. Make your own opinion about how corrupt, if at all, Saddam and his Iraq were. You might want to post that opinion in a comment, too.