PARIS, July 14 (UPI) -- Eleven French citizens are suspected of profiting from oil-for-food kickbacks in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's presidency, Le Figaro newspaper reported. A U.N. commission investigating the kickbacks, headed by former Federal Reserve head Paul Volker, has singled out the possible role of the French bank BNP Paribas, the newspaper wrote. A French judge, Philippe Courroye, also has documents detailing the role of the 11 French suspects in oil-for-food profiteering, along with former French Interior Minister Charles Pasqua. Pasqua previously denied any wrongdoing.
Courroye, who is conducting his own investigation into the alleged kickbacks, recently asked permission to conduct further inquiries in Iraq, Le Figaro said. |