Saddam 'used Imvume'

2005-11-01 10:43

Johannesburg - Judge Richard Goldstone says ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein used Imvume to try to influence South Africa to oppose sanctions against Iraq. Goldstone is a member of the committee of the UN's independent inquiry into Iraq's oil-for-food scandal.

The committee's report calls for measures against 2 200 companies in more than 40 countries. The companies are said to have looted millions of dollars from the programme. Imvume is among the four South African companies the report has pinpointed.

"The reason Imvume is there is a good example of Saddam Hussein using the oil to attempt to influence political decisions. He wanted to encourage South Africa to oppose sanctions. Our investigation was a very intrusive one. We had access to every single member of the UN staff that we wanted. We also had access to records and private financial banking account," Goldstone told the SABC.

- News24