DemocracyNOW! Dennis Halliday on Shannon, Margaret Hassan and UN Oil for Food

international | anti-war / imperialism | other press Wednesday November 17, 2004 18:42 by R. Isible - Indymedia Ireland

US allowed Sadam Hussein to obtain hard currency

Wednesday Nov 17th 2004 edition of DemocracyNOW! features Irish-interest stories: the murder of Margaret Hassan (including audio of her last appeal); an interview with Dennis Halliday about Margaret Hassan, Mary Kelly, Shannon and the Oil for Food program.

Dennis Haliday notes that Margaret Hassan's work focused on obtaining money to restore potable water systems to the poorest areas of Iraq. These water systems had, and are, being targeted illegally by the USA.

Halliday says that it was a mistake for the Irish Government to call for the release for Margaret Hassan and that her life was forfeit once the invasion of Fallujah began.

He talks about his taking the witness stand for Mary Kelly (in the latest of her three trial) over her action at Shannon Airport and how his (and Daniel Ellsberg's) testimony was not allowed within the Irish Criminal Court system and how it is an example of "how the Irish have become alienated from Washington which is extraordinary."

He reminisces about Fallujah (which he knew well) and suggests that the only thing to do is to stop the occupation and give the country back.

He responds that John Kerry was not an alternative to Bush and that he was "very disappointed" in him.

Finally he talks about the media brouhaha about the charges of bribery and corruption in the Oil for Food program directed by US right-wingers against Kofi Annan and others. He explains the historical genesis of the program and how it was created in order to provide revenue to obtain foodstuff and pharmaceuticals. The contracts were approved/denied in NY and none of the money went into Iraq. He points out the sanctions are a form of war and that the US knew that Turkey was trading with Iraq (satellite monitoring and companies in the West trading through Turkey) and this was allowed _as a sort of compensation to Turkey because they were losing revenue because of the sanctions_!

He says that this hypocritic attack is because the UN Secretary General is finally waking up to his duties and is becoming an irritant to the neo-cons in the USA.

Charles Duelfer addressed the congressional committee and fingered the boss of Hans von Sponek (Savan?). Halliday points out 64 billion of oil sales were approved (35% going to Kuwait while Iraqi children were dying!). He points out that the Oil for Food program fed and medically treated Iraqi children for years and that the problem is the US allowing Iraq to _get hard currency from Jordan and Oman and other illegal schemes_ and that this is the failure of the US.

He is waiting to be called by Volker and is available and standing by in New York.