PRESS STATEMENT

Paul A. Volcker

Chairman, Independent Inquiry Committee

 

6 May 2005

 

The time has come to clear the air of uncertainties surrounding one aspect of the recent Interim Report of the Independent Inquiry Committee.  It must be done in a manner responsive to the questions that have been raised.  It is essential that it also protect the integrity and the confidentiality of the IIC.  These are matters common to any investigation of highly sensitive matters where reputations and national interests – and most critically – lives of certain witnesses are at stake.

 

The short attached paper describes the facts and the questions as we of the Committee understand them.

 

With that background, we propose three related approaches:

 

1.      That our former colleague, Robert Parton, be released from his obligation of confidentiality limited to the specific purpose of an open, public statement today, tomorrow, or the next day concerning his views of the part of the Committee Report that appears to be of concern, that is the part dealing directly with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  [See attached statement.]  Specifically, inferences from the facts and judgments he has made to the Committee may be included.

 

2.      In that connection, that the several Congressional Committees concerned withdraw their subpoenas challenging the immunities and privileges inherent in the UN and the IIC, immunities long accepted by all member nations, including the United States.

 

3.      That the IIC files, that may include confidential interviews and raw staff drafts, be promptly returned to the IIC, which is the rightful owner.  This is critical to the Committee’s continued work with witnesses, governments and organizations who have placed their trust in our confidentiality. 

 

Finally, we emphasize the IIC has its most important work ahead. 

 

It may be both appropriate and useful that, as mutually convenient in the days ahead, that the Chairman of the Committee informally inform interested Committees of the areas to be included in our mid-summer report, discussing with them both opportunities and challenges we face.

           

These are matters, I know, of great and legitimate interest to the public at large, in other countries as well as the United States.  In the limited time ahead, our aim remains to provide a full and accurate story of the management and results of the Oil-for-Food Programme.  That work must not be impeded.

Accompanying Statement