Former French minister investigated in Iraq probe

ISN SECURITY WATCH (Friday, 7 April 2006: 12.24 CET) - Former French interior minister Charles Pasqua has said he had been put under investigation for allegedly profiting from corruption in the UN's scandalized oil-for-food program for Iraq.

Pasqua denied he had ever received oil vouchers from Saddam Hussein's regime in return for political influence. He said he was appealing to have the investigation withdrawn.

Pasqua served as France's interior minister in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

He says the US allegations an attempt to discredit French President Jacques Chirac.

"I never participated in any lobbying on behalf of Iraq, that's not my kind of thing," Pasqua was quoted as saying.

Now a senator in the upper house of parliament, Pasqua enjoys immunity against prosecution. However, this does not prevent him being investigated or charged.

He has been placed under judicial investigation, a step that could lead to formal charges.

Investigating Judge Philippe Courroye has also placed under investigation two former high-ranking French diplomats in the case.

The oil-for-food program was established in 1996 with Iraq's economy crippled by UN sanctions, and allowed Saddam Hussein to sell oil in exchange for humanitarian goods.

An UN report published last October showed that kickbacks had been paid for lucrative contracts linked to the program.

Over 170 French companies, including Renault, have been cited for abusing the program.