UN inquiry into Annan son

INVESTIGATORS probing the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq said in a report yesterday that there is not enough evidence to show that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan knew of a contract bid by his son’s employer.

The conclusion was not the clear vindication that the secretary-general had wanted and the calls for his resignation from US congressmen are expected to continue.

The investigation led by former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker did not accuse the UN chief of corruption.

The report said “there is no evidence” that the selection of the Swiss company Cotecna Inspection, which employed Annan’s son, Kojo, for an inspection contract under the oil-for-food programme “was subject to any affirmative or improper influence of the secretary-general in the bidding or selection process.”