FOX is reporting that Benon Sevan resigned his position yesterday before the Volker Commission issues its third interim report today. The report is said to accuse Sevan of taking kickbacks from the operation. In a bitter letter of resignation, Sevan accuses Kofi Annan of sacrificing him for political reasons:
"I fully understand the pressure that you are under, and that there are those who are trying to destroy your reputation as well as my own, but sacrificing me for political expediency will never appease our critics or help you or the Organization," Sevan wrote.
The amount of money involved is around $160,000. This amount raises some interesting questions. With billions of dollars in play, why such a small amount? Is $160,000 really worth losing one's career and possibly one's freedom? Did Sevan think that the relatively small number would go unnoticed in the mountain of cash at stake? Is Sevan that destitute? Is he incredibly greedy or just stupid?
Sevan blames his problems on "well-established UN bashers" which probably includes Fox' Jonathon Hunt, who has dogged Sevan throughout the scandal.
The report is due sometime today.
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