Friday, April 29 2005 13:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Observing that the oil-for-food scam in Iraq has cast a shadow on the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday (Apr 28, 2005) said the scandal would be thoroughly investigated and steps taken to check managerial malpractices.

"It (the scam) has cast a shadow on the UN but we will get to the bottom of it and we are taking concrete and urgent steps to check managerial malpractices," he said in New Delhi after a public lecture when asked about allegations of corruption in the programme.

Annan had been accused of using his influence to grant a contract to Swiss firm Cotecna in which his son Kojo was employed.

However, an independent panel headed by former chairman of the US Federal Reserve Paul Volcker absolved Annan of any wrongdoing in granting the contract in 1998. It said Cotecna won the contract as it was the lowest bidder.

Annan yesterday said all those called by the panel, including himself, had fully cooperated with it.

"But some criticism and remarks have gone beyond all limits of reasonableness," he said and quoted a French saying 'the dogs bark but the caravan moves on'.

The Secretary General said he was satisfied with the oil-for-food programme as it had "achieved its objectives and managed to reach all areas (where help was needed)."