The oil-for-food program, begun near the end of Boutros-Ghali's tenure in 1996, generated some $67 billion in revenue for Iraq, 2 percent of which came to the U.N. as an administration fee for overseeing the program.

U.S. and U.N. investigators have found that Saddam Hussein, while still leader of Iraq, improperly diverted billions of dollars in illicit oil sales from the program, which was established to allow his government to buy food, medicine and basic supplies for his people following his defeat in the 1991 Gulf War.

Also, the program's director, Benon Sevan, has been "accused of steering an Iraq oil allocation to a cousin of Boutros-Ghali," said Reuters. "The cousin, who owned a small trading company, earned $1.5 million from the transaction."

Even Annan's son Kojo is being investigated for acting improperly, receiving substantial payments from a company he once worked for and which took part in some of the illicit oil sales.

None of the apparent evidence seems to matter to Boutros-Ghali, however. He blamed conservative American politicians instead of the U.N., Iraqi and corporate bureaucrats who either administered or took part in the program.

"The American right has seized this scandal as a weapon against the United Nations. It's a scandal created ad hoc. It's not me asserting this, it's clear to everyone," he said, in quotes picked up by Italy's La Republica newspaper.

Still, the former world body leader seems keenly interested in protecting himself. Asked by Reuters if he would participate in an inquiry sanctioned by Annan, Boutros-Ghali replied: "Yes. I've prepared a defense document. I also want to dispel any doubt: It has nothing to do with me." He went on to point out the program began Dec. 5, 1996, just days before he officially stepped down, on Dec. 22 of that year.

All parties implicated in the scandal so far have denied any involvement, and no formal charges have been levied.

As for Saddam, he's in U.S. custody awaiting trial.

Editor's note: