Has the UN recovered its reputation since the oil for food scandal?

Yes

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by B. Thomas Cooper

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How does one accurately assess such a broad question? The Oil For Food scandal erupted in early 2003, but in fact, the problems may have begun as far back as 1990. It all started when the United Nations levied sanctions against an obviously defiant Saddam Hussein and his regime.

Long a thorn in the backside, Saddam was a clever and resourceful dictator at the very least. He soon found ways to circumvent the sanctions, exploiting an environment of desperation and greed. The resulting scandal rocked the world and tainted the reputation of many within the United Nations.

But what really happened, and what are the long term ramifications? Has Europe suffered irreparable damage as a result of the Oil For Food scandal?
You may all exhale; the answer to the question is no.

Europe is comprised of over thirty some odd countries, some who were implicated in the scandal, and others who were not. Blaming every country in Europe for the scandal would be like blaming every country in Europe for the holocaust. Let the blame lie at the feet of those who were complicit.

The same rule applies to the United Nations. Not every UN member country was involved in the scandal and it would satisfy few interests to paint with such broad strokes. For example, one of the key players in the scandal turned out to be from somewhere deep in the heart of Texas. Following the logic of the question, everyone in Texas would somehow be tainted by his personal conduct. I don't follow that line of thought, not for a moment. Still, The Oil for Food scandal was as revealing as it was embarrassing. It was business as usual for far too many, for much too long. The moral to this story? The more things change, the more they stay the same.

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