Cotecna

Background

Cotecna is a Swiss based Inspections company which was hired by the UN to verify goods coming into Iraq. Kojo Annan, son of the UN's Kofi Annan was a trainee with the firm from 1995 to 1998 and continued to be paid a salary until February 2004. In 2005 an investigation into potential conflict of interests was launched as Cotecna had been awarded a contract for the United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme in Iraq.

Whilst no evidence was found in the inquiry that 'the selection of Cotecna in 1998 was subject to any affirmative or improper influence of the secretary general' The Independent Inquiry Committee (IIC) found that Kojo Annan had "intentionally deceived" his father about his "continuing financial relationship" with Cotecna and that "Significant questions remain about Kojo and his actions".

The investigation was also critical as the UN's procurement rules were not followed as no questionnaire and financial statements were supplied and no consideration had been given to a Swiss criminal investigation against the Cotecna's CEO, Robert Massey: This related to alleged payments on behalf of Cotecna for the benefit of the family of Benazir Bhutto to secure an inspection contract in Pakistan. According to the investigation, 'no satisfactory explanation of these omissions has been made' .

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