Documents: Saddam bribed French with oil

Documents from the Iraqi Oil Ministry reportedly show how Saddam Hussein bribed leaders in France, Russia and other countries to secure their political loyalty.

The Iraqi newspaper al-Mada broke the story, details of which were carried in European newspapers on January 28. The Paris daily Le Figaro carried a major story of its own, identifying the French individuals by name.

The Independent of London reports that Iraqi authorities will investigate claims that "dozens of politicians, including some from prominent anti-war countries such as France, had taken bribes to support Saddam Hussein."

Culprits listed in the documents, which Iraqi authorities consider genuine, include "members of Arab ruling families, religious organisations, politicians and political parties from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Sudan, China, Austria, France and other countries." Organizations included the Russian Communist Party, the Russian Orthodix Church, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the Congress Party of India.