WASHINGTON – Oil giants ExxonMobil and ChevronTexaco have become further embroiled in the U.N. oil-for-food scandal, appearing on a list of companies and politicians Saddam Hussein wanted to award with sweetheart oil deals, The Post has learned.
Two U.S. officials confirmed yesterday the names of the two largest U.S. oil companies were included on an Iraqi Oil Ministry list of individuals and companies that were to be rewarded with Iraqi vouchers that allowed them to purchase oil at discount rates.
The list was attached to the bombshell report on Saddam's global campaign to buy support to end sanctions, which was released by CIA weapons inspector Charles Duelfer earlier this week.
Duelfer drew criticism from members of Congress for removing the names of American companies and individuals when he released the report, citing rules governed by the Privacy Act.
Virginia-based Samir Vincent and Michigan based Shakir Al-Khafaji, two Iraqi-American businessmen who have already been linked to shady oil dealings with Saddam's regime, were also included on the Iraqi Oil Ministry voucher list, sources said.