i always thought there were two possible reasons the french and the un opposed the american war effort in iraq (i too opposed it, and oppose it). one is principle: no unprovoked attacks on sovereign nations. the other was cowardice. but a couple of stories of late have raised a third option.: corruption. kofi annan's son made a nifty little bundle on the oil for food deal (nysun ). and i saw quite an amazing little interview this morning on fox, with a former investigator in the french government who evidently suspects that the corruption in oil-for-food extends up to the interior minister of france and chirac himself. she also says her life was threatened repeatedly. and she spoke plausibly and with restraint: not making any wild assertions. i can't find the thing on the fox site now. i wish i had more details. i'll get em. but this piece from worldnet gives the flavor. or check this from today's daily telegraph .