...Charles Pasqua declared completely innocent by French Senator Charles Pasqua. The Senator cited a letter from Paul Volker indicating that his investigation of M. Pasqua was not conclusive. The Senator reasoned thusly: With M. Pasqua's culpability undetermined, M. Pasqua must be considered innocent and therefore an innocent M. Pasqua could not be a culpable M. Pasqua, since innocence precludes guilt. The Senator went on to say M. Pasqua's innocence should be understood in the most permanent terms, eternal and unquestionable terms.
PASQUA CLAIMS INNOCENCE IN UN CORRUPTION PROBE
PARIS October 17, 2005 (AFP) - Charles Pasqua, a former French interior minister, asserted Monday that he was linked to a corruption probe into the UN oil-for-food programme with Iraq under false pretences and that he never received oil vouchers from Saddam Hussein."I never received oil vouchers. I'm completely outside of all that," he told journalists.
"Someone used my name," he said.
He showed a letter addressed to him from Paul Volcker, the head of the UN independent commission of inquiry into the corruption, which essentially said no conclusion implicating Pasqua had been made.
He ventured that his name had maybe appeared in the case because "the Iraqi government wanted to [show? extend? repay?] its sympathy, its gratitude to me. Why? There is no reason, because I have [sic] participated in any action favourable to the Iraqi government."
HAND TO GOD
French Senator Pasqua Declares Citizen Pasqua 100% Innocent
M. Pasqua thanked Senator Pasqua for his cool and nuanced assessment of what at first blush appears to be a damning indictment supported by damning evidence. The Senator replied that he had made M. Pasqua's cause his own and he would enfold M. Pasqua in the immunity of the Senat if need be, then, somewhat emotionally, he gushed: Nous sommes tout le M. Pasqua !
M. Pasqua fled the podium in tears, tears of inexpressible gratitude.
PFFT (What is this?): Responsive constituent service 5 | Rayonnement français 0
You can have Pasqua's head, no big loss.
Speaking of corruption, I'm proud to announce that our two great nations are standing "shoulder to shoulder" (17th and 18th respectively) in this matter.
Still, the US has the distinction of being 0.1% less corrupted than France, according to Transparency International.
And you say I never give the US any credit.
