A high level French official (one of 11 charged with participation in the Oil for Food scandal) was detained for questioning today.

PARIS (Reuters) — Police have detained a former French ambassador to the U.N. Security Council for questioning in a corruption inquiry over the U.N.'s oil—for—food program in Iraq, a judicial source said on Tuesday.

Jean—Bernard Merimee was taken in by police on Monday over allegations he may have benefited from oil supplies allocated under the program by former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the source said.

Merimee, 68, was France's U.N. ambassador from 1991 to 1995 and was later its ambassador to Rome. He was not immediately available for comment.

He is one of 11 French political, diplomatic and other personalities who investigating judge Philippe Courroye has questioned or wants to question over the oil—for—food program.[/quote]

Clarice Feldman   10 11 05