"Lobbying" and Illegitimate Rule

Over the past couple of months we've learned more about the rampant corruption in the United Nation's Oil for Food Program in pre-war Iraq. From Kofi Annan's son to Bevin Sevan, the Oil for Food director, it appears that a pattern of kick-backs and payoffs ensured the diversion of billions of dollars that were supposed to help Iraqis survive the embargo that resulted from Saddam's noncompliance with UN resolutions. Former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix thinks Iraq was better off under Saddam. And yet we're told time and again that this same UN confers legitimacy on a nation's actions, as in the war in Iraq.

This morning Mary Anastasia O'Grady ($) reports that Venezuela's corrupt far-left president Hugo Chavez has retained the services of Patton Boggs, a K Street lobbying firm in Washington, to polish his image in that city. Chavez is coughing up a cool million per year in this effort, and Thomas Hale Boggs, Jr. of that firm donated $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Ms. O'Grady also recalls Jack Kemp's efforts to improve the image of Chavez last year.

It turns out that former Haitian leader Jean Bertrand Aristide also plied key opinion makers with funds in a (one has to admit) successful effort to blunt criticism of his bloody regime. His largesse went to former members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others who, you'll recall, raised a cry when Aristide was finally run out of town in late February. Since they received nearly $6 million from Aristide, ruler of the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, their pain is understandable.

Turns out that none of this is illegal. But a more important question is, is it transparent enough under current law? When respected, or at least semi-famous, politicians or former office holders speak out in favor of a foreign leader, how many of their listeners know that they're on the till?

Illegitimate rulers from ancient Greek tyrants through Saddam Hussein have known the power of money. It shuts up the right people and, when needed, makes others sing. And, as we've seen, it can sway the foreign policy of a great democracy. Or, in some cases, not.