U.N. resolution halts fraud panel

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The U.N. General Assembly may put a six-month moratorium on an in-house panel investigating fraud and graft in tainted U.N. contracts.

The General Assembly's budget committee was considering a resolution supported by Singapore that closes the panel down for six months, The New York Times reported Friday.

Singapore launched the move in response to what it perceived as unfair treatment against its procurement official Andrew Toh, who was accused of improperly declaring his assets and the leasing of military equipment to a peacekeeping force in East Timor.

The six-month moratorium effectively terminates the action of the investigative unit that examines irregularities, graft and corruption in cases in the developing world, the Times said.

A Washington Post report Tuesday said the panel uncovered 10 cases of fraud and corruption involving $610 million in contracts.

The resolution is seen as a political one as budget matters are consistent with the panels spending measures.