Jean-Marie Benjamin

The Rev. Jean-Marie Benjamin is a priest who once worked as an assistant to the Vatican secretary of state and became an activist for lifting Iraqi sanctions prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He is reported to have set up the meeting between former Pope John Paul II and Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister.Report of the Independent Inquiry Commission “Oil for Food” of the United Nations"Since the last two years, in some articles published by the media, father Jean-Marie Benjamin has been accused of having received “allocations of oil” from the Government of Saddam Hussein. One thing is to put the name of a person on the list, another matter is to accept what is proposed. At the end of the year 2001, as soon as father Benjamin was informed concerning the allocations, he categorically refused. On 25 January 2002, he wrote a letter to Tareq Aziz to refuse the offer officially. This letter was transmitted to the former vice Prime Minister through the Embassy of Iraq in Rome, with a copy for the Iraqi Consul in Rome. Following this letter Jean-Marie Benjamin never gave this matter a thought again.In January 2005, Jean-Marie Benjamin, during a meeting with the inspectors, gave the inspectors of the Independent Inquiry Commission a copy of the letter that he had addressed to Tareq Aziz. After an investigation in Baghdad conducted by the inspectors of the Independent Inquiry Commission at the Ministry of Oil and Iraqi officials, the report of the Commission confirms what Jean-Marie Benjamin has always declared, he never accepted any allocation or any other support from Iraq. On 27 October 2005, the Independent Inquiry Commission “Oil for Food” has published the final report.One can read on page 100 and 101 of the second volume of the report the following conclusion by the inspectors:

“... An Iraqi official involved in allocations at the time confirmed that Father Benjamin did not request an oil allocation”.

and:

“In January 2002, when he was offered an additional oil allocation to support his “activities and projects in favor of the Iraqi population”, Father Benjamin told officials at SOMO and Mr. Aziz, both in person and by letter, that he could not accept any oil allocations. Ministry of Oil records confirm that, although oil allocations totaling 5.5 million barrels were granted to Father Benjamin in Phases XI through XIII, none of the oil was lifted.”A UN report confirms Father Benjamin never accepted any petrol barrel.

A letter written by Jean Marie Benjamin can be found at http://www.beppegrillo.it/eng/2007/09/a_letter_from_father_benjamin.html - English Versionhttp://www.beppegrillo.it/2007/09/una_lettera_di_1.html - Italian Version

This letter is a verifiable source of the above mentioned information.

Of French Nationality, born in Salon de Provence in April 1946, resides in Italy since 1975. Composer and director, has a degree in classical guitar, plays the piano and electronic keyboard. Author of numerous classical and modern compositions, since 1966 he recorded 28 records (classical music, music for films, disco and pop music).

He is the author of the official “UNICEF Hymn”, created in Rome in April 1984 (orchestra and choir from RAI) during a live Eurovision broadcast . "Paul Mc Cartney"' has recorded a CD of the "Ode to the child" and the "UNICEF Hymn". He recorded arrangements and composed for singers in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, England (1973-1988). Composed music for films “La Bible” by Marcel Carné, “Servante et Maîtresse” by Bruno Gantillon, “Padre Pio: The night of the Prophet” and for documentary films.

Some of his compositions of classical music: An oratorio “La creation des Anges” for soloists, mixed choir, male’s choir and orchestra, Madrid (1975), Rome RAIUNO (1984); Symphony Jerusalem, Paris, (1972) performed by the orchestra of Salle Pleyel; Concerto for violoncello and orchestra (Geneva); “Salve Regina” for choir and strings, Rome (1994).

From 1983 to 1988 he served as “Special Events Officer” for UNICEF in Geneva and organized many television programmes in Europe, Japan with the participation of Peter Ustinov, Audrey Hepburn and others. In 1986 he created the “World Philharmonic Orchestra” with Marc Verriere, the orchestra is composed of soloists from 120 orchestras from 60 countries. (concerts in Tokyo, Oslo for the Nobel Prize, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal).

He realized and produced the film “Padre Pio: The night of the Prophet” (fiction with Sergio Fiorentini in the role of Padre Pio). The film was broadcast by RAIUNO on 27 April and 25 May 1999).

In 1988, he ended his activities for the United Nations and his artistic activities to devote himself to theological studies in Rome. He is ordained priest on 26 October 1991. From 1991 to 1994 he is assistant to Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, (Secretary of State to the Vatican) and accompanies the Cardinal on his missions in Europe and throughout the world. In 1992 he is appointed Secretary General of the Foundation Beato Angelico.

He is presently recording in his recording studio (Italy) pop music songs dedicated to the situation in Iraq and themes for peace. For the recording of this CD album he plays all instrumental parts and works on a computer (for the 10 pieces). He sings the songs in Italian. For 2 songs he produced a video clip: “Per quanto tempo ancora” and “Mr. President”. Other titles of the CD are: “La nave sfonda”, “Democrazia Export” and “Baghdad Café”.

From 1998 until now he devotes his activities and important work to denounce the effects of the embargo on the Iraqi population and of the contamination of Depleted Uranium. (books, films, conferences, interventions at the United Nations).

He published 7 books in Italy, France and Switzerland.

In 1993 he presented a play, written by him, on St Francis of Assisi at the Soviet Theater in Moscow, interpreted in Russian and broadcast on the national television.

External links

[http://www.jmbenjamin.org J.M. Benjamin website]