Excellent post, JP.
"The U.N. insisted that the identities of Saddam's contractors and the terms of his deals remain confidential. "
I suppose that as long as they're NOT
US companies (Haliburton et al) that it's okay with our lib's here.
To your question of
"does the UN -- or Kofi Annan -- retains even a shred of moral authority?" ... My (No) thoughts on that go back
to Feb 03. . .the UN blew it when they refused to act. (very telling, right there . . . unless your a liberal, easily influenced by notions of "feelings" and "intent".)