EUROPEAN COMMISSION: OLAF LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.

The EU's Anti-Fraud Office OLAF and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Administration and Personnel (DG-ADMIN) have undertaken their own analysis of the contents of a paper written by a Commission employee, Paul van Buitenen, in order to determine if it contains any new information that would necessitate a formal inquiry. Mr van Buitenen, a Renouveau et D?mocratie union member, had submitted the file to OLAF on August 31, 2001, making reference to the allegations of improper professional conduct. He became widely known three years ago through his accusations of cronyism and poor administration in the Santer Commission, especially against ex-Commissioner Edith Cresson, which eventually triggered the first-ever collective resignation of the EU's executive board. As a result, Mr van Buitenen had been suspended and then had...