On April 19 2001, Augusto Giangrandi, a Chilean arms dealer currently the subject of half a dozen US and international investigations, ordered a discreet payment to an Iraqi company in Jordan. The transaction would ensure his supply of millions of barrels of Iraqi oil.

"We need to send an additional US 30,000," he wrote to his Italian partner. "For your info, il magro is sending an additional 520 K in euros equivalent in order to cover shortages."