In ''Who Will Watch the Peacekeepers?'' (Op-Ed, May 23), Matthias Basanisi, a former employee of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, makes baseless charges of a ''whitewash'' regarding an investigation into alleged gold smuggling and arms trafficking by peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Maintaining peace and security is a core responsibility of the United Nations, and any allegation of wrongdoing by peacekeepers is taken extremely seriously.

The O.I.O.S. conducted this investigation for 13 months from April 2006 to May 2007, during which 67 witnesses were interviewed. Mr. Basanisi was involved in the initial four months, participated in interviewing five witnesses and in our view did not manage to corroborate a single allegation. Professional investigations never rely on rumor and unsubstantiated allegations as put forward by Mr. Basanisi; corroboration and evidence are required to draw definitive conclusions.

In his article Mr. Basanisi does not provide any new information that could corroborate his sweeping allegations. Should new information be brought to light, the O.I.O.S. will certainly pursue such information.

As the under secretary general for internal oversight approved by the General Assembly to operate autonomously in carrying out my responsibilities, I can state unequivocally that the findings by this office were not compromised in any way, and I categorically refute Mr. Basanisi's allegations.

Source: The New York Times on the Web