Rudd accuses Downer of AWB cover up (Australia)

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News Ltd newspapers today said the Cole inquiry has been given nine pages of handwritten notes by a senior foreign affairs official that proved the Howard Government was warned of the scandal two years ago.

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"In July 2004 Mr Downer, his department, is told directly by Australian government officials that the AWB is into this up to its eyeballs, and three months later Mr Downer swears on the bible to the Americans that there's not a problem," Mr Rudd said.

"Why did Mr Downer do that?"

"This is a cover up of the worst order, and he wanted just to save his political hide, and Mr Howard's political hide, going into the federal election."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20302106-1702,00.html