Howard faces Iraq probe grilling (BBC) {Australian PM/oil-for-food probe}

[eppur_se_muova]

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has been summoned to testify in person before an inquiry into alleged bribes paid to Saddam Hussein's government.

It is examining whether AWB paid up to $222m to Iraq between 1997 and 2003 to secure lucrative grain contracts under the UN oil-for-food programme.
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It is alleged that under the auspices of the oil-for-food programme - which allowed Iraq to export a limited amount of oil to pay for food - money was channelled to the regime through a Jordanian trucking firm owned by the government.

The inquiry has heard that the trucking fees were paid out of inflated prices claimed for the wheat.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4901938.stm

[AusGail]

1. Howard to be questioned

The inquiry that Howard was to be questioned at was set up by Howard himself. Even someone as stupid as Bush knows never to set up an inquiry unless you already know what the outcome will be. Already, Vaile (Trade Minister) and Downer (Minister for Foreign Affairs) have been questioned and they used the Sgt Shultz defense; eg. They knew nothing or they didn't recall. 21 warnings went through their departments and they claimed not to have seen any of them. (and you reckon your administration has a monopoly on lying)

[eppur_se_muova]

2. We don't have a monopoly, but we are the sole superpower ...

... at least where lying is concerned.