The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, told an Australian inquiry that AWB Ltd, the nation's monopoly wheat exporter, seems to have misled his government and the United Nations about its dealings with Saddam Hussein.
AWB allegedly channeled $222M to Saddam Hussein's regime by inflating transport fees under the UN Oil-for-Food program.
Howard said:
"It appears to me as though AWB has misled the Department of Foreign Affairs.
It misled Mr. Volcker, it's misled the UN."
Howard claims that he hadn't seen 21 diplomatic cables detailing claims that AWB paid kickbacks to Saddam.
Quote:
"They weren't brought to my attention.
If they had've been brought to my attention, I would've read them."
Adding:
"It hadn't crossed my mind that AWB would've behaved corruptly.
I had always believed the best of that company."
I find it somewhat surprising for such an experienced politician to be so trusting and naive.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Saddam's Daughter Speaks
Raghad Saddam Hussein, Saddam Hussein's eldest daughter, gave an interview to Al-Arabiya TV in which she has praised her uncle, Barzan Ibrahim, and the others currently on trial with Saddam as "Iraq's real men".
Raghad described the trial as "a farce and unfair", and said:
"My uncle Barzan has been remarkable in court, very courageous and a real hero. He has clarified the wrong impression that was made about Iraqi men. Those who surround my father, they what could be called Iraq's real men, the honourable image that represents our country."
Raghad said that she believed that most Iraqis were not happy with the trial, and those who acted pleased "were chosen by a certain party to reach a certain goal".
She blamed Iran:
"You know the depth that Iranian influence has reached inside this country."
When asked about the outcome of the trial, Raghad said:
"This is the most difficult question. The father is very, very dear, as much as children are dear, my father is dearer to me for sure. It's difficult to predict."
Raghad described the trial as "a farce and unfair", and said:
"My uncle Barzan has been remarkable in court, very courageous and a real hero. He has clarified the wrong impression that was made about Iraqi men. Those who surround my father, they what could be called Iraq's real men, the honourable image that represents our country."
Raghad said that she believed that most Iraqis were not happy with the trial, and those who acted pleased "were chosen by a certain party to reach a certain goal".
She blamed Iran:
"You know the depth that Iranian influence has reached inside this country."
When asked about the outcome of the trial, Raghad said:
"This is the most difficult question. The father is very, very dear, as much as children are dear, my father is dearer to me for sure. It's difficult to predict."
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