Fed: Vaile surprised at not being told of AWB irregularities

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2006
Fed: Vaile surprised at not being told of AWB irregularities

MARK VAILE's told the Cole inquiry he was surprised he wasn't told six years ago ..

about warnings that AWB's wheat contracts with Iraq could have contained irregularities.

The Deputy Prime Minister's begun giving evidence to the inquiry into the kickbacks scandal.

Mr VAILE says he didn't see a batch of 21 confidential diplomatic cables sent since
2000 .. outlining concerns about AWB's dealings in Iraq

The batch included one cable from Australia's trade commissioner in Washington .. ALISTAIR
NICHOLAS .. urging his bosses in Canberra to alert Mr VAILE to the allegations of irregularities.

Mr VAILE says at the time he'd only been trade minister for six months .. and was snowed
under by his new responsibilities.







In Mr VAILE's 16-page statement tendered to the inquiry .. he said he wasn't told about
the Jordanian-based transport firm Alia .. funnelling 300 million dollars worth of kickbacks
to SADDAM HUSSEIN'S regime until March 30 .. 2004.

That was the date the United Nations announced its inquiry into corruption of its oil-for-food
program in Iraq.

MORE RTV bt/was/tm/bart

KEYWORD: AWB VAILE (SYDNEY)

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