Fed: US Ag Dept takes action against AWB

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2006
Fed: US Ag Dept takes action against AWB

Disgraced Australian wheat exporter AWB has been dealt another blow .. with the United
States today suspending it from its government contracts and programs .. because of the
oil-for-food scandal.

US Agriculture Secretary MIKE JOHANNS says AWB and its affiliates .. as well as 11
of its former employees .. could be barred indefinitely from US government programs after
further investigations.

The announcement follows last month's release of the COLE report .. commissioned by
the Australian government.

It found AWB had funnelled almost 300 million dollars in kickbacks to SADDAM HUSSEIN's
former regime .. to secure lucrative wheat export contracts with Iraq in defiance of the
UN.

AAP RTV jlw/tm/cp

KEYWORD: AWB US (SYDNEY)

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