Australians to Testify at Kickbacks Probe (Oil for Food)

[NVMojo]

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Two of the Australian government's most senior ministers will be called to testify next week at an inquiry into a wheat exporter's alleged multimillion dollar kickbacks to Saddam Hussein, a lawyer said Friday.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile, who also is trade minister, will appear at the inquiry into Australian involvement in corruption of the discredited U.N. oil-for-food program in Iraq.

snip...

Howard's conservative government, a key supporter of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, is becoming increasingly mired in the scandal and two senior ministers giving testimony would be a major embarrassment.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-aus/2006/apr/07/040709023.html

[Random_Australian]

1. Could you explain the LBN bit? (Sorry, I don't , mean this in

a snarky, flamey way) it's just that the AWB enquiry/Cole Enquiry has been going on for ages here... it seems odd to find it on LBN now.

:shrug:

[NVMojo]

2. I don't get your point. This case will take place on Monday.

...or is your point that this is about Australia and those who pumped Bush's invasion of Iraq?

[Random_Australian]

3. "The judge, Terence Cole, is due to wrap up his inquiry in June"

It's the Cole Enquiry. This has been going on for months now here, and there a lots of people bieng called to testify. I just thought it strange to see of LBN.

Wait: Is the point all about that the ministers are finally bieng called to testify?

How do Americans see this thing? Are you suprised the ministers were called? From the culture here, if something under your ministerial jurisdiction goes wrong like this, you get called to the enquiry.

Do we understand each other? I must confess to not understandong post #2...

[canetoad]

4. The newsworthy item is the fact ministers are being called to testify

Admittedly, I am sometimes frustrated by the insular view of many Americans. I could call it unwillingness to see the bigger picture, but sadly I fear the bigger picture is not an issue to many Americans. To those of you who are conversant with world politics, my appreciation.

Accountability is necessary to any democracy. I have not been following the wheat kickbacks to the extent of who said what and when, but it's refreshing to know that members of government can be put on the stand and subjected to standards of justice expected from every rank and file Aussie. It also gives us a record. These will be statements made under oath.

I happen to think it's a fairly good prognosis for democracy when that still happens. Btw, conservative though our government is, I think it's trying to minimise ties with the Bush regime. They'd be mad if they didn't.

[Random_Australian]

5. I get it. I thought that the newsworthy item was the enquiry-thus my

confusion. After so long of hearing that they will testify, I guess I was a little insulated to the news.

However, I don't think our government is trying to minimise ties..... * and his cronies always, always yabber on about how good they are, I'm afraid that it is very easy fo a conservative to underestimate what * is doing.

btw, if you've 63 posts you may be unused to the lingo in here, so * means George Bush.

P.S., your profile says you're a cabbage patcher, but your name is banana bender.... what's the go?
(Translated for Americans): Your profile says you are from the state of Victoria, but your name is attributed to those from the state of Queensland. Why is this?