alpha - the conspiracy theorist, page-6

re: sabre - the thrust of the arguement is Obviously Howard can see the bigger picture, LOL!

Howard to meet AWB chiefs on Iraq sales
February 14, 2006 - 2:30PM

Prime Minister John Howard will canvass new ways that would enable Australian wheat to be sold into the lucrative Iraq market.

Mr Howard told parliament he would hold a meeting with AWB chairman Brendan Stewart in Canberra on Wednesday at which he would look at issues surrounding the company's wheat export monopoly.

It follows a decision by the Iraq Grains Board to suspend all contact with AWB, blocking it from a current tender worth almost $300 million, until completion of the Cole inquiry.

The inquiry is examining claims of kickback payments of $292 million made by AWB to the regime of Saddam Hussein in breach of the United Nation's oil-for-food program.

Under AWB's monopoly, it can veto any bulk wheat exports out of Australia. That leaves growers effectively shut out of selling their wheat to Iraq, or to tender for any substantial contracts.

Mr Howard said he had talked with Mr Stewart about the issue, during which he canvassed the Iraq Grains Board decision and the monopoly provisions provided to AWB.

He said he would discuss the monopoly powers issue with Mr Stewart.

"Our primary concern is of course the interests of the Australian wheat growers," he said.

"The Australian wheat growers' best friends in this parliament are the Liberal and National parties."

Mr Howard said the issue of the decision by the Iraq Grains Board and its current tender process was separate to the overall issue of Australia's wheat monopoly selling system.

"That is an issue which has attracted debate on both sides of the argument, and let me say it remains the government's policy to support the existing provisions," he said.

"And there would need to be a strong national interest case in order to alter that.

"What we are considering now has to be looked at in isolation from that ongoing question.

"I don't want anything that is said or done in the next little while to be seen to pre-empt a proper and careful consideration of that particular issue."