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'War video' cited as reason for Iraqi wheat ban
12 Aug 2002
AWB Ltd says that a video purporting to show Australian soldiers preparing for war is behind the row over wheat exports to Iraq. AWB's public affairs GM Darryl Hockey said the Iraqi Commerce Minister had seen footage of a video and then cancelled grain shipments from Australia. It could have been our troops in East Timor for all we know, he said.
On Friday, Iraq threatened to ban all wheat imports from Australia, worth $830 million a year. Iraq's envoy to Australia, Saad Al Samarai, accused Australia of going further than the US in its condemnation of Iraq. He also said that Alexander Downer's comments in July were responsible for the cancellation of a forward order for 500,000 tonnes of wheat. Four ships are currently stranded off Iraq, with a further 130,000 tonnes of wheat threatened by alleged "quality issues".
The Treasurer, Peter Costello, said yesterday that Australia will not bow to Iraqi trade threats.
The Australian, 12/8/02, page 2.
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