Iraq 'overcharged' for wheat whilst the children starve

FairfaxDigital: Iraq's Trade Minister Mohammed al-Jibouri says Iraq has suspended a contract to buy one million tonnes of Australian wheat after Australian officials made remarks that suggested overcharging.

The Iraqi minister says the contract is suspended and negotiations are being conducted with the Australian Wheat Board.

Last month, the Trade Ministry began an investigation into claims that Iraq had paid inflated prices for wheat from Australia's monopoly wheat exporter the AWB.

The AWB says it hasn't been informed of the suspension and is continuing to ship wheat under the contract.

The exporter has strongly refuted suggestions in Baghdad that it overcharged for past wheat supplies to Iraq.

AWB's managing director Andrew Lindberg said last month prices reflect the risk of doing business with Iraq and the quality of the wheat. Link


[db] At the time of winning the deal in October 2004 The Age reported Andrew Lindberg crowing "This is a strategic decision by Iraq to ensure their food security is protected, and we are honoured to once again provide them with the necessary level of support during such a challenging period." Evidently Lindberg worships in the same congregation as Mike Battles.

AWB may be no more corrupt than the other Iraq war profiteers - but to see this development come along the day following a UN report detailing that malnutrition amongst children in Iraq has doubled since the invasion adds piquancy.