Australian Wheat Board inquiry begins
{{date|January 20, 2006}}
{{aussieissue|Cole Inquiry}}
An inquiry began this week in Sydney into whether Australian companies paid bribes to Saddam Hussein during the UN Oil-for-food programme. 

The inquiry was set up by Prime Minister John Howard, after allegations last year that the Australian Wheat Board paid US$220m in bribes to the Iraqi government. The terms of reference of the inquiry are restricted to the AWB and two other companies. 

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1550090.htm
|title=Iraq wheat compensation payment queried
|author=
|pub=ABC News (Australia)
|date=January 18, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/01/18/1137467030738.html
|title=Wheat chief admits dodgy deal
|author={{w|Australian Associated Press|AAP}}
|pub=Sydney Morning Herald
|date=January 18, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b5a0fb6a-87c6-11da-8762-0000779e2340.html
|title='Bribes in Iraq' probe focuses on Canberra
|author=Sundeep Tucker
|pub=Financial Times
|date=January 18, 2006}}

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[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Saddam Hussein]]
[[Category:Sydney]]
An inquiry began this week in Sydney into whether Australian companies paid bribes to Saddam Hussein during the UN Oil-for-food programme. 

The inquiry was set up by Prime Minister John Howard, after allegations last year that the Australian Wheat Board paid US$220m in bribes to the Iraqi government. The terms of reference of the inquiry are restricted to the AWB and two other companies. 

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Australia Oceania Politics and conflicts Saddam Hussein Sydney