AWB linked to Iraqi gas chamber

[Amanc]

AWB linked to Iraqi gas chamber
30th September 2006, 12:15 WST

AWB could face terrorism charges after new evidence suggested that Saddam Hussein wanted to fund war crimes using kickbacks paid by the embattled national wheat exporter, the oil for food inquiry was told yesterday.

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In a dramatic and emotional final day of hearings, former AWB managing director Andrew Lindberg cried during intense questioning about how AWB funnelled $290 million into the dictator’s coffers in order to protect Australia’s wheat trade with Iraq.

Sensational new email evidence emerged suggesting AWB officials suspected Saddam wanted to use the money to build 2000-tonne concrete bunkers that doubled as gas chambers. “The bunkers will have cement walls and floors so they are actually designed for burying the Kurds — under the cement?” AWB executive Daryl Borlase wrote in the 2001 email.

“They intend to build them with fumigation capability so the mind boggles as to whether they are fumigating insects or any other pest that pisses them off.”

Saddam has a history of persecuting Kurds and thousands were killed when he ordered that chemical weapons be used on the small ethnic population.

Counsel assisting, John Agius, said the email was a serious matter and could result in AWB being charged with committing a terrorism offence. “Would you agree with me, Mr Lindberg, that the email does make plain that there were personnel within AWB who were aware of what . . the Iraqi regime was capable of doing?” Mr Agius asked.

Mr Lindberg said he hoped Mr Borlase was joking, but Mr Agius reminded Mr Cole he had to consider whether AWB had broken Commonwealth terror laws, which provide for life imprisonment for anyone who provides funds for an act of terror.

WA businessman and former AWB chairman Trevor Flugge returned to the witness box yesterday, but his memory again failed him. Mr Flugge said “I don’t recall” or a variation at least 72 times.

Mr Flugge stood by evidence he gave to the inquiry six months ago, despite investigators recently finding several damning pieces of evidence which raised doubts about his version of events.

The Katanning farmer stuck to his claim that he could not recall what was discussed at several meetings he had with Australian diplomatic staff, AWB’s lawyers and a businessman who helped funnel kickbacks to Saddam and also employed Mr Flugge’s daughter.

Since Mr Flugge first gave evidence, investigators have discovered notes of a conversation between Mr Flugge and AWB lawyer Chris Quennell, who wrote that Mr Flugge explained how a Jordanian company, since revealed to be a front for Saddam’s regime, received money from AWB via a shipping firm.

But Mr Flugge dismissed the damning evidence yesterday, saying: “I am not confident that his notes represent words that I said — they are not quotations, they are his notes, they are cryptic at best.”

Mr Flugge’s barrister, Ian Barker, who is best known for prosecuting Lindy Chamberlain, objected to proceedings, describing the questioning as an inquisition.

Mr Cole retired yesterday to complete his report, which is due to be handed to the Governor-General by November 24.

Ben Martin, Sydney

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx? ... entID=8325