Wheat deals set to blow

US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said today AWB and its affiliates, as well as 11 of its former employees, could be barred indefinitely from US government programs following the release of Australia’s Cole Inquiry report into the Oil for Food scandal.

We have put the argument, here, over many months, that the US administration was party to this scandal, implicated as they are in tacit approval and consequent cover up.

But this move seems to be more about the new makeup of Congress than it is about the Australian inquiry, and this action is just the beginning.

"We have a duty to protect the public interest by ensuring the firms and individuals with whom we do business abide by the law," Johanns said in a statement.

Curiously this has not been the administrations attitude up to now. From Colin Powell, as Sec for State, on the AWB issue has been swept under the carpet. With the spectre of Democrat led Congressional hearings looming, and Republicans such as Senator Norm Coleman looking for some justice, the administration are against the wall on this one.

Johanns’ move is a small step in the right direction, but the damage is done and it is far too little, far too late.

Over 70% of Australian’s believe their government is up to their ears in this scandal. Bush’s cronies are about to be exposed as well. Corrupt corporations like AWB can only exist and operate when governments choose to allow it.