Fed: Govenrment accuses Labor of politicking on Iraq wheat sales
CANBERRA, Aug 10 AAP - The government today accused Labor of politicking and adoptingthe Iraqi line following the latest Iraqi threats to cancel all Australian wheat imports.
Opposition leader Simon Crean said Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had handled theIraq situation very badly by talking up the problem rather than about a solution.
But a spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said this remained a commercialissue between the Iraqi government and the Australian Wheat Board.
"And the best thing in the national interest is to allow them to negotiated on thisissue free from unnecessary politicking," he told AAP.
"The foreign minister is astonished that Simon Crean would adopt the Iraqi line on this issue."
Iraq's senior representative in Australia, Dr Saad Al Samarai, today warned furtherwheat orders would be cancelled if Australia continued its strong support for the US position.
That follows Iraq's cancellation of an order for 500,000 tonnes of Australian wheattwo weeks ago.
"We are astonished as to why this non-friendly position has been taken by the Australiangovernment," Dr Samarai told The Australian newspaper.
"We have a good experience with (Australian farmers) but Australian policy and ...
the military phase of Australian policy is harming us."
Mr Crean today said Mr Downer had handled the Iraq situation very badly by talkingup the problem rather than about a solution.
"Alexander Downer's hot-headedness is costing Australian wheatgrowers," he told reportersin Melbourne.
"He's talked up the problem rather than talked about a solution.
"And Australia, and its wheatgrowers in particular, are paying a very high price forthat talking-up."
Mr Crean said Mr Downer must back the United Nations' attempts to get weapons inspectorsback into Iraq, where a proper assessment could be done.
"That's what should be pursued and diplomatic efforts and trade efforts ought to beaimed at getting our wheat sales back on track," he said.
Mr Crean said Labor would only back US military action against Iraq if it could provea link between Baghdad and Al-Qaeda.
"This would be consistent with the war on terror," he said.
"Such a link has not been made, and as I understand it, the Americans say, can't bemade at this stage," he said.
AAP mb/cjh/br
KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST WHEAT NIGHTLEAD
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