Probe Clears Australian Government Of Iraq Bribes

November 27, 2006 -- An inquiry into the payment of huge bribes to the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein has cleared the Australian government of illegal activity.

But the inquiry, in a report made public today, said criminal charges could be brought against 11 officials of the national wheat company, the Australian Wheat Board.

Retired judge Terence Cole said the company had misled the United Nations oil-for-food program over more than $200 million in payments to Iraq before 2003.

(Reuters, AP, AFP)