Iraqi citizens have filed a civil lawsuit in a US Court against the wheat exporter AWB. The citizens are seeking $A255 million in damages from the company for its role in the oil-for-food kickbacks scandal
According to the lawsuit, the companies cheated Iraqis during 1999 and 2003. It funneled money to Saddam Hussein’s pocket instead of putting it for food and medical supplies through the UN oil-for-food program.
The AWB, after the Cole inquiry, found paid more than $A290 million to Saddam Hussein in exchange for access to Iraqi wheat markets.
On the other hand, the AWB Limited today showed its willingness to fight the legal action by, describing it as ill-conceived. Earlier, AWB has been banned from selling wheat to Iraq.
The federal government said that it has got nothing as official information AWB will continue to sell wheat around the world and it will do that very well.
However, the Labor has warned that the lawsuit can cause additional costs on AWB and its shareholders. The opposition trade spokesperson said that it’s going to have an impact anyway because they’re going to have to defend it; and that means costs to the shareholders.
