The government of Iraq has ordered a 50 percent reduction of Australian wheat exports in response to the Oceanic state’s strong support of US military strikes on the nation, reported INA.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer proclaimed last month that he supported American military strikes against Iraq and that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein must be stopped from developing weapons of mass destruction.
Iraq buys close to two million tons of Australian wheat annually, the bulk of which is milled and used to make bread. The Republic was set to purchase one million tons of wheat from Australia this year, under the humanitarian oil-for-food program under the United Nations supervision.
Australia sells about 17 million tons of wheat to overseas markets. The Australian Wheat Board has been working in recent months to re-establish sizeable wheat exports to Libya and hopes the nation could become a major customer. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
