Plausible deniability

Sydney

Australia’s trade minister said this week that he never saw any of the pile of diplomatic cables warning of corruption in his government’s dealings with Iraq. A government investigation has found evidence that the Australian Wheat Board paid $220 million in kickbacks to Saddam Hussein to secure grain contracts under the U.N. oil-for-food program. The investigation also turned up dozens of messages to the Trade Ministry from Australian and foreign diplomats alleging fraud in the program. But Trade Minister Mark Vaile testified that he did “not have a specific recollection” of any of the cables. Australia’s political opposition was furious. “If he had any self-respect, he would resign,” said Labor spokesman Kevin Rudd. “The negligence is so gross.”

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