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AWB bribery inquiry engulfing Australian government(Asia In Focus Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)CANBERRA, April 11 Asia in Focus - The AWB (ASX:AWB) scandal has engulfed the highest level of Australian government, with John Howard facing the prospect of becoming the first prime minister in 23 years to face an inquiry with royal commission powers. Mr Howard has until 4pm (AEST) today to provide the written statement outlining what he knew about almost $A300 million ($US218.7 million) in kickbacks paid by wheat exporter AWB to Saddam Hussein's regime. * Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile took the witness stand yesterday and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is preparing to face the Cole commission today. * Mr Howard insists his government was not negligent in its handling of repeated warnings about AWB's kickbacks. SUMMARY Australian prime minister facing the prospect of being called before the AWB bribery inquiry ASIA IN FOCUS 11-04 1133 |