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Top Australian ministers to appear at wheat exports inquiry(Asia In Focus Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)CANBERRA, April 10 Asia in Focus - Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile will become the first cabinet minister in a decade to face a royal commissioner when he fronts the Cole inquiry today. Mr Vaile and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer have both been asked to appear before the commission investigating $A300 million ($US217.42 million) in kickbacks paid by wheat exporter AWB to the corrupt regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. * Mr Vaile will be first into the witness box to be quizzed by lawyers assisting the inquiry today, followed by Mr Downer tomorrow. * Mr Downer maintains that neither he nor his department has acted improperly and that there's not a skerrick of evidence that anyone has been involved in a conspiracy. SUMMARY Australian deputy PM, Foreign Minister to face royal commissioner at Cole wheat exports inquiry today, tomorrow ASIA IN FOCUS 10-04 1208 |