Category: Archive

UN official claims “Legal and moral bankruptcy of the Howard Government’s defence, of ‘ignorance’

admin /14 April, 2006

According to a Leader Editorial in The Age: Statements by the UN’s
chief customs officer under the Iraq oil-for-food program from 1999 to
2003, Felicity Johnston, are a reminder of the Government’s
responsibilities and have exposed the legal and moral bankruptcy of the
Howard Government’s defence of ignorance. As she told ABC’s Four
Corners, UN resolution 661 states “in black and white” that the
Government had an absolute responsibility under international law to
ensure funds did not go to Iraq”.

Fairy tales: Like Humpty Dumpty to Alice in Through the Looking
Glass, it seems the meaning Howard puts on words is “just what I choose
it to mean”. And Foreign Minister Alexander Downer still says: “I do
not and I never have admitted any failing by me or my department.” As a
matter of fact, they failed in their statutory duty”.

Just a “postbox” between AWB and the UN: “That leaves no room
for excuses such as departmental officials’ claims that they were just
a “postbox” between AWB and the UN. oward said on 10 April: “I don’t
accept the interpretation placed on the Government’s obligations by the
lady in question.”

UN resolution 661 As with commissioner Terence Cole’s
clarification of his terms of reference, it is hard to see how Mr
Howard can sustain a contrary interpretation of resolution 661. The
clear obligation it imposes on member states was enshrined in
Australian law in the Customs (Prohibited Export) Regulations.

Cause for concern: China will keep its uranium weapons sites off limits to the world

admin /14 April, 2006

Only selected Chinese facilities will be open for inspection, with weapons’ sites off limits, raising questions about whether China might divert Australian uranium into bomb-making. However, John Carlson, the director-general of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, says it isn’t in China’s economic interests to break the rules and the consensus was it stopped production of fissile material for weapons in 1991.

Chrysler attacks Big Oil

admin /12 April, 2006

"Big Oil would rather fill the pockets of its executives and shareholders, … letting consumers, during tough economic times, pick up the tab," wrote Jason Vines, a VP of Chrysler. … more

Govt helped BHP in Iraq

admin /12 April, 2006

Alexander Downer agrees to help BHP Billiton development of Halfayah oilfield just two months after coalition forces enter Iraq, Cole told

The Cole inquiry heard on 11 April that Foreign Minister Alexander Downer agreeded to help the merged BHP Billiton press its claim with the United States government for the development of the highly lucrative Halfayah oilfield in Iraq barely two months after coalition forces entered Iraq, reported The Australian Financial Review (12 April 2006, p.8).

Rural communities protest wild river laws

admin /12 April, 2006

Wild Rivers protest meeting in Georgetown for April 2; rural activities, communities at stake, say organisers

Concerned beef producers, local government authorities and communities in the Gulf and Lower Peninsula regions have established a taskforce to fight the Queensland Government’s proposed wild rivers legislation. One of the group’s first moves this week was to arrange a protest meeting in Georgetown for April 2, to allow local stakeholders to vent their concerns over the process, reported Queensland Country Life (9/3/2006, p.3).

Oranges use outback water efficiently

admin /12 April, 2006

Freshly squeezed orange juice on market demand; long-term returns should average about $1000/megalitre

More than 650 hectares of oranges will be planted in NSW and Queensland by next spring in an effort to provide Australian consumers with a year-round supply of freshly squeezed orange juice, reported The Land (6/4/2006, p.41).