Confessions of a Misguided Trio

Cole Report Part 2

For the record, I am still working on my full scale post on the Cole Commission Report, it's taking a lot longer than I originally thought, mainly because the report is incredibly boring, and all the good stuff is happening whilst I am reading it...

In this mornings, The Australian, Foreign Minister Downer, was interviewed, Downer went on to say how he believes that the Government was "duped" by AWB over the $290 million in kickbacks it paid to the regime of the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein under the UN oil-for-food program.

Downer continues to inform us that they (AWB) 'were deceiving us, the were deceiving the UN. I was shocked. Minister Downer allowed his department, his responsibility to be deceived, now I am the first to admit that deception happens, it happens a whole lot, especially in international matters. There was a saying that I always get wrong, I think Bush even gets it wrong... Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me...

Standard business practice would assume that if you are deceived by any party, you would immediately set about making changes so that it would never happen again. Mr Downer however sees that there is no need for a major review of DFAT's internal procedures. Further explanation please Mr Downer? "They have made sure that the procedures are effective adequate... They have some minor changes."

Well then... Ok... I believe you Alex... Oh hang on, why would I believe someone who accepts no responsibility for this departments actions?

As per Howard Government tradition, Downer did utilise the opportunity to lay blame on the United Nations "... Since you could drive a truck through the old UN program and the UN was defrauded left, right, and centre, the UN would want to change such a scheme substantially."

Disturbing analogy Mr Downer, seeing as the entire issue is just how much money was paid to 'trucking' firms in propagating the fraud.

In continuing with your analogy, the "Truck" of fraud, was mainly paid for by an Australian company, which was supported by your department, for which you take no responsibility.

There is something rotten in the territory of the Australian Capital, and it will only be there for another week or so, before Parliament recesses for the Christmas break.

In closing this post, I'll echo the comments of a former senior diplomat, who spoke to The Australian on the condition of anonymity...

"[The Australian Government] is either lying, incompetent or both."

posted by Mark @ 5:30 PM