Fed: AWB Executives arrive for meeting with PM

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2006
Fed: AWB Executives arrive for meeting with PM

AWB executives have arrived at Parliament House in Canberra for crisis talks with JOHN HOWARD.

The PM called the meeting after Iraq suspended its dealings with the wheat distributor
until the outcome of the Cole inquiry.

The decision has shut Australian wheat out of the lucrative Iraqi market .. including
a current tender worth almost 300 million dollars.

AWB chairman BRENDAN STEWART says he's in Canberra to work in the best interests of
the industry .. growers and shareholders.

The meeting is also expected to consider removing AWB's monopoly status .. Mr STEWART
says there's a lot of ways to do that without resorting to a multi-desk system for wheat
exports.

AAP RTV jcg/sb/bart

KEYWORD: AWB MEETING ARRIVE (CANBERRA)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.