Fed: Aust-Iraq relations not irreparable over wheat: ambassador
SYDNEY, Aug 13 AAP - The relationship between Iraq and Australia was not irreparabledespite the federal government's strong anti-Iraq rhetoric, Iraq's ambassador to Australiasaid today.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said the international community,including Australia, will continue to pressure Iraq to allow in United Nations weaponsinspectors to ensure all weapons of mass destruction have been dismantled.
Iraq has turned away shipments of Australian wheat and threatened to stop all wheatimports, citing Mr Downer's critical comments about Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Grain growers have urged the government to tone down its strong stand, saying it wastoo soon to take such a leading position.
Iraqi Ambassador to Australia Dr Saad Al Samarai today said his country had nothingagainst Australian wheat farmers.
"I would like to underline our position - we have nothing against farmers here and(the) wheat board," he told the Seven Network's Sunrise program.
"There is an upset of Iraqi government from foreign policy of Australia, that's all."
Australian grains marketer AWB is considering sending a delegation to Iraq to discuss the issue.
Dr Al Samarai said the delegation would be welcomed and he could see no reason whyrelations could not be repaired.
"Why not ... we are ready to receive them in Baghdad," he said.
He denied Iraq was using wheat trade deals to blackmail Australia into a more moderate position.
"No, I don't want that you understand the matter this way, it was a simple messagefrom Iraqi side, we would like to say and I tried to say ... that please reconsider yourposition," he said.
"We were friends, we are friends, we are (accustomed) to have a good relationship overfive decades, but your foreign policy started to harm us, but you are hurting us to attackus by army forces."
AAP rcg/nf/tnf/bwl
KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST AMBASSADOR
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