Iraqi government sues over 'oil-for-food' program
Updated
![Australia's former monopoly wheat exporter AWB Limited is among the 93 companies named in the suit. [ABC]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/aus_awb_241107_abc.jpg "Australia's former monopoly wheat exporter AWB Limited is among the 93 companies named in the suit. [ABC]")
Australia's former monopoly wheat exporter AWB Limited is among the 93 companies named in the suit. [ABC]
The Iraqi government is suing Australia's former monopoly wheat exporter and dozens of other companies over the now-discredited United Nations oil-for-food program.
The Iraqi government has filed a civil lawsuit in a US federal court in Manhattan, seeking to recover damages from companies involved in the UN program.
No date has been set for a hearing.
It alleges that kick-backs and corruption robbed billions of dollars from the Iraqi people through the program between 1996 and 2003.
The lawsuit names 93 major global corporations including AWB Limited - Australia's former monopoly wheat exporter - as well as companies like oil giant Chevron, Volvo, Kia Motors, Johnson and Johnson and Glaxo-Smith-Kline.
It alleges the money could have been used for food, medicine and other goods.
The lawsuit says the corrupt program 'affected the lives and health of the Iraqi people'.
The Iraqi government is seeking damages of more than $US10 billion.
Australia's AWB says it will "vigorously defend its position" if the Iraqi government lawsuit against it proceeds.
