Iraq really loves us.

So yesterday, buoyed by the protests, Iraqi Trade Minister Mohamed Saleh sent what amounted to a massive thank you note.
He announced that Iraq had decided to resume all orders for Australian wheat - worth up to $800 million a year - out of respect for Australian farmers, the Australian Wheat Board and the Australian public's clear opposition to war.
"We still respect the position of the wheat board, who have stayed with us in difficult times," Mr Saleh said.
"For this reason we have kept our (trade relationship) with Australia open, not in favour of the Government of Australia but in favour of the farmers of Australia and the Wheat Board of Australia.
"After the demonstrations which have taken place against the Prime Minister in Australia, we have decided to resume our normal orders."

This is just hilarious, especially coming only the day after his Howardship accused the anti-war protesters from last week of giving comfort to Saddam. Kind of puts them in a difficult spot, eh... cos one could argue that selling wheat to Iraq is technically also giving a form of comfort to Saddam, and yet they can't exactly cancel the sale without pissing off the farmers... and what do they do when war is declared? This could become fun...

posted by James Russell | 12:01 AM