A former United Nations official says the U-N was forced to rely on the Australian government's assurances that A-W-B had not been involved in paying bribes to Iraq.
U-N official, Felicity Johnston's statement has cast doubt on the Foreign Minister Alexander Downer's claim that the organisation had never concluded AWB was breaching U-N sanctions against Iraq.
Ms Johnston says there was little more she could do once the Australian government told her thay had looked into the matter and had seen no wrong doing by any Australian companies.