Australian members of UN in Iraq spied for US?

SYDNEY, Jan 27: The Australian government knew that Australian members of the UN weapons inspection team in Iraq spied for the United States, a former UN weapons inspector said, reports AFP.

Former US soldier, Scott Ritter, who headed the concealment investigations unit of the UN Special Commission in Iraq until last August, also claimed the Australian government ended up being used by the United States.

Ritter told the Canberra Times in an interview published today that under heavy pressure from Washington last July, UNSCOM was directed to relay intelligence data back to the United States, breaching UN rules.

"The July operation was known to the Australian government in almost every detail but the caveat was that it would be played honestly and that it would be shared with (UNSCOM head) Richard Butler and his deputy," Ritter said.

Butler, the Australian diplomat who now heads UNSCOM, has steadfastly denied any Australians in Iraq spied for the United States.

Ritter, who quit UNSCOM after what he said was a US move to rein in UNSCOM by controlling its intelligence gathering, added: "I know the Australian liaisons down in Washington and the Australian people in New York were read in."

"The Australian government was convinced that it would be doing good. I think they were used too. I think the Australian government ended up being used by the US as well."

A spokesman for Australian Defence Minister John Moore denied Ritter's claims and said no Australians were working for US authorities, but declined further comment in line with the policy of not discussing intelligence issues.