Australia to keep embargo on Soviet grain -- if

November 19, 1980

Australia promised continued backing for the US grain embargo against the Soviet Union -- provided other Western nations do the same. Primary Industry Minister Peter Nixon announced the decision after Canada virtually abandoned the sanctions by threatening to sell Moscow as much grain as it could. The Australian government has come under strong pressure from farmers to opt out of the embargo, since the US signing of a long-term grain agreement last month with China, traditionally a client for Australian grain.