By IRNA,
London : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Thursday appealed to delegates from around 100 countries “to end the international sanctions that were imposed on Iraq because of the previous regime and to write off debts.”
The burdens were an “impediment against reconstruction and development,” Maliki told the first follow-up international conference since a five-year peace and development plan was adopted for Iraq last year.
According to the Iraqi government, Iraq’s total debt, excluding interest, is some Dlrs 140 billion, including Dlrs 10 billion owed to Saudi Arabia and a little less to Kuwait. Much of the debt dates back to the country’s 1980-88 imposed war against Iran.
The prime minister’s call was reported by Sweden’s Local English news service to have been supported by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who said Iraq needed “to get rid of this burden.” Rice stressed the country had made great progress toward creating long-term stability in all areas and said she encouraged everyone to to increase their diplomatic, economic, social and cultural engagement with the people of Iraq.”
The conference follows the launch of the International Compact with Iraq, a five-year peace and economic development plan adopted in May 2007 at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
“Since the compact was launched, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, and Slovenia, and Russia have agreed to major reductions in Iraq’s Saddam-era debt, and we encourage countries that have not yet done so to do so promptly,” Rice said.
She also said that the US “especially urge Iraq’s neighbours and friends to strengthen these ties through official visits to Iraq, the reopening of embassies and consulates and the appointment of ambassadors.”
Her remarks were seen address in particular to Arab countries, with none having any permanent diplomatic mission in Baghdad in the past three years.