U.S. sees quick progress on cutting Iraq's debt (Kuwait wants increase)

[papau]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3731088/
U.S. sees quick progress on cutting Iraq's debt
By Caren Bohan

The United States on Tuesday predicted quick progress on paring Iraq's crushing debt after winning agreement by Germany and France to restructure and write off obligations. But White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the three countries have yet to work out figures.

"What specifically constitutes 'substantial' debt reduction will be determined by future agreement between the parties," he said.<snip>


http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3729621/
Kuwait claims for Gulf War missing found in Iraq

December 16, 2003 - Kuwait asked the United Nations Tuesday for compensation for relatives of nationals who went missing during the Iraqi occupation of 1990-91 and whose bodies are now being found in Iraq.

The request was formally filed at a meeting of the United Nation's Compensation Commission set up after the 1991 Gulf War to allot funds from U.N.-controlled sales of Iraqi oil to victims of the Iraqi invasion.

Over the past decade, the UNCC has awarded billions of dollars to the Kuwaiti government, firms and citizens for lost jobs, savings, investments and property in the attack by Saddam Hussein's forces.
Kuwait says hundreds of its nationals disappeared when a U.S.-led coalition forced Iraq to withdraw, and efforts over subsequent years to negotiate their return, or to learn their fate, failed.

In a statement to the UNCC, currently holding a four-day session, a Kuwaiti envoy said many had been recently exhumed and identified in unmarked mass graves across Iraq. "It became clear they were brutally executed in 1991," he said...."The loss of their loved ones can never be resolved but the pain that they endured should be fairly compensated," he said.

Apart from this issue, the UNCC is looking at claims over environmental damage caused by Iraqi forces and others from Palestinians who had worked in Kuwait, some of whom say they could not make their case earlier because of the Israeli occupation.

[ClintonTyree]

1. I wonder...............

what concessions Baker must be promising for this debt reduction? I don't share the White House's optimistic assessment of these countries forgiving Iraq's massive debts, especially after the way Shrubco has treated these "former allies". I smell another pack of lies from Shrubco.

[Kellanved]

2. not much

1. Iraq has very little debt in Germany and France (heck, it owes the US more than either of those).

2. They agreed to nothing; In summer the position was: "a partial debt relief is possible as soon as Iraq is a sovereign nation again"; three weeks ago it was "a debt relief will be discussed at the next paris-club meeting". Now it is "As soon as Iraq is indepentent again we might consider talking about a partial relief at the Paris club.".
3. More tasty subcontracts for French and German companies (although I don't see how this is better than giving the companies the real contracts - the only difference is that a lot of money is skimmed by the main contractor with no actual work done. And with the dollar as it is I can't see European companies doing it at a "normal" rate.)

[Kellanved]

3. dupe

sorry