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France to Rethink Iraqi Foreign Debt
"Retreat!"France and other creditor nations are looking to strike a deal on helping Iraq reduce its foreign debt next year, the French foreign minister said Monday. He did not specify how much debt might be canceled or restructured. Dominique de Villepin said France wants to work with members of the Paris Club of creditor nations to find an appropriate level of debt that is "compatible with the financial capacities of Iraq." He was speaking at a news conference after meeting a delegation of visiting Iraqi ministers, led by the acting president of the governing council, Abdel Aziz Al-Hakim. The announcement comes a day ahead of a visit to France by former Secretary of State James A. Baker, President Bushâs new emissary to postwar Iraq. Baker is charged with trying to win international support for reconstruction, including promises to erase Iraqâs crushing burden of foreign debt. Sounds like the French already blinked. De Villepin also said France is interested in helping Iraq build its police force. We can talk about it. Posted by: Steve 2003-12-15 |
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