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| June 22, 2005 |
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| Iraq Leaders Seek Rebuilding Aid |
WASHINGTON - A major conference on Iraq attended by about 80 countries is discussing ways to rebuild the violence-hit country, reports the online edition of BBC News.
At the start of the meeting in Brussels Iraqi PM Ibrahim Jaafari urged
donors to honor their pledges of aid. The EU and US -- joint sponsors of
the event -- say the meeting will give Iraq an opportunity to explain to
the world what assistance it needs. UN chief Kofi Annan told delegates the
international community was determined to ensure reconstruction was a
success. Annan called for a "partnership that yields tangible benefits in the every day lives of ordinary Iraqis." The United Nations Secretary General was joined by the EU's foreign affairs chief, Javier Solana, and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The Financial Times notes that Iraqi government ministers will not be
asking for donor funds - a donor conference is set to be held in Amman
next month. But Hoshyar Zebari, Iraq's foreign minister, said they would
indicate their priorities and try to attract greater assistance in areas
such as training of judges, prison wardens and police. In fact, the EU
agreed on a "rule of law mission" to carry out such tasks in February,
with an aim of training about 770 officials over 12 months. The mission
will be highlighted again today, since it is scheduled to become
"operational" on July 1.
The business daily further writes that the conference's final declaration
is set to call on donors to step up their disbursements, for Iraq to
develop ways to make such payments easier, and for countries that have not
yet pledged support to rethink. It is also likely to ask Iraq's other
creditors to forgive the country's debts "on terms as least as generous"
as debt relief granted by the Paris Club of creditor governments. But the
language is likely to steer clear of references to Iraq's troubled
security situation, although it will recognize the importance of the Iraqi
Government's consent for the stationing of US-led forces in the country.
The Associated Press meanwhile reports that US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday the Conference will not yield promises to
cancel the nation's huge debts. In recent days, European Union officials
have said they would push Iraq's remaining creditors to forgive most of
the approximately $70 billion that Iraq owes. But Rice said debt relief
may be a topic for a future meeting called specifically to raise money for
Iraq's rebuilding.
Reuters notes officials said the United States and the European Union
would also jointly urge Iraqi leaders to ensure the disgruntled Sunni Arab
minority is fully involved in shaping Iraq's future. The conference is
also likely to pledge support to Baghdad's efforts to join bodies such as the World Trade Organization, an EU diplomat said. Iraqi officials said
they wanted the world to deliver promised aid faster to help combat
instability, but acknowledged the country must clean up its own act by
curbing corruption.
Agence France Presse meanwhile notes Kofi Annan will recommend spending
Iraq weapons inspection funds for development, his spokeswoman said
Tuesday. "Two hundred million dollars will be transferred to the
development fund for Iraq," Marie Okabe said, while funds necessary for
UNMOVIC will remain in the account. "The balance of some 20 million dollars will be credited against Iraq's arrears in its contributions to the UN regular budget, peacekeeping operations and tribunal activities," she said.
Source: The World Bank |
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