The Bulgarian News
October 16, 2003

Iraq’s debt to Bulgaria would most probably be paid off through its oil, US Congressman James Sensenbrenner said to Bulgaria’s Parliamentary Speaker Ognyan Gerdjikov.

The two officials discussed the debt Iraq has to pay off to Bulgaria. Gerdjikov insisted on including the possibility for compensation for Bulgaria. He pointed out participation of Bulgarian companies in the post-war construction of Iraq. As another option for compensation Gerdjikov pointed out Iraq’s oil.

The US Congressman said that the sooner Iraq’s post-war reconstruction starts the sooner the problem with its debts could be solved.

Bulgaria’s delegation also intend to know when would it be possible for Bulgarian citizens to travel visa free to US. In reply to that question Sensenbrenner said that this would be possible when 98 percent of the Bulgarians that get visas for the US return in time in Bulgaria.