(October 23, 2003) About $50bn is needed to rebuild Iraq, aid officials say United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on the international community to "give and give generously".
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Iraq debt casts a shadow over rebuilding plans
(October 22, 2003) Even a big debt write-off, which has been mooted, could still leave Iraq poor for many decades to come.
Controversial new report: Iraqi views on foreign debt and reparations
(October 22, 2003) As big powers gather, report indicates ‘unanimous’ Iraqi opposition to payment of Saddam’s ‘odious’ debts.
FT briefing: Iraq donors’ conference
(October 21, 2003) The US will discuss Iraq debt forgiveness with several countries on the fringes of the conference. The Paris Club estimates Iraq’s existing debts at $21bn.
Nations ponder Iraq’s ‘odious’ debt millstone
(October 21, 2003) Deep disagreement over Iraq’s crippling debt burden is expected to reanimate old quarrels and undermine progress at the Iraq donors conference, which meets for two days from Thursday in Madrid.
Sununu criticizes Iraq loan suggestion
(October 19, 2003) The United States should not ask Iraq to repay a portion of the proposed $87 billion for postwar expenses, U.S. Sen. John Sununu said Friday. It would send the wrong message to the Arab world and American allies, he said.
Bush cedes some control in Iraq
(October 18, 2003) Independent agency will oversee reconstruction spending.
Those odious debts
(October 18, 2003) Taking on Saddam’s debt burden would cripple the new Iraq economically. Besides, it is clearly unfair to expect the Iraqi people to pay for the reckless waste of the regime that brutally oppressed them for so long.
US companies to be big gainers from Iraq outlay
(October 17, 2003) Much of the US financial contribution to Iraqi reconstruction will be earmarked for American companies, according to the top international official at the US Treasury.
External debt: Issues of sustainability and legitimacy
(October 17, 2003) The question of legitimacy of claims on southern countries is normally ignored when a sustainable level of debt is determined. Such a practice legitimizes such debt and will cause lenders to behave irresponsibly again in the future. Iraq with a total debt of approximately US$380 billion and a GNP of $25 billion is a star case of not just an unsustainable burden, but also of highly questionable claims by creditors who financed the dictator’s military buildup and affluent lifestyle.
Outcome of the workshop on external debt: Issues of sustainability and legitimacy
(October 17, 2003) "Iraq with a total debt of approximately 380 bn US/Dollars and a GNP of 25 bn is a star case of not just an unsustainable burden, but also of highly questionable claims by reditors."
Senate turns half of Iraq aid into loans
(October 17, 2003) The Senate disregarded an intense lobbying campaign by the White House and decided that Iraq eventually should have to repay half the $20.3 billion President Bush wants to rebuild the country.
News flash: Reservoir to reach 156 metres a year earlier than planned
The builders of the Three Gorges dam intend to fill the reservoir to 156 metres above sea level one year ahead of schedule, an official project publication has revealed.
Cancel Iraq’s odious debts first, Madrid donors conference told
Debt relief groups have urged Iraq’s debtors to adhere to a 100-year-old legal principle to resolve Iraq’s debt crisis and assist reconstruction efforts when they meet tomorrow in Madrid.
Iraq’s debt to Bulgaria to be ‘paid off with oil’
(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.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
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