(December 19, 2003) The fate of Russian companies and economic interests in Iraq will affect Moscow’s position in talks on relieving Baghdad’s massive international debt burden, a top diplomat said Friday.
US forgives Iraq debt to clear way for IMF reforms
(December 19, 2004) While Washington pats itself on the back for forgiving Iraqi debt owed since the 1980s, critics say the relief comes with dangerous strings attached and argue that the debt should have been null and void.
The US cancels Iraqi debts
(December 18, 2004) Lifting the crushing burden of the old regime’s debt is one of the most important contributions we can make to Iraq’s new beginning," said US secretary of state Colin Powell.
US urges others to reduce Iraq’s debt
(December 17, 2004) The United States will try to convince more of Iraq’s creditors to forgive the country’s debt, Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Friday.
US to write off US$4.1 billion in Iraqi debts
(December 17, 2004) In fact the United States will go beyond the 80 percent reduction agreed at the Paris Club and forgive 100 percent of the 4.1 billion dollars Iraq owes the United States from the Saddam era.
US signs agreement to cancel Iraq’s $4 billion debt
(December 17, 2004) Iraq needs "pretty darn near full" debt forgiveness to recover, said Frederick Barton, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington policy study group.
Debt deal is a boon for Iraq
(December 17, 2004) Iraq’s other creditors, including its neighbors in the Middle East, some European countries not in the Paris Club and private commercial creditors, are feeling the squeeze to accept the Paris Club’s 80 percent debt-forgiveness formula.
Annan pledges to aid in Oil-for-Food probe
(December 16, 2004) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has pledged full cooperation with investigations into alleged abuses in a U.N. oil and aid program and said U.N. employees can be fired if they do not comply.
New Zealand author of damning book on UN to lose job
(December 14, 2004) A New Zealand doctor and United Nations employee who co-wrote a book exposing sex, drugs and corruption among UN peacekeeping forces says he is being sacked.
Iraq’s debt will be serviced, eventually
(December 13, 2004) Iraq has about $16 billion to $22 billion of commercial debt outstanding, although that total may rise as more claimants come forward.
Analysis: Russia writes off Iraq debt for possible oil stake
(December 10, 2004) Russia’s reversal of its longstanding position opposing Iraqi debt forgiveness is ‘inextricably linked’ to the Iraqi government’s reconsideration of agreements between Russian oil companies and the former regime of Saddam Hussein.
Brown wants G8 to write off poor countries’ debts
(December 9, 2004) The government wants the world to write off the debts of the poorest countries, sponsor research for new malaria and AIDS vaccines and complete global trade talks during its presidency of the G8 rich nations club next year.
The IMF and the future of Iraq
(December 8, 2004) It is uncontroversial to argue that US policies and interests are widely reflected in the decisions taken and the statements made by the Iraqi interim authorities.
Blair gives personal support to Kofi Annan
(December 6, 2004) British Prime Minister Tony Blair gave his personal endorsement Monday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who has come under fire in the United States over the oil-for-food program in Iraq.
Annan’s oil-for-food crisis deepens
(December 4, 2004) US President George W. Bush increased the pressure on Kofi Annan over Iraq’s oil-for-food scandal yesterday, pointedly declining to endorse the UN Secretary-General.