(July 4, 2003) According to Bulgaria’s Finance Minister Milen Velchev, the U.S. administration had shown understanding that the repayment of the Iraqi debt to Bulgaria was of great importance and it would not insist on its full cancellation.
Palace of problems
(July 2, 2003) Although chasing Hussein’s hidden bank accounts and finding caches of gold has grabbed headlines, those amounts are small compared with what a tough debt reduction campaign can yield for Iraq.
Official seeks to cool down expectations about Iraqi debt redemption
(June 30, 2003) Bulgaria should not have too great expectations about collecting a US$1.7 billion debt that Iraq ran to it during the Cold War, Deputy Minister of Finance Krasimir Katev said. The Paris Club is likely to forgive up to 60% of it, he said.
Bulgarian official warns against great expectations about Iraq’s debt
(June 30, 2003) Krassimir Katev, Bulgaria’s Deputy Finance Minister, ruled out the option for the U.S. administration to buy out the Iraqi debt, which, in his words, counters its regulations.
U.S. investors stay shy of Iraqi debt trade
(June 27, 2003) Prices for Iraqi commercial debt have risen strongly since the fall of Saddam Hussein, but analysts say U.S. investors are holding back from re-entering the market because of legal uncertainties, despite last month’s lifting of U.S. financial sanctions.
Velchev in U.S. for talks
(June 27, 2003) Finance Minister Milen Velchev said Bulgaria was willing to wait a couple of years more, as it had waited for 13 years already to get back its debt from Iraq. "What is really important is to receive as large percentage of the debt as possible," he said.
Iraqi debt debate
(June 26, 2003) Russia will not cancel Iraq’s debt accumulated during the rule of ousted leader Saddam Hussein, the speaker of the State Duma, Gennady Seleznyov, said in remarks published Wednesday.
Iraqi reconstruction efforts target
(June 26, 2003) by Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State "Once we have a better estimate of the true level of Iraq’s debt and its underlying payment capacity, we can move forward to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with Iraq’s official debt," says Randal Quarles.
U.S. faces daunting task on building Iraqi economy
(June 25, 2003) Basil al-Rahim, founder of the Washington-based Iraq Foundation, has its own guidelines for rebuilding Iraq, called the "Phoenix Plan." The plan advocates wiping away a big chunk of Iraq’s debts – as was done after World War II for Germany.
Claiming the spoils of war
(July 23, 2003) How and when will Bulgaria be paid the almost US$2 billion owed to it by Iraq? This is a serious matter for Bulgaria’s finance minister Milen Veltchev and he scoffs at any discussions of forgiveness because of ‘odious debt’ arguments.
U.S. seeks regional cooperation for vision of Middle East prosperity
(June 19, 2003) Iraq’s "debt issue as such" will not be covered at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Amman later this month, says U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, Alan Larson.
Maloney, Leach introduce H.R. 2482 (Iraqi Freedom from Debt Act)
(June 18, 2003) "There is a powerful moral case for relieving the Iraqi people of the debts incurred by Saddam’s murderous regime." says Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
Debt campaigners propose strategies to revitalise the debt movement
(June 9, 2003) A range of strategies and concrete actions proposed in the framework of a reaffirmation of unity in fighting for debt cancellation were the main results of a World Council of Churches (WCC) workshop that addressed debt campaign divisions.
A fresh start for Iraq: The case for debt relief
(May 30, 2003) "Powerful as the economic case for debt relief may be, it is reinforced by the fact that much of Iraq’s debt is illegitimate in a wider sense. The doctrine of ‘odious debt’ clearly sets out the reasons for this illegitimacy." says Oxfam.
Letters to the Editor: Claims tribunal best way to face up to Iraqi debt
(May 29, 2003) This is a letter to the editor written by Justin Alexander, UK Co-ordinator of Jubilee Iraq. He critizes Lex Rieffel’s argument that odious debts repudiation is impractical and introduces a plan for a debt arbitration tribunal for Iraq.