Saudi unwilling to waive Iraq debts

[Darranar]

Saudi Arabia has said it will not discuss any loan write-offs with Iraq's interim US-appointed government, which is facing a debt burden of more than $100 billion.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said his country would wait until Iraq had an independent government before looking into possibly reducing the debt. The Gulf Arab states say Iraq owes them $45-$55 billion.

"This (debt) has to be discussed with a government with total sovereignty, so... this issue is now premature," he told a news briefing broadcast live on Saudi state television in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Dialogue

"There is an international dialogue and we are willing to take part and discuss, but I don't think there is scope for a serious dialogue unless there is an Iraqi government."

Al Jazeera

[kalian]

1. I think the Saudis are looking to be invaded....

and "liberated" of their oil fields.... :eyes:

[Old and In the Way]

2. Gee, James Baker is working his magic with the Sauds, isn't he?

Some kind of thanks that is, considering Mr. Baker is defending the House of Saud against a billion dollar lawsuit from the families of victims of 9/11.....

[Old and In the Way]

3. Debt relief not going too well.

First Russia, now SA.

Does that mean, since we broke it, we have to underwrite these loans? When's all that oil revenue coming on-line?

Boy, what a mess for Junior and the PNAC braintrust.

[Darranar]

4. Well, Russia didn't say no...

it just made the transfer conditional on letting Russia have their share of the loot.

Knowing Bush, that is effectively a no.

[bemildred]

5. Much blather will be forthcoming,

but no real help, until the meatheads now running
the GOUSA are removed. The interesting question is
what Mr. Bakers real mission is? I would wager that
the debt relief, while important, is a pretext, as
there is no real expectation they will get any while
the neo-colonial enterprise in Iraq continues, and
maybe not even when it has ended.

[LeftistGorilla]

6. The world should start forgiving debts..

as soon as America does...

Africa would be a good place to start...