Jordan Times
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Khatib reiterates
Jordan’s support for Iraq
SHARM EL SHEIKH (Petra) — Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib on Friday
reiterated Jordan’s support for efforts to bring about peace and security in
Iraq.
During a meeting at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh, attended by
ministers and officials from more than 50 countries, Khatib said the Kingdom
supports the democratic choice of the Iraqi people that led to the formation of
the current government.
However, he said, this government now needs to create an inclusive political
process to achieve “true national reconciliation” between all religious and
ethnic groups.
The minister also emphasised the need to exert all efforts to control the
borders, combat terrorism and rebuild the Iraqi army and security apparatus.
During the two-day meeting, officials adopted the International Compact, which
lays out a timetable to stabilise Iraq over the next five years.
The meeting also won pledges of $30 billion worth of debt relief. The Paris Club
has already written off $100 billion of Iraq’s debts leaving the country now
with a debt of around $60 billion.
On Thursday, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal stopped short of announcing
the forgiveness of Iraq’s debt to the kingdom.
Instead, he told the conference Saudi Arabia was still negotiating with Iraq
over the issue.
The kingdom is one of Iraq’s biggest creditors, owed between $15 billion to $18
billion. Kuwait, Russia and China also did not announce immediate debt relief.
Khatib said the meeting was of crucial importance, coming at a sensitive and
critical time with the region facing many challenges “which call for unified
efforts.”
The meeting, which included representatives of the UN Security Council permanent
member states and the G-8 countries, reflects the concern and determination of
the international community to find solutions to the current violence and
instability, the minister said.