Schroeder calls for Iraq debt relief

[Kellanved]

AFP - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called for greater debt relief for Iraq, including a delayed repayment schedule and partial debt forgiveness, in an interview with a German weekly to appear on Monday.

The Paris Club "should lean toward a long-term rescheduling" of its 100 billion euro ($A165.25 billion) foreign debt, Schroeder was quoted as saying by Der Spiegel, nearly one month after the Madrid international donors conference on Iraq aid.

"We have not forgotten what helped Germany after World War II. Without the Americans' generous repayment plan, there would not have been reconstruction and an economic miracle in Germany," the chancellor said, adding that "Germany will provide its help" with regards to Iraq's debt repayment.

"I do not want to exclude a partial forgiveness of (Iraq's debt)," Schroeder said, appealing for quick negotiations so that Iraq could begin using its money for reconstruction.

...
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Business/story_53335.asp