Cablegate: Iraqi Delegation Visits Ksa to Discuss Iraq

VZCZCXRO5520
OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHRH #7990 2841047
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111047Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2351
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0431
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/HQ COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTH BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0012
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS RIYADH 007990

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR DAS ASAEED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECIN ECON IZ SA
SUBJECT: IRAQI DELEGATION VISITS KSA TO DISCUSS IRAQ
BILATERAL DEBT

1. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance confirmed
to us on October 9 that an Iraqi technical delegation came to
Saudi Arabia on October 7 to discuss Iraqi debt to Saudi
Arabia.

2. According to Deputy Minister of Finance Al-Bazi'y, three
Iraqi delegates from the Ministry of Finance visited Riyadh.
Al-Bazi'y characterized the meeting as technically-oriented,
an attempt to reach agreement on a final figure for Iraqi
debt before policy-makers begin to negotiate debt reduction
terms. Referencing Foreign Minister Prince Saud,s
statements at a September 18 UN high-level meeting on Iraq,
Al-Bazi,y said the SAG "has made its position clear, and is
ready to do something," regarding Iraqi debt. However, he
added, the Iraqis "have more homework to do" coming up with
documents to support their position. He indicated there has
not been much progress since a similar delegation from Iraq
visited Saudi Arabia two years ago.

3. Al-Bazi'y made clear this was the first of several
meetings which would be needed before this issue could be
resolved.
OBERWETTER

© Scoop Media