Cablegate: Belgium to Forgive 80% of Iraqi Debt

VZCZCXRO6720
PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHBS #0814 1510914
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300914Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7507
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000814

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN EAID IZ BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM TO FORGIVE 80% OF IRAQI DEBT

1. At the Stockholm Conference on Iraq, Belgian State
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Olivier Chastel stated that
Belgium is willing to forgive 80% of Iraq's bilateral debt by
the end of 2008. Belgium would forgive 260 million euros
($403 million) out of a total debt of 323 million euros ($500
million).

2. Chastel also noted that Belgium has already contributed
14 million euros ($22 million) to Iraq's reconstruction
through bilateral and multilateral channels.

3. In addition to the debt forgiveness, Belgium's assistance
to Iraq in 2008 will be provided under the framework of a
Benelux partnership providing a training program in
investigation techniques. Belgian federal police and Belgian
Ministry of Justice officials will participate in this
program.
.

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