Iraqi President Makes First Visit to Kuwait in Decades
Interim Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil Yawer arrived here Saturday to press for improved ties and to discuss Baghdad’s multibillion-dollar debt to Kuwait.
It was the first such visit by an Iraqi president in decades. Official ties have improved between the former foes since President Saddam Hussein was ousted last year, and in June, Kuwait restored diplomatic relations.
But outstanding issues remain, including about $15 billion Iraq owes Kuwait.
It was mostly given during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, but Baghdad says the money was given as grants.
Yawer said he planned to visit Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates after Kuwait.
“We don’t have a specific agenda, but there are generous invitations from these countries, which we’re meeting,” he told reporters at Kuwait airport.
Kuwait has agreed to substantially cut Iraq’s debt but says the issue should be discussed with a permanent government in Baghdad.
The emirate has also made clear the debt issue is separate from that of more than $150 billion in 1991 Persian Gulf War reparations being sought from Iraq.
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