GERMANY: HEAD OF IRAQ'S INTERIM GOVERNING COUNCIL ABDELAZIZ AL-HAKIM SAYS HE OPPOSES ANY BANS ON RESTRICTIONS ON COUNTRIES EAGER TO HELP REBUILD IRAQ

Record ID: 647359

  • Title: GERMANY: HEAD OF IRAQ'S INTERIM GOVERNING COUNCIL ABDELAZIZ AL-HAKIM SAYS HE OPPOSES ANY BANS ON RESTRICTIONS ON COUNTRIES EAGER TO HELP REBUILD IRAQ
  • Date: 20th December 2003
  • Summary: (EU) BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 18, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. MV GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER AND HEAD OF IRAQ'S INTERIM GOVERNING COUNCIL, ABDELAZIZ AL-HAKIM, WALKING TO MICROPHONES; CLOSE-UP OF AL-HAKIM (3 SHOTS) 0.22 2. (SOUNDBITE) (German) FISCHER SAYING: "We had intensive discussions with the chancellor (Gerhard Schroeder) and representatives from the economics ministry. I was able to underline what the chancellor has said, that we are ready to help the reconstruction and that the German industry is ready. We are also ready to assist with humanitarian aid." 0.50 3. MV REPORTERS TAKING NOTES 0.56 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AL-HAKIM SAYING (according to official translation): "We in the Governing Council have decided that we want to keep the door open to all countries and companies which can be of assistance to the reconstruction of our country. There are no exceptions. Of course Germany has the necessary experience and the capacity to contribute something to the reconstruction of our country. This goes for all companies, including German companies. No exceptions will be made." 1.20 5. SCU FISCHER LISTENING 1.29 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JALAL TALABANI, MEMBER OF THE IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL DELEGATION SAYING (according to official translation): "The German position (on the death penalty) in this context is clear: we in Iraq have a law allowing... 1.55 7. SCU CAMERA OPERATOR 1.58 8. (SOUNDBITE) (German) JOSCHKA FISCHER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYING "Our position regarding the death penalty is a fundamental one: we oppose it". 2.03 9. MV FISCHER SHAKING HANDS WITH AL-HAKIM AND TALABANI; FISCHER AND DELEGATIONS WALKING OFF 2.20 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 4th January 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVABPFUZD0QFQZ8BAOS3NEAMKSWJ
  • Story Text: IGC chief says he opposes any bans or restrictions on countries eager
    to help rebuild Iraq.

    Abdelaziz al-Hakim, speaking to journalists at a news conference
    with Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Berlin on Thursday (December 18),
    said no countries or firms that want to help rebuild Iraq should be kept out
    of the country.

    "We in the Governing Council have decided that we want to hold the
    door open for all countries and all companies that want to contribute to the
    reconstruction of Iraq," he said, when asked about a U.S. ban on German
    firms. "No exceptions".

    Of course Germany has the necessary experience," he said,
    referring to Germany's long history of business ties with Iraq that pre-date
    Saddam Hussein's regime. Germany also has the "capacity to contribute
    something to the reconstruction of our country," he added.

    Washington has barred Germany and other opponents of the U.S.-led
    invasion of Iraq, including France and Russia, from bidding for contracts to
    rebuild the war-torn country worth about $18.6 billion U.S. dollars (USD).

    The decision offended Germany and reopened old wounds between
    Washington and Berlin that were caused over the Iraq war. Germany opposed the
    war but has since tried to help the U.S. efforts on debt relief.

    Germany also has 8,000 troops on peacekeeping missions abroad, including
    in Afghanistan and on Thursday Fischer reiterated Germany's readiness to help
    rebuild Iraq.

    "We are ready to help the reconstruction and that the German
    industry is ready. We are also ready to assist with humanitarian aid,"
    Fischer said.


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