Countries Urged to Give Cash to Iraq

The EU will provide 200 million out of its common budget, with Britain and Spain giving large additional sums. But Washington faces some hard bargaining – with countries who opposed the war expressing reluctance to stump up the cash while America retains the levers of power in Iraq. France, Germany and Russia, the leading war skeptics, have already made it clear that they will only provide extra humanitarian aid.

At a preliminary press conference, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan linked reconstruction to the political process.

Aznar said he and Annan shared the hope that Iraqis would be able to enjoy full sovereignty as soon as possible.

Aznar only took two questions at the end of the press conference, saying he had an important football match to go to.
Annan, meanwhile, put a brave face on what will no doubt be some tough political footwork over hard cash. "It will be an important beginning and I think we will be able to raise the amount necessary to start reconstruction of Iraq in a robust and determined manner," he said.