For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 5, 2003
Statement on James A. Baker III
Statement by the President
Iraq is moving toward freedom, stability and prosperity. In order
to support this effort, I am pleased to announce today that in response
to a request from the Iraqi Governing Council for assistance, I have
appointed James A. Baker III to be my personal envoy on the issue of
Iraqi debt. Secretary Baker will report directly to me and will lead
an effort to work with the world's governments at the highest levels
with international organizations and with the Iraqis in seeking the
restructuring and reduction of Iraq's official debt. The future of the
Iraqi people should not be mortgaged to the enormous burden of debt
incurred to enrich Saddam Hussein's regime. This debt endangers Iraq's
long-term prospects for political health and economic prosperity. The
issue of Iraq debt must be resolved in a manner that is fair and that
does not unjustly burden a struggling nation at its moment of hope and
promise. James Baker's vast economic, political and diplomatic
experience as a former Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury
will help to forge an international consensus for an equitable and
effective resolution of this issue.
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