1. Facts

• Debt: $27bn, Reparations: $68.8bn

2. Politics

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• Mohammad Abulhasan (ambassador to UN) said in an interview that while his government wouldn't forgive the debt, it might discuss reducing the 25% of Iraq's oil revenue that goes automatically to the UN Compensation Commission. (8th May)
• A study currently being prepared in Kuwait suggests that the $27bn debt owed to Kuwait should be invested in the reconstruction of Iraq, financial sources have told Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas. The study assumes that compensation from a new regime in Iraq would be delayed because of the burden on the country’s finances. Under the proposals put forward, the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) would hold a portfolio of the money awarded to Kuwait by the UNCC and invest it in rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure and agriculture and oil sectors. Kuwait would then be able to liquidate its assets at a later date by selling its assets to the private sector. - 10th March in MEES XLVI.10
• Arab News comments "While Kuwait may have to forego collecting tens of billions of dollars in Iraqi debt and war reparations, nevertheless, these will be more than offset by the major shot in the arm that greater security and a revived Iraqi market would give the country's private sector." (Henry Azzam, 17th April)

3. Action - Write to the Emir.

• Write to the Emir and his finance minister, asking them to act justly and show solidarity with their Iraqi brothers and sisters by not holding them responsible for Saddam's debts and reparation bills.
• Mohammad Abulhasan (ambassador to UN) said in an interview that while his government wouldn't forgive the debt, it might discuss reducing the 25% of Iraq's oil revenue that goes automatically to the UN Compensation Commission. (8th May)
• A study currently being prepared in Kuwait suggests that the $27bn debt owed to Kuwait should be invested in the reconstruction of Iraq, financial sources have told Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas. The study assumes that compensation from a new regime in Iraq would be delayed because of the burden on the country’s finances. Under the proposals put forward, the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) would hold a portfolio of the money awarded to Kuwait by the UNCC and invest it in rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure and agriculture and oil sectors. Kuwait would then be able to liquidate its assets at a later date by selling its assets to the private sector. - 10th March in MEES XLVI.10

General advice on writing to politicians.