1. Facts

• Debt: $700m, Reparations: ???
• In 1990, Poland negotiated and signed a favorable agreement with Iraq to define the mechanisms by which the country would pay off its debt. The agreement specified that all liabilities would be met by 1995 with imports of Iraqi oil. Work began on implementation of the agreement, but several months later, in August 1990, Iraqi troops attacked Kuwait. (Warsaw Voice 13th Feb)

2. Politics

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• Wlodzimierz Cimoszewic (Foreign Minister) said that he would like to recover some of the $700m debt from Iraq, ''not necessarily in cash but, if possible, by more permanent participation in the Iraqi economy, to the benefit of both countries.'' - 14th (?) April
• Witold Jurasz (Ambassador to Iraq 1986-90) suggested that the debt could be recovered in kind, from oil pumped from the Rumaila fields. - 14th (?) April

3. Action - Write to the finance minister.

• Explain that you do not believe the Iraqi people are legitimately responsible for any of Saddam's debts.
• Remind him that Poland itself recieved substantial debt forgiveness after the end of the Soviet era.
• Ask him to write off all financial claims on the Iraqi people.

General advice on writing to politicians.

You could also write to:

• Wlodzimierz Cimoszewic