Iraq looks to develop trade ties with Asia

Iraq looks to develop trade ties with Asia

BAGHDAD (AFP): Iraq's Foreign Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahhaf said Sunday that he made a trip to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to boost bilateral trade ties despite the UN sanctions regime imposed on Baghdad in 1990.

Sahhaf, who returned to Iraq on Saturday, said he told officials from the three countries of the "need to take advantage of UN charter article 50 in developing economic and trade links with Iraq ... and support the lifting of the UN embargo."

Article 50 states that countries have the right to consult the UN Security Council if "preventive or enforcement measures" have been imposed on a state which harm bilateral trade.

Iraq has been under a crippling sanctions regime since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait that forbids commercial transactions with Baghdad without the agreement of the United Nations.

Sahhaf's Asian tour came at a time when Baghdad is rallying international support to break the sanctions regime, which has been eroded somewhat over past months despite Washington's determination to keep it in place.

In January, Iraq signed free-trade agreements with Egypt and Syria, and is looking to sign a similar one with Jordan.