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.