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UAE cancels entire Iraq debt

Reuters

Latest comment posted at 9:30 AM EDT 06/07/08

Move clears $7-billion in debt, including interest and arrears payments ...Read the full article

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  1. JD Wood from Toronto, Canada writes: The real debt is the human lives lost and oil stolen in this illegal and unjust war. Who will cancel that debt?
  2. Ted Andrews from Canada writes:
    Apparently UAE is the location of Camp Mirage the mysterious military base that we are not suppose to know the location.

    IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, etc.
    TROOPS OUT NOW!
  3. Bill Wall from Canada writes: Regardless of the legitimacy of the Iraq war in the first place, Iraq is moving into a better future as this deal with UAE indicates. Stay the course, withdraw only as Iraq continues to stabilize as full democratic partner in the world.
  4. Al B from Toronto, Canada writes: Given the US military spend 4-5 billions a month in Iraq...
  5. Glenn F from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Funny - we can't even forgive a tenth of that debt for Africa...
  6. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: While the UAE is building indoor ski facilities in the desert, massive man-made islands, modern cities with skyscrapers that dwarf ours, forgiving the debt of other countries, etc., we are paying big bucks for our fuel!

    We supply the US with more fuel than Saudi Arabaia yet we pay more for it than Americans do!
  7. Piet F from Canada writes: ... and the cost of it to the environment and society is far more than we pay out of our pockets J L. Canada actually pays significantly less for fuel than nearly all developed countries. Take a trip to Europe and you'll understand.

    Here's a suggestion: buy a bike.
  8. Doctor X from Erewhon, New Zealand writes: The entire idea of external debt is ridiculous for many, if not most countries. How can anyone expect a nation's citizens to repay a debt for money that was loaned out to their former dictator, mostly for the purpose of oppressing and murdering them. The real criminals are the leaders of nations who loaned this money out, mostly in order to benefit their personal friends and weapons manufacturers (usually one and the same). The Iraqi 'government' would do the world a favour by stating that they refuse to honor such invalid and immoral 'debts'. Of course, they would never do this, as they' are bought & paid for by the US and UK.
  9. Matthew Baldwin from Canada writes: To the UAE,

    About time! All the European and G8 nations who have been running large deficits have forgiven Iraq's debt long ago.

    And to the bashers....my you one day be reincarnated as a Kurd or Marsh Arab under Saddam's rule.

    Matthew.
  10. True North from Canada writes: Won't see the US doing that!
  11. john 'trillium boy' smith from Canada writes: @J L from Toronto, Canada writes:
    'While the UAE is building indoor ski facilities in the desert, massive man-made islands, modern cities with skyscrapers that dwarf ours, forgiving the debt of other countries, etc., we are paying big bucks for our fuel!

    We supply the US with more fuel than Saudi Arabaia yet we pay more for it than Americans do!'

    and funny that so people are after BC government that have increased price of gas by $0.024 per litre.
  12. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: L from Toronto, Canada writes: ......................
    "We supply the US with more fuel than Saudi Arabaia yet we pay more for it than Americans do! "

    CHECK OUT CHAPTER 11 UNDER NAFTA. That's why! We were screwed!
  13. Karunaratne Jeyatilleke from Ottawa, Canada writes: UAE is the Middle East Bahamas for the American war elitists!!
  14. Al B from Toronto, Canada writes: Matthew Baldwin from Canada writes: 'my you one day be reincarnated as a Kurd or Marsh Arab under Saddam's rule.'

    How can one be reincarnated into the past? LOL
  15. Kim Morton from Canada writes: Must be nice to have a benevolent banker. When I asked for my loans to be forgiven they laughed. Of course I didn't have any oil to steal either.
  16. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: George Bush - one of the best Presidents in American history. Not seen as such yet - but he will be.
  17. Bryan . from Canada writes: True North from Canada writes: Won't see the US doing that!

    The US canceled Iraqs debt to them in 2004.
  18. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: L from Toronto, Canada writes: ......................
    "We supply the US with more fuel than Saudi Arabaia yet we pay more for it than Americans do! "

    Taxes! We are taxed more than Americans. Everyone, except those "fortunate" enough to live in Chavez's Venezuela, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, pays world price for a barrel of oil. Has diddly squat to do with NAFTA
  19. Agent Smith from Canada writes: Dear Red-neck, They just did a poll in Hell and as you'd expect he's one of their favorites.

    _____

    Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: George Bush - one of the best Presidents in American history. Not seen as such yet - but he will be.
  20. Peter Ochodo from Montreal, Canada writes: that's very generous of UAE. Wonderful.
  21. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Agent Smith from Canada writes: Dear Red-neck, They just did a poll in Hell and as you'd expect he's one of their favorites.

    Just get back from there did you?
  22. Jim **** from Canada writes: It should be international convention that citizens of democracies are never responsible for debts incurred by their country when it was under dictatorship. That would go a long way to ending dictatorships, because arms companies would stop arming them.

    As for US cancelling Iraqi debt, that's a little underwhelming since the US is at the same time expecting Iraqis to pay the cost of the destruction brought by their 'liberation'. Of course Iraqis didn't have any choice in whether or how the money was spent. Yet that destruction has enriched the US arms manufaturers and military contractors. Furthermore the occupation was incompetent, (or perhaps intentionally neglectful), resulting in untold unnecessary damage to Iraqi infrastructure.

    I'll be more impressed when the US and UK pay reparations to Iraq.
  23. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: Piet F from Canada writes: ... and the cost of it to the environment and society is far more than we pay out of our pockets J L. Canada actually pays significantly less for fuel than nearly all developed countries. Take a trip to Europe and you'll understand.

    Piet F: that's true, however environmental concerns can still be addressed with low fuel costs.

    The technology for fuel efficient vehicles exists - our government simply has to mandate that all cars sold after a certain date must meet much tougher fuel efficiency standards.

    I rather have the car companies scramble to meet tough fuel efficiency standards than have average Canadians scramble to make "ends meet".

    The car companies will adjust because necessity breeds innovation. Families will only suffer if they have to pay more for fuel and wait until the very last second for car companies to make more fuel efficient vehicles.

    In addition to that, government can make major investments in subway lines in our major cities, mandate that all new subdivisions and towns radically alter their vehicular dependent planning methods and create pedstrian-friendly communities and give grants/subsidies to companies that clean up their polluting ways or develop environmentally-friendly systems/products, etc.
  24. Agent Smith from Canada writes: Dear Red-neck, Actually I just got back from a place you try visiting. It's called 'civilization'.
  25. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Jim ** from Canada writes:

    I'll be more impressed when the US and UK pay reparations to Iraq.

    I know, they were all very happy living under Saddam's bootheels. Kurds loved to be gassed every few years or so and young girls anxiously lined up to be raped by Uday and Qusay. Kuwait just couldn't wait to have their oilfields blown up again (talk about carbon and global warming - how much you think that put into the atmosphere?) and Iran was looking forward to another prolonged million loss war with Saddam because their median population age has again crept over 25 and they wanted to thin out the ranks. Jordan and Saudi Arabia also loved having Saddam next door as you couldn't find a more hospitable and helpful neighbor. Not to mention Israel. Long cannons (Canadian made by the way) skuds and sundry missiles targeted at you 24/7 adds spice to life doesn't it? Yes, you're right, life was just a bowl of cherries for everyone and George Bush spoiled it all.
  26. Hugh Glen from Barrie, Canada writes: I wonder if some American weapons manufacturer will see a jump in their stock price this week... on the heels of a contract extension they don't need to bid on, of course..

    Like someone said above: why can't we seem to forgive any of the debt in Africa?
  27. Sceptical Observer from Canada writes: Undoubtedly a piece of good news for the people of Iraq and still the bunch of usual left loonies are trying hard to ignore it. Idiots like Ted Andrews with his brainless slogans, Wackernazi that can't forgive the USA Nazi Germany defeat, and the rest.
  28. SN Dream from Canada writes: Glenn F from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Funny - we can't even forgive a tenth of that debt for Africa...
    ------------------------------------------
    Funny, if you want to give free money to them so bad, why don't you pay for it yourself??

    It's like everything else, you guys all for the "good cause" as long as someone else have to pay for it.
  29. W W from Canada writes: Another victory of the Iraq war. Iraqi depths to its Arab neighbor is cited as the major reason of the first Gulf war. Those who suggest that life under Suddam was not too bad don't understand that it was paid by the Arab loans and everything collapsed the day they requested to start repaying their loans back.
  30. Jim **** from Canada writes: Red Neck: Nice try, tarring US detractors as Sadaam supporters. Remember that the US was very chummy with Sadaam as long as he was attacking Iran and gassing the Republican guard.

    The US should pay reparations not primarily for the attack on Iraq, but their (probably intentional) incompetence in protecting the Iraqi state infrastruture during the occupation, as required by international law.
  31. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: L from Toronto, Canada writes: ......................
    "We supply the US with more fuel than Saudi Arabaia yet we pay more for it than Americans do! "

    Taxes! We are taxed more than Americans. Everyone, except those "fortunate" enough to live in Chavez's Venezuela, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, pays world price for a barrel of oil. Has diddly squat to do with NAFTA "
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HAVE YOU READ CHAPTER 11 OF NAFTA? OR YOU JUST WANT TO SPOUT OFF ON A SUBJECT YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY?
  32. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red-Neck- As your name would suggest, you just don't get it. Comparatively speaking life was better, not to say it was the best before. You mitigation of human suffering and gross corruption and incompetence by the "coalition" to serve a partisan political position is truly sad. If Iraq now is such a "bowl of cherries" now, so much better-why aren't you there? That simple fact kinda highlights your bs.
  33. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red-Neck- As your name would suggest, you just don't get it. Comparatively speaking life was better, not to say it was the best before. You mitigation of human suffering and gross corruption and incompetence by the "coalition" to serve a partisan political position is truly sad. If Iraq now is such a "bowl of cherries" now, so much better-why aren't you there? That simple fact kinda highlights your bs.

    Get a grip! Move there! Using your "logic" why weren't YOU living there when Saddam was? Get friggin' real!
  34. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville,
    HAVE YOU READ CHAPTER 11 OF NAFTA? OR YOU JUST WANT TO SPOUT OFF ON A SUBJECT YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY?

    Ok, Wacky, let's hear how NAFTA and the infamous Chapter 11 affects the world price of a barrel of oil. Vast right wing, Cheney led conspiracy no doubt!
  35. Get Smart from Disney Land USA, Canada writes:
    Who will forgive the USA, owing trillions?
  36. Western Weasel from Wet Coast, Canada writes: Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: .....

    HAVE YOU READ CHAPTER 11 OF NAFTA? OR YOU JUST WANT TO SPOUT OFF ON A SUBJECT YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY?

    Yvonne, relax. As soon as we can elect a government in this country that has the balls to put the citizens interests ahead of corporate interests then we can invoke the following from the NAFTA agreement:

    Article 2205: Withdrawal

    A Party may withdraw from this Agreement six months after it provides written notice of withdrawal to the other Parties. If a Party withdraws, the Agreement shall remain in force for the remaining Parties.

    Have a great Sunday!
  37. CM Chen from Toronto, Canada writes: Whether one agree or not with the U.S. war on Saddam, the UAE is doing the right thing to help the Iraqis. May be the rest of the Arab League can also follow thru with similar action.
  38. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: It never ceases to amaze. Reading these posts, how tangential these conversations get. Everyone has their little left-wing rant, no matter the topic at hand; they've just got to get to. Some doctors (psychiatrists) would call it ADD in extermis and probably recommend clinical treatment.
  39. Jim **** from Canada writes: Wet Weasel: Anyone who suggests that we can extract ourselves from the NAFTA clause that obliges us to share our oil probably doesn't understand the coercive power of the American state.

    Besides, I'm not sure that we shouldn't be sharing our resource with our fellow humans. What we should demand is that everyone stop squandering the last half of this priceless resource.
  40. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red Neck- Good comeback. And again, totally MISSED the point. Neither is worth living in, but more so now than before!! Not surprising you don't get it, given who you apologize for. And given that, does that not make you a Saddam supporter? Did you have a tough time deciding who to cheer for? Fact is for all your braying, you don't support the new Iraq enough to move there. Thereby PROVING that it isn't as great as you are trying to pass it off as. Thereby the detractors are right and you are wrong. Did you see what I did? THAT'S called logic. Try it sometime. Its better to realize that you are a useful idiot than to live your whole life never realizing what you were!! ;)
  41. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red Neck- Good comeback. And again, totally MISSED the point. Neither is worth living in, but more so now than before!! Not surprising you don't get it, given who you apologize for. And given that, does that not make you a Saddam supporter? Did you have a tough time deciding who to cheer for? Fact is for all your braying, you don't support the new Iraq enough to move there. Thereby PROVING that it isn't as great as you are trying to pass it off as. Thereby the detractors are right and you are wrong. Did you see what I did? THAT'S called logic. Try it sometime. Its better to realize that you are a useful idiot
    than to live your whole life never realizing what you were!! ;)

    Read what you just posted! Everyone - read what this individual just posted! What you call "logic" scares the bejesus outta me bud. You really shouldn't be running around loose you know.
  42. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red Neck- "Everyone has their little left-wing rant..." Oh right, I forgot about the vast left-wing conspiracy which is destroying the world. They are the ones that tricked the Repubs to fund Saddam and AQ. Whats their motto again- domination thru supplication?lol. Psychiatrists have a name for what you have, its called paranoia. Although I think there is a large dose of ignorance in there as well.
  43. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Redneck - here's my tangent:

    You're an idiot.
  44. CM Chen from Toronto, Canada writes: Get Smart from Disney Land USA, Canada writes:
    Who will forgive the USA, owing trillions?

    ==============

    A huge chunk of U.S. is foreign owned.

    For example, the biggest U.S. bank, Citibank is 5% owned by one single Saudi prince.

    If oil price keep going up and the U.S. dollar going down, Saudi Arabia may one day have to forgive the U.S. debt .
  45. Randal Oulton from Toronto, Canada writes: >> JD Wood from Toronto, Canada writes: The real debt is the human lives lost and oil stolen in this illegal and unjust war. Who will cancel that debt?

    And, what about the misery and suffering caused needlessly by Canadians not releasing third world countries from the debt they owe us? See, like you, I realize it's no good pointing out just what others are doing wrong :}
  46. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Redneck - here's my tangent:

    You're an idiot.

    Used up the sum total of your double digit IQ on that one, eh?
  47. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red Neck- "Everyone has their little left-wing rant..." Oh right, I forgot about the vast left-wing conspiracy which is destroying the world. They are the ones that tricked the Repubs to fund Saddam and AQ. Whats their motto again- domination thru supplication?lol. Psychiatrists have a name for what you have, its called paranoia. Although I think there is a large dose of ignorance in there as well.

    You obviously didn't take my advice and are still loose. If his handler is on-line, please get him back into the institution - or is he already posting from same? Me wonders?
  48. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: This amount would be far less than one day's oil revenue from the Emirates at today's spot market prices. I estimate Saudi Arabi at over $9 billion per day income from oil sales.

    I wouldn't mind a hand with my debt as well. Where do I write?
  49. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red Neck- I would say get out of your parents basement- but we all know mobile homes don't have them!!!LOL. Your rebuttals, like your comments, lack intelligence and common sense. Keep trying though! They are funny to read and a good example of what not to be. Remeber people, if u think Iraq is in good shape right now- you might be a redneck!!LOL.
  50. Hans Ulster from Low Earth Orbit, Canada writes: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4276460.ece

    Manji said scientists at the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute in Iran had bought 215 vervet monkeys from him this year but he had become suspicious about their true motive, although he was still trading with them. They had “spent a lot of money” on getting the monkeys, even sending over scientists to check on each consignment.

    “Iran is very secretive,” said Manji, who has been exporting monkeys for 22 years. “They said it [the monkeys] was for ‘our country’, for vaccine. [They said] ‘We don’t buy vaccine from anywhere; we prepare our own vaccine’.

    “But I think they use it for something else. You know why? Because they don’t go on kilos. Iran wants [monkeys weighing] 1.5kg to 2.5kg, [but] 1.5kg for vaccine is not possible.”
  51. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Hans Ulster- When you say 1.5 kg for serum is not possible what do you mean? That vaccine's cannot be made from monkeys over a certain weight? Or vaccines are possible but limited in effectiveness, strength?
  52. Hans Ulster from Low Earth Orbit, Canada writes: K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Hans Ulster- When you say 1.5 kg for serum is not possible what do you mean? That vaccine's cannot be made from monkeys over a certain weight? Or vaccines are possible but limited in effectiveness, strength?

    ---------------------------------

    I personally do not know; that is a quote from the Times today.
  53. jimmie rabbit from Canada writes: Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville,
    HAVE YOU READ CHAPTER 11 OF NAFTA? OR YOU JUST WANT TO SPOUT OFF ON A SUBJECT YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY?

    Ok, Wacky, let's hear how NAFTA and the infamous Chapter 11 affects the world price of a barrel of oil. Vast right wing, Cheney led conspiracy no doubt!

    >>are you trying to tell us cheney hasn't made a buck off it? just in the right place at the right time, i guess.

    red-necked and pickle-brained
  54. W W from Canada writes: The life in Iraq before the first Gulf war was certainly not that good as some would like us to believe. Right before and during the Kuwait war, the loans to Iraq from the Arab countries stopped flowing and the lenders started asking for the money. Iraq refused to pay and started the Kuwait war. The short period of a relatively stable (how stable it can be during the Iran war?) live in Iraq was funded by the Arab loans, but the Sudam regime wasn't able to sustain this level of live and had to start the Kuwait war to avoid paying the loans back.
  55. jack doober from brantford, Canada writes: I would like to know how much fuel the Military are using in Iraq and Afganistan to fight their wars..

    We should not only end these wars and bring our boys home we should also end these wars and bring our fuel home..
  56. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: jimmie rabbit from Canada writes: Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville,
    HAVE YOU READ CHAPTER 11 OF NAFTA? OR YOU JUST WANT TO SPOUT OFF ON A SUBJECT YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYWAY?

    Ok, Wacky, let's hear how NAFTA and the infamous Chapter 11 affects the world price of a barrel of oil. Vast right wing, Cheney led conspiracy no doubt!

    >>are you trying to tell us cheney hasn't made a buck off it? just in the right place at the right time, i guess.

    Alright, let's hear how Cheney made all this money. I notice "Wacky" is strangely silent as well because NAFTA doesn't have a thing to do with the price of rice in China or the world price of a barrel of oil. Being the erudite individual your informed post tells me you are, you do know, of course, that Cheney's holdings are in a blind trust while he is in office and has no input into what the trustee does with it. So, enlighten me, oh wise one.
  57. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Red Neck- I would say get out of your parents basement- but we all know mobile homes don't have them!!!LOL. Your rebuttals, like your comments, lack intelligence and common sense. Keep trying though! They are funny to read and a good example of what not to be. Remeber people, if u think Iraq is in good shape right now- you might be a redneck!!LOL.

    An attempt at condescension from an "idjit". And a liberal one at that though that begs the question, "are there any other kind?".
  58. Red-necked and loving it from Canada writes: Hans Ulster from Low Earth Orbit, Canada writes:

    ---------------------------------

    I personally do not know; that is a quote from the Times today.

    Hans, I'm sure the good people of Iran are just saving the monkeys from others who would perform ghoulish experiments on them. Pets, is all. Why would anyone think anything sinister? They're not pursing nuclear weaponry either and only want enriched uranium for power generation. They've no intention of wiping Israel off the face of the earth. You all know (believe) that, don't you? These Imams only want to be your friends.
  59. Sceptical Observer from Canada writes: How this genocidal lunatic LJ has not been blocked permanently is a puzzle for me.
  60. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes:
    Declare war on a Country, bomb it back to the dark ages, restructure it and still come away with large profits for your War Industry (fighting for freedom by the USA).
  61. Jan Burton from Toronto, Canada writes: LJ Brody:

    "The iraqis will probably never collect those bucks, but I am confident they will kill off those idiot yanks."

    You must be frustrated to see violence in Iraq (and US casualties)plummeting.
  62. Islamic State Apartheid from Canada writes: LJ Brody from Canada writes: What SO - you are puzzled? Here...read it again:

    When the Iraqis have finally killed off all the scumbag americans presently infesting their country they are entitled to massive reparations that should total trillions of dollars - mostly from the US, but the UAE should be made to pay for its role in this evil affair.

    Debt forgiveness is an insultingly modest beginning.

    The iraqis will probably never collect those bucks, but I am confident they will kill off those idiot yanks.
    _________________________________________________________

    Congrats LJ Jihadi Brody just made the NO FLY LIST. You dont think these boards are monitored freak.
  63. Michael Fox from Toronto, Canada writes: I can't believe some (most) of the comments that have been posted here. It's shocking how poorly informed people are.

    This conversation should be closed, immediately. What a joke.
  64. Steve; No Oval Office for Obama's pastors from Canada writes:
    Glad the deal was done now and not when that weasel Saddam was in power.
  65. Steve; No Oval Office for Obama's pastors from Canada writes:
    Response to Bert Russell Paradox

    You write, "Declare war on a Country, bomb it back to the dark ages, restructure it and still come away with large profits for your War Industry (fighting for freedom by the USA)."

    Works for me and I am Canadian!

    Did you wear your authentic Che Guevara tee when you wrote that?
  66. Steve; No Oval Office for Obama's pastors from Canada writes:
    LJ Brody from Canada

    You wrote, "The iraqis will probably never collect those bucks, but I am confident they will kill off those idiot yanks."

    Quick! What is your real name, address and telephone number so I can get you waterboarded at Gitmo?
  67. Joe Gopher from Canada writes: Jim ** from Canada writes: Red Neck: Nice try, tarring US detractors as Sadaam supporters. Remember that the US was very chummy with Sadaam as long as he was attacking Iran and gassing the Republican guard.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Saddam gassed the Republican Guard? When was that?
  68. LJ Brody from Canada writes: Joe Gopher - if the only argument you can make is to pick on a little typo (republican vs revolutionary guard....please, so what), then you have no argument at all, and you know it, which also means you actually know he is right.....dumbaSS...

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