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Iraq to attend Dubai 2003

Sultan bin Nasser Al Suweidi told reporters that no special session on Iraq's postwar reconstruction has been scheduled, but discussions about rebuilding efforts there and in Afghanistan are expected to occur on the fringes of the talks.

Al Suweidi did not say who will lead Iraq's delegation to the meetings, which start in Dubai on Sept. 18. The IMF and World Bank board of governors meetings start on Sept. 23.

Al Suweidi said the United Arab Emirates, which was consulted in restructuring Iraq's Central Bank, wants to establish a "long term strategic partnership" with Baghdad.

"We are not seeking financial gains. But we are trying to help and to establish long term partnerships and solid strategic relations with the Iraqis," he said. "These are the real gains."

He said Emirates banks are expected to be allowed to open branches in Iraq to serve Emirates companies participating in Iraq's reconstruction. The IMF and the World Bank are key players in efforts by the US-led coalition to provide billions of dollars in loans to help restart the Iraqi economy and banking system. Both have sent assessment teams to Iraq to start the process.

Iraq's new interim government has started winning wider international acknowledgment. Last week, the 22-member Arab League voted to let the fledgling Iraqi authority claim Iraq's place on the pan-Arab body.

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