CNN.com - Iraqi official says limited German, French help won't be forgotten - Oct. 23, 2003
"MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A top Iraqi official attending an international conference on raising funds to rebuild Iraq warned Thursday that France and Germany's limited donations would not be forgotten.
Ayad Allawi, the current head of Iraq's U.S.-appointed governing council, said he hoped German and French officials would reconsider their decision not to boost their contributions beyond funds already pledged through the European Union.
'As far as Germany and France are concerned, really, this was a regrettable position they had,' Allawi said. 'I don't think the Iraqis are going to forget easily that in the hour of need, those countries wanted to neglect Iraq.'
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan -- also attending the conference -- urged the international community to give billions of dollars to rebuild the nation, saying reconstruction cannot wait until a sovereign Iraqi government is established."
"MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A top Iraqi official attending an international conference on raising funds to rebuild Iraq warned Thursday that France and Germany's limited donations would not be forgotten.
Ayad Allawi, the current head of Iraq's U.S.-appointed governing council, said he hoped German and French officials would reconsider their decision not to boost their contributions beyond funds already pledged through the European Union.
'As far as Germany and France are concerned, really, this was a regrettable position they had,' Allawi said. 'I don't think the Iraqis are going to forget easily that in the hour of need, those countries wanted to neglect Iraq.'
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan -- also attending the conference -- urged the international community to give billions of dollars to rebuild the nation, saying reconstruction cannot wait until a sovereign Iraqi government is established."
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