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Iraq PM calls for international help to rebuild
AFP
SEOUL
Petroleumworld.com 04 12 07
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Thursday called for international help to rebuild his war-torn country, saying the people were struggling to "rise from the ashes" of conflict.
"Because of its abundance in resources such as oil and gas, Iraq has a great potential to become an advanced country," he told South Korean business leaders.
"However, it is true that reconstruction is being delayed and all facilities are in ruins. But the Iraqi people are making utmost efforts to rise from the ashes," he said through an interpreter.
Iraqis are striving for democracy and peace in the face of near-daily attacks by insurgents, he said.
"For reconstruction, Iraq needs help from its friends...we hope our friends join us in efforts to rebuild the country."
Maliki arrived Wednesday from Japan for a three-day visit, accompanied by his oil, energy, industrial policy and urban planning ministers.
He said his delegation had many proposals for joint projects in the oil, electricity, road construction and petrochemical sectors, and invited South Korean firms to expand investment in Iraq.
"Iraq always welcomes you with open arms. Windows of opportunity are open wide and all kinds of conveniences will be provided," he said.
"Even though we were late in beginning the reconstruction work, we want to catch up."
South Korea's Commerce, Industry and Energy Ministry said Seoul signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday on developing oil and gas fields in northern Iraq.
Maliki later met President Roh Moo-Hyun and discussed ways to cooperate more closely in natural resources, energy and construction, the presidential Blue House said.
The Iraqi prime minister was to tour industrial plants in the southern city of Ulsan on Friday.
South Korea, with 1,300 soldiers working on relief and reconstruction in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil, has the third largest foreign force after the United States and Britain, but is looking to pull them out by year's end.
It has also provided some 220 million dollars in aid to rebuild the country.
AFP 12 0602 GMT 04 07
Copyright© 2007 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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