CORRECTED - UPDATE 2-Iraq demands $3 bln it says in Syrian banks

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.forbes.com/iraq/newswire/2003/12/03/rtr1167985.html

By Khaled Yacoub Oweis

BAGHDAD, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Iraq is preparing to demand the repatriation of $3 billion of cash assets held in Syrian state banks under deals struck with the government of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi finance minister said on Wednesday.

The move by the U.S.-installed Iraqi government will put Syria under more financial pressure after the United States imposed sanctions on the country for backing the Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah and a number of Palestinian groups.

"All of the money belongs to Iraq. An Iraqi delegation will travel in the next few weeks to Damascus," Kamel al-Gilani told journalists.

The $3 billion amount to 20-30 percent of Syria's gross domestic product and is slightly less than Iraq's self-generated liquid funds, which are controlled by the United States.
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Hmmmm. Syria of all places.

And didn't we want everyone to forgive all the Saddam debt?

Did Ken Lay take Bremer's place?