[stop-imf] IMF closing grips on Iraq

[Robert Weissman]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2005-11-30T202721Z_01_WBT004310_RTRIDST_0_ECONOMY-USA-IRAQ-URGENT.XML

IMF-Iraq loan pact set for year-end -U.S. Treasury
Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:27 PM ET

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Talks between Iraq and the International
Monetary Fund over a new financing agreement are completed and awaiting
approval of Iraq's 2006 budget, a top U.S. Treasury official said on
Wednesday.

The new loan accord, necessary to trigger the full amount of debt relief
agreed by the Paris Club of creditors last year, is likely to be
approved before the IMF's holiday break in December, U.S. Deputy
Treasury Secretary, Robert Kimmitt, told reporters.

"The (IMF) stand-by agreement is crucial simply because it is a mark of
progress for the Iraqis ... it is an important element in their economic
transition going forward," Kimmitt added.