U.S., EU to Hold Iraq Donor Conference

[maddezmom]

hours, 24 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The United States and the European Union will focus on both money and practical help for Iraq's reconstruction at a donor conference in Europe this month, the State Department said Wednesday.

More than 80 countries and international organizations were invited to the one-day session June 22 in Brussels. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to attend, along with foreign ministers of several European nations and Iraq.

The conference is "an opportunity to mobilize international support for the Iraqi transitional government and its institutions," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

The conference may yield new pledges of financial support for the government elected in January, but will focus primarily on attracting and directing international help in such areas as courts, elections, economic development and the drafting of the country's constitution.

The conference was arranged at Iraq's request, Boucher said.

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