Russia to get Iraqi debts back after Saddam goes: U.S. Ambassador

Baghdad can be expected to pay back its debts to Russia after a change of regime in Iraq, is the American opinion, as Alexander Vershbow, US Ambassador to Russia, said to a news conference in Moscow.

His country is aware of how anxious Russia is to have the huge sums back, remarked the diplomat. He highlighted opportunities for Russian-US corporate partnership to upgrade Iraqi petroleum industry. The prospects are essential for the Russian-US energy dialogue, added Mr. Vershbow.

Another Russian-US dialogue is well underway-on the economic aspects of the Iraqi crisis at its current stage, said the ambassador.