President Talabani receives credentials of Kuwait, Kazakhstan ambassadors

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani on Wednesday received the credentials of Kuwait’s and Kazakhstan’s ambassadors to Iraq according to a government statement. “Iraq expressed readiness to establish typical ties with Kuwait by preparing a convenient environment for the relations,” a presidential office announcement received by IraqiNews.com cited President Jalal Talabani as saying. Iraq has a seen a flurry of diplomatic efforts from Arab and regional countries to open embassies in Baghdad after years of isolation, even after the U.S.-led invasion of the country to topple Saddam Hussein regime. In August, Jordan’s King Abdullah became the first Arab leader to visit Iraq since 2003, and other regional countries are taking steps to resume full relations. Baghdad is also seeking forgiveness of loans Kuwait made to Iraq during its 1980-1988 war with Iran. Yet many Kuwaitis are still bitter about the 1990 invasion. The United Arab Emirates recently waived all of Iraq’s almost $7 billion obligations. AM (S)/SR 1