Iraqi funds protected until this year’s end – ambassador

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi ambassador to the U.S. on Saturday said Iraq’s oil revenues deposited in U.S. bank have immunity until the end of this year, after the signing of the Iraq-U.S. long-term pact. “The funds are immune to any claims until Dec. 31, 2009,” Ambassador Samir Shakir al-Sumaydi told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Former President Georg W. Bush pressured Congress to veto claims and to the preserve immunity of the funds,” he said. Al-Sumaydi pointed out that his embassy is engaging in dialogue with the U.S. government to end the crisis that threatens Iraqi funds in America, to ensure that the funds can be used to rehabilitate Iraq. MH (P)/SR 1