U.S. envoy says Iraq has “strong economy”

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The U.S. ambassador in Iraq, Christopher Hill, on Monday said that Iraq has a “strong economy” and can defend itself. “This is a good and significant year for Iraq. We will see the Iraqi economy progressing well and reaching a steady stage during this year,” Hill said in a speech at the Reform and Civil Service Conference, which began today in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. “We have to deal with corruption by adopting resolutions on investments in Iraq,” Hill added. SS (P) 1