Show I i i ‘ r ' n t r' r t i i i The Herald Journal Logan Utah Tuesday December 30 2003 Afli to (sna'Q MDDSoddds dob China says it creditor abandoned its earlier reluctance to join debt relief It offered to forgive “the vast majority of Iraqi debt if other members of the Paris Chib of major creditor nations do so ? 'as well consider also doing so will ' ' “Japan is committed to pro- y BEUING(AP) — Japan agreed on Monday to cut of dollars of Iraqi debts and China said it would con- sider the idea boosting the US campaign to ease Bagh- dad’a financial burden vide substantial debt reduction for Iraq in the Paris Club in 2004 and will work closely with other countries including the US to achieve this objec- -' five” said a Japanese Foreign ‘ Ministry statement after talks ( " Both governments between Baker and Prime' - Minister Junichiio Koizumi v (announced their decisions' V after US envoy James A'y Japan said earlier this month Baker III met with their lead- -' that Iraq owes it $41 billion — or $776 billion with inter- -' os on a lightning trip to Tokyo and Beijing — part of a est and penalties ' Baker has already won global US lobbying effort Japan which aloig with agreements from Russia GerRussia says it is Iraq’s biggest many and France — which ' ' bil-lio- ns con-sid- v ! - Iraq owes about $40 billion to Paris Club members and another $80 billion-t- other ' Arab governments Japan’s decision to embrace debt relief represented a ' departure from what a US ‘ o : : : official who spoke in Tokyo on condition of anonymity said was its earlier insistence on examining whether h Iraq was able to pay its debts lire move tomes amid severe financial problems for ' Japan Its government budget next year relies on bond issues inflatinga national debt burden thin already is?' among the world’s highest" Baker a former US seciie-- - oil-ric- er ' : ' issue” McCormack said ' ' : The state newspaper China opposed the war in Iraq — to ington’s decision to limit' ' debt has in reduction the at work for counreconstruction figure Daily cooperate put The United States praised die tries that opposed the war On “several billion" dollars China was part of the group ' Monday the Communist Party Japanese announcement “This very forthcoming v of nations that opposed US newspaper People’s Daily said the United States “wants to position is further evidence of i military action before the Prime Minister Koizumi’s and attack on Iraq monopolize the big cake of didn’t make China Japan’s global leadership on Though Iraq's reconstruction : to ' a firm commitment describ-make it hot for those countries Iraqi reconstruction” said Sean McCormack a which sang a different tune" ing debt relief in humanitarian McCormack said the United terms could make it hard to spokesman for Baker refuse later And the commui In Beijing' Premier Wen States welcomed China’s offer Jiabao said after meeting nist government which sees to consider reducing Iraq’s debt ' Baker that China “will Japan as a rival might feel “by a relatively big maigin” He also said the announcement reducing the debts owed compelled to match Tokyo’s to by Iraq out of humanitarian cuts as a matter of prestige was especially significant concern the official Xinhua There was no indication because China is outside the News Agency said Paris Club of creditors whether China was offered China says Baghdad owes it concessions such as more Baker’s spokesman Said the at least $11 trillion — much access to Iraqi reconstruction exact size' of China’s debt cut was still under discussion As of it for work by two state- - ' contracts — or whether Beiowned construction compafor access to Iraqi reconstrujing’s lack of a commitment nies before the 1990 Gulf War was an attempt to extract them ction work “lines of communiBeijing has criticized Wash- - cation are still open on the' though the total isn’t clear - : of state undertook the tary mission as a personal emis- sary from President Bush: i4t t of Islam ' ' LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Nation of Islam is rallying tosupport Michael Jackson and has begun handling some secu-rit- y for the pop star as he pre-- 1 pares to defend himself on child molestation charges sources told The Associated vy 'Press y'-: s When defense lawyer Mark " Gengos held a news confer- - ' ence on Jackson’s behalf after charges were announced on Dec 18 one of those standing behind him was Leonard F Muhammad identified on the ?- site as Nation of Islam’s-We- b itschief of staff The group also handled security for a Dec 20 " party at Jackson’s Neverland : estate sources close to the Jackson camp said The sources speaking on’ condition of anonymity said the Chicago-base- d group’s involvement may extend into Jackson’s financial affairs But the group after receiving inquiries from the AP and other news organizations issued a statement Mondaystrongly I denying that it has taken over some of Jackson's business affairs or that it is taking a central role in his defense strategy -“The Nation of Islam in response to several inquiries: V has said today that it has no official business or professional ’ relationshq) witlMrMichael Jackson ’’said astatement issued by The Fmal Call the group’s ne wspaper “The ? Nation of Islam joins thousands of other people in wishing him ' ' V ’A s news soon ' 'Y y : f ' v' ' ' v ” ' : ? L Offer extended until January 1 Don’t miss out All AT&T Wireless stores will be open New Year's Day Just switch to ATATWireless now and get a minutes on iall with a two-ye- 'i ar ’I v: ? v V' support : ?: v? “A lot of people have reached out to Michael Jesse t ' ' : ' V yy v rnduthly 'f trial risk-fre- e T- - V ? -- ' ' r'f ctwgei ' 30-d- ay f J v ' ‘ i - ? NOW BOTH YOU AND YOUR NUMBER CAN SWITCH i ' V- ' re a eh o ut? f ? ART Wireless s’ on the wireless service America trusts paters” Sources who have been close to tire Jackson camp and who are familiar with tire entertain--' er ’s financialaffairs saidNation of Islam members handled security during the Dec 20 :: Neveriand party ' s The sources also said the - group began taking over some of Jadteoi’s business affaire arid Muhammad Snd other ? V Nation of Islam members had been working out of Geragos’ V? office Geragos denied tirid caH11 866 RE ACHOUT or for our best deals click: attwirelesscom ATATVyirdess Authorized DealerS y sources said In a separate development ? Monday longtinre Jackson spokesman Stuart Badcennan' he raid resigned because of wh he called “strategie differ- ' dices” He refused to comment entire reports that tire Nation of Islam had become involved with the Jacbop camp ' ' : : : iwy Hi kr Men T ffiSLii MiinMi-iMvtee-- As tire Nation (tf lslaminsertr ed itself many of Jackson’s regular advisers were unable to ' singer die gainaccess to tire ' ri : 7 ' rlaim ' yy bkw for activktlon m and other All with our exclusive ? ‘ ' Geragos also downplayod Muhammad's presence at the Dec 18 news conference: “He’S rare of Michael’s sup- -' J i Sm : AMERICA TRUSTS TO THE WIRELESS SERVICE ' Jackson has called and I’ve : spoken to him Tons of people ' All from your ipplicablf Swvica AfWv y 1 aresupporti vC" - i? 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