KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman speaks to the press yesterday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: The US Embassy held a press roundtable yesterday at Radisson Blu Hotel to discuss the donor conference hosted by Kuwait for the reconstruction of Iraq and the ministerial meeting of the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State (IS), scheduled to take place on Feb 12-14. US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman expressed the US' support for the reconstruction of Iraq, saying US support for Iraq will continue, particularly to rebuild the country, boost the economy and attract investment. He commended the Iraqi forces for defeating IS.

Silverman praised His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's efforts in hosting the donor meet. "I knew about the generosity of Kuwait before I became ambassador to Kuwait. I visited Kuwait three times during the Syria aid conferences, where Kuwait's role was bigger than its geographical size," Silverman said. The ambassador took note of Iraq's recent defeat of IS and highlighted further coordination on this effort at the ministerial level of the global coalition to defeat IS. "The most important thing is to remain united with all countries to stop IS from coming back. We have to restore the Iraqis' normal life," he stressed.

Investment opportunities

Silverman said Washington has spoken with Iraqi officials regarding the investment opportunities that will be presented at the Kuwait conference. "Over 100 American companies and firms will participate in the conference," he said. He added that the donor meet will provide an important opportunity for the government of Iraq to showcase a number of attractive investment opportunities for foreign investors, including many American companies, and to demonstrate that Iraq is open for business. "Iraq's role now is to seize this opportunity. Iraq's needs are huge, and that is why we are focusing on the private sector for reconstruction," he added.

"Over the last few years, we have given the Iraqi government $1.7 billion in humanitarian assistance, and $115 million to support stability in liberated areas. In addition to that, we gave Iraq $1 billion without guarantees, and they were able to turn it to $2 billion in 2017. We also gave Iraq over $100 million to clear mines and explosives, and 2.8 million Iraqis have been able to return to their homes," Silverman said. The envoy revealed that US is planning to give Iraq $150 million for stabilization through the UN this year, while the US is the biggest entity in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and will provide part of its $5.4 billion program.

Gulf crisis

On the Gulf crisis, Silverman said it is important for the US to solve the crisis and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has to be united again to solve the region's issues, terrorism and the Iran issue. On the Syria situation, he said that there is a new future for Syria, but Russia must do more to ensure the attendance of Syria on the discussion table and to stop the use of chemical weapons. "We are focusing now on defeating Daesh (IS) in Syria. We understand Turkey's fears of IS in their area, but we ask them to limit their military. We want all of Syria's neighbors to be secure."

By Faten Omar