WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III will help U.S. efforts to get other nations to alleviate Iraq's massive foreign debt, the White House said Friday.
Baker, who served under the president's father, will be Bush's personal representative in dealing with senior world leaders.
"The future of the Iraqi people should not be mortgaged" by Saddam Hussein's greed and incompetence, spokesman Scott McClellan said.
"He will be the president's personal envoy. He will work with the world's governments at the highest levels."
The exact amount of Iraqi debt is a matter of conjecture. Figures range as high as $127 billion, not counting tens of billions more in individual and government compensation claims outstanding from the first Gulf War.
The United States wants Iraq's creditors to reduce, restructure or even write off some debts to help the country's economic future.
