WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush's point man on Iraq debt reduction will visit Asian capitals on a new round of top-level talks, the White House said Monday.
James A. Baker III, who was secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush, was traveling to Japan, South Korea and China beginning Dec. 27.
Bush named Baker his personal envoy earlier this month. He has already visited Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia and won agreement from top leaders to help reduce or restructure Iraq's crushing $120 billion debt load.
The United States believes the debt would hamper Iraq reconstruction efforts.
The five will help in the effort within the so-called Paris Club of nations.
The sum does not included tens of billions more that Iraq may owe in unsettled compensation claims stemming from the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
President Bush personally spoke with the leaders of the three Asian nations in the past three days, thanking them for welcoming Baker.
