Iraqi President Starts Kuwait Visit

30 October 2004 -- Visiting Iraqi interim president thanked Kuwait for its support in the U.S.-led war that toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Ghazi Al-Yawer today started a three day-trip to Kuwait.

He is due to meet with Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, and to discuss the forgiveness of an estimated $15 billion Iraqi debt owed Kuwait.

Long-strained ties between Iraq and Kuwait were severed when Saddam's forces invaded Kuwait in 1990 and stayed seven months until being evicted by U.S.-led forces.

The border was reopened between Iraq and Kuwait after Saddam's ouster last year. However embassies remain closed in the two countries for security reasons.

(AP/dpa)