IMF regards Iraq as too dangerous to open office

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday that Iraq is too dangerous for the IMF to open an office there but the institution hopes to start talks soon on a special loan for the new Iraqi government.

IMF spokesman Thomas Dawson told reporters that a new wave of insurgent attacks has heightened international concerns about Iraq and "the security situation has made it impossible in terms of visiting and reestablishing a funds presence in Iraq."

But he added that the IMF "remains in contact with the transitional government and various technical counterparts to review the 2004 record as well as prospects for 2005."

The spokesman said that the IMF is also making preparations to carry out the first regular annual review of the Iraqi economy for 25 years.

Source: Xinhua