BAHRAIN: U.S. VIEWS ON DEBT RELIEF FOR POOR

UNCLAS MANAMA 000297 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN EAID BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: U.S. VIEWS ON DEBT RELIEF FOR POOR COUNTRIES REF: STATE 31823 Pol/Econ chief delivered reftel demarche February 28 on the U.S. views on debt relief for poor countries to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al Umran. A development economist himself, Al Umran responded that the most critical element, whether the U.S. or UK plan is adopted, is that the G-8 countries and/or World Bank provide targeted technical assistance to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries to improve economic performance and promote reform. Post also provided a copy of the demarche to Ministry of Finance Director of Economic Planning Yusuf Humood. MONROE