U.S. Renews Iraq Curbs, Frees Kuwaiti Assets
President Bush on Friday signed executive orders that continue sanctions on Baghdad and release Kuwaiti assets blocked after Iraq’s invasion last year, the White House announced.
Bush said he extended the emergency order against Iraq, issued soon after the invasion last Aug. 2, “because the government of Iraq has continued its activities hostile to U.S. interests in the Middle East.” The order keeps the trade ban in place and continues the freeze on Iraqi assets.
In a separate directive, Bush said Iraq’s ouster from Kuwait and the reinstatement of the Kuwaiti government have eliminated the need to continue freezing billions of dollars of Kuwaiti assets.
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