Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar reiterated in Madrid Monday that the International Donors' Conference for Iraq, scheduled to be held on Oct. 23-24 in this capital, would go ahead as planned.

Reports here said Aznar was responding to United States media reports about a possible postponement or even cancellation of the meeting.

Aznar told a seminar here that Iraq's postwar reconstruction "is very difficult, but also very necessary," because the restoration of order in that country "is of great strategic importance for international anti-terrorism efforts and world stability."

Speaking of the amended draft resolution on Iraq presented by the United States at the United Nations Security Council on Sunday, Aznar said it was unnecessary for the UN to pass a new resolution on Iraq. What's most needed for the moment, he said, was the quick fulfillment of their promises by some countries.

The United States has been trying to have a new UN Security Council resolution passed on Iraq before the donors' conference in Madrid, which would provide the meeting with a sense of international consensus on Iraq to ease the deep divisions over the war. 
Reports here said representatives from 80 to 100 countries and organizations are expected to attend the meeting.

According to estimates of the World Bank and the US government, the Iraqi reconstruction in the next four years would need at least US$55 billion. So far, the European Union has promised to donate only US$236 million and Japan US$1 million. Expected donations in the coming year will not exceed US$6 billion, far short of the amount actually needed.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2003)