The United States, France and Germany have agreed on a plan to provide the fledgling Iraqi government with "substantial" debt relief

The United States, France and Germany have agreed on a plan to provide the fledgling Iraqi government with "substantial" debt relief, according a joint statement issued by the three governments. The amount of the debt reduction will be subject to "future agreement" between the countries, the statement, released Tuesday, said. "France, Germany and the United States agree that there should be substantial debt reduction for Iraq in the Paris Club in 2004 and will work closely with each other, and with other countries, to achieve this objective." The Paris Club, an informal group of 19 creditor nations, has been discussing ways to relieve the debt burdens of debtor nations, including Iraq, which owes about $40 billion in principal and back interest to Paris Club countries. The joint announcement came after U.S. President George W. Bush's special envoy for Iraq reconstruction, James Baker, met with French and German officials, amid encouraging signs that both countries -- who opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq -- were willing to help the newly liberated country get out from under some of the $120 billion debt run up by deposed dictator Saddam Hussein.