Iraq is “starting to take its place” in the Gulf region now that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other neighbors are sending diplomats back to Baghdad and forgiving its debt, the State Department said Monday. Spokesman Sean McCormack echoed the White House's welcome on Monday of the UAE announcement to cancel Iraqi debt, appoint an ambassador, and re-open its embassy in Baghdad. “There have been a number of positive developments on the diplomatic front regarding Iraq over the past several weeks, " McCormack told reporters. Not only has the UAE announced diplomatic and financial moves, but Jordan is appointing an ambassador who will open an embassy soon, McCormack said, adding “Bahrain [is] doing the same.” “These are all very positive and very encouraging developments, " McCormack said. “Iraq is starting to take its place once again in the region. That's important for the Iraqi people, and its' important for Iraq, and it's important for the region,” McCormack said.
