The United Nations and Iraq's governing council appealed to wealthy nations today to dig deeper in their pockets to raise the $55 billion needed to rebuild Iraq.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened a two-day donors' conference in Madrid with a call for more cash and a warning that arguing between the United States and its critics over a timetable for handing sovereignty back to the Iraqi people could lead to more suffering for the Iraqi people.
"I appeal to donors to give and to give generously and for those contributions to be provided in addition to existing commitments," he told the first session of the meeting.
"We all look forward to the earliest possible establishment of a sovereign Iraqi government but a start on reconstruction cannot be deferred until that day," Mr Annan added. That comment was clearly aimed at countries such as France that have said they will not provide more funds until Iraqi sovereignty is in place.
Sponsors of the conference, including its host Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, have been careful not to set a target, but behind the scenes delegates spoke of arm-twisting of countries reluctant to stump up the billions Iraq needs.
Some countries that opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq are reluctant to pay for rebuilding, with France, Germany and Russia promising no money beyond what they already have pledged.
A prominent British aid agency, Christian Aid, has stirred controversy by accusing Iraq's US and British administrators of failing to account for at least $4 billion in oil revenue and other money meant to go towards rebuilding the country.