BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS - The tiny Caribbean nation has announced that it will contribute $712 toward Iraq's reconstruction. The pledge comes in the form of a loan.

"We wanted to do our part, as members of the international community," said Deputy Prime Minister Humberto Magellan. "We are often overlooked in these matters. We want to show that we are not to be ignored."

In anticipation of the meeting in Madrid, Saint Kitts and Nevis launched a nationwide campaign to raise funds to be contributed. "The campaign was not as successful as we had hoped," explained Magellan, "raising only $12, mostly from pennies contributed by our heroic young people. The National Assembly put forth a bill to add another $700 to that, for a total of $712. Actually, only the $700 is meant to be a loan. The $12 can be considered a grant, a gift from our people to the people of Iraq." He expressed disappointment that his nation was not invited to the Madrid meeting.

"This is the first I've heard of it," said Paul Bremer, civilian administrator for Iraq, "but we certainly appreciate the gesture. Every little bit helps. And I'll look into the mix-up with their Madrid invitation. I'll have someone get in touch with them soon."
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