Sunday, February 19, 2012

Iceland president mulls Icesave deal

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelandic President Olafur R. Grimsson says he expects to take a few days to make up his mind about whether to ratify a bill passed by Parliament that approves the repayment of $5 billion to Britain and the Netherlands.

A public action group against the deal on Friday handed Grimsson a petition signed by almost 38,000 Icelanders — around 12 percent of the population. The petition urges the president to use his right of veto to kill the bill.

Grimsson last year refused to ratify a previous deal to return the money lost when internet bank Icesave collapsed, sending it to a national referendum where it was rejected.

Grimsson, who has indicated the new deal is more palatable, says he will consider the issue carefully before making a decision.

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