UN REPARATIONS PANEL FOR INVASION OF KUWAIT PAYS OUT $460 MILLION

UN REPARATIONS PANEL FOR INVASION OF KUWAIT PAYS OUT $460 MILLION
New York, Jan 29 2009 1:10PM
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), which settles the damage claims of those who suffered losses due to Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, announced that it has made $460 million available today to 12 successful claimants.

This round of payments brings the total amount of compensation made by the Geneva-based UNCC to date to individuals, corporations, governments and international organizations to $26.9 billion.

Established in 1991 as a subsidiary organ of the Security Council, the Commission has so far received nearly 3 million claims, including from close to 100 governments for themselves, their nationals or their corporations.

Over one dozen offices of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) also submitted claims on behalf of individuals not in a position to have their petitions filed by governments.

UNCC's Governing Council has identified six categories of claims: four are for individuals' claims, one for corporations and one for governments and international organizations, which also includes claims for environmental damage.

The vast majority of funds for compensation payments have come from the sale of Iraqi petroleum under the so-called Oil-for-Food programme, which came to an end in 2003, and later within the scope of arrangements made under Security Council resolutions.
Jan 29 2009 1:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/