COMPENSATION COMMISSION'S GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETS IN GENEVA AS EXPORT OF IRAQI OIL RESUMES

17 December 1996

Press Release
IK/211

COMPENSATION COMMISSION'S GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETS IN GENEVA AS EXPORT OF IRAQI OIL RESUMES

19961217 Decisions on 'Well Blowout Control Claim' And Fourth Instalment of Category "C" Claims Expected

GENEVA, 16 December (UN Information Service) -- More than six years after an embargo was imposed on Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait, Iraqi oil can be exported again. The United Nations Compensation Commission is to receive 30 per cent of oil export revenues -- no less than $100 million a month over a period of six months -- within the framework of Security Council resolution 986 (1995), which contains the "oil-for-food" formula. Consequently, the essential needs of the civilian population in Iraq will be met at the same time as funds will be made available for the benefit of the victims of the invasion.

The Compensation Commission, which until now has been able to pay only $13.45 million to nearly 4,000 persons who suffered serious personal injury or the death of a relative, would thus be in a position to meet its humanitarian goals in bringing actual relief to hundreds of thousands of victims.

Just as that essential step is being taken, the Commission's Governing Council is scheduled to hold its twenty-third session in Geneva today.

During the session, the 15-member Council, chaired by Italy, will receive a comprehensive report from the Commission's Executive Secretary, Carlos Alzamora, on the processing of the claims filed with the Commission.

The Council will have before it the fourth instalment of category "C" claims submitted by individuals for losses up to $100,000. In that instalment, the Panel recommends that more than 70,000 claims, from 51 governments and three international organizations filing claims on behalf of Palestinians, be awarded compensation for a total amount of over $630 million.

The Council will also consider the report and recommendations of the Panel appointed to review the "Well Blowout Control Claim", filed by the Kuwait Oil Company for the costs incurred in extinguishing the fires set in the oil wells upon the withdrawal of Iraqi forces.

- 2 - Press Release IK/211 17 December 1996

Representatives of Kuwait, Iraq, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Thailand, all non-member States of the Governing Council, have requested to appear before it at this session.

The Council will also be informed of the situation regarding the processing of claims filed by individuals for losses above $100,000 (category "D"), by corporations (category "E"), and by governments (category "F").

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