GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES TWENTY-NINTH SESSION
Press Release
IK/252
GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES TWENTY-NINTH SESSION
19980930 Council Approves Award of $108 Million to Successful ClaimantsGENEVA, 30 September -- The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission concluded its twenty-ninth session today under the Presidency of Ambassador Gonçalo de Santa Clara Gomes of Portugal.
The Council considered the report and recommendations of the Panel of Commissioners concerning part one of the second instalment of category "D" claims (individual claims for damages above $100,000) comprising 250 claims filed on behalf of individuals by 18 countries and one international organization. The Council approved the award of $11,182,109 as compensation in respect of 219 successful claims included in the report. The Council also approved the recommendations of the Panel of Commissioners concerning the second instalment of "F1" claims by governments and international organizations comprising 17 claims filed by 15 governments. The compensation awarded by the Council in respect of the claims is $97,665,367.
The Governing Council discussed, in the course of the session, a report from the Executive Secretary on the activities of the Commission covering the period between June and August 1998. The report addressed the selection of Commissioners, the processing of claims, and the payment of approved awards. The Council also discussed a number of issues relating to the processing of claims. The Council considered a paper and a presentation on verification and valuation procedures for category "E" (corporate claims) and discussed means of including more information on this issue in future reports of Panels of Commissioners. The Council agreed that the Panel of Commissioners responsible for resolving environmental claims give priority in processing, where appropriate, to claims relating to environmental monitoring and assessment.
On the issue of payment of claims, the Council took note of a report from the Executive Secretary on information received from governments and international organizations on the status of the distribution of payments to successful claimants and of refunds to the Commission of compensation received from the Compensation Fund that governments had not distributed to successful claimants within the required time limits.
The delegations of Kuwait, Iraq, India and the Sudan addressed the 15-member Governing Council at its opening plenary meeting.
The Governing Council decided to hold its thirtieth session from 14 to 16 December 1998.
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