UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION PAYS OUT $814,039,200.88
Press Release
IK/272
UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION PAYS OUT $814,039,200.88
19990218 The United Nations Compensation Commission today made available $542,755,000 to 59 governments and seven offices of three international organizations for distribution to 217,102 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the fifth instalment of category "A" (departure from Iraq or Kuwait) claims, and $186,890,208.88 to 42 governments and six offices of three international organizations for distribution to 76,720 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the fifth instalment of category "C" (individual losses up to $100,000) claims. In addition, $84,393,992 was made available for distribution by the Government of Egypt as compensation for 223,817 claims of Egyptian workers.The funding for the payments being made comes from the 30 per cent share of the revenue derived from Iraqi petroleum sold pursuant to Security Council resolutions 986 (1995), 111 (1997), 1143 (1997), 1153 (1998) and 1210 (1998). Payments are made when income from the sale of oil has accumulated to a level sufficient to pay the amounts due.
By the end of 1995, the Compensation Commission had made available $13,450,000 for payment to all successful claimants under category "B" (death and serious personal injury) claims. On 12 March 1997, the Compensation Commission made available $144,019,945 to 63 governments and one international organization for distribution to 57,636 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the first instalment of category "A" and "C" claims. On 8 October 1997, the Compensation Commission made available $568,972,563 to 75 governments and three international organizations for distribution to 228,575 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the second instalment of category "A" and "C" claims. On 25 March 1998, the United Nations Compensation Commission made available $497,801,535.31 to 17 governments for distribution to 199,487 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the third instalment of category "A" and category "C" claims. On 30 September 1998, the United Nations Compensation Commission made available $519,520,000.00 to 67 governments and three international organizations for distribution to 207,808 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the fourth instalment of category "A" and $171,255,083.73 to 50 governments and three international organizations for distribution to 70,557 successful claimants whose claims were resolved in the fourth instalment of category "C" claims. Payments for the fourth instalment of category "A" claims were subsequently increased by $17,500 in respect of seven additional claimants.
Today's payment brings the overall amount of compensation made available so far by the United Nations Compensation Commission to $2,729,058,327.92.
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