GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION APPROVES AWARDS OF NEARLY $2 BILLION FOR COMPENSATION

Press Release
IK/286

GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION APPROVES AWARDS OF NEARLY $2 BILLION FOR COMPENSATION

GENEVA, 9 December (UN Information Service) -– The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission concluded its thirty-fourth session today under the presidency of Ambassador Hans J. Heinemann of the Netherlands.

The Council approved four reports and recommendations of the panels of Commissioners concerning individuals, corporations and governments:

-- The fourth instalment of category “D” claims involved 850 claims filed on behalf of individuals by 36 governments and international organizations, with 767 claims recommended for compensation, with a total award value of $76,423,422;

-- The third instalment of category “E2” claims involved 179 claims filed on behalf of non-Kuwaiti corporations by 48 governments, with 88 claims filed by 40 governments recommended for compensation, with a total award value of $289,877,471;

-- The first instalment of category “F2” claims involved 20 claims filed by the Government of Jordan, with 10 claims recommended for compensation, with a total award value of $72,205,599;

-- The first instalment of “F3” claims involved 20 claims filed by the Government of Kuwait, with 19 claims recommended for compensation, with a total award value of $1,532,207,525.

The Council discussed a progress report of the Executive Secretary on the activities of the Commission. The report addressed claims processing and the payment of approved claims. The Council was also provided with information on the implementation of the UNCC Work Programme.

The Council also discussed the report of the Executive Secretary on the distribution of payments awarded and the transparency of the distribution process, and on the return of undistributed funds. To date, over $4.3 billion has been made available to governments and international organizations in the first and second phases of payment for distribution to successful claimants in all categories of claims.

The delegations of Kuwait, Iraq and Yemen addressed the 15-member Governing Council at its opening plenary meeting.

- 2 - Press Release IK/286 9 December 1999

The Governing Council decided to hold its next session from 14 to 17 March 2000.

Further information about the Commission, including the text of all Governing Council decisions and reports and recommendations of panels of Commissioners, can be found on the United Nations Compensation Commission web site located at http://www.uncc.ch.

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