GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION

Press Release
IK/290

GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION

Approves Awards of $964 million for Compensation

GENEVA, 15 March (UN Information Service) -- The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission concluded its thirty-fifth session today and approved awards of $964 million for compensation.

The Council approved nine reports and recommendations of the Panels of Commissioners concerning claims in category “E” (claims of corporations, other private legal entities and public sector enterprises):

The fifth instalment of category “E1” claims involved 11 claims filed on behalf of non-Kuwaiti corporations in the oil sector by six governments. Of these, five claims filed by four governments were approved by the Council for compensation, with a total award value of $1,453,388;

The fourth instalment of category “E2” claims involved 209 claims filed on behalf of corporations in the import-export sector by 49 governments. Of these, 68 claims filed by 30 governments were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $26,285,885.18;

The seventh instalment of category “E3” claims involved 18 claims filed on behalf of corporations in the construction and engineering sector by eight governments, with one claim subsequently withdrawn. Of these, seven claims filed by five governments were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $5,755,732;

The eleventh instalment of category “E3” claims involved 19 claims filed on behalf of corporations in the construction and engineering sector by one government. Of these, four claims were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $53,403;

The twelfth instalment of category “E3” claims involved 14 claims filed on behalf of corporations in the construction and engineering sector by 10 governments. Of these, two claims filed by two governments were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $1,613,009;

The third instalment of category “E4” claims involved 20 claims filed on behalf of Kuwaiti corporations by the Government of Kuwait. All 20 claims were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $284,219,873;

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The fifth instalment of category “E4” claims involved 23 claims filed on behalf of Kuwaiti corporations by the Government of Kuwait. All 23 claims were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $411,345,600;

The sixth instalment of category “E4” claims involved 140 claims filed on behalf of Kuwaiti corporations by the Government of Kuwait. Of these, 136 claims were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $97,566,794;

The seventh instalment of category “E4” claims involved 139 claims filed on behalf of Kuwaiti corporations by the Government of Kuwait. Of these, 138 claims were approved for compensation, with a total award value of $135,879,257.

The session met under the Presidency of Ambassador Hans J. Heinemann of the Netherlands. The delegations of Kuwait and Iraq addressed the fifteen- member Governing Council at its opening plenary meeting.

The Council elected by acclamation the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as a Vice-President of the Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission.

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 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.

The Governing Council decided to hold its next session from 13 to 15 June 2000.

To date, the Commission has awarded compensation of over $15.6 billion, including the awards approved in this session. As of the end of February, over $5.5 billion of the amount awarded has been made available to governments and international organizations for distribution to successful claimants in all categories of claims.

Further information about the Commission, including the text of all Governing Council decisions and reports and recommendations of the Panels of Commissioners, can be found on the United Nations Compensation Commission Web site located at .

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