FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        FCSC
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1995                             (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888
  ALBANIA WILL PAY U.S. NATIONALS $2 MILLION FOR SEIZED PROPERTY
     
     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Albania will pay a total of $2 million
to United States nationals who suffered property losses at the
hands of the Communist regime which took power at the end of
World War II, the Department of Justice announced today. 
     The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, which will
administer the Albanian Claims Program, will determine the
validity and value of each individual claim much like a court,
then make awards from the $2 million settlement fund.  The U.S.
Treasury will hold the money.            
     "This settlement is a major step in the normalization of
relations between the United States and Albania," said Commission
Chair Delissa Ridgway.  "For the people of Albania, it paves the
way for continued U.S. support for loans to the new democratic
government of that country.  And it is the light at the end of
the tunnel for the hundreds of U.S. citizens who suffered losses
in Albania and have been waiting decades for justice."
     The three-member Commission said the settlement applies to
the nationalization, expropriation, confiscation and other taking
of property.  
     The program is based on a March 10, 1995, settlement
agreement signed by the U.S. and Albania, which became effective
April 18, following ratification by the Albanian Parliament and
the official exchange of diplomatic notes between the
governments.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement,
Albania agreed to pay $2 million in full and final settlement of
the property claims of U.S. nationals against the former
Communist regime.  
     In February of this year, the Commission completed the
adjudication of 3,100 claims against Iran arising out of the 1979
Islamic revolution.  The Commission also has decided citizen
claims against such countries as Poland, Czechoslovakia, the
Soviet Union, Egypt, China, Vietnam and Cuba.
     The Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial agency
within the Department of Justice.  Its mission is to resolve the
claims of U.S. citizens against foreign countries for the
nationalization or other taking of their property.     
     The first step in making a claim is to obtain a copy of the
new claims form, fill it out and return it to the Commission,
Ridgway said.  Even those who may have previously registered
their claims with the U.S. government must complete the new claim
form.  All claims must be filed with the Commission by October
31, 1995.
     Claims forms and other information concerning the Albanian
Claims Program may be obtained by mail from the Foreign Claims
Settlement Commission, Washington, D.C. 20579.
     Claims forms also may be requested in person at the offices
of the Commission, 600 "E" Street, N.W., Suite 6002, Washington,
D.C.; or by telephone (202/616-6975) or fax (202/616-6993).
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95-232