FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         FSC
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1996                         (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
    U.S. BEGINS NEW REGISTRY FOR GULF WAR CLAIMS AGAINST IRAQ
                                 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The federal government is compiling and
updating a new list of American businesses and citizens with
claims against Iraq for losses and injuries suffered in the 1991
Persian Gulf War and events before that, the Department of
Justice announced today.  
     The Foreign Relations Revitalization Act, which the Senate
passed last month following House passage of the measure, would
authorize the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to adjudicate
claims against Iraq and make payments to claimants from Iraqi
assets frozen in the United States, said Delissa Ridgway,
Commission Chair.
     "More than five years ago--on January 16, 1991--the allied
forces entered the Gulf War, staging major air strikes against
Iran," said Ridgway.  "Now we are working to create a forum to
resolve these thousands of outstanding claims against Iraq.
     "We are pleased that the Senate has recognized the
importance of resolving these claims against Iraq, which have
been languishing for so long," Ridgway said.  "There are,
however, a few problems with the current version of the bill and
we hope to work with the Congress to address them." 
     Total claims could top $5 billion for claimants ranging from
Fortune 500 companies to small businesses to individuals.  Many
claims predate the Gulf War.
     Currently, more than 3,000 claims filed against Iraq are
pending before the United Nations Compensation Commission in
Geneva.
     Thousands of additional claims, however, are outside the
jurisdiction of the U.N. program.  They include claims that
predate Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait; claims arising out
of the embargo and related events; claims related to the 1987
attack on the U.S.S. Stark; and, claims by military personnel who
participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm or their
survivors.
     "Today, the Commission, by establishing a registry of those
with claims against Iraq, is taking an important first step in
providing justice to U.S. nationals who suffered injuries and
losses at the hands of Iraq," said Ridgway.
     Individuals and businesses that registered previously with
the Treasury Department, as well as new claimants, should
complete the new registration form and return it to the Foreign
Claims Settlement Commission, said Ridgway.  The registration
deadline is June 28, 1996.
     The three-member Commission, a quasi-judicial agency within
the Department of Justice, adjudicates claims by U.S. citizens
against foreign countries.
     Businesses and individuals can obtain forms and other
information about claims against Iraq by writing to the Foreign
Claims Settlement Commission, Washington D.C. 20579; calling
(202) 616-6975; faxing (202) 616-6993; or going to the
Commission's offices at 600 E St. N.W., Suite 6002, Washington.
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