UN Compensation Commission Dispute Blocks Iraqi Reparations

The United Nations compensation commission, established to settle claims from countries and companies affected by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, has been obstructed by a disagreement between the United States, Russia, and France over a $21.6 billion claim submitted by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The commission's proposed award of $15.9 billion was met with opposition from Russia and France, leading to a stalemate. Diplomats suggest that the United States is working to secure support for Kuwait before a potential vote at the commission's next meeting.

Key Takeaways:

• The United Nations compensation commission has been unable to award claims due to a dispute between the United States, Russia, and France over a $21.6 billion claim from the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
• The commission proposed an award of $15.9 billion, but Russia and France objected, blocking the decision.
• The dispute raises questions about the future of the claims process and the allocation of oil revenues from Iraq.
• Iraq has always objected to the requirement that a third of its oil income should go to compensate the victims of its invasion and occupation of Kuwait.
• The oil-for-food program, an exception to the embargo, allows Iraq to sell oil abroad and import essential goods, with a third of the revenue set aside for compensation and other purposes.
• In recent years, the commission has paid over $8 billion in claims, mostly to individuals and small businesses affected by the Iraqi invasion.
• The commission has now begun to process claims from petroleum companies, with the Kuwaiti request for $21.6 billion being the largest to date.

Statistics:

• $21.6 billion: The amount claimed by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for lost oil and gas sales resulting from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
• $15.9 billion: The proposed award by the compensation commission for the Kuwaiti claim.
• $18 billion: The total amount of compensation paid by the commission since its inception.
• $8 billion: The amount of compensation paid by the commission in recent years, mostly to individuals and small businesses.
• $2.3 billion: The amount awarded to the Kuwait Oil Company and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for the loss of equipment and other measurable assets in 2020.
• 15 members: The number of countries represented on the compensation commission panel.
• 1990: The year in which Iraq invaded Kuwait, setting in motion the events that led to the United Nations compensation commission.

Sources:

• "Dispute Blocks Iraqi Reparations Over Kuwait Oil Claim" by NPR (cited as no date provided)
• United Nations officials and diplomats (cited as no date provided)