U.N. OKs $2.9B for 2000 Kuwait Invasion

[Tab]

GENEVA - The United Nations panel overseeing compensation for victims of Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait has approved awards worth $2.9 billion for environmental damage, the world body said Thursday.

The awards by the U.N. Compensation Commission included $2.27 billion to Kuwait for damage caused by Iraqi troops, who used trenches and lakes filled with crude oil to defend their positions.

Another $625 million went to the government of neighboring Saudi Arabia for damage caused to its desert environment by military installations set up by the international coalition that forced Iraq's army out of Kuwait. Iran's government also received a small amount.

The panel now has approved claims worth a total of $51.8 billion. Money to pay the claims comes from Iraqi oil sales.

Those payments, however, are running well behind the claim approvals. The overall amount released for individuals, companies and governments is now $18.8 billion, the UNCC said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041210/ap_on_re_mi_ea/un_iraq_compensation

[Moderator]

1. Not LBN--dated Dec 9