Jordan Times
Thursday, December 30, 2004
More compensation for Gulf returnees expected
AMMAN — More compensation packages for Jordanian businessmen who incurred losses as a result of Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing war are expected to be paid within two months.
Labour Minister Amjad Majali told The Jordan Times that the new payments will be directed to Jordanian claimants falling under United Nations Compensation Commission's (UNCC) Category D, which covers businessmen who lost properties during or after the invasion.
The minister did not specify the amount of money to be paid. Two months ago, the Kingdom received around $30 million in compensation under the same category from the UNCC, which was created in 1991 as a subsidiary organ of the UN Security Council to oversee compensation to victims of the Gulf War. “We are almost done with distributing the $30 million among the claimants,” said Majali. A total of 1,706 Jordanians applied for compensation under Category D.
The United Nations finished paying compensation for Jordanians falling under Category A which covered around 51,000 who were forced to leave the emirate (following the invasion). The UNCC also recognised 450 claims for Jordanians in Category B, for those who were killed or sustained injuries during the war, and 40,000 claims for Jordanians who lost their jobs under Category C. Iraq pays part of its oil revenues as compensation for damages caused to individuals and groups resulting from its invasion of Kuwait and the following war. “So far, Jordan has received more than $1.1 billion in compensation,” said Majali. After and during the Gulf War, more than 300,000 Jordanians left the emirate.