IRAQI REPARATIONS

Early day motion 1851, tabled 3 November 2003 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes with dismay that on 16th October the United Nations Compensation Commission paid out another $196,246,476.95 of Iraq's money to 26 governments and three international organisations for distribution to 1,395 claimants; further notes that this brings the amount disbursed to almost $18 billion, making it probably the biggest reparations operation since Versailles; further notes that under the USA Patriot Act the federal government has confiscated $1.7 billion of Iraqi assets in the US; regards these continued reparation payments, confiscation of assets and refusal fully to write-off Iraqi debt in current circumstances as deplorable; further notes that the US controlled Iraq Development Fund falls a long way short of being properly accountable; and calls on the Government to make its position clear in the face of this scandal.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 4, Labour/Co-operative 2.