The UN has transferred to Israel $5 million for damages caused by Iraqi Scud missiles during the Gulf War, reported Haaretz newspaper on Wednesday.
The funds are from royalties due to have been handed over to Iraq for oil purchases by Arab states and represent the first installment in a $74.5 million reparations package, said the paper.
Israeli Justice Ministry official Benny Rubin, who negotiated the arrangement with the UN's reparations committee, said part of the money would be used to refund the property tax authorities who paid damages to persons whose homes were hit by Iraqi Scuds.
Payments will also be made to the health ministry for expenses incurred in emergency organization of services and to the defense ministry for providing protective gear to citizens, he said.
According to the agreement with the UN, further payments of $10 million will be made every three months to the treasury, which will then distribute it.
Israel presented its claim for compensation from Iraq in 1994.
In addition to the government claim, several companies - including the national airline El Al and the Flower Growers Association - lodged claims for damages.
The various Israeli companies were awarded reparations totaling some $38 million. In separate claims, private citizens who had been hurt or suffered damages were awarded some $7 million, all from Iraqi oil royalties.
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein launched numerous Scud missiles at Israel during the Gulf War, in a failed attempt to rally the Arab World around a war with the Jewish state.
The damage caused by the missiles was more symbolic than concrete – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
