Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Saddam Hussein exploiting U.S. child hostages on Iraqi TV
Iraq’s parliament has agreed to a $400 million settlement for Americans who say they were abused by Saddam Hussein’s regime either before or during the Gulf War of 1991.
Some Iraqi lawmakers opposed the deal, pointing out that scores of Iraqis were also victims of the former dictator, and that many of their own citizens suffered as a result of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion—so why should the country pay for the wrongs committed by a regime they opposed?
Supporters of the settlement explained that it would protect the Iraqi government from more claims that might be expected when Iraq regains control of its oil revenue on June 30. Until now, the revenue has been held in a U.N.-approved New York account that is protected against international creditors.
It’s not yet apparent who will receive the $400 million. Possible recipients include hundreds of Americans held hostage and used as human shields after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, as well as former American troops who were captured by the Iraqi military and tortured.
-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky
Iraqi Lawmakers Approve $400M Payment to Americans (by Rebecca Santana, Associated Press)
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