Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Sponsors Legislation Compensating 1991 Gulf War POWs Without Delay

(WASHINGTON, DC)Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) a member of the International Relations Committee sponsored legislation on Friday, November 21st 2003 urging the dispensation of monetary compensation for 1991 Gulf War prisoners of war and their immediate families, as well as expediting payment. H. CON. RES. 344 justifies financial compensation to 17 POWs who have been thwarted from collecting millions of dollars in compensation since last summer, when they prevailed in a district court ruling against the government of Saddam Hussein. Despite the ruling, Bush administration lawyers have argued that the Iraqi assets should remain frozen in U.S. bank accounts to help pay for Iraqs post-war reconstruction.

In July, United States District Court for the District of Columbia awarded the former prisoners multiple millions of dollars for injury and suffering inflicted by the Republic of Iraq and its intelligence service, at the direction of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. The POWs, some captive for as long as 12 years, endured brutal torture including: systematic starvation, administration of electrical shocks, denial of medical care, intentional aggravation of existing injuries, sleep deprivation, confinement in filthy conditions, denial of the right to be inspected by the Red Cross, denial of requests to notify family members that they were alive and forced participation in propaganda tapes. Some of the injuries sustained by the POWs range from broken bones, nausea, and massive bruises to infection, perforated eardrums and nerve damage.

The White House maintains that the funds are urgently needed for national security needs, despite the physical torture and psychological brutality afflicted on the former prisoners by the Iraqi forces. The Department of Justice is now suing to nullify the District Courts award.

"President Bush continues to urge the American people to be patient while we pay billions of dollars for the reconstruction of Iraq, yet he totally disregards the plight of these ex-POWs who were severely tortured by Saddam Hussein and his minions," Representative Meeks asserted.

"Yes. Mr. Bush's spokesperson is correct in stating that, 'There is no monetary award that could adequately compensate these individuals for their suffering and the resulting permanent injury,' but the court has ruled that there is some amount that these courageous POWs should receive, and by no means should the president continue to block the disbursement of the funds. Some $1 billion in Iraqi funds that have been seized during this war and part of it rightfully belongs to these 17 victims of Iraqi torture. In my legislation, I urge the President to take action through the liquidation of blocked Iraqi assets or through other appropriate sources to ensure that POWs during the 1991 Gulf War and their immediate family members receive, without delay, their just compensation as awarded by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia," stated Representative Gregory W. Meeks.