NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
August 22, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-47
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION REORGANIZES DAY-TO-DAY ISSUES
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition soldiers are assisting with the reorganization of Iraq's day-to-day economy by negotiating with Baghdad's vendors to move their booths from the streets back into marketplaces and by accepting claims from Iraqis to pay for damages incurred by the actions of U.S. forces.
Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division are notifying vendors in the Ad Hamiyah district in northern Baghdad that they must move their booths from the streets back into designated market areas. The vendors moved into the streets after the fall of Saddam's regime, making it difficult to walk or even drive through many neighborhoods. After negotiating with vendors in the Sha-ab and Al Mhadi neighborhoods to move their goods out of the streets, the 1st AD arranged for a contractor to rebuild portions of the markets.
Additionally, the 1st AD's plans include cleaning up the garbage-laden streets once they are cleared of consumer traffic. Giving more organization to the markets will help deter crime, which is a problem in the region.
The U.S. Army is accepting claims from Iraqis for damages incurred due to the actions of U.S. forces. The U.S. Army pays claims to injured Iraqis under the Foreign Claims Act, which is a federal statute enacted by Congress. The purpose of the FCA is to develop positive relations and promote goodwill between the U.S. and Iraqis.
The FCA covers claims for real or personal property damage, personal injury and wrongful death. The FCA does not cover claims arising directly or indirectly from the combat activities of either U.S. forces or enemy forces. For a claim to be payable, U.S. troops must act negligently or wrongfully. In order to file a claim, the claimant must file the claim in writing within two years of the incident and ask for a specified amount.
The U.S. Army has appointed Foreign Claims Commissions throughout Iraq to accept and process the claims. These commissions provide claimants with the proper forms to start the process. The claims process takes an average of one month. To date, more than four thousand claims have been filed with more than half of them resulting in payment. Almost $400,000 in claims have been paid to Iraqi citizens.
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