pd09ja95 Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Haiti...

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Stoel, continues to report on the human rights situation in Iraq, 
particularly the Iraqi military's repression against its civilian 
populations in the marshes. In his November interim report to the 
General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur noted the widespread phenomena 
of political killings, mass executions and state-sponsored terrorism 
throughout Iraq. He also reported the introduction by the Government of 
Iraq of new forms of torture, including the amputation of ears and hands 
and the branding of foreheads for certain economic crimes and for 
desertion from the military. The Special Rapporteur asserted in previous 
reports that the Government of Iraq has engaged in war crimes and crimes 
against humanity, and may have committed violations of the 1948 Genocide 
Convention. Regarding the Kurds, the Special Rapporteur has judged that 
the extent and gravity of reported violations place the survival of the 
Kurds in jeopardy. He also noted the extent to which the Government of 
Iraq represses and terrorizes the Shi'a clergy in southern cities. The 
Special Rapporteur has noted that there are essentially no freedoms of 
opinion, expression or association in Iraq. The Special Rapporteur 
continues to repeat his recommendation for the establishment of human 
rights monitors inside Iraq to improve the flow of information and to 
provide independent verification of reports. We continue to investigate 
and publicize Iraqi crimes against humanity, war crimes and other 
violations of international humanitarian law. We will continue to insist 
that the Government of Iraq allow human rights monitors to be stationed 
inside Iraq, as called for by the Special Rapporteur.
    Examples of Iraqi noncooperation and noncompliance continue in other 
areas. There have been several incidents in which merchant vessels have 
entered the Shatt-al-Arab bound for Iran but subsequently have proceeded 
to Iraqi ports where they have onloaded Iraqi oil. Upon exiting the 
Shatt-al-Arab these vessels have been diverted by the Maritime 
Interception Force and their embargo violations have been confirmed. 
Gulf states are being encouraged to take action against the vessels and 
oil, with the proceeds eventually being paid to the UN Escrow Account 
referred to in Security Council Resolution 778.
    For more than three years, the Baghdad regime has interfered with 
relief operations, threatened and harassed relief workers, and refused 
to issue visas to such workers. We have persuasive evidence that the 
regime has

[[Page 7]]

offered ``bounties'' to persons willing to assassinate international 
personnel. U.N. and other humanitarian relief workers, as well as 
international journalists reporting on the humanitarian situation, have 
been the victims of car bombs, drive-by shootings and execution-style 
killings. Ten persons have been injured and two have been killed in such 
attacks this year.
    There is also persuasive evidence linking the Government of Iraq to 
the July death, under suspicious circumstances, of a noted Shi'a 
religious figure and three members of his family. These acts are 
indicative of Iraq's continuing disdain for the United Nations and, in 
our view, also constitute violations of Security Council Resolutions 687 
and 688.
    We are monitoring closely the plight of the civilian population 
everywhere in Iraq. We will persist in our demand that the Government of 
Iraq comply with the relevant U.N. resolutions so that humanitarian 
assistance can reach all segments of the society, instead of only the 
supporters of Saddam Hussein. Our bilateral assistance program in the 
north will continue, given our access to the north and our ability to 
ensure that relief reaches vulnerable populations. We also will continue 
to make every effort, given the numerous practical constraints, to 
assist the populations in southern and central Iraq through U.N. 
humanitarian programs. Finally, we will continue to explore with our 
allies and Security Council partners the most effective means to compel 
the Government of Iraq to cooperate on humanitarian and human rights 
issues.
    The U.N. Compensation Commission (UNCC) has received approximately 
2.4 million claims thus far, with another 100,000 expected. The United 
States Government has filed a total of 3,100 individual claims with a 
total asserted value of over $215 million. Earlier this year, one panel 
of UNCC Commissioners submitted its report on the first installment of 
individual claims for serious personal injury or death. The UNCC 
Commissioners' report recommended awards for a group of about 670 
claimants, of which 11 were U.S. claimants. The Governing Council of the 
UNCC approved the panel's recommendations at its session in late May. 
This past summer the first U.S. claimants received compensation for 
their losses. A second group of claims involving death and serious 
personal injury is expected to be reviewed in the December Governing 
Council session. At its October session, the Governing Council approved 
the first set of awards for claimants who were forced to depart suddenly 
from Iraq or Kuwait during the invasion and occupation. Of the 
approximately 53,000 claims, close to 200 were from U.S. claimants. 
However, these awards cannot be paid at this time because there is not 
enough money in the Compensation Fund. The Governing Council began 
consideration of the first report and recommendations from the panel of 
commissioners reviewing itemized individual losses for amounts up to 
$100,000 (e.g. lost salary or personal property). Due to the importance 
and complexity of the issues involved, the Governing Council deferred 
final action on the recommendations until its December session. The 
Governing Council also decided not to accept additional filings of late 
individual claims after January 1, 1995.
    The United States Government also submitted a total of approximately 
$1.5 billion in corporate claims against the Government of Iraq, 
representing about 140 business entities. Those claims represented a 
multitude of enterprises ranging from small family-owned businesses to 
large multinational corporations. In addition, in late July the United 
States Government filed five U.S. Government claims with the UNCC. The 
five claims were for nonmilitary losses, such as damage to U.S. 
Government property (e.g., the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait) and the 
costs of evacuating U.S. nationals and their families from Kuwait and 
Iraq. These U.S. Government claims have an asserted value of about $17 
million. In the future, the United States Government also expects to 
file one or more additional U.S. Government claim(s) involving the costs 
of monitoring health risks associated with oil well fires and other 
environmental damage in the Gulf region. The UNCC expects to begin 
processing corporate claims and government claims in 1995.
    Iraq may rejoin the community of civilized nations only through 
adherence to basic norms of international behavior, adoption of 
democratic processes, respect for human rights and equal treatment of 
its people.

[[Page 8]]

Iraq's government should represent all of Iraq's people and be committed 
to the territorial integrity and unity of Iraq. The Iraqi National 
Congress espouses these goals, the fulfillment of which would make Iraq 
a stabilizing force in the Gulf region.
    In summary, Iraq continues to be a threat to regional peace and 
security. The oil embargo and other sanctions must remain in place until 
Iraq demonstrates its peaceful intentions over a sustained period by 
fully complying with all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.
    I appreciate the support of the Congress for our efforts, and I will 
continue to keep the Congress fully informed regarding this important 
matter.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of 
the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on January 3, 1995.


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[Page 8]
 
Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Loan Guarantees 
to Israel

December 30, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    Enclosed is an unclassified report on the Loan Guarantees to Israel 
Program and on economic conditions in Israel, as required by section 
226(k) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (Pub. L. 87-
195), and section 1205 of the International Security and Development 
Corporation Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-983).
    I hope this report will be of use to you.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. 
This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on January 
3, 1995.


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[Page 8]
 
Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Memorandum on Assistance to Refugees of the Newly Independent States of 
the Former Soviet Union

December 30, 1994

Presidential Determination No. 95-11

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Subject: Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and 
Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended

    Pursuant to section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance 
Act of 1962, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(b)(2), I hereby designate 
refugees and displaced persons from the Newly Independent States of the 
former Soviet Union as qualifying for assistance under section 2(b)(2) 
of the Act, and determine that such assistance will contributes to the 
foreign policy interests of the United States.
    You are authorized and directed to inform the appropriate committees 
of the Congress of this determination and to publish this determination 
in the Federal Register.
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary 
on January 3, 1995.


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[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
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[Page 8]
 
Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Haiti

December 31, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    Attached, pursuant to Section 3 of Public Law 103-423, is the third 
monthly report on the situation in Haiti.
    Sincerely,

                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of 
the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on January 3, 1995.

[[Page 9]]


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[Page 9]
 
Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Memorandum on Assistance to Haitian and Cuban Migrants

December 31, 1994

Presidential Determination No. 95-13

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Subject: Determination Pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and 
Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended

    Pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance 
Act of 1962, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1), I hereby determine that 
it is important to the national interest that up to $4,000,000 be made 
available from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund 
to meet the urgent and unexpected needs of Haitian and Cuban migrants. 
These funds may be used as necessary to cover costs related to the 
Haitian and Cuban migration programs, including related Department of 
State administrative expenses.
    You are authorized and directed to inform the appropriate committees 
of the Congress of this determination and the obligation of funds under 
this authority and to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary 
on January 3, 1995.


<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
 [frwais.access.gpo.gov]


[Page 9-10]
 
Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Exchange With Reporters After Duck Hunting Near Cotton Plant, Arkansas

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