22 USC 1622 - Transfer of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to Department of Justice

Collapse to view only § 1622a. Transfer of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to Department of Justice

§ 1621. Definitions
§ 1622. Establishment of International Claims Commission
§ 1622a. Transfer of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to Department of Justice
§ 1622b. Transfer of functions, powers, and duties of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States
§ 1622c. Membership of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States
§ 1622d. Appointment and compensation of officers and employees of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States; allowances and benefits; utilization of other Federal facilities
§ 1622e. Vesting of all non-adjudicatory functions, powers, and duties in Chairman of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States
§ 1622f. Administrative support and services to Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States by Attorney General
§ 1622g. Independence of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States; finality of Commission decisions
§ 1623. Claims
§ 1624. Certification of awards; certification of claims
§ 1625. Omitted
§ 1626. Payments
§ 1627. Creation of special funds in Treasury

§ 1621. Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter—

(a) The term “person” shall include an individual, partnership, corporation, or the Government of the United States.

(b) The term “United States” when used in a geographical sense shall include the United States, its Territories and insular possessions, and the Canal Zone.

(c) The term “nationals of the United States” includes (1) persons who are citizens of the United States, and (2) persons who, though not citizens of the United States, owe permanent allegiance to the United States. It does not include aliens.

(d) The term “Yugoslav Claims Agreement of 1948” means the agreement between the Governments of the United States of America and of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia regarding pecuniary claims of the United States and its nationals, signed July 19, 1948.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title I, § 2, 64 Stat. 13; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, §§ 1, 2, 69 Stat. 562.)

§ 1622. Establishment of International Claims Commission

(a), (b) Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 656

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title I, § 3, 64 Stat. 13; Aug. 8, 1953, ch. 396, § 3, 67 Stat. 506; 1954 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §§ 1, 2, 4, eff. July 1, 1954, 19 F.R. 3985, 68 Stat. 1279; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, §§ 1, 2, 69 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 656, 657.)

§ 1622a. Transfer of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to Department of Justice

The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States, established under Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954, is hereby transferred to the Department of Justice as a separate agency within that Department.

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 101, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 96.)

§ 1622b. Transfer of functions, powers, and duties of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States

All functions, powers, and duties of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission established by Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954 are hereby transferred with the Commission, together with personnel, assets, liabilities, unexpended balances of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds held, used, available, or to be made available in connection with the statutory functions of the Commission. The Commission shall continue to perform its functions as provided by the War Claims Act of 1948, as amended [50 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.], the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, as amended [22 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.], and Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954.

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 102, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 96.)

§ 1622c. Membership of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States

(a) Composition of Commission; appointment and compensation of Chairman

(b) Appointment and compensation of members other than Chairman

(d) Continuation in office of existing members

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 103, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 96.)

§ 1622d. Appointment and compensation of officers and employees of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States; allowances and benefits; utilization of other Federal facilities

The Commission is authorized, in accordance with civil service laws and in accordance with title 5 to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Commission. The Commission is authorized to employ experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5 without compensation or at rates of compensation not in excess of the maximum daily rate prescribed for GS–18 under section 5332 of title 5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission is further authorized to employ nationals of other countries who may possess special knowledge, languages, or other expertise necessary to assist the Commission. The Commission is authorized to pay expenses of packing, shipping, and storing personal effects of personnel of the Commission assigned abroad, and to pay allowances and benefits similar to those provided by title IX of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended. The Commission is authorized, with the consent of the head of any other department or agency of the Federal Government, to utilize the facilities and services of such department or agency in carrying out the functions of the Commission. Officers and employees of any department and agency of the Federal Government may, with the consent of the head of such department or agency, be assigned to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions. The Commission shall reimburse such department and agency for the pay of such officers or employees.

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 104, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 97.)

§ 1622e. Vesting of all non-adjudicatory functions, powers, and duties in Chairman of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States

All functions, powers, and duties not directly related to adjudicating claims are hereby vested in the Chairman, including the functions set forth in section 3 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954 and the authority to issue rules and regulations.

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 105, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 97.)

§ 1622f. Administrative support and services to Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States by Attorney General

The Attorney General shall provide necessary administrative support and services to the Commission. The Chairman shall prepare the budget requests, authorization documents, and legislative proposals for the Commission within the procedures established by the Department of Justice, and the Attorney General shall submit these items to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as proposed by the Chairman.

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 106, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 97.)

§ 1622g. Independence of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States; finality of Commission decisions

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the independence of the Commission in making its determinations on claims in programs that it is authorized to administer pursuant to the powers and responsibilities conferred upon the Commission by the War Claims Act of 1948, as amended [50 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.], the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, as amended [22 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.], and Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954. The decisions of the Commission with respect to claims shall be final and conclusive on all questions of law and fact, and shall not be subject to review by the Attorney General or any other official of the United States or by any court by mandamus or otherwise.

(Pub. L. 96–209, title I, § 107, Mar. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 97.)

§ 1623. Claims

(a) Jurisdiction of Commission; bases for determination; fair market value

(1) The Commission shall have jurisdiction to receive, examine, adjudicate, and render a final decision with respect to any claim of the Government of the United States or of any national of the United States—

(A) included within the terms of the Yugoslav Claims Agreement of 1948;

(B) included within the terms of any claims agreement concluded on or after March 10, 1954, between the Government of the United States and a foreign government (exclusive of governments against which the United States declared the existence of a state of war during World War II) similarly providing for the settlement and discharge of claims of the Government of the United States and of nationals of the United States against a foreign government, arising out of the nationalization or other taking of property, by the agreement of the Government of the United States to accept from that government a sum in en bloc settlement thereof; or

(C) included in a category of claims against a foreign government which is referred to the Commission by the Secretary of State.

(2) In the decision of claims under this subchapter, the Commission shall apply the following in the following order:

(A) The provisions of the applicable claims agreement as provided in this subsection.

(B) The applicable principles of international law, justice, and equity. In determining the value of a claim under international law, the Commission shall award the fair market value of the property as of the time of the taking by the foreign government involved (without regard to any action or event that occurs after the taking), except that the value of the claim shall not reflect any diminution in value attributable to actions which are carried out, or threats of action which are made, by the foreign government with respect to the property before the taking. Fair market value shall be ascertained in accordance with the method most appropriate to the property taken and equitable to the claimant, including—

(i) market value of outstanding equity securities;

(ii) replacement value;

(iii) going-concern value (which includes consideration of an enterprise’s profitability); and

(iv) book value.

In the case of any claim for losses in a service industry, the appropriate basis of valuation shall be presumed to be that referred to in clause (iii). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “service” means economic activity the output of which is other than tangible goods.

(b) Notice of filing time; publication; basis of decisions; finality of decision

(d) Depositions

(e) Penalties

(f) Attorney’s fees; limitation

(g) Representation by United States; payments

(h) Notification of disposition of claims; right to hearing; finality of Commission’s decision

(i) Separation of awards

(j) Compliance with administrative procedure law

(k) Compliance with principles of international law, justice and equity; fair market value

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title I, § 4, 64 Stat. 13; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, §§ 1, 2, 69 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 90–421, § 1(1), July 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 420; Pub. L. 99–451, § 1, Oct. 8, 1986, 100 Stat. 1138; Pub. L. 105–277, div. G, subdiv. B, title XXII, § 2211, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–812.)

§ 1624. Certification of awards; certification of claims

The Commission shall, as soon as possible, and in the order of the making of such awards, certify to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the Secretary of State copies of the awards made in favor of the Government of the United States or of nationals of the United States under this subchapter. The Commission shall certify to the Secretary of State, upon his request, copies of the formal submissions of claims filed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 1623 of this title for transmission to the foreign government concerned.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title I, § 5, 64 Stat. 16; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, §§ 1, 2, 69 Stat. 562.)

§ 1625. Omitted

§ 1626. Payments

(a) Principal and interest; regulations

(b) Deductions; coverage into Treasury; reimbursement for expenses

(1) There shall be deducted from the amount of each payment made pursuant to subsection (c) of section 1627 of this title, as reimbursement for the expenses incurred by the United States, an amount equal to 5 per centum of such payment. All amounts so deducted shall be covered into the Treasury to the credit of miscellaneous receipts.

(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall deduct from any amounts covered, subsequent to July 24, 1968, into any special fund, created pursuant to section 1627 of this title, 5 per centum thereof as reimbursement to the Government of the United States for expenses incurred by the Commission and by the Treasury Department in the administration of this subchapter. The amounts so deducted shall be covered into the Treasury to the credit of miscellaneous receipts.

Payments made pursuant to this subchapter shall be made only to the person or persons on behalf of whom the award is made, except that—

(1) if any person to whom any payment is to be made pursuant to this subchapter is deceased or is under a legal disability, payment shall be made to his legal representative, except that if any payment to be made is not over $1,000 and there is no qualified executor or administrator, payment may be made to the person or persons found by the Secretary of the Treasury to be entitled thereto, without the necessity of compliance with the requirements of law with respect to the administration of estates;

(2) in the case of a partnership or corporation, the existence of which has been terminated and on behalf of which an award is made, payment shall be made, except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, to the person or persons found by the Secretary of the Treasury to be entitled thereto;

(3) if a receiver or trustee for any such partnership or corporation has been duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States and has not been discharged prior to the date of payment, payment shall be made to such receiver or trustee in accordance with the order of the court;

(4) if a receiver or trustee for any such partnership or corporation, duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States, makes an assignment of the claim, or any part thereof, with respect to which an award is made, or makes an assignment of such award, or any part thereof, payment shall be made to the assignee, as his interest may appear; and

(5) in the case of any assignment of an award, or any part thereof, which is made in writing and duly acknowledged and filed, after such award is certified to the Secretary of the Treasury, payment may, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, be made to the assignee, as his interest may appear.

(d) Erroneous payments as bar to further recovery

(e) Acquiescence in conditions of subchapter

(f) Non-assumption of liability by United States on claims against foreign governments

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title I, § 7, 64 Stat. 16; Aug. 8, 1953, ch. 396, § 2, 67 Stat. 506; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, §§ 1, 2, 69 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 90–421, § 1(2), (3), July 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 420; Pub. L. 104–316, title II, § 202(h), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3842.)

§ 1627. Creation of special funds in Treasury

(a) Credits to, and payment from funds

(b) Credits to Yugoslav Claims Fund; credits to other fundsThe Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to cover into—

(1) the Yugoslav Claims Fund the sum of $17,000,000 being the amount paid by the Government of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia pursuant to the Yugoslav Claims Agreement of 1948;

(2) a special fund created for that purpose pursuant to subsection (a) of this section any amounts hereafter paid, in United States dollars, by a foreign government which has entered into a claims settlement agreement with the Government of the United States as described in subsection (a) of section 1623 of this title.

(c) Payment of awardsThe Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed out of the sums covered, prior to July 24, 1968, into any of the funds pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and after making the deduction provided for in section 1626(b)(1) of this title—

(1) to make payments in full of the principal of awards of $1,000 or less, certified pursuant to section 1624 of this title;

(2) to make payments of $1,000 on the principal of each award of more than $1,000 in principal amount, certified pursuant to section 1624 of this title;

(3) to make additional payment of not to exceed 25 per centum of the unpaid principal of awards in the principal amount of more than $1,000;

(4) after completing the payments prescribed by paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, to make payments, from time to time in ratable proportions, on account of the unpaid principal of all awards in the principal amount of more than $1,000, according to the proportions which the unpaid principal of such awards bear to the total amount in the fund available for distribution at the time such payments are made; and

(5) after payment has been made of the principal amounts of all such awards, to make pro rata payments on account of accrued interest on such awards as bear interest.

(d) Payment of balance to Yugoslav Government; certification of adjudication costs; finality of certification

(e) Payments; prioritiesExcept as provided in subsection (f), the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed out of sums covered, subsequent to July 24, 1968, into any special fund created pursuant to this section to make payment on account of awards certified by the Commission pursuant to this subchapter with respect to claims included within the terms of a claims settlement agreement concluded between the Government of the United States and a foreign government as described in section 1623(a) of this title, as follows and in the following order of priority:

(1) Payment in the amount of $1,000 or the principal amount of the award, whichever is less;

(2) Thereafter, payments from time to time on account of the unpaid principal balance of each remaining award which shall bear to such unpaid principal balance the same proportion as the total amount available for distribution at the time such payments are made bears to the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all such awards; and

(3) Thereafter, payments from time to time on account of the unpaid balance of each award of interest which shall bear to such unpaid balance of interest, the same proportion as the total amount available for distribution at the time such payments are made bears to the aggregate unpaid balance of interest of all such awards.

(f) People’s Republic of China; claim payment priorities

(1) Out of sums covered after May 11, 1979, into the special fund created pursuant to this section to receive funds paid by the People’s Republic of China, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to make payments on account of awards certified by the Commission pursuant to subchapter V with respect to claims included within the terms of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China Concerning the Settlement of Claims, signed on May 11, 1979, in the following order of priority:

(A) Payment in the amount of $1,000 or the principal amount of the award, whichever is less.

(B) Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (2), to the extent there remain unpaid principal balances on awards, payments from time to time on account of the unpaid principal balance of each remaining award which bear to such unpaid principal balance the same proportion as the total amount available for distribution at the time such payments are made bears to the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all such awards.

(C) Thereafter, payments from time to time on account of the unpaid balance of each award of interest which bear to such unpaid balance of interest the same proportion as the total amount available for distribution at the time such payments are made bears to the aggregate unpaid balance of interest of all such awards.

(2)

(A) For the purpose of computing the payments to be made under paragraph (1) to any claimant which was an incorporated business enterprise on the date of nationalization or other taking of property, the award certified by the Commission under subchapter V shall be reduced by the amount of Federal tax benefits derived by such claimant on account of the losses upon which such claim was based, but in no case shall such payments be reduced below the amount paid to such claimant on account of such claim before

(B) To the extent that there remain unpaid principal balances on awards to claimants which were, on the date of nationalization or other taking of property, nonprofit organizations operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, religious, charitable, or educational purposes (after payments made to such nonprofit organizations pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) are taken into account), the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to make payments from time to time on account of the unpaid principal balance of each remaining award to such nonprofit organizations which bear to such unpaid principal balance the same proportion as the total sums aggregated pursuant to subparagraph (A) at the times such payments are made bear to the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all such awards to nonprofit organizations.

(g) Authority to invest and recover expenses from funds

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title I, § 8, 64 Stat. 17; Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 645, § 1, 69 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 90–421, § 1(4), (5), July 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 420; Pub. L. 96–445, Oct. 13, 1980, 94 Stat. 1891; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100–204, title I, § 142(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1350.)