Iraq appoints team to settle US claims against Saddam

[David]

BAGHDAD (AFP) – The Iraqi government on Thursday said it had appointed a team of negotiators to try and settle compensation claims made in US courts for abuses committed during former dictator Saddam Hussein's rule.

The delegation will "enter into detailed negotiations, to arrive at a complete, final and satisfactory settlement" for all cases raised against Iraq, government spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh said in a statement.

Several court actions have been raised in the United States seeking compensation.

The Iraqi government is being sued by CBS correspondent Bob Simon for a month-long imprisonment during the first Gulf War in 1991.

The families of oil rig engineer Kenneth Beaty and aircraft maintenance worker William Barloon -- who were held in 1993 and 1995 -- are also suing Baghdad for abuses committed after their imprisonment.

A 20-billion-dollar fund was established in 2003, and protected by the United Nations and an executive order of former US President George W. Bush, to settle claims arising from abuses committed under Saddam's rule.

However, the UN protection expired at the end of 2008 and Bush's decree is set to lapse next month.

"We do not know if President Barack Obama will renew the agreement," Dabbagh said. "That is why we prefer to have a definitive agreement with the United States on the issues of the complainants."

The negotiators will be led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's legal adviser, Dabbagh added.

[coachman]

Well there goes that 20 billion Obama will not re-new the agreement. just my .02