FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION ANNOUNCES SECOND CUBAN CLAIMS PROGRAM FOR AMERICANS WITH NEW PROPERTY CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission has established a second Cuban Claims Program to receive claims of U.S. citizens or corporations against the Government of Cuba for previously unadjudicated losses of real and personal property taken after May 1, 1967, Chairman Mauricio Tamargo announced today.

In the earlier Cuban Claims Program, completed on July 6, 1972, the Commission certified 5,911 claims to the U.S. Department of State. Any new claims certified as valid by the Commission will be added to those already certified in the previous program. Although there are no funds currently available to make payment on any American claims, the certification of the Commission’s findings to the Secretary of State will be used as a basis for future negotiation of a claims settlement with the Government of Cuba.

This second Cuban Claims Program provides for claims of U.S. citizens or corporations that would have been eligible under the earlier program but for the fact that they did not arise by the time of the filing deadline of May 1, 1967, and were not otherwise adjudicated by the Commission prior to completion of the earlier program. The filing deadline for these claims is February 13, 2006. Chairman Tamargo emphasized the program is open only to those who were U.S. citizens or an American corporation at the time their property was taken.

All inquiries concerning the filing of a claim should be forwarded directly to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States at 600 E Street N.W., Suite 6002, Washington, D.C. 20579, Phone: (202) 616-6975, Fax: (202) 616-6993.

The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States is a quasi-judicial, independent agency within the Justice Department which adjudicates claims of U.S. nationals against foreign governments. More information about the Commission is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/fcsc/.

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