22 USC CHAPTER 21, SUBCHAPTER V: CLAIMS AGAINST CUBA AND CHINA

From Title 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSECHAPTER 21—SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CLAIMS

SUBCHAPTER V—CLAIMS AGAINST CUBA AND CHINA

§1643. Congressional declaration of purpose

It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide for the determination of the amount and validity of claims against the Government of Cuba, or the Chinese Communist regime, which have arisen since January 1, 1959, in the case of claims against the Government of Cuba, or since October 1, 1949, in the case of claims against the Chinese Communist regime, out of nationalization, expropriation, intervention, or other takings of, or special measures directed against, property of nationals of the United States, and claims for disability or death of nationals of the United States arising out of violations of international law by the Government of Cuba, or the Chinese Communist regime, in order to obtain information concerning the total amount of such claims against the Government of Cuba, or the Chinese Communist regime, on behalf of nationals of the United States. This subchapter shall not be construed as authorizing an appropriation or as any intention to authorize an appropriation for the purpose of paying such claims.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §501, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1110; amended Pub. L. 89–262, §1, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 89–780, §1, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1365.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1966—Pub. L. 89–780 provided for applicability of section to the Chinese Communist regime in the case of claims which have arisen since October 1, 1949.

1965—Pub. L. 89–262 struck out "which have arisen out of debts for merchandise furnished or services rendered by nationals of the United States without regard to the date on which such merchandise was furnished or services were rendered or" after "Government of Cuba" in first sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Separability

Act Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §513, as added by Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1113, provided that: "If any provision of this Act [enacting this subchapter], or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid, the remainder of the Act, or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected."

§1643a. Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter:

(1) The term "national of the United States" means (A) a natural person who is a citizen of the United States, or (B) a corporation or other legal entity which is organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, if natural persons who are citizens of the United States own, directly or indirectly, 50 per centum or more of the outstanding capital stock or other beneficial interest of such corporation or entity. The term does not include aliens.

(2) The term "Commission" means the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States.

(3) The term "property" means any property, right, or interest, including any leasehold interest, and debts owed by the Government of Cuba or the Chinese Communist regime or by enterprises which have been nationalized, expropriated, intervened, or taken by the Government of Cuba or the Chinese Communist regime and debts which are a charge on property which has been nationalized, expropriated, intervened, or taken by the Government of Cuba or the Chinese Communist regime.

(4) The term "Government of Cuba" includes the government of any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

(5) The term "Chinese Communist regime" means the so-called Peoples Republic of China, including any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §502, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1110; amended Pub. L. 89–780, §2, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1365.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1966—Par. (3). Pub. L. 89–780, §2(1), inserted reference to the Chinese Communist regime in three places.

Par. (5). Pub. L. 89–780, §2(2), added par. (5).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States as Separate Agency Within Department of Justice

For provisions transferring Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States as a separate agency within the Department of Justice, see section 1622a et seq. of this title.

§1643b. Receipt of claims; determination of amount and validity

(a) Claims for property loss

The Commission shall receive and determine in accordance with applicable substantive law, including international law, the amount and validity of claims by nationals of the United States against the Government of Cuba, or the Chinese Communist regime, arising since January 1, 1959, in the case of claims against the Government of Cuba, or since October 1, 1949, in the case of claims against the Chinese Communist regime, for losses resulting from the nationalization, expropriation, intervention, or other taking of, or special measures directed against, property including any rights or interests therein owned wholly or partially, directly or indirectly at the time by nationals of the United States, if such claims are submitted to the Commission within such period specified by the Commission by notice published in the Federal Register (which period shall not be more than eighteen months after such publication) within sixty days after October 16, 1964, or sixty days after November 6, 1966, with respect to claims against the Chinese Communist regime, or of legislation making appropriations to the Commission for payment of administrative expenses incurred in carrying out its functions with respect to each respective claims program authorized, under this subchapter, whichever date is later. In making the determination with respect to the validity and amount of claims and value of properties, rights, or interests taken, the Commission shall take into account the basis of valuation most appropriate to the property and equitable to the claimant, including but not limited to, (i) fair market value, (ii) book value, (iii) going concern value, or (iv) cost of replacement.

(b) Claims for disability or death

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §503, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1110; amended Pub. L. 89–262, §2, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 89–780, §3, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1365.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–780, §3, empowered the Commission to receive claims against the Chinese Communist regime arising since October 1, 1949, if such claims are submitted within such period of time specified by the Commission by notice published in the Federal Register, which notice is required to be published within 60 days after November 6, 1966.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–780, §3(1), (2), provided for applicability of subsection to the Chinese Communist regime in the case of claims arising since October 1, 1949.

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–262 struck out "arising out of debts for merchandise furnished or services rendered by nationals of the United States without regard to the date on which such merchandise was furnished or services rendered or" after "Government of Cuba".

§1643c. Ownership of claims by nationals

(a) Requirements for consideration of claims for property loss

A claim shall not be considered under section 1643b(a) of this title unless the property on which the claim was based was owned wholly or partially, directly or indirectly by a national of the United States on the date of the loss and if considered shall be considered only to the extent the claim has been held by one or more nationals of the United States continuously thereafter until the date of filing with the Commission.

(b) Requirements for consideration of claims for disability or death

A claim for disability under section 1643b(b) of this title may be considered if it is filed by the disabled person or by his successors in interest; and a claim for death under section 1643b(b) of this title may be considered if filed by the personal representative of decedent's estate or by a person or persons for pecuniary losses and damage sustained on account of such death. A claim shall not be considered under this section unless the disabled or deceased person was a national of the United States at the time of injury or death and if considered, shall be considered only to the extent the claim has been held by a national or nationals of the United States continuously until the date of filing with the Commission.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §504, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1111.)

§1643d. Claims based on ownership interest in or debt or other obligations owing by corporations or other legal entities

(a) Nationals of the United States; charge on property

A claim under section 1643b(a) of this title based upon an ownership interest in any corporation, association, or other entity which is a national of the United States shall not be considered. A claim under section 1643b(a) of this title based upon a debt or other obligation owing by any corporation, association, or other entity organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be considered, only when such debt or other obligation is a charge on property which has been nationalized, expropriated, intervened, or taken by the Government of Cuba, or the Chinese Communist regime.

(b) Direct ownership

A claim under section 1643b(a) of this title based upon a direct ownership interest in a corporation, association, or other entity for loss shall be considered, subject to the other provisions of this subchapter, if such corporation, association, or other entity on the date of the loss was not a national of the United States, without regard to the per centum of ownership vested in the claimant.

(c) Indirect ownership

A claim under section 1643b(a) of this title based upon an indirect ownership interest in a corporation, association, or other entity for loss shall be considered, subject to the other provisions of this subchapter, only if at least 25 per centum of the entire ownership interest thereof at the time of such loss was vested in nationals of the United States.

(d) Computation of award

The amount of any claim covered by subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall be calculated on the basis of the total loss suffered by such corporation, association, or other entity, and shall bear the same proportion to such loss as the ownership interest of the claimant at the time of loss bears to the entire ownership interest thereof.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §505, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1111; amended Pub. L. 89–262, §3, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 89–780, §4, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1365.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–780 provided for applicability of subsection to property nationalized or taken by the Chinese Communist regime.

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–262 authorized consideration of claims based on debt or other obligation owing by corporations or other legal entities which is a charge on property nationalized, expropriated, intervened, or taken by Government of Cuba.

§1643e. Offsets

In determining the amount of any claim, the Commission shall deduct all amounts the claimant has received from any source on account of the same loss or losses.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §506, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1112; amended Pub. L. 89–262, §4, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 988.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–262 struck out proviso that the deduction of such amounts shall not be construed as divesting the United States of any rights against the Government of Cuba for the amounts so deducted.

§1643f. Action of Commission with respect to claims

(a) Certification of amounts

The Commission shall certify to each individual who has filed a claim under this subchapter the amount determined by the Commission to be the loss or damage suffered by the claimant which is covered by this subchapter. The Commission shall certify to the Secretary of State such amount and the basic information underlying that amount, together with a statement of the evidence relied upon and the reasoning employed in reaching its decision.

(b) Limitation on amount of claims of assignees

The amount determined to be due on any claim of an assignee who acquires the same by purchase shall not exceed (or, in the case of any such acquisition subsequent to the date of the determination, shall not be deemed to have exceeded) the amount of the actual consideration paid by such assignee, or in case of successive assignments of a claim by any assignee.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §507, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1112.)

§1643g. Transfer of records

The Secretary of State shall transfer or otherwise make available to the Commission such records and documents relating to claims authorized by this subchapter as may be required by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this subchapter.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §508, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1112.)

§1643h. Applicability of administrative provisions of subchapter I

To the extent they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter, the following provisions of subchapter I of this chapter shall be applicable to this subchapter: Subsections (b), (c), (d) (e), (h), and (j) of section 1623 of this title; subsection (f) of section 1626 of this title.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §509, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1112.)

§1643i. Time limitation on completion of affairs of Commission

The Commission shall complete its affairs in connection with the settlement of claims pursuant to this subchapter not later than July 6, 1972.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §510, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1112; amended Pub. L. 89–780, §5, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1365; Pub. L. 91–157, Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 435.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1969—Pub. L. 91–157 set July 6, 1972, as the final date for the settlement of claims pursuant to this subchapter.

1966—Pub. L. 89–780 inserted "with respect to each respective claims program authorized" after "carrying out its functions".

§1643j. Authorization of appropriations

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to enable the Commission to pay its administrative expenses incurred in carrying out its functions under this subchapter.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §511, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1113; amended Pub. L. 89–262, §5, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 988.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–262 redesignated subsec. (a) as the complete section, struck out limitation of amount of appropriations to aggregate amount of net proceeds realized from sale or liquidation of property of Government of Cuba and use of funds to pay administrative expenses of the Treasury Department in carrying out its functions, and eliminated subsec. (b) providing for vesting and liquidation of Cuban property.

§1643k. Fees for services; limitation; penalty

No remuneration on account of any services rendered on behalf of any claimant in connection with any claim filed with the Commission under this subchapter shall exceed 10 per centum of so much of the total amount of such claim, as determined under this subchapter, as does not exceed $20,000, plus 5 per centum of so much of such amount, if any, as exceeds $20,000. Any agreement to the contrary shall be unlawful and void. Whoever, in the United States or elsewhere, demands or receives on account of services so rendered, any remuneration in excess of the maximum permitted by this section, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than twelve months, or both.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §512, as added Pub. L. 88–666, Oct. 16, 1964, 78 Stat. 1113.)

§1643l. Determination of ownership of claims referred by district courts of the United States

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and only for purposes of section 6082 of this title, a United State ¹ district court, for fact-finding purposes, may refer to the Commission, and the Commission may determine, questions of the amount and ownership of a claim by a United States national (as defined in section 6023 of this title), resulting from the confiscation of property by the Government of Cuba described in section 1643b(a) of this title, whether or not the United States national qualified as a national of the United States (as defined in section 1643a(1) of this title) at the time of the action by the Government of Cuba.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §514, as added Pub. L. 104–114, title III, §303(b), Mar. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 820.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Aug. 1, 1996, or date determined pursuant to suspension authority of President, see section 6085 of this title.

¹So in original. Probably should be "States".

§1643m. Exclusivity of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission certification procedure

(a) Subject to subsection (b), neither any national of the United States who was eligible to file a claim under section 1643b of this title but did not timely file such claim under that section, nor any person who was ineligible to file a claim under section 1643b of this title, nor any national of Cuba, including any agency, instrumentality, subdivision, or enterprise of the Government of Cuba or any local government of Cuba, nor any successor thereto, whether or not recognized by the United States, shall have a claim to, participate in, or otherwise have an interest in, the compensation proceeds or nonmonetary compensation paid or allocated to a national of the United States by virtue of a claim certified by the Commission under section 1643f of this title, nor shall any district court of the United States have jurisdiction to adjudicate any such claim.

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to detract from or otherwise affect any rights in the shares of capital stock of nationals of the United States owning claims certified by the Commission under section 1643f of this title.

(Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54, title V, §515, as added Pub. L. 104–114, title III, §304, Mar. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 821.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Aug. 1, 1996, or date determined pursuant to suspension authority of President, see section 6085 of this title.