As used in this subchapter—

Terms Used In 22 USC 1644a

  • Commission: means the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States. See 22 USC 1644a
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • German Democratic Republic: includes the government of any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof or under its control. See 22 USC 1644a
  • property: means any property, right, or interest, including any leasehold interest, and debts owed by enterprises which have been nationalized, expropriated, or taken by the German Democratic Republic for which no restoration or no adequate compensation has been made to the former owners of such property. See 22 USC 1644a
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

(1) The term “national of the United States” means—

(a) a natural person who is a citizen of the United States;

(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 enterprises which have been nationalized, expropriated, or taken by the German Democratic Republic for which no restoration or no adequate compensation has been made to the former owners of such property.

(4) The term “German Democratic Republic” includes the government of any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof or under its control.

(5) The term “Claims Fund” is the special fund established in the Treasury of the United States composed of such sums as may be paid to the United States by the German Democratic Republic pursuant to the terms of any agreement settling such claims that may be entered into by the Governments of the United States and the German Democratic Republic.