IMPORTANT NOTICES TO SUPPLIERS OF THE OIL FOR FOOD PROGRAMME

Cotecna Authenticaton at the Port of Umm Qasr, Iraq, between 1st October, 2003 to 7th February, 2004

Suppliers who did not receive Cotecna authentication for goods arriving at the port of Um Qasr, between 1st October, 2003 and the 7th February, 2004, are requested to contact the recipient ministry of the goods, in Iraq, as soon as possible. In order to resolve potential authentication disputes, between the dates listed, suppliers are to forward all relevant paperwork, particularly confirmation of delivery documents to the relevant ministries. To facilitate the resolution of this problem, which the Oil for Food program recognizes, suppliers may forward their paperwork electronically to oilforfood@baghdadforum.com  Suppliers are further requested to use the subject heading, “Request for Cotecna authentication for Um Qasr between 1 October, 2003 and 7th February, 2004” when sending their email. This will speed up the passage of the paperwork to the relevant ministry.


Movement of Humanitarian goods between Iraq and Syria during times of periodic closure

The officially recognized border crossing point between Iraq and Syria, at Al –Waleed, will be periodically closed, as necessity demands, in the interests of public safety. To allow the continued flow of humanitarian goods into Iraq, during time of general closure, suppliers are to notify their freight forwarders, transport companies and truck drivers that trucks carrying supplies under the Oil for Food Progam are to make themselves known to Cotecna, the Oil for Food authenticators, at the border crossing point.

On making themselves known and receiving their authentication stamp at the border, drivers will be allowed to cross into Iraq. Military authorities are aware of what Comm numbers and trucks are due to cross. They are also aware of the relevance of the Cotecna stamp.

Instructions issued by Coalition Military Forces or agents of the Oil For Food program relating to the movement of trucks into Iraq are to be obeyed without question, otherwise claims for delay will be voided.

If suppliers feel they have a case of “force majeure”, during times of periodic closure they are to provide a written notification to the Oil-for-Food Programme stating that they have a force majeure claim. The notification should be submitted under the subject heading of: “Notification of Force Majeure for Comm. No. xxxxxxxxxx”. Separate claims must be submitted for each Comm. No. and must not be cross referenced.

Written notification may be made by e-mail to oilforfood@baghdadforum.com  and should provide details of the cause and effect of the force majeure situation encountered. It is recognised that until such force majeure situation is resolved the full impact cannot be established, however full details should be provided on the impact to the date of your submission, the estimate (on a daily rate basis) for the costs of continuance of the force majeure and what measures are being taken, or are proposed to be taken, that will mitigate the effects of such force majeure.

This submission by the supplier will form the starting point for a subsequent review of the claim. This review will only commence after the transfer of authority from the Coalition Provisional Authority to an Iraqi administration.

Suppliers claiming “force majeure” will be required to supply the details of their insurers in order to progress their claim.