Iowan favors bill providing reparations for terrorist actions

An Iowan is touting a bill in the U-S Senate that allows use of frozen government assets to pay reparations to victims of state-sponsored terrorism. Taleb Subh of LeClaire was visiting relatives in Kuwait when Iraqi forces invaded that nation during the Gulf War. Subh spent a month hiding in various homes and even pretended to be mute to avoid being taken by Iraqi soldiers. Subh says it was extremely terrifying and made him go from a 14-year-old kid to a 34-year-old in a short period of time. He says taking reparations out of frozen Iraqi assets would send a message.He says it would compensate victims, and it would also deter terrorists attacks in the future. Another Iowan, Kathryn Koob of Waverly, was one of the Americans held hostage for 444 days by Iran. Koob would also be eligible for payment under the bill that’s co-sponsored by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. The bill would allow Americans who’ve won lawsuits to tap the frozen funds.