[Request for Reconsideration of Denial of Claim for Lost Yarn and Damages to Knitting Machine]

A Vietnamese refugee requested reconsideration of his denied claim against the United States for the loss of a shipment of yarn and damages to a knitting machine. The claimant had contended that the United States was liable for the claim because of actions taken during the evacuation of Vietnam. GAO had held that the claim was barred by various statutes of limitations. In his request for reconsideration, the claimant reiterated his assertion that the United States improperly diverted and sold the yarn shipment, and alleged that American military personnel rendered the knitting machine unfit for use. The Agency for International Development (AID) maintained that the claimant was a party to a commodity import agreement which entitled AID to seize goods when shipment would violate the intent of the agreement. GAO held that: (1) in accordance with its earlier decision, the claim was barred by applicable statutes of limitations; and (2) the claimant failed to prove that AID improperly seized the yarn shipment. Accordingly, the original decision was affirmed.