EducationGuardian.co.uk, UK
Feb 8 2005
Anxiety in the UK
Serious complaints by overseas students are unjustified, says their
university. Hsiao-Hung Pai reports
Tuesday February 8, 2005
The Guardian
About 400 students from east Asia have enrolled for programmes this
year at Royal Holloway, University of London. They are paying at
least three times the fees of UK students, but came because they
regarded it as a prestigious place to study. But following a series
of what appear to be racially motivated assaults, several students at
the campus in Egham, Surrey, have expressed concerns about security,
accommodation, and what they describe as a culture of isolation
within the college. These claims are vociferously denied by Royal
Holloway.
A Korean female postgraduate exchange student was attacked by three
youths – one man and two women – inside a college laundry room at the
main campus in November, 2004. They verbally abused her and hit her
continuously for half an hour, till she fell on the floor. Then they
started kicking her. She was left with bad injuries and bruises all
over her face.
“There is no security system at this university,” said Mr Jin,
president of the Korean society, who asked us not to publish his
first name. The incident provoked great anger among east Asian
students and overseas students in general. The Korean society, along
with the Chinese society, Japanese society, Taiwanese society and the
Indian society, presented a petition with 400 signatures to the
college, demanding that a satisfactory security system be installed,
with better lighting on campus and an increased patrol.
“In the first two weeks, patrolling increased. But things got back to
usual after that,” said a Korean student who doesn’t want to be
named.
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Two months later, on January 28, a Chinese-German student was
attacked by 10 youths at the south gate, outside the college grounds.
On the same night, an Indian student was attacked.
“The college could have done better on informing students about the
attacks,” said Zepyur Batikyar, an Armenian MA student. “We got to
hear of them mostly from other students.”
“We feel extremely excluded by our skin colour,” said Yu-Jen Bai, a
postgraduate business student from Taiwan, “We almost feel we can
only be protected by the presence of a white student.”
Royal Holloway emphatically denied it had responded inadequately to
the attacks. All the students have been offered support and
counselling since the attacks, a spokeswoman said.
“The incident involving a Korean student was taken very seriously,
and subjected to a full investigation in collaboration with Korea
University, [the] students’ union, the local community and local
police. The college has also provided ongoing support for the student
involved.
“The student support officer, who has been working closely with the
Korean student involved in this incident, has received much gratitude
for the care and support, and we understand the student is hoping to
return to Royal Holloway for further study.”
After the November attack, the spokeswoman said, a bulletin was
issued by the students’ union alerting students. “Lighting systems
throughout the campus were reviewed and the level of patrol by
security officers was increased to cover additional areas on the
campus, in particular, those close to halls of residences, and
arrangements for these patrols were continued through the vacation
period. In addition, the college is working closely with the local
community and police to seek ways to ensure that all members of the
community continue to work and live in a safe and secure
environment.”
It was “totally inaccurate” to say the college had no security
system. “Each of the halls of residence has a resident warden to
support students and the college operates 24-hour security presence.”
Students, particularly east Asian students, feel fearful of these
attacks and are deeply concerned that something should be done. But,
according to Jin, they have no proper channels of complaint and are
worried that too much noise would have a negative effect on their
status at college.
“There is practically no means of communication between overseas
students and the college authorities,” said a Taiwanese MBA student.
Royal Holloway’s spokeswoman said: “This could not be further from
the truth. The college prides itself on its level of pastoral care.”
Yuki Yanagi, a 22-year-old postgraduate student from Japan, says that
the attack in November “is not just a Korean issue. To the eyes of
locals, we look similar and I feel the same thing could happen to me
or my friends.
“I have become very cautious. Nowadays I only do shopping in the
daytime and in British, male company.” My parents are worried about
me.”
Safety has, in fact, been a long-term concern. “Incidents of attacks
and harassment have been going on here for at least two years. MBA
students who studied here in 2003/04 warned me about safety the first
day I got here,” said Yu-Jen Bai. “There should have been stronger
action from the students themselves. I never imagined safety to be a
problem at London University.
“The problem is our student societies are only interested in
organising social events. They aren’t interested in fighting for our
rights. I guess it’s because they are run by younger people,
undergraduates, who aren’t very aware.”
The students suffer from being both separate and visible. “Life is
isolated and lonely here,” says Sangseuk Park. Like many other east
Asian students, Park chose to study at Holloway because of its
excellent international reputation. “And the campus looks so nice,”
he said. He is self-funded and pays a tuition fee of £8,500 for a
one-year course.
Park finds language a barrier. He only socialises with east Asian
students. “It’s not so easy to interact with local students. Perhaps
it’s cultural differences.”
“It isn’t always language that is the barrier,” says Zepyur Batikyar.
“Self-blame was my initial reaction when I experienced distance from
the local environment. But I understood it wasn’t me at all when I
began to interact so well with other overseas students.”
“We don’t go out much. Our weekend entertainment is going to the
cinema in Staines with other Chinese students,” says Gu Chen, 24, a
Chinese postgraduate in Business Information Systems.
Yuki Yanagi came to this college for its reputation in women’s
studies. She’s eager to be socially active and learn about local
culture. She joined the women’s football team where there are hardly
any Asian players, and went to watch the football in the local pub.
“But the best time of my stay in Royal Holloway was when I met east
Asian students. We socialise a lot and I feel things are getting
better and better.”
She’s disappointed with the level of interaction between overseas and
local students. “I often have racially abusive jokes thrown at me by
fellow students, and some of the sexually harassing behaviour really
disgusts me.”
Pei-Ling Lu, a business postgraduate from Taiwan, says: “We didn’t
really know that much about the course structure or the environment
before we came, because all the information was provided by agencies
at home, who gave us nothing but college brochures.”
All the east Asian students we spoke to talked about the
administrative inefficiency of the college. “Our requests are often
ignored or delayed,” one said.
Accommodation is also one of the biggest concerns among overseas
students here. “There is a large difference in the types of
accommodation we get, and the criteria of housing distribution seems
arbitrary,” said one student.
“There’s no support for overseas students here,” said Gu Chen. “We
believe that overseas students tend to be given poorer-facilitated
housing. The course is also very different from what I had expected.
It’s loosely organised, and the teaching hours are too short – only
two days a week.”
The postgraduates on the business courses seem particularly unhappy
with what they get in return for the high tuition fees. “The college
facilities are commercialised,” one MBA student said. “There are bars
run by outside companies, which charge higher prices than local pubs.
But there aren’t enough academic resources, such as a good library.
This is only geared towards undergraduate interests.”
The college denied these charges. “International students are given
priority in securing accommodation within halls of residence. In the
case of a large group of students, such as those from Korea
University, we also work to accommodate them across the campus, to
enable them to integrate more fully within the campus community,”
said the spokeswoman.
“We consider our accommodation standards to be high – situated in a
135-acre parkland campus. Royal Holloway opened a brand new £23m
state-of-the-art halls development in September 2004. Many
international students are within these halls. Indeed, we have a
collaborative venture with Korea University, and a section of the
halls have been named in honour of a Korean industrialist.”
She added: “We have many channels in operation to receive feedback
from students. Standards of teaching at the college are frequently
praised by students, and the college’s record demonstrates our high
commitment to teaching and research.”
–Boundary_(ID_V5v4W7nYXSALM7XPmQ0y5g)–

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
President Aliyev Of Azerbaijan Hosts A Banquet In Honor Of Arinc
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
BAKU – President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan hosted a banquet in honor
of Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, who is currently in Baku
on an official visit, on Monday.
Relations of Azerbaijan with the other regional countries, and the
Upper Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia were high on
agenda during the banquet.
Speaking at the banquet, President Aliyev called on Turkey to support
them in their fight against Armenian occupation.
Meanwhile, Arinc said in his part that several decisions were made by
the EU and the United Nations for withdrawal of Armenia from the
occupied Azerbaijani territories, adding, ”however, Armenian
occupation has been continuing. More than 1 million people were
forced to leave their homes. They have been living under extremely
difficult conditions. Turkey will continue extending all kinds of
support to Azerbaijan in its rightful struggle.”

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Aliyev: Turkey And Azerbaijan Are The Closest Allies Of Each Other
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
BAKU – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stated that Turkey and
Azerbaijan are the closest allies of each other. ”Turkey has always
stood by Azerbaijan,” said Aliyev.
Aliyev hosted Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and his
delegation at the Presidential Palace.
In a speech delivered at the palace, Aliyev stressed that relations
in all areas are developing rapidly between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
”It is pleasing to see the developments between our two countries in
the areas of economy and politics. The Turkish investments in
Azerbaijan are very prominent for the future of Azerbaijan,” told
Aliyev.
According to Aliyev, Turkey stands by Azerbaijan in the issue of
Upper Karabakh. ”We always feel Turkey’s support to Azerbaijan,”
expressed Aliyev.
Aliyev thanked Arinc for Turkey’s support that led to the adoption of
a decision by the European Council that describes Armenia’s actions
in Karabakh as ”an occupation of Azeri territory”.
Aliyev indicated that the understanding of ”one nation, two
governments” will always exist between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Arinc expressed a desire to see the end of Armenian occupation of
Karabakh. ”We want the Armenian occupation to end soon and no longer
wish to see tyranny in Karabakh,” said Arinc.
Aliyev will host a dinner tonight in honor of Arinc and his
delegation.

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker: Turkish Parliament Should Recognize
Massacre Of Azeris In Khojaly In 1992 As A Genocide
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
BAKU – Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov has stated
that the Turkish parliament should recognize the massacre of Azeris
by Armenians in Khojaly in 1992 as a genocide.
During meetings between the two countries` delegations headed by
Alasgarov and Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Alasgarov made
a request from the Turkish parliament to recognize the massacre of
Azeris by Armenians in 1992 as a “genocide“.
Arinc assured Alasgarov that he would bring this matter to the
attention of the Turkish parliament on February 26th, the day that
marks the 13th anniversary of the Armenian massacre of Azeris in
Khojaly.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani parliamentarians proposed that Turkey and
Azerbaijan establish a museum of “martyrs“.
Arinc told the Azerbaijani deputies that Turkey would cooperate with
Azerbaijan in opening of such a museum.

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Arinc: The Armenian Occupation Of Azeri Territory Is Cruelty
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
BAKU – Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc has stated that the
Armenian occupation of over 20 percent of Azeri territory is cruelty.
“Despite UN resolutions, Armenia continues to occupy Azeri land,”
said Arinc.
In a meeting with Arinc, the Azeri Parliament’s Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov told that the real genocide was committed by the Armenians
in 1992 in Khojaly.
After Arinc and Alasgarov’s meeting, delegations from the two countries
started discussions.
“The relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are developing every
single day. Our relations have reached a strategic level,” remarked
Alasgarov.
“Turkey has helped Azerbaijan in convincing the European Council
Parliamentary Assembly to recognize the Armenian occupation of Azeri
soil and make a call on the Armenians to withdraw from the occupied
territory. We are thankful to Turkey,” stressed Alasgarov. “Armenia
asserts that the Turks committed a genocide against Armenians. When
one looks at history books, he comes to the conclusion that no
genocide took place in 1915. The actual genocide was committed by
the Armenians in 1992 in Khojaly. More than 1,000 Azeris were shot to
death and wounded. Armenians have attempted a massive genocide on the
Azeris. The Armenians have forced about 250,000 Azeris to leave their
homes after 1980. 20 percent of our land is currently under Armenian
occupation. Over one million Azeri citizens have been forced out of
their homes and have to live in tents. We hope to resolve our dispute
with Armenia peacefully and support the Minsk Peace Process. Karabagh
is Azeri territory and we do not accept an Armenian government there.
Armenians must immediately withdraw from Azeri territory and Azeri
refugees must return to their homes,” stressed Alasgarov.
Arinc added that the United Nations adopted four resolutions to force
Armenian troops out of Azeri territory. “Yet, Armenia continues to
refuse abiding by UN decisions. Turkey supports a solution under the
Minsk Process. For the past 10 years, Armenia has been occupying Azeri
territory. Turkey will continue to give support to Azerbaijan in all
platforms,” expressed Arinc.
Arinc delivered an invitation to Alasgarov to attend the 85th
anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish parliament. “At the time
the Turkish parliament was established, Turkish territory was also
under occupation,” commented Arinc. According to Alasgarov, Azerbaijan
attach great importance to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas project. On the other hand Arinc has
reminded that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be completed
within 2005. “Our countries cooperate in many platforms,” told Arinc.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interests and aspirations clash in region of frozen conflicts
By Simon Tisdall
The Guardian
Feb 8 2005
The ancient Greeks called it Pontus Axeinus – the inhospitable sea.
Jason and the Argonauts sailed its turbid waters, seeking the Golden
Fleece in the land of Colchis, present-day Georgia. Turks who feared
its lowering storms called it Kara Dengiz, hence its English name.
Now the Black Sea, contested through history by Roman emperors,
Russian tsars, Nazi and Soviet totalitarians and, inevitably, by
British imperialists in the Crimea in the 1850s, is once again emerging
as a strategic amphitheatre of clashing interests and aspirations.
When Romania and Bulgaria join the EU in 2007, modern Europe’s new
frontier will come hard up against the rumbling underbelly of Russia’s
collapsed empire.
Arrayed around this new Black Sea bullring, an encircling host of
failed, floundering or would-be states must soon decide whether their
future lies within the Euro-Atlantic community.
It is here that defining 21st-century battles over identity, security,
democratic values, oil, and migration will be waged. And it is here
that an ever-enlarging Europe’s limitations, political as well as
geographical, may finally be painfully exposed.
Romania’s reformist leader, Traian Basescu, who watches over a
lengthy tract of western Black Sea coast, is keenly attuned to this
challenge. He won the presidency last December in Romania’s quieter
version of neighbouring Ukraine’s “orange revolution”.
Mr Basescu’s visit to London last week amounted to an early warning.
In his view Romania is becoming a frontline state in what governments
now call the Greater Black Sea region.
“The common security threats that we face are many. The Black Sea
region has become an area for trafficking in people, in drugs and
weapons,” Mr Basescu said.
“It is an area of frozen conflicts. These are threats for all Nato and
EU members. In this region we are in a democratic transition period, a
period of emerging democracies – and that presents an element of risk.”
Romania has been offered additional British help in fighting corruption
and organised crime, curbing illegal immigration and preparing for
EU membership, diplomats said.
Both Romania and Bulgaria are already Nato members. And the Bucharest
government, which has offered military base facilities to the US at
Constanta, has purchased two ex-Royal Navy frigates.
Yet while Romania, Bulgaria, and more precariously, Ukraine, have
made their pro-western choice, the fate of many regional states and
peoples hangs in the balance.
Moldova, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, is one of the most
dangerous of the “frozen conflicts” of which Mr Basescu warned.
Located in an area once known as Bessarabia, Moldova is the poorest
country in Europe, divided since independence in 1991 by a secessionist
movement in eastern Transdniestria.
Now Moldova’s communist leaders, facing elections next month, have
broken with their traditional ally, Russia, and are pursuing EU
integration. President Vladimir Voronin appealed last week for western
assistance, saying separatist “armed units” were bent on provoking a
crisis. Moldova has also asked in vain that Russia withdraw its troops.
Almost unnoticed, the EU published an “action plan” in December,
inviting Moldova “to enter into intensified political, security and
economic relations” and describing a Transdniestria solution as a
“key objective”. In short, Moldova is a looming European problem.
Similar disputes requiring international attention ring the Black
Sea. In former Soviet Georgia, scene of the 2003 “rose revolution”,
the pro-western government of President Mikhail Saakashvili is
still struggling with Moscow-backed separatists in South Ossetia
and Abkhazia.
Linked to Georgia’s future is the future of independence-minded
Chechnya, where low-level conflict with Russian forces still smoulders,
and the wider Caucasus region.
In Armenia an authoritarian government is locked in a cold
war with Turkey and Azerbaijan, principally over the enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh, where tens of thousands died in the early 1990s. To
end its isolation Armenia is increasingly looking to Brussels.
While insisting on political and economic reforms, the EU recently
included Armenia in its European “neighbourhood policy”. Self-interest
plays a part. Armenia’s woes have produced an exodus of economic
migrants; most head westwards.
Underlying all this is the Black Sea’s growing strategic importance
as an outlet for Russian and Caspian oil – another potential source
of conflict as well as wealth.
A sort of “best pipeline” contest is now under way. Russia is exploring
a new oil route with Bulgaria and Greece that would bypass pro-western
Turkey. From Athens, at least, this looks like a terrific idea.
Another pipeline will run from Azerbaijan via Georgia to Turkey’s
Mediterranean coast, deviously circumventing poor, ostracised
Armenia. Yet another could link Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast with
Macedonia, Albania and the Adriatic – with intriguing implications
for the Balkans.
While the EU gazes east and wonders just how far it can go, especially
regarding Russia, the US feels fewer constraints. It is determined
to secure its Caspian oil supplies. And its new military toeholds
on the western shore could in time be used to project US influence
across the entire Black Sea region.
Europe’s policy may be drifting. Russia may fret and storm. But
Washington reckons it knows which way the wind is blowing. Like the
ancient Greeks, it aims to turn the Black Sea into the Pontus Euxinus –
the friendly sea.
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA’S POLISHED PRODUCTION AND SALES DOWN 20%
TACY Ltd. Israel
Feb 8 2005
February 08, 2005
Armenia polished diamond production fell by 20 percent US$245,751
million in 2004, says Gagik Mkrtchian, the Trade and Economic
Development Ministry’s official in charge of gemstones and jewelry.
Mkrtchian says sales fell 19.8 percent, and that the dollar’s
devaluation against the local dram was to blame for the drop in both
output and sales.
Last year, Armenia imported 875,748 carats of rough gem quality
diamonds worth US$189,052 million. This year, Mkrtchian expects
polished diamond output and sales to increase by about a third.

Zaman, Turkey
Feb 8 2005
Alleged Armenian Genocide Appears in German History Books
By Anadolu News Agency (aa)
Turkish Ambassador to Berlin Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik has stated that
the removal of the alleged Armenian genocide from history syllabus in
the German city of Brandenburg was not realized due to a lack of
pressure by the Turkish diplomats.
Irtemcelik in a statement to Berliner Zeitung newspaper said
yesterday, “What is to be included the in syllabus in Brandenburg is
decided in Brandenburg.” Regarding meetings held by the Turkish
Consul General of Berlin in Postdam, he remarked that the Consul
General attended meetings to give the views of the Turkish people
about the incidents that caused the deaths of more than one million
Armenians during World War I, Irtemcelik expressed Turkey’s
understanding regarding the allegations were perceived as an Armenian
genocide only in the West. Pointing out that many important documents
regarding the genocide allegations were easily neglected and
Irtemcelik stressed that massacres undertaken by two Armenian terror
organizations in the region prior to World War I were not mentioned
at all.
Remarking that Turkey was ready to reopen discussions with the
inclusion of formly over looked documents Irtemcelik said, “Our
archives are open,” and stated that the party thatcontinually cancels
talks among historians expected to be held in Vienna in May was again
Armenian. The Ambassador has requested all scientists to investigate
all the events.
Berlin

Missionary Work and Minorities
by Ali Bulac
Zaman, Turkey
Feb 8 2005
The reason the West attaches great importance to the different groups
with religious or ethnic minority status in Turkey or in another
country, and its interference in the internal affairs of that country
by exploiting the conditions of the minorities, which to a great
extent need to be bettered, is its desire to use the minorities as
tools while deepening and expanding its fields of influence.
Throughout history, European countries have used minorities as the
Sword of Damocles.
In the 19th century, countries which supported missionary work the
most were the United States, Britain and France. The French acted in
very cruel and puristic manner against religion and the church after
the 1789 revolution; however, when it came to the missionary work,
the secular revolutionaries did not hesitate to boost funds allocated
for this activity generously.
The policies European countries have pursued regarding minorities
through missionaries, have been very tragic. In the last quarter of
the 19th century and in the first 15 years of the 20th century,
missionaries instigated the Armenians who had lived in peace for
years in the Ottoman Empire, and who were termed “Millet-i Sadika”
[loyal nation], encouraging them to revolt.
It is interesting to note that missionary schools are mostly opened
in cities where non-Muslim population is dense, it cannot be said
that missionaries show any interest in places where the non-Muslim
population is below 20 percent. During the years 1911-1913, 39
percent of Van’s population, 33 percent of Bitlis’ population, 30
percent of Izmit’s population and 24 percent Bursa’s population,
where missionary schools were highly effective, were non-Muslims.
The American missionary schools had great influence on the Armenians,
particularly on those who were Protestants. According to a research
conducted by Yusuf Akcuraoglu, “In 1913-1914, more than one third of
the students who went to foreign schools during the Ottoman Empire
attended American schools.” Those who graduated from these schools
participated in social life as a middle class people and the
intellectuals grew up with nationalistic ideas and indoctrinated
their coreligionists for the independence struggle.
Miralay Ismet Inonu who was the head of Erkan-i Harbiye [Staff
Officers’ School] in 1920, once spoke in the Turkish Grand National
Assembly (TBMM) as follows: “There are American schools and colleges
in the surroundings of Antep. Today, these American colleges are
Ussul-Hareke (action center) of the French. They are using these
American schools as the Ussul Hareke (action center) to inflict pain
on us and to kill our people. They attack and place howitzers there
and use them as warehouses. In brief, I think they were built not as
schools but as fortresses within our country.” In one of his
speeches, Mustafa Kemal talked about the rise of the spiritual Pontus
members at the Merzifon American school.
(TBMM Docs., Session 1, Article 1, V. 4, 2. Ed., 1942, p. 296;
Associate Prof. Ugur Kocabasoglu, Missionary Work in Turkey, Islamic
Research Journal, V. 4, Issue: 1, Ocak-1990)
After the second Constitutional Monarchy, Muslim circles started to
show interest in missionary schools as well. After the declaration of
the Republic, a remarkable increase was observed. One of the
important results of these was the number of the supporters of the
“American Mandate,” constituting an important percentage, during the
armistice years.
It is possible to see that missionaries were active in three main
regions during the Ottoman Empire:
Western Region: Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Izmit, Kayseri, Tokat,
Merzifon. Central Region: Tarsus, Adana, Antep, Adiyaman, Urfa.
Eastern Region: Erzurum, Van, Bitlis, Harput, Diyarbakir, Mardin.
Now it is the earthquake region, their main fields of action are the
coastal bands of the Mediterranean, Eastern and Southeast Anatolia.
There are studies being carried out in Hatay on the Nusayri
population. Studies in the Black Sea region, aimed at awakening a
pro-Pontus consciousness, are being monitored. It is obvious that
missionary work is not solely related to the spread of a religion or
proselytization, which starts and ends in the conscience of people.
Behind these activities, there are geopolitical, strategic, economic
and military benefits for the countries concerned. The missionary
institutions have a nearly 200-year experience in Turkey and a
historic reflex on Turks. I think these activities serve more than
one purpose. One of these aims is to form “a new minority” within the
country. Undoubtedly, they want to recruit this minority from the
country’s current population.

Turkey, armenia: Relatives of slain Armenians win New York Life Insurance claims
Monday Morning, Lebanon
Feb 8 2005
Just a kindergartner during the 1915-1917 massacre of Armenians,
Bedros Bedrossian, who saw his parents and baby sister killed in the
dying years of the Ottoman Empire, never expected a big Manhattan
life insurance payout. But Bedros knew little of a New York policy
his father took out in those brutal days that could now pay off after
nearly a century and so many generations.
Bedros’ daughter-in-law Anaid is trying to cash in on an
extraordinary case that has startled Manhattan bankers and thrilled
the survivors of a period in history that nearly erased much of
Armenia from the map.
For the New York Life Insurance company has finally pledged to pay
back what it owed to relatives of those killed during one of the
starkest periods of World War I.
“When we found the name of my husband’s grandfather in the insurance
company’s lists, we were surprised and thrilled”, the 50-year-old
Anaid acknowledged.
“None of us could hope that there would come a day when the victims
and their families could reclaim at least a straw from the haystack
we lost in West Armenia”, she added.
According to a US court ruling of July 30, 2004, the New York Life
Insurance would have to honor its obligations to all who can prove
their blood ties to those named in the company’s lists.
Armenia’s Justice Ministry has arranged for a group of lawyers to
help those seeking to apply for the compensation to put together the
required documents and dispatch them to New York before the February
28 deadline.
But the work launched in September proved hard, with many survivors
having escaped with only clothes on their back, leaving all documents
and insurance policies behind.
“We accept applications from people, we open cases, seek proof in the
archives”, ministry spokesman Ara Sagatelyan said.
Such proof includes birth and marriage certificates, letters,
photographs, and books published in those times and telling of
various families and people.
“As of now, over 700 people applied to us, having found their
relatives in the US company’s lists, and only nine of those still had
the policies. There are also cases of people that have the policies
but their names are not listed”, Sagatelyan noted. Over 180 ready
applications had already been sent on, he said.
New York Life Insurance had pledged to pay a total of 20 million
dollars, with the victims’ relatives due to receive 11.9 million,
three million to be handed over to Armenian charity groups, and the
rest given to the Armenian Church.
However, it was not yet clear how much money would be claimed, as
many of those listed perished along with their whole families.
Turkey, which formed the nucleus of the former Ottoman Empire, has
disputed the scale and nature of the killing of Armenians, and
objected to the term ‘genocide’ used by surviving Armenians and their
descendants.
An estimated 1.5 million Armenians are believed to have died between
1915 and 1917 in the last years of the Ottoman Empire.
“In refusing to admit the fact of genocide, Turkey also fears that
Armenians would call for compensation of their lost property and
reclaim the money Armenians held in Turkish banks for their heirs”,
Turkey expert Akob Chakryan told journalists in the Armenian capital,
Yerevan.