The Morning Call Online
January 26, 2005, 4:28 PM EST

Armenian Charities Receive Settlements

By Associated Press

NEW YORK AP) — Five Armenian charities received checks for $333,333 each
Wednesday as part of an insurance settlement with descendants of Armenians
massacred 90 years ago by the Turks.

The checks are part of a $20 million settlement with New York Life Insurance
Co., which issued 2,300 policies to Armenians in Turkey before 1915 that
were never paid, according to plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Kabateck.

Armenians contend that 1.5 million people were executed between 1915 and
1919 by Turkish authorities who accused them of helping the invading Russian
army during World War I. Turkey rejects the genocide claim and says
Armenians were killed in civil unrest during the collapse of the Ottoman
Empire. France and Russia are among countries that have declared the
killings genocide, but the United States has not.

The agreement set aside at least $11 million for descendants, $3 million for
charities and $2 million for administrative costs. Four charities in Los
Angeles will receive the rest of the $3 million.

Descendants of the policy holders have until March 16 to file claims.

The settlement, approved last year by a federal judge in Los Angeles, is
believed to be the first involving the events of the era.