Missing passengers' families refuse 'consolation' money  

失聯(lián)客機乘客家屬拒領(lǐng)特殊慰問金 馬航稱將給答復(fù)

原定在昨晚發(fā)放的特殊慰問金，遭到失聯(lián)乘客家屬的拒絕。昨日下午1點40分，馬航在北京麗都酒店召開了家屬溝通會，提出發(fā)放方案，但多數(shù)失聯(lián)乘客的家屬對這筆錢所附帶的協(xié)議充滿疑慮。馬航方面在晚間的發(fā)布會上表示，31000元不是賠償，也不附帶任何條件，發(fā)放時間延遲，具體方案將在今日公布。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Most of the families of the Chinese passengers aboard missing flight MH370 have refused "special consolation money" offered by Malaysian Airlines, the Beijing Youth Daily reported. [Special coverage]

Malaysian Airlines said at a press conference Tuesday morning that it will grant 31,000 yuan (US$5,059) to family members of each missing passenger.

Some families can get the money after the press conference, while others can get it after they return to their hotels at 6:00 pm, staff from the airline said.

The staff said the money is to help families cover other expenses, as accommodations are already paid for.

But some had doubts about the declaration they were asked to sign in order to get the money. One family member said: "Why should I sign it? I don't know the content, so I refuse the money."

One Malaysian Airlines employee said there were no additional conditions and began to read the declaration out loud. But some family members refused in the middle of the reading and the employee stopped.

Other family members said they would accept the money without signing the declaration. Airline staff said they would get back to them on Wednesday.

Zhang Qihuai, a lawyer who has dealt with many cases against airlines, said the families' concerns about the money is unfounded. Such financial aid is stipulated by law, and even if unreasonable conditions are attached to the declaration, the provisions have no legal force, he said.

Zhang said Malaysian Airlines should give money to the families as long as the flight remains missing.

But Wang Guanhua, the Chinese partner of the Chicago-based Ribbeck Law Chartered which has initiated a law suit against the Boeing Co. over the 777 jetliner crash at San Francisco this year, disagreed with Zhang.

Families can sign the deal, but once the jurisdictional provisions unfavorable for them, they would lose the right of international claims, wang said.

Malaysian Airlines clarified procedures and gave samples of agreements in a press conference held Wednesday afternoon, according to photos released by China News Service.

The photos also show that some family members are queuing for registration and the money will be given around 6:00 pm.

Malaysian Airlines promised the consolation money will not be deducted from the compensation in future.