The number of compensation claims filed against the Turkish state and several Turkish banks by Armenians living in the United States has been in decline since 2005, Turkey's defenders said on Thursday.
Partners of the law firm Saltzman & Evinch, defender of the Turkish side in lawsuits filed in the U.S. regarding terrorist organization PKK, Cyprus issue and Armenian allegations on incidents of 1915, held a press conference in Washington, D.C..
Speaking at the conference, Gunay Evinc from Saltzman & Evinch said Armenians living in the U.S. had been filing compensation lawsuits against the Turkish State, Turkey's Central Bank and Ziraat Bankasi, alleging that properties of their ancestors had been seized during the incidents of 1915.
Pointing to the latest "Davoyan case" filed in late July, Evinch said such case, just like the previous cases, aimed at creating an impact in the media and hindering solutions.
Describing such efforts as a typical ultra-nationalist American-Armenian approach, Evinc said the cases aimed at getting compensation and land, as well as recognition of the incidents of 1915 as "genocide".
Noting that most of the similar cases had been solved upon compromise of parties and huge compensations had been paid until 1995, Evinc said negotiation was no longer an option in such cases as defendant banks and insurance companies struggled hard and got victory in the end.
"Therefore, Armenian compensation cases are in a significant decline since 2005. We find the latest 'Davoyan case' very interesting in that sense," Evinc said.
Evinc noted that filing of such case reflected a certain "panic" in the Dashnak political view.
"The 100th anniversary of 1915 incidents is getting closer and the incidents have not been yet described as 'genocide' at federal level in USA. Therefore, they are in panic," the defender said.
Commenting on other lawsuits filed in the U.S. against the Turkish state, Evinc said U.S. federal courts had taken decisions in favor of Turkey in cases about terrorist organization PKK.
Noting that they defended Turkey in property cases filed by Greek Cypriots as well, Evinc said the defenders asserted in such cases that the issue did not concern U.S. courts.
"The judicial platform is better for us as it is a venue where Turkey can be treated fairly. You cannot do lobbying with a judge. Therefore, we believe being at the court is better than being at the Congress in property cases concerning Turkey," Evinc noted.
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