Missing passengers' families refuse 'consolation' money  

失联客机乘客家属拒领特殊慰问金 马航称将给答复

原定在昨晚发放的特殊慰问金，遭到失联乘客家属的拒绝。昨日下午1点40分，马航在北京丽都酒店召开了家属沟通会，提出发放方案，但多数失联乘客的家属对这笔钱所附带的协议充满疑虑。马航方面在晚间的发布会上表示，31000元不是赔偿，也不附带任何条件，发放时间延迟，具体方案将在今日公布。[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.