Kirk Kerkorian inherited USD 2 billion to Armenia

Head of “Unity” party Vartan Oskanian touched upon the testament of billionaire Kirk Kerkorian on his Facebook page.

“I read Kirk Kerkorian’s testimony today. I understood the following: USD 2 billion was left as heritage, which should exclusively be allotted to one or more beneficial organizations with the so-called 501(C)3 license (U.S. tax service license). The testament should be managed by the mentioned three persons, and only one of them is Armenian. They should provide that money in the period of 3 years after his death (one year has already passed).

Although there is no any restriction in the decisions of this trio, except that they should be accepted on the majority principle, I think there is moral responsibility on these individuals, which particularly comes from priorities of Kerkorian’s charitable donations throughout last 20 years.

Kirk Kerkorian donated in three main directions:

1. the U.S. institutions, in particular, educational,

2. Armenian organizations—educational, cultural, publishing and etc.,

3. the greater part of his donations were directed to Armenia.

I’m sure this circumstance lays some responsibility on individuals managing the testament in making choice.

It would be correct to establish a committee of 5-7 individuals, who have absolute trust of the Armenian people, which by holding consultations with wider circles, including Armenian Government, should provide proposal package to the trio, managing the testament. Issue of the committee should be grounding provision of a larger part of funds for Armenian purposes, as well as outline the organizations and projects, which should be allotted the funds.

The issue shouldn’t be left to the mercy of fate. It’ll also be inacceptable, that individuals and organizations separately by their means, contradicting proposals, out of narrow interests, repulsed the trio managing the testament,” Oskanian wrote.