'Asylum prejudice must end' (From Penarth Times)

'Asylum prejudice must end'

A PENARTH woman whose grandfather fled Turkish Armenia to seek asylum in Britain says local residents' "ignorant" attitudes must change.

Diana Gregory, of Westbourne Road, is "shocked" by recent "prejudiced" reaction to Home Office proposals which could see 750 asylum seekers housed at Sully Hospital by 2003.

The hospital is one of eight sites which have been short-listed by the Home Office as potential locations for refugees while applying for asylum in Britain.

Miss Gregory's grandfather, Garabed Krikorian (who later changed his name to Gregory), sought asylum in the 1890s while in his mid-20s. It was at the beginning of the Armenian holocaust which came to a head in the 1915 genocide.

He was a Protestant minister of religion with a church in the region of Cappadocia, speaking seven languages and studying in America. Miss Gregory, 67, said: "I think it's appalling what people have been saying. I'm not that surprised in a sense, but I think it's very worrying and alarming.

"This kind of outcry demonstrates the most terrible prejudice. It's horrifying to think how deep set these prejudices are."

Miss Gregory added: "My grandfather did not steal from people's gardens, rob banks or attack innocent children. Nor was he unable to speak English.

"Once settled in Britain he risked his life many times by returning to Armenia to help others escape from torture and certain death, and to resettle them in various parts of the world, including Britain, Greece and America."

She added: "Please don't assume that people you've never met must inevitably be potential if not actual criminals just because they are seeking asylum.

"Not only does this demonstrate gross ignorance and prejudice, but it causes great offence to those of us who know better."

Miss Gregory said: "If I lived in Sully I wouldn't have any objection in principle if the hospital was suitable. Asylum is a basic Christian principle."