APRIL 21, 2012

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror -Spe ctaItn Ouor Mirror -Spe ctatror 80th Year Volume LXXXII, NO. 40, Issue 4235 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Netherlands Observes Israeli Minister of 97th Anniversary of Agriculture Speaks Armenian Genocide AMSTERDAM — The Netherlands-based Abovyan About Similarities Cultural Center hosted on April 13 an event ded - Between Histories of icated to the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians and Jews Armenia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Dzyunik Aghajanyan delivered a speech about YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A delegation, the consequences of genocide and the interna - headed by Israeli Minister of Agriculture tional recognition process. Orit Noked, visited Tsitsernakaberd He recalled that the Turkish archives are still Memorial Complex, where the minister closed, while official Ankara spares no effort to laid a wreath and paid tribute to the mem - push forward its denialist policy and political ory of the innocent victims. Noked, accom - pressure to stop the international recognition of Orit Noked, center, accompanied by Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan (left) panied by Armenian Minister of the Armenian Genocide. and Director of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan (right) Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan and Dr. Ugur Umit Ungor, professor at the Center see VISIT, page 2 for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, gave a lec - ture, titled “Armenian Genocide and the Making of Modern Turkey.” Lili Chookasian, 90, Exhilarating American Contralto French-German TV Airs Who Found Acclaim on Concert and Opera Stages, Dies Program on Genocide, Karabagh Physically, Chookasian was a woman of By Brian Kellow small stature, but the sound that emerged YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The French-German from that body was enormous — dark, with ARTE channel broadcast this past week a pro - a power and cut that were exhilarating and, gram about Armenia, Armenian history, the NEW YORK (Opera News) — Lili when she sang Menotti’s “The Medium” or Armenian Genocide and the Nagorno Karabagh Chookasian, an American contralto who Ulrica in “Un Ballo in Maschera,” quite ter - (NKR) conflict. became a prominent presence on postwar rifying. Referring to a later period of Armenian histo - concert and opera stages, died on April 10 Chookasian was a genuine contralto. She ry, the program presented the history of the at her home in Branford, Conn. She was 90. possessed the kind of gutsy, dramatic NKR conflict. The hosts of the TV program sound that has always been rare and has — noted that NKR is an historical part of Armenia with a few exceptions, such as Ewa Podle, and it was only in 1921 that Stalin annexed it practically disappeared today. Chookasian forcefully to Azerbaijan. In 1923, Azerbaijan NBC Correspondent performed in an era when contraltos were became an autonomous region with 94 percent not normally given opportunities to sing of its population being Armenians. Shamlian to Receive expansive coloratura , as Podle later would be. She specialized in the great concert con - Award at Mirror- tralto repertoire — Mahler’s Second Christie’s to Auction Symphony, Das Lied von der Erde and Lili Chookasian earlier in her career 1879 Armenian Spectator Banquet Kindertotenlieder , Verdi’s Requiem , Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky — and sec - ‘Ghazakh’ Carpet ondary contralto roles in opera, such as Chookasian was born to Armenian par - LONDON (PanARMENIAN.Net) — On April 24, By Alin K. Gregorian Ulrica, La Cieca in “La Gioconda” and ents, and her ethnicity remained a strong Madelon in “Andrea Chénier.” see CHOOKASIAN, page 13 an Armenian carpet will be sold at Christie’s auc - Mirror-Spectator Staff tion house. “The carpet was woven in Armenia’s Berdavan HOUSTON, Texas — As Armenians, we all village (formerly called Ghalacha) of historical have been guilty of name-checking fellow Gugark province in 1879. Exclusively natural Armenians in the media. Sitting high on Godine Publishes New, Complete organic paints were used. The yarn is brilliant. that list is the name of Janet Shamlian, an The date woven in the carpet proves that it was NBC News national correspondent. intended for laying out during celebrations,” car - Shamlian can be seen on any number of Translation of Franz Werfel’s pet expert Vahram Tatikian said. NBC programs, from the “Nightly News The item has been given the name “Armenian with Brian Williams,” to the “Today Show,” Forty Days of Musa Dagh Ghazakh” at the auction house. “Dateline” and news programs on MSNBC “If not [for] the Armenian letters on the carpet and CNBC. BOSTON — The publication on April 24 of a new, expanded and complete it would be called simply ‘Ghazakh’ and would be Shamlian is as kind and gentle off-camera translation of The Forty Days of Musa Dagh by Franz Werfel demands recogni - attributed to Azerbaijanis,” Tatikian said. as she comes across on television. She is tion as a major literary and cultural event. polite to a fault and thoughtful and delib - It is an historic irony, given the dialectic erate with her choice of words. By Daphne Abeel between the Holocaust and the Genocide, On any given day, she gets her assign - Special to the Mirror-Spectator that it fell to an Austrian Jew, Werfel, to ment and hops on a plane heading away write the iconic novel of the Armenian INSI DE from her home in Houston. However, one Genocide — many of those Armenian writ - see SHAMLIAN, page 16 ers and intellectuals who might have penned it having been slaughtered on April 24,1915. Nineteen thirty-three, the date of its first pub - lication in Austria, is of significance, given that Harvard this was the year that Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party solidified their grip on the Third Reich. Exhibit The book, first issued by Paul Zsolnay Verlag in Vienna, although read in Nazi Germany, was Story on page 12 eventually banned and burned there but that first German edition achieved major interna - tional attention and was snapped up at the time of its publication, particularly in Austria and Switzerland. It brought an immediate focus on the events of the Armenian Genocide, which INDEX Musa Dagh had, hitherto, received scant attention from the Arts and Living ...... 12 international community. Armenia ...... 2 Community News...... 5 In 1934, Viking Publishers issued an abbreviated version of the novel in an Editorial ...... 17 English translation by Geoffrey Dunlop. It immediately became a bestseller in International ...... 3, 4 see WERFEL, page 15 Janet Shamlian 2 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia LCO Unearths Ancient Sites

PASADENA and YEREVAN — In its 35th year, the Land and Culture State Focuses on Revival Organization (LCO) is returning to Armenia again this summer to con - tinue restoration work on historical Armenian sites. Of Shushi Last year, more than 60 volunteers from Armenia, Canada, England, STEPANAKERT (Arminfo) — In Nagorno Karabagh France, Nagorno-Karabagh, Syria and the United States came through - (NKR), authorities are preparing to celebrate a out the summer restoring their Armenian legacy. This summer’s cam - triple holiday on May 9: Victory in the Great patri- paign is gearing up, and volunteers have already submitted applica - otic War, the 20th Anniversary of Liberation of tions. Shushi and the establishment of the NKR Defense This upcoming summer, LCO campaigns will be conducted at two Army. locations. LCO will be returning to the village of Yeghvard located in On occasion of the holiday, a large-scale military the southern Syunik Province on the border of Armenia and the lib - parade will be held in the Revival Square in erated areas surrounding Artsakh. This summer, volunteers will Stepanakert. unearth archaeological excavations on the village outskirts. This Shushi Mayor Karen Avagimyan said the main ancient site was discovered in 2011 and dates from the first century event, titled “Wedding in the Mountains,” will be BC pre-Christian Hellenic period. Last summer, LCO completed the held on May 8 near the fortification walls of restoration and consecrated the 17th-century Astvatzatzin Church in Shushi. Yeghvard. Prime Minister Ara Harutunian said he is sure To the north, volunteers will continue work on the seventh-century that in five years Shushi will become a modern Tchitchkhanavank Monastery in the Shirakamut village in the Shirak town. A number of state establishments and judicial Region near Spitak. The 2011 group uncovered an ancient fire pit adja - structures will be moved to Shushi in the near cent to the church grounds along with jewelry and artifacts. future, while the Agrarian University of Armenia Construction of Tchitchkhanavank’s foundation walls will continue to and professional technical colleges will open be rebuilt. This project began in 2008 and will continue for the next branches there. All these efforts are aimed to revive few years. Architects, historical experts, skilled craftsmen and LCO the historical, educational and culture glory of Board members oversee all restoration projects. Shushi. This summer’s Land and Culture campaign will be from July 9 until August 3. In addition to the work, volunteers will enjoy weekend excur - sions throughout Armenia. To participate, applications must be LCO Unearths Ancient Gravestones in Yeghvard Sirusho Writes Theme received on-line at www.lcousa.org by May 15. For Yerevan World Book Capital 2012 Azerbaijani Film Festival Cancelled after Protests YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Yerevan, which has been proclaimed World Book Capital 2012 by the United GUMRI (RFE/RL) — A crowd of center, was allowed to leave the festival exacerbating the protests and tension Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural protesters rallied here to voice their venue only after announcing that the surrounding the festival. Organization (UNESCO), will have a special theme anger over a plan to hold an event would be called off. One video A similar initiative to hold a festival of for the celebrations, written by singer Sirusho. Azerbaijani film festival, scheduled to posted on YouTube shows Vanyan Azerbaijani films in 2010 in Yerevan “I was entrusted the idea of writing the music of open on April 12. The signs read: “No being physically assaulted on the street also failed. the theme,” the singer said. She has tentatively Azerbaijani Film Festival!” Mayor outside the festival venue. As festival A total of four short films shot in called the song Book. It will be preformed by Vardan Ghukasian can also be seen organizers noted on their website: “The Azerbaijan in 2007 and 2008 — three Armenian singers, accompanied by an orchestra. exhorting the crowd. Azerbaijani Film Festival in Armenia feature films and one documentary — Avet Barseghyan is writing the lyrics of the song. The festival of Azerbaijani films was has been blocked as a result of a terror were to be shown. Sirusho said that she has been writing a variety canceled in Armenia’s second-largest and blackmailing [campaign] carried Vanyan reported on his Facebook of songs for foreign artists. city, Gumri, following protests. out by pressure groups that try to dis - page that the films were eventually In the upcoming weeks, she will leave for a tour The event was organized by the guise their actions by an alleged ‘wave screened for a few dozen audience of Saint Petersburg. The singer has no intention of Armenia-based Caucasus Center for of public outrage.’ The organizers and members at a venue outside the city. giving a solo concert in the near future, but says Peace-Making Initiatives and also had potential viewers of the festival received Another showing is scheduled for April “never say never.” the support of the US and British threats of physical revenge through the 17 in Vanadzor. Sirusho came in fourth place with the song, Qele embassies in Yerevan. Internet and phone.” Armenia and Yerevan remain locked qele, during the Eurovision Song Concert in 2008 in Giorgi Vanyan, the chairman of the Vanyan apologized for the cancella - in a dispute over the breakaway Belgrade — the highest position ever for Armenia. tion and said organizers will try to Azerbaijani region of Nagorno- reschedule the festival: Karabagh, which is populated almost Armenia, Grenada “In particular, we will continue to cre - entirely by ethnic Armenians. The Israeli Minister of ate an atmosphere of open and direct region was the site of a 1988-94 war Establish Diplomatic communication in spite of the current that killed tens of thousands and dis - Agriculture Speaks propaganda and terror aimed at distort - placed hundreds of thousands. An Relations ing human values and denying healthy uneasy cease-fire is in effect. The region About Similarities civilized relations.” declared unilateral independence in YEREVAN (armradio.am) — The permanent repre- Vanyan has accused Gumri Mayor 1991 and has maintained de facto sentatives of Armenia and Grenada at the United Between Histories of Vardan Ghukasian of having a hand in autonomy. Nations (UN), Karen Nazaryan and Desima Williams, signed an agreement on the establish- Armenians and Jews ment of diplomatic relations between the countries. During a meeting at the Permanent VISIT, from page 1 Representation of the Republic of Armenia in New Director of Armenian Genocide York the ambassadors stressed the importance of Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan, also promoting bilateral cooperation and agreed to visited the museum-institute and famil - intensify their efforts within the framework of the iarized herself with the exhibits. UN and other international organizations. “As a woman, as a Jew and as a Grenada is an island and Commonwealth consist- human being, I am shocked at what I ing of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands see in the photos, I am shocked at the at the southern end of the Grenadines in the south- murders of innocent Armenian fami - eastern Caribbean Sea. lies,” Noked wrote in the Grenada, located northwest of Trinidad and Commemoration Book of the museum- Tobago, northeast of Venezuela and southwest of institute. The minister of agriculture Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is 344 square watered the fir-tree she had already kilometers (133 sq mi), with an estimated popula- planted in the Memorial Park. tion of 110,000. Noked sees similarities between the destinies of the Armenians and the Jews. “We are like each other with our Melikyan Appointed history, character, with our small num - ber of population and having commu - Armenia’s Ambassador nities abroad,” she said. YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — A monument to prominent To Argentina There is an Armenian community of Armenian oil magnate, industrialist, financier and philan - about 15,000 in Israel. thropist Alexander Mantashyants (1842-1911), better YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Through a decree by More than 20 countries have recog - known as Mantashev, has been installed on Abovyan President of Armenia Serge Sargisian, Vladimir nized and condemned the Armenian Street. The statue was created by sculptor Tigran Karmirshalyan has been dismissed as ambassador to Genocide committed by the Ottoman Arzumanyan and funded by the Mantashyants family. It Uruguay and Chile, the president’s press reported. Turkey in early 20th century. Israel is depicts him as the dignified and modest man he was With another decree of the president, Vahagn not yet among those countries. The despite being one of the richest men of his time. The official Melikyan was appointed Armenia’s ambassador to issue of the Armenian Genocide was unveiling was on Wednesday, April 18, with the participa - Argentina. first raised in Knesset in 2007. Parallels tion of his grandson, Alexander Mantashev. are very often drawn between the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Cypriot FM Calls on Aram I to International News Condemn Turkey’s Illegal Actions Armenian Genocide

NICOSIA, Cyprus (PanARMENIAN.Net) faith (Universal Declaration on Human In response to the foreign minister’s Commemoration Events — On April 11, Catholicos of Cilicia Aram Rights, articles 13 and 18 respectively).” letter, Aram I wrote, “As the spiritual Take Place in Batumi I received a letter from the foreign min - In the letter, the foreign minister also head of the Armenian community in ister of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. states that this new decision to prevent Cyprus, which also has churches and a TBILISI (Armenpress) — On April 14, the Batumi Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, which stated, Greek Orthodox Christians to celebrate monastery under the illegal occupation, State Conservatory hosted the first event dedicat- “the illegal regime in the Turkish-occu - the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday in I am aware of all the breaches of the ed to the Armenian Genocide within the framework pied area of Cyprus had placed Bishop the Karpasia is another example of provisions of the Universal Declaration of the Armenian Genocide commemoration days in of Karpasia, Christoforos, on their Turkey’s constant breach of the funda - of Human Rights that have taken place Georgia. “stop” list, an act that denies his funda - mental human rights and the judgment since 1974. This experience with the ille - The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said mental human right of freedom of move - passed by the European Court of gal occupation of our church property that Republic of Armenia Consul General in Batumi ment and the right of the Greek Cypriot Human Rights (2001). At the end of the by Turkey is the continuation of the Garik Israyelyan, the vicar of Batumi’s Surb Prkich Citizens in the occupied enclave to live letter, Kozakou-Marcoullis asked Aram I denial policy of Turkey’s past and pre - Church, Rev. Ararat Gumbelyan and the Press in dignity and practice their Christian to condemn this act publicly. sent authorities.” Secretary of the Union of Armenians of Ajaria He added, “By not allowing Greek Artur Hovhannisyan highlighted in their speeches Orthodox believers in the Karpesia the importance of the universal recognition and region to celebrate religious cere - condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. Former Judge in Dink Murder monies, despite the European Court of The pupils of the Sunday school staged a perfor- Human Rights’ judgment of the Fourth mance of tragic scenes portraying the first geno- interstate Application of Cyprus v. cide of the 20th century for an audience of rough- Case to Be Tried for Bribery Turkey (May 10, 2001) and by limiting ly 300. the number of priests to spiritually The performance, which included patriotic ISTANBUL (PanARMENIAN.Net) will go to the Justice Ministry and accompany the Orthodox faithful in the poems, songs and dances, was covered by local TV — Turkey’s Supreme Board of Judges tell them about everything. The enclave under occupation (report of the channels. and Prosecutors (HSYK) has permit - baron was captured with 200 kilo - visit of UN special rapporteur on the ted an investigation of Erkan Canak grams of drugs. How can I release Freedom of Religion or Belief, Heiner — a former judge presiding over the him?” Canak asked, adding: “I have Bielfeldt, April 5, 2012), Turkey has Grandmaster Movsesian case of the assassination of Turkish- known him for years. He is my once again demonstrated its double Wins Medals in Russia, Armenian journalist Hrant Dink — friend. But he says he will complain standard politics. On the one hand, for allegations of corruption and to the [Justice Ministry] inspector Turkish authorities present themselves Germany bribery, Today’s Zaman reported. about me. I have nothing to be as defenders of human rights in the Canak, former judge of the afraid of. Arab World by their August 28, 2011 BADEN-BADEN, Germany (Panorama.am) — Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court, But why does he keep harassing decision to compensate non-Muslim Armenian Chess Grandmaster Sergei Movsesian who now presides over a court in me?” minorities and return property lost participated in both the German and Russian Team Sakarya, will be tried at the 5th Emre, in response, advised the since 1936 to Greek, Jewish and Championships. Criminal Chamber of the Supreme judge to calm down and promised Armenian communities. On the other The Armenian chess player won gold in the Court of Appeals in Istanbul. everything would be better in the hand, they deny publicly any responsi - Baden-Baden Club and silver in the Saint If the court finds him guilty, future. bility for the Armenian Genocide and its Petersburg Club, armchess.am reported. Canak will be forced to resign. It was later revealed that Canak consequences, and they ignore all inter - Movsesian took four victories in a row at the Canak is accused of “acting in a way agreed to accept a bribe from the national declarations and court deci - Russian Team Championship, including against that has shaken the trust and drug baron’s men to acquit the drug sions regarding the rights of Greek Peter Leko in the last round. respect required by his position, trafficker of the charges. The men Cypriot citizens and Greek Orthodox engaging in corruption and taking also arranged hotel rooms for Canak faithful under their illegal occupying Zarakolu Receives Award bribes,” according to the HSYK. and hired prostitutes for him. regime.” In 2010 Canak’s telephone con - On December 13, 2010, the HSYK At the end of his letter, Aram I told In Ankara versation with another judge, Ali removed Canak from the Istanbul the foreign minister that he had written Hadi Emre, was wiretapped. In the 14th High Criminal Court, which to the general secretaries of the World ANKARA (Armenpress) — Publisher Ragip Zarakolu conversation, Canak complained was hearing the Dink case, on the Council of Churches and the Middle was honored with the “Struggle against that he had received threats from grounds that an earlier Ministry of East Council of Churches as well as to Discrimination” award of Ankara University, Kudbettin Avci, a lawyer, over the Justice report alleged that he had the leaderships of the Armenian com - according to Agos newspaper. release of a drug baron from prison. close contacts with suspects in the munities in the Middle East, Europe and Zarakolu recently announced that he will not Canak told Emre that Avci threat - Ergenekon case, a clandestine North America asking them to con - speak to the Turkish media any more since human ened to spread rumors about him if underground network accused of demn the denial of Turkey of the fun - rights are violated in the country. Esma Yilmaz, a he refused to release the drug baron. plotting to overthrow the govern - damental human rights of the Greek student of Ankara University, having read aloud the “If he continues to threaten me, I ment. Cypriots under the illegal regime of its letter of the Turkish intellectual, answered with occupied northern Cyprus. the following words: “We won’t forget anything.” Zarakolu, keeping his word, was not present at the award ceremony. The award was accepted on his behalf by his sister. ‘Holy Fire’ Lights up Jerusalem Church for Easter China, Armenia Pledge JERUSALEM (AFP) — Thousands of cession of monks, chanters, dignitaries and Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, To Promote Ties Orthodox Christians filled the ancient red-and-gold banners bearing icons. where Jesus is believed to have been Church of the Holy Sepulchre and After circling an ornate shrine in the born, and also much farther afield. BEIJING (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao spilled out into the narrow streets last heart of the church three times amid It will be flown to Athens and to the and his Armenian counterpart, Serge Sargisian, week for the Holy Fire ceremony on the chants of “Axios” (“He is worthy”), he capitals of other predominantly exchanged congratulatory messages earlier this eve of Orthodox Easter. enters what Orthodox, Roman Catholics Orthodox countries to be shared. month as the two nations celebrated the 20th Believers hold that the fire is miracu - and many other Christians believe is The church, which the Orthodox call anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic rela- lously sent from heaven to ignite can - Jesus’s burial site, emerging minutes the Church of Resurrection, also enclos - tions. dles held by the Greek Orthodox patri - later with several lit candles. es what is widely believed to be Calvary, The China-Armenia relationship has maintained a arch in an annual rite dating back to the The patriarch is always searched the site on which Jesus was crucified. sound and smooth development over the past 20 fourth century that symbolizes the res - beforehand to ensure that he is carrying While it is therefore one of years with ever deepening mutual understanding, urrection of Jesus. nothing, such as matches or a lighter, Christianity’s holiest sites, it is shared as well as cooperation in trade, investment, com- Israeli police spokeswoman Luba that could be used to light the candles. uneasily by six denominations — the munication, agriculture, technology and culture, Samri said around 10,000 people As joyous people press in on him, the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, said Jintao. packed into the church, with thousands patriarch passes on the flames to their ArmenianOrthodox, Egyptian Copts, The two nations have also actively engaged in more outside in the streets of the sur - outstretched candles. The fire makes its Syrian Orthodox and Ethiopian consultation and coordination on international and rounding Old City. She said there were way through the crowd, casting a flick - Orthodox. regional affairs, which has substantially protected about 20,000 people last year. ering orange glow on the grey walls and Past ceremonies have been marred by their common interests, he added. Some 3,000 police were deployed in towering stone columns, and filling the violence, with fist fights breaking out Jintao also said China would like to take the the church and around it to keep the air with smoke. among monks from the different anniversary as an opportunity to further consoli- jubilation from getting out of hand. No Pilgrims claim the Holy Fire does not denominations over perceived changes date the foundation for bilateral cooperation, major incidents were reported, but burn their hair, faces, clothes or any - to a status quo hammered out over sev - strengthen political exchanges and promote prag- there was some pushing and shoving at thing else during the first 33 minutes of eral centuries. matic cooperation so as to further step up bilater- barricades that had been set up. its appearance and one website The date of Orthodox Easter is calcu - al ties. As is the case every year, Israel (http://www.holyfire.org) offers videos lated differently than by the Roman For his part, Sargisian said that with the joint restricted the number of Christians claiming to show worshippers in pro - Catholics and other churches, so the efforts of the two countries for the past two from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, longed contact with the flames without most important feast of the Christian decades, bilateral cooperation has been constantly overwhelmingly Orthodox, who could being hurt. year is frequently celebrated on different increased in politics, trade, industry, technology, attend. The Holy Fire, which quickly makes Sundays. defense, culture, education and sports. Patriarch Theophilos III traditionally its way outside to the crowds waiting Most Christians celebrated Easter last makes his grand entry at the head of a pro - there, is also carried to nearby week. 4 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA As Iran Tensions Grow, Azerbaijan Becomes Den of Spies

BAKU (msnbc.com) — A secular dictatorship “It was one of the first countries to back PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID MDZINARISHVILI/REUTERS with a long border with Iran, Azerbaijan is one America after 9/11,” Gerald Frost, director of of the few remaining countries than can act as the Paris-based Caspian Information Center a reliable listening post for America and Israel. said. “It is as politically helpful to the West as A Soviet-legacy oil nation is emerging as a its position close to the Middle East will allow. hotbed of global espionage as tension escalates America needs to pay it close attention.” between Israel and Iran. While the country has made concessions to Azerbaijan, which links Russia to the Middle the West, it remains a dynastic dictatorship East, has strategic importance as a bridgehead under the rule of Ilham Aliyev, who inherited for the West in its war of diplomacy with power from his father, Heydar Aliyev, a former Tehran, turning its capital, Baku, into a hotbed Soviet leader who reinvented himself as a of intelligence activity. nationalist during the collapse of the Soviet “Like Casablanca in World War II, Baku is Union. Ilham Aliyev took over in a 2003 elec - now also a center of monitoring Iranian mis - tion described by Human Rights Watch as chief,” Ariel Cohen, senior research fellow at the “fraudulent” and which it said was “followed by Washington-based Kathryn and Shelby Cullom protests that turned violent, plunging Davis Institute for International Studies, part of Azerbaijan into a human rights crisis from the Heritage Foundation, said. “This is under - which it has not recovered.” standable taking into account visa-free regime Israel last year established a factory in of travel between the two countries and aggres - Azerbaijan making parts for its military drones, sive Iranian intelligence tactics.” and has supplied the country with $1.6 billion Recent events have lifted the lid on some of worth of military equipment. the international maneuvering in Baku. In The BBC reported that Russian President March, Azeri security services arrested 22 peo - Vladimir Putin “surprised Western leaders” in ple they say were trained by Iran to carry out 2007 by offering to let America use its radar Eurovision Song Contest 2011 winners Eldar Gasimov (second from left) and Nigar Jamal (second terrorist attacks against the US and Israeli base in Azerbaijan to defend Europe against from right), who are known as Ell-Nikki, are greeted by fans in Baku. Their victory means Baku will embassies. any missile attack from Iran. host this year’s competition. In January, two accused of plotting to kill Cohen says Iran has been trying to under - teachers at a Jewish school were also held. mine Azerbaijan’s secular position in the hopes of turning it from a dictatorship into a theocra - ment was not confirmed by Congress, a decision inspired by the country’s ancient association ‘The Israelis Are More Subtle’ cy, echoing the transition of countries such as Frost believes is likely to have been influenced by with fire. Human Rights Watch says “thousands Most experts agree there are many Mossad Libya and Egypt that now appear destined to be America’s powerful Armenian lobby. of residents” have been forcibly evicted to make agents in Azerbaijan working for Israel. ruled by conservative Islamists. way for some of these projects. “The Iranians act in the open, they want Mark Perry, in a Foreign Policy article, titled Cultural Boom However, billing itself as tourism destination everyone to know that they are here,” Dr. “Israel’s Secret Staging Ground,” claimed Meanwhile, its strategic importance is being may be a challenge for a country that still has a Arastun Orujl, director of the East-West Barack Obama administration officials now echoed in a cultural boom. Baku is enjoying a very poor human rights record and still is often Research Center in Baku told Britain’s Times believe that the security cooperation between Dubai-style explosion of luxury hotels and confused with Kazakhstan, home of comic cre - newspaper. “The Israelis are more subtle, like Azerbaijan and Israel is actually “heightening designer fashion stores. “It is all very glitzy, very ation Borat. the Americans. But in the end everyone knows the risks of an Israeli strike on Iran.” much reflecting the way Azeris want to be seen An unlikely litmus test of its political ambi - they are here, too.” Azerbaijan has denied it would allow the US as an establish European-style country rather tions will come next month when it hosts the So why does Azerbaijan matter? Not only or Israel to launch airstrikes, although Frost than a backwater,” said Ben Illis, co-author of a Eurovision Song Contest, a live music competi - does its geography make it an ideal place for noted that it could provide associated support new Time Out guide to Baku, which is due to tion beamed across Europe that is a byword for the US and its allies to face down Tehran, but since it already allows the US military into its be published next month. kitsch (it was once won by a transsexual repre - its political history entangles it in the current airspace to reach Afghanistan and to evacuate It has launched a major tourism advertising senting Israel). Baku’s bitter enemy, neighbor - tensions with Israel. injured troops. campaign, and its ambitious bid to host the ing Armenia, pulled out of the contest in dis - Millions living in northern Iran are ethnic While ties with Israel deepen, the future rela - 2020 Olympic games found its way onto the gust when an Azeri duo won last year. Azeris, theoretically binding the two nations. tionship with the United States is less clear IOC shortlist. “This will perhaps be a good indication of But Azerbaijan has allied itself increasingly with because Washington does not currently have an This spring is expected to see the unveiling of how far the regime is prepared to go to further Israel and the West as it uses its oil wealth to ambassador in Baku. The last holder of the post, the $350-million Flame Towers — three glass- its relationship with the west,” said James leverage its global standing. Matthew Bryza, left last year after his appoint - sided skyscrapers up to 620-feet in height Nixey, of British think tank Chatham House. Toronto’s Youth Impress Community and Yerevan Artist at this Year’s Musical Talent Show

TORONTO — Aspiring Armenian musicians Seated among the 100 parents, friends and from the area recently had their moment in teachers that filled the center’s Babayan the spotlight at the city’s annual Armenian Ballroom was one special guest who had General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Talent inspired many of the acts — pianist Jirayr Show. On Sunday, March 11, 25 local youths, Shahrimanyan from Yerevan. The children ages 6 to 18, shared the stage at the Alex were excited to have Shahrimanyan in the Manoogian Cultural Center. audience — and the feeling was mutual. As

Toronto’s youth share the stage for the annual AGBU Musical Talent Show at the Alex Manoogian Cultural Center.

Shahrimanyan commented after the show, “It Toronto’s Executive Director Salpi Der is a great pleasure for me to meet the Ghazarian remarked, “It was a treat to feel Armenian youth within AGBU Toronto. the confidence and enthusiasm of the young Working with them is one of the highlights of performers, as well as the pride of the par - my stay here.” In addition to his composi - ents watching their children perform.” tions, the show featured guitarists and the They already look forward to next year’s AGBU youth vocal group, which Hripsime event. Until then, these talented youth will Talent Show participants perform classic Armenian piano compositions. Demirdjian directs. enjoy tokens from the evening, which includ - While the show’s performances varied, the ed a certificate acknowledging their achieve - positive energy remained constant. AGBU ments. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

Philadelphia to Armenian Studies Hold Armenian Program Banquet Genocide Walk Celebrates 35th PHILADELPHIA — On Saturday, April 28, for Anniversary the fifth consecutive year, the Armenian Genocide Walk will take place, providing an opportunity for the entire Philadelphia commu - Dr. Richard Hovannisian nity to gather to commemorate the 97th Honored for More than 50 Years anniversary of the Genocide and educate the Of Teaching, Research and public on Turkish denial of the atrocities com - mitted against the Armenians by the Ottoman Service in Armenian Studies Empire from 1915 to 1918. Hundreds will gather at the Mher Statue by FRESNO — The Armenian Studies Program the Philadelphia Museum of Art and will walk at California State University, Fresno, held its through the streets of Philadelphia to rally and gala 24th anniversary banquet, on Sunday, bring exposure to the cause. At the conclusion March 11, in the banquet hall of the Fort of the walk, a program will be held on the lawn Washington Golf and Country Club. of the Independence Hall Visitor’s Center fea - More than 260 community members joined turing keynote speaker Turkish scholar, Dr. with Fresno State President Dr. John Welty, Taner Akçam. The program will also include College of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Vida participation by local dignitaries, community Samiian and faculty, students and friends of the leaders and clergymen with performances by Armenian Studies Program to mark the special the Jampa Band and Hamazkayin Meghri occasion. Dance Group. Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, director of Akçam is a Turkish historian and professor the Armenian Studies Program, welcomed who is considered one of the leading interna - guests on behalf of the program and gave a tional experts on the Armenian Genocide. He brief message on the program’s activities in the recently authored the book, The Young Turks’ 2011-2012 academic year. This year marked the Crime Against Humanity: The Armenian 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in the Ottoman Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. Empire , which is scheduled for release this Prof. Sergio La Porta, Berberian Professor of month and will be available for purchase at a dis - Armenian Studies, spoke about the program counted price the day of the walk. Introducing and about its growth in recent years. new evidence from more than 600 secret Dr. Richard Hovannisian, AEF Professor Ottoman documents, the book demonstrates in Noubar Manoogian Emeritus of Modern Armenian History at unprecedented detail that the Armenian UCLA, was the honored guest at the banquet Genocide and the expulsion of Greeks from the and the keynote speaker for the evening. He late Ottoman Empire resulted from an official was recognized with several proclamations, effort to rid the empire of its Christian subjects. Arizona’s First Armenian Eagle including one from the Fresno County Board of Presenting previously inaccessible documents Supervisors, bestowed in person by Debbie along with expert context and analysis, Akçam’s Scout Creates Armenian Genocide most authoritative work to date goes deep inside the bureaucratic machinery of Ottoman Turkey to show how a dying empire embraced genocide Memorial Walkway and ethnic cleansing. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Noubar Armen Manoogian, 17, has become the first Boy With support from the Philadelphia Scout of Armenian descent to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in the state. His Armenian Inter-Communal Committee, the completed project was approved by the Grand Canyon Council and the rank of Philadelphia Armenian Genocide Walk is spon - Eagle was conferred on sored by youth representatives from area April 12, at the Eagle churches and organizations, who have worked Board of Review. tirelessly to develop a meaningful and special Nationally, the Eagle opportunity for the Philadelphia-Armenian Scout rank is achieved community to come together to make an appeal by only 5 percent of for justice. For registration, program informa - Boy Scouts. tion as well as individual and business ad oppor - For his project, tunities, visit www.armeniangenocidewalk.com. Manoogian created a In addition, on April 24, the Philadelphia Memorial Walkway for Dr. Richard Hovannisian Armenian Inter-Communal Committee is spon - the Armenian soring a requiem service, wreath-laying and cul - Genocide, which is the tural program at Holy Trinity Armenian first of its kind in the Poochigian, chairman of the Board of Apostolic Church, 101 Ashmead Road, United States. The Supervisors. The Fresno City Council also Cheltenham, at 7 p.m. Free and open to the walkway is bordered declared March 11 as “Dr. Richard Hovannisian public, the evening is organized by all five with the words Day” in Fresno, thanks to the efforts of Philadelphia-Armenian churches and will fea - “Martyred For Our Councilman Andreas Borgeas. Valley legislators ture students of the Armenian Sisters’ Academy Faith In These Places, recognized Hovannisian with a proclamation performing songs and recitations, as well as an Here We Worship lauding his years of teaching and research, due address by Armenian Genocide Walk Co-chair Still.” The 68-foot-long, to Mary Alice Kaloostian, district director for Vicken Bazarbashian. five-foot-wide concrete California state Sen. Tom Berryhill. path has stamped into Welty awarded Hovannisian with the it 113 names of towns President’s Medal of Distinction, the highest where the Armenian non-degree award presented by California State Genocides of 1896 and University, Fresno. It is presented to citizens of 1915 occurred. It is the region, state or nation whose contribution located at St. Apkar in the area of professional achievements or pub - Armenian Apostolic lic service are of national or international sig - nificance or represent a contribution of great Church, 8849 East The Memorial Walkway for the Armenian Genocide Cholla St. significance to the university. The walkway took Hovannisian, gave an inspiring speech as he 320 hours to complete. reflected on a long academic career. He was the After many stages of planning, fundraising, work and approvals, it was completed first to teach Armenian courses at Fresno State over three weekends in January of this year. in 1960-1962, when he taught several extension The purpose of an Eagle Project is for a Boy Scout to show leadership in the courses. While teaching those Armenian cours - planning and execution of a service project that is the culmination of his years of es, he also learned more about Armenian histo - training in the Scouts. Manoogian led the Boy Scouts from his Troop 869 and also ry, rediscovering his own roots. from Scottsdale’s Troop 411, in the execution of his project. Hovannisian reflected on his childhood and see WALKWAY, page 7 the role his grandparents and parents had in Dr. Taner Akçam shaping his life. His childhood on the family see FRESNO, page 6 6 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS ACYOA Day Observed across Diocese

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Parishes throughout organization, described programs run by the the Eastern Diocese observed the Armenian ACYOA and encouraged them to make the transi - Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) tion to the ACYOA Seniors once they reach high Day as part of their traditional Palm Sunday cel - school. Dardarian later addressed the entire parish ebrations on April 1. Members of the ACYOA on how her experience in the ACYOA has impact - Central Council visited local communities across ed her personal growth. the Diocese, where they gave presentations At the Church of the Holy Resurrection in about the organization’s recent projects and met New Britain, Conn., Central Council Secretary with youth leaders. Armen Terjimanian also began his visit with a Central Council Chair Danny Mantis gave a meeting with the local ACYOA Juniors. He later presentation at the Church of the Holy gave a presentation to the parish on the impor - Translators in Framingham, where he reflected tance of the ACYOA to future generations of on the longstanding tradition of observing young Armenians and urged everyone to sup - ACYOA Day on Palm Sunday. Following his talk, port the organization’s mission. the local ACYOA chapter organized a church triv - Olivia Derderian, programming coordinator, ia game called “Are You Smarter than a Sunday spoke at the Church of the Holy Martyrs in School Student?” Bayside, NY. In addition to a personal reflection Karen Dardarian, Central Council vice chair, vis - on her involvement in the ACYOA, Derderian ited Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford, where gave an overview of the Central Council’s recent Alex Ouzounian (second from right), public relations coordinator on the ACYOA Central Council, she met with the local ACYOA Juniors — the sub - accomplishments and highlighted upcoming pro - with ACYOA members at St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, Texas group for middle school students. She spoke to grams. the young people about her involvement with the Alex Ouzounian, public relations coordinator, visited St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, Texas, where where he gave a brief overview of the history of seek God’s guidance in their daily lives. The pro - he gave a presentation on the history of the the ACYOA and went on to highlight this year’s gram also included remarks by ACYOA Juniors ACYOA, its current structure and its program - programming successes. Chair Allen Ackan and ACYOA Seniors Chair ming objectives. At St. James Church of Watertown, Mass., Karina Bekelian. A Palm Sunday dinner was pre - Women’s Health George Macarian, treasurer, spoke at his home Adrienne Ashbahian spoke about her spiritual pared and served by the ACYOA to some 350 Issues on Agenda parish of St. David Church in Boca Raton, Fla., journey and encouraged ACYOA members to parishioners. Of AIWA Meeting Armenian Studies WINCHESTER, Mass. — Judy Norsigian, a prominent voice on a range of women’s health Program Banquet concerns, will be the luncheon speaker at the annual meeting of the Armenian International Women’s Association on April 28 at the Celebrates 35th Winchester Country Club. Norsigian is executive director and primary Anniversary spokesperson for the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, a non-profit women’s health FRESNO, from page 5 education, advocacy and consulting organiza - farm affected him greatly and he emphasized tion. She also serves on the Board of Public the most important lesson he had gained, Responsibility in which was the idea that change was possible for Medicine and everyone, slowly but surely. Research and on Following the keynote address, student recip - numerous other advi - ients of Armenian Studies Program scholar - sory and editorial ships received a congratulatory letter from Sen. boards. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and a gift of the book, Norsigian has been Follow , written by William Saroyan, from the an author and editor Armenian Studies Program. More than 40 stu - of all editions of the Judge Chuck Poochigian, Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Prof. Barlow Der Mugdechian and Fresno County dents were recognized for receiving the schol - organization’s land - Board of Supervisors Chairman Debbie Poochigian arships and for graduating with a minor in mark book on Armenian Studies. Judy Norsigian women’s health and sexuality, Our Bodies, Ourselves. The ninth and most recent edition of the book was published by Simon & Schuster in October. The organization has also produced single-topic books on menopause (Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause) and pregnancy/birth (Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth) . The Boston Women’s Health Book Collective is widely known for its reliable, evidence-based information (both in its books and blogs) as well as its extensive advocacy of midwives and safe choices in childbearing. Our Bodies, Ourselves has appeared in 26 foreign lan - guages, with about 4.5 million copies in print worldwide. The second edition of the Armenian- language translation was issued last fall. A graduate of Radcliffe College, Norsigian has received numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate from Boston University. She appears regularly on national television and radio programs in discussions about vari - ous aspects of women’s health. She has been seen on “Oprah,” the “Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The Early Show” and “NBC Nightly News.” AIWA’s annual meeting will open with coffee at 9:30 a.m., and the business meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Reports on the association’s various activities (including scholarships, pro - grams in Armenia, presence as a non-govern - mental organization at the United Nations in New York, sixth international conference in San Francisco and publications) will be reviewed. A luncheon with Norsigian will follow at noon. The public is welcome to attend. For reserva - tions, contact www.aiwainternational.org, [email protected] or 65 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Lisa Mardigian Is Honored for 20 Years of Service to Church Youth

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — On Sunday, April 1, show their appreciation. the members of St. John Armenian Church cel - Mardigian adds this honor to her induction ebrated more than just Palm Sunday. Hundreds last year into the OYAA Hall of Fame. She is the of parishioners came to honor Lisa Mardigian, first woman to receive this acclaim and this the longest serving youth coordinator in the induction was even more special as it is one she Eastern Diocese. and her father have both earned. For more than 20 years, Mardigian has A committee spent months planning this been in charge of all youth activities includ - event and the time and love they gave was evi - ing Armenian Church Youth Organization of dent in every detail. The tables were decorated America (ACYOA) Seniors and Juniors and with spring flowers and splashes of color and Orthodox Youth Athletic Association (OYAA) cookies with photos of Mardigian, both as a basketball. It would be nearly impossible to child and an adult, adorned an overflowing list the contributions Mardigian has made to sweet table. Lunch and desserts were prepared the youth, both at St. John’s parish and in and served by the hands of those whose lives the greater Detroit community. From head - Mardigian has touched. While dining, guests ing up Lenten fish dinners, St. John’s Day were treated to a slide show with two decades

Lisa Mardigian, second from right, with event organizers Laura Leacock, Anita Arslanian and Marilyn Dadian

honor, wearing shirts that said, “We Love Lisa!” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was read con - The program was emceed by Raffi gratulating Mardigian on this milestone, her ElChemmas, who grew up under Mardigian’s longevity of diverse service to the parish and care. In addition, several others shared special the Armenian Church. Also sharing words of memories and stories as they spoke words of praise were Mardigian’s nephew, Armen praise and gratitude for her. Among these Mardigian, and Alberta Godoshian, principal of speakers were Jennifer Morris, youth outreach St. John Church School. In addition to those coordinator for the Eastern Diocese, and Danny present, several Diocesan clergy sent words of Dardarian, chairman of the Detroit ACYOA admiration for Mardigian’s two decades of ser - Seniors. Mardigian was also honored by the city vice. At the conclusion of the program, of Southfield and received a commendation on Mardigian was given a diamond cross to com - A stage full of Lisa Mardigian’s present and former youth participants wearing “We Love Lisa!” shirts the city’s behalf from Southfield City Clerk memorate the occasion. Nancy Malkasian Banks. A message was offered She accepted the many accolades given her, by St. John’s pastor, Fr. Garabed Kochakian, and true to her character, shared the praise Camp and Hye Camp and the White Cross of pictures of the honoree and the children. who also read a message from Bishop Paren with everyone she has worked with over the Project, Mardigian has guided more than two Finally, the afternoon was highlighted by a Avedikian, who was responsible for launching years. decades of children, and on Palm Sunday stage full of Mardigian’s present and former Mardigian’s youth ministry 20 years ago. A spe - Mardigian’s influence has been, and contin - more than 450 church members came to youth participants, all surrounding the guest of cial commendation from the Diocesan Primate ues to be, a gift to the Armenian community.

Arizona’s First Armenian Eagle Scout Creates te House Armenian Genocide Memorial Walkway Sta WALKWAY, from page 5 held this year in Arizona for the first time in its n 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the Eagle 85-year history. oratio Scout rank. Manoogian’s Eagle rank patch will Manoogian is the son of, Deacon Berj and mmem be a special centennial edition that will only be Victoria Manoogian, and the brother of Co conferred on those scouts who achieve Eagle in Rossleen. He has been in the Boy Scouts an 2012. since age 6 as a Tiger Scout, then as a Cub rmeni The Armenian Genocide Memorial Walkway Scout when he earned every Arrow Point and the A will be blessed on Sunday, April 22, by Rev. the St. Gregory Religious Medal for Cub of Zacharia Saribekyan. The blessing will take Scouts from the Eastern Diocese. He has place after the church services when the con - earned 51 Merit Badges and the St. Vartan de gregation follows the priest in a vigil Tapor for Religious Medal for Boy Scouts, and he is a enoci the Genocide Martyrs. The Primate of the member of the Boy Scout Honor Fraternity, G Western Diocese, Archbishop Hovnan the Order of the Arrow. He has been an Derderian, will lead a short ceremony at the ordained acolyte of the Armenian Apostolic 10:30 a.m. Memorial Walkway when he visits the St. Apkar Church since age 8 and is currently the Parish, May 3 to 5, for the Annual General junior executive for the Hye-Ways Group and Friday, April 20 Assembly of the Western Diocese. It is being a member of the ACYO. Proclamations for Former State Sen. Steven Tolman and Playwright Joyce Van Dyke Marking the 97 th Anniversary of the Genocide Keynote Speaker Khatchig Mouradian

Hosted by State Rep. Jonathan Hecht State Rep. John Lawn State Sen. William Brownsberger

Free buses will leave St. James and St. Stephen’s Churches at 9 a.m.

(Courtesy of Knights of Vartan) Boy Scouts from Troop 869 and also from Scottsdale’s Troop 411 helped with the project. 8 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Dr. Seta Dadoyan ‘Rethinks’ Armenian History At Ararat-Eskijian Museum

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Dr. Seta B. Dadoyan will give a lecture titled, “On The Armenians and Islam: Images for a Brighter History of the Armenians,” on the occasion of the publication of her book, The Armenians in the Medieval Islamic World — Paradigms of Interaction Seventh to Fourteenth Centuries , on Sunday, April 22, at 4 p.m., at the Ararat- Eskijian Museum. The Armenian experience in the medieval Near East, as well as the modern Middle East and the world in general, is too diverse and complicated to respond to quasi-epic narratives or “objective” accounts. There is a brighter and braver Armenian history that seems to have escaped most historic approaches, even the other literary genres. Dadoyan believes that for contemporary Armenian scholar - ship, the identification of well-grounded paradigmatic cases and connecting the dots, so to speak, must be the essence of historical writing. Rethinking Armenian Billboards to Promote Genocide Awareness in Watertown history through specific cases and episodes of interaction with the environment — such WATERTOWN — Recently, billboards have been erected in Watertown and Foxboro commemorating the Armenian Genocide, by Peace of as the Islamic World for the past 14 cen - Art, Inc. turies — for her was a personal intellectual The first billboard went up on Route 1 near Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place, Foxboro, on April 9, with the message “Honoring the journey, which after two decades of Memory of 1.5 million Lives. Recognize the Armenian Genocide.” research and the publication two books, The second billboard went up on Arsenal Street, Watertown, on Thursday, April 12, with the message, “Mr. President, Don’t Turn Your many papers, culminated in a three-volume Back! Recognize the Armenian Genocide.” massive work, titled The Armenians in the A third billboard is scheduled to go up on Mount Auburn Street in Watertown, Monday, April 16, with the message, “Mr. President, Don’t Medieval Islamic World Paradigms of Turn Your Back! Recognize the Armenian Genocide.” Interaction Seventh – Fourteenth Centuries in three volumes. The first vol - ume on the Arab Period in Armenia was out in October 2011 (New Brunswick, NJ & London, UK: Transaction Publishers, Jury Sides with Officer, Awards Him $150K 2011). The second and third are due this year and the next. BURBANK, Calif. (Burbank Leader) — A jury, “The Burbank Police Department has been While the jury must still make determina - Dadoyan has a doctorate in philosophy. earlier this month, awarded an Armenian-American proven to have ethnic harassment within its tions on more specific questions, Burbank City She was a professor at the American police detective $150,000 for claims that he faced department,” said Karagiosian’s attorney, Atty. Amy Albano said the city was disappoint - University of Beirut from 1986 to 2005. on-the-job discrimination and harassment because Solomon Gresen, after the jury’s verdict was ed with the verdict. Previously, she taught at numerous univer - of his ethnicity, his attorney said. announced. “Detective Karagiosian had com - “What was interesting in the verdict is that sities worldwide and was a visiting profes - The detective who filed the lawsuit, Steve plained for years, and the jury’s verdict should the amount awarded was reduced,” Albano said, sor of various Armenian institutions. The Karagiosian, testified in Los Angeles County demonstrate to the city that this is a problem noting that the amount was lower than the sug - focus of her research and publications is Superior Court that detectives and sergeants in that needs to be immediately addressed.” gested $225,000 because the jury felt the study of Armenian social-political and the Police Department regularly used derogato - Named “Officer of the Year” in 2007, Karagiosian could have avoided some of the intellectual cultures in their interactive ry terms — such as “towel heads,” in referring Karagiosian is still employed with the depart - damages because some of the incidents were aspects, both medieval and modern. In to Armenians. ment. Even with the jury coming down on his not reported to the city. addition to many lectures in various uni - The decision comes two weeks after a jury side, Gresen said his client feared the verdict “The city takes issues of harassment very seri - versities and institutions, she is the author awarded former Burbank Police Deputy Chief would create a whole new set of problems back ously,” Albano said. “When we are informed, we of more than 50 papers in scholarly jour - William Taylor nearly $1.3 million based on at the department. take appropriate action. That was done in this case. nals and six books. claims that he was fired in retaliation for refus - “Mr. Karagiosian is gratified that the jury If not informed about an issue of harassment, the For more information contact the Ararat- ing to sign off on the terminations of minority found in his favor, but fears retaliation from the city is not able to take an action.” Eskijian Museum, ararat-eskijian-muse - officers and for raising concerns about how a city attorney’s office and the Burbank Police Jurors deliberated Karagiosian’s case for [email protected]. sexual harassment incident was being handled. Department,” Gresen said. about a day before delivering its verdict.

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Strategic Business Leader to Speak at St. James Men’s Club Simon Payaslian to WATERTOWN — On Monday, May 7, Hagop tions in manufacturing operations and cur - ABN plans business workshops with expert Speak at NAASR on “Jack” Antounian, vice president of manufac - rently is the vice president of manufacturing speakers, provides online job postings, orga - turing (US and China operations) at BTU North American and China operations at BTU nizes networking events at Armenian-owned Armenia’s Political International, and founder/president of the International — a leading global supplier of venues and provides an online platform for Armenian Business Network (ABN), will be the advanced thermal processing equipment for members to promote their businesses, services, Economy of Human speaker at the dinner meeting of the St. James the alternative energy and electronics assem - local causes and events. Recently they have Armenian Church Men’s Club. The topic will be bly markets. Prior to BTU, Antounian was the launched a new program, “Champion an Rights “Armenian Business Network and vice president of operations at SEEGRID, a Armenian.” This program is composed entirely BELMONT — Prof. Simon Payaslian, Networking.” producer of vision-guided mobile robots. of member volunteers who have an expertise the Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Antounian is a strategic business leader He has a bachelor’s in electrical engineering or knowledge in a particular field that they Chair in Modern Armenian History and with more than 20 years of demonstrated with a minor in computer engineering from share with other members who are seeking Literature at Boston University, will give a success in high-tech manufacturing compa - Northeastern University, an MBA from Boston guidance, mentoring, career advice or employ - lecture, titled “The Political Economy of nies and supply chains serving semiconduc - University and an executive education program ment within the same field. In the coming Human Rights in Armenia,” on Thursday, tor, robotics, medical and telecommunica - certificate from Harvard Business School. months, ABN will publish an Armenian May 10, at 8 p.m., at the National tions industries. He founded the ABN in November 2010 and Business e-Directory. This tool will enable Association for Armenian Studies and A native of Massachusetts, Antounian is a the group has quickly grown to more than members to easily identify Armenian entities Research (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord LEAN Sigma and DFX expert and two-time 3,100 members — a testament to the need for and individuals to support. All the programs Ave. The lecture is co-sponsored by the recipient of the Shingo Prize for operational an organization focused entirely on business instituted by ABN are to facilitate the primary Zoryan Institute for Contemporary excellence. He is a change agent who has spent advancement for Armenians, with no political vision for the group — Armenians supporting Armenian Research and Documentation his career reengineering and transforming or religious affiliations. Armenians, first. and NAASR. companies into high-performing, world-class The group’s focus is to provide a forum for For more information and to join the ABN, Since its independence from the competitors. He has extensive experience in Armenian professionals, business owners, ser - visit: www.linkedin.com/home or go to Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has developing and managing global supply chains, vice providers, students and organizations to www.facebook.com and search for ABN. experienced a reversal from its earlier particularly in Asia and China, to achieve support each other, their businesses, humani - The social hour starts at 6:15 p.m. followed efforts to establish a democratic system strategic advantages. He is a catalyst for posi - tarian causes and community, by expanding by an Armenian dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are to an authoritarian regime, continuing tive change, infusing organizations with cus - and sharing their contact base, to increase $12 per person. The dinner meeting will be at the Soviet repressive approaches to tomer-centric policies, which have consistently opportunities for employment, education, net - the Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center, human rights. Payaslian will juxtapose resulted in increased revenue. working, mentoring, financing and entrepre - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Armenian history with the evolution of Antounian has held various leadership posi - neurship, both locally and globally. Women are welcome. international human rights standards and survey Armenian history from the 19th-century under Ottoman and Russian rule to the current situation in the post-Soviet republic. He will exam - ine political, civil, social and economic rights while highlighting the clash between sovereignty and human rights. Payaslian has held the Kenosian Chair in Modern Armenian History and Literature at Boston University since 2007. His most recent book is The A SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE TO Political Economy of Human Rights in Armenia: Authoritarianism and Democracy in a Former Soviet Republic (I.B. Tauris, 2011). Earlier publications include: The History of Armenia: From the Origins to the Present (2007); United States Policy toward the Armenian Question and the HISTORIC ARMENIA Armenian Genocide (2005); The Armenian Genocide, 1915-1923: A

K Handbook for Students and Teachers September 5 to 19, 2012 A R (2001); International Political A D Economy: Conflict and Cooperation in A the Global System (co-authored with B R E A Frederic S. Pearson) (1999) and US H M T A Foreign Economic and Military Aid: E T T H A G The Reagan and Bush Administrations R A B T (1996). He has co-edited (with Richard E A L G. Hovannisian) two volumes, E C Armenian Constantinople (2010) and Armenian Cilicia (2008). The Political Economy of Human Rights in Armenia will be available for purchase and signing the night of the lec - Discover your Armenian CChristianhristian roots! ture. Admission to the event is free. The cost of $3,700 per person includes: A precious opportunity to visit the cities and More information about the lecture is villages of your ancestors: Istanbul, Caesarea available by e-mailing [email protected]. Airfare: NYC – Istanbul – Kars – Caesarea – Istanbul – NYC (Kayseri), Cappadocia, Sepastia (Sivas), Malatya, Accommodations at minimum 4-star hotels in double Harput (Elazig), ArapkirArapkir,, Antep, Marash, Zeytun, occupancy (single supplement + $475) Urfa, Dikranagert (Diyarbakir), VVan,an, Daroynk (Dogubayazit), Kars, and Ani. TransportationTransportation with new air-conditioned coaches throughout Merrimack Valley Sponsors the complete program Experience an unforgettable Divine Liturgy Professional English-language guide and well-known historic Genocide Essay Contest consultant from the U.S., Armen Aroyan at the Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church of Aghtamar (V(Van),an), and worship in prayer services NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — In an effort to Entrance fees for museums; three meals daily at the St. Guiragos Chuch of Dikranagert, and the get the youth of the community better acquaint - Not included: TipsTips to driver and guide; beverage with meals; St. Gregory Church of Caesarea. ed with the Genocide and offer an opportunity entrance visa to Turkey;Turkey; excess airline baggage fee to express their feelings, the Armenian (two suitcases 50 lbs./person and one carry on 18 lbs./person). Genocide Commemorative Committee of For information and registration materials, Merrimack Valley sponsored an essay contest, please contact: where students were asked to respond to a car - Sonya Bekarian toon of a passive Turk at a coffee house asking, Club America Travel,Travel, N.J. Branch (201) 313-1285 (business) / (201) 315-5916 (cell) “What genocide?” [email protected] The contest was open to students between the ages of 13-18, in area Armenian churches. f«ª¥§¯“§±˜š±¥u¤§°f£”¯šž¤šf¯”±”›”¥n”£š YouYou can also contact your local parish pastor for The first-prize winner was Nairi Hovsepian, a Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) informationinformation on the trip and the application packet. sophomore at Westford Academy. She is the 630 Second Avenue,Avenue, New YYork,ork, NY 10016 Space is limited; the deposit and application formform must be daughter of Vartkes and Nina Hovsepian and www.armenianchurch-ed.netwww.armenianchurch-ed.net receivedreceived no later June 1, 2012. great-granddaughter of Gen. Dro Kanayan. Second place went to Matthew Kochakian, followed by Mary Frounjian in third. All are Armenian school students at St. Gregory Church of North Andover, where Sossy Jeknavorian is superintendent, and shared $350 in prize money. 10 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Paros ‘Lighthouse’ Foundation Raises $25,000 to Help Victims of Domestic Violence in Armenia

SEAL BEACH, Calif. — More than 200 sup - porters of Paros “Lighthouse” Charitable Foundation USA raised $25,000 at a fundrais - ing event on March 11, at Zov’s Bistro in Tustin. The event benefited Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation’s work assisting victims of domestic violence and other critical outreach services in Armenia. Guests enjoyed appetizers and wines,

Mark Geragos, Esq. encouraged guests to take a stand against domestic violence and support Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation’s outreach in Armenia. Attorney Craig Missakian, longtime supporter of Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation, introduces guest of honor Mark Geragos, Esq.

Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation supporters (from left) Zuhrab Ghazarian, Charlie Zaher, Appo Jabarian, Bedig Fermanian, Talin Karamardian, and Garbis Karamardian Members of Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation’s Board of Directors and event organizing committee all underwritten by Zov’s Bistro. Highlighting In addition to aiding victims of domestic the event was renowned attorney Mark Geragos violence, Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation as guest speaker. also offers needed services to the local com - The event was a call to action for Armenian munity including vocational training, psycho - communities worldwide to take a stand against logical counseling and therapy, sewing and domestic abuse. Speaking to the guests, cooking classes, women’s health services Geragos said that in the past 20 years he has with an on-site OBGYN physician, dental observed an increase in spousal abuse cases in health services with an on-site dentist, feed - California courts among Armenian families. He ing the poor and elderly, supporting a local stated that violence against women anywhere is kindergarten, weekly Bible study and dona - unacceptable. He encouraged everyone to tions of essential goods to the needy in donate to Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation to Armenia and Artsakh. help women in crisis in Armenia. Zuhrab and Seta Ghazarian have been Co-Founder Seta Ghazarian stated, “We serve engaged in charity work and community out - pregnant and parenting young women in the reach for underprivileged and underserved secure environment of our 13,000-square-foot Armenians since 1999. The idea of “Paros” shelter/women’s center in the village of (meaning lighthouse in Armenian) was estab - Bdghounk. Our core services focus on keeping lished by friends and supporters of the both mother and child healthy and safe, while Ghazarian family and grew out of their concern teaching the mothers important skills like child for Armenian women and children as well as development, parenting and health and nutri - the integrity of the Armenian family. Paros tion. For women in immediate danger, we have “Lighthouse” Armenian Charitable Foundation an emergency hotline number, 20-80, which can USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public benefit cor - be called from anywhere in Armenia free of poration registered in the State of California charge. Our goal is to help young Armenian and Republic of Armenia. Paros “Lighthouse” Foundation supporters, from left, Andy Andonian, Betty Gulezian, Seta women realize their full potential, despite the For more information, visit Ghazarian, Appo Jabarian and Diane Hekimian. danger and adversity they face.” www.parosfoundation.org. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Ne w York M E T R O Hundreds Gather for Easter Services at St. Vartan Cathedral

NEW YORK — More than 2,000 people par - Liturgy and delivered the homily. He spoke ticipated in Easter services on April 8 at St. about the three women who were the first to Vartan Cathedral, to celebrate the most impor - witness the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection. tant day of the year in the church calendar. They had come to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his Early on pews began to be filled and when body, but they found instead “an angel who called out to them: ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen, just as he said.’” This episode is remem - bered in the Armenian Church through the Yughaperitz Ganaykh , or the Oil-bearing Women, service — an ancient tradi - tion that is performed every Sunday before the start of the Divine Liturgy. “The Good News of Easter is not just a relic of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian participated in the Washing of the centuries long past,” Feet ceremony on Holy Thursday. Barsamian said. “It is a liv - ing message of hope and joy, of victory over sin and seats had become scarce, many stood at the death, which is directed to each and every one back or spilled onto the plaza, where audio of us today.” speakers broadcast the badarak from the sanc - “We see that even in our own darkest tuary. moments, when we are afraid that all is lost — After the Divine Liturgy, the Primate led a procession to the cathedral plaza, where 12 doves were Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of Jesus Christ is with us,” he continued. “That is released, symbolizing the dispatching of the 12 apostles. the Diocese of the Armenian Church of the promise of his resurrection...Our Lord is America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine not remote or distant from us — to the con - trary, he is standing close by, waiting for us to works by prominent Yerevan-based painters as Holy Week Services see him.” well as by prolific Armenian artists based in Similar celebrations were underway at America. parishes across the Diocese. Easter was pre - Armen A. Avanessians Release of Doves The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir sang the ceded by Holy Week, which commemorates Joins FAR Board of After the Divine Liturgy, the Primate led a Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday under the the dramatic events leading to the procession to the cathedral plaza, where 12 direction of Khoren Mekanejian. Florence Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Directors doves were released, symbolizing the dispatch - Avakian accompanied on the organ. At St. Vartan Cathedral on Palm Sunday, ing of the 12 apostles. April 1, Rev. Mardiros Chevian, cathedral NEW YORK — Armen A. Avanessians, a dean, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and con - partner at Goldman Sachs and Company ducted the Turun-Patzek or Door Opening and a member of Columbia University’s Service. At the conclusion of services, people Board of Trustees, has joined the Fund walked from the cathedral plaza to the west - for Armenian Relief (FAR) as the newest ern entrance of the building, carrying palms in member of its Board of Directors. commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into “Mr. Avanessians has been one of the Jerusalem. visionary supporters of FAR, for years On April 5, Great and Holy Thursday, Rev. sponsoring one of our most effective pro - Bedros Kadehjian celebrated the Divine grams in Armenia — ANSEF,” said Randy Liturgy in the morning. In the evening, Sapah-Gulian, FAR’s chairman. “He is Barsamian officiated at the Washing of the very familiar with Feet ceremony, which commemorates Christ our mission, val - washing the feet of the 12 apostles after the ues and purpose. Last Supper. The 12 were selected from stu - We are excited dents of the cathedral Armenian School. The about him joining Washing of the Feet ceremony was followed by the FAR Board of a Khavaroom or Vigil Service. Directors and look The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ and forward to work - the Order of the Entombment of the Lord (or ing with him and Taghoom Service) were commemorated with using his experi - services on Great and Holy Friday, April 6. ence and talents to On Easter Eve, Saturday, April 7, Chevian advance FAR’s celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Students from Armen A. strategic priorities An art exhibit, titled “Behold, All Things Have Become New: Armenian Artists Celebrate Easter,” was Avanessians the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum read scrip - in promoting edu - on display in the cathedral complex. tures and sang in the choir. cation and innova - tion in Armenia. This work is not only Zaven Dadekian of St. Leon Church of Fair about assisting the younger generation of Lawn, NJ, was the godfather of the Release of Armenia in achieving their career goals, Doves ceremony. Dadekian, the recipient of but is also critical to the nation’s ability to the Diocese’s Armenian of the Year award in become competitive in the global market - 2009, has been involved in the Armenian place.” Church on both the parish and Diocesan lev - Avanessians has always been keen on els. He was also instrumental in forming the supporting education and science. He Friends of Holy Echmiadzin organization to provided an endowment to the Alexander support projects of the worldwide Armenian and Hermine Avanessians Professorship Church. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Also taking part in the Release of Doves cer - Research in memory of his parents. In emony was Ambassador Garen Nazarian, 2006, he created the Janette and Armen Armenia’s representative to the UN, along Avanessians Diversity Award to enhance with his family. diversity in departmental, school and uni - The Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan versity programs at Columbia University. Cathedral, wearing traditional Armenian cos - “Armenia still needs the encourage - tumes, performed several dances on the plaza ment of the diaspora to know that people following the releasing-of-doves ceremony. out here care about their future,” A reception followed in Haik and Alice Avanessians said. “They can build up Kavookjian Auditorium, where Barsamian offi - their country themselves. They have the ciated over a home-blessing service. The faith - brainpower and the knowledge. They just ful received nshkharks to take home. need a slight boost from us. I am honored Concurrent with the Easter observances, a to join the FAR Board and look forward special art exhibit was on display in the cathe - to working with my colleagues in serving dral complex. In “Behold, All Things Have the people of Armenia.” Become New: Armenian Artists Celebrate The Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral performed several dances on the cathedral plaza. Easter,” curator Vasken Kalayjian assembled 12 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Poet, Novelist Krikor Armenian Genocide Beledian to Receive UCLA MARK MCKERTICH PHOTO Museum of America Friends’ Narekatsi Medal Presents Capitol Hill LOS ANGELES — The Friends of UCLA Armenian Language and Culture Studies orga - Exhibit on ‘Witnesses to nization announced recently that poet, novelist and critic Krikor Beledian will be this year’s The Armenian Genocide’ recipient of the Friends’ Grigor Narekatsi Medal WASHINGTON — The Armenian Genocide for his achievements in Armenian literature. Museum of America announced the opening on The Narekatsi medal is bestowed upon indi - April 5 of an exhibit, titled “Witnesses to the viduals who have enriched the Armenian cul - Armenian Genocide.” The exhibit brings togeth - tural treasury in their fields of specialization. er the surviving photographic record of the Other recipients have been Michael Hagopian Armenian Genocide produced by German wit - (California), Berj Zeituntsian (Armenia), Nina nesses. The exhibit is being presented with the Garsoian (New York), Arusyak Sahakian Armenian Assembly of America and the (Armenia), Antonia Arslan (Italy) and Vatsche Armenian National Institute. Barsoumian (California) to name a few. The “Witnesses to the Armenian Genocide” Beledian, who lives in Paris, will be honored exhibit is hosted by the Lutheran Church of the on Sunday, April 29, during the Friends’ annu - Reformation. The church has been serving the al banquet at the banquet hall of the Capitol Hill community since 1869 and its con - Organization of Istanbul Armenians, 19726 gregation strongly supports ecumenical activi - Sherman Way, Winnetka, beginning at 6 p.m. ties. Situated between 2nd and 3rd Streets, the At this event, the man and his work will be pre - church also sits across from the Folger sented by Dr. Hagop Gulludjian, himself a liter - Shakespeare Library and the Library of ary critic and specialist of the work of Grigor Congress. Narekatsi and currently instructor of West Photographic evidence on the Armenian Armenian within the Armenian Studies pro - Genocide is extremely rare. Although Imperial gram at UCLA. Excerpts from Beledian’s poet - Germany and the Ottoman Empire were mili - ry will be read by students. There will also be a tary allies during World War I, the Ottoman musical program presented by UCLA students. Turkish authorities responsible for the Beledian has agreed to extend his stay in Los Armenian Genocide prohibited taking pictures Angeles and give one public lecture, in and closely watched anyone suspected of own - Armenian, on ing a camera. Despite the threat of a court mar - Thursday, May tial, several German civilians and other German 1, at 7 p.m. at military officials assigned to the Ottoman the Glendale Empire during the war disregarded the ban and Public Library. secretly photographed the mistreatment of the His theme will Armenian population. be “Issues in The exhibit is the product of years of research Contemporary in European archives. Many of the photographs Literature.” He in the exhibit were uncovered for the first time will, of course, Dr. Krikor Beledian after decades of neglect. The photographs dwell extensively A magical scroll showing Armenian deportees are matched with on Armenian lit - diary entries, reports and memoirs of the pho - erature today. He holds two doctorates from tographers, documenting their authenticity. the Sorbonne: one in philosophy (1975) and The creation of the panel exhibit was sponsored one in comparative literature (1995). The cor - by the Armenian Assembly of America. pus of Beledian’s work includes more than 30 Armenian Books on For viewing information or to arrange for a volumes of poetry collections, novels and criti - group tour, contact Dr. Rouben Adalian at cal works in Armenian and French, several vol - [email protected]. umes of translations from Armenian into Display in Harvard’s The Armenian Genocide Museum of America French and several dozen articles. He has also is an outgrowth of the Armenian Assembly of contributed extensively to the Armenian press. America and the Armenian National Institute His first published collection of poetry was in (ANI), catalyzed by the initial pledge of Anoush 1976, titled Teghagrut’iwn k’anduogh Lamont Library Mathevosian toward building such a museum in k’aghak’I me hamar , which caught the imme - Washington, DC. diate attention of literati and poetry lovers. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies James R. Russell Beledian published his first novel, Semer , in expressed justifiable satisfaction as he oversaw the final details of an exhibit of 1997, followed by several others. Armenian books that opened at Harvard University’s Lamont Library on Monday, Alongside his creative work, his critical stud - April 9. Joint Commemoration ies were many, including studies on Grigor Said Russell, “We started planning this about a year ago. Our core group includ - Narekatsi, Daniel Varuzhan, Armenian futurism ed Marc Mamigonian from NAASR [National Association of Armenian Research and Of Three Genocides at and others. A study on Armenian symbolism is Studies], Barbara Merguerian from ALMA [the Armenian Library and Museum of in progress. He has also published a study on America] and Michael Grossman from Widener Library. Grossman is chief cata - ALMA French-Armenian literature titled Cinquante loguer for Armenian and Georgian books. We didn’t have a designer but Mark ans de literature arménienne en France McKertich and Todd Pattison, who is in WATERTOWN — On Sunday, April 22, (2001). charge of conservation for the entire at 3:15 p.m., the Armenian Library and Beledian was born in Beirut, where he By Daphne Abeel Harvard library system, organized the Museum of America (ALMA) will com - received his early education, including attend - memorate the Armenian Genocide along Special to the Mirror-Spectator space and set up the exhibit.” ing the Jemaran. Beledian taught briefly at Russell says he was moved to mount the with the Ukrainian Genocide of the Haigazian College (1972-73), has taught ancient exhibit out of the knowledge that few 1930s, largely forgotten today, and the Armenian literature, Classical Armenian lan - Harvard students know very much about Armenian history and culture. Great Hunger of the Irish people in the guage and theology at the Theological Institute Said Russell, “Harvard is a place where students come to study large things in 1840s, resulting from the deliberate of Lyon (1987-2006) and is lecturer in the world. Most Armenian students here are involved in that endeavor. Few people Potato Famine, each one of them causing Armenian language and literature at the are interested in language and history and I wanted to undertake this exhibit to dis - millions of deaths. Institut national des langues et civilisations ori - play the scope of Armenian culture and history.” The event will take place in the third- entales in Paris (1978-present). Beledian is also The exhibit itself is mounted on the third floor of Lamont Library and consists floor gallery and consist of brief talks by well-known in the US, where he was first intro - of two horizontal cases of books, periodicals and scrolls and one large vertical glass Dr. Joseph Downes on the Irish Great duced in the early 1980s as visiting scholar at case that contains a copy of Russell’s text, “The Armenians and the Book,” and Hunger, Dr. Dikran Kaligian on the after - UCLA at the invitation of Prof. Avedis Sanjian, additional materials. math of the Armenian Genocide and who then held the Narekatsi Chair. He gave a The display contains a range of materials ranging from the ancient and precious Attorney Paul Rabchenuk on the number of public lectures and developed a large to the more modern. To name just a few, there is a facsimile of the Friday Book , Ukrainian Genocide. The commemoration circle of admirers. Since then, he has been invit - the first text to be actually printed in Armenian in 1512 by the Mekhitarist monks will be followed by a brief Ukrainian reli - ed to give lectures not only by UCLA’s Friends in Venice. There are also tiny, delicate, intricately-illustrated books of Aesop’s fables, gious service, with priest and choir. of Armenian Language and Culture Studies but a copy of the first edition of Hairenik , texts by the poet Yeghishe Charents and ALMA has arranged for a traveling exhi - also by other groups such as Bats’ Namak and more contemporary works such as the novels of William Saroyan and the new edi - bition on the Ukrainian Holodomor to be the Hamazkaine Cultural Association. tion of The Forty Days of Musa Dagh by Franz Werfel . There are also magical on display in the Terjenian-Thomas The Friends group is a university-approved scrolls with the explanatory text written and illustrated by Russell. Gallery, courtesy of the Connecticut support group, which, in conjunction with the see HARVARD, page 14 Holodomor Awareness Committee. Narekatsi Chair whose current holder is Prof. The event is free and open to the public. Peter Cowe, promotes Armenian Studies in lan - guage, literature and culture. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Fleeing the Turks and Running Headlong into Disaster aboard the Titanic

TORONTO (RFE/RL) — Neshan Krekorian was behind. My grandfather gathered four other com - barely in his 20s when his father urged him to emi - patriots from Turkish Armenia in the area that he grate from western Armenia and start a new life lived in, which was Keghi. And they got to France far away across the Atlantic Ocean. in Cherbourg, and by pure fate got on the Titanic.” Thousands of Armenians were doing the same, Krekorian was one of over 700 third-class pas - in a bid to escape rising violence and persecution sengers on board the maiden voyage of the cele - at the hands of Ottoman-era Turks. brated ocean liner. Thus, Krekorian fled, making his way across Immigrants from across the British Isles, Europe and purchasing a third-class ticket for Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East what would prove a fateful ocean journey. paid the equivalent of $1,000 for a steerage-class “His father told him to leave the country and ticket entitling them to modest sleeping quarters seek a new life in Canada and hopefully bring his and meals in the third-class dining hall for the brothers over,” said Krekorian’s grandson, Van duration of what was meant to be a weeklong voy - Solomonian. age. “He had two younger brothers who stayed Solomonian remembers his grandfather describing the quarters as cramped, but comfort - able. But things took a turn for the worse five nights into the journey. Close to midnight on April 14, the ship hit a massive iceberg in the North Atlantic and slowly began to sink. According to Armenian Titanic survivor Neshan Krekorian (seated left) with his wife, Persape (seated right), daugh - ter Angie (center), son George (left) and daughter Alice (right) Solomonian, his grandfather and some of his fel - low third-class passengers had just settled in for a game of cards when they heard “a shudder” and “a dull thud.” only 700 survived, most of them first- and second- and now lives in Toronto, remembers his grandfa - “He knew something had happened, but he did - class travelers. ther as a quiet man who spoke little English and n’t quite know what,” Solomonian said. “The prob - Krekorian eventually made his way to Canada, frequently clutched a string of traditional lem with the third-class passengers was that they ultimately settling in the town of St. Catherine’s in Armenian worry beads. were actually locked down on their decks, because Ontario. Krekorian rarely spoke of his experiences on the at the time regulations required that steerage pas - A foundry worker in the local General Motors ill-fated Titanic. Solomonian recalls hearing only sengers be isolated from first and second class. plant, he earned enough money to honor his brief snippets of his grandfather’s memories of “He and a few other men had to break a chain father’s wish to bring his younger brothers to desperate passengers screaming for help and lock to get up to the upper decks. My grandfather Canada, and helped found the town’s Armenian plunging to their death in the icy waters. But he ended up on boat 10. The boat was being lowered Church, the first of its kind in the country. is certain Krekorian never forgot the horror of and he literally just jumped over the side and basi - Solomonian said it is possible his grandfather’s that day: cally got away with it.” brothers only learned of his ordeal on the Titanic “He never went on a boat again in his life,” he Many steerage-class passengers were not nearly once they had arrived in Canada. says. “He wouldn’t swim. In St. Catherine’s they so lucky. More than two-thirds of the third-class When Krekorian died, at the age of 89, one of had a nice beach on Lake Ontario, and when the ticket holders went down with the ship, many his brothers lingered at his tombstone, whispering family would go there for Sunday picnics, he because they were unable to reach the upper his gratitude for his help in getting them out of would never, ever go in. I guess that speaks to the Neshan Krekorian as a young man decks. Keghi. trauma that he experienced. He never got over Of the approximately 2,200 people on board, Solomonian, who grew up in St. Catherine’s that fear.” Lili Chookasian, Exhilarating American Contralto, 90, Dies

CHOOKASIAN, from page 1 Ottoman Empire. Chookasian was born in Philip Manuel, with whom she remained for easily excised, and this time she had a quick part of her life, always. Her grandparents had Chicago in 1921 and grew up speaking nearly two decades. In 1941, she married recovery. When a Met contract was offered perished in the 1915 Armenian Genocide per - Armenian at home. She sang in the Armenian George Gavejian and she spent the rest of the again, in 1962, she accepted, making her com - petrated by the Young Turk Party of the Church and in her teens found a voice teacher, decade-plus singing extensively in Chicago. pany debut as La Cieca in “La Gioconda,” with (She performed in church with future pop star Zinka Milanov, Franco Corelli and Nell Rankin. Kay Armen, who became a close friend.) She Around this time, she became more closely also taught at Northwestern University. In linked with Menotti: she made her New York 1955, she made a breakthrough when she was City Opera debut in 1963 in “The Medium” engaged by Bruno Walter to sing Mahler’s and recorded the composer’s Death of the Resurrection Symphony with the Chicago Bishop of Brindisi in 1964. Also that year, she Symphony Orchestra. Walter accompanied her sang in the Met world premiere of Menotti’s at her audition, and Chookasian later said, “It “The Last Savage,” in a cast that included was almost a mystical experience to sing with George London, Roberta Peters and Teresa him at the piano and then with the orchestra. I Stratas. Stratas later recalled Chookasian as a felt honored and humbled.” Conductor Peter favorite colleague whose voice was “gorgeous Herman Adler brought her to the attention of — gold with streaks of black, like molten lava. PRESENTED BY THE FRIENDS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE SOCIETY Rosa Ponselle, who coached her extensively in One got lost in that sound, no matter what she the roles of Amneris and Azucena. Bit by bit, was singing.” Chookasian strengthened the already impres - Many of Chookasian’s colleagues treasured sive solid core to her voice. her not only for her talent but for her warmth In 1956, she suffered her first bout with can - and sense of humor. Eileen Farrell, who sang cer. She received a terminal diagnosis but opted Santuzza to Chookasian’s Mamma Lucia at the for a radical mastectomy and fought her way Met, remembered that during Voi lo sapete, back to health. In 1959, she made her long- when Santuzza pours out her heart about delayed opera debut when she sang Adalgisa Turiddu’s maltreatment of her, Chookasian opposite the Norma of Barbara Stevenson, in would often lean across the table and whisper, Bellini’s “Norma,” at an out-of-the-way Arkansas “You’re kidding…. He said that?” State Opera. The conductor was future artist By the mid-1980s, Chookasian could still per - manager Sheldon Soffer, and two years later, he form at an uncommonly high level; in the sum - recommended Chookasian to Thomas mer of 1984, she sang a Verdi Requiem at New Schippers, who was in search of a soloist for his Jersey’s Waterloo Festival that was remarkable upcoming performances of Nevsky with the for both her powerful sound and her superb dic - Friday New York Philharmonic. It took some time, but tion. From 1985, she began teaching at Yale Schippers located Chookasian in Baltimore, University’s School of Music, where she worked June 8, 2012 where she was singing, and invited her to audi - hard to build the core of her pupils’ voices. She at 8:00 PM tion. It was essentially a courtesy, as he had all lamented that most voice teachers didn’t have a but decided to give the role to another artist, grasp of chest voice, which she considered Symphony Hall, who reportedly burst into tears the moment essential for low-voiced singers. “Can you imag - Boston Chookasian finished her audition, knowing that ine doing Ulrica without chest register? Or Schippers would engage her on the spot — Dame Quickly? Erda?” she had asked in 2003. which he did. “You will not be heard!” In 2002, Yale awarded “An energetic stage presence...” In 1961, after her successful debut with the her the Samuel Simon Sanford Medal. – The Washington Post Philharmonic and a European debut as In the 1990s, Chookasian was escorted back - Herodias at Gian Carlo Menotti’s Festival of stage at Carnegie Hall to meet Jessye Norman, Two Worlds , Chookasian was offered a Met who had just sung a performance. When contract, but she declined it because she Norman opened the door of her dressing room For Tickets and Information, please visit: feared it would leave her little time with her and saw Chookasian standing before her, she www.FACSBoston.org family. (By now, she and Gavejian had a daugh - gasped, “I should be on my knees!” It was a sen - ter, Valerie, and two sons, John and Paul.) She timent that few of Chookasian’s colleagues and had a recurrence of cancer that year, but it was students would have disagreed with. 14 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Armenian Books on Display in Harvard’s Lamont Library

HARVARD, from page 12 University, Merguerian and Mamigonian. PAUL PAYNE PHOTO The contents of the exhibit have come from a Russell, whose multi-lingual interests and number of different sources including NAASR, mastery extend to both Western and Eastern ALMA, Widener Library and Russell’s private Armenian, provides a brief history of the collection. Funds were provided by the Armenian language noting that, “... it is related Mashtots chair, Tufts University, Boston to Phrygian, an Indo-European tongue like University, NAASR, ALMA and the Armenian Greek or Persian, that was spoken by the Cultural Foundation (ACF). defenders of Troy. It is possible that the first “This is the 500th anniversary of the start of bearers of Armenian migrated east into the Armenian printing, so this seemed the right highlands of Urartu, Biblical Ararat; and moment to put this exhibit up,” said Russell. Armenian contains a number of Urartean Extended captions, which in some cases, are words....” short essays, help to explain and amplify the Russell also notes several important mile - stones. As mentioned DAPHNE ABEEL PHOTO above, the first Armenian printed books appeared in Venice in 1512; and fur - ther, the first printed Bible was issued in Amsterdam a century-and-a-half later. The first Armenian news - paper was published in Madras, India in the late Two rare histories of Armenia from Widener library’s collection at Harvard 18th century. While survivors of the Armenian Genocide wrote essay on modern Armenian history, noting pers such as the Hairenik and the Baikar . The privately-published especially the publication in the 18th century of Armenian-American Diaspora has since pro - Memorial Books Mik’ayel Ch’amch’ian’s History of Armenia and duced its own writers such as William (hushamatyan) many of Fr. Ghevond Alishan’s Memories of the Saroyan, Peter Balakian and Peter Sourian, those who might have writ - Armenian Fatherland . Said Payaslian, “Their amongst many others, who have reached a ten more widely distribut - works encouraged a new generation of intellec - broader reading public. ed works were massacred. tuals in the 19th century to engage in the mod - The Lamont Library exhibit, open only to Russell comments, ernization of their Prof. James R. Russell at the Lamont Library exhibit of Armenian books “Armenian writing was nation, its culture, permanently shadowed by and its institutions the disaster....” to bring about an visual materials. In addition to Russell, others The breakup of the Soviet Union has freed Armenian enlight - who contributed their knowledge and research the Armenian press in many ways, and Russell enment.” include Prof. Christina Maranci of Tufts notes that many texts are now far more avail - In a commentary University, Michael Grossman of Widener able on the Internet. Included in the exhibit is titled “Armenian Library, Prof. Simon Payaslian of Boston a 19th-century Western Armenian translation Women and the of Edgar Allan Poe’s Narrative of Arthur Book,” Merguerian MARK MCKERTICH PHOTO Gordon Pym of Nantucket , taken from notes that in the Baudelaire’s French. 19th and 20th cen - Maranci’s caption focuses on the importance turies, “The role of of manuscripts in the history of Armenian liter - women in a rapidly ature. She notes that the largest collection of changing society Armenian manuscripts is housed in the became a controver - Matenadaran, the manuscript library in sial question Armenia’s capital, Yerevan. Other important col - explored extensively lections are preserved in the Monastery of St. in the constantly James in Jerusalem and the Mekhitarist growing number of Monasteries of Venice and Vienna. publications appear - The main panel at the “Armenians and the Book” exhibit at Harvard Grossman has contributed commentary on ing in the vernacu - the availability of Armenian language and relat - lar Armenian liter - ed collections held in the Harvard libraries. The ary language...Circumstances have changed rad - holders of Harvard University identification, supervision of Harvard’s Armenian collections ically, but the role of women in Armenian soci - will be up until April 25, but negotiations are — acquisitions, cataloging, preservation and ref - ety still remains a much debated topic.” under way to bring the exhibit to ALMA so that erence — falls at present to Widener’s Middle Mamigonian, in a piece titled “The Armenians it may be viewed by the Armenian community Eastern Division, as it has done since 1954. The in America,” writes that the Armenian presence and others not affiliated with Harvard. Further earliest catalogued item dates back to the in the United States dates to around 1618, details will be announced in the future. 1700s, while Houghton Library today is the “when one Martin the Armenian came to Russell hopes, with reason, that the exhibit holder of Harvard’s earliest Armenian items. Colonial Virginia.” There was, of course, will increase the interest in the Armenian lan - Grossman pays tribute to the Boston-area increased immigration after the massacres in guage at Harvard. Armenian community for establishing a lasting Ottoman Turkey under Sultan Abdul Hamid in “Right now, I am shifting my attention to the An original edition of Franz Werfel’s home for Armenian studies at Harvard. In 1959, 1894-96, and after the Genocide, nearly teaching of Western Armenian because it is a Forty Days and an autographed copy of a the Mashtots Chair, now held by Russell, was 100,000 Armenians had arrived in the US by language in danger of disappearing. Without of Musa Dagh William Saroyan novel created at Harvard. 1924. These immigrants opened libraries and some speakers in the Middle East, we would Payaslian of Boston University contributes an bookstores and eventually established newspa - truly lose it,” he said. Loris Chobanian Premiers In Search of Global Harmony

BEREA, Ohio — Baldwin-Wallace College expression shared in spite of their boundaries.” aggressors. And then there are times when a which the main themes are continuously super - (BW) professor emeritus and composer-in-resi - Since his retirement from teaching at self-serving egomaniac wants to prove his imposed. A dramatic aria, The Traveler for dence Loris Ohannes Chobanian’s composition, Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory in 2010, importance and to acquire a place in history Baritone Voice and Piano , utilizes an In Search of Global Harmony , was premiered Chobanian has remained active, producing by sending his troops to battle. He will some - Armenian poem by Haigouhi Seropian. A new by the BW Symphonic Wind Ensemble, con - many new compositions. The Soldier Returns how find a justification for his actions. Many Der Voghormia was especially composed for ducted by Dwight Oltman, on January 27. The for Viola and Piano was composed for BW of his soldiers, as well as those of his enemy, the Baghdad St. Gregory the Illuminator seven movements of the composition represent Conservatory professor of viola, Louize Zeitlin. will perish. But, he will join the ranks of the Armenian Church. Saturday Morning for String the music of seven countries, China, India, The inspiration for the piece is explained in celebrated and admired warriors. History is Orchestra was composed for the BW Outreach Russia, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Ireland and Spain. the program notes: “The sight of rows of flag- replete with names such as Hannibal, String Orchestra. In progress is Fantasia in The premiere was well received by a capacity covered coffins always delivers a dauntingly Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Three Movements for Two Saxophones and audience that represented the many different tragic message. Brave men and women have and a long list of others. Rarely do we hear Piano , commissioned by the Florida State nationalities in Cleveland. The last few mea - made the ultimate sacrifice and have given about the individual soldier who made the ulti - University Trio Bel Canto ensemble. sures of the composition gave special recogni - their lives for their country. Many will join oth - mate sacrifice. Defensive wars should have a On April 27, the BW Guitar Trio, Adam tion to the United States national anthem. In ers who came before them and will be known clear cut objective and not continue aimlessly Bilchik, Bryan Reichert and Chobanian, will the program notes, the composer states: “The as the Unknown Soldier. These brave soldiers and waste human life unnecessarily.” present a special program “Remembering April challenge was to compose individual move - were taught to obey orders and they did. They Other new compositions include Just Violins 24,” at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church, ments that could be recognizable before know - did not question why they were asked to go to for Six Violins that present the performers an Richmond Heights. The program will include ing the title of the country they represented. war. War is a curious exercise, and at times it opportunity to execute diverse combinations of Chobanian’s Songs of Ararat . The composer Although these countries have their exclusive is necessary for deterring the dangers of string textures; Rhapsodic Variations for will also present “Yedvart, Jesus and Talaat,” a musical languages, there is a hidden universal malevolence and for the defense against evil Violoncello and Piano has a unique form in short story based on his family history. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Godine Publishes New, Complete Translation of Werfel’s Forty Days of Musa Dagh

WERFEL, from page 1 Palestine, Syria and Lebanon in the winter and intelligently with the subject, no other work of cidentally, Gregorian mounted a campaign to the United States and was picked up for distri - spring of 1929-30. He knew the horrors of war well, fiction exists that has done literary and dra - have them returned to his native Austria in bution by Book-of-the Month-Club, where it having served as a corporal and telephone operator matic justice to the events of the Genocide. 1975. remained one of their most popular titles for in the military corps of the Austro-Hungarian army Werfel’s mammoth achievement stands alone as Although Forty Days is, without doubt decades after its original publication. It was during World War I on the Russian front. fully imagined testimony to terrible events still Werfel’s greatest literary achievement, he is per - offered as an alternate selection as recently as In a prefatory note to the novel he wrote, not fully acknowledged by modern Turkey, or, haps best known for The Song of Bernadette , the 1970s. “The book was conceived in March of the year for that matter, the United States. the story of a religious peasant girl, which was David Godine, well known in the publishing 1929, during the course of a stay in Damascus. Perhaps a new reading of The Forty Days of made into a film. In spite of his Jewish back - world for his interest in the production of books The miserable sight of maimed and famished Musa Dagh can bring about the rightful and ground, Werfel was much drawn to Catholicism of high quality, described in a recent interview looking refugee children, working in a carpet universal recognition of the facts of history. and spiritual and religious themes run through how he happened to acquire the rights to factory, gave me the final impulse to snatch the Werfel, like so many Jewish and German intel - all his works. Traces of his interest in Sufi Islam Werfel’s work. incomprehensible destiny of the Armenian peo - lectuals — Thomas Mann and many others — may be detected in Forty Days . Said the Boston-based publisher, “I was in at ple from the Hell of all that had taken place.” was unable to remain in Germany, and in 1938 Godine will publish Werfel’s novel, Pale Blue the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2008 and went to The novel, at 900 pages, is a challenge to any he fled with his wife, Alma Mahler, through Ink in a Lady’s Hand later this year. And there visit Fischer Verlag, which held the rights. I had reader, but like its literary cousin, Leo Tolstoy’s Spain and France, eventually making his way to is at least one additional title with an Armenian known about this book and knew that it dealt War and Peace, it remains one of the most sig - California where he lived until his death in connection on Godine’s upcoming list — a col - with the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians. The nificant and compelling works of 20th-century 1945. His remains were interred in Rosedale lection of Youssuf Karsh’s photographs, titled agent for the book, Barbara Perlmutter, told me literature. Cemetery in Los Angeles, until, somewhat coin - Karsh: Beyond the Camera . that the rights had reverted. I was really inter - In bare outline, the novel focuses on the ested in acquiring the rights to Werfel’s unpub - defense of a small community of Armenians liv - lished novel, Pale Blue Ink , but when I found ing in the mountainous region of Hatay that Forty Days was available, I decided to Province of the former Ottoman Empire — as acquire both books.” well as on events in Istanbul and provincial cap - New Setian Book Looks at Finding Sparks At the time that he purchased the rights, itals where the Young Turk government orches - Godine says he had been unaware that the trated the deportation, concentration camps Of Humanity amid Horrors of Genocide English version of the novel had been cut. and massacres of the Ottoman Empire’s “What had happened was that Viking Armenian citizens. BARNSTABLE, Mass. — In her first book, will rule the world.” (M. Henry Berenger, trimmed the novel down to satisfy Book-of-the- The novel’s protagonist, Gabriel Bagradian, is Humanity in the Midst of Inhumanity, author French senate, 12-12-1919). Month Club, which said it could not sell the a wealthy Armenian from Paris who has Shahkeh Yaylaian Setian suggests that in addi - She graphically describes the vicious treat - longer two-volume version. We were going to do returned to his native village of Yoghonoluk. tion to the Armenian Genocide, the Jewish ment of victims in order to convey the horrors a simple reprint of Viking’s 1934 translation The area is dominated by the presence of a Holocaust and subsequent genocides should be committed by out-of-control citizens, instigated when we heard from James Reidel, who wrote great mountain, Musa Dagh, or Mt. Moses, as it forever be remembered in the annals of history. and committed by government officials. She to one of our editors, Susan Barba, to tell her would be in translation. Although Bagradian Despite this dark period, we can be illustrates that those who were tor - that the book had been cut in the original listens to the rumors of the killings of inspired in knowing that one can still tured and murdered were not simply English version and that he wanted to do a new Armenians in nearby areas, he considers him - find humanity in the midst of inhuman - Books numbers reported in statistics, but translation to make the book complete.” self a loyal citizen of the Ottoman Empire and ity. As the daughter of Armenian were living, breathing children, women Added Godine, “Werfel clearly intended his at first does not believe the stories. But he soon Genocide survivors, Setian feels the need to and men. Sadly, it also illustrates the inhuman - novel as a message to the Jews in Germany. He overhears a Turkish district governor dis - record the stories of brave Muslims who saved ity of man. Inhumanity became the perverted accurately saw the fate of the Armenians at the cussing the “Armenian problem” and the trick - Armenians during the 1915 Armenian norm. hand of the Turks as a precursor to the slaugh - le of refugees with their tales of brutal sup - Genocide and she shares them in her new book. Setian explains Turkey’s multi-million dollar ter of the Jews by the Nazis.” pression becomes undeniable. While growing up, she did not viscerally lobbying efforts to this day to deny the Barba, who is descended from an Armenian Bagradian rallies the villagers to take up posi - understand her connection with the catastro - Genocide. Historian Eli Weisel calls denial, “a grandmother, was already working with Reidel tions on Musa Dagh and to prepare to fight to phe of the Genocide because her parents did second death.” Two trips to historic Armenia on the translation of the Werfel’s Pale Blue Ink the death. At first, they mount a fierce and suc - not talk about the Genocide in her younger (today’s Turkey), the cemetery of Genocide vic - when he told her that the original English cessful defense, but eventually, the better- years. The Genocide was an accepted part of tims, created a passion that called for justice. translation of Forty Days had been cut. equipped and more numerous Turkish troops who they were as Armenians. She scoured She was able to see that the Turkish govern - Said Barba, “The book has had such a long overwhelm the Armenian forces and they are books and articles about the Genocide hoping ment had relentlessly tried to eradicate all evi - life. We felt that it was important to add the forced to disperse. some clarity would emerge from the research dence of the presence of historic Armenia on missing 150 pages and that we could afford it if The book stands as a tribute to a courageous and writings by scholars. Later, her mother and the land. we used a light-weight paper and put the book resistance by a minority against superior forces her peers began to share with Setian some The voices Setian has gathered vary in pitch out in paperback. James did the knitting togeth - and the message could not have been lost on glimpses of the extent of their suffering and but unite in remembrance. Glendale’s Haroot er of the Dunlop translation and his additions. Jewish and German readers at the time of its grieving for their loved ones and others lost in Pushian tells how his then-teenaged father, Also, his new translations go some way towards publication. Werfel, whose previous novels had the Genocide. Thus, the real understanding of the only survivor in a family of nine, swam Americanizing the text.” been banned because he was a Jew, was pillo - the Genocide began with the ability to integrate across the Euphrates River to Iraq, was adopt - It was also Barba who persuaded Vartan ried in the press in Nazi Germany as an enemy the Genocide with the core of her identity. ed by a Muslim family and later thrived in Gregorian to provide an introduction to the agent and propagandist. The Genocide and subsequent events are pre - Baghdad. We learn of a woman who fled for new translation. Gregorian, too, remarks about In 1934, upon the occasion of the novel’s lude to the passion that Armenians feel to pre - weeks carrying her crippled son on her back. the alarm the novel raised for Germany’s Jews. American publication, one critic, Louis serve the culture that the Ottoman Turks tried The author relates the day soldiers herded her He comments, “... the novel serves as an allego - Kronenberger, wrote in the New York Times , to take away in their goal of Turkification. father, Mourad Yaylaian, and the other ry, a not-so-veiled warning about the virulent “If Hollywood does not mar and mishandle it, it (Turkification, Turkey only for Turks.) Armenians in the village into their churchyard racialism, chauvinism, anti-Semitism and should make a magnificent movie.” Assyrians, Greeks and Jews were also targeted — and promptly shot Mourad’s fiancee to death amoral realpolitik that were about to be Against the advice of his legal department, for destruction. Woven throughout Armenian before his eyes. He was spared when a Turkish unleashed by the Nazis. It was a wake-up call for which feared Turkish objections, Irving history from its birth as a nation in ancient farmer said he “looked like a strong boy” and Jews and non-Jews alike about the impending Thalberg of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer acquired the times to its struggles for growth and survival to took him off to the fields where he severely calamity that was soon to engulf the Jews of film rights for the novel from the Austrian pub - its demise and to its rebirth as the modern abused him. (Her father escaped after a year Germany and German-speaking lands.” lisher, and in the same year as its publication, Republic of Armenian in 1991, a story is told and worked for a friendly Turkish family on Reidel, a poet and translator, became inter - began production on the film, which was to star that personifies love of country, love of land their farm. He called one of the women in the ested in Werfel through studying and translat - Clark Gable as Gabrtiel Bagradian. and love of one’s culture. family, “Aunt.”) ing his poetry. Despite the fact that the English version had Humanity in the Midst of Inhumanity fea - Setian hopes this book will illuminate “the In an interview from his Cincinnati home, he been abridged and many of its most controver - tures many stories about missionaries, other dynamics…of ethnic conflict and genocide” and, said, “I came across Werfel as part of a larger sial passages omitted, the idea of a film that organizations, Muslims and other individuals in the wake of 9/11, “mitigate the prejudice research project that involved the translation of would dramatize the cruelties inflicted on the who came to the aid of the suffering against innocent Muslims” around the world. poetry. I began to read his poems and more of Armenians by the Turks, was indeed an anath - Armenians, which illustrates the many faces of She has done her part. his work and read the German version and then ema to the Turkish government of Mustafa humanity. Despite the threat by the govern - Setian has three children and five grandchil - the English version of Forty Days . It was per - Kemal Ataturk. ment that anyone who helped an Armenian dren and lives in Cape Cod, Mass. She is sensi - fectly clear that the English version had been The Turkish ambassador to the United would have their house burned down, their fam - tive to injustice and human rights and is dedi - cut. I would say about 20 percent of Werfel’s States, Mehmed Munir Ertegun, was charged ily killed in front of them and then he/she cated to helping create a just and peaceful novel had been dropped in the Dunlop transla - with putting a stop to the film. He was quoted would killed, brave Muslims acted humanely. world. She lived for a year, traveling alone, with - tion.” as saying to an MGM official, “If the movie is Lives were saved, but a country was lost. out guarantee for living quarters, as an inde - According to Reidel, the missing material made, Turkey will launch a worldwide campaign Humanitarian aid continued in ensuing years. pendent volunteer in solidarity with the people deals primarily with what was “idiosyncratic to against it. It rekindles the Armenian Question. Setian sheds light on how Armenians in that she wanted to help and whom she came to the Armenian people, much of the color of their The Armenian Question is settled.” The Turkish America reconstructed their shattered lives in love in Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh), a country culture. The cut version also left out passages objections received a great deal of publicity and the face of prejudice and discrimination. She that was recovering from war and attempt - that might be considered especially offensive to eventually MGM backed down. describes the after effects of the Armenian ed ethnic cleansing. the Turks, although I believe the Turks would In the 1970s, MGM sold the film rights to Genocide in its manifestations on individual She taught at Springfield College, Mass., have been offended by anything that portrayed Forty Days and a low-budget, poorly-distributed lives, the Armenian community and the political Cape Cod Community College and Artsakh them in a negative way. I would have liked to film was made, directed by Sarky Mouradian. structures and actions of world powers, espe - State University and has facilitated workshops retranslate the entire book, but unfortunately Thus, Werfel’s great novel has yet to receive cially in America. She also explains the predica - and presented talks about genocide, injustice that route was cost prohibitive, so the additions the cinematic treatment it deserves. Still, it is ment of Armenians living in Turkey today. and values. She has earned awards for short sto - have been worked into the previous translation not impossible to imagine that Godine’s deci - Setian describes the geopolitical issues of the ries, has had several articles published, includ - by Dunlop.” sion to publish the complete text will renew Genocide times and other issues of interest with ing photo essays and co-edited two volumes for Added Reidel, “Werfel had a keen sense of interest in the making of a major movie. commentary, such as the betrayal of Armenians the Values Realization Institute. eternity and he knew what was happening. The significance of Werfel’s achievement can - in the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty which did She earned a doctorate in education from the What he dealt with in Forty Days is what was not be underestimated, because while there not mention Armenia nor the Armenian mas - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and com - haunting Europe at the time.” have been a number of privately published eye - sacres. The omission of settling the Armenian pleted an intensive course in Armenian history Werfel was moved to write the story of the witness accounts of the Armenian Genocide issue fairly was in order for allies to control the and language in Venice, Italy, at Universita degli Armenians thanks to a trip he took through and several valuable non-fiction books that deal oil wealth in the region. “He who owns the oil Studi Ca Foscari di Venezia 16 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING NBC Correspondent Shamlian to Receive Award at Mirror-Spectator Banquet

SHAMLIAN, from page 1 recalled. And against all odds, Shamlian was happy to note that the reports factor that makes her career more challenging she succeeded. “I got very, very predicting the demise of broadcast television — and makes her more unique in her field — is lucky.” news have been premature. “They predicted that she has five children. She never knows It helped that her work ethic network news is dead but the audience is up. It where the next story takes her and for how had impressed a couple of pow - is still a large and significant market for an long. For example, she said, the Trayvon erful players, Robert Brandel impartial recounting of the day’s events.” Martin case took her away from home for two and Williams. Brandel, a news By contrast, she said, much of cable news is weeks. producer at the NBC News desk “very opinionated.” “It’s a very competitive business. A thousand in New York, agreed to give Shamlian’s goal is to do more long-term people want my job,” she said in a recent inter - Shamlian a shot as a freelancer reporting for programs such as “Dateline” and view. A relief for her, however, has been that in 2004, something that does “Rock Center.” She expressed her fondness for “NBC is very family friendly.” not often happen to those who and gratitude to Williams for being “a big sup - Her children range in age from 9 to 16 and have left the business. porter of me.” She credited him with under - they have slowly adjusted to her being away so “NBC would hire me for days standing that the audience for a typical news often. She said it is hard when she has to miss and I would go to MSNBC all program is mostly female who can relate to parent-teacher conferences, nightly rituals or day covering hurricanes. I was a another female. “He is very supportive of his family meals. Sgt. Clay Rankin, right, with service dog Archie and NBC’s day hire, but I fell in love with it,” people,” she said. “It’s always acceptable when a man is doing Janet Shamlian she said. After doing it for about When asked for advice to young reporters it,” she said. 18 months, in 2005, “with a very, starting out, Shamlian said: learn how to write. She noted, “Being home full time is the hard - Janet was 14 and her sister, 12. “My father very young family and a great “Writing is very important. People need to est job.” However, she said, with her husband raised two little girls,” she said. “He really husband,” she was able to become a full- learn how to write. Local news is a great train - being self-employed, he can be there for the believed in me.” fledged national correspondent. Steve Capus, ing ground. You need to get local news experi - children on a regular basis and thus allow her Shamlian lost him when she was 22. “After the president of NBC news, took a chance with ence and get yourself in front of the camera.” to pursue her career. all he put into me, he didn’t see it or his grand - her and gave her a job. Shamlian credits her husband of 21 years as “The hardest thing is that they [the children] children,” she said. “He gave me a good Shamlian works out of Houston, but she the person who has made her career and fami - go to my husband for their needs. It makes me launch.” does not have an office there. “I travel all over ly possible. “He is the best thing that ever hap - question my decision sometimes, but I love She continued, “I was working part-time for the country and all over the world, from the pened to me.” what I am doing,” she added. the NBC station in Houston. I was pregnant White House to Buckingham Palace.” Aside Shamlian will receive one of the two Awards Shamlian’s stories can run the gamut from with my second child when I got out of TV.” from glamorous locations, she has to file sto - of Excellence to be given out at the Armenian hard (the Trayvon Martin murder case and the She went on to have five children eventually ries from difficult places, such as an oilrig off Mirror-Spectator ’s celebration on Thursday, Tulsa shootings) to soft (Prince William and and was a stay-at-home mom for seven years. the Atlantic coast or climbing atop a tall wind May 24, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. For tickets Kate Middleton’s first royal engagements in Then, “I just had the bug to get back in,” she turbine in New Mexico. and more information, call (617) 359-0413. Britain). Some of the stories she does she pitches herself to the news desk, while others are assigned to her. One story that she pitched successfully was on super-commuters, people who drive far beyond a typical commute to jobs, rather than relocate closer. “They know the jobs are not forever,” she said. Shamlian was born and raised in Chicago, to CC AA LLEENNDDAARR an Irish-American mother and an Armenian- American father. Her interest in becoming a newscaster germinated when she started watching Jane Pauley on NBC. She attended the University of Missouri to study broadcast journalism, one of the very few public univer - MASSACHUSETTS sities in the US that owns a television station, in this case the NBC affiliate in Columbia, Mo., KOMU-TV. The advantage of going there, she MAY 24 — Celebrating 80 years and beyond, Benefit Gala of the said, was that upon graduation at age 22, she Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Thursday, reception, 6:30 p.m.; dinner and her fellow grads all had a tape which they 7:30 p.m., Boston Royal Sonesta, Cambridge. Keynote speaker, Vigen could send around. Sargsyan, chief of staff of the President of the Republic of Armenia. Shamlian did not always have a high-profile 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Dr. position. Fresh out of school, she got a job at Gregory H. Adamian, chancellor and president emeritus of Bentley Grand Rapids, Mich., on WOOD-TV. After three University; 2012 Award of Excellence will be bestowed upon Janet to four years, she moved to Houston, “where I Shamalian, national correspondent for “NBC News” from Texas, and knew no one, [at] KHOU-TV. It is a very highly Charles Mahtesian, Politico national policy editor, Washington, DC. regarded TV station. [At that point] my ulti - For information, call (617) 359-0413. mate goal was to work in local TV in Chicago.” APRIL 27 — St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, 9th However, fate had something different in Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser, Springstep Medford. $75. (617) mind for her. While in Houston, she met and 750-2498. married LeRoy Melcher III and together they APRIL 28 — Annual Meeting and Luncheon, Armenian moved back to Chicago, where Shamlian start - International Women’s Association, speaker Judy Norsigian, ed to work at WBBM, the local CBS affiliate. executive director, Boston Women’s Health Book Collective. 9:30 While she thought she had reached her goals, a.m.-2 p.m., Winchester Country Club. Members, $35; non-mem - she got pregnant and she and her husband bers, $45. Info and reservations, (617) 926-0171, [email protected] On April 28, the Armenian International Women’s decided to move back to Houston, where he or www.aiwainternational.com. Association will host their annual meeting and lun - had family. Sadly, by this point, both of cheon, featuring speaker Judy Norsigian, executive Shamlian’s parents had passed away. NEW JERSEY director, Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, Shamlian’s mother died when the young pictured above. The event will be from 9:30 a.m. to MAY 19, 2012 — HMADS Gala Dinner Dance. Details to follow, June 2 p.m., Winchester Country Club. Tickets are $35 25. HMADS 30th Commencement Exercise at 8 p.m., Kalustyan Hall. for members and $45 for non-members. For info OCTOBER 28 — Save the date. The Armenian American Support and reservations, visit aiwainternational.com. and Educational Center, Hye Doon, celebrates its 35th anniver- sary. Felician College, Lodi. With the participation of Akh’tamar Dance Ensemble and other talented guest performances. Details to follow. Vartanantz, NJ, Kostan, (201) 741-9789; Paramus, Andy (201) 368- NEW YORK 2791; Holy Cross, NJ, Very Rev. Vazken Karayan (201) 865-2790, Queens Armenian Center, Sako, (516) 805-5816 and Brooklyn, APRIL 22 — “Turkey is Guilty of Genocide, Denying the Tigran, (374) 291-7765 or visit www.knightsofvartan.org, click April Undeniable is A Crime,” Armenian Genocide Commemoration 24, http://april24nyc.com, www.armenianradionj or at Times Square. 2 p.m., 43rd and Broadway, New York City. www.theforgotten.org. Sponsored by Knights and Daughters of Vartan, Inc. Co-sponsored by APRIL 28 — Rebirth Concert: dedicated to the 20th anniversary of AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National both the Armenian National Military and Armenia’s membership to Committee of America, ADL-Ramgavars, Armenian Council of the United Nations. Organized by the Tekeyan Cultural Association of America with the participation of: Diocese of the Armenian Church NY/NJ. With the participation of renowned artists from Armenia and of America (Eastern), Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America the Philharmonic Symphonic Orchestra of Rhode Island, to take place (Eastern), Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian at 8 p.m.; the Merkin Concert Hall of Kaufman center, 129 West Catholic Eparchy for US and Canada, ACYOA, AYF, Armenian youth 67th St., New York City. Save the date. Details to follow. organizations, Armenian university and college clubs. For free bus MAY 12 — Shushi hosts a Gala Dinner Dance for an evening of Entertainment Fridays transportation to and from Times Square, call: Diocese (212) 686- “Celebration,” 20th anniversary of Shushi’s liberation, Mother’s Day. and Saturdays 0710; Prelacy (212) 689-7810, NJ; Sona (551) 427-8763; Holy Anniversary of Shushi Dance Ensemble, Kavookjian Hall, 630 Second Martyrs, John, (718) 631-2247; St. Sarkis, Eddy, (917) 885-9729; St. Ave., New York City. Details to follow. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- The Skeletons Are Dancing…

Assembly and had won the case, with John Waters, his assistant, By Edmond Y. Azadian blaming the Assembly. Now, it seems the tables have been turned Spectator and Mr. Waters is no less vitriolic in his attacks against his for - mer employer. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night agitated by a This tragedy reminds us of another one which triggered the nightmare where I see a million-and-a-half skeletons dancing rest - disintegration of the French-Armenian community in Paris, in lessly and seeking a peaceful place to rest. An entire nation was the 1960s, when Armenians had a collective home, a very rare Established 1932 doomed to extermination and believed to have been buried in feat for the community. It was a former palace belonging to a 1915. But the skeletons are still dancing and they are still seek - French count named Trevise on an eponymous street. All An ADL Publication ing closure for their brutal deaths. Armenian organizations — regardless of their political affiliation While the world turns a deaf ear to the pleas of those or leaning — owned space in that building and the majority of unburied bones and while Mr. Erdogan complains to Mr. Obama the company shares belonged to the Armenian Apostolic church. EDITOR during their March meeting in South Korea that he is “bored” However, a man named Tossounian, who belonged to a French- Alin K. Gregorian by the continuing attempts of the Armenians to have the Turkish club (a rare species, indeed) was able to undermine the Genocide recognized, we were hoping against hope that finally a legal foundations of the holding company, take over the proper - ASSOCIATE EDITOR resting place for the memory of those restless souls had found ty and expel all the organizations. Aram Arkun its place at a Genocide museum, within the walking distance of Ever since, Paris Armenians have never been able to come ART DIRECTOR the White House at the nation’s capital. under one roof collectively. Marc Mgrditchian The story was too good to be true. A few selfless benefactors Where the museum project stands at this time is anybody’s

PRODUCTION had come together, pledged millions of dollars, bought a historic guess. The parties have been keeping their respective truths too Dilani Yogaratnam bank building to convert into a museum dedicated to the close to their chests and anyone who tries to speculate about the Armenian Genocide, thumbing their noses at the Turkish gov - issue, either does not know the truth or does not understand the ernment and sending a political message to the world — stand - issues. Yes, indeed, I don’t understand it and I am issuing a chal - SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: ing for justice, truth and commemoration of the martyrs. lenge to any other party that understands these shenanigans to Edmond Azadian It was indeed a historic moment as the centennial of the explain them. It is incomprehensible that this despicable specta - Genocide was around the corner and Turkey was already plan - cle is going on in full view of the community (for that matter, the CONTRIBUTORS: ning its pre-emptive strike to blunt the political impact of world) on the eve of the Genocide centennial. Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, Armenian activism, in the most visible spot in the world. Of course, the money belongs to the parties involved and no Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune The initiative itself was significant in the sense that it pre - Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. one has the right to question who wins and who loses that Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der sumed some political maturity on the part of Armenians, as a few money. But the martyrs belong to everybody and everybody is Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork well-meaning individuals had come forth to realize this most entitled to know how the memory of the martyrs is being hon - Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , challenging project. Many similar major projects in this arena in ored or exploited. Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop the past were stillborn when left to languish in committees who The Genocide Museum was meant to bring all Armenians Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian could not carry out the work. together in a show of force. But its first step has already divided The Turkish government would have given an arm and a leg its initiators, before reaching the rank and file. CORRESPONDENTS: to destroy the project, or at least derail it until the Genocide cen - Can it be that truly the major players were incompetent Armenia - Hagop Avedikian tennial tsunami was over. enough to set off this disastrous chain of events? One assumes Boston - Nancy Kalajian Little did we know that the Turks did not need to raise a fin - Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian that individuals who have been able to amass so many resources ger to defeat the project. The self-destructive Armenian tradition must have enough judgment and intelligence to anticipate utter Contributing Photographers: was there to do the job. While the responsible parties were at disaster far earlier than the conclusion of the legal battles. Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair each other’s throats, the Genocide museum project was on hold. Hovsepian The martyrs gave their own lives to maintain their faith and To raise questions about the issue has become such a political some people have to emulate them by compromising a portion hot potato that one cannot approach the issue without ruffling of their egos. some feathers, to mix metaphors. As the lawsuits have become Today, the legitimate question is: are we going to witness the The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published so prevalent, a healthy dose of caution is warranted here. dedication of the Genocide Museum on April 24, 2015? The weekly, except two weeks in July, by: Little is being filtered to the press and most of it extremely par - answer is imperative and it has to come now. Baikar Association, Inc. tisan and self-serving. Incidentally, no one can blame the politi - The nightmare is continuing; the 1.5 million skeletons are 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 cal parties for adhering to partisan views after reading the dancing around the White House, seeking their resting place, Telephone: 617-924-4420 incriminating releases about the ongoing legal battles. but the parties are in court, settling personal scores while the FAX: 617-924-2887 News came out that Gerald Cafesjian had sued the Armenian Turks are laughing. www.mir rorspectator.com E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com For advertising: [email protected] Turkey’s Foreign Policy Growing Less Mild SUBSCRIPTION RATES : U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year n the early hours of April 9, a 1952) had “no business there” he said, like so many, believed that Assad’s end was 1st Class $120 a year group of Syrian civilians fled to before belatedly joining its operations. Even nigh. A more worrying possibility is hubris. Canada the Turkish border as clashes then Turkish forces stayed out of combat. Increasingly authoritarian and rarely chal - Air Mail $125 a year between insurgents from the Free Over the past decade, under Mr Erdogan’s lenged by his circle of sycophants, Erdogan All Other Countries Syrian Army (FSA) and Syrian government, Turkey embarked on an activist is used to getting his own way. Assad dared Air Mail $190 a year government forces raged. Two foreign policy, courting Iran and long-for - to defy him. Erdogan’s party has “extraordi - Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch Syrians died and several others, gotten Arab neighbours as the European nary neo-Ottoman ambitions”, wrote I including two Turks, were wound - Union cooled on Turkey’s aspirations to Timothy Garton Ash, a British historian, in ed when Syrian troops fired on the civilian - join. With one foot in the West and the a Turkish daily. But it “should be careful not s’ destination, a refugee camp located in the other in the Middle East, Turkey was able to to overestimate its possibilities.” Turkish province of Kilis. mediate between Lebanon’s rival factions, Mr Erdogan’s secular critics argue that © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator The incident has unleashed much specu - between Iraq’s Shias and Sunnis, and his behavior points to another troubling Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA lation that Turkey will at last act on its many between Israel and Syria (until Israel’s 2009 impulse: to lead an arc of Sunni Muslim and additional mailing offices. veiled threats to move against Syria. For sev - assault against Gaza). “It was this ability to countries spanning Africa, Asia, the Balkans ISSN 0004-234X eral months the prime minister, Recep talk to all sides that made Turkey an effec - and the Middle East. As evidence they point Tayyip Erdogan (pictured above), has been tive player,” says Nikolaos van Dam, a for - to Turkey’s coddling of Syria’s Muslim POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, muttering about taking unspecified mea - mer Dutch ambassador to Turkey. But “now Brotherhood. “They want to counter Iran, Watertown, MA 02471-0302 sures against Bashar Assad, Syria’s presi - it has chosen sides.” and America is encouraging this,” says Other than the editorial, views and opinions dent, once a friend and ally. Since last sum - This shift could have far-reaching conse - Faruk Logoglu, a deputy for the opposition expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily mer Turkey has hosted FSA leaders on its quences. What lies behind it? When unrest Republican People’s Party (CHP). Erdogan’s eflect the policies of the publisher. soil amid claims that it is (modestly) arming erupted in Syria last spring, Ahmet AK party, he adds, has also begun to the rebels. Officials deny this but acknowl - Davutoglu, the foreign minister, spent hours embrace Islam more firmly at home, sug - edge that regime change in Syria is a priori - pleading with Assad to stop the violence and gesting some influence of religious ideology ty. Only America’s reluctance to become begin reforms. Yet the slaughter went on over foreign policy. entangled in a fresh conflict stands in the and Syrian refugees poured into Turkey — Since AK won a third consecutive term way of some form of direct Turkish inter - some 25,000 at the last count. last summer, Erdogan has been pandering Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without vention. For how long? By August Erdogan had executed a 180- to his pious base. He recently rammed express permission of the copyright Until recently the question would have degree turn, declaring that Assad would through controversial legislation allowing owner. Address requests for reprints or been unthinkable. Turkey’s foreign policy “end up like Qaddafi.” Turkey’s Western middle-school students to enroll in imam back issues to: has long been guided by Ataturk’s dictum friends are delighted that Erdogan has hatip schools, where Muslim clerics are Baikar Association, Inc. “peace at home, peace in the world.” Only dumped Assad. Yet some fail to understand trained, and to study the Koran in state 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 last year Mr Erdogan was railing against why Turkey did not first seek to continue schools. These days, when Erdogan attacks “imperialist designs” in Libya. NATO (of the role of mediator in Syria. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the CHP leader, he which Turkey has been a member since One explanation is simply that Turkey, see POLICY, page 19 18 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY Analysis: In Iraq, Oil Majors Play North versus South

In the weeks before Iraqi Kurdistan revealed to market and collect a profit. that Exxon Mobil had signed up to explore for By Patrick Markey and Peg Mackey Under the Iraqi constitution, the central and oil there, executives at rival Shell faced a dilem - regional governments should work together on ma over whether or not to join the US oil major ways to manage oil and gas reserves and dis - in its foray north and risk angering Baghdad. tribute revenues. But Kurdish and Arab law - The fields in the autonomous region offered signed multi-billion dollar agreements with has accused Maliki of concentrating power in makers in Baghdad have been at loggerheads rich potential, an easier working environment, Exxon, Shell and BP to develop fields in the his own hands, and has warned in vague terms for years over an oil and gas law to sort those better security and attractive contracts. That south where most of its crude is pumped, hop - that Kurdistan may reconsider its relations with issues out. seemed a winning combination for smaller oil ing to become a major global oil exporter with Baghdad. Exports from the north to a pipeline through companies already working there, such as output targets of around 8-8.5 million bpd. Iraq’s central government is also being chal - Turkey began flowing last year under an inter - Norway’s DNO, even though they struggled to But two years on, only modest gains have so lenged by other regions like oil hub Basra in im agreement. Baghdad promised to collect rev - collect profits. far been notched up in production by compa - the south and Sunni-dominated Anbar who see enue and pay companies their costs, leaving the But at the 11th hour, industry sources say, nies frustrated by infrastructure constraints, Kurdistan’s autonomous status as a model for question of firms’ profits to be decided later. Royal Dutch Shell backed out and decided to payment disputes and logistical hurdles. Output their own drives for more freedom from But Baghdad and Arbil argued from the out - focus on a $17-billion gas deal in the south last year averaged 2.7 million barrels per day Baghdad’s control. set over how much oil was being pumped and rather than sign exploration contracts with the versus about 2.4 million bpd in 2009, the year Autonomous since 1991, Iraqi Kurdistan how much money was owed. Kurdish Regional Government, which the cen - of Iraq’s oil tenders. runs its own internal government and armed This week, Kurdistan said it had halted those tral government could dismiss as illegal and The government in Baghdad has driven a forces, and escaped the sectarian warfare that exports because Baghdad had failed to pay the could prompt reprisals. tough bargain with foreign companies, offering saw the rest of Iraq hit by suicide attacks and companies for their oil. Iraqi government offi - Shell’s caution, Exxon’s silence on its deals fee-for-service contracts with tightly controlled car bombs since the 2003 US-led invasion. cials said Kurdistan was failing to meet its and this week’s renewed dispute between profit margins and little chance to benefit from Kurdistan’s stability proved an attractive export obligations and illegally smuggling oil Baghdad and Kurdistan over export payments high energy prices. draw to oil explorers, and its government has abroad. reveal how delicate is the balance companies Firms have experienced problems getting offered production-sharing deals, which allow Oil firms may have hoped that Exxon’s push must manage between a central government visas for contractors and security staff, delays in firms to profit directly from oil sales rather than into Kurdistan would act as a catalyst to force and a Kurdish authority locked in a struggle bringing in armored vehicles and holdups just taking a negotiated fee for their work. the two sides to work together and enact an oil over who controls Iraq’s vast oil wealth. securing operating licenses. Such hassles make Small and medium-sized companies like law. But for now, the increasingly shrill rhetoric The dispute over oil is at the heart of a wider Kurdistan’s offerings look more tempting by DNO, British oil company Afren, Gulf Keystone on both sides hardly inspires confidence that a disagreement between Iraq’s central govern - comparison. Petroleum and Canada’s Talisman Energy, are solution is growing closer. ment in Baghdad and the Kurdish region, “Every delay we face cuts off a significant pushing ahead with exploration in Kurdish oil - When Kurdistan’s government announced which are also increasingly at odds over region - part of the internal rate of return,” said one oil fields. last year that Exxon had agreed to exploration al autonomy, land and political influence. company source. “Sometimes I wonder if we Peter Wells of geological consultancy Neftex deals for six Kurdish fields, Baghdad responded Iraq has ambitious plans to develop its huge picked the wrong region.” Petroleum said Baghdad’s service contracts with outrage. Deputy Prime Minister Hussain southern oilfields — potentially the world’s This year Norway’s Statoil became the first make sense for developing existing, discovered al-Shahristani — architect of Baghdad’s oil pro - biggest source of new oil over the next few major company to abandon one of Iraq’s lucra - oilfields with only small technical risk attached. gram — said the US firm could forfeit the con - years — and few oil firms dare risk being barred tive new oil deals, selling its stake in West Arbil’s production-sharing contracts encourage tract on its huge West Qurna-1 oilfield in the from such a bonanza by angering Baghdad. Qurna Phase-2 field to Lukoil. exploration, by offering greater potential gains south if it did not halt work with the Kurds. But increasingly, some executives say, The renewed stand-off between Baghdad and for greater risk. Baghdad has since barred Exxon from bid - Kurdistan’s potential is also coming up in Arbil over oil is playing out against the back - Big Oil prefers the production sharing deals, ding in the next round of oil deals, although it boardroom discussions, as sluggish output, red ground of a political crisis in Baghdad that jeop - which let firms count reserves on their books, says the decision is not final. Exxon was also tape and infrastructure bottlenecks in the ardized the shaky power-sharing agreement make more money per barrel and gain if the oil removed from its lead role in a water injection south take some of the shine off the central intended to prevent a return to ethnic and sec - price rises. They get operational control and an project in the south, although Iraqi officials government’s oil program. tarian warfare. easily tradeable asset. denied the move was linked to the Kurdish deal. Oil majors are now waiting on the sidelines, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi’ite, heads “Put it this way: they want us in Kurdistan,” The central government now says that Exxon watching the outcome of Exxon’s balancing act a coalition that also includes Kurds and Sunnis. says one oil executive. “But it doesn’t feel that has written to it twice since early March to say between Baghdad and Arbil, the northern capi - Just as the last US troops left the country in way in the south.” that its deals with the Kurds have been sus - tal. France’s Total is the latest company to pro - December, Maliki’s government issued an arrest But however attractive Kurdistan may seem, pended. The Kurds say Exxon has not halted voke Baghdad’s ire by acknowledging interest warrant for the country’s most senior Sunni companies operating there face one fundamen - work in Kurdistan and have challenged in Kurdistan. Arab politician, Vice President Tareq al- tal challenge: getting paid. Baghdad to publish Exxon’s letters. “What companies are trying to do is get to Hashemi. The Kurds receive 17 percent of Iraq’s total Total Chief Executive Christophe de the point where they are investing in the north Hashemi fled to the Kurdish region, and oil export revenue — a huge sum that has Margerie, long a critic of Iraq’s service con - and the south,” said one industry source work - Kurdish regional President Masoud Barzani fuelled an economic boom in the region — but tracts, said Total will not seek deals in the cen - ing in Iraq. “But at the moment they cannot do refused to turn him over for trial, infuriating in return, Kurdish oil can be legally exported tral government’s next bidding round. that. And that is what you have to build in when Baghdad. only by the central government. The conditions on offer from Baghdad, he you decide whether to move in or not. You bal - Barzani has since given speeches increasing - As long as the legal status of Kurdish oil says, are not attractive enough. ance the risks.” ly antagonistic to a central government he says deals is disputed in Baghdad, companies oper - (This piece was originally written for After decades of war and sanctions, Iraq has is trying to undermine Kurdish autonomy. He ating in Kurdistan have had no way to bring oil Reuters.) Armenia’s ‘Virtual’ Media: Free, but Not Influential

objective information, first and foremost, rather to pick and choose from. With these resources Election developments, infractions large and By Armen Arakelyan than opinion. But the opinion sites possess a great at hand, citizens are able to directly participate small and major violations very quickly wind up potential when it comes to shaping public opinion. in the process itself. in the internet and spread uncontrollably. This It all depends on the quality and creativity of the On the other hand, such a constant and unrestricted dispersion, by itself, without added After the 2008 presidential elections in commentators. quick flow of information also increases the risk analysis or commentary, goes a long way in Armenia, a large number of new media outlets If people have something new and interesting that one can be the subject of manipulation. shaping public opinion on the ground regard - burst upon the scene. to say, others will listen. Like the political forces contesting the elec - ing the quality of the elections and the quanti - We’re talking about the “virtual” scene – the The third category basically deals with the so- tions, the “producers” of information are equal - ty of violations. Internet. These sites have become the prime called blogosphere and other social websites ly represented in the virtual world of the They are capable of forming a huge wave of source of news and information for a growing like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. It’s a field Internet. resistance when the virtual mechanisms of number of Armenian citizens that have access of instantaneous information exchange that is The web is increasingly being viewed as an information and action are intertwined. to a computer and the web. practically impossible to monitor or supervise. effective tool for campaigning. This is especially Today, in Armenia, a main subject of discus - The main factor for this attraction is that These sites use the entire array of media true for the opposition given its restricted sion and debate on the Internet is the huge these “virtual” sites are less prone to censorship forms (text, visual, etc) and issues like objectiv - access to TV, where the ruling regime holds increase in the number of officially registered and monitoring than the traditional print ity and information sources are placed on the sway. voters despite the large numbers of Armenians media. backburner. The opposition Armenian National Congress who have left the country. There are three main tendencies of the internet- In the context of the upcoming May parlia - and the Heritage Party are the most active in But there is a lack of internal public debate based media in Armenia — news distribution, com - mentary elections, the Internet resources of using the internet for campaigning out of the in Armenia, and this shows up in the social mentary/analysis, and communicative. Armenia will be playing three main functions – nine political parties and organizations contest - media websites. There is more attack than ratio - There is a serious and healthy competition informational, propagandizing and mobiliza - ing the elections. nal discussion. going on amongst outlets in the first category. tion. The Republican Party and Prosperous Much of this can be credited to the recent This has led to a fall in the overall quality of the Information Function Armenia Party, the two main government coali - increase of scammers/impostors whose main news being reported. These information sites The internet affords an unparallel source of tion members, view the Internet and social web - aim is to neutralize and discredit the mobiliza - are pushing the traditional news agencies out diverse and complete information regarding the sites mostly as venues to quickly respond to tion possibilities of the truly active segments of of the market and are forcing them to change elections. Even a cursory look at the sites, their their critics in the press and elsewhere. the public. their objectives. news briefs and articles, will give the reader a Mobilization Function Put another way, what we are seeing in the There is much more opinion and less objectivity fairly full picture about the election campaign Given that social Internet sites played a major run-up to the election in the social sites is more in the second category. These sites are in direct and its consequences. role in the organization of the revolutions that a process of manipulation than initiatives to competition with the print media in Armenia. These Citizens connected to the web can not only have shaken the Arab world of later, their effec - monitor the electoral process. sites are frequented less than the information sites follow the process on a minute-by-minute basis, tiveness as mobilizing tools cannot be underes - (This analysis was originally posted by Hetq mentioned above. Internet users are looking for but has a wide variety of news and information timated. on April 18.) S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

Rwanda, the Turkish ambassador tried to force the UN to erties archives and the military archives are not open to cancel last week’s Armenian Genocide symposium. inspection by objective scholars.” Fortunately, Armenia’s UN Mission, official sponsor of the Professor Staub spoke about “Overcoming Evil: event, stood its ground and the symposium took place as Preventing Genocide and Creating Peaceful Societies.” He planned, albeit with some minor disturbances. stated that “acknowledgement by perpetrators, bystanders, My Turn At the start of the event, two Turkish diplomats entered and the world in general of a group’s suffering has great the meeting room without an invitation and repeatedly value for both healing and reconciliation.” However, “per - By Harut Sassounian attempted to disrupt the proceedings. They kept on shout - petrators rarely, and only with great difficulty, acknowledge ing, accusing the speakers of defaming Turkey, and refused their acts and show regret,” because of “their profound to comply with the organizer’s request to submit all com - devaluation of the victims, their ideology and their unac - Two Faces of Turkey: Veneer of ments and questions in writing. As the commotion contin - knowledged shame.” Gentility Masking Ruthlessness ued, UN security officers were called in, and the two Carla Garapedian explored the “Economic Consequences undiplomatic Turkish diplomats left the hall, inanely shout - of Acknowledging the Genocide.” She related that J. When Turkey’s foreign minister met secretly with a ing: “we are the security, we own the security and we pay Michael Hagopian had recorded the testimonies of group of Armenians in Washington last month, he wooed for the security!” Genocide survivors so that their voices would be heard them with his sly smile and sugar-coated words. This was In his introductory remarks, Ambassador Nazarian someday at an international tribunal deciding what restitu - the fake facade of traditional Turkish diplomacy. observed that “97 years ago, a state-devised plan unleashed tion Turkey would have to pay to heirs of the victims. Last week, Turkey’s UN ambassador in New York a crime whose magnitude and consequences were unparal - Not counting the value of the properties, lands and other revealed the nasty and aggressive face of his government. leled not only in the history of the Armenian nation but assets confiscated from Armenian victims of the Genocide Upon learning that a symposium on the Armenian also in the history of the world. The plan of extermination perpetrated by the Turkish government, Garapedian Genocide was going to be held at the UN on April 12, of the Armenians was implemented by the Ottoman assessed as $15 billion the restitution value of the 1.5 mil - Turkey’s permanent representative filed a protest with the Empire’s state machine through all its structures and car - lion Armenians who had perished. Her estimate is based on secretary general’s office, trying to disrupt the event. ried out with exact instructions.” Germany’s $60-billion restitution payment for the six mil - Organized by the Association for Trauma Outreach and Professor Papazian’s remarks were titled: “Sovereignty, lion Jewish victims of the Holocaust since 1952. Prevention (ATOP), the event was titled: “Toward Nationalism, Racism vs. Humanism and Intellectual Garapedian concluded by suggesting that no state should Preventing Genocide, Nations Acknowledging their Dark Freedom: The Causes and Cures of Genocide.” He profit from violating the law and unjustly enrich itself, History: Psychosocial, Economic and Cultural expressed his discontent “that the Armenian Genocide is asserting that a criminal state should not be allowed to Perspectives.” Following the screening of Dr. J. Michael not recognized by the present day Turkish government as keep the fruits of its crime. Hagopian’s documentary, “The River Ran Red,” the atten - a crime committed by its predecessor government under This week, Dr. Ani Kalayjian, president of ATOP, sent a dees heard addresses from filmmaker Carla Garapedian, Dr. the dictatorship of the Committee for Union and Progress”; letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, complaining Dennis Papazian, Prof. Ervin Staub and Garen Nazarian, “that the people of Turkey are denied free access to accu - about the “disruptive, unprofessional and arrogant behav - Armenia’s UN ambassador. rate sources because of Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal ior” of the two Turkish diplomats. She wondered how the Encouraged by Turkey’s 2007 success in obstructing a Code which makes it a crime to insult Turkishness” and UN could bring peace to the world, when it cannot estab - reference to the Armenian Genocide in a UN exhibit on “that such [Ottoman] collections as the confiscated prop - lish order at an event held at its own headquarters!

Analysis: Government Promises ‘New Armenia’ As Vote Nears

“Let us believe in change!” seems like a Zurabian says. “Now they will come up with one strange campaign slogan for a party that has By Sargis Harutyunyan and Irina Hovhannisyan initiative after another.” dominated Armenia’s political landscape since Another issue that has caused concern as the 2007 and whose leader, Serge Sargisian, has campaigning has gotten under way is the voting been president since 2008. in Georgia and Azerbaijan,” Giragosian says. “In country is in now. I am deeply convinced that rolls. The government’s official tally shows But the incumbent president is leading his this sense, the performance, the conduct, and everyone shares the burden of responsibility be 2,485,000 eligible voters, some 165,000 more Republican Party (HHK) into the May 6 legisla - the aftermath of the Armenian elections will it the representatives of the authorities or the than were on the rolls in the 2007 elections. In tive elections by promising “a completely new hold direct implications for both Georgia and opposition.” the meantime, the October 2011 census Armenia” within a few years. And that “new Azerbaijan.” However, in what seems a sign of the linger - showed the country’s population at about Armenia,” Sargisian says, will begin with next The current campaign comes very much ing mistrust between the authorities and the 2,870,000, a decline of more than 400,000 peo - month’s voting, which the government vows under the political shadow of the 2008 presi - opposition, Armenian National Congress (HAK) ple over the last decade. will be substantially cleaner and more competi - dential election, which opposition candidates coordinator Levon Zurabian immediately reject - President Sargisian explains the expanded tive than past efforts. claim fraudulently brought Sargisian to power ed the ruling party’s plan. rolls by saying that many Armenians living The opposition, too, is cautiously optimistic and which were followed by demonstrations “The main organizer and perpetrator of vote abroad have been added. that this time around the country will be able and clashes that left 10 people dead. falsifications in Armenia is Serzh Sargisian’s “Being absent from the country is not suffi - to produce a legislature that truly reflects the That crisis also left a deep divide between the regime embodied by the Republican Party, and cient grounds from removing people from the political spectrum of society. The former presi - government and the opposition, which asserted naturally such initiatives by that force are unac - voter lists, and this is the reason why the num - dent and leader of the opposition Armenian it was effectively locked out of the political ceptable,” Zurabian says. ber of citizens on those lists is growing,” National Congress, Levon Ter-Petrosian, says process by the ruling party’s monopoly of state Zurabian charges that, instead of engaging Sargisian says. “But being included on the list the tide of both domestic and international institutions. This divide has contributed to the with the opposition, the ruling Republican does necessarily not mean taking part in elec - opinion is pushing Armenia toward greater lack of progress on key issues, including eco - Party will continue to muddy the political tions.” democratization. nomic development, political, and legal reform, waters. (RFE/RL correspondent Robert Coalson “Today the international environment has and the dispute over Azerbaijan’s Nagorno- “The authorities are very worried about the contributed to this report from Prague, and changed,” Ter-Petrosian says. “The world would Karabakh region — although Sargisian has creation by the four political forces of a joint RFE/RL correspondent Rikard Jozwiak con - no longer put up with the kind of abuses that been praised internationally for his efforts to coordinating center to fight against fraud,” tributed from Brussels ) were committed in Armenia in the past. The reach out to his political opponents. events in Arab countries...have taught the world Although the current campaign is an impor - a lesson, and I’m sure the world will be looking tant test for the government, it has not gone off at our elections with totally different eyes.” entirely smoothly so far. Independent candidate Ter-Petrosian is urging all Armenians to par - Meruzhan Mkhoyan pulled out of the race after Turkey’s Foreign Policy Growing Less Mild ticipate in the May voting. he was abducted from his home on April 6 and The international community — and particu - beaten by a group of unknown assailants. POLICY, from page 17 ances. It has even conducted secret talks with larly the European Union — is watching the cur - Mkhoyan’s supporters blame the attack on sup - draws attention to his membership of the rebels from the separatist PKK. Last year rent campaign intently, waiting to see if porters of his HHK rival, Aleksan Petrosian. minority Alevi faith. Davutoglu pressed Assad to be kinder to his Armenia can make a qualitative breakthrough Petrosian has denied all involvement. He has even suggested that Kilicdaroglu Kurds. But the conciliatory mood in Turkey has in governance that could signal the time is ripe Earlier this month, a bloc of four major polit - opposes intervention in Syria out of a sense of faded. Thousands of BDP officials have been for more intense engagement. ical parties agreed to form the joint Inter-Party kinship with Assad, who belongs to the Alawite arrested on dubious charges of PKK member - “The European Union will be watching very Center for the Public Oversight of Elections, sect, often seen as a close cousin to Turkey’s ship. AK portrays the crackdown as a response carefully what happens in the Armenian elec - which is intended to detect and prevent 15m-20m Alevis. The Alevis practice a liberal to PKK attacks. Demirtas says it was never sin - tions,” says Michael Mann, the spokesman for attempts to illegally influence the voting, form of Shia Islam and have long faced dis - cere about reconciliation. EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton. including the illegal use of “administrative crimination. Although their rituals differ from The PKK considered Syria a mentor until “Obviously, depending upon what happens, it resources” by government officials. the Alawites in Syria, they feel some solidarity Turkey threatened war against the country in really shows how seriously they are taking The ruling Republican Party has refused to with them. Van Dam warns that any war against 1998. A frightened Syria booted out the PKK reforms in that country and, of course, as far as join the initiative and countered with its own Syria could “further polarize Sunnis and Alevis leader, Abdullah Oçalan, who was captured in the European Union is concerned, the degree to voluntary “code of conduct” for all parties and within Turkey.” Kenya and then imprisoned in Turkey. But in which a country has reformed itself determines candidates. Republican parliament member The Syrian crisis has exposed another long- those days, pilots in the Israeli air force were the sort of relationship we have with that coun - Davit Harutunian says that the proposal is running Turkish sore: its Kurdish minority. allowed to train in Turkish skies. If Israel and ty.” intended to create a sense of “common respon - Selahattin Demirtas, leader of Turkey’s mainly Turkey were still friends Assad might feel every In addition, Yerevan-based political analyst sibility” for the elections. Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), bit as shaky as his father did when the Turks Richard Giragosian says the Armenian cam - “The essence of the proposal was that all par - insists that Turkey is seeking regime change in last clenched their fists. Then again, if Israel and paign kicks off a regional election cycle and ties that will take part in the election process Syria “to ensure that the Syrian Kurds don’t get Turkey were still friends, Turkey might not need could thus become a bellwether. voluntarily take certain responsibilities,” any more rights than Turkey is prepared to to shake its fists at all. “It has broader regional significance because Harutunian says. “At some point, we all have to grant its own Kurds, which is hardly any at all.” it is within a framework of a broader regional feel a common responsibility for political The AK government has done more than any (This analysis appeared in April 14 edition of election cycle, in that we have elections coming processes and for political environment that the of its predecessors to address Kurdish griev - The Economist .) 20 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 21, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR