JULY 30, 2011 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXII, NO. 3, Issue 4197 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language in the United States Wikileaks Releases Turkish Cable on BEIRUT (Tert.am) — Wikileaks has released a cable from the US Consulate in dated July 12, 2004, containing Turkish and foreign historians comments on the Turkish govern - ment’s policy of denying the Armenian Genocide, the Lebanon-based Al Joumhouria newspaper Wins World Chess Team Championship in China reports. According to the cable, the admission of the Armenian Genocide by is a major obsta - By Hovannes Shoghikian cle to Armenian-Turkish reconciliation. Armenian and other researchers have reason - able doubts over the preservation of archives. NINGBO, China (RFE/RL) — Armenia Prof. Halil Berktay reported at least two won the 2011 World Chess Team attempts to clear the archives of the documents Championship in China on Tuesday, July on crimes against . 26, solidifying its internationally-recog - In 1991, several high-ranking Turkish military nized status as a chess powerhouse. officials reported an attempted stealing of a The championship, held in the Chinese number of documents from 1918. city of Ningbo, was contested by the Berktay believes that the second attempt was national teams of the world’s 10 leading made when Turgut Ozal, then president of chess nations, including , , Turkey, announced his intention to open the and . archives. The Armenian team led by Levon Some historians believe that the archive is Aronian, the world’s third-highest-ranked being constantly cleared of documents on the chess player, dominated throughout the Armenian Issue, the cable says. 12-day tournament, winning five games and drawing the four others. It sealed the title with a draw against Ukraine in the Armenia vs. Ukraine Condolences Sent to final round of the competition. The team mostly consisted of players who Norway Leaders won two consecutive world Chess Olympiads Chess has been one of Armenia’s most country currently boasts one of the (news.am) — President of Armenia in 2006 and 2008. Those victories earned popular sports ever since Tigran largest per-capita numbers of chess grand - Serge Sargisian offered his condolences to King them domestic stardom comparable to the Petrosian, a -born Armenian, masters in the world. Harald V of Norway and Prime Minister Yens popularity of the world’s leading athletes. became a world champion in 1963. The see CHAMPS, page 16 Stoltenberg on the tragic assassination of more than 90 persons in Oslo and Utoya Island. Sargisian said that in this difficult hour the Armenian people stand by the people of Norway US House Panel Tells Turkey to Dink Murderer and share their pain. Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian released a statement, saying in part, “We express our con - Safeguard Christian Heritage Sentenced to dolences and support to the families of the vic - tims, the friendly people and government of WASHINGTON (RFE/RL) — In an serve, reconstruct and repair” those prop - 23 Years Norway. ” amendment to a spending bill welcomed by erties “without hindrance or restriction.” Armenian-American lobby groups but “Religious minorities are under grave ISTANBUL (BBC) — The Turkish killer opposed by Ankara, the House Foreign threat in today’s Turkey,” the AFP news of the ethnic-Armenian journalist Hrant Armenia and Spain Affairs Committee said the Turkish author - agency quoted Rep. Ed Royce, a Dink has been sentenced to nearly 23 Sign Air Travel ities should “end all forms of religious dis - Republican from California, as saying dur - years in prison. crimination” of the country’s Christian ing a committee debate. Samast, a Turkish ultra-nationalist, Agreement minorities. The Turkish government was quick to was 17 when he carried out the killing in The legislation says that they should criticize the measure. “Turkey opposes the January 2007. MADRID (Armenpress) — Agreements were “return to their rightful owners all language in the measure because it pre - A panel of judges signed this week at the Economic Development Christian churches and other places of wor - sents a biased, one-sided perspective and sentenced him to life Ministry of Spain regarding air travel between ship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monu - wholly disregards the constructive steps imprisonment, but that nation and Armenia. ments, relics, holy sites and other religious Turkey has taken to safeguard and expand commuted the term The agreement signed between the countries properties.” It says the Armenian, Greek religious freedom and tolerance and to because he was a gives an opportunity to establish regular flights and Syriac minorities must be able to “pre - see SAFEGUARDS, page 16 minor at the time. between the capitals of the two countries. On August 4, the first Yerevan-Madrid flight Dink was the editor of the bilingual news - will take place. TCA Board Meets with California Chapters paper , and had been prosecuted and convicted of deni - LOS ANGELES — Tekeyan Cultural bers of Tekeyan Cultural Association Los grating “Turkishness.” Association Inc. Central Board of Directors Angeles and Pasadena/Glendale chapters, His offence was describing the mass INSI DE held numerous meetings with local chap - as well as members of Beshgetourian killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces ters’ executive committees and trustees of Caretaking Committee. in the early 20th century as a genocide. the TCA Arshag Dickranian School. Kevork Keushkerian, chairman of the He was shot dead by Samast outside On Sunday, June 26, at the Tekeyan Caretaking Committee, welcomed the mem - his office in Istanbul. Paros Brings Cultural Association’s Beshgetourian bers and invited Dr. Haroutune Several other people are also being Cultural Center in Altadena, board mem - Arzoumanian, president of the Central tried for conspiracy over Dink’s killing. Hope to bers met with executive committee mem - Board, to open the meeting. Arzoumanian Dink’s lawyer, Fethiye Cetin, said the made a brief analysis of all sentence sent a strong signal. the activities of the associa - “Ogun Samast and other suspects Armenia tion for the last year, con - were not expecting this sentence. This gratulated the California could ruin their hope of being freed page 12 chapters and the soon,” he told Reuters. “This is very Beshgetourian Caretaking important to deter this sort of crime.” Committee members for a The European Court of Human Rights job well done, especially the ruled last year that Turkey had failed to renovation of the center, protect Dink, despite being warned that INDEX and encouraged them to ultra-nationalists were plotting to kill Armenia ...... 2, 3 maintain the level of their him. Community News...... 4 activities, despite the Editorial ...... 13 In June, a Turkish court gave two mil - International ...... 4 Participants of TCA California Chapter executive members and unprecedented litigation itary officers and four other officials jail TCA Central Board of Directors against the TCA. sentences for failing to act on the intelli - see TCA, page 16 gence. 2 S ATURDAY , JULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia US, Armenian Militaries Plan First-Ever Joint Drills YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The United reached a “preliminary agreement to now trained together only in multina - States and Armenia have tentatively hold joint exercises of peacekeeping tional exercises organized by NATO. agreed to hold first-ever joint military forces of the two countries in Armenia Armenia has hosted two such exercises Armenian MP Accuses exercises that will highlight their grow - in 2012-2013.” The drills will help to in recent years. Turkish Foreign Minister ing security ties, the Armenian Defense improve the interop - Ministry announced on Friday. erability of those Of Cynicism Ministry spokesman Davit Karapetian forces, he said. said that the drills will likely take place “This is very YEREVAN — Nations, not states have diasporas, next year or in 2013 and involve US and important consider - Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia Armenian troops engaged in multina - ing the peacekeep - (RPA) Eduard Sharmazanov stated, commenting on tional “peacekeeping” operations. He ing operations car - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet said an agreement to that effect was ried out by US and Davutoglu’s “impressive” remark that “Armenians finalized during US-Armenian “defense Armenian troops in are Turkey’s diaspora.” consultations” held in Washington this Afghanistan,” “What cynicism one must have to make claims to week. added the ministry the diaspora, which formed as a result of genocide US Assistant Secretary of Defense spokesman. and forced displacement,” Sharmazanov stressed. Alexander Vershbow and his deputy, Armenia last Celeste Wallander, held the two-day month almost Chess to Be Taught at talks with an Armenian delegation tripled its participa - headed by First Deputy Defense Davit tion in NATO’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian (center) and his first Tonoyan. International Schools in Armenia deputy Davit Tonoyan (right) inspect Armenian troops in Tonoyan also met separately with US Security Assistance Afghanistan, July 24. YEREVAN (Aysor.am) — The government has made Undersecretary of Defense Michele Force (ISAF) for amendments to its previous decision to provide Flournoy and Eric Rubin, the new Afghanistan and chess lessons in comprehensive schools for the deputy assistant secretary of state for currently has about 130 troops on the Those drills as well as the Armenian upcoming school year. Europe and Eurasia. The Pentagon ground. Wallander praised the addition - participation in the US-led missions in Pupils in second, third and fourth grade will have issued no statements on the talks. al Armenian troop deployment there Afghanistan and Kosovo have under - chess classes twice a week, the government’s press The Defense Ministry in Yerevan said when she visited Yerevan later in June. scored Armenia’s desire to complement office reported. they took place “in a warm and con - Tonoyan also discussed the training its military alliance with Russia with structive atmosphere.” “The parties of Armenian military personnel in the closer defense links with the West. Byurakan Observatory to expressed readiness to expand the United States. Yerevan and bolstered that spheres of cooperation,” read a ministry The review is part of ongoing defense alliance last year with an agreement Host Seminar on statement. reforms, which are envisaged by that extended Russian military pres - According to the statement, Tonoyan Armenia’s Individual Partnership Action ence in the South country by Shirakatsi discussed with the Pentagon officials Plan (IPAP) with NATO launched in 24 years, until 2044. “joint exercises and trainings with the 2005. They are supposed to bring the Wallander insisted that Russian- YEREVAN (PanArmenian.Net) — By a decision of aim of participating in peacekeeping Armenian military into greater conformi - Armenian military ties are not an obsta - the Armenian government and UNESCO, 2012 will operations.” ty with US and NATO standards. cle to growing military cooperation be declared the year to honor Armenian mathe- Karapetian clarified that they US and Armenian troops have until between the US and Armenia. matician, astronomer and geographer, , on the 1,400th anniversary of his birth. The main event of the year will be a scientific conference to be held at Byurakan observatory, which will focus of Shirakatsi’s works in astronomy Germany Provided as well as the country’s monuments dedicated to 200 Million Euro that field. As preparation for the event, Byurakan observa- Within Framework of tory hosted a seminar July 12-13, upon the initia- tive of Prof. Hrach Martirosyan, of Leiden Financial Cooperation University. YEREVAN (Arka) — During the whole period of cooperation, the gov - Sargisian Responds to ernment of Germany provided Armenia 200 million euro, said representative of Russia’s Medvedev on German Bank Kreditanstalt fur Karabagh Wiederaufbau (KfW) Uve Ults. Negotiations are conducted regarding YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — President Serge Sargisian the increase of financing. This issue will Monastery has officially responded to his Russian counterpart be discussed in detail in the meeting of Dmitry Medvedev’s proposals on how to end the Armenian-German inter-governmental current impasse in the Nagorno-Karabagh peace commission, which will take place this process, his office said on Friday. Sources Try to Clarify Catholicos’ autumn in Yerevan. Officials at the presidential press office refused Armenian Minister of Finance Vache to disclose the content of the reply. It was also Comments on Sanahin Monastery Gabrielyan said that as of June 30, total unclear whether Sargisian communicated it in writ- external state debt of Armenia was ing, as Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev did on medieval monuments. $3.344 billion, of which $96.2 million Monday. By Sona Avagyan Hakhnazarian then singled out was provided by KfW to the govern - Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Sanahin, saying, “There’s a forest grow - ment of Armenia and $49.8 million to Mammadyarov handed a corresponding letter from ing on the roof.” the Central Bank of Armenia. Aliyev to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov YEREVAN (Hetq) — It seems that the Karapetian claims that Karekin II “Only last year KfW provided credit to during their meeting in Moscow. Neither minister recent furor regarding the Sanahin tensed up and responded, “I have noth - Armenia in the amount of 51 million euro elaborated on the letter at a joint news conference Monastery just won’t go away. ing to do with monasteries up in the for the equipment of Vorotan cascade held after the talks. At a press conference this week in mountains.” hydro-power station. The second program Medvedev made those unpublicized proposals Yerevan, Samvel Karapetian, president According to Karapetian, Karekin II of renewable energy includes credit after failing to broker an Armenian-Azerbaijani of the Armenian Architectural Institute, added that, “I will not allow one stone amounted to 8 million and a grant for 1.5 framework agreement at the last Aliyev-Sargisian stuck to his guns and reiterated that to tumble from , Holy million euro. Another 30 million euro was meeting, which was hosted by him in the Russian Catholicos Karekin II made the follow - Echmiadzin or Geghardavank.” The allocated by community development pro - city of Kazan late last month. ing statement regarding Sanahin: “I catholicos then repeated, “I have noth - grams and 20 million euro — by mortgage The move was part of broader international have nothing to do with monasteries up ing to do with monasteries up in the development programs,” said Gabrielyan. efforts to salvage the peace process. US Secretary in the mountains.” mountains.” Currently, the regional grant pro - of State Hillary Clinton phoned the Armenian and Karapetian claims that Catholicos Also at the press conference was Fr. gram in the sphere of ecology allocated Azerbaijani presidents before the US, Russian and Karekin II made the statement during a Vahram Melikyan, information coordi - 2.2 million which is implemented by the French diplomats co-chairing the OSCE Minsk 2006 meeting that he and institute nator for the Holy See. bank and will probably finish in 2011. Group visited and Yerevan earlier this week. founder Armen Hakhnazarian had with The clergyman refuted that Karekin He also emphasized the importance The diplomats were cautious in assessing current the Armenian Church leader. II ever uttered such words. of the agreement signed between prospects for an Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement Hakhnazarian has since passed away. Melikyan noted that the catholicos Armenia and Germany on the provision based on the basic principles of a Karabagh settle- Karapetian says that during the meet - would have never used the term “object” of a grant amounted 4 million euro for ment proposed by them. ing, the catholicos mentioned the fact to describe a religious site and the fact the establishment of biospheric reserve “I think we have to be very careful not to jump to that 84 new churches and other that Karapetian definitely recalls the Shikahogh. any conclusions or assess too quickly the results of “objects” were being built and that it church leader using it casts doubts on “The new program does not increase all that diplomacy,” Robert Bradtke, the Minsk was a bountiful year for construction. the entire 2006 conversation. our debt and we are obliged to use the Group’s US co-chair, said in Yerevan on Monday. Hakhnazarian is then to have said Melikyan stressed that Catholicos money efficiently,” said Gabrialyan. “We’ll see over the coming weeks the results of the that while such construction is under - Karekin II was merely talking about the KfW has been supporting Armenia in efforts that have been made.” standable, especially in communities priorities of the church regarding the implementation of programs of built in the Soviet period with no preservation at the time but that he financial cooperation since 1993. Its churches, he called on the catholicos to never implied abandoning or neglecting offices have been in operation since pay attention to the plight of certain some churches. October 1998, in Armenia. S ATURDAY , JULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Armenian Assembly Conducts its 12th Summer Internship Program in Armenia

YEREVAN — The Armenian Assembly’s 2011 Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Armenia is currently in its 12th year. Since the program’s inception in 1999, 74 interns have participated, working in various government offices, media outlets, non-governmental organizations and think-tanks. This year’s intern class includes Anzhela Babayan and Ishkhanuhi Matevosyan from California, as well as Julia Madden and Tatevik Babayan from Massachusetts. Anzhela Babayan and Tatevik Babayan are interning at the Regional Studies Center (RSC), a Yerevan think-tank managed by polit - ical scientist Richard Giragossian. The RSC is a leading think- tank based in Armenia, which conducts research and analysis and develops policy initiatives aimed at bolstering political and economic reform and conflict resolution in the broader South Caucasus region. While Ishkhanuhi is splitting her time between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economics, Madden is interning in the National Competitiveness Council of Armenia. The National Competitiveness Council was launched in 2007 by the government of Armenia, as a public-

AAA interns at Monastery

and Nagorno Karabagh, meet with various government offi - ruins from the Armenian-Turkish border. cials and important figures to discuss issues of concern, and “The Assembly summer internship program in Armenia pro - AAA interns at the Temple of Garni also experience life in Armenia. vides Armenian-American youth an exceptional opportunity Interns have upcoming meetings with Catholicos of All to interact both professionally and socially with counterparts Armenians, the Armenian Minister of Defense, US Charge in Armenia. They gain a better understanding of what they private partnership with a national mandate aimed at pro - d’Affaires, Armenia’s ombudsman and the mayor of Yerevan, can do to strengthen their Armenian communities. Many moting Armenia’s sustainable economic development and among others. interns return to Armenia with their friends or parents. Some enhancing global competitiveness of the country. As part of their homeland experience, the interns also visit - have even come back to establish their own charities and Over the course of their two-month stay, interns will have ed historical and cultural sites, including the Temple of Garni assistance programs benefitting the people of Armenia,” said the opportunity to visit places of interest throughout Armenia and the Geghard Monastery, as well as observing the Yerevan SIP Coordinator Vram Karakeshishyants. Experts Call on Turkey to Look at Armenian Diaspora with New Eyes

“Not only is it not a problem for us, it is not who attended the meeting between asked if she wanted to stay or leave; she was By Emine Kart even a question for us. I explain Civilitas as Giragosian and the journalists. bought and taken. He married her and they the opportunity to connect Armenians to “Turkey doesn’t actually understand the had a child, my mother. Later my grand - Armenians. That includes Armenians in diaspora, seeing it as the enemy, and that is mother ran away from him. You know there YEREVAN and ANKARA (Zaman) — Armenia to Armenians in the diaspora as based on ignorance. … What the Turkish gov - is this 13- or 14-year-old young woman and a Regional Studies Center Founder Richard well. The media in Armenia is not what it ernment does not understand is that the 50-year-old man, so she ran away. Mother Giragosian and Civilitas Foundation Director ought to be, the government is not as respon - Armenian government does not control the never forgave my grandmother for that. My Salpi Ghazarian say Turkey should change its sive as it needs to be, and so this is an oppor - diaspora. On the contrary, it is very hard for mother and grandmother were raised in an approach towards the Armenian Diaspora. tunity to improve those processes as well. I the Armenian government to control or orphanage in Aleppo, and I took my daughter The two have argued that Turkey’s don’t make a distinction between what we direct the Armenian Diaspora,” Giragosian to Aleppo this time last year. We went to the approach towards the Armenian Diaspora is need to do with the diaspora and what we said. “The Turkish government is mistaken in orphanage where my mother and grand - not healthy nor helpful, especially when the need to do with Armenia. We simply need to seeing the Armenian Diaspora as the unified mother were raised after we had visited issue is restoring bilateral relations between be a source of information, of activity and an anti-Turkish enemy driven by an anti-Turkish Istanbul a few times. And when we visited Ankara and Yerevan. opportunity to get involved in order for this agenda. This is simply not true,” he added, Istanbul, my daughter loved it,” Ghazarian “Turkey doesn’t actually understand the society to grow in a healthy way and to open noting that there is “a second mistake” being explained. diaspora, seeing it as the enemy and that is dialogue within itself and with its neighbors. made by Turkey. “So, her feelings about Istanbul were based on ignorance,” said Giragosian, the For that, I need Armenia and I need the dias - “Turkey has unofficial ambassadors, always positive until Prime Minister [Recep founder of the Yerevan-based Regional pora. I don’t make a distinction,” Ghazarian bridges to Armenia, the Armenians of Tayyip] Erdogan said ‘We gave them pocket Studies Center (RSC), an independent, non - went on to say as she hosted the journalists Istanbul. They don’t use them properly and money on their deportation.’ After he said profit think tank, while Ghazarian said that at the Civilitas’ office. “Now, you haven’t they don’t use them enough. And, within the that, my daughter asked, ‘Really, where was the diaspora is misunderstood by “official asked, but let me answer. I think that the broader framework of the ignorance about grandma’s pocket money?’” Ghazarian con - Turkey,” since there is not just one diaspora. diaspora is misunderstood, there are several the diaspora, there is also ignorance about tinued. Giragosian and Ghazarian’s remarks came diasporas. There is the new diaspora, the the Armenian community within Turkey, separately while they were speaking with a diaspora that left after independence, and it ignorance about Armenia in general. Because group of Turkish journalists who visited is a diaspora that continues to maintain very closing borders and refusing to have diplo - Armenia from June 27 to July 3. The seven real immediate links to Armenia individually. matic relations also means that Turkey has journalists paid a visit under an initiative by There is a traditional, old diaspora that is not known Armenia since 1990. There is no the Hrant Dink Foundation. This was the both the institutions and a whole lot of indi - understanding of the current reality in For Your Internal third “Armenia-Turkey Journalist Dialogue viduals. Before independence, that diaspora Armenia,” Giragosian argued in remarks, Project,” which is organized annually by the was known just by its institutions because elaborating on what he sees as Turkey’s sec - foundation with the support of the Heinrich there was no other way to interact with them. ond mistake. News of Armenia Böll Foundation. With independence, that diaspora is not the Ghazarian shared her personal story with “Whether it is in the States or from South diaspora of the institutions alone. If you look the group. Log on to America, Europe or the Middle East, our dia - at Armenia now, those who are investing, “My grandfather was a merchant from logue is fine and great, we have great con - those who are coming and visiting, are not Gürün [a town in the Central Anatolian nections, we understand the diaspora,” the institutions. Surely, institutions come, province of Sivas]. He was traveling and when www.AZG.am Ghazarian, said when asked about dialogue but indeed, it is by and large individual he returned, his wife and grown sons had between the foundation and the diaspora. Armenians from the diaspora who need to been killed. On the way to Aleppo, he went to In English, Armenian, Russian and Turkish Civilitas was founded by Vartan Oskanian, reconnect,” Ghazarian elaborated. a village where there was a young Armenian a former foreign minister of Armenia, in Giragosian hosted the visiting group at the woman living with a family. He bought her, October 2008. RSC along with young Armenian-Americans, paid money for her. My grandmother was not 4 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Bloomberg Photojournalist Deported from ’s Deputy FM Baku Because of Armenian Background Reaches out to BAKU (PanArmenian.Net) — On the Photos taken by Markosyan have Charlie Laprevote, My Rohwedder Armenian Counterpart evening of June 28, Bloomberg news been published in newspapers such as Street and Charlotta Wijkstrom were agency photojournalist Diana Markosyan the New York Times, Boston Globe, detained and deported from Baku, hav - TEL AVIV (Tert.am) — Israel’s deputy foreign min- was deported to Istanbul from Baku, con - Wall Street Journal and The ing come there to film a documentary ister had a phone conversation with his Armenian tact.az reported, citing Turan. Washington Post . about freedom of expression in counterpart on Monday, July 25. “I’m very surprised over the incident. On April 18, Swedish journalists Azerbaijan. According to a press release by the Israeli Foreign For three weeks, we’ve been negotiating Ministry, Danny Ayalon and Arman Kirakossian with Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spoke of the friendly relations, historical ties and requesting to allow me entrance to cultural similarities between the two nations. Ayalon Baku. A person in charge asked for 10 Government Concerned about said his country attaches great importance to the days to settle the formalities. He further continuous development of diplomatic relations and requested a number of documents practical collaboration with Armenia. He further including an official letter from Russian Migration Scheme said it would be his pleasure to visit Yerevan and Bloomberg, which was provided. Upon invited Kirakossian to visit Israel. receiving a verbal confirmation allowing YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The “We brought our Russian partners’ The Israeli official also reiterated his country’s my arrival, I traveled to Baku airport, Armenian government has told Russian attention to the fact that that program sensitive stance on what he called “the Armenian where I was refused entrance because of authorities to stop encouraging and must not be implemented in the tragedy.” my Armenian origin, although I’ve helping families in Armenia to migrate Republic of Armenia with those stan - He also expressed support of the OSCE Minsk never been to Armenia. The Foreign to Russia, Prime Minister Tigran dards,” said Sargisian. “This issue will Group’s efforts to reach a negotiated settlement of Ministry representative said he’s unable Sargisian revealed last Friday. be the subject of inter-governmental dis - the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. to help me. I would understand it, but Sargisian referred to the Russian gov - cussions.” why promise something you can’t deliv - ernment’s Compatriots program that “We have to solve this issue at the Azerbaijan Seeking er?” the photojournalist said in a phone offers employment, accommodation and political level,” he told a group of conversation with Turan. financial benefits to married residents Armenian writers, academics and other Increased Role in According to RFE/RL Azeri service, of former Soviet republics willing to set - intellectuals at a meeting held in on June 28, Markosyan was detained at tle in Russia. It is designed to address Oshakan. International Arena Baku airport. the country’s serious demographic Some of those intellectuals signed Emin Huseynov, director of Institute problems. earlier this month an open letter to the BAKU (ArmeniaNow) — Against the backdrop of for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, who The Russian Federal Migration government urging it to do more to active efforts directed at the Karabagh issue settle- has been in contact with Markosyan, Service (FSM) began operating the pro - keep Armenians from leaving their ment in the nearest future, Azerbaijan has switched stated that she came to Baku in the gram in Armenia in 2009 and has country for mainly economic reasons. to a more active policy in an attempt to strengthen early hours of June 28, but was not per - reportedly attracted hundreds of They echoed opposition claims that the its hand, by trying to become a non-permanent mem- mitted to go out of the airport. Armenian families since then. scale of the emigration has increased of ber of the United Nations Security Council in 2012- “Markosyan is dual citizen of US and Its activities are sparking a growing late. 2013. The elections will be held in autumn. Russia. She came to Baku with her uproar from local opposition politicians, President Serge Sargisian disputed As Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Russian passport. Her documents are all public figures and media worried about those claims this week at a special meet - Mammadyarov stated recently, Azerbaijan counts in order.” the continuing outflow of people from ing with top state officials, including the on Russia’s support. He also pointed out that he Elkhan Polukhov, head of the press Armenia. Some of them have demanded prime minister, that discussed the issue. had discussed the issue with his Russian counter- office for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the authorities in Yerevan ban the He said most of the tens of thousands of part Sergei Lavrov and that Moscow’s support is of stated that Markosyan did not have FSM scheme in Armenia. people leaving the country each year, great importance to Azerbaijan. accreditation. “She sent her documents, According to Sargisian, the authori - mainly for Russia, are seasonal workers The UN Security Council has five permanent presented herself. Bloomberg directors ties share those concerns. The prime that eventually return home. members: Russia, the US, China, France, Great as well as Diana herself were told that her minister said President Serge Sargisian The president admitted at the same Britain and 10 non-permanent members, elected for visit here would not be possible, the instructed him to raise the matter at a time that a lack of economic opportuni - a two-year term. accreditation cannot go through — recent meeting of a Russian-Armenian ties and the resulting emigration The UN recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial because problems may arise in providing inter-governmental commission on bilat - remains a serious problem in Armenia. integrity within its Soviet borders. That’s the rea- her safety here. It was suggested that she eral cooperation that was held in the He instructed government bodies to son Baku is now trying to establish closer connec- be replaced by another journalist.” southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. propose more measures to tackle it. tions with that structure. There are currently three countries from the Eastern-European group competing for UN SC non- permanent membership. Besides Azerbaijan, the other two are Hungary and Slovenia. Narek Hakhnazaryan Wins XIV International Yerevan Mayor to Visit Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow

Beijing MOSCOW (Armradio.am and Moscow Hakhnazaryan performed extremely well BEIJING (Tert.am) — Yerevan Mayor Karen Times ) — Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, a throughout. Karapetyan is leaving for Beijing, China upon the recent Artist Diploma recipient from the The Tchaikovsky Competition would not invitation of the mayor of Beijing, Guo Jinlong. New England Conservatory of Music in be the Tchaikovsky Competition without at According to a press release from the Yerevan Boston, won the Gold Medal in the cello least one good scandal. This year’s was no Municipality, the visit aims to promote bilateral ties division at the XIV International exception. As conductor for the third round between the Armenian and Chinese capital cities. Tchaikovsky Competition. of the cello contest, the organizers inex - Karapetyan will meet with his Chinese counter- Held every four years, the Tchaikovsky plicably chose Mark Gorenstein, somehow part and other officials to discuss issues of bilater- is one of the most prestigious competi - overlooking the fact or unaware that his al collaboration. tions in the world. conducting proved a hindrance rather than The visit agenda also envisages discussions on Hakhnazaryan was born in Yerevan in a help to the piano finalists at the last two exchanging experience in different spheres of 1988. A recipient of scholarships from competitions. urban economy. The meetings will address such the Foundation, Following a rehearsal with issues as urban planning, transportation manage- he performed in Russia, Germany, Hakhnazaryan, Gorenstein was heard, ment, greenery planting and external lighting. Austria, France, Great Britain, Greece, via the Internet, making a derogatory Turkey and Canada. As a result of receiv - remark about the cellist, including a Narek Hakhnazaryan ing first prize at the Young Concert crude reference to his ethnic origin. The Turkey-EU Relations May Artists International Auditions in 2008, organizing committee issued an immedi - he made his debut that same year at competition manager from the United ate rebuke, which brought an apology Be Frozen Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall in New York States, instituting new jury voting rules from Gorenstein, followed by his depar - ISTANBUL (AFP) — Ankara will freeze its relations City and at the Kennedy Center Terrace and filling the juries with prominent per - ture from the competition “due to ill - with the European Union (EU) when the Republic Theater in Washington, DC. forming musicians — rather than the pro - ness” and replacement by a pair of capa - of assumes presidency of the organization, He has subsequently performed at the fessors who have dominated them in the ble young conductors from the if the Cyprus problem continuing many years is not Young Concert Artists Festival in Tokyo recent past — and severely reducing the Mariinsky Theater. settled by that time, said Turkish Prime Minister and toured extensively in the United States. number of competitors. Taking first prize in piano was Russian Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Hakhnazaryan plays a David Tecchler More controversially, half the competi - Daniil Trifonov, 20, the third-prize win - “We consider it a disgrace to sit down at the cello, dated 1698, on loan from Valentine tion — the violin and vocal contests — was ner at last year’s ultra-exclusive Chopin negotiating table with them [Greek Cypriots] at the Saarmaa, granddaughter of the moved to St. Petersburg, ostensibly Piano Competition in Warsaw. United Nations. We will not negotiate with a coun- renowned luthier Jacques Francais. because of a possible delay in completing The violin jury blithely ignored a new try which we do not recognize,” Erdogan declared, Over the past two decades, the compe - renovation of the Great Hall of the competition rule requiring that a first prize ahead of a visit to the unrecognized Turkish tition has suffered an enormous decline Moscow Conservatory, but more likely, in always be awarded. Declining to hand out Republic of Northern Cyprus to mark the anniver- in prestige. This time around, the Culture the view of many observers, the result of that prize, it went on to split second prize sary of the Turkish military intervention on July Ministry made an all-out effort to arrest Gergiev’s desire to see a part of the com - between Russian Sergei Dogadin, 22, and 20, 1974. that decline, appointing the country’s petition take place within his musical Israeli Itamar Zorman, 25. most influential musician, Mariinsky empire on the Neva. President Serge Sargisian congratulat - Theater boss , as competi - As for the cellists, they seemed as a ed Hakhnazaryan on the occasion of his tion chairman, hiring an experienced group to be the most talented of all. victory. S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

AGBU’s Young Professionals HMADS Celebrates its Of Los Angeles Partner with 29th Commencement Armenian Bar Association

To Help Students By Janet Marcarian Considering Law Careers BAYSIDE, N.Y. — On June 17, the day of the sixth-grade graduation at Holy Martyrs By Aleen L. Khanjian Armenian Day School, heavy rains and ominous skies did not deter anyone. Four students were representing the Class of PASADENA, Calif. — On May 19, more than 2011.The program began with a Color Guard 75 young professionals, including some college and Processional where the fifth-grade students and high school students, gathered at the joined the future alumni. After the Invocation AGBU Pasadena Center’s Boyajian Hall for a given by Fr. Bedros Kadehjian and Zarminé panel discussion featuring distinguished mem - Boghosian’s poignant message, the presenta - bers of the Armenian Bar Association (ABA). tion began. The panelists discussed how they entered their A potpourri of English and Armenian poems fol - practice areas, their personal experiences in pri - lowed, where Walt Whitman’s narration of vate and government practice and ethical “Miracles” flowed with enthusiasm and inquisitive - aspects of the legal profession. They were also ness. The graduates’ true interaction and deep there to offer professional guidance and advice At the conference, from left: Dr. Sevak Avagyan, Dr. Frieda Jordan, Dr. Vergine understanding of the main concept resonated on succeeding in the industry. Madelian, a staff member and Taleen Peroomian throughout the audience. A tribute to Alan The panel was moderated by Assistant US Hovannes was given by a short biographical sketch. Attorney John Lulejian, who is a federal prose - His music expresses spiritual and sentimental nobil - cutor of violent and organized crime and a ity, which reminds us of his Armenian ancestral con - member of ABA’s Board of Governors. He intro - ABMDR Delegation Participates in nections. The song Yar Nazani was masterfully per - duced the panelists and brought each of their formed by the fifth and sixth graders. The girls’ areas of expertise and past experiences to light. International Medical Congress of beautiful voices expressed the true meaning of the Panelists included ABA chairman, Edvin lyrics by Hamasdegh. Minassian, and criminal defense attorney Garo Armenia, Readies for Gala Is our world a safe place? Is there such a Ghazarian, who is the vice chair of ABA and the place? Can we build a small world “open only to dean of the People’s College of Law. The trea - LOS ANGELES — On the occasion of the third international Medical Congress light, serenity and peaceful existence?” These surer and secretary of ABA — Sara Bedirian and of Armenia, a delegation from the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry questions were asked and answers were Hovanes Margarian, respectively — also spoke, (ABMDR) visited Yerevan earlier this month, participating in the medical congress attempted through the poem “Evil Things” by as did Deputy Public Defender Victoria and becoming familiarized with the registry’s life-saving work in the homeland. poet Zahrad, also known as Zareh Yaldizchian. Ourfalian and Assistant US Attorney Tamar The Third International Medical Congress of Armenia was held from July 7 to 9, The graduates’ fluency and command of their Kouyoumdjian. at the Yerevan State Medical University. mother tongue was impressive, due to the Event organizer Theodore Khachaturian of The ABMDR delegation consisted of several members of the registry’s Board of instructions of Houri Ghougassian. Callanan, Rogers & Dzida, LLP emphasized Directors and Board of Advisors, including Frieda Jordan, PhD; Arpi Kestenian, As the evening progressed, the Class of 2011 that this event was one of many partnerships representative of Glendale Memorial Hospital; Ramella Markarian, representative that YPLA has taken advantage of in furthering of Glendale Adventist Medical Center; Lara Yeretsian, Esq.; Naz Atikian; Vergine Madelian, PhD and Taleen Peroomian, as well as Vicken Sepilian, MD, president of the Armenian Medical Society of California. For members of the delegation, most of whom were visiting the ABMDR Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan for the first time, becoming familiarized with its operations was a gratifying experience. The delegation’s visit coincided with the facility’s 13th stem cell harvesting procedure, which was carried out for a patient residing in Belgium. Welcoming the delegation were Sevak Avagyan, MD, the registry’s executive director; Mihran Nazaretyan, MD, PhD, MPH, the registry’s medical director, as well as other local staff members. During its visit to the Stem Cell Harvesting Center, the delegation was shown The members of HMAD’s graduating class with the Wall of Angels, on which are inscribed the names of those who have made their teachers and principal financial contributions to the ABMDR, including delegation members themselves. Later the delegates were honored at a dinner hosted by former First Lady of Armenia and ABMDR honorary chair, Dr. Bella Kocharian. During this event, received their well-deserved diplomas with the which likewise was held in the Armenian capital, Avagyan spoke of the far-reach - enthusiastic applauses from the audience, their ing contributions of each delegation member to the registry’s work and thanked proud parents and relatives. The guest speaker of them for their continued support. this year’s commencement exercises was Alex The ABMDR participated in the Third International Medical Congress of Apelian (Class of 1989). He recently received his Armenia as a globally recognized Armenian health organization dedicated to MBA from New York University specializing in Event organizer Theodore Khachaturian intro - immunogenetics research, stem cell harvesting and bone marrow transplantation. marketing. Apelian’s speech was impressive duces the panelists at the May 19 panel at the At the Armenian Medical International Committee (AMIC) meeting during the because of the way he was able to present his AGBU Pasadena Center. conference, Dr. Vergine Madelian presented a groundbreaking research paper that ideas. He was precise, articulate and spoke with see REGISTRY page 7 pride about HMADS, his accomplishments and long lasting friendships that remain to this date. the mission of the group. “We are proud to part - It is customary to end the program with ner with the Armenian Bar in accomplishing Armenian songs. Our music is unique not only the AGBU Young Professionals’ goal of famil - because it “speaks” to us, but because we are so iarizing yet another generation of young in tune towards our ancient lute that it can still Armenians with the achievements of profes - pull the strings of our hearts. sionals in our community. I was pleased to see Is there any better way of expressing this by so many young adults come out who were singing Dsidsernag with angelic trills per - eager to hear about the different career paths formed by Zovinar, or Karnan Kootan Hanetsi available in law,” he said. “Our distinguished by Komitas (showing his playful and bucolic panel emphasized that regardless of the path interpretation of the peasants’ life) and at the you choose, success is only achieved through end, Azk Parabantz by Arno Babajanian. honesty, integrity and a sense of social justice.” Thanks go to choir master A. Boghossian and Minassian praised the YPLA team. “It was pianist N. Dadourian for selecting a few musical our pleasure to partner with YPLA. They are a gems and presenting them with so much depth great group of energetic and vibrant profes - and true understanding. sionals in our community. We were very On a personal note, I would like to extend my impressed with the caliber of the attendees and heartfelt gratitude to the graduates and their the enthusiasm they showed for a potential families. You have been an inspiration to me... career in law. Just as the diversity of the spe - As you know in “the searching is the finding” of cialties of our panelists was important to make Delegation members during their visit to the Stem Cell Harvesting Center, with Dr. all your goals and perhaps someday you will “fly this an effective program, the active engage - Sevak Avagyan (third from left) and Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan (far right) over the rainbow” where I will be waiting with open ment of the audience was equally important. arms, the wind gently disheveling my white hair. We look forward to future programs with AGBU (Janet Marcarian is a HMADS sixth-grade YPLA,” he said. teacher.) 6 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS ARPA Presents Lecture on Armenian Merchants of Isfahan

LOS ANGELES — Prof. Levon Chookaszian were active not only on the transit route that He graduated from Yerevan State University Between 1978-1996 he was a senior fellow will give a talk on the Armenian Merchants of cut across Armenia but also on many other in 1974 with a degree in philology. He has and professor of Armenian art at the Center Istafahan and their routes that traversed the Eurasian continent. published around 400 articles and reviews for Armenian Studies in the Yerevan State help in introduc - Together with merchants of the homeland, for scholarly journals and newspapers and University. In 1996 he received a UNESCO ing Western art to they patronized and inspired Armenian has prepared numerous entries on Armenian grant and established the UNESCO Chair of those in the East. artists and promoted their works. By dissem - art, painters, sculptors and architects for the Armenian Art History and Art History The talk, spon - inating and supporting Armenian art, they Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, the Department at Yerevan State University. sored by the promoted themselves and commemorated Armenian Question Encyclopedia, the Since then he has been the director of the Analysis, Research their own names and became the ambas - Armenian Abridged Encyclopedia and the UNESCO Chair. Between 1992 and 2009, he and Planning for sadors of culture. They sponsored the pro - Saur Allgemeines Kunstlerlexikon delivered numerous lectures on Armenian art Armenia (ARPA) duction of numerous illuminated manu - (Germany, Munchen-Leipzig). He has partici - at universities, libraries and the museums Institute, will take scripts and helped the Armenian culture by pated in many international congresses and around Europe and the US. place on Thursday, saving them. They exported and imported a symposia on the topic of Armenian, For information write to August 11 at 7:30 great diversity of artifacts, introducing to the Georgian, Persian and Byzantine art. [email protected]. p.m., at Merdinian Western people with the cultural achieve - Prof. Levon Chookaszian Auditorium, ments of the eastern people, and similarly the Sherman Oaks. culture of the Eastern people to the Western During the 16th through the 18th cen - people. turies, the Armenian merchants in Persia Chookaszian was born in 1952 in Yerevan. MMetropol-Residenceetropol-Residence 2 MashtotsIdeal Ave. for Family Yerevan. vacations Armenia ASA’s 44th Annual Hantes Is a Crowd Pleaser Daily, weekly and monthly low rates, starting $65.00 per day/ residence The four star residences at the heart of Yerevan with a kithcen and private bathroom is an RADNOR, Penn. — From the opening num - Archbishop Carroll stage for the last time. ideal place to stay for families and couples. This luxurious residence is convenient for what- ber with glowing globes manifesting this year’s It added up to yet another moving perfor - ever purpose your visit is. “Light the World” theme, to the invigorating mance, complete with beautiful costumes and upperclassmen finale, this 44th annual pageant smiles to match. Parents, grandparents, family of the Armenian Sisters’ Academy of Radnor and friends clapped along to familiar melodies, expressed the children’s pride in their perfor - encouraging the students with whistles and mance as well as their Armenian heritage. The thunderous applause. Watching the students’ crowd-pleasing production was a result of many hearts swell with pride was delightful. months of practice, flexible teachers who Peace was promoted, kindergarten was bid rearranged schedules and volunteer parents farewell and even Mickey Mouse was honored who patiently taught the students. in this production that involved every student In the end, it is all about the students. The in each grade. Whether singing in Armenian or youngest ones who performed in their very first English, or dancing to centuries old music, the hantes, to the veterans who know that their many months of rehearsals were well worth the songs and dances are almost as big a part of effort. their education as the academics. And then Complimenting the performance was a sense there were the graduates, who had the honor of of community at the hantes and picnic that fol - opening the pageant and performed on the lowed on school grounds.

Reservations in English please call Sevag at 011-374-93211217 Reservations in Armenian please call Onnig at 011-374-94435445

Fancy footwork from second- and third-grade boys Narek Boghosian, Kevork Zeibari, Sevag Yepoyan, Apo Handian, Jack Ajdahrian and Raffi Pogharian encouraged the audience to clap along.

OBITUARY Telephone (617) 924-7400 Chakeh (Baghdoyan) Baran Aram Bedrosian WATERTOWN — Chakeh (Baghdoyan) Baran Funeral Home, Inc. of Watertown died on July 25. She was the wife of the late John Chukri Baran. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 She leaves two children, Jire Baran of California and Dr. Shant Baran of Boston; and MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET two siblings, Dr. Armen Baghdoyan and PAUL BEDROSIAN Valentine Baghdoyan both of Watertown. She WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN also leaves many members of the Baran, Baghdoyan, Kupelian and Zanazanian families. Services were held at the Armenian Memorial Church, Watertown, on Thursday, July 28. Interment was in Westview Cemetery, Lexington.

GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E Donation James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Funeral Counselor In memory of Garabed Hovsepian, father, and John Boghosian, Godfather, Ruth and Will Swisher of Newington, Conn., and Charles Hovsepian of New Britain, Conn., donate $100, 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Author Michael Bobelian Discusses Genocide Recognition with Assembly Interns WASHINGTON — As part of the Armenian Rouben Adalian. Armenian Genocide. Assembly of America’s Terjenian-Thomas sum - Bobelian met the 2011 intern class to present His presentation cov - mer internship program, students are provided his book, Children of Armenia: A Forgotten ered a wide range of with a full schedule of meetings with members Genocide And The Century-Long Struggle For issues associated with of Congress, policy analysts and other speakers. Justice . Highlighting Washington, DC as the the recognition move - Earlier this month, the “Lecture Series” fea - preeminent venue for political action, Bobelian ment, from the per - tured Armenian-American author Michael focused his lecture on the decades-long strug - sonal trauma felt by Bobelian who has written extensively on the gle for US affirmation of the Armenian Armenian Americans Armenian Genocide recognition movement in Genocide. Bobelian shared the historical back - to the debates and the United States. He was introduced by ground on the Armenian community’s legisla - votes in the United Armenian National Institute (ANI) Director Dr. tive efforts to affirm the historical truth of the State Congress. “Michael Bobelian enlightened us about the struggle for Armenian Genocide recognition within the American political sys - tem,” stated Anna From left, ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian and author Michael Bobelian Aroutiounian, intern with the Armenian National Institute. “I enjoyed the way he pre - interview with 1996 presidential candidate Sen. sented the subject throughout his work and I Robert Dole (R-KS) was particularly notewor - also appreciate the amount of personal time thy. He specifically discussed how Dole identi - that he spent with us,” added Aroutiounian. fies himself with the Armenian-American com - Bobelian dedicated nearly six years research - munity and how devoted he was to Armenian ing his book. He described the process of Genocide recognition during his time as senate searching through the vast catalogs of the US minority leader. National Archives. He also met with several key When Bobelian concluded his presentation, figures in the Armenian-American community, he signed copies of his book for each intern. Michael Bobelian (seated) with Assembly interns including Genocide survivors and prominent political figures. According to Bobelian, his ABMDR Readies for Gala

REGISTRY, from page 5 has been published in the July issue of Tissue Antigens. The paper, which contains the results of an extensive study conducted by a team of ABMDR scientists and researchers, for the first Employment Opportunities at the time confirms the uniqueness of the immuno - genetics of Armenian populations across the world. Jordan was also a featured speaker at the con - American University of Armenia ference. Match for Life 2011 Gala On Sunday, July 31, the ABMDR will hold its Vice President of Operations/Chief Operation Officer most important annual event, the Match for Life Gala. The program will take place at the Glendale Provost Hilton, with Mark Geragos, Esq., as master of ceremonies. The event’s main corporate spon - AUA is a privately-endowed independent American institution of higher education in the Republic of Armenia, sor is the Glendale Adventist Medical Center. and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association The gala will be an opportunity to celebrate recent ABMDR milestones and share ongoing of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Reporting directly to president, these positions require the incumbent to reside goals with the public. In addition, during the in Armenia, and will require interaction with the US Embassy, the Armenian government, and various funding event the registry will honor a number of out - standing supporters and volunteers, including agencies. Dr. Vergine Madelian as Woman of the Year; George Titizian as Man of the Year; Ani Azar, VP of Operations/Chief Operating Officer: Provide leadership, strategic planning, and effective operation of the universi - Dr. Evelyn Baghdasraian and Sophik Zargarian ty; maintenance and operation of the university’s physical plant, infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and grounds; execution of campus facil - as Volunteers of the Year and 4over, Inc. as Business of the Year. ities planning; management of capital construction projects; campus safety, security, and emergency planning; to information and communi - Match for Life 2011 will also feature Victor cation technologies services; planning and growth of the university’s Papazian Library; seek funding sources and write proposals to funding Espinola, Armen Movsessian and Alexander agencies for the expansion and renewal of the university’s physical facilities to ensure excellence, growth and competitiveness. The VP will Zhiroff of the world-music ensemble The play a key leadership role in managing profit and loss, both within the university itself and within its associated business units. He or she must Forbidden Saints. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, demonstrate the ability to think and act strategically; to be innovative; to establish positive relationships with key stakeholders, including fac - email [email protected]. ulty, staff, students, and administration; to launch new products/initiatives; and to lead organizational change initiatives using data-driven decision making methodology. Candidates must have a strong leadership credentials; evidence of successful administrative abilities and man - agement experience; an earned masters degree; excellent written and spoken English is essential; excellent written and spoken Armenian is a plus. Previous experience in an international setting and knowledge of Armenia, NIS countries and the Middle East is preferred but not required. The position will require interaction with US Embassy, Armenian government, and various funding agencies, as well as coordination for joint programs with our universities.

Provost: Provide leadership in academic planning, development, assessment, and implementation; have a commitment and capacity to evaluate continuously and enhance the University’s academic programs to ensure excellence, growth and competitiveness; manage the aca - demic budgeting process; promote the university’s core values; demonstrate the ability to think and act strategically; be innovative; establish positive relationships with faculty, staff, students, community, government and private sector; and to lead organizational change initiatives using data-driven decision making methodology; represent the university in scholarly publications and conferences focusing on international education and other matters germane to the growth of AUA. Candidates must have strong academic and leadership credentials; evidence of successful teaching; research and administrative abilities; financial management skills; an earned doctorate degree; a strong track record of research, as evidenced by past research publications; senior faculty and academic management experience. Knowledge of grant application and administration is essential. Entertainment Fridays Please send a letter of interest and CV to: American University of Armenia Corporation, 300 Lakeside Drive, 12th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612, Attn: Gaiane Khachatrian, Recruitment, Personnel and Public Relations Manager; e-mail: [email protected]. and Saturdays AUA is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. http://www.aua.am 8 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

The American University of Armenia Hosts Los Angeles Young Professionals Students from Northeastern University Award Scholarships to Mentees of the

BOSTON and YEREVAN — This summer Armenia and its diaspora throughout the Generation Next Mentorship Program the American University of Armenia (AUA) world. The Study Abroad Program repre - hosted a group of students from Northeastern sents one strategy by which that obligation scholarships we have allocated this year for University for their study abroad program. The has been realized. AUA also believes that GenNext mentees is just one example of how students were taught a course on Human diversity is an important principle of college By Aleen L. Khanjian AGBU has continuously promoted the social Rights and Civic Development in the life. The variety of student cultures on cam - advancement and general welfare of its commu - Caucasus, which was very well received. The pus provides a richness of contrasts and con - PASADENA, Calif. — On Sunday, June 26, the nity.” classes were held at the newly-built state-of- texts for the intellectual growth of all stu - AGBU Young Professionals of Los The AGBU Generation Next Mentorship the-art Paramaz Avedisian Building, located at dents, which is very valuable. It is these dif - Angeles (YPLA) continued their philanthropic Program assists Southern California youth of AUA’s Yerevan campus. ferences that provide a realistic view of the efforts and maintained their commitment to fos - Armenian descent by providing them with posi - In addition to their academic work, the world, and AUA is committed to fostering tering the next generation of Armenian students had the opportunity to visit many such diversity in its academic environment. American leaders by awarding scholar - historic landmarks and beautiful natural In addition to its short-term summer ships to eight mentees of the AGBU sites during their stay in Armenia, which abroad programs, AUA also offers opportu - Generation Next Mentorship Program. made their study abroad experience all the nities for students from outside of Armenia These scholarship awards were based on to pursue masters degree academic excellence, extracurricular studies in the fields of busi - involvement, essays, recommendation let - ness and management, indus - ters and financial need. The YPLA pre - trial engineering and systems sented the awards at the mentorship pro - management, political science gram’s ninth annual “GenNext and international affairs, Showcase.” The showcase highlighted the health sciences, computer various talents of mentors, as well as and information sciences, law mentees. The 200 attendees enjoyed pre - and advanced English studies. Mentors and their charges who received awards at sentations by the mentees, involving culi - AUA is accredited by the the Generation Next Mentorship Program nary arts, jewelry making as well as visu - Accrediting Commission for al and performing arts. Senior Colleges and Former YPLA chair, Sevana Melikian, intro - tive role models, guidance and support. Students from Northeastern University in Boston went to the Universities of the Western duced the individual recipients by saying, “This Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly group American University of Armenia as part of their study- Association of Schools and abroad program. With the students is Prof. Gregory is the first year YPLA awarded scholarships to activities and parenting seminars, the program Colleges (WASC), one of six Aftandilian of Northeastern. youth in our community. We were over - assists and supports Armenian students who regional accreditation agen - whelmed with the quality of applicants and are faced with difficult choices in today’s some - cies recognized by the US were so proud of what they had achieved at times tense school environment. For anyone more memorable. “The American University Department of Education. Consequently, such a young age. We’re looking forward to interested in becoming a GenNext mentor and of Armenia provides endless learning oppor - AUA’s credits can be transferred to US insti - hearing about their future successes through - making a direct impact in the life of a young tunities,” said Victoria Hines, one of the vis - tutions of higher education and its degrees out their college years and beyond.” YPLA Armenian, visit www.agbugennext.org. iting students. “The academic quality of the are recognized in the US. In addition to its raised funds for these scholarships at a social The AGBU YPLA is a network of individuals program was outstanding. The students and primary mission of training students from networking event on June 23, at the Coda Bar between ages 22 and 40 who mirror the faculty were very welcoming, and did every - Armenia, AUA therefore offers students & Lounge in Sherman Oaks. AGBU’s mission to preserve and promote thing to ensure we got the most out of our from the diaspora an opportunity to earn an Current YPLA chair, Yeghig Keshishian, Armenian identity and heritage by adding study abroad experience in Armenia.” American-accredited master’s degree at a adds, “The advancement of the Armenian dimensions to the lives of young professional Since its inception, AUA has embraced small fraction of American tuition Diaspora starts with a proper education; and, Armenians through educational, cultural, social many challenges and responsibilities, among prices. More information about AUA can be all of us on the AGBU YPLA Steering and humanitarian programs. For more informa - them the need to serve as a bridge between found on its web page, http://www.aua.am. Committee are committed in our resolve to tion on how to get involved with YPLA, con - advance the interests of our diaspora. The tact: [email protected]. S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Assembly Summer Interns Participate in Roundtable Discussions on Armenian-American Issues

WASHINGTON — Since their arrival earlier Armenia, Armenian-Turkish relations, human stated Sosseh Taimoorian, intern at the ed Tigran Terpandjian, intern with the Embassy this month, the Armenian Assembly’s Terjenian- rights and women’s rights, as well as the Armenian National Institute. “I definitely left of the Republic of Armenia. “I gained new Thomas summer interns have participated in Assembly’s work to strengthen civil society in the meeting with a better understanding of the insights about the peace process, how entan - various roundtable discussions. Armenia. Participants had the opportunity to issues at hand.” gled the conflict has become and also how US Last week, Assembly Grassroots Director engage with staff on the issues for which the The 2011 internship class participated in a assistance can help with Artsakh’s development Koushakjian led a workshop on issues of Assembly advocates. roundtable discussion with Nagorno-Karabagh needs,” added Terpandjian. key interest to the 2011 internship class, includ - “Taniel Koushakjian was very informative Representative to the United States Robert The Assembly’s Terjenian-Thomas summer ing among others: US assistance to Armenia and thorough in providing our group with a Avetisyan. The hour-and-half-long session interns have already put their new skills to the and Nagorno Karabagh, recently-introduced leg - wealth of valuable information on current focused on the history of Nagorno Karabagh, test in meetings with elected officials and by islation regarding US affirmation of the Armenian-American issues, ranging from the Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of its Armenian participating in various think-tank discussions. Armenian Genocide (H.Res. 304) and protec - Nagorno-Karabagh conflict and Armenian- population and the subsequent war launched At a recent discussion at the Heritage tion of Christian churches in Turkey (H.Res. Turkish relations to an overview of recent against Nagorno Karabagh by Azerbaijan in Foundation, Assembly Government Affairs 306), Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s blockade of House resolutions introduced in Congress,” 1991. intern Raffi Nersessian raised the issue of the In addition, the roundtable also highlighted Nagorno-Karabagh conflict and the implica - US assistance to Karabagh for humanitarian tions of US foreign policy following the recent needs, as well as the current status of the peace Turkish elections. talks, on which the presidents of Armenia, “Training the next generation of community Azerbaijan and Russia met recently in Kazan, leaders on the issues that matter most to our Russia. community is vital to advancing the Armenian “This was a very informative discussion,” stat - cause,” said Koushakjian.

Assembly Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian discusses Armenian-American issues with interns.

$UPHQLDQ +HULWDJH 3DUN Summer interns with Nagorno Karabagh Representative Robert Avetisyan (back row, center) 2Q WKH 5RVH )LW]JHUDOG .HQQHG\ *UHHQZD\ %RVWRQ TCA Arshag Dickranian School Wins AGBU Basketball Tournament LOS ANGELES — The Dickranian Lions improving every year and we have some really Junior-Junior Boys Basketball Team won first good players at this school. We look forward to place in the AGBU Basketball Tournament held playing with different schools and tournaments at the AGBU Pasadena Center on June 11. This in the future.” was yet another victory for the Dickranian Aside from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, Lions, which has shown time and again to be a this was the first time that first, second and challenging team to play against. third graders participated in the tournament. The AGBU Tournament began on the first The school’s varsity team also participated in week of April and ran through June 11. Team the Double Pump Tournament held in Las MVP, John Gukasyan, demonstrated his undis - Vegas in April, winning two games and losing puted talent and skill with his ability to score for one. The trip helped the Dickranian Lions gain his team in the last few decisive seconds of the the necessary experience preparing the players game, thus securing the team’s championship. for the CIF competition next year. “I am very proud of our players,” said Coach For more information, visit Rudolph Rameh. “The students’ skills are www.dickranianschool.org.

C Tellalian Associates Architects & Planners, LLC. under construction Sponsorship/Naming Opportunities DONATE James Kalustian 781 777.2407 online: www.ArmenianHeritagePark.net Charles Guleserian 617 484.6100 Haig Deranian 617 489.2215 check: Armenian Heritage Foundation Walter Nahabedian 781 891.7249 25 Flanders Road Dr. Jack Kasarjian 617 232.6350 Belmont, MA 02478 Dickranian Lions Junior-Junior Boys Basketball Team with Coach Rudy Rameh and Principal Vartkes Kourouyan 10 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Interview with Panos Titizian, Veteran ADL and AGBU Leader, Community Activist

with him, to make my modest contribution to traces of Armenians, all segments of Western were approximately 2 million Armenians living By Sarkis Majarian certain important AGBU projects. These two Armenian society enjoined in the pursuit of the throughout Western Armenia, among whom aims led me to New York. Armenian Question, stage by stage, and the very few, an insignificant number, had fought SM: Very well. So, first you met with Mr. work of obtaining international recognition for against Turkey as fedayees , as soldiers joining The name Panos Titizian is a familiar one, Hagop Vartivarian and then Mr. Berge the first genocide of the 20th century, commit - the Russian forces, is that a reason for a million from Lebanon to America. He has been active Setrakian. ted against the Armenians. people having lived on those lands for more for more than 60 years as a leader of the PT: When I set out, these two appointments Over the course of decades, the Armenians than 3,000 years to be annihilated, their histor - Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party and the had already been previously made. After I succeeded in destroying the wall of silence. A ical monuments to be reduced to ruins and the Armenian General arrived at Newark Airport in New Jersey, Hagop large number of countries and international survivors, in turn, to be driven from their his - Benevolent Union. In virtu - Vartivarian took me to my hotel and “ordered” courts of justice recognized the deportations torical lands to the desert and become scattered ally that same period, he me: “Wash up right away and relax. I’ll come and massacres carried out against the from there to the four corners of the world? has contributed articles to back in 30-45 minutes, get you and together Armenians as genocide. Incidentally, in 1944, After denying, rejecting all this for more than the ADL, as well as inde - we’ll go to an event.” when Raphael Lemkin coined the word “geno - 95 years, when they admit today and permit the pendent Diasporan SM: What event? cide,” he was influenced by the Armenian mas - historical monuments of those people to be ren - Armenian press, with total - PT: I didn’t know what the event was. Hagop sacres having occurred in Anatolia. Expressing ovated, this will one day be a factor in favor of ly unique interpretations was in a hurry (Hagop is always in a hurry, himself about the trial of Soghomon Tehlirian, the redress of our demands. If the Turks really and analyses of issues of going from one engagement to another). When Talaat’s assassin, in Berlin, he said the follow - sit down to reckon with us and if it is proven concern to the Armenian we went to the event [held at the Hovnanian ing: “If the murder of one Turk, Talaat, is a that indeed the Armenians have had numerous Panos Titizian people and internationally, School in New Milford, NJ], I found out that one crime, then what is the massacre of 1 million churches, monuments and forts on those lands; particularly as regards of our historical monuments, St. Giragos Armenians?” Subsequently, in 1948, the defini - if the international public is further informed Armenian-Turkish relations. Cathedral, in Dikranagerd is to be renovated, tion of genocide adopted by the UN included and takes a position favoring their preservation, Titizian recently visited New York and New and that the Turkish government has given per - the decision to annihilate a nation, an ethnic you don’t know what life will bring. Ten years Jersey, where he met with leaders of local insti - mission for its renovation and consecration. group or a certain collective unit in a premedi - ago, there were many things that we couldn’t tutions and organizations. This interview This then was what the event was all about, and tated and organized manner. That was what the conceive of even in our wildest imagination but reflects his impressions of those meetings. it was a very solemn affair, at that. Turks did to the Armenian people. One after today they’ve become reality. It’s possible that Sarkis Majarian: Mr. Titizian, what was the SM: Who organized that event? the other, internationally-famous jurists, courts all this will serve the purpose of rendering jus - purpose of your recent visit to New York and PT: It was organized by the Dikranagerd of law, human rights groups, as well as numer - tice, giving retribution to our people. New Jersey? Compatriotic Society. I must say that I got the ous countries, proceeded to recognize the We must admit that Turkey began to make Panos Titizian: The visit was occasioned by impression that there were quite a few natives Armenian Genocide as fact. Turkey is endeavor - gigantic forward strides when the pro-Islamic my long-held intent to write my memoirs about of Dikranagerd and/or descendants thereof in ing, in vain, with threats, distorted histories, Justice and Development Party took the reins my involvement in the public life of our nation. attendance. Furthermore, present were some hired “historians,” homegrown jurists and his - of government in 2002, headed by Prime More accurately, through those memoirs, I wish rather influential and successful individuals, torians, to continually deny the great crime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He worked to touch upon the important events having who had been able to assemble not only our committed against our people. That’s because wholeheartedly to enable Turkey to partake in taken place mostly in Lebanon during the past religious leaders — I have in mind chiefly the wall of silence no longer exists; it’s been the discussion of its membership in the 50-plus years, the role of a certain segment of Archbishop Aram Ateshian, patriarchal vicar of destroyed. Even impartial Turkish intellectuals, European Union. In order to accomplish that the community in those events — a certain cir - , and Archbishop Khajag like Orhan Pamuk, consider as worthless the objective, Turkey had to adopt the Copenhagen cle, which included the ADL Party, the AGBU Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of fabrications of their own government. accession criteria. This was contingent upon and the neutral bloc. I was aware of the fact the Armenian Church of America — but also a Turkey’s current leaders expended great making profound changes in the country’s that if I didn’t undertake such an effort, it dozen or so benefactors, who have made names effort over the past 10 years or so in order for order — social, legislative, democratic. Huge would be a great loss, first for me, and then for for themselves and enjoy a fine reputation not Turkey to become a full-fledged member of the accomplishments were registered in that our circles. That’s because whatever isn’t put only locally but also in national circles, and who European Union. They carried out major regard. down on paper evaporates. I’m probably the last have mostly served the Holy See of Echmiadzin. reforms internally, in legislation, jurisprudence, The absolute Turkish army was forced to con - survivor among those leaders who have since These were benefactors who belonged to the prisons and other democratic realms, according tract within its “professional” boundaries. passed on. AGBU as well as the Knights of Vartan, and to the Copenhagen accession criteria. Turkey proceeded to occupy 16th place in the SM: The first step of the interview was taken. they were attending this event, whose objective The permission to renovate first the Holy international economic arena, through the abo - What do you have to say about that? was to secure funds for the renovation work of Cross Church of Van and now St. Giragos lition of economic concessions and the promo - PT: Yes, that step was taken. The interview the Dikranagerd Cathedral. Cathedral of Dikranagerd must be considered tion of free trade. Despite the world financial took place with my longtime friend, Hagop SM: Mr. Titizian, how do you explain the as joyful occasions from our vantage point. crisis, Turkey registered an enviable 6-percent Vartivarian, at his home in New Jersey. The first Turkish government’s granting of this permis - These are our cultural and spiritual monu - economic growth. part of our interview was devoted entirely to sion? ments, which are being saved from destruction. Turkey was compelled to grant certain eth - the sociopolitical environment of the Middle PT: Explaining the objective hidden behind Let’s be glad for this. Never mind that the Turks nic, cultural and linguistic freedoms to its East, from the end of World War II down to the this and similar permissions granted by the are taking those steps to throw dust in the eyes Kurdish minority, largely under pressure from present. After all, it was the Middle East that Turkish government can take us far afield. It is of the Armenians and the international public. the European Union. served as the stage for the reestablishment and necessary to put the explanation of this matter SM: Fine, let’s accept all this and suppose Furthermore, Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey’s for - renaissance of our Diasporan-Armenian life. in its wider context, in the sphere of overall that the splendid, magnificent St. Giragos eign minister, has adopted the policy of zero On this occasion, it is a pleasure for me to say Armeno-Turkish relations. Taking the opportu - Cathedral of Dikranagerd was reconstructed. enmity with neighboring countries. a few words about Hagop Vartivarian. The six to nity presented by this development, namely gov - However, there are practically no Armenians SM: What position has Turkey taken regard - seven volumes of his Hantiboumner [meet - ernmental permission to renovate an Armenian there any longer. What purpose will that recon - ing the Armenian people and Armenia? ings], containing interviews with dozens of church in an important Kurdish region, let us struction serve? What good will it do for our PT: Turkey’s persecution of the Armenian Armenian writers, intellectuals, community attempt to explain Turkey’s attitude principally case? people is continuing with its denial of the activists, clergymen and others, have not only as it regards the Armenians. PT: That’s a good and fitting question. That Armenian Genocide. By putting pressure on created great interest in Armenian circles but Kemalist Turkey rose from the ruins of the question is probably on the minds of many peo - Washington to prevent Congress from voting in have also added a whole new dimension to the in 1923. The “mosaic” charac - ple: when our nation has so many needs in the favor of a Genocide resolution, Turkey is on a social history of the Armenian Diaspora. ter of the multiracial Ottoman Empire was diaspora and in Armenia, why should we go and course of self-destruction. Instead of that, it It was a delight for me to once again confirm replaced by the purely ethnic national identity renovate a cathedral in a region populated sole - must concentrate its efforts on normalizing its that Hagop is an erudite individual with wide of the Turk. The Turkification of the people liv - ly by Kurds? relations with the Armenian people. interests, an active person who has his finger ing in Turkey and its transformation into a There is a certain degree of logic in what On the other hand, the possibility of the on the pulse of Armenian life. He’s not only homogenous collective constituted a corner - they’re saying. However, it seems to me that opening of the borders and the establishment active but practical-minded. He is the driving stone of the new governmental policy. To that when that cathedral is reconstructed and con - of normal relations, between Armenia and force behind practically all our undertakings on end, the government went so far as to call mil - secrated, naturally a group of Armenians, espe - Turkey, remains narrow. the East Coast. One can say he’s a dynamo. lions of Kurds “mountain Turks.” Starting from cially those who are originally from The Protocols remain frozen because Turkish SM: Naturally, you had meetings to take prac - the initial days of the founding of the new Dikranagerd, their children and offspring, along diplomacy has become a hostage to Azerbaijan. tical steps and reach decisions in that regard. republic, they put up a wall of silence concern - with clergymen, will go there once, twice or Let me explain. After signing the Protocols, PT: Yes. Let me say that I put forth effort ing the Armenian people and the Armenian thrice annually and celebrate the Divine Turkey went ahead and made the granting of toward this end a year ago. I contacted people Case. Liturgy. In this way, more interest will be creat - concessions to Azerbaijan towards resolution of in Beirut, for someone to research and bring to They made them taboo. And if, for the pur - ed: since a cathedral is being reconstructed in the Karabagh conflict a precondition to the the surface everything which I have written and pose of modernizing the country, they replaced such a place as Dikranagerd, which is located in reopening of its borders, as well as the estab - has been published. I also gave a rough dead - the Arabic letters with Latin letters, the idea southern Turkey, then there’s the likelihood lishment of normal diplomatic relations, with line and promised to pay whatever was required behind that was to prevent the new generation that the numerous Armenian monuments in Armenia. This was something that had no con - but nothing serious was done, despite the from being able to read the personal memoirs Erzerum, Van, Ani, etc., which were densely nection at all with the Protocols signed promise made to me. Faced with such a situa - of their grandfathers written in Ottoman populated with Armenians, will also be recon - between the two countries. The reason is that tion, I thought that perhaps it would be best to Turkish. Among those grandfathers, the “Great structed. Now, utilizing these sorts of renova - there is a separate process ongoing for the res - go to the East Coast and see my old friend Fathers” of Turkey were those who were among tions as historical precedents and treating them olution of the Karabagh conflict involving the Hagop Vartivarian, who has become somewhat the main executioners responsible for annihilat - farsightedly is advantageous for us in the long Minsk Group. of a specialist in the area of interviews. I figured ing our nation. run; therefore, it is necessary for us to have The Armenian people can be glad for the per - that the interviews I had with him could suc - Although no article exists among Turkish undergone these expenses and made this sacri - mission granted by the Turkish government, cessively be rendered in article form for public laws putting restrictions on speaking about fice. first for the renovation of the Holy Cross consumption, and then be compiled in a book. Armenian issues or the Armenian Case, never - SM: Then shall we hope that similar steps Church on Lake Aghtamar and now the St. This was the main purpose of making the trip. theless they are taboo. No one dared to speak and others close to this will gradually prompt Giragos Cathedral of Dikranagerd. Perhaps Taking advantage of the opportunity, I also about the Armenians. A wall of silence was the Turkish government, move it closer, to the these actions may serve as precedent for rescu - wanted to see Berge Setrakian, president of the erected insofar as Armenian history was con - reality of reconciling with the idea of recogniz - ing monuments of Armenian culture and civi - Central Board of Directors of the Armenian cerned. Thus, the leaders of Kemalist Turkey ing the genocide, finding a solution to the lization from the danger of permanently disap - General Benevolent Union, with whom I have continued to carry out, in various ways, the Armenian Question and redressing our pearing. been closely connected for more than four work left undone by the Young Turks. demands? Nevertheless, all this amounts to dust being decades. Moreover, I have endeavored, along In view of Turkey’s policy of wiping out all PT: Yes, and why not? If we think that there thrown in the eyes of the international public S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Interview with Panos Titizian, Veteran ADL and AGBU Leader, Community Activist

and the Armenians. fact that Alex Manoogian was ordained deacon come into their own and prosper. Thus, instead there, or close to it….Thus, the In order to become a “normal” country and in this church. When he saw that the majority of sending their children to Melkonian, parents cost/effectiveness relationship was totally out move forward, Turkey is obliged to squarely of the Armenians having come from the “old sent them to the local Armenian school, where of sync. If AGBU was obliged to shut Melkonian face its history and recognize the crux of its his - country” were Turkish speaking, he said, “I’ll they could receive the same amount of down, the money saved will serve the goal of tory — the fact of the Armenian Genocide — and be your Armenian teacher.” Armenian education. I should also mention that national self-preservation. AGBU is a service make corresponding restitution. Thus, Alex Manoogian became the Armenian previously 70-80 percent of those who went to institution in the realm of Armenian life, and SM: Let’s hope and see. Now, after this teacher in the Trumbull area. This was a mov - Melkonian were from the Near East — Lebanon, that is what’s important in this century, in the lengthy digress, let me move on to my other ing revelation to me. When I was asked to , Egypt and . However, when the present, ever-changing world. Thus, based on question. Could you mention the names of the speak, first I recited a few lines from Vahan Arab-Israeli War took place, resulting in an this and other considerations, that which is benefactors and prominent figures who partici - Tekeyan’s poem “The Armenian Church” and increase of Arab nationalism, societal changes going on presently against AGBU, particularly pated in that program held in New Jersey? then said that Mr. Manoogian had urged me to occurred from top to bottom in Egypt and against its president, Berge Setrakian, and PT: Yes. As I noted at the beginning, take on many projects. I stressed that he had Syria. One had to pass the state-administered Louise Simone, cannot be justified at all. Today Archbishop Aram Ateshian, patriarchal vicar of always remained true to his self. When he came college entrance examinations (Baccalaureate Berge Setrakian is the person who has come to Constantinople, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, from Smyrna and saw that the immigrants were II) in order to qualify for higher education. his position at the right time. He is the son of a Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the speaking Turkish, he became a teacher in order Thus, students couldn’t be prepared for these middle-class family from Beirut, who has risen Armenian Church of America, and Archbishop to teach them Armenian. This is truly a moving examinations at Melkonian, located on a Greek from the ranks of the AYA to a high position in Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate in circumstance, isn’t it? Similarly, it is heartening island. The successful completion of the the field of law. After coming to New York from Washington, DC. Also present were Mr. Garen that a scion of Gulbenkian was presiding over Baccalaureate II was a must for every family Lebanon, he became a partner in one of the top Nazarian, Armenia’s ambassador to the UN, and the celebration. I saw a warm Armenian spirit that sought to send their son or daughter to an international law firms. He knows both the East his gracious wife, Nina. Mr. Nazarian is a seri - there and derived great satisfaction. institution of higher learning, even the and the West. He often goes to Armenia with ous, well-prepared and experienced diplomat, SM: What would you like to say about your American University of Beirut. This require - projects beneficial to the advancement of the with a mastery of Armenian, English and meeting with Mr. Berge Setrakian? ment dealt a blow to Melkonian day after day. nation. He’s a young man with the will and Russian; he is surrounded by young, patriotic PT: First, let me say that our dear president is The point is that Melkonian’s pupils had to dynamism to serve the Armenian people, and assistants, who have come from Armenia and a very dynamic individual. He told me that he is come from other countries, other places. Where he has the stamina to serve both AGBU and the are studying in America’s best universities. in New York only 90 days out of the entire year. would they come from? First, let me say that in Armenian nation for at least 15-20 more years. Prior to mentioning the benefactors’ names, I He’s out of the country two thirds of the year. 1972 Mr. Manoogian sent his director to Let me also add that it is not possible to give would like to say parenthetically that I had a There’s a great advantage to that because wher - Lebanon to inform that Melkonian should be a complete picture regarding the closure of private, three-hour conversation with Mr. ever he goes, he puts his finger on the pulse of shut down because it was no longer serving its Melkonian Educational Institute in the course Nazarian, during which we discussed the Armenian reality, closely studies the Armenian purpose and that another raison d’être had to of such an interview as this. This is the case, prospects for security, maintenance of stability communities he visits, learns about their daily be found. Mr. Manoogian even thought of relo - particularly since the issue is heavily colored and cooperation in the Southern Caucasus. concerns, difficulties, expectations and accom - cating the school to Marseille, where at least it with emotional contents. There are many Naturally, we also discussed the resolution of plishments, etc. Thus, taking a broad view of the could satisfy the educational needs of our Melkonian alumni, who sincerely regret the the Karabagh conflict — a conflict that repre - Armenian scene, he has become a seasoned European, or Western, communities. school’s closure without being closely informed sents a complicated situation, which greatly dif - leader. Mr. Manoogian used to view the world Melkonian’s board of trustees requested of Mr. about the reasons behind AGBU’s decision. fers from all other similar conflicts. Ambassador from his office, whereas Mr. Setrakian goes per - Manoogian to grant them a conditional period, There are also those individuals who, exhibiting Nazarian stated that the main goal during nego - sonally and becomes informed on the spot, exam - during which they would endeavor to find a an exaggerated sentiment or nostalgia, are try - tiations, and daily diplomatic work, in general, ines the issues and, parallel with his personal large number of pupils and thus justify the ing to play the role of “savior,” as “members has been to gain international recognition of business, he occupies himself with and manages school’s existence. and friends of Melkonian Alumni the rights of the people of Karabagh. He noted the affairs of AGBU. Among other things, he fre - That conditional period was granted to them. Association”…. “Alumni” is understandable but that it seemed to the opponents of the process quently visits Armenia. Recently I learned that During that time, in the 1970s, the Lebanese what is meant by “friends”? It’s as if by exhibit - of conflict resolution that Armenia has been Vera, his personable wife, after a visit to the Gulf, civil war broke out, families fled to Cyprus and ing worthless platonic loves, people either wish drawn into the process of conciliation but that’s was on her way to Armenia to furnish the private parents enrolled their children in Melkonian. to create interest around themselves or perhaps not the case at all. President Sargisian has stat - house purchased by them there. This made me However, when the danger passed, they all went they’re trying to add fuel to the fire, in order to ed on a few occasions that reconciliation can very happy. back to Lebanon. Subsequently, another wave wage a secret, full-scale and impassioned strug - only begin when Turkey recognizes the 1915 After discussing current events, our conver - came as a consequence of the Islamic revolu - gle against the AGBU leadership. This is not the Genocide. Reconciliation can happen only after sations on both sides took us closer to more tion in (1979). That, too, passed. Melkonian first time that an Armenian educational institu - repentance and recognition of the Genocide. fundamental national concerns, particularly was again left with its difficulties. As a solution, tion has closed down due to conditions. This will greatly contribute to the establishment how to put the diaspora on a sounder and more it was proposed that if Melkonian had certain Forgetting about Constantinople, Tiflis and of continuing peace and cooperation among balanced foundation. Achieving this goal pre - income-producing structures on its property, as Moscow, let’s concentrate on the recent past. the peoples and countries of the region. supposes creating collaboration between the well as modern buildings for boys and girls, we Prior to the Lebanese civil war, there were more Turkey’s position of speaking in terms of pre - AGBU and other like-minded elements in terms could have 300-400-500 pupils, and therefore than 50 Armenian schools there; today their conditions is not acceptable to us, and Armenia of clear-cut, practical and tangible goals and the school must remain open and function. number has dropped to 28. This is a regrettable will never question the historical fact of the means. Members of the Melkonian Alumni Association but inevitable loss. However, that doesn’t mean Genocide. It’s a regrettable circumstance that It was very pleasant for me to see a practical, promised that they would send their children that we should act with a defeatist attitude; Turkey, as a regional power, is not capable visionary and discerning man in Berge and grandchildren to Melkonian, and every - rather, we should face new challenges, realisti - today of honoring its international commit - Setrakian. thing would be fine. To the best of my knowl - cally overcome them, and give new form and ment; namely, lifting the restrictions on the bor - SM: Earlier you mentioned “many issues.” All edge, only two persons sent their grandchildren impetus to our struggle for survival…. ders, normalizing relations with neighboring of us know that one of them is the closing down from the West: one was Haigashen Ouzounian, It is possible that I will reflect upon the countries. of Melkonian. Did you discuss this? who sent his two granddaughters; I, Panos Melkonian issue in a more exhaustive manner Returning to the benefactors present at the PT: First, let me say that I’m an alumnus of Titizian, was the other, who sent my grandson in the future. Until then, I stress once again that program, mention can be made of Kevork and Melkonian. I lived at Melkonian for eight years, to study there and paid his tuition in full. Thus, today’s modern plans and projections are based Nighogos Atinizian, Dr. Raffy and Mrs. Shoghag without spending a day outside of the school’s the alumni didn’t acquit themselves, as more on services. Huge buildings, institutions, Hovanessian, Mr. and Mrs. Hratch and Suzanne confines. Thus, I have every reason to take an promised. This is the same alumni association, etc. can lose much of their importance from one Toufayan, Mr. and Mrs. Nishan and Margaret emotional approach to the matter, but that which keeps the pot of discontent boiling until day to the next. New projections must be feasi - Atinizian, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Ruth won’t solve our problem. I’m well informed and the present, demanding that the school main - ble and sustainable. Bedevian, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Jackie have closely followed the Melkonian issue. As tain its existence without fail on the same site. It is with this mentality that the AGBU lead - Basralian, chairman of the Dikranagerd an institution, Melkonian was founded in 1926 In addition, there is also a group of naïve indi - ers, with Berge Setrakian at their head, are Compatriotic Society and Knights of Vartan by two benefactors, Garabed and Krikor viduals who are in agreement with the alumni endeavoring to act. Times Square Armenian Genocide Melkonian. First, let me make a few corrections. association, without knowing the core of the In concluding our interview dealing with fun - Commemorative Committee, Mr. and Mrs. Hirant AGBU is not the sponsor, the guardian of problem. Thus, the school was faced with the damental national issues, as Andranik and Ruby Gulian, my longtime friend, Grand Melkonian Educational Institute. The benefac - same problem. Despite the fact that the princi - Dzaroukian once said, “Let’s talk plain, and not Commander of the Knights of Vartan Prof. tors gave Melkonian to AGBU. AGBU is the pal made the rounds of the Arab world and else - try to put new feathers on our problems.” Our Dennis and Dr. Mary Papazian, as well as Mrs. owner of Melkonian. Let me cite a small exam - where, the school’s enrollment remained slight - concern in the diaspora is to endure, to main - Karine Kocharian, director of Ardzagang televi - ple: let’s say, God forbid, a bomb fell on an ly over 200, and the main sources of that num - tain and protect our national identity, national sion program of the Greater New York area. AGBU institution, some 10-20 Armenians died ber became Armenia (as if Armenia was in need belongingness and national legacy. On the SM: Was this New Jersey program the only and a $100-million lawsuit was brought against of national self-preservation), Karabagh, other hand, our independent country of one you attended, or were there others? AGBU. The AGBU is liable: i.e., it could go bank - Bulgaria, etc. The families sending their chil - Armenia is facing major imperatives. It is at PT: The following day, Vartivarian again rupt if it doesn’t have that money; it is obliged dren from the aforementioned areas weren’t such a geopolitical and strategic focal point “ordered” me, saying that we were going to to pay it because the institution is its, it is the doing so solely for educational purposes; where the interests of regional and internation - Trumbull, Conn., where the celebration of the owner. rather, they also considered it a means of pur - al forces clash. In order to be equal to such a 80th anniversary of the Holy Ascension There are documents proving this; as it is, all suing their dream of emigrating to the West complex situation, we are obliged to develop a Armenian Church was to take place. Driving the courts showed that this is the case, and all one day…. new mentality, one which will be modern, suit - over 100 miles, we reached the church, whose the individual plaintiffs lost their case wherever As far as Melkonian’s curriculum of that peri - able for the rapidly changing times and taking priest for the past 28 years has been Fr. Untzag they went. This is the de jure side. The de facto od is concerned, 80 percent of it was in English steps corresponding to them. That is what Nalbandian, who now has a young, very affable side is the following: Melkonian played a major and the remaining 20 percent Armenian; thus it AGBU’s leaders, led by Berge Setrakian, are assistant priest, whose name escapes me at the role in our national life when the generation of wasn’t at all different from the American- attempting to do. moment [Fr. Martiros Hakobyan]. A nice thing orphans and the children succeeding them Armenian schools. AGBU made up the annual I wish to take this occasion to express my happened there: an elderly gentleman, who had were educated there. From the 1930’s to the deficit of $500,000 incurred by this sort of insti - thanks to President Berge Setrakian, Dr. and been there when the church was built and who 1960’s, Melkonian was one of the few educa - tution. That is to say, $6,000 expense per stu - Mrs. Hovanessian and Mr. and Mrs. Vartivarian is now 100 years old, was present at the cele - tional institutions whose graduates became dent. When it cost only $50 a year in a place for the warm treatment extended to me during bration, which was presided over by Edward priests, teachers, editors and other national like Arab Punar in Jezireh, this is unfair. It was the course of this visit. Gulbenkian, the grandson of Calouste workers all over the diaspora. in a way possible to reconcile with the situation, Gulbenkian, and whose wife turned out to be This secured a great reputation for Melkonian if the Armenian education was on the level that (This is a translation, by Aris G. Sevag, of someone I knew: the daughter of Dr. Roubian and its benefactors. However, life changed. The existed when Hagop Oshagan, Vahan Tekeyan, the text published in Nor Gyank weekly’s of Beirut. What gave me great joy here was the Armenian communities gradually began to Vahe Vahian or Vahram Mavian were teaching June 9 issue.) 12 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O Clothes and Humanitarian Aid Shipped to Paros Lighthouse Foundation In Armenia from NJ Knights/Daughters of Vartan at St. Leon Church

40-foot container. Harry put the manifest Seta and her husband Zuhrab, started the foun - children. They provide dental/medical care, By Aram Arkun together listing the dimensions, weight and con - dation. Originally from Beirut, they live in mental counseling, career training and bible Mirror-Spectator Staff tents of each numbered box. We give tax write- California. They built a warehouse in Bdghunk, study. offs, if requested. Chantikian then sends the and also completed a 10,000-square-foot facility Manuelian visited the Paros establishment paperwork to the Paros Lighthouse to take care of runaway girls — victims of twice in Armenia and left confident that the FAIR LAWN, N.J. — Poverty and desperation Foundation, who ordered a container, which is domestic violence and sexual abuse. The foun - donations from America were being handled still takes its toll in the Republic of Armenia, paid for by the United Armenian fund. The con - dation prepares donations to needy villages. properly and distributed to those in true need. but money is not the only way to help. One Others from New Jersey have done the same. alternative is to donate clothing or other Most recently, the co-founder of Paros, Seta humanitarian items to the Paros Lighthouse Ghazarian, has sent out a desperate appeal for Foundation in Armenia via the Knights and funds. The number of poor in Armenia asking Daughters of Vartan in New Jersey at St. Leon for food has increased dramatically. Ghazarian Armenian Church. After clothing and other said there are many women with bones sticking items are collected, they are loaded at the out. The situation motivated her to start a soup church and shipped to Armenia. The most kitchen. Armenian refugees in Armenia from recent shipment was loaded out on April 27. Iraq also are in bad shape. Manuelian will visit Knights member Leo Manuelian provided some Paros in July, and so he has started a small information on how the process works. fundraising drive, with several hundred dollars Harut (“Harry”) Chantikian has been sending already raised. clothes to Armenia ever since that nation’s inde - The Knights/Daughters and others at St. pendence almost 20 years ago, through various Leon began collecting again on May 14 and organizations. He became affiliated with the every Saturday. They are looking for gently Paros Lighthouse Foundation, and a few years used clean clothes that are not torn or stained. ago he spoke at one of the Bakradouny Lodge No short shorts or bikinis are suitable for meetings of the Knights of Vartan. He Armenia, and underwear, socks, shoes, sheets explained that he needed a place to sort out his and pillowcases can only be accepted if brand clothes. It happened that the church owned a Loading boxes at St. Leon Armenian Church on April 27 for shipping to Armenia new and in original packaging. Brand new house on its property that was being used for packaged toys are acceptable, but none with storage. The Parish Council discussed the pro - batteries since these would require extra ject and eventually decided to permit its use. tainers are the size of an 18-wheel flatbed Manuelian explained, “They would ask the expenses for the recipients. Chantikian had a backlog of clothing to box, truck, all steel. mayor for a list of a hundred, or more, neediest Tablecloths, curtains, fabric, pots, pans, flat - which took two months, during which time The filled boxes are stored in the house until families with the sex and age of their children. ware, cutlery, handbags, canes, walkers, wheel - efforts were made to persuade local Armenians the truck arrives. The driver will only wait two Using the list they would put bags of clothing chairs, bicycles, school supplies, computers to bring in their clothing for donation. Every hours for the truck to be loaded, and then seals together, one item for each adult, two for each (Pentium 3 or better), computer monitors (flat week they advertised in the church bulletin. the container. That seal is numbered and the child and a pair of shoes for each child. Also, screen only), glasses and dishes are also desired. After sending out two 20-foot containers, the number is used for tracking purposes. On April with the cash donations they receive, they pur - Fashion accessories, games, books, music volume of donations began to increase from 27, 1,050 boxes had been assembled. chase cooking oil, canned goods and foodstuff (tapes, disks, or records), wall hangings, clocks Armenians in other churches in the area, as Chantikian, born in Cuba, speaks Spanish, for distribution. They also distribute wheel - and tools are not considered suitable as human - well as from a non-Armenian church nearby, the therefore he was able to find four- or five-day chairs, walkers and canes. They sponsor surg - itarian aid. Manuelian estimates that the value Central Unitarian Church of Paramus. Members laborers to take the boxes outside, and then eries for families. For example, people with dis - of the merchandise collected and shipped of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan as well when the truck arrives do the loading. The con - abilities, like a 16-year-old deaf girl, who needed through St. Leon facilities to Armenia has as non-members who are in the St. Leon parish tainer goes via sea, eventually reaching Poti, an operation to be able to hear, for $800 per exceeded one million dollars. came every Saturday to box and label for about , from which it is sent on a truck to ear. Her family had not been able to afford this, For more information, see three hours. Manuelian said, “The clothes Armenia. leaving her deprived of hearing. Even wedding www.parosfoundation.com, or come to St. Leon began to come in such volume that we did not Manuelian and others from New Jersey have gowns are collected, so that Paros can give Armenian Church on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to have a moment to breathe. Every Saturday we visited the Paros Lighthouse Foundation facili - them to any woman getting married at a church noon. Pickup of donations can also be arranged packed 60 to 70 boxes, so we soon reached 500, ty in a small village called Bdghounk, about 15 who says she cannot afford her own. Paros through Leo/Sona at (201) 746-0409 or Harry then 700 and finally 1,000 boxes. We ordered a minutes outside Yerevan. The Ghazarian family, focuses on the needs of Armenian women and at (201) 556-9061. Zohrab Summer Interns Begin New Projects in Diocese’s Zohrab Center E-SUBSCRIPTION tive summer. By Taleen Babayan It was the center’s materials on Zabel AVAILABLE Yesayan that created Manoukian’s ties to the Zohrab Center. While working on her thesis NEW YORK — The Krikor and Clara Zohrab paper on the author, she found useful one-of-a- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator will be available every Information Center of the Diocese of the kind resources for her research. Armenian Church of America (Eastern) has “I relied heavily on the Zohrab Center’s peri - Thursday, in COLOR and PDF format to all who subscribe been a hub of activity in the summer weeks, as odical collection for my project,” said the library’s doors have opened to its summer Manoukian, who studied Middle Eastern stud - specifically to this electronic delivery. interns. ies and French at Rutgers University. “While The annual rate is $50. The dedicated and diligent interns, including doing my research, I realized how valuable and Armen Bandikian, Jennifer Manoukian and unique it is to have such a vast collection of Nicole Saglamer, have been working hands-on Armenian-language resources open to every - To subscribe to this service, please fill out the following to help further the vision of the Zohrab Center one.” and mail it along with your check of $50 made out to the: and to make its resources more accessible to Echoing Manoukian’s sentiments, Bandikian, individuals interested in Armenian studies a senior studying information systems at Stony Armenian Mirror-Spectator, around the world. Brook University, said he felt “compelled” to The interns have been tackling a wide-range intern in the center for another summer. 755 Mt. Auburn Street, of responsibilities this summer, including cata - “After working here for two years, I am still loging books and digitizing the center’s hold - amazed to see the types of books I come across Watertown, MA 02472 ings to make them available for the general pub - while doing my work,” he said. lic. The Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Last summer, with the help of the interns, the Center was founded in 1987 by Dolores Zohrab center’s online catalog was launched. More Liebmann, in honor of her parents, Krikor and H Yes, Please e-mail me the Armenian Mirror-Spectator than 15,000 books in the library’s collection Clara. Her father, Krikor Zohrab, was a promi - every Thursday. can now be accessed by visiting nent lawyer, author and parliamentarian in the www.zohrabcentercatalog.com. Ottoman Empire, who was arrested and killed My E-mail address is ______While the interns’ contributions have indeed during the Armenian Genocide. been valued in the center, they too come away The Zohrab Center serves as a research Name and Last name ______with a newfound appreciation for Armenian lit - library and has a rich collection of books relat - erary traditions and culture. ing to Armenian history, literature and religion. “For me, working at the Zohrab Center has It also serves as a cultural center, hosting con - been more than a job, but rather an experience ferences, lectures, film screenings and book pre - You can also e-mail your request to [email protected] that allows me to leave work each day having sentations, among many other events tailored for faster service learned something new,” said Saglamer, a to the local Armenian community. sophomore studying chemistry at NYU, who is For more information, visit interning in the center for the second consecu - www.zohrabcenter.com. S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Echmiadzin under Attack

Following the Genocide and the deportations, Armenians Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian settled in many European countries. Surviving the initial cul - tural shock, they settled into a more or less harmonious com - munity life. Almost all the churches were local parishes with - Armenians seem to have been cursed with a self-destructive out the framework of a diocese to make them a unified enti - gene, which will never allow them to achieve their aspirations. ty. Mind you, the largest and only Armenian Empire was built by The new influx of immigrants has changed the scene Established 1932 Tigranes the Great. That empire was destroyed by the entirely. Massive migrations from Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Romans, whose army was led by Lucullus. He had the support Syria and Armenia have created an explosive situation, An ADL Publication of Tigranes’ son, who helped the Roman army to overthrow because each group was coming up with a different set of his father and destroy his empire. social and political baggage of values. This situation called In the year 1045, when the Bagraturni dynasty was in for local leadership with foresight that could put to best use EDITOR decline, one of the Armenian princes, named Vest Sarkis, these differences. Unfortunately, polarization developed in Alin K. Gregorian handed the keys of the capital city of Ani to the Byzantine Southern France between Armenians from Turkey and

ASSOCIATE EDITOR rulers, thus ending the history of another Armenian dynasty. Armenia, and somewhat from Lebanon, reaching a critical Aram Arkun In more recent times, by the end of World War I, General situation, especially in Nice. Antranik was holding the fortress of Erzerum, with the help A crisis developed also in the Swiss-Armenian community, ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian of ammunitions and supplies leftover by the retreating for entirely different reasons. The origins and the develop - Russian Army. Most of the Eastern Armenian soldiers defect - ment of the Swiss crisis have been amply explained for anyone PRODUCTION ed, announcing that the area was not their homeland. Thus who has taken an interest to listen, but it has been exploited Dilani Yogaratnam we lost valuable pieces of historic Armenian territory, perhaps by some for their own selfish agendas. unfortunately, for good. The Geneva parish priest, Abel Oghloukian (Manoukian), These days that self-destructive gene has been bugging otherwise an erudite clergy, with a rebellious nature, foment - some people in the Armenian media and in positions of ed trouble. Being an articulate person, he was able to enlist CONTRIBUTORS: power, to undermine, or to destroy the foundations of the to his cause a few local leaders. Oghloukian, rather than using Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond Holy See of Echmiadzin, under the most appealing slogans his education and religious training for constructive causes, Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana of “democracy” or “free speech” or defense of “human created problems wherever he was assigned, first Vienna and Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, rights,” without pausing to ponder the long-term damage then Geneva. Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- they can cause. He broke his vow of celibacy and got married, contrary to Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Echmiadzin has been under Soviet rule for 70 years and is church canons, and Echmiadzin was lenient considering his Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, still recovering from the damage of that oppressive regime. religious knowledge. Taleen Babayan Many Armenians, mindful of the historic role of the Mother In 1992, His Holiness Vasken I had began to form a diocese See, have been supporting and helping the supreme spiritual for the growing Swiss-Armenian community. After his demise, CORRESPONDENTS: center to overcome its challenges. Others, however, within Catholicos Karekin I continued the project, with little success. and without Armenia, have unleashed an unholy war, based And now the situation exploded in the face of Catholicos Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian on manufactured gossip and self-serving causes. Karekin II who simply tried to continue the task initiated by Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian This ugly campaign began with some trial balloons in the his predecessors. It looks like Oghloukian and his ilk rather ARF media, proposing to create a diaspora structure, with prefer to keep the Swiss-Armenian community in small parish - Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia, as its titular head. es, than in unifying into a diocese, where the rebellious priest Hovsepian Then the disease spread through the opposition papers in would remain under the jurisdiction of a Primate. Armenia, namely Hayakan and Chorrord He challenged Echmiadzin’s plans and was defrocked. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Ishkahanutioun , with marching orders coming from the for - In all these local conflicts, certainly no party is blameless. weekly, except two weeks in July, by: mer President Levon Ter-Petrosian, who insulted the The onus is on the local leadership and particularly outside Association, Inc. Catholicos for not joining the political street rallies, which he armchair pundits, who run to the rescue of a rebellious cler - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 organized to “dismantle” the “kleptocracy.” gy in the name of “democracy,” “right to criticize authority” Telephone: 617-924-4420 Another tabloid named Hraparak , which seems to be will - and so on. FAX: 617-924-2887 ing to publish any article containing character assassination, Any freedom, not balanced with constructive responsibility, for a fee, joined the chorus. Recently, a more influential paper, www.mir rorspectator.com is reckless anarchy. Yet we find people with a great zeal to crit - Aravot , has taken up the campaign, using an illegally-taped icize without any constructive contribution. E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com conversation between His Holiness Karekin II and the The most vocal opposition to Echmiadzin, and for that mat - For advertising: [email protected] Georgian Patriarch Illya II, showing the Armenian Pontiff in ter to Armenia, comes from an online publication called New York/New Jersey Office an unfavorable light. That doctored tape was placed on Keghart, co-edited by Dr. Dikran Abarahamian. Each issue has 560 Sylvan Ave. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Facebook by Georgians to embarrass the Catholicos. Aravot’s an orgy of anti-Armenia diatribes, putting to shame the (201) 800-1164 editor, Aram Abrahamian, portrayed the Catholicos in his lead Turkish and Azeri media. article as “ignorant” and a “mafia figure.” It turns out that Mr. Keghart ran a petition against Echmiadzin “deploring patri - SUBSCRIPTION RATES : Abrahamian’s TV program was recently removed from archal order” and in support of the rebellious clergy, rather “Shoghakat” television chanel, sponsored by Echmiadzin. So than criticizing the indignant behavior of the defrocked priest. U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year much for morality in media in Armenia. Along with a number of insulting articles, we also find an 1st Class $120 a year These attacks have not been spontaneous; some quarters editorial with a headline: “Hands off the Diaspora,” with a fur - Canada must be orchestrating them. We cannot blame all of these ther comment that “the scandalous incidents in Nice and Air Mail $125 a year attacks on the Catholicosate of Cilicia, however, as much as it Switzerland are not isolated events. They seem to be part-and- All Other Countries may serve the cause of that see. parcel of a plan to subjugate diaspora communities to the will Air Mail $190 a year When you have ill will, you can turn upside down any posi - of disgraceful rulers in Yerevan.” Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch tive initiative or project and criticize, if that is your main pur - We have heard this same mantra for 70 years in the ARF pose. Thus, the Catholicos develops a program to meet the press. It looks like the anti-Armenia crusade has changed perennial problem of clergy shortage in the Armenian Church hands and is being taken over by a more virulent group. © 2010 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and generates the resources to send 30-40 young aspiring Any Armenian, with minimal sanity, would think what’s Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA clergyman to the centers of higher learning or major semi - wrong if Armenia and the diaspora work hand in hand, even and additional mailing offices. naries overseas, some accuse His Holiness of trying to “take under “the rulers in Yerevan?” Why espouse the cause of our ISSN 0004-234X over” the diaspora or planning to place his “people” in posi - enemies, pitting the diaspora against Armenia? Don’t we have tions of power. The Catholic Church is strong and unified enough divisions imposed on us by our enemies and unfortu - POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The because the Pope assigns cardinals in different dioceses and nate turns of history? Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Watertown, MA 02471-0302 no one attempts to play the “democracy” charade. For a long Keghart seems to be the gathering place of former time, in the absence of educated clergy, Armenians have been Communists, fellow travelers and anarchists willing to inject used to having the services of many pedestrian spiritual lead - any amount of poison to further alienate the diaspora from ers, who would be displeased to be replaced by younger and Armenia. more educated clerics. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s inde - Another point of criticism is that a certain monastery has pendence with tremendous problems inherited from the past; Copying for other than personal use or not been renovated. Recently, the issue was around Sanahin internal reference is prohibited without a sagging economy, brain drain, many colorful religious sects express permission of the copyright (which by the way is being renovated by the Ministry of infiltrating the society fabric and enemies in Ankara, Baku owner. Address requests for reprints or Culture), ignoring the fact that a dozen other monasteries or and Tbilisi bent on Armenia’s destruction. back issues to: churches have been renovated by Echmiadzin. Armenia’s leadership has been marked by many failures; Baikar Association, Inc. Armenians have been lackadaisical in their comfortable Echmiadzin is reeling from its 70-year slumber; Armenia’s 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 positions of local feudal lords and they get upset as the population is abandoning the historic homeland in droves, church strives to get organized as a unified — and unifying — after dreaming of independence for six centuries. entity. The cases in point are in Europe, especially in Where is the cure? Switzerland and Nice, France, where troublemakers are trying Spewing poison or trying to place one stone over the other to challenge the church hierarchy, always with the lofty slo - so that the much-dreamed of homeland will survive for pos - Check us out at gans of “democracy” and “free will” of the people. terity? mirrorspectator.com 14 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY The Stones Will Cry Out

Locating Tzack, my mother’s village, was not so easy, also because by Tigran Honents, hosts the most beautiful and best-preserved fres - By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach its name had been changed to Inn in Turkish. How different it was coes both inside the structure and on the outer walls, frescoes that from her descriptions! At that time, there were about 100-150 fami - cry out for restoration. lies in Tzack, now, the villagers told us, the only inhabitants were The masterpiece in Ani is the cathedral, an imposing structure An exhibit in Paris in June would have been a magnificent tribute three brothers and their families. An old woman, well into her 70s, despite its advanced state of decay. According to the account of a to the traditional Armenian stone crosses known as had welcomed us warmly and, hearing that we were Armenian contemporary historian, Stephan of Taron in the 10th century, the it not been for the fact that, at the last minute, UNESCO erased all Americans, told us that she herself was half Armenian. Her mother Bagratid King Ashot died in 977 and was succeeded by his son, mention of where the stone crosses featured in photographs were had been saved as a child and been married off to a Turkish man. “I Smbat (977- 989). Smbat commissioned the master architect Trdat located. The explanation for the elimination of the place names, as remember only,” the woman said, “that she always cried. She had to build a magnificent church. In the year 989, the year of Smbat’s well as of a huge map of historic Armenia designating them, was lost everything, everyone, all her family.” She went on to tell her own death, an earthquake hit Constantinople, causing immense damage that, since the khachkars were not all on the territory of the story. “I too was married to a Turkish man,” she said wistfully, “and to the Santa Sophia church. Trdat, the famed stone mason, knew Republic of Armenia, but could also be found in present-day as a bride I also did nothing but cry.” Visibly shaken by the recol - what to do, as he had drawn up a plan and built a model of the Azerbaijan and Turkey, it would be better to maintain silence. lection, she excused herself: “I have high blood pressure and cannot church. So he went to Constantinople and led the reconstruction But, there is no way to maintain silence; The stones will cry out. speak much longer.” effort. Then Trdat returned to Ani and set to work on the cathedral. And they did. Representatives of the Collectif VAN (Vigilance Another piece of the jigsaw puzzle was Agin (Agn), the town When we left Ani and set out on the road to Van we encountered Armenienne contre le Negationnisme) protested with an open letter where my mother’s adoptive Turkish parents lived. Today it is known one monument, which very prominently featured the word to Irina Bokova, director general of UNESCO. They argued that not as Kemaliya, named after Mustafa Kemal, who praised its beauty, “Armenian.” This structure, built between 1995 and 1997 in Igdir, only does it violate academic practice to fail to mention the location whereupon it was renamed and restored. It was nothing like the was modeled on the Genocide memorial in Montebello, Calif., but it of the art works, but, by so doing, the exhibitors were rendering other villages we had seen. The main street was lined with beauti - honors the memory of Turkish martyrs killed by Armenian assas - themselves complicit in a wild distortion of the historical record. To fully renovated wooden façades, giving it the air of a Swiss chalet ski sins. In the museum, photographs depict Turkish diplomats and ignore the place names is to conceal the historical presence of the resort. There was a building housing a museum, which bore the other public figures assassinated by terrorists belonging to the Armenian people and civilization in that vast region. unmistakable architectural traits of a lovely Armenian church with ASALA movement. According to the plaques inside the building, up Travelers through eastern Anatolia and present-day Azerbaijan its graceful arches. to one million Turks fell victim to them. will find some khachkars in their places of origin — although thou - What we were looking for in Agin was the mosque on whose steps The highpoint of our pilgrimage was Akhtamar, perhaps the most sands have been deliberately destroyed — and will make the histori - a Turkish shepherd had laid my infant mother, whom he had found, beautiful Armenian church ever built, with its unique bas reliefs cal connection. It is not only the beautiful stone crosses but the the only survivor among a field of corpses of women and children. depicting scenes from the old and new testaments. Its harmonious wealth of religious monuments — chapels, churches, cathedrals or As was the custom with foundlings, he took her to the town, and left architectural forms gain in majesty by virtue of its location, high on monasteries — populating that geographical region that testify to her on the mosque steps, where a gendarme named Omar found her a hill on an island in the green-blue-turquoise-colored Lake Van, sur - the physical and cultural presence of Christian Armenians over cen - and took her in. Omar’s wife, Gulnaz, who was childless, did not rounded by snow-capped mountains. Akhtamar has gained special turies. As Italian art historian Alpago Novello stressed, this religious want the baby because it was Giavour (Christian), and because she significance over the past year, both artistic and political. The façade art was an integral part of the Armenians’ identity. “The Armenians’ felt she was too old to bring up a child, so she took her back to the of the church has been fully restored, including the bas reliefs, the tenacious attachment to the Christian religion,” he wrote, “testified mosque the following day and placed her again on the steps. While most magnificent such restoration effort in Turkey. And in by the thousands of crosses erected or sculpted almost everywhere Gulnaz chatted with her lady friends, the child crawled over to her September 2010, Turkish authorities allowed a church service to be and for every occasion, and by the extraordinary wealth of sacred and tugged on her skirt, which she took as a sign from Allah that celebrated there, for the first time in 95 years. An altar piece with a buildings, was not merely a spiritual matter but a prime feature of she should take care of her, and she did. depiction of the Virgin Mary with child, which was brought for the their very identity and a symbol of their physical survival.” The mosque was very old and beautiful, built in 1070, restored in first service, remains. Now the church should host the divine liturgy Yet that very presence is subject to denial and distortion. My 1960 and again in 2005, located in the center of the village on a once a year. We were allowed to sing the Lord’s prayer (Hayr Mer) brother, my husband and I experienced this during a journey street going up from the main street. In front of the mosque was a inside one chapel, but when Armen started filming the event, a through eastern Anatolia in May. In place of the historical record we small piazza, where perhaps Gulnaz and her lady friends had sat. guard told him to turn off the camera. encountered mythology, with its own personages, events and causal - On the way to Erzincan, we stopped at Kemagh Gorge. Standing Though it defies belief, there is no indication that Akhtamar was ity. In this mythological landscape, we were not in historic Armenia, on the bridge over the river, we gazed up at the rocky ledges on both and is an Armenian church. The architect was a monk named let alone Western Armenia, but in eastern Turkey, in one of the sides. It was from those lofty heights that Armenian men, lined up Manuel, who had built a palace for Gagik I, King of Vaspurakan, and Anatolian provinces, and everything we might have expected to rec - two by two and tied by the wrists, were thrust down the gorge, after between 915 and 921, he erected the church at Akhtamar. Though ognize from past historical accounts had disappeared or had been having been bayoneted in the ribs by their murderers. Although the this is documented by historian Thomas Artsruni, there is no men - transformed into something else — often into its very opposite. name Kemagh Gorge rings with an ominous tone to the ears of any - tion at the site today of who Manuel was, or what church he We were part of a small group of Armenian Americans seeking to one familiar with the history, a newcomer to the site would have no belonged to. This fact — perhaps even more than the controversy sur - retrace the steps of parents and ancestors, to visit their villages and way of knowing what he was seeing. A plaque fitted into the stone rounding the 2010 service, the disagreements regarding who should towns where they were born and lived before the Genocide. It was makes no mention of the tens of thousands of Armenians pushed to or should not attend, or whether or not the cross could or should like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. We had scattered pieces from their deaths into the river. Instead, it commemorates six Turkish sol - be placed on the top of the church — captures the psychological our parents, like names of villages, descriptions of some localities diers who had perished in a tragic automobile accident some years dilemma in official Turkey’s attitude towards the Armenian question. and we had read the accounts of eyewitnesses to the Genocide. But back. The official refusal of the Turkish establishment to acknowledge when we looked at a present-day map of Turkey, we more often than Everywhere we went, we found remnants of Armenian churches, the 1915 Genocide has led it to attempt to deny the very existence not found nothing resembling the place names. Our German guide - like the one in Zatkig, a village on the road to Kars, a 10th-century over a thousand years of an Armenian civilization and culture. book did not offer much help. church, which, though in ruins, had bits of blue and white frescoes. Because to acknowledge it would raise the question: what happened Without Armen Aroyan, our tour guide who has 25 years’ expe - Stones had been walled into the formerly open arches and the struc - to that civilization? Why was it destroyed? How was it destroyed? rience in accompanying pilgrims through the region, and our driver, ture was now being used to store wood. From the abundance of hay Thus to say or to write, “This was an Armenian church” is so who spoke both Turkish and Kurdish, we would never have found in the back, it appeared that it may also have been being used as a charged with associations that one prefers to avoid the words. our way. stable. A similar image greeted us just prior to our entry to Erzurum, But such an enterprise is futile. No amount of denial can eradi - By asking at various points along the way, we did find Mashgerd, a city from the ancient Armenian kingdom at the end of the fourth cate the fact that such a civilization did exist in Anatolia since time my father’s village. We learned it is no longer called Mashgerd but century: the ruins of a church with grass growing on what once was immemorial. The stones do cry out and increasing numbers of visi - Chakirtash. Here what we were looking for was the church in which, its roof. It looked like hair sprouting from the head of a Benedictine tors from the Armenian Diaspora are traveling through the region as my father had recounted, the townspeople had been locked for monk which should have been shorn. and hearing the wonderful tales that the stones have to relate. four days before being taken out to be killed. “There is no church But in Kars, our next stop, the church stood out in magnificent Ordinary Turkish citizens, like the many we met during our visits to here,” the villagers told us to our dismay. There was a church some contrast. The Apostles Church, built by King Abbas in 937, had been the villages and towns, had no problems in acknowledging the past. kilometers away that we could reach on foot, they said, but none in turned into a mosque in 1064. For 40 years beginning in 1878 dur - The problem lies not with the Turkish people. In fact, there is a the town. Although the villagers had no knowledge of such a ing the Russian occupation, it served again as a Christian place of wave of ethnic rediscovery sweeping across Turkey, whereby hun - church, we knew there must be one, first, because wherever there worship. It was a museum between 1969-1980, and again became a dreds if not hundreds of thousands of Turkish citizens are uncover - was a sizable Armenian community there was a church or at least a mosque in 1994. ing their Armenian roots and working through their family histories. chapel; secondly, because my father had written about its being in But there could be no mistake about it — this was a church. The The problem lies not with them, but with the Turkish establish - Mashgerd. majestic reliefs on the upper portion of the façade under the dome ment who, as Hrant Dink put it, has been suffering from “paranoia” After a long while, a very old man appeared and said, yes, in fact, between the arches are easily identifiable as the 12 apostles, at least, as a result of the historical burden of the Genocide. To protect the there was a church — Kilise — in the town. He led us down a dirt to anyone familiar with church architecture and iconography. The paranoia, the Turkish establishment has perpetuated the fantasy of road, past a fountain and pointed to a large structure which at first sign in English, placed there for the benefit of foreign tourists, gives denial, going to absurd lengths trying to rewrite a history of the did not look at all like a church. It was not shaped like other no hint as to who worshipped there earlier. It said the church had region which omits the Armenian presence. Armenian churches we knew, with their round central structures been built by one Bagratid King Abbas (932-937) and listed its sub - As any clinical psychiatrist will attest, overcoming such paranoia mounted on dodecagons or other polygons, rounded arches and sequent functions. The word “Armenian” was nowhere to be found. must involve facing reality. This means acknowledging the historical conical domes, but was oblong and had a flat roof. The old man Who the Bagratids were was left to the imagination. record, not only recognizing the Genocide perpetrated by a specific pointed to certain bricks cemented into the façade, which had The same mythological reality greeted us at Ani, the magnificent Young Turk regime in a specific time frame and circumstances, but Armenian characters inscribed on them: names, dates and ancient city, once capital of the Armenian kingdom. Two large acknowledging the existence of the Armenian component — cultur - khachkars. Aroyan explained that they were stones, which had per - plaques on the side of the city’s ancient walls inform the visitor of al, political, and religious — as an integral part of the history of what haps been taken from the cemetery and used in building the church, Ani’s long illustrious history, again without reference to the word is today’s Turkey. The most appropriate approach would entail coop - according to a custom known throughout the area. Or, they were “Armenian.” erative efforts by the Turkish authorities with Armenians, from the bricks designed to be part of the façade. So this was indeed a It was Ashot III (952-977), king of the Bagratids, who built Ani, Republic of Armenia and the diaspora, to restore and rebuild the church, and it must have been the one my father knew! “with its 1001 churches.” This was clearly a metaphor, but just as artistic treasures of the Christian tradition, to rehabilitate that con - Back in 1916, when the people were let out of the church after clearly evidence of the fact that a large number — hundreds — of tribution to world civilization and to reopen the houses of worship. four days and taken to the center of the town, my father (eight at churches had graced the rolling hillsides and nested in the cave-like The role of UNESCO should not be to provide cover for the distor - the time) had run for his life and managed to reach his grandmoth - apertures along the steep slopes of the gorge down to the Ahurian tion of history, but to let the stones cry out. er’s house about 100 yards away, and hid in the stable behind it. I River. One such edifice is the Church of St. Gregor of walked that distance in several different directions from the church Abughamrents, erected in the middle of the 10th century, another (Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is the author of Through the Wall of and the nearby central square looking for a dwelling that would fit is the Church of the Redeemer, completed in 1035-1036. Though Fire: Armenia — Iraq — Palestine: From Wrath to Reconciliation , that description, and I found several. Which one might have been now only half the structure stands, historical photos make recon - 2009. She can be reached at [email protected] his grandmother’s house? There was no way of telling. struction possible. Another, the Church of St. Gregor built in 1215 and www.mirak-weissbach.de.) S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

support for Turkey! work of “radical Armenians.” He must have forgotten that This near unanimous vote did not come as a surprise to the Turkish government is the one paying millions of dol - me, as I had long advocated the passage of such a measure lars to lobbying firms each year to influence members of realizing that members of Congress could not possibly vote Congress, and that 43 out of 44 Foreign Affairs Committee against religious freedom. All 15 members of Congress who members, including Turkey’s staunchest supporters, could My Turn spoke during the hearing indicated their support for the not possibly be in the pockets of a handful of “radical amendment. Here are excerpts from some of their remarks: Armenians.” By Harut Sassounian • Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), who offered the amend - Turkish leaders have not made a public statement after ment jointly with Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), stated: “We the adoption of the amendment, in order to hide this want Turkey to return confiscated property to Christian embarrassing episode. Surprisingly, Armenian government Congressional Panel Urges communities and at a minimum to provide compensation officials have not commented either on this issue. Obama Turkey to Return Church for properties that can’t be recovered…. In this particular administration officials have also remained silent and area, their [Turks’] practices for many years…have been refrained from overt efforts to block the amendment in Properties to Christians atrocious.” view of its overwhelming bipartisan support. • Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA): “This amendment is While Armenian, Assyrian and Greek-Americans have The House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a strong - urgently needed to address the vast destruction of won the first skirmish, they have not yet won the final bat - ly-worded measure on July 20, pressing Turkey to return all Christian religious heritage as a result of the Turkish gov - tle. The Authorization Bill along with this amendment will Christian church properties “to their rightful owners.” ernment’s theft, desecration and disregard of ancient next go to the full House for approval. A similar bill has to By an overwhelming 43-1 vote, the congressional panel Christian holy sites and churches.” be adopted by the Senate. A joint committee of both hous - adopted a sweeping amendment to the State Department’s • Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), one of the staunchest sup - es will then attempt to reconcile the differences between Foreign Relations Authorization Act, urging “the Secretary porters of Turkey: “I do support the amendment. I do sup - the two versions. of State in all official contacts with Turkish leaders and port religious freedom, and I hope that this amendment Turkish lobbyists and the Obama administration still other Turkish officials to emphasize that Turkey should:” does pass.” have an opportunity to remove the amendment from the 1) end all religious discrimination; • Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), co-chair of the Turkish larger bill. Supporters of the amendment must remain vig - 2) allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian Congressional Caucus: “Religious freedom is a tenet of ilant, urging their House and Senate representatives to church properties to perform religious and social services; American philosophy and it is a cardinal of our American vote in favor of keeping the church amendment in the 3) return to their rightful owners all Christian churches values. I look forward to supporting the language.” Authorization Bill. and other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospi - • Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), co-sponsor of House Resolution Even though the amendment has no legally binding tals, monuments, relics, holy sites and other religious prop - 306, which formed the basis for the proposed amendment: effect, it is a moral victory for all those who cherish reli - erties, including artwork, manuscripts, vestments, vessels “Turkey is identified as a country among the world’s top gious freedom and a major political success for the and other artifacts and violators of religious freedom…. So we urge Turkey to Armenian-American community, which went toe to toe 4) allow the rightful church and lay owners of Christian return all confiscated church properties taken from these against the mighty Turkish lobbying machine and dealt it a church properties to repair all churches and other places of religions that were frankly stolen.” devastating blow. The amendment also exposes the alarm - worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments, • Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY): “Turkey is an ally in NATO, ing condition of Christian churches in Turkey, paving the relics, holy sites and other religious properties within and we recognize that. I wish frankly that they would act way for other countries and international organizations, Turkey. more like an ally to the United States than they have late - such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO, to support Despite intensive efforts by Turkey’s ambassador in ly. They really have gone astray…. Their Foreign Minister their restoration. Washington, Turkish and Azerbaijani organizations and has set out a policy of Islamism and has moved away from Yet, the most effective way of forcing Turkey to return lobbying firms hired by Ankara, almost all members of the the European Union, the West and the United States, and the confiscated Christian churches to their rightful own - Committee, including Turkey’s staunchest supporters, has behaved very poorly frankly with the flotilla and Israel ers is by filing lawsuits in the European Court of Human voted in favor of the amendment, dealing Turkey a devas - and the whole bit.” Rights. The Turkish government has accepted the juris - tating defeat. The single negative vote was cast by Rep. Ron Turkey’s ambassador to the US, Namik Tan, disingenu - diction of that court and has readily complied with its Paul (R-TX) because of his isolationist ideology and not his ously attributed the setback suffered by his country to the verdicts. Armenian-Azeri Dispute Shifts to European Court

The European Court of Human Rights arise about when the individual became a (ECHR) has become a new front in the conflict By Seymur Kazimov, Naira Bulhgadaryan refugee, since it wasn’t during the period of mil - between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with each itary operations in 1989-94, but earlier on, as a side filing hundreds of individual cases claiming result of ethnic cleansing conducted in abuse and discrimination by the other. Ahmed Shirinov, now 71, has submitted a so that I couldn’t stand or walk, and then they Azerbaijan…. it would be clear that the problem Relations between the two countries remain claim to the ECHR concerning the loss of his tried to force information out of me using elec - wasn’t a consequence of war or aggression by poisoned by the status of Nagorno Karabagh, property when he fled his home in the Jebrail tric shocks,” he said. the Armenians,” he said. where the ethnic Armenian population has district as Armenian forces attacked in 1993. The International Committee of the Red In Azerbaijan, similar accusations are made declared its own state. The entity has not been “The Armenians destroyed my home, my Cross finally located him and arranged for his about Armenian cases at the ECHR. recognized as independent by any other coun - farm and all my livestock. I had built all these repatriation. His family says he returned seri - “These appeals to the European court by try, and Azerbaijan continues to insist on sov - buildings myself, and I lost everything in a sin - ously disturbed and still finds it hard to sleep. individual citizens of Armenia are purely politi - ereignty. gle day. That cannot go unpunished, so I’ve His lawyer Edmon Marukyan insists, cal. Many international organizations now Experts say that in the absence of a settle - decided to go to the international court,” he “Azerbaijan must pay compensation to this citi - recognise Armenia as the aggressor, and the ment, both sides are keen to score political said. zen of Armenia for the fact that it illegally held whole world recognises that Nagorno-Karabagh points by winning legal battles against the Proving ownership in court will be especially him on its territory, used torture and caused is part of Azerbaijan’s territory,” Malahat other. difficult because many people like Shirinov left serious harm to his health.” Hasanova, a member of parliament from the rul - Most appeals to the European court relate to in such a hurry that they took no personal doc - Officials in Azerbaijan deny that Badalyan ing Yeni Azerbaijan party, said. “Armenians are injuries or property losses sustained in the war, uments with them. was mistreated in detention. trying to justify themselves in the eyes of the which ended with a ceasefire in 1994, but a Teyyub Babayev was left in the same position “You can’t even talk about torture as a possi - world community, so they present themselves steady trickle of new complaints is keeping after leaving the Kapan region of Armenia as he bility. Badalyan’s statements are completely as victims of the conflict. I don’t think these lawyers busy. felt his situation as an ethnic Azerbaijani dete - absurd,” Teymur Abdullayev, deputy head of cases have any substance at all.” Two ongoing cases — Chiragov and others riorating in 1988. the defense ministry’s press service, said. The authorities in the two countries are keep - versus Armenia and Sargisian versus Because he was a resident in Armenia itself, If these cases are accepted for consideration ing a close eye on current cases — both their Azerbaijan — had their initial hearings in rather than in Karabagh or one of the adjoining by the ECHR, they will not be tried for some own and the other side’s. Strasbourg on the same day last September and districts it still controls, compensation is the years since the court has a large backlog. Chingiz Askerov, Azerbaijan’s representative are almost exact mirror images of one another. most Babayev can hope for if his case is taken “Chiragov and others versus Armenia,” for at the ECHR, said more than 600 refugees in In both, the plaintiffs are claiming damages up by the ECHR. example, was submitted to the court in 2005 his country had filed complaints against under articles of the European Convention on “The forced migrants have the hope that but the first hearing took place only last Armenia, and the number was growing every Human Rights that enshrine rights to property, sooner or later they will return to their homes autumn. day. family life and justice and outlaw discrimina - — if not themselves, then their children or In both Azerbaijan and Armenia, critics Not all cases will end up in the courtroom, tion. grandchildren. But we don’t have that hope. As accuse the other side of putting cases to the since plaintiffs must overcome legal hurdles and “Sargisian v. Azerbaijan” also includes com - refugees from Armenia, we will never be able to ECHR for political ends. come up with relevant evidence. plaints of inhuman and degrading treatment return to our homes,” he said. Arman Melikyan, an adviser at the Refugees “There are very few lawyers working in this and breaches of freedom of confession, the lat - In Armenia, there is considerable interest in and International Law network in Yerevan, told area,” said Asabeli Mustafayev, head of the ter with regard to the destruction of Armenian the case of Arthur Badalyan, whose lawyers are IWPR that he regarded the cases brought by Resource Centre for Democracy and Human cemeteries in Azerbaijan. to pursue a compensation claim at the ECHR, Azerbaijanis as a “political trend” designed to Rights in Azerbaijan. “In addition, a group of The plaintiff, Minas Sargisian, has since died, alleging the Azerbaijani authorities held him give the unresolved Karabagh dispute an airing con-men has been selling aggrieved citizens but his case is being pursued by his widow. illegally for two years and subjected him to tor - in a new forum. application forms for the European Court. There are plenty more cases in the making in ture before releasing him this March. Melikyan said that if the court allowed such Documentation compiled in that manner is of which Azerbaijanis and Armenians claim they Badalyan says he crossed the border from cases, it could open a wave of complaints from dubious quality.” have been harmed by the opposing state. Armenia into Azerbaijan by accident, and was Armenians, for example those who fled Baku Plaintiffs alleging loss will have to demon - On the Azerbaijani side, many cases concern then detained. and other towns in Azerbaijan because of eth - strate not only that they owned property but the hundreds of thousands of people forced to “They wanted to force me to talk about the nic violence in the late 1980s, also that it was deliberately taken away from leave their homes during the Karabagh war and strength of the Armenian army. I refused to do “If a case brought by Baku Armenians was them. This will be particularly hard to prove in still unable to return. so. They beat me up. They beat me on the feet accepted for consideration, a question would see DISPUTES, page 16 16 S ATURDAY , J ULY 30, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR US House Panel Tells Turkey to Safeguard Christian Heritage

SAFEGUARDS, from page 1 worship,” the ANCA executive director, Aram Khach (Holy Cross), was renovated by the nationalists to perform Muslim prayers in preserve places of worship belonging to Jews Hamparian, said in a statement. Turkish government in 2007. The church another historic Armenian church, the 11th and Christians,” Namik Tan, Turkey’s ambas - The measure was also welcomed by high- perched on the legendary Akhtamar Island in century Holy Virgin Cathedral. sador to Washington, said in a statement. ranking representatives of the Armenian Lake Van saw its first mass in nearly a century The imposing cathedral is located at the ruins But the two main Armenian advocacy groups Apostolic Church in the United States. “I hope last September. of Ani, the capital of a medieval Armenian king - in Washington hailed the almost unanimous that this will be the first of many steps towards The authorities in Ankara also reluctantly dom. It lies less than one kilometer from the committee vote. Bryan Ardouny, executive preserving Armenian Christian heritage in agreed to allow the Armenian patriarchate in Turkish-Armenian border. director of the Armenian Assembly of America, Turkey,” said Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Istanbul to restore a cross on its dome. But they Built by an Armenian royal dynasty in 1001 singled out Royce and the two Democratic co- legate of a church diocese in the eastern US. have resisted calls for the church’s return to AD, the cathedral has for centuries been regard - sponsors of the amendment for praise. Ayvazian attended the committee debate Turkey’s Armenian community. ed as a masterpiece of medieval Armenian archi - One of them, Howard Berman of California, together with several other Armenian-American Akhtamar currently has the status of a state tecture. According to official Turkish sources, has been a key congressional backer of draft clerics. museum. Seljuk Sultan Alparslan converted it into a resolutions describing the World War I-era The eastern regions of modern-day Turkey The Turkish government caused outrage in mosque when he captured Ani and surrounding mass killings and deportations of Armenians in were home to hundreds of Armenian churches Armenia and its worldwide diaspora later in regions in 1064. The Seljuks were driven out of the Ottoman Empire as genocide. built there since the early Middle Ages. The vast 2010 when it allowed hundreds of Turkish much of historical Armenia a century later. The Armenian National Committee of majority of them were destroyed, ransacked or America (ANCA) called the amendment a “pow - turned into mosques during and after the 1915 erful victory for religious freedom.” “Ninety-six slaughter of an estimated 1.5 million years after the genocide perpetrated against the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians, the Turkish One of the few surviving examples of the TCA Board Meets with California Chapters government has destroyed or confiscated the ancient Armenian civilization in the mountain - vast majority of their holy sites and places of ous area, the 10th century church of Surp TCA, from page 1 Maro Bedrosian, chairman of the TCA Board of Administrators, presented the Armenian-Azeri Dispute Shifts to European Court Sponsor A Teacher programs’ successes during the past 11 DISPUTES, from page 15 son, for example an Armenian from Shaumyan years, and Central Board Nagorno-Karabagh itself, which Armenia says region living in a house in that used to Assistant Secretary Vatche lies beyond its territorial jurisdiction. belong to an Azerbaijani?” Semerdjian discussed the impact “The Republic of Armenia has no authority The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan of Tekeyan on the cultural life of in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh and can - are due to meet in Russia later this month. the Armenian Community in the not therefore take responsibility for any alleged Russian, American and French mediators would Los Angeles area. violation of an individual’s rights there,” Gevorg like them to finally sign up to a set of basic prin - A discussion of current Kostanyan, who represents the Armenian gov - ciples for a peace process that would gradually events and issues were openly ernment at the ECHR, said. return Armenian-controlled regions around discussed with the participation Some commentators believe Armenia and Karabagh to Azerbaijani control, and assigning of Rouben Terzian, Edmond Azerbaijan would do better to seek a negotiat - Nagorno Karabagh itself an interim status Azadian, Vahan Voskian, ed settlement that makes provision for all pending an referendum on its future. George Mandosian, Harry refugees on both sides, instead of encouraging “One of the six key basic principles in the Participants of TCA California Chapter executive members and Meneshian, Papken Megerian individual claims. document the presidents are discussing in TCA Central Board of Directors and others. “I don’t believe the ECHR is the right insti - Kazan is the right of return for all displaced tution to sort out the issue of compensation people,” de Waal said. “I think that a compre - and restitution for refugees in the Karabagh hensive approach which covers everyone who conflict,” Thomas de Waal, a senior associate at lost their home in the conflict as part of a wider the Carnegie Endowment for International settlement has to be the right one.” Peace in Washington, said. (Seymur Kazimov is project officer at the The Armenian “As we have seen in Cyprus, the court is able Azerbaijan Media Centre. Naira Bulghadaryan to rule on individual claims, but that can actu - is a correspondent for Radio Liberty in ally complicate things. For example, what do Armenia. Sara Khojoyan, IWPR Armenia you about a refugee who is now living in a place country director, also contributed that used to belong to another displaced per - material to this report.) Mirro r-Spe ctator

Armenia Wins World Chess Team Championship YES, I would like a 1 – year subscription to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. USA /Second Class Mail $75.00 CANADA /Air Mail $125.00 CHAMPS, from page 1 our chess players, Armenia has entered the /First Class Mail Two of its three post-Soviet presidents are chess Olympus for good,” it declared in a spe - USA $120.00 keen chess players who have promoted the cial statement. J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS FOR ME game while in office. The current president, “This is a great result,” agreed Vanik NAME Serge Sargisian, heads the Armenian Chess Zakarian, the honorary chairman of the Federation. He personally supported the Armenian Chess Federation. “Our team has ADDRESS national team during its Olympic triumphs. been considered a major contender in all chess CITY STATE ZIP Earlier this year, Sargisian’s government competitions held in recent years.” decided to make chess a mandatory subject in Zakarian said the championship victory is no J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS A GIFT FOR: primary schools. less significant than the Olympic titles. “What NAME The Armenian National Congress, an opposi - makes chess Olympiads different is that all tion grouping led by former President Levon teams compete in them, whereas only the ADDRESS Ter-Petrosian, was quick to welcome the “bril - selected best teams take part in world champi - CITY STATE ZIP liant” victory in Ningbo. “Thanks to this feat by onships,” he said. Please make check payable to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and mail to: 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509 C A LENDAR All payments must be drawn on US banks C A LENDAR SUB SCRIBE

MASSACHUSETTS

SEPTEMBER 16 and 17 — A weekend of Art and Renewal with The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA), featuring the works of Yousuf Karsh. • September 16 — ALMA will host a gala celebration at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston, honoring the life and works of world-renowned Armenian-Canadian photographer, Yousuf Karsh, and the permanent collection of his portraits gifted by his wife, Estrella Karsh. Reservations can be made online by visiting ALMA website at www.almainc.org or call (617) 926-2562, ext. 31. • September 17 — Opening reception of the exhibition Karsh: Celebrating Humanity in TODAY! ALMA’s newly-designed Bedoukian Gallery, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 65 Main St., Watertown. Celebrate the new face of ALMA and the many faces of Karsh. For info, contact ALMA.