SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXII, NO. 10, Issue 4204 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First in the Uruguay Foreign Thousands Attend Second Mass at Minister: NK Is Historic Part of Akhtamar’s Surp Kach Church in Van MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Armenpress) — Foreign Minister of Uruguay Luis Almagro has said the Nagorno Karabagh is Armenian. The Armenian VAN (RFE/RL) — Thousands of Revolutionary Federation (ARF) press service attended on Sunday a mass held in a medieval announced that Almagro, referring to the Armenian cathedral in southeastern Turkey for Karabagh issue, stated, “Today we study the issue the second time since its government-funded for expressing a viewpoint on a state level, but I am renovation in 2007. personally sure that Karabagh is a historical part of News reports citing Turkish television Armenia and must be independent and joined with said boat shuttles ferried the pilgrims, most Armenia soon. This is the only solution to the of them from Turkey but some from Artsakh issue.” Armenia and Europe, to the Akhtamar The minister made this statement during a con - Island on Lake Van, which is home to the ference dedicated to Armenian-Uruguayan relations church of Surp Khach (Holy Cross). They and undertaken by Armenian National Committee said a new lakeside pier was built this year of South America and Uruguay-Armenia parlia - to accommodate the faithful. mentary group. The Turkish government allowed the first Uruguay was the first state to recognize the mass in nearly a century there in in 1965. September 2010 after spending $1.5 mil - lion on the renovation and turning the Nishan Parlakian Dies church into a museum. The AFP news agency reported that NEW YORK — Dr. Nishan Parlakian, 86, died on Archbishop Aram Ateshian, the interim September 12. An outgoing and beloved figure in spiritual leader of Turkey’s Armenian com - the Armenian community as well as in the broader munity, chaired the ceremony this year. worlds of drama and academia, Parlakian was emer - The Anatolia news agency quoted itus professor of theater at John Jay College, CUNY, Ateshian as saying that only 60 percent of Armenian Christians gather for mass at the Church of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island in Van. and a playwright and a director who staged many around 3,000 people who arrived on the plays in Armenian and in English. island were able to enter the church. The He wrote extensively on Armenian theater and others heard the mass outside through The Mother See of the Armenian cross was placed there later in 2010. translated numerous plays from the Armenian. loudspeakers. Apostolic Church boycotted the 2010 cere - Built between 915 and 921, the Editor of three anthologies on various types of According to the Turkish Tourism mony, saying that the Turkish authorities Akhtamar church is one of the few surviv - Armenian drama, he had served as president of Ministry, nearly 30,000 tourists flocked to broke their pledge to restore a cross on the ing examples of the ancient Armenian civi - the Pirandello Society of America. the Akhtamar church last year. Surp Khach dome in time for the mass. The lization in modern Turkey. He leaves behind his wife of many years, Florence, and his children. A full obituary will be forthcoming next week. WikiLeaks on Armenian Genocide: Turkey ADL Co-Chair Papken National Soccer Coach ‘Purged’ Archives to Destroy Evidence Megerian Visits Hopeful for Victories Tekeyan School in (ArmeniaNow) — Head coach of papers documenting the Armenian Armenia’s national soccer team Vardan Minasyan By Gayane Abrahamyan Genocide and are not in favor of Turkey.” Yerevan does not exclude luck as a factor in Armenia’s lat - In a WikiLeaks-released cable originating YEREVAN — On the occasion of the est major victories against their opponents from from the US Consulate in in July Andorra and Slovakia. Still, he adds that, as they YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — The whistle- first day of academic school year of 2004, Consul General David Arnett quoted say, “the ball comes to the player.” blowing site WikiLeaks has de-classified 2011-2012, Papken Megerian, co-chair of Turkish Sabançi University Prof. Halil “The luck factor is very important, but it also has documents that demonstrate once again the ADL District Committee of USA and Berktay, according to whom, the archives to be a quality game. We earned our victory that that Turkey has edited its archives relating Canada and a member of the Central related to the had under - day,” he says, referring to the signal 4-0 victory in to 1915-23, however Turkish studies spe - Board of Tekeyan Cultural Association, gone “purges” destroying all the evidence an away Euro-2012 qualifier against Slovakia on cialist Anush Hovhannisyan is convinced visited the Vahan Tekeyan School and on the Armenian Genocide. September 6. that “even ‘purged’ archives still have see WIKILEAKS, page 16 participated in the opening ceremonies of the school. Armenia has two upcoming games. On October The first day of school in Armenia is a 7, Armenia will play against Macedonia in Yerevan day of celebration, with the participation and then against Ireland in Dublin on October 11. of the community. Rev. Diran Armenia is currently third in the six-nation Aroushanian, pastor of the nearby Holy group, a point behind Ireland and three points shy Mary Church, blessed the school year. of Russia. The remaining two matches will decide Two representatives of the Armenian air whether Armenia can win a promotion spot by fin - force as well as Lt. Maj. Nver Tavtian par - ishing at least second. ticipated in the ceremony, along with the mayor of Sebastia and two local mem - bers of the Armenian Parliament, Samvel Alexanian and Goriun INSI DE Nahabedian. Megerian told those assembled: “I congratulate you all on this happy see VISIT, page 2 Grilling Veber page 10 Tekeyan Centre Celebrates 20th Anniversary

YEREVAN — On Saturday, September 10, the Tekeyan Centre here celebrated its 20th anniversary. Among the guests were the first prime minister of Armenia, INDEX Vazgen Manougian, and director of the staff of the Parliament, Gegham Arts and Living ...... 10 Gharibjanian. In the photo, from left are, Nar Khachadourian of Lebanon, Armenia ...... 2, 3 Community News...... 5 Manougian, TCA Central Committee Vice President Edmond Azadian, Tekeyan Editorial ...... 14 Centre President Vartan Ouzounian of England, Gharibjanian, TCA Central International ...... 4 Committee member Papken Megerian and A. Krikorian. During the opening ceremony 2 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia US Airmen Honored at Armenia Crash Site

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A US Air Force general thanked residents of a vil - Exhibitions Honors 20th lage in Armenia earlier this month for honoring the 17-member crew of a US Anniversary of Armenia reconnaissance plane that was shot down near Sasnashen by Soviet fighter YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President Serge jets 53 years ago. Sargisian was the first visitor this week to “Soviet Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, deputy com - Armenia” and “Independent Republic of Armenia” mander of an Air Force base stationed standing exhibitions dedicated to the 20th anniver- in Germany, marked the crash anniver - sary of the Republic of Armenia. sary together with Armenia’s First Documents concerning the Soviet years, photos Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan and personal items of renowned figures are pre- and dozens of Sasnashen villagers. sented in the “Soviet Armenia” exhibition. The The C-130 Hercules aircraft was “Independent Republic of Armenia” exhibition downed while flying a reconnaissance sums up the path of independence since 1988. mission near Soviet Armenia’s border Director of the History Museum, Anelka on September 2, 1958. According to the Grigorian, said that it is the first time in the histo- US military, it was attacked by MiG jets ry of events dedicated to 20th anniversary of inde- after straying into Soviet airspace. All 17 The gravestone in Arlington National of the 17-member crew of a US recon - pendence that Soviet Armenia and the past path of crewmen on board the plane were killed. naissance plane that was shot down over Soviet Armenia on September 2, 1958 the Republic of Armenia is presented in the History According to the US Embassy in Museum in a new way. “The main stress is put on Yerevan, Sasnashen residents have for the symbols of the statehood,” she stressed. decades commemorated this date as In what appears to be a gesture of recent years. Zamzow inaugurated on Grigorian said that many items have been taken they believe the crew maneuvered the gratitude, the US Department of Friday a newly-renovated kindergarten from the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and the aircraft to avoid the village and thus Defense has financed infrastructure in the village and a policlinic in the near - National Archives. Those materials include the saved locals’ lives. They erected a memo - upgrades in and around Sasnashen in by of Talin. Moscow, Kars and Alexandropol treaties. There are rial at the nearby crash site in personal items of officials from Soviet Armenia. September 1993, less than two years One of the interesting documents is Alexander after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Myasnikyan’s statement in 1921, according to “I was deeply touched when I heard Artsakh Bio-Fuel Company Sets Sights on which Nagorno Karabagh (NK) must be recognized that the citizens of Sasnashen still an inseparable part of Armenia. remember this event, and have conduct - Replacing ‘Conventional’ Energy Sources ed a memorial remembrance every year New Monuments to Be since 1958 to commemorate the aircrew STEPANAKERT (Hetq) — “We do not foresee any problems in that died that day,” an embassy state - BioTechnolgy Ltd. is a start-up enterprise terms of selling what we produce. There Placed in Yerevan ment quoted Zamzow as saying at the making waves in Artsakh. In fact, it is is a huge demand in Armenia alone,” says commemoration ceremony. now ranked as one of the largest taxpay - Hayriyan. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The reconstruction “The manner in which you conduct ers in the country. The company now employs 50 workers works of the Yerevan State Circus will soon launch. this ceremony, and the way in which you Company Director Gevorg Hayriyan who make an average of 180,000 drams Chief architect of Yerevan, Narek Sargisian, said maintain this memorial, speaks volumes says that the company started to produce per month. reconstruction of the square of the Sassuntsi Davit for your strength as a community,” bio-stoves in January of 2011. The burners themselves, produced in station is also in the works. The chief architect told Zamzow told the villagers. The young entrepreneur says that the Stepanakert, have different capacities reporters that an open tender for the Garegin He also paid tribute to the US air - company not only wants to take advan - ranging from 18 kilowatts to 1,000. Nzhdeh’s monument has been announced. men’s final act of bravery, saying that tage of Artsakh’s cheap raw materials but Prices start at 442,000 drams for the Mantashov’s monument will be placed near the they spared civilian lives as the C-130 wants to see the wages paid to employees units. former Children’s World on Abovian Street. The crashed to the ground. ploughed back into the local . The burners are made from materials monument to Fridtjof Nansen was entrusted to The Soviet Union returned the partial The bio-fuel used by the burners comes mostly imported from Ukraine and Russia. sculptor Garegin Davtyan. The monument will be remains of six of the crewme later in from natural sources — wood, sawdust Hayriyan says the company entered placed on Moskovyan-Abovyan crossroad in early 1958. It was not until 1993 that a US and other dried stalks of other plants. into a licensing arrangement with the November. Army team went to the site of the crash These materials are then processed with - Retra company to make the burners. A jury will decide who will make a monument and recovered the rest of the remains, out the use of additives into cylinder- Workers were sent to the Ukraine city of dedicated to Karen Demirchian. including more than 2,000 bone and shaped logs. Rovna for training at the Retra company Sargisian said in early October the opening cere- tooth fragments, life support equipment, “We have imported five different cut - headquarters. mony of Charles Aznavour House-Museum will take personal effects and aircraft wreckage. ting machines from Armenia to fashion BioTechonolgy receives most of its place. Hrant Matevosyan’s museum is also expected The remains were interred in a single the cylinders. We have contracted the orders from the Artsakh government. to be built in Yerevan. grave in the Arlington National work out to other firms but we oversee The burners have been installed in 10 Cemetery in 1998. all aspects of the process, including qual - locations and tests show they are twice as Tire Factory Burns More personal effects of the late ser - ity control,” says Hayriyan. cheap to operate as conventional gas vicemen were returned to US officials The director says the market potential burners. YEREVAN (Tert.am) — A tire factory here caught during Friday’s commemoration. Some for the bio-fuel is unlimited given the ease To date, the company has sold 20 burn - fire last week, according to the Ministry of of their relatives also attended it. of transport. ers that are now in operation. Emergency Situations. The fire spread into a near- by 5,000-square-meter area that housed mostly worn-out tires. The dry grass in a nearby vacant factory helped ADL Co-Chair Papken Megerian Visits Tekeyan School in Yerevan spread the fire. Four brigades of firefighters arrived at the scene VISIT, from page 1 of the incident and succeeded in preventing the fire occasion. I thank Principal Anahid from spreading further. Khalatian for inviting me. I am very There were no casualties. much moved, because this is the first time that I am participating in such a wonderful ceremony. I am very Opposition to Hold its impressed by it. In the United States Next Rally on Sept. 23 there are no such celebrations, and they don’t start the school year like this. On YEREVAN (Arminfo) — The next rally of the behalf of the Central Board of Tekeyan Armenian National Congress (ANC) will take place Cultural Association, I congratulate you on September 23, ANC Leader Levon Ter-Petrosian all. By bringing you best wishes from said when completing its rally on September 9. your brothers and sisters I wish you to “Initially we were going to hold it on September live up to the stature of the poet Vahan 21, the day of Armenia’s independence, however, Tekeyan, by educating yourself under later we gave up this idea, because dozens of this roof and one day be a poet, scien - events will take place on that day, and people hav- tist, doctor, educator or soldier.” ing nothing to do with independence will take part After the ceremony, Megerian toured in these events. This is why we decided to hold the the classrooms, making a stop in the rally on September 23. This date is also symbolic, classroom named for Hagop Boghosian, because though the declaration on Armenian the former editor of the ADL newspa - independence was adopted on September 21, the per of . After independence was declared on September 23,” he Boghosian died, his wife, Ani, and the said. TCA worked together to name a class - Papken Megerian with the principal, vice principal, representatives of the air force Protesters made their way to Mashtots Avenue to room after him. and Marieta Magarian hold a procession along the central streets of Megerian then met with the mayor Yerevan and ended their actions at Liberty Square. and others involved with the school, to discuss the infrastructure of the build - whose staff receive annual stipends Tekeyan “ I love you, Armenian lan - ing. from the TCA, started their classes by guage, like my….” On the same day, all Tekeyan schools remembering the words of Vahan — Marieta Magarian S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA AGBU Armenian Virtual College Celebrates Second Anniversary

YEREVAN — This week, the Armenian our hybrid education program to the CIS General Benevolent Union’s Armenian Virtual [Commonwealth of Independent States] coun - College (AVC) celebrated the second anniver - tries by initiating AVC Labs in Tbilisi and sary of its online institute by holding a Global Rostov.” Online Forum to reflect on the range of Poghosyan was enthusiastic about AVC’s achievements, announce its future plans and achievements. “Two years ago when the project prepare for the new expansion that will allow it was launched, it was unclear how this brilliant to reach more Armenians than ever before. idea would be realized. The results you Launched in June 2009, AVC is the first achieved today are very impressive. I will con - Armenian online college, with a goal to make tinue to invest my efforts for presenting this Armenian education available to everyone project among all possible circles,” she said. everywhere through modern technologies. The Primate of the Georgian Diocese of the During its two years of operation, AVC has had Armenian Apostolic Church expressed his hap - nine academic terms with more than 1,300 stu - piness in seeing how AVC has brought a dents from 50 countries, from the United renewed energy to Armenian education in the States to Russia, from Venezuela to South centuries-old Armenian community of Tbilisi. Africa, and from Argentina to Reunion Island in “Throughout the years, the number of the Indian Ocean. Armenian schools in Tbilisi has decreased to The Global Online Forum was led by AGBU only one as of the 2011 academic year for a city Central Board Member Yervant Zorian, who is with an Armenian population of more than also the chairman of AVC. During the event, 80,000. As a result, 90 percent of Russian Armenia’s Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan school pupils in Tbilisi are Armenians,” said and other speakers delivered welcoming Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. “While it would speeches that celebrated AVC’s continuing suc - be good to have traditional Armenian educa - cess. tional institutions on-site, AVC is an excellent “Among thousands of online universities in solution to preserve the Armenian identity in the world, AVC is the first one that provides communities with no Armenian schools.” and is dedicated to Armenian education. Today, AVC was first initiated in 2004 under Zorian when only five percent of Armenian youth in and AGBU’s Central Board of Directors as an Armenia’s Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan addresses the AGBU Armenian Virtual College’s the diaspora has access to face-to-face educational program that better addresses the Global Online Forum on September 6. AGBU Central Board Member Yervant Zorian (right) chaired Armenian educational programs, the impor - needs of Armenians and appeals to contempo - the event. tance of such an institution is becoming more rary students. Since then, the multimedia con - and more vivid,” said Zorian. tent has been developed largely in Armenia in “While our virtual students around the world collaboration with scientists and engineers at The AVC local committee of Tbilisi was pre - and Uruguay. Students and instructors shared enthusiastically participate in our existing Yerevan State University’s Center of IT sent for the Global Online Forum and they dis - their AVC experiences and answered audience courses, AVC continues to expand its offerings Education and Research. cussed their plans to establish an AVC Lab in questions about the online college. Some stu - in multiple directions. I am very pleased to AVC also introduced a hybrid education the local church center. Similarly, the head of dents, who happened to be visiting Armenia at announce today the expansion of our Armenian method, which targets schools and educational the Armenian community of Rostov, Russia, the time, attended the event and shared their culture program to cover Armenian visual art institutes by offering a blend of conventional spoke about the opening of the first opera - views in person. courses, the adoption of new advanced learning and online pedagogies. AVC implemented this tional AVC lab in his city, starting in October. AVC continues to build its three depart - technologies to enable interactive animation in method for the first time with the Ohanessian Many AVC students from different countries ments: , History and teaching Armenian history, the augmentation Friday School of Sharjah in the United Arab of the world, as well as AVC online instructors Culture, each of which offers courses of differ - of our instruction languages to include Turkish Emirates. Since that initial experiment, nearly and online education specialists, participated in ent levels. Currently, AVC offers instruction in as the seventh language, which is beneficiary 10 schools and communities have joined the the Global Online Forum through online tools. seven languages: , Western for our compatriots residing in Turkey and hybrid educational model and use AVC as part Live video connections were established with Armenian, English, Russian, French, Spanish Western Europe, and finally the extension of of their curriculum. students from the United States, Russia, Spain and Turkish. Cosmic Ray Division Students Receive Degrees and Acclaim

YEREVAN — Bagrat Mailyan, the newest Two students were conducting their senior young scientist to immerge from the Cosmic undergraduate research projects at the Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Artem Alikhanyan Ray Division of AANL. Both students, Hasmik National Laboratory (AANL) in Armenia, has Rostomyan and Hripsime Mkrtchyan from been engaged in researching cosmic ray physics Yerevan State University, conducted their senior research at CRD’s high altitude research stations on Mt. Aragats and grad - uated with a bache - lor’s degree. With the head of CRD Prof. Ashot Chilingarian as senior advisor, both young women researched topics related to the ongo - ing work at CRD. In accordance with a new AANL policy of supporting bright, young Armenian sci - PhD recipient Bagrat Mailyan, center, with student (left) and staff member (right) in front of joint entists, both gradu - Japanese-Armenian Cosmic Ray project – CRD Aragats research station, Mt. Aragats ates were given employment at the PhD recipient Bagrat Mailyan at CRD Nor Ambert research station, Mt. Cosmic Ray Division Aragats while pursuing advanced degrees. In addition, Rostomyan was accepted models, particle detectors, methods of the data by the United States Space Agency (NASA) to analysis and simulation of detector response. attend its upcoming space weather school in Mailyan defended his PhD thesis, “The Energy Slovakia in July. Spectra of Thunderstorm Correlated Electrons Anahid Yeremian, a physicist and chair - and Gamma-rays,” at the June 7 session of the woman of the Support Committee for AANL council meeting. Armenia’s Cosmic Ray Division (SCACRD), Mailyan will present the results of his work at commented that support of the diaspora great - the International Cosmic Ray Conference in ly facilitated these achievements. “We are proud Beijing, China this August and will participate of our diaspora,” she cited, “and immensely in the competition for the post-doctoral posi - proud of CRD’s leadership, staff and especially PhD recipient Bagrat Mailyan, seated, Prof. Ashot Chilingarian standing to left, at Nor Ambert tion at the CRD to be organized by the AANL our talented young Armenian students, scien - research station, Mt. Aragats this autumn. tists and engineers.” 4 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Turkey Plays High-stakes Game, Positioning Actor Invited to Seventh Itself at Heart of Arab World

Muslim Film Festival ously not joined western countries in call - KAZAN, Tatarstan (Tert.am) — Armenian theater By Ian Black ing for Bashar al-Assad to go. and film actor Armen Dzhigarkhanyan was invited “[Erdogan] is Erdogan’s decision not to visit the Gaza to the seventh Muslim Film Festival, which took Strip, despite earlier hints that he would, place on September 9. CAIRO, Egypt (Guardian) — Recep playing a high-stakes suggests restraint in the face of likely anger Among the invited guests were Ornella Muti, a Tayyip Erdogan’s speeches in Cairo were from the US, Israel and the Palestinian longtime fixture at the Cannes Festival, as well as excellent platforms for Turkey’s campaign authority, whose relations with the actors Dmitry Dyuzhev, Kiril Safonov and others. to become a bigger player in the Middle game at a time when Islamists of Hamas remain strained. The festival screened films from various coun- East — against a backdrop of the momen - Officials in Ankara have also been playing tries, representing universal moral values and tous changes of the Arab spring and a the stakes could not down a headline-grabbing warning that national cultural traditions and delivered a mes- rare sense of movement in the conflict Turkish warships would be prepared to sage of pacifism, humanity and tolerance. between Israel and the Palestinians. be higher.” escort the next Gaza-bound aid flotillas, A total of 41 films and 19 animations from 29 Rousing cheers in Egypt reflect raising the alarming prospect of an armed countries were selected for screening. Another 25 Ankara’s strong stand against Israel, rup - –Daniel Wagner clash with Israel on the high seas. films that were not included in the competition turing decades of close alliance in favor of Foreign Policy Journal For some analysts the risk for Erdogan were also screened. an openly critical position since last year’s Tunisia and Libya — thus far the three is that it will all prove too much for the bitter row over the Gaza aid flotilla most successful but unfinished examples US and Turkey’s other NATO partners. killings. of this year’s uprisings — hoping to bol - “Erdogan is a brilliant tactician and has Carl Bildt: Eastern Turkey’s quest for a robust regional ster their transition processes and to pro - proven himself to be quite adept both at Partnership Countries at role has emerged in recent years, along mote and investment. The official responding to events in the region and with a sense of disappointment — if not entourage includes six ministers and 200 seeking to influence their outcome,” Top of EU Agenda surprise — that its long-standing ambi - business leaders, a reminder of Turkey’s wrote Daniel Wagner in Foreign Policy tions to join the EU have in effect been dynamic economy: trade with the Middle Journal. “He is playing a high-stakes game STOCKHOLM, Sweden (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The blocked by and Germany, despite East and North Africa was worth $30 bil - at a time when the stakes could not be Eastern Partnership (EP) aims to strengthen and remaining formally on the table. lion last year and comprises 27 percent of higher. One has to wonder whether his deepen contacts and cooperation with the six Much has been made of a “neo- exports. quest to become a hero to the average Eastern European countries, according to Ottoman policy,” under which modern For all the excitement about a new man in the Arab street may ultimately Sweden’s foreign minister, Carl Bildt. Turkey seeks to regain the influence it departure, there may be limits to how far backfire, and at what cost? If the US has “The EP — with EU integration at the core — is a wielded in the glory days of the vast but Turkey will go. It has been very active to choose between Turkey and Israel, it clear expression of solidarity and long-term engage- rickety empire it ran for four centuries, over the Syrian crisis but has conspicu - will naturally choose Israel.” ment from the EU’s side. Moreover, the EP has until it collapsed after the first world war. helped mobilize attention to the Eastern neighbor- But that’s ancient history. Few young hood amongst EU’s 27 member states. With the EP, Arabs remember the Turks hanging the EU as a whole has renewed its focus on Eastern nationalist leaders in Damascus or fight - Europe and has rallied around an ambitious agen- ing British-backed tribesmen along the Armenian Pastor Released in Iran da for the countries in question. The EP has firm- Hejaz railway. ly placed the Eastern partners at the top of the EU Unlike Iran, accused of playing the sec - After One Year in Prison agenda,” APA quoted Bildt. tarian card in its alliances with armed The minister also stressed that with the EP, the Shia groups in Iraq and Lebanon, Turkey TEHRAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — for 44 days in solitary confinement in countries in question are offered greater political looks like a sympathetic Sunni Muslim After approximately one year of the ministry of information’s deten - and economic integration with the EU. power with an instinctive feel for the imprisonment, Pastor Vahik tion center, during which time, all region. Bluntly, Turkey is admired largely Abrahamian, an Armenian, was were subjected to intensive interroga - because it has been far bolder and more released on August 29, reported the tion and severe mental and psycho - WGM Maria Kursova to confrontational towards Israel than most Farsi Christian News Network. logical torture. Arab states, starting with its outspoken Abrahamian was arrested by securi - Present Armenia They were then moved to the response to the 2008 Israeli offensive ty agents, together with his wife, Hamedan prison’s general ward and MOSCOW (Armenpress) — FIDE, the International against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Sonia Keshish Avanessian, on after eight months, they were found Chess Federation, approved Russian Woman Beyond that, its political system looks September 4, 2010, in his home in not guilty in a court hearing and sub - Grandmaster (WGM) Maria Kursova’s leaving the like a useful model for Arab countries Hamedan and was accused of various sequently Sonia, Arash and Arezou Russian Chess Federation and joining its Armenian emerging from decades of authoritarian offences, including propagating were released on April 30, 2010 but counterpart. rule. Erdogan’s call for Egypt to emulate Christianity, opposing the Islamic Vahik Abrahamian was detained. Kursova recently got married to Armenian Turkey’s secular constitution was sensibly Republic of Iran and having contact Grandmaster Arman Pashikian and lives with him bracketed with a reminder that secular - with exiled opposition figures He was released after family and in Yerevan. In future chess tournaments, Kursova ism is not automatically against Islam. The couple, along with family friends posted cash bail of 10 million will now represent Armenia. From Egypt, Erdogan goes on to friends, Arash and Arezou, were held toomans pending his trial. Baku Drinks Karabagh Vodka with French Name 165th Anniversary of Chater’s Birth Marked YEREVAN (News.am) — Alcoholic beverages made by the Artsakh Brandy Company are being import- — On September 8, on the occasion of the ed in Baku through Moscow, commercial director 165th anniversary of the birth of Sir Catchik Paul Chater of the company Tigran Harutyunyan said. (Khatchik Poghos Astvatsaturian), with the blessings of The flavored vodkas, which are produced by the Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All company, have both Armenian and English label- Armenians, Very Rev. Khoren Hovhannisyan, pastor of ing. Eighty percent of the production is exported Armenians in and manager of the Armenian College to Russia and Western Europe. Its demand increas- and Philanthropic Academy and the Armenian Church es all the time. The plant is in Askeran, Karabagh. Committee of India, visited Hong Kong to pay homage to The Artsakh Brandy Company became one of the Chater at his gravesite. participants of 11th regional trade-industrial exhi- Chater was born in Calcutta, India in 1846 and was bap - bition Armenia EXPO, which is held in Yerevan. tized at the Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth. At the age of 18, he settled in Hong Kong where by virtue of hard work, he gained immense wealth. From 1876 to 1926, Armenian Film Critic Chater was the Consul of the Senior Justice of Peace in Hong Kong and for more than 40 years, served as adviser Member of Venice Jury to the governor-general of the island and was also a mem - VENICE, Italy (Panorma.am) — Susanna ber of the Legislative and Executive Council of Hong Harutyunyan, a prominent Armenian film critic and Kong. the artistic director of Golden Apricot In 1902, Chater was knighted by King Edward VII of the International Film Festival in Armenia, was invited UK. He was a frequent visitor to Buckingham Palace. to be a member of The International Federation of Chater was the most significant benefactor of the Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Jury at the 68th Venice Armenian community of India. He contributed immensely Film Festival, from August 31 to September 10. to the Armenian churches of India and built the Armenian She has previously been on juries at film festivals Old Age Home of . In addition, Chater made a gen - in Berlin, Locarno, Karlovy Vary, Rotterdam, erous contribution for the survivors of the Armenian Antalya and Tallinn, among others. Genocide in Great Britain through his Armenian The FIPRESCI Prize is given to the films, which Immigrants Benevolent Fund. are considered to be groundbreaking and enrich- Chater died in 1926. His death affected the global stock ing. market. Today, his name still resonates in Hong Kong, with Sir Catchik Paul Chater Chater Park, Chater Road and Chater Street. S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

Avakian Stands Yerevan and Liberal Ground on War, Health Care Karabagh on Milwaukee By Jonathan J. Cooper Movie Screens ORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — When Labor MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Moviegoers Commissioner Brad Avakian decided to run for don’t often hear Armenian spoken in a Congress, he planned to take on a seven-term film shown at Milwaukee theaters, or incumbent weakened by scandal in the see the crowded streets of Yerevan or 2012 election. the Caucasus Mountains looming over A lot changed in four months. the grassy uplands of Karabagh. But The incumbent, former Rep. , has Armenia is the unusual setting for resigned amid allegations that he made an “Here,” a thoughtful film by US direc - unwanted sexual advance toward a young tor Braden King, starring Ben Foster as woman in California. So Avakian is now sprint - Will, a young American sent to Artsakh ing toward a special primary election that’s lit - to make a detailed map of the country - tle more than two months away. His main oppo - side, and Lubna Azabal as Gadarine, the nent isn’t a battered Wu, but rather the state local photographer who becomes his senator who replaced him in the Legislature guide and love interest. three years ago. A quiet film, introducing its charac - As he courts Democratic primary voters to ters and situations slowly, “Here” shows help win the Nov. 8 special election, Avakian is the enduring hospitality of the trumpeting solidly liberal positions on a num - Armenian people along with the divi - ber of issues — ideas that could play well in the sions between rich and poor and the Democrat-dominated Northwest Oregon dis - disapproval sometimes faced by inde - trict, even if they are less popular in a pendent-minded women such as Republican-controlled US House of Gadarine. To her father and brother (but not her mother!), she is the prodi - gal daughter. The rocky landscape is studded with the kumpets of the holy Lorig Charkoudian with her husband, Matt, and children Aline and Raffi sites and the soundtrack includes the lively rhythms of contemporary Armenian pop music as well as the time - less melodies of the Badarak . Co-sponsored by Armenian Fest, Lorig Charkoudian “Here” will be shown three times at the Milwaukee Film Festival: 9:30 p.m., September 23 at the Oriental Theatre; Runs for Local Office 4:15 p.m., September 24 at the Northshore Theatre and 7:15 p.m., September 26 at the Ridge Cinema. In Maryland — David Luhrssen

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — Lorig Charkoudian, a Massachusetts native, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian announced her candidacy for City Council here. She has a progressive agenda, including environmental initiatives and economic development policies that Celebrating 20th support small and micro-enterprises. She underscores the importance of har - Representatives. Avakian wants, for instance, to nessing the potential of participatory democracy and making the city more immediately end the war in and accountable to its residents. Anniversary of use the money to hire many of the 14 million Charkoudian holds a PhD in economics from Johns Hopkins University. She out-of-work Americans to build new bridges and has developed and worked with community-based programs throughout Armenian upgrade airports and railways. Maryland and has worked professionally in dispute resolution for 16 years, “I would take every available aircraft carrier including work with a variety of public agencies and law enforcement. She has we have. I would send them to the Middle East, raised revenue and managed budgets as a non-profit executive director and Independence I would load up our troops immediately and increased revenue and programming during the economic downturn. She is bring them home,” Avakian said in a CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On Sunday, currently active with the Takoma Junction Task Force and the South of Sligo recent interview. September 25, at 6 p.m., the Cambridge- Citizens Association. His tough talk is a repudiation of President Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA), in Charkoudian has been working with several local non-profits to start a com - Barack Obama‘s strategy, which calls for bring - collaboration with five Greater Boston mercial kitchen to be used for micro-enterprise development. ing home the troops by the end of 2014 and a Armenian organizations, is sponsoring a pro - Local food is one of the many policy initiatives Charkoudian is promoting. nod to liberals who are highly skeptical of US gram to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the “Supporting the development of a local food system can address several impor - involvement in Afghanistan. His Democratic independence of the Republic of Armenia. tant areas — economic development, job creation, environmental stewardship opponents — state Sen. of The event will be held at Holy Trinity and health. And food gives us a chance to celebrate different cultures and Portland and state Rep. Brad Witt of Clatskanie Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater build community,” said Charkoudian. — have also said the Obama should bring the Boston, 145 Brattle St. She credits her appreciation for the power of food as an economic engine troops home sooner, though not necessari - Keynote speaker will be Rouben and community builder to her Armenian upbringing. “I grew up eating ly immediately. Shougarian, the first ambassador of Armenia churtmah, merjumek, dolma, tabouli and babaganoush that my grandmoth - Avakian said he hasn’t seen enough progress to the United States, who is currently profes - ers and mother made from food grown in their gardens. It fed the community in Afghanistan to justify endangering troops sor at the Fletcher School of Law and and our souls and it was good for our bodies and the environment.” any longer, and he said he’d be willing to vote Diplomacy, Tufts University. Charkoudian was raised in a political family, with both father and mother against funding for the conflict. A musical performance of Armenian choral involved in local politics. Her mother, Bethel Bilezikian Charkoudian, was With Wu out of office, his shadow has all but works will be offered by the Arlington- active in the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s, and currently serves disappeared from the race to replace him. The Belmont Chamber Chorus, conducted by on the Newton Parks and Recreation Commission. Her father, Levon candidates, for the most part, are focused on Artistic Director Barry Singer. Charkoudian, was commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of each other. Avakian points out he was the first Mistress of ceremonies will be Rachel Community Affairs under Gov. Francis W. Sargent. to take on Wu months before the congressman Kaprielian, commissioner of the Charkoudian’s family has always had a strong presence and active involve - resigned on August 3. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. ment in the Armenian community. Three of her Marashtsi grandparents were “I think you would find them pretty close ide - Co-sponsoring groups are: the Armenian survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Her aunt, Arppie Charkoudian, was the ologically,” said Len Bergstein, a Democratic Library and Museum of America (ALMA), the international president of the Armenian Relief Society. Charkoudian herself lobbyist and former political consultant not Armenian International Women’s Association attended the AGBU Armenian Elementary School in Watertown, Mass. affiliated with any of the candidates. “So in a lot (AIWA), the National Association for Charkoudian lives in Takoma Park with her husband, Matt, and their chil - of ways they are going to be talking about per - Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), dren, Aline and Raffi. sonality styles.” the Armenian Cultural Foundation and the For more information on her campaign, visit lorigcharkoudian.com. Now that he has two new opponents, though, Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). Avakian has a unique challenge to differentiate Admission is free, and a reception will fol - see AVAKIAN, page 6 low the program. 6 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Professional John Minas Adds Armenian Flair to Florida Fare Society Will Honor Bone Marrow Registry Co- As Executive Chef at the Governor’s Mansion Founder at Banquet

He sent a resume and got a quick invita - state, but to meet the Armenians here,” LOS ANGELES — Dr. Frieda Jordan, presi - By Doug Kalajian tion for an interview on April 11, his he said. “I want to get to Boca Raton and dent and co-founder of the Armenian Bone 26th birthday. all the other Armenian communities.” Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), has been The interview turned out to be an audi - So far, Minas has brought not only named 2011 Professional of the Year by the TALLAHASEE, Fla. (FLArmenians) — tion. Armenian touches to the mansion menu Armenian Professional Society (APS) for her Ask anyone with a glimmer of culinary “All of a sudden I was cooking break - but other Middle Eastern favorites. efforts in presiding over the ABMDR. consciousness about Florida cuisine and fast at the mansion,” he said. “That was “I take our cuisine and try to make it With headquarters in Los Angeles and labo - you will most likely hear a tale of followed by lunch and then dinner.” relevant for a new generation,” he said. ratory facilities in Yerevan, Armenia, the Caribbean-Latin fusion that sizzles like While he was at it, Minas volunteered an “I make a very refined hummus , with ABMDR is a non-profit organization whose mis - the sands of South Beach. afternoon snack, “a real mezze platter” several variations on a plate. For exam - sion is to ensure that every ethnic Armenian, as Then ask Chef John Minas. including feta cheese and pita bread. ple, a kalamata hummus served with tra - well as non-Armenian, afflicted with a life- For one of his first dinners as execu - Nearly every ditional pita chips and a threatening blood-related illness is able to find tive chef at the Florida governor’s man - dish in his day- basil-pesto hummus with hope for long-term survival through the identi - sion, Minas served notice that there’s a long cooking tomato pita chips. It’s no fication of suitable bone marrow donor. new culinary accent in the Sunshine marathon reflect - better than my mother’s Under Jordan’s State: Armenian. ed Minas’ cultural hummus , but it’s my ver - leadership to date, “I made grape leaves,” he said proudly. connection. sion.” the registry has Minas, who grew up in the deep-rooted “My dinner Scott has become such a recruited more than Armenian community of Watertown, entree was a fan that he appointed 20,000 donors Mass., inherited a love of food from his watercress tab - Minas and his sous chef, across three conti - Armenian and Assyrian family. He credits bouleh with Carin Butler, to represent nents, identified his paternal grandfather, Bashir Minas, Chilean sea bass the state in the 2011 2,023 patients, with inspiring him. and grilled aspara - Great American Seafood found 1,700 poten - “Every Sunday, we’d go to my grand - gus,” he said. “It Cook-Off in New Orleans. tial matches and father’s house,” he said. “He cooked the was a French take “John is a talented chef facilitated 13 trans - best Armenian and Middle Eastern food I on Middle and cooks up some of the plants. Dr. Frieda Jordan ever tasted. Dolmas, sarmas. And his Eastern. I’m very best food I’ve ever tasted,” Due to the fasoulia — oh my gosh! He made it all big on that.” the governor announced. unique genetic and he made it amazing. He wasn’t a The fourth of John Minas “He’s going to give those make-up of Armenians, it is nearly impossible to trained chef, but he was a great cook.” six candidates to other chefs a run for their find suitable matches among the existing inter - On weekdays, young Minas rushed try out, Minas was money.” national registries — thus, the ABMDR, a reg - home from high school to watch the barely back in Boston when he received Minas presented a Florida black istry that facilitates recruiting and identifying back-to-back shows of Food Network pio - news that he’d been hired. He started his grouper with avocado crème fraiche and bone marrow donors for ethnic Armenians. neers Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali. new job in May and launched straight spicy shrimp toast that he said, “tastes Shahan Minassian, president of the APS, “Those guys were all about the food and into an exciting yet demanding routine. like the state of Florida on a plate.” He commented on the decision to elect Jordan. the technique,” he said. Minas supervises all planning and prepa - didn’t win, but he wasn’t discouraged. “We are very proud to have in our midst, an The idea took hold that he could meld ration for a whirlwind of state dinners “I’m just getting started,” he said. Armenian visionary and leader who is leading the elegance and discipline of Western and charity events as well as daily meals “The job and the people here are won - the battle to defeat the cancer afflicting our fine dining with the flavors and ingredi - for Gov. Rick Scott and First Lady Ann derful. I plan to be in Tallahassee for a own brothers and sisters.” ents he grew up with. Scott. long time. Then, who knows?” Jordan will accept the honor at this year’s After training at the Culinary Institute Minas said he’s excited about Florida’s annual APS banquet on Saturday, November 5, of America in Hyde Park, NY, Minas rich variety of fresh seafood and pro - at the Armenian Society Center in Los Angeles. worked at several restaurants in the duce, but the job has kept him so busy (Doug Kalajian is a retired Mark Geragos, chairman of the ABMDR and Northeast and was planning to open his that he’s had limited opportunity to trav - journalist in Palm Beach County past APS awardee, will be the master of cere - own when he heard about the unique el around the state. “I’m really looking and sous chef at monies. opportunity in far-off Tallahassee, Fla. forward not only to getting to know the www.TheArmenianKitchen.com.) For additional information about the event, write to [email protected], www.apsla.org or APS, P. O. Box 10306, Glendale, CA 91209.

Avakian Stands Liberal Ground on War, Health Care

AVAKIAN, from page 5 seat, and he won. Nardolillo Funeral Home himself from Witt — another Democrat named In his last year in the Legislature, Avakian Est. 1906 Brad courting support and money from unions. worked on an expansion of the bottle bill and Bonamici calls her opponents “The Brads,” and was credited with muscling through a measure John K. Najarian, Jr. she stands to benefit if they appeal to the same that requires Oregon’s largest utilities to draw Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director constituency and split the vote. 25 percent of their electricity from renewable Avakian, 50, is a lawyer who represented resources by 2025. 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 workers in employment discrimination cases. In 2008, Avakian was one of four Democrats 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 He said the experience showed him the impor - running for secretary of state. When Labor www.nardolillo.com tance of a job — for money, to be sure, but also Commissioner Dan Gardner resigned to take a for a person’s psyche and sense of self-worth. job in the nation’s capital, then-Gov. Ted Avakian said he wants to help people find jobs Kulongoski appointed Avakian to the post. He by focusing on workforce training, reviving shop was elected statewide later that year and his Telephone (617) 924-7400 classes in middle and high schools and finding a term expires next year. way to get banks to lend more money so busi - As commissioner at the Bureau of Labor and nesses have confidence in their cash flow. He also Industries, which is responsible for enforcing Aram Bedrosian wants to reduce regulations on credit unions in antidiscrimination and employment laws, Avakian hopes that they’d lend more to small businesses says he has focused on improving relations with Funeral Home, Inc. and compete with larger banks. businesses and simplifying bureaucratic processes. He isn’t much of a fan of the federal health Avakian opposes restrictions on abortion and Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 care overhaul. Not that he agrees with the law’s supports the legalization of gay marriage. He conservative critics who say it’s socialist or says illegal immigrants now in the United MARION BEDROSIAN unconstitutional. He thinks it didn’t go far States should be allowed to legalize their sta - 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN enough and he would prefer an option for gov - tus, with a penalty of some sort, and the coun - WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN ernment-run health care for people who choose try needs to acknowledge that significant indus - it. Eventually, he said, he’d like to see a single- tries rely on illegal-immigrant labor. payer health care system. “I wish that more people in America valued cit - Still, he said he would have voted for the fed - izenship like I think we used to, and I wish that eral health overhaul because it gave health cov - more immigrants that were coming here saw a erage to people who were uninsured. pathway to citizenship and wanted it, because I Avakian got his start in politics in 1998 with think it’s a valuable thing,” Avakian said. an unsuccessful bid to unseat Republican Sen. He lives in Beaverton with his wife, Debbie, a GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E Tom Hartung, a Washington County stalwart human resources administrator. They have two who had represented the region for decades. children in college, ages 20 and 18. James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Avakian lost, but not by much, and he got some The winner of the Democratic primary will Funeral Counselor attention from insiders for his fundraising most likely face Republican Rob Cornilles in a 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 prowess and a commitment to consistently January 31 general election to determine who pounding the pavement in his district. He tried will finish out Wu’s term. The regular general www.giragosianfuneralhome.com again four years later, this time for a House election will be held November 6, 2012. S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS St. John Garabed Church Gala Fundraiser Planned for October

SAN DIEGO — The Bridge to the Future gala Tickets for the event can be reserved online support the building of its new church Armenian Church of America (Western), will dinner and dance, to be held on October 1, 6:30 at www.stjohngarabedtrust.org/donate_online campus near Del Mar. St. John Garabed’s be the guest of honor, and many other public p.m. at the Grand Del Mar Hotel, has experi - or by mailing the reply card enclosed in the invi - parish is led by Archpriest Der Datev A.K. figures will be in attendance. Koko Hayitian enced brisk ticket sales and sponsorships from tation. Tickets will be held at the door. Tatoulian. and his band are the evening’s entertainers. both the Armenian and non-Armenian commu - The St. John Garabed Armenian Church Kathy Kassardjian is chairing the Bridge to The live and silent auctions feature more nities. Trust Fund Committee is hosting the gala to the Future Gala, and Ani Lanuza is co-chair. than 30 items, including a $27,000 diamond- “We are making history, and we want the encrusted ring by designer Zorab; getaways entire Southern California Armenian commu - to Puerto Vallarta, San Francisco and Palm nity to be a part of it,” says Kassardjian. “This Desert, among other items. church campus will truly be the center of For information about the gala, donations activity for all Armenians in the area.” or ticket sales, contact Ani Lanuza or email Attorney Mark Geragos will serve as master [email protected]. For new campus and of ceremonies at the gala. Archbishop legacy giving opportunities, contact Gary Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Diocese of the Takessian at [email protected].

The Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe Hosts Annual Picnic

church raffle had prizes totaling $1,000, as well By Robert Serabian as gift certificates to area restaurants and bou - tiques. Representatives from the city govern - ment were in attendance to meet the crowd and St. John Garabed Armenian Church Bridge to the Future Gala Committee are, front row, from left, HAVERHILL, Mass. — On Sunday August 21, sample the cuisine. Janet Desmond, Nora Balikian, Viviane Hagopian, Ani Lanuza, Rev. Datev A.K. Tatoulian, Kathy the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe The Hye Pointe picnic drew more than 500 Kassardjian, Maida Markarian, Lisa Istamboulian-Partow and Beth Broussalian; back row, from left, held its annual picnic on the grounds of the attendees from the Merrimack Valley, the North Armen Derderian, Ryan Belmer, Sonia Serpekian, Gary Takessian, Rose Babayan, Henrietta American Legion Farm. The picnic started with Shore, Metro-Boston, New Hampshire and Movsessian and Alan Yaghdjian (missing from photo: Lisa Kradjian) church services performed by Fr. Vart Maine. Whereas most picnics today are on Gyozalian. Although the weather was cloudy, church grounds, the Hye Pointe church picnic that did not stop the crowds from three differ - venue reflects a tradition when picnics were ent states from attending and sampling the held in wooded areas or parks outside of the Metropol-Residence excellent Hye Pointe cuisine. The attendees cities. enjoyed prepared by the During the past year the church has held a 2 MashtotsIdeal Ave. for Family Yerevan. vacations Armenia kitchen crew. The Women’s Guild bakery and number of dinners which have been well attend - Daily, weekly and monthly low rates, starting $65.00 per day/ residence pastry table featured traditional Armenian ed. These dinners will be held periodically The four star residences at the heart of Yerevan with a kithcen and private bathroom is an sweets, which were snapped up. throughout the year. ideal place to stay for families and couples. This luxurious residence is convenient for what- Music for the event was provided by Hye For further information on the Armenian Pointe’s own Jason Naroian Ensemble, which Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, visit ever purpose your visit is. featured guest vocalist Haz Essegian. The www.hyepointechurch.org.

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

Celebrants dance at the Hye Pointe Church picnic.

Armenia Fest Committee Already Mulling Next Year

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — On Saturday, September 3, coming off their fourth successful Armenia Fest, some members of the Metro Detroit Armenia Fest Committee got together to scout ideas for next year’s fest at the “Art, Beats and Eats” event. This event, one of the largest in Oakland County, draws almost a mil - lion people over three days. The members, Co- Chair David Terzibashian, Agop Alexanian, Shirley Sarkisian and Madeline Thomasian, checked out vendors, staging, etc. and got some good ideas they felt would help Armenia Fest to grow. In addition to gathering ideas, they were there to see member Madeline Thomasian’s daughter, Eliza Thomasian Neals, perform on Entertainment Fridays the Ford Alternative Stage. and Saturdays Neals gave a knockout performance right before a severe thunderstorm struck around 9 p.m., sending attendees running for shelter. Armenia Fest 2012 is scheduled to take place on July 15, 2012 in Royal Oak at the Michigan Royal Oak Farmer’s Market. 8 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O AGBU New York Summer Intern Program Retrospective

NEW YORK — On Sunday, June 12, 33 rent job market, as well as how to Armenian university students arrived in New make the most of their time in York City to take part in the 24th season of New York. He also stressed the AGBU’s New York Summer Intern Program importance of giving back in gen - (NYSIP). Arriving from nearly a dozen coun - eral — and to AGBU in particular tries — Argentina, Armenia, France, Greece, — after each student begins to Lebanon, Qatar, Russia, Syria, United Arab make a mark in his or her respec - Emirates, United Kingdom and the United tive profession. States — the eager students found a common As part of NYSIP and its mis - thread in their Armenian heritage and shared sion to give the interns a full expe - desires to gain a substantial edge towards rience of New York, the local achieving their future career goals and building Armenian community and what it lasting friendships. means to be a member of the glob - AGBU New York interns spent eight weeks al Armenian community, the exploring the hands-on realities of their chosen interns volunteered at the New fields with full-time, unpaid internships secured York Armenian Home in Queens through AGBU, which this year included insti - during an annual event organized tutions such as Amber Capital, AXA Advisors, by the AGBU Young Professionals Columbia University Medical Center, First of Greater New York (YPGNY), Solar, Interaudi Bank, Massey Knakal and called “Sunshine for Seniors.” Rothschild. NYSIP participants were housed at During the Sunday event, the stu - the dormitories of New York University in dents perform and entertain the Greenwich Village, while exploring the city’s residents of the senior living facil - landmarks and sites with NYSIP staff. Associate ity, while taking time to get to program director Michael Hovsepian led the know the seniors. group, along with activities coordinators NYSIP participants also attend - NYSIP interns with program staff and NYSIP alumnus and committee member Serge Kassardjian, who spoke to the Mariana Mekbekian and Stephan Terjimanian. ed an array of professional events, interns about online networking and social media Both Mekbekian and Terjimanian participated which included lectures and pre - in NYSIP in 2008. sentations on resume writing, “This internship has been such a great expe - interviewing, business ethics and entrepreneur - Night organized by YPGNY. During a six-week “During my NYSIP experience, I learned the rience for me, and the best part has been by some of the city’s top industry leaders. mentorship program, each intern was paired up value of camaraderie combined with profession - becoming so close with people I didn’t know As part of AGBU’s University Outreach pro - with a mentor working in the intern’s field of alism — it will move you forward in life to places eight weeks ago,” said 2011 intern Gassia gram, NYSIP alumnus Serge Kassardjian spoke interest, and they met several times throughout that you may never have expected to go,” said Guiragossian of California. A psychology major to the college students regarding the impor - the program to discuss career-related issues and at the University of California, Irvine, tance of online networking and social media seek general guidance during their time in New Guiragossian interned at NYU Medical Center’s platforms as invaluable tools in their job search York. As has been the case over the past few Epidemiology Department. both now and throughout their careers. An years, many of the interns continue to keep in executive at the tech giant Google, Kassardjian, touch with their mentors once NYSIP con - Work Experience and Expanding who has extensive experience in the online cludes. Horizons sphere, addressed the interns’ questions about On July 21, a “Mentoring Night” was held, Each year, NYSIP is geared towards providing professionalism and the Internet. which invited a large community of young distinguished students with a rewarding profes - AGBU Central Board member and career Armenian professionals. The Mentoring sional experience and opportunities for enhanc - expert Arda Haratunian also spoke to the Program, along with the Mentoring Night, ing career development and contacts, which are NYSIP participants, giving them instruction on has been increasingly successful in helping to invaluable tools in today’s intensely and increas - the characteristics of a successful job search. put the interns on the right career track and ingly competitive global marketplace. Following She spoke about maximizing contacts in order make the right contacts in order to facilitate career direction during their educational pur - suits. On July 28, more than 70 people came together to show their appreciation and honor the supervisors who hosted NYSIP interns at their respective workplaces throughout the summer. The evening, which is known as the “Supervisor’s Reception” and takes place at the AGBU Central Office, began with a dinner reception, followed by a tribute program with AGBU Central Board member and career several speakers. expert Arda Haratunian speaking to NYSIP par - Interns Alex Baghdjian of Doha, Qatar, and ticipants on July 18 Jasmine Schembri of Banstead, United Kingdom, shared the experiences they had over the summer and thanked everyone responsible for their time in New York. Michael intern Nieri Avanessian of Michigan, who Amirkhanian, first vice president at Massey interned at the Harboring Hearts nonprofit Knakal, also spoke to the group and touched on organization and is currently a linguistics and his collaboration with AGBU and the internship political science student at the University of program. Other speakers included AGBU Michigan. Fellow 2011 intern Hovan Agopian of Central Board member Carol Aslanian and Syria added, “The AGBU Intern Program gave NYSIP’s Kassardjian. me an unforgettable experience of life in New There have been more than 700 alumni York City and the skills required to develop my NYSIP interns with internship supervisors, program staff and other members of AGBU — including throughout the past 24 years of NYSIP. career in my future endeavors.” AGBU Central Board member Carol Aslanian — at the Supervisor’s Reception, which was held at the AGBU Central Office on July 28 the busy work days, the evenings and weekends to forge a larger network, and using both those were filled with several exciting events, includ - personal and professional networks to access ing a citywide scavenger hunt, a private lesson opportunities. in by AGBU’s Antranig Dance Interns also met with Shant Petrossian, Ensemble, a book reading by author Michael senior editorial producer for the “Piers Morgan Bobelian, a presentation on by art Tonight” television program on CNN. historian and curator Neery Melkonian, a lec - Petrossian, who has also worked for numerous ture by writer and film director Andrew other television programs, including shows by Goldberg about his documentary, “The Rachael Ray, spoke to the students about his Armenian Genocide,” and a visit to St. Vartan’s career path and how he broke into a very diffi - Armenian Cathedral, where participants had a cult field through hard work and perseverance. private tour followed by dinner with Archbishop A key message Petrossian gave to the interns Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of was to know when to walk away. He illustrated the Armenian Church (Eastern). his point by explaining why he left a stable posi - Interns also met with Raffi Balian, who, along tion at the “Rachael Ray Show” for a new and with Sarkis Jebejian, is the co-chair of the New unknown show on CNN. York Summer Intern Program. Balian, who is a foreign service officer at the US State Local Mentors Filmmaker Andrew Goldberg speaks to the interns about his documentary, “The Armenian Department, spoke to the students about the NYSIP’s 2011 interns benefited from an Genocide,” on July 12. value placed on quality internships in the cur - interactive Mentoring Program & Mentoring S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O St. Nersess Offers Auction Items Online until September 24

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Nine items are up highest bid and continue outbidding until the for auction through St. Nersess Armenian auction closes promptly at 9:30 p.m. Seminary’s annual benefit reception, “Evening Last year’s event drew 150 people who gath - Under the Stars.” Bidders can choose from a vari - ety of items that include a Michael Aram-designed vase; an exquisite four-by-six Kazak rug donated by Tufenkian Artisan Carpets of New York; New York Giant tickets for New Year’s Day against the Dallas Cowboys; a Blu-ray disc player; a 14-karat- gold star-shaped necklace from Mirijohn Givelekian of Royal Jewels in Rye; a vacation time share to anywhere in the world through Interval International; a year’s worth of Wisconsin Kringle and New York Ranger tickets for a game of the bidders’ choice in Madison Square Garden. Also available is a repeat of last year’s most popular auc - tion item, a full-course gourmet dinner for four, prepared by and A Michael Aram-designed large Wisteria vase is one of the served in the home of St. Nersess nine items offered for auction at half its original value. Visit Armenian Seminary dean, the www.stnersess.edu to view all the items and place bids. Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan. “This year’s selection of auc - tion items are impressive in their variety and ered under an elegant candlelit tent off the back value,” said event chair and Seminary Board patio of the seminary building on the scenic member, Suzanne Akian, a senior vice president campus. Proceeds will benefit the seminary’s of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, adding, “I am youth and vocations programs. most grateful for the generous contributions to this year’s auction, which will ultimately bene - fit the important mission and good works of the Seminary, especially for the youth of our Rev. Dikran Youmshakian church.” All these items are being offered at a starting To Be Installed Pastor of price below half their original value. Armenian Bible Church Bids may be placed right now online at www.stnersess.edu and monitored up until the HACKENSACK, N.J. — The Board of Elders of evening of Saturday, September 24, when the the Armenian Bible Church of Hackesnack auction closes and the highest bidder for each announced the appointment of Rev. Dikran item will be announced during the benefit Youmshakian as pastor of the church as of reception. August 1. An installation service will be held on To RSVP for the event, call the Seminary Sunday, September 18, at 12:30 p.m. followed office or place reservations online at by a reception at the church hall. The installa - www.stnersess.edu. The reception will begin at tion service will be officiated by the Rev. Check us out at 7 p.m. Auction items will be displayed through - Thomas W. Keinath, the senior pastor of out the evening with bids placed via computers Calvary Temple of Wayne, who will also give the www.mirrorspectator.com located near each item. So both onsite guests sermon that day. and people from home may track the current Youmshakian is a graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a mas - ter’s degree in Theological Studies. For 26 years he has served the Armenian Missionary Association of America, as admin - Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2011 istrator and field director. He has traveled extensively and preached in Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor various churches in the US and abroad. a Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750 As of January, he has served Dorcas and reached out to 3,700 teachers and Aid America (DorAid) as its school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. executive director. Rev. Dikran Youmshakian DorAid is a partner of Dorcas Aid £ International, a Christian relief and develop - ment organization. K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue For the last two years Youmshakian was serv - helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have ing the Armenian Bible Church as a visiting the teacher’s name and address. pastor. As its minister, he will be responsible to lead the church and its activities. K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— The Armenian Bible Church is an indepen - Name dent Christian fellowship and has been in exis - Address tence as a church since 2008. City State Zip code The Armenian Bible Church is located on 67 Tel: S. Prospect Ave. Sunday worship services are held at 12:30 p.m. in Armenian with English Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 translation for those who do not speak Mail your check with this form to: Armenian. The services are also broadcast on Cable TV on Fridays. The church has an active TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 Sunday school and a youth group. Sunday school is held during worship at 12:30. The Your donation is Deductible. youth meet on Sundays in the afternoon. All are welcome to join the church. 10 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living Armenians Should Sing Life in And Dance Cosmo’s Vigorously Strange By Betty Apigian Kessel World DETROIT — What is the solution to what could be sadness and unbelievable sorrow? What do you do about a situation foisted By Andy Coleman upon a group of people, the Armenians, who through really no fault of their own became vic - tims of the first genocide of the 20th century? BIRMINGHAM, U.K. (Birmingham What do you do when you grow up hearing Evening Mail) — He celebrated his the words “massacre, genocide, torture, rape 22nd birthday last week but despite and pillage” knowing the victims were your being so young, Cosmo Jarvis has own family? already written 300 songs and made What do you do when you heard your par - Writer and director Francis Veber more than 65 short films. ents frequently talk about how they never again He will be showcasing his new album, saw their father, mother, sisters, brothers, and “Is The World Strange Or Am I extended members of their family because the Strange?,” at a gig at Birmingham’s turmoil of the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians Rainbow in Digbeth next week. by the Ottoman Turks either saw all of them Humor with a Son of an Armenian-American moth - slaughtered or they became lost in the dust cre - er and a British father, Jarvis was born ated by the havoc of the Turks and Kurds on in Ridgewood, NJ, but moved to Devon, horseback swinging their swords and other UK, as a young child and quickly devel - instruments of death hitting their targets with Trademark oped a passion for both music and film. a thud, snuffing the life out of them? He started writing songs at age 12, What do you do when from childhood and on having been inspired to compose some - you are taught to cling to your ethnic roots, to thing as good as The Beatles’ fight for an “Azad, angagh Hayastan,” to Blackbird . He began making short French Twist movies soon after. honor the Armenian tri-color of red, blue and orange but to also honor, respect and love the From simply filming whatever he saw flag and country of the United States of outside his window, he progressed to America, the land that welcomed the survivors SYDNEY (Australian Jewish Times) — Few contemporary writers and directors filming “Jackass”-style dare pieces that of that same first genocide to a life of all the of comedies for the screen can outrank Francis Veber, the grand master of French saw him and his skater friends convert freedoms promised in the US Constitution? comedy, in his ability to make audiences roar with laughter yet empathize with buf - bunk beds into quarter pipes. What do you do when you spend the decades foons and brutes as he exemplifies the human condition. of your life waiting for acknowledgement by the Early in his comedy writing, Veber invented a clownish “fall guy” character, most powerful nation on earth, your beloved whom he gave the moniker Francois Pignon. Pierre Richard played Pignon in the United States, to finally point the finger of guilt three early films, which launched Veber’s success globally: “Le Chevre” (1981), “Les to the country of Turkey in acknowledgement Comperes” (1983) and “Les Fugitifs” (1986). of the Ottoman Turks part in the genocide of Daniel Auteuil played Pignon in “The Closet” and Moroccan-born Jewish actor your countrymen to the tune of at least 1.5 mil - Gad Elmaleh in “The Valet.” But no matter who plays the bungling Pignon, the pur - lion individuals? pose of the character is clear: to play the Where are your grandparents, your aunts and Chaplin-like “little man” in stark contrast to uncles? Are they in a mountain-chasm gravesite, By Jan Epstein a macho bully (played by Gerard Depardieu drowned in the Black Sea, taken off to a remote in the early films with Pierre Richard). site and shot to death, burned to death while Thrown together by forces beyond their con - they huddled hopelessly in an Armenian church trol, the two must find a way to coexist, and in the process grow protective and even praying with their priest nailed to the door, or fond of each other. in the case of young boys, converted and con - Veber believes this coupling of opposites, cruelty with humor, is the “foundation scripted into the Turkish army; girls and of comedy” and sees German-born director Ernst Lubitsch’s “To Be or Not To Be,” women placed in or again converted to made in 1942 and set during the Nazi occupation of Poland, as a powerful exam - Cosmo Jarvis Islam and forced into marriages with Turks and ple of how these opposites work. Kurds, forever outwardly losing their Christian “The more tragic it is, the better for laughs,” explains Veber, who was in Australia this month giving master classes at the Melbourne International Film Festival. identity or possibly were they part of the death Having dropped out of school at 16 Veber was born in the western suburbs of Paris in 1937 to a Jewish father (Pierre- march to Der Zor where their scorched bones he released his debut album three years Gilles Veber, who scripted the eight-episode serial adaptation of Fanfan La Tulipe are strewn beneath the hot sandy surface along later. in 1925) and an Armenian-Russian mother (also a writer). Only the fact of his being with those of thousands of other unfortunates? “I quit school because I hated it so baptized at birth saved his family from the fate that awaited many Parisian Jews dur - Sinking into self -pity and depression are not much,” he reveals. “I was the fool — I ing the war, as shown so chillingly in the recent French film, “The Round Up.” an option. Armenians rose up in the freedom would do anything for a laugh and “I have two lamentations in my blood,” Veber explains as we meet over coffee. movement of the late 1890s to finally fight back that’s what got me suspended so many “The Armenian Genocide [by the Turks in 1915] and the Jewish genocide. What against the oppressive Turks and thus the times. Basically, I love learning things else could I do but turn to comedy? I remember my father hiding in the back of our Armenian Cause, Hye Tahd was born and con - on my own.” Paris apartment throughout the war. If he was picked up, my mother could have tinues to this day. Follow-up “Is The World Strange Or been sent to a concentration camp. It was a nightmare; it’s impossible not to be Finally, Armenians must sing and dance and Am I Strange?” is an eclectic experi - affected by it.” do so frequently to overcome the sadness and ence, featuring bluegrass, Street-style His great-uncle, Tristan Bernard, the brother of his maternal grandmother, was a feeling of loss. We must continue to hold our hip-hop, pop, rap and funk. French-Jewish humorist who had a Paris Theatre and a street named after him. heads up high, never giving up for the cause for While making the record Jarvis also In World War II, Bernard was rounded up at the Velodrome with thousands of Armenian justice. Giving up and failure is not wrote, produced and shot his first full- other Jews and sent to Drancy (the primary internment camp in the Paris region) an option. We are responsible to our past and length feature film. He plans to edit it in where he would have been deported if not for the intervention of powerful literary to our future. The Turks have found us to be his tour bus as he travels the country friends, among them Jean Cocteau. formidable opponents. for shows. Provisionally titled “Naughty “He survived, but many of my relatives were lost this way [through deportation]. Support your churches be it Armenian Room,” Jarvis says it “is mainly about Even for my family it was a disaster, although we were personally safe,” says Veber. Catholic, Congregational, Diocese or Prelacy. parenting, as well as taking responsibil - For Veber, humor is a defense against despair. He tells a the joke about two Jews Be there to sing and dance at your picnics, khn - ity to better yourself.” He adds: “The who are brought into a square to be executed by a firing squad. As they are blind - jouyks and bazaars. So what if now you are a hardest part of making this film was not folded, one of the Jews says to the other that he would love a cigarette, and his , lawyer, teacher, industrialist, judge, being older. People just don’t want to friend says: “Don’t look for trouble!” landscaper, pharmacist, architect, fruit grower deal with you in a professional manner see VEBER, page 13 or factory worker? if you’re young.” see DANCE, page 13 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

Hacobian Brings Social Justice to Atom Egoyan Takes Post at Ryerson Boston Housing Market Univ. in Toronto TORONTO (CBC News) — Canadian director Atom Egoyan will be working supported Urban Edge, even during times of Church and on an Armenian Heritage Project with students at Ryerson’s faculty of By Tom Vartabedian opposition from his constituents who were sponsored by the ARS, collaborating with the communication and design after being embroiled in a controversy about race and likes of Seta Kaligian, Robert Mirak and appointed as a distinguished scholar in class. Mayor Menino stood up for access and Viken Der Manuelian. residence at the Toronto university. BOSTON — If Boston’s tenuous housing equity, regardless of race, class or ethnicity.” A graduate of Columbia University, which The director of “The Sweet development has spiraled upward the past 42 Hacobian began his community develop - he attended on full scholarship, Hacobian cel - Hereafter” and “Adoration” will mentor years, it’s only because of an industrious ment career under Mayor Kevin White, who ebrated his Armenian heritage at a time film students after accepting the role Armenian working behind the scenes. was then followed by Ray Flynn. He has when assimilation was more the norm. He for the 2011-12 academic year. His name is Mossik Hacobian and his com - served three mayors and eight governors. played intercollegiate soccer and the violin as Egoyan also will participate in a dis - pany is Urban Edge, one of the most respect - “Boston’s come a long way,” he notes. well. His dad died of a heart attack at age 47, cussion series and a public retrospec - ed community development corporations in “When I first moved here in 1969, East four years after arriving here. Both he and tive of his work at Ryerson. the region, if not the country. his sister, Berjouhi, were raised by Selected students will work with Over these decades, Hacobian a single mom. Egoyan as he prepares for the North has backboned an enterprise that “I was fortunate to be at American premiere production of has developed or preserved about Columbia Architecture School in Martin Crimp’s “Cruel and Tender” for 1,400 affordable homes and apart - 1968 during a big demonstration the Canadian Stage theatre company. ments, along with related services protesting the Vietnam War,” he Egoyan has directed productions in such as multi-family property man - recalled. “The school became one both opera and theatre, including agement, first-time homebuyer of the buildings occupied by Salome for the Canadian Opera training and credit counseling. protestors for one week.” Company. The job doesn’t end there. His Out of this came an urban design Ryerson Provost Alan Shepard said role has been further enhanced studio in East Harlem after the uni - students would benefit from the oppor - with foreclosure prevention, home versity was shut down for a month. tunity to learn from a master of film rehab and de-leading, asset build - Hacobian began working on vari - and performance arts. Egoyan is ing, youth programs, safety initia - ous design projects to benefit the notable for continuing to make films in tives, food pantries and advocacy community. He soon learned that Canada, despite achieving international with public and private institutions being different and speaking two recognition. Egoyan was nominated for writing for equitable investment. Mossik Hacobian other languages (Armenian and In short, he has made the capital Persian), playing soccer and having and directing Oscars for “The Sweet city a better place to live and given come from another part of the Hereafter” and earned Genie Awards for low-income tenants a new lease on life, bol - Boston where I still live was nearly all white world could be a positive thing. “Where the Truth Lies,” “Ararat,” stered their self-esteem and created a haven for and about 90 percent Italian. Boston neigh - “The Columbia demonstrations and nine “Exotica” and “Felicia’s Journey.” youth who might otherwise have gone astray. borhoods were segregated by race, class and months I spent in East Harlem were the real A University of Toronto alumnus, he He has been lauded and applauded for his ethnic background. Now, East Boston is more beginning of my community development praised Ryerson in a statement for efforts by corporate executives, mayors, leg - than 50 percent people of color; South career,” he said, looking back. encouraging “expression and creativity” islators and everybody in between. For Boston is no longer all Irish and Roxbury is Hacobian left Urban Edge in December but in its students. Hacobian, however, it was just another day in no longer all Afro-American. Boston’s neigh - is anything but retired. He works part-time the office. borhoods are very diverse and much more on projects for Urban Edge and continues to “One of our major accomplishments was welcoming to people of all races and ethnic support efforts to serve Boston and its neigh - ‘Aznavour’s Square’ bridging race and class divisions while help - backgrounds.” borhoods. A celebration honoring him took ing to mobilize the power of people in Together with his wife of 39 years, the for - place last spring with accolades raining down Documentary Wins Boston’s neighborhoods,” said Hacobian. mer Joan Ohanian, they occupy the same on him. “Overcoming divisions is not just an issue home in East Boston — a formerly-abandoned He also serves as an interim executive At Buenos Aires within the Armenian community. It is ever home they rehabbed with friends back in the director for a new non-profit organization present in any social or political context. early 1970s. called Boston’s Higher Ground, which focus - Film Festival We’ve created a common ground for the pop - Modest self-help renovations on that home es on the Warren Gardens section of BUENOS AIRES, Argentian ulation and I take pride working for a com - led to other similar projects which were sub - Roxbury. An “Innovation and Equity Fund” (news.am) — The film “Aznavour’s pany that’s made Boston one of the most liv - sequently rented out at affordable rates. carries his name with a goal of $330,000 Square” won at the 10th International able and successful cities in America.” The Armenian in Hacobian has always geared toward neighborhood enhancement. Youth Film Festival in the newcomer Hacobian’s association with Mayor Tom burned fervently, ever since emigrating here The figure is based upon $10,000 for each of category for documentary films. The Menino dates back to the mid-1980s when from Tehran in 1958. As an AYFer growing the 33 years Hacobian has worked for Urban film was shot in 2010. the latter was a freshman city councilor. And up in New York, he was a member of the Edge. The filmmakers are the students at they’ve stayed in touch ever since, given the Hyortiks and joined the choir at St. Looking at his career and life in general, the Gumri Ecoclub Foundation for the mayor’s passion for safe and affordable hous - Illuminator’s Church. Hacobian offers this advice to the immigrant Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural ing. Hacobian worked as a counselor at Camp population, based upon his own wisdom. Assets. The film is about their investi - “I’ve supported him every election and Haiastan for four years during the early “Be yourself. Value what you bring to gation of their city’s garbage problems. will support him again should he decide 1960s and served as director in 1974. He American culture, and experience life to the According to them, scavenging is a upon another term,” said Hacobian. “He’s taught Saturday School at St. Stephen’s fullest.” big problem nowadays, not only in Gumri but also in Yerevan’s central streets. In the film they present not only the polluted image of the city, but also try to understand how the respon - sible figures deal with that problem. To watch the film visit: http://tv.sunchild.org/index.php?id=31 &L=2&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=114&cHash =cfd93a66ddac5c6c53d9fb4ab51b959e. 12 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

University of St. Thomas Law School Armenian Movie Publishes New Study by Dadrian Receives Special

MINNEAPOLIS — The latest issue of the Armenian cataclysm were dispossessed, bitter Prize in Moscow Journal of Law and Public Policy (vol.5, and hateful Muslim refugees of the previous no.1) contains a new study, in which Prof. Balkan war. MOSCOW (News.am) — Armenian Vahakn Dadrian, the Zoryan Institute’s The Armenian Genocide is depicted in this director Harutyun Khachatryan’s movie, Director of Genocide Research, analyzes the study as a direct consequence of the adoption “The Border,” received two prizes and a Armenian Genocide in a new context. Titled, of a radical ideology, the main architects and diploma at the 15th forum of national “The Armenian Genocide: A Review of its implementers of which were the leadership cinematographers here. The annual Historical, Political, and Legal Aspects,” the cadres of these massive clusters of Balkan forum was organized by the Federation article deals with the historical and political refugees. of the Union of Cinematographers. underpinnings of the criminality of the Among the range of factors facilitating the The jury was headed by director Vadim Armenian Genocide. actual enactment of the Genocide is the factor Abdrashitov. Moscow House of Nations This extensive article, some 60-pages long, of opportunity. Given the complex nature of awarded the film with diploma for the including 118 footnotes, is based on official the crime of genocide, the author maintains “Contribution to cultural dialogue and Ottoman-Turkish sources, including several that optimal success in the organization of the mutual understanding between people,” issues of Takvim-i Vekayi , the legal organ of crime requires optimal opportunism. Not only the press service of Golden Apricot said. the Ottoman Parliament, which documented the lee-ways and resources of the perpetrator The forum ran August 27-September 4. the post- Military Tribunals prose - are to be the least restrained, but, equally cuting the perpetrators of the Armenian important, the vulnerability of the targeted Genocide. Thus, Dadrian anchors his documen - victim is to be at a fairly high level. Wars, espe - tary analysis on prima facie evidentiary materi - cially global wars, tend in this respect to afford Khatchig Mouradian to Speak at NAASR al. That material is reinforced by a wealth of cor - almost maximal opportunities. Wartime exi - roborative material from the official archives of gencies tend, as a rule, to not only maximize About Lemkin and the Genocide Imperial Germany and Imperial Austria- the vulnerability of the victim group that is Hungary, Turkey’s political and military constrained through its minority status, but at BELMONT, Mass. — The National Washington where a joint struggle by Lemkin wartime allies. Dadrian also draws on the work the same time complicate and often constrain Association for Armenian Studies and Research and his supporters was being waged against of several contemporary Turkish authors. the problem of outside intervention in favor of (NAASR) will present a lecture by scholar and genocide and in pursuit of justice for its victims. “Dadrian’s extraordinary command of the the targeted victim. newspaper editor Khatchig Mouradian titled As Lemkin himself said, “One million languages and the sources make him unsur - Wars are especially suitable avenues of “Raphael Lemkin and the Armenian passed in his ability to reconstruct and ana - opportunism on account of the rise to instru - Genocide in Light of New Research,” lyze the fundamental historical, political and mental prominence of the military cadres of a on Thursday, October 6, at 8 p.m., at legal issues related to the study of the potential perpetrator camp. Through them, the NAASR Center, 395 Concord Ave. Armenian Genocide,” remarked K.M. Greg violence is not only concentrated among By coining the word genocide, for - Sarkissian, president of the Zoryan Institute. experts, but even more important, such vio - mulating its meaning and through his A brief review of the pre-Genocidal era lence has per tradition, the sanction of quasi- lifelong struggle to render genocide a explores the historical pattern of impunity legitimacy, if not full legitimacy, in the appli - crime punishable by law, Lemkin exer - with which the whole gamut of decision-mak - cation of lethal violence against targets cised a profound influence on the dis - ers, organizers and actual perpetrators of the defined by legitimate authority as “internal course on the Armenian Genocide series of massacres were rewarded. These foes.” It is a notable fact that the two major worldwide. In turn, from the mid- were inflicted upon the Armenian population genocides of the last century, the Armenian 1940s, of the Ottoman Empire in the periods of and the Jewish, were consummated during embraced the term coined by Lemkin 1894-96, 1903-1904 and in 1909 in Adana. two global wars. and engaged in discussions of the Impunity served to underscore the vulnerabil - One of the most outstanding features of the Genocide Convention and its implica - ity of the victims as a major determinant in Armenian Genocide involves its economic tions, contributing to Lemkin’s efforts Khatchig Mouradian genocidal decision making. In fact, as Dadrian dimensions, through which a massive transfer for the adoption and ratification of points out, it served to embolden the decision of wealth, from the victim to the perpetrator, the Convention. makers and implementers of the ensuing took place. In this sense, the genocide Mouradian draws from a wealth of archival Armenians died, but a law against the murder World War I Genocide. emerges here doubly functional. The physical material — including Lemkin’s papers and news - of peoples was written with the ink of their Another crucial factor in the unfolding of elimination of the victim population ends up paper articles published on three continents — blood and the spirit of their sufferings.” the wartime scheme of the Genocide was the yielding the emergence of a new source of to examine the impact on Lemkin of the Mouradian is a PhD student at the Strassler devastating set of circumstances attending wealth and with it new cadres of wealthy destruction of the Armenians in the Ottoman Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the crushing military defeats the Ottomans classes in the perpetrator camp. In the sec - Empire, Lemkin’s influence on the public dis - Clark University and the editor of the suffered in the 1912 First Balkan War. The tion on Expropriation & Confiscation of course on the Armenian Genocide globally and Armenian Weekly in Watertown. His doctoral anguish, misery and, most particularly, the Goods and Assets, the author documents and the role played by Armenian journalists and dissertation focuses on the destruction of the brutality of the victorious Christian armies of analyzes with ample source-material the activists in advancing Lemkin’s cause. Within Armenians in the Syrian desert during the the Balkan peninsula inflicted upon the des - specifics of this lethal operation of transfer of this broader context, Mouradian zooms in on Armenian Genocide. He has lectured extensive - titute Muslim masses trying to escape proved wealth from the victim to the perpetrator. the cooperation between Armenian intellectu - ly and participated in academic conferences in to be a major detriment in targeting later the The essay ends with an evocation of the als and Lemkin during the struggle for the rat - the US and overseas, presenting papers on vulnerable Armenian population of the need for laws to regulate human conduct and ification of the Genocide Convention by the US. Lemkin, media, human rights and the Ottoman Empire through spasms of delayed help civil life. It invokes Aristotle’s dictum Mouradian’s lecture will trace the path from Armenian Genocide. He has also written for a revenge. Indeed, a large part of the perpetra - that: “When separated from law and justice, the sands of Der Zor to the conference halls of number of national and international publica - tor groups involved in the World War I man is the worst of all animals.” the UN drafting committees and offices in tions.

A RMENIANS Palandjian, CEO of Intercontinental Real Accupuncturist Robert Surabian says Estate Corporation, and his wife, Minou, that the ancient Chinese tradition of stick - who attended, on June 9, the Asian ing ultra fine needles into specific areas of American Civic Association’s annual gala, at the body is a way of restoring vitality and the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, which raised getting to the root cause of a person’s prob - $190,000. Spotted on the same page a lem, unlike Western medicine, which tackles month later were Gregg Nourjian, CEO of one problem at a time, with gusto, according Nourjian Productions, along with Kristen to a Boston Globe article. He looks at his Samuel Aghoyan, a senior priest who has of some of the highlights of Davis Square Kuliga, owner of K Sports & Entertainment, patients’ diet as well as emotional well being been in JNerusalem sinTce 195HE6, has noticed a aNppear thrEWSoughout the August 9-22 issue of at the Ally Foundation’s eighth annual before getting to their pressure points. steady drop in Armenians and fears a con - Stuff Magazine , titled “One Night in “Beacon Rock Gala” at the Beacon Rock Adrian Soghoian is one of the hand- tinued decrease, according to an article, Boston: 15 photographers, 8 hours…one Mansion in Newport, RI, which raised picked college graduates selected to take which appeared in the July 7 issue of the unforgettable night.” money towards sex-crime prevention. part in Google’s two-year Rotational BIergen Record . The drop in the Armenian In the Improper Sightings page of the Mentioned on the Last Scene Here page by Associate Manager Program (RAMP), which population began in 1948, when the city of July 27 Improper Bostonian, Charles Jonathan Soroff, was the “devilishly hand - involves learning the business side of devel - Jerusalem was divided between Irsael and Arakelian, Haig Berberian and Michael some” Dave Khtikian, who was among the oping and marketing Google products. Jordan. Jerusalem is host to the world’s sec - Tutunjian flank former Miss Massachusetts many attractive guests at a book party for Aside from the perks, such as gourmet ond-largest collection of ancient Armenian USA, Lacey Wilson, at the St. Gregory the book, Sex on the Moon , which was held meals, an on-site gym and pool, what manuscripts. Aghoyan and other local cler - Armenian Church charity cigar night. On at the W Hotel. Soghoian enjoys most is the trust Google gy pray that this trend will soon turn another Sightings page from a separate Listed as one of the contributers in the places in their employees to work without around. There were glimmers of hope in a issue are Michael Kezian, Deran Tashjian, Summer 2011 issue of Exhale Lifestyle too much supervision. The Columbia 29-year-old community youth leader who Michele Radcliffe, Marilyn Wolohojian and Magazine is Dr. Marianna Toroyan, who University mathematics and statistics major said the rate of emigration has slowed Zovig Tashjian at an event in San has linked fashion and raising women’s self has thus far contributed to the marketing, down. Francisco. Meanwhile, featured on the esteem by producing shows for corporations advertising of Goolge apps, such as Google Photographer Derek Koyoumjian’s shots Proper page of the July 27 issue are Peter and working directly with clients. Docs and Google Calendars, for businesses. S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

Humor with a Trademark French Twist CC AA LLEENNDDAARR VEBER, pfrom page 10 “I love this joke — don’t look for trouble,” he says. “Jewish humor is so philosophical and pro - found. It’s a reflex — so Jewish — to laugh about very serious things.” CALIFORNIA This is the space where Veber’s foolish, seem - ingly ineffectual, but ultimately triumphant OCTOBER 6-10 — Armenian International Women’s Association alter ego Pignon comes from. He identifies (AIWA), Sixth International Conference, San Francisco. For info, strongly too with the aging gay characters in call Anita Tashjian (323) 394-3586. Visit www.aiwala.org. “La Cage aux Folles” and the sequel, for which he wrote the screenplay from Jean Poiret’s play. FLORIDA But this impulse — and the great creativity it unleashes — comes not only from Veber’s The Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc. presents: Jewish-Armenian background, but also from Armenian Heritage Cruise XV. Leaving January 21, 2012. 15th something in his own make-up. Anniversary Celebration. For more info, visit “I have what psychiatrists call mild depres - www.ArmenianHeritageCruise.com. sion,” says Veber. “This can give me a hard time. You say to yourself in the morning: what do I MASSACHUSETTS want to do today? You get up, wash yourself and then set to work. It’s hard. I have to work SEPTEMBER 18 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy Trinity in solitude. People want to laugh and I have to Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious dinners; make that comedy work.” moonwalk for kids; children and family games, starting at 1:30 p.m., What makes Veber’s comedy work so well is Armenian music by the Greg Krikorian Ensemble. Yalanchi cook-off. his drive for perfectionism, coupled with his gift Blessing of Magdagh, 4 p.m. Raffle drawing for cash prizes, 4:30 for economical use of action and words. His p.m. For information, contact the church office at (617) 354-0632, e- films are short but energetic, studded with larg - mail [email protected] or visit www.htaac.org. er-than-life performances and hilarious, escalat - OCTOBER 20 — The K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, MD On October 20, Rwandan human rights ing situations. It was these qualities — and the Lecture on Human Rights. Endowed Public Program of activist Paul Rusesabagina, who was por - success of his three films with Richard and Armenian Heritage Park. Faneuil Hall, Boston. 7 p.m. Keynote trayed by Don Cheadle in the film “Hotel Depardieu — that led to the invitation by speaker, Paul Rusesabagina, human rights activist; US Rwanda,” will be the keynote speaker for the American movie mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg in Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005); president and founder, The 1985 to make movies in America. K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, MD Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation; author, An Ordinary Man, Lecture on Human Rights, at Faneuil Hall, 7 Veber and his wife of 42 years, Francoise, have Penguin 2006. The Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation was p.m., in Boston, Mass. been living in Los Angeles for 25 years. There he founded in 2006 by Rusesabagina, the real life hero of the acclaimed writes in splendid isolation — each script for film “Hotel Rwanda.” Portrayed by Don Cheadle in the film, stage or screen taking a year to complete — Rusesabagina saved the lives of more than 1,200 people during the before returning to France to shoot them. Rwandan genocide and has been honored internationally for his “Everything is easy in America; the house, heroism. Charlie Clements, executive director, Carr Center for Human ebration of the 35th anniversary of the Hovnanian School. Tickets, getting parking spaces. When you are working, Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government will introduce $50, $35 and $25. Call Sonya (201) 315-5916 or Mari (914) 907- you can go to your swimming pool and swim,” Rusesabagina. 6762. Program organized by . he says. OCTOBER 22 — Fall Harvest Bazaar, noon-8 p.m., First Armenian OCTOBER 15 —The Armenian American Health Professional According to Veber, only two of the eight Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont. Great food, fun and the mar - Organization (AAHPO) Gala Benefit event. Cocktails, 6:30 p.m. American remakes of his films have been suc - ketplace. Lamb, beef, chicken and losh kebab dinners grilled fresh all Dinner program and dancing, 7:30 p.m. Teaneck Marriot at Glen cessful. “Three Fugitives” (1989), written and day with pilaf and salad, enjoy in our Fellowship Hall or packed for Pointe, 100 Frank W. Burr Blvd., Teaneck. For info, call (201) 546- directed by Veber and starring Nick Nolte, was home. Yalanchi, cheese boreg and falafel. Home made manti, kufte, 6166, [email protected]. a hit. Not so “Dinner for Schmucks” (2010), choreg, string cheese packaged for the freezer. Handmade pastries, directed by Jay Roach (“Meet the Fockers,” dried fruits, nuts. Marketplace includes books, children’s items, “attic NEW YORK “Austen Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”), treasures” and more. Handicamp ramp and MBTA train and bus line. which Veber is at pains to disown. For info, visit www.FACBelmont.org or (617) 484-4779. All welcome. SEPTEMBER 24 — St. Nersess Armenian Seminary presents “Dinner for Schmucks” was based on “The NOVEMBER 17 — Party at the Other Park! Benefit for the Evening under the Stars, at 7 p.m. Benefit reception, 150 Stratton Dinner Game” (1998), which began life as a Armenian Heritage Park Endowment. Fenway Park, Boston. Road, New Rochelle, NY. Come and enjoy cocktails, music and min - stage play and established Veber’s name in Advance reservations only. For details and reply form, visit gling under an elegant candlelit tent on the scene of the seminary Australia. www.ArmenianHeritagePark.net. campus. $100 per person; to RSVP, call (914) 636-2003 or visit “That film had nothing to do with me,” says www.stnersess.edu. Veber. “I was only the scriptwriter of the origi - NEW JERSEY SEPTEMBER 25 — 92Y Streetfest ’11, 12-5:30 p.m., Lexington nal film. It’s the producer who owns the rights. Avenue, 79th to 94th streets, New York City. Visit Armenia’s booth, I said to them (Roach and his company), ‘Do SEPTEMBER 17 — Krikorian Armenian School of St. Thomas featuring AWI watches, mountain honey, walnut and apricot pre - what you want’, and they did what they wanted Armenian Church, Tenafly. Opening day. Contact Ani Capan, serves at International Way. See AGBU’s Dance Ensemble at Main and it was terrible!” principal at (202) 767-3846 or e-mail [email protected]. stage. For info, visit www.92.org. Similarly unsuccessful was the great Billy SEPTEMBER 18 — Join us at the house of Andreas Roubian, 15 OCTOBER 1 — HMADS 45th anniversary celebration. Friends of Wilder’s “Buddy Buddy” (1981) starring Jack Twin Brooks Road, Saddle River, NJ, for NY City Comptroller John C. HMADS present Krikor Satamian at Armenian Church of the Holy Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The script was Liu. Liu is preparing for his citywide campaign. RSVP Hrant Gulian Martyrs Church Auditorium, Bayside, NY 11364. Tickets, $65, includ - written by Wilder, based on Edouard Molinaro’s (212) 764-8730 or Chuck Apelian (646) 246-1080. ing mezza/dinner. For information, contact school office: (718) 225- “L’emmerdeur,” which Veber had adapted from SEPTEMBER 21 — Friends of the Armenian Home presents 4826; e-mail [email protected]. his play “Le Contrat.” Autumn Luncheon on the Hudson, Waterside Restaurant 7800B OCTOBER 28-30 — The annual symposium weekend of the Veber made his own version of River Road, North Bergen, at 11:30 a.m. For information, call Alice Women’s Guild Central Council. At the St. Vartan Armenian “L’emmerdeur” (“A Pain in the Ass”) in 2008. Philibosian (201) 242-0777 or Marilyn Bedigian (201) 664-2320. Cathedral Complex and Diocesan Center, New York City. For infor - And what does he think of Wilder’s version? “It SEPTEMBER 24-25 — The annual St. Mary Armenian Church Food mation, contact Rita Oscherician at (201) 398-0153 or margheri - was Wilder’s last film — I think it killed him!” Festival, 200 West Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ. Free admission [email protected]. starting Saturday, 12-7:30 p.m., Sunday 12:30-4:30 p.m. Armenian OCTOBER 30 — Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan music by John Vartan Ensemble, delicious food, games, raffle. For Cathedral, New York City, presents Independence celebrating the direction call (973) 533-9794, visit www.MyArmenianChurch.org. 20th anniversary of Armenia’s “Independence.” Twentieth anniver - Armenians Should Sing SEPTEMBER 25 — Hope around every curve. Second annual ride 4 sary of Karabagh and 20th anniversary of the Shushi Armenian Avi, Family Fun Day, Sunday, 12-3:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, Dance Ensemble. 150 Performers. 5 p.m., Felician College, 262 Main And Dance Vigorously Shunpike Road and Harvard Street, Summit. Minimum tax-deductible St., Lodi. Donation: $100, $50, $40, $30 and $25. For tickets, call donation. Adults, $10 and children, $5. Includes BBQ lunch and live Marie (201) 745-8850, Sossy (201) 779-9007, Diocese (212) 686- DANCE, from page 10 entertainment. For more information, visit www.ride4avi.com. 0710. Purchase tickets online at www.shushidance.org. Do you hear the music? Stand up and rush to OCTOBER 1 — Festival of Dance and Music Ensembles, at 7 p.m. MAY 19, 2012 — HMADS Gala Dinner Dance. Details to follow, June the dance floor. Encircle the little finger of the sharp. Bergen Academics, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack. In cel - 25. HMADS 30th Commencement Exercise at 8 p.m., Kalustyan Hall. one next to you, raise your face to the ceiling or sky, lift your voice to the Heavens, and let your feet follow the beat just as it was done in Keghi, Sepastia, Van, Moush, Adana and Dikranagert when their villages were populated with perished because they were Armenian. Their should have leaned a lesson from all this, from Ottoman Turks. Armenians. Sing out, “ Yes Hye Em — I am blood courses in your veins too. what they suffered and from what the survivor Sing and dance but always attend April 24, Armenian!” If you forget to fight for the Armenian Cause generation built for you — the churches and memorial commemorations. Now you are the Sing and Dance. Allow your heart to be and Hye Tahd, if you forget to honor your eth - community centers for you to cling together for cream of the crop, replacing the hundreds that happy on this journey of being Armenian in the nic heritage and how you got to be where you strength and perpetuation. the Turks rounded up in Istanbul on that fate - diaspora but never forget the debt you owe to now are, safe and secure, the chance exists it It is worth singing and dancing for as long ful day of April 24, 1915 in their attempt to those who died needlessly, the ones whose could happen again. Be vigilant, be grateful and as you remember to never forget the sacrifice annihilate the Armenian race. names and faces may be forgotten, those who never forget your Armenian ancestors. You our ancestors made at the hand of the Never forget. 14 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Political Dividends from Turkish-Israeli Row

trol of Mount Ararat,” writes the Israeli paper Yediot Aharonot . By Edmond Y. Azadian Lieberman concludes his diatribe against Turkey by adding: Spectator “We’ll exact a price from Erdogan that will prove to him that messing with Israel doesn’t pay off.” Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is intoxicated with success This unexpected confrontation between long-time allies after his party’s third electoral victory handed him a mandate throws Foggy Bottom policymakers into a dilemma. for domestic and legislative reform, with boundless gusto to For a long time, when Muslim Turkey was forced into an Established 1932 go after Ergenekon operatives to demonstrate to the civilized alliance with Israel, the US State Department was in a comfort - world that he means business in putting Turkey’s house in able position. Today, the equations have been changed. An ADL Publication order. Thus far, all lobbying activities in the US in passing the The brunt of that gusto targets also the restive Kurdish minor - Armenian Genocide resolution in the Congress have been ham - ity, which is in a bloody clash with the police and the army. pered by the Israeli lobby, as part of its service to Turkey. EDITOR Erdogan’s foreign policy guru, Ahmet Davutoglu, had devised We cannot miss this window of opportunity if it is sincere, Alin K. Gregorian his zero-problem-with-neighbors stance, although that zero-prob - because it may not last very long. lem policy thus far has yielded only zero results, as Armenia’s for - Though the Jews had gone through the same traumatic expe - ASSOCIATE EDITOR eign minister, Eduard Nalbandian, has indicated. Now it is head - rience of ethnic cleansing, Israeli official policy always opposed Aram Arkun ed further south for negative dividends. Turkey has begun to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide because of political ART DIRECTOR move its warships from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean in a expediency. Now the tables have been turned through the exi - Marc Mgrditchian challenge to NATO, Israeli and Greek naval forces, which have gencies of the same political dynamic.

PRODUCTION dominated the Eastern basin of the seaway, in a part of the world We do not believe that the Holy Spirit visited Mr. Lieberman Dilani Yogaratnam where many conflagrations are extant. to stir love and sugar in that country’s policy towards the Erdogan’s mounting dispute with Israel has crossed another Armenians. The Genocide issue is being used as a chip, which threshold, reaching a point beyond the demand for an apology unfortunately is the nature of politics. for the Mavi incident and plainly declaring his inten - But the proof of the pudding is in its eating. Mr. Lieberman’s CONTRIBUTORS: tions to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza strip. Erdogan’s sincerity may be proven if he takes the initiative to pass through Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. intoxication is derived from the success of his lip service to the the Israeli Knesset the Genocide resolution before heading for Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond Palestinian case, which Turkey has translated into an economic Washington. Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana boom throughout the Muslim world. Similarly, Israeli foreign policy is involved in a double game. Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Israeli policymakers who were looking for creative formulas to Indeed, Israel is training the Azeri army and supplying it with Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, meet the Turkish demand, now have scrapped those efforts for a lethal military hardware. And Azerbaijan has only one enemy in Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, more assertive and aggressive posture. the world: Armenia. Taleen Babayan Indeed, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s arro - On the one hand, Israel is using the Genocide issue to punish gance matches that of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and he has Turkey and on the other hand, it is encouraging Baku to launch thrown down the gauntlet and undertaken a series of punitive a blood bath in the region. CORRESPONDENTS: measures to tame Turkey’s bold initiatives. Besides the interests of the energy sources in Azerbaijan, they Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Those measures include some reference to the Armenians and both share a common enemy: Iran. Since the Abulfaz Elchibey Boston - Nancy Kalajian the Armenian Genocide. era, Baku has had claims on Iranian Azerbaijan. On the other Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian In addition to supporting and arming Kurdish rebel groups in hand, Tel Aviv is interested in dismantling another anti-Israeli Contributing Photographers: Turkey (including the PKK), “Another planned move is the facil - bastion, after Iraq and Libya, if possible, through US muscle. Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair itation of cooperation with Turkey’s historic rivals, the As we see it, Israel has a multi-dimensional policy towards Hovsepian Armenians. During Lieberman’s visit to the United States this Armenia, based on its own national interests. When we are given The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published month, the foreign minister is expected to meet with leaders of an opportunity for pick and choose, we should not hesitate to weekly, except two weeks in July, by: the Armenian lobby and propose anti-Turkish cooperation in take advantage of these developments, always being mindful that Association, Inc. Congress. The implication of this move could be Israeli assis - our cases can win when they coincide with the interests of other tance in promoting international recognition of the Armenian powers. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Holocaust, a measure that would gravely harm Turkey. Israel Should Mr. Lieberman carry his new policy to the end, he will Telephone: 617-924-4420 may also back Armenia in its dispute vis-à-vis Turkey over con - offer us some political dividends we cannot refuse. FAX: 617-924-2887 www.mir rorspectator.com E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com For advertising: [email protected] New York/New Jersey Office 560 Sylvan Ave. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 New Light on an Old Horror — and Still There Is no Justice (201) 800-1164 ing Ottoman soldiery to support him, our vice estimated at between 15,000 and 25,000; of SUBSCRIPTION RATES : By Robert Fisk consul “paraded through the town with these, very few, if any, can be Moslems (sic). U.S.A. bugles blowing... We cleared the streets some - In many cases women, even small children, 2nd Class $75 a year times by charging with the bayonet and some - were killed with the men.” Exactly two weeks 1st Class $120 a year Canada On Wednesday morning, 14 April 1909, times by firing over the heads of the crowd.” after Doughty-Wylie received the letter from Air Mail $125 a year British Vice Consul Major Charles Doughty- Ah, those were the days! his dragoman, The New York Times’s journal - Wylie set off to the Turkish city of Adana The letters of Doughty-Wylie, who was ist in Adana was reporting that in the city’s All Other Countries after receiving a letter from his dragoman — later to have an unconsummated affair with vilayet (governorate), up to 30,000 Armenians Air Mail $190 a year Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch his Turkish translator, a man called Trypani — Gertrude Bell before dying at Gallipoli, are, had been murdered. saying that “there was a very dangerous feel - in fact, a record of heroism — I am indebted And Turkey, just as it does in the case of ing in that town, threats had been freely to researcher Missak Kelechian for finding the later one and a half million Armenian offered, there were some murders....” them in the British National Archives — for dead, still denies — along with Britain, the US, © 2010 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Doughty-Wylie departed by the next train, the vice consul rescued numerous British need we add the rest? — that this was geno - Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA memorably adding, in his dispatch to the subjects and protected many hundreds of cide. I have pointed out before that even in and additional mailing offices. Foreign Office in , that “so little had I Armenian refugees. Trying to save their the 1930s, Churchill referred to the “holo - ISSN 0004-234X expected that any massacre was imminent, lives, the vice consul came under sniper fire caust” of Armenians. Now comes proof that POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The that I took my wife with me.” We can only from a mosque. The Turks blamed the the 1909 genocide, let alone the later 1915 Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, imagine the good lady’s reaction when “about Armenians for the massacres, claiming that massacres, were known as a Holocaust — cor - Watertown, MA 02471-0302 two stations from Adana we saw a dead they had armed themselves and planned to rectly, with a capital H — before the First body... The nearer we got to Adana the more set up an Armenian principality on Turkish World War. For the Armenian Genocide bodies there were, and while I was escorting soil — killers have a habit of blaming the vic - Museum in Yerevan has just unearthed and my wife to Mr Trypani’s house ... two or three tims for their own deaths (see, for example, published eyewitness Z. Duckett Ferriman’s more men were killed under the very noses of the Muslim victims of the Bosnian war, the book on the 1909 killings whose original Copying for other than personal use or the Turkish guard....” Palestinian civilian victims of Gaza in 2008- cover bore the title The Young Turks and the internal reference is prohibited without Doughty-Wylie’s dispatches over the next 9, etc) but Doughty-Wylie, while he acknowl - Truth about the Holocaust at Adana in Asia express permission of the copyright four days are a first-class account of the start edged that an Armenian shot dead two Minor. The New York Times had, in fact, owner. Address requests for reprints or of the modern Armenian Holocaust — not the Turks, suspected that the violence included referred to “Another Armenian Holocaust” back issues to: slaughter and butchery and mass rape and “some secret preparation on the Turkish after an 1895 bloodbath, but Duckett Baikar Association, Inc. death marches in which the Ottoman Turks side.” Of the 2,000 dead in Adana, 1,400 Ferriman collected victims’ names, dates, 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 killed a million and a half Armenians in 1915, were Armenians. details of individual murders, statistics of but the mass murder of up to 30,000 The Turkish authorities supposedly hanged orphans, widows, villages destroyed, pho - Armenians in southern Turkey six years earli - nine Turks for their part in the slaughter. So tographs, and the identity of the militias — er, a dry run — albeit a very bloody one — for much for justice. Remarking that many of the like the Turkish authorities in 1915 and like Check us out at the later genocide. “I got into uniform, went dead had been thrown into rivers, the British the Nazis, the 1909 killers used “special to the guard, and sharply recalled to the offi - vice consul concluded in a further dispatch to units” for killing and rape — and the mass vio - mirrorspectator.com cer his duty to prevent murder,” Doughty- London that “in the villages, while no exact lation of women. Wylie wrote. Having summoned some unwill - number can yet be given, the loss ... may be see FISK, page 16 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

the country’s progress, and condemned Turkey for its international agreements are not worth the paper they are denial of the Armenian Genocide. At the end of his written on. remarks, Minister Edde surprised the audience by In my remarks, I pointed out that Turkish leaders have announcing a generous and unexpected personal contri - been presenting themselves as defenders of the Palestinian bution of $25,000 to the ANC of Lebanon. cause and supporters of all Arabs and Muslims, while con - My Turn The evening’s program was conducted in , given tinuing to be Israel’s strategic partner and covertly sharing the fact that there were Arab guests in the audience and with it some of the most sensitive military secrets of Arab By Harut Sassounian the book was intended for Arab leaders and masses. I was countries. gratified to be able to deliver a portion of my remarks in In my opinion, Palestinians and Arabs in general do not Arabic. Surprisingly, I still remembered the Arabic I had need the fake friendship of Turkey’s neo-Ottoman leaders. Book on Armenia-Turkey learned more than 40 years ago as a student at the local Arab masses must demand that their own indigenous lead - Protocols Warns Arabs not to Sophia Hagopian High School. ers, not self-serving foreign rulers, defend their national I reminded the attendees that the Turkish government’s interest. Trust Turkish Friendship true intent was to exploit the Protocols in order to pressure We just saw how Turkey sided with the despotic regimes Armenia into giving up its pursuit of the international in Egypt and Libya until the very last moment when the I was privileged to attend a special program in Beirut last recognition of the Armenian Genocide and create a smoke - dictators of these countries were about to be toppled. This Friday, sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of screen of peaceful negotiations so that other countries, par - is not genuine friendship. This is crass opportunism! Lebanon, dedicated to the publication of my new book in ticularly the United States, would be warned not to under - Since Arabs and Armenians have both experienced hor - Arabic: Armenia-Turkey Protocols: Truth or Deception? mine this make-believe reconciliation and budding rela - rendous suffering and atrocities under the Ottoman yoke, The book is the compilation of 43 columns I had written in tionship by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. they cannot be fooled easily by dishonest Turkish gestures in the last three years on the con - In addition, Turkey wanted Armenia to return Nagorno of rapprochement. The survivors of the Armenian Genocide troversial Protocols. Karabagh (Artsakh) to Azerbaijan’s control, give up its were the grateful beneficiaries of Arab hospitality through - After introductory remarks by George Sabounjian of the demands for which is currently under out the Middle East. Without such humanitarian interven - local ANC, Dr. Nora Arissian of Damascus, Syria, the trans - Turkish occupation and to tried undermine overall tion, many more Armenians would have perished. lator of the book, asserted that Sassounian’s columns Armenian unity by pitting the diaspora against the home - I ended my remarks by expressing my gratitude to exposed the Turkish government’s fake intent. She remind - land. Minister Edde for writing an inspiring introduction to my ed the audience that the author had accurately predicted Doggedly pursuing its intent to extract additional con - book, and to Dr. Nora Arissian who had spent countless at the outset of the negotiations that Turkey would not cessions from Armenia, the Turkish government kept refus - hours to painstakingly translate it from English into Arabic, keep its promise to ratify the Protocols and lift the block - ing to ratify the Protocols it had signed two years ago. as well as my previous book on the Armenian Genocide. I ade of Armenia. Failing to accomplish its self-serving objectives, the Turkish also thanked the Armenian National Committee of Dr. Arissian was followed by veteran Lebanese Minister Parliament recently took the final step to kill the Protocols Lebanon for hosting the evening’s program at the Pyunic Michel Edde, who has written a lengthy and insightful by removing them from its agenda, citing a technicality. Hall of newspaper and the Hamazkayine Publishing introduction to the book. Mr. Edde has held five ministeri - This failed experiment of Armenia-Turkey Protocols House for publishing the book. I expressed my special grat - al posts during his long and distinguished career in various clearly proves that Turkey is more interested in playing itude to benefactor Gabriel Chemberjian and his Pyunic Lebanese cabinets. In his remarks, the prominent minister diplomatic games and creating false impressions than pur - Foundation for sponsoring the book’s translation and pub - commended the author for his analytical columns, praised suing peaceful co-existence. Turkish commitments cannot lication. At the end of the program, signed copies of the the Armenian community of Lebanon for its active role in be taken seriously and Turkey’s leaders’ signatures on book were distributed to the guests.

LETTERS Political Reshuffle: New Personnel Changes Thanks from ARA to Donors Expected in Armenia

To the Editor: to go to Russia to find work so as to be able to President Jimmy Carter called him “one of the By Naira Hayrumyan I am writing to express my deepest gratitude help the family financially. The family income most extraordinary people I have ever known. to those people who have supported families in was too low for living, so they couldn’t even He used his remarkable gifts as an entrepreneur The political autumn in Armenia began need of housing need in Armenia. This assistance think about building a house. for the benefit of millions of needy people with a high-profile resignation as is very important for Armenian families who can The Karapetyan family has been living in a around the world by providing them with decent President Serge Sargisian granted the neither afford taking loans from banks, nor save steel dry cargo container for 23 years. The fami - housing. As the founder of Habitat for Humanity request of his chief of staff Karen and build their homes. ly consists of four members. The father, an and later the Fuller Center, he was an inspiration Karapetyan to quit. Chairman of the Thanks to a generous donation of $4,000 made injured Artsakh war veteran, died from a heart to me, other members of our family and an Central Electoral Commission (CEC) in January 2011, the Karapetyan family of four attack at the age of 38, leaving his wife and three untold number of volunteers who worked side- Garegin Azaryan died suddenly of a heart (earned $3,400 support from you), and the children (aged 4, 8 and 10) in 2001. by-side under his leadership.” attack on the same day. Sakanyan family of three (earned $600 support Lilia, the mother of three, is a cleaning lady in (For more information, contact the Armenian These two cases are not linked directly, from you as well as other donors’ support) after liv - an army base. The eldest son is now 20. He has Renaissance Association, at PO BOX 243, but, systemically, two people associated ing in a metal container since the 1988 earthquake, recently completed his military service and now Watertown, MA 02471-0243.) with obstacles to reforms and fraudulent moved out to new homes in May 2011. A total of is unsuccessfully seeking employment. –Armenian Renaissance Association Central elections have left the powers structure. 15 families moved out of containers in one year. As for the 18 year old, he has been exempted Committee Newspapers, quoting their sources in the This 15-family house project implementation from the military due to his disability. The presidential administration, claim that became possible with the partnership of the youngest child, 14 years old, is doing well and Karapetyan resisted the reform efforts of Armenian Relief and Development Association, dreaming of becoming an economist. the administration’s “young branch” led which invested 50 percent of total expenses; The Karapetyan family’s total monthly income Armenians Need Novel by President Sargisian’s son-in-law and Vanadzor municipality, which invested 25 per - is $406, a miserable amount of money with Approach to Force proponent of modernization Mikael cent and the Fuller Center For Housing which it is not possible to live and at the same Minasyan. Partly this is confirmed by a Armenia, which invested 25 percent with your time build a home. Turkey’s Hand US Embassy worker’s cable published by help. These homes were built with the technolo - Now thanks to ARDA charitable foundation, the whistleblower site WikiLeaks which gy of polystyrene foam blocks. Vanadzor city municipality, Fuller Center for To The Editor: says that during a meeting with the U.S. We hope you will visit Armenia one day and Housing Armenia partnership and the donation Our persistent attempts to get Turkey to charge d’affaires in Yerevan in 2008 we will be happy to take you to see this family in of the Armenian Renaissance Association, the acknowledge its destruction of the native Minasyan said that Serge Sargisian would Vanadzor City. family has already moved from the metal ship - Armenian population of Anatolia has been a like to be obliged to young people, rather Since 2008 Fuller Center for Housing ping container into their newly-built house. failure because there is no compunction for than “old thugs”, implying the oligarchs. Armenia supported 166 low-income families in In addition to the loans from the Fuller Center Turkey to admit to such a crime. So it continues Given that Karen Karapetyan’s brother is building and renovating safe, simple, affordable for Housing Armenia, the partner family puts to ignore all such accusations from us and oth - a major Russian businessman, Samvel homes, by offering them long-term, interest free hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” in their ers. The situation has been reduced to one of Karapetyan, and has an enormous politi - loans. Their monthly repayments flow into the home. The FCHA supervises the construction of accusation and denial with little prospect of res - cal and economic clout both in Russia Revolving Fund and are used to help more fami - the home, arranges to provide the materials olution. Therefore it would behoove us to chal - and Armenia, newspapers argue that lies, thereby providing the financial foundation needed and works with the volunteers, both lenge Turkey in such a way that it cannot hide Karapetyan had to go because of his for a sustainable community development effort. local and from the diaspora, who come to help at its guilt before the rest of the world with excessive conservatism as far as oligarchy There are about 30,000 families without per - the construction site. impunity by simply denying it. is concerned. The death of Azaryan, who manent shelter in Armenia that dwell in metal The Fuller Center for Housing was established Our possible approach is to address an open died at age 50, also became symptomatic. shipping containers (domiks), dormitories or in 2005 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Millard letter to Turkey with copies to all the govern - In Armenia, an attempt is being made to temporary shelters. We can’t help them all at Fuller was the founder of Habitat for Humanity ments in the UN General Assembly, asking pass on to normal – fair and transparent once but try to do it one at a time. and led that organization for 29 years. The them to resolve the historical conundrum man - – electoral processes. The main opposi - The Sakanyan family has been living in a Fullers had planned to make a second trip to ifested by the otherwise mystical and complete tion Armenian National Congress (ANC), domik for the past 20 years. The mother of the Armenia, but Millard Fuller’s unexpected death disappearance of the Armenians from their his - which continues to insist on holding early Sakanyan family is working at a boarding school prevented this. Linda Fuller and others traveled torical homeland of Asia Minor. A failure to parliamentary and presidential elections, as a cleaning lady. Her daughter has studied bak - to Armenia to ensure that her husband’s vision respond to this would then represent an implic - promises to do everything for the ing in Vanadzor and has been seeking employ - of helping low income families have decent hous - it admission of guilt before the world. see RESHUFFLE, page 16 ment for a very long period of time, but in vain. ing would be fulfilled. Berge Tatian That is why every now and then she was obliged Shortly after Millar Fuller’s death, former Stoneham, MA 16 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 17, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Turkish Official Slams Mooted Israeli Reprisals

ANKARA (AFP) — Turkish Parliament Kurdish separatist PKK and launching a diplo - Netanyahu’s office said that the cabinet had also act in the same way,” it said. Speaker Cemil Cicek on Saturday blasted matic offensive against Ankara. considered various responses to a further Israel and Turkey have been locked in a bit - ideas attributed to hawkish Israeli Foreign “It’s very troubling that someone with the worsening of already stormy relations with ter dispute since May 2010 when Israeli naval Minister Avigdor Lieberman for hitting back rank of minister should make such irresponsi - Turkey but had not taken action. commandos stormed the international at Ankara in the row between the two coun - ble remarks,” Cicek said on Turkish television. A statement said that Netanyahu and his Freedom Flotilla, a convoy of six trying tries. He attacked the proposals as “blackmail” and ministers discussed “various theoretical to reach Gaza in defiance of an Israeli block - Israel’s Yediot Aharonot daily reported said that if they were put into effect the crisis options in the event of escalation.” ade, killing nine Turkish nationals. Friday that Lieberman had suggested sup - between Israel and Turkey would become “The decision on this will be taken only if The crisis deepened over the past week with porting recognition by the US Senate of “more complex and more inextricable.” and when necessary,” it said. “Israel acts and Turkey expelling the Israeli ambassador and Armenian Genocide by Turkey, backing the On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin will act responsibly and hopes that Turkey will axing military ties and defense trade.

WikiLeaks on Armenian Genocide: Turkey ‘Purged’ Archives to Destroy Evidence WIKILEAKS, from page 1 second round of ‘closet editing’ was carried Secretary General of the Turkish Ministry of orders existed during those years, both oral The cable read, “Berktay claims that there out in early 90s, during the tenure of prime Foreign Affairs.” and through encrypted telegrams, the main have been two serious efforts to ‘purge’ the minister and then president of Turkey, Turgut Berktay claims that “at the time he was part of which was burned. It means that what - archives of any incriminating evidence on the Ozal.” combing the archives, Nuri Birgi met regular - ever survived cannot tell too much anyway, as Armenian Genocide. The first was in 1918: According to Berktay, the archive cleaning ly with a mutual friend and at one point, refer - Turkish historian Taner Akçam stated recent - during the 1919 Turkish Military Tribunals, it was “most probably implemented by ring to the Armenians, ruefully confessed: ‘We ly, even the limited documents can prove that was revealed that documents had been Muharrem Nuri Birgi, a former Turkish really slaughtered them.’” what happened was not simply deportation, ‘stolen’ from the archives,” wrote Arnett. The ambassador to London and NATO and Hovhannisyan, a senior scientific worker at but genocide,” says Hovhannisyan. the National Academy of Sciences, stresses Added Hovhannisyan, “The fact of the that the importance of the Turkish archives Armenian Genocide has been proved by should not be overestimated. numerous documents preserved at interna - “Those archives mainly hold records and tional archives, and the Turkish archives can orders of the Sultan. There is ample evidence only change some details in the reality of the proving that other mechanisms of issuing Armenian Genocide, that’s all.” MirTher Armo enian r-Spe ctator

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USA /Second Class Mail $75.00 CANADA /Air Mail $125.00 USA /First Class Mail $120.00 Anush Hovhannisyan J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS FOR ME NAME ADDRESS New Light on an Old Horror — CITY STATE ZIP J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS A GIFT FOR: And Still There Is no Justice NAME ADDRESS FISK, from page 14 is that the Arsenians were very upper middle CITY STATE ZIP By extraordinary chance, Duckett Ferriman’s class. On their death trail to northern Syria, book coincides with the Beirut publication next they were able, for a short period, to travel by Please make check payable to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and mail to: week of the memoirs of Hagop Arsenian, a rail, first class. “They were transporting us to 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509 1915 Armenian Holocaust survivor whose our graves with our own money,” Hagop wrote. handwritten diaries have just been translated At other times, still paying for their train tick - All payments must be drawn on US banks into English by his granddaughter, Arda ets, they were packed into box cars, 45 to a car - Ekmekji. What makes this work so remarkable riage, Nazi-style. During his Golgotha, Hagop stood beside a pile of Armenian corpses. “One of them in a suffocating voice begged the Political Reshuffle in Armenia gravedigger not to pull him by the legs and said, ‘Brother, I have not died yet. Wait till morning SUB SCRIBE RESHUFFLE, from page 15 before you bury me.’“ elections to be held within riggings. The Like many Jews on the way to death in the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has second Holocaust of the 20th century, Hagop already launched the project “Vote is Power,” “would wonder whether we were such a terrible under which it carries out actions aimed at nation that God had chosen ... to manifest His ensuring the fairness of the upcoming polls. anger and inflict His punishment on us....” The re-election of Azaryan, who is accused by There are good Turks in these stories — in 1909 the opposition of standing behind vote riggings as well as 1915 — but there are many criminals. in the past two general elections, as head elec - And again, no justice for the Armenians. Few tion official in July caused a disappointment. of the Turkish war criminals were hanged. One Analysts began to say the government was not of the worst, Talaat Pasha, was assassinated in going to change anything and that the elections Berlin in 1921, Bin Laden-style, shot by an TODAY! would be rigged again. Azaryan’s untimely Armenian revenge group called Nemesis. Most death will bring to the fore the question of the escaped their just deserts for ever, not even fac - personality of the new CEC chairman. ing a Demjanjuk-like court in old age. All are The ANC is changing its tactics. Opposition now dead. “War will not end unless the truth is leaders stated that the ANC passes on to a rally known,” a Lebanese humanitarian agency stat - campaign to get snap elections. The next oppo - ed four years ago. And that’s all that’s left to be sition rally is scheduled for September 23. ANC fought for. Acknowledgement that these crimes leader Levon Ter-Petrosian did not rule out that were real. Justice is an odd creature. Check us out at formal dialogue between the ANC and the rul - (Robert Fisk is the Middle East correspon - ing coalition may be renewed. dent for the Independent . This column origi - www.mirrorspectator.com (Naira Hayrumian is a correspondent for nally appeared in that publication on ArmeniaNow.) September 10.)