MAY 5, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 41, Issue 4536 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Holy King Armenian Pashinyan Church in Istanbul Fails to Get Vandalized ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — The Holy King Armenian Church in Kadikoy, a district in Istanbul, Turkey, was vandalized overnight on April 30. Majority Images posted on social media show how the vandals sprayed “Bu Vatan Bizim, meaning “This Fatherland Is Ours” in Turkish on the church walls. Vote in The vandals also dumped a large amount of trash in front of the gates. Istanbul Armenian journalist Hayko Bagdat Parliament noted on Twitter, “An attack on Armenian church- es during election periods is routine [in Turkey],” Bagdat wrote on Twitter. “If you ask him here, it’s YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — Ergenekon, if you ask him there, it’s political Islam, Armenian opposition leader Nikol if you ask the other, it’s the outside forces…But it Pashinyan failed to secure a majority of always happens.” votes in parliament on An investigation is underway. Tuesday, May 1, to become prime minister after weeks of protests forced the previous Singer Aznavour Taken holder of the post to step Nikol Pashinyan in Parliament. Ill in St. Petersburg down. Pashinyan, who was the Before Concert only candidate for the post, islature will be as prime minister.The vote was called after had called on individual mem- automatically Serzh Sargsyan, who led Armenia as presi- ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Tass) — French bers of parliament to cross disbanded and dent for 10 years and left office in early Armenian singer Charles Aznavour was hospital- party lines and support him fresh elections April because of term limits, stepped down ized in St. Petersburg on April 25, the Russian NTV when the ruling Republican will be called if it amid the mass anti-government protests channel reports. party said that it would not again fails to Pashinyan led. Aznavour, 93, felt ill during a rehearsal for a con- vote for him after a nine-hour choose a pre- The Yelk or “Exit” opposition alliance cert that was scheduled to take place that day, session. mier. had announced Pashinyan’s nomination at Emma Lavrinovich, Director of Oktyabrsky Nikol Pashinyan at a post-vote rally in Concert Hall, informed TASS. In a vote late on Tuesday, Yerevan on May 1. P a s h i n y a n the start of Tuesday’s session and he later he received 45 votes, eight was again sched- took the floor to answer fellow deputies’ “[Aznavour] felt unwell during a rehearsal. He short of the 53 he needed to uled to hold a questions. was taken to the hospital. The concert has been put have a majority in the 105-seat legislature. rally at Republic Square on Wednesday, off until the next season,” Lavrinovich said. The Armenian constitution dictates that May 2. Civil Disobedience to Continue Aznavour, according to reports, resturned to parliament must reconvene next week for Thousands of opposition supporters had Pashinyan said after the vote that May 2 France on April 27 to continue treatment. another vote. spent the day rallying outside the parlia- should be declared as day of “total strikes.” Promoters have said the concert will be moved The vote result means that the parlia- ment building to support Pashinyan. While Delivering a speech at a rally in Republic to April 9, 2019. ment will have to meet again on May 8 for addressing MPs earlier in the day, he Square, he said that “all interstate roads, another debate on the next prime minister. warned that Armenia would be struck by a Armenian Cyclist Edgar Under the Armenian constitution, the leg- “political tsunami” if he were not appointed see ELECTIONS, page 2 Stepanyan Wins Dana

HAROUT EKMANIAN PHOTO Point Grand Prix Diocesan Council DANA POINT, Calif. (Panorama.am) — Leading Recommends Election Armenian cyclist Edgar Stepanyan has become the winner of 12th Annual Dana Point Grand Prix of Procedure for New Cycling championship held in California, US on April 29, the cyclist announced in a post Primate after Surprise on Facebook. Resignation Stepanyan took part in the cycling event as part of the Velo Pasadena Racing American team, reports Panorama.am. By Aram Arkun “Dana Point Grand Prix is one of the top-10 US calendar championships. My biggest goal was win- Mirror-Spectator Staff ning it. I won by 19 seconds solo breakaway. So, I did my best to win and dedicate this victory to NEW YORK — The Diocesan Council you,” he said. issued its first communication on April 30 concerning the upcoming election of the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Diocesan Vartan Oskanian at Harvard Law School Council Chair James M. Kalustian, the sig- natory of this communication, confirmed INSIDE Vartan Oskanian Speaks at to the Mirror-Spectator on April 30 that this letter, addressed to the Diocesan cler- gy, Assembly delegates and parish council Harvard on Self-Determination chairs, represented the result of its recent Tellalian deliberations and its recommendations to CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Vartan Oskanian, foreign minister of Armenia from 1998 the Assembly meeting which will take place to 2008, delivered a speech on April 12 at Harvard Law School entitled “Self- only a few days later. Donation Determination Under International Law: The The letter notes that on April 25, Cases of Kosovo and Nagorno-Karabakh.” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, longtime Page 14 By Aram Arkun Oskanian drew on his 10 years of experience as for- Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Staff eign minister and chief negotiator of Armenia on Church of America (Eastern) unexpectedly the Nagorno-Karabakh or Artsakh issue. announced the withdrawal of his candidacy The talk was organized by the joint efforts of the for the election of the Primate. After inten- INDEX Harvard International Law Journal, Harvard West Coast Law Students Association, sive and frequent meetings and delibera- Arts and Living ...... 13 Harvard European Law Association and the Harvard Middle Eastern Law Students tions, the Council prepared its recommen- Armenia ...... 2,3 Association and sponsored by the National Association for Armenian Studies and dations, which it is proffering to the upcom- Community News...... 6 Research. It was moderated by Anna Crowe, lecturer on law and clinical instructor ing Assembly. The Council both studied the Editorial ...... 16 at the Human Rights Program of Harvard Law School. Diocesan Bylaws and consulted with International ...... 4,5 see OSKANIAN, page 12, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. see RESIGNATION, page 20 2 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Pashinyan Fails to Get Majority Karapetian Beats Azeri Vote in Parliament Opponent to Become ELECTIONS, from page 1 ing party has “destroyed itself at once legality, to find the settlement of issues European Champ railways, streets, airports and every- and irreversibly.” He also said that the in the spirit of sympathy and under- TEL AVIV, Israel (news.am) — Ferdinand thing that is possible will be blocked full victory of his popular movement is standing, avoiding our people from con- Karapetian of Armenia became the 2018 European from 8.15 am tomorrow.” inevitable. flict situations. judo champion on April 28. Pashinyan said in his speech that on “A force declaring a war on its own “We appeal to all the parliamentary Karapetian, 26, defeated his Azerbaijani opponent May 1 more than 250,000 citizens had people cannot exist and what we are see- factions to continue their efforts for the Hidayet Heydarov in the 73-kilogram weight class of stood in Republic Square for more than ing is not the HHK or its parliamentary settlement of the current situation the European Judo Championships 2018 being held 12 hours. faction but a ghost,” he said. He strong- through negotiations. in Tel Aviv, Israel. “This means that our victory has been ly condemned HHK claims that his pre- “Our exhortation and request is to As a result, Karapetian repeated the success recorded; this is a new Armenia, which is miership would hurt Russian-Armenian dear children of our people, to maintain achieved by Armen Nazaryan, the Armenian Judo controlled and governed by the people,” ties and increase the risk of a war with solidarity, vigilance, not to provoke National Team head coach, by becoming European he said. Azerbaijan. provocations. Let us not allow the hatred champion 13 years later. “The behavior of RPA [Republican Stances and Goals and enmity we face in our lives so that A total of 368 athletes from 44 countries are com- Party of Armenia] today was a complete During the parliamentary question the current situation can be solved with peting in the European Judo Championships 2018. provocation against the people and their period, Pashinyan expanded on some of wisdom, in the spirit of love and under- candidate, but the political corpse called his positions, including hiding property. standing. RPA does not at all deserve our atten- “It is very important to enhance the “We pray for the peace of our Chile Ambassador Visits tion. The negotiations, so much dis- effectiveness of the mechanism of prop- Homeland, the security of our people.” cussed today, can only relate to the polit- erty declaration by officials, since now A senior U.S. State Department offi- Foreign Ministry ical funeral of RPA,” Pashinyan said. this mechanism gives them room for hid- cial telephoned Pashinyan on Monday to YEREVAN — On April 27, acting Foreign Minister “We do not have an opportunity or ing information about property,” discuss the continuing political crisis in Edward Nalbandian received Rodrigo Nieto, ambas- option to step back even half a millime- Pashinyan said. Armenia. sador of Chile to Armenia (residence in Moscow), ter. We should step up to save our coun- Off-shore accounts: Noting that many In a short Facebook post, Pashinyan who arrived in Yerevan to convey the reply message try,” the MP stressed. corruption scandals in the world are off- said he and US Assistant Secretary of of Roberto Ampuero, Foreign Minister of Chile, on He called on the police to “to lay down shore deals and money abroad, he pro- State Wess Mitchell touched upon the occasion of the 25th anniversary of establishing shields and batons and join the people.” posed to establish a special state agency, “issues relating to a peaceful and legal diplomatic relations between Armenia and Chile. Parliament Vote for example, the ethics committee, for resolution” of the crisis sparked by mas- Welcoming the guest, Nalbandian noted with satis- Fifty-five other lawmakers represent- controlling accounts of Armenian offi- sive anti-government protests. He did not faction that throughout last quarter of century the ing former Prime Minister Serzh cials at any spot all over the world. elaborate. two countries have forged a partnership and mutual- Sargsyan’s Republican Party of Armenia Only those complying with this The State Department renewed at the ly beneficial relations, and there is a willingness (HHK) voted against Pashinyan in line requirement will be eligible to seek any weekend its calls for the leading through joint efforts to develop them further. with a decision announced by the HHK public office. Armenian factions to end the turmoil Nalbandian and Nieto touched upon a number of leadership shortly before the issues of bilateral agenda, discussed the issues relat- vote. HHK leaders said dur- ed to deepening of the political dialogue, holding con- ing the debate that sultations between Foreign Ministries, strengthening Pashinyan is not fit to gov- the cooperation within international organizations, ern the country. They also expanding the legal framework and intensifying con- pointed to his lack of gov- tacts between parliaments of the two countries. ernment experience and questioned his ability to serve as commander-in-chief Smoker Causes Moscow- of Armenia’s armed forces. Several HHK deputies Gyumri Flight to Make also pointed Pashinyan’s Emergency Landing past harsh criticisms of Armenia’s membership in MOSCOW (Armenpress) — A smoker couldn’t the Russian-led Eurasian resist his crave for cigarettes for just about 2 and a Economic Union and the half hours which prompted an emergency landing of Collective Security Treaty the Moscow-Gyumri flight on April 29. Organization (CSTO). They The flight, en route from the Russian capital to claimed that Armenia could Armenia’s second largest city, was operated by find itself at odds with Nikol Pashinyan at the Parliament vote session on May 1. Pobeda airlines, the General Department of Civil Russia if he comes to power. Aviation of Armenia said. Vahram Baghdasarian, Irina Volk, the spokesperson of Russia’s interior the HHK’s parliamentary leader, claimed Healthcare: “The problems the health- through dialogue. ministry, said that the 44-year-old male passenger that Pashinyan’s tenure would be care area faces are due to the low effec- “The United States continues to mon- has been fined for smoking aboard a passenger air- fraught with “destructive consequences” tiveness, corruption risks and limited itor closely the situation in Armenia,” plane, Russian media said. and “fateful dangers” for the country. He financial resources,” Pashinyan said. “It said a spokeswoman for the department, The plane landed in Minvody, a town in Stavropol also said that Sargsyan’s resignation on is possible to solve the existing problems Heather Nauert. “As a friend of Armenia, Krai, Russia, where the captain of the aircraft called April 23 was a sufficient response to the only with taking into account these fac- we urge all parties to engage in good in police officers for assistance. massive street protests launched by tors.” faith negotiations on the formation of a Pashinyan. When the budget increases by 30 per- new government in accordance with the “I hoped to hear a conceptual speech cent, he said, the financing for the Constitution, and to reach a resolution Artsakh Army Records by a candidate for prime minister but I healthcare area can be increased. that reflects the interests of all Active Azerbaijani Forces witnessed a speech that only flattered “For months citizens can’t receive the Armenians.” people’s ears and was not based on a pro- government-paid medical services, since “We support the ongoing efforts of STEPANAKERT (Panorama.am) — Active disloca- gram,” said Eduard Sharmazanov, a the public financial resources expire the Office of President [Armen] tions of equipment and manpower of the Azerbaijani deputy parliament speaker. “Mr. already in the beginning of any year,” he Sarkissian to facilitate dialogue between forces have been recorded at the Line of Contact Pashinyan, you didn’t convince me. I said. all parties. We continue to commend the between Artsakh and Azerbaijan since April 30, don’t see you as commander-in-chief.” Urging Calm peaceful nature of the demonstrations, Defense Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Pashinyan tried in vain to win over at Meanwhile, both President Armen and trust that the security forces and (NKR-Artsakh) reported in a statement. least some members of the HHK majori- Sarkissian and Catholicos of All those exercising their right to peaceful “Defense Army frontline units vigilantly follow the ty when he twice gave speeches in the Armenians Karekin II urged civic respon- protest will remain committed to non-vio- developments on the frontline and exercise full con- parliament and answered questions from sibility and calm. lence in the days to come,” Nauert added trol over the situation,” the statement said. over two dozen lawmakers. In the end, In his statement issued on Tuesday, in a statement. The release by the ministry is accompanied by a only HHK deputy, Felix Tsolakyan, voted President Sarkissian said all eyes of The U.S. ambassador in Yerevan, video footage showing the situation at the Line of for him. Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora are on Richard Mills, met with both Pashinyan Contact on April 28 and 29. Voting for Pashinyan were deputies Yerevan now. and acting Prime Minister Karen affiliated with the opposition Yelk He called on the deputies, political Karapetyan last week in a bid to help alliance, Gagik Tsarukian’s bloc and the forces, state institutions and all others to ease political tensions in Armenia. Pashinyan Meets with Armenian Revolutionary Federation make any action of step in accordance Pashinyan spoke with Mitchell the day Catholicos Karekin II (Dashnaktsutyun). One of with the Constitution and for the benefit before a session of the Armenian parlia- Dashnaktsutyun’s seven deputies, of the state and the people. ment which is due to elect the country’s ECHMIADZIN — Nikol Pashinyan, leader of the Aghvan Vartanian, refused to back the The catholicos issued a statement new prime minister. The previous pre- Yelk Alliance of the Armenian parliament and of the opposition candidate, however, defying a after the vote: “Today it was impossible mier, Serzh Sarkisian, resigned on April Civil Contract political party, came to Echmiadzin on decision made by his party. Vartanian to reach a unified decision on the elec- 23 under pressure from tens of thou- April 28 to meet with Catholicos of All Armenians said he is ready to resign from the par- tion of the Prime Minister of the sands of Pashinyan supporters demon- Karekin II. liament as a result. National Assembly. The situation in the strating in the streets against his contin- Pashinyan warned before the vote that country remains tense and worrying. ued rule. the parliament’s failure to choose him as “We urge the authorities and the (The Guardian, Mediamax, RFE/RL prime minister would mean that the rul- opposition to act in the framework of and Arka contributed to this report.) S A T U R D A Y , M A Y 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA

streets, bringing Yerevan to a standstill. The protests, which neighboring Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh remained peaceful, ultimately forced Sargsyan to step down. It did region. In 2013, Armenia backed out of EU association talks and not take long before people began referring to the event as instead joined the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a bloc of Nikol Armenia’s “non-violent velvet revolution.” former Soviet republics under Russian leadership. Pashinyan’s opposition to Sargsyan dates back much earlier Pashinyan recently told the Russian newspaper RBK that the than March of this year, however. He began his career as a jour- current protest movement was not a result of “any kind of geopo- nalist in the 1990s before transitioning into politics. He ran for litical context.” His election program, however, seems to contra- parliament in 2007, but his party failed to win any seats. dict this claim at least somewhat. It calls for closer ties with the Pashinyan Pashinyan’s emergence on the political stage marked his oppo- EU, and even considers the possibility of leaving the EAEU. sition to Sargsyan, an entrenched political elite who had for For now, Pashinyan is focusing all his energy on domestic pol- decades shaped Armenian politics, first serving as a minister, then itics. He wants to take advantage of the momentum behind the The Man behind Armenia’s prime minister and ultimately president. When Sargsyan won his Protest Movement first term as president in 2008, a protest followed. Its violent sup- YEREVAN (Deutsche Welle) — Nikol Pashinyan is a man who pression left 10 people dead. until recently was hardly known to anyone outside Armenia. He Pashinyan was blamed as one of sees Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation this week as an the instigators and was jailed for important first step toward reforming the country, and now he more than a year. After he was wants parliament to make him Armenia’s new leader in early May. freed, Pashinyan proceeded to Pashinyan has repeatedly stated during rallies it is what the peo- switch parties and was voted into ple want, and until then, the protests will continue. parliament in 2012 and 2017. Who exactly is the man who emerged from relative obscurity That same year, he ran in to become the star of Armenia’s protest movement? And what Yerevan’s mayoral election, secur- does he stand for? ing 21 percent of the vote as the Back in March, Pashinyan, who serves as leader of liberal oppo- runner-up. sition coalition Yelk (Exit), which won just 7.7 percent of the vote According to Armenian political in last year’s parliamentary elections, embarked on a long jour- expert Ruben Mehrabyan, ney. Together with a handful of supporters, the 42-year-old set off Pashinyan is the protest move- from Gyumri, on a two-week march to protest Sargsyan’s plan to ment’s unrivaled leader. “He was run for prime minster — after having already served for 10 years at the right place and the right as the country’s president. Sargsyan’s candidacy, which he had time, and got the ball rolling,” he says, pointing out that people street protests, but his status as Armenia’s opposition leader has previously promised not to pursue, was made possible through a followed Pashinyan’s initiative not because of his popularity, but a flipside, too. Pashinyan’s coalition does not have sufficient sup- 2015 constitutional amendment that transformed Armenia’s because “the situation in Armenia had become unbearable.” port in parliament to command a majority, and is still dependent political system from a semi-presidential into a parliamentary Pashinyan and his backers say they are out to reform the coun- on backing from the previous ruling coalition, which fell apart republic. try and unseat the ruling Republican Party, which is blamed for after Sargsyan’s resignation. If Pashinyan fails to gain enough Fiercely opposed to this, Pashinyan and his backers took the Armenia’s rampant corruption and widespread poverty. parliamentary support to become prime minister and fresh elec- protest march throughout the country, until finally reaching Unlike in Ukraine, the Armenian protests are not viewed as tions are called, he has said that his party may boycott the vote Yerevan in mid-April. The movement began to grow, and when being connected to country’s relationship with Russia or the and urge Armenians to protest once more. After the initial victo- Sargsyan was elected as prime minster on April 17, mass protests European Union. Armenia remains a close ally of Moscow and ry of Sargsyan’s ouster, the country may be gearing up for a pro- ensued. Tens of thousands of angry Armenians took to the relies on it for protection, especially with regard to its conflict with tracted power struggle.

Tchobanian Institute Renovates Berdzor Vahan Tekeyan Middle School Classroom

various competitions and Olympiads, have By Gayane Muradyan always stood out due to their high achieve- ments and won prizes and awards. In the last year and a half, their progress and enthusiasm BERDZOR, Artsakh — The times have increased further when they were able to study changed, and so has the educational environ- in several bright, clean and warm classrooms ment in Berdzor’s Vahan Tekeyan Middle renovated thanks to outside aid, including the School No. 1, located in the Kashatagh (Lachin) Armenian language and literature room District. (Canada), the history room, dedicated to Hrant At present, around 200 students study in the Dink (Canada), the military preparation room Berdzor school, and they now have the possi- (France) and now the patriotism course room bility of studying in the fourth renovated class- dedicated to Sarkis Hatsbanian (France). room, which bears the name of Sarkis Kosakyan stressed that the dedication of this Hatsbanian. The renovation of the classroom fourth classroom to Hatsbanian was a unanimous was supported by the Tchobanian Institute of decision of the entire administration and teaching Paris. staff in recognition of his service in the Artsakh The inauguration of the renovated classroom War and to the Armenian homeland. took place on April 21. The president of the The school principal then handed a letter of Tchobanian Institute, Varoujan Sirapian, was thanks to Sirapian, who in turn remarked that present, along with Gayane Muradyan, repre- the education of Armenian children was impor- sentative of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of tant for their institute, and that it would con- the United States and Canada, Artsakh Minister tinue to aid in the realization of similar projects. of Education, Science and Sports Narine The ninth- and tenth-grade students present- Minister Narine Aghabalyan greeted by Principal Anahit Kosakyan, Varoujan Sirapian, Gayane Aghabalyan, Davit Davtyan, head of the district ed the biography of Hatsabanian, who graduat- Muradyan and teachers

depicted details from his battles in Artsakh, as escape. well as how he defended the Azerbaijani women Hatsbanian, understanding the misunder- and children who had fallen into captivity in standing, began to explain that they were Karvachar district. Armenian soldiers and that they would now They also told the story about the famous organize their safe evacuation. The elderly photograph which has received world recogni- woman was so confused and moved that she tion, which the Azerbaijanis have presented as hugged and kissed Hatsbanian, saying that distorting reality. Supposedly the Azerbaijani while their soldiers had deserted the residents grandmother was expressing her gratitude and of the village, the Armenian soldiers were orga- thanks to the Azeri soldier for freeing them nizing their safe withdrawal. from the Armenians. After the students’ presentation, Aghabalyan However, the reality was that when the declared, “This small event has great signifi- Azerbaijani soldiers retreated from the village cance. The authorities of our country after the they promised to come back to take the elderly war first of all have realized a program of school and children left behind but did not return, so construction, placing importance on education the latter remained waiting, sitting in the street. for the development of the country. During this Varoujan Sirapian and Minister Narine Aghabalyan inaugurate the renovated classroom Hatsbanian, during the battle for the liberation period, several dozens of schools, including in of the village, encountered the elderly the Kashatagh District, have been built or fun- Azerbaijani woman by chance. She thought damentally renovated, and the work continues. administration of Kashatagh, and school admin- ed the Sorbonne University in Paris, having that the soldier approaching her was an The role of our compatriots in the diaspora is istrators, teachers and students. studied to be a film director. However, he came Azerbaijani. She began to reproach him for great in this work. This speaks to the unity of School principal Anahit Kosakyan declared to Armenia in 1990 and joined Leonid deserting them and said that the Armenians the Armenians.” that the students of the school, participating in Azgaldyan’s liberation brigade. The students would soon come and they would not be able to (Translated from the Armenian) 4 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Can Dündar in German Exile Lavrov Discusses wants to return home, “but to a democ- “you know it was not true.” Artsakh with Azeri, By Muriel Mirak- ratic Turkey.” From Germany, where he For people in Germany, including Weissbach considers himself a guest, he is trying to journalists, it is not easy to imagine Armenian Foreign influence events at home. “It is like the what imprisonment involves. Schröder Ministers Special to the Mirror-Spectator 1930s,” he said, “when Jews fled asked, simply, “What was the worst Germany and fought from abroad for a thing in jail?” Dündar always tried to MOSCOW (Armenpress) — Russian Foreign WIESBADEN, Germany — It is well democratic Germany.” see the positive. “You learn a lot about Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversa- known that Germany has received the Turkey has called on Interpol to issue yourself in jail. I discovered the power of tion with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar largest number of refugees in Europe an international arrest warrant, as it did the word, reading and writing — it can Mammadyarov on April 27, the Russian Foreign over the last years. But few realize that in the case of Dogan Akhanlı, a German- save lives.” Then, with his characteristic Ministry said in a statement, reports Armenpress. in addition to those fleeing war and ter- Turkish writer apprehended last sum- irony, he added, “The positive aspects of “Relevant issues relating to the development of rorism in Iraq and Syria, are increasing mer in Spain. Dündar replied with life in jail are that you have no cell bilateral ties were discussed. The ministers specifi- numbers of Turks, fleeing Erdogan’s humor, saying “They love me and they phone, no TV, it is a kind of digital cally focused on the process of preparation for the regime. They are diplomats, military per- want me back. Erdogan can’t live with- detox. You can concentrate. A lot of the 5th Caspian summit and the signing of the conven- sonnel, opposition figures and journal- out me. I want to go back too. The prob- other prisoners read and write, the jails tion on the legal status of the Caspian Sea. They also ists seeking asylum. Can Dündar, for- lem is, we can’t live together.” are full of intellectuals.” touched upon some aspects of the Nagorno Karabakh merly editor of Cumhuriyet, is a member Schröder raised the issue of Turkish The Merkel Question conflict settlement”, the statement says. of this new Turkish guest-worker com- leaders campaigning in Germany. This Dündar has spoken out against the On April 26 acting foreign minister of Armenia munity, here in exile. has become a sore point, since Germany attitude displayed by the European Edward Nalbandian met with Sergey Lavrov in On April 26 he was the featured is one of the European countries that Union in its dealing with Erdogan. Moscow during which the situation in the Artsakh- speaker at the Wiesbaden Kulturforum. has refused permission, a move that led Although the last of the periodic Azerbaijan line of contact were discussed. The occasion was the presentation of Erdogan to accuse his newest book in German, Verräter: Berlin of using Aufzeichnungen im deutschen Exil “Nazi methods.” ‘Friendship Bridge’ (Traitor: Sketches from German Exile), Dündar said his Launched at Armenian- which appeared in 2017. His partner in opinion would come dialogue for the evening was Stefan as a surprise. “You Georgian border Schröder, editor in chief of the all know that I am Wiesbadener Kurier newspaper and opposed to Erdogan, TBILISI (Panorama.am) — Georgia and Armenia president of the Wiesbaden Press Club. he robbed me of my are one step closer to build a new bridge, named To introduce the discussion, translator freedom.” He had “Friendship Bridge,” which will help the countries to and actor Recai Hallaç delivered a lively been charged with facilitate regional trade and passenger flow, reading from one chapter of the new being a terrorist, a Agenda.ge reported. book. It deals with concept of time, how crime that could Can Dündar, left, and Recai Hallac Located 60 kilometers from Georgia’s capital it is seen comparatively in Germany and carry a sentence of Tbilisi, the bridge at the Sadakhlo-Bagratashen in Turkey. When Dündar was scheduled two life terms. checkpoint is the main crossing between Georgia and to appear for an official meeting with a “Because I published a report,” he said; progress reports issued by the EU in the Armenia. German residence registration office, he “this is a country where a journalist context of Turkey’s bid for entry, was The European Bank for Reconstruction and was told to come at 1:18 – not 1:00 or gets a death sentence for a report he negative, Dündar had criticized it. The Development (EBRD) has provided a loan of up to 1:15, but 1:18. From there the author wrote.” And yet, despite this, he would reason, in his view, was that a deal had 6 million to Georgia in order to co-finance works to € develops the implications of such preci- not object to Erdogan’s speaking in been struck, whereby the report would build the cross-border bridge connecting Georgia sion with delightful humor — that, of Germany. “I am different, I am a democ- be delayed three months, during which with Armenia. course, you cannot be five minutes late, rat and am in favor of letting him speak time elections were held. The deal also One part of the bridge will be constructed on for example — and contrasts this with freely. You are only defeated,” he reportedly involved the amount of funds Georgia’s territory, while the other part on Turkey, where the day is measured in explained, “when you become like your Turkey would receive to finance aid to Armenia’s territory. Accordingly, 50 percent of the other intervals, it starts at daybreak and enemy.” So let him speak, “but on con- refugees there. According to taped con- credit will be paid by Armenia and 50 percent by ends at sunset, and so on. dition he make no hate speech and on versations, in which the negotiations Georgia. The discussion quickly became seri- condition that other politicians can also were discussed, Erdogan threatened to Georgia and Armenia announced the construction ous. Schröder introduced his guest, speak,” for example, that Kurds be given flood Europe with refugees if he did not of the ‘Friendship Bridge’ in November 2016 as a who was born in 1961 in Ankara, stud- the same rights. get the sum he wanted. “This is the symbol of friendship between the two neighboring ied political science there and in Schröder wanted to know more about Europe I criticize,” he explained, a states. London, and is a writer and journalist, the casus belli, asking where the Europe that lets itself be blackmailed. The bridge will pass over Debed River and ease formerly editor in chief of Cumhuriyet. weapons he had reported on actually His comments on German Chancellor traffic travelling between the two nations. A critical observer of the government, landed. “It is not clear where the Angela Merkel were no kinder. Schröder he published a report in 2015 on weapons ended up, it was part of a long asked what he would advise Merkel to Lithuanian weapons delivered by the Turkish secret transportation route,” he said. “But do. “It is too late, Ms. Merkel,” came the services to terrorists in Syria, a report they were transported in trucks of the answer. “She visited Turkey 6 or 7 Commemoration of Erdogan vehemently denied. Erdogan Turkish secret services and they have times, probably more than her own elec- took it as a personal issue and had him no right to do that, it is illegal. It is clear toral district, and has never been so Armenian Genocide jailed. Following a decision by the also that the weapons went into the close to any politician as to Erdogan.” hands of Islamists, we don’t know Dündar regretted that she seemed con- SIAULIAI, Lithuania — On April 29, Bishop of Constitutional Court, he was allowed to which, but Islamists who were fighting cerned only with the refugee situation Siauliai Eugenijus Bartulis celebrated a Divine travel and left Turkey in 2016, but alone, since his wife is not allowed out. the Kurds.” and found it “disconcerting that she Liturgy at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral of Paying the Price never spoke of human rights or press Siauliai dedicated to the memory of the victims of He has been threatened with death, Schröder wanted to know just how he freedom while there. If the Chancellor the Armenian Genocide. Schröder said, and the threats are real; and other journalists deal with press wants to represent the free world but The liturgy was attended by hundreds of Siauliai as he was leaving the courthouse in repression; can you write anything you never says anything about this, how can residents, as well as representatives of the Armenian Turkey an assailant fired two shots at want, as long as you pay the price? we trust Europe?” In his view, the community. him. “What I went through was like a honey- Europeans have understood the prob- Bartouris in his speech touched upon historical Now in Berlin, Dündar explained, he moon compared to the others,” he said. lem with Erdogan only now and “it is facts, underlining that the orders on the execution of writes for the weekly newspaper Die “Some died in jail, we lost five journal- too late; they have made too many com- the crime of the Armenian Genocide were made by Zeit, has a website and does television work as well as appearing in public at ists in Cumhuriyet, who were killed. But promises.” the government of Ottoman Empire and it was a in Turkey, if you are a journalist you Just the day before the Wiesbaden deliberate and planned crime. He spoke about the conferences. Asked whether this meant he could work freely in Germany, he know what risks you are running.” dialogue took place, three of Dündar’s tradition of commemoration of the victims of the Schröder commented, there are 150 colleagues had been sentenced to Armenian Genocide. replied, “When my friends and col- leagues are in jail, then I am not free.” journalists in jail, seven have died over lengthy jail terms, and Schröder want- Tigran Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to the last years. “How many would dare to ed to know how this affected the press, Lithuania, delivered a speech during the Divine And the extraordinary security mea- sures at the event, which included pre- do what you did?” if indeed it were at all possible to do Liturgy, and presented some facts about the Again, Dündar’s reply came as a research and to write under such con- Armenian Genocide, stressing that the publication of registration with personal identification as well as on-site security checks, were, shock to some. “I’ll tell you something ditions. Dündar recalled that he had the Vatican secret documents gave new opportunities funny,” he began. “The biggest problem always told students that journalists for the research of the Armenian Genocide. Dündar said, part of the price to be paid for writing freely. “But it is not only we we have is the pro-government journal- must be objective. “It wasn’t my choice He spoke about the correspondence of Pope ists — whether they are journalists or to write those things. It may not be Benedict XV, Catholic priests Angelo Dolci, Michael critical journalists who are not free,” he said, “you are not free either,” introduc- government agents? That’s the ques- positively viewed when a journalist Liebl and noted that 48 bishops and 4,500 priests tion.” He went on to report on a recent comes to Germany and becomes a free- were murdered during the Genocide, 87 percent of ing a concept he would develop further. Considered in this “international dimen- television broadcast where two journal- dom fighter. But I think of it this way: Armenian Catholics were exterminated, and 2,200 ists appeared, discussing his case. “One our house is burning, our friends are Armenian churches were looted and destroyed. sion,” he said, it is a problem for the whole world. When German-Turkish of them said if I had been in the US, I inside. We can’t take pictures and The ambassador noted that it was not only a crime would have died in an automobile acci- report on it, but either we get the against humanity, but a crime against civilization. At journalist Deniz Yücel was in jail, “was the press free?” he asked, “or in France, dent, and the other said, ‘no, it would be water to put out the fire or we all per- the end of the ceremony, Armenian spiritual music better if the secret service grabbed him ish. These are ethical issues. People was performed. when caricaturists can be killed?” Despite the impossible conditions for and brought him back to Turkey.’ This realize it when they have lost their free- journalists in Turkey, he has repeated was on television. Well, if you hear doms. The same is with press freedom, since he first arrived in Germany that he about an auto accident,” he quipped, you have to fight for it.” S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Between Remembrance and Expectation could provide the “protected and neutral space The vice president of the Bundestag, Petra Turks pursued their drive for ethnic homo- By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach required for such sensitive as well as emotion- Pau, a parliamentarian from the Left Party (Die geneity. Exploiting rumors of Armenian col- Special to the Mirror-Spectator ally charged research to unfold.” A further Linke), delivered a brief address. Titled, “Where laboration with the Russians, the regime advantage Germany offers is a “state and a soci- Hatred Wins, Humanity Loses,” it underlined ordered Armenian soldiers to be “disarmed, ety that, conscious of its own historical co- the importance of remembrance as a means to forced initially into labor battalions and then BERLIN — This year’s commemoration of the responsibility, feels closely bound both to prevent recurrence of the catastrophe. She between April 1915 and September 1916 sys- genocide was different in Germany. To be sure, Armenians and Turks.” And, German scholar- pointed to January 27, the day that the tematically killed.” Although “local contexts there were speeches recalling the dark and trag- ship and society have developed an expertise in Bundestag commemorates the Holocaust, and and subjective perceptions encouraged a ic events of 1915, and there were demands for dealing with the country’s own past. lamented the fact that since a right-wing party cumulative radicalization of violence, what progress in implementing the measures con- Hartmann underscored the urgency of her now has parliamentary representatives, this act was decisive was that in this concrete situa- tained in the genocide recognition resolution proposal considering the latest developments in of remembrance has been cast into doubt. The tion a preexisting strategy of the Young passed by the Bundestag (Parliament) in June Turkey, where “an entire generation of critical right-wing Alternative for Germany has in fact Turks was being implemented.” 2016. There was magnificent music performed voices is being eliminated,” some even perse- called for a 180-degree shift in the culture of Leonhard detailed, month by month, how the by talented young Armenians, and the cere- cuted because of their striving for reconcilia- remembrance, has dubbed a holocaust memori- massacres spread, from Mush to Van, and monies concluded with solemn prayers for the tion. And as for Armenia, she underlined the al a “disgrace” and has urged appreciation of beyond. In June 1915 the German ambassador souls of the victims. importance of a “critical historical considera- the achievements of the Wehrmacht. Pau said Hans Freiherr von Wangenheim reported that But the spirit pervading the gathering at the tion of the Ottoman past” for achieving stable she considers such demands tantamount to the deportations underway were being carried banquet hall of the historic Berlin Rathaus democracy and (Town Hall) on April 24 was different. Though peace. Hartmann solemn, the mood was also animated by hope, characterized inter- reflecting the optimism generated by the civil national recognition society movement in Armenia, which was break- and condemnation ing new ground in the process towards political of the genocide as and economic reforms. At the same time, one providing necessary could almost feel a certain tension in the air, protection for the expressing uncertainty regarding the ultimate Armenian Republic. outcome of events. “This would be an Following a moving performance on the important building duduk of Vache Hovsepyan’s Aravot luso, block to break the played by Harutyun Chkolyan, Prof. Elke spiral of existential Hartmann of Bamberg University greeted the threat, war and mili- many diplomats, political figures, church repre- tarization, and to sentatives and Armenian community members promote lasting in the name of the organizers. The organizers democratic develop- this year were many. Significantly, the hosts ment, hopeful indi- included the Armenian Embassy, the Diocese of cations of which we the Armenian Church in Germany and the have seen again just Central Council of the Armenians in Germany, in the last few days.” in collaboration with the Armenian Community … and in Schools of Berlin as well as the Armenian Church and A m b a s s a d o r Cultural Community in Berlin. Such a show of Ashot Smbatyan unity among the various Armenian organiza- opened his greet- tions was most welcome. ings by noting that Very Rev. Serovbe Isakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Church in Germany w o r l d w i d e Expanding Genocide Research in Armenians were Universities coming together to commemorate the genocide derision of the victims, not only of the out “not only motivated by military setbacks,” Prof. Elke Hartmann, who is also co-founder 103 years ago, which robbed so many of their Holocaust but also of the Armenian Genocide. but, as Interior Minister Talaat had openly of the research project Houshamadyan, which very lives. Shifting to a more positive note, he The Bundestag resolution of 2016 acknowl- admitted, to eliminate all “domestic enemies.” reconstructs daily life and culture of Ottoman said that the developments of recent days had edged the genocide as well as the German role, By June in fact, the plan was no longer secret, Armenians, referred to the 2016 resolution, filled him with confidence that Armenia and the but Turkey has yet to do so. Voicing confidence as Talaat called for ethnic cleansing and the which expresses support for Turkish-Armenian Armenian people would succeed in their desire that Turkey would have to recognize it, “sooner large-scale death marches to the Syrian desert steps towards understanding and reconciliation, to establish a democratic society, a statement or later,” for the sake of the future, she recalled proceeded. Leonhard made clear that both the as well as a broad educational effort in that elicited energetic, sustained applause from that Germany also required decades before it Americans and the Germans knew what was Germany on the genocide. In this context, she the hundreds of guests. could come to terms with the Holocaust. Only occurring, but did not intervene; he cited the formulated a proposal for genocide studies insti- There are no Armenians alive today, he went 40 years later, she said, did a German president work done by Armin Wegner in documenting tutes to be established here. on, who have not been affected by the genocide, designate May 8, when the Nazi regime was the genocide through photographs as well as “Working through the history of the geno- but now they are living in peace and dignity. defeated, as a “day of liberation.” the Foreign Ministry documents published by cide in a scientific manner is the foundation for Considering that genocides occurred not only Quoting President Richard von Weizsäcker, Johannes Lepsius. The significance of the geno- all other initiatives, understanding and hopeful- in the past century, the ambassador stressed in his plea for shunning hatred and learning “to cide, Leonhard said, lay not only in the “quan- ly reconciliation.” Such scholarly work is the importance of spreading knowledge of the live with one another, not against each other,” tity of the war victims … the millions of dead required not only to provide for school text past, especially among the younger generation, she stressed its relevance to the present. soldiers and civilians … [but] the fundamentally books, but also for experts whom intellectuals, as a means of preventing renewed outbreaks of “Where hatred and violence are victorious,” she new quality of violence … a new dimension of such crimes. Here he said, “democracy and humanity lose — then as violence against the civilian population.” And also took up the 2016 now.” this called for new juridical approaches. He resolution, quoting related how Raphael Lemkin, having learned those passages relating A Lesson in the History of the about the trial of Talaat’s assassin Soghomon to the task of working Genocide Tehlirian, oriented his studies in law to address through the history of Harutyun Chkolyan performed Vardani mor the question of genocide, and succeeded in the genocide, and voghb, a medieval dirge on the duduk, which drafting the UN resolution passed in 1948. lamented the fact that served as a musical transition to the commem- If legal means to punish genocide are neces- only four of Germany’s orative speech delivered by Prof. Jörn sary, Leonhard continued, so is a culture of federal states — which Leonhard, director of the Chair for Modern and remembrance. The wounds of the genocide are have jurisdiction over Contemporary European History at the still open. In Germany, attention has been school curricula — have Freiburg University. Leonhard offered an in- focused on the Holocaust in World War II with thus far introduced the depth presentation of the genocide, based on the result that the genocide during the previous Armenian genocide in contemporary eyewitness reports and official war, and Germany’s role in it, have not been courses of study. In documents — as if in response to the calls by adequately dealt with. Again, what comes to the Turkey, the need for previous speakers for more thorough education fore is the need for study, research and dissem- spreading knowledge is on the subject. He showed how the genocide, a ination of knowledge about the Armenian geno- dramatic, as journalists carefully pre-planned operation, put an end to cide. who try to address the “the late 19th-century idea of Ottomanism, to Violinist Diana Adamyan provided musical issue are subjected to integrate the different religions of the multieth- reflection with a moving rendition of Krunk by persecution and chil- nic Ottoman Empire.” Komitas, after which the clergymen mounted dren in schools have no Although following the Balkan wars, the the stage. Very Rev. Serovbe Isakhanyan, chance at all to learn German and Russian empires sought to impose Primate of the Armenian Church in Germany, Diana Adamyan about the past. Achieving reforms, granting autonomy rights in two who was joined at the event by Coptic and recognition of the geno- Armenian provinces, “for Young Turk elite, Aramaen religious leaders, offered the interces- cide without such knowl- which had taken power in 1908, this would sory prayers. artists and the broader public can look to for edge is impossible, and without recognition have placed the territorial integrity of the Late night news broadcasts indicated that the assistance and guidance. Germany should not there can be no reconciliation. Ottoman Empire further in question,” political process in Armenia was moving for- only support researchers in Armenia and Diana Adamyan, a young prize-winning vio- Leonhard said. ward, fraught with tension and uncertainty, but Turkey: “more important would be the creation linist, performed Bach’s Sonata No. 1 in G Ottoman policy shifted towards the vision without violence. Those gathered in the of academic structures in Germany itself, for Minor, III, Siciliana, with such intensity that the of a Turkified social order. With the war Rathaus had commemorated the victims of the research into the genocide against the Ottoman hundreds of attendants listened in rapt concen- came the systematic dispossession and mur- past with respect and dignity, uplifted by a Armenians.” Germany’s academic institutions tration. der of Greeks and Armenians, as the Young sense of cautious faith in the future. 6 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

The Valley Dr. John Bilezikian, Named to Health Man with the Group Board, Receives Golden Ears Ellis Island Medal

By Florence Avakian By Warren Armstrong NEW YORK — On May 12, Dr. John FRESNO (ABC30) — Clive Davis. George Martin. Bilezikian will be awarded the Ellis Island Berry Gordy. Col. Tom Parker. Quincy Jones. Medal of Honor for his many acclaimed services They are some of the most famous and influ- in America, Armenia and Artsakh. Though the ential moguls in the music industry. recipient of several national and international There’s another name equally as important as honors, and the author of 10 books, he has not those five and he should be in the Rock and lost any of his modesty, a personality he con- Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. veyed in a telephone interview. His name is Russ Regan, and he’s from Sanger. Recently, he was named as a member of His real name is Harold Rustigian, but the Board of Directors of the Armenian American music industry knows him as Russ Regan, “The Health Professional Organization (AAHPO). “I Man with the Golden Ears.” Cutting the cake, from left, Fr. Paren Galstyan, Archbishop Barsamian, Ambassador am happy to serve, and do whatever I can to He played the violin and drums, and in the Grigor Hovannissian, Marta Batmasian and Chairman Homer Gregorian help further their important work,” the emi- late 1950s, found himself in a band with Sonny nent doctor stated. Bono. They called themselves “The AAHPO President Dr. Larry Najarian stated, Checkmates,” but Bono soon discovered anoth- “We are very honored to have Dr. Bilezikian er singing partner named Cher. Russ Regan St. David Armenian join and assist us in fulfilling AAHPO’s mission would go on to joke with his old friend that he to our communities. He brings an extraordinary left a full Armenian from Sanger, for a half- set of academic and organizational skills. In Armenian from Fresno. Church Celebrates addition, he has a working knowledge of how to Regardless, Regan grew as a songwriter, pro- successfully implement projects in Armenia ducer, and record promoter, helping to create that are both evidence-based and impactful. Dr. the “Motown Sound” with artists like The Bilezikian will be an integral part of AAHPO’s Supremes and Marvin Gaye. Russ Regan 30 Years with Style continuing efforts to seek strategic health care worked his way up the music industry becom- solutions both in the tri-state area and in ing an executive in charge of Uni Records and BOCA RATON, Fla. — The founding pastor of the St. David parish, Rev. Dr. Armenia.” 20th Century Records and a General Manager Zaven Arzoumanian celebrated the new church edifice and the inauguration of And long-time AAHPO Board member Dr. for Polygram Records. the Mardigian Hall, and dedicated two decades of hard work in organizing the Raffy Hovanessian commented, “AAHPO in its As one legendary story goes, a new band in small parish which blossomed in time 20-plus years has not ever had as distinguished Southern California called “The Pendletones” to become the pride not only of the a Board member as Dr. Bilezikian. He brings in had just recorded a new song titled Surfin and By Sonig Kradjian large parish in Boca Raton with a a new initiative to the dynamic AAHPO Board, they wanted a new name. Russ Regan suggest- large number of snowbirds, but also with the leadership of Dr. Larry Najarian. I look ed “The Beach Boys.” The name stuck and the became a magnet for the church dig- forward to years of productive and fruitful rest is rock music history. nitaries visiting the Eastern Diocese: Karekin I, Catholicos of all Armenians, achievements with his wise advice.” According to another story, Regan heard a Patriarch Shnork Kaloustian, Patriarch Torkom Manoogian, Primate Barkev Bilezikian was born in Boston to father Paul song in 1966, called That’s Life. He gave it to Mardirosian, and on this occasion, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Primate, (a master electrician) from Marash, and mother Frank Sinatra and it became a huge hit for the and Ambassador of Armenia to the United States, Grigor Hovannissian. Zabel (née Apovian) born in New Jersey. His A special Banquet committee chaired by philanthropist Marta Batmasian grandfather had come to America in 1912, and worked tirelessly to prepare the program for the afternoon. Marta was also the acquired enough resources to bring to America M.C. The banquet was held at the rest of the family. the Mardigian Hall which was Bilezikian graduated from Harvard College decorated by the hardworking and received his MD degree from Columbia committee members and was University’s College of Physicians and not only glowing, but had Surgeons. become a garden of orchids Thereafter, his course as an endocrinologist donated by Vartan and Armine specializing in metabolic bone diseases was set Mnatsaganian in memory of by the circumstances of the Vietnam War. “I their son David. More than 200 had three options: to go to Vietnam; to get a guests were in attendance to special deferment; or be selected to join the enjoy the lavish meal and cele- Public Health Service at the NIH [National brtations. Institutes of Health] to conduct medical research,” he said. The NIH option was the one Harold Rustigian (Russ Regan) with Barry A booklet for the occasion was prepared by Fr. Paren that became possible for him. White In 1971, he was one of only 14 young physi- Galstyan and Marta Batmasian. Rose Raynolds receiving St. Vartan Award “Chairman of the Board.” Through the decades, The booklet included all the from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian cians selected for the to work at the NIH. His Regan went on to sign, promote, and sell hit see ANNIVERSARY, page 7 mentor was Dr. Gerald Aurbach, one of the records for artists like Neil Diamond, Elton most eminent international medical researchers John, Barry White, Olivia Newton-John, Alan in endocrinology and metabolic bone disorders. Parsons Project, B.B. King, and many more. A Revolutionary Concept He also supervised numerous movie sound- “Dr. Aurbach trained me to learn, an idea tracks including Academy Award-winning songs that was not that popular in the field of osteo- from films. According to one industry source, porosis. It changed my career direction in a pos- Russ Regan is responsible for selling more than itive way, something I have never regretted,” he one-billion records during his career. declared. He returned to Columbia and after Not bad for a kid from Sanger. serving as Chief Medical Resident, he joined the After all his success, Russ Regan is now fac- Endocrinology Faculty at the College of ing the greatest challenge of his life. He’s in a Physicians and Surgeons in 1975. Rancho Mirage hospital recovering from Since then, he has become a member of sev- surgery to have a pacemaker implanted in his eral professional medical societies, received many chest. He’s also battled bladder cancer and honors, including being designated as Master of recently had a malignant tumor removed, but the American College of Endocrinology, served then came infection. as editor of a number of medical journals, The hospital bills are piling up and his friends authored 10 books and 800-plus major articles, and family are trying to help. They started a and has served on numerous panels and inter- GoFundMe page for the music legend and Seated, from left, Zaven Kazanjian, Armen Melkonian, George Kevokian, Dr. national workshops. He is also a major national they’re hoping anyone who remembers him in Ernest Barsamian, Dr. Gregory Boyajian, Sonig Kradjian, Dr. Richard and Sally and international spokesperson for the field of Central California or loved the music he helped Berjian, Yeretsgin Angel Metjian, Takouhy Soultanian and Marietta metabolic bone diseases. produce, will make a donation. Mnatsaganian. He pointed out that especially for women To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/ past child-bearing stage (menopause), hospital-bills-for-music-legend see BILEZIKIAN, page 7 S A T U R D A Y , M A Y 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS St. David Armenian Church Celebrates 30 Years with Style

ANNIVERSARY, from page 6 She described briefly his very illustrious back- time, but the price was brought down to Godfathers of the church, the benefactors and ground. Indeed the ambassador gave a most $325,000. supporters, the long list of donors, the long list eloquent toast. The talented Hratch Boghosian gave a mes- of individuals who have received recognition for During the dinner which was prepared by merizing piano recital, on the pianowhich had their unique contributions, and the 15 chair- Torosian family, musical selections, poetry, been donated to the church by Jimmy and persons of the parish councils. Also included recitations and video on the screen showed the Marta Batmasian 30 years ago. were special messages from the Catholicos of history of this church and parish from its begin- Fr. Paren Galstyan gave the pastoral remarks All Armenians Karekin II, Archbishop Khajag ning to the 10th, 20th and present anniver- and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian gave the Barsamian and Bishop Nareg Berberian, among saries. congratulatory address. He emphasized that others religious leaders. The booklet included a The video was a labor of love donated by the time of mourning and weeping after the special proclamation by Mayor Susan Haynie of Bedo Der Bedrosian. Thanks to Edward genocide has ended and it is time to rejoice and Boca Raton. Zakarian, a parishioner, who also served as pho- celebrate not only for our survival but also for From left, Ambassador Grigor Hovannissian, Sonig At the reception, Ani Manvelyan sang the tographer. our achievements including our devoted parish- Kradjian and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian American national anthem and the children of Rudy Berberian and Harry Apoian offered ioners who have served this church for decades, the Alex and Marie Manoogian School sang the reminiscences, reviewed the purchase of the and he bestowed “St. Vartan Award” to four Armenian national anthem accompanied on the property 30 years ago which was worth members of the parish who have served the Aprahamian, Sr., Rose Raynolds, Harry Apoian piano by Marieta Mnatsakanian. $400,000, an enormous sum of money for that church in different capacities: Edward and Rudy Berberian. Kaitlin Kalender recited a special poem to welcome the archbishop. A rendition by Talin Kalender and Sonig Kradjian of “Yegeghetsin Haygagan,” the Dr. John Bilezikian, Named to Health Group Board, Receives Ellis Island Medal famous poem by poet Vahan Tekeyan was very BILEZIKIAN, from page 6 of Armenia was opened by Bilezikian, its countries from the former Soviet Union and well received. “osteoporosis is a likely scenarios because peo- founder, and by Dr. Vartan Babalyan, its direc- Eastern Europe. When we first started, medical It was the Armenian spirit which had ener- ple are now living much longer. It is not only a tor. The opening of this center, supported part- education in Armenia was very poor. Now we gized mistress of ceremonies Marta Batmasian function of aging, though, but also many other ly by the Hirair and Anna Hovnanian are aiming for the top.” with optimism and constant enthusiasm when risk factors. With lives now extended, we must Foundation, and the JHM Foundation, is the His heroes are “people who make the world she invited the ambassador to give the toast. find ways for their skeleton to remain healthy,” latest step in a decade dedicated effort to fur- better through their own window of expertise, noted the world famous osteoporosis specialist. ther osteoporosis research and care in Armenia. people who go the extra mile and never give Armenian Revelation It was 10 years ago that Bilezikian brought up” an idea he has been furthering through his Being Armenian was also an important part of his first bone density machine to the Markarian own devotion to his homeland, and to people in his identity but it was a passive notion. Hospital in Yerevan. The machine located in the America. Bilezikian is in great demand as an Everything changed in 2007 when he first visit- radiology-imaging wing of the hospital is dedi- international speaker because “of my goal to ed Armenia. When the plane landed at Zvartnots cated to the memory of the doctor’s mother, help others through my field.” Airport, he had this overwhelming emotion that Zabelle Apovian Bilezikian. Partnering with him is his wife, Sophie, a is best described in two words, “I’m home,” as he It was also in 2007 at the Markarian Hospital hematologist who specializes in occupational stepped on Armenian soil. This visit was due to that Bilezikian hosted the first Osteoporosis medicine. The family’s third member, daughter the urging of Dr. Edgar Housepian, one of the Symposium. He has since made trips regularly Diana is an adjunct professor of special needs founders of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) to hold training sessions, led the yearly sympo- education, and author of her book, Dear Diana, who himself had gone to Armenia to offer his ser- sium, and donate to Armenia additional diag- on issues of life in the real world. vices following the disastrous 1988 earthquake. nostic machines, gifts of the Hologic This year, Dr. Bilezikian will not only receive “You have to go to Armenia,” Housepian said to Corporation in Massachusetts. the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor Bilezikian, who now visits his homeland twice a Eurasian Center in May, but he will be awarded the Edward Aprahamian Sr., receiving his Award year, bringing medical supplies and caring for “Armenia is now becoming the center of edu- Distinguished Physician Award of the American from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. countless patients. cational activities for osteoporosis in Eurasia,” Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, to add On October 9, 2017, the Osteoporosis Center he noted. “The country draws participants from to his dozens of previous honors.

FRIENDS OF THE ARMENIAN CULTURE SOCIETY

67TH ANNUAL presents ARMENIAN NIGHT AT THE POPS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 8PM SYMPHONY HALL, BOSTON

• •

HAIG HOVSEPIAN,

Featuring BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRAviolin Winner of the 2017 BostonKEITH Symphony LOCKHART, Orchestra Concerto Competition

and with conductor

also featuring...

8 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR OBITUARIES Clare Russell Gregorian, Advocate for Literacy, Education

NEW YORK — Clare Russell Gregorian, a the daughter of Faye (Rattenbury) and Henry Theater, Women’s Housing and Economic governing board awarded Clare an honorary lifelong advocate and leader in education, lit- E. Russell. She was educated at Dwight Development Corporation (WHEDCO), the degree for her singular contributions to the eracy, and women’s issues, and the wife of School for Girls in New Jersey and graduated Branch Council of the New York Public school, especially her activities on behalf of Carnegie Corporation President Vartan from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Library, and Literacy Partners, where she Brown parents and in building bridges with Gregorian died on April 28, at home in New Arts, majoring in history. While at Stanford, taught literacy, raised significant funds for the local community. York City, surrounded by family, following a Clare met fellow student Vartan, and in 1960 The Gregorians returned to New York City lengthy struggle with chronic obstructive they were married, becoming an inseparable when Vartan was appointed president of pulmonary disease (COPD). She was 80 years couple, sharing Andrew Carnegie’s dedica- Carnegie Corporation of New York in 1997. old. tion to democracy and support for education Clare devoted herself to several new causes, She was known for her wit, intellect, utter and international peace. Together, they trav- including the New Victory Theater, the devotion to her family, and complete dedica- eled extensively and lived in a number of Guttmacher Institute, the Children of tion to the institutions that she served along- locations abroad, including Lebanon. In the Armenia Fund, and the Visiting Nurse side Vartan Gregorian, including Carnegie United States, they lived in California, Texas, Service of New York, while gracefully balanc- Corporation’s philanthropic foundation. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New York. ing many responsibilities in support of the Clare shared the workload of her husband’s Wherever she went, she made an impact as a Corporation, its staff, and the wider commu- senior appointments at three other distin- civic leader and indefatigable volunteer for nity. guished institutions: University of meaningful causes and organizations. She is survived by her husband and their Pennsylvania, the New York Public Library, Both formally and informally, Clare three sons: Vahé Gregorian (wife, Cindy and Brown University. The most significant Gregorian was active in several major politi- Billhartz); Raffi (wife, Olga Palinkasev); and part of her civic life was Clare’s participation cal campaigns, and was an advocate and Dareh (wife, Maggie Haberman). She is also in high-level volunteer and leadership efforts. leader of numerous nonprofits, such as the survived by five grandchildren: Juan, Born in New York City, Clare Russell was Providence Public Library, Trinity Repertory Maximus, Sophie, Miri, and Dashiell. She will the organization, and rose to the role of pres- be remembered by her siblings Isaac, Gillian, ident. In recognition, Literacy Partners creat- and Felicity. Clare was predeceased by her sis- ed the Clare R. Gregorian Volunteer of the ter, Dorsa. Year Award in 2002. Clare was also awarded A private funeral will be held in Martha’s Dr. Maro Sarafian the First R Award from Literacy Volunteers Vineyard. A memorial service for family and of New York City. friends of Clare will be held in New York City Doctor Leaves Legacy of Love, Family, Hard Work She was known for her successful cam- in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, con- paign to create Rhode Island Public Radio tributions can be made to causes that were NORTHVILLE, Mich. — Dr. Maro Sarafian, and was named an honorary chair. She con- dear to Clare: Rhode Island Public Radio, the Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Sibley tinued a longstanding commitment to branch libraries of the New York Public Hospital, formerly residing in Washington, Planned Parenthood, which recognized her Library, Planned Parenthood, the Children of D.C passed away on April 24, in Northville, board service and fundraising efforts with Armenia Fund, the Aurora Prize for Mich., after a tough battle with cancer. She the Gilman Angier Award, and established Awakening Humanity, Brown University’s was 49. the Clare R. Gregorian Distinguished International Scholars Program, the New She was born to parents Osep and Nadya Lectureship. In 1997, the Brown University Victory Theater, and Literacy Partners. Sarafian on November 21, 1968 in Istanbul, Turkey. Her family moved to Birmingham, Mich. when she was 12. She was valedictorian at AGBU Alex Manoogian High School in Southfield. She received her BA from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 1990 and a medical degree from Wayne State University Medical School, in 1994. She specialized in obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where she served as chief res- Her radiant smile lit up faces everywhere. ident. She successfully juggled an active commu- In 1998, Dr. Sarafian joined Sibley Memorial nity life in the DC area, full time medical Hospital and the Foxhall OBGYN Associates, practice, managing the partnership and lov- also functioning as managing partner from ingly raising three children, Alec (14), Lia 2013 to 2017. She was a member of the (12) and Andrew (9), who were always at the Washington Clinical Pathological Society since center of her happiness. She volunteered in 2010, serving as secretary from 2014-2015 and the activities of their schools, and she president from 2015- 2016. She served on the planned countless weekend trips and family Sibley Memorial Intensive Care Unit Committee vacations throughout the world. and the Ob/Gyn Quality Assurance Committee She leaves her husband, Darell Meyer; sis- from 2002-2017. ter Nora and her husband Raffi Manoukian, Sarafian was voted to The Washingtonian’s and brother Garen and his wife Rita Best Doctors List from 2007-2017 by her col- Yeretsian. She was the daughter of Mr. and GiragosianF UNERAL H OME leagues. She loved her profession, and was an Dr. Sarafian, and the aunt of six nieces and James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC attentive, astute and resolute doctor, admired nephews. Mark J. Giragosian by colleagues and beloved by her patients. A celebration of her life will be held at Funeral Counselors She delivered a generation of healthy babies Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 for over twenty years. MD on Friday, May 11, at 2 p.m. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

Vasilika Effeyan Kalikian Telephone (617) 924-7400 Romanian Born, Emigrated to New York City Aram Bedrosian FREDERICK, Md. — Vasilika Effeyan Kalikian passed away on April 19 at the Citizens Funeral Home, Inc. Nursing Home here at the age of 88. She was born in Bucharest, Romania. In 1948, Romania fell under communist rule, and Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 she emigrated to Armenia, USSR, along with her fami- ly. They eventually settled in Yerevan, where she met MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET her husband, Aram Kalikian, also an immigrant from PAUL BEDROSIAN Bucharest. Later, the Kalikians emigrated with their WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN sons to the US and made their home in New York City. She is survived by her son Hagop (Jack), his wife Armine, and their sons, Aram and Narek (Nevada), by her younger son, Varoujan (Roger), his wife Aida, and children Arpi and Arman (Maryland), her sister in law Nardolillo Funeral Home Louisa Kazandjian, and by her nieces Noel and Silvia Est. 1906 in Paris, France, Zarmine Benzer of New Jersey, Haigouhi Beurekjian of Salem, Mass., and Araxi Vann John K. Najarian, Jr. of Fairfax, Va. Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director She and her husband braved many hazards to come and settle in the US. Their love of their adopted coun- 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 try, along with their generosity and devotion to the Armenian community will be remem- 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 bered by their families. www.nardolillo.com S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Cambridge Yerevan Sister City Hosts Panel on 3D Printing

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Cambridge to patent protection, the technology was not Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA) par- able to “take off,” but in the last 12 or so years, ticipates in the Cambridge Science Festival it has found its place in parts manufacturing, annually with current emerging technologies of medicine, construction, etc. Advantages include interest to both sister cities, Cambridge and not only very low cost and rapid manufacturing, Yerevan. but also doing the impossible. In the future, 3D This year CYSCA presented a panel discus- printing will be done in one’s home. Keverian sion on the emerging technology of 3D print- showed a video of 3D-printing technology mak- ing. As usual each year CYSCA invites a scien- ing a part that in his opinion would have been tific expert from Armenia and matches the per- impossible to fabricate with other techniques. son with local experts who engage in a panel Keverian said, “If I were younger and not discussion open to the public. This year’s event approaching a 90th birthday, I would promote was held at the Armenian Cultural Foundation this technology to help build housing in in Arlington, on April 19. The event was co- Armenia.” sponsored by the National Association of Hrayr Azizbekyan, Armenia’s 3D printing Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). expert, holds a PhD from the University of A full house of attendees came to learn about Lorraine. He commented on the use of multi this “wave of the future” technological revolu- types of materials in Armenia for deposition of tion. The panel included local 3D printing the 3D layers, for example, plastic, powder, liq- experts in research/development, education uid resin, powdered metal and even chocolate. and manufacturing . The moderator was Berge Also, together with a colleague originally from From left, Berge Ayvazian, local IT Senior Analyst/Consultant Wireless 20/20, panel discussion Ayvazian, local Senior Analyst/Consultant at Armenia, but now in Ottawa, Canada, they are moderator; Dr. Jack Keverian, Professor Emeritus Drexel University; AJ Perez General Manager of Wireless 20/20. Panelists included Jack NVBOTS; Jennifer Milne, Product Manager, FormLabs; Chris Templeton, Program Manager, developing a whole-body scanner. Advantages Keverian, 3D printing visionary and Professor Microsoft Garage Makerspace (NERD); Adam Green, Operations Manage,r Einstein Workshop; of 3D printing according to Azizbekyan are: Emeritus, Drexel University; Hrayr Azizbekyan, and Hrayr Azizbekyan, Scientific Associate Physical Research Armenian Academy of Science, ability to customize, rapid design/manufactur- Scientific Associate at the Institute of Physical Yerevan, Armenia (photo credit: Jack Antounian) ing, cost effectiveness for small- and large-batch Research of the Academy of Science in production, and ease of redesign. Armenia; A.J. Perez, General Manager, Problems for Armenia are: small market size, NVBOTS; Jennifer Milne, Product Manager, CYSCA, its formation and its over 30 years of overview of the emergence of 3D printing. Said lack of material resources (dependency on Formlabs; Chris Templeton, Program Manager, community service to the citizens and commu- Keverian, “3D is a game changer which will rev- import), and a centralized economy in and Microsoft Garage Makerspace (NERD); and nities of Cambridge and Yerevan with numer- olutionize so many facets of our lives, enabling around the capital city of Yerevan. Adam Green, Operations Manager, Einstein’s ous training and educational programs, cultur- us to do things that we could not do before.” He cited threats such as rapid change of the Workshop. al exchanges and philanthropy. He referred to the technology as “additive man- technology, needing to break down the conven- CYSCA President Alisa Stepanian welcomed Prof. Jack Keverian spoke about his passion ufacturing” using a technology called “stereo tional mindset, lack of legislative support, the guests and gave a broad overview of for this new technology and gave a historical lithography” which began as early as 1983. Due endangering the existing labor market, and lack of government support. However, he pointed out that on the plus side there are already many noteworthy international organizations that have established a presence in Armenia as well as many NGO’s that are helping to spread advances in technology, especially in the IT area. 3D printing applications have proven effective in the following areas, namely dental, jewelry, modeling, architecture, medical auto- motive, homes, construction and others. He commented that a 3D printing promotional strategy needs to be developed in Armenia with the creation of a success story and community building. Jennifer Milne, a product manager, from FormLabs, based in Somerville, participated in the panel. FormLabs produces low-cost 3D printers with facilities in Somerville, Germany and China. They have 400 employees and pro- duce printers ranging from desktop “afford- able” printers starting at $2,500 and ranging up to a future goal of $100,000 for larger units. They collaborate on research and development with educational institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Michigan and Duke University on materials research. They do metal printing for aerospace and engineering, as well as dental and parts manufacturing. A new mate- rial they are now using is ceramics. Also on the panel was AJ Perez. Perez is the founder and CEO of a 3D printing company which he sold to the large industrial equipment manufacturer Cincinnati Milling Machine Co. He is currently general manager of their 3D printing division, NVBOTS. They produce two types of 3D printers: the small area machine (SAM) with prices starting at $10,000 and the big area machine (BAM) with prices ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. An exclusive fea- ture of their printers is the automatic ejection of the printed part. Their large printers have been used to produce aircraft wings (Boeing), aircraft turbine blades (GE), cars, military Jeeps, and submarines (no metal and in 30 days!). Panelist Adam Green, operations manager at Einstein’s Workshop, spoke about his work- shop for young students beginning with kinder- garten to 8th grade. This workshop teaches them about 3D printing as a “tool” using a “ground floor” basic training program. Chris Templeman, a panelist, is a program manager at Microsoft Garage Makerspace (NERD). This is one of seven Microsoft facilities operated as a “makerspace.” They have roughly 400 employees who work on developing soft- ware with a focus on design prototyping. They are working on lowering the cost of 3D print- ing. Templeman considers it an exciting experi- ence to participate in the development of 3D printing applications. –Jack Medzorian 10 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Six Decades of Devotion and Faith: Fr. Mampre Kouzouian in the Service of the Armenian Church

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The power of faith is indeed great. In Invited to become pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Fr. Mampre Kouzouian’s case, it led to sixty years of service to Greater Boston, he moved to Cambridge in January 1977 and the Armenian Church, for which he will be honored on May 11. worked there for 25 years. He baptized 500 children, married This may seem like a long time. However, Fr. Kouzouian’s faith 324 couples, laid to rest 830 parishioners, and made countless and unbreakable ties home visits. (His many achievements in this period have been to the Armenian summarized in the Mirror-Spectator’s April 28 issue.) He con- By Aram Arkun Church began even tinued his involvement at the Diocesan level, having served four Mirror-Spectator Staff earlier in his life. years as chairman of the Diocesan Council and 16 consecutive Fr. Kouzouian was years as its member. He was a member of the Diocesan Unity born on the island of Committee for 18 years and has served on the Board of Cyprus in the city of Larnaca in 1933 and was given the name Directors of the Fund for Armenian Relief. Alexan. His parents left the Ottoman Empire before the Afterwards, in his “retirement,” he continues to serve his Armenian Genocide. His father, born in Constantinople, served church, first as pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in in the Ottoman military, and took his wife and six-month-old Chelmsford from 2001 to 2007 and then as a visiting pastor in daughter to Cyprus, as well as his mother-in-law. various Diocesan parishes nearly every weekend. He is still very Fr. Kouzouian said, “My mother’s mother was in church active. He related that many ask him “why did you retire if you every Sunday before the priest came to church. Unfortunately, are going to work so hard. Every weekend I go to a parish to she did not know one word of Armenian, or, for that matter, her celebrate Divine Liturgy and preach. So I have a full life, with own age. In those days, the parish council members did not take joy, happiness and dedication.” the Voghchoyn [Kiss of Peace] from the deacons. It was the Last May, he went to Armenia on his 16th visit to teach the pious people who went in front of the altar to get the seminarians at the Gevorkian Seminary, upon the invitation of Voghchoyn. My grandmother was always the one to get it and Catholicos Karekin II. He visited the sick and homeless during pass it on to the congregation, in I don’t know what language.” this trip and was immensely moved by the young children suf- Young Alexan’s father, sister and mother were in church fering at the Muratsan Children’s Cancer Clinic and the home- every Sunday too, so naturally, ever since he was 5 years old, less Armenians of the Vagharshapat region surrounding his mother took him with them. He said, “My pastor and I and Three Services to the Mother See Echmiadzin. all those around me knew that eventually I would become a When Pope Paul VI had sent two representatives to the bless- priest — because I was always in church. When my classmates, ing of the Holy Muron in Echmiadzin in 1969, the catholicos Visions and Miracles my best friends, used to go play soccer or other games, fish, or asked Kouzouian to take care of them during their stay. They Kouzouian unabashedly believes in the power of faith and hunt birds, I used to go to church, and I was raised in the invited Catholicos Vasken to visit the Vatican. prayer. He related two miraculous visions. church.” When he turned 16 years old, he sent his application The catholicos then asked him and his Primate, Archbishop When he was 10 or 12 years old, his 18-year-old sister to go to the seminary in Beirut of the Cilician See. Torkom Manoogian, along with Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, became very, very sick. The doctors gave her only one week His purpose was to become a celibate priest, he said, but he from the Western Diocese in California, to go to the Vatican to to live. He, his mother and his whole family were constantly changed his mind after understanding the situation of the prepare for his forthcoming visit. Armenian married priests in the Middle East at that time. There Kouzouian went a second time to the were insufficient numbers of such clergymen left for the popu- Vatican with Archbishop Sérovpé lace as a result of the Armenian Genocide, and many who Manoukian of Paris, France to finalize served as priests were not educated. This led to a lack of arrangements, and in May 1970 he came respect, he said, with, of course, some exceptions. a third time to Rome three days prior to When the dean of the seminary, Bishop Terenig Poladian, the visit of the catholicos. This historic took him aside to convince him to become a celibate priest, visit, Fr. Kouzouian declared, was his offering to send him to Europe for further education, Fr. first service rendered to the Mother See. Kouzouian said that he listened carefully before resolutely reply- The second occurred when Catholicos ing, “Srpazan, I am going to become a married priest to change Vasken came to consecrate St. Vartan the image of the married priesthood.” Cathedral in New York City in 1968. On After graduating the seminary in 1954, he entered secular that occasion, he wanted to visit the life, he said, to see what it is and to make friends. He went to United Nations (UN) and meet with Basra, Iraq to work as a teacher and principal in the Armenian Secretary-General U Thanth, as well as school there in the Margil area, near the port. The second year with the UN ambassadors. This was dur- he received an invitation from the Diocese of the Armenian ing the Cold War when there was a great Church of America in New York to continue his education in distance between the West and the East. the US as a clergyman. Accepting, he arrived in 1957 to study After many visits to the UN, Kouzouian succeeded in mak- ing the arrange- ments, and it As a young priest at Zvartnots turned out to be a very successful visit. Kouzouian and the staff bearer of the praying for her. He said, “One night, I had a vision. My bed catholicos remained outside the private was there. I was sleeping and suddenly the heavens opened. meeting, at which, among other things, A cloudy pillar from heaven came next to my bed and Christ the catholicos spoke about Armenian emerged out of that pillar. He was all in white. He said to me, history and the genocide. ‘I am tired.’ Suddenly I raised my head and saw on the wall The third major service occurred as written in Armenian with flashbulb lights, ‘Follow and you representative of the Armenian Church shall preach the Gospels.’” when the Russian Patriarch of Moscow His sister recovered and lived to age 80. invited 20 church leaders of all denomi- His second vision happened at Holy Trinity Church. Gerald nations from the United States to visit (“Gerry”) Ajemian, a delegate for the parish, was very sick and Russia in 1974 and see how churches passed away. A few months after his death, the family asked for fare in the Soviet Union. The Primate of a memorial gathering and requiem service. The Diocesan Young Alexan at upper right with his family the Eastern Diocese was unable to go Primate came to speak, as did Kouzouian and others. Fr. and he asked Kouzouian to attend in his Kouzouian was sitting while Armenian hymns were being per- stead. Among other places, he visited the formed. He closed his eyes to listen to the music. at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. Armenian church which was in the Armenian cemetery. He He related what happened next: “Suddenly I felt I am Simultaneously he began serving as the choirmaster of St. recalled that he saw that the Russian people were pious, and being lifted up, up, up and I found myself in paradise. A Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in New York. the government, though communist, did not give his delegation beautiful place, with flowers, roses, beautiful trees, greenery By marrying Nuart Vartanesian that year, he married into a any difficulties. and birds flying. I saw Gerry Ajemian walking, nice dressed, family with an unbroken chain of 50 clergyman stretching back He went a second time a few years later as part of a similar in the Garden of Eden. I was there. I was lifted up. I saw him in time, and then became ordained himself as a priest. Years delegation and was able to visit Tbilisi. Kouzouian praised and said, ‘Jerry, let us walk together.’” Suddenly the music later, he added another priest to that chain when his son, Armenian-Georgian relations in a speech when hosted by the stopped, Fr. Kouzouian opened his eyes, and exclaimed, Alexan, was ordained as Fr. Vasken. Georgian patriarch. “where am I!” Fr. Kouzouian was assigned to the St. Mary Armenian Church Kouzouian added that in addition to the survival of his sister, parish in Irvington, NJ (today in Livingston), and served here for From the Diocese to Boston and Beyond he witnessed another miracle, which he put on a television pro- 12 ½ years as pastor. During this period, he became involved in Archbishop Manoogian invited Kouzouian to serve as gram prepared in Armenia while he was visiting Echmiadzin. In the ecumenical movement and also the American civil rights Diocesan Director of Ecumenical Relations and Canon Sacrist Charlotte, NC, where he would go as a visiting pastor, there movement, marching a number of times against racism and pover- of Saint Vartan Cathedral in New York in 1970, as well as pas- were two people, a young girl and a middle-aged man, suffering ty as part of the National Council of Churches governing board. tor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. He worked at the from brain cancer. He would go and pray for them both in He met Catholicos of All Armenians Vasken I on several occa- Diocese till 1976. He initiated television programs on the tradi- church and in their homes. sions, both during his visit to Echmiadzin in 1962 and during tions of the Armenian Church and formed the choir of the He said, “One day, I was sitting downstairs here with the sec- Catholicos Vasken’s prior trip to the United States, so that the cathedral, while continuing his activities in the ecumenical retaries. Suddenly, my cellphone started ringing. It was April, latter was aware of his ties with non-Armenian churches. movement in many forums. continued on next page S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS

Third Annual Armenian Genealogy Conference to Take Place on June 9 At far right, visiting the Vatican with Pope Paul VI in 1969 MAHWAH, N.J. — The Gross Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Ramapo College will sponsor and host the third annual Armenian Genealogy Conference on June 9. from previous page me. And I have been faithful to my calling. I am According to organizers, the conference will help Armenians delve into their familial roots by 2017. I said, to myself, again they are calling me proud of being an Armenian and a servant of offering research methods for beginners and advanced genealogists as well as topics of interest from Echmiadzin. I answered, and someone our people’s church.” to scholars of various disciplines. The main morning session will give an overview of current state said, ‘Father Mampre…this is Vrezh from He worries about emigration from Armenia of Armenian genealogy as well as the available records from around the world. Charlotte.’ Yes, I said. He said, ‘Der Hayr, I had and said that the Armenians in the diaspora Other sponsors of the annual conference include the National Association for Armenian gone to my doctor to examine me and he said, cannot survive without a country and its peo- Studies and Research (NAASR), Houshamadyan.org, Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Vrezh, what has happened to you? The cancer ple. He said, “We as Armenians of the diaspora, Archive, and the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New Jersey. has disappeared. What did you do. A day after we should do our best to reach out and help the The first Armenian Genealogy Conference was held at the Armenian Cultural and Educational this I went to the hospital and they put me in Armenian people in our motherland so that Center (ACEC), in Watertown, Mass. in 2016, while the second installment of the conference was the machines. The doctors could not believe it.’ they do not migrate and leave the land without held at the University of Michigan-Dearborn last March. So I said, ‘Vrezh, it is your faith that cured you, people. We must produce new generations to The conference will feature a number of concurrent workshops that delve into the Armenian and the prayers that people have been praying serve our land, our church and our nation, and Immigration Project; successful techniques in genealogy; in-depth explanation of the uses of DNA for you.’” bring honor to us.” testing; the value of ephemera in genealogy; and a number of Dikranagerd-focused presentations. The same thing, Fr. Kouzouian said, hap- Consequently, he wishes that any friends who Participants have the ability to choose a variety of sessions specific to their interests. pened with the young girl, for whom he prayed wish to celebrate his 60th anniversary will send Houshamadyan.org and Project Save will give presentations as well as be available to collect every day. She was cured of brain cancer. their gifts to Holy Trinity Church earmarked in photographs and memory items from conference participants. support of the Muratsan Children’s Cancer There is also a dinner planned for Saturday night, affording more opportunities for network- The Past and the Future Clinic or the homeless in the Vagharshapat ing. Each year, the dinner has been a highlight for connecting with those who have roots in the Kouzouian, looking back on his career and region. A 60th anniversary celebratory banquet same villages and regions of Armenia. life, declared, “I have led a full life. I have said it will take place on May 11 at Holy Trinity All events require registration. Additional details on the conference and speakers as well as the publicly how many times. God has been very Church. For more information, email registration form can be found at: https://www.armeniangenealogyconference.com/. good to me. My people have been very good to [email protected]. 12 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Vartan Oskanian Speaks at Harvard on Self-Determination

OSKANIAN, from page 1 the territory “without distinction as to race, “non-negotiable bar” to negotiations or conces- After Crowe’s brief introduction, Oskanian creed or color.” Oskanian argued that the latter sions are shown not to represent good faith and pointed out that there are two questions per- qualification, made in 1970, provided grounds cannot justify the use of force for suppression taining to self-determination the answers to for the right to “remedial secession.” of movements. which remain disputed: is there an enforceable Oskanian then cited three cases of interna- Second, at least one dozen peace processes and coherent body of international law, and if tional practice supporting the idea of secession related to ethnic conflicts have had solutions so, is there a law on self-determination and as a remedial right. First, he noted that in the proposed granting satisfaction to the aspira- secession that could be used to support the case of the Aalander Islands, ruled by Finland tions of the minority groups. Among these, claims of minority groups? but with a Swedish population, the League of Oskanian listed the Road Map for Peace for the “The answer to these questions,” he dryly Nations in the 1920s determined that self-deter- Israeli/Palestinian conflict; the Good Friday said, “depends on whom you ask, what the cir- mination and secession from Finland would be Accord for Northern Ireland; the Machakos cumstances are and the geopolitical interests of unwarranted except in the case of extreme Protocol for Sudan; Ahtisaari plan and Security the rich and powerful.” oppression. Council Resolution for Kosovo; the Baker Peace Diplomatic and political circles, he said, com- Second is the Canadian Supreme Court Plan for the Western Sahara, the Dayton monly believe in two realms of international 1996 decision concerning Quebec accepting Accords for Bosnia, UN Security Council legal order — functional international law in that the right to secession and self-determina- Resolution 1272 for East Timor; the areas such as trade, international telecommuni- tion is possible “where a people is governed as Comprehensive Agreement for Bougainville; cations and civil aviation and political interna- part of a colonial empire, where a people is the New Constitution for the Union of Serbia tional law, which appears indeterminate and subject to alien subjugation, domination or Vartan Oskanian (Aram Arkun photo) and Montenegro; and the Madrid Principles for aspirational. The right to self-determination exploitation; and possibly where a people is Nagorno Karabakh. falls in the second realm. denied any meaningful exercise of its right to Oskanian declared that if secessionist or self- Answering the second question, or the search self-determination within the state of which it (1983) and Respublika Srpska (1992), accord- determination movements get resolved, in the for laws on the right to self-determination, is dif- forms part.” ing to the court, stemmed not from their uni- end, it is at the political level. However, he ficult because this right is not found in treaties, Third is the International Court of Justice’s lateral nature but from the possible unlawful stressed, “history, law, military outcome and but, Oskanian noted, “in the customs, general Advisory Opinion on Kosovo’s 2008 unilateral use of force or other egregious violations of the geopolitical realities on the ground, are all crit- principles of law and the subsidiary means, declaration of independence that international norms of general international law. ical in determining the fate of a particular such as UN General Assembly declarations and law neither forbids or supports secession but is Finally, the court did not take any position claim, and inevitably force the political hand resolutions, judicial decisions and the writings agnostic about it. Though this is a very narrow but simply noted that “radically different views” even of the most ardent opponents, including of qualified publicists.” approach, Oskanian felt that the true value of were expressed on the question of whether a the mother states, of the right of self-determi- It developed as a political idea and principle this opinion lay in the explanatory notes and right of remedial secession exists and, if so, nation and secession.” in the 19th century, and only after the founding the positions expressed by over 40 states in under what circumstances, and more specifical- After the formal talk, Oskanian responded to of the United Nations in 1945 gradually shifted written and oral presentations to the court. ly, whether those circumstances were present in questions first from Crowe and then the audi- to a more enforceable right to freedom from He called attention to three points in partic- Kosovo. ence, which appeared to be a mix of Harvard colonial rule. ular. First, the court responded to the argu- Oskanian said that this third point is “hugely students and faculty, and outside Armenian, Oskanian cited two international human ments in several of the presentations that the important” because the real question is in any Turkish, Azerbaijani and other Boston area res- rights covenants as broadening the under- scope of the principle of territorial integrity is particular case which circumstances give rise to idents. Among other things, Oskanian declared standing of the right to self-determination confined to the sphere of relations between the right of remedial secession. in his answers that in Karabakh, realities have beyond a territorial basis to granting “all peo- states and thus does not necessarily prohibit Oskanian argued that the cases of Kosovo been created on the ground for 25 years for self- ples” the right to self-determination, while not- unilateral declarations of independence. and Karabakh are similar except that Kosovo, determination through military activities, as ing that the protection of territorial integrity Second, the illegality concerning certain dec- being in the heart of Europe, received extraor- well as legal arguments and historical rights, could only apply to states the governments of larations of independence, such as those of dinary international attention leading to a rapid which will force everybody’s political hand even- which represent the whole people belonging to Southern Rhodesia (1965), Northern Cyprus resolution compared to Karabakh. tually. He also stated that one of Karabakh’s Oskanian concluded by examining two broad- options is to opt for union with Armenia. He er political developments. First, concerning the said that at the end of the day, having one com- Canadian Supreme Court decision on Quebec, mon state for Armenians in the region would be references to a state’s own constitution as a the better option for them.

Local Basketball Star Participates in Armenian Christmas Celebration in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. – On Sunday, January 7, then interacted with the ACYOA members and immediately following the Divine Liturgy and parishioners and new friendships were created. Blessing of the Water Service, parishioners of Upon Zach’s invitation, Fr. Gomidas and the St. George Armenian Church of Hartford par- members of the ACYOA traveled to Springfield ticipated in their annual Christmas luncheon. to cheer him on in the last game of his fresh- Upon the invitation of the pastor, Rev. Gomidas man season. At the conclusion of the season, Zohrabian, 6’8” Zach Tavitian, a key member of Zach was named Rookie of the Year in the the U20 Armenian national basketball team, Commonwealth Coast Conference. Zach will was asked to address the parishioners in return to Armenia again this summer for train- Assadourian Hall about his experie ing camp with the Armenian U20 national team He is a native of Milford, Conn., and a fresh- before they head to Bulgaria. man at Western New England University in The young athlete later stated “I appreciated From left, Father Kapriel Mouradjian, pastor of Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, New Springfield, MA. the warm welcome I received when visiting St. Britain; Father Unztag Nalbandian, pastor of Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension, Trumbull; Fr. Gomidas introduced Tavitian and his par- George Armenian Church in Hartford. I really Prof. Taner Akçam of Clark University; Father Aram Stepanian, pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, ents, recalling his emphatic dunk in the game enjoyed speaking about my experiences playing New Britain and Father Gomidas Zohrabian, Pastor of St. George Armenian Church, Hartford between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which was basketball for the Armenian U20 men’s nation- prominently featured throughout the Armenian al team. Fr. Gomidas and the parish were nice press and social media worldwide. Zach enthusi- enough to have gifted me with a beautiful Armenian Genocide Commemoration at astically described his first trip to Armenia, in Armenian cross. It was great having them cheer- Connecticut House of Representatives which he spent one month at training camp in ing me on when they came to watch me play in Yerevan before the team headed to Romania to Springfield.” HARTFORD, Conn. — The Great Hall of the participate in the FIBA U20 European Connecticut House of Representatives was filled to Championship (Division B [ages 20 years and overflow Saturday April 21 as the Connecticut younger]). Zach noted how warmly he was Armenian community and many human rights advo- received in Armenia, the many new friends he cates met to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of made, the numerous Armenian Churches he visit- the Armenian Genocide of 1915. ed and the historic win over Azerbaijan’s U20 bas- Keynote Speaker Prof. Taner Akçam of Clark ketball team. He also mentioned that although the University spoke of his most recent research docu- team had daily training, the team did some sight- menting the actions of leaders of the then Ottoman seeing whenever possible. Zach had the opportu- Empire in ordering the death marches and brutal nity to visit Keghart, Garni and many of the other killing of some 1.5 million Armenian men, women and familiar tourist spots in Armenia. children. He pointed out the error in other govern- St. George Armenian Church of Hartford is ments refusing to publicly acknowledge the Genocide, home to one of the largest concentrations of while privately admitting that it happened, for the rea- Armenians in the United States who fled from Professor Taner Akçam of Clark sons of national security and political stability. persecution in Azerbaijan. During the question University, keynote speaker Akçam demonstrated that the acknowledgement of and answer period with Zach, he was asked in the Genocide is a moral necessity, despite the fact further detail about the great basketball victory that it happened so long ago, and that without its acknowledgement and condemnation, over Azerbaijan, which led to loud applause and continued genocides and human rights violations continue and intensify as we are wit- cheering. nessing today. Upon the conclusion of the program, Zohrabian presented Zach Tavitian with a large Zach Tatian with Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian Armenian cross on behalf of the parish. Zach S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living

ACF Completes System of a Down’s Latest Phase (VIII) Daron Malakian Of Microfilming Releases Track Dedicated to Armenian Armenian Genocide

Periodicals LOS ANGELES — System of a Down gui- tarist/vocalist Daron Malakian has released ARLINGTON, Mass. — The Armenian Lives, a much-anticipated new track/video Cultural Foundation announces the completion from his band Scars on Broadway. The video, of Phase VIII of its Armenian Periodicals which was directed by Hayk Matevosyan, is Microfilming Project. This phase includes the about celebrating life in the face of tragedy. following titles: Its release coincides with the 103rd Phase VIII: Anahit (Paris), v. 1-12 (1898- anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, an 1911) and new series v. 1-14 (1929-1948); Ani attempted extermination of the Armenian (Beirut), v. 1-5 (1946-1952); Azdak people by the Ottoman Empire, which saw (Constantinople), v. 1 (1908-1909); Araks (St. the loss of 1.5 million lives. Though widely Petersburg), (1893, 1897-1898); Araks (New Harout Chatmajian and Talar Zokian on stage recognized as a genocide by most historians, York), (1907); Areg (Vienna), v. 1-3 (1922- the Turkish government denies it ever hap- 1924); Azatamart (Ber, Turkey) + Weekly sup- pened. As a member of Grammy winning plement v. 1-2 (1910-1911), and Bagin (Ber, band System Of A Down, Malakian, who is of Turkey), #1-7 (1911). Armenian descent, has lost family members The Armenian Cultural Foundation TCA Theater Group and history to the Genocide and has worked embarked on microfilming its extensive tirelessly over the years to promote aware- Armenian periodicals collection in 2002. The ness. In 2015, Malakian and System Of A purpose was two-fold: to preserve the rich cul- Down launched the “Wake Up The Souls” tural heritage and history embedded in its Tackles Christie late nineteenth and early twentieth century Armenian periodicals, and to share this rich resource with the scholarly and lay communi- ty. With the completion of Phase VIII of the Whodunit project, brings the total number of titles and reels microfilmed to 42 and 195 respectively. The following is a complete list of microfilmed ORADELL, N.J. — The Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Mher Megerdichian serials this far. Theater Group (MMTG) marked its 20th year with performances of Agatha Phase I: included Biwzandion Christie’s play “The Unexpected Guest” at Oradell Elementary School on Saturday, (Constantinople, 1896-1915) vols. 1-19, April 15 and Sunday, April 16. Azatamart [Freedom Battle] (Constantinople, The plot of the murder mystery, performed in Armenian with English subtitles, 1909-1915), vols. 1-7; Dzayn Hayreneats’ [Voice was filled with twists and turns as audiences were kept in suspense about the of the Fatherland] (New York, 1899-1907), vols. wealthy Richard Warwick’s murder. The 1-7; Azg [Nation] (Boston, 1908-1920), vols. 2- performance brought together the the- 14; Azg-Pahak [Nation-Guard] (Boston, 1921- By Taleen Babayan ater group’s core actors, as well as new- Daron Malakian 1922), vol. 1: a total of 47 reels Special to the Mirror-Spectator comers, to deliver Christie’s play in the Phase II: Arewelk’ [East] (Constantinople, Armenian language. “We wanted to expand our reper- 1884-93, 1898-1912), Chakatamart [Combat] tour, a sold-out global trek that commemorat- toire,” said director and actor Harout Chatmajian. “We have done a lot of different (Constantinople, 1920-1923), Surhandak ed the 100th anniversary of the Genocide and authors, but we never had an Agatha Christie production.” [Messenger] (Constantinople, 1889-1900, included the band’s first-ever performance in The performance took place on the same weekend the MMTG premiered its first 1910) Hayrenik’ [Fatherland] Yerevan’s Republic Square. play, “Again Baronian,” directed by Tamar Hovanessian (wife of actor Mher (Constantinople, 1891-1896, 1909-1910), “The traditional Armenian folk dances and Megerdichian) at the former AGBU Center in Saddle Brook, NJ, two decades ago. Masis (Constantinople, 1878 colorful costumes that you see in the video When the group was first established, there were only nine actors and 5 com- 1884, 1896-1898), Arawot [Morning] are an homage to Armenia’s rich history and mittee members, according to Chatmajian. Over the course of 20 years, however, (Constantinople, 1924), Armenia (Marseille, culture,” says Malakian. “The song and the they have welcomed 50 members who performed around the country and in France, 1904-1923), and Marmara imagery in the video are meant to inspire Armenia, staging works by William Saroyan, Hagop Baronian, William (Contantinople, 1924-1925); a total of 52 reels. pride among — and empower — the survivors Shakespeare and Yervant Odian, among others. Phase III: Lusaber [Bearer of Light] (Cairo, of a historical tragedy.” “Our plays focus on Armenian authors,” said Chatmajian, acknowledging that 12/1/1904 – 11/28/1908), Pahak [Guard] Lives is available on iTunes and Malakian is the group at times looks to broaden its scope. “Armenian theater is over 2,000 (Boston 1915-1921), Martkots (Paris 1932- donating a portion of the song’s sales pro- years old, dating back to the Artashesian Kingdom, and it’s an Armenian tradition 1934), Tsaghik [Flower] (Constantinople 1899- ceeds to Armenia Fund, a Los Angeles-based we want to keep alive.” 1902), Razmik [Warrior] (Bulgaria 1905-1908), non-profit dedicated to worldwide humanitar- Chatmajian also remarked on the range of directors who have worked with the and Banber [Herald] (Istanbul 1933), a total of ian aid. MMTG, among them, Gerard Papasian, Krikor Satamian and Berj Fazlian, leaving 9 reels. “I want to help the innocent people cur- an impression on the actors. Phase IV: Dzayn Hayreneats’ [Call of the rently caught in Azerbaijan’s ceasefire viola- “I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best directors in the Fatherland] (Constantinople) new period: [v. 10 tions against the Republic of Artsakh and pre- Armenian community,” said founding member and actress Talar Zokian. “Each - 1908- v. 11 - 1910] Hayk’ [The Armenian] vent another genocide against Armenians,” production has been a special experience in its own way.” (New York) [v. 1-1891 - v. 5- 1895]; Nor Keank’ says Malakian. One highlight for her was performing Berj Zeytuntsian’s “All Rise,” in Gyumri, [New Life] (London) [v. 1-1898 - v. 5-1902] To that end, Armenia Fund will run the Armenia in 2015. Tsaghik [Flower] (Constantinople) [v. 2-1892 - v. “Lives First Aid Kits Campaign,” which will see PLAY, page 15 17 1904]; Vem [Rock] (Paris) [v. 1-1933 - v. 6- supply life-saving first aid kits purchased from 1938]. the sales proceeds of the song, as well as from Phase V: Nayiri (Beirut) [v. 2-25 (1953-54 to direct contributions to villages in Artsakh 1980-83)]; P’aros (Cairo) [v. 2 (1901)]; Azat Bem that are under constant threat of sniper and (Alexandria, Egypt) v. 1-3 (1903-1904); Arew mortar fire from Azerbaijan’s armed forces. (Alexandria, Egypt) [v. 1 (1908)]; and Azat Mitk’ Lives is the first song from Scars On (Cairo) [v. 1, (1936-37)]. The microfilming of this Broadway’s upcoming album, “Dictator,” phase was completed in 2013. which is set for a July 20 release. The record- Phase VI: Erkregunt [Globe] (Constantinople) ing saw Malakian write, produce and play [v.1—1883 - v.6- 1888]; Dar [Century] every instrument — including all vocals — him- (Constantinople) [1889]; Luma (Tiflis) [v.7— self. 1902 - v.9—1904]; Biwrakn [Crystal] The new album follows Scars On (Constantinople) [v.15—1897 - v.22—1904]. Broadway’s critically-lauded debut, Phase VII: Arewelean Mamul [Eastern Press] which Rolling Stone praised for its “awe- (Smyrna) [v.20(1890) - v.24(1894)]; and somely satisfying guitar crunch and sweet, [v.28(1898) - v.37(1907)]. soaring harmonies.” The Guardian gave that The copies of the microfilms are available for album 4 stars, Entertainment Weekly hailed purchase by individuals and institutions. For its “gloriously over-the-top heaviosity” The cast of “The Unexpected Guest” more information on terms and conditions, con- and Guitar World described it as “deliciously tact the ACF at hooky pop with a minor-key melody worth of [email protected] see LIVES, page 15 14 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Boston College McMullen Museum Acquires Coptic Textile Collection from Donald and Barbara Tellalian

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — The McMullen As founding principal of Tellalian Associates Der Nersessian, Trustees of The Walters Art He continued, “Charles Kelekian knew that a Museum of Art at Boston College has acquired Architects & Planners, LLC, he spearheaded Gallery, Baltimore 1973). During that reception, young architect with a growing family would a rich trove of Coptic textiles, and an extensive many projects for Boston-area cultural institu- Dick Randall introduced us to Charles Dikran not have the financial means to purchase any- library of accompanying volumes, from collec- tions. “Also, the Museum is nearby so that Kelekian, an important dealer in antiquities, as thing within those rooms. He took me into a tors Donald and Barbara Tellalian of Newton. back storage room and pulled open a large flat The Tellalians, who have a long history with file drawer. Within those drawers were not piles the McMullen as both exhibition lenders and of blueprints, but very colorful textiles! In his visitors, chose the museum to house these European accent so familiar to my ears, ‘Don, important works, to ensure that they are acces- this is what you must collect.’ ‘But Mr. sible to future generations of students, scholars, Kelekian, what are these?’ ‘These are Coptic tex- and the public. tiles,’ he replied. Squirming out of an immedi- The Tellalian Collection — which comprises ate commitment, I countered, ‘Well, these look 34 Late Antique/Coptic textiles from the very interesting, but let me return to Boston fourth to eighth century — is significant due to and do some research so I may be a bit more the quality, importance and conservation of the knowledgeable.’ textiles, as well as the related comprehensive “Back at the Boston Public Library, I was library of 129 books and folios, many of which astounded by the number of illustrated volumes are rare volumes. Such textiles are thought to on Coptic textiles. Beyond the visual attraction have been produced by Copts (Christian of such Late Antique/Coptic textiles, I learned Egyptians) and other weavers throughout the of their sources, the excavations of burial sites Byzantine Empire. Their designs and motifs in Egypt, the dress and the iconography of fig- influenced the visual repertoire of the early ures and patterns on both clothing and house- Islamic period. hold fabrics. As an Armenian I was aware of “The McMullen Museum is delighted to Coptic Christianity. But through my reading I receive this transformational gift of one of the was reminded of the Council of Chalcedon, 451 finest private collections of Late Antique tex- CE and the close historic affinity between the tiles,” said McMullen Museum of Art Director Armenian Apostolic and Coptic Orthodox and Professor of Art History Nancy Netzer. Churches.” “These works of art provide material evidence A Collection Forms that complements the research and teaching interests of many Boston College faculty who Over the years, many of the textiles have focus on the transition from paganism to been exhibited in major museums — including Christianity in the Late Antique world. the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the “Newton residents Don and Barbara Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tellalian welcomed Boston College undergrad- Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and the uates to begin researching textiles in their col- Rhode Island School of Design Museum. lection for display in the McMullen exhibition Images of many of the textiles have been pub- ‘Roman in the Provinces: Art on the Periphery lished in exhibition catalogues and other publi- of Empire in 2015.’ During that process, the cations. Tellalians became our and the students’ role The donors’ introduction to the McMullen models as generous, scholarly collectors dedi- Textile fragment with Hercules, Egypt, 4th–5th century CE, wool on undyed linen, 5.3 x 5 in. Museum was in 2008, with an exhibition of the cated to passing on knowledge to future gener- McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College; Tellalian Collection work of Georges Rouault, who they say is “one ations,” according to Netzer. of our favorite artists. Since then, we have The goal of the Tellalians, who collected the enjoyed many of the McMullen’s subsequent works over 40 years, through the late New York Barbara and I, as well as [son] Haig and [daugh- was his father in Paris before him. They were exhibits, each memorable and thoughtfully pre- City antiquities dealer Charles Dikran Kelekian, ter] Rebecca with their families, our eight key to many museum collections and notable sented. as well as other international dealers and auc- grandchildren, may occasionally visit,” he collectors, including the Walters, both father “In preparation for the 2015 exhibit Roman tion houses, is to make them available for study added. and son. He offered us his business card and in the Provinces, which incorporated many of They also hope to “encourage others, who suggested we visit when in New York City,” he the textiles from the collection, we were delight- may have similar types of collections, to consid- noted. ed to interface with the students who each er the McMullen as a repository. Those with art- A year later, the couple sought him out at his selected a textile for research and report. Their work or collections can have influence and store. “While familiar with antiquities through work was exceptional,” according to the their donations have a significance that endures international travel and exposure to museum Tellalians. beyond the lives of the original owners,” noted collections, we were nevertheless overwhelmed “We extend our appreciation to Director Barbara Tellalian, nonprofit development con- by the four small galleries filled with Greco- Nancy Netzer, Assistant Director Diana Larsen, sultant, recognizing the value of such gifts. Roman sculptures, architectural fragments, Associate Professor [of Classical Studies] Gail “We realized that, under the leadership of Hoffman, the staff, and to [Art and Film Senior Director and Professor of Art History Nancy Research] Librarian Nina Bogdanovsky. They Netzer and her colleagues at the McMullen, are now ‘the keepers,’” Donald Tellalian said. the libraries and the University, the col- The McMullen Museum offers exhibition- lection of textiles and corresponding related programs and resources for library would not just be buried in diverse audiences of all ages on cam- storage but would be an integral pus, in the Greater Boston area, part of the education at and beyond. The Museum Boston College,” added mounts exhibitions of interna- Donald Tellalian. tional scholarly importance Donald Tellalian noted from all periods and cul- that during 1965 and tures of the history of art. 1966, with a Fulbright In keeping with the Fellowship to pursue a University’s central teach- study in museum design ing mission, exhibitions are and exhibit presentation accompanied by scholarly throughout Italy, the cou- catalogues and related pub- ple moved to Rome. lic programs. “Two years after my leave The McMullen Museum of of absence and return to my Art was named in 1996 for the position at Shepley Bulfinch, late BC benefactor, trustee, and the firm was selected to design the art collector John J. McMullen and Textile fragment with heraldic birds, Egypt, 7th– new wing of The Walters Art Gallery his wife Jacqueline McMullen. In 8th century CE, wool on linen, 10.3 x 4.3 in. in Baltimore, now The Walters Art 2005, the McMullen Family Foundation McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College; Museum. I was pleased to have participated in provided a lead gift to renovate and build an Tellalian Collection that interview with Hugh Shepley and be lead addition to the Neo-Renaissance palazzo at architect for the project, which was so well 2101 Commonwealth Avenue. Designed in received. (“Progress with Taste at The Walters” Textile roundel with dove, Egypt, 5th–6th centu- 1927 by architects Maginnis and Walsh, the and exhibition at the McMullen. Plans are Denys Sutton, Apollo Magazine, November ry CE, wool on linen, 9 x 10.8 in. McMullen building originally served as the home of underway to exhibit the collection at the 1974). During the opening reception for the Museum of Art, Boston College; Tellalian Boston’s cardinal archbishops. The renova- McMullen Museum, and to publish the works in new wing, Barbara and I were especially Collection tion was completed in spring 2016 and an e-monograph. touched that Dick Randall, the museum’s exec- opened to the public on September 12, 2016. “We are pleased that the Tellalian Collection and utive director, with whom I had worked very It is located at 2101 Commonwealth Avenue, our corresponding library will be housed at the closely, and the curatorial staff had selected its Egyptian Fayoum portraits, old German paint- Boston, MA 02135 on BC’s 65-acre Brighton McMullen Museum of Art, so that students, schol- notable collection of Armenian manuscripts as ed wood panels. But unlike a museum, you Campus. ars and academics may have access and hold future the opening special exhibit. (Armenian could touch and, if so inclined, purchase and All events are free and open to the public. For promise for discovery,” said Donald Tellalian. Manuscripts in the Walters Art Gallery Sirarpie take home!” information visit www.bc.edu/artmuseum. S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING TCA Theater Group Tackles Christie Whodunit

PLAY, from page 13 Recipe “The story line, coupled with the audience and being in Armenia during the month of April made it an emotional performance for all of us,” said Zokian. In addition to the stage performance of “The Corner Unexpected Guest,” an original score by musi- cian Harout Barsoumian was composed to accompany the play. Featured on stage in pre- vious MMTG productions, Barsoumian high- by Christine Vartanian Datian lighted the “major role” of music in film and theater because it can “play with audience’s emotions.” Since “The Unexpected Guest” combined Baked Citrus Dill Salmon with mystery and comedy, Barsoumian decided to come up with a main theme for the production and then focus on the character’s melodies for Parsley and Onions each scene. INGREDIENTS “Music adds to the play,” said Barsoumian, a 6 (6 oz.) salmon fillets member of the Huyser Music Ensemble. “Music 1/2 medium onion, minced is like clothing, because without it, the perfor- mance would be naked.” 2 garlic cloves, minced A participant in MMTG productions for 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter almost a decade, Barsoumian said everyone has 3 tablespoons orange juice music within themselves and the important 3 tablespoons lemon juice part is to “try to find the soundtrack of each 3 tablespoons lime juice character in order to add some taste to the 2-3 tablespoons olive oil story.” 2 tablespoons honey The theater group is currently preparing for 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard its 20th anniversary banquet on September 29 1 teaspoon garlic powder at the Palisadeum in Fort Lee, NJ, as it reflects 1/2 teaspoon each lemon pepper and dried dill weed on its years of arts and culture. Kosher salt and black pepper to taste “We’ve kept people in suspense, made them Pinch of red pepper to taste laugh and cry all by telling an intriguing story,” Minced flat-leaf parsley and green onions said Zokian. Chopped fresh mint “We are keeping the language alive,” added 3 or 4 sliced lemons and limes for garnish Chatmajian. “We are bringing people together and keeping our culture united.” PREPARATION In a large glass bowl, combine the minced onions, garlic, butter, orange, lemon and lime juices, olive oil, honey, mustard, garlic pow- der, lemon pepper, dill, salt, black pepper and red pepper in a bowl and mix to combine. Add the salmon to the bowl skin side down and coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, turning occasionally. System of a Down’s Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees and bake salmon for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through. Remove salmon to a platter and generously garnish with parsley, onions, mint, and sliced lemons and limes. Spoon extra sauce over Daron Malakian the salmon. Serve with hot rice or bulgur pilaf and fresh garden vegetables. Releases Track Serves 6. *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at Dedicated to http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ Armenian Genocide

LIVES, from page 13 the Kinks or the Zombies.” As a member of System Of A Down, both “Mezmerize” and “Hypnotize” in two Malakian was a driving force behind five stu- installments as a dual album in a single year. dio albums, which sold over 31 million copies Each debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top worldwide, had three No. 1 debuts 200 and on charts around the world, achiev- on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart, gar- ing the rare feat of having two No. 1 albums in nered a Grammy win and amassed a global fol- the same calendar year. B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your lowing whose members number in the tens of Own Bombs) was the first single released millions. Together with SOAD, he has written from “Mezmerize” and earned the band a and recorded seven top-10 radio hits, two of Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. which were chart-topping No. 1’s (2002’s To see the video, go to Aerials and 2005’s Hypnotize). In 2005 the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsmmQ1 group released EqSIc&feature=youtu.be

Daron Malakian in a scene from the video for Lives 16 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA JULY 7 — Save the date! Armenian Church of Cape Cod second annual Kef Time dinner and dancing at the JANUARY 20-27, 2019 — Armenian Heritage Cruise Cape Club, 125 Falmouth Woods Road, North Falmouth. XXII 2019. Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Royal Leon Janikian Band with DJ and special appearance by Caribbean’s Allure of the Sea. Traveling to Nassau, Harry Minassian. Details to follow. Cozumel, Roaten, Costa Maya. Cabin Rates, starting from JULY 18 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park $949/person based on double occupancy, including port on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday, 5- 6:30 p.m. charges and ACAA registration fee. Government rates of Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea $137.45 are additional. Armenian entrainment, Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For Armenian cultural presentations, Armenian Festival Day, first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at Tavlou and Belote Tournaments and much more. Call 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. Travel Group International at 1-561-447-08750 or 1-866- [email protected] 447-0750 ext. 108, contact person Janie. AUGUST 15 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 MASSACHUSETTS p.m. Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the MAY 5 — Saturday, Kentucky Derby Watch Party, Fun Labyrinth. For first-time walkers introduction to walking a and festivities to support Armenia Tree Project, At the labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. elegant/historic Gore Place in Waltham. 5:00 pm. Tickets [email protected] available via www.ArmeniaTree.org/KentuckyDerby On May 6, Dr. Hayk Demoyan will SEPTEMBER 16 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park for MAY 5 – ANNUAL MEETING & LUNCHEON, Armenian Families & Friends. Armenian Heritage Park on The International Women’s Association (AIWA). Meeting, give an illustrated talk titled Greenway. 2-4 p.m. Enjoy Boston Hye Guys Ensemble 9:30 a.m.; Luncheon, 12 noon. Speaker: Patti Fletcher, “Celebrating 400 Years of Armenian- with Ron Sahatjian, clarinet; Joe Kouyoumjian, oud; Art author of Disrupters: Success Strategies from Women American Heritage: 1618-2018” at the Chingris, percussion. RSVP appreciated. Who Break the Mold. Alumnae Hall, Wellesley College, Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 [email protected] Wellesley, MA. Info & Reservations: info@aiwainterna- Mystic St., Arlington, Mass., at 3 p.m. tional.org or 617-926-0171. Other speakers will include Robert NEW JERSEY May 5 — Celebrate Public Art during Artweek on Saturday at the Park, Armenian Heritage Park on Mirak, Dr. Nubar Afeyan and Dr. SEPTEMBER 30 — Save the Date! Armenian Fund USA The Greenway, Boston, 1 p.m., World Labyrinth Day: Barbara Merguerian. A book sale and Ardzagang Armenian TV are proud to present Walk As One in peace & harmony with people in cities and reception will follow. The free Artash Asatryan and band, guest singer Grisha and towns worldwide including the labyrinth in Gyumri. program is co-sponsored by the Asatryan, from Armenia! The concert is dedicated to At 12:45 p.m., introduction to Walking a Labyrinth, 1:30 National Association for Armenian Armenia’s and Artsakh’s independence celebration. pm - Reception to View the 2018 Configuration of the Don’t’ miss the performance by the son and grandson of Abstract Sculpture. Remarks: Sarah Baker, editor-in-chief, Studies and Research and the Amaras the legendry singer Aram Asatryan. Proceeds to benefit Art New England magazine. Introduced by Lucas Cowan, Arts Alliance. Fruitful Artsakh Project. 4 p.m. Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Public Art Curator, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. Brunt St., Englewood. Tea & Desserts, hosted by MEM Tea Imports & Eastern Lamejun Bakers. RSVP appreciated. NEW YORK [email protected] MAY 6 — “Celebrating 400 Years of Armenian Scramble format. Raffle, Auctions and dinner following APRIL 21 - MAY 13 — Off-Broadway production by Pan American Heritage: 1618-2018” Exhibition and the the tournament. For more information visit Asian Repertory Theatre of Joyce Van Dyke’s play, launching of Armenian Legacy in America: A 400- www.stjameswatertown.org or contact the church office DAYBREAK: the lyrical story of two Armenian women Year Heritage by Dr. Hayk Demoyan in an illustrated at 617.923.8860 [email protected]. friends, survivors from 1915, who are transported with talk. Other speakers include Robert Mirak, Barbara J. JUNE 1-2 — Armenian Food Festival Sponsored by the their families into the 21st century future. Performances Merguerian and Nubar Afeyan. Sunday, 3 p.m. Hye Pointe Church Women’s Guild, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 at the Beckett Theatre (on Theatre Row), 410 W. 42nd Admission free and open to the public. Book sale and p.m. Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, 1280 St., New York, Tuesdays through Sundays; weekend mati- reception to follow. Organized by Armenian Cultural Boston Post Road, Haverhill. Chicken Kabob, Losh Kabob, nees. Discount tickets for seniors, students and groups. Foundation, co-sponsored by the Amaras Art Alliance, and Kheyma Dinners, Armenian Delicacies including For tickets and information: www.telecharge.com or call and National Association for Armenian Studies and Lahmejoon, Cheese Beoreg, Spinach Pie, Tourshi, (212) 239-6200. For discount tickets: www.telecharge- Research, 441 Mystic Street (Route 3), Arlington. Tel. Cheoreg, Kataif, Paklava, and many more delicious items. offers.com or call (212) 947-8844. Or contact the the- (781)-646-3090 [email protected] For more information call the church at (978) 372-9227. atre: [email protected], (212) 868-4030. MAY 11 — Celebration of a Life of Service: Rev. Fr. JUNE 6 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park Mampre A. Kouzouian on the 60th Anniversary of on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. MASSACHUSETTSRHODE ISLAND his Ordination to the Priesthood. Under the auspices Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For MAY 18 — Book presentation by Adrienne Alexanian (Eastern), His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at (editor) of her father’s memoir Forced into Primate. Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Boston, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA. Celebration [email protected] Ottoman Turkish Army. 7 p.m. Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Banquet, 7:15 o’clock, in the Charles and Nevart Talanian JUNE 9 — The Friends of Armenian Culture Society will Armenian Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence. (401) Cultural Hall, by advance paid reservation. Doors open host the 67th annual Armenian Night at the Pops 272-7712. Book signing during reception to follow. All at 6:45 o’clock. RSVP deadline April 30. Further infor- on Saturday, at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Boston. tal- proceeds to be donated to the church. mation, call the Holy Trinity Church ented violinist Haig Hovsepian. A winner of the 2017 MAY 19 — Knights of Vartan Arax Lodge 100th Office, 617.354.0632. Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and anniversary Armenian Radio Hour of Rhode Island May 18 – Holy Week in Jerusalem – An Inspirational a rising sophomore at the Cleveland Institute of Music, 70th anniversary celebration fundraising dinner/dance. Pilgrimage presented through a multimedia travelogue Hovsepian will appear as soloist with the Boston Pops Sponsored by the Knights of Vartan Arax lodge May 19, by Ara and Milka Jeknavorian. Dinner and Program. Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart. He will 2018 at the Egavian Cultural Center of Sts. Sahag and Donation $15 – adults, students – $5. Sponsored by the perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D-minor. The Pops Mesrob Armenian church, 70 Jefferson Street, Sts. Vartanantz Adult Education Committee. Sts. will present Dance to the Movies with Dancing Celebrity Providence. Music by Joe Zeytoonian Ensemble. Dinner at Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Rd. Pros, So You Think You Can Dance top finalists, 6:30 pm, dance beginning 8:30 pm. Admission for dinner Chelmsford. 7:00 p.m. Reservations required. Please con- and singing stars from American Idol and The Voice. and dance $30, dance only $20. Dinner reservation is tact Milka Jeknavorian at 978-251-4845, Tickets $95, $70 and $35, available at: required, please call Ann Ayrassian 401-529-5210. [email protected]. www.FACSBoston.org Sponsors are appreciated. Please contact Leonard MAY 18-19 — Armenian Memorial Church Annual Fair, JUNE 10 — St. James Armenian Church Festival Annual Arzoomanian 508-958-7391 arzoo623@webrightser- Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., Picnic! Join us for a fun-filled festival! Delicious vices.net All proceeds will be donated to the Armenian Watertown, Friday, May 18, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, May 19, Armenain food, live Armenian music, children’s activities Radio Hour. Deadline for dinner reservation, and dona- 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Armenian kebab meals served, Armenian with moon bounce, face painting, and more! Rain or tions to be listed in the program book, is May 13. delicacies, silent auction shine. St. James Armenian Church, 465 Moutn Auburn MAY 19 — Hai Guin Scholarship Association Annual St, Watertown. For more info, visit www.stjameswater- Luncheon & Fashion Show, Saturday, 11:30 a.m., at town.org or call 617-923-8860. Montvale Plaza, Stoneham. Fashions by Soft JUNE 28 — Under a Strawberry Moon, Armenian Calendar items are free. Entries should not be longer Surroundings of Chestnut Hill, MA. Tickets: $60 per per- Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Thursday, than 5 lines. Listings should include contact infor- son. Please call Lisa at 781-729-6333; Becky at 508-651- 8:30– 9:30 p.m. Meet & Greet! Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. 8893;or Marilyn at 978-818-9098 for tickets. Enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries, hosted by Vicki mation. Items will be edited to fit the space, if need MAY 21 — 19th Annual St. James Open Golf Lee’s and Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports. RSVP be. A photo may be sent with the listing no later Tournament – Oakley Country Club, Watertown. appreciated. [email protected] than Mondays at noon. S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Nikol Pashinyan: The Lion at the Gate

end, in winners and losers, but instead, with the restoration of Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian trust and cooperation between all the parties. No matter how much Pashinyan reassures the public that the “Velvet Revolution” was motivated by domestic issues and has a The last few days leading to the fateful stage of May 1, purely Armenian character, the major powers have their own Armenia’s political situation may best be described as being on perspectives. a rollercoaster, with its dynamic changes every day and every For them, Armenia is another piece on a chessboard of world EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 moment. politics and is treated as such. That is why Moscow was seriously An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication The “citizen’s contract” political movement leader Nikol concerned with the outcome of the movement. Although Pashinyan was able to mobilize Armenia’s youth during his Kremlin observed a strictly neutral position, the pro-Kremlin three-week march and rallies to topple the newly-elected Prime media were mostly very critical of the popular movement. That Minister Serzh Sargsyan and shake up the ruling Republican is why waves of parliamentary delegations arrived from Moscow. EDITOR Party. The first group was mostly intimidating but the second delega- Alin K. Gregorian In the immediate aftermath of the prime minister’s resigna- tion was more accommodating. tion, the impression was created that the government had col- Not only Moscow was concerned with the movement; in the ASSISTANT EDITOR lapsed and a political vacuum had been created to be filled right Western media the depictions of this movement demonstrate Aram Arkun away by the “people’s candidate,” Nikol Pashinyan. The latter international political overtones. ART DIRECTOR was performing his political moves very transparently to please Writing in a piece titled “American Empire Exposed,” Joachim Marc Mgrditchian his followers. He had confronted Sargsyan at the Marriott Hotel Hagopian notes: “At first glance, it appears as through civil soci- during their three-minute, unsuccessful meeting, which eventu- ety and democracy have triumphantly prevailed in Armenia over ally led to the latter’s resignation. He tried to use the same strat- the despotic cronyism and corruption. Yet, a deeper analysis egy with Sargsyan’s successor, deputy Prime Minister Karen might characterize recent events as a geopolitical info war being Karapetyan, who had inherited the position in the capacity of a covertly fought on the global chessboard between both western SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: caretaker acting prime minister and invited him again to the and eastern forces.” Edmond Y. Azadian Marriott Hotel in full view of journalists to witness the transfer Another writer, Pietro A. Shakarian, in an article published in of power. the Nation states, “Analysts outside Armenia scrambled to make CONTRIBUTORS: He had handpicked the Republican representatives he wanted sense of the April Revolution. Was it a ‘color revolution’ or a Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun to accompany Karapetyan to the meeting. Ukrainian-style maydan? Was it a ‘blow to Putin’ as the pages of Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, the Washington Post suggested? The revolt did have certain ele- Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, Armenia’s constitution calls for the parliament to choose with- Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, in seven days a new prime minister, following the resignation of ments that were recognizable in ‘color revolutions’ — the street Naomi Zeytoonian the incumbent. demonstration, the involvement of the youth, etc.” Karapetyan, realizing that he still had a legal tool in his hand As far as Armenia’s foreign policy is concerned, Pashinyan has CORRESPONDENTS: to stall the election for a few days more, refused to show up to pledged to stay the course. Armenia - Hagop Avedikian the meeting. During the recent developments, the newly-elected President Boston - Nancy Kalajian On the other hand, Pashinyan, who had forced his way into Armen Sarkissian has played a constructive role behind the New York/New Jersey - Taleen Armenia’s political scene, found out that he had to validate his scenes within the limited scope the constitution has provided Babayan Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach popular mandate him. He has helped bring through constitutional opposing parties togeth- Contributing Photographers: channels, meaning he er, always projecting a Jirair Hovsepian needed to show up at the higher and nobler cause parliamentary session for than current politics. He a vote. has also brought the Echmiadzin Catholicos The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published These few days gave weekly, except two weeks in July and the first some breathing space to into the fold, despite the week of the year, by: the Republican Party to fact that among the Baikar Association, Inc. regroup. Serzh Sargsyan, opposition groups, he concerned that surrender was perceived as being a 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 of his party’s rule could member of the ruling Telephone: 617-924-4420 shatter his entire con- hierarchy. FAX: 617-924-2887 stituency, returned to the Whatever is in store for www.mirrorspectator.com chairmanship of his party the future, the political E-Mail: [email protected] and literally tried to landscape in Armenia has For advertising: [email protected] resuscitate it. been changed forever. To be elected prime The youth have tasted minister, Pashinyan the outcome of their needs 53 votes. power and they are Combined votes of the already engaged in Tsarukyan (31), Yelk (9) achieving change. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : and ARF (7) factions The decisive moment amount to 47 votes, just on May 1 came and went. short of the required After lengthy speeches at U.S.A. $80 a year number. the parliament, a vote Canada $125 a year Pashinyan found out was taken. Throughout that he had no other way the process, no one could Other Countries $190 a year but to lure votes from the have predicted the out- Republicans or woo the come of the vote, because entire leadership of the the situation was and still © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Republican Party to sup- is so fluid. Many theories Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA port his candidacy for the were floated. The vote and additional mailing offices. post of prime minister. achieved the following He took a chance to result: 45 votes for ISSN 0004-234X approach the leadership Pashinyan and 56 of the Republicans and attend a full session of the party for against, which sends Pashinyan back to the streets. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The hearings. He dared to enter the lion’s den, where the party mem- The constitution allows a second chance for a vote within Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn bers were armed with loaded questions. A transformed rabble seven days. If there is no concrete outcome, then parliament St., Watertown, MA 02472 rouser appeared at the session, with his fatigues exchanged for automatically will be dissolved and snap elections will take Other than the editorial, views and opinions a suit, but best of all, his street rally rhetoric completely toned place. expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily down to the language of a courteous, articulate and moderate Time is certainly moving against Pashinyan, as his popular reflect the policies of the publisher. diplomat. He was very conciliatory in answering pointed ques- movement may lose some momentum and his strategy of forc- tions. Those questions mostly dealt with Russia-Armenia rela- ing a vote through mob action may be undermined. tions because as an opposition leader in the parliament, he was On the other hand, an early election does not favor the on the record voting against the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Republican Party, which has lost face and the result may still be Copying for other than personal use or Union and he was also critical of Russian military bases in a landslide victory for Pashinyan. internal reference is prohibited without Armenia. The subtext of the entire encounter was to test how Thus far, he is a lion at the gate of the parliament and much express permission of the copyright depends on how civil his civil disobedience movement can con- owner. Address requests for reprints or unshaken the Russian-Armenian relationship would remain in a back issues to: Pashinyan administration. tinue to be. Most of the time, Pashinyan gave generic answers which Thousands of demonstrating youth are impatient to see quick would give him room to maneuver after taking over. His was dividends, as the foreign officers in major capitals are counting Baikar Association, Inc. mostly a charm offensive continuously underlining the peaceful votes and comparing strategies behind closed doors. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- nature of the “Velvet Revolution,” which would not result, in the At this point, the political standoff continues. 1509 18 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

human rights of all Christians were trampled on in Ottoman Genocide fall under this category. Until I discovered a signifi- territories and these citizens were stripped of basic rights in cant number of these documents in a private archive of the Akçam: Fight the past. Their demands for equality and social justice were Armenian Catholic Priest, Krikor Guerguerian, these materials viewed as grave threats to the national security of Ottoman- had vanished and were lost to posterity. Over the decades, the Turkish society. denialists loved to repeat the argument at every occasion: Today, the Kurds are facing the same issue. The most basic “show us the originals.” And thirdly, they questioned the Against demands around freedom and justice by the Kurds are per- authenticity of some existing materials ,for example, the ceived to be threats against the security of the Turkish state Killing Orders of Talat Pasha published by Armenian intellec- and are met with violence. It should come as no surprise that tual Aram Andonian. Until I proved otherwise, the denialists the same violation of human rights in response to demands for argued that all these telegrams published by Andonian were basic rights that were made by Christians in the past, are now fake and fabricated by the Armenians. Denial Must being perpetrated in a similar way when it comes to Kurdish With these efforts, previously the facts of the Armenian demands. Genocide were discredited and relegated to the status of mere What we see here is a basic principle that acknowledgment opinion. You often heard the argument that there are two and recognition of past injustices is not only an act related to sides to the Armenian Genocide arguments and we have to lis- Go On an event from the past but has an impact on the present and ten both sides etc. but this is a thinly veiled attempt at obfus- plays a very important role in establishing a democratic soci- cation on the part of the Turkish government when it comes ety today. It acts as a statement for what we as citizens value to what happened to the Armenian people. My hope is that my The following is the speech of Prof. Taner Akçam, on in the present. latest book Killing Orders removes a cornerstone from the April 21, at the State House in Connecticut. The fourth important reason for commemoration is to raise denialist edifice and further establishes the historicity of the our voices to say, “never again.” If we do not want to relive Armenian Genocide. My findings represent an earthquake in Every year, I ask myself again and again the same question: mass atrocities, we must remember! Remembering in and of the field of Armenian Genocide and will contribute enor- Why and how should we commemorate past atrocities, such as itself may not be enough to prevent repetition of the past; how- mously to the fight for recognition. genocide? This question is actually part of two larger ques- ever, it is an important pre-condition. Not remembering or However, despite all academic achievements for the estab- tions: First, why should we remember past atrocities; in other acknowledging an historic wrong, carries with it the very real lishment of the truth, the political question remains the same. words, why confront history? Isn’t it better let bygones be potential, if not probability to relive it. Denying past atrocities If two sides are each claiming to possess the truth, how are we bygones? And secondly what is denialism and how do we fight and historic injustices in Turkish history is a subtle way of going to prove convincingly that our side is the real truth? If it? sending the message of a readiness to commit the same crimes we really believe our version then it seems like just bringing About the first question: There are several reasons why we again. Turkish denialism of the Armenian Genocide contains up the actual facts should be enough, but that is where we go need to remember past atrocities and acknowledge historic the kernel of potential risk which continues to threaten dif- wrong. There is another important factor that is consistently wrong doings: ferent ethnic-religious groups and people in the region around ignored by those interested in truth: it is power. It is power The first reason is the restoration of humanity. First, we Turkey. It is not an exaggeration to state that Turkey with its that can determine which version of history is going to be the MUST remember the victims. We have to pay our respects to denialist policies is a security threat in the region. ‘truth’. The biggest difference, between Holocaust denialism the dead and re-humanize them. Dehumanization is one of the The last important reason to commemorate past-atrocities is and Armenian Genocide denialism, is this very factor. most prevalent characteristics of mass atrocities. It precedes all in order to fight denialism. To combat Turkish denialism and Holocaust denialism has no power but denialism of the mass atrocities known to man, because the only way you can further the quest for truth and justice, commemoration of the Armenian Genocide has power. Turkey’s denialist policies achieve the kind of mass psychology required to motivate one Armenian Genocide is and must be, an essential part of that receive tremendous support, especially from the U.S., England group to annihilate another is to first make the “other” inhu- fight. The crux of commemoration is that it calls upon us to and Israel, which ensures that denialism continues on. man. This is the way to overcome the normal human revulsion remember the truth. Commemoration is the effort to bear wit- For this reason, we must consider opposing denialism to be against murder. Nazis categorized (defined) Jews as “bacteria ness, over and over again, to the truth! And denialism is just a war for ultimate victory over power. This is a power struggle or microbe/germs”; in Rwanda the Tutsis called the Hutus the opposite; its purpose is to hide, to conceal and to erase the and we have to win this power struggle. Commemorations are “cockroaches.” Ottoman Turkish rulers considered Armenians truth. a part of this power struggle. All one needs to do to under- to be a “tumor” in the Turkish body that should be removed, This brings us to my second question? How do we fight the stand this is take a look at the way the American government this term was used very often by the leaders of Teshkilati denialism? has approached the subject of genocide. Today, hardly a single Mahsusa. By depriving the victim group of its humanity, per- member of Congress believes that the Genocide did not hap- petrators pave the way for mass-atrocities to occur. Fighting Denialism pen. Almost all members of Congress will admit that the Commemoration is, if nothing else, an act of protest against We believe, for the most part, that facts differ from opinions Armenian Genocide is an established fact but despite this, they this repulsive phenomenon. Re-humanizing the victims by hon- and interpretations occupy a different place in discourse. We deny the official recognition via a resolution in Congress. The oring them and restoring their dignity is one of the most believe that the “truth” rests upon established facts, over problem isn’t believing the truth. The rationale behind this important steps to denounce the perpetrator. Without recog- which there is a consensus; as such, they are not the same reluctance to acknowledge the truth is explained away as “a nition, successor generations cannot properly mourn and heal. thing as opinion or interpretation. We would like also to matter of national security interest of the United States in the Mourning and healing are necessary for closure and can only believe that the practice of “denialism” is a simple denial of the Middle East.” come after the truth is acknowledged. If we fail to acknowl- facts. On the surface it seems like opposing denialism is sim- We have two set of arguments here which are brought up in edge it, we fall into a trap that continues to support the per- ply a matter of standing up to the truth and calling out lies. opposition to one another; “National security of United petrators and their ultimate goals. After decades of denials, This is not true. Rather, there is a nebulous territory between States” versus or moral responsibilities or in other phraseolo- Armenians need to heal and to understand that the justice facts and truth AND denialism germinates from this territory. gy “realists” versus “moral fundamentalists.” The “realists” they seek will prevail. Denialism marshals its own “facts” and it has its own “truth.” emphasize national security concerns and consider the The second reason is for remembrance. By remembering, we It actually lays claim to be another “truth telling.” Denialism acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide by Congress to be create the foundations for co-existence. “against US strategic interest.” The When you have two or more groups that words you hear so often are “we should have experienced a painful past filled with not jeopardize our strategic interests in violent acts, they must engage in mutual “if one knows the Middle East, one the Middle East because of a moral issue, dialogue over that history if there is any which occurred in the distant past.” On hope of living together in the future. would easily recognize that history the other side we have “fundamentalist Without this kind of ongoing and construc- moralists” emphasizing the supremacy of tive dialogue, these groups will continue to and historical injustices are not just morality against “real interests.” view each other with suspicion and will It is clear, US denial of official recogni- remain victims of their tragic past. dead issues from the past; the past IS tion isn’t based upon a denial of the This might not be a burning problem here facts; it’s a denialism constructed on a in the diaspora but there are still calculation of national interests. As a Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks living in the present in the Middle East.’ result, to combat this form of denialism, Turkey, and more importantly, Turkey and it isn’t enough to argue about the truth Armenia are two neighboring countries of what happened in the past. The argu- which have to live together. If Turkey cannot engage in an hon- is a different version, a different approach to history and for ments have to be political ones that make the case for stating est reckoning with its past and enter into a serious dialogue this purpose it creates its own facts. And at the end of the day, that it is misguided to think you can attain “national security” with Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians over that past, and lis- the thing that we call “truth,” is made to appear as nothing this way. We must demonstrate that pitting “National interest” ten to what are deeply painful histories by these communities, more than our own version of history. What denialism aims to against “morality” as mutually exclusive is just plain wrong. In the latter will never feel any measure of trust for Turkey and do is to create an atmosphere in which two contradicting ver- fact, any security policy in the Middle East that excludes Turks. The only way for these peoples to live together with the sions of history allegedly exist. morality cannot ultimately be a “realistic” policy that will work Turks in peace in Turkey or as neighbors next to each other, Over the past decades, those who abide by the dictum, and that eventually it undermines national security. will be if the Turkish government and the people of Turkey “everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own Indeed, if one knows the Middle East, one would easily rec- (Turks, Kurds, Alevites, Sunnis, etc.) acknowledge the historic facts,” have followed the public and historical debates over the ognize that history and historical injustices are not just dead wrongdoings in an honest way and accept their own responsi- Armenian Genocide with disbelief. Consecutive Turkish gov- issues from the past; the past IS the present in the Middle bility for what happened. Without genuinely confronting and ernments have succeeded in creating their own version of his- East. So therefore, morality is a very real issue, and for realpoli- accepting the painful periods of this history, a common future tory with their own documentary evidence, selectively pulled tik to be successful in the region; moral values, in this will never be constructed. from the Turkish archives. They raised their viewpoint to the instance, the specific one of acknowledging historic wrong The third reason for confronting history: We remember the level of reasonable historical possibility. As I showed in my lat- doings, must be integrated into a policy of national security. past and commemorate past mass atrocities because we est book, successive Turkish governments have followed a The events that unfold before us, every week prove that we believe this is the prerequisite for a democratic and peaceful three-layered strategy to achieve this goal. are right in making this argument. There is a strong intercon- future. If you want to build a democratic country that respects First, they created their own facts and archives; today, the nection between security, democracy and facing history in the human rights, you can’t get there without honestly acknowl- Turkish archives are full of documents which purport to show Middle East. Even a passing glance at the region makes it clear edging human rights violations in the past. The world you cre- that there was no genocide. What happened, if you review that historical injustices and the persistent denial of these ate today is built on the way you view your past. Continual these archival records, was a legal and legitimate act of a gov- injustices by one or another state or ethnic-religious group is denial of human right abuses in the past guarantees that dis- ernment to relocate its own people, nothing more. Secondly, a major stumbling block, not only for the democratization of respect of human rights and democracy will prevail today. The they hid and/or destroyed materials that would have belied the region, but also for the establishment of stable relations importance of this principle can be understood when you con- the “version” they are intent on proving; records that indicate between different ethnic and religious groups and the states. sider the situation that Turkey is in, and what is happening in the genocidal intent of the Ottoman government. The materi- Our central argument should be that a failure to confront Syria. als from the Military Tribunals which were held during 1919- history honestly is one of the major reasons for insecurity and In the past, beginning with Armenians, the most basic 1921 in stanbul against the perpetrators of Armenian see DENIAL, page 20 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

terms, was used by Armenians, before the word genocide was President Trump’s “failure to lead an honest remembrance of coined by Jewish-Polish jurist Raphael Lemkin in the 1940’s. the Armenian Genocide…. President Trump’s ‘Turkey First’ While ‘Meds Yeghern’ is simply a description of the Turkish approach tightens Erdogan’s grip over US policy on the geno- atrocities against Armenians, genocide is a terminology of cide of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and other Christians.” international law, according to the Convention on the Furthermore, the Armenian Assembly of America described My Turn Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopt- President Trump’s April 24 statement as “a missed opportu- ed by the United Nations on December 9, 1948. President nity to unequivocally reaffirm the Armenian Genocide.” By Harut Sassounian Trump used the words “Meds Yeghern” simply to avoid the Not surprisingly, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a term genocide in order to appease the Turkish government. press release on April 25, 2018 to counter President Trump’s It is shameful that President Trump, a non-traditional leader April 24 statement: “We reject the inaccurate expressions and Statements on the Armenian who prides himself on taking unorthodox stands on many the subjective interpretation of history in the written state- Genocide By US, French and national and international issues, would follow the evasive ment by Mr. Donald Trump, President of the USA, released on tradition of his predecessors and go along with the denialists 24 April 2018 regarding the events of 1915. Our expectation Turkish Presidents in Ankara! from the US Administration is a fair assessment of a period On April 24, the White House Press Secretary Sarah during which all the peoples of the Ottoman Empire suffered The Presidents of the United States, France, and Turkey Sanders, in response to a journalist’s question, confirmed that tremendously.” issued statements on April 24, the 103rd anniversary of the President Trump had simply copied the language of his prede- The Turkish Foreign Ministry’s statement, as expected, con- Armenian Genocide. Of the three, only the French President cessors. Sanders stated: “The resolution that the President tains several major factual errors: Emmanuel Macron had the honesty and courage to call the signed was consistent with past administrations as well.” 1) It equates the deaths of “500,000 Muslims” during tragic events by their proper name — Genocide. President Using verbal gymnastics, President Trump referred to the World War I to the murder of 1.5 million innocent Armenian Trump avoided using the term genocide, while President Armenian Genocide as “one of the worst mass atrocities,” men, women, and children. Genocide victims and war casual- Erdogan, not surprisingly, issued a denialist statement. “the horrific events of 1915,” and “painful elements of the ties are not the same thing. President Macron stated in his April 24 letter to Armenia’s past.” President Trump’s advisers are providing a poor service 2) It repeats the same lie that the Turkish government has President Armen Sarkissian: “With you, we remember April by urging him to replace the term genocide with “Meds opened its archives to researchers and offered to establish a 24, 1915 and the murder of 600 Armenian intellectuals in Yeghern.” Rather than winning over Armenian-American citi- ‘Joint Historical Commission.’ In fact, Turkish authorities Constantinople that marked the start of the first genocide of zens, this terminology is antagonizing them. If President have cleansed the Ottoman archives of incriminating docu- the 20th century. We will never forget those murdered men, Trump does not have the courage to use the right word, he ments, and the Joint Historical Commission is simply a ruse women and children who perished on the road to exile, from should not issue any statement at all on April 24. Previously, to delay the Turkish admission of guilt. hunger, cold and emaciation…. Together with Great Britain President Ronald Reagan had issued a Presidential 3) It boasts about Turkish President Erdogan’s statement and Russia, France, as early as May 25, 1915, described those Proclamation on April 22, 1981 acknowledging the Armenian sent to the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul on April 24, massacres as a crime against humanity and civilization. In Genocide. In addition, the US House of Representatives had 2018 to commemorate the “Ottoman Armenians who lost September 1915, the French fleet, under fire, managed to adopted two resolutions in 1975 and 1984 recognizing the their lives in the conditions of World War I.” We need to save over 4,000 refugees from Musa Dagh.” In his compas- Armenian Genocide, and the US government had filed a remember that the Armenian Genocide is unrelated to World sionate letter, the French President accurately defined the report with the World Court in 1951 mentioning the War I, just like the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust mass killings of Armenians as Genocide — several times. Armenian Genocide. Consequently, the Armenian Genocide were not casualties of World War II. President Donald Trump, on the other hand, repeated his has been repeatedly recognized by the United States govern- We hope that Presidents Erdogan and Trump will have the last year’s statement avoiding the term genocide and using ment. All President Trump has to do is to reaffirm the US his- courage to call the Armenian mass killings by their proper the Armenian words “Meds Yeghern” which is meaningless to torical record on the Armenian Genocide. name — Genocide. French President Macron has done it, so most Americans. “Meds Yeghern” (Great Crime), among other The Armenian National Committee of America denounced should Erdogan and Trump!

The Armenian Genocide, Morgenthau’s Witness, Israel’s Silence

Dr. Pamela Steiner gave the following speech at Hebrew University on April 22, in Jerusalem, at a program commemorating the Armenian Genocide. It has been shortened for space.

For me, this event is the culmination of nearly three years enable it. He even advised about re-establishing Greek democ- short) and a moral purpose. of varied negotiations over the publication in Hebrew of the racy. So in 1924 at the ceremony of the rebirth of the Morgenthau would of course have urged the state of Israel important book by Henry Morgenthau, my remarkable great- Republic of Greece, the new Premier, Alexander to recognize and memorialize the Armenian genocide on grandfather. I warmly thank the organizers of this event as Papanastasiou, spontaneously passed Morgenthau a card, behalf of a combined such imperative and moral purpose. well as those who generously helped in different ways. They saying, “This is for the Father of the Republic.”1 Why particularly Israel? The Wallenberg Foundation reacted include five individuals who are present, Prof. Bedross Der Now we turn to the matter of Morgenthau’s commitment to the Israeli government’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Matossian and Prof. Reuven Amitai, and, in the audience, to a Jewish home in the form of Zionism. Although he had genocide and answers the question, why particularly Israel? I Ariela Bairey Benishay and Yona and Uri Shamir. Each per- enabled the survival of Jews in Palestine, Morgenthau was an read from the Jerusalem Post’s report on February 26 this son’s support has given me the privilege of speaking about outspoken anti-Zionist for most of his life. A Jewish home in year, in which the Foundation’s statement is quoted: ‘With all Morgenthau’s witness of the Armenian genocide, Israel’s Palestine would be, in his words, “the blackest error.” He due respect, we are not able to understand, let alone justify silence on the topic, and why it all matters. thought it was unnecessary. This is why. He had been only 9 this stance. Israel is the national home of the Jewish people, Morgenthau as Principled, Strategic, Non-Secular when his family emigrated from Germany, where he had expe- who suffered an indescribable plight during the Shoah. … Humanitarian rienced anti-Semitism, to the United States, where he never Twenty-five-years earlier, the Armenian people endured anoth- Morgenthau was a principled and strategic political actor. reported having that experience. He found the United States er unspeakable tragedy, which, in light of the world’s silence, As well as supporting people whatever their ethnicity, he welcoming to Jews, as to all, and thus the home that Jews many believe had encouraged the Nazis to perpetrate their stood against inhumanity and corruption. Armenians world- needed. He had a second reason. The Arab inhabitants of atrocities against the Jews during World War II.’ The founda- wide rightly honor him. Morgenthau was principled but not a Palestine would be not be welcoming. In the words of tion believes that of all the nations in the world, the Jewish pacifist. He returned to the United States from his ambas- Barbara Tuchman, these Arabs “resented the Zionist pro- state should have ‘the intellectual honesty and the spiritual sadorial post in Turkey in part to convince President Wilson gram” and would, in Morgenthau’s words, “’use every means generosity to recognize the horrific tragedy of the Armenian to bring the United States into World War I. at their command to frustrate it.’” people. Alas, the Israeli government and its Knesset have lost One of Morgenthau’s other commitments was demonstrat- Morgenthau’s anti-Zionism did not preclude friendships this opportunity time and again. There is no political reality ed from late 1913-early 1916, during his tenure as U.S. with important Zionists. One of his closest friends was the that could provide a reasonable excuse for that.’ ambassador to Turkey. I refer to his actions to enable the sur- American-born and educated Judah Magnes. Morgenthau was So why has Israel not recognized the Armenian genocide? vival of the Jews then living in Palestine, a fascinating, some- interested in and impressed by Magnes’s long-held belief in a Recently Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Tzipi Hotovely, times amusing story brilliantly told in an essay by his histori- bi-national Arab-Jewish state. In the late 1920s, Magnes left explained in the Knesset that Israel will not recognize the an granddaughter, Barbara Tuchman. Morgenthau’s efforts the United States for Palestine where he became a founder, Armenian Genocide because of the issue’s — in her words – at complex money-raising and even more complex money- the first chancellor, and the first president of the Hebrew “complexity and diplomatic repercussions and because it has delivering began in August, 1914, two months before the University. It was Magnes who attributed the survival of Jews a clear political connection.” Her statement is a dodge. In Ottoman Empire entered the war. They continued for months in Palestine to Morgenthau’s efforts. more direct language, Hotovely meant that Israel’s current afterwards. In a moment I will name the important figure Taken together, Morgenthau’s exertions on behalf of the economic and strategic ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan are who at the time declared that Morgenthau’s efforts were Armenian people, of the Jews in Palestine, of the resettlement far more important to the security and flourishing of Israel, responsible for the survival of Jews in Palestine. For what in Greece of ethnic Greek refugees from Turkey and of a safe, as her government understands both, than recognizing the Morgenthau accomplished, this person wrote, “’no word can tolerant place where Jews could live and call home, if they tragic events the Ottoman Empire foisted upon a small, strug- be too strong, no expression too exaggerated.’” wished, tell us that he was a principled, strategic, humanitar- gling people 103 years ago. I recognize and understand the Another of Morgenthau’s commitments was to a cohort of ian, and non-nationalist political actor. I want to stress that Israeli government’s priorities. But I disagree with them. Greeks. Some history is needed to explain the new mission he his being critical of the idea of a Jewish state did not make Their position does not meet my bio-social-moral criteria. undertook in the Near East following his tenure as ambas- him an anti-Semite any more than those today who are criti- There may be a deeper reason for Israel’s rejection of sador. For centuries, western and northern Turkey had been cal of Israel’s actions regarding Palestinians are necessarily acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide. In her prize-win- home to significant numbers of ethnic Greeks. Eastern either anti-Semitic or against the existence of the state of ning 2015 book, Denial of Violence, the Turkish sociologist, Greece had similarly been home to significant numbers of eth- Israel. Fatma Muge Gocek, wrote about her country of birth: nic Turks. After World War I, those countries decided that Turning to Morgenthau’s witness and Israel’s silence, the “Among all sets of violence committed directly or indirectly the ethnic Greeks of Turkey would move to Greece and the Armenian Genocide was, among other things, a political by states and their governments, those that are temporarily ethnic Turkic Muslims of Greece would move to Turkey. But event. Should memorializing a genocide take account of polit- closest to the nation’s creation myth are silenced and denied this population exchange sorrowed both peoples who were ical considerations? I cannot see how that can be avoided. the most and the longest because they constitute founda- very reluctant to move, and very poor, like Greece itself. There are no limits to what can be political. As a political tional violence. It is foundational because any discussion is Acting for the Refugee Settlement Commission of the League event, it seems to me that the memorializing and even framed as a direct threat to the legitimacy and stability of the of Nations, Morgenthau successfully helped plan for the eth- addressing the Armenian genocide ought to do so, however, state and society in question.” nic Greeks’ resettlement and raise the international loans to based on combining the bio-social imperative (let me call it for see WITNESS, page 20 20 S ATURDAY, M AY 5 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Akçam: Fight Against Denial Must Go On

DENIAL, from page 18 down from universities, and Kurdish cities have which is meant to reflect Turkish sovereignty tion, that considers the democratic demands of instability in the region. You cannot solve any been destroyed and burned to the ground. over the universe. When talking about battles Turkey’s opposition and regional developments problem in the Middle East today without According to a report published by the Council and victory, they would characterize it was hav- in Syria to be a national security threat. addressing historic wrong doings because his- of Europe’s Commissioner for Human rights in ing reached the “Red Apple” and the “Red The US government should recognize that tory is not something in the past; The past is 2017, a total of 158 media companies had been Apple” has come to symbolize the idea of pan- any argument here in the United States that the present in the Middle East. closed down; these include 45 newspapers, 60 Turkism, the uniting of all Turkish peoples. It is brings up America’s national interest as the rea- Putting in another way, one of the main prob- TV and radio stations, 19 periodicals, 29 pub- very important to be aware of this mythology in son to reject the official acknowledgment of the lems in the region is the insecurity felt by differ- lishing houses and 5 press agencies. In addition order to understand the Armenian genocide. It Armenian Genocide will result in supporting ent groups and states towards each other as a to these facts, Turkey is experiencing a massive is extremely revealing that Tayyip Erdoan ref- Turkey’s domestic and regionally aggressive result of events that have occurred in history. exodus of its intellectual elite — perhaps the erenced this legendary symbol just before the policies. The United States needs to change its When you make the persistent denial of these largest one in its history. More than 1,000 aca- Afrin operation in 2018. In a speech he made policy towards the recognition of the Armenian pain-filled acts a part of your security policy this demic, literary and journalist intellectuals have on January 22, 2018, he answered the question Genocide and the security concept towards brings with it insecurity towards the other. This already fled to Europe. Turkey is galloping “Where are we going?” with the response Turkey. It is my sincere hope that the most is what we call the security dilemma: What one toward if it has not already arrived at a totali- “Towards the Red Apple….yes, towards the Red recent developments in Syria have convinced does to enhance one’s own security causes a tarian regime. The primary Turkish argument Apple.” the United States how misguided it is to think reaction that, in the end, can make one even less in support of these policies is that the demand All of these policies are conceptualized, decid- that you can create security in the Middle East secure. For this reason, any security concept, any for more democracy and respect of human ed and implemented by the highest constitution- by supporting enemies of democracy. policies of Realpolitik in and for the region that rights is a threat to the national security of al institution in Turkey: The National Security Commemoration of the Armenian genocide is ignores and forgets the addressing of historic Turkey and must be crushed at its root. Council. This supreme constitutional authority important and an essential element in our polit- wrong doings is doomed to fail in the end. Aggression towards Syria is another part of established a “Coordinating Committee for the ical fight for power. We have to fight until we It isn’t hard to show the strong interconnec- this Turkish national security policy. Perceiving Fight Against Baseless Claims of Genocide” In make our truth the powerful one, this is the tion between Turkey’s denialism of Armenian Kurdish demands for a democratic structure in 2001. All of the important ministries, including only way to respect the dignity of victims; to Genocide and Turkey’s domestic and regional Syria or in Turkey as a national security treat the Armed Forces, are represented on this com- establish justice, to create democracy, peace policies today. I don’t want to repeat the recent Turkey has invaded Syria. Ziya Gökalp, one of mittee, which is chaired by the Vice Prime and stability in the region and to stop mass- dark developments especially after the coup the ideologues of the Young Turks and an Minister. The only mission of this institution is to atrocities in the future. attempt of July 2016, however, let me put it in architect for late Ottoman policies, framed fight those who are asking for recognition of numbers: Currently, there are about more than Ottoman aggression towards the East during mass-atrocities, among them the Armenian geno- (Prof. Taner Akçam holds the Robert Aram, 10 parliamentary representatives and close to the First World War years with the mythology cide, which were committed by successive Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marian 150 journalists in jail; approximately 4,000 aca- of the “Red Apple.” The “Red Apple” is a sym- Ottoman-Turkish governments in the past; and it Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies demic intellectuals have been forced to step bol or belief that dates back to old Turkish lore, is not a coincidence that it is the same institu- Clark University.)

other groups in our society has waned. Thus a The Armenian deep hostility is developing between secular and religious, between new immigrants, older Diocesan Council Recommends Election Procedure immigrants, and native Israelis; between rich For New Primate to Upcoming Diocesan Assembly Genocide, and poor; between Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis. RESIGNATION, from pahe 1 “Thus, the very fundamental Jewish value of As background, Kalustian noted that the Council had provided a slate of three candidates Morgenthau’s mutual responsibility is eroding.” to the Assembly, of whom, two now have resigned (in addition to Archbishop Barsamian, Currently many people in the United States, Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian), leaving Very Rev. Oshagan Gulgulian as the sole remaining Israel, and Armenia have good reason to be Witness, candidate for office. Kalustian remarked that the Diocesan Bylaws “do not provide clear convinced that we, these countries’ citizens, direction under the specific circumstances we face.” have saddled ourselves with corrupt leader- He stated that though the Diocesan Council was not precluded by the bylaws from adding ship. Also deeply corrupt are Turkey and Israel’s Silence names to the ballot at this time, it would be “inappropriate” given the 30-day-notice require- Azerbaijan, Israel’s greatly valued trading part- ment for candidates ordinarily nominated by the Council. A second way to potentially add ners. The two are tightly united in denial of the WITNESS, from page 19 new candidates would be through a petition process, which requires the signatures of at Armenian genocide. Moreover, Turkey and Similarly to Turkey, if Israel’s government least 20 Diocesan delegates submitted to the Assembly prior to the May 4 election. Azerbaijan are anything but free societies. In and that government’s supporters recognize However, the Council recommends that the election be postponed “in order to give time Turkey, for example, it is a punishable crime to the Armenian genocide, they would be faced to thoughtfully prepare a slate of candidates for the Assembly.” A new one-day special talk about the Armenian genocide. with questions about Israel’s legitimacy—not Assembly could be convened at the Diocesan Center in New York. The political philosopher, Michael Sandel accusing Israel of genocide of Palestinians—no In the meantime, to fill the position which will become vacant upon the expiration of recently wrote in the New York Times: “public one accuses Israel of committing genocide Archbishop Barsamian’s term on May 7, the Diocesan Council will, in accordance with the discourse has become hollow and shrill. against Palestinians. The question is of Israel’s bylaws, elect a locum-tenens from among the clergy of the Diocese. The locum-tenens would Instead of morally robust debates about the legitimacy about how it has treated assume the duties of the Primate until one is duly elected within 30 days of the vacancy. common good, we have shouting matches on Palestinians, which is wrong enough. Israel’s The Council wishes “to thank His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian for his 28 talk radio and cable television, and partisan great novelist, David Grossman, has spoken years of service to our Diocese.” It concluded its communication by declaring that it food fights….. People argue past each other, about this critical and valid concern for Israel’s “views this as an exciting opportunity to demonstrate not only our collective will to do without really listening or seeking to persuade. sake. what is in the best interest of the Church, but to do so in an orderly and thoughtful “This condition … give[s] rise to a danger: A This internal loss of faith … in the just exis- fashion, consistent with the will and support of the Assembly and with Armenian politics empty of moral argument creates a vac- tence of the state of Israel … strengthens the Christian spirit.” view, among certain circles, that the entire uum of meaning that is often filled by the State of Israel – not only the settlements – is vengeful certitudes of strident nationalism.” an act of colonial, capitalist injustice, carried Like Sandel, I am frightened about our com- out by an apartheid regime, detached from his- mon condition. I see political choice today less torical, national, and cultural motives, and as a right/left split than one between belief Gagik Harutyunyan Granted Knight therefore illegitimate.4 and insistence on the rule of law, honoring It is not only the victimized who have been international obligations and human rights, traumatized by those at the top. Those at the and vigilantly ensuring uncorrupt government, Of Holy Echmiadzin Order top, those with power, may have themselves on the one hand, or no moral compass, no been traumatized and also be recipients of belief in others, no willingness to listen and ECHMIADZIN — On April 7, the Feast of honorable Order to you for your accomplish- transmitted trauma. The many symptoms for learn from each other, on the other. Will we Annunciation of the Holy Virgin Mary, Gagik ments in support of the church. We are con- those with power, just like those without it, can choose to build on what the world has Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional fident that the award will encourage you to include loss of judgment, of moral compass, achieved since the end of World War II about Court of the Republic of Armenia, was award- further enrich your good and worthwhile and of belief in decency. David Grossman a democratic, public life worth having? ed the “Knight of Holy Echmiadzin” and a deeds with new commitments in our nation- again: “The survivor ignores anything that may Morgenthau’s anguished witness of the Pontifical Medal, for service and exceptional al and spiritual life,” Karekin II. complicate his worldview or delay his reac- Ottomans’ treatment of Armenians would have contributions offered for the vibrancy of Congratulating and conveying best wishes to tions, and so he tends to ignore the gray areas, led him today to side with rule of law, human Holy Echmiadzin. Harutyunyan, the catholicos granted him the the nuances, without truly facing the complex rights, democracy, and decency: to acknowl- The ceremony was held in the Karekin I Pontifical Order. and contradictory nature of reality, with all the edge and memorialize the Armenian genocide Center of the Mother See, under the presi- Harutyunyan conveyed his feeling on the chances and promises it offers. He thereby all and to denounce Israel’s treatment of dency of Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and occasion of the awards ceremony, expressing but dooms himself to exist forever within this Palestinians. Catholicos of All Armenians. The ceremony gratitude to the Pontiff and the Mother See. partial, distorted, suspicious, and frightened was opened with the Lord’s Prayer, after Referring to his conversations with the picture of reality, and is therefore tragically (Dr. Pamela Steiner is a Senior Fellow with which Rev. Paruyr Avetisyan, director of the Catholicos of All Armenians and his late pre- fated to make his anxieties and nightmares the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights Intra-Church Relations of the Mother See, decessors, as well as his constant connection come true time and time again. at the Harvard School of Public Health where greeted the participants. with the Mother See, Harutyunyan expressed “… our continual and automatic refusal to she directs the Intercommunal Trust Building Gevorg Danielyan, a member of the his conviction that a person cannot be a recognize, even ever so slightly, the suffering Project. The project aims to contribute to an Supreme Spiritual Council and the rational creature without spiritual sustain- of the Palestinians, lest this detract from our improvement in the relationship between Constitutional Court Council and Composer able values and wealth. justness in some way, has now completely dis- Armenian and Turkish communities and Tigran Mansuryan, an award-winning artist The young musicians group of Armenia rupted our common sense and our natural between Armenian and Azeri communities. of the Republic of Armenia, reflected on the New Names presented a musical performance familial instinct. Thus, gradually, the sense of She is the great-granddaughter of Ambassador life and works of Harutyunyan. under the artistic direction of Silva affinity and solidarity felt by many Israelis with Henry Morgenthau.) “Today, it is a pleasure for me to grant this Mekinyan.