NOVEMBER 4, 2017 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 16, Issue 4510 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF AGBU Issues Statement Turkey Frees In Support of Domestic Some Hostages Violence Legislation NEW YORK — The Armenian General Benevolent Union released a statement this which By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach in which it said it “strongly supports legislation to Special to the Mirror-Spectator criminalize domestic violence in the Republic of Armenia and to provide support for victims across the nation. Freedom from abuse is a fundamental BERLIN — The news on October 26 that human right to which a person is inherently enti- a Turkish court decided to release German tled regardless of their nation, location, language, human rights activist Peter Steudtner from religion, ethnic origin or any other status. Violence prison, and even allow him to leave the in the home cannot be tolerated in any modern country, was not expected and was greeted society. Strong families are the foundation of by sighs of relief. But it is by no means the Armenian society and women are at the heart of end of the story. Although he and seven families. When a woman’s safety and well-being is other political prisoners were liberated, the threatened, so is the safety and security of her fam- charges against ily, her community and ultimately the nation. President Serzh Sargsyan presents a medal to the young students. them have not AGBU joins Armenians across the globe in stand- been dropped and ing together to enact legislation that speaks to the trial is sched- these very values and beliefs.” Armenian President Awards Creators uled to continue on November 22. Of Sign Language Mobile App If convicted, those EU, Armenia Poised to accused of belong- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan awarded five ing to and sup- Sign Landmark Deal school girls from the Vahan Tekeyan School of the village of Karbi, in Aragatsotn porting a terrorist Peter Steudtner YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The European Union province, who won in the Education category of the Technovation competition organization (EU) and Armenia will almost certainly sign an for the Armenian sign language mobile app. One of the girls, Vardanush could be sen- agreement aimed at significantly deepening their Nazaretyan, said they came up with the idea suddenly. tenced to up to 15 years in prison. Green relations next month, a senior EU official said late “We came up with the idea when one of the relatives of our friends visited our Party political leader Claudia Roth correct- on Thursday. school. After speaking with him we understood that he has hearing problems, and ly commented that there was “no reason for Johannes Hahn, the EU commissioner for we set a goal to create an Armenian sign language app,” she said. The team was calling off the alarm,” since the release did European neighborhood policy, confirmed that the awarded with a $10,000-prize, which they will use to develop the app, which will not mean acquittal. Although Steudtner Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership further be available for Google and iOS. would be tried in absentia (as it would be Agreement (CEPA) is due to be signed during or on foolhardy for him to return to Turkey for the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels sched- trial), the policy of political persecution of uled for November 24. perceived enemies of Turkish president “This agreement with Armenia will be signed, no Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not ended. doubt about it.” Hahn said at a meeting with civil Anthony Bourdain Is Banned There are still ten German citizens sitting society members from Armenia and other ex-Soviet behind bars in Turkey on politically moti- states held in Estonia’s capital Tallinn. From Ever Entering Azerbaijan vated charges, among them Deniz Yücel, “I think it’s pretty sure that this will be done not to mention the masses of other inno- around the summit or at the summit,” he added. cent prisoners with different passports. under people’s skin, but now he’s upset an Hahn suggested that the EU’s and Armenia’s He Is Probably (not) Crying Although Turkish authorities denied that entire government — the one in Azerbaijan. “neighbors” do not object to the deal. “At least they In His Soup there had been any diplomatic mediation For an upcoming episode of his CNN show, accept it,” he said. leading to the release, it was former NEW YORK (Combined Sources) “Parts Unknown,” where he travels to Russian pressure exerted on Yerevan is widely Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder who report- — Anthony Bourdain is a pro at getting countries around the world to sample their believed to have scuttled a more ambitious edly intervened personally with Erdogan in food, he visited Armenia and Association Agreement which Armenia and the EU COURTESY OF OFFICE OF ARTSAKH IN THE US September. German Foreign Minister later went to Nagorno Karabakh nearly finalized in 2013. President Serzh Sargsyan Sigmar Gabriel, who proposed the idea and (Artsakh). precluded that accord with his unexpected decision got the backing of Chancellor Angela Bourdain’s style isn’t to to join the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union Merkel, stated officially that he was “grate- ignore issues central to the iden- (EEU). ful to Gerhard Schroeder for his media- tity of the country he’s profil- The spokesman for Sargsyan’s ruling Republican tion,” adding that it was an initial sign of ing, so naturally he got into a Party of Armenia (HHK), Eduard Sharmazanov, relaxation of tensions. “The Turkish gov- helicopter and flew to the made clear that Yerevan is “planning” to sign the ernment had kept all its promises,” he said. region: CEPA in Brussels. “Had we seen any problems in “Now we have to work further for the This was just ten days ago, so the agreement we would not have initialed it [in release of the other prisoners.” Justice it’s not clear where else March,]” he said. Minister Heiko Maas also called it an Bourdain visited, or what the The document commits Yerevan to “approximat- “encouraging sign” and pledged that Berlin Armenia episode will focus on, ing” Armenian economic laws and regulations to would continue to pursue the release of all. but it seems System of a Down those of the EU. Anthony Bourdain and Tatul Hakobyan in Karabakh Steudtner himself left no doubt that there see BOURDAIN, page 4 see HOSTAGES, page 4 Aso Tavitian: A Life Full INSIDE Of Grace and Giving Celebrating NEW YORK — By Florence Avakian Meeting with phil- anthropist Aso O. 85 Years Special to the Mirror-Spectator Tavitian for first time is a surprise. A Pages 9-12 reserved, thoughtful and polite man who has been a pioneer in the technology world, and a quiet generous benefactor to Armenian causes, he blossoms when he describes the many steps along his life’s journey, and talks about his vast art col- INDEX lection which adorns his spacious and elegantly furnished Arts and Living . 14 townhouse off Fifth Avenue. Armenia . 2 His professional life has been a veritable who’s who in the Community News. 5 computer software area where he was co-founder and the Editorial . 18 CEO from 1975 to 2008 of Syncsort Inc. (from Synchronized Aso Tavitian receiving the Medal of Honor from the Armenian International . .. 3,4 see TAVITIAN, page 8 president. 2 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Pontifical Divine Liturgy in the St. Leon Mother Cathedral of the Western Diocese Marcus Miller Kicks off LOS ANGELES — On October 29, on vision of progress and prosperity, to pro- Turpanjian seminary-high school. Yerevan Jazz Festival the feast of the Discovery of the Holy tect our borders and to safeguard the At the conclusion of the dinner, the Cross, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch peace in our homeland. With the same catholicos conveyed his Pontifical YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Bass player and com- and Catholicos of All Armenians offered spirit of faith our brothers and sisters in remarks and message to the guests, poser Marcus Miller, a Grammy Award winning jazz a Pontifical Divine Liturgy at the St. Syria and Iraq have overcome the calami- expressing his happiness, congratula- musician, said jazz is the best means for self-expres- Leon Mother Cathedral of the Western ties of warfare. Our people all over the tions, and best wishes on the occasion of sion. Diocese of the Armenian Church of world voice solidarity and join in prayers the 90th anniversary of the establish- He spoke in Yerevan, before his concert on October North America. for them.” ment of the Western Diocese. The 26 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts In his sermon addressed to the pious His Holiness emphasized that existing catholicos reflected on the passed way of Complex as part of the Yerevan Jazz Festival. people, he reflected on the wonderment difficulties and problems can be over- the Armenian-American community and “I have been hearing about this festival and your of the day, and the meaning of the cross come through confidence in God, and current successes. The Catholicos of All beautiful country for some years. When I got to know in the past and present of the Armenian the mystery and strength that I can participate in the jazz fest and spend one people and in the life of Armenian- of the cross. The day here, I got very enthusiastic. Festivals are an Americans. Catholicos of All excellent means to communicate with new audi- He stated in part: “Throughout histo- Armenians also ences,” Miller said.