AUGUST 23, 2014 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXV, NO. 6, Issue 4349 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Pope Francis to Armenia Offers Aid to Iraqi Yezidis Celebrate Mass on Genocide Centennial Minority Protests in BUENOS AIRES (Agencia Prensa Armenia) — Pope Francis will celebrate Mass for the Armenian Armenia Genocide centennial in the Basilica of San Pedro on April 12, 2015, according to an announcement YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires Mario Poli dur - Armenia is deeply concerned about the ing a mass in the Armenian Catholic Parish of Our ongoing violence against the Yezidi popula - Lady of Narek on Sunday, August 17. tion in the north of Iraq, and the ensuring “The Pope replied to the invitation from the casualties, Arman Saghatelyan, President Armenian Catholic Church a year ago through Serge Sargisian’s press secretary Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX to celebrate a mass for announced this week. the recognition of the Genocide,” stated the pastor “The use of violence against any national of Narek, Pablo Hakimian. and religious minority, in particular, the During a meeting with the Patriarch of Iraqi Yezidis, is absolutely unacceptable, Armenians Catholics Nerses Bedros XIX and the international community must take Tarmourini in June last year, he also received the immediate steps to stop it as soon as possi - daughter of a surviving family of the Armenian ble, provide support and humanitarian aid Genocide. He told her, “It was the first genocide of to the victims. the 20th century.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the heads of diplomatic missions were instruct - ed by Sargisian to double their efforts in Armenians protest in France against the fate of Yezidis in Iraq. Political Party Calls for pursuing the issue at an appropriate level in the international arena. Artsakh Representation Today, Sargisian discussed with Prime increasing the planned volume of humani - with stakeholders on this issue.” In Tehran Minister Hovik Abrahamian the issue of tarian aid to be provided by Armenia, for On August 8, Deputy Minister of Foreign which the Armenian government will find a Affairs of the Republic of Armenia STEPANAKERT (Hetq) — The National Rebirth solution in the coming days. Shavarsh Kocharian received the represen - Political Party in Artsakh has publicly voiced its “The issue will continue to stay in the tatives of Yezidi community. concerns regarding the country’s low level of rela - Can Israel Recognize spotlight of official Yerevan, and within its The Yezidis of Armenia presented their tions with neighboring Iran. The party argues that capacities the Republic of Armenia will con - concerns about the predicament and better relations with Iran could open up new The Genocide of sistently support the friendly Yezidi people humanitarian crisis for dozens of thou - opportunities in Artsakh in the economic, political Armenians in 1915? suffering hardship,” reads Saghatelyan’s sands of Yezidis created as a result of per - and cultural sectors. National Rebirth thus urges statement. secutions by radical Islamists in Iraq. the Artsakh government to take a more proactive Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Kocharian emphasized that Armenian stance regarding fomenting relations with Iran and By Peter Lyukimson Balayan wrote on his Twitter account, “The shares the concerns of the Yezidi commu - calls for the opening of a permanent diplomatic rep - Armenian Missions in the UN and other nity and noted that in different internation - resentation in Tehran. international organizations have received al arenas Armenia will continue to speak JERUSALEM (Vestnik Kavkaza) — respective directives to closely cooperate see YEZIDIS, page 2 Presidential officials of Israel and Medvedev Signs Treaty Armenia are having intensive negoti - ations on recognition of the On Armenia’s EEU Armenian Genocide in Turkey in Accession 1915. The Armenian side proposed a plan, according to which Israeli Biotech and Ebola in Cambridge: YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Russian Prime Minister President Reuven Rivlin will arrive in Dmitry Medvedev inked the Treaty on the Yerevan in April 2015 as one of the Chris Garabedian, CEO of Sarepta Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the world leaders to mark the tragic Eurasian Economic Union and submitted it to event. He will declare official recogni - CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Recently, the Ebola virus has been in the news almost President Vladimir Putin for signature. tion of the genocide carried out by every day, with panicked speculation about the danger of its spread, and the “The Treaty is a fundamental document that the Turkish government in 1915. ethics of treatment. There is no tested and defines the agreement reached between the A high-ranking official of the Israeli proven treatment or vaccine available. Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and president’s office told Vestnik By Aram Arkun Christopher “Chris” Nishan Garabedian, the Republic of Kazakhstan on the terms of acces - Kavkaza that the idea was actively Mirror-Spectator Staff the president and chief executive officer sion of the Republic of Armenia to the Eurasian promoted by leaders of the Armenian (CEO) of Sarepta Therapeutics, is frequent - Economic Union,” said the Russian government’s lobby in Israel, although their names ly sought out by the media in these discus - website. have not been given. sions. It happens that his company is one of only a handful with drugs that could The treaty was elaborated on May 29, 2014 by see ISRAEL, page 3 treat Ebola victims. Garabedian, in his Cambridge headquarters, explained that in the Eurasian Economic Commission, jointly with fact this drug is only one example of what his company can accomplish. Sarepta the state bodies of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and employs an approach Armenia. The treaty, discussed and approved on US, Armenia Want which is part of a revolu - August 7, at a government sitting of the Russia tion in biotechnology, Federation, is subject to change. Answers in Death of using Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) to specifically tar - Armenian in Azerbaijan get diseases and genetic problems. YEREVAN (Armenpress and RFE/RL) — This is a different tech - INSI DE The US State Department issued a state - nology from the ZMapp ment on the death of the Armenian citizen combination of several Karen A. Petrosyan, who was taken captive antibodies against the and killed in Azerbaijan. Ebola virus, which was in Quince The State Department stressed that the news because it was United States is deeply concerned about given to two American Power the death of Petrosyan, which, according to missionaries infected by a number of sources, was not due to natur - Ebola recently. These Page 10 al causes and took place while he was in antibodies attempt to Azeri custody. allow a person’s own Among other things, it was stated: “The immune system to identi - Chris Garabedian, Sarepta CEO US offers sincere condolences to Mr. fy and neutralize the Petrosyan’s family. We call on the virus. However, they had INDEX Azerbaijani government to conduct a full never been given to humans before, while Sarepta’s drugs have been used on non- Arts and Living ...... 10 and transparent investigation of this inci - human primates and in Phase 1 safety trials for the Federal Drug Administration Armenia ...... 2 dent and publish the results. (FDA), with promising results. The trials were supported by the Department of Community News...... 4 We remind the Governments of Editorial ...... 13 Defense but economic issues halted the program. International ...... 3 Azerbaijan and Armenia of their obliga - see EBOLA, page 7 tions under international humanitarian law, see ANSWERS, page 16 2 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Tekeyan Summer Camp in Armenia 2014

For the fifth year, the Tekeyan Czech Company to Build Center Fund (TCF) has sponsored a free camp for Tekeyan Schools in Livestock Facility in Armenia and Karabagh. This summer 70 Tekeyan students and their teach - Karabagh ers from Yerevan, Gumri, Stepanavan and Berdzor had a chance to enjoy YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Representatives from the seven-day program in Aragats Genoservice, a Czech company, met with the head summer camp, in picturesque of Artsakh’s Rural and Agricultural Support Fund Hankavan. The program was primari - Ashot Bakhshiyan, to discuss a project that envi- ly for needy and excellent students. sions a large livestock breeding facility in the vil- The natural beauty of the area and lage of Talish. the warm welcome of the summer The representatives at the meeting said the loca- camp staff made for an unforgettable tion will adequately provide all of the necessary summer experience for the children. resources required for the project, such as water, They successfully integrated into power, and agricultural products. camp life, with its morning exercises, The first phase of the project will establish a com- line-ups, trumpet sounds and march - plex that will house some 400 cattle. The second ing, which was a part of daily drills. phase will expand the complex and will add a milk- Due to the efforts of Tekeyan teach - Tekeyan students together with other campers explore wild nature. processing plant. ers and the camp staff, the week The Prime Minister of Artsakh Ara Harutunian included a variety of educational, cul - also met with the European businessmen and dis- tural and fun activities. The children dances. Documentary films and discussions cussed further opportunities for cooperation. actively participated in sports compe - Camp Aragats turned into a little helped children to forge their titions and intellectual quizzes. They Armenia where patriotic education Armenian identities and a love for the Cross Stone Dedicated to were also taught national songs and was the most important element. land to which they belong. Even camp groups were named after prominent Freedom Fighters Armenian cultural figures and nation - al heroes. The children learned a lot Unveiled about their national heritage. BAREKAMAVAN, Tavush (Armenpress) — Several The campers enjoyed hiking to the members of parliament, headed by the Speaker of mountains and caves and walking the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia tours both in daylight and at night. Galust Sahakian, as well as the Defense Minister They had an excursion to Trdatavank, Seyran Ohanian and many guests visited a monastery built in the 13th century. Barekamavan community. Here they performed church songs The members of parliament took part in the and were deeply impressed. unveiling ceremony of the cross stone in the mem- The camp organized a cultural ory of 21 freedom fighters from Barekamavan, mar- event dedicated to Gumri. The tyred in the defense of the Motherland. Tekeyan students presented the histo - The event was attended by the entire village. The ry of the town, its customs and tradi - attendees were greeted by community leader Gagik tions, jokes, dances and songs. The Abazyan, and the honor of the opening of the cross program featured a dance group from stone was assigned to Sahakian, Ohanian and two Gumri. Among the guests present relatives of the freedom fighters. were officials from Shirak province. Ohanian later awarded medals to a group of free- The last day at the camp was active All the campers doing morning exercises. dom fighters. The sculptor of the cross stone is the and joyful. All four Tekeyan schools of participant of Artsakh Liberation War, architect Armenia and Karabagh arranged a Andranik Davtyan. farewell party performing for their regions and schools with poetry read - ing, songs and dances. All this was fol - Yeritsyan and Grigoryan lowed with speeches, messages of thanks and a traditional campfire. For Sign Agreement a week the Tekeyan students lived in YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The Ministry of a peaceful and friendly atmosphere Emergency Situation of the Republic of Armenia and now it was difficult for them to and the Yerkrapah Volunteers’ Union will establish leave their friends from Camp closer cooperation, the heads of the two entities, Aragats, where they were a family. Armen Yeritsyan and Lieutenant-General Manvel Thanks to the TCF’s project Grigoryan, respectively, announced on Tuesday. “Summer Camp,” Tekeyan students The two signed a memorandum on cooperation. have a chance to explore the beauty At the beginning of the ceremony of signing the of Armenia and visit its landmarks, memorandum, Grigoryan laid a wreath on the form friendships with other youth memorial of Devotees of Rescue of the Ministry of and gain deep knowledge. This pro - Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia. ject also furthers our teenagers’ phys - Then, a number of the representatives of the ical, moral and cultural development. Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic It is an opportunity to educate the of Armenia and the Yerkrapah Volunteers’ Union A national dance at the cultural event dedicated to Gumri. new generation and strengthen their received awards. young bodies, souls and minds. Mini Hydro-Plants Threaten Tavoush Rivers Armenia Offers Aid to Iraqi Yezidis YEREVAN (Hetq) — After conducting inspections at a number of mini hydro-power plants in Tavoush YEZIDIS, from page 1 humanitarian aid to Yezidis in Iraq. and indignation of the Armenian com - Province, the Armenian Environmental Front (AEF) against the violence against ethnic and There are some 60,000 Yezidis living munity witnessing such mass crimes.” has issued a report stating that the rivers from which religious minorities in Iraq and in the in Armenia, descendants of those who Praising the resistance of the Kurdish the water is drawn can be dead eco-systems. Middle East in general, using all its fled there during the notorious 1915 people, Toranian noted: “Is it acceptable The AEF says that water outflow below the plants capacities for this goal. Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman 100 years after the Armenian Genocide is totally insufficient to sustain the flora and fauna Scores of Yezidis rallied in Yerevan forces that also saw thousands of that we should see this sad spectacle of that once existed in the rivers and along their banks. on August 14, calling on the govern - Yezidis killed as well. refugees fleeing their own land to The AEF team found that no water measuring ment to champion the cause of the In France, on August 1, some 1,200 escape the destructive effects of a vio - equipment had been installed and that water level Yezidis in Iraq and put the issue of their people demonstrated against recent lent and unenlightened ideology and automatic regulatory systems were lacking. plight at the hands of militants from the attacks by the Islamic State (IS) against unenlightened?” Ironically, hydro-plant operators have built cement Islamic State on the agenda at the the Yezidi community in Iraq. Toranian concluded: “Yes we support fish ladders that are either impassable for whatever United Nations. The demonstrators assembled at the you in your struggle not only because fish stocks have survived downstream or else have no Some of the Yezidis demanded a Place du Chatelet in Paris represented you yourselves are in danger, but water flows. meeting with Abrahamian, saying the several Kurdish organizations, human because we continue to defend a vision The AEF says it has documented these violations Armenia was not adequately reacting to rights groups, the Communist Party, of the interests of the region to which and has forwarded the photographs to the Ministry of “the genocide of the Yezidis.” the Yezidi community and the we are very attached.” Nature Protection. Abrahamian’s deputy chief of staff Coordinating Council of Armenian Gurgen Dumanian spoke with the organizations of France (CCAF). (Stories from Armenpress, RFE/RL crowd. He told them the government In his speech, CCAF Co-Chair Ara and Jean Eckian were combined for would send some $50,000 worth of Toranian expressed the “sense of horror this report.) S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Kurdish Protester Killed in Turkey International News Homemade Missiles PKK Statue Protest Explode in Aleppo ISTANBUL (BBC) — A protester has wounds to the head. promoted terrorism. ALEPPO (Armenpress) — New blasts rocked the been killed in eastern Turkey after The statue, which shows Korkmaz Under Erdogan, Turkey is seeking to New Village Armenian district of Aleppo this week. clashes broke out over the removal of dressed for battle and with a rifle by his restart stalled peace talks with the sep - The Facebook page of Aleppo-based Gandzasar the statue of the founder of a Kurdish side, had infuriated Turkish nationalists aratist PKK. weekly stated that the armed groups fired two rebel group. who viewed it as a result of Prime The rebel group has been designated homemade missiles in the direction of the Two others were wounded as protests Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policy a terrorist organization by Turkey, the Armenian district. No casualties were recorded sparked by the demolition of the con - of granting greater rights to the coun - United States and European Union. though there was material damage troversial statue turned violent. try’s Kurdish minority. The conflict between Kurdish rebels During the previous week, three Armenians were Turkish security forces in the town of On Monday, two days after the statue and the Turkish state is estimated to killed due to the missile blast in the Armenian-pop- Lice attempted to dismantle the statue was unveiled, a court in Lice ordered its have claimed the lives of more than ulated districts of Aleppo. of Mahsum Korkmaz, founder of the demolition following complaints that it 40,000 people. banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). EC Allocates €125 It was unveiled last week for the 30th anniversary of the PKK’s first attacks. Million to Producers of Protesters gathered at a cemetery Fruits and Vegetables outside Lice had tried to prevent the sol - diers from reaching the statue and the YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The European incident quickly escalated, with the Commission, according to its August 18 press Turkish army firing live bullets. release, has allocated from the European Union’s The victim is believed to be a 24-year- budget 125 million euros ($167.4 million) to the old demonstrator, according to producers of a range of perishable fruits and veg- Hurriyet .Reports say he died of gunshot etables over the Russian ban on food imports. “These measures will apply until the end of November with a budget foreseen of €125 million,” declared EC Agriculture and Rural Development Protestors in Lice, Turkey, take action against the dismantling of PKK’s Mahsum spokesman Roger Waite. Can Israel Recognize Kokmaz’s statue. EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos stat- ed: “Taking into account the market situation fol- The Genocide of lowing the Russian restrictions on imports of EU Armenians in 1915? Azerbaijan Detains Prominent Human agricultural products, I am triggering CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) emergency measures ISRAEL, from page 1 Rights Activists in Fresh Crackdown which will reduce the overall supply of a number of Advocates of acknowledging the fruit and vegetable products on the European mar- Armenian Genocide believe that now is of ministers. ket as and when price pressures become too great the perfect time for its recognition, con - By MJ del Valle The authorities in Baku have said in coming months.” sidering the tense relations of Israel and charges against all four relate to finan - On August 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin Turkey and the latest speech of Turkish cial activities of the nongovernmental signed a bill to protect the country’s security. The Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, BAKU (Guardian) — Azerbaijan has organizations (NGOs) for which they decree went into effect the next day, effectively ban- who has recently become the president. detained at least four of the country’s each act as directors. All had their bank ning the import of agricultural and food products Erdogan called the actions of the Israeli most prominent human rights activists, accounts frozen prior to their arrests. from countries that had imposed sanctions on army in Gaza a “genocide of the prompting fears that authorities are Azay Guliyev, chairman of the coun - Russia over the Ukrainian crisis for one year. Palestinian people.” Over 2,000 people intensifying efforts to silence campaign - try’s state support to NGOs, insisted have died in the Gaza operation. Israel, ers ahead of the world’s first European that “the Azeri system is fair and trans - Man Fires at Turkish as is well-known, denies the accusations, Games in Baku next summer. parent” and said the accounts were reminding that over a third of the peo - Veteran activist and lawyer Intigam frozen as a “preventative measure Embassy in Moscow ple killed were Hamas militants. Aliyev was detained in the Azeri capital because of irregularities in the opera - International experts say that 70-75 per - last Friday, and charged with tax eva - tion of the NGOs managed by Aliyev, MOSCOW (Armenpress) — A man who fired at the cent of people killed were militants. sion, abuse of office and illegal entre - Jafarov and [Leyla] Yunus.” Turkish emblem at the Embassy of Turkey in Moreover, Israel insists that peaceful preneurship. He was swiftly jailed for Many activists believe the detentions Moscow turned out to be Armenian. Moskovskiy inhabitants of Gaza were only killed three months. Amnesty International are part of a sweep ahead of the world’s Kosmolets reported that he is 43-year-old Arthur because Hamas used them as human called the charges “trumped up” and first European Games, due to be held Mirzoyan. Mirzoyan, the general manager of the shields. In any case, figures of losses in said Aliyev had been “detained solely for next summer in Baku. Activists have company Dobriy Les, shot twice at the Turkish Gaza are incomparable with the number his work as a human rights defender.” already started mobilizing in an attempt emblem, both times hitting the target. of people killed in the 1915 tragedy. Leyla Yunus, arguably one of the to use refocus attention for the games After being arrested, Mirzoyan did not specify Rivlin’s figure itself plays an essential fiercest critics of Azerbaijan’s poor from the international community onto the reasons for his action. According to police, the part in rumors about official recogni - rights record, was detained the previous Azerbaijan’s human rights record, just reason is the longstanding feud between the tion of the Armenian genocide. He has week, as was her husband Arif Yunus, as they did when Baku hosted the Armenian and Turkish nations. spoken for such recognition several and the democracy campaigner Rasul Eurovision song contest in 2012. times. At the Lithuanian parliament he Jafarov. All three were placed under The accusations against Leyla Yunus Basque Parliamentarians said that “the Holocaust and the three-month pre-trial detention. go beyond Azerbaijan’s borders. In addi - Armenian Genocide of 1915 were the Leyla and Arif Yunus have been tion to tax evasion and illegal business Condemn Azeri two most tragic events of the 20th cen - accused of treason, spying for Armenia, activities, she has also been charged tury.” Until then, all Israeli politicians and illegal business activities, among with treason, for allegedly spying for Aggression were doing their best to evade such other financial charges. Jafarov has Armenia. If found guilty, she could be BILBAO (Armenpress) — The military aggression of comparisons. been accused of tax evasion. sentenced to life imprisonment. Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabagh, cases of Rivlin has emphasized several times “Leyla Yunus is yet another indepen - In Azerbaijan, links to Armenia are an shooting at the civilian population and the that he only wanted historical justice dent voice in Azerbaijan who, for a long extremely sensitive issue. Yunus has International Committee of the Red Cross vehicle when struggling for recognition of the time, the government has tried to advocated working with Armenian should be condemned by the international commu- 1915 genocide and had no intentions of silence through threats and intimida - human rights activists in order to find a nity, according to a statement by Basque Senator accusing the population of modern tion,” said Natalia Nozadze, Amnesty peaceful settlement to the conflict. Aiartza Azurtza and Parliament member Jon Turkey or its government. Rivlin has International’s researcher on Azerbaijan Azerbaijan sharply increased it mili - Inarritu. also said many times that he could not in reaction to her detention last week. tary spending in 2011, and President The statement stressed that Azerbaijan’s recent understand why recognition of the All four are believed to have been Aliyev has repeatedly threatened to actions are violations of international law and are Armenian Genocide could have a nega - involved in drawing up a list of political attack Armenia. contrary to the requirements of the Organization tive impact on the Jewish state’s rela - prisoners currently held in Azerbaijan, Sylvana Kolaczkowska, a project director for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk tions with Azerbaijan and other Turkic- which is due to be published in English and Eurasia analyst at Freedom House, Group on maintaining the ceasefire regime. speaking countries of the post-Soviet this week. Azeri investigative journalist said she believes the perceived threat of war “During these years the people of Nagorno- space, which have no relations to the Khadiya Ismayil told the Guardian provides the Aliyev regime with the justifi - Karabagh managed to create a peaceful and demo- events of 1915. Aliyev has been added as the last entry. cation for a civil society crackdown. cratic society. They deserve independence and free- The Israeli Foreign Ministry believes The list is based on the definition of Lawyer Khalid Bagirov, who is acting dom. The international community should stand by that the president does not have the political prisoner offered by the Council on behalf of all four , said the arrests are their side and stop Azerbaijan’s military ambitions. right to take the initiative, and recogni - of Europe, which aims to promote politically motivated, and added that We demand that the European Union and the gov- tion of the events of 1915 can only hap - human rights on the continent. The their acquittal is nigh on “impossible.” ernments of member states condemn the attacks of pen after talks with Azerbaijan, an organization’s secretary general He also expressed additional concern the Azerbaijani side that jeopardize the vital work important partner of Israel. Israel is con - Thorbjorn Jagland said he had spoken for Arif and Leyla Yunus, who both have carried out by the Minsk Group and force fident that Turkey and Azerbaijan know to Azeri president Iham Aliyev, and told long-running health problems. “Both Azerbaijan to stop the violence,” the statement of about the negotiations between Rivlin’s him of his “deep concerns about the require special care. Their relatives are the Basque parliamentarians read. supporters and Armenian president arrests of prominent human rights not in the country; most have left. It is Serge Sargisian. However, no reaction defenders in recent days.” Despite its difficult to provide them with special from Baku or Ankara has been seen, rights record, Azerbaijan currently pre - meals and medications from the out - according to Israeli diplomats. sides over the organization’s committee side,” he said. 4 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Progressive Politics Dean Kay Appoints Conference Returns New Armenian Plenary Will Feature Noam Institute Director Chomsky And Faculty CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Armenians and Progressive Politics conference returns to the LOS ANGELES — On August 14, University Boston area this year with the theme, “The of Southern California (USC) Dornsife College Road to Justice.” With discussions on Turkish of Letters Arts and Sciences Dean Steve Kay politics, the media, Turkish-Armenian relations announced the appointment of Salpi Ghazarian and reparations, the conference will be held on as director of USC Dornsife’s Institute of Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September Armenian Studies (IAS) at a gathering of the 27, at the Massachusetts Institute of IAS leadership council and supporters. Technology. In addition, Kay appointed Armenian studies Friday night’s plenary session will feature lin - scholars Richard Antaramian as the Turpanjian guist Noam Chomsky in conversation with Early Career Chair in Contemporary Armenian Alternative Radio’s David Barsamian. Topics to Studies and assistant professor of history, and be discussed include Turkish politics and social Richard Hovannisian as adjunct professor of movements, the Gezi Park protests, and imperi - history. alism. Turkey’s failure to come to terms with its Established in 2005 as part of the long part - history and human rights record, particularly Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with students Nanar Nakashian and Dikran Enoyan nership between USC and the Armenian com - with regard to the Armenian Genocide and the munity, the institute is structured as a multi - Kurdish question, will also be examined. The disciplinary center of learning and research. plenary will take place in MIT’s Kresge Ghazarian begins her post on August 18. She Auditorium from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. arrives from the think-tank and advocacy group Levon Chorbajian, Carla Garapedian and Aris Jerusalem Students Attend Civilitas Foundation, where she was founding Nalci will explore aspects of the media, includ - director. Managing a team of 60 professional ing public relations, propaganda and ownership, St. Nersess Summer and support staff, Ghazarian helped introduce a in the first of three panels on Saturday. new culture of civic activism to Armenia’s strug - Turkey has been highly successful in distrib - gling democracy by establishing and expanding uting its narrative, often through professional Conferences for Ninth Year the foundation’s programming to include civil society strengthening, Internet media, and NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — In the serene setting of St. Nersess Armenian research and publishing. Seminary, two bright and enthusiastic 16-year-old students from the Sts. Antaramian will be the inaugural holder of Tarkmanchatz School of Jerusalem’s Armenian Patriarchate took part in the annu - the Turpanjian Early Career Chair in al summer conferences. Contemporary Armenian Studies. He brings “Our two weeks here has been a deeply enriching experience,” said Nanar with him a vast knowledge of Armenian history Nakashian, and Dikran Enoyan, speaking almost simultaneously. “We made see USC, page 5 friends and bonded with the 36 other students. They believe the same as I SHAHE MELELIAN By Florence Avakian do,” says Nakashian. “We made friends quickly. We related to each other quickly,” adds Enoyan. This is the ninth year that this program has been in operation. It was created, and continues to be organized by Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, to enable promising students from Sts. Tarkmanchatz to enhance their spiritual life and knowledge, and meet their counterparts in America. This year’s program was made possible by benefactors Russell and Susan Kashian (Wisc.), and Neil and Renee Ferraro (MA). Also supporting the program were Gabriel and Sophia Ovanessian (NY), Gregory and Meline Toufayan (NJ), USC Dornsife Dean Steve Kay (second from Noam Chomsky Vicken and Rosette Arslanian (NJ), Stephen and Kristina Findikyan (NY), Keith right) announced the appointments of Richard and Karyn Bilezerian (MA), and Glen and Kristin Dabaghian (NJ). Antaramian (left), Richard Hovannisian and Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School, which has grades from kindergarten Salpi Ghazarian (right) during a gathering of the leadership council and supporters of USC public relations firms; despite having the advan - through high school, follows the British system, and is known for its academic Dornsife’s Institute of Armenian Studies. tage of historical truth, Armenians have not. excellence and warm family atmosphere. With its small classes (118 students total), The media often fails to present the Armenian it enhances personal attention to each student. Genocide as fact. Why? Does the US main - “The school brings together Armenian students of all the organizations and stream media frame the issue as a controversy political persuasions,” Nakashian points out. “We all joined to go together to go due solely to Turkish pressure, or are American to Armenia in the Ari Doun (Come Home) program,” says Nakashian who has been AMAA Awards $140,450 foreign policy and corporate interests responsi - to Armenia twice. “Armenia is the only safe haven for Armenians,” Enoyan notes, ble? voicing his patriotism. “It is our homeland.” In College Scholarships Turkish-Armenian relations have myriad The school has played “an instrumental role in shaping us,” notes Enoyan. “It aspects, including “reconciliation groups” and has ensured the educational value, and conserved the Armenian identity. Many of PARAMUS, N.J. — This year, the Armenian other civil society exchanges promoted by the the teachers, the majority of which are Armenian, have PhDs, and relay the con - Missionary Association of America (AMAA) US State Department. Are these initiatives in tent of the subjects with knowledge and authority,” he relates. awarded $140,450 in scholarships to 57 deserv - the interests of Armenia and Armenians? Nakashian’s favorite subject is history. “It’s interesting how people lived in the ing students who attend colleges and universi - Additionally, progressive Turkish academics, past, compared to how life is today.” She comments that the principal of the ties in the United States and Canada. writers and activists have been instrumental in school, the Very Rev. Norayr Kazazian is “serious, funny and understands the stu - In addition, $15,000 will be awarded to needy initiating discussion of the Armenian Genocide dents. He tries to keep up with modern life.” and qualified university students in Armenia. within Turkey, especially following the murder Enoyan praises the principal for the advancement of the educational direction, These scholarships range from $200 to $600, as of Hrant Dink. Have any gone beyond calls for and the many renovations he has instituted in the school with the help of the the cost of higher education in Armenia is sig - recognition of the Armenian Genocide; that is, Faisal Hussani Foundation, including new academic subjects, especially in the sci - nificantly less. have any demanded justice in the form of resti - ences, as well as the new rooms, furniture, doors, painting of the classrooms, etc. Since its inception, the AMAA has helped tution and reparations? What can and should Enoyan, who is interested in all aspects of science, hopes to advance his education thousands of students from kindergarten to Armenians expect from them? following graduation next year in the field of oceanography, possibly at the high school with tuition aid, and hundreds of The Turkish-Armenian relations panel will University of Rhode Island. He would like to return to the Patriarchate in the future. college students with scholarships. Moreover, also consider denial of the Armenian Genocide “I can’t imagine life outside of that place,” he declares with emphasis. the AMAA provides financial aid to schools and by the Turkish state and others. Denial is Nakashian, who like Enoyan will be a senior, is gravitating to biology for future institutions of higher education in the Near becoming more sophisticated, as evidenced by studies. Having made a video of life in the convent which is now on Facebook, she East, including Haigazian University and the Prime Minister Erdogan’s statement this past notes that it will be hard to leave. She calls Jerusalem “a cultural crossroads. There Near East School of Theology in Beirut. April about “shared pain.” is so much culture in a small space, and we all know everyone, like one big fami - The scholarships granted this year were pro - The panel will include Bilgin Ayata, Peter ly. I’m lucky to have been raised there where I could be assured to receive the prop - vided from several AMAA scholarship funds Balakian and Marc Mamigonian. er education in an atmosphere of safety. It’s incredible how a mother can leave her established over the years to help students in The reparations panel will examine possible child outside with no fear of the child’s safety,” she gushes. need. Students may request applications from legal channels and strategies Armenians might They both pay tribute to the founder of the school, Bishop Guregh Kapikian, AMAA headquarters in Paramus, NJ beginning pursue to reclaim land and property stolen dur - see ST. NERSESS, page 5 in January of each year. The deadline to submit ing the Armenian Genocide, looking at other applications for the 2015-2016 academic year is see FORUM, page 7 May 1, 2015. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Attorney Garabedian: Town Rejects Paying Molestation Victims

Sheehan, then 73, of Fort Myers, Fla., was iden - “I feel that our community has done an out - on our properties moving forward. One positive By Frank Mortimer tified in a warrant obtained by police Sept. 12, standing job in acting proactively in trying to that came from this passion is that we now have 2012, in Wrentham District Court. prevent sexual abuse of children in the future,” a permanent, unanimously supported commit - The charges followed an investigation that he said. “That’s demonstrated by the communi - tee through town meeting in our bylaw with FOXBORO (Foxboro Reporter) — The town began when one of his alleged victims contact - ty committing to have a strong core of trained the unambiguous responsibility to educate and won’t pay out millions of dollars in compensa - ed school Superintendent Debra Spinelli. adults that are more aware of the tactics of the bring a sense of awareness that child abuse at tion to alleged victims of one-time youth leader Garabedian at the time said he was investi - predator and know what steps to take to pro - any level is not tolerated here.” William Sheehan, who is accused of molesting gating reports of child sexual abuse involving tect children.” DeVellis said every sector is represented: at least 28 boys decades ago. Sheehan from the late 1960s to 1980. The vic - The May 12 annual town meeting established sports, religion, private and public groups and Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who tims were approximately ages 8 to 13. the Foxboro Child Safety Committee to include all levels of town government. last spring sent Foxboro an $8 million settle - Over the past two years, 28 men have come trained representatives of the schools, clergy, In addition, Darkness to Light, a YMCA-affili - ment demand — $1 million for each of the forward to allege abuse by Sheehan, Police police, human services and other agencies. ated sexual abuse awareness training was pro - clients he had at the time — said this week that Chief Edward O’Leary said. “Several of us had the opportunity to meet vided for hundreds of Foxboro school and the town has refused to pay. “These men came forward and gave direct with the victims early on, and one of the things municipal employees, and protective rules were Selectmen chairwoman Lorraine Brue con - information about a predator that victimized that came across loud and clear to me was that put in place for groups using town facilities, he firmed Tuesday that the board has rejected those men when they were young boys,” there was a passion to make sure this type of said. Garabedian’s cash demand, but declined com - O’Leary said. thing would not happen again in our town,” “The victims selflessly coming forward to par - ment further. Foxboro police obtained an arrest warrant for Selectman James DeVellis said Wednesday. ticipate have no doubt been very helpful, and Town Manager William G. Keegan Jr. replied Sheehan in September 2012 alleging multiple “As selectmen, we had an opportunity to do our community should be thankful for their on June 10 to Garabedian’s demand. counts of abuse of a child under 14 and also our best to assure a no tolerance environment courage.” In response to a public records request from over 14. The warrant was based on testimony the Foxboro Reporter , the office of town coun - from three alleged victims who told Foxboro sel Richard Gelerman released the letter detectives Sheehan molested them between Wednesday. 1978 and 1981 in Foxboro. Dean Kay Appoints New Armenian “Although the Town is sympathetic to any In 1981, Sheehan moved with his family to injuries your clients may have suffered, there is Fort Myers, Fla., where he again obtained teach - no indication that the Town is in any way liable ing and Scout leadership roles — positions from Institute Director and Faculty for any of the alleged conduct of Mr. Sheehan which he was eventually banned in that state. that occurred more than 34 years ago,” Keegan Foxboro police and a representative of the USC, from page 4 tools they need for a comprehensive, inter - wrote. “Consequently, the Town is without Norfolk District Attorney’s Office visited and culture. He was recently awarded his disciplinary understanding of Armenia’s PhD in history from the University of past, present and evolving future.” Michigan with a dissertation titled: “In Since its founding in 1880, USC has edu - Subversive Service of the Sublime State: cated thousands of Armenian Americans Tanzimat, Consolidating Jurisdiction and who have gone on to distinguished careers Armenian Reform in the Ottoman Empire, in business, government, the arts and the 1844–1896.” professions. The institute offers courses in Hovannisian will take a leading role in Armenian studies and has organized major advising USC Shoah Foundation — The community events, international confer - Institute for Visual History and Education in ences, symposia, exhibits, and concerts. On its efforts to integrate nearly 400 interviews September 28, 2014, the institute’s achieve - of Armenian Genocide survivors into its ments will be honored with an anniversary Visual History Archive, a collection of gala in Los Angeles. 53,000 testimonies of the Holocaust and Charles Ghailian, chair of the institute’s other genocides. Leadership Council noted how fitting it is The Armenian interviews were recently that these appointments come just as the given to the USC Shoah Foundation by the institute is preparing to celebrate its 10th Armenian Film Foundation, and represent anniversary. the work of the late Dr. J. Michael Hagopian, “The Leadership Council is grateful for an Armenian Genocide survivor who filmed the work of all those who supported, served the interviews in 16mm between 1968 and and invested in the institute in its first 2004. Testimonies from the collection will decade, and now, continuing the partnership begin to be integrated into the Visual between the university and the Armenian History Archive by April 24, 2015, the cen - community, we are committed to a new tennial of the historic event. decade of innovative programming,” Mitchell Garabedian Hovannisian is a Guggenheim Fellow and Ghailian said “We welcome Richard has received many honors for his scholar - Antaramian, Salpi Ghazarian, and of course ship, civic activities and advancement of Richard Hovannisian, and on September 28 authority to pay your client(s) $1,000,000.00, or Sheehan in a Florida nursing home in 2012, Armenian studies. He is also the cofounder we will focus on that future.” any other sum.” but were unable to arrest him because he was and three-time president of the Society for Established in 2005, the USC Institute of Keegan told Garabedian that he was respond - believed to have advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Armenian Studies. Armenian Studies supports multidiscipli - ing to letters originally addressed to then-Town A psychiatrist later hired by the DA’s office to “Salpi Ghazarian has a stellar background nary scholarship to re-define, explore and Manager Kevin Paicos on April 21 and to evaluate Sheehan’s medical records determined — both personally and professionally — to study the complex issues that make up the Keegan on May 22 “regarding alleged sexual he was medically unfit to stand trial, O’Leary lead USC Dornsife’s Institute of Armenian contemporary Armenian experience — from abuse charges by eight named individuals said. Studies,” Kay said. “Every year there is an post-Genocide to the developing Republic of against William Sheehan.” “The investigation is over,” O’Leary said. average of up to 1,000 Armenian Trojan stu - Armenia to the evolving Diaspora. The insti - Garabedian said he has not filed a lawsuit. “There are no further investigative leads. We dents. Under Salpi’s direction and with the tute encourages research, publications and The former, long-time Foxboro teacher, Scout identified our suspect. We obtained enough expertise of Richard Hovannisian and public service, and benefits from communi - leader and swimming director has been accused probable cause for an arrest warrant for the per - Richard Antaramian, the institute will con - cation technologies that link together the of sexually assaulting numerous children son, but at this time there is no further ongoing tinue to play an integral role in our mission global academic and Armenian communi - decades ago, including inside Ahern Middle investigation.” to provide students and researchers with the ties. School. Meanwhile, efforts have been made to improve The allegation arose two years ago, when child protection, he and other officials said. Jerusalem Students Attend St. Nersess Summer Conferences for Ninth Year

ST. NERSESS, from page 4 in Jerusalem.” They are now housed in munity, and compensation in the form of land at the St. James Armenian Cathedral, I never who was the principal until his death. With Armenia. and money to the survivors of the victims. “I knew what they meant. Now I know what they obvious admiration, they relate how a year ago Nakashian was born in Jerusalem’s Convent. know no amount of money can compensate for do in church. And equally, our experiences of a group was set up to organize a documentary Her father, Saro, is the CEO of the EFE the suffering and loss of life,” he adds. bonding together were special. This was two in his memory titled “Vigilant Guardian.” Company (Education for Employment), and her weeks in a different world. Nakashian’s mother who had been a student in mother, Nora, has been employed at the Sts. Two Weeks in a Different World “I don’t know what I’ll do without my new the school was part of the organizing event,” Tarkmanchatz School for 25 years. Her grand - Returning to their participation in the sum - friends. Of course we will stay in touch,” he she relates, revealing that a bronze sculpture of father, Hrant Nakashian, was a photojournalist mer program at St. Nersess, both Enoyan and says, proudly pointing to his book filled with him is now in the school auditorium. working for the United Nations. Nakashian again repeat the enriching experi - new phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Enoyan calls the bishop “the engine” that Born in Beirut, Enoyan came with his family ence, and the commonality of interests they felt And with his typical enthusiasm, Fr. Mardiros brought about the new chapel in the Holy to Jerusalem at the age of 3. His father, Kevork, among their fellow students. notes, “It is always such a pleasure for me to Sepulchre Church. “Bishop Guregh was respon - is the bookstore manager in the Armenian For Nakashian, the religious atmosphere was a witness the growth and excitement that the stu - sible for two new sections in the school Patriarchate, and his mother, Micheline, is a revelation “where I learned so many things about dents of Jerusalem’s Sts. Tarkmanchatz through his fundraising efforts, including the ceramicist. His grandfather was a petroleum Christianity. When I return, I will always pray Armenian School experience by participating in high school,” he reveals, and adds that the cler - engineer in Syria. before eating. If I don’t pray, I will feel something the St. Nersess summer conferences. They leave gyman was very interested and active in pursu - Both Nakashian’s and Enoyan’s great-grand - is missing. Now I know what the prayers mean. I here inspired and having gained news friends. ing his interest in church architecture. “He parents were survivors of the Armenian can now say them with my heart.” The relationships begun here between made replicas of the churches in Armenia and Genocide. Enoyan strongly supports recogni - Enoyan emphasizes these feelings. “Even American-Armenian and Jerusalem-Armenian Jerusalem, of which there was a mini exhibition tion of the Genocide by the international com - though there are morning and evening services young people will last a lifetime.” 6 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Market Basket Workers Defiant Biotech CEO Nancy Simonian to As Deadline Passes Speak at St. James Men’s Club Demoulas is returned as CEO. Gov. Deval By Kyle Clauss Patrick has urged employees to return to work WATERTOWN — Dr. Nancy Simonian, chief executive officer of Syros while an agreement between the warring par - Pharmaceuticals Inc., will speak at the St. James Armenian Church Men’s Club ties is negotiated, yet workers have ignored the Dinner Meeting on Monday September 8. Her talk is titled “The Long and TEWKSBURY (Lowell Sun) — The Market governor’s request. Winding Road: Building Great Biotech Companies.” Basket standoff continued Friday morning as “Artie’s always been there for us. He’s always Simonian, is the founding CEO of Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held workers rallied against the company manage - taken care of us. Now it’s our turn to take care life science company focused on breakthroughs in gene control to revolutionize the ment at the corporate headquarters. of him,” said employee Rosie Hagopian. treatment of cancer and other diseases. Through Syros’ proprietary platform in “This is good versus evil,” said Joe Garon, a Numerous protesters took issue with the bar - mapping gene regulatory pathways in human dis- Market Basket employee of 49 years. “The reg - ren flagpole outside Market Basket headquar - ease tissue, novel approaches for treating dis- ular worker versus the CEO.” ters, which they say has lacked an American ease are being pursued. She was chief medical Holding up signs and heckling the company flag for the entire standoff. officer at Millennium Pharmaceuticals and, pre- CEOs leaving the premise, the workers “Every day we come in, first thing: That flag goes viously, vice president of clinical development at remained defiant despite the threat from the up. We’ve asked them to put the flag up. They’ve Biogen. Under her leadership at Millennium, corporate management that they must return ignored us,” said Hagopian. “Four weeks, no flag. Velcade became a mainstay of treatment for mul- to work by Friday or lose their jobs. They should be ashamed of themselves.” tiple myeloma, and a billion dollar commercial Later Friday afternoon, a replacement truck Hagopian, who worked in the meat depart - blockbuster. She also built and advanced driver for Market Basket was arrested for ment for 25 years before moving to the front Millennium’s promising pipeline of clinical stage allegedly approaching protesters with a ham - office for 16, had not seen any employees drugs for cancer and Entyvio for inflammatory mer outside of headquarters, according to return to work. bowel disease. At Biogen, she played a central Tewksbury police. “That’s where people are supposed to go role in developing and commercializing block- Ira Forbes, 27, of Brooklyn, N.Y. was arrested back to work, between those two cones.” said buster products for multiple sclerosis. after allegedly threatening demonstrators with Hagopian. “Do you see anybody? There’s Simonian started her career as a member of a hammer. nobody. There hasn’t been anybody. There isn’t the faculty at Harvard Medical School and neu- He was charged with assault by means of a going to be anybody. Guaranteed.” rology staff at Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Nancy Simonian dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct. “Nobody’s going to separate us. Nobody,” (MGH). She trained in neurology and internal After a verbal altercation with protesters at the said Hagopian. medicine at the MGH, received her medical companys headquarters at 875 East St., police The company management countered the degree from the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in biology said Forbes armed himself with a hammer, got rally by placing security guards at both from Princeton. She is a member of the board of directors of Seattle Genetics, Inc. out of his truck and approached the crowd entrances. Guards filmed the protesters with The social hour starts at 6:15 p.m., followed by a complete Armenian dinner at gathered around the entrance to the building. handheld camcorders. All media was banned 7 p.m. The dinner meeting will be at the St. James Armenian Church, Charles Forbes ignored commands to get back into from the property. A Sun reporter was escorted Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center- Keljik Hall, 465 Mount Auburn St., his truck and walked toward the crowd in a to his car by security and filmed as he exited. Watertown. threatening manner, police said. The large crowds appeared to be in for a long The program is open to the public and women are welcome. For more informa- He is scheduled to be arraigned at Lowell rally, putting up tents and roasting a lamb in a tion, including ticket prices, call the church. District Court on Monday. fire pit. The protesters received donations of Market Basket released the following state - sushi on Thursday, while Sal’s Pizza has steadi - ment about the incident late Friday afternoon: ly donated pizzas. “We are thankful that local police intervened “We’re not going back until Arthur T. and that no one was injured. Market Basket of Demoulas owns and runs the company,” said course condemns the driver’s actions. Both the Richard Fichera, who had been picketing since Nardolillo Funeral Home driver and the company for which he worked 6:30 Friday morning. “We’re a family. We’re have been terminated, effective immediately.” going to stick together.” Est. 1906 Employees and customers have caused a “The Demoulas family created a wonderful standoff with the company over the firing of career opportunity for the average person. It’s a John K. Najarian, Jr. CEO Arthur T. Demoulas by the board of direc - partnership,” said Fichera. Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director tors, a move led by cousin Arthur S. Demoulas. (Staff writer Chelsea Feinstein contributed to 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Workers say they will return only if Arthur T. this report.) 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 OBITUARY www.nardolillo.com Lt. Col. David B. Davidian Sr. Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a WEST YARMOUTH, Mass. — Lt. Col. David B. Davidian, Sr. died on March 12, at the age of 89, at Mt. Auburn Hospital, with his family by his Edward D. Jamie, Jr. side. He was the husband of the late Mary Funeral Chapel (Dolbashian) and Roxy (Shrestinian) Davidian. Serving the entire Armenian Community He was the son of the late Bagdassar and Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location Mary (Oozoonian) Davidian. Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 He was a graduate from Classical High School and Clark University with a degree in Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 history and international relations. Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 Davidian enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1943. He was stationed in England during WWII. He was a lead navigator in the 301st AAF BU and flew a B17 conducting bombing raids over Germany, earning him an Air Medal. He was recalled during the Korean War in 1951 Lt. Col. David B. Davidian Sr. and later during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E retired in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel. His James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC WWII crew was a tight group of friends. They more than 40 years. He built a nursing home Mark J. Giragosian had a 50th reunion at his home in West Medway Country Manor, from the ground up, Funeral Counselors Yarmouth, a historic event that made front page with his partner, John Peters, Jr. and worked as 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 of the Cape Cod Times. the treasurer until he retired in 1992. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com He was the father of David B. Davidian, Jr. He was a member of the Holy Trinity and his wife Innessa Antonian of Belmont, Armenian Apostolic Church in Worcester, Mass., Christyne Davidian of Petaluma, Calif., served on the Board of Trustees, and was a Susan Davidian Kinnear and her husband member of the Men’s Club for many years. He Michael Norman Kinnear of Watertown, and was a member of the ARF, was on the board Telephone (617) 924-7400 the late Melanie Davidian of Burlington, Vt. He that formed the Worcester AYF Juniors and leaves his grandchildren, Shant Davidian of helped with the construction of Camp Haiastan Aram Bedrosian Waltham, Mass., Ani and David Davidian III of in Franklin, Mass. Belmont, Matthew Ray and Gregory Davidian In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to Hubert of Petaluma, Michaela Araxi and David the Armenia Tree Project, 65 Main St., #3, Funeral Home, Inc. Aram Kinnear of Watertown. He survived two Watertown, MA 02472. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 sisters, Ojen Fantazian of Arlington, Mass. and Notes of comfort and sympathy may be sent Vartouhi Merzigian of Worcester. He also leaves to the family at www.MorrisOConnorBlute.com MARION BEDROSIAN many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and (This obituary originally appeared in last 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN grandnieces. week’s Mirror-Spectator , with a typographical WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN He worked for New York Life Insurance for error in the headline.) S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Biotech and Ebola in Cambridge: Chris Garabedian, CEO of Sarepta

EBOLA, from page 1 specific tissues. PMOs increase or decrease the There are many companies working on RNA takes to build a successful biotech, how to build in The problem is that treatments for many dis - production of a protein involved in a disease. In therapeutics with different approaches. While a lean, smart way, and good, smart drug develop - eases which are usually restricted in the num - the case of Ebola or other viruses, the PMOs some others also work with PMOs, Garabedian ment. I learned from my mentors, like John Martin bers of victims do not economically attract block access of the virus to human cellular said, “We have the lion’s share of the real estate as CEO of Gilead.” investments necessary to support research and machinery and thus inhibit its replication. of morpholino intellectual property. We also Garabedian found out through experience trials. For this reason, drugs intended to treat Despite the attention that it is garnering late - have the most know-how on scale-up manufac - that many companies failed not due to prob - rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 peo - ly, the work on Ebola or related viruses like turing. While we don’t have a 100 percent lock lems with their technology, but how they ple in the US are called orphan drugs. Marburg is not the main focus of Sarepta’s com - on all morpholino, we are the only one in applied that technology, the information they Garabedian said, “I think the US government mercial research. Instead, it is pursuing PMO- advanced drug development. We have patents.” attached to a particular drug, and how they knows, as governments around the world know, based therapeutics actively for a form of mus - Born in 1966 and raised in the Washington dealt with the regulatory process. that to leave it up to the private sector to devel - cular dystrophy called Duchenne (DMD), which DC area, Garabedian is Armenian on both his Garabedian joined Celgene Corporation in op technologies and medical countermeasures is caused by a mutation or error in the gene for mother and father’s sides. His parents were 2007, feeling they were on the same trajectory against these threats, whether pandemic dystrophin, a protein necessary to protect born in the US but his grandparents fled the of success as Gilead, and became vice president threats that spread naturally or biological ones human cells during muscle function. The PMO Armenian Genocide to the US via Ellis Island of corporate strategy. He led its first commer - that someone can manufacture in a garage, is treatment in this case deals with human and and Cuba. He did not get to know his grand - cial acquisition of a company called Pharmion. not feasible. They know they have to foot the not virus RNA, and is targeted to skip defective parents well, as they died either before he was He joined the board of directors of AVI (the pre - bill. The problem is that they are not funding it mutated sections of the dystrophin gene to born or while he was still a child. Garabedian’s decessor of Sarepta) in June 2010 and became fully.” He pointed out that crises come and go, allow the body to make functional dystrophin parents tried to instill Armenian culture in their its president and CEO in January 2011. so specific diseases float in and out of the pub - protein. It can be targeted to specific mutations, children, but by the time they came to young So far, things have worked out pretty well at lic’s awareness along with a sense of urgency, and thus treat different varieties of the disease. Chris, it became too difficult. For this reason, Sarepta. With a cutting-edge technology mov - but the potential threats remain. Phase IIb clinical trials on safety and efficacy Garabedian said, “Peter Balakian’s Black Dog ing toward FDA approval, it had the top per - For Ebola in particular, his company has have already been done on one of these drugs, of Fate resonated with me. I too grew up with forming stock of all 2012. It rarely used to enough supply ready only to treat 100-150 peo - eteplirsen, meaning that it is advancing in the American cultural mores and came to appreci - break over a market value of 400 million dol - ple, if the FDA would give emergency autho - FDA process needed for government approval. ate my Armenian heritage as an adult.” He lars, and now it has been operating at a valua - rization, along with permission from the Garabedian stated that the reason for the started to read books, and saw movies like tion between eight hundred million to 1.8 one Department of Defense which had provided ini - focus on DMD is that “Duchenne is a commer - Atom Egoyan’s “Ararat,” and encountered in billion. Garabedian does not want a buyout, and tial funding. In case Ebola does spread on a cially viable market, high on medical need.” the popular culture efforts at documenting the tells investors that the company is woefully greater scale, he said, “We hope that this is rais - Furthermore, the same technology can be used Armenian plight. He did work for around a year undervalued, so they should stick with it for the ing awareness that we have the technology but for a series of related drugs. Garabedian said, from 1998 to 1999 for an Armenian, Vaughn next five or ten years. need to raise the manufacturing ability to a “It is the consummate personalized medicine.” Kailian, CEO and president at COR Garabedian nurtures grand ambitions for higher scale.” This is novel for regulators like the FDA. He Therapeutics, but otherwise has had little Sarepta, and for himself. He learnt from two The same is true of course for Ebola drugs continued: “I would say that this technology opportunity to cultivate his Armenian connec - highly successful chief executive officers, and so using different approaches which are being demands a new approach from the FDA…If you tions in his profession. instead of staying as part of a good manage - developed by a few other companies, like read that we have had ups and downs, it is Garabedian had a business background in college ment team, wanted the opportunity to build the Tekmira’s TKM-Ebola, which the FDA very because the FDA sometimes gets more conser - and initially worked in market research, brand man - next great company, the equivalent of a Google recently allowed to be used on infected people. vative the more advanced and novel the tech - agement and new product development. He or Apple: “What I’m driven by and what moti - However, Garabedian exclaimed that “regard - nology is. I have been characterized as being described his involvement in biopharmaceuticals as vates me is to apply my experience in this indus - less of what press or market reactions have aggressive or pushing too hard, but all we were “a little bit of serendipity.” He began learning about try, to take a technology that can be the next been, we still think that we have the most doing is arguing on behalf of patients who need this industry in a consulting company, and from revolution in medicine. If I can see this devel - advanced and robust data set for safety and effi - this technology.” 1994 worked at Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, oped to treat even one serious disease like cacy that is out there for Ebola.” Sarepta needs at least one successful break - which “was a great training ground….Then Gilead Duchenne, I will feel pretty good. I think this There are many companies utilizing various out drug to allow it to expand the scale of its Sciences called in 1997 and I joined them. This was technology can be applied to many diseases. We types of technologies that attempt to modify or finances and work. Afterwards, it can expand its my formative experience in the biotech industry. all strive to be part of being something bigger suppress RNA. Sarepta uses phosphorodiami - PMO-based approach to many different diseases They really shaped a vision. At the time, they were than ourselves. This industry, this technology date morpholino oligomers (PMOs), stable syn - and genetic problems, and will be in an enviable less valued than Sarepta is today. They had a few and this company give me the opportunity to thetic chemical structures similar to RNA. They position. For example, among its other ongoing more employees…They have about a 140 billion dol - do that. I hope my children will be proud of it, can be used to create drugs specific for either projects, Sarepta is testing a flu drug using the lar market capitalization today. They built it on a rel - human or pathogen RNA and can also target PMO approach. atively small footprint. … I really learned what it Progressive Politics Conference Returns

FORUM, from page 4 cases in which reparations were paid. Panelists will discuss what was taken, its value today, per - tinent international treaties and laws, and appropriate forums such as the International Court of Justice. In addition to demanding reparations and restitution from Turkey, panelists will also consider whether Armenians should pursue reparations from all those nations and cor - porations who benefitted from the Armenian Genocide. If one believes that the Armenian Genocide did not end in 1923, but continues to this day, are those nations who ally them - selves with Turkey colluding in the perpetra - tion of the genocide? With the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaching, panelists Umit Kurt, Edvin Minassian and Thomas Samuelian will highlight these questions. A discussion titled, “Where do we go from here” will conclude the conference. Saturday’s panels will be held in MIT Building 6, lecture room 120, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Initiated in 2006, APP is a project of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Eastern USA. This year’s conference is co-sponsored by Alternative Radio, as well as the MIT Armenian Society. All events are free and open to the public. For additional details, visit: http://armenianprogressive.com.

ADVERTISE IN THE MIRROR- SPECTATOR 8 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Armenia in their hearts.” He reminded them of the importance of preserving their Armenian heritage abroad and of maintaining their ties to Twenty Days in Armenia the homeland when they return to their home parishes. Other stops included the monasteries of Khor Virab, Geghard, Noravank, Saghmosavank and A Journey of Service and Discovery Datev, where the travelers rode the world’s longest aerial tramway across the Vorotan River NEW YORK — They prayed in ancient cliff- At the Old Age Home, the young people took experienced one of the most beautiful examples Gorge to the ninth-century monastic complex. side monasteries, explored a medieval fortress turns helping prepare meals — they learned to of Armenian architecture before proceeding to Their travels were enriched by Bible study and and experienced the cool, fresh waters of Lake make dolma, sarma, kebab and pilaf — as well the Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin — the spiritu - discussion sessions at the various sites. Sevan. as cleaning, ironing and doing yard work. When al center of the Armenian people. “It had always been my dream to travel to The 12 young people taking part in this sum - all the work was complete, they spent time social - “It was a monumental feeling to experience Armenia,” said Andrew Tesini. “Being in Armenia mer’s ACYOA Armenia Service Program (ASP) izing with the elderly and crisscrossed Armenia, encountering its geogra - hearing their stories. phy and its religious and historic sites. But the “It was great to see that we three-week journey, from July 1 to July 20, was were really helping them,” more than a tour of the homeland, participants said Gina Falzone, adding that said. It was also an introduction to the local way the residents were eager to of life and an opportunity to give back. make the young volunteers The group was led by the Rev. Hratch feel welcome. “It is a distinct Sargsyan, pastor of St. Gregory of Narek Church quality in Armenians that they of Cleveland, Ohio, with assistance from Ani want to make you happy and Gulbenk of Fairfield, Conn. to feel at home. Everyone was The ACYOA again partnered with the Fund for like a mother or father to us.” Armenian Relief (FAR) to prepare the service Other participants agreed component of the itinerary and group members that volunteering in Armenia volunteered at FAR’s Vanadzor Old Age Home was one of the most impor - and Tzitzernag Summer Camp in Armenia’s tant aspects of their trip. third-largest city. “We realized that our ser - “There was a lot that I learned from this ser - vice in Armenia is a lifelong vice experience,” said ASP participant Julia commitment,” said Alexis Janigian. “One key thing was that little acts of Shahnasarian. “The days we service can do a lot more to help others than one spent in Vanadzor were the imagines.” most impactful and important days we spent on our trip.” A Lifelong Commitment Upon arrival in Vanadzor, the group was greet - An Unforgettable Journey ed by Archbishop Sebouh Chuljyan, Primate of For a number of the travelers, the Armenian Diocese of Gougark. Chuljyan led ASP marked their first time in Sampling dried fruit outside Geghard monastery. them on a tour of the city and introduced them the homeland and the opportu - to members of the local youth organization. nity to see Armenia’s historic During their weeklong stay, the ASP partici - sites — sites they grew up admir - the power of the Holy Spirit in Echmiadzin after gave me a better understanding of the Armenian pants assisted at Tzitzernag Summer Camp and at ing in books and learning about in Armenian and hearing about it for so many years,” said Alexis culture and made me have a stronger connection the Vanadzor Old Age Home. At the camp, they Sunday School — was an unforgettable experience. Shahnasarian. They participated in the Divine to my Armenian roots.” joined the children for games, dances and other Among the highlights of their itinerary was a Liturgy there and later visited the nearby St. They visited the Sardarabad memorial dedicat - activities. In addition to hosting children in need visit to Vagharshapat for worship services in Gayane Church. ed to Armenia’s 1918 victory over the Ottoman from the local area, this summer the camp wel - some of Armenia’s earliest and most celebrated The young people also met with Catholicos of army. In Oshakan, they saw the St. Mesrob comed kids who are refugees from war-torn Syria. churches. At St. Hripsime Church the group All Armenians Karekin II, the Supreme Mashdots Church, where the creator of the Patriarchof the Armenian church. The catholicos blessed them and encouraged them to “keep continued on next page

Young people dance with a resident of the Vanadzor Old Age Home

Playing tavloo at the Vanadzor Old Age Home. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS from previous page the streets and seeing their friendly eyes and Armenian alphabet was buried in the fifth cen - smiles.” tury. On Lake Sevan, they climbed up a rocky Participants also noted how engaging it was to path leading to the ninth-century St. Arakelots discover Armenia with other people their age and St. Asdvadzadzin churches and in Garni they from across the Eastern Diocese. “I could not saw a colorful performance by a local dance have picked a better group to experience the group against the backdrop of Armenia’s only Armenia Service Program with,” said Alexis surviving pagan temple. Shahnasarian. “Over the 20-day pilgrimage, we “I have great impressions from this introduc - went from strangers to family.” tion to the homeland,” said Gina Falzone. “All of Alexandra Hachigian remembers a warm fami - the churches, historical sites and mountainous ly meal in Sargsyan’s childhood home, not far views were breathtaking and all of the people from Vagharshapat. “I offered my help in the were so warm and welcoming.” kitchen and despite the language barrier, I felt In Yerevan, the group visited the right at home,” she said. “The fellowship with Tzitzernagaberd Genocide Memorial, Erebuni Der Hratch and his family is something I will Fortress, National Parliament, Victory Park, always hold in my heart.” Cascade, Matenadaran Manuscript Library and Sargsyan said the trip was also rewarding for him the outdoor Vernissage market. as a pastor. “With every step we took together, I saw At the conclusion of their trip, the ASP par - them grow in their understanding of Armenia and ticipants visited the Fund for Armenian Relief’s their Christian identity,” Sargsyan said. “They truly Children’s Center in Yerevan, where they learned embraced the land and the people as their home about the center’s child protection programs. and I was touched by their commitment to serving The children prepared a play for the visitors and others. Their love and care will remain in people’s everyone enjoyed a day of playing games, singing hearts long after this summer.” and dancing. Julia Janigian said she was struck by “all the “As a great-granddaughter of an Armenian beauty that God has created in this country.” Councilmember Paul Krekorian presents the City Resolution plaque to Dr. Frieda Jordan. Genocide survivor, I was always proud to be “It’s very important to carry back home all the Armenian. I shared my family’s stories and felt things that we learned about our Armenian connected to my heritage,” said Julia Janigian. homeland,” she went on. “We have to continue “But being in my homeland was an unforgettable to strengthen our faith and our connection to experience. I especially loved passing people on our heritage.” Los Angeles Resolution Commends ABMDR

LOS ANGELES — On the occasion of patient with a life-threatening blood dis - the 15th anniversary of the Armenian ease — now or in the future — will have a Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), much better chance of survival,” she said. the Los Angeles City Council honored the “But the benefits don’t stop there. The organization by adopting a resolution ABMDR also presents the citizens of this commending its life-saving mission. great city with the opportunity to actual - Councilmember Paul Krekorian pre - ly save a life by registering as potential sented the resolution to ABMDR donors, or lending their support as vol - President Dr. Frieda Jordan and other unteers and contributors.” representatives of the registry during a She concluded by stating, “Today, as ceremony held in Council Chambers on we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we August 12. salute the dedicated members of the Los The ceremony was attended by the Los Angeles City Council and thank you all Angeles City Council. The ABMDR team for your gracious recognition of our mis - accepting the honor included, in addition sion, which helps save lives in Los The ASP group at Khor Virab monastery. to Jordan, ABMDR Executive Director Dr. Angeles and beyond, in communities Sevak Avagyan, honorary Chair Dr. Bella throughout the world.” Kocharian, Arpine Zohrabian, Alique Also delivering remarks were Topalian and her parents, Mourad and Zohrabian, who has saved the life of a Arpi Topalian. Also present was Carmen child by donating her bone marrow, and Libaridian. Alique Topalian, a childhood cancer sur -

From left: Mourad and Arpi Topalian, Alique Topalian, Dr. Bella Kocharian, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Dr. Frieda Jordan, Dr. Sevak Avagyan and Carmen Libaridian

As he presented the resolution plaque vivor who 15 years ago inspired the estab - to Jordan, Krekorian said, “The Armenian lishment of ABMDR. Bone Marrow Donor Registry Charitable At the conclusion of the ceremony, sev - Trust has made tremendous strides for eral members of the City Council patients suffering from life-threatening ill - approached the ABMDR representatives nesses. The registry’s work has saved the to convey their congratulations and lives of thousands of Armenians around appreciation of the registry’s work. the world. I was proud to honor the orga - “This has been a wonderful and deeply nization on its 15th anniversary and moving event,” Jordan commented after - thank the dedicated volunteers who wards. “I can’t say enough about bring hope and care to patients world - Councilmember Paul Krekorian for his wide.” absolute dedication to the well-being of In her acceptance speech, Jordan spoke our community, and the Los Angeles City of the major achievements and goals of Council as a whole for its beautiful ges - the registry. “The ABMDR ensures that a ture in recognizing our work.” 10 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Rated SR Film Fest New Vartanian Datian’s York Kicks off 2nd season Recipe Named as With Launch Party Editor’s Choice in NEW YORK — Following a successful inau - gural year with 55 films from 18 countries, June Sunset Magazine Rated SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New LAS VEGAS — Christine Vartanian York is gearing up for its second edition with a Datian, a resident of Las Vegas, is the gathering at Bettolona restaurant on daughter of Alice Vartanian and the late Wednesday, September 3. Attendees will have Arthur Vartanian of Fresno. Her latest the opportunity to meet the winning film direc - recipe, “Grilled Chicken and Bulgur tors, cast members and their colleagues as well Salad,” was featured in the June 2014 as network with important industry guests. Sunset magazine as the Editor’s Selection There will be prizes to win and passes to the fes - and received a $250 prize. tival to be given out. She is known for her many recipes that Founded by award-winning actor, filmmaker have been published in Sunset and and curator Nora Armani in order to promote Cooking Light magazines. Several of her positive social change through films covering a Armenian recipes can be found at the pop - range of social issues, this year’s Rated SR film ular theArmenianKitchen.com website festival has two special spotlight sections titled based in Florida. She has been published 100 Years of Genocide & Women Filmmakers in the Fresno Bee and the Armenian of MENA respectively. Reporter newspapers. “I know many Middle Eastern and MENA Datian attributes her accomplishments women filmmakers who are really talented and and great interest in writing, cooking and make films that deal with socially relevant creating recipes to her mother, Alice, and issues not limited to the status of women only,” late grandmother, Mrs. Levon Sarkisian said Armani. “I have always wanted to present from Los Angeles and Lowell, Mass. their work to U.S. audiences and we thought “My mother and grandmother were lov - this would be a good time to do it.” “Queen of Quince” Barbara Ghazarian ing, energetic and generous women and This year’s festival will also shed light on the mothers who took pride in making out - atrocities of genocide that are ruthlessly carried standing dishes and recipes for our family out to the present day. celebrations, parties, and special events The festival provides a throughout our lives; I learned by watch - platform to commemo - Fans of Quince Promote ing and listening to them both laugh, talk rate the 100th anniver - (in Armenian and Turkish) and work sary of the Armenian together in the kitchen at our home in Genocide during World The Uncommon Fruit Fresno; they instilled a great attention to War I and honors the detail and interest in Middle Eastern and sacred memory of its vic - traditional Armenian flavors, ingredients, tims in a context that is CLOVIS, Calif. (Appeal-Democrat) — Even in fruit-productive California, sources and cooking techniques at an early age,” much more universal of the fragrant quince fruit are limited, but a few determined growers produce it and Nora Armani she adds. “They really cooked with love, and international by provide it for consumer enjoyment and that made all the difference…” juxtaposing it to the Sometimes described as a fuzzy apple, its ardent fans are relentless in their pro - “I can still taste my grandmother’s Holocaust, the Ethnic Cleansing Acts in motion of the golden globe of fruits. Like apples and pears, it carries its seeds in a Armenian green bean fasoulia stew she Eastern Europe, Rwanda, Sudan and others. core, is produced by an expansive tree, ripens made for our family when she visited “There are many nations that have suffered in the fall and has ornamental relatives that Fresno each summer, with fresh green the fate of the Armenians to various degrees,” grow on vines. By Don Curlee beans, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions, said Armani. “It is important to put all of that Recently, the quince has gained a reputa - spices, fresh mint and lamb. It was a feast into context and show that impunity encour - tion for making a unique cider and spicy all by itself. And her buttery, sweet bakla - ages further acts of Genocide.” wines produced in the mountains of Santa Cruz County. But raw product for crush - va melted in your mouth, a dessert my fam - Reflecting on the current situation of ing is basically produced elsewhere, even on small plots as far away as rural Oregon. ily remembers to this day…” Christians in Iraq, Armani likens it to the suf - But customers for the fresh product, many of them in Eastern Canada, count on Her grandmother, Pepay Sarkisian, who ferings of Armenians one hundred years ago. quince grown in the Terra Bella area in southeastern Tulare County. One grower was born in Adana, Turkey, endured a very Rated SR promotes and provides exposure to there, considered major by quince industry standards, has been supplying the mar - turbulent and tragic childhood; she was in its films into a wider viewership by accompany - ket for several years from 26 acres of the astringent fruit. an orphanage at a young age, and survived ing the winning filmmakers beyond the festival Although quince has been a solid source of revenue for him, and expansion is on with the fortitude to ultimately come to week. This year, Rated SR took seven of the his mind, the fruit ranked 45th of the top 45 fruit crops listed in Tulare County. America with her new husband, Levon, a programmed documentaries to Cannes for the Production in 2013 amounted to $1.95 million. successful barber, and to have a home, a Cannes Film Festival Doc Corner. The Grand The best chance of finding quince locally in the fresh state is at scattered farm family business, and to raise their family of Prize winning film “Small Small Thing” had its stands and markets that dot Fresno and Tulare counties. One of them, the Vineyard three children in Lowell with many other weeklong release in June as part of the prize at Farmers Market, occupies a popular urban location in Fresno, where operator new immigrants at the time. the Quad Cinema and received positive cover - Richard Erganian proudly maintains a display of quince every year during its short Datian’s mother celebrated her 85th age in the New York Times and Village Voice, season. Specialty grocery stores such as Whole Foods can be sources as well. birthday this spring and is known for her among other respectable publications. The win - However, limited supplies and minimal growers do not reduce the enthusiasm superb yalanche, dolma , rice and bulgur ning documentary Not Who We Are obtained a that true fans of quince feel and express. One of the most vocal and persistent is pilaf, cheese boureg, and specialty cookies, DVD-VOD distribution by Cinema Libre Studio Barbara Ghazarian of Pacific Grove. She so associates with the fruit that she calls nut breads, gata , biscotti and desserts, and three of the six selected shorts from the fes - herself the Queen of Quince. including her celebrated Armenian shakar - tival’s slate are already distributed on IndiePix. Ghazarian has written three books about quince, with recipes and history. A grad - ishe or sugar cookies, she adds. At its core, Rated SR films must relay a posi - uate of Wellesley College in molecular biology, she enjoys public appearances that Christine graduated from California tive uplifting message even when dealing with allow her to discuss the long history of quince in Middle Eastern countries and its State University, Fresno (CSUF) with BA social ills. origins in locations not far from the Garden of Eden, if anybody can ever pinpoint and MA Degrees, and worked in marketing “I strongly believe that if a film is made well, and that. and advertising in Fresno, San Francisco it has an interesting social or human angle, it does She points out that old world families cherished a quince tree almost as much as and in Reno for Harrah’s Reno and not need to rely on gratuitous violence, crime, a member of the family. Boiling a batch of chopped-up quince brings its pectin to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe award-winning resort drugs, nor does it need to glamorize violence the fore, used then in canning fruits and for thickening and stretching other food properties before moving to Las Vegas to through exaggerated special effects in order to dishes. work at R&R Advertising, Nevada’s pre - become commercially viable,” said Armani. “By At the US Department of Agriculture Experiment station in Corvallis, Ore., John mier advertising and public relations com - offering a platform to filmmakers who choose to Postman admits that the quince has limited appeal, although one of his assignments pany for President Sig Rogich, veteran make socially relevant films that are also entertain - is to maintain a focus on its potential and the broader possibilities for quince wood Nevada advertising executive and former ing, we encourage them to make more films of that as a rootstock for breeding purposes. US Ambassador to Iceland. kind. Film submissions are now open. We look for - The relatively wide range of negative responses leave Ghazarian undaunted. From She served in technical support posi - ward to hearing from filmmakers.” her exalted throne room in Pacific Grove she has joined with the California Rare tions at the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) Submission details may be found on Fruit Growers to declare 2014 as the year of the quince. for the Department of Energy (DOE) and http://www.ratedsrfilms.org Her heirloom approach is compatible with the slow food, sustainable food move - at the Nevada Test Site at Mercury, The launch party for the second edition of ment and the fans of old fashioned cooking she refers to as fruit nerds. Nevada. the Socially Relevant Film Festival will take Ghazarian was a special guest speaker at The Quince Revival Swells — 2014 Readers will find her recipes by going to place on Wednesday, September 3, from 6 to 10 Festival of Fruit in Portland, Ore., August 6-9. the Sunset or Cooking Light websites at: p.m. at Bettolona restaurant, 3143 Broadway. She talked about how to prepare such delicacies as candied quince, quince jam http://search.myrecipes.com/search.html? No tickets will be sold at the door. To reserve and chicken and quince stew. For the more adventurous, she emphasized the Ntt=Christine+Datian or to: and purchase tickets, go to favorites of quince-orange pickles and a medley of quince chutneys, compotes, cob - http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/. https://socrelevantbettolona.eventbrite.com or blers and sweets. email [email protected] S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

Kocharian’s ‘Please Be Normal’ Wins in Competition

YEREVAN — “Please Be Normal,” a film written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and photographer Haik Kocharian, took part in the Armenian Panorama Competition of the Golden Apricot International Film Festival held in Yerevan, in July. The film won the Jury Diploma “Armenian Panorama Special Mention” for its expression of complex, emotional human conditions on the screen through com - pelling visuals and powerful performance. Notably, the film also won the Queen Nevart Award for best cinematography of more than 100 films presented by the Armenian Association of Filmmakers. Filmed in New York and Connecticut, “Please Be Normal” is a bold and vision - ary reflection on the universal problem of choosing the direction of our lives. A young, struggling playwright and theater director, Victor, and his girlfriend Mary are expecting their first child. As Mary’s dad keeps buying them things they could never afford, Victor’s claus - trophobia and sense of entrapment grows. His inner struggle to meet their expec - tations seems to be guiding him towards a way of life he is unwilling to accept. With two screenings at the international film festival, the film played to a full house in the Moscow Film Theater’s Red Hall and was positively received by the audience and the jury. Jean-Christophe Ferrari, the president of the Armenian Panorama Jury, found “Please Be Normal” to be an example of Armenian cinema having its own voice. The official release of “Please Be Normal” in the United States is scheduled for late fall 2014. In addition, the film also won audience choice award at Monadnock International Haik Kocharian picks up his award. Film Festival earlier this year.

Sculptor Boyajian Chosen Jazz Workshops at The Loft in Northampton To Create Logo for Danbury Race4Scholars

By Sean T. McGuire DANBURY, Conn. (Danbury Daily Voice) — The Cultural Alliance of Western NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (The Republic) — Since Connecticut, in collaboration with 2010, the Jazz Workshop series has been winning WHEELPassion, selected two artists to cre - over music lovers at The Loft at the Clarion Hotel ate a design for the inaugural Danbury Audi in Northampton on Tuesday night. Race4Scholars Criterium. “We’re bursting at the seams whenever Danbury art director and designer Paul there’s a big name...we get to play with great Minigiello created the race’s logo and New musicians every week,” said band member Paul Fairfield sculptor David Boyajian interpreted Arslanian. Minigiello’s logo to create an award, which Returning for its fourth year, the workshop were unveiled at the winners’ circle cere - has continued to keep growing over the years. monies after the race in Danbury on Sunday, “We started in a small cafe on Green Street August 17. and played there for about a year and a half “The arts and recreation complement one another and the upcoming race was a great then we moved to the Clarion, which is a great The Green Street Trio, with members George Kaye on bass, Jon Fisher on drums, and Paul Arslanian on piano art scene. Before we used to get maybe fifty opportunity to incorporate creative talent people and it was packed...When we moved it from the area,” said Lisa Scails, executive definitely grew plus we brought all the same ing event of the Northampton Jazz Festival) “It’s like an education sometimes...you get to director of the Cultural Alliance. people with us,” Arslanian said. September 9- Kris Allen on alto sax hear music from your idols,” Arslanian said. The award was presented by Featured guests include: September 16- Felipe Salles on tenor sax Each hour-long concert starts at 7:30 p.m, fol - WHEELpassion to Josh Weeks, dealer and August 26- Tim Armacost on tenor sax September 23- Barry Ries on trumpet lowed by a two-hour jam session until 10:30 principal for the race’s title sponsor Danbury September 2- Giacomo Gates on vocals (open - September 30- Rich Greenblatt on vibes p.m. The Loft is located in the Clarion Hotel. Audi, as a gesture of appreciation for Danbury Audi’s commitment to promoting cycling in the area and helping to make the Race4Scholars Criterium a reality. The race helps establish college scholar - ship funds for high school graduates major - Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2014 ing in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines, as well as medical and other relevant fields. Hundreds of top pros and amateurs partic - Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor ipated and raced their bikes around the 0.6- mile (1K) closed course multiple times — with a Teacher’ program has raised over $518,000 spectators just inches away from the riders as they hammer around the course. and reached out to 4,064 teachers and The Danbury Audi Race4Scholars Criterium also aimed to promote women’s racing by offering equal distances and prize money for school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. the Woman’s Feature 1, 2, 3 & Pro event.

£

K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have the teacher’s name and address. K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Name Address City State Zip code Tel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2014 Mail your check with this form to: TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056

Your donation is Tax Deductible. 12 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Book Review Inheritance CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Of Hidden Armenian Grandchildren MASSACHUSETTS AUGUST 24 — Armenian Church at Hye Pointe Picnic to be In Turkey held at American Legion Farm, 1314 Main St., Haverhill MA (take Rte. 495 to Exit 51 B onto Rte. 125 N), noon to 5 p.m. NEW YORK — The Grandchildren is a col - Music by the Jason Naroian Ensemble. Menu includes Shish, lection of intimate, harrowing testimonies by Losh, & Chicken Kebab Dinners, Kheyma, Pastries, & Beverages. grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Raffles for Cash prizes & Gift Certificates. Air Conditioned Hall. Turkey’s “forgotten Armenians” — the Bring your lawn chairs. For more info visit orphans adopted and Islamized by Muslims www.hyepointechurch.org or call (978) 372-9227 after the Armenian Genocide. Through them SEPTEMBER 7 — Annual Husenig Foundation Picnic, Husenig we learn of the tortuous routes by which they Grove, Simmons Street, Rehoboth. Delicious shish kebab, losh came to terms with the painful stories of kebab, kheyma, chicken and more, including pastry booth, raf - their grandparents and their own identity. fle, live music by Gary Kashmanian’s New England All Star Band. The postscript offers a historical overview of For more information, call Marc Janigian, 401-942-3477. the silence about Islamized Armenians in SEPTEMBER 8 — St. James Men’s Club, Monday, featuring most histories of the genocide. speaker Dr. Nancy Ann Simonian, CEO, Syros When Fethiye Çetin first published her Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Topic: “Building Great Biotech groundbreaking memoir in Turkey, My Companies.” Dinner features Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner, Social Hour (mezza) 6:15 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. $14 per person, St. James Armenian Church, Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth The Grandchildren Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Ladies wel - The Hidden Legacy of “Lost” come. Armenians in Turkey SEPTEMBER 7 — Picnic Festival, sponsored by St. Gregory by Ayse Gül Altinay and Fethiye Çetin Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, 158 Main St., North With an introduction by Gerard Libaridian and Andover, featuring musicians Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, translated by Maureen Freely Johnny Berberian and John Arzigian; appearance by Siroun ISBN: 978-1-4128-5391-0 (hardcover) 2014 270 Dance Ensemble of Central Mass.; 12:30-5:30 p.m., church grounds; shish, losh & chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates, pp. $49.95 Armenian pastries; family games and activities. It is family time on Sunday, September SEPTEMBER 12 — COMEDY NIGHT - An invitation to attend and 21 at the Armenian Heritage Park in enjoy a fantastic night of fun, laughter, food, music and danc - Boston’s Greenway, between Faneuil Grandmother , she spoke of her grandmother’s ing! Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston presents the world- Hall and Christopher Columbus Park. hidden Armenian identity. The book sparked a renowned Armenian comedian/pianist, Kev Orkian, direct from From 2 to 4 p.m., participants can enjoy conversation among Turks about the fate of the the UK and for the first time in Boston. Finalist in “Britain’s Got Ottoman Armenians in Anatolia in 1915. This the music of Mal Barsamian, Leon Talent” and having performed for Britain’s royal family, he is Janikian, Kenny Kalajian and Jay resulted in an explosion of debate on Islamized now ready to wow his audience in Boston. Friday, at 8 p.m. at Baronian, with games for kids at 2.30 Armenians and their legacy in contemporary St. James Cultural Center, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Muslim families. Please reserve your tickets now and save. $40 if reserved by 9/1; p.m. Bob Lobel will emcee. The Grandchildren (translated from otherwise, $45. Call 617-852-1816 or 508-397-7977 ASAP. First Turkish) is a follow-up to My Grandmother , come, first served. Tables of 10 recommended. For more details and is an important contribution to under - and flyer, visit www.sayatnova.com. standing survival during atrocity. As witness - SEPTEMBER 14 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy Trinity es to a dark chapter of history, the grand - Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious 978-683-9121; Peter Gulezian, 978-375-1616, or Sandy children of these survivors cast new light on Armenian food; Armenian music by the Greg Krikorian Ensemble Boroyan, 978-251-8687. No tickets sold at the door. the workings of memory in coming to terms featuring Greg Krikorian, oud & vocals, Leon Janikian, clarinet, OCTOBER 23 — Najarian Lecture on Human Rights at Faneuil with difficult pasts. George Righellis, guitar & vocals, Michael Sabounjian, keyboard Hall, Boston. 7:30 p.m. An endowed public program of Ayse Gül Altinay teaches anthropology, cul - & vocals, Charlie Dermenjian, dumbeg and Steve Surabian, tam - Armenian Heritage Foundation, sponsor of Armenian Heritage tural studies, and gender studies at bourine; fun games and activities for children; Blessing of Park on Greenway. Details forthcoming. Sabanci University in Istanbul. With Yesim Madagh at 4 pm, raffle drawing and more. For further infor - www.ArmenianHeritagPark.org Arat, she won the PEN Turkey’s Duygu mation, contact the church office, 617.354.0632 or email OCTOBER 26, 2014 – Fr. Vasken Kouzouian’s 20-Year Pastoral Asena Award in 2008 for their book Gender [email protected]. Journey — Join us as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our Based Violence in Turkey. SEPTEMBER 20 — Celebration of the New Independent Pastor’s Ordination, immediately following church services, Holy Fethiye Çetin is a human rights activist and Republic by the Lowell “Aharonian” Gomideh, 6 p.m., ARS Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, Charles and Nevart attorney in Turkey. Her bestselling book, My Community Center, 142 Liberty St., Lowell. Dinner and enter - Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Details to fol - Grandmother, received Prix Armenia 2006 in tainment by The Dynamic Duo featuring Greg Krikorian on oud low. France. & vocals and Michael Sabounjian on keyboard & vocals. NOVEMBER 8 — Armenia Tree Project’s 20th Anniversary Gerard Libaridian is the editor of Admission, $20 adults, $10 students. Celebration. Reception and dinner at the Grand Atrium of the Transaction’s Armenian Studies series. SEPTEMBER 21 —Sunday Afternoon at the Park for Families John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse overlooking the For more books in the Armenian Studies & Friends! 2-4 p.m. Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, Boston Harbor. Reserve the date, additional details to follow. For series, visit www.transactionpub.com/arm. Boston between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Christopher information about ATP’s programs, visit www.ArmeniaTree.org Columbus Park. Enjoy the music of Mal Barsamian, oud; Leon NOVEMBER 15 — The 39th Annual Luncheon/Auction of the Janikian, clarinet; Kenny Kalajian, guitar and Jay Baronian, Armenian Women’s Welfare Association will be held at the dumbeg. Game for the Kids at 2:30pm. Bob Lobel, Emcee. Burlington Marriott Hotel. Funds raised will support programs at www.ArmenianHeritagePark.org the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica SEPTEMBER 26, 27 — Armenians and Progressive Politics Plain, Mass and Hanganak NGO Health Clinic in Stepanakert, Conference returns to Boston. Keynote speaker will be Noam Karabagh, for senior women in need. For more information, call Chomsky. Details to follow. Karen Hovsepian at 617-898-8619. SEPTEMBER 29 — Party for Our Park! Friends of Armenian DECEMBER 14 — Erevan Choral Society and Orchestra, Heritage Park September Social. Hosted by Abby Lane, 253 Christmas Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian Tremont Street, Boston. 7-10 p.m. Shake it Up with Great Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Save the Friends and Cool Drinks while supporting the ongoing care of date; details to follow. Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway. For details and tick - ets, visit www.ArmenianHeritagePark.org. Advance Tickets only. CONNECTICUT OCTOBER 4 — YerazArt, a group committed to young musicians from Armenia, will hold a dinner and benefit concert. Belmont. September 20 — Kirikian Armenian Saturday School of St. Venue, time and ticket prices to be announced soon. Thomas Armenian Church Registration and Opening day, OCTOBER 11 — Armenian Friends of America presents Hye 9.15 a.m. Corner of Rt. 9W and East Clinton Avenue in Tenafly, Kef 5, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Michael’s Function Hall, 12 NJ, 07670. Curriculum includes: Armenian language & culture Alpha St., Haverhill; tickets, $50, students 21 & under, $40, pro - instruction for Toddler, Pre-K, Kindergarten and grades 1 ceeds to benefit Armenian churches of Merrimack Valley; indi - through 7. Separate sections with identical curriculum for vidually served mezza platters and pastries; musicians, Mal Armenian-Speaking Classes and Bi-Lingual Classes for English- Barsamian (clarinet), John Berberian (oud), Bob Raphalian (vio - Speaking students for every grade level. For info contact Entertainment Fridays lin), Bruce Jigarjian (guitar), Jason Naroian (dumbag & vocals); Principal Ani Capan at (201) 767-3846, e-mail and Saturdays tickets, call either John Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Lucy Sirmaian, [email protected] or Church Office 201-567-5446. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror A Distorted Media Mirror

94.3 percent and 95.8 percent, respectively. The region was delib - By Edmond Y. Azadian erately mismanaged and left economically depressed by Tbilisi Spectator authorities to force Armenians out of the area, fearful that Armenians would one day ask for autonomy or independence. When Armenia attained independence, many Diasporan- Until 2007, the city of Akhalkalak was home to a Russian mili - Armenian organizations and experienced journalists moved to tary base, which provided jobs and security for Armenians in the Yerevan to “liberate” the bland Soviet-style news media and region. Moscow precipitously moved out the base, before even its EstablEisshteadbl1is9h3e2 d 1932 restore its original mission. The newspapers, radio and TV broad - deadline in the treaty, leaving the Armenians to the mercy of the casting improved dramatically, in terms of formatting design, news hostile Georgian government. Tbilisi’s harassment and Russia’s An ADALnP AuDblLic Patuiobnlication gathering, reporting and above all, commenting freely. This much reckless move satisfied, to a certain measure, the Georgian gov - was a patriotic contribution, which Diaspora Armenians brought ernment’s goal, as many destitute Armenians migrated to Russia to Armenia. for jobs and for security. Russia went to war with Georgia to give But in a parallel rush, major powers introduced their own outlets, independence to South Ossetia and Abkhazia while the destinies EDITOR of course, to serve their own political interests. While the newspa - of Javakhk and Ajaria were left in the hands of the Tbilisi govern - Alin K. Gregorian pers owned and operated by Armenian organizations have encoun - ment. President Saakashvili jailed human rights activist Vahakn tered funding challenges — consequently suffering in quality — for - Chakhalian and implemented policies to force the people out or to ASSISTANT EDITOR eign-funded news outlets flourish and are run professionally. Aram Arkun assimilate them under the guise of teaching them the Georgian George Orwell’s Big Brother is omnipresent globally, tending its language. ART DIRECTOR business and has not spared Armenia. Despite a punishing war with Russia and despite a regime Marc Mgrditchian Open Society Foundation, Radio Liberty and other agencies change, the new government in Tbilisi is looking for NATO pres - operate freely in Armenia and common sense will dictate that they ence on its territory, if not outright membership. don’t care about the well being of the Armenian people nor the Armenians have enjoyed the “benefits” of having a NATO mem - problems facing Armenia. They have recruited professional jour - ber in the Turkish border and now this writer is hailing a NATO nalists, writers and commentators to toot their own horn. move into the heartland of Armenians in Javakhk, as he writes: SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: For example, the Open Society Forum could feign to promote “NATO may empower itself with new tools of cooperation with Edmond Azadian democracy in Eastern Europe and in Third World countries but in non-member countries like Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. And it CONTRIBUTORS: the end, it serves a greater political design. may mean that the North Atlantic Alliance will receive a possibili - Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune The Open Society Forum is the brainchild of billionaire George ty or prospect for being present in Georgia, though the latter is Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana Soros, who escaped tyranny in Hungary and made a fortune in not a member. In this respect, Georgian military base in Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, the US. During the Bush-Cheney Administration, he demonstrably Akhalkalak has strategic importance because it is close to the Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, confronted the US administration in its foreign policy objectives. Russian base in Armenia, is located in a place where Russian Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian But in the meantime, his organization trained some youth and provocation against Georgia are probable, close to the conflict sent them to Ukraine and Georgia — and certainly to other parts CORRESPONDENTS: area of Artsakh which is one of the potential places of destabi - of the world — to organize the Orange Revolution and the Rose lization of the region.” Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Revolution, a feat that the US military power could not have Boston - Nancy Kalajian First NATO’s interference on the Southern Russian underbelly Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian achieved so easily. is the most flagrant provocation, and also, the writer should know Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Mr. Soros is entitled to use his money to spread his ideas around better that even Washington blamed Saakashvili for the provoca - the world but he is not entitled to play with the destiny of the tion, which triggered the 2008 war. Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian Armenian people who have suffered so much from major power In a shortsighted conclusion, the writer jubilantly welcomes rivalries, in their history. NATO’s extension in the region as a “stabilizing factor,” exactly at The writers and commentators of these agencies may be sitting the moment when the defense ministers of Georgia, Azerbaijan in Yerevan and Karabagh, but the brains behind them may be on and Turkey had been meeting in Nakhichevan to plan war games The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published the remote control in Prague or in Washington. and tighten the noose around Armenia at NATO’s behest. weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: The controlled news media does not operate in isolation — and The conclusion is more ludicrous than the article itself as it no matter what lofty ideal it claims to pursue — it is part and par - states, “It would be interesting to observe the reactions of Russia, Baikar Association, Inc. cel of the overall strategy of a major power. Javakhk and Armenia to the Georgian military base, who will tor - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 We can easily make the connection with all the well-oiled reli - pedo the process full of prospects for regional balance for the sake Telephone: 617-924-4420 gious sects, which penetrate like rodents in the fabric of the soci - of security of Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk and what the force FAX: 617-924-2887 ety in Armenia to decimate and to disorient the population. One will be.” www.mir rorspectator.com treacherous act is to brainwash the youth to refuse to bear arms This concept fits in and complements the recent proposal by E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com under the guise of conscientious objection, when Armenia is at Ambassador James Warlick to introduce US Peacekeeping forces For advertising: [email protected] war with its neighbors — not of its own choosing. in Karabagh. To cite a salient example, trading Armenia’s security against Adding insult to injury, the Open Society Forum has a hypo - NATO’s objectives in the Caucasus we may refer to an article in critical disclaimer at the bottom of the article, which reads, “The lragir.am, an outlet funded by Open Society Forum. The article is opinions and analyses expressed in these sections are those of the entitled “Serious Geopolitical Prospect for Javakhk,” under the authors and are not approved by OSF-Armenia or its Board.” byline of Hakob Badalyan, a prominent political commentator. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : When Open Society Forum cuts the payroll check of the writer, Javakhk is an Armenian-populated region of Georgia. at least it is disingenuous to make such claims. Historically it has changed hands between Georgia and Armenia. Hagop Badalian is a better-qualified writer. He deserves a more Currently more than half of the region is populated by Armenians; U.S.A. $80 a year dignified job than peddling NATO wares in Armenia through a dis - in cities like Akhatsikhe and Ninotsminda, Armenians account for torted media mirror. Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year

© 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Homecoming Part Two: The Baptisms Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. over the world as part of the Ari Dun [Come incredible desire and courage of these peo - ISSN 0004-234X By Raffi Bedrosyan Home] program at the invitation of the ple in becoming new Armenians, and also to Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of be able to convey, from Armenian into Armenia, which has also helped organize Turkish, the honest sincerity of welcome of The homecoming trip of the (no longer) POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The our itinerary. The government officials the government officials. But I am happy to Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn hidden Armenians from Diyarbakir to arranged to meet the Diyarbakir group on report that by the end of the meeting, the St., Watertown, MA 02472 Armenia finally began this week, after our first day along with hundreds of the previously anxious Diyarbakir Armenians Other than the editorial, views and opinions months and months of planning, prepara - Diaspora children. The Diyarbakir group and the previously serious-looking govern - expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily tion, resolving issues, emerging new issues, was extremely anxious about how they will ment officials were dancing the Diyarbakir reflect the policies of the publisher. seemingly endless three-way long distance be greeted. The Armenian officials were halay together to Armenian music, while the discussions from Diyarbakir to Yerevan equally curious about these kids from the Diaspora, including Russia, through Toronto. Turkish/Kurdish-speaking individuals, rang - US, France and Iran, watched these grown- And now, the ‘new’ Armenians of ing in age from 18 to 83 but mostly middle- up kids in amazement. A government official Diyarbakir are strolling in the streets and aged people from all socioeconomic and says his parents are from Mush, another one museums of Yerevan, tiptoeing into the var - educational levels, including teachers, stu - says from Sasun, then one of the Diyarbakir Copying for other than personal use or ious churches scattered all over Armenia. dents, doctors, housewives and retired peo - people screams “My father is from Sasun, internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright Emotions are very near the surface… One ple. Some of them are sophisticated urban too.” Then the stories remembered in com - owner. Address requests for reprints or moment they burst into dancing in the dwellers, others are going abroad for the mon from Sasun begin. They don’t need my back issues to: streets as soon as they hear a playful tune; first time. translation any more. They have already the next moment they cry uncontrollably at I am acting as the translator from started comparing Sasun village names and Baikar Association, Inc. a scene that may mean nothing to passersby Armenian into Turkish and back, but my hugging each other… 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 but has reminded them of something or task needs to be more than just to relay I was a bit apprehensive when the someone, all the way back in 1915. statements and messages. I have to be able Diaspora Ministry people had told me they Yerevan is full of Armenian kids from all to convey, from Turkish into Armenian, the see HOMECOMING, page 16 14 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY In Turkey, Even a Respected Filmmaker Can’t Discuss Armenian Genocide

German-Turkish Director Fatih Akin’s Latest derer,” a hint at Statute 301 in Turkish criminal law, By Eyal Sagui Bizawe which prohibits “insulting Turkey.” Under Statute 301, anyone who accuses Turkey of having committed the Film, ‘The Cut’ Raises Furor in Turkey, Draws Armenian genocide can be sent to prison. The Turkish TEL AVIV (Haaretz) — The documentary film by writer and Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk was put on trial the German-Turkish film director Fatih Akin, Threats from Nationalists under this statute for having said in an interview with a “Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul” (2005), Swiss newspaper that a million Armenians and thou - was one of the most beautiful love songs ever created sands of Kurds had been murdered in Turkey. The for and about Istanbul. A musical documentary, it depicts the The Armenian refugees were imprisoned in camps, where charges were dropped following an international outcry. rich and varied music scene in modern Istanbul. While it also many of them died of starvation or disease. Others were killed Akin could not find a Turkish actor willing to play the role sets forth the tensions and conflicts in this complex city with by burning, drowning or poison gas as the world’s countries of Dink. All the actors to whom he sent the screenplay react - its many cultural influences, it shows love and appreciation for did nothing. When the war ended, the Turkish government ed similarly, saying the subject was too emotionally loaded. each one. leaders were tried by military courts in Europe for war crimes Only after he spoke about that in an interview with Agos did But Akin, who was born in Hamburg to a family that had and were sentenced to death in absentia. While the three lead - some of the young and popular actors, such as Riza Kocalogu emigrated from Turkey, has dealt mainly with the integration, ers mainly responsible for the Armenian genocide managed to (the star of the Turkish suspense series “Karadayi”), say they or lack of it, of Turks into Germany. His films combine politi - evade the death sentence, they did not escape fate: Three years were willing to play the role of Dink if only they were of the cal and social criticism and a sharp look at the situation with after the trial, two of them were killed by Armenian assassins right age. a bit of humor. The most prominent of his works, “Head-On” and the third was killed by the Soviet army. Akin, who insisted that the actor playing the role of Dink be (2004) and “The Edge of Heaven” (2007), won him many Only about 20 countries officially recognize the Armenian Turkish, was compelled to give up the original screenplay. The awards at prominent film festivals worldwide. genocide and the Turkish government’s responsibility for it. plot of the new film focuses on a young man, Nazareth But in contemporary Turkey, awards and loving homage The others have chosen to distance themselves from the issue Manoogian (played by the French-Algerian actor Tahar apparently are not enough to enable a film director to criticize out of a desire to keep their relations with Turkey stable. Rahim), a survivor of the genocide who discovers that his his beloved ancestral country or touch one of its taboos — the Turkey’s relations with countries that have recognized the daughters may be alive. He searches for them in Turkey, Syria, Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century. Armenian genocide — such as France, which also outlawed Cuba and the U.S. Akin’s latest film, “The Cut,” focuses on that topic and will denial of it — have fallen into diplomatic crises that even led to The film, shot in Jordan, Cuba, Canada, Malta and Germany, be competing at the Venice Film Festival opening late this the recall of ambassadors. contains appearances by the Franco-Moroccan singer Hindi month. It has already aroused the ire of Turkish radical nation - Recent public debate in Turkey about the Armenian geno - Zahra and the Arab-Israeli actor Makram Khoury. alists, who are calling for a boycott of the film and for Akin to cide seems freer and more open than ever. During his term as “Turkish society is ready to deal with the topic of the be prevented from entering Turkey. prime minister, President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan even Armenian Genocide,” Akin says. But the radical Turkish Following an interview in the bilingual weekly newspaper issued an official statement apologizing to the grandchildren nationalists show that the opposite is true. The statements Agos , which is published in Istanbul in both Turkish and of the survivors of the Armenian genocide, saying that a probe they sent to Agos ’s editorial board threatened that if Akin’s Armenian, fanatical Turkish nationalists sent death threats to of that painful period in history was both a human and a his - film were screened in Turkish cinemas, their activists would be Akin both directly and through Agos ’s editorial board. torical obligation. waiting outside the theater in white berets. That’s a reference The Armenian Genocide — the mass murder of the Armenian But even his stance is not accepted by radical Turkish to the hat Dink’s assassin wore in a photograph that was pub - inhabitants of the Ottoman Empire during World War I — was nationalists. Next week, Armenian communities in Turkey and lished after the murder. The article of clothing symbolized preceded by years of massacres of the Armenians by mobs of elsewhere will be commemorating the 100th [sic] anniversary these groups’ anti-Armenian demonstrations. Turkish and Kurdish villagers. They had been incited to believe of the Armenian genocide. But some in Turkey still do not Despite pressure from the Armenian community in Israel, that the Armenians sought to weaken the empire, whether wish to acknowledge past crimes. the Israeli government still has not officially recognized the because of their desire for national independence or their sup - Akin’s original idea was to direct a film about the late Armenian Genocide. It does not wish to create a parallel of the port for Russia, the Ottomans’ major foe. Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of Agos , who Armenian Genocide with the Jewish Holocaust in Europe, nor The Armenian Genocide started on April 24, 1915, when the called for dialogue between the Armenian and Turkish nations does it wish to destabilize its relations with Turkey. At least government of the Young Turks arrested about 250 Armenian and wrote and spoke a great deal about the Armenian geno - regarding the latter reason, such considerations seem useless leaders and intellectuals in Istanbul and put them to death. cide. On January 19, 2007, he was shot dead at the entrance since Israel’s relations with Turkey are shaky in any case. With that murderous act, the Turkish government began a to the building that housed the newspaper’s offices. Either way, everything seems temporary, even Turkey under campaign against the Armenians that included expulsion, His death shocked Turkey. Hundreds of thousands of people Erdogan, and the significance of the full recognition of the abuse, rape and starvation, killing an estimated 1.5 million attended his funeral, carrying signs in Turkish, Armenian and other’s pain cannot be ignored. They are not forgotten, and people. April 24 is the day of commemoration of the Armenian Kurdish that read “We are all Armenians” and “We are all Hrant they are not resolved on their own, not even after 99 years of genocide. Dink.” Others carried placards reading “[Statute] 301 is the mur - trauma, and certainly not after 66. Bombs away! US to the Rescue – but only of Certain Minorities, not Muslims

often mistaking innocent wedding parties for gering the US embassy in Beirut. That the of Abu Bakr’s men. Alas, they may all be By Robert Fisk Islamist “convoys”? Dropping food parcels to Islamists are as unlikely to seize Irbil as they true. minority refugees in fear of their lives on the are to capture Baghdad is neither here nor The Yazidis are probably descended from bare mountainsides of northern Iraq — also there. Obama says he has a “mandate” to supporters of the second Umayyad Caliph, Obama’s air strikes on Isis in northern under way — is exactly the same operation bomb from the Iraqi government of Nouri al- Yazid the First; his suppression of Hussein, Iraq are hypocritical, and a sense of déjà vu US forces performed for the Kurds almost a Maliki, the elected but dictatorial Shia who the son of Ali — whose followers are now the is understandable quarter of a century ago; and in the end, now runs Iraq as a broken and sectarian Shia of the Middle East — might theoretical - He wouldn’t bomb Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s they had to put American and British sol - state. How we Westerners love “mandates,” ly have commended the Yazidis to Abu bloody caliphate when it was butchering the diers on the ground to create a “safe haven” ever since the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, Bakr’s Sunni Muslim army. But their mixed majority Shia Muslims of Iraq. But Barak for the Kurds. which drew the borders of the Middle East rituals and their denial of evil were never Obama is riding to the rescue of the Nor has Obama said anything about his for our “mandates” — the very frontiers going to find favor with a group which — like Christian refugees — and the Yazidis — friendly ally Saudi Arabia, whose Salafists which Abu Bakr’s caliphate has now sworn Saudi Arabia and the Taliban — believes in because of “a potential act of genocide.” are the inspiration and fund-raisers for the to destroy. There is not much doubt about “the suppression of vice and the propagation Bombs away. And thank heavens that the Sunni militias of Iraq and Syria, just as they the awfulness of the equally sectarian ISIS of virtue.” In the fault lines that lie across refugees in question are not Palestinian. were for the Taliban in Afghanistan. The wall which Abu Bakr is creating. ancient Kurdistan, Armenia and what was This hypocrisy almost takes the breath between the Saudis and the monsters they His threat to the Christians of Iraq — con - Mesopotamia, history has dealt the Yazidis a away, not least because the US President is create — and which America now bombs — vert, pay tax or die — has now been turned bad hand. still too frightened — in case he upsets the must be kept as high as it must be invisible. against the Yazidis, the harmless and tiny But for them and the Nestorians and Turks — to use the “G” word about the 1915 That is the measure of American dissimula - sect whose Persian-Assyrian roots, Christian- other Christian groups, Obama has gone to Turkish genocide of a million and a half tion in this latest act of duplicity. Obama is Islamo rituals and forgiving God have war. The French, their old Crusader spirits Armenian Christians, a mass slaughter on a bombing the friends of his Saudi allies — and doomed them as assuredly as the Christians. reawakened, called the Security Council to scale which even Abu Bakr’s thugs have not the enemies of the Assad regime in Syria, by Ethnic Kurds, the poor old Yazidis believe reflect upon this Christian pogrom. But the yet attempted. We’ll have to wait another the way — but won’t say so. And just for good that God, whose seven angels supposedly question remains: would America have done year to see how Obama wriggles out of the measure, he believes that America must act govern the Earth, pardoned Satan: so the same if the wretched minority refugees 100th anniversary commemorations of that in defense of its consulate in Erbil and inevitably, this ancient people came to be of northern Iraq had been Palestinians? Or particular Muslim massacre of Christians. embassy in Baghdad. regarded as devil-worshippers. Hence their will Obama’s latest bombing campaign mere - But for now, “America is coming to help” That’s the same excuse the US used when 130,000 refugees — at least 40,000 of them ly provide a welcome distraction from the in Iraq with air strikes on “convoys” of ISIS it fired its naval guns into the Chouf moun - living on mountain rocks in at least nine killing fields of Gaza? fighters. But isn’t that what the Americans tains of Lebanon 30 years ago: that locations around Mount Sinjar — tell stories (Robert Fisk is the Middle East correspon - staged against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Lebanon’s pro-Syrian warlords were endan - of rape, murder and child-killing at the hands dent for The Independent newspaper.) S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

ests and provides a positive image of Turks, Turkey and the his 26 years in Congress, Rep. Gephardt co-sponsored sev - United States-Turkey relationship, eral genocide Resolutions and repeatedly spoke on the (b) Preserving and enlarging the Congressional Caucus importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. In on Turkey and Turkish Americans, 2000, Gephardt and two other House Democrats co-signed (c) Educating members of Congress and the a letter to then-Speaker Dennis Hastert urging him to My Turn Administration on issues of importance to Turkey, schedule an immediate vote on the Armenian Genocide (d) Promptly notifying Turkey of any action in Congress Resolution. By Harut Sassounian or the Executive Branch on issues of importance to Turkey, In January 2005, barely days after leaving his House seat, (e) Preparing brief analyses of developments in Congress Gephardt opened his consulting and lobbying firm in and the Executive Branch on particular issues of concern Washington, DC. From 2005 to 2009, he became a strate - Former House Majority Leader to Turkey, gic adviser on government affairs for the international law Sells His Soul for Fistful of (f) Identifying official gatherings and social events to firm of DLA Piper, which was paid $100,000 per month to which [Turkish] Embassy personnel ought, in the Gephardt represent the interests of Turkey, including lobbying Dollars Group’s opinion, attend, including to the extent possible, against the pending House Resolution on the Armenian obtaining the necessary invitations, Genocide! The New Republic reported that Gephardt Washington has long-suffered from unethical politicians, (g) Identifying and/or arranging speaking engagements arranged meetings between members of the Turkish par - but the prize for the top hypocrite on an Armenian issue locally and nationally for [Turkish] Embassy personnel or liament and House Democratic leaders, helped Turkey’s goes to former Rep. Richard Gephardt who served as their appointed or suggested proxies in fora that will U.S. Ambassador to gain an audience with “a skeptical House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995 and Minority improve Turkey’s image and advance its causes on Capitol Nancy Pelosi,” and circulated a booklet titled “An Appeal to Leader from 1995 to 2003. Hill. Such would be, if so directed by Turkey, coordinated Reason,” that denied the Armenian Genocide. After championing the recognition of the Armenian with Turkey’s existing public relations service provider(s), Armenian-Americans and all people of good will should Genocide for more than two decades, Gephardt retired and not remain silent while Gephardt enriches himself with from the House of Representatives in 2005 and began (h) Maintaining and forging alliances with other interest Turkish blood money! They should warn his lobbying enriching himself by lobbying against the very issue that he groups whose goals are similar to or shared by Turkey.” firm’s clients -— Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, Chevron, had staunchly defended in Congress. Significantly, subcontractor Greenberg Traurig’s respon - Enterprise Rent-A-Car, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Taking advantage of Turkish paranoia on the eve of the sibilities include: “develop and utilize contacts at the State Google, Los Angeles Airport, National Football League, Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the Gephardt Group and Defense Departments, and the National Security Port of Oakland and United Airlines — that they will boy - Government Affairs expanded earlier this year its long- Council to convey the seriousness of the genocide issue cott their products and services unless these firms can - standing lobbying relationship with the Republic of Turkey. and the potential threat it poses to the U.S./Turkey rela - celled their contracts with the Gephardt Group. Letters of The new contract, worth $1.4 million per year, includes tionship.” complaint should also be sent to Ford Motor Company and subcontractors Dickstein Shapiro ($531,000 per year), While there are plenty of sleazy lobbyists in Washington, The Scripps Research Institute for giving Gephardt a seat Greenberg Traurig ($314,000 per year), Lydia Borland none can match Gephardt’s shocking transformation from on their Board of Directors. ($180,000 per year) and Brian Forni ($78,000 per year). a leading supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition to a Finally, readers should write directly to Dick Gephardt, The Gephardt Group and its subcontractors agreed to pro - genocide denialist. The early years of Gephardt’s shameful Gephardt Government Affairs, 1101 K Street, N.W., Suite vide the following services to Turkey: flip-flop on this critical moral issue was revealed by The 310, Washington, DC 20005 or send an e-mail to dick - “(a) Proposing and pursuing passage of legislation and New Republic in its July 23, 2007 article titled, “K Street [email protected], admonishing him for his highly other U.S. government action that promotes Turkey’s inter - Cashes in on the 1915 Armenian Genocide.” Throughout unethical behavior!

Farewell, Dear Maestro Reflection on Life and Times

My pen rebels against marking the Of Sebouh Apkarian By Baydzig Kalaydjian end of the precious life that is truly sacred for each Melkoniantsi. The Sebouh Apkarian name was and will farewell ceremony that took place was a By Mark Chenian remain associated with two institutions, tribute to our idol, Maestro Sebouh Apkarian. All the segments of our nation revere Melkonian Educational Institute, Cyprus, him. He achieved this with his undeniable merits, many gifts and talents, dedication and and KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and seriousness. Choir, Armenia. He was a privileged beneficiary of both, and a contributor to their mis - Truly, all things good, right and beautiful were shining in the life of Maestro Apkarian, a sions. To participate in the impact that these two institutions had on the Armenian expe - pure intellectual whose heart was a lyre, whose thoughts were a book and whose soul cap - rience worldwide is a privilege indeed. tured your breath. He was a flesh-and-bone idol revered by the Armenian nation. The wit - The genesis of Melkonian, a Rockfeller-ian undertaking, was the response to the one of nesses are the legions of those generations firmly ensconced in all the corners of the world the saddest chapters in the history of mankind. The institute, from its inception, became that learned from his noble spirit. that safe harbor for the intellectuals who miraculously survived, Parsegh Ganatchian, In the Armenian reality, it is a rare phenomenon to see an individual win the sympathy Boghos Kevorkian, Hagop Oshagan, Vahan Tekeyan, to name a few, the pioneers who and respect of all segments of the nation. He did not want medals or honors as the success christened the mission and the legacy of MEI. of each student was a medal on his chest. He was an ideal In 1959, a “revolution” took place on the east - teacher of the arts, a spiritual mentor, a conductor who taught ern shores of the Mediterranean with Armenia’s classic and folk songs and who treated his students honestly. Song and Dance Ensemble’s tour. Sebouh His sweet disposition shined with talent, a titanic personality Apkarian was part of the Cyprus delegation to that brought out respect for him in everyone. UNESCO auditorium, in Beirut. That “revolu - He was a philosopher, friend, mentor, teacher, orator, tionary” wave penetrated the whole region. In preacher, sports-lover and he always aimed high in everything schools and cultural associations, the repertoires and he raised others with him, till the shining peak. And it was expended with Song and Dance model. The so in everything, always upwards… Armenian radio program in Nicosia Cyprus, with Despite his bold stance, he never looked down on anybody Sebouh Apkarian’s voice, was a major catalyst in but rather the opposite — he bowed before the weak and that penetration. showed the path for development to the ignorant and taught Almost 40 years later, that same impact was to articulate in beautiful Western Armenian. He gave to every - the catalyst for the genesis of KOHAR. one his mind and heart, and everyone bowed down before the KOHAR’s founder, the son of a beneficiary great mentor. of the MEI legacy, recognizing the “voice” of Wit and smiles were typical of him. Until today, echoes from the Armenian radio hour from Cyprus, invited Melkonian’s study desks, stadiums, choir halls reflect the liter - Apkarian to participate in KOHAR’s mission, ary and musical Friday night programs. Their warmth has also the second revolutionary wave, this time with been reflected in our independent Fatherland thanks to the symphony orchestra and choir model. With performances of the KOHAR ensemble. He was proud of “his this second privilege vested in him, the new Yerevan.” Owing to him, Gumri revived and rose like a Maestro, with KOHAR, reached three conti - phoenix from ashes. He welcomed the Lachin pass and pros - nents, with the state of the art technology and pering Artsakh. Beyond that, he relentlessly attacked the par - logistics, a penetration that Armenians all asites and deserters of the nation, the ones selling off the over the world needed to re-christen with national assets and the ones in support of that. KOHAR’S “AYP” “PEN” “KEEM”. Maestro Apkarian was a wonderful mix of noble and lofty And now, from the theater of Heavens, the aspirations. He believed in the KOHAR ensemble and was maestro will follow the continuation of the lega - lucky to find his worthy place in that noble Armenian insti - cies of both Melkonian and KOHAR, with utmost tution. With his unique and imposing look, he shied away satisfaction, and reciting our poet’s “Inch Vor from the spotlight, believing in his soul that the only thing Deveer… that mattered was the Armenian spirit. Melkonian shaped Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s “Vesti la giubba...” in his soul with the world of art. It planted the seeds of art Pagliacci, perhaps paints the real “Life and whose growth and blossoming granted him deep satisfac - Times” of Sebouh Apkarian. tion. And through KOHAR he carried out his goals in the As for KOHAR, in Canio’s words, “On with world of art. He fell down on his knees at the altar of your costume...” There is a world waiting for Armenian music and culture and lived in a trance while per - your AYP PEN KEEM...!!! forming. He spread the meaning of Ayp-Pen-Kim around the Vartsket Gadar , Maestro…!!! world. His message remains and we pay tribute to his memory. (Mark Chenian is a Los Angeles resident.) 16 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 23, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

way, water, and gas distribution projects in Homecoming Part Two: The Baptisms Armenia and Karabagh—projects in which he has also participated as a voluntary engineer. Bedrosyan was involved in organizing the HOMECOMING, from page 15 Echmiadzin instead of back home at Surp his Armenian grandfather’s name, and for the Surp Giragos Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd had planned two hours of Armenian lan - Giragos, he will gain bragging rights over new ‘Anzhel’ who took her Armenian grand - Church reconstruction project, and in pro - guage lessons each day as part of the itiner - Gafur/Ohannes as being a more complete mother’s name. I am certain this was the first moting the significance of this historic pro - ary, thinking that our group would be more Christian Armenian… I have arranged for the time in Echmiadzin, or all of Armenia, where ject worldwide as the first Armenian reclaim interested in seeing places. To my surprise, ceremony beforehand with Bishop Pakrad the Armenian christening ceremony was car - of church properties in Anatolia after 1915. they all burst into enthusiastic applause and Galstanian of Echmiadzin, formerly the ried out in both Armenian and Turkish trans - In September 2012, he gave the first were deeply grateful for the lessons. Canadian diocesan Primate. lation word for word. At the end, Pakrad Armenian piano concert in the Surp Giragos When we visited the Madenataran’s manu - We also have a lady who has spent many Srpazan concluded with the statement: “To Church since 1915.) script treasures and Oshagan where Mesrob sleepless nights trying to decide whether she become a Christian, one needs to be brave, to Mashdots, the creator of the Armenian alpha - should get baptized too. Her dilemma is even become both an Armenian and a Christian, bet, is buried, they understood better the more dangerous. She feels she has an obliga - one needs to Golden Wheat Festival mystery of the strange letters that they saw tion to her long-suffering late father, a hidden be doubly brave.” Everyone had tears in their for the first time in their lives just two years Armenian, who had encouraged her to eyes, including Pakrad Srpazan. In Vardenis ago. become a Christian Armenian before he Isn’t it ironic that these people chose to As I reported in previous articles, almost passed away. But her devoutly Moslem become Armenian on the same day when YEREVAN — On August 5, all of the group members have some degree Kurdish husband has forbidden her from tak - Turkish Prime Minister and presidential can - ONEArmenia launched its new crowd - of ‘Armenianness’ in their family, some from ing this step. The night before our trip to didate Erdogan stated on national TV: “They funding campaign in partnership with one parent, some from both. They have most - Echmiadzin, she tells me she will not be able [the opposition] said I was of Georgian ori - Homeland Development Initiative ly decided to come out as Armenians, but not to go ahead with the baptism. gin. Even uglier, they accused me of being an Foundation (HDIF) to fund the Golden as Christians —yet. Two of them have already In the morning we are off to Sardarabad, Armenian, sorry to say?” Wheat Festival in Vardenis, in the rural been baptized in Diyarbakir’s Surp Giragos visiting the Victory Museum, understanding And isn’t it doubly ironic that if Erdogan province of Gegharkunik. Church, changing names, identity and reli - the significance and consequences of the does become President, the presidential man - Vardenis does not have a steady source gion. Gafur Turkay has become Ohannes 1918 events. As we approach Echmiadzin, sion that he will reside in was once owned by of income and the aim of the Golden Ohanian and his wife Nurcan has become the lady with the dilemma walks from the an Armenian family known as the Kasapyan Wheat Festival is to grow and support the Knar, proudly wearing not one but all three back of the bus to where I am sitting, and family? local economy. Fifty percent of the popu - cross necklaces given to her as presents after tells me her final decision: “My father suf - Our reporting of the journey through lation is unemployed. Numerous local her christening. One of the teachers in the fered a lot, I know he is still suffering even Armenia toward a new life for the (no longer) businessmen and women have been called group is determined to be baptized at though he is dead, I need to do this to end hidden Armenians will continue. upon to participate in the festival and sell Echmiadzin. The risks he is taking are enor - his suffering. If I will suffer as a result of this, (Raffi Bedrosyan is a civil engineer as well their handmade goods, foods, crafts and mous. He is a primary school teacher in a I am prepared for it.” as a concert pianist, living in Toronto, beer, all made of wheat. government school. He may lose his job, So we end up having a double christening Canada. For the past several years, proceeds HDIF began organizing similar festivals friends’ circle, or worse, but his mind is made ceremony at Surp Asdvadzadzin Church in from his concerts and two CDs have been several years ago. This summer the orga - up. In addition, if he is baptized in Echmiadzin for the ‘new’ Stepan who took donated to the construction of school, high - nization has planned the Sheep Shearing Festival in Halidzor, Taraz Fest in Old Arpeni Village, and the Shamshadin Honey and Berry Festival. These thematic US, Armenia Want Answers in Death of Armenian in Azerbaijan events aim to enhance tourism in Armenian communities meanwhile cele - ANSWERS, from page 1 ities. And although the Armenian side is Azeris, they are always talking in a language brating local crafts and culture. espe cially their obligation to treat humanely inclined to direct negotiations, the of preconditions. We do not exclude the pos - HDIF estimates that approximately all those taken into custody. We call on both Azerbaijani side has not entered into direct sibility that this time they will again propose 3,000 guests will attend the festival on Armenia and Azerbaijan to grant the communication for five to six years, avoiding a precondition and will talk about exchange,” September 20. International Committee of the Red Cross direct negotiations. he said. “Although we demanded that Non-profit funding platform access to all detainees and internees held for The head of the working group of the State Azerbaijan respond and act without precondi - ONEArmenia was founded in September conflict- related reasons,” Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages tions, experience has shown that this country 2012 to stand with the change-making The Azerbaijani side has given no response and Missing Persons of the Republic of is incapable of expression of good will.” said individuals and the organizations they rep - about returning Petrosyan’s body. The repre - Armenia Armen Kaprielian, referred to the In 2010 during the handover of the body of resent, using social media and crowd-fund - sentatives of the International Committee of Geneva Convention. “The International Armenian shepherd Manvel Saribekyan, ing to involve anyone with an Internet the Red Cross (ICRC) are involved as media - Humanitarian Law recognizes the state’s killed in Azeri captivity, the Armenian side connection in boosting projects that are tors in the negotiations. The mediation man - expression of goodwill, and Azerbaijan should handed the Azerbaijani resident Eldar geared toward making tangible changes in date of this international structure is accept - have returned Karen Petrosyan’s body with - Taghirov who had crossed the Armenian bor - Armenia now. able for both Armenia and Azerbaijani author - out preconditions, but as we are dealing with der illegally.