MARCH 24, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 35, Issue 4530 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Washington Armenian Aliyev Insists on Community Unites in ‘Historic Azeri Lands’ Support of Artsakh In Armenia BAKU (RFE/RL) — Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has stood by his claims that much of By Aram Arkun modern-day Armenia lies in “historic Azerbaijani Mirror-Spectator Staff lands.” “I have repeatedly said and want to say once again that the territory of contemporary Armenia WASHINGTON — Upon the initiative of is historic Azerbaijani lands. There are numerous the representation of Artsakh in the United books and maps confirming that,” Aliyev said on States, the Armenian Assembly of America Monday, March 19, at the start of official celebra- and the Armenian National Committee of tions of Nowruz, the ancient Persian New Year America (ANCA) organized a reception and marked as a public holiday in Azerbaijan. banquet for the Armenian community on “The Azerbaijani youth must know this first and March 17 at the University Club in foremost. Let it know that most of modern-day Washington D. C. to honor the visiting del- Armenia is historic Azerbaijani lands. We will egation of the Republic of Artsakh led by never forget this,” he said. President Bako Sahakyan. Aliyev has repeatedly made such statements, The bilingual event was moderated by Annie Totah receives a medal from President Bako Sahakyan, while Aram Hamparian holds the medal he just got (photo: Aram Arkun) most recently on February 8. Speaking at a pre- Annie Simonian Totah, board member of election congress of his Yeni Azerbaycan party, he the Armenian Assembly, and Aram pledged to “return Azerbaijanis” to Yerevan, Hamparian, executive director of the two Armenian lobbying organizations of pointed out that the ANCA and the Syunik province and the area around Lake Sevan. ANCA. Ambassador Grigor Hovhannisian the United States have joined together to Assembly work with Congress to try to Armenia condemned that statement, with of the Republic of Armenia to the United organize this event, and said that the more increase travel and communication with President Serzh Sargsyan saying it shows that States welcomed the guests, after which Armenians worked together, the more suc- Artsakh, an OSCE-monitored system to try Baku is not committed to a compromise solution Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan cess they would find while presenting to stop the gunfire and other violations of to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was also crit- Legate and Ecumenical Director for the Armenian issues in Congress and the White the truce with Azerbaijan. Totah concluded icized by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Diocese of the Armenian Church of House. She presented a brief history of the that the next challenge for the Armenian The US, Russian and French mediators co-head- America (Eastern), gave the opening prayer. humanitarian aid to Artsakh that the lobbies would be to have President ing the Organization for Security of Cooperation Totah expressed her happiness that the Armenian Assembly helped to initiate and see WASHINGTON, page 10 in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group urged the parties to the Karabakh conflict to avoid “inflammatory Berge Setrakian statements.” The statement failed to satisfy Yerevan. Armenian officials called for an explicit Honored on the 30th condemnation of Aliyev’s claims. “As expected, lack of proper international reac- Anniversary of the tion to [the Azerbaijani president’s] territorial claims towards Armenia inspired him to claim Artsakh Movement larger territories,” Tigran Balayan, the Armenian WASHINGTON – On March 15, a special Foreign Ministry spokesman, tweeted on Monday. reception was organized in honor of a gov- ernmental delegation from Artsakh, led by Brussels Airlines to President Bako Sahakyan, at the embassy of the Republic of Armenia. The reception Start Yerevan Flights coincided with the thirtieth anniversary of the Artsakh independence movement. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The Brussels Airlines, One day earlier, the delegation met Belgium’s national carrier, received a permission with Congressmen in the US Capitol from Armenia’s General Department of Civil Building. While speaking to American Aviation to operate Brussels-Yerevan-Brussels regu- lar flights from June 2, the General Department ADL members with the official delegates of the Republic of Artsakh diplomats, President Sahakyan articulat- ed the right of the people of Artsakh to told Armenpress. live in independence. During the period from June 2 to July 2, from ADL Supreme Council Meets with see SETRAKIAN, page 11 August 29 to October 27, the flights will be oper- ated once a week, but from July 3 to August 28, the flights will be carried out twice a week. Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan Sergey Avetisyan, the head of Armenia’s General Department of Civil Aviation held a WASHINGTON — A governmental delegation of the Republic of Artsakh led by meeting with Brussels Airlines Vice President its president Bako Sahakyan has been in the American capital for a week, estab- Herman Carpentier on February 28. During the lishing political contacts. In addition to meeting with members of Congress, the meeting the sides discussed re-launching the delegation had consultations and receptions with the leaders of a number of Brussels-Yerevan-Brussels flight by the Belgian Armenian organizations. national carrier. Members of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) Supreme Council Vartan Nazerian and Edmond Y. Azadian had come to Washington on this occa- sion to join with local Supreme Council leader Kevork Marashlian. These ADL representatives were invited on March 15 to the Armenian embassy for a recep- Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan bestows tion organized by the Artsakh delegation. AGBU President Berge Setrakian with the INSIDE see ADL, page 10 Mesrop Mashtots Medal of the Republic of Artsakh. YerazArt The Plight of Afrin Reverberates Across Europe Fundraiser

BERLIN — On March 18, the Sunday German politicians have increased their paign, named “Operation Olive Branch,” Page 13 edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine warnings that the political conflict inside targeting the Kurdish YPG on January Zeitung (FAZ) car- Turkey, between 20, protests have spread across Germany, ried a bold banner AKP loyalists and led by members of the Kurdish commu- headline: “Battle for By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach opposition groups, nity, supported by Turkish and German INDEX Afrin Now Also in Special to the Mirror-Spectator could spill over opponents of the Ankara regime. Most of Arts and Living ...... 13 Germany.” That onto German soil. the demonstrations have been peaceful Armenia ...... 2 night, television Now it is the war- and without incident; others have turned Community News...... 5 news reporters announced the fall of ring parties in Syria whose proxies and violent, as clashes have erupted between Editorial ...... 18 Afrin. And the violence on German soil sympathizers are clashing here. sympathizers of the outlawed Kurdish International ...... 3,4 has not abated. Over recent years, Since Turkey began its military cam- see AFRIN, page 4 2 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Armenian Opposition Activist

Sargsyan Congratulates Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison Putin on Re-election YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Zhirayr dants’ lawyers for contempt of court. ment union of fellow war veterans. The Sefilian, a radical opposition figure, The lawyers, backed by some human authorities claimed that they planned YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison rights activists, have decried what they to mount an armed uprising against Serzh Sargsyan on March 19 held a telephone con- on Tuesday, March 20, nearly two years call serious violations of due process. then President Robert Kocharyan. versation with Vladimir Putin, during which he once after being arrested on charges of plot- They have insisted that the prosecution Sefilian was cleared of the coup again offered his congratulations on Putin’s re-elec- ting an armed revolt against the tion as president of the Russian Federation. Armenian government. The heads of the two strategic partner and allied A court in Yerevan also handed down states reaffirmed their readiness to further deepen prison sentences ranging from 2 to 5.5. and strengthen interstate relations and interactions, years to six other defendants who went as well as to achieve a lasting peace and stability in on trial with Sefilian last May. the region. The shortest jail term was given to Hovannes Petrosian, the sole defen- dant who has testified against Sefilian. Armenia Participates in Petrosian has said that the latter had German Wine Trade Fair told him to prepare for the seizure for a television tower in Yerevan. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — ProWein International The prosecutors claim that Sefilian Trade Fair for Wines and Spirits, opened in the formed an armed group to attack this German city of Düsseldorf on March 18. and several other “strategic” facilities, This year as well Armenia took part in the Trade including a military base just outside Fair and was represented by 20 companies, the the capital, with the aim of forcing the Armenian Foreign Ministry announced. Armenian authorities to take “certain The opening ceremony was attended by Armenia’s actions.” They also say that he planned Opposition leader Zhirayr Sefilian waves to supporters at the end of his trial. Ambassador to Germany Ashot Smbatyan who was to organize “mass disturbances” in introduced on the production of the companies, Yerevan during the April 2015 com- information and advertisement materials at the memorations of the centenary of the Armenian pavilion. Armenian genocide in Ottoman has failed to substantiate its grave charge during his subsequent trial. The exhibition ended on March 20. Turkey. accusations. Grigorian claimed the Still, he spent 18 months in prison for Sefilian and all other defendants opposite in her ruling, however. allegedly illegal arms possession. except Petrosian have strongly denied Sefilian, 51, was arrested in June Sefilian was again detained along Armenia Eyeing Wine these accusations as politically moti- 2016 less than a month before three with his four associates in 2015, ahead Tourism vated. dozen members and supporters of of a series of anti-government rallies Speaking at the end of his trial, Founding Parliament seized a police planned by them in Yerevan. They were YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia is trying to Sefilian called the criminal case against compound in Yerevan’s Erebuni dis- charged with plotting street violence transform several regions into winemaking centers him and the other men a “fairy tale.” trict to demand his release and but were set free a month later. and attracting new tourism as the country is being The jailed leader of Founding President Serzh Sargsyan’s resigna- positioned on the world tourism map as the birth- Parliament, a radical opposition move- tion. The gunmen laid down their place of wine. ment, also accused the presiding judge, weapons after a two-week standoff with A development program for local producers is Tatevik Grigorian, of resorting to “ille- security forces which left three police World Bank Delegation underway in the Vayots Dzor province, which is wide- gal actions” throughout the trial. officers dead. They are now standing ly known for the Areni grape variety. As a result, Sefilian has frequently and bitterly three separate trials. Meets with Prime locals will present their own wine to tourists in a argued with Grigorian during court A well-known veteran of the 1991- more attractive way. hearings in the high-profile case. The 1994 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, Minister Karapetyan Zaruhi Muradyan, director of the Viticulture and Lebanese-born oppositionist has been Sefilian has been a vocal critic of both Winemaking Foundation of Armenia, said they have repeatedly banned from the courtroom the current and previous Armenian YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) designed the project with assistance from GIZ, and is as a result. The 30-year-old judge has governments. In 2006, he was arrested — Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan being implemented by the Union of Young also sanctioned his and other defen- shortly after setting up an anti-govern- received a delegation led by World Winemakers. Bank Yerevan Office Head Sylvie “Beneficiaries are provided with consultation rang- Bossoutrot on March 20. ing from cultivation up to bottling”, she said. During the meeting Bossoutrot pre- Organizers want to show local home producers that sented the partnership framework cultivation of grapes is profitable and it is possible to between WB and Armenia for 2018- transform into a small and medium business. The 2022 and the proposed reform agenda, program will be completed in 2019. based on the government’s five-year “In addition to being a very interesting region, it is plan. She underlined that the World also a transit route to Artsakh and Tatev, and since Bank is ready to build on the ties of the road is long, tourists will have the opportunity effective cooperation with the for accommodation and rest,” she said. Government of Armenia in a number of The same program is to be implemented in Tavush. areas, including public administration, infrastructure, export promotion, human capital development, sustainable Armenia-Italy Trade environment and natural resource man- agement. Turnover Increases The WB Yerevan Office Head appre- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister Karen ciated the ongoing transformations in Karapetyan received Ambassador of Italy to Armenia Armenia and complimented the Prime Giovanni Ricciulli this week on the occasion of com- Henrikh Mkhitaryan meets with wounded and disabled soldiers. Minister for achieving high rates of pletion of his diplomatic mission in Armenia. growth. Highlighting the successful Karapteyan thanked Ricciulli for the work carried course of constitutional reforms, the out since December 2013, the contribution to devel- completion of our country’s transition oping the Armenian-Italian ties and wished him suc- Henrikh Mkhitaryan Visits Armenia, to the parliamentary system, the sign- cess in his future activities. Karapetyan praised the Donates Car to Veterans’ Group ing of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive cooperation of the two countries in political, cultur- and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the high rates of economic growth and al fields and attached importance to the steps aimed YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian national football team captain, the rising tide of Diaspora’s involve- at deepening the economic ties. and Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan visited Yerevan State ment in various spheres of the econo- “We have much greater potential in this sense than Medical University (YSMU) on March 19 and met with students and my, Bossoutrot noted their positive we utilize. In 2017 we have 25-percent growth in teaching staff, the Football Federation of Armenia said. The main goal impact on the ongoing reform process trade turnover between Armenia and Italy and we of the visit was to meet with wounded and disabled soldiers. in Armenia. hope this growth will continue as a result of the activ- Mkhitaryan arrived in Armenia to prepare for friendly matches with Karapetyan attached importance to ity of the inter-governmental commission,” he noted. the national teams of Estonia and Lithuania on March 24 and 27. the deepening and expansion of bilater- Ricciulli thanked the prime minister for the close Accompanied by YSMU Rector Armen Muradyan, Henrikh al cooperation, welcomed the draft part- cooperation, stating that good business development Mkhitaryan got acquainted with the Rehabilitation Center for wound- nership program and the proposed trends are noticed in the Armenian-Italian relations ed and disabled soldiers, and talked to patients and students. reforms. The head of the Armenian gov- especially in the recent period. The Ambassador stat- He donated his car, which he had received for being included in the ernment suggested continuing discus- ed that thanks to the active work of the Armenian 2017 list of top 10 athletes of Armenia, to the Rehabilitation Center. sions on various projects with the gov- government the interest of Italian businessmen On March 17, the 19th round of the Armenian Football ernment agencies and thanked the towards Armenia has increased. “I am confident that Championship kicked off with Yerevan’s Pyunik FC clashing with World Bank for supporting the reform this interest will lead to good results in the future,” Alashkert FC – another Yerevan-based team. Pyunik defeated of the water resource management sys- he said. Alashkert 3-1. tem. He noted that his government will Mkhitaryan took in the game at the Pyunik Stadium. continue to reform this sector and take further steps towards its optimization. S A T U R D A Y , M A R C H 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL ‘Trust No One’: Exiled Azerbaijani Reporter International News Says He’s Being Hunted In Kyiv Turkish Embassy in KYIV, Ukraine (RFE/RL) — Fikret “We call on Ukrainian authorities to that Huseynli should remain in Ukraine Huseynli, a journalist who fled his immediately return travel documents to for two months while the Prosecutor- Denmark Attacked homeland of Azerbaijan over a decade Fikret Huseynli and allow him to leave General’s Office investigated COPENHAGEN (Armenpress) —At least two people ago, says he got word early on March 5 Ukraine,” said CPJ Europe and Central Azerbaijan’s extradition attacked Turkey’s embassy in Copenhagen with that suspicious-looking men were try- Asia Program Coordinator Nina request, according to reports. petrol bombs early on Monday, March 19, causing ing to track him down in Kyiv. Ognianova. “Kyiv must not be complic- Ukrainian courts have twice extend- some minor damage to the exterior of the building Later that day, Huseynli said in a it with Azerbaijan authorities’ persecu- ed the investigation term; the new but no injuries, police in the Danish capital said. recent interview, four men whom he deadline is March 20, 2018, according No injuries were reported. suspects were linked to the Azerbaijani to the journalist. Police were at the scene investigating and no one security services turned up at the door “If I am killed or kidnapped or extra- had been arrested, a police official told Reuters. of his rented apartment in the dited to Azerbaijan in the near future, Ukrainian capital. all responsibility lies with the Ukrainian Claiming to be police and speaking authorities. What awaits me in Artsakh Forces Down both Ukrainian and Azeri, they told Azerbaijan is a long prison term or him they had been sent to detain him death,” Huseynli wrote on his Azeri Drone and that he’d be extradited “within 48 Facebook page on March 13. STEPANAKERT (Armenpress) — The Armed hours” back to Azerbaijan, where Huseynli, who formerly worked for Forces of Artsakh downed an Azerbaijani unmanned Huseynli faces what he and supporters Azerbaijan’s opposition Azadliq news- aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone around 18:30, March call trumped-up charges linked to his paper, fled to the Netherlands after he 19, in the north-eastern (Talish) section of the line past reporting, much of it focusing on was stabbed, beaten, and left for dead of contact. corruption at the highest echelons of by unknown assailants in Baku in The Azerbaijani drone violated the airspace of power in the energy-rich Caucasus 2006. Artsakh and was deployed to carry out a reconnais- country. Fikret Huseynli His fears of being abducted appear sance operation, the Artsakh defense ministry said. “They tried to break down the door. well-grounded. They punched me, and I lost three In May 2017, his colleague, the inde- teeth. With the help of others, I man- tion of critics beyond its borders. We pendent Azerbaijani investigative jour- ‘Yeva’ Banned in aged to close the door, and I escaped also call on Ukrainian police to investi- nalist Afgan Mukhtarli, disappeared in through the balcony,” Huseynli said on gate the March 5 physical attack on Tbilisi, Georgia, where he lived in exile, Istanbul March 14. Huseynli, and bring the perpetrators to and reemerged two days later at a ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — The International Huseynli, a correspondent for the justice.” detention center in Azerbaijan. Filmmor Women’s Film Festival announced on March independent Azerbaijani online televi- Ukraine’s prosecutor-general did not On September 20, Ukraine 20 that the Governorship of Istanbul banned on sion channel Turan, has been stuck in respond to questions about the case. detained Uzbek journalist Narzullo Saturday, March 17, the planned screening of an the Ukrainian capital since October, Huseynli, the current head of the Akhunzhovov when he arrived in Kyiv Armenian-Iranian movie titled “Yeva” over security when authorities stopped him from Amsterdam bureau of Turan, a Baku- from Turkey on September 20, also on concerns. boarding a flight to Germany, seizing based news agency that offers report- the basis of an Interpol red notice. Melek Özman from Filmmor told Bianet that the his documents under an Interpol red ing in Azeri, Russia and English on its The number of Interpol red notices Consulate of Azerbaijan first sent an official letter to notice requested by Baku. He remains website portal, arrived in Kyiv on has skyrocketed in the past decade — French Institute, the venue of the festival, and asked in legal limbo as Ukraine decides what October 7, 2017, to check out possibly from 2,804 in 2006 to 12,878 in them to cancel the screening. “Later, they applied to to do with him. opening a bureau in the Ukrainian cap- 2016, according to Reporters Without Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they even International media watchdogs have ital. Borders. The watchdog and other applied to the Minister,” said Özman. urged Kyiv not to aid Baku in its efforts Huseynli was about to board a flight NGOs charge that the alert has been Eventually they received a written order from the to track down critics beyond its bor- to Dusseldorf at Boryspil International abused by repressive governments to authorities banning the screening. ders, and to return Huseynli’s passport Airport on October 14 when he was hunt down dissidents abroad. According to the government of Azerbaijan, the and other documents to him so he can arrested under a red notice issued by Huseynli says he feels betrayed by movie creates the perception that Karabakh is an return to the Netherlands, where he Interpol at the Azerbaijani govern- Ukraine, whose “territorial integrity” Armenian territory. currently resides. ment’s request. It accused him of he’s always backed amid the country’s Filmed by Armenian-Iranian director Anahit Abad, Ukrainian officials have been con- “crossing a border illegally” and conflict with Russia, which seized “Yeva” is about a woman, who escapes her influential spicuous in their silence, releasing few “fraud.” Crimea in 2014 and has backed sepa- in-laws with her daughter Nareh, after her husband’s if any statements on Huseynli’s plight. Following his arrest, a Kyiv court ratist fighters in eastern Ukraine. death and takes refuge in one of the villages of It’s not the first such case in Ukraine. ordered him held for 18 days pending “But now the Ukrainian government Karabakh, Armenia, where she has to live in disguise. An Uzbek journalist was detained at an examination of his appeal. is doing this to me,” he says. “They just airport in Kyiv in September on the A Kyiv court on October 27 ordered want to sell me out.” basis of an Interpol red notice, an alert the journalist’s release on bail but ruled Arthur Abraham Fight sent out to police worldwide notifying them about an arrest request from one On April 28 of Interpol’s 192 member countries. BERLIN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Former two- Critics charge is often abused by repres- Closer Economic Ties with Vietnam Explored time World Champion Arthur Abraham (46-6, 30 sive governments in order to pursue KOs) will meet Denmark’s Patrick Nielsen (29-2, 14 HANOI (Armenpress) — Armenian these directions. dissidents after they have fled abroad. KOs) in a make or break Super Middleweight show- Ambassador to Vietnam Raisa Vardanyan The participants exchanged views on Huseynli says that after the attack he down on April 28 at the Baden Arena in Offenburg, on March 16 met with members of the a number of regional developments. In headed for the embassy of the Germany, Boxing News reported. Armenia-Vietnam Friendship Association this context Ambassador Vardanyan Netherlands, the country that first Abraham returns to the ring having dropped a and business representatives in Vietnam, presented the process of transition to a granted him asylum, then citizenship, points decision to Chris Eubank Jr. in an IBO World the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported. parliamentary system in Armenia, the after he went into self-exile in 2008. title contest on July 15 at The SSE Arena, Wembley, During the meeting, a range of issues efforts of Armenia and the Along with human rights campaign- while Nielsen is back in action after a knockout loss relating to promoting the Armenia- Organization for Security and ers in Ukraine, staff at the embassy to John Ryder at the same London venue on October Vietnam relations agenda were dis- Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group urged Huseynli to report what had hap- 14. cussed. The meeting also touched upon Co-Chair countries aimed at peacefully pened with the police, advice he did not Following these defeats, both men are now eager to the humanitarian, investment and settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, take. re-establish their World title credentials in this tourism projects and the steps aimed at as well as Armenia’s positions on “I don’t trust the police, the courts, crunch Super Middleweight clash. promoting the bilateral cooperation at regional issues and their solutions. no one. I’ve been in Ukraine for six Having consulted his long-term coach and mentor, months without any documents, com- Abraham, the former IBF Middleweight and WBO pletely helpless,” explains Huseynli. Super Middleweight World Champion, says he is Huseynli, describing himself as a ready to get back on the World title trail in an “political hostage,” claims suspected attempt to reclaim his 168-lbs crown. security-service agents have been shad- “After my last fight, I spoke to my coach Ulli owing him in the Ukrainian capital. Wegner and he helped me reach a decision,” said “I continue to be watched. Some of Arthur said. “I am not ready to retire! There is still them are Slavic looking, some are simi- more I want to achieve in boxing, and most of all I lar to Azeris. And these aren’t street want to become World Champion again. I’m looking thugs. I think they work for security forward to fighting Patrick Nielsen, and putting on a services; maybe Azerbaijan’s, maybe good performance for my fans. I know Patrick is a Ukraine’s or Russia’s,” says Huseynli. good boxer. This will be a good test for me and a Huseynli has said elsewhere that on chance to prove I’m ready to challenge for World the day of the alleged attack, unidenti- titles again.” fied men approached him with an offer: Nielsen, the former WBC Silver Middleweight and report positively on the Azerbaijani WBA International Super Middleweight Champion, government and negatively on the says he is looking forward to facing Abraham in opposition. Do this, they allegedly said, Offenburg, and having learnt a lesson from the Ryder and the extradition request is dropped. loss, believes he has what it takes to defeat the If you don’t, they warned, unclear German boxing icon and get his career back on track. repercussions would follow. Ambassador Raisa Vardanyan with members of the Armenia-Vietnam Friendship International press watchdogs have Association highlighted Huseynli’s predicament. 4 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL The Plight of Afrin Reverberates Across Europe

AFRIN, from page 1 would be no match for the second largest army in NATO. To avoid announced it wants to set up nine new refugee camps in the Idlib Workers Party (PKK) and nationalist Turks. Whenever flags and a massacre, they withdrew, and an estimated 200,000 civilians province and nearby areas that came under Turkish control dur- posters of PKK leader Ocalan have been displayed, German police sought refuge elsewhere. There is no doubt that this was a ratio- ing the “Euphrates Protective Shield” operation. Martens reports have intervened. nal decision; 1,400 YPG fighters had been reportedly killed that the Red Crescent and AFAD are already preparing to receive The closer Turkish tanks approached Afrin, the more exasper- (though Erdogan boasted that more than 3,000 had been “neu- 3,000 internally displaced persons. ated the political confrontation in Germany became. Among the tralized”) and vital facilities including a hospital had been bombed. The Erdogan project may involve even greater ambitions. Rainer targets are not only Turkish institutions but also offices of German The YPG did not have a chance in Afrin. The American air cover Hermann, an area specialist who was a correspondent in Turkey parties, seen as supporting the Erdogan campaign. According to it had enjoyed in its successful campaign to drive the IS out of for many years, suggested in an article on March 20, that the the FAZ, acts of violence attributed to radical supporters of the Kobane, was nowhere to be seen. As the FAZ noted days before precedent for Turkey’s current military campaign may be the Kurds have multiplied. These range from “balloons filled with the siege, “Washington, forced by Ankara to decide between the “National Pact” of 1919. In autumn of that year, he writes, Mustafa paint being hurled at Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and guerillas and a NATO partner, did not intervene in Afrin.” And Kemal “Ataturk” and his companions agreed on a set of demands Social Democratic Party (SPD) offices, windows of bank branches Russia, which controls the airspace in the region of Afrin, left it for their national resistance movement, accompanied by a map. being smashed, police and army vehicles attacked, and arson open to Turkish planes. The only humane choice for the YPG was The demands were then endorsed by the last Ottoman parliament attacks against Turkish cultural associations and mosques.” An to withdraw, to protect as many civilian lives as possible. Now, it on January 20, 1920. According to the document, which distin- Internet site called “fight4afrin” has been identified as the trans- will reportedly move into a “new phase” of “hit-and-run tactics” in guished between Arabs and Turks, but not between Kurds and mitter of messages urging violence, and the German authorities an attempt to liberate the city from Turkish occupation. Turks, the jurisdiction over some areas inhabited by Arabs was to believe that German left-wing extremists have been heavily For it is now an occupied city. If remarks made by Turkish politi- be decided by referendum. Other areas, however, were claimed as involved. The blog reports on actions against “Turkish fascism” cians are any indication, their aim is to move from occupation to territory for the new Turkish republic. These included northern being organized not only here but throughout Europe. It has been annexation. It is not only the presence of Turkish flags, alongside Syrian, with Aleppo and Afrin, as well as northern Iraq, with mooted, at the same time, that Turkish nationalist elements have those of the FSA, on public buildings that hints in this direction. Mosul, certain Aegean islands and western Thrace. staged attacks, in an attempt to discredit the opposition. It also In response to a European Parliament resolution demanding The map, writes Hermann, fell into oblivion for decades, until cannot be excluded that right-wing extremists are exploiting the Turkey stop the offensive, Erdogan was quoted as saying, “We will the coup attempt in 2016 and the recent military campaigns, situation to target Turks. stay until our work is done.” There was “nothing the European which seem to express “great empire phantasies.” Does Erdogan In Germany incidents have been reported in various cities and Parliament could tell Turkey,” and whatever that body said, would plan to annex these territories? federal states, among them, Berlin, Lower Saxony, Hamburg, “go in one ear and out the other.” 100 Years Later Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and North Rhine Westfalia. According Today Afrin, Tomorrow Manbij… “Never again”: more than a slogan, the phrase is a pledge, a com- to the magazine Der Spiegel, the German authorities estimate that There is good reason to believe that Erdogan intends to annex mitment on the part of the survivors of genocide, that such crime there are in Germany 14,000 supporters of the PKK, which has Afrin, as well as Manbij, also held by the YPG. Michael Martens, shall never be repeated. A precondition for the prevention of such been outlawed since 1993. writing in the FAZ on March 17, quoted a former high-ranking crimes is the recognition that they have occurred, and the Yet, this does not mean that the Kurdish community in Germany Turkish diplomat to the effect that Erdogan intended to keep acknowledgement on the part of those successor states of what is prone to violence. On the contrary, as Der Spiegel also docu- Afrin, as well as territory around Idlib. And Manbij. Martens also their predecessors had perpetrated. Thus, the crucial significance ments, their umbrella organization, Nav-Dem, is committed to non- reported that Erdogan’s speaker and leading foreign policy advi- of the recognition of the Holocaust on the part of the post-war violent resistance. “Our protest must remain peaceful,” says Azad sor, Ibrahim Kalin, had spoken of an agreement struck with Rex German political class. Turkey has thus far refused to take similar Yusuf Bingöl, who broadcasts on the Munich-based Radio Lora Tillerson, who was the then US Secretary of State. The deal would steps in recognizing the genocide perpetrated by the Young Turk every week. “We have to exert more pressure on those politically have the US and Turkey setting up a “security zone” in and regime during World War I. One should not lose sight of the fact responsible, but we will not leave the framework of legitimacy.” around Manbij, which implies the ethnic cleansing of the area, that, following the expulsion of the Armenians from their histori- Anti-Terrorism or Territorial Expansion? through expulsion of the Kurds. cal homelands, as they were deported and sent on death marches On March 18, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was And for whom are these zones to provide security? It may well to concentration camps in Der el Zor (Syria), many of their homes shown on television evening news celebrating the conquest of be that Erdogan plans to resettle Syrian refugees from their cur- were handed over to ethnic Turks, resettled from the Balkans (or Afrin, which happened to coincide with the 103rd anniversary of rent homes in camps to the areas cleansed of the native Kurdish to Kurds who had collaborated with the regime). the victory in Gallipoli in World War I. Erdogan praised the sacri- population. Turkey, as Erdogan never fails to stress, has been host- At the time, the Great Powers let it happen. Can it be that today fice of the Turkish soldiers, “martyrs” in the conflict, and appealed ing 3.5 million Syrians in refugee camps, financed largely by the entire populations can be shoved from one place to the next, to mothers of the dead troops to be proud of their sons. European Union. There is good reason to believe this is the plan. expelling the lawful inhabitants? Azad Yusuf Bingöl, broadcasting Interspersed with coverage of Erdogan hailing the victory, were Erdogan and other government officials have often spoken of their from Munich, recently read out a statement of the Kurdish umbrel- scenes of the conquered city: emptied of its inhabitants, and with intention to repatriate the refugee “guests” to Syria, whenever la group Nav-Dem, which said, “The western governments are Turkish and Syrian Free Army militants roaming the streets, or possible. Ibrahim Kalin and Erdogan have both stated that they silent. This makes the EU, the USA, Russia and the UN accom- hoisting their flags atop central buildings. have no intention of handing Afrin (and presumably other con- plices in this murder of the children of Afrin.” And, one might add, Erdogan announced proudly that “many of the terrorists had quered territories) back to the Assad regime. They have suggested accomplices in the next, planned “population exchange.” turned tail and run away.” In fact, the Syrian Kurdish forces, the that such a resettlement program might be in Europe’s interest, as YPG, had decided to withdraw from the city, knowing full well that it would alleviate pressure from refugee flows. Not only: reported- (Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is a regular contributor to the its fighters, who had been victorious against the Islamic State, ly, the Turkish agency responsible for disaster control, AFAD, has Armenian Mirror-Spectator. She is based in Germany.)

The Russian Billionaire Cupid Behind The Biggest Dating App in the World

was born. His real name is Andrey Andreev exited in January 2004 and is no longer for inspiration.” Three months later Bumble was By Angel Au-Yeung Ogandzhanyants, and both his parents were sci- affiliated with the company. born. entists. He later switched his last name to his It’s been 10 years since he last visited Moscow, “Thanks for taking the chance on me when no mother’s maiden name, which is easier to spell Andreev says. His father passed away and his one else would,” Wolfe wrote in a birthday mes- LONDON (Forbes) — Russian and pronounce. “My passion for technology has mother now lives in Paris. He became a British sage to Andreev on Instagram in February. entrepreneur Andrey Andreev is as close to a been since day one,” he said. “My dad was citizen “in 2008 or 2009.” Has he given up his A month earlier, it was reported that Andreev modern-day cupid as it gets, but instead of shoot- involved in technology, so in our Moscow flat I Russian citizenship? “I would rather not com- was looking to sell his Bumble stake for an esti- ing bows and arrows he’s employing geolocation had a million toys around me.” ment on that.” mated $1.2 billion. He denies those reports. tools and facial recognition software. He attended University of Moscow briefly Badoo, founded in 2006 from Spain but Valerie Stark, cofounder and CEO of Huggle, He has helped build five successful online dat- before dropping out in 1992 at age 18 to move launched in 2009, is headquartered in London who now also runs communications for Andreev, ing apps, including Badoo, the largest such app to Spain. “I wanted to travel and see the world,” with an office in Moscow. Today it employs 300 describes his contribution to her company. “I in the world, with 380 million user sign-ups and he said. He took out a loan from his parents to developers, 80 of whom are women, who run drew my project literally on a piece of paper and counting. His developers built and manage the support his travels around Europe before start- Badoo and also provide support to Huggle, he perfected it and made it real,” she said. “There infrastructure for Chappy, a dating app for gay ing Virus, an online store that sold computers Chappy and Bumble. were moments where I would argue and try to men, and Huggle, an app that matches people and computer accessories to internet users in “We build these apps together,” Andreev said. defend my vision regarding some features, but he based on the locations they frequent – in Russia in 1995. He sold it “for a few hundred “There’s a million different apps in the app store by adding some tweaks and showing some [A/B exchange for a cut of those apps’ profits. Badoo thousand” dollars in 1997, enough to pay his and it’s difficult to be successful. But with testing] results would make it even better.” also has a 79-percent stake in Bumble, America’s parents back in full. Bumble, Huggle, Chappy — they don’t need to Andreev’s biggest business continues to be his fastest-growing online dating app, which puts the Then in 1999 he founded SpyLog, a software worry about money or developers. We have that. flagship Badoo, which launched a facial recogni- courtship in the hands of women, since only tool that webmasters could use to track visitors We can build the wireframes [prototypes] and tion feature in late 2017. The feature allows users Bumble’s female users can make the first con- to their sites. “It is the grandfather of Google design everything together. We just need the to upload an image of a person they like and find tact with a potential date. Analytics,” Andreev boasts. He doesn’t claim that idea, direction, vision, and a strong person who other Badoo users who look similar. All of this is enough to earn Andreev, age 44, Google copied him, but he does believe Google will defend the idea and make this idea massive.” He refuses to share revenue figures for Badoo, a spot among the world’s richest for the first was inspired by his project. Larry In Bumble’s case, that person is its but said that Match Group, the publicly traded time. Forbes estimates his fortune at $1.5 billion. Page and Sergey Brin founded Google in founder, Whitney Wolfe, a former cofounder at American company that operates online dating For someone who built his career around September 1998; Google Analytics launched in Tinder. Wolfe had sued her ex-boss and ex- sites including OkCupid and Tinder, was a good interactions and connections, Andreev kept a 2005. Andreev exited his position in SpyLog in boyfriend Justin Mateen for sexual harassment in comparison. Match Group, which has a $12.2 bil- very low profile for years and was rarely written December 2001 for an undisclosed sum. June 2014 and settled later that year. Andreev lion market cap, reported $1.3 billion in revenue about in the press. Forbes Russia once called him A year later in 2002, he built contextual ads convinced her to work with him on her next ven- for 2017. “We are smaller,” Andreev said. “But “the most mysterious businessman in the company Begun. Finam Holdings, a Russian ture. “I told her, you have huge potential and I we are still a pretty big player.” West.” But Andreev refutes that description. investment firm, had a majority stake in Begun have the best infrastructure,” Andreev recalled. Andreev, who has a girlfriend but didn’t meet “Any Russian who achieves anything outside in 2008 when Google expressed interest in “Let’s do something.” her on any of these apps, is also mum about his of Russia, it’s a big deal,” he tells Forbes, calling acquiring it. “We almost closed the deal for $140 That something began in August 2014 on a next apps or features other than to say that what- from London, where he lives and works. “This is million, but unfortunately the deal never hap- Greek island. “We flew to Mykonos with a few of ever it is will enhance human connection. “I why they called me mysterious. I’m not mysteri- pened,” Andreev said. It was reported that the original Tinder designers,” he said. Why sound like a product guy, I know, but what we’re ous. I live in London and people see me every Russia’s competition agency blocked the deal. Mykonos? “I don’t know, we just decided to go really doing is creating strong tools to facilitate day — nothing mysterious here.” “We had an issue,” Andreev began to explain, somewhere and not be distracted by phones and people interaction,” he said. “This is all about He’s come a long way from Moscow, where he before stopping himself. Begun still exists but things, and we thought Mykonos would be good connecting people. It always has been.” S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community News

Holy Trinity Pays How Near East Tribute to Fr. Mampre Rice Pilaf Kouzouian for a Life Became a New Of Service, Ministering England Staple To Those in Need CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On Friday, May 11, under the auspices of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the By Keith Pandolfi Armenian Church of America (Eastern), a Celebration of a Life of Service on the occasion WORCESETER (Boston Globe) — of the 60th Anniversary of the Ordination to Today, Near East is a New England staple. the Priesthood of Rev. Father Mampre A. Growing up in Shrewsbury in the Kouzouian will take place at Holy Trinity 1970s, our weeknight dinners were pretty Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 straightforward affairs: chicken Kiev or Brattle St. London broil; Prince spaghetti or tuna Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and casserole. And while we often switched up Catholicos of All Armenians, will be present to the side dishes from Birds Eye frozen celebrate this significant milestone marking corn to Birds Eye frozen peas, one thing Father Mampre’s 60 years of dedicated service remained consistent — we always had NAASR Headquarters Design-Exterior Side View and commitment to the Armenian Church and Near East rice pilaf, and it was always pre- its people. pared in the same Revere Ware saucepan The traditional Hrashapar Service will be that my parents received as a wedding gift held at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary to welcome the in 1966. catholicos. Clergy from New England will be NAASR to Build called on to participate. Doors to the Sanctuary I loved Near East as a kid. In fact, I still do. That will open at 5:30 p.m. All are invited to attend. salty, nutty The 60th Anniversary Celebration Banquet mix of rice New Global follows in the Charles and Nevart Talanian and toasted Cultural Hall at 7:15 p.m. Advance reservations orzo along are required for the Banquet. To receive an invi- with its Armenian Center tation to attend the Banquet, please contact the accompany- Holy Trinity Church Office by emailing ing paper fla- [email protected]. BELMONT, Mass. — By the end of April, the National Association for vor pack of At Father Mampre’s request, funds will be Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) expects to begin demolition of its onion, garlic, raised to support two causes, “close to my aging and cramped headquarters on Concord Avenue, to make way for all-new and bouil- heart:” the children at the Muratsan construction at the site, which will create a new three-story building with a soar- lon. So in Chemotherapy Clinic of Yerevan State Medical ing glass wall extending the full three floors in front and illuminating the inte- love was my University, a pediatric oncology clinic that rior with natural light. “This will be one of the most beautiful buildings in the family with treats children from all over Armenia, as well as country,” said NAASR Chairman Yervant Chekijian, “and a true global center Near East homeless individuals and families in the for the Armenian community.” that when Vagharshapat region surrounding Holy The plans call for a variety of Armenian features incorporated into the design. we left Shrewsbury for Cincinnati in Echmiadzin. The lead building donors are Edward and Pamela Avedisian. The two other lead- 1979, my mother packed a case of the rec- “In May 2017, I was in Armenia,” as Father ing donor families are Margaret tangular white boxes, with their famous Mampre shares. “This was my 16th visit to our C. and Leon J. Atamian and wheat stalk illustrations and simple earth- Motherland and I chose to journey to the hos- Family, and Marta and James tones, into our station wagon, fearing we pitals and the abandoned buildings where the Batmasian. Many NAASR mem- wouldn’t be able to find it in the Midwest. bers and the community have Luckily we did, and Near East remained a also made significant gifts. “We dinnertime staple well into my 20s, when are honored and grateful to the I started eschewing frozen vegetables and many generous families who have pre-made rice mixes for fresh roasted put their trust in NAASR as one green beans and arugula salads. of the world’s leading institutions I still pick up a box of Near East every to preserve Armenian heritage once in a while, mostly for nostalgia’s for generations to come,” said sake; a reminder of simpler times, and Chekijian. simpler dinners. But it wasn’t until recent- The Belmont Planning Board ly I learned the company itself was start- approved the new construction ed out of an Armenian grocery store in plans after a presentation from Worcester — just a few miles from our old Ara Krafian, CEO of the architec- house in Shrewsbury — in 1962. It was tural and engineering design firm the brainchild of one of America’s most Margaret C. and Leon J. Atamian of Symmes, Maini & McKee unsung female entrepreneurs, an (SMMA) of Cambridge, on Armenian immigrant named Hannah December 19, 2017. Recently, Kalajian. And while her story once NAASR selected a general contractor, Altair Construction, and anticipates a appeared on every box of Near East, these start date for site work and demolition in April. Meanwhile, NAASR has con- days it’s largely been forgotten. That’s a tinued to raise funds for the $6.5-million campaign and, to date, has financial shame, since — at a time when some ques- commitments for more than $4.8 million. “We invite the community to become tion whether or not the American Dream part of NAASR’s inspiring plans for our headquarters and create a lasting way still exists — her story is an encouraging Father Mampre A. Kouzouian Prays with Little to recognize your family,” said Chekijian. reminder of just how potent, and how pos- Ones at Muratsan Chemotherapy Clinic Photo NAASR’s rare book Mardigian Library is one of the top five Armenian sible, that dream can be. courtesy of Cynthia Kazanjian libraries open to the public in the diaspora, soon to total 40,000 books, with In her out-of-print autobiography, books dating back to the 1600s, and rare periodicals dating to the 1800s, as Hannah’s Story Escape from Genocide in well as unique personal archives of prominent scholars, early Armenian- homeless dwell in Yerevan. During my visit to Turkey to Success in America (Armenian Americans, and religious leaders. The new building will have ample space to the Muratsan Children’s Cancer Clinic, inno- Heritage Press; 1990), Kalajian writes accommodate existing holdings and allow for substantial growth, within a cent young children living with cancer, without that she was born Heranoush (Armenian secure and up-to-date environment. their hair as a result of their treatment, were for “sweet fire”) Gartatzoghian, one of NAASR’s new headquarters will be a central gathering space and world-class with their parents on their routine visits. The five children, in Duzce, Turkey, in 1910; research center for Armenian Studies. Plans call for an expanded and secure children were in pain, suffering from this can- that in 1915, her father, Mateos, a library; an expanded event hall for diverse programming and community events; cerous disease. I couldn’t stand it. After I said beloved local butcher, was taken away to a welcoming bookstore; a new classroom; a Shoah Foundation video archive my prayers on each child, I came out of their a labor camp by Turkish soldiers, where viewing room; a spectacular Garden Atrium; an Armenian Alphabet Wall along- rooms and cried like a child. I couldn’t accept he would perish. By 1920, Kalajian and side the monumental stairway; an Atrium Overlook; and a top-floor Solarium for what I saw. These children are God’s gifts to her family were forced to flee their home- study and receptions before and after events, with full accessibility under the their parents, to our Nation, to our Motherland, town as word spread that the Turks were Americans with Disability Act (ADA). and to our Churches. During that stay, I also coming and the realities of what’s now see NAASR, page 7 went to visit the homeless individuals and fam- see HANNAH, page 6 ilies of the Vagharshapat region surrounding see TRIBUTE, page 7 6 S A T U R D A Y , M A R C H 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR How Near East Rice Pilaf Became a New England Staple

HANNAH, from page 5 beef stew, baked beans, and Armenian rice pilaf, drive her to grocery stores and markets all over Leominster. By the 1980s, Near East was known as the Armenian genocide became all a customer favorite. the East Coast with a card table and an electric among the top-10 best-selling supermarket the more palpable. Her mother, Cohar, knew It was Kalajian’s favorite, too. After all, pilaf pot packed in the trunk for cooking demos. items in Boston. that if they didn’t leave Duzce right away, they had always played a special role in her life; just “Even though Mom had a license, she was Kasparian, who lives in Northborough, has would face the same fate her husband did. Or the idea of it nourishing her through the tur- been out of the rice business for a even worse. moil of her childhood. While enduring the 100- long time. (Near East was sold to the After securing refuge in Constantinople, mile walk from Duzce to Constantinople, her H.J. Heinz Co. in 1986, and is now Cohar, unable to care for all her children, placed mother provided her starving children a glim- owned by PepsiCo.) When I asked her Kalajian in an orphanage. They would reunite a mer of hope by setting an imaginary pot over if she still buys the pilaf, she said she year later only to flee the Turks again, this time an imaginary fire, and stirring it. “Now the pilaf prefers making it from scratch, the to Lebanon. In 1924, Kalajian secured passage is cooking,” she would say. “It will be ready way her mother, who died in 1990, on an ocean liner bound for New York, where soon! . . . Can you smell it?” In her book, once did: frying some hand-crushed she lived with a married older sister. She Kalajian writes that the tactic worked. “I am vermicelli noodles in butter, adding applied for a job at Bloomingdale’s, and when sure I can smell the hot pilaf and see the glow brown rice and a few cups of chicken the hiring manager couldn’t pronounce of the flames,” she writes. “Somehow it is easi- stock, and simmering it for about a “Heranoush,” she changed her name to er to go to sleep with the taste of home in our half hour. When I asked what she Hannah. Soon after, she met George Kalajian, a heads.” thought about the billion-dollar multi- family friend and fellow Genocide survivor. Kalajian first came up with the idea of selling national corporation her mother’s After a 10-day courtship, they married and, by a pilaf mix commercially on a visit to California. small Worcester-based business is the early 1940s, ended up in Worcester, where As she told a newspaper reporter in 1974, “In today, she voiced but one concern: George opened an Armenian grocery store and the markets, the big thing was package mixes. While Kalajian’s story is still men- luncheonette called George’s Spa and Market. . . . I said to myself, Why not a pilaf mix, a real tioned on Near East’s website, her While the luncheonette started out selling one? If they can do it, so can I.” Her idea came name no longer appears on the pack- mostly coffee and doughnuts (its most avid cus- just in the nick of time, too. In the mid-’70s, the aging as it once did. “I worry that tomers being the employees of a nearby lumber roads around the Lincoln Street market were most people who buy it now don’t mill), it expanded to daily specials of chop suey, rerouted, leaving it on a dead-end street with lit- know who she is,” she says. “Or who tle foot traffic, and cutting it off from the lum- she was.” ber mill entirely. Fearing their market could Browsing the aisle of my local gro- soon go out of business, Kalajian got to work cery on a recent Friday, I noticed ATP Partners with developing a perfect package-friendly recipe there were several varieties of Near that would become the Near East pilaf we know East pilaf to choose from — Kanayan Family to today. Mushroom & Herb; Roasted Chicken “It took her a year,” her daughter Carol & Garlic; and Toasted Almond among Honor 1918 Centennial Kasparian told me on the phone recently. “She them — but I went straight for the one researched every aspect of the business. She marked “Original.” It had been a talked to the rice commissioner to learn more tough week and I was craving some- By Jason Sohigian about packaging; she learned about shelf life — always afraid to drive,” says Kasparian. The thing simple and familiar. Back home, she even designed the box!” Originally, the pilaf response was overwhelmingly positive, and I simmered the pilaf in the same Revere Ware was made in the market’s second-story apart- before long, hundreds of Stop & Shops, Star pot my mom used when I was a kid and served GLENDALE — Armenians around the world ment with dried brown rice, broken vermicelli Markets, and even the Macy’s in New York City it to my wife and daughter alongside a pre- are celebrating the centennial of Armenia’s dec- noodles, and Lipton chicken stock. “It was a were carrying it. “We had articles in papers, and cooked rotisserie chicken and some fresh green laration of independence on May 28, 1918, the real Mickey Mouse operation,” Kasparian it seemed like food writers were always doing beans. Sitting at the table with my small family, birth of the First Republic. remembers. “All these Armenian ladies working stories about us,” says Kasparian. After out- I thought about my own parents and those din- On May 21, 1918, an Ottoman Turkish divi- in that tiny room.” growing the small bedroom above the market, ners we shared back in Shrewsbury more than sion attacked Armenian forces at Bash Aparan, To market their product, Kalajian relied on Near East relocated to a larger space in four decades ago. I went to sleep that night with the intent of pushing towards Yerevan. Kasparian (her only child still living at home) to Worcester, and then, in 1977 a plant in happy — a taste of home in my head. After three days of fierce combat, the Armenians, led by General Drastamat “Dro” Kanayan, began to repel the Turkish regiments and they retreated on May 29, 1918. The victo- ry at Aparan, along with Armenian success at Saradarabad and Karakilisa (known today as Vanadzor), was instrumental in the formation of the First Republic of Armenia. The Kanayan Family is partnering with Armenia Tree Project (ATP) to create a living memorial to General Dro and his victory in Aparan. The overall goal is to plant 2,500 trees to improve the site. Already 1,700 of ATP’s trees have been planted by local residents in partner- ship with volunteers from Birthright Armenia and the tech company Monitis Armenia. An additional 800 trees will be planted this spring as part of a visit by the Kanayan Family. ATP organized a series of educational and fundraising events to support these programs. The first was a lecture about the Battle of Bash Aparan by Dr. Dikran Kaligian at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research in Boston, followed by a fundraising reception at the Papken Suni Agoump which included remarks by Dro’s daughter Olga Proudian and Tatul Sonentz-Papazian. General Dro’s grandson and namesake, Dro Kanayan of Massachusetts, says that planting trees in his grandfather’s honor is appropriate because he had a strong connection to the land: “Dro understood the importance of what the land can provide for the people. My family believes that planting trees for the future of Armenia is a fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of General Dro and his troops. We are proud to continue our grandfather’s tradition of service to the Armenian Nation in this way.” The next series of events are in Los Angeles. The first, a lecture by Dr. Garabet Moumdjian co-hosted by the Woodbury University Armenian Students Association, was held on March 7. The next event is a fundraising reception at the Oak and Vine in Glendale on Thursday, April 12. Philip Kanayan is planning to attend, along with leaders from the local Armenian community. Ticket and sponsorship information is avail- able via www.ArmeniaTree.org/1918 S A T U R D A Y , M A R C H 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Holy Week at St. Vartan Cathedral Observed March 25-April 1

NEW YORK — St. Vartan Armenian of the Crucifixion of Cathedral will observe Holy Week, March 25 Christ will begin at through 31, with a series of special services, cul- noon. This will be a minating in the Easter Sunday celebration on short service April 1. enabling working Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of people in Manhattan the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection to attend, and it will of Jesus Christ, His victory over death and the be followed by a lun- redemption of humanity and the fallen world. cheon in the The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes Diocesan Complex. in the days leading up to Easter. That same evening, Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus’ at 7:30 p.m., the Order triumphal entry into Jerusalem, falls on March of the Entombment of 25. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian (dean of St. Vartan the Lord, or Taghoom Cathedral) will be the celebrant for the services, Service, will take which will begin with a Morning Service at 9:30 place. a.m., and will continue with the Divine Liturgy at On Great and Holy 10:30 a.m. The Turun-patzek or “Door-Opening” Saturday, March 31, Service will be held after the Divine Liturgy. the Divine Liturgy Melanie Dadourian and Oscar Tatosian with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian during the releasing of the doves ceremony at The St. Vartan Cathedral Council will host a will be preceded by a Easter last year at St. Vartan Cathedral. special “Children’s Day” program on Palm scripture-reading cer- Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children emony at 6:30 p.m. ages 5 and older are invited to take part in the Easter Eve Liturgy will begin at 7 p.m., cele- Mekanejian. Florence Avakian will accompany blessing service, and the recognition of the vari- Palm Sunday procession, and create arts and brated by Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian. Students from on the organ. ous names associated with the holiday. The crafts. the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum and the St. Immediately following the service, the reception is free and open to the public. March 29 is Great and Holy Thursday and Vartan Armenian Saturday School will provide Release of Doves ceremony will go forth on For information on these observances—and the day’s services memorialize the Last Supper, the Scripture readings. A reception will follow the cathedral plaza. This year, Adrienne on the cathedral’s 50th anniversary weekend of Jesus’ vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, his the services. Alexanian will serve as godmother of the May 5-6, call the Diocese of the Armenian arrest and trial. Two separate services will be The drama of Holy Week will culminate on doves ceremony. Church or visit its website, www.armeni- celebrated on this day. In the morning, the Easter Sunday, April 1. Easter is the central An Easter Sunday reception and program will anchurch.us. Divine Liturgy will begin at 11 a.m. This will be holy day of the Christian calendar, and com- follow the services, in Haik and Alice Kavookjian St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at followed by a luncheon. memorates the discovery of Christ’s empty Auditorium. The reception will include a home- 630 Second Ave. (corner of 34th Street). In the evening, the “Washing of the Feet” cer- tomb and the news of His glorious Resur - emony will start at 7 p.m., with the Khavaroom rection. Matins will begin at 9:30 a.m. The or Vigil Service following at 8:30 p.m. During Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m. the Washing of Feet ceremony, twelve individu- Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Holy Trinity Pays Tribute to Fr. Mampre Kouzouian als will serve as surrogates for the apostles. Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, The crucifixion and death of Christ will be will celebrate the liturgy and deliver the homi- For a Life Of Service, Ministering To Those in Need observed on March 30 — Great and Holy Friday ly. The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir will sing the —and again two services will occur. The Order Divine Liturgy under the direction of Khoren TRIBUTE, from page 5 ing to you for your financial support to join in Holy Echmiadzin. I went to the dilapidated old my cause to help our children and homeless of buildings where homeless people dwell in very our Motherland.” small rooms. There were young children with For information on ways to support, email one or both parents living in these run-down, the Holy Trinity Church office, vacant buildings without water, electricity or [email protected]. The Fund is being adminis- bathrooms. For me, it was totally unacceptable tered by Holy Trinity Armenian Church and will to see human beings living in these conditions. support its intended purposes at the request of Here too, I cried like a child feeling so sorry for Father Mampre and in collaboration with the our own people living in these conditions. I Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. started thinking of how I can be of help to our The catholicos will be visiting the United children and our people that I visited. I thought States to preside over the 50th anniversary of that the gifts that my friends would want to the consecration of St. Vartan Armenian send me, on the occasion of the 60th anniver- Cathedral in New York City. That celebration sary of my ordination, should be used to sup- will include a Concert of Sacred Music and his- port both the cancer-stricken children being torical photo exhibit on the evening of cared for at the Muratsan Children’s Cancer Saturday, May 5; and a Pontifical Divine Liturgy Clinic in Yerevan as well as the homeless indi- on Sunday, May 6. For information on St. viduals and families with children in the Vartan Cathedral’s 50th Anniversary Vagharshapat region surrounding Holy Celebration, log onto the website of the Eastern Echmiadzin. That’s the reason why I am appeal- Diocese, www.armenianchurch.us.

NAASR to Build New Global Armenian Center NAASR, from page 5 although NAASR will operate its bookstore The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has online, at www.naasr.org. given full support with a capital grant from the NAASR will continue to offer programming Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural and co-sponsor conferences nationwide during Facilities Fund of $225,000 awarded in 2017, construction. NAASR plans to hold programs primarily for installation of an elevator and in the Boston area with Armenian community other accessibility features under the ADA. partners and educational institutions in the NAASR will move to temporary offices at the region, and will continue its national program- AGBU-New England headquarters on Mt. ming at venues around the country. Auburn Street in Watertown. NAASR’s library To become a lasting part of NAASR’s new and bookstore will go into storage for a year headquarters, please contact Sarah Ignatius, while the building is under construction, Executive Director, at [email protected].

(left to right) Marta and James Batmasian, and Edward and Pamela Avedisian 8 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Jirair and Anahid Nishanian Honorary Co-Chairs at Soorp Khatch

WASHINGTON — Soorp Khatch Church of The Jerair Nishanian Foundation was one of the Bethesda, Md. recently celebrated its 53rd six major donors in the US for the Centennial anniversary gala dinner, which was attended by Memoriam of the Armenian Genocide which took nearly 200 parishioners. Archbishop Oshagan place in Washington D.C. in May 2015. Choloyan presided over this truly special event, The foundation has also funded several special and was recognized for his 50 years of service to projects, including the remodeling and construc- the Armenian Church. tion of the Main Altar of Saint Mary Armenian Jerair and Anahid Nishanian served as the Apostolic Church, Washington DC.; the transla- honorary co-chairs for the evening. tion of the book from Turkish into English by Dr. Also speaking at the event were Deputy Chief Taner Akçam, titled The Young Turks’ Crime of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the Against Humanity, as well as The Young Turks’ United States Hrachia Tashchian as well as the Crime Against Humanity. Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the Nishanian is the recipient of several medals, US Robert Avetisyan. certificates of appreciation and commendations Choloyan presented Letters of Recognition to from universities in Armenia and different orga- Arsen Sayan, Ara Sahagian, Rose Balian and Hinazant Arabian. One of the highlights for the evening was a medley of traditional Armenian Songs performed by Emma Soghomonian and Pamela Tossounian. They were accompanied by Armik Khachatourians on drums and Mihran Kochyan on oud. The national anthems, Star Spangled Banner and Mer Hairenik, were performed by Sareen Balian and Arya Balian. Jerair and Anahid Nishanian, the Honorary Co-Chairs Anto Tossounian was master of ceremonies. The anniversary dinner was co-chaired by Elda Hacopian and Jemma Simonian. The Primary Mission of JNF is to facilitate an attain higher education in various disciplines in Jirair Nishanian is the founder and president of opportunity for underprivileged, talented young liberal arts, law, sciences, engineering and archi- the Jirair Nishanian Foundation (JNF). The JNF Armenian students in Armenia to receive higher tecture; therefore, exclusively preserve their came to be through Jerair Nishanian’s profound education and achieve their inherent potentials, Armenian heritage, and build a strong genera- sense of duty inherited from his parents, who and in turn, contribute to the welfare of their tion of Armenians armed with higher education. were the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, motherland and the future generations. The foundation awards scholarships to attend St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a deep desire to assist the underprivileged JNF is also committed to religious, charitable, Gavar State University and the State young Armenians, in particular, the ones talent- scientific, testing for public safety, literary, trans- Engineering University in Yerevan. ed, so they can achieve their potential so that lations, publications, and educational endeavors, Since its formation in 1993, JNF has been grant- nizations which include: St. Nersess Shnorhali they can contribute to the advancement of their and grants scholarships and financial aid to the ing scholarships to undergraduate students in Medal from Karekin II, Catholicos of All motherland, Armenia. talented underprivileged young Armenians to Gavar State University in Gavar, Armenia, but since Armenians; Erakhtagitutyan Medal (The Medal 2011, JNF expanded its scholarship program to of Gratitude) from the president of the Republic include students majoring in engineering and archi- of Armenia; Medal of Recognition and Gratitude OBITUARY tecture in National University of Architecture and from the Ministry of Science and Education of Construction of Armenia, located in Yerevan. To the Republic of Armenia; the Ellis Island Medal Mary D. Mingain secure the continuity of the JNF scholarship pro- of Honor; Appreciation Medal from St. Nersess gram, Nishanian on May 2013, donated $1,000,000 Seminary; Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy Vero Beach Resident to establish an endowment fund. from Gavar State University in Armenia and St. Since 2007, the JNF scholarship program in Nersess Shnorhali medal from the Catholicos of VERO BEACH, Fla. — Mary D. “Doris” Canada and later relocated to Windsor, Ontario. Armenia has been managed by the Diocese of the All Armenians Karekin II. Mingain, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away peace She married the late Henry Mingain in 1963, Armenian Church of America’s Fund for Armenian Jerair Nishanian is married to Anahid Sunday, March 11, with her family by her side. and they made their life together in North Relief (FAR) in New York and its branch office in Nishanian and they have three children and five She was born to the late Perous and Karekin Providence, RI. They later retired and wintered Yerevan. The JNF currently provides scholarships to grandchildren. Mavian on March 1, 1927 in Brantford, Ontario, in Port Charlotte, Fla. more than 70 college students in Armenia, and is — Diramayr Anahid Early in Mary’s career she was a hair stylist anticipated to increase the number of the students JNF Board Member and then a draftswoman in Detroit. After mov- to 80 within the next two years. ing to Rhode Island, she worked at Rhode Island College as an administrative assistant. Mingain was a member of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence. She was an amazing artist, with oils and water col- ors. She loved to sew, cook, laugh, travel and spend time with her family. She had a proud F UNERAL H OME love of her Armenian heritage and spent time Giragosian educating people on the genocide. James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC She is survived by her loving son Mark and Mark J. Giragosian his wife Karen of Vero Beach. Dearest sister of Funeral Counselors Joe (the late Dorothy) Mavian, Dick (the late 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Sue) Mavian, the late Michael (Delores) Mavian, www.giragosianfuneralhome.com the late Zorek (Alice) Mavian; grandchildren Randon Mullins and Nikayla Brown and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be private. Telephone (617) 924-7400 Karen Jean (Goshgarian) Smith Aram Bedrosian

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Karen Jean Funeral Home, Inc. (Goshgarian) Smith, 67, died on March 4, 2018, at the Harborside Healthcare in Plymouth. She Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 was the devoted wife of William F. Smith of MARION BEDROSIAN Plymouth. 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Born in Boston on January 11, 1951, she was WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN daughter of Knarig R. “Kay” Goshgarian and her husband the late Casper Goshgarian. She was educated in Framingham, a gradu- ate of Framingham North High School. She graduated from Lasalle Jr. College, where she received her associate’s degree in early educa- Nardolillo Funeral Home tion. Est. 1906 She was the owner and president of Pilgrim Pressure Cleaning. John K. Najarian, Jr. Besides leaving her husband William “Bill,” Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director she was the mother of Michelle N. Smith of Plymouth and sister of the late Sarkis 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Goshgarian. 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 The Funeral Service took place in the www.nardolillo.com Cartmell Funeral Home with interment in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth. S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Assembly Delegation Attends California Senate Hearing Chaired by Sen. Portantino

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Wednesday, hearing. Assembly delegation members includ- February 28, a delegation from the Armenian ed Southern California Regional Council mem- Assembly of America attended a hearing initi- ber Helen Haig, Assembly Central Valley ated by the CA State Senate’s Select activists Daniel Aydenian and Helvina Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Grikoryan, and Western Region Director Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange, Mihran Toumajan. under the leadership of Committee Chair, Assembly delegation members are also grate- California State Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D- ful to have privately met and discussed a wide 25). range of issues with Members of the California The committee convened its inaugural hear- State Assembly and State Senate, including ing at the State Capitol in Sacramento, and cov- California State Assemblymembers Dante ered a wide range of subjects, including the re- Acosta (R-38), Laura Friedman (D-43), Heath invigoration of trade between California and Flora (R-12) and Jim Patterson (R-23), and Armenia, the commemoration of the 30th California State Senators Scott Wilk (R-21), anniversary of the Sumgait Pogrom by way of John Moorlach (R-37) and Tom Berryhill (R-8). testimony from human rights activist, author, Among the issues discussed with members of and refugee from Baku, Anna Astvatsaturian the state Senate is the status of AB-1597, Turcotte, and an enlightening discussion on authored by California State Assemblymember the University of California (UC) system’s and Adrin Nazarian (D-46), which, if approved and UC students’ respective positions vis-a-vis signed into law, would prohibit California’s pub- divesting approximately $75 million from the lic employee retirement systems (CalPERS and From Left to Right: Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, Assembly Southern California Republic of Turkey. The latter discussion was CalSTRS) from investing new or renewing exist- Regional Council member Helen Haig, CA State Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-12), Helvina precipitated by a successful grassroots divest- ing public funds in Turkish government-issued, Grikoryan, and Daniel Aydenian ment campaign on every UC campus by UC stu- owned, controlled, or managed bonds and dent activists of Armenian descent. The assets. AB-1597 overwhelmingly passed (67 - 0) Armenian Assembly of America extends its pro- during a floor vote in the California State found gratitude to State Senator Portantino for Assembly on June 1, 2017 and is currently chairing the hearing, and commends State pending in the California State Senate’s Senators Scott Wilk, Ben Allen, and John Committee on Public Employment and Moorlach for their participation. Retirement. The Armenian Assembly of Armenian Assembly delegates provided state- America has submitted a written statement for ments during the public comment period of the the record in support of AB-1597.

From Left to Right: Daniel Aydenian, Helvina Grikoryan, Assembly Southern California Regional From Left to Right: Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, Assembly Southern Council member Helen Haig, CA State Senator Tom Berryhill (R-8), and Assembly Western Region California Regional Council member Helen Haig, Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson, Helvina Grikoryan, Director Mihran Toumajan and Daniel Aydenian 10 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Washington Armenian Community Unites

WASHINGTON, from page 1 thanks to the people of Artsakh. He encour- the principles of democracy, freedom, and ini- ing a break in between speeches. Sahakyan invited again to the US, this time offi- aged the guests to honor the president and his tiative, and the unacceptability of stereotypes. The Artsakh delegation, in addition to the cially by the White House. coevals by showing their support through Sahakyan then bestowed Artsakh state president and Babayan, included Foreign Totah invited Hamparian to speak. money, time and effort to those on the front- medals of gratitude to the ANCA and its repre- Minister Masis Mayilian, parliamentarians Hamparian thanked Sahakyan for making his lines of Armenian independence. sentatives for their consistent support and ser- David Ishkhanyan and David Melkumyan, and work in Washington easy. He said, “Artsakh is Totah then invited Sahakyan to speak. vices rendered to the Artsakh Republic. The was accompanied by Artsakh’s Permanent on the right side of the defining issues that Deputy Head of the President’s Administration same awards were previously awarded to the Representative in the United States, Robert matter here in Washington DC, on questions of David Babayan, translated his remarks into Assembly. ANC American-Armenian activist Dr. Avetisyan. peace, on questions of dialogue and on ques- English. Sahakyan said that that the American- Sarkis Agasarkisian of Georgia was called to In the audience were several clergymen, tions of democracy…” Artsakh wants account- Armenian community was one of the most pow- the front to receive the medal of gratitude, including, in addition to Archbishop Aykazian, ability on questions of peace and truce viola- erful and accomplished segments of the while Kaspar Karampetian, president of the Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of tions, open communication and dialogue. Armenian diaspora, and was carrying out European Armenian Federation for Justice and the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Hamparian said that Artsakh is an American important work in developing Artsakh-US and Democracy, visiting from Belgium, was given Church of America. Aram Bakshian, a speech- story: it is the victory of a free people over for- Armenian-American relations and supporting the Mesrop Mashtots Medal by the Artsakh writer for US Presidents Nixon, Ford and eign rule. Artsakh. president. Reagan, and former US Ambassador to Hamparian declared that in honoring In particular, Artsakh, he said, is interested At this point, Armenian Assembly Executive Armenia John Evans were present. The leaders President Sahakyan, they were honoring a gen- in developing a partnership with the United Director Bryan Ardouny declared that it was of Armenian political parties like the Armenian eration, starting in the late 1980s, that turned States. The peoples of the two countries share truly an honor to come together as one com- Democratic Liberal Party and the Armenian the tide of one thousand years. Armenians much in common in their system of values, munity united in support of Artsakh on this Revolutionary Federation, cultural organiza- went from losing land and hope to a rebirth Sahakyan continued, including dedication to auspicious occasion. He called up Annie Totah, tions like the Tekeyan Cultural Association of and together with Aram Hamparian, the three the United States and Canada and the organizational leaders toasted the president. Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural Association of Totah repeated that they would be working the Eastern United States, as well as service for the president’s next visit to be on the invi- organizations like the Knights of Vartan were tation of the White House. Hamparian con- in attendance. cluded the evening by emphasizing that our community is deeply united when it comes to issues like Artsakh. Next week’s Mirror will have a During the banquet, a 20-year-old pianist special interview of President Bako from Artsakh, Anahit Arushanyan, performed Sahakyan conducted by Aram three musical selections for the gathering dur- Arkun of the Mirror staff]

From left, Bryan Ardouny, Annie Totah, Mrs. Victoria Hovhannisian, and Aram Bakshian

Amb. Grigor Hovhannisian welcomes the guests (photo: Aram Arkun)

From left, Robert Avetisyan, Masis Mayilian and David Babayan

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian

Annie Simonian Totah (photo: Aram Arkun) Aram Hamparian (photo: Aram Arkun) S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 11 COMMUNITY NEWS in Support of Artsakh

From left, Nora Nazerian Vartkessian, Vartan Nazerian, President Sahakyan, Edmond Azadian, Kevork Marashlian ADL Supreme Council Meets with From left, Aram Hamparian, Bryan Ardouny and Annie Simonian Totah prepare to make a joint toast Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan ADL, from page 1 On March 16, the ADL representatives had a private meeting with President Sahakyan’s group in the office of the Artsakh Republic representative to the United States. ADL Supreme Council President Nazerian welcomed the guests from Artsakh to the United States and then reported on the activities of ADL members in Artsakh. The meeting turned into a substantive discussion of the political situation of Artsakh. A number of plans which will be implemented in Artsakh in the near future by the ADL and associat- ed organizations were discussed. After the conclusion of the meeting, the ADL Supreme Council invited the Artsakh del- egation to a special dinner at an elegant Washington restaurant. The members of the visiting Artsakh delegation included, in addition to President Sahakyan, Artsakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Masis Mayilian, members of Parliament David Ishkhanyan and David Melkumyan, and Deputy Head of the President’s Administration David Babayan.

Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan, left, with David Babayan (photo: Aram Arkun)

The meeting with the Artsakh delegates

Berge Setrakian Honored on the 30th Anniversary of the Artsakh Movement SETRAKIAN, from page 1 A number of representatives from the Armenian-American community were invited to the March 15 reception along with the Armenophile former US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans. Ambassador of Armenia to the United States Grigor Hovhannisian served as the mas- ter of ceremonies, first welcoming the official representatives of the Republic of Artsakh and then inviting a number of representatives of the Armenian-American community to them- selves deliver their words of greetings to the guests. At the end, President Sahakyan spoke and declared that he had visited America on a vari- ety of prior occasions. However, this visit is the first to bear both political and historical sig- nificance. He then thanked the Armenian General Benevolent Union and its president, Berge Setrakian, who was sitting next to him at the table of honor. He then ceremonious- ly pinned the Mesrob Mashtots Medal of the Republic of Artsakh on Setrakian’s lapel and gave him an official governmental decree in recognition of his years of assistance to Artsakh. Moved by this unexpected act of appreciation, Setrakian spoke emotionally, stressing that whatever the diaspora provided to the heroic people of Artsakh was insufficient. The dias- pora was obligated to do much more because the Artsakh independence movement gave pride to the diaspora, and inspired its youth to continue to live their lives as Armenians.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK 12 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS How an Armenian Soldier Saved the Life of a Future US Senator

WASHINGTON (Armenpress) — Former US Sen. Mark Kirk says he owes his life to an Armenian soldier. The American politician made the remark in his speech March 9 when the Armenian parliamentary delegation awarded Kirk with the Medal of Honor of the Armenian National Assembly in Washington D.C. Many years ago when Mark Kirk visited Armenia as an ordinary staff member of the Congress, he went to the frontline to get acquainted with the situation, and if it weren’t for an Armenian soldier standing next to him, this could’ve been the last visit of the US politician, Voice of America reports. “We were in a trench near Terter, we were looking at Azerbaijani positions. I mistakenly raised my head up and right at that moment I felt the hand of the Armenian sol- dier on my collar, who pulled me back. An Azerbaijani bullet passed through the very place were my head was seconds ago. The Armenian soldier saved my life, and it was a lesson for me that you can’t raise your head from a Sen. Mark Kirk trench,” Mark Kirk said. The Senator learned another lesson from this visit also. He emphasized that history has been unfair towards the important organizations of the Armenian community of ities she couldn’t imagine that she would be the one Armenian people and that historic justice should be the US, say that the volume of pro-Armenian work of awarding the medal to him. restored, firstly by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Mark Kirk in the capacity of Senator was unprecedented. “I couldn’t even dream about having the honor to “Who remembers the Armenians” – the Senator repeated Armenia’s Ambassador to the US Grigor Hovhannisyan award the Senator with his medal,” she said. the infamous statement of Adolf Hitler. “Who remembers thanked the US politician on behalf of Armenia. Upon knowing that Arpine Hovhannisyan is represent- the Armenians? I remember the Armenians, and none of “You have captured your unique place in our hearts, ing the Republican Party of Armenia, the party which us should forget the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian and we hope that Armenia has its place in yours,” the holds majority in the parliament, the Senator, who is a people, the wonderful, creative people,” Kirk said. Ambassador said. Republican, immediately joked: “If things go bad in the Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director of the Armenian Upon bestowing Mark Kirk with the medal, Vice US and Donald Trump’s Republican administration fails, Assembly of America, and Aram Hamparian, Executive Speaker of Parliament Arpine Hovhannisyan said that we, US Republicans, will probably move to Armenia to Director of the Armenian National Committee – two most many years ago when she was following Mark Kirk’s activ- request asylum.”

Genocide Commemoration at ARF Eastern US Announces Schedule for Heritage Park on April 21 First Republic Centennial Conference WATERTOWN — The Armenian will start at 9:30 a.m. Sessions include “Key BOSTON — The Massachusetts Armenian Buses will leave from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern Figures and Events of the First Republic” Genocide Commemoration Committee will Cultural and Educational Center, St. James US has announced the program schedule with speakers for the Armenian-language ses- host a commemoration of the Armenian Armenian Apostolic Church, and Holy Trinity for the First Republic of Armenia sion Amaduni Virabian (Armenia), Hagop Genocide on Saturday, April 21, at the Armenian Apostolic Church. Centennial Conference, taking place May Balian (France), Raymond Kevorkian Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose For more information e-mail 11-12 at Columbia University in New York. (France) and for the English-language ses- Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway at 3 p.m. and is [email protected]. The conference will feature several speak- sion: Tatul Sonentz-Papazian (US), Khatchig expected to conclude at 5 p.m. ers including Hagop Balian, Richard Mouradian (US), Vartan Matiossian (US), This year will mark the 103rd anniversary Hovannisian, Ashot Melkonyan and Ronald Nareh Kupelian (US). of the 1.5 million Armenians massacred by Grigor Suny. Another session that day will be “Terra the Ottoman Empire in 1915. The focus of The event is co-sponsored by the Irredenta: The Struggle to Secure this year’s program will be on coming togeth- Armenian Review and the National Armenia’s Borders” with Ruben Safrastyan Association for Armenian Studies and (Armenia), Ashot Melkonyan (Armenia), Research (NAASR) on the occasion of the Lernik Hovhannisyan (Artsakh), Robert republic’s centennial. Krikorian (US), Stephen Jones (US) and “An international cast of speakers has Pietro Shakarian (US). been assembled, not just to explain the his- Other sessions that day will feature Ara torical events and significance of the First Sanjian (US), Marc Nichanian (Portugal), Republic, but also to reflect on how what Hayk Demoyan (Armenia), Alla Mirzoyan happened 100 years ago has impacted (US), Henry Theriault (US), Gregory Armenia and Armenians in the past thirty Aftandilian (US) and Marc Mamigonian years,” said conference programming chair (US). Dikran Kaligian. There will also be a keynote luncheon on Singer R-Mean The conference begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday featuring Hovannisian. A full list- May 11, with a plenary roundtable session ing of speaker topics and presentations will er as a community, united against genocide. titled “The First Republic of Armenia: 100 be available soon. The event, open to the public, will feature Years Later.” Professors Richard Registration details for the conference as speakers Massachusetts State Rep. David Hovannisian, Ronald Suny, Stephan will be announced next week. Muradian, editor of the Armenian Weekly Astourian, and Dikran Kaligian will lead the The conference is part of a larger series of Rupen Janbazian, and more. Singer R-Mean roundtable. activities devoted to the Republic of On Saturday, May 12, the full-day program Armenia’s centennial. and the Zangakner Performing Arts State Rep. David Muradian Ensemble will perform. Virginia D. Bandazian Scholarship Fund Applications Available for 2018

WASHINGTON — Grant applications are The scholarship is an open grant awarded to area verifying the involvement of the applicant 23221 or emailed to virginiabandazianscholar- being accepted from prospective candidates of full-time undergraduate or graduate female stu- in Armenian activities and good standing. [email protected]. the Virginia D. Bandazian Scholarship Fund for dents of Armenian descent on the basis of merit The application can be found and printed from For additional information and application 2018. Her children established the fund after and need, attending an accredited university or the official webpage, virginiabandazianfund.square- forms, contact the Scholarship Trustees at vir- the 1997 passing of Virginia D. Bandazian. The college in the United States of America. At least space.com. The current grants are One $1,000 and [email protected]. foal of this fund is for the education of two letters of recommendation must be will be awarded prior to May 31. Applications must Virginia D. Bandazian was an advocate for Armenian Women whose legal residence is in received from Armenian Organizations and/or be filed before April 30, with all information, pic- the education of Armenian Women and the Communities of Virginia, Maryland and/or Armenian community leaders or parish priest of ture, documents and transcripts. Applications may believed “Without its women being educated, a Washington, DC area. the Virginia, Maryland and/or Washington, DC be mailed to 2801 West Grace Street; Richmond VA society cannot advance.” S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living

BOOKS ‘Intent to Mouradian’s Book Destroy’ to Shines Light on Armenian Genocide Be Shown

By Cameron Vernali On Starz

LOS ANGELES (Daily Bruin) — Kay LOS ANGELES — Starz, an American enter- Mouradian’s mother survived the tainment company that owns U.S. pay televi- Armenian Genocide at the age of 14. sion channels, has acquired the Armenian However, while Mouradian heard sto- Genocide film “Intent to Destroy” along with ries of her mother’s experiences as a child, seven other exclusive first-run documentaries, the University of California at Los Angeles Deadline reports. (UCLA) alumna wouldn’t really learn Director Joe Berlinger embeds himself on about the details of the horrific event the epic film set of Terry George’s “The until she began writing a book on the sub- Promise” (2016) to take an unwavering look ject called My Mother’s Voice in her 50s. at the Armenian Genocide. Historians, schol- The novel and accompanying documen- ars and filmmakers come together in tary focus on her mother’s life during the Berlinger’s cinematic exploration of the tan- Co-Chair Nina Festekjian Armenian genocide, which Mouradian gled web of responsibility that has driven a researched for 10 years in libraries, book century of denial by the Turkish government shops and other countries. Mouradian and its strategic allies. won the Armenian Genocide Awareness “Intent to Destroy” (2017) is a timely reck- Legacy Award at the Armenian National oning with the large-scale suppression of a his- Evening of Art and torical tragedy. Berlinger confronts the fraught task of shedding light on the Armenian Genocide – whose witnesses and descendants are still fighting to be officially Food Raises Funds acknowledged as such by the international community – how it was carried out during World War I as the reign of the Ottoman Empire drew to a close, and how it laid the For YerazArt groundwork for the genocides that followed. “We are acquiring an eclectic slate of docu- mentaries that not only strategically align BOSTON — On March 11, a with Starz Original series but also present capacity crowd gathered at By Alin K. Gregorian engaging subjects, provocative conflicts and anoush’ella saj kitchen restau- Staff authentic storytelling,” said C. Brett Marottoli, Mirror-Spectator rant in the South End for a Head of Program Acquisitions for Starz. fundraiser to benefit YerazArt, “Intent to Destroy: Death, Denial & an organization helping young musicians in Armenia. Depiction” will premiere on April 23, 2018. The event netted $20,000. Chairing the event this year were YerazArt board members Nina Festekjian and Anna Afeyan. Festekjian and her husband, Raffi, are the proprietors of anoush’ella, which opened several months ago. University of California at Los Angeles Afeyan spoke about the track record of the artists supported by the organiza- Glendale Exhibits (UCLA) alumna Kay Mouradian wrote a tion, who have achieved novel and released a documentary a high level of success Explore Concept of describing her mother’s experiences dur- internationally. Among ing the Armenian Genocide, both titled those are Narek Inherited Trauma of . Arutyunyan, a young My Mother’s Voice clarinetist who graduat- Armenian Genocide ed from the Juilliard School, and Diana Committee of America Western Region’s Adamyan, a young vio- By Jeff Landa annual awards banquet on February 24 linist who has won sev- for spreading awareness of the topic and eral competitions and said she hopes a personal focus on the has been selected to par- GLENDALE (Los Angeles Times) — The Armenian Genocide will help people, espe- ticipate in the Downtown Central Library will host two cially teachers, remember a part of history International Menuhin simultaneous art exhibits that explore the that is often forgotten. Competition in April. concept of generational trauma associated Mouradian said the idea for the book Afeyan said that the with the Armenian Genocide. first came from her mother, who was suf- organization has given The main exhibit, “Nonlinear Histories,” is fering from severe dementia. As her con- grants and scholarships co-curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan as dition got worse, she told Mouradian to to many young musi- well as Isin Önol and features the works of write a book about her life and the cians and that since seven artists who examine their generational Armenian Genocide. However, Mouradian 2006, it has supported ties to the Armenian Genocide by reimagin- was teaching throughout Los Angeles and more than 100 artists so ing inherited artifacts. had plans to go to Beijing to teach over- that “young musicians It will run through May 6. seas at the time. grow up and become The collections are inspired by the theory But her plans changed — Mouradian very accomplished. of “postmemory” by literature scholar and never went to Beijing and ended up writ- There are several who author Marianne Hirsch, which refers primar- ing the novel instead. Mouradian said she hold PhDs now both ily to how the children of Holocaust survivors wanted to help the Armenian Genocide abroad and in Armenia.” cope with inherited trauma. retain its place in history, and as a former She noted that the Artists featured include Jean Marie teacher, she wanted to give other educa- Co-chair Anna Afeyan group now wants to Casbarian, Eileen Claveloux, Didem Erk, tors a more accessible way of understand- focus on musicians play- Hrayr Eulmessekian, Silvina Der ing the genocide. ing wind and brass Meguerditchian, Hrair Sarkissian and The Armenian genocide began in 1915, instruments. “There are no students, no teachers and even the National Glendale resident Harry Vorperian. during which the Ottoman Empire — Philharmonic has European players” for those instruments, she said. Ara Oshagan said there has been no “post- which includes modern-day Turkey — com- “We also pay stipends to teachers so that they teach year-round,” Afeyan said. memory” exhibit on the Armenian Genocide, mitted genocide of more than 1.5 million “And we donate the instruments. They are no less expensive in Armenia than adding that it’s one of the most important Armenians residing in the here,” with instruments costing between $2,000 and $5,000. “We donate the concepts that tries to address ways in which empire. However, Mouradian said people see YERAZART, page 16 second- and third-generation survivors deal see BOOKS, page 14 with trauma. see LIBRARY, page 14 14 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Glendale Exhibits Explore Concept of Inherited Trauma of Armenian Genocide

LIBRARY, from page 13 “We sought out artists who work in this mode, dealing with grandparents and how their trauma is transported across this chasm. There is an attempt to reach across and connect with things that happen before [the] disruption [of genocide],” he said. Artist Der Meguerditchian’s “Treasures” features 130 pages from a hand- written notebook on health remedies inherited from her great-grandmother, a genocide survivor. The notebook is one of the artifacts that she inherited from her uncle after she stopped him from unknowingly throwing it away. “I hope the public will see what we are trying to see,” she said. “People need a space to reflect and see because lots of second and third generations were silenced by trauma, but our grand kids can now articulate a lot of things — it is necessary.” The work from another artist, Vorperian, reimagines his grandmother’s ornate crochets into a lively garden of lilies constructed from various mate- rials. The lilies function as public art, displayed outside the gallery and can be found throughout the library. “[Her] colorful, large-scale wall tapestries adorned our walls, while her throw pillows, tablecloths and bed covers were spread all over the house,” Vorperian said in a statement. “It felt like living in some magical flower field somewhere in the Netherlands — or, indeed, Marash, the perennial source of my grandmother’s leaps of imagination.” The second exhibit, “Prosperity, Loss, and Survival: A Photographic Journey from the Dildilian Family Archive,” opens March 24 and is co-curated by Armen Marsoobian. It is an organized family archive of memoirs and photographs, which were created before and survived through the Armenian Genocide. “Armenians trace our roots back to that space [before the genocide] and having this extensive breadth of a collection is really a moment where we can stop and reflect,” Ara Oshagan said. A photograph from artist Silvina Der Meguerditchian’s installation “Treasures,” will be on display at the Downtown For more information, visit bit.ly/2ottGdZ. Central Library gallery as part of an exhibit focused on how memories of the Armenian Genocide are passed down through generations. (Courtesy of Ara Oshagan)

Zareh Tjeknavorian’s Film Wins at First Hermetic International Film Festival (FHIFF)

YEREVAN — American University of documentary film possess such mesmerizing and arcane spiritual themes. Described by one Zareh Tjeknavorian was born in Fargo, ND Armenia (AUA) Adjunct Lecturer Zareh cinematography.” participant as “two evenings of unusual, eccen- into a family of musicians and grew up in Tjeknavorian’s film “Elegy in Light” has won “Elegy in Light” was shot on super 8mm film tric films,” the festival took place on March 1 Tehran, London, Frankfurt, Paris and New the Rosenkreuz Award for Best Foreign at the funeral of Catholicos Vazgen I, Supreme and 2 at La Casa del Cinema in the historic York, where he attended the Professional Documentary at the First Hermetic Patriarch of All Armenians. A mystical vision of heart of a snow-clad Venice. The program con- Children’s School and New York University’s International Film Festival in Venice, Italy. death and spiritual transformation, it depicts sisted of 28 works from Armenia, Australia, Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in film and Tjeknavorian teaches Filmmaking and Cinema an ancient rite of the Armenian Church with a Canada, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, television. Over the years he’s pursued his Studies in the College of Humanities and soundscape of monastic chants from composer Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the interests in ancient and esoteric cultures, lost Social Sciences (CHSS). Loris Tjeknavorian’s The Life of Christ. The United States. histories, and the lives of the forgotten and dis- “From the beginning we had the feeling that film has been described by one viewer as “a The Rosenkreuz Award for Best Foreign possessed through short and long-form films. this precious documentary, seemingly fragile psychedelic trip into medieval times.” Documentary is named after Christian His most recent work is a folk history of the yet in its essence as resilient and enduring as The Hermetic International Film Festival is Rosenkreuz, legendary founder of the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath in Soviet an archaeological artifact, would be awarded”, the first of its kind, dedicated to showcasing Rosicrucian Order (Order of the Rose Cross) in Armenia, told through the memories of said FHIFF director Sara Ferro. “Rarely does a visionary films that explore esoteric, occult, the early 15th century. orphans, refugees and their descendants. Mouradian’s Book Shines Light On Armenian Genocide

BOOKS, from page 13 The documentary features Mouradian’s voice sometimes are unaware of the mass killings over archive footage and photographs, as well since Turkey refuses to acknowledge the geno- as live footage of Mouradian herself. Friedman cide, and the word “genocide” did not exist said the focus on Mouradian’s mother’s life cre- until 30 years after the Armenian genocide. ated an opportunity for viewers to personally “I thought to myself, ‘How do I make it easy connect with the story. for teachers to get a grasp of what happened in “When you tell (people) that a million and a 1915 to make their job easier and to get their half people were murdered (in the Armenian interest involved?’” Mouradian said. genocide) … that number is so large that they Mouradian researched the genocide using a can’t identify with it,” Friedman said. “But variety of sources including the history and when you follow somebody’s life specifically, I memoir sections in used bookstores and inter- think it has a lot of meaning and really affects national trips. At the bookstores, Mouradian people in the way we wanted them to be affect- would open books to the table of contents and ed.” buy them if she saw the word “Constantinople” Mary Mason, the director of teaching and in it. She also went to UCLA libraries for books learning in Glendale, met Mouradian while on World War I and got in touch with the working with her on the Genocide Education Library of Congress manuscript division for 10 Project training committee for district teachers. micro-reels. Mason said she thinks the documentary is a During three trips to Turkey and two to useful educational tool because it is personal Syria, she searched for her mother’s rescuers, and appropriate for kids to watch and talk whose descendants remembered her mother about but does not oversimplify the topic. decades after the end of the genocide, she said. “It puts a very real face on something that She also traveled the routes her mother took happened 100 years ago, and I think that’s from her village to Aleppo and through the important in the bigger context,” Mason said. Syrian desert. “My Mother’s Voice” is currently pending However, Mouradian added to the complexi- approval of the curriculum review committee of ty of My Mother’s Voice when she decided to Glendale, which would result in the distribu- create a documentary with the same name and tion of class sets for middle schools. Mouradian focus as the novel. Mouradian said she wanted said integrating her work into educational sys- to create the documentary to help students tems is the most important aspect of her work understand the Armenian genocide via a more because it ensures future generations will learn accessible medium. about events that are currently left out of text- Mark Friedman, a sound designer for Moriah books. Films, helped Mouradian make the documen- “The Armenian Genocide does deserve its tary after meeting her through mutual friends. rightful place in history,” Mouradian said. S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING An Evening of Reflection ‘In the [Spring] Time of Your Life’

Armenian faith tradition that exemplify their By Michael Rettig ancient “theology of time,” the cross and archi- tecture, the alphabet, specifically the seventh letter, “eh”, the liturgical calendar, and the elab- FRESNO — In an increasingly fast-paced world orate hymnography. Jendian noted that numer- in which success is often measured by one’s ous hymns include the refrain “Today” and that monetary gains it is important to remember to the Armenian musical heritage serves as a point live with intention and awareness. On Tuesday, of connection that facilitates participation in a March 6, 2018, Megan A. Jendian delivered an present moment that is both historical, yet not apt reminder of this “intentional living” in her fully past. multimedia presentation, “In the [Spring] Time “Connecting us to the presence of the eter- of Your Life,” an exploration of the concept of nal, both Saroyan’s writings and the Armenian “time” as expressed in both William Saroyan’s lit- faith tradition remind us to awaken, open our erary writings and in unique features of the eyes, and pay attention so we may revel in life’s Armenian liturgical tradition. moments of grace, truth, and life,” Jendian On behalf of the Armenian Cultural encouraged during the dandelion tea recep- Conservancy (ACC), Dr. Matthew Ari Jendian, tion.. “Let this reflection be an invitation - in professor and department chair of sociology the springtime of your life - to look more deeply, and director of Humanics at Fresno State, wel- see more clearly, and perhaps live your life as comed nearly 100 guests to the enrichment pro- magnificent art.” gram at Woodward Park Regional Library, A native of Fresno, Megan A. Jendian is a encouraged supporters to become members of Saroyan literary enthusiast, graduate of the ACC, and introduced his sister Megan as the University of California, Irvine, and holds Master evening’s presenter. of Arts degrees from St. Nersess and St. According to neuroscientific research, the Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminaries. She currently brain perceives time differently based on one’s contributes as an editor and consultant for sever- awareness and engagement with the present. al publications. Over the last decade, Jendian has Through highlighting the significance of the co-created and implemented Diocesan curricula name, characters, and content of Saroyan’s for retreat programs in New York, New England, 1939 play, “The Time of Your Life,” Jendian the South, and the Midwest, provided 2017 shared several examples of his sophisticated Megan A. Jendian Lenten presentations within Armenian communi- understanding of time and art which is often ties of Racine, WI and Charlotte, NC, and contin- overlooked by his reviewers. Saroyan believed ues to facilitate adult education seminars for that successful art alters one’s awareness of cern in “The Time of Your Life” was the strug- capacity for renewal in the spirit of man.” This parishes and organizations upon invitation. time by intensifying one’s experience in the gle for “true being” against the spiritual desert point is encapsulated by Joe, the main charac- Fresno’s Armenian Cultural Conservancy, a moment, thus creating a sense of timelessness. of modernity. Saroyan clearly stated “My inten- ter in “The Time of Your Life,” “I want to live 501 nonprofit, community benefit organization, As noted by Jendian, and detailed in David tion in creating art is to remind people to focus while I’m alive.” welcomes your membership. For further infor- Calonne’s study of Saroyan’s writings, My Real their attention on the splendid things purity, In the second part of her presentation, mation, visit http: armenianculturalconservan- Work is Being, the central philosophical con- innocence, natural humor, and the indistinctive Jendian shared four of many features of the cy.org . Recipe Corner St. James Armenian Church by Christine Vartanian Datian

Grilled Eggplant, Tomatoes and Cheese Mezze With Yogurt Mint Salad

INGREDIENTS 6-8 Japanese eggplants, sliced thinly 6 medium tomatoes, sliced thinly or 2 boxes of cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup olive oil 8:00PM 1/2 cup black or green olives, finely chopped 2-3 cloves garlic, minced LIVE JAZZ MUSIC THE JOHN BABOIAN QUARTET WITH VOCALIST STEVE MARVIN 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (to taste) 12-16 slices of rustic Italian bread, 1/2-inch thick, or 8-10 pita breads cut in half LIVE ARMENIAN MUSIC Mozzarella or Jack cheese, cut in thin slices +256'Â2(895(6_0(==( '(66(5767$7,216_&$6+%$5BOB SATURDAY,RAPHALIAN, LEON JANIKIAN, APRIL JOE SARKISIAN, 14, AND2018 KEN KALAJIAN Roasted red pepper slices, diced Freshly grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese Fresh basil leaves (torn) GREAT1920sÀ ATTIRE ENCOURAGED!GATSBY Minced flat-leaf parsley, green onions, and mint (to taste) Olive oil, kosher salt, black or white pepper (to taste) $100 ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ONLY! TICKETS AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE OR AT

WWW.STJAMESWATERTOWN.ORG PREPARATION: FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:GALA 617.923.8860 OR [email protected] Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, basil, and a few table- spoons of olive oil, toss, and set aside. Brush bread or pita slices with olive oil and garlic mixture, and grill until toast- ed, turning one time, about 5 minutes (do not burn); remove bread from grill and keep warm. (Or you can bake bread slices in the oven arranged on a baking sheet, oiled side up). Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and garlic mixture, and grill for 5-8 minutes or until browned. Turn eggplant slices over and top with thin sliced cheese. Grill for another 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts. Arrange grilled eggplant on top of sliced bread, and top with the tomato and olive mixture and the roasted peppers. Sprinkle with kosher salt and Parmesan or feta cheese, and garnish with parsley, mint, and green onions. Serve mazza hot or cold with a warm tomato sauce on the side, if desired, and the Cucumber Mint Salad. Serves 6-8.

*Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ 16 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Evening of Art and Food Raises Funds for YerazArt

YERAZART, from page 13 America: A 400-Year Heritage. Sylvie Zakarian, a YerazArt board member and a faculty instruments to the schools and they are dedicated to a Festekjian then invited Nicole Babikian Hajjar, who for member in the percussion department at the Longy School promising young artist,” Afeyan said. Once the student more than a decade has chaired the fundraisers for YerazArt, of Music in Cambridge, Afeyan said, is helping the group leaves, they cannot take the instrument with them. and presented to her a Michael Aram decorative piece as a focus its scope in Armenia. Many of the instruments were more than 50 years old and in token of thanks. Zakarian said that for several summers YerazArt has set up rough shape, she said. Hajjar said, “I am very happy to YerazArt is in the best hands a two-week summer music school for gifted students high Festekjian thanked the local artists who had donated art- possible” and congratulated the founders of the organization, school age and younger for wind and brass. work for the silent auction: Levon Gyulkhasyan, Tamara Raffi Festekjian and Noubar Afeyan, and their spouses. Guests mingled and munched on Lebanese and Armenian Wolfson, Hagop Keledjian, Karine Makartichian and Sirarpi Nina Festekjian said she was happy with the program. “I food passed around on trays. Heghinian Walzer. am thankful to have this today. It has been great to raise as Music was provided by Oriental Trio. Noubar Afeyan added that another item up for auction was much as this. This year we are doing it in a public place For more information or to donate, visit https://www.face- a signed early copy of Hayk Demoyan’s Armenian Legacy in where are usually it is in a house.” book.com/events/364699393999850/

This year’s co-chair, Nina Festekjian, left, presented a Michael Aram decorative dish to chair for the past decade, Nicole Babikian Hajjar.

Dr. Knarik Arkun, left, and Seza Seraderian

Dr. Noubar Afeyan Dr. Armineh Mirzabegian and Harry Glorikian

Carine Avakian and Anahid Mardiros

From left, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Anna Afeyan, Dr. Jean-Jacques From left, Aurelio Sahagun, Piruz Bogossian, Nano Akhian, Hajjar and Raffi Festekjian Anahid Yapoudjian and Ghina Sahagun

From left, Houry Boyamian, Zepour Kouyoumdjian, Sarine Kroshian and Arev Der Vartanian Members of the Oriental Trio perform. Sylvie Zakarian, left, with Arlette Yegumians S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

Commemorative Committee, Friday, 7:30 pm, on Saturday, at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Boston, to cel- MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA Watertown/Belmont location to be announced. For more ebrate the achievements of one of Boston’s own – the information, [email protected] talented violinist Haig Hovsepian. A winner of the 2017 APRIL 8 — St. David Armenian Church of Boca Raton APRIL 20-21 — Commemorating the 103rd anniversary Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of its Consecration of the Armenian Genocide, first at the State House, a rising sophomore at the Cleveland Institute of Music, on Sunday, with a Celebratory Banquet in the Church on Friday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., Boston. A free Hovsepian will appear as soloist with the Boston Pops Mardigian Hall at 1 p.m., presided by Archbishop Khajag reception will follow. Then on Saturday, April 21, a Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart. He will Barsamian. All are invited to this special occasion. Commemoration at the Park, 3 to 5 p.m. Further details perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D-minor. The Donations for adults $45, children under 14, $10 will follow. For more information, visit Boston Pops will present Dance to the Movies where top Contact the church office 561 994-2335, or Sonig [email protected]. choreographers bring to life classic movie dances of yes- Kradjian 607 727-8786 and Emma Pilikyan 561 414- APRIL 21 – Annual Procession and Raising of the terday, starring the Boston Pops, Dancing Celebrity 1182. Armenian Flag at Lowell City Hall in commemora- Pros, So You Think You Can Dance top finalists, JANUARY 20-27, 2019 — Armenian Heritage Cruise tion of the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. and singing stars from American Idol and The Voice. XXII Western Carribean Cruise aboard Royal Procession to be led by the Lowell Armenian-American Tickets $95, $70 and $35, and are available at: Carribean’s Allure of the Seas. Traveling to Veterans Honor Guard. Participants should meet at the www.FACSBoston.org Nassau/Cozumel/Roatan/Costa Maya. Cabin rates start- corner of Merrimack and John Sts. in Lowell at 9:30 a.m. JUNE 28 — Under a Strawberry Moon, Armenian ing from $949 per person based on double occupancy, Sponsored by the Armenian National Committee, Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Thursday, including port charges and ACAA registration fee. Merrimack Valley (ANCMV) with the participation of all 8:30– 9:30 p.m. Meet & Greet! Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. Govermment taxes of $137.45 are additional. Armenian area Armenian Churches and Organizations. Enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries, hosted by Vicki entertainment, cultural presentations, festival day, tavlou APRIL 28 – Trinity Talent Showcase, 7 p.m., doors Lee’s and Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports. RSVP and belote tournaments and much more. Call Travel open; 7:30 p.m., Showcase begins; Holy Trinity appreciated. [email protected] Group International 561-447-0750 or 866-447-0750 ext. Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle St., JULY 18 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park 108. Contact person Jaine. Cambridge MA. All invited to an evening of entertain- on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday, 5- 6:30 p.m. ment featuring talent from the Holy Trinity Church com- Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea ILLINOIS munity; Robert Clarke, magician and juggler; and music Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For by the Black Sea Combo. Cabaret Table Seating: $20 per first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at APRIL 15 — Book presentation by Adrienne Alexanian person/$100 for table of 6 max. (RSVP deadline April 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. (editor) on her father’s memoir Forced into 15); Auditorium seating: $10 in advance; $15 at the [email protected] Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the door. For further information or to reserve online, log AUGUST 15 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Ottoman Turkish Army, Sunday, 3 p.m. sharp. The Illinois onto https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trinity-talent-show- Park on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 Holocaust Museum and Education Center 9603 Woods case-tickets-43801836472, or call the Holy Trinity Church p.m. Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Drive Skokie, Il. 60077—-RSVP (847) 967-4800. There are Office, 617.354.0632. Tea Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the no other books in literature on this aspect of the MAY 5 — Saturday, Kentucky Derby Watch Party, Fun Labyrinth. For first-time walkers introduction to walking a Genocide. The book also contains rare documents and and festivities to support Armenia Tree Project, At the ele- labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. pictures which will be shown during a power point pre- gant/historic Gore Place in Waltham. Details to follow. [email protected] sentation. Book signing during reception. MAY 5 — Save the date! Annual Meeting, Armenian SEPTEMBER 16 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park for International Women’s Association (AIWA). Details Families & Friends. Armenian Heritage Park on The MASSACHUSETTS to follow. Contact: [email protected] or 617- Greenway. 2-4 p.m. Enjoy Boston Hye Guys Ensemble 926-0171. with Ron Sahatjian, clarinet; Joe Kouyoumjian, oud; Art APRIL 8 — Annual Reconfiguration of the Abstract May 5 — Celebrate Public Art during Artweek on Chingris, percussion. RSVP appreciated. Sculpture, Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Saturday at the Park, Armenian Heritage Park on [email protected] Boston, Sunday, 7 am Rain Date: Sunday, April 15 The Greenway, Boston, 1 p.m., World Labyrinth Day: APRIL 10 — Armenian Business Network (ABN) Winter Walk As One in peace & harmony with people in cities NEW JERSEY Business Networking event. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. The and towns worldwide including the labyrinth in Gyumri. Sheraton Commander, Cambridge. Stephen Demirjian, At 12:45 p.m., introduction to Walking a Labyrinth, 1:30 SEPTEMBER 30 — Save the date! Armenia Fund USA guest speaker from the Achieve Institute shares methods pm - Reception to View the 2018 Configuration of the and Ardzagang Armenian TV are proud to present on creating greater personal and work life success. This Abstract Sculpture. Remarks: Sarah Baker, editor-in-chief, Artash Asatryan and Band, guest singer Grisha Asatryan, event is free of charge. RSVP: armenianbusinessnet- Art New England magazine. Introduced by Lucas Cowan, from Armenia! The concert is dedicated to the Armenia’s [email protected] Public Art Curator, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. and Artsakh’s Independence Celebration. Don’t miss the APRIL 11 — A recap on the status of the documentary Tea & Desserts, hosted by MEM Tea Imports & Eastern performance by the son and grandson of the legendary project “Neighbors in Memory,” accompanied by a Lamejun Bakers. RSVP appreciated. Armenian singer Aram Asatryan. Proceeds will benefit panel of community members shedding light on the state [email protected] Fruitful Artsakh Project. 4 p.m. Location: Bergen PAC, 30 of Armenian-Turkish relations as they live and witness it. MAY 6 — “Celebrating 400 Hundred Years of Armenian N Van Brunt St, Englewood. Wednesday, 7 p.m., Capitol Theatre, 204 Mass. Ave., American Heritage: 1618-2018” Exhibition and the Arlington. Screenings, discussions and refreshments. For launching of Armenian Legacy in America: A 400- NEW YORK more information: [email protected] Year Heritage by Dr. Hayk Demoyan in an illustrated APRIL 12 — “A Farewell to Arms: Broken Hopes and talk. Other speakers include Robert Mirak, Barbara J. MARCH 28 — Taner Akçam, “Killing Orders: Talat Total Departure from the Homeland,” Ümit Kurt’s Merguerian and Nubar Afeyan. Sunday, 3 p.m. Pasha’s Telegrams and the Armenian Genocide,” at presentation on Aintab with slides of his translation Admission free and open to the public. Book sale and Columbia University. 6:00 p.m. Co-sponsored by the of Baboian’s The Heroic Battle of Aintab. Presented by reception to follow. Organized by Armenian Cultural Columbia Armenian Center and NAASR. (Venue TBA.) the Tekeyan Cultural Association and the Armenian Foundation, co-sponsored by the Amaras Art Alliance, Further details to follow. Museum of America (AMA), at AMA, 65 Main St, and National Association for Armenian Studies and APRIL 21 - MAY 13 — Off-Broadway production by Pan Watertown, MA, 7:30 pm, Free admission. For informa- Research, 441 Mystic Street (Route 3), Arlington. Tel. Asian Repertory Theatre of Joyce Van Dyke’s play, tion, email [email protected] (781)-646-3090 [email protected] DAYBREAK: the lyrical story of two Armenian women APRIL 14 — Saturday, St. James Great Gatsby Gala! A MAY 11 — Welcome His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme friends, survivors from 1915, who are transported with Roarin’ 20s Celebration! Live Jazz & Armenian Music, Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to their families into the 21st century future. Performances Passed Hors D’oeuvres, Mezza and Dessert Stations and Celebrate with Rev. Father Mampre A. Kouzouian on the at the Beckett Theatre (on Theatre Row), 410 W. 42nd more. St. James Armenian Church – 465 Mt. Auburn 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood. St., New York, Tuesdays through Sundays; weekend mati- Street, Watertown, 8 p.m., Tickets $100. Purchase online Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 nees. Discount tickets for seniors, students and groups. at www.stjameswatertown.org or Brattle Street, Cambridge. Hrashapar Service in the For tickets and information: www.telecharge.com or call contact [email protected]. Sanctuary followed by a Celebration in the Charles and (212) 239-6200. For discount tickets: www.telecharge- APRIL 15 – Vase Painting, Wine & Unwind, 5 Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. Details forthcoming. offers.com or call (212) 947-8844. Or contact the the- p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy MAY 19 — Hai Guin Scholarship Association Annual atre: [email protected], (212) 868-4030. Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle Luncheon & Fashion Show, Saturday, 11:30 a.m., at St., Cambridge MA. Vase painting led by artist Arevik Montvale Plaza, Stoneham. Fashions by Soft Tserunyan, entertainment, food and wine. All proceeds Surroundings of Chestnut Hill, MA. Tickets: $60 per per- to benefit medical outreach for the Karahunge and son. Please call Lisa at 781-729-6333; Becky at 508-651- Shirak regions in Armenia. Donation: $35; limited seats. 8893;or Marilyn at 978-818-9098 for tickets. Calendar items are free. Entries should To reserve a seat, call/text: Amalia, 617.669.7444; JUNE 6 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park on not be longer than 5 lines. Listings Marianna, 617.966.1339; or Naneh, 857.389.8362. The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. Meet & should include contact information. Sponsored by Watertown Armenian Club and Holy Trinity Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea Imports Items will be edited to fit the space, if Armenian School. and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For first-time need be. A photo may be sent with the APRIL 20 – Raffi Bedrosyan of Toronto walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. lecture: “Islamized Hidden Armenians of Turkey - RSVP appreciated. [email protected] listing no later than Mondays at noon. Living Victims of a Genocide,” organized by the Tekeyan JUNE 9 — The Friends of Armenian Culture Society will Cultural Association for the Armenian Genocide host the 67th annual Armenian Night at the Pops 18 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Armenia’s Diplomatic Initiatives in the Spectator Nascent Cold War from the media because the US recognizes Armenia and such By Edmond Y. Azadian exchanges are within the scope of normal international relations. One outcome of this meeting was the activation of a trade com- mission to promote business and interests in Armenia. It looks like the Cold War is back with a vengeance; Western But all these movements indicate that there is a change in the EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 capitals and Moscow are trading accusations or counter-accusa- atmosphere. In the past, Western governments would not have An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication tions, and the recent poisoning of a former Russian intelligence welcomed such visits, especially within the context of deteriorat- officer in London has amplified the Cold War rhetoric to the ing East-West relations, because Armenia was considered solidly extent of lining up major Western capitals to combine their in the Russian camp. But, at this time, when the West’s surro- salvos against Russia. gate, the Turkish government, is after its own selfish interests These intensifying international tensions have only contribut- while using the West’s political and military assets, the US and EDITOR Alin K. Gregorian ed to President Putin’s popularity domestically, netting him a the EU have to promote their own interests, by themselves. Some landslide victory in his last term as president. of these interests are confined to weaning Armenia and the ASSISTANT EDITOR In the meantime, other nations whose destiny depends on Caucasus from the Russian embrace and encouraging regional Aram Arkun these major forces are wondering where all the tensions eventu- powers to honor economic sanctions instituted against Iran. ally may lead. Armenia has certainly to be counted among those. Firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seems to have shifted the ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian But ironically, Armenia and Artsakh have been taking initia- priorities of Washington with regard to the Iran nuclear deal, and tives which would not have been possible in the past under the in the coming days, may bring a more explicit policy change in same circumstances. that area. Frederica Mogherini, the high representative of the European As far as Armenian-Russian relations are concerned, some Union for foreign affairs, has announced that never before have movement is also visible. Until recently Moscow had treated SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Armenia and the EU been as close. That relationship has already Armenia in a cavalier manner. In that context, the present rap- Edmond Y. Azadian been reflected in the exchange visits of high-level political dele- prochement between Armenia and the West would have trig- gations between Armenia and European countries. gered angry reactions from Moscow. But at this time, the CONTRIBUTORS: It looks like developing relations with the EU is also extending Kremlin is treating Armenia’s European aspirations with kid Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun to cover the US-Armenia relations. gloves. Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, Indeed, in these tense international relations, a parliamentary While Armenia’s and Artsakh’s delegations are visiting the US, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, delegation from Armenia is visiting the US, while simultaneous- a Russian parliamentary delegation is in Yerevan meeting its Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, ly a ministerial delegation headed by Artsakh President Bako counterparts in the Armenian Parliament. The delegation is Naomi Zeytoonian Sahakyan is in the US, despite having CORRESPONDENTS: triggered an angry diplomatic note Armenia - Hagop Avedikian from Baku to the US government. The Boston - Nancy Kalajian US ambassador was called to the New York/New Jersey - Taleen Foreign Ministry in Baku to protest Babayan the visit. Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach In the same vein, Azerbaijan’s Contributing Photographers: ambassador to the US lodged a protest Jirair Hovsepian at the State Department. The Azerbaijani government’s objec- tion is based on the presumption that offering a US visa to the de facto pres- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published ident of Artsakh is an implicit recogni- weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: tion of the breakaway state. There was also a threat in the Azeri protest, Baikar Association, Inc. which said, “In response to this behav- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 ior by the US, Azerbaijan will proceed Telephone: 617-924-4420 from the principle of reciprocity.” FAX: 617-924-2887 Similar visits are motivated by polit- www.mirrorspectator.com ical factors and eventually can be justi- E-Mail: [email protected] fied by policy. However, in this case, For advertising: [email protected] there was a legal fig leaf to justify the US stand. Rep. Frank Pallone, speaking at the meeting with headed by the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the President Sahakyan delegation stated: “One of the reasons that Upper House of Russia’s Parliament, Constantin Kosachev. we introduced this bill [H. Res. 697] is to make it clear that the In the past, the major sticking point between the relations of travel and communication with Artsakh — even though it is not the two allies was the scale of modern weaponry sold by Russia recognized by the US — is very important.” to Azerbaijan. And always, the cynical answer from Moscow was SUBSCRIPTION RATES : Support for H. Res. 697, introduced in January 2018, is grow- that those sales constitute business transactions and sometimes, ing, with 12 co-sponsors to date. adding insult to injury, the answer would be that if Moscow Incidentally, a timely piece also appeared in the media, signed refrains from selling those arms to Baku, the latter would only U.S.A. $80 a year by the former US ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, calling purchase them on the international market, policy postures Washington to formally recognize Artsakh. notwithstanding. Canada $125 a year “It is time for the international community to welcome the The visiting delegation has toned down its previous argu- Other Countries $190 a year Republic of Nagorno Karabakh/ Artsakh into the community of ments. When challenged during the interparliamentary meet- nations,” the ambassador wrote. ing, Mr. Kosachev explained: “Russia is fulfilling its contracts That piece certainly had its resonance in the diplomatic circles. with Azerbaijan that were concluded before April 2016, and we But above all, the State Department’s response to the Azeri are obliged to do so in accordance with the provisions of those © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator protest was interesting in the fact that it took a step further to contracts. But this is a situation that existed up to the moment Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA assert to the Azeri government that the people of Artsakh have and according to the information I possess, it will not contin- and additional mailing offices. the right for a free and peaceful life. ue on the existing scale. Of course, we are reacting to the sit- ISSN 0004-234X During a Congressional luncheon and briefing in Washington uation that occurred in April 2016. There is no doubt about this past weekend, President Sahakyan awarded medals of grati- it.” tude to a number of legislators, namely Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), This statement looks like a concession to Armenia’s concerns. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ed Royce (R-CA) and The first question that comes to mind is that Moscow was not St., Watertown, MA 02472 ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), Representatives David able to predict the results of its arms sales to Azerbaijan, and that Other than the editorial, views and opinions Cicilline, Jim Costa, Brad Sherman, Adam Schiff and David they found out the truth after 200 Armenian victims shed their expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Valado. They all have contributed meaningfully to Artsakh or blood on the front lines and border villages as a result of an unex- reflect the policies of the publisher. some have personally visited the unrecognized republic. In pected and brutal Azeri attack at that time. thanking the visiting dignitaries, they all expressed strong senti- The next question is the veracity or the motivation of this con- ments regarding the people of Artsakh and its political future. cession. Many in Armenia believe that this policy shift is not President Sahakyan did not meet administration representa- Moscow’s doing because as the sanctions against Russia are Copying for other than personal use or tives — which anyway was not on the agenda — but most of the tightening, Azerbaijani leaders themselves would like to avoid internal reference is prohibited without legislators he met are movers and shakers in the nation’s capital. offending their friends in the West by buying Russian arms in vio- express permission of the copyright At the same time that the Artsakh delegation was visiting lation of the sanctions regime. owner. Address requests for reprints or Washington, a parliamentary delegation from Armenia was also Whatever the motive, it is a welcome development which will back issues to: in the US. It included members of the ruling coalition as well as eliminate a major hurdle in relations with Russia. opposition party members. The delegates met their counterparts Armenia’s modest diplomatic initiatives will be evaluated in the Baikar Association, Inc. in the US, as well as with lobbying organizations, and went to near future, within the context of developing political storm. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- community centers. The latter received more muted attention 1509 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

States, Russia, China, Great Britain, and France) and 10 of ment of large numbers of civilians in the Azerbaijani Republic them are rotating members. The UN Security Council is and at the serious humanitarian emergency in the charged with maintaining peace and security among nations. region.”The reference to “the serious humanitarian emergen- UN member states are obligated to carry out the decisions of cy in the region” also applies to Armenian refugees from the Security Council. Azerbaijan. My Turn It is particularly hypocritical of the Turkish government to “Reaffirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the blame Armenia for not complying with the four UN Security Azerbaijani Republic and all other States in the region.” This By Harut Sassounian Council Resolutions, when Turkey itself has violated over 60 clause applies to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. UN Security Resolutions adopted since Turkey’s invasion of “Reaffirming also the inviolability of international borders Northern Cyprus in 1974. and the inadmissibility of the use of force for the acquisition How Azerbaijan Distorts UN Let us now review each of the four UN Security Council of territory.” Artsakh Armenians have the right to self-deter- Security Council Resolutions Resolutions which were adopted unanimously by all 15 mem- mination under international law and UN Protocols. ber states. I have added my comments in bold letters at the “Reiterates in the context of paragraphs 3 and 4 above its The Armenian National Committee of America, San end of some of the clauses of these four Resolutions: earlier calls for the restoration of economic, transport and Fernando Valley West chapter, held an all-day conference on Excerpts from UN Security Council Resolution 822, adopt- energy links in the region.” This clause is violated by March 17 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the ed April 30, 1993: Azerbaijan and Turkey by their blockades of Armenia and Artsakh (Karabagh) liberation struggle. The conference was “Demands the immediate cessation of all hostilities and Artsakh. held at the Ferrahian Armenian High School in Encino. The hostile acts with a view to establishing a durable cease-fire, as “Urges the parties concerned to refrain from any action speakers were: historian Garo Moumdjian, PhD, California well as immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces from the that will obstruct a peaceful solution to the conflict, and pur- Courier publisher Harut Sassounian, ANCA National Board Kelbadjar district and other recently occupied areas of sue negotiations within the Minsk Group of the CSCE, as well Member Steven Dadaian, Esq., ARF Western US Central Azerbaijan.” Azerbaijan has violated the cease-fire for 25 as through direct contact between them, towards a final set- Committee Member Levon Kirakosian, Esq., and ARF Western years on a regular basis by continuously shooting across the tlement.” The reference to “the parties concerned” and “direct US Central Committee Member Vache Thomassian, Esq. borders of Artsakh and Armenia. contact between them,” implies Artsakh’s inclusion in the Here are excerpts from Harut Sassounian’s remarks at the “Urges the parties concerned immediately to resume nego- negotiations, as was the case earlier. Azerbaijan blocked conference: tiations for the resolution of the conflict within the frame- Artsakh’s participation in the negotiations. The United Nations Security Council adopted four work of the peace process of the Minsk Group of the “Urges the Government of the Republic of Armenia to con- Resolutions during the Artsakh (Karabagh) war in 1993 call- Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and tinue to exert its influence to achieve compliance by the ing for the withdrawal of Armenian forces, cessation of all refrain from any action that will obstruct a peaceful solution Armenians of the Nagorny Karabakh region of the hostilities and urging a negotiated settlement of the conflict of the problem.” The Minsk Group of CSCE, subsequently Azerbaijani Republic with its resolution 822 (1993) and the between Armenia and Azerbaijan. renamed OSCE, is composed of three co-chairs: the United present resolution, and the acceptance by this party of the These four Resolutions are often cited by the Azerbaijani States, France and Russia which are the official mediators to proposal of the Minsk Group of the CSCE.” Armenia coordi- media which is under the strict control of the government of help resolve the Artsakh conflict, not the United Nations nates its negotiating position with the government of the Azerbaijan. In the past 25 years, the Azeris have repeatedly Security Council! Republic of Artsakh. However, Artsakh’s exclusion from the condemned Armenia for not abiding by these UN Security “Calls for unimpeded access for international humanitarian negotiations makes the task of coordination more difficult. Council Resolutions, and have made them a part of their con- relief efforts in the region, in particular in all areas affected Furthermore, Artsakh not being a recognized state and not a tinued propaganda war against Armenia. by the conflict in order to alleviate the suffering of the civil- member of the UN is under no obligation to comply with any However, Azerbaijan has distorted the contents and con- ian population and reaffirms that all parties are bound to of these Resolutions. text of these Resolutions, trying to deceive the international comply with the principles and rules of international human- “Urges States to refrain from the supply of any weapons public opinion. Azerbaijan itself has not complied with these itarian law.” Despite this clause, Azerbaijan has tried to and munitions which might lead to the intensification of the Resolutions. When one side (Azerbaijan) violates these undermine the delivery of international humanitarian aid to conflict or the continued occupation of territory.” This clause Resolutions, it cannot accuse the other side (Armenia) of not the people of Artsakh. is violated by Turkey, Russia, Israel, the Czech Republic, complying with them. Excerpts from UN Security Council Resolution 853, adopt- Ukraine, Pakistan, and several others, which have supplied The UN Security Council is composed of 15 States: Five of ed July 29, 1993: billions of dollars of weaponry to Azerbaijan. them are permanent members who have a veto power (United “Expressing once again its grave concern at the displace- (Continued next week)

this new website. Interestingly, it became evident that many criticizes the ruling party for entering the war, and especial- Armenian Turks Armenians killed, lost and deported during the 1915 geno- ly for committing “war crimes and massacres” against its cide are still shown as “Alive” in the website. Many Armenian own Armenian citizens. His editorials and brilliant political families who knew the tragic 1915 fate of their grandmoth- speeches defending the Armenians are so vehement that the ers or grandfathers, born all the way back in 1850s, are now pro-Ittihadist media dub his name as “Artin Kemal” (Artin is And Other finding out that these people are still miraculously alive, an Armenian name, short for Harutyun). After the war, when according to the doctored records of the website. Ottoman Turkey is defeated and the Ittihadist leaders flee, I wish to relate two interesting — and little known — sto- the Sultan appoints a new government and Artin Kemal Roots Stories ries about roots. even becomes Minister of Interior for a short while. Artin An Armenian wealthy family lives in a village of Malatya in Kemal relentlessly demands prosecution and punishment of the 1880s. The region is terrorized and harassed by Kurdish the Ittihadist leaders. While he continues his attacks on the tribesmen who regularly raid the villages. Armenians have Ittihad leaders and defends the Armenians’ rights, he decides By Raffi Bedrosyan started organizing defense forces by banding together to send his British wife and children to England for safety fedayis, to protect the Armenian villages. An Armenian fedayi reasons. Unfortunately, the tide turns against Artin Kemal Recently the Turkish government opened a website where leader approaches the head of this wealthy Armenian family when the resistance started by Kemal Ataturk in Ankara Turkish citizens can look up their ancestral roots until mid- and asks for money to buy weapons and horses. The wealthy gains power and sweeps the Sultan and the Istanbul gov- 1850s. There are hundreds of stories in printed and social Armenian states he will decide in two days whether to com- ernment away. Artin Kemal gets caught in the barber shop media that this caused disappointment and shock among ply with this request or not. At the end of two days, the fedayi of Tokatliyan Hotel in Istanbul. While he is being taken to several Turks who discovered that instead of coming from returns, the wealthy Armenian refuses to give any money, Ankara for trial, one of Ataturk’s commanders, “Red” purely Turkish origins, they had Albanian, Arabic, Pontic and the fedayi promptly shoots the man. The widow of the Nureddin Pasha (dubbed red for his red beard as well as his Greek, and worst of all, Armenian roots. There are even killed Armenian flees with her newborn son to Izmir, where bloody cruelty) orders his soldiers to lynch Artin Kemal, who reports that some members of an ultra-nationalistic and she converts to Islam and raises the boy with complete is torn apart limb by limb while still alive, and Artin Kemal racist Turkish party were ostracized, thrown out of the party, hatred of Armenians. The boy grows up to be Ismet Inonu dies tragically in 1922. It seems this Nureddin specializes in went into depression and even committed suicide upon find- (1884-1973), the second president of Turkey after Kemal lynchings because when his forces enter Izmir (Smyrna) in ing Armenian roots. Ataturk. He is perhaps the worst enemy of the Armenians 1922, he does the same to the leading Greek bishop in the Whether these stories are true or not, the subject of one’s and other minorities in Turkey, after the Ittihadist leaders. city, now named Saint Chrisostomos of Smyrna, only this roots is deadly and critical in Turkey. The late Hrant Dink He brought a legislation called Wealth Tax in 1942, ostensi- time he orders the bishop’s eyes gouged before tearing him was persecuted, prosecuted for “insulting Turkishness” and bly to help Turkey cope with the war economy, but with the limb by limb. eventually assassinated after revealing that Ataturk’s adopt- real aim of ruining the minorities. The taxes were assessed Back to Artin Kemal’s British wife and children in ed daughter and first female military pilot in Turkey, Sabiha based on ethnic origin, 5 percent from Turks, 156 percent England, the family raises several prominent politicians. The Gokcen, was in fact an Armenian girl orphaned during the from Greeks, 179 percent from Greeks and 232 percent from latest? Former mayor of London, and the current Foreign 1915 genocide. A former president of Turkey had sued an Armenians. The payment deadline was 15 days and anyone Minister of Britain, Boris Johnson, who happens to be Artin opposition member of parliament for “accusing and insult- who couldn’t pay was arrested and sent to the eastern Kemal’s great-grandson. As a master diplomat, Boris Johnson ing” him by stating that “he came from an Armenian family provinces to work as laborers in stone quarries, building tells Turkish President Erdogan that UK will do everything in Kayseri.” And yet, in a country where calling someone roads or tunnels. This was in effect a wealth transfer from possible to get Turkey into the European Union, but at the Armenian is the biggest insult, there are numerous docu- the minorities to the Turks. Many Armenians, after selling all same time, he advocates Brexit by arguing that if Turkey mented and undocumented stories about prominent Turks their assets at dirt cheap prices, went bankrupt and still enters EU while Britain is part of EU, Britain would be flood- having Armenian roots, including a past president, another couldn’t raise the required amounts and ended up going to ed by Turkish immigrants. former president’s wife, and several opposition politicians. In the labor camps and died there. In 1964, Inonu took further If it weren’t for the tragic roots stories, politics would be one of the documented stories, the family of a past opposi- revenge on Greeks when he deported 45,000 Greeks with fun. tion leader who is an ultra-nationalistic Turk, is an Armenian dual Greek and Turkish citizenship during the Cyprus crisis. convert to Islam from a family in the Black sea region, whose These people were given 10 days to leave behind all their (Raffi Bedrosyan is a civil engineer and a concert pianist, Armenian descendants now live in Canada. properties, assets and belongings to leave the country with living in Toronto. Proceeds from his concerts and CDs have When this official genealogy website was opened, I imme- the allowed $20 and 20 kilograms (45 lbs) of possessions been donated to the construction of school, highways, and diately wondered how our hidden Armenians’ roots were within 10 days. The story of Ismet Inonu’s Armenian roots water and gas distribution projects in Armenia and recorded. A quick survey revealed that absolutely none of was corroborated by prominent historian Prof. Pars Tuglaci Karabagh — projects in which he has also participated as a them were recorded as Armenian. Their family history start- (Parsegh Tuglaciyan) (1933-2016), a family friend of Inonu. voluntary engineer. Bedrosyan was involved in organizing ed only with their adopted Muslim Turkish names. Although Ali Kemal is a prominent liberal Ottoman journalist and the Surp Giragos Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd Church recon- there is past evidence that the government keeps detailed editor of the Ikdam newspaper in the 1910s. He is also a struction project. He is the founder of Project Rebirth, which records of converted Armenians among Turks and Kurds, member of the opposition Liberal Union (Itilaf) party and helps hidden Islamized Armenians reclaim their original these records are not made public and are not revealed in severe critic of the ruling Ittihad Terakki party. He fiercely Armenian roots, language, and culture.) 20 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Prime Minister Visits Armavir, Gets Familiarized with Ostrich-Breeding, Pistachio Orchards and Winemaking

YEREVAN — During his March 17 trip to Armavir, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan got acquainted with a number of investment programs underway in the David Bequette and his wife Irina Ghaplanyan region. He first visited an ostrich-breeding farm Founder of Yerevan in Pshatavan community. He was told that owing to investments Café Chain Running for made since 2008, the number of ostrich has reached 500 at the farm. The produc- US House in Illinois tion of basturma, sujukh and ghaurma started late last year. At this point, the COLUMBIA, Ill. — David Bequette, founder of products are only sold on the Armenian The Green Bean Café chain in Yerevan, Armenia, is market, but steps are being taken to running for United States House of arrange their export abroad. Representatives in Illinois’ 12th Congressional Welcoming the development of ostrich- District. On Thursday, the Illinois Board of breeding in Armenia, Karapetyan suggest- Elections confirmed Bequette’s place on the bal- ed cooperating with the Business Armenia lot, along with one other candidate, going into the Foundation (Armenian Development March 20th Democratic primary. Fund) to promote the exports. David and his wife, Irina Ghaplanyan, and their The premier next visited Artamed, three children, spent several years in Armenia where Iranian-Armenian investors are Some of the processed meats sold at the ostrich farm building the café chain, which is responsible for implementing a large-scale pistachio gar- providing jobs for dozens of Syrian Armenian dening project. Karapetyan was informed refugees. Irina, was born and raised in Yerevan, that a 590-hectare pistachio garden with a drip irrigation sys- and recently published a book on Armenian poli- tem will be established in Armavir through a $10-million tics. investment program. Seedling processing activities have Professionally, Bequette holds a bachelor’s already started. The whole range of the output will be export- degree from Southern Illinois University of ed to different markets. Edwardsville, and is a marketing consultant and Karapetyan stressed that the government is prepared to entrepreneur. He worked on several projects in make use of its toolkits in order to assist the company with Armenia to include the Smithsonian Institution’s their investment program and the projected exports. My Armenia program as well as the non-profit The premier’s next port of call was Voskeni Wines Company organization One Armenia. Bequette also taught in Sardarapat community, where he was introduced to the Marketing and Management at the Agribusiness winery’s ongoing activities and future plans. The production Teaching Center, a Texas A&M degree program in is based on modern equipment imported from Germany. Yerevan. Grape purveyance contracts have been signed not only with Bequette, a Democrat will face one primary the local entities, but also with farmers from Vayots Dzor. opponent, and then challenge incumbent Voskeni Wines is going to expand the use of the drip irriga- Republican Mike Bost. tion system. Exports shall be enhanced as the range of wines For more information, visit www.bequettefor- expands. The output is currently marketed in Armenia, Russia congress.com and the Netherlands. Steps are being taken to master new Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan plants a pistachio seedling. European markets.