DOCSLIB.ORG

President Kocharian in Working Visit to France Meets President Sarkozy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
President Kocharian in Working Visit to France Meets President Sarkozy the armenian Number 20 July 14, 2007 reporter International Will Armenian-Azerbaijani dialogue continue? President Kocharian in On June 28, 2007, a joint Arme- Hrachya Arzumanian, a Step- nian-Azerbaijani delegation visited anakert-based contributor to the working visit to France Karabakh, Armenia, and Azerbai- Armenian Reporter interviewed jan. This initiative was realized Dr. Ludmila Grigorian, a physician after a year and a half of bilateral and civic activist from Stepanakert, discussions. The visited was a de- who was part of this unique del- meets President Sarkozy parture from Azerbaijan’s usual egation. Her thoughts and insight hostile rhetoric and policy. But it make for a compelling story. is still unclear, if the trip will open the way for more dialogue or be- Concludes Year of come an exception from the norm. See story on page A3 m Armenia in France International by Emil Sanamyan Armenian congressional caucus member Rep. PARIS – President Nicolas Sarkozy John Tierney talks about his trip Azerbaijan of France and President Robert Ko- charian of Armenia held an hour- Representative John Tierney (D.- Azerbaijani government put out a long meeting at the Élysée Palace Mass.) has been a longtime sup- press release saying that “consider- on July 12, continuing the close porter of the Armenian causes in ing the activities of the Armenian high-level relationship the two Congress. As part of his work on community” the congressman was countries’ successive leaders have the congressional Select Intel- happy to hear the other side. Our developed over the last decade. ligence Committee, Rep. Tierney Washington Editor Emil Sanamyan “We have reconfirmed all the was in Azerbaijan last week where talked to Rep. Tierney to see if that goals we set in the past, and we he discussed U.S. concerns about made a difference in his views on have also tried to outline new areas Iran and other issues with Azeri of- Karabakh. of cooperation,” Mr. Kocharian said. President Sarkozy received President Kocharian at the Élysée Palace. Photolure. ficials. “It was a very specific and pragmatic On the issue of Karabakh, the See story on page A2 m discussion, and I am satisfied with and Bernard Accoyer of the Nation- Mr. Sarkozy’s predecessor as its outcome and the atmosphere of al Assembly. president, Jacques Chirac, made a our meeting. We are going to con- Armenia’s president was last in state visit to Armenia last fall. Mr. Armenia tinue our contacts.” France in February of this year, Chirac’s visit kicked off the Year of Pres. Kocharian’s working visit when he first met with Mr. Sarkozy, Armenia in France. Mr. Kocharian’s on July 11–13 also included meet- who was then the French interior visit marks the conclusion of the ings with the presidents of the two minister and a presidential candi- program on July 14, which com- chambers of the French legislature date. Mr. Sarkozy was elected presi- prised some 400 cultural events all – Christian Poncelet of the Senate dent in May. over France. f Alex and Marie Manoogian’s earthly remains arrive in Holy Etchmiadzin YEREVAN – The earthly remains of Alex and Marie Manoogian will be reinterred in Holy Etchmiadzin on July 17, the Mother See an- nounced last week. Mr. Manoogian, a National Hero of the Republic Aram Antonyan, blacksmith, sculptor, Armenian, is the hero of a new in- of Armenia, was Life President of stallment of Armen Hakobyan’s Armenia at Work series. the Armenian General Benevolent See story on page A6 m Union. He died in 1996. Mrs. Ma- noogian had died in 1992. They had previously been interred in Detroit. Community On Friday, July 13, the caskets arrived in Armenia. Louise Manoo- gian Simone, the daughter of Alex Crime Beat: In gang-related shootings in Southern and Marie Manoogian, and other California, police get little cooperation Manoogian family members were The remains of Alex and Marie Manoogian lie in state in the St. Gayane monastery in on hand, as was Berge Setrakian, Vahgarshapat, awaiting the June 17 reburial at Holy Etchmiadzin. Photo: Photolure. Marat Manukyan, 18, was killed ate and allow killers to roam the president of the Armenian General on April 26 in gang violence, Jason streets than to put themselves Benevolent Union. caskets were placed inside the sanc- of our people dispersed throughout Kandel writes. in a position where they’d have His Holiness Karekin II, the Ca- tuary, where they will lie in repose the world,” Karekin II said. A 17-year-old boy was held on to testify,” Pinner said. “We need tholicos of All Armenians, National until July 17. “They created the luminous path suspicion of murder. But the Los general, everyday community Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian, Inside the monastery, the ca- of their own lives, as well as the Angeles District Attorney declined members to make the system Prime Minister Serge Sargsian, and tholicos offered a solemn requiem. lives of countless Armenians, with to file charges for lack of evidence. function properly. Without that other dignitaries were at the air- “Our free land receives today its the faith and vision of a renewed, Witnesses wouldn’t cooperate, De- cooperation, we end up with cases port to greet the Air France flight. dedicated scions . who lived and prosperous, and flourishing home- tective Martin Pinner said. like this.” The cortege moved from the contributed selfless efforts for the land.” f The case remains unresolved. airport to the Monastery of Saint love of the renaissance and vibran- “They’d rather not cooper- See story on page B8 m Gayane in Vagharshapat, and the cy of the spiritual and national life See editorial on page A10 m Huberta von Voss The Lark Farm draws portraits of Armenians here, there, and Jazz against racism everywhere Page C8 Page C3 Page C10 A2 The Armenian Reporter | July 14, 2007 International Genocide scholars honor Ambassador John Evans by Emil Sanamyan for calling upon the United States While “nothing can fully com- unclaimed policies held by Arme- government to recognize the Ar- pensate the Armenian people for nians who were murdered in the menian Genocide.” the death and destruction they suf- Genocide, saying “more needs to YEREVAN – The diplomat whose ca- In his prepared remarks, made fered,” Mr. Evans added, “at a mini- be done.” reer was cut short by the U.S. State available to the Armenian Reporter, mum the truth should be affirmed,” “Bottling up the truth and Department after he spoke openly Mr. Evans stressed that his effort as has been done in various national treating it as taboo gets us pre- about the Armenian Genocide was was certainly in a different league parliaments and can be done in the cisely nowhere,” he stressed. honored by the International Asso- from that of Mr. Wallenberg, the U.S. Congress should the House of “This long-standing problem dat- ciation of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) Swedish humanitarian who under Representatives’ leadership sched- ing from the early years of the this week. diplomatic cover in World War II ule a vote on House Resolution 106, 20th century needs to be fairly Former U.S. Ambassador to Ar- Hungary helped protect Jews from supported by 221 members of Con- and honestly dealt with, for the menia John Evans received the as- the Nazi Holocaust. gress as of July 12. good of both Armenians and sociation’s Raoul Wallenberg award “I simply violated a strict taboo, IAGS, which is chaired by the Is- Turks, and for the future stabil- on July 12 during the association’s and differed publicly with my raeli scholar Dr. Israel Charny, has ity of the region.” week-long conference in Sarajevo government, when, at UCLA and previously spoken out in support At the same conference, another in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Berkeley in 2005, I used the term of defining as genocide the Arme- IAGS award went to Turkish publish- The IAGS conference agenda said ‘genocide’ to describe – accurately, nian experience in the Ottoman er Ragip Zarakolu for “outstanding that the award went to Mr. Evans in my view – what happened to Empire contributions to the battle against “for speaking out when diplomats the Armenians of Anatolia in 1915,” Mr. Evans also pointed to the deniers of the Armenian Genocide are expected to remain silent, and Mr. Evans said. recent insurance settlements over and all denials of Genocides.” f John Evans. U.S., Azerbaijani officials discuss security issues Azerbaijan’s flict in one of its reports. (The State self-determination.” And, he added, Washington-based Freedom House Department later reversed that de- “there’s no universal formula… to reported the same day. democracy record cision.) do that.” The organization’s executive di- While the United States is seek- Mr. Bryza did not raise Azerbai- rector Elizabeth Windsor said in and threats over ing Azerbaijan’s cooperation to jan’s continued threats to launch a statement that Azerbaijan, like undermine Russian energy domi- a war in Karabakh. He described Cuba and Egypt, “arrests journal- Karabakh are nance in Eurasia and help contain cooperation on security, energy, ists for practicing their profession, Iran, Azerbaijan’s own domestic and democratic reform as the stifles meaningful political compe- glossed over record and threatening posture to- three focal issues in bilateral dis- tition, shows a blatant disregard ward Armenia appear to be taking cussions. for internationally recognized hu- by Emil Sanamyan a back seat. Asked by the Armenian Reporter man rights, and seeks to isolate its In a July 9 press conference, whether the matter of the recently people from the global dialogue on Mr. Azimov said that his govern- intensified crackdown on mass me- freedom.” WASHINGTON – U.S.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Materiality & Textures
    Newsletter Fall 2018 Issue 12 Materiality & Textures of Armenian Studies 2 Cover Image: Armenian rug IN THIS ISSUE: Credit: YuliaGr; iStock-541585712 NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR 3 NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR 4 FACULTY NEWS AND UPDATES Dear Friends and Colleagues, 6 YEAR IN REVIEW: LIMINALITY AND MEMORIAL PRACTICES Exploring the Armenian in-Between Armenian Music and Memorial Practices Welcome to a new academic year at the University of Ninth Annual International Graduate Student Workshop Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program! Community Outreach We have an exciting year ahead of us with two new Manoogian Post-doctoral fellows, Mehmet Polatel and 10 MEET THE MANOOGIAN FELLOWS David Leupold, a visiting fellow, Marie Aude Baronian, as well as a new cohort of graduate students: Armen 16 MATERIALITY & TEXTURES OF ARMENIAN STUDIES Mediterranity from the Edge Abkarian, Mano Sakayan and Arakel Minassian. I Contested Landscapes, Competing Narratives: Armenian and Global Perspectives would like to welcome all six to our ASP community. Views of the Ottoman Empire: Discovering the Visual Record in Motion Armenian Studies and Material Objects Built on the solid foundation of a rigorous curriculum Multidisciplinary Workshop for Armenian Studies offered by the two endowed chairs in Armenian studies: The Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Kathryn Babayan Armenian History (established in 1981) and the Marie 20 PROFILES AND REFLECTIONS 2018-19 ASP Graduate Students Manoogian Chair in Armenian Language and Literature (established in 1987), every year we complement our We are soliciting your help to establish an Armenian ASP Fellowship Reipients curriculum with the most promising international Studies Graduate Student Fellowship fund that scholars to create a vibrant intellectual community will cover tuition as costs for higher education are 27 OUR DONORS of Armenian studies by way of hosting workshops, on the rise.
    [Show full text]
  • 2009 Newsletter
    No.3 / Fall 2009 New Gift Focuses on Student Research and Overseas Experience In This Issue The late Mr. Robert S. Ajemian of Michigan has Mr. Ajemian was born in Detroit in 1927, the son Features willed the Armenian Studies Program at UM of a student from Chmshkatzak and a survivor of Armenia’s the generous amount of $350,000. This gift has the Genocide. He served in the US army, and stud- Ombudsman at UM been designated for student use in two endow- ied chemistry at Wayne State University. He devel- (page 2) ment funds: the annual proceeds of $250,000 will oped a career in occupational health and pollu- provide general support for students in Armenian tion prevention. He worked for major companies International Treaties studies, with the remaining $100,000 designated and published extensively. He was an outstanding Conference for student travel and research abroad. The funds member of the Armenian community in the De- (page 3) reserved for research and travel abroad qualify for troit area. (His full biography can be seen on our President Mary Sue Coleman’s Challenge for The website.) In addition to the generous gift provided “State of Armenian Student Global Experience which will add another to the University of Michigan, Mr. Ajemian made Studies” Project $50,000 from University funds to the initial en- funds available to various organizations within (page 3) dowment amount. Starting in the Spring of 2010 the Armenian community, including to the Alex & Armenian studies students at UM will be able to Marie Manoogian School in Southfield, Michigan, Presenting the benefit from the proceeds of this generous and and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ARMENIAN Mirrorc SPECTATOR Since 1932
    THE ARMENIAN MIRRORc SPECTATOR Since 1932 Volume LXXXXI, NO. 37, Issue 4679 APRIL 3, 2021 $2.00 Third Dink Murder Trial Verdicts Issued, Dink Family Issues Statement ISTANBUL (MiddleEastEye, Bianet, Dink Fami- ly) — An Istanbul court issued six sentences of life imprisonment and 23 jail terms, while 33 defendants were acquitted on March 26 in the third court case concerning the January 2007 Hrant Dink murder. One individual died during the trial, leading to charges against him being dropped. Among those sentenced were former police chiefs and security officials. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Representative to Turkey Erol Önderoğlu commented: “The Hrant Dink case is not over. This is the third trial and it does not comprise behind-the-scenes actors who threatened him with a statement, threw him before vi- olent groups as an object of hate or failed to act so that he would get killed. As a matter of fact, the attorneys of the Dink family made an application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) last year as they could A cargo plane carrying COVID-19 Vaccines lands in Armenia. not have over 20 officials put on trial.” The 17-year-old Ogun Samast was convicted of the crime in 2011 but it was clear that he could not have Large Shipment of AstraZeneca carried out this alone. The first court ruling was issued Vaccine Arrives in Armenia By Raffi Elliott The shipment, which was initially Agency (EMA). Special to the Mirror-Spectator expected in mid-February, had been At a press conference held in Yere- delayed due to disruptions in the glob- van on Monday, Deputy Director of YEREVAN — A Swiss Air cargo al supply chain.
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPE a Albania • National Historical Museum – Tirana, Albania
    EUROPE A Albania • National Historical Museum – Tirana, Albania o The country's largest museum. It was opened on 28 October 1981 and is 27,000 square meters in size, while 18,000 square meters are available for expositions. The National Historical Museum includes the following pavilions: Pavilion of Antiquity, Pavilion of the Middle Ages, Pavilion of Renaissance, Pavilion of Independence, Pavilion of Iconography, Pavilion of the National Liberation Antifascist War, Pavilion of Communist Terror, and Pavilion of Mother Teresa. • Et'hem Bey Mosque – Tirana, Albania o The Et’hem Bey Mosque is located in the center of the Albanian capital Tirana. Construction was started in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), great- grandson of Sulejman Pasha. • Mount Dajt – Tirana, Albania o Its highest peak is at 1,613 m. In winter, the mountain is often covered with snow, and it is a popular retreat to the local population of Tirana that rarely sees snow falls. Its slopes have forests of pines, oak and beech. Dajti Mountain was declared a National Park in 1966, and has since 2006 an expanded area of about 29,384 ha. It is under the jurisdiction and administration of Tirana Forest Service Department. • Skanderbeg Square – Tirana, Albania o Skanderbeg Square is the main plaza of Tirana, Albania named in 1968 after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. A Skanderbeg Monument can be found in the plaza. • Skanderbeg Monument – Skanderberg Square, Tirana, Albania o The monument in memory of Skanderbeg was erected in Skanderbeg Square, Tirana.
    [Show full text]
  • Agbu Armenia Newsletter Issue 20, May-June, 2012
    ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION AGBUAGBU ARMENIAARMENIA NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Yerevan, Armenia IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 20, MAY-JUNE, 2012 AGBU President Berge Se- trakian visits Armenia (p. 1, 2) AGBU PRESIDENT BERGE SETRAKIAN VISITS ARMENIA Trip builds anticipation for AGBU’s 87th General Assembly AGBU’s 87th General Assem- bly to be held in Armenia in to convene in Armenia in October October (p. 2) 20th jubilee graduation and AGBU President Berge Setrakian visited Armenia from June 16-19, 2012. During his commencement ceremony at visit, he had the opportunity to meet with RA President HE Serge Sargsyan, HH Ka- AUA (p. 3) rekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and RA Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hakob- yan. Mr. Setrakian also had the opportunity to visit the site in construction of the fu- AGBU YPs finance the ACM ture AGBU Center in digital library subscription of AUA (p. 4) Yerevan. AGBU Armenian Representa- Mr. Setrakian paid a tion Interim Director Hovig courtesy visit to RA Eordekian travels to South President HE Serge America (p. 4, 5) Sargsyan, during which “Armenians and Pantomime”: time he reported on the AVC’s new online initiative various activities of the (p. 5) Union around the world AGBU AVC hosts “Ari Tun” and had the opportu- participants (p. 5) nity to discuss various issues of national con- Final round of the 6th Repub- cern both in the diasp- lican Chess Olympiad (p. 6) ora and Armenia. They AGBU Yerevan Summer also addressed issues Intern Program - 2012 (p. 7) of interest to be consid- AGBU Moscow Summer ered during the upcom- Intern Program - 2012 (p.
    [Show full text]
  • Collector Coins of the Republic of Armenia 2012
    CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA 2012 YEREVAN 2013 Arthur Javadyan Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Dear reader The annual journal "Collector Coins of the Republic of Armenia 2012" presents the collector coins issued by the Central Bank of Armenia in 2012 on occasion of important celebrations and events of the year. 4 The year 2012 was full of landmark events at both international and local levels. Armenia's capital Yerevan was proclaimed the 12th International Book 2012 Capital, and in the timespan from April 22, 2012 to April 22, 2013 large-scale measures and festivities were held not only in Armenia but also abroad. The book festival got together the world's writers, publishers, librarians, book traders and, in general, booklovers everywhere. The year saw a great diversity of events which were held in cooperation with other countries. Those events included book exhibitions, international fairs, contests ("Best Collector Coins CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA Literary Work", "Best Thematic Posters"), a variety of projects ("Give-A-Book Day"), workshops, and film premieres. The Central Bank of Armenia celebrated the book festival by issuing the collector coin "500th Anniversary of Armenian Book Printing". In 2012, the 20th anniversaries of formation of Armenian Army and liberation of Shushi were celebrated with great enthusiasm. On this occasion, the Central Bank of Armenia issued the gold and silver coins "20th Anniversary of Formation of Armenian Army" and the gold coin "20th Anniversary of Liberation of Shushi". The 20th anniversary of signing Collective Security Treaty and the 10 years of the Organization of Treaty were celebrated by issuing a collector coin dedicated to those landmark events.
    [Show full text]
  • Armenian Virtual College Armenian Border
    David Krikorian Vahé Yerevan’s is banking on the Berberian Tamanyan Park people comes to is a sculpture Armenia garden See story on page 3m See story on page 14 m See story on page 10m Eastern U.S. Edition Number 130 the armenian September 19, 2009 reporter President Serge Sargsian addresses the leaders of over 50 political parties, as Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian looks on. He made a case for an agreement on bilateral relations negotiated with Turkey. Photo: Hayk Badalyan/Photolure. President consults political parties on Turkey relations See story on page 1 m Visit us at reporter.am The Armenian Reporter | September 19, 2009 the armenian Number 130 September 19, 2009 reporter National Sen. Menendez to receive ANCA-Eastern Region Freedom Award The Armenian National Commit- Eastern Region Banquet hosted by tee of America Eastern Region will the Armenian Cultural Association honor United States Senator Rob- of America on Saturday, October 3, ert Menendez with its Freedom 2009 at Espace in New York City. Award at the Third Annual ANCA See story on page 9m The leaders of over 50 political Commentary parties convened to hear President Serge Sargsian Taner Akçam: The decision will be made by make his case for politicians, not historians an agreement on bilateral In an interview with Turkey’s Taraf He rejects the notion that a com- relations daily, Professor Taner Akcam dis- mission could determine whether negotiated with cusses the agreement initialed by the events of 1915 constituted Turkey. Photo: Armenia and Turkey on the nor- genocide – a matter that is settled.
    [Show full text]
  • Eurasia Foundation, OSI, the Council of Europe, the Heinrich Boll Foundation, As Well As Regional Embassies of EU Countries
    Turkey – Armenia Manual Information and contacts to persons and institutions working on Turkey-Armenia relations Supported by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) August 2010 Index About this Manual ............................................................................................................................ 6 Key dates in Armenia-Turkey relations 2008-2010 ......................................................................... 7 Part 1: Basic Facts about Armenia ................................................................................................. 11 Media .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Newspapers: Journalists/Columnists/Editors ............................................................................. 12 Aravot ..................................................................................................................................... 12 AZG (Nation) .......................................................................................................................... 13 Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times) ................................................................................ 14 Golos Armenii (Voice of Armenia) ........................................................................................ 15 Hayots Ashkharh (Armenian World) .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • “Building Bridges, Breaking the Walls: Managing Refugee Crisis in Europe” 2-Stage Project TRAINING COURSE & STUDY VISIT
    “Building Bridges, Breaking the Walls: Managing Refugee Crisis in Europe” 2-Stage Project TRAINING COURSE & STUDY VISIT Basic information What: Training Course Title: Building Bridges, Breaking the Walls: Managing Refugee Crisis in Europe Venues and dates: Training Course: 20-28 November (including travel days), Yerevan, Armenia Study Visit: February (days will be confirmed), Stockholm, Sweden Participating Countries: Armenia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Denmark, Turkey, Czech Republic, Greece, Germany, Georgia, Portugal Idea, theme and objectives Structure The project is intended for 32 youth workers, youth educators, members of civil society organizations from 15 European Union and the Neighboring countries who are ready to actively fight against radicalization, discrimination and intolerance against refugees and migrants in their countries and who want to transfer the knowledge they gained in the project to the youth in their organizations and countries. NOTE! To ensure a long term impact we will involve same 36 youth workers in both activities of the project. Objectives of the Activity: The Training Course (Armenia) and the Study Visit (Sweden) have the following main objectives: To provide conceptual framework on the notions of emigration, immigration, integration and multiculturalism to 36 youth workers from different European countries; To analyze the emigration and immigration situation in participating countries and to find out the causes of migration, namely push and pull factors; To discuss
    [Show full text]
  • Privatization, State Militarization Through War, and Durable Social Exclusion in Post-Soviet Armenia Anna Martirosyan University of Missouri-St
    University of Missouri, St. Louis IRL @ UMSL Dissertations UMSL Graduate Works 7-18-2014 Privatization, State Militarization through War, and Durable Social Exclusion in Post-Soviet Armenia Anna Martirosyan University of Missouri-St. Louis, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation Part of the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Martirosyan, Anna, "Privatization, State Militarization through War, and Durable Social Exclusion in Post-Soviet Armenia" (2014). Dissertations. 234. https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/234 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the UMSL Graduate Works at IRL @ UMSL. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of IRL @ UMSL. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Privatization, State Militarization through War, and Durable Social Exclusion in Post-Soviet Armenia Anna Martirosyan M.A., Political Science, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 2008 M.A., Public Policy Administration, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 2002 B.A., Teaching Foreign Languages, Vanadzor Teachers' Training Institute, Armenia, 1999 A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School at the University of Missouri - St. Louis in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science July 11, 2014 Advisory Committee David Robertson, Ph.D. (Chair) Eduardo Silva, Ph.D. Jean-Germain Gros, Ph.D. Kenneth Thomas, Ph.D. Gerard Libardian, Ph.D. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS i
    [Show full text]
  • Dissertation Final Aug 31 Formatted
    Identity Gerrymandering: How the Armenian State Constructs and Controls “Its” Diaspora by Kristin Talinn Rebecca Cavoukian A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Political Science University of Toronto © Copyright by Kristin Cavoukian 2016 Identity Gerrymandering: How the Armenian State Constructs and Controls “Its” Diaspora Kristin Talinn Rebecca Cavoukian Doctor of Philosophy Department of Political Science University of Toronto 2016 Abstract This dissertation examines the Republic of Armenia (RA) and its elites’ attempts to reframe state-diaspora relations in ways that served state interests. After 17 years of relatively rocky relations, in 2008, a new Ministry of Diaspora was created that offered little in the way of policy output. Instead, it engaged in “identity gerrymandering,” broadening the category of diaspora from its accepted reference to post-1915 genocide refugees and their descendants, to include Armenians living throughout the post-Soviet region who had never identified as such. This diluted the pool of critical, oppositional diasporans with culturally closer and more compliant emigrants. The new ministry also favoured geographically based, hierarchical diaspora organizations, and “quiet” strategies of dissent. Since these were ultimately attempts to define membership in the nation, and informal, affective ties to the state, the Ministry of Diaspora acted as a “discursive power ministry,” with boundary-defining and maintenance functions reminiscent of the physical border policing functions of traditional power ministries. These efforts were directed at three different “diasporas:” the Armenians of Russia, whom RA elites wished to mold into the new “model” diaspora, the Armenians of Georgia, whose indigeneity claims they sought to discourage, and the “established” western diaspora, whose contentious public ii critique they sought to disarm.
    [Show full text]
  • Conference On
    INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ARMENIA/THE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND FOREIGN POLICY CHALLENGES OCTOBER 21-23, 2004 Organized by the Armenian Studies Program Co-Sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies Center for Russian and East European Studies Department of History Department of Near Eastern Studies International Institute Political Science Department ALL SESSIONS WILL CONVENE AT THE ALUMNI CENTER ON THE MAIN CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR 2 CONTENTS . Sponsors of the Conference 4 . Program 7 . Biographical Sketches of Speakers 14 . Select Bibliography 25 . Websites of Interest 33 . Chronology of Key Events Since Independence 34 . Maps 44 3 SPONSORS THE ARMENIAN STUDIES PROGRAM The origins of the Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, lie in the Armenian language and later history classes taught beginning in 1976 by a number of known scholars and teachers. In 1981, Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Marie Manoogian endowed the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History and Dr. Ronald Suny became its first holder. In 1987, the Manoogians endowed a second position, the Marie Manoogian Chair in Armenian Language and Literature and Dr. Kevork Bardakjian became its first holder. In 1988, Professor Bardakjian founded the Summer Armenian Language Institute in Yerevan. The Summer Program offers introductory courses in Classical, Eastern and Western Armenian. In 1994, Professor Suny resigned from his position and Dr. Stephanie Platz was appointed to the Chair (1997-2000). Following two years of one-semester teaching, Dr. Gerard Libaridian was appointed in 2003 the Visiting Alex Manoogian Professor of Modern Armenian History. In 1997, Professor Bardakjian moved the Marie Manoogian Chair from the Slavic to the Department of Near Eastern Studies, which became the home Department for the ASP.
    [Show full text]