JULY 24, 2010 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXI, NO. 2, Issue 414 6 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Turkish FM Says No Breakthrough Border with Armenia In Karabagh Talks Will Not Open ANAKRA (ArmRadio) — Turkish Foreign Minister Reported Ahmet Davutoglu has dismissed prospects of open - ing the Turkish-Armenian border in the foreseeable ALMATY, Kazakhstan (RFE/RL) — The future, saying reports to that effect in the media foreign ministers of Armenia and were not accurate. Azerbaijan appear to have failed to make “There is no such thing as the opening of the bor - any progress during two days of fresh nego - der. It is not on the government’s agenda and reports tiations in Kazakhstan which international to that effect are wrong,” Davutoglu told reporters mediators hoped would bring them closer on the sidelines of an Organization for Security and to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting. conflict. Eduard Nalbandian and Elmar Mammadyarov began the talks late Friday Armenia and Russia to on the margins of an informal Organization Boost Military Ties for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) ministerial meeting in the Kazakh YEREVAN (Arka) — Armenia and Russia reached city of Almaty. They met again on Saturday concrete agreements to boost their cooperation in in the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Edele Hovnanian and Siran Sahakian cut the ribbon while President Serge Sargisian, military-industrial sector embracing five directions, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Hirair Hovnanian look on. Sergei Lavrov, French Foreign Minister chief of Armenian National Security Council Bernard Kouchner and US Deputy Arthur Baghdasarian said this week. He declined to Secretary of State James Steinberg. divulge specifics, saying only that the sides dis - In a joint statement issued afterwards, Grand Opening of Hovnanian Foundation HQ, cussed options for creating joint ventures to foster Lavrov, Kouchner and Steinberg said that Armenian Assembly Yerevan Office Armenia’s military-industrial complex. He was “the efforts made so far by the parties to speaking to journalists after a three-day visit to the conflict have not been sufficient to YEREVAN — The grand opening of 37 Hanrapetutyan St., a professional business Armenia by senior representatives of Russian mili - overcome their differences.” They urged the center which houses the headquarters of the Hirair and Anna Hovnanian tary-industrial complex. parties to take “additional actions” to Foundation and the new Armenian Assembly of America Yerevan Office took place Baghdasarian spoke also about consultations in strengthen the ceasefire around Karabagh on July 12. Yerevan with Nikolay Bordyuzha, secretary general and “create a more favorable atmosphere President Serge Sargisian; Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II; Minister of of the Collective Security Treaty Organization for further political dialogue and reaching Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandian; Constitutional Court Chairman Gagik (CSTO) ahead of CSTO summit to be hosted by agreements.” Harutunian; US Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch; Armenia’s first Yerevan in August. The top diplomats from the three mediat - Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi Hovannisian, as well as Armenian General ing powers also deplored the recent upsurge Benevolent Union (AGBU) Representative Ashot Ghazaryan, among other digni - Golden Apricot Film in ceasefire violations and bitter recrimina - taries, joined Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian and his fam - tions traded by Yerevan and Baku. The latter ily for the marquee opening. see OPENING, page 20 Festival Concludes has repeatedly threatened to solve the con - flict by force in recent weeks. YEREVAN (news.am) — The seventh Golden “They warned that the use of force creat - Apricot International Film Festival is over. ed the current situation, and its use again make “another step forward” during the Forty-five films were involved in three interna - would only lead to suffering, devastation, talks. “Unfortunately, that issue was not Armenia Says It tional competitions judged by five international and a legacy of conflict and hostility that solved, and it can’t be said that there was jury members. The festival received 500 entries and would last for generations,” read the state - any breakthrough,” the APA news agency Wants to Boost about 120 films were screened. ment. “They urged a greater spirit of com - quoted him as saying. “We decided to con - In the International Feature category, Best promise to reach agreement on a common tinue working with the co-chairs.” Ties with Israel Feature Film went to the Turkish director Reha basis for continuing the negotiations.” According to Mammadyarov, the five Erdem for “Kosmos;” the Silver Apricot Special Mammadyarov was reported to say that diplomats had planned to release a joint YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — President Prize for Feature Film went to Sergey Loznitsa for the parties and the mediators hoped to see TALKS, page 20 Serge Sarigisan called for the deepening “My Joy.” of Armenia’s relationship with Israel as In the International Documentary category, Best he met with a visiting senior Israeli offi - Documentary Film went to Pavel Kostomarov for cial on Tuesday. “Together;” the Silver Apricot Special Prize for Micha Lindenstrauss, Israel’s state Documentary Film went to Vadim Jendreyko for comptroller and ombudsman, was in “The Woman with Five Elephants.” Yerevan at the invitation of Armenia’s For Armenian Panorama, the Best Armenian state human rights ombudsman, Armen Film went to Arman Yeritsyan and Inna Sahakyan Harutunian. for “The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia;” the According to the presidential press Silver Apricot Special Prize went to Comes office, Sargisian told Lindenstrauss that Chahbazian for “Down Here;” and Special Mention he finds important “the development of was given to Nikolay Davtyan for “Uncle Valya.” multi-faceted relations with Israel in all spheres of mutual interest.” “The head of state welcomed coopera - tion established between Armenia’s INSI DE Office of the Human Rights Defender and the Israeli Ombudsman’s Office and stressed the importance of their ongo - ing efforts aimed at the exchange of Popping experience,” read a short statement released by the office. It gave no further details of the meeting. Out Lindenstrauss arrived in Armenia less Hagop Avedikian addresses the convention. than a month after he and Harutunian page 12 attended a session of the Mediterranean Association of Ombudsmen uniting top human rights officials from the wider Armenakan-ADL Party Holds region. The Armenian ombudsman was elect - INDEX Second Annual Convention ed a member of the association at the Armenia ...... 2 meeting held in Madrid. Arts and Living ...... 12 YEREVAN — On September 17, the Armenakan-ADL party of Armenia convened Like other participants, Harutunian Calendar ...... 17 its second annual convention at the Tekeyan Center here. opposed a Turkish official’s proposal to Community News...... 6 Delegates from 20 chapters and representatives of various Armenian political par - condemn Israel’s blockade of Gaza and Editorial ...... 18 ties participated in the convention, during which Chairman of the Central Board of harsh reaction to the recent Turkish- International ...... 3,4 Directors Hagop Avedikian announced that the party is planning to participate in backed attempt to break it. He argued, the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2011. among other things, that Turkey itself see TIES, page 20 2 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA

News From Armenia Armenia, EU Launch Associate Membership Talks

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia to say how long the process will take: various Armenian laws. The EU’s Birth Rate up in began on Monday the first round of three years, four years or five years,” executive European Commission has negotiations with the European Kazinian told a joint news conference already earmarked at least 32 million Armenia Union (EU) over an “association with Wiegand. euros ($40 million) for financing YEREVAN (news.am) — Between January and June, agreement” that would significantly “But the important thing is that those reforms. 21,198 births were registered in Armenia. The num- upgrade its political and economic negotiations have started and we are Democratization, human rights ber exceeds last year’s figure. ties with the bloc. prepared for that path,” she said. “We protection and a stronger rule of law According to the Armenian Justice Ministry, The agreement stemming from the are also ready to make every effort to are another stated condition for 20,124 children were born in Armenia during the EU’s Eastern Partnership program follow the guidelines that we have Armenia’s participation in the same period in 2009. for six former Soviet republics, includ - with the EU and bring the process to Eastern Partnership. Yet just how The number of marriages, however, has decreased ing neighboring Azerbaijan and a successful end.” aggressively the bloc plans to press compared with last year, whereas the number of Georgia, would entitle the country to Wiegand also declined to speculate for political reforms in the country is divorces increased. A total of 8,730 marriages were a permanent free trade regime with about time frames for signing the still an open question. registered in 2010 compared to 8,866 in last year, the EU and facilitate visa procedures agreement. “This is ambitious, and Wiegand insisted in an interview whereas the number of divorces was 1,552, com- for its citizens traveling to Europe. It ambition needs time in order to get that the EU will closely monitor polit - pared to 1,501 in 2009. also envisages a harmonization of things right,” he said. “We would cer - ical developments in the country and Armenian laws, regulations and gov - tainly be wrong now to fix an artifi - the Armenian authorities’ respect for ernment policies with the EU stan - cial deadline. We want to get a good human rights. He dismissed claims by Sargisian Meets with dards. agreement with lasting effects for all local opposition politicians that the “This is an ambitious, far-reaching citizens.” EU has been lenient towards Pyunic Leadership, agreement,” Gunnar Wiegand, the Separate teams of EU negotiators President Serge Sargisian’s govern - Receives Painting head of an EU negotiating team for launched similar talks with the ment because of his Western-backed Armenia, told journalists in Yerevan. Georgian and Azerbaijani govern - policies on Turkey and the Nagorno- YEREVAN (Panorama) — President Serge Sargisian “This will have a lasting effect on the ments late last week. In a statement Karabagh conflict. this week received a delegation from the Pyunik way this country organizes its econo - issued ahead of the talks, Catherine “We look at the democratic stan - Charity Fund, the president’s press office reported. my and the way we drive forward the Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief dards and human rights separately Sargisian praised the organization’s mission to reform process together in order to expressed confidence that the associ - from the manifold regional and for - make the fields of education, science, social securi- get Armenia ever closer to the ation agreements “will be a catalyst to eign policy challenges which Armenia ty and healthcare. According to the president, such European Union.” the domestic reforms” in all three has,” the EU official said. institutions play an important role, since they find The chief Armenian negotiator, South Caucasus states. An EU policy paper on Armenia a way to the hearts of people more easily and thus, Deputy Foreign Minister Karine In Armenia, the association talks released earlier this year underlined they become significant role-players. Kazinian, confirmed that the negoti - are expected to run parallel to a the need for an “improved quality of Executive Director of Pyunik Fund Gabriel ating process will take years. “We reform of state agencies, most of the electoral process and administra - Jambarjyan presented the fund’s programs and have already identified the areas from them dealing with external trade and tion in line with international stan - noted that they intended to expand their activities. which we will start, and it is difficult immigration, as well as changes in dards.” During a year of its existence, Pyunik has imple- mented a number of charity programs in Armenia and Artsakh in close cooperation with the Armenian Apostolic Church. Karabagh Peace Vital for Armenia, Says Ter-Petrosian Pyunik Fund donated a painting by Hovhannes Ayvazovski to Sargisian. key to the settlement of the Karabagh By Emil Danielyan, Tatevik Lazarian conflict and even Turkish-Armenian Armenia, Russia to relations,” he said. “Therefore, regard - less of its preferences, any Armenian Cooperate in Athletics YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The resolu - the Karabagh issue first,” he said. government must look for solutions to tion of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict The authorities say they have been these vital issues in this geopolitical YEREVAN (Itar-Tass) — Armenian Prime Minister and normalization of Turkish-Armenian doing their best to make peace with context.” Tigran Sargisian and Russian Deputy Prime relations are indispensable for both Azerbaijan and Turkey, and Ter- “My impression is that Armenia’s Minister Alexander Zhukov met on Saturday to Armenia’s security and sustainable Petrosian has harshly criticized their authorities are not conscious of that share social reform experience and discuss possible development, opposition leader Levon efforts for the past two years. The HAK yet, whereas Turkey and Azerbaijan are cooperation in the training of athletes. Ter-Petrosian said over the weekend. leader, who ruled Armenia from 1990- assessing the reality more correctly, as “We discussed a number of very interesting areas In a warning seemingly addressed to 1998, charged in August last year that evidenced by their recent active con - of cooperation and exchanged views on the reforms the Armenian authorities, Armenia’s Sargisian has already agreed to “sell tacts with Russia,” he added. being carried out by Russia and Armenia in the first president said that the status quo out” Karabagh for the sake of clinging Ter-Petrosian had likewise strongly field of pension support, social sphere, healthcare in the conflict carries the growing risk to power. advocated a compromise deal with and education,” Sargisian said after the talks. of renewed war with Azerbaijan. He Speaking at an HAK rally in Yerevan Azerbaijan and described it as vital for “We also talked about possible cooperation in the also accused them of underestimating the following month, Ter-Petrosian Armenia’s future during the final development of sport, the use of existing and the Russia’s role in the region and moving rejected as pro-Azerbaijani an interna - months of his presidency. He resigned construction of new sport facilities in the republic dangerously close to the West. tional plan to end the Karabagh conflict under pressure from the key members that can be attractive for Russian athletes,” he The remarks sharply contrasted with and urged Armenia’s leading political of his government, including then- said. Ter-Petrosian’s earlier persistent allega - forces to thwart its realization by helping Interior Minister Serge Sargisian, in The prime minister hopes that the exchange of tions that President Serge Sargisian is him topple Sargisian. “Serge Sargisian … February 1998. views “will be successful because Russian col- ready to accept and accelerate a Karabagh is opting for a solution which … is not Ter-Petrosian’s latest statements were leagues are interested to implement these pro- settlement favoring Azerbaijan. favorable to the Armenian side and, criticized on Monday both by jects.” “Without settling the Nagorno- speaking more strictly, jeopardizes the Sargisian’s Republican Party (HHK) Zhukov, who is the chairman of the Russian Karabagh conflict and Turkish- existence of Nagorno-Karabagh,” he said and major opposition parties not Olympic Committee, signed an agreement on coop- Armenian relations Armenia has no at the time. aligned in the HAK. “We don’t think it eration with the National Olympic Committee of prospect of security, economic develop - Ter-Petrosian similarly blamed right to link everything with Armenia. ment and an improved demographic sit - Sargisian for “the prospect of a dis - Karabagh,” Galust Sahakian, a deputy uation, regardless of who will be in graceful settlement of the Nagorno- chairman of the HHK, said. Fourteen Drug Firms power,” Ter-Petrosian declared in a Karabagh conflict” when he addressed Stepan Safarian of the opposition speech at Saturday’s congress of the thousands of supporters in the capital Zharangutyun (Heritage) denounced the Operate in Armenia Armenian Pan-National Movement in March. At the next HAK rally held in HAK leader’s views as “unacceptable (HHSh), a former ruling party and key April, he predicted Sargisian’s impend - and dangerous.” “Unfortunately, there YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Fourteen drug compa- member of his Armenian National ing downfall. was such an open message [in his nies operate in Armenia and about 300 locally- Congress (HAK) alliance. The Armenian president, he said, is speech,]” Safarian said. “The prerequi - made medicines have been registered. Still in 2008 He warned that “blindly seeking to now faced with a “fateful” dilemma: to site for our development is the establish - only 28 medicines of local production were regis- preserve the status quo” only increases accept the international mediators’ cur - ment of fair rules of the game for all us.” tered in Armenia. the likelihood of another Armenian- rent peace proposals and face domestic “This is an absolutely defeatist posi - CEO of Armenia’s Medicine Producing and Azerbaijani war. “This situation can not backlash or reject them and put himself tion vis-à-vis not only the Turks and the Importing Union Samvel Zakaryan said this week at last endlessly,” he said. “In case of the at odds with the international commu - Azerbaijanis but also the Armenian a news conference followed after signing failure of diplomacy or the dragging out nity. “In both cases, Serge Sargisian will authorities,” scoffed Vahan Memorandum on Cooperation with the Union of of the settlement process, it could get undoubtedly lose power,” the ex-presi - Hovannisian, a leader of the opposition Armenian Employers that producing medicine in out of control, leading to new blood - dent claimed at the time. Armenian Revolutionary Federation. the country is of strategic significance. It is espe- shed.” Ter-Petrosian said nothing on “And this is the leader of the radical cially important during wars, natural disasters Ter-Petrosian added that Karabagh Saturday about his take on the basic opposition who was supposed to sweep when medicine producing company manages to peace is also a necessary condition for principles of Karabagh peace proposed to power and win over the people with ensure crucially necessary medicine. the normalization of Turkish-Armenian by the US, Russian and French co- his radicalism.” Zakaryan said medicine producing companies relations, dismissing as “nonsense” offi - chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. He Hovannisian, whose party had also export more than 50 percent of their products to cial Yerevan’s insistence that the two asserted instead that unlike the United been in opposition to the Ter-Petrosian Russia, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova, issues cannot be interconnected. States and other Western powers, government, further rejected the ex- Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. “Accordingly, if Armenia’s authorities Russia has “vital interests” not only in president’s pro-Russian comments. are really interested in the success of the Karabagh conflict zone but the “This runs counter to our national the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement entire South Caucasus. interests and prospects for our national initiated by themselves, they must solve “This means that Russia holds the development,” he said. S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Turkey Reopening Ancient Armenian International News Church for One-Day Worship Azerbaijani FM to Visit Turkey killings at the hands of Ottoman forces. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official BAKU, Azerbaijan (News.am) — Azerbaijani Foreign By Ibon Villelabeitia Muslim Turkey and Christian Armenia hoped the church mass would improve Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will pay a visit to are bitterly divided over their troubled the atmosphere around the peace Turkey at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, history and the border between them process. “It will be nice if this step con - Ahmet Davutoglu August 6-8. According to ISTANBUL (Reuters) — Swallows dart remains closed despite US-brokered tributes to the normalization process Azerbaijani Trend News, the two will meet in around the dome of the 10th-century peace accords signed last year. Today, the between Turkey and Armenia but we Bodrum to discuss a number of bilateral issues, as Armenian church rising from an island Church of the Holy Cross, which is now have to be realistic,” the official said. well as regional and international problems. set amid the turquoise waters of Lake a state museum, has become a symbol of “The border between Armenia and The foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Van. Tombstones with ancient Christian a tortuous reconciliation process as Turkey is closed due to political reasons.” Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are inscriptions and crosses lie scattered Turkey prepares to open the site on Turkey closed the border in 1993 in sol - expected to visit Bodrum as well, Vatan reported. among the weeds in the garden, where September 19 for a one-day religious ser - idarity with Muslim ally Azerbaijan in its day-trippers picnic in the shade of vice that could become an annual event. war over Nagorno-Karabagh with Armenia. almond trees and sunbathe after a swim. “This church is very important for Ankara says progress with Armenia is Film about Nagorno- The serenity of the scene belies a trau - Armenians, not only in Turkey, but impossible until Armenia and Azerbaijan matic past that haunts Turkey and across the world,” said Archbishop Aram settle the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. Karabagh Shown in Armenia to this day. For Armenians Ateshian, a spiritual leader from Turkey’s Officials in Van say hotels are fully across the world, the church in eastern surviving Armenian community. “For booked and that the city is bracing itself France Anatolia is a testimony to centuries of decades, we could not say PARIS (Armenpress) — The Arte French-German TV persecution, deportations and mass mass or have a religious channel showed July 14 a 42-minute film about service because it was for - Nagorno-Karabagh. An official from the Permanent bidden by the govern - Representation of the NKR to France said that the ment,” he said. shown film is a part of the cycle of films under the Assyrian Genocide With its conical dome, heading “The Mountains of the World.” The film’s frescoes depicting saints director is Jean-Marie Barre. Monument to Be and carvings of biblical scenes on its red stone Unveiled in Sydney outer walls, the church is Iran Bans Translation of considered one of the SYDNEY (Assyrian International finest architectural exam - Book about Armenian News Agency) — Preparations are under ples that remain of the Genocide way for the upcoming official unveiling ancient Armenian civiliza - of the Assyrian genocide monument, tion in Turkey, erased a TEHRAN, Iran (Tert.am) — The Iranian government which was approved by Fairfield City century ago in what many has banned the translation of a book about the Council on December 15, 2009. regard as genocide. Its Armenian Genocide into Persian and its distribu- According to Hermiz Shahen, the scenic location, at the cen - tion in the country, said Saeed Firouzabadi, who regional secretary of the Assyrian tre of the volcanic, salt translated the book from German into Persian. Universal Alliance in Australia and New lake, ringed year-round by “I translated a book by German writer Jacob Zealand, the date of the unveiling will snow-capped mountains, Kunzler, In the Land of Tears and Blood and asked be on August 7 at Bonnyrigg Park would make a natural draw for permission to publish it through the Nair pub- where the statue is erected. This memo - for tourists to this poverty lishing company. But waiting more than a year, I rial stands for the Assyrian genocide stricken region. Akhtamar Church, one of the finest surviving monu - failed to get permission and the publication of this committed at the hands of the The church reopened in ments of ancient Armenian culture in eastern Turkey, book was banned,” ISNA news agency quoted March 29 Ottomans Turkey during WWI, which 2007 as a museum, follow - Firouzabadi as saying. claimed about 750,000 innocent lives ing a $1.5 million renova - The book covers the murders of Armenians in and the Simile massacre at the hands of tion by the Turkish gov - Turkey during the World War I. Iraqi army on 7th August 1933, which ernment. Despite pleas by church offi - to receive Armenians “from all over the Firouzabadi is a professor of Islamic University claimed the lives of about 6000 inno - cials, a cross was not allowed on the world” — although the nearby border is Azad. In order to publish books in Iran, an official cent Assyrians. Each year, on August 7, church. Munir Karaloglu, governor of closed and visitors from Armenia will permission is necessary to obtain from the relevant the Assyrian communities worldwide Van province, said a cross will be placed have to make a 20-hour drive via Georgia department of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic commemorate Assyrian Martyr’s Day on the dome before the mass and will or fly to faraway Istanbul and then take Guidance. with respect and dignity, Shahen said. remain there. another flight to Van. Shahen continued that the worldwide Church officials say the holy site in The Armenian Foreign Ministry did Assyrian community has contributed to Akhtamar, built between 915 and 921 not comment on the mass, and officials Armenian Takes Second the cost of the entire project, which AD, has been appropriated by the in Yerevan said they have not received Prize at ‘Slaviansky exceeded $70,000. The site is expected Turkish state. Because it is a public build - any invitation, but Armenian church offi - to become a pilgrimage site not only for ing, expressions of religious belief are not cials saw hopeful signs of a change in Bazaar’ Festival the Assyrians, but for all Australians who tolerated under Turkey’s strict secular attitude toward their faith. are sympathetic to this issue. constitution. “We are glad that Turkish authorities VITEBSK, Belarus (Tert.am) — The Slaviansky Australians contributed generously Often criticized in the West for its have partly changed their attitude on Bazaar international musical festival and contest to help the displaced families during treatment of Christian minorities, this issue, but the September 19 event is ended here on Thursday and for the first time in its WWI, donating supplies and financial Ankara has promoted the mass as proof a late and insufficient step,” said Vahram 19 years of existence, a Croatian, Damir Kejo, 23, assistance through their charitable of commitment to tolerance. Critics say Melikyan, a spokesman for the Mother won the first prize. Anahit Shahbazyan of Armenia organizations to help the victims of this the one-day service is a public relations See of Holy Echmiadzin, Armenia’s main and Inna Voronova of Ukraine shared the second Assyrian, Greek and Armenian campaign to improve EU candidate’s church and residence of the Armenian place and received $2,000 each. Genocide. A great number of Australian Turkey’s image. Patriarch. In addition, Shahbazyan has received a chance to soldiers engaged in the war helped release an album. bravely, saving the innocent victims of this genocide from the hands of the Iranian Authorities Take enemy and were thus first-hand eyewit - Turkish Journalist Faces Prison for Dink Story nesses to the tragedies suffered by the Care of Armenian indigenous Assyrians, Armenians and ISTANBUL (PanARMENIAN.Net) — daily Referans and the Daily News , Greeks of Anatolia. Hopes are dimming for justice in the Candar had expressed some of the same Monuments Shahen said that he expects a large murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist concerns as Bagdat. “No justice comes, TEHRAN (Aysor) — A survey of Armenian monu- number of representatives from the fed - Hrant Dink as the 14th hearing in the or can come, out of that [court] room. ments in Iran has shown that the Iranian authori- eral, state and local government to case is held in Istanbul, with family The Hrant Dink case proceeds with such ties take care of those monuments and churches, attend the unveiling. It is also expected members, lawyers and supporters saying frivolity that it is impossible to expect unlike the neighboring Georgian authorities. that a large number of media news the investigation has been lacking, justice from such recklessness,” Candar Armenian architecture, monuments expert Samvel agencies and writers from within and Hurriyet Daily News reports. wrote in his column titled “Hrant and Karapetyan said. outside Australia to attend this event. Expressing some of the same con - ‘justice’ being ridiculed,” in which he “Our expedition worked in the south of Tehran. On the unveiling day, the Assyrian cerns Daily News columnist Cengiz criticized the court for, among other We saw more than 20 well-preserved Armenian Universal Alliance in collaboration with Candar is now facing a prison sentence things, “forgetting to bring in the most churches there with notice boards marking that the Australian Institute for Holocaust of between one and three years for a col - critical witness.” they are Armenian monuments,” Karapetyan said and Genocide Studies has organized a umn about the case. Candar is facing a prison sentence on adding that Iranian villagers never damage seminar about the Assyrian, Armenian “The demands of the Dink family’s charges of “insulting a public officer.” Armenian monuments. and Pontic Greek genocides, to be pre - lawyers from the court have not been “Not the criminals but those who The speaker noted that the Iranian government even sented by scholars from the Australian met thus far. Even the man on the street denounce the criminals are tried in this allocates funds to repair some of the monuments. Institute for Holocaust and Genocide knows there are more people behind country,” said Fethiye Cetin, a lawyer According to the monuments expert, unlike the Studies, and overseas. A documentary this murder than these three suspects, for the Dink family, referring to Iranian side, the Georgian authorities do their film will be screened outlining the geno - but they are not here,” said Hayko Candar’s case. “Not the crime nor the utmost to misappropriate Armenian churches. cide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks Bagdat, the first Armenian who broad - criminal but those who write about it against the people of the aforemen - cast a critical radio program in Turkey. are tried. This shows us how justice tioned three nations. In a February column published in works in this country.” 4 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL Armenian Defense Minister Visits Iran Two Sides Agree to The two men expressed their satisfaction with the current level of political dialogue” between Expand Ties their countries, it said. “Expanding defense ties between regional TEHRAN (RFE/RL) — Defense Minister states will greatly help avert and manage the Seyran Ohanian discussed Armenian-Iranian crises and dangers that threaten the region,” cooperation and regional security issues with Vahidi told his Armenian counterpart on Iran’s top political and military leaders during a Saturday. Regional security requires “all-out weekend official visit to Tehran. ties” among those states, the Iranian ISNA Ohanian met with Iranian President news agency quoted him as saying. Iran “has Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Defense Minister mobilized all its capacities for the realization of Ahmad Vahidi and Foreign Minister this goal,” he added. Manouchehr Mottaki during the trip. Vahidi listed “terrorism” and “intervention by Official Armenian and Iranian sources said extra-regional forces” among the factors keep - both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ing the situation in the region volatile. The strengthening bilateral ties, including defense, Iranian general himself is considered a terror and stressed their importance for peace in the suspect by the United States and Israel region. Few other details of the talks were “Cordial bonds between Iran and Armenia reported. will help maintain peace and stability in the “During all official meetings, the parties region,” Ohanian said, according the Iranian emphasized that the millennia-old Armenian- Press TV. “Regional problems can and should Iranian cooperation contributes to the strength - be addressed through the collective wisdom of ening of peace and stability in our region,” the regional states.” Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement Mottaki, for his part, was reported to call Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, left, with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Tehran, on Monday. Ohanian and Ahmadinejad “under - for the creation of an “inter-regional mecha - July 18 lined broad possibilities” of expanding nism” for resolving regional conflicts and Armenian-Iranian relations. closer ties between Tehran and Yerevan. He The statement said Ohanian and Vahidi discussed ways of boosting them with President Serge Sargisian told Mottaki then nificance in the region.” He also praised reviewed “the current state of international and Armenian leaders during a visit to Yerevan that Armenia views the Islamic Republic as “a Tehran’s “balanced” position on the Nagorno- regional security and possible developments.” last January. reliable partner and a country with a pivotal sig - Karabagh conflict.

AGBU Scholarship Recipient Anoush Nikoghosyan Wins International Violin Competition

VIENNA — AGBU scholarship recipient from Yerevan, won the Kärntner Sparkasse Austria, on June 6. The competition drew 96 tal - Nikoghosyan was born in Yerevan in 1990. Anoush Nikoghosyan, a 20-year-old violinist international violin competition in Kärntner, ented young violinists from 30 countries, She studied at the Sayat Nova Music School of including Russia, France, US, Germany, Italy, Yerevan from 1995-2003, and graduated from China, Austria, UK and Japan. Nikoghosyan Yerevan State Conservatory in 2005. Today, took home a prize of 10,000 euros, and was also Nikoghosyan is in her third year at the Munich selected for the best performance of a Mozart Music Academy. She is a recipient of the AGBU concerto. scholarship, and AGBU funds her stay in In response to her outstanding placement at Germany. The violinist has performed in the the competition, the Vienna Symphony UK, Lithuania, UAE, Syria, Russia and Orchestra, under the direction of Fabio Luisi, Germany. She has appeared as a soloist with signed Nikoghosyan for two performances in the Yerevan Symphony Orchestra, Armenian February 2011. She also received 14 different Philharmonic Orchestra, Serenade Chamber invitations from orchestras and festivals, includ - Orchestra (Armenia) and Kaunas Chamber ing the Sapporo Music Festival of Japan. Orchestra (Lithuania).

AGBU Members Spearhead Tourism Section Devoted to Armenia in Brazil’s Largest Newspaper

SAO PAOLO, Brazil — On May 6, Folha de Sao Paulo , South America’s most important daily newspaper — with around two million readers per day — devoted its Anoush Nikoghosyan performs in Austria’s Kärntner Sparkasse international violin competition. entire Tourism section to Armenia. The authors of the published pieces, photog - rapher and writer Cassiana Der Haroutiounian and writer Julienne Gananian, are both active members of ADL South America Convenes Meeting of Four Chapters AGBU. Folha de Sao Paulo ’s section on Armenia included photographs and arti - BUENOS AIRES — ADL South America con - cussion. The party has published the weekly cles covering the country as a destination, vened a meeting of its four chapters here on Sardarabad newspaper since 1976, which is and also included historical facts about July 10 to program and organize its future polit - now the most read paper with a website the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian ical activities in the region. www.Sardarabad.com.ar. Apostolic Church, things to do in the Sergio Nahabetian, chairman of Central Nahabetian then proceeded with annual country, the national cuisine and AGBU’s Board of South America and member of awards, recognizing former Chairman Avedis continuous — and successful — efforts to Parliament in the Buenos Aires Province, wel - Barsamian and member Haig Shahinian, as well preserve Armenia’s culture and history. comed the participants and invited all for dis - as Baghdine Nahabedian posthumously. Writer Cassiana Der Haroutiounian recently traveled to Armenia by herself to connect with her Armenian heritage and identity. She works for Folha de Sao Paulo as a photography editor and made the fea - tured piece possible, along with support from her cousin and fellow journalist Julienne Gananian. The tourism section of the May 6 issue of Jorge Kevork Der Haroutiounian, former Brazil’s largest newspaper, Folha de Sao , was entirely devoted to Armenia. The AGBU Brazil Chairman, honorary AGBU Paulo member and the father of Cassiana, was authors of the published pieces, photograph - enthusiastic about the publication. “The er and writer Cassiana Der Haroutiounian reaction was really amazing, not only in and writer Julienne Gananian, are both active members of AGBU. Brazil, but also in Argentina, and the Armenian community here was really proud, for the first time, to receive such coverage and be in the spotlight of the Brazilian To view the articles from the May 6 pub - media,” he said in a letter to AGBU. “I hope lication (in Brazilian Portuguese), visit: that, together, we continue to promote our http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/turis - Members who participated in the meeting culture and heritage.” mo/noticias/ult338u731090.shtml. S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 NATIONAL NEWS

Obama Nominates Schiff Meets with Armenian Genocide Survivor, Submits Francis Ricciardone His Story of Survival into Congressional Record To Serve as US Story Contributed as part of the understanding of the nature of the Genocide, raise awareness of the issue, and help educate Ambassador to Armenian Genocide Congressional the Members of Congress on the imperative of Record Project recognizing the Armenian Genocide.” Turkey The Armenian Genocide Congressional WASHINGTON — After meeting with Record Project, pioneered by Schiff, is part of WASHINGTON — Earlier this week, the Armenian Genocide Survivor Haroutioun an ongoing effort to parallel H. Res. 252, the Obama Administration officially nominat - Andonian, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) submitted Congressional resolution he sponsored to rec - ed Francis Joseph Ricciardone Jr. to serve his story to be included in the Congressional ognize and commemorate the genocide carried as the US Ambassador to the Republic of Record — one of many submissions into the out against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire Turkey, reported the Armenian Assembly national record as part of Rep. Schiff’s from 1915 to 1923. of America. Armenian Genocide Congressional Record Schiff continues to encourage survivors of The nomination comes at a time when Project. the Genocide and their families from through - Turkey’s relationship with the United “This summer, I had the opportunity to meet out the country to participate in the project by States and the West is in trouble as a con - with Haroutioun Andonian, a 101-year-old sur - sending in the stories of what happened to their sequence of a series of Turkish actions, vivor of the Armenian Genocide living in our family during the Genocide. including voting against America’s posi - community,” Schiff said. “Today, I submitted his Those interested can send their family story tion at the United Nations on a key survival story into the Congressional Record, to Mary Hovagimian in Schiff’s Pasadena office Haroutioun Andonian and Rep. Adam Schiff national security issue with respect to and I hope that it will contribute to a better at [email protected]. Iran and nuclear nonproliferation, Turkey’s embrace of the Sudanese regime, which stands charged of commit - ting genocide in Darfur, as well as the “Flotilla Incident” off the Gaza Strip that Assembly Joins Human Rights Activists Speaks out against Genocide has hemorrhaged Israel’s relations with WASHINGTON — Earlier last month, mem - respect to genocide affirmation and prevention. American Bar Association advocating for its Turkey. bers of the Armenian Assembly’s Northern For example, the Assembly actively supported adoption. More recently, the Assembly joined “In the past, when Turkey’s relations California Regional Council (NCRC) joined the Sen. William Proxmire’s unremitting campaign the Save Darfur Coalition, Genocide with the West have been rocky, there has Tamil community along with members of the to persuade the US Senate to approve legisla - Intervention Network, American Jewish World been a tendency to accede to Turkish Genocide Recognition Committee, the tion enabling the adoption of the UN Service, Human Rights First, Human Rights denial of the Armenian Genocide. The Rwandan Genocide Committee and Amnesty Convention on the Prevention and Punishment Watch, Alliance for Justice, Refugees Assembly expects nominee Ricciardione International in commemorating the deaths of of the Crime of Genocide and was part of the International, ENOUGH and others in endors - will not do anything less but to urge more than 40,000 Tamils killed in May 2009 by coalition of organizations headed by the ing the Genocide Accountability Act. Turkey to end its campaign of denial and Sri Lankan military forces. come to terms with its genocidal legacy,” The event served as poignant reminder about stated Assembly Executive Director the need to confront man’s inhumanity to man Bryan Ardouny. “We expect the US and the importance of speaking out against Ambassador to Turkey to press for an end US Census Recognizes Armenian Assembly’s Efforts genocide no matter when or where it occurs. of the nearly two-decade blockade of “The stories recounted at the commemora - WASHINGTON — Members of the Southern makes the 2010 census the 23rd census in the Armenia and to ensure that Turkey fulfill tion were striking, especially with respect to California Regional Council (SCRC) met with country. The 2010 census was the shortest its international commitment to normal - their similarity to the Armenian Genocide in Anahit Tovmasyan, the partnership specialist at questionnaire in history with only 10 questions ize relations with Armenia without pre - terms of the loss of innocent life and the the US Census Bureau, to accept a recognition to complete and the forms were sent out to conditions.” unimaginable impact on the lives of the sur - certificate on behalf of the Armenian Assembly every household the second week of March. News of the nomination also coincides vivors and their communities,” said NCRC of America (Assembly) for partnering with the Tovmasyan explained the importance of the with the conclusion of US Secretary of Member Peter Federico. US Census to raise awareness of and achieve a census for the Armenian community. “By record - State Hillary Clinton’s tour of the South “These communities dealing with their own complete and accurate census count in 2010. ing the accurate number of Armenians within our Caucasus region, which included a visit to genocides get inspiration and validation from “As a US Census partner, the Assembly’s role local communities, we have better opportunities the Armenian Genocide Memorial in looking at the Armenian community. Partnering in the 2010 census count was to ensure that the to apply for government grants and to receive Yerevan. with these groups who are facing what we have Armenian communities here in Southern funding for non-profit Armenian organizations to “The US record of affirmation is clear already been through strengthens their causes, California were properly represented in create programs for our youth and the elderly.” as evidenced by the 1951 US filing our cause and the universal goal of preventing Congress and eligible for the funding needed By encouraging Armenian-Americans to before the International Court of future genocides,” added Federico. “In order to for important community programs, services check the “other” box and to write “Armenian” Justice,” stated Ardouny. “Ambassador prevent future genocides, we must join together and facilities. The accuracy and importance of on the form, the census will more accurately Ricciardone would be well served to fol - with others and actively promote genocide edu - the Census determines the distribution of over reflect the number of Armenians residing in low in the tradition of Ambassador cation, awareness and affirmation.” $300 billion in federal funds,” stated SCRC Southern California, which in turn will allow Henry Morgenthau and advance Turkish Since its inception, the Armenian Assembly Member Richard Mushegain. Armenians to have minority status and receive recognition of the consequences of the has partnered with like-minded organizations The US Census began in 1790 and has been the funds Armenian community organizations Armenian Genocide.” and individuals who share our goals with conducted every 10 years thereafter, which rightly deserve. The Assembly also anticipates that the Senate will press nominee Ricciardione on Turkey’s human rights record, reli - gious freedom and treatment of minori - ties; specifically Article 301 of the Turkish Penal code which precipitated the assas - Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2010 sination of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink. The continuing delays in the trial of Dink’s accused assassin remains a serious cause for concern for the freedom Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor of the press in Turkey and the safety of journalists in the country. a Teacher’ program has raised over $395,000 Ricciardone currently serves as deputy ambassador and charges d’affaires at the and reached out to 3,078 teachers and US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He previously served as the US ambassador school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. to the Arab Republic of Egypt (2005- 2008) and served concurrently as ambas - sador to the Republic of the Philippines £ and the Republic of Palau from 2002 to 2005. Ricciardone’s Foreign Service K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue assignments include two tours in Turkey, helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have most recently (1995-1999) as deputy the teacher’s name and address. chief of mission and charge d’affaires; and service in Cairo, Amman and K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— London. Name Address City State Zip code Donation Tel: Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Mail your check with this form to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator received TCA Sponsor a Teacher a $25 donation anonymously in honor of 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 the 90th birthday of Nubar Ashjian of Arlington, Mass. Your donation is Tax Deductible. 6 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Vartan Gregorian Receives Armenia Honorary Degree from University of Edinburgh Fest 2010: EDINBURGH, Scottland — At its Summer 2010 graduation ceremony held on June 28, Simply Fabulous, the University of Edinburgh bestowed an hon - orary doctorate on Dr. Vartan Gregorian, presi - Dahling dent of Carnegie Corporation of New York. In awarding the degree, the University Laureator, Vice Principal Young P. Dawkins, said, “We honor one of the most acclaimed and pow - By Betty Apigian Kessel erful figures in the academic, literary and chari - table worlds. Dr. Vartan Gregorian is recognized ROYAL OAK, Mich. — I was sitting next internationally for his social consciousness and to the modest man who has brain humanitarian work. He is regarded as one of the stormed many a successful community most influential thinkers of this era in relation to event along with Co-chair Corinne philanthropy and the impact of education.” Khederian, the support of their dedicated Commenting on Gregorian’s early academic committee and The Knights of Vartan career following the awarding of a PhD from saying to him, “I have quizzed several Stanford University, Dawkins, said, “He is not people today to see if they think this fes - only an inspirational leader — he is a trans - tival is now the number one attraction for forming leader. His work began with teaching the Armenian community and after a posts at San Francisco State College, the brief pause each reply was ‘Yes!’ What do University of California at Los Angeles and the you think, Edgar?” University of Texas at Austin. In 1972, he joined With his ever-present smile, Edgar the University of Pennsylvania where he was Hagopian looked at me and said, “we are named the first dean of the newly-created trying to bring this fractured community School of Arts and Sciences and in 1978, the together in a celebratory way and to university’s 23rd provost. accomplish something for Armenia and “When he was appointed president of the New Karabagh as well.” York Public Library in 1981, this world famous No one in recent years has done more institution was on the verge of bankruptcy. In to accomplish that purpose than Edgar the next eight years Gregorian worked tirelessly. Hagopian with deep roots in Bursa, It was said that no one who lived in the New Turkey the birthplace of his immigrant York metropolitan area was safe from a knock on parents. His heart and soul is invested in their door. In total, he raised an incredible $327 Sister Louisa pictured in her early years at the Armenian Sisters’ Academy of the well-being of The Republic of Radnor, working with a child million. It was written that ‘he had seen the re- Armenia. Edgar and his family run the emergence of the New York Public Library as the magnificent showroom, Hagopian World intellectual, scholarly and cultural repository of of Rugs in fashionable Birmingham as New York and the nation.’ well as in Novi, Ann Arbor, Utica and Oak Philadelphia Community Bids Laureator Dawkins continued, “In 1989, Park. Vartan Gregorian was appointed president of The festival’s site this year was the Brown University in Rhode Island. Once again he Fond Farewell to Academy brought to his leadership role his vision, energy and determination. By the time he stepped Principal Sister Louisa down, he had raised nearly $550 million, an achievement that almost tripled the University’s RADNOR, Penn. — For many, the Armenian Sisters’ Academy (ASA) of Radnor endowment. The editor of the campus newspa - and its longtime principal, Sister V. Louisa Kassarjian, are synonymous. For near - per at the time recalls, ‘Vartan Gregorian was the ly 41 years, she has loved, educated and nurtured hundreds of students in the best thing ever to happen to Brown.’ Philadelphia area, guiding them not only academically, but culturally and spiritu - “In 1997, Dr. Gregorian was appointed to his ally, as well. current position as the 12th president of This summer, the Order of the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Carnegie Corporation of New York, the grant- reassigned Sister Louisa to a large school in Syria, where she will enjoy being near making institution founded in 1911 by Andrew family. Carnegie, one of Scotland’s most cherished sons. As testimony to her years of dedication, more than 350 well-wishers attended a Co-chairs Corinne Khederian and Edgar Now in its Centenary year, the Corporation Hagopian reception in her honor at the school’s Hovsepian Activity Center. Dr. Garo upholds Carnegie’s vision of doing ‘real and per - Megerian, alumnus and ASA parent, recount - manent good in this world.’ The work of the ed Kassarjian’s many attributes. He com - Carnegie Corporation remains focused in the Royal Oak’s Farmer’s Market in the heart mended her longevity at the academy and two issues its founder considered of paramount of the jivin’ jumpin’ city known as a fun the accomplishment of educating two gener - importance — international peace and the destination for throngs who fill the city’s ations of children. Some in the second gen - advancement of education and knowledge. eateries every day. Sleepy Royal Oak, a eration are children of alumni and comprise “Here in Scotland, Dr. Gregorian is a trustee Detroit bedroom community, hasn’t been nearly a third of the student body. Kassarjian of the Hunter Foundation, established by one sleepy since its renaissance 15 years ago. considers all the students her “children” and of our leading philanthropists and business - The third Armenia Fest had ample space calls the alumni children her “grandchil - men, Sir Tom Hunter, whose humanitarian in the huge enclosed pavilion as well as its dren.” work was marked by the University of outside surrounds where the opening cer - Kassarjian began her career at ASA in Edinburgh with a bestowal of a Doctor honoris emonies took place. Hagopian and 1969, two years after the school’s inception, causa last November. Sir Tom says of Dr. Khederian welcomed hundreds of seated and became principal in 1986. Megerian Gregorian: ‘Vartan is the Godfather for philan - guests and thanked attending Royal Oak applauded her work ethic and hands-on style thropy… One of the few men ever to receive the City fathers whose remarks reflected their of leadership. Never one for the limelight, National Humanities Medal from a Democrat pride in hosting this mammoth Armenian her selflessness is extraordinary, he said, President and the Presidential Medal of gathering with open arms, a tribute to our adding that she has always led by example Freedom from a Republican President.’” ethnic heritage. and rarely rests. Many students fondly Sister Louisa Kassarjian today Since 1695, the University of Edinburgh has Armenians have established a reputa - remember (and have often sampled) the awarded honorary degrees to a select group of tion for proper deportment and behavior M&Ms always stocked in the candy dispenser accomplished women and men including such and don’t think this doesn’t play an in her office, he reflected. notables as Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth important part when a city decides to The mother and daughter team Melissa and Katrina Selverian, both ASA alum - II), Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the allow an undertaking of this size to take ni, took the podium to present a moving presentation. Many eyes filled with tears Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, King place in its environs. as the emotional video showed Kassarjian teaching, giving speeches, accepting Olav of Norway, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The American and Armenian National roses after a hantes and showcasing the school’s 35 graduating classes, each of Alexander Graham Bell, Madame Curie, Louis Anthems were sung by Rubik Mailian and which she has been a part of. After the presentation, Sister received a standing Pasteur, Joseph Lister, Alexander Simpson, Sir Vaughn Masropian helped in the intro - ovation for all she has accomplished. Frank Whittle, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, General ductions, emphasis being on the Grace Keshgegian, academy parent and grandparent, has been the school’s vol - Dwight Eisenhower, Field Marshall Haig, Field Armenian word for hello, “parev.” unteer bookeeper and has worked alongside Kassarjian since the early days. She Marshall Montgomery, Sir Winston Churchill, With the intention of featuring the art, invited all students who have ever been educated by Kassarjian to the stage, and Gordon Brown, William Gladstone, Lloyd food, music and culture of the Armenians, more than 100 individuals filed to the front — from current students to those from George, Benjamin Disraeli, Laurence Olivier, the Festival 2010 committee pulled it off see FAREWELL, page 7 Rudyard Kipling, Lord Alfred Tennyson, J.R.R. see FESTIVAL, page 7 Tolkien, Ian Rankin and J.K. Rowling, David Attenborough and Michael Palin. S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenia Fest 2010

FESTIVAL, from page 6 putting out traditional Armenian music any - in Hye fashion. Armenian-sponsored booths where. Detroit has always been known for its lined the pavilion with pastries, ceramics, high caliber of Armenian bands. books, kitchenware and great Armenian cui - Kevin Sands, a remarkable Sinatra sound- sine. The queues for kebab dinners were espe - alike also pleased the crowd. cially long but moved quickly. What brought the house down? If you could The stage hosted live Armenian music that witness the terpsichorean artistry of our local had everyone swaying and clapping to the great Hamazkayin Dance Troupe composed of young rhythm of the Armenian Fest Ensemble con - Armenian men and women you would weep. sisting of John Tosoian, Kirk Kuchukian, Tom They didn’t need the setting sun to shine on Zakarian, Vaughn Masropian, Harry them to make them sparkle with their smooth Hovakimian, Sam Alajajian and Shahan dance routines. They brought joy and pride to Krikorian. You couldn’t find better musicians your heart. Their smiles were never ceasing. We

Dancers performing (Hamazkayin Troupe)

were witnessing Sepastia, Keghi, Moush and Armenians are and what we represent. Van right here in Royal Oak. They are our Next year? Edgar Hagopian wants to make future. This is by no means a small group of Armenian Fest bigger and better and has ideas dancers, they are more than 30-strong and pro - to make it come true. Remember next July and fessional in ability and costume presentation. spend it with us in beautiful Michigan and have The dance troupe’s dance/artistic director is the Armenian time of your life. Nayiri Karapetian, who whipped a large group While I have dwelled on Hagopian, let’s give of inexperienced volunteers into a much-sought- credit to his amazing committee consisting of after performing group. They are the pride of Corinne Khederian, master video cameraman Detroit. Hagop Alexanian, Edward Bedikian, Raymond The Armenia Fest has become a summertime Boujoulian, Pam Coultis, Ken Khezarjian, Paul tradition. Kulhanjian, the Armenian Radio Program’s As I said to Edgar, “I don’t care if it is held in Vaughn Masropian, Shirley Sarkisian, David a mud hut, I will be there to support and enjoy.” Terzibashian who is commander of the Nareg- From left, a, city official, Corinne Khederian, co-chair; David Terzibashian, Knights of Vartan; Edgar Last year’s more than 2,000 attendees must Shavarshan Lodge, Madeline Thomasian, and Hagopian, co-chair; Irina Lazarian, Armenia Fund and another city official have felt the same way as this year again the Gregory Vartanian proudly representing all area attendance soared to new heights. Armenian churches. I saw hundreds of new Armenian faces never This year the committee partnered with before seen by these seasoned eyes. Everyone Armenia Fund, USA to earmark all profits was happy. They floated from the huge outside received from advertisers and sponsors to the tents to the cool of the table and chair lined fund’s Hyebridge Telehealth program, designed pavilion. Many non-Armenians filled the crowd to enhance and modernize medical care and and that is vital to spread the word of who education in Armenia and Karabagh.

Philadelphia Community Bids Fond Farewell to Principal Sister Louisa

FAREWELL, from page 6 and please come visit me in Syria.” With that, the the first graduating class — surrounding crowd gave her a second standing ovation. Kassarjian with the love she has fostered in The academy family hosted a dessert buffet them. In between tears, Keshgegian verbalized following the program, while the many guests the thoughts of many: “Sister, we will miss you bid Kassarjian farewell, gathered with her for terribly; this is your home, and you know the photographs and honored her with gifts. door is always open.” Sister Emma Moussayan, who served the Then it was Kassarjian’s turn to take the podi - Radnor school for many years prior to her most um, as she has hundreds of times before. “I’m recent assignment in Rome, will return to the grateful to Sister Hripsime and Sister Arousiag, ASA as its new principal. whose foresight guided me during my early A scholarship fund in Sister Louisa years. I am appreciative and indebted to many Kassarjian’s name has been established for the supporters in the community, who helped make purpose of assisting academy students who ASA the family it is. With your prayers and God’s qualify for financial aid. In lieu of gifts, contri - help, I will be able to fulfill my mission at the butions to that scholarship fund can be donat - Sisters’ school in Aleppo, Syria, of more than ed in her honor. Anyone wishing to contribute 400 students, though my thoughts and prayers to this fund can donate online to will always be here with you. I know Sister http://www.asaphila.org, (note “Sister Louisa Emma is enthusiastic about returning to the Scholarship Fund”) or mail checks to Armenian school and helping the Academy soar ever high - Sister Academy, 440 Upper Gulph Road, er,” she said. “May the Lord bless each of you, Radnor, PA 19087. 8 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Hosts Graduation Ceremonies for Kindergarten, Fifth Grade

WATERTOWN, Mass. — In June, St. songs and dances all the members of this gar - Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School com - den such as the bees, butterflies, ants, lady - pleted its 26th academic year. Graduation cere - bugs, birds and flowers in a magical scenery. monies were held on June 17 for the kinder - Fifteen students graduated from the kinder - garten graduates and June 18 for the elemen - garten. They are: Van Adourian, Tamar tary school, with the participation of the pas - Chaprazian, Nathan Kefeyan, Armen tors of St. Stephen’s, First Armenian and St. Manucharyan, Talar Panossian, Gabriella James Churches. Anserlian, Aren Gharibian, Narinr Mahserejian, On both days, the principal, Houry Aleesa Mardirossian, Rose Tinkjian, Ani Boyamian, focused on the school’s recent Belorian, David Kalantar, Ari Manoogian, Alina achievements, especially the fifth graders’ trip Ouligian and Andre Yardemian. to Armenia and the results of the On June 18, the Elementary program was Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills. This year, dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of the Treaty the Grade 4 students’ combined total score in of Sevres. The students presented the theme reading, language and mathematics was in the with poetry, songs, dance and drama followed top 13 percent of students nationally. The by a video presentation of the fifth grade’s trip Grade 2 students’ combined total score in read - to Armenia, coordinated with great expertise by ing, language and mathematics was in the top Ardemis Megerdichian, the Armenian teacher 17 percent of students nationally. She also for graders one through five.

Kindergarten graduates with Principal Houry Boyamian, Rev. Antranig Baljian, teachers Anahid Joubanian and Ani Changelian

Movsesian, Garo Bazarbashian. For Interest in Music: Mary Galstian, Liana Citizenship Award: Garo Bazarbashian, Nalbandian Sarine Ashjian Perfect Attendance Award: Grade 1: Berj Nishan and Arshalouys Najarian Chekijian, Karina Melkonian; Grade 2: Ara Scholarship to each recipient for interest in the Changelian, Mane Hachikian and Grade 3, Arts : Armen Michaelian, Narek Sahakian Melanne Ghahraman

St. Stephen’s graduation class with Principal Houry Boyamian, Teachers Ardemis Megerdichian and TCA Sponsor a Julia Kramer and Pastors (left to right), Rev. Gregory Harutunian, Rev. Arakel Aljalian, Rev. Antranig Baljian and Rev. Karekin Bedourian. Teacher Fund announced that preparations for the school’s In his closing remarks, Baljian expressed his 25th anniversary celebration have already start - appreciation to the administration and faculty The Tekeyan Cultural Association and ADL Arshag Ghobanian Chapters of Detroit, orga - ed and that the anniversary gala will be held on for their dedication and effort. nized a fundraising event at AGBU Marie Manoogian School of Southfield, Mich. to benefit November 20. Seventeen students graduated from the the TCA Sponsor-A-Teacher Endowment Fund, and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Boyamian then thanked the faculty, the Elementary School: Ani Aroyan, Sarine Ashjian, program. The following donations were received during the event: administrative staff, the PTO, the parent volun - Garo Bazarbashian, Reni Bedrosian, Alexis teers, the school board and committees, the St. Cormier, Areg Ghahraman, Joseph Hajjar, Stephen’s Church board of trustees, Rev. Daron Hamparian, Diana Krmzian, Hovig Siran Chalbanian (Memorial), $1,000 Mr. and Mrs. George and Vart Mikhjian, $100 Antranig Baljian, Rev. Karekin Bedourian, as Margosian, Garine Minassian, Tatiana Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Hagopian, $500 Mr. and Mrs. Kevork Tutundjian, $75 well as all the organizations and individuals Movsesian, Katarena Nalbandian, Natalie Tekeyan Cultural Association Detroit, $500 Ms. Alice Nigoghosian, $50 that contribute to the advancement of the Ourfalian, Lori Shirinian, Garen Soukiasian, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Yessian, $300 Mrs. Alice Mavian, $50 school. She extended special thanks to the Lenna Wolffe. Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Y. Azadian, $200 Mr. and Mrs. Missak Alexanian, $50 Khatchig Babikian Fund for their donation of After the presentation of the diplomas, the Ms. Susie Janigian, $200 Mr. David Terzibashian, $50 $50,000 for scholarships. following awards were given: Mr. and Mrs. Hagop Alexanian, $160 Mrs. Susan Amerguian, $50 On June 18, Boyamian honored Sandy Excellence in Armenian Studies Mrs. Vrejouhi Darian, $160 Mr. and Mrs. George Alexanian, $50 Bedrosian with a special plaque. Bedrosian has Prelacy Award: Joseph Hajjar, Katarina Ms. Suzanne Hagopian, $120 Mr. and Mrs. George Basmadjian, $25 been one of the school’s longest serving and Nalbandian, Natalie Ourfalian, Sarine Ashjian Mrs. Karen Flork, $100 Mrs. Agnes Dourjalian, $25 staunchest supporters. She has served as chair St. Stephen’s School Award: Daron Mr. and Mrs. Hagop Minassian, $100 Mrs. Dawn Derouchie, $25 of the Parent-Teacher Organization, then chair Hamparian, Diana Krmzian, Garo Mr. and Mrs. Edward Korkoian, $100 Mr. and Mrs. Ed Tutelian, $25 of the PR Committee and for the past six years Bazarbashian, Reni Bedrosian, Tatiana Ms. Elizabeth Aprahamian, $100 Ms. Janice Torosian, $20 as a member of board. Movsesian, Alexis Cormier Ms. Stephanie Dallakian, $100 Mrs. Virginia Melkonian, $10 This year for the first time, the fifth grade Armenian Relief Society Award: Garen parents had a new idea. On the occasion of Soukiassian their children’s graduation from St. Stephen’s St. Stephen’s Education Committee Award: they decided to make a collective gift to the Garine Minassian, , Ani Rose Aroyian, Hovig school ($850). This money will be allocated to a Margosian, Lori Shirinian Telephone (617) 924-7400 new Literacy Program, which will be intro - President’s Education Award duced in the school this fall. Presidential Award for Academic Excellence: Aram Bedrosian On June 17, the preschool director, Maral Joseph Hajjar, Katrina Nalbandian, Natalie Orchanian, presented the theme of the Ourfalian preschool and kindergarten graduation, which Presidential Award for Academic Funeral Home, Inc. was The St. Stephen’s Garden. The preschool - Achievement: Alexis Cormier, Ani Rose Aroyian, ers and the kindergarteners presented through Reni Bedrosian, Sarine Ashjian, Tatiana Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN

GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Funeral Counselor 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606

St. Stephen’s preschoolers performing on graduation day. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Washington Church Sees ‘A Man Transformed,’ As Local Deacon Is Ordained a Priest WASHINGTON — Archbishop Khajag Music Ensemle, and has taught at the Yerevan Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the conservatory and the Spendiarov School of Armenian Church of America (Eastern), ordained Music. Deacon Leon Khoja-Eynatyan to the holy priest - Growing up in Soviet Armenia, where he hood last weekend at St. Mary Church. recalls seeing churches used as warehouses, The two-day ceremony began on Saturday the young Leon Khoja-Eynatyan had few evening, July 10. Khoja-Eynatyan knelt before opportunities to learn about Armenian the altar in a traditional calling service that sym - Christianity. He says he was first introduced to bolizes a deacon’s formal presentation to the the Bible by his grandparents, but it wasn’t Lord as a candidate for the priesthood. until decades later, when he relocated to the On Sunday, July 11, the Feast of the United States, that he would really become Transfiguration of Our Lord, Barsamian active in parish life. ordained Khoja-Eynatyan to the priesthood dur - In 1999, he moved with his family to the ing the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. United States, and settled in Washington, DC, Also participating in the ordination service where he began attending St. Mary Church. He were the Rev. Hovsep Karapetyan, the pastor of served for many years as an organist and con - BOSTON — Arlington resident Kristin Sarkisian won the chance to meet St. Mary Church, and the Rev. Vertanes ductor at the church and in 2000 he founded the Mario Lopez on Saturday, June 12, at the 7 News Healthcare Health & Kalayjian, the long-serving former pastor of the church’s well-known Narek Bell Choir. He also Fitness Expo and received a copy of his latest book, Extra Lean . community. Karapetyan and Kalayjian served as served on the Diocese’s Sacred Music Council, sponsoring priests at the ordination. and for four years led its Boyajian Choir Sarkisian, a graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., currently Barsamian performed the “laying on of hands” Leadership Development Program for young works at Suffolk University and is also a graduate student at the ritual, which binds all priests of the Armenian choir members. Harvard University Extension School, was thrilled that Lopez, who drew Church into the “apostolic succession,” linking “Unceasingly and tirelessly he became an the winning raffle ticket, pronounced her name perfectly. clergy through the generations back to Apostles inseparable part of St. Mary Church, playing the Thaddeus and Bartholomew — who brought organ, conducting the choir, or serving on the Christianity to Armenia in the first century — and holy altar every Sunday,” said Fr. Hovsep back before them to Christ himself. Karapetyan. “Little did he know that all this was Barsamian later consecrated Khoja-Eynatyan’s leading him to a higher calling.” forehead and his hands with holy chrism It was during his time at St. Mary Church that (muron), and gave him the priestly name Khoja-Eynatyan says he first heard God’s call to E-SUBSCRIPTION “Hovhan.” At the conclusion of the service, the serve the church as an ordained priest. At the newly ordained priest gave his first blessing to encouragement of Archbishop Barsamian, he the faithful at St. Mary Church. began taking courses at Catholic University of In his sermon, the Primate spoke about the America in Washington, and in 2008 he enrolled Feast of the Transfiguration — one of the five at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New AVAILABLE major feast days of the Armenian Church, which Rochelle, NY. recalls Christ’s ascent up Mount Tabor with the He was ordained to the diaconate in August disciples Peter, James and John, where Christ 2008. In addition to attending the seminary, he The Armenian Mirror-Spectator will be available every was transfigured in a blinding white light and the assisted Karapetyan in his pastoral duties at St. Thursday, in COLOR and PDF format to all who subscribe voice of God affirmed Jesus as his Son. Mary Church. He also continued to perform and specifically to this electronic delivery.

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H Yes, Please e-mail me the Armenian Mirror-Spectator every Thursday. On Sunday, July 11, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordained Dn. Leon Khoja-Eynatyan to the priest - hood at St. Mary Church of Washington, DC. Also participating in the service were the Rev. Hovsep My E-mail address is ______Karapetyan and the Rev. Vertanes Kalayjian, who served as sponsoring priests at the ordination.

“The disciples see our Lord transformed,” teach music, serving as a percussion instructor at Name and Last name ______Barsamian said. “And in doing so, the disciples the Levine School of Music in Washington. are transformed as well — but in a different way. But his main focus was on his newfound call - Peter, James and John, after sharing this special ing. He says once he began preparing for the You can also e-mail your request to [email protected] moment with Jesus, go on to become the great - priesthood, he “could not imagine another place est supports in Christ‘s ministry; the ones our I would rather be.” for faster service Lord most relied on — and the ones from whom Last May, he graduated from St. Nersess he expected the most.” Seminary and began preparing for his ordina - “Today, in this church, we have seen a similar tion. “I waited a long time for that day to come,” kind of transformation — as mysterious in its way he said. as the Transfiguration,” Barsamian continued. Khoja-Eynatyan will complete his 40-day seclu - “In this ordination, we have seen a man trans - sion period of fasting, meditation and prayer at formed. Today, the Holy Spirit entered into Holy Echmiadzin. When he returns later this Deacon Leon Khoja-Eynatyan and he became summer, he will spend several months working something new.” as an assistant to Karapetyan until he is assigned The entire Parish Council hosted the ordina - to a new parish. tion; Chair Zakar Shahverdian served as godfa - Khoja-Eynatyan says he never imagined expe - ther. A celebratory luncheon followed in the riencing a career change in his 40s. “The only church hall. thing anyone can do is hear God’s call, and answer it,” he said. A Purpose for Each of Us Barsamian said Khoja-Eynatyan’s journey illus - Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan was born in trates that “God has a purpose for each of us.” Yerevan, Armenia, where he pursued a career in “Sometimes, that purpose may take time to music. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees unfold. But the purpose is there. And when we in music from the Komitas State Conservatory in understand it, we need to be courageous Yerevan, and the Maimonides State enough, and strong enough in our faith, to Conservatory of Moscow, Russia. accept the role He has given us in His greater Khoja-Eynatyan has been a member of the design.” Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pekarsky Khoja-Eynatyan and his wife, Narine, have two Percussion Ensemble and the Moscow Modern children, Tatevik and Alexander. 10 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O Vartavar Celebration in Little Neck Aims at Greater Goals

grounds, born in countries such By Aram Arkun as the US, Iran, Armenia, Mirror-Spectator Staff Bulgaria and Turkey. There were even two clerics present, one from the Prelacy and another from the LITTLE NECK, N.Y. — A celebration of Diocese. Vartavar took place at the Armenian Society This was probably the only center in Little Neck on Sunday, July 11 which organized secular celebration of was attended by some 135 adults and 35 chil - Vartavar in the New York area. dren. Though primarily organized for the enjoy - The goal of the event, organizer ment of children — various games with water, Lana Kazangian declared, was including wading pools, were arranged in the “to celebrate Armenian tradi - yard of the center — there were plenty of activ - tions.” Furthermore, “we bring ities for adults too. They were able to enjoy a new community of people to shish kebab and other delicacies, and listen or the Armenian Society. The dance to Armenian music performed by Nshan building and society needs to be Kiramidzhyan. Dedicated soccer fans could kept so that my own children watch the World Cup on a giant television and the coming generations will screen indoors. be able to benefit from it as an Armenian families from Long Island, active center. These activities Queens,and other parts of New York City and keep people interested in this New Jersey participated, along with a few from place. The most important thing further away, and some non-Armenian friends is to attract new families to join or spouses. They were from all types of back - the Armenian Society.” This cel - ebration is part of a broader “Playdate” program of chil - dren’s activities for Armenians Sun and water play make for a fun day. in the New York metropolitan area organized and sponsored by the Kazangian family. mer picnic of the Armenian Society by includ - the Queens area. There is a board of trustees These efforts spring in part from a family mis - ing a celebration of the water festival of and a directing board, each with nine members. fortune, as Lana Kazangian explained: “My Vartavar oriented towards children. Over the Its ongoing successful activities include mother used to volunteer with the Society next two years, they organized children’s weekly Friday night shish kebab dinners that when she first came to the US back in the Halloween parties, and aided the Society’s are occasions for families and friends to meet 1960s. She organized children’s programs. Ladies Auxiliary in the organization of the socially, New Year’s Eve parties with around When my mother, Aida Kazangian, became ill annual Armenian Christmas party. Although 200 people, various holiday events, concerts, and passed away, three years ago this August, they are not going to have a Halloween party lectures, dances and trips to Atlantic City. we decided to organize some children’s activi - this year in order to avoid competition with the Among other new efforts to attract the ties ourselves. This is part of the healing children’s party that Holy Martyrs Armenian youth, the Armenian Society is sponsoring the process for me and my sister. It was a good way Day School in Bayside is organizing, they will formation of a soccer training group called Hye for us personally and for the Society too.” continue to host an Armenian Christmas party Soccer Academy for children aged 6 to 15 with Lana and her sister Elina Kazan Rutan, start - in early January. Lana and Elina’s father, Albert experienced coaches. Children enjoy some shade at the Vartavar cele - ed out by organizing a collective Armenian chil - Kazangian, supports these events financially The Armenian Society was founded in 1948 bration. dren’s play date with toys and pizza in June along with his daughters, and at the Vartavar as the Iranian-Armenian Society of New York, 2008. Then, they transformed the annual sum - celebration sponsored the music in memory of and eventually bought a building in Jackson his wife. The two sisters contribute financially Heights, Queens. It constructed the present to the events they organize, and even their center in Little Neck in 1992. While the board daughters help out in various ways. of trustees consists of Iranian-Armenians living Gourgen Grigorian, chairman and treasurer in the New York region, members of any back - New Building Project for ANRC to Begin of the board of trustees of the Armenian ground are eligible to serve on the board of Society, and Rubik Babaian, vice chairman, directors or executive board, which is the body EMERSON, N.J. — On June 24, during the The new building will be using the latest exclaimed that as their goal was to bring togeth - that organizes the Society’s activities. The lat - annual meeting of the Armenian Nursing and Leadership in Energy and Environmental er Armenian children and youth, they were ter board today is chaired by Rita Tatevossian Rehabilitation Center (ANRC), Andy Torigian, Design (LEED) rating in sustainable design, extremely happy with the event. Babaian with Shahen Minassian as vice-chair. The president and chairman of the board, water conservation, energy and atmosphere announced that a contract had been signed and conservation, as well as materials and resource that construction of a new building for the conservation and indoor environmental quality. ANRC will begin. The new building project The building can also be called a “green” build - began several years ago. It took a long time and ing. It will also have all the latest state-of-the-art a great deal of effort to get all the state and amenities of a nursing and rehabilitation center. local approvals. It will have enough rooms and The ANCR, which has a four-star rating, is facilities to serve the Tri State Area. located at 70 Main St.

Lana Kazangian speaks at the event.

declared, “We want this beautiful building to be Armenian Society has a long history of orga - used, and people to take it over and make it nizing social and cultural events, and used to work for new generations of Armenians.” sponsor a choir conducted by Raffi Svadjian. Grigorian added that “we don’t belong to any The Society is seeking more volunteers for political party or group, but just want to work the Playdate series, as well as in organizing with all Armenians.” other types of events. Since most parents The building has a kitchen, classrooms and already have most of their schedules occupied halls. The Haruthunian, Acopian and Galstian with the needs of their own children, non-par - Halls are available for community events, as ents who enjoy children are welcome as volun - well as weddings, children’s birthday parties teers for the Playdate activities. They want to Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Board members present a check to the new building and other family celebrations for as many as expand the range of activities available, and architect. Standing from left, John Vanishkian, board member; Dave Rowan, treasurer; Annette 150 to 200 people. The proceeds from such have other types of events for older children. Tamalian-Almond, corresponding secetary; Craig Froonjian, DMD, ombudsman; Khoren Naldandian, events are used to pay off the mortgage for the For more information about the Playdate secretary; Matt Russo, LNHA, ANRC administrator; sitting, Vatche Baghdikian, vice president; Bob center. series of children’s events, and other activities Cozzarelli, AIA, architect; Andy Torigian, president and chairman of the board The Armenian Society at present has approx - of the Armenian Society, contact Lana imately 170 members at present, mostly from Kazangian at [email protected]. S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Ne w York M E T R O Armenia Fund Unveils Dual Projects in Azatamut and Aknaghbyur

NEW YORK — Within the framework of its Vardanyan, the delegation included members ongoing Rural Development Program, of the fund’s Board of Trustees, benefactors Armenia Fund completed two more projects and representatives of affiliates from in Armenia’s Tavush Region: a milk-collec - throughout the world, who had traveled to tion center in Azatamut and a potable-water Armenia to participate in the organization’s pipeline in Aknaghbyur. The projects were 19th annual Board of Trustees meeting and sponsored by the fund’s Western US Region to visit the sites of several current and com - affiliate, with financing from San Francisco’s pleted projects in both Armenia and Artsakh. Armenian community and the ARF Central Commenting on the milk-collection center Committee of Canada, respectively. in Azatamut, the community’s mayor con - The launch of the initiatives on May 11 was veyed his gratitude to the project’s sponsors marked by opening ceremonies attended by a and said that it will enable residents of delegation of the fund, community members Azatamut as well as neighboring villages to and local officials. Led by Hayastan All- efficiently market their milk production. This Armenian Fund Executive Director Ara process will be facilitated by two new trucks,

From left, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Executive Director Ara Vardanyan and US Western Region President Ara Aghishian

which will make rounds throughout the sur - Another project site visited by the delega - rounding 12 communities to collect milk and tion was the Khashtarak School, whose 201 bring it to the collection center for shipping. students have been enjoying their new, well- The Armenia Fund delegation also visited equipped campus for the past nine months. the Noyemberyan Hospital, which is current - On behalf of the people of Tavush, the ly being reconstructed with financing from region’s governor, Armen Ghularyan, said he the Fund’s German, Swiss, Australian and hoped the fund will continue to implement Lebanese affiliates. Informed that on the day vitally important development projects in the of the delegation’s visit three babies were area. delivered at the temporary ward close to the Indeed, throughout its visits, the delega - hospital, Gilbert Moumdjian, chairman of the tion was repeatedly welcomed with blessings Fund’s German affiliate, said, “I hope that and words of gratitude. During the opening the completely renovated hospital will con - ceremony of Aknaghbyur’s new drinking- tribute to a rise in the number of births in water pipeline, Hranush, a grandmother from the city,” before going on to add during an the community, was given the honor of open - interview with reporters that the Armenian ing the pipeline’s valve. “The important One of two new Azatamut trucks to collect milk from the surrounding 12 communities to bring to the Physicians’ Union of Germany expressed com - things are water and bread,” she said. “We center for shipping mitment to covering the cost of all necessary can manage the rest. May the Fund’s life be furniture for the hospital. as long as flowing waters.”

FAR Announces New Scholarship Program in Memory of Ester Ajemian

NEW YORK — The Fund for Armenian sion producer and a teacher before publishing While recounting tragic historic events, the press and its integral role in strengthening Relief (FAR) announced recently the launch her first book, The Knock at the Door: A book also reads like a fascinating novel. The Armenia’s civil society. She believes in profes - of the Margaret Ajemian Ahnert Scholarship Journey Through the Darkness of the Knock at the Door is a powerful tale of a young sional journalists and in the important role they Program in Memory of Ester Ajemian. This Armenian Genocide , which is based on her girl’s unimaginable experience. It has been play as the voice of Armenia’s people. As cre - program will specifically support and empow - mother Ester Ahronian-Minerajian-Ajemian’s translated into several languages; FAR made it ator of this fund, Margaret has followed in her er aspiring female journalists by providing memories of the 1915 Genocide, its unprece - possible for the book to be translated into mother’s footsteps, carrying on her legacy in a the opportunity to receive the education and dented horrors, and her escape. Armenian earlier this year. way that will not only empower Armenian training they need. This scholarship, estab - After Ester Minerajian/Ajemian found refuge Ahnert traveled to Armenia in April. She women, but also strengthen the Armenian lished in the memory of the genocide sur - in the United States, she strove to inform future presented her award-winning book during a press, and ultimately the nation as a whole. vivor Ester Minerajian/Ajemian/by Ester’s generations about the dark page in human his - ceremony organized by FAR at the Armenian “My mother suffered many hardships in her daughter, Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, will help tory from which she managed to survive. Her Genocide Museum on the eve of the 95th life and appeared in severe situations where foster the next generation of women who will daughter was no exception, and throughout her anniversary of the Genocide. Ahnert’s book is there seemed to be no solution. She survived lead the way in the Armenian press. life Ester recounted her experiences to her own a sacred relic and a tool with which the story and was inspired with power to live by the hope The scholarship fund, administered by FAR, child. Weaving Ester’s stories with her own nar - of this tragedy can be passed along through and belief towards tomorrow’s day. I will try to will provide full tuition and monthly stipends to rative, Margaret Ahnert published The Knock generations, a reminder to the world that enhance this hope in the children of Armenia female graduate students in Armenia who are at the Door in 2007 to critical acclaim. It won such horrors took place and should not be within my possibilities,” Ahnert said. pursuing careers in journalism. Ahnert, herself the Humanitarian Award and the 2008 New forgotten. This is the first time FAR has had a scholar - a media specialist, worked for years as a televi - York Book Fair Award for Best Historic Memoir. While in Armenia, Ahnert had an opportu - ship program geared toward Armenian women nity to get closely acquainted with FAR’s who are pursuing careers in journalism and work. She was particularly moved by FAR’s media. This program adds to FAR’s many other educational programs, which are aimed at successful scholarship programs, which enable Armenia’s youth. She also visited the Gavar young Armenians to pursue training and edu - #1 Special School, which provides education cation in the fields of medicine, engineering to 90 children with mental and physical dis - and music, among others. It is a prime example abilities. She spent some time at the FAR’s of how FAR is working in solidarity with mem - Homeless Children Center, which has been bers of the Diaspora to create opportunity and operating for more than 10 years and plays strengthen the intellectual capital of the vital role in the assistance of at-risk children. Armenian people. During her visit, Ahnert donated modern “Carving out educational opportunities for computers to both institutions that will be Armenia’s youth is an integral part of FAR’s used for special educational programs for mission. Education has always been prized in a these underprivileged children. small country like Armenia as a key to main - She returned to the United States with the taining cultural identity and heritage,” said FAR desire to do more. Although Ester Executive Director Garnik Nanagoulian. “We Minerajian/Ajemian had never been fortunate are extremely happy with Ms. Ahnert’s innova - enough to attend a university, she was a self- tive and visionary program, and look forward to educated woman who placed a high value on working with her to support the development learning. Strong and determined, she also of the new generation of Armenia’s journalistic believed that all females deserved educational corps.” opportunity. This scholarship program will For more information on FAR, contact Fund bring that hope to fruition. for Armenian Relief, 630 Second Ave., New Margaret Ajemian during her visit to Armenia in April Such a scholarship also speaks to Ahnert‘s York, NY 10016 or [email protected] or visit expertise in the media and her value of the http://farusa.org. 12 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Abaka School of Talented Musicians Dance Celebrates Dazzle at Armenian 15th Anniversary Night at Pops

By Nancy Kalajian By Jirair Hovsepian Special to the Mirror-Spectator

WATERTOWN, Mass. — On June 15, the BOSTON — Two talented Armenian musical Abaka Armenian School for the Performing talents — pianist Armen Babakhanian and con - Arts celebrated its 15th year in the Greater ductor Aram Demirjian — took center stage Boston area. At the helm of this beloved insti - recently at the 59th annual Armenian Night at tution is artistic director and choreographer, the Pops held at Symphony Hall. Apo Ashjian, who tirelessly guides and directs The Friends of Armenian Culture Society 174 students from Grades 1 thru 10 with the (FACS), as in previous decades, is again to be help of instructors Alina Ashjian, Garineh congratulated for encouraging the musical arts Ashjian, Suzy Channessian and Shaghig through Armenian talent and bringing it in Palanjian. high style to be shared with the greater Boston The evening began with welcoming remarks community. by Josh Tevekelian, who explained how 16 years The evening’s programming was a curious ago, while returning with Apo Ashjian from a Arman Manookian (1904-31) “Hawaiian Boy and Girl,” 1928, one of the paintings mélange of live, largely popular music and three two-week trip to Armenia, he expressed his recently removed from the Hotel Hana-Maui intermittent diverse videos played on a large desire to bring the Sayat Nova Dance Company, screen. Keith Lockhart conducted most of the which he had created, to Armenia and his sec - musical pieces, and warmly welcomed the ond dream, to start a school for children, where Armenian community and audience to this spe - he could concentrate to teach the art of dance cial 125th Anniversary Celebration of the to the youth. In 1995, both of his dreams were Rare Manookian Paintings Boston Pops. Lockhart, the Boston Pops’ 20th realized. The Sayat Nova Dance Company per - conductor, described the history of the Boston

Removed from the Hotel JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO Hana-Maui

HONOLULU, Hawaii — It has been reported that a group of seven rare oil paint - ings by Arman Tateos Manookian (1904-1931) was removed from the historic Hotel Hana-Maui earlier this year. The paintings, which depict images of early Hawaiians and the arrival of Captain Cook, were first pur - chased from the artist in 1929 by Helene Fagan, By John Seed the wife of Hana Ranch Founder Paul Fagan Sr. Several of the Hana paintings were originally on display at the Green Mill Grill on Honolulu’s Bethel Street, where Helene Fagan saw them one night in 1928 after viewing a per - formance at the Hawai’i Theatre across the street. Fagan’s cousin, Alice Bowen Spalding, the manager of Gump’s Gallery on Kalakaua Avenue on Waikiki, gave the artist his first and only one man show in 1929. Considered daringly modern when they were first shown, the bold canvasses were originally displayed in the Fagan’s Pu’u O Hoku Ranch on Moloka’i along with Polynesian style furnishings. They have been on display in Hana since 1947 when Armen Babakhanian shakes conductor Keith Paul Fagan opened the original six room Ka’uiki Inn to attract tourists to the Lockhart’s hand. remote coast. For many years, three of the largest paintings were displayed in the dining area, high on its woven lauhala walls, where generations of honeymooners Pops and shared that Arthur Fiedler was the Prepared for rain, hoping for the sun dined beneath them. When the Fagan family sold the later Hotel and surrounding 18th Pops Conductor as well as its first lands in 1968, the paintings were included in the sale. American-born conductor. A video tribute This isn’t the first time that rare items have been removed from the Hana-Maui formed in Yerevan and Abaka was founded in accompanied by the Pops, presented in memo - since the original sale. After purchasing the hotel in 1984 the Rosewood Hotels Newton. It took a lot of hard work and dedica - ry of Fiedler’s 50 years with the Pops, delight - Group removed the historic 225 piece Paul I Fagan Sr. rifle collection from the tion to bring Abaka to its current successful sta - ed the audience with such reminiscences as the tus in the Armenian community. late conductor wearing a fire hat and enthusi - The masters of ceremony were Aram astically conducting at the Esplanade’s Hatch Demirjian, who was the guest conductor at the Shell in Boston. 59th Annual Armenian Night at the Pops on Guest conductor Demirjian, in his 20s, June 19, and Sosse Beujekian, a sophomore in impressed the audience when he very capably college and president of the local AYF chapter. conducted Bernstein’s Overture to Candide. Both are former graduates of Abaka. Standing ovations acknowledged Beujekian introduced state Rep. Peter Babakhanian’s brilliant piano performance of Koutoujian, who talked about the importance Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and of the preservation of culture and the arts and Khachaturian’s Allegro Brilliante , from Piano see ABAKA, page 15 Concerto in D-flat, Opus 38 . Babakhanian played with expressive movements and con - nected well to the audience and orchestra. In a familiar nod to previous Armenian Nights, Lockhart conducted Yekmalian- Gregorian’s Hayr Mer ; this often is most touch - ing for Armenians in the audience who stand in respect to their revered prayer. In observance of the 125th celebration, the program honored John Williams, composer and the 19th Pops Conductor. Selections from Manookian paintings including “Red Sails” in the lodge of the Fagan’s Pu’u O Hoku “Star Wars” and “ET,” composed by John Ranch, Moloka’i, circa 1934-7 Williams, were performed; lighting effects remi - niscent of flying saucers, reflecting on the walls and people in Symphony Hall, added to the hotel’s Paniolo Bar. The collection is now reportedly displayed in the Dallas offices drama of this segment of the program. of billionaire Nelson Bunker Hunt. Daniel Bernard Roumain, a Haitian musician, For a number of years the Manookian paintings were neglected by the hotel’s performed with the Pops for the world premiere owners, who did not understand their importance. In the 1980’s one canvas hung of his new composition Woodbox Violin in the employee dining room over a steam table, flecked with dried rice and gravy. Concerto , a dynamic piece with tinges of jazz, see PAINTINGS, page 14 blues and ethnic flare that was commissioned State Rep. Peter Koutoujian by the Boston Pops. A memo- see POPS, page 16 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Armenian Church and the Getty Should Work Together

Dispute over Ownership of Seven an exhibition at the Morgan Library in New York, reveal? Armenia is a small, newly-independent American philanthropist Dominique de Menil loaned by an anonymous US collector who nation that has not campaigned internationally reached an agreement with the Orthodox Pages from Zeytun Gospels Could apparently sold them to the Getty. for the recovery of cultural artifacts. By contrast, Church of Cyprus to purchase and restore the Be Solved by Creating Joint The Armenian Church says it pressed its claim Turkey is a regional power with a well-developed fragments. The wall paintings are now owned by with the Getty without satisfactory results. It is tourist industry. It is home to some of the world’s the church but are displayed as the centerpiece Venue to House Relics now suing for the return of the pages as well as most significant cultural heritage sites, including of the Menil Collection’s Byzantine Fresco millions of dollars in damages. The Getty “knew ancient Troy. The Turkish state has requested Chapel in Houston. At once reliquary, museum or should have known that the … pages were the return of artifacts and structures removed and church, it is an extraordinary space where By Heghnar Watenpaugh stolen,” according to the lawsuit. The Getty says from its territory, such as the Hellenistic-period the art value and religious value of the paintings that the pages have been in the US for more than altar of Pergamon now in a museum in Berlin. In coexist in a deeply moving presentation. 90 years with no one questioning their legal sta - general, however, Armenian monuments in A similar approach could be used for the seven LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles Times) — Seven tus and that the suit should be dismissed. Turkey have been allowed to decay; scholars pages of the Zeytun Gospels . The parties should illustrated pages ripped out of a medieval have documented hun - cooperate to create an innovative space where Gospels manuscript: Who owns them; who dreds of neglected sites. the pages can recover some of their spiritual should own them? Those who value them as Politics are often at the function, while remaining available for the study works of art, or those who revere them as reli - center of decisions on and enjoyment of the largest possible number of gious objects? The seven pages feature beautiful what to do about cultural museum visitors and scholars. A competition illuminations by Toros Roslin, the most impor - heritage. This is precisely could be held to design a venue on the Getty tant Armenian miniatures painter of the Middle why prominent interna - campus to house the pages so they could func - Ages. Their value is immense as artifacts, but tional organizations, such tion simultaneously as works of art and as reli - also as rare witnesses to the memory of a nation as UNESCO, have worked gious objects. almost erased from history. The manuscript from to depoliticize art of The tragic story of the mutilated manuscript which the pages were torn was lost during the worldwide significance by can be part of the exhibition. The Armenian Armenian Genocide of 1915-22. The Western identifying cultural prop - Church could have some control over these Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of erties that testify to the pages whose continuing separation from the rest America believes those seven pages are holy and achievements of humanity of the Zeytun Bible mirrors the dispossession belong to the church: It is suing the J. Paul Getty — belonging, therefore, to and dispersal of the Armenians themselves. Museum to get them back. The Getty says it all of us. But what about Indeed, keeping the pages in this manner in Los owns the pages as works of art and acquired small groups’ rights to Angeles would be particularly apt, as it is home them legally. control their own cultural to the second-largest Armenian community out - The story begins in the Eastern Mediterranean heritage? side of Armenia — most of them descendants of at the time of the Crusades. The Armenian There is still time to survivors of the Genocide. Kingdom of Cilicia, located in Asia Minor, was a address the conflict over Deciding the fate of Toros Roslin’s illuminated cultural crossroads. Its far-flung commercial and the Zeytun Gospels ’ seven pages challenges us to consider what art is and cultural ties paved the way for artistic ideas to pages in a way that bal - why it matters. Whatever the legalities in this circulate between Europe and the Middle East ances the claims and goals case, the claims of both parties have merit. and East Asia. In his workshop in the fortress of of both sides. Consider Finding a middle ground that serves both sides Hromkla (now Rumkale, Turkey), Roslin illus - this case: In the 1990s, ought to be their goal. trated the Gospels in 1256 for the head of the when Byzantine frescoes (Heghnar Watenpaugh is an associate Armenian Apostolic Church, Constantine I. The looted from a church in professor of art history at UC Davis. She is a pages at the Getty feature Canon Tables — con - northern Cyprus former Getty postdoctoral fellow and is of cordance lists of passages that relate the same appeared on the market, Armenian descent.) events in the four Gospels . Roslin enlivened his work with ornate frames and scenes of birds and flowers. The finished Gospels , used in the Church of Above, Canon Table Page by Toros Roslin (Photo courtesy of Getty Museum). Right, detail Zeytun (now Suleymanli, Turkey), acquired a rep - from a page of the Zeytun Bible (Photo courtesy utation for supernatural powers. Priests paraded of Getty Museum) the book in the city streets to ensure the protec - tion of Zeytun at the onset of World War I. In the chaos of 1915, the Zeytun Bible was entrusted to But more entities have a stake in this fight an individual for safekeeping. than just the Getty and the Armenian Church. From that point, the lawsuit’s reconstructed Some obvious parties have remained silent. The chain of custody dovetails with the tragic history Republic of Armenia is not involved, even though of the Armenians in the first half of the 20th cen - the museum in its capital now houses the tury. During the Genocide and in its aftermath of Zeytun Gospels . Perhaps more intriguing is the dispossession and exile, the Zeytun Gospels was absence of the Republic of Turkey. The seven lost and dismembered. pages were created and used for centuries in When church officials recovered the what is now Turkey. Shouldn’t Turkey argue for manuscript around the time of World War II, its interest in the seven pages, which stand as they discovered that seven pages had been torn monuments to the history and art of a commu - out. The manuscript ended up at the Mesrop nity that has been an integral part of the repub - Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in lic and the Ottoman Empire from which it Yerevan, Armenia, then part of the Soviet Union. descends? In 1994, the missing pages resurfaced publicly at What does their absence from the discussion ADAA’s Saroyan Prize Awards Event and Honorary Jury Announced

BURBANK, Calif. — The Armenian Dramatic Son,” by Silva Semerciyan. From these three Arts Alliance will hold its Second Biennial plays, the $10,000 grand prizewinner will be William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting awards selected. on Thursday, September 30, 6-9 p.m., at the ADAA’s William Saroyan Prize for Western Diocese of the Armenian Church Playwriting is made possible by a grant from Headquarters, 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd. the William Saroyan Foundation, headed by Heading the Honorary Jury for the 2010 Haig Mardikian, president of the Board. ADAA William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting will be thanks the Foundation for its visionary gen - Mark Ravenhill, one of Britain’s leading play - erosity in making this program possible. wrights; Oskar Eustis, Tony-winning artistic ADAA’s mission is to project the Armenian director of the Public Theater, New York; and voice on a world stage through the arts of the - Curt Columbus, artistic director of Trinity ater and film. It accomplishes this mission Repertory Theater, Providence, RI. through a variety of programs including writing Ravenhill is a renowned British playwright contests, playreadings, an annual film festival, who was one of the leaders of the “New British networking events and the pre-eminent Theater” revolution in the 1990’s. He has writ - From left, Curt Columbus, Oskar Eustis, Mark Ravenhill Armenian performing arts website in the world, ten more than 19 plays, including “The www.armeniandrama.org, which has Armenian Experiment,” “Some Explicit Polaroids,” playscripts and oral histories available online, as “Scenes from Family Life,” “The Cut” and Prize-winning “Angels in America” and “The Night” and new adaptations of four Chekhov well as an artists directory and articles on “Mother Clap’s Molly House.” He is also an arts Kentucky Cycle.” He also received a Tony plays and Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. Armenians working in the entertainment indus - commentator for The Guardian. Award in 2009 for co-producing the Public Columbus, Eustis and Ravenhill will evaluate try today. Eustis, artistic director of New York’s Public Theater’s revival of the musical “Hair.” the three Saroyan Prize finalist plays: Reservations will begin in late August. For Theater since 2005, is known for his work in A playwright himself, Columbus’s works “Hripsime,” by Johnna Adams; “Forgotten more information on the event, visit developing new plays, including the Pulitzer include “The Dreams of Antigone,” “Paris by Bread,” by Sevan Greene and “Another Man’s www.armeniandrama.org. 14 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

British Armenians Welcome Three ALMA Unveils Updated Benefactor New Books on Armenian Genocide Wall at Donor Reception

Kuyumjian explained how she had prepared WATERTOWN, Mass. — The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) recently By Anoush Melkonian her work around two key translations: hosted a private reception in honor of its major donors. The evening also featured the Andonian’s seminal account of the arrests of unveiling of the updated Benefactor Wall, which is displayed in the lobby of the museum. April 24, 1915 based on his own experience, The evening began with a cock - LONDON — A trilogy of books on the Armenian and Teotig’s compilation of the biographies of tail reception where guests social - Genocide by Canadian Armenian scholar Dr. Rita over 700 Armenians who were killed. Both gave ized and browsed the museum’s Soulahian Kuyumjian was launched here. The incredibly detached yet poignant insights, exhibits, including ALMA’s new tex - event was organized by the Gomidas Institute at Kuyumjian explained. They had a fighting spir - tile exhibit. Trustee and reception Armenian House on July 15. it and were not broken by their oppressors. chair Michele Kolligian welcomed The three volumes in the Trilogy April 24, “Dr. Kuyumjian has done a great service for guests on behalf of ALMA’s Board 1915 are: (Volume 1) Aram Andonian, Exile, simply uncovering these sources, which were all of Trustees and staff. She thanked Trauma and Death: On the Road to Chankiri but forgotten,” commented Prof. Hovhannes them for their continued generosity with Komitas Vartabed , (transl, ed and annot Pilikian. “These are remarkable books that all and commitment, which has helped by Dr. Rita Soulahian Kuyumjian), joint publi - Armenians should read.” ALMA become the largest cation of the Gomidas Institute and Tekeyan In the subsequent discussion, Kuyumjian Armenian museum in the diaspora Cultural Association, 200 pp, maps, photos; delved into the psychological dimensions of the and a vibrant cultural cornerstone (Volume 2) Rita Soulahian Kuyumjian, Teotig: Genocide and discussed how Armenians have with more than 20,000 artifacts Biography [including Monument to April 11 by dealt with the grief of 1915 over the past 95 and 27,000 library titles in its col - Teotig], joint publication of the Gomidas years. She explained that the descendants of lections. Institute and Tekeyan Cultural Association, 254 surviving victims have proceeded through four Guests were then escorted to the pp, photos and (Volume 3) Rita Soulahian main stages of escaping their collective trauma: museum’s Contemporary Art Kuyumjian, The Survivor: Biography of Aram denial, anger, depression and acceptance. Gallery, which had been trans - Michele Kolligian and Haig Der Manuelian Andonian, joint publication of the Gomidas Different individuals, factions and even commu - formed into a summer garden Institute and Tekeyan Cultural Association. nities have entered these stages at different party, to enjoy a dinner prepared by The newly-released books are dedicated to times and not necessarily in the same order. chef Vicki Lee Boyajian. The wine was donated by Adour Tatunjian from the Tatunjian the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Some of these stages have included violence Estate Vineyards of Chile. and focus on the lives of two Constantinople within and outside Armenian communities. Haig Der Manuelian, ALMA chairman, toasted the guests and thanked them for their con - Armenian intellectuals, Aram Andonian and However, the Genocide remains an open wound tinued support since ALMA’s inception almost 40 years ago. Teotig. Both men survived the atrocities of that is in need of healing. The surest way of “This occasion is intended to express our tremendous appreciation to all of you, our mag - 1915 and bore witness to the tragedy that took healing this wound is the recognition of the nificent donors during these past decades,” said Der Manuelian. “Because of you, our sup - place. Andonian went on to write a monumen - crime and the compensation of victims. Such porters, your Armenian library and museum, like an Armenian Camelot, glistens on the tal account of 1915, Ayn Sev Oreroun [In compensation could be at a government-to-gov - Those Dark Days] and The Memoirs of Naim ernment level between Turkey and Armenia. Bey. As the discussions wound down, Ara Andonian and Teotig could have saved them - Sarafian, the director of the Gomidas Institute, selves from the terrible events of 1915 and thanked Kuyumjian for her work. The work is walked away, but they chose to take a stand. due to be launched in Canada and the United They recorded the crimes for posterity. They States in the fall. knew the importance of bearing witness. To order, write to [email protected]. Rare Manookian Paintings Removed from Hotel Hana-Maui

PAINTINGS, from page 12 eral trustees informally formed a group to When the Hana-Maui was purchased by San attempt to purchase all seven, hoping to keep Francisco based Passport Resorts in 2001, the them in Hawaii. This group effort ultimately did Manookian paintings — newly cleaned and not go forward. An appraiser present when the restored — were used by architect/designer works were being removed states that three Hunton Conrad in 2002 as the inspiration for were sold on the spot. It is not known which the colors and design motifs of the renewed three were sold, or to whom. One of the donor tables at the ALMA reception interior. Goble, the president of Goble Properties, The Hana Maui, facing declining revenues in based in Pleasanton, Calif., did not respond a recessionary economy, has changed hands to a phone request for information about the landscape as a shining monument to our rich and venerable heritage.” twice in recent years. In 2008 Passport Resorts removal and sale of the paintings. In January ALMA Benefactor and Trustee Carolyn Mugar acknowledged Der Manuelian’s expression LLC sold it to the Ohana Hotel Company, a sub - of last year, a Wells Fargo banker circulated of thanks, saying “All too often we do not say, ‘You’re welcome.’” She also thanked him for sidiary of Vermont-based Arden Grove images of at least two of the Hana the many contributions he has made to ALMA over the years. This led to more donors shar - Hospitality. In May of this year, it was again sold Manookians to mainland dealers requesting ing their sentiments for being able to give back. to Denver-based Amstar Group LLC. A source information about their retail value. In Donor Julie Der Garabedian of Wisconsin expressed how much it meant to her that her in Hana states that prior to the most recent Europe, where the removal of fine paintings family’s AD1207 Gospel book bible, which she donated to ALMA in 2005, will be preserved sale, the Manookian canvases were ordered to and antiques is sadly common, Goble would in perpetuity. be removed by Roy Goble, managing partner of certainly be said to have indulged in cultural After dinner and dessert, guests continued to socialize and enjoy the warmth and cama - Ohana. asset stripping. raderie of the setting while browsing a diverse exhibition featuring pieces from ALMA’s After a concerned resident of Hana notified The removal of the seven Manookian paint - Contemporary Art Collections as well as ALMA’s latest traveling exhibit, “The Armenian the director of the Honolulu Academy of Art ings, among the finest of the less than 30 Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration.” about the impending sale of the paintings sev - known paintings by the fiery Armenian-born

artist, represents a significant cultural loss of Armenian Genocide of 1915.” Hawai’i, where his paintings are considered The Hana canvasses were the last examples of iconic. Manookian, who took his own life in Manookian’s work on permanent public display 1931, was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide anywhere in the world. The Honolulu Academy who came to Hawai’i as a member of the Marine of Art owns one Manookian, but it is not cur - Corps. Manookian once told a friend that his rently being shown. A local collector does goal as an artist was to create a “symphony of intend to loan at least two Manookians to be color.” displayed in the near future. A group of murals In 2005, a large Manookian painting from a that the artist painted for the Waipahu theater Honolulu collection was sold in a private trans - just before his death were covered over and action for a reported $500k, igniting new inter - destroyed when the Waipahu became an adult est in the artist’s work by dealers and collectors. theater in the 1960s. Although the current recession has softened (John Seed is a professor of art and art histo - the art market, each of the Hana Manookians ry at Mt. San Jacinto College in Southern could still certainly command prices in the six- California. Winner of a 2002 Society of figure range. Professional Journalists award in art and enter - In April 2009 the Hawai’i House of tainment writing, he has written about art and Representatives passed a resolution, which artists for Harvard Magazine, Honolulu , mentioned Manookian as a “gifted painter” and Christie’s Hong Hong and Stanford. He is also a “Genocide survivor,” making April 24 a co-editor for OpenMuseum.org. This article Hawaii’s official “Day of Remembrance in originally appeared in Arman Manookian’s “Red Sails,” one of the paintings recently removed Recognition of and Commemoration of the www.huffingtonpost.com.) S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Abaka School of Dance Celebrates 15th Anniversary

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO ABAKA, from page 12 After a short slide show of Abaka’s history, that Abaka is performing a great service to the grade 9 and 10 students danced in unison Hayi community in that preservation through dance. Achker dressed in blue satiny traditional cos - He praised Ashjian for providing a safe and nur - tumes with silvery sashes. Then, came the first turing environment for children. graders, 15 of them. Demirjian then invited Ashjian to make his The second graders came on stage with a remarks. He spoke passionately and gratefully force of 17. They danced Barenk Lorge-Lorge to all the parents thanking them and the with enthusiasm and synchronized jumping at Boston-Armenian community for their unwa - times. One could see all smiles and enjoyment vering support, for their trust, patients, and giv - on their faces. Nursery 2 children came next ing him “the opportunity to educate, love and dancing Antsrev Gouka Yerginken, dressed in

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO colorful purple, blue and yellow rain gear. Then came the 22 fifth graders who danced to the lively music Dou Es, Dou Es, Ari Des . The girls dressed in blue and pink, while the boys were in white Abaka tops and black pants. The dance was high powered with jumps and turns, opposite direction crossings that received thunderous applause and cheers from the audi - ence. The straight lines were more disciplined and when the choreography shaped them into a rotating cross, they were straight and syn - chronized. Apo Ashjian is surrounded by his students at the finale of the Abaka performance. They were followed by eight Nursery 1 chil - dren entering the stage in a line to the tune of

cherish” the children in his care. He stated that JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO in the past 15 years, Abaka has educated more than 750 children ages 4 to 16, and that it “is the only dance school where all the kids get a chance to dance in the front row … for me all these kids are equal.” He thanked all his technical and educational Apo Ashjian staff naming each by name, including his family and his mother for their support. JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO

Nursery students hurrying to the beach

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO Dsovap Bidi Yertank with both hands on the shoulders of the one in front, boys dressed in colorful t-shirts and swim trunks while the girls were in yellow dresses with black polka dots and matching beach hat brims. All were carry - ing beach buckets while the lead girl carried a beach ball. The audience showed their enthusi - asm by clapping to the catchy vocalized tune. Next in the lineup were 10 female Kindergarteners who danced Akh Goula Goula . A young dancer shows off for the young ladies. Later, they were joined by a one little boy who did difficult solos with precision and ease. The

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO audience acknowledged and appreciated the

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO

Aram Demirjian

Beujekian invited Apo and Arlet, his wife, to the stage and presented them with a plaque from Sayat Nova Dance Company as a token of Fifth graders show precise moves. gratitude for their hard work. This year Abaka graduated six students: Lori dancers by clapping to the music while cheer - Abdalian, Aleek Artinian, Lilit DerKevorkian, ing. It was a very lively and enjoyable perfor - Seventh and eighth graders show grace and elegance. Taleen Lachinian, Lori Yeterian and Lori mance to watch these youngest children maneu - Yogurtian. vering to a choreographed dance. The evening proceeded with the Grade 6 children dancing Jan Le-Le , Grade 3 dancing Mer Kavare , Grade 4 — Anoush Yar , Grades 7 and 8 — Ardashad , grades 9 and 10 — Sevani Bar , followed by each class coming and dancing Sevani Bar . To highlight the anniversary celebration, Grade 5 female dancers came in with a birthday banner dec - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator orated as a cake side and formed a circle into a birthday cake with the tricolor balloons and candle The First English language Armenian weekly newspaper in the lights. The Boston-Armenian community is fortunate th to have a talented and dedicated group of indi - United States, now in its 78 year of publication viduals who help in the dad-to-day operation of Abaka under the leadership of Apo Ashjian. 16 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Chorbajian: Sleight of Hand on the World Stage

contained hundreds of thousands of now Azerbaijan and became extinct in the have tourist value, they have been attributed By Levon Chorbajian Armenians but also large numbers of non- 12th century. This subterfuge eradicates a mil - to others. This is a game played by both Azeri Muslims and some non-Armenian lennia-long Armenian presence and allows the Turkey and Azerbaijan. Christians. Azeri leaders were faced with the Azeris to be presented as indigenous and the Second, Galichian’s book is timely given the Rouben Galichian’s The Invention of History: problem of how to forge a national identity Armenians as latter-day interlopers. This is the terms of the stalled (but revivable) Turkish- Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Showcasing of where none had existed before. history that has been taught to Azeri Armenian protocols that would radically rede - Imagination (Gomidas Institute/Printinfo Art The answer was to fabricate a history. The schoolchildren for decades, and its irredentist fine Turkish-Armenian-Azeri relations without Books) is a very important book that addresses officially sponsored Buniatov or Baku School implications are clearly revealed when we strong protections for Armenia’s national a core issue facing the Armenian people 95 years of Historiography (Ziya Buniatov was an Azeri understand that “Western Azerbaijan” refers security interests. The fate of the Armenians after the genocide: survival in the face of further revisionist historian) developed to re-write his - to Armenia itself. in Nakhichevan, including the final eradica - erasures and eradications. This is an issue with tory in the service of national ambition. In his Galichian painstakingly examines the fate of tion and erasure of their historical presence, many dimensions, some of them well known and Armenian monuments in territories that came was captured in the term “Nakhichevan-iza - others not. Galichian, whose prior works include under Azeri control. No Armenians live in tion.” It became a symbol of cultural genocide Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Nakhichevan today. Nor do we find the more and inspired an Armenian vow that the pro - Heritage (I.B. Tauris) and Countries of the Book Review than 200 Armenian churches, monasteries, cess would not be repeated in Artsakh. Caucasus in Medieval Maps: Armenia, Georgia chapels and cemeteries that were found there in Galichian’s book stands as a warning. He and Azerbaijan (Gomidas Institute Books), the early 19th century. In one startling section makes it very clear what is at stake if Armenia focuses here on one of the lesser known aspects The Invention of History: of his book, Galichian documents the fate of a succumbs to Western pressure, and to Turkish — Azerbaijan and its attacks on Armenian histo - Azerbaijan, Armenia, and cemetery that once contained 10,000 and Azeri promises of brotherhood, good-will, ry, identity, and survival. khatchkars (carved Armenian burial stones). and solidarity. Galichian has made a truly significant con - the Showcasing of This cemetery in Nakhichevan was on the Thanks to the liberation of Artsakh between tribution to our understanding of continuing Imagination. By Rouben northern bank of the Arax River and clearly vis - 1988 and 1994, the fate of Armenian monu - attacks on the history and legacy of the Galichian. Gomidas Institute-London ible from Iran. The last 2,000 of these ments is now under Armenian control. The last Armenian people. khatchkars were toppled and broken up a of Galichian’s contributions is that his pho - Azerbaijan was founded in 1918 under the and Printinfo Art Books-Yerevan. decade ago by the Azeri army. The remnants tographs document both the ravages of Azeri leadership of the pan-Turkic Musavat Party. 2009. In English. 112 pp. Includes a were taken away on trains or dumped into the vandalism and the neglect of Armenian monu - There had been no previous Azerbaijani state river. Galichian provides photographs of this ments, such as Dadivank and the Gandzasar in history, and the name was taken from the DVD on Armenian Julfa and more destruction taken by Scottish architect Steven Monastic complexes, and their subsequent territory south of the Arax River, in northern than 50 color photos and maps. Sim. Today the site is a military shooting range. restoration by Armenian artisans after 1994. Persia (present-day Iran), where much larger $30 US and £20 UK. Available Galichian has collected and provided “before Overall, Galichian has made a truly signifi - numbers of Azeri speakers lived and continue and after” photographs of other Armenian cant contribution to our understanding of con - to live today. Galichian notes that Persian offi - from AbrilBooks.com, NAASR.org, sites as well. These include the before and tinuing attacks on the history and legacy of cials considered the use of the name an Gomidas.org., and Amazon UK. after examples of abraded Armenian text on the Armenian people. He has compiled the his - usurpation and protested its use at the time. ISBN 978-1-59420-252-0 buildings that, while not destroying the build - tory and allowed it to speak through text and In the territorial jockeying that went on in ings themselves, obscures their Armenian ori - photographs of the dangers of any Western- the early Soviet Union, Azerbaijan was given gins. brokered “peace settlement” that calls for the control of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) with This is an important book for three reasons. surrender of Armenian-held territory without its 95 percent Armenian majority, and early chapters, Galichian examines two books First, Galichian’s text and photographs docu - the full independence of an internationally Nakhichevan, which was 40 percent Armenian, that exemplify the fruits of these labors: War ment the continuation of genocide in the form guaranteed and recognized Artsakh. in 1920. These were bitter defeats for against Azerbaijan: Targeting Cultural of the final eradication of the Armenian peo - Armenia, but ironically they also further exac - Heritage and Monuments of Western ple’s history. The story Galichian tells is not a (Levon Chorbajian, PhD is the translator erbated Azerbaijan’s own identity problem. Azerbaijan . Just as Turkey claims its roots in new one and has close parallels in Azerbaijan’s and co-author of The Caucasian Knot: The The people called Azeri today are an amalgam the Hittites and other people with whom it has sister republic Turkey, where Armenian monu - History and Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh of Arab, Turkic and Persian peoples who had no historical connection, Azerbaijan claims to ments have been razed, used as stables or tar - (Zed Books) and the editor of The Making of historically been known as Caucasian Tatars. be the heir to the Caucasian Albanians, a gets in artillery practices, and taken apart for Nagorno-Karabagh: From Secession to The territory that became Azerbaijan not only Christian people who ruled much of what is building materials. And where the monuments Republic. ) Talented Musicians Dazzle at Armenian Night at Pops

POPS, from page 12 In 2009, he was chosen to JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO rable video showed Roumain visiting schools conduct in a concert engage - and inspiring young students studying music. ment with Pulitzer Prize-win - A unique feature, late in the evening, was an ning composer John Adams interactive video with animation of the Beatles as part of a colloquium on Rock Band Sing-Along. Reminiscent of Mitch the composer’s The Wound Miller’s sing-alongs, the audience had the Dresser. Then he was also chance to sing along with the Beatles’ classics invited to guest conduct Yo- such as A Little Help from My Friends and Yo Ma and members of the Yellow Submarine . Stars and Stripes Forever , Silk Road Ensemble. As one with the unveiling of a huge US flag, capped a of only three conductors truly enchanting evening. enrolled in the inaugural As in previous FACS events, the Armenian class in the master’s in talent held the audience spellbound and shared orchestral conducting pro - a stellar background. Babakhanian is a prize- gram at the New England winning pianist who has participatted at some Conservatory, Demirjian has of the world’s most prestigious competitions, indeed had a busy year. This including the Leeds, Van Cliburn and Guardian summer will find the enthu - Dublin. He has appeared as a soloist with the siastic young talent as a city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Conducting Fellow at the Sir Simon Rattle, the Royal Philharmonic well-respected Aspen Music Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Royal Scottish Festival. National Orchestra, the National Symphony The annual post-concert Orchestra in Washington, DC, Dallas reception held in Higginson Symphony, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic and Hall provided a great forum Moscow Philharmonic. Babakhanian’s perfor - for FACS supporters and guests Guest conductor Aram Demirjian mances have also been broadcast on the BBC to meet the evenings’ guest and PBS television networks. Born in Armenia, musicians. Ara Arakelian, presi - he is currently the artistic director of the dent of FACS, introduced them to great Later, Demirjian shared his admiration for oughly enjoy Armenian Night at the Pops. The Cadence Ensemble. He received his musical applause and Demirjian and Babakhanian the orchestra. “The orchestra is incredibly pianist tonight was outstanding,” shared Agnes education at the Komitas State Conservatory in spoke briefly in appreciative support of FACS focused. It was a pleasure to work with Killabian of Rhode Island. “I love when they ask Yerevan and is artist-in-residence there. In the and the community. Jim Kalustian spoke about them…they are incredible collaborators.” the audience to stand for the Hayr Mer . I get upcoming 2010-11 season, Babakhanian will the Armenian Heritage Foundation and the Babakhanian was similarly impressed with goose bumps. I’m proud and happy to hear the appear in numerous solo and chamber music unprecedented community-wide support, from the orchestra, audience, hall and “beautiful Lord’s Prayer in Armenian.” performances in the US and overseas. FACS and numerous other organizations and sound of the piano…it was a wonderful experi - Alice Avanian of Belmont felt “ Rhapsody in Guest conductor Demirjian has been active in individuals, for the upcoming Armenian ence for me, being on stage for a wonderful Blue was amazing; the energy, drama, the way many Armenian musical organizations in the Heritage Park in Boston. Lucy Der Manuelian audience.” He spoke of the importance of play - Mr. Babakhanian played brought it to life.” Greater Boston area. As a Harvard undergradu - gave a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Keran Chobanian ing with heart. Even Argentina was represented in Boston ate, he served for two seasons as Music Director for his decades-long strategic work with FACS Many conversations at the reception, from by traveler Nina Papazian, who considered this of the Harvard Bach Society Orchestra and and his travels with the Orchestra as their locals to out-of-town visitors, seemed to revolve “a wonderful event. We should do the same earned a joint degree in music and government. physician. around the evening’s program. “I always thor - thing in Buenos Aires!” Beirut 6-26 A&L-Int S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 Caption: Kamal looks on as guest chef Henry Dimbleby prepares a mezze dish ARTS & LIVING of roasted carrots and beetroot at his restaurant, Tawlet. Photo Credit: Tanya Traboulsi

fresh herbs and bold flavors, much of his food borhood.” not considered as on-the-go as street food. Here is rooted in Lebanese traditions. Dimbleby agrees. “In Lebanon,” he says, it’s served in plastic bowls alongside hummus , A Taste “This is rather coals to Newcastle,” he laughs “peace is the continual process of talking to labneh — a creamy cheese made from strained as he stands at the counter and chops the ingre - people you could be at war with.” yogurt — as well as piles of cucumber, mint dients for a mezze dish of his own devising — Today, Mouzawak is taking Dimbleby to try leaves, sliced white onions, rocket, tomatoes, Mouzawak has insisted Dimbleby serve some - mezze from different Beiruti communities that olives and turnip pickled with beetroot. thing as today’s guest chef. His last recipe-hunt - he could serve at Leon. So while preparing the It’s also important Dimbleby gets a taste of ing trip to Lebanon was in 2006 with his reluc - carrots and beetroot roast for his salad, Armenian mezze in what used to be the of Beirut tant wife Jemima, who was six months pregnant Dimbleby and Mouzawak get down to the seri - Armenian ghetto — standout dishes are a and had read that there was a risk of kidnap - ous business of breakfast. Big circular flat - crunchy filled pasta with meat and tomato ping. But Dimbleby was desperate to attend breads called mankouche (pronounced man- baked in labneh , and muhammara , a spicy dip. For years, Beirut was torn Mouzawak’s newest community outreach idea oosh) are covered in tomato and red-pepper At this point Dimbleby gets a telling-off from apart by a bitter civil war. — a mezze festival in the Bekaa valley, which paste, chard or sorrel, salty cheese or za’atar, Mouzawak. “Don’t put your bread back into the also happens to be a Hezbollah stronghold. and fired in a scorching wood oven until they bowl!” he says. “Either you put what you want Now activists are healing “[The year] 2006 was the first year of bubble and blacken. on your plate — using your knife or a spoon, not Kamal’s festivals celebrating regional food - Next it’s ice cream. Hanna Mitri in Achrafieh a fork — or you tear off enough bread for one Lebanon’s wounds by stuffs,” says Dimbleby. “He roped me into being district is Mouzawak’s favorite, which means a mouthful and dip that into the bowl.” a judge, and I had to try eight different kinds of short, chaotic journey in his black Land Rover Although eating mezze looks incredibly con - sharing their rich culinary raw kebbeh [finely ground goat meat mixed through charming narrow streets strung with vivial and relaxed, there are still manners to be traditions Try a local’s with onions and spices] with a load of eminent bougainvillea, and wider roads flanked by build - observed. “You should eat the salads first, then local foodies and the mayor. The woman who ing sites, shops and handcarts selling broad the cooked vegetables, finally the meat dishes,” pick of the best Lebanese won wasn’t even from the area, so in spite of beans in their pods, whiteberries or lemons. We says Kamal. “And there is no hurry. Mezze is all trying to bring people together, we were on the arrive at a white-painted, one-room shop in a about abundance and generosity, so it won’t recipes brink of a gastro war,” he grins. battered old building, where a whole family has run out.” Even three years ago Beirut was still very dif - been dedicated to making ice cream for the past We drive on to Batroun, a seaside town about ferent. “The Israeli bombardment was very 60 years. 50 kilometers from Beirut. Chez Maggie, a By Rebecca Seal recent and there were still Hezbollah fighters Today, Orthodox Hanna and his wife are serv - seafood restaurant, sits on rocks overlooking camped out in central Beirut,” explains ing ices made with rose water, pistachios, apri - the sea, and the eponymous Maggie frequently Dimbleby. “There were often power cuts, and cot, lemon or gum arabic — which makes for an dives off them to collect sea urchins in season. BEIRUT (The Observer) — Ever driven down many of the main roads or bridges had been hit unusual, almost chewy, perfumed sorbet. Their She serves up a fish mezze , something you the wrong side of a three-lane motorway in the by shelling. Now there are Costa Coffees and son washes up in the kitchen — really just a sink only get right on the coast, a whole squid and a wrong direction? You almost certainly will if shopping malls.” He doesn’t look as if he thinks behind a lace curtain — and the couple dole out delicacy for Dimbleby: raw liver and chunks of you use any of the main routes into central this is entirely a good thing. He points towards dollops of ice cream from their single freezer. white fat, diced, with sea salt, slivers of onion Beirut. It would seem that a population used to a Costa in a glitzy development where Mourad That and an ancient oven make up their whole and mint leaves. It tastes much as you’d expect the daily threats of local violence or aerial bom - Mazouz, the man behind Sketch and Momo in enterprise, but their ice cream has an interna - — of offal and onion. Dimbleby leans back in his bardment couldn’t care less about risky driving. London, Joël Robuchon of London’s L’Atelier, tional reputation. chair. “Of everything we’ve tried,” he says, The Lebanese claim to be able to communicate Yannick Alleno of Le Meurice in Paris and Mouzawak also insists we try knefeh , a Sunni “that’s the one not making it on to the menu with each other just using their car horns, and Michelin-starred chefs Antoine Westermann treat originally from Nablus in Palestine that is back in London.” with rock and electronica thumping out of the and Davide Bisetto are all planning new open - generally only eaten on Sundays for breakfast The next day, at lunchtime, we’re back at bars that play host to a new and vibrant under - ings. or as a dessert. This is fortunate, as they are Tawlet. Suzanne Doueihy, a Christian ground music scene — as well as traditional Swanky hotels, such as Le Grey Beirut, have teeth-shatteringly sweet, cheese-filled pastries Maronite from Zgharta in Ehden, northern songs being belted out in cafés — the city is already opened and more are being built as the made with butter and ground vermicelli, baked, Lebanon, is taking her turn at the stoves and, very, very noisy. city tries to lure back tourists. turned over and served sliced and tucked inside along with Dimbleby’s roasted vegetables, The buildings range from the occasional pret - “The rebuilding doesn’t help at all,” says a small flatbread. The small modern patisserie there are dozens of salads. She is also serv - ty Arabian apartment block with French-style Mouzawak. “It makes the situation worse, that sells them is next to a huge pock-marked ing that famous raw kebbeh made with ironwork to hundreds of ugly white and pastel because if social differences are a reason for building. “That is being turned into a museum puréed goat meat. It’s not unlike paté in tex - concrete buildings and spectacular modern conflict, this is maximized with the rebuilding.” of memory,” says Mouzawak casually. It turns ture and steak tartare in flavor. developments, while gold mosques and big He does, however, believe things can improve. out this road was the wartime green line that Tawlet is not in the trendiest or most churches poke out wherever they can. The con - “In Lebanon there is no ‘other.’ There are three marked the border between Christian east attractive part of Beirut, but that doesn’t crete is the result of the rapid rebuilding under - main languages, so we greet each other saying: Beirut and Muslim west Beirut — the 1920s stop foodies from journeying to sit with the taken since 1990, when the long Lebanese civil ‘Hi! Kifak! Ça va?’ There are so many different building was used for years as a snipers’ nest. In locals, artists and writers speaking French, war ended; the more sculptural modern archi - traditions that we certainly don’t have a mono - the past couple of years local architects fought Arabic and English who congregate here for tecture comes from recent attempts to rebuild culture — and we eat from each other’s tradi - the authorities to stop it being torn down, and lunch. It’s hard to believe that only two years the badly damaged downtown area. tions. As such, Tawlet isn’t a restaurant and now it’s slowly being restored as a memorial ago violence bubbled up nearby, with sectar - Neither style does much for Beirut’s declared isn’t about tourists — it’s a development project. called Bait Al-Madina. ian clashes in west Beirut. But as Mouzawak desire to reclaim its status as the Paris of the It’s built around the idea of coexistence The next stop is for Dimbleby to try foul , a says, watching everyone tuck in: “If not reli - Middle East, which it held before 1975, when through sharing food and sharing tables. When soupy broad-bean dip made by Sunni men and gion or politics... at least tabbouleh, kebbeh, the city stopped being the financial centre of you eat something from a certain neighbor - served in the souks in cafés as part of a mezze labneh and mankouche are what Lebanese the region and a major tourist destination hood, you eat a bite of the history of that neigh - — not something people make at home, but also unanimously share.” because of the protracted conflict which began that year. Now no fewer than 18 different communities live here and these can be subdivided along fur - ther political and religious lines; and, unlike many Middle Eastern cities, the dress code varies as much as the architecture — from tight and skimpy to fully veiled. CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Perhaps because of this huge mixture of cultures and communities, Beirut has always excelled at food, and now some Lebanese activists are trying to overcome the open wounds among its many factions by cooking and eating together (there has been little in MASSACHUSETTS the way of a large-scale formal reconciliation process since the conflict officially ended). JULY 24 — Evening of Armenian Music and Dance. Jason Naroian Kamal Mouzawak, a one-time TV chef and Ensemble. Saturday, 7-11 p.m. Navigator Club, 55 Ashumet Road, former board member of the international Falmouth (1/4 mile south of Rte. 151). Adults, $25, children, under Slow Food Movement, founded Beirut’s first 12, $10. Delicious mezzeh included. Sponsored by: Armenian farmers’ market in 2004, a radical place Church of Cape Cod., PO Box 1485, Mashpee, MA 02649. Contact where producers from all communities — person: Ara Ishkanian (508) 349-6807. Palestinian, Muslim, Christian, Druze — come SEPTEMBER 23 — Armenian Heritage Foundation’s K. George together once a week to sell their produce. and Carolann S. Najarian, MD Inaugural Lecture on Human Now Mouzawak has opened a co-operative- Rights, an endowed public program of the Foundation, sponsor of style restaurant, Tawlet, with the aim of pro - Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, moting and preserving Lebanese food tradi - Boston, present a program at Faneuil Hall, Boston, 7 p.m. Keynote tions, where a roster of producers from the speaker: Kerry Kennedy, human rights activist, author and founder, An evening of Armenian Music and Dance, fea - Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Opening market come and cook their community’s turing the Jason Naroian Ensemble, will take food for a day. remarks: Peter Balakian, PhD, Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Professor of the Humanities, Colgate University, author, The Burning place on Saturday, July 24, from 7-11 p.m. at Mouzawak’s friend Henry Dimbleby, a chef the Navigator Club, pictured here, located at and restaurateur from London, has come to Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America’s Response – A History 55 Ashumet Road, Falmouth, Mass. The event Beirut to see Tawlet, and to pinch as many of International Human Rights and Forgotten Heroes. Free and open recipes as possible for his third cookbook and to the public. The lecture is offered in partnership with the Bostonian is sponsored by the Armenian Church of Cape his UK chain of healthy fast-food restaurants, Society, academic institutions and human rights organizations. Cod. For more info., contact Ara Ishkanian Leon. The nine Leon outlets are radical in their OCTOBER 9 — The Armenian Independent Broadcasting of (508) 349-6807. own way; unlike with other fast-food joints, you Boston Celebrates its 30th Anniversary, ACEC, 47 Nichols Ave., can be in and out with something wholesome, Watertown. Details to follow. seasonal and ethically sourced in moments. With menus based on hummus , flatbreads, 18 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Realignment of Political Forces in Armenia

The ADL splintered and some rogue groups, claiming legitimacy, By Edmond Y. Azadian turned out to be accessories to the Dashnag machinations in Spectator Armenia and the diaspora. In the process, HRAK (ADL-Armenia) was wiped off the political map in Armenia, failing to participate in any Next year Armenia will face its most critical challenge in recent years election during the last seven years. as it prepares to hold parliamentary elections. During the last elections, Finally, last year the traditional ADL leadership in the diaspora and coalitions were formed that ruled the country harmoniously for a while, Armenia joined forces to revive this democratic organization by form - Established 1932 because the interests of the groups constituting that coalition con - ing the Armenakan-ADL party in Armenia, to which joined all the verged. Gradually, fissures appeared in the coalition and one of them healthy segments of the Diaspora ADL, through the formation of the An ADL Publication defected, namely the ARF (Dashnaktsoutioun), becoming an opposition ADL World Council. party, nominally, while in truth exploiting opportunities. On July 17, the Armenakan-ADL Party held its second convention The three other parties in power remained in tandem for a while, in Armenia. On this occasion the president of the party, Hagop EDITOR but discord and dissonance also plagued their relations. The partners Avedikian, gave an interview to the Azg daily newspaper, outlining Alin K. Gregorian in the ruling coalition were the Republican party, headed by the internal developments of the party, which has its chapters all over President Serge Sargisian; Prosperous Armenia, headed by oligarch Armenia, except for Capan and Goris, where new cells will be form - ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gagik Zaroukian, actually manipulated, behind the scenes by the for - ing soon. (Avedikian is the founding editor of Azg .) Aram Arkun mer President Robert Kocharian, and the third, Orinants Yerkir (the Avedikian made an insightful analysis of the political life in ART DIRECTOR country of laws), headed by Arthur Bagdasarian. This party was cut Armenia. He sees an important role for Armenakan-ADL as a mod - Marc Mgrditchian to size when its leader announced his candidacy during the last pres - erate force in an atmosphere of extreme polarization. The atmos - idential election. Some defections from the party ranks in the par - phere of political antagonism is so stark that the opposition and the PRODUCTION Dilani Yogaratnam liament, most probably engineered by the administration, dwindled administration have been exploiting most crucial issues to their own the clout and the size of Orinants Yerkir, whose salvation from com - political advantage, such as, Armenian-Turkish relations, the plete collapse rested upon Bagdasarian’s personal success at the cost Karabagh conflict, social problems, etc. It is said that 90 percent of of switching sides. He ran as an opposition candidate and he traded the country’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of 40 families, CONTRIBUTORS: his election results with a post in the government. (He became the while the rest of the people suffer in dire need. Emigration is hem - Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. secretary of state security.) orrhaging the demographic profile of the country. Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond The ARF left the ruling coalition, but did not join former President In this kind of atmosphere, when people look for jobs and eco - Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Levon Ter-Petrosian’s HAK coalition, which is the real opposition. nomic opportunities, no ideology can appeal to them. Oligarchs are Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, At this time, the Dashnak leadership is dreaming about the come - ruling the country and most of them have been elected to the par - Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- back of their benefactor, Robert Kocharian, who, during his rule, liament so as to gain immunity and even more influence. Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, released the ARF leaders from jail and rehabilitated them to become The Armenakan-ADL Party does not enjoy the support of any oli - Taleen Babayan a force to be reckoned with. Now, the Dashak leadership believes that garch and that is a blessing in disguise, because it can pursue a more it is in the role of a king-maker who can engineer Kocharian’s come - principled policy fighting for justice and economic improvement for back with the help of former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. the nation. CORRESPONDENTS: This scenario is played against the background of some frictions Thus far the party leadership has issued in-depth analyses on eco - Armenia - Hagop Avedikian that came out into the open between the Republican and Prosperous nomic and political issues, criticizing both the administration and the Boston - Nancy Kalajian Armenia parties. opposition. High on the agenda is the improvement of the plight of Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Diasporan parties are looked upon with suspicion in Armenia. The the people, which will lead the party to pursue true justice and sta - Contributing Photographers: ARF myth during the Soviet era turned out to be just that, a myth, bility in the country. True democracy is yet to come. Poor people can Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair which the population in Armenia refused to embrace. be influenced and bought by the highest bidder who do not always Hovsepian The Social Democratic Hunchak Party is torn apart with internal work for the welfare of the same people. division, most probably courtesy of the current administration. Because there are no oligarchs in the rank of the Armenakan-ADL The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July, by: The diasporan parties have their own internal divisions and fault Party, it cannot, on its own, win any seat in the parliament, which is lines, which successive administrations have exploited skillfully to the forum for all positive actions. At this time, the party is looking to Baikar Association, Inc. weaken or to destroy them. Ter-Petrosian effectively destroyed the join a coalition in the upcoming election. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 ARF during his administration. But the party was revived through The Armenakans have strong support throughout the ADL struc - Telephone: 617-924-4420 his successor’s strong-arm tactics. tures in the world. The Diaspora ADL derives its inspiration and FAX: 617-924-2887 Ter-Petrosian’s ploys were more effective in the division of the strength from the Armenakans, whose roots extend all the way to 1885. www.mir rorspectator.com ADL, which is still struggling to restore its internal unity. As minister On the other hand, Armenakans have enjoyed and will continue to E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com of the interior at that time, Serge Sargisian contributed indirectly to enjoy the support of the Diaspora ADL groups to achieve their goal For advertising: [email protected] that fragmentation to his belated regret. and to become a political force in Armenia to be reckoned with. New York/New Jersey Office 560 Sylvan Ave. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 (201) 800-1164 Twenty-One Years Later: What happened to ‘Self-Determination?’ SUBSCRIPTION RATES : U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year states emerged on the ruins of empires. on the principles of international law” (October 1st Class $120 a year By Aris Ghazinyan The Soviet Union was perceived as one such 24, 1970), stating the right to “the creation of a Canada empire. sovereign and independent state, freedom to join Air Mail $125 a year Besides the declaration, American law-makers an independent state or unification with it, or All Other Countries Twenty-one years ago this week the Foreign were guided also by other international legal establishment of any other political status.” Air Mail $190 a year Affairs Committee of the US Senate passed a acts. Today’s political map and contours of borders Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch resolution on “US assistance to the peaceful set - The “International pact on civil and political are the result of implementation of the national tlement of the Nagorno Karabagh issue in accor - rights” (adopted in December, 1966) says: “All right to self-determination. dance with the people’s will of Soviet Armenia.” nations have a right to self-determination. As A question naturally comes up: then how was © 2010 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator The document was calling on Soviet President part of that right they are free to establish their the principle of territorial integrity defined by Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA Mikhail Gorbachev to “discuss the demand for political status and ensure their economic, social law-makers in 1989? and additional mailing offices. reunification with Armenia with representatives and cultural development. All the states partici - The nuance is that this principle was interpret - of Nagorno Karabagh as well as representatives pating in this Pact… must encourage the imple - ed exceptionally on the background of defending ISSN 0004-234X of the democratic movement (including mem - mentation of the right to self-determination and states from foreign aggression. The implementa - POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The bers of Karabagh Committee recently released respect that right as provided for by the UN tion of the principle of territorial integrity was in Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, from confinement).” Charter.” fact subordinate to nations’ right to self-determi - Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Hence, 21 years ago, the US Congress’ Upper The Soviet Union was one of the participants. nation, stated in the Declaration on the principles Chamber Commission allowed for a possibility of It was on that international-legal ground that of international law. reunification of the two Armenian entities. on November 19, 1989, the US Senate approved The very fact that more than 30 new states The resolution also appealed to American the second Resolution on Nagorno Karabagh, have been recognized only within the past 20 diplomats to achieve “investigation by the high - supporting its people’s will to be reunited with years, demonstrates that the formation of inde - Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without est instances of cases of violence against Armenia. pendent entities of international law is a contin - express permission of the copyright Armenians” in the bilateral negotiations with The Resolution said in part: “Taking into con - uous process and that it is done based on the owner. Address requests for reprints or the Soviet administration. sideration the fact that 80 percent of Armenians principle of national self-determination. back issues to: Obviously, such a resolution could not help living on the territory of the Autonomous Or, if put otherwise, based on the volatility of Baikar Association, Inc. but encourage Armenians who were in a block - Region of Nagorno Karabagh (ARNK), have state borders. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 ade. “We are not alone,” proclaimed the leaders expressed their concerns… and the ARNK By the time of the collapse of the Soviet of the movement. Special Administration Committee proved to be Union international law was interpreted quite Nations’ right to self-determination received ineffective …it is necessary to assist in the course unambiguously and clearly. And the first docu - international recognition in the process of collapse of bilateral discussions with the Soviet Union to ment allowing for reunification of Nagorno of the colonial system and was consolidated in the fair settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh con - Karabagh and Armenia was adopted 21 years Check us out at December 14, 1960, “Declaration on granting flict, a settlement that would truly reflect the will ago in Washington. mirrorspectator.com independence to colonial countries and peoples.” of the people in that region.” (Aris Ghazinyan is a reporter for The adopted declaration accelerated the liqui - Another fundamental document American ArmeniaNow. This analysis originally appeared dation of colonial regimes and about 100 new law-makers were guided by was the “Declaration on that website on July 20.) S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

once Ankara gave its permission. the 26-member Religious Council, convened a meeting, To complicate matters, the Election Committee, exceed - which unanimously elected him deputy patriarch. No other ing its authority, sent its own letter to Turkish officials, ask - clergymen were given a chance to submit their candidacies ing for permission to elect a new patriarch rather than a co- for that post. patriarch. While Armenians worldwide remained silent, with the My Turn Both initiatives made the serious error of inviting the exception of Primate of Germany, Archbishop Karekin interference of the Turkish government into the Armenian Bekciyan, a few courageous Armenians in Istanbul dared to By Harut Sassounian community’s internal religious affairs. Furthermore, both raise their voices in protest. The Election Committee, requests contradicted the patriarchate’s almost 600-year which the Turkish government disbanded, filed a lawsuit tradition and practice of not having a co-patriarch, unlike against Ankara’s decision, demanding the election of a new Turkey Has No Right to Interfere the Holy See of Echmiadzin, the Catholicosate of Cilicia, patriarch, not just a deputy. Where do we go from here? In Armenian Patriarch’s Election and the Armenian patriarchate of Jerusalem. The request Armenian religious and lay leaders outside Turkey should to elect a new Patriarch was also improper, since a new protest the undue interference of the Turkish authorities in Although the Treaty of Lausanne is supposed to protect patriarch cannot be elected, while the existing patriarch is the internal affairs of the Armenian Church in violation of the rights of non-Muslim minorities in Turkey — still alive, as patriarchs are elected for life. the Lausanne Treaty. Armenians, Greeks and Jews — these rights are routinely Taking advantage of the dissension within the Armenian More importantly, Armenians in Turkey should come violated by the Turkish government. community, the Turkish government finally responded on together and declare that the office of the deputy patriarch Armenians in Turkey, fearing the government’s wrath, June 29, allowing the election of a deputy patriarch, but is a temporary arrangement, not a long-term solution. rarely dare to object to the repeated violations of their civil not a co-patriarch or a new patriarch. By so doing, Turkish Without asking for Ankara’s permission, the Armenian rights. Worse still, Istanbul Armenians sometimes invite officials violated the Armenian community’s religious community should organize a new election to elect a co- Turkish officials to intervene in their community’s affairs in rights, ironically, at the community’s own request! patriarch, who would then become patriarch after the order to settle their internal and personal disputes. In authorizing a deputy patriarch to represent the patri - demise of the presently incapacitated Patriarch Mutafian. The latest example of such blatant interference was the archate, the Turkish government has in effect weakened Whether the Armenian community decides to elect a selection of Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, as deputy patriarch, the status of that historic institution. Since Patriarch new patriarch or a co-patriarch is its own business, and not after doctors had diagnosed the current patriarch of Turkey, Mesrob is mentally but not physically incapacitated, he may that of Turkish officials. It is important that the Istanbul- Mesrob Mutafian, as suffering from incurable dementia. live for many years, while the Patriarchate is led by a mere Armenian community coalesces around a common position Six months ago, after a two-year delay during which the deputy patriarch. Such an eventuality would serve Turkey’s and avoids further dissension. If the local Armenian com - Patriarchal seat was practically vacant due to Patriarch interests, which has always sought to assimilate the munity becomes united and enjoys the backing of Mesrob’s incapacity, the Patriarchate’s Religious Council Armenians by bureaucratic obstructions, and depriving it Armenians and others around the world, the Turkish gov - wrote to the Turkish government seeking permission to of a freely elected and capable religious leader. ernment, which prides itself as a secular and democratic elect a coadjutor (co-Patriarch). The council then set up an Within 48 hours of the government’s edict, Archbishop regime, would be more reluctant to politically interfere in Election Committee in order to organize such an election Ateshyan, who de facto ran the patriarchate as chairman of the Armenian minority’s religious affairs. A Taste of Turkish Delight

bors; the current opportunity for doing so in suspected by the Turkish National Security tradicted their conception of Islam. It also hurt By Michael Brenner an historic first; Iran is an important neighbor Council (MGK) authorities of having clandes - their party’s image among the Turkish public. with whom cordial relations are a reasonable tine backing from Tehran. The conjectured 5. Turkish leaders are less exercised by the expectation. Turkey’s principal national inter - motivation was to channel Kurdish militants Iranian nuclear program for these reasons: A story is circulating among denizens of est is viewed as sustaining the rapid pace of toward Turkey while sparing itself. That conjec - Turks are accustomed to playing the game of Washington foreign policy watering holes that a economic development in which secure energy ture was rejected with accumulated evidence power politics and are a self-confident people — rupture between Turkey and Iran is on the hori - supplies play a major role. Indeed, the exten - that the group was a creature of the Turkish unlike the Arab states; they do not believe that zon. This, of course, would be warmly wel - sive accords signed with Iran in the past few “deep security state,” made up of dissident Iran is rushing pell-mell to build a bomb; they comed by the Obama administration. It feels years are seen as the essential element in a security and military figures, that sought to believe that Iran’s security interest is in deter - aggrieved that Erdogan and Brazil’s President plan to diversify sources of oil and natural gas. undermine Erdogan and his EDK party by cre - ring an American or Israeli assault that aims at Lula da Silva exposed the United States’ disin - In addition, the Iran connection is central to ating unrest which could be blamed on him and destroying the Islamic regime; they see little genuous policies on the Iran nuclear issue by Ankara’s vision of itself as an energy hub link - his Islam tinged policies. tangible threat to themselves; and they are con - reaching an accord that conformed to stipula - ing Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. 3. The Iraq occupation rekindled fears of a cerned that the selective punishment of Iran for tions set down in a Presidential communication The depth of the government’s feelings about renewed Kurdish PKK threat thanks to its links exercising its full rights to develop energy may itself. Moreover, a spurned Turkey refused to go a right to make its own strategic choices came with Kurdish leaders in Iraq and its unimpeded be applied to Turkey at some unspecified time along with the subsequent American sponsored across in the blunt remarks of President Gul access to support bases in the autonomous in the future. No determination has been made sanctions resolution in the UNSC despite a last year in response to American criticism of Kurdish north of Iraq. The Iraqi Kurdish gov - whether the actually testing of an Iranian White House call to Erdogan from the its dealings with Iran: “Expansion of relations ernment had full American backing since it was weapon would force Turkey to undertake its President. Now, Assistant Secretary of State on a regional level seems quite natural for the most reliable ally that Washington had in own nuclear weapons program, although that is Philip Gordon has called on Turkey to show Turkey, and it is not important what other the turbulent Iraqi political arena. Strenuous a disquieting prospect for most. Turkish leaders concretely that it still values its Western ties. In states think of it. Turkey cares for its own Turkish efforts to obtain information from the are convinced that the only strategy that could all this static, the Turkish perspective gets lost. interests. Turkey will establish good ties with US about PKK camps and operations in Iraq ‘neutralize’ Iran’s nuclear weapons potential is A Turkish doctoral student of mine recently its neighbors with the aim of stability and met first with stonewalling and then a flurry of comprehensive negotiations with Iran (as returned from a six month visit interviewing security in the region...We are an independent intelligence that proved to be useless. That Tehran proposed in April 2003) that would over a hundred officials, politicians, journalists,’ country. We look out for our national inter - experience soured major elements of the secu - cover all manner of security issues of concern etc. He was able to elicit quite candid thoughts ests. We have to make investment for the lar Turkish security establishment toward the to Iran, the US, and regional parties. They want from highly placed people — active and retired. [energy] supply security of Turkey.” US which is seen as slighting Turkish security a role in that process. The following points emerge from his discus - 2. 2003 is an important date because at that interests while pursuing its own in occupied 6. The Turkish government, not just Erdogan, sions. time the intelligence services reached the con - Iraq. feels that it was misled and then offended by 1. The Turkish entente with Iran has been clusion that active terrorist groups that were 4. The Islamist tinge of Erdogan’s EDK at Washington in regard to the Turko-Brazilian ini - developing for seven years. It is part of a com - conducting assassinations and bombings had first was an obstacle to improved relations with tiative. That is an added factor in the consid - prehensive strategic assessment that stresses: no connection with Iran as, as had been pre - Iran. The latter’s radical and violent fundamen - ered Turkish conviction that it cannot trust the value to Turkey as a status quo power of sumed. The activities of one, Hezbullah-in- talism ran against the grain of the party’s base American strategy, tactical decisions and lead - maintaining good relations with all its neigh - Turkey (THB), composed of Kurds, had been of practicing Muslims because it directly con - ership on all manner of issues in the Greater Middle East. Their cold-eyed appraisal of what we’ve done in Iran, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan is that the Americans have poor Notice to Contributors judgment, are reckless and do not care what The welcomes articles, commen - — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is others in the region think or what their inter - Armenian Mirror-Spectator ests are. taries and community news from our readers. In order to assure 12 noon on Monday of the week of publication. 7. While there are some, especially in the mil - the accurate and timely publication of articles submitted, please — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the itary, discomforted by the resulting strains with note the following policies: editors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self- Washington, a wide consensus has crystallized — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) addressed and stamped envelope is included. in support of both the analysis and prescription outlined here. spaced and printed in a type size large enough to be clearly leg - — The will publish only one article about an upcoming orga - M-S It would be nice if some folks in the think- ible (10 point or larger). Submissions that do not conform to nizational event. For major special events, exceptions may be tank world and the press, not to speak of the these specifications will be assigned lowest priority. made only by special arrangement with the editors. administration, were attentive to what’s actual - ly going on in Turkey instead of fantasizing as — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the per usual. encouraged. discretion of the editors) will not be included in press releases, — All submissions should include the name of a contact person but should be reserved for calendar listings and advertisements. (Michael Brenner is a Senior Fellow at the and a daytime telephone number. Center for Transatlantic Relations. This col - umn appeared in the www.huffingtonpost.com on July 19.) 20 S ATURDAY , J ULY 24, 2010 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Armenia Says It Wants to Boost Ties with Israel Grand Opening of Hovnanian Foundation TIES, from page 1 Armenia is based in Tbilisi, while Armenia’s maintains an economic blockade of Armenia interests in Israel are represented by its ambas - HQ, Armenian Assembly Yerevan Office which was imposed in 1993 out of solidarity sador to France. with Azerbaijan. Successive Armenian and Israeli govern - OPENING, from page 1 Lindenstrauss is a rare high-ranking repre - ments treaded carefully in developing bilateral “It is with great pleasure to welcome so many distinguished and honored guests to the sentative of the Jewish state to visit Armenia. relations. Armenia has traditionally had warm grand opening of our Yerevan Headquarters,” stated Hovnanian. “This new facility will serve Armenian leaders have also rarely visited relations with Arab states and neighboring Iran, as a hub and center for excellence for nonprofit and philanthropic activities.” Israel. Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian was while Israel has until recently had close political Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian and Life Trustee scheduled to pay an unofficial visit to Jerusalem and military ties with Armenia’s arch-foe Member Siran Sahakian presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony. together with Catholicos Karekin II, the head of Turkey and its leaders refused to acknowledge The event was widely covered by local media. Fielding reporters’ questions, Armenian the Armenian Apostolic Church, in mid- the Armenian Genocide. Assembly’s Country Director Armina Darbinian explained: “Our new offices will give us an February. However, the trip was cancelled at Analysts believe that the dramatic worsening opportunity to expand our ongoing activities and programs for the betterment of the peo - the last minute because of Sargisian’s illness. of Turkish-Israeli relations could change ple of Armenia and Artsakh.” The Armenian premier told the Israeli ambas - Yerevan’s and Tel Aviv’s geopolitical priorities. In “This new professional center would not have been possible without the tireless efforts, sador to Armenia, Shemi Tzur, afterwards that particular, Jewish lobby groups in the United dedication and generosity of Hirair Hovnanian,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Yerevan is interested in “broadening and deep - States are expected to stop helping Ankara Ardouny in Washington, DC. “We continue to strive for the strengthening of relations ening” Armenian-Israeli ties. defeat draft resolutions in the US Congress rec - between Armenia and the United States. The opening of the new Hovnanian Foundation Although Armenia and Israel have diplomat - ognizing the 1915 mass killings of Armenians in and Assembly offices in Yerevan is one more expression of our standing commitment to that ic relations, neither maintains an embassy in Ottoman Turkey as genocide. Israel’s parliament objective.” the other country. The Israeli ambassador to is expected to debate a similar resolution soon.

No Breakthrough in Karabagh Talks Reported TALKS, from page 1 saying that no such pullout can be even discussed st atement. He claimed it was not issue because before agreement on Karabagh’s final status. The Nalbandian objected to “some issues.” He did not parties also made markedly differing interpreta - specify them. tions of the “basic principles” of Karabagh peace Nalbandian denied that, however, saying that it is proposed by Washington, Moscow and Paris. Mammadyarov who took a “non-constructive posi - Lavrov, Kouchner and Steinberg did not shed tion” at the talks. In written remarks released by the more light on key details of the proposed settle - Armenian Foreign Ministry on Monday, he also ment. Their statement says only that “any attempt reacted positively to the joint appeal to the warning to select some elements over others would make side made by Lavrov, Kouchner and Steinberg. it impossible to achieve a balanced solution.” The talks were billed by the mediators as a In Nalbandian’s words, this warning as well as chance for decisive progress in the long-running the mediators’ call for the strengthening of the peace process. The U.S, Russian and French pres - ceasefire regime was primarily addressed to idents said in a joint statement last month that Azerbaijan. He argued that the Azerbaijani leaders they are instructing their foreign ministers to single out the principle of international territorial “work intensively to assist the two sides to over - integrity and gloss over the Karabagh Armenians’ President Serge Sargisian and Chairman Hirair Hovnanian come their differences” before and during the right to self-determination also upheld by the Almaty meeting. mediators. The run-up to the meeting was marked by con - “They [the Azerbaijanis] pick out one of six flicting statements made by the Armenian and [peace] provisions and exploit it,” Nalbandian said. Azerbaijani foreign ministers. Mammadyarov “The co-chairing countries stated in a very simple caused a stir in Armenia by claiming that the talks and open manner that this is a non-constructive will focus on details of Armenian troop withdraw - approach, that it is wrong to discriminate between The Armenian al from Azerbaijani territories around Karabagh. these principles and provisions, and that it is Nalbandian rejected that as a “complete lie,” wrong to take a selective approach.” Mirro r-Spe ctator

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Ambartsumian Prize 2010 Goes to Swiss Astrophysicist YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Michel Mayor and hemisphere to search and characterize exoplan - his team members, nominated by the Swiss ets. Still ongoing at La Silla Observatory (ESO, SUB SCRIBE Academy of Sciences, were selected as winners Chile) this survey has allowed the discovery of of the Viktor Ambartsumian International Prize several planets with mass as small as a few 2010. The prize was established by the presi - Earth masses. dent of Armenia in 2009 and at present is one In the last decade, Mayor and his interna - of the important awards in astrono - tional team including members of the my/astrophysics and related sciences. It is Astrophysical Institute of Canary Islands, IAC, being awarded to outstanding scientists from (Garik Israelian) and Centro de Astrofísica da any country and nationality having significant Universidade do Porto, CAUP, (Nuno Santos), contribution in science. The prize totals have characterized the physical and chemical $500,000 and will be awarded once every two properties of stars with extrasolar planets. years, starting this year. Small anomalies of spectra of stars hosting Mayor, professor at the Geneva University, is planets contribute to our understanding of the TODAY! the co-discoverer of the first extrasolar planet complexity of planetary formation mechanisms. orbiting a solar-type star. He is the principal The results obtained by that team had a strong investigator of a survey carried in the southern impact on planet formation models.