JANUARY 26, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIII, NO. 28, Issue 4273 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Turkish Embassy Staff Dink Assassination Anniversary Commemorated Attack Dink Protestors (Combined Sources) — LONDON (hetq.com) — On January 18, the eve of Thousands of people gathered in the Sisli the anniversary of the 2007 murder of journalist district of Istanbul to commemorate the in Istanbul, Eilian Williams, leader of sixth anniversary of the assassination of the Cardiff organization Solidarity with the Victims Hrant Dink, a Turkish journalist of of All Genocides, and one of his colleagues were Armenian origin on January 19. physically attacked by the members of the Turkish The crowd stood in homage at 3:05 p.m., Embassy in London. the exact time of Dink’s death, in front of the The attack occurred when Williams and his col - newspaper building where he was league attempted to deliver a letter of protest to killed. Hidayet Sevkatli Tuksal, a daily Taraf Ambassador Ahmet Ünal Ceviköz. The embassy journalist, American linguist Noam Chomsky staff refused to accept the letter and one of its and Rakel Dink, Dink’s widow, spoke. The members attacked Williams. Williams’ clothes were torn and a police officer had to intervene to prevent the attack from escalat - ing. Williams was then expelled from the embassy. In his letter, Williams called on ’s ambas - sador to answer the question: “Who kills the in Istanbul?,” referring to an article by Jenny White published on January 11 at Boston Flowers covered the sidewalk where Dink had been killed. University.

established in memory of the late journal - crowd walked to Taksim square, shouting Armenian History to Be ist, called the event “Buradayiz Ahparig!” slogans such as, “We all are Hrant, we all Taught in Georgia (We are here, brother). are Armenian.” Following the commemoration, the see ISTANBUL, page 16 YEREVAN (RFE/ RL) — Armenian history will soon be included in the curriculum of Georgian schools. During a visit to Yerevan on January 18, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili made Rakel Dink, left, and Noam Chomsky, center, Dink Remembered at this promise to the head of the Armenian Apostolic speak in Istanbul. Church, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. St. James Program At their meeting Karekin II reiterated his request that the Georgian Diocese transfer control of sev - crowd also listened to a recorded speech WATERTOWN — The numbers six and 17 played eral historic Armenian churches to the Armenian Dink had given prior to his death. a symbolic role in the January 20 talk delivered by Apostolic Church. He expressed his hope that Dink was murdered on January 19, 2007, Ümit Kurt during Georgian authorities would consider his request. in front of the offices of Agos , the paper a post-service pro - Ivanishvili said he would personally oversee the where he worked, by Ogün Samast, a 17- gram hosted by By Gabriella Gage maintenance of Armenian churches in Georgia. year-old Turkish nationalist. After a two- the Friends of Mirror-Spectator Staff The ethnic Armenian community in Georgia is year trial, Samast was convicted of premed - Hrant Dink at St. mostly concentrated in and the southern itated murder and sentenced to 22 years James Armenian Javakhk province, which borders . and 10 months in prison. Church. These numbers served as a reminder of the The court also ruled that Dink’s murder loss of the Turkish-Armenian journalist — six for the was not an organized crime despite serious number of years since Dink’s assassination and 17 Armenian Pupils Win claims that some civil servants linked to the for the number of assailants who have yet to be pun - Ümit Kurt speaks to the communi - “deep state” were “indirectly” involved, to ished for taking his life. ty during memorial coffee hour. Six Medals at Olympiad the dismay of Dink’s family. see DINK, page 8 ALMATY, Kazakhstan (Panorama.am) — The The Friends of Hrant Dink organization, Armenian team won six medals in the science and math categories at the ninth international Zhautikova Olympiad. The students earned a total of three silver and three bronze medals. Very Rev. Ghevont 39 teams from 13 countries with 350 participants took part in the Olympiad. According to the Dickran Abasian Receives Samoorian Dies Education and Science Ministry press office, the win - ning 2013 Armenian students were Edgar Minasyan BILLERICA, Mass. — The Very Rev. Edgar, mathematics, 11th class, silver medal; Narek Boghos Nubar Pasha Medal Ghevont Samoorian, of Billerica, died on Hovsepyan, mathematics, 12th class, silver medal; January 20, 2013. He was 78. Alexander Petrosyan, physics, 12th class, bronze ATHENS — Dickran Born in Cambridge, on April 17, 1934, to medal; Razmik Hovhannisyan, physics, 12th class, Abasian, chairman of the Melkon and Mary Samoorian, Samoorian bronze medal; Alvert Sahakyan, informatics,12th Armenian General Benevolent was baptized Diran. He attended public class, silver medal; Karen Hambardzumyan, infor - Union (AGBU) District school in Arlington and graduated from matics, 12th class, bronze medal. Committee of Greece received Lexington High School. Even though he the Boghos Nubar Pasha grew up very much an American, his medal of service from the Armenian ethos was breathed into his soul Ministry of Diaspora of by his late grandmother who sang Armenia for his 40 years of Armenian hymns to him while he was a INSI DE service and dedication to the young boy. He received numerous art Armenian Community of awards; won a scholarship in 1951 to study Greece through the AGBU mural painting in Verona, Italy, and attend - Kalpakian Daily School, the ed the Boston Art in the Armenian Democratic Liberal Museum School of Party, the Ararat Cultural Fine Arts. When he Association and the weekly turned 16, an aware - Bay Area Nor Ashkharh . Ambassador Gagik Ghalajian, left, and Dickran ness of his Abasian graduated from Abasian Armenian heritage Page 10 Melkonian Educational emerged, and he Institute of Cyprus and began attending the trained as a computer data analyst. He has been chairman of the AGBU Athens Holy Trinity and chapter for more than two decades. At the same time, he has served in leadership then the St. James INDEX positions at the local ADL chapter and Ararat Cultural Association. For many years, Very Rev. Ghevont Churches in Boston Arts and Living ...... 10 he managed the Nor Ashkharh weekly newspaper of the ADL, which is published Samoorian and Watertown, Armenia ...... 2 in Greek, Armenian and English. respectively. Community News...... 4 The medal was bestowed on him on December 28 by the Ambassador of Armenia Editorial ...... 14 He majored in history and government at to Greece Gagik Ghalajian during an official ceremony at the Armenian Embassy in International ...... 3 Boston University. From 1954 to 1956 he Athens. served in the US Army’s military intelligence see SAMOORIAN, page 6 2 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA

News From Armenia Petrossian, Hayrapetyan Win National Chess Sargisian Puts Turkish Championships Initiative on Hold YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — YEREVAN (Armenpress) — According to President Grandmaster Tigran Petrosian Serge Sargisian, Armenia will not take any initia- was crowned male champion at tive in the development of more positive Armenian- the recent National Turkish relations in the near future. Championships of Armenia. Sargisian discussed this issue during the meeting Anna Hayrapetyan was crowned with the residents of Avan administrative district of champion in the women’s cham - Yerevan on January 21. pionship competition. “In case Turks don’t ratify Armenian-Turkish pro- Based on this result, both vic - tocols, we will just reconsider our decision and tors acquired the right to remove the issue from the agenda of National become members of their Assembly and say that our signatures under the respective national teams. document are invalid. Everything has its time and Grandmasters Tigran Petrosian and Anna Hayrapetyan This was Petrossian’s second deadline,” Sargisian explained. consecutive national title. He noted that if Turks want to start negotiations in future, there will have to be new conditions and terms negotiated. “I don’t regret […] the efforts made and the time lost,” he said, reminding the Some Syrian Armenians Hope Learning critics from Armenia and the Diaspora as well. Presidential Election Russian Will Help Them to Better Integrate Kicks off Armenia, and Russia currently fully or Others, like Garabedian’s family who By Julia Hakobyan partially owns many enterprises in fuel learn Russian, regards the possibility of YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The race to become and energy, metallurgical and construc - staying in Armenia on a permanent Armenia’s next president has officially started. tion sectors. In Armenia, there are about basis even after the conflict ends. Eight candidates, including incumbent Serge YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Diranouhi 1,500 Russian companies, and of course, The family of Garen Balkhian, another Sargisian, will take part in the presidential election Garabedian diligently pronounces: "Ya people who work there have to know student in the Russian classes also intends on February 18. lyublyu russkii yazik" (I love the Russian Russian very well. " to stay in Armenia. The 17-year-old According to the country’s electoral laws, the language). The teacher corrects her, prais - Meanwhile, Krivopuskov says the Balkhian is a student of the Cilician school. candidates have a right to 60 minutes of free air es, asks a new question. agency will soon organize classes for “For the first time I heard Russian time on public television and 120 minutes of free Garabedian is 42, but this is not the another group of Syrian Armenians, speech in movies and decided to learn time on public radio. surprising part of her attending Russian and now the agency is considering the it, because many of my Yerevan friends However, purchases of air time for advertise- language courses. Garabedian is an possibility of employment of Syrian speaks Russian,” says Balkhian, who ments on public television are limited to 120 min- Armenian refugee from Syria who says Armenians, since many of them are well intends to study business and economy. utes and they can buy no more than 180 minutes she wants to learn Russian because she educated and can be engaged in As for Garabedian, moving to Yerevan on public radio during the campaign. realizes it comes in handy for better Russian-Armenian companies. pushed her to think on acquiring anoth - Sargisian said in an interview on January 19 that adaptation in Yerevan. She also hopes Thousands of ethnic Armenians have er profession, and now she is a first the presidential election will be held in a “compet- that some day she will be able to read fled the bloody conflict in Syria and grade student of the Romano-German itive” way. some classic Russian literature in the about 5,000 of them have come to philology at Yerevan State University. Sargisian plans to make a television address to original language. Her husband and son Armenia. While about 2,000 left “I know Armenian, Arabic, Turkish voters on February 16, the last day that campaign- also attend the same classes. Armenia lately for yet another country, and I know a little French. As many lan - ing is allowed. The family moved to Armenia a year others try to adjust to the life in guages a person knows, the more and a half ago, because of the ongoing Armenia, waiting to the conflict’s end. advantages she has,” she says. conflict in Syria, which has been going US, Armenia Establish on for two years. They say that in the Nuclear Forensics Lab beginning it was hard to adjust to the life in Yerevan, but by now, when they get YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — On January used to life in a new country, they are Armenia May Be Looking to Russia 18, Ambassador John A. Heffern joined officials thinking of staying in Yerevan forever. from the Armenian Ministry of Energy and National "The Russian language is the second For Security of Karabagh flights Security Service to open the Armenian Nuclear language in Armenia, and we thought, Forensics Laboratory at the Armenian Nuclear since we stay here, we have to learn it, Speaking at a meeting with the heads Power Plant (ANPP). because it is being widely practiced in By Naira Hayrumyan of all branches of government on The US Department of State’s Preventing Yerevan. Russian words are heard in January 15, Armenian President Serzh Nuclear Smuggling Program (PNSP) partnered everyday speech and can be seen in mar - Sargsyan described the Armenian- with the ANPP to establish a Laboratory for kets, in streets, in restaurants. I think if YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow ) — Late last Russian cooperation as the core of Technical and Forensic Analysis of Nuclear and we acquire basic knowledge it will be week the subject of the Stepanakert air - Armenia’s security. But this coopera - Radioactive Materials as part of a joint effort to very helpful to us,” says Garabedian, who port unexpectedly again appeared in tion does not apply to Karabagh yet, strengthen Armenian capabilities to respond to the herself is a teacher of Armenian lan - the news as information came from and the Russian authorities have never transnational threat of nuclear smuggling. guage at Yerevan’s Cilician school. (The Karabagh that the first Yerevan- hidden their desire to send peacekeep - The laboratory will allow Armenia to collect school was opened last year for the Stepanakert commercial flight could be ers to Karabagh. nuclear and radiologically contaminated evidence Syrian Armenian students, who study a operated within days (the fourth time During a meeting with journalists on at crime scenes and perform technical analysis nec- Syrian curriculum in Arabic.) such a prediction has surfaced). January 18 Ohanian said “the essary to support the prosecution of smugglers. Garabedian is one of nine Syrian In response, the Azerbaijani govern - Armenian-Russian military-technical New opportunities could arise for Armenia to coop- Armenian students who attend the newly ment ordered the country’s air defense cooperation will enter a new stage.” erate with governments investigating illicit uses of opened Russian courses organized spe - forces to shoot down civilian aircraft He added, “There is an issue as to dis - nuclear material. Additionally, the facility will like- cially for them at the Russian Training “illegally entering its airspace.” tributing the supplies of weapons [of ly advance aspects of the 2010 Nuclear Security Center of the Rossotrudnichestvo agency Armenian Defense Minister Seyran the Russian military base] throughout Summit work plan discussed at the 2012 summit in in Armenia (The Federal Agency for the Ohanian, in turn, said that Armenia’s the territory of Armenia and not only in the Republic of Korea. Commonwealth of Independent States). anti-aircraft defense would ensure the Gumri.” PNSP is a US Department of State program. Russian classes for Syrian Armenians safety of civilian aircraft flying from It is no coincidence that PNSP works globally to counter nuclear smuggling. started two weeks ago and are held three Yerevan to Stepanakert. Nezavisimaya Gazeta , an influential By improving nuclear forensics practices and coop- times a week. Only a very good reason and a signif - newspaper in Russia, has published an eration, it is hoped that countries will be able to Victor Krivopuskov, the head of the icant change in the current balance of article that says that “a possible aggra - counter nuclear smuggling. Culture and Science center of the forces could make it possible to launch vation of the Karabagh conflict forces agency says they were ready to organize the flights of civilian or military aircraft Moscow to shift contract-based service - the classes for free, but Syrian to and from the recently renovated air - men to the region, Russia is enhancing Raffi Hovannisian Meets Armenians said they prefer to pay for it. port near Stepanakert. Azerbaijan does the military preparedness of its troops With UK Ambassador “Learning a language requires consis - not change its policy of isolating and armed allied forces in the South tency and it was their desire to pay in Karabagh, and it is military rather than .” YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Presidential candidate order to treat to it seriously. I am not sur - political guarantees that are needed for Other states have not yet reacted to Raffi Hovannisian met with UK Ambassador to prised that a group of Syrian Armenians, such flights. such a possible scenario. The mediators Armenia Catherine Lich on January 22. The two even a small one, wants to learn Russian, Experts say such guarantee could be only advise that Armenia should not discussed the upcoming presidential elections in because the language is in high demand military presence in Karabagh of one provoke the escalation of the situation Armenia and highlighted the importance of holding in Armenia. Though they are some oppo - or more states. Some do not exclude by opening the airport. But it is possi - free and fair elections in accordance with interna- nents of the use of Russian in Armenia, that the new military-technical agree - ble that the Western countries and tional standards. it is obvious that Russian language is ment between Armenia and Russia Russia already have an agreement on very important to Armenia, since it has involves the deployment in Karabagh the joint use of the airport in the its biggest Diaspora in Russia (about 2 of new powerful missile systems and Karabagh capital. They already jointly million) and therefore, many ties. certain security guarantees from use the Russian airport of Ulyanovsk Russian remain the major investor in Russia. (for Afghan operations). S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL French Police Arrest Kurdish Man in International News Connection With PKK Assassinations Armenian Gas Imports PARIS (CNN) — Police in France have States and others as a terror organiza - them the jailed head of the PKK, To Grow by 22.3 Percent arrested a man in connection with the tion — led to heightened speculation. Abdullah Ocalan. killing of three Kurdish activists in Paris The killings come at a delicate time Analysts have suggested the attack MOSCOW (PanArmenian.net) — Russian gas this month, prosecutors imports to Armenia grew by 22.3 percent in 2012 said Monday. to total 1,967.2 million cubic meters, up from The suspect, Omer 1,609.1 million cubic meters in 2011. Guney, is a 30-year-old Natural gas consumption in Armenia’s energy Turkish national who, and industry sectors increased by 23.7 percent and prosecutors said, has 2 percent, respectively, to total 231.9 and 254.7 been a member of the million cubic meters. Kurdish nationalist PKK In 2012, gas consumption by Armenia’s popula- for two years — the same tion dropped by 1.6 percent to comprise 542 mil- group co-founded by one lion cubic meters. of the victims. The activists’ apparent Georgian President assassination earlier this month sparked shock in Promotes Armenian- the Kurdish community. Mystery had swirled Georgian Relations around the slayings, with STRASBOURG, France — During a recent winter no claim of responsibility session of the council of Europe Parliamentary or any indication from Assembly (PACE,) Georgian President Mikheil authorities as to who Three Kurdish victims, from left, Sakine Cansiz, Fidan Dogan and Leyla Sonmez, were shot dead in Saakashvili said, “Georgia has always played stabi- might have pulled the Paris. lizing role in South Caucasus and we have been in trigger. good relations both with Armenia and Azerbaijan. The fact that one of the These are not just words.” women was a founding member of the for Kurds in Turkey, where analysts say could have been an attempt to derail a Saakashvili refrained from commenting on PKK, the Kurdish Workers’ Party — a the government has recently entered nascent peace process in what is one of Georgian Prime Bidzina Ivanishvili’s recent visit to group viewed by Turkey, the United into talks with Kurdish leaders — among the Middle East’s longest-running con - Azerbaijan. Saakashvili also did not address flicts. Georgia’s potential role as mediator in the The PKK, a pan-Kurdish nationalist Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. movement, is best known international - When speaking about relations with South Facebook Censors Turkey’s ly for the guerrilla war it has fought for Caucasian countries, Saakashvili noted, that more nearly three decades against the gov - than half million Armenians visited Georgia last ernment of Turkey, a conflict that has year. “Recently we have not only activated relations Biggest Anti-racist Initiative claimed more than 40,000 lives. between governments, but also between the The ethnic Kurdish population nations, all existing stereotypes have disappeared. extends across parts of Turkey, Syria, The page was still active, but we did not We have once again discovered each other which is Iran and Iraq. have access to the page,” Cengiz Algan, more important than relations between presidents By Emrah Güler Last week thousands took to the one of the founders of the DurDe! ini - or the governments,” Saakashvili said. streets in the predominantly Kurdish tiative and administrators of the page, city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, to mourn the ANKARA (Hürriyet Daily News) — told the Hürriyet Daily News . Algan is activists’ deaths. Noam Chomsky Urges Facebook’s confusing censorship poli - also the director of the Social Change The women were saluted as the cies have hit the Facebook page of Association, which kicked off the “three flowers of Kurdistan” by a Turkey to Pursue DurDe!, a grassroots initiative to fight Campaign Against Hate Crimes which, mourner using a sound system atop a racism, nationalism and hate speech in among other activities, drafted special Kurdish Peace bus, while some carried portraits of the Turkey. legislation against hate crimes to be victims or signs reading “Sakine Cansiz ISTANBUL (Reuters) — The American left-wing “Facebook is contradicting itself,” submitted to the Turkish Parliament. is immortal.” philosopher and activist Noam Chomsky urged said one of the site’s founders. The main “This is systematic and deliberate,” Cansiz, one of the three killed, was a Turkey on Friday to end its “malignant” war with mission for DurDe! or Say ‘No’ to said Algan. “Similar mechanisms of cen - co-founder of the PKK. Kurdish rebels, saying recent peace efforts offered Racism and Nationalism Initiative, sorship happened in the past when Also killed were Leyla Sonmez and a real chance of a settlement. according to its website is “to come news about Kurds and Armenians Fidan Dogan. French authorities said Chomsky, whose writings have in the past caused together and take permanent steps with increased, and when January19 was the bodies of the three women were dis - trouble for his Turkish publisher, said the growing those who say ‘I’m against racism and approaching.” January 19 is the anniver - covered in the Information Center of independence of the Kurdistan Regional nationalism.’” sary of the assassination of Hrant Dink, Kurdistan in Paris. Government in Iraq and the possibility that Syria’s The initiative has organized high-pro - the editor-in-chief of the Turkish- After the killings, French Interior Kurdish zone could break away if Syria’s civil war file campaigns, such as the “Remove Armenian newspaper and a long-time Minister Manuel Valls told reporters in worsens meant Turkey must confront its own 301, Try Racists” campaign, referring to advocate of Turkish-Armenian reconcili - Paris the three women had been “with - Kurdish problem fast. Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, ation. out doubt executed” and described the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is back- which led to a petition with 20,000 sig - “There had been incidents when killings as “totally unacceptable.” ing talks with Abdullah Ocalan, head of the out- natures, along with a visit to the some of the page admins were shut off lawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and says he Turkish National Assembly. in the past; we could not post entries is sincere about trying to end a war with the PKK It also organized a commemoration onto the Facebook page,” said Algan. that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since for the of 1915 in “This happened during the hunger Romanian Cultural 1984. Istanbul in 2010, drawing 2,500 people strikes [by Kurds in prisons across “Turkey must find its place if, of course, it can to the controversial event. The initiative Turkey], when we were covering the Minister Welcomes heal its internal sores, and none is more malignant has held events every year since its murder of Armenians in Samatya than the perennial Kurdish issue,” Chomsky said in foundation in 2007. DurDe! is also a [Istanbul] and generally when we were Ambassador a talk at Bosphorus University. “There do appear to member of United for Intercultural posting entries about Kurds and BUCHAREST (Times.am) — On be some real prospects with recent negotiations Action, a European network that fights Armenians. But nothing this big had January 2, Armenian Ambassador despite criminal efforts to disrupt them,” he added, against nationalism, racism and fascism happened before.” to Romania Hamlet Gasparyan referring to the assassination of three Kurdish and supports migrants and refugees, as Algan said there were dozens of held a meeting with the Minister activists in Paris last week. well as the European Grassroots pages and posts that overtly advocate of Culture and National Heritage Chomsky also criticized Turkey’s practice of jail- Antiracist Movement. hate speech against Kurds and of Romania Daniel Barbu. ing journalists, especially those from Kurdish With traffic of 25,000 monthly visitors Armenians, but which Facebook choos - During the meeting, both sides media. Reporters Without Borders calls Turkey the to their website, 7,000 Twitter followers es to ignore. stressed the importance of bilater - world’s biggest prison for journalists, with 72 jailed and 50,000 Facebook followers, DurDe! Have they contacted Facebook? One al meetings and mutual cultural as of December. Chomsky’s publisher was accused is the biggest initiative in Turkey advo - of the major problems when dealing exposure. of violating anti-terrorism laws and “insulting cating a strong stance in the fight against with Facebook management is, well, not The parties also discussed the Turkishness” for printing criticism by Chomsky of racism and nationalism. being able to reach Facebook manage - cooperation program on culture, Turkey’s handling of the fight against the PKK. In Facebook’s community standards, ment. “We have contacted Facebook science and education for 2011- The cases, stemming from 2002 and 2006, resulted it says: “Facebook does not permit hate Turkey, and there is no answer. The 2015 between Armenia and in acquittals. speech.” The site adds, “We do not per - next step is to approach the Facebook Romania, including some planned Chomsky, professor of linguistics and philosophy mit individuals or groups to attack oth - headquarters. And if that doesn’t work, joint programs in theatre, cine - at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ers based on their race, ethnicity, we will file a lawsuit,” said Algan. matography and literature. was speaking at a lecture in honor of journalist national origin, religion, sex, gender, “Facebook needs to reassess its oper - Gasparyan then extended Hrant Dink, who published an Armenian-Turkish sexual orientation, disability or medical ations in Turkey. There are obviously Barbu an invitation on behalf of newspaper until his murder on January 19, 2007. condition.” Why then, were all of the racist employees in the team,” said Armenian Minister of Culture Chomsky called Dink a “brave martyr of freedom.” administrators of DurDe!’s Facebook Algan. “More transparency is long over - Hasmik Poghosyan to visit (See related photo and story starting on page 1.) site prevented from accessing the page due.” Armenia. Barbu accepted the invi - last week? Visit durde.org to sign a petition to tation. “Last week, all of us found out that reinstate the rightful administrators of our admin statuses had been revoked. the Facebook page. 4 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Assemblyman to Loyalty and Introduce New Betrayal — Bill on Rape

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An appellate court They Live ruling overturning a rape conviction because the victim wasn’t married prompted anger last week from women’s groups and a state legisla - Among Us tor who plans to introduce a bill that would close the legal loophole. In its ruling, California’s Second District Court of Appeal reluctantly concluded that By Betty Apigian Kessel Julio Morales hadn’t raped an 18-year-old because a state law crafted in the 1870s says a person who gets consent for sex by pretending DETROIT — With all the abundance of to be someone else is only guilty of rape if the beauty and majesty God has created in victim is married and the perpetrator is pre - this world, it is unfortunate we have to tending to be the spouse. In this case, Morales deal with the human nature trait of apparently pretended to be the teen’s boyfriend, betrayal and jealousy. It remains rampant and she didn’t recognize otherwise until seeing in all of society. him in the light. Friendship and alliances can become The court urged the legislature to update the fractured when one person takes the pre - law, and State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, viously established relationship for grant - (R-San Luis Obispo,) said Friday that he would ed and through careless, deliberate, and introduce a bill. selfish reasons cause something that “Californians are justifiably outraged by this should be treasured and valued to disin - court ruling, and it is important that the tegrate for their own personal aggran - Legislature join together to close whatever dizement and glory, bringing an end to loopholes may exist in the law and uphold jus - what was a former friendship of mutual American University of Armenia tice for rape victims,” Achadjian said. respect and care. The green-eyed monster Achadjian had proposed a 2011 bill that thus emerges. would have expanded the rape law to include Loyalty in friendship is a highly desired perpetrators who pose as live-in boyfriends or character and ethics indicator. girlfriends and dupe their victims into sex. The Unfortunately, it is believed jealousy is an Former Dean at UCI School of bill was approved by the assembly but stalled in inborn trait that cannot be eradicated. It the Senate Public Safety Committee because of is possibly the worst human trait. Business to Head AUA’s College of its policy to hold any legislation that could add True friends stay connected and to the state’s prison overcrowding problem. respectful of one another, sharing the Business and Economics Achadjian said that should no longer be a joys and sorrows of life. One should set problem after voters in November approved the bar high as part of this experience. IRVINE, Calif. and YEREVAN — David H. Blake, professor emeritus and former Proposition 36, revising California’s three- Betrayal, disloyalty, or call it jealousy strikes law. typically reflect the negative thoughts dean of the Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, this month steps into the role of interim dean of the College of Business and The earlier bill was prompted by a Santa and feelings of fear, anger, insecurity, and Barbara County case in which a man broke into resentment. Economics (CBE) at the American University of Armenia (AUA). “I’m honored to have been chosen for this position,” said Blake, an accom - a woman’s home while she slept. The woman The Bible tells us that humanity was assumed the man was her live-in boyfriend and created in the image of God but God’s plished academic who has served as the dean of four major US business schools. “The College of Business and Economics at AUA is the leading business school in consented to sex. When she realized it wasn’t jealousy expresses his great love for his her boyfriend, she resisted and the man fled. people, wanting the best for them, the the region and I have been and continue to be very impressed with the commit - ment of students, faculty, staff, and university leadership to CBE and AUA as well Prosecutors couldn’t pursue a felony rape complete opposite of what we humans charge because the woman wasn’t married, she demonstrate in our behavior. as the broader alumni and business communities.” The CBE offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, taught in consented and the man hadn’t pretended to be We are such a small nation of people her husband. and many Armenians feel these negative English, and a number of executive and professional certificates. Its flagship pro - grams, the two-year MBA degree and a two-and-a-half-year professional MBA A similar law in Idaho prevented an unmar - traits seem to be common among us and ried woman from pressing rape charges three attribute it to living under the oppressive degree for working professionals, are rigorous and well-rounded programs that offers a balance between years ago after being tricked into sex with a yoke of the Turks for hundreds of years. stranger by her then-boyfriend. Idaho’s law was Rather than make us more loyal to each theory and practice, the quantitative and qualitative perspectives and the economic and social responsi - amended to cover all women in 2011. other, often the opposite is true. “It is imperative that we now change the law The Turks pitted Armenians against bilities of business leadership. The AUA MBA enjoys a strong reputation in Armenia and in the region. to prevent a grave injustice for future rape vic - each other, promising to spare their lives tims. All of us in public safety deeply appreciate and homes if they would spy and become Blake takes the helm at CBE with extensive expe - rience in management as a scholar and business the extraordinary efforts made on the part of traitors, In Armenian we have words for Assemblyman Achadjian to seek this minor such acts: madnichm, tavajan (traitors), school dean for 22 years. He has more than two decades of experience as a former dean at change in the law that will have a tremendous Loyalty was havadarim, oughghamid effect on future victims,” Santa Barbara County and orinabah , much more desirable Northeastern, Rutgers, Southern Methodist University and most recently the University of District Attorney Joyce Dudley said. traits. They used fear as a control tactic. The appellate court noted the law has been On another level, we have seen how California, Irvine. He has also served both as a con - sultant and board member for more than 16 public applied inconsistently over the years in Turkish Parliament member Krikor California, a state that has been aggressive in Zohrab the famous Armenian writer, edi - and private companies and a number of non-profit organizations. Prof. David H. Blake broadening its rape laws. California has tor, and lawyer was treated by Talaat removed a requirement that a rape requires Pasha with whom he thought he had a As a board member and business advisor, Blake has shepherded many companies through startup force to have been used, and it has classified friendship. Talaat had total disregard for various aggravations of sexual assault as rape. Zohrab, having him arrested and killed and funding issues, mergers, acquisitions, spin offs, SEC investigations, corporate raider attacks and strategic repositioning challenges. Patty Bellasalma, president of the California along with Vartges Serengulian, another National Organization for Women, said it’s Parliament member. He has written seven books and spoken extensively on issues related to his field. He is currently writing two books, Making Ethics Work and Doing Leadership . incumbent upon legislators to ensure laws In the book, The Legacy , the story of mesh with modern-day lifestyles. Arshavir Shirigian, the youthful member “Dr. Blake has had a distinguished career as both an academic scholar and a corporate board member for several technology and financial service companies,” “If unmarried women aren’t included, that of the Armenian Revolutionary means the intent of the law is not about pro - Movement, we see how he completed his said AUA Provost Dennis Leavens. “I am grateful for his willingness to serve as dean during this transitional period and look forward to working with him until a tecting women, it’s about protecting something revengeful execution missions towards else,” she said. those who planned the Armenian permanent dean is in place.” Blake currently serves as director of the Center for Ethical Business Leadership In the Morales case, the victim said her Genocide. Unfortunately, part of his story boyfriend was in the room when she fell asleep deals with fellow Armenians who to save of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business school honor society. He also is a state-certified mediator specializing in business, workplace and family mediations following a night of partying with Morales and their skin become traitors against their others. They opted not to have sex that night own people resulting in their death. in California. The AUA is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and because he didn’t have a condom. After the In this book Shirigian tells of notorious boyfriend left, Morales entered her room and Armenian informers and spies based in Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501. they began having sex. such as Hidayet, the It wasn’t until morning that the woman real - see LOYALTY, page 7 ized it wasn’t her boyfriend, prosecutors said. see LAW, page 7 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS ’s Wisconsin Hye Notes

Sister Plans House BY NAOMI ZEYTOONIAN Bid in S. Carolina As the year 2012 comes to a close and we look forward to tourney in August, which was a successful fundraiser for the CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Politico) — an even better new year, we reflect on the past happenings Armenian Eye Care Project. There were about 80 golfers pre - This Colbert candidacy is for real. and are amazed on how fast this year went by. The elections sent from the two Racine parishes of St. Mesrob and St. Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, Stephen Colbert’s are over and now we pray that the Lord guides our president Hagop. Good job guys. The Heritage Committee in honor of sister, is running as a Democrat for Congress. to fulfillment for our country and our citizens. Armenian Cultural Month presented a most enlightening The sibling of the Comedy Central host — Our sympathies to the families of those who have passed program with special guest speaker, Ms. Kath Lestina, a whose pretend flirtations with public office on to a better life, friends and loyal parishioners, Sam and Wisconsin resident who served with the Peace Corps in have been a running joke on his show — plans Mary Kaprielian, Helene Kirch, mother of Sharon and Armenia from 2010 to 2012. She shared her experiences to file Tuesday to run for ex-Rep. (and now George Kadamian and family and George’s mother, Claire with us in pictures and a lecture. Sen.) ’s House seat. Kadamian. A dear friend from my Watertown days, Rev. Fr. October was quite a blustery month as we travelled to If she wins the Democratic primary, it could Papken Maksoudian, and, of course, our Patriarch Boston for my granddaughter’s wedding and ran smack into mean a general election battle against Mark Torkom Srpazan Manookian. I was a very young ACYOA Hurricane Sandy, which followed on the heels of the wed - Sanford, the ex-governor who is mounting his member when Torkom Srpazan was then a vartabed and ding. Noelle Zeytoonian and Antonio Lapore shared their own bid for the 1st District seat. parish priest in Philadelphia, and I remember him playing vows at the Church of the in Framingham. Sanford, who is seeking to resuscitate his basketball with the young men of the parish. He was an Noelle is the daughter of Rhona Zeytoonian and Michael and political career after admitting to an extra-mar - amazing man and a truly loving priest. Lisa Zeytoonian. Everyone leaving afterwards experienced ital affair with an Argentinian woman in 2009, This past summer we also lost an awesome brother — for - massive cancellations and delays and Sandy left its mark is the favored candidate in a crowded mer Sbarabed Haig Basdekian of Hayasdan Lodge in Boca everywhere as trees and whole sidewalks were uprooted and Republican field. Raton. so many people left without power. We thought we saw the The South Carolina Democratic Party con - St. Mesrob witnessed the ordination of two young men of last of the hurricanes when we left Florida, but this one fol - firmed Colbert-Busch’s entrance into the con - the parish. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian bestowed the lowed us to New England. test. It is possible that other Democratic candi - order of deacon on Joseph Gabrielian and Stanton Sheridan. Congratulations also to former Chicagoans, Louise and dates could enter the race. Both men have served their parish faithfully. A banquet fol - Harry Apoian, now of Pompano Beach, as they celebrated Colbert-Busch works as director of sales and lowed the ordination service in the church hall. their 50th wedding anniversary. Congratulations are in order marketing at . The ACYOA sports weekend was held in Chicago this past for former Avak Sbarabed Haig Deranian of Belmont, Mass., “I think she’s a very talented person. I think summer and a birthday celebration was in order for ACYOA who was recently honored as the Knights of Vartan “man of she’s got the ability to raise money. I think she Central Council chair, Danny Mantis. Following this event, the year.” can create a contrast with the Republican can - summer time sent the Grigorian sisters abroad again. Time was when all our columns were hand written, honest! didate — certainly ,” South experienced the Holy Land with the young professional Progressing into the new mode of electric typewriters and Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Dick group headed up by Khajag Srpazan and Alina spent a few now on into the computer age makes life easier and unbe - Harpootlian told reporters. weeks in Armenia helping with the Habitat needs. lievably faster. Sometimes its best to just slow down a bit and Colbert-Busch faces long odds in the race for Then, of course, the round of picnics began full cycle — St. enjoy nature. the Charleston-area seat, which heavily favors Hagop, St. Gregory, Sts. Joachim and Anna and the Evanston This morning I watched the wonders of the sunrise over Republicans. Party nominees will be chosen in street fair, which was held inside this year because of the Lake Michigan. What a gorgeous time of day! To this end our a March 19 primary, and an April 2 runoff will heavy rains. St. Mesrob’s Armenian fest saw their most suc - wishes for all our readers - may you experience beauty in all be held if no candidate wins at least 50 percent cessful year on the shores of Lake Michigan in Racine. your days and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a of the vote. The general election is slated for Bill Bennetti and Nick Akgullian chaired the annual golf Happy New Year. May 7. Other Republican candidates include state Sen. Larry Grooms and state Rep. Chip Limehouse. 6 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

the Armenian Very Rev. Ghevont Samoorian Dies Orthodox Tradition. SAMOORIAN, from page 1 architect and artist Edouard Utujian and he was It was this vehicle operation where he a special assistant to a two- asked by him to become a fellow at the highly that he believed star general. He received an honorable discharge acclaimed art school at the Sorbonne in Paris, would breath “esprit in 1956. He returned to Boston University, where France. Because Samoorian was passionately in de corps” back into he studied marketing, advertising and graphic love with the monastery and his desire to become the Armenian arts. While he resumed his studies, he also a monastic of the Armenian Church, he declined. Church. This insti - became further acquainted with Armenian orga - He continued his studies at the monastery under tute published two nizations again and he rejoined the ACYOA and the great Armenologist Archbishop Norayr books – the DOMAR , the AYF. It was in the late 1950s that he began Bogharian and Armenian teacher par excellence, the liturgical calendar expressing an interest in the priesthood He Manual Keuseyan. It was under the latter’s tute - of the Armenian began working with Fr. Papken Maksoudian at lage that he became a master of the Armenian Orthodox Church, Holy Trinity Church in Boston [later Cambridge] language and idiom. Soon thereafter in 1964, and the Burial Rites. and even did some writing, editing and design Samoorian was ordained a deacon by Patriarch According to the work for the church. Maksoudian asked him to and now known as Diratsou Diran. Armenian Orthodox paint a painting for the side altars of the newly- During the Six-Day War in 1967, Fr. Ghevont Church [forthcom - consecrated church [1960] and to this day, the was personally responsible for the negotiated Very Rev. Ghevont Samoorian at his ordination ing]. In addition, he painting of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob hangs in the release of 12 young boys from various Israeli pris - crafted many master - sanctuary. In 1961, he decided to become a ons and concentration camps in the West Bank. ful theological and priest. The Knights of Vartan became his spon - He returned to America in 1968 and attended Church by Patriarch Elishe of Jerusalem in 1978. Armenological articles, short stories and sor and he left for the Holy City of Jerusalem in St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in Scarsdale, In the years following the consecration, Fr. vignettes that will soon be published by a new 1962 to begin his studies. NY. During his tenure at Sts. Vartanantz, he was Ghevont continued to beautify the church com - Institute in his memory. In 1962, Samoorian entered the Seminary of instrumental in acquiring 16 acres in nearby plex. He served as Sts. Vartanantz’s pastor from While visiting parishes in 2009, he suffered a the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The late Chelmsford, Mass. in order to build a new church. 1969 to 1994. terrible car accident and injured his back. He Patriarch Elishe quickly utilized his vast talents He was elevated to rank of Vartabed of the He also served as editor in chief of Avarayr ended up in a wheel chair and fought sickness for by commissioning him to restore the priceless art - Armenian Church by Archbishop Manoogian in periodical of the Knights of Vartan. the next two years. work of and treasures of the monastery. He was 1973. As its new pastor, Samoorian worked tire - During the 1970s and early 1980s, he raised mil - He was the brother of Arlene Depolito and the also called upon to design the mosaic of the lessly. By 1976, he had built the most vibrant lions of dollars for the Diocese of the Armenian late Mihran Samoorian. He leaves his nieces and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which hangs in the ACYOA in the diocese and laid host to its ACYOA Church. In 1992, he was appointed the Vicar nephews Patrick, Mark and Sandra Depolito, Tomb of the Holy Sepluchre. It was here that he Sports Weekend and Convention. He was given General of the New England Regional Jurisdiction Stephanie Befumo, Michael Samoorian and was discovered by the world-renowned Armenian the title Dzarakouyn Vartabed of the Armenian by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Susan Guarino, as well as his cousin Jerry Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church. Seymourian, his sister-in-law Marion Samoorian In 1994, he was asked by Barsamian to become and his dear friend Kathy Geyer. pastor of Ss. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Visiting hours were at Saints Vartanantz Origins of Caspers Hot Dogs: A Tale of Church in Providence, RI. After his term there, he Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Road, visited many parishes and mesmerized thousands Chelmsford (Rte. 3, Exit 32) on Thursday, 4 – 8 of the faithful with his masterful sermons. In p.m. Funeral service was held at Holy Trinity Immigration and Success out West 2000, with a cadre of young savants, he founded Armenian Church, Cambridge on Friday, January popped up in Oakland and surrounding sub - the Armenian Orthodox Theological Research 25, at 10 a.m. Interment followed at Westview By Robert Rogers urbs, including the Richmond store in 1947. Institute, a theological consortium created to Cemetery, Lexington. Arrangements were by As often happens in business startups, the research and communicate the magnificence of Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home. family relationships were strained by the grow - SAN FRANCISCO (Contra Costa Times) — ing enterprise. Kasper and his brother Paul Tracing the history of one of the Bay Area’s Koojoolian broke away and retained his Telephone (617) 924-7400 most enduring eateries is not easy. “Kaspers” name, while the other partners “Nobody kept books or coherent records,” branched out and expanded their “Caspers” said Ron Dorian, grandson of an original part - brand, Dorian said. Paul’s son, Harold Aram Bedrosian ner in Caspers Hot Dogs. Koojoolian, still operates the Kaspers in “A lot of my knowledge of company history Oakland. Tragically, Kasper Koojoolian died in Funeral Home, Inc. was passed on from conversations with older 1943 while en route to Fresno, where he was relatives and not from anything in writing.” looking for a ranch to buy. He always wanted to Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Dorian, 54, is the grandson of Steve Beklian, leave the city and retire as a rancher, Dorian MARION BEDROSIAN one of the five men who established Caspers said. Today, there are eight Caspers with 12 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Hot Dogs in the East Bay between the 1920s owners, including Dorian, all descendants of WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN and the 1940s. It started in the 1920s, when the original five. But it all started with a dream Kasper Koojoolian, an Armenian immigrant, and impossible odds. decided to flee Chicago for the warmer climate “The Koojoolian brothers and Beklian broth - and business opportunities of California. ers emigrated as young boys — all together with Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a Dorian said the first store was in Oakland, and it no adults — fleeing Turkey with money their was called “Kaspers.” Kaspers’ success soon drew parents gave them,” Dorian said. “The parents friends and family, including cousins like Steve couldn’t leave — and they knew their children Beklian, business savvy restaurateur Paul Agajan, would be killed if they stayed. The five of them Edward D. Jamie, Jr. Hagop Beklian and brother Paul Koojoolian. made it from their village in Turkey to France Agajan operated two cafeterias in Cicero and sailed to Philadelphia and crossed to Funeral Chapel before moving to California. “You had to be Chicago at a time in their lives that kids today Serving the entire Armenian Community tough to operate businesses like that in would still be in school. Their closeness cannot Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location Chicago in the 1930s,” Dorian said. New stores be underestimated.” Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for Nardolillo Funeral Home Students of Armenian Descent Est. 1906 Having Completed One Year of College by June 2013 John K. Najarian, Jr. Application and other information may be obtained Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director from 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 Tibrevank Alumni, Inc. www.nardolillo.com Vahan Adjemian Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 14 Palisades Park, NJ 07650 or www.vahanadjemianscholarship.org GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Mark J. Giragosian Funeral Counselors Deadline for returning completed applications: April 30, 2013 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS St. Hagop Armenian Church Celebrates Loyalty and Betrayal — They Live Among Us 100th Birthday of Ardavast Unjian LOYALTY, from page 4 priest who became a Moslem; Mgrditch PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — On Sunday, Haroutunian, and Vahe Ihssan, born Essayan, December 30, St. Hagop Armenian Church was who was despised by his countrymen, rela - filled with friends and admirers of Ardavast tives, and his own children for their becom - Unjian, to congratulate him and celebrate his ing turncoats. 100th birthday. Unjian is a founding member of Ihssan and Hidayet, the former priest, were St. Hagop Armenian Church and of the the ones who helped draw up the list of Armenian Suncoast Society. prominent Armenians who were the first to Following the badarak , Fr. Hovnan be rounded up and killed on April 24, 1915. Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Armenian in Constantinople. On the evening of the Church, made his congratulatory remarks to same day thousands of young Armenian Unjian, who was seated in the front of the provincials who had come to Constantinople church in a birthday chair with balloons. to work as laborers were jailed, killed or Demerjian then turned the program over to deported, a detail seldom recorded. Eileen Barsamian Jennings, chairwoman of the Though unsavory, it is not unusual for cir - event. She presented Unjian with a large poster cumstances to create disloyal traitors. These board birthday card. Jennings also presented a are people we hold in utter contempt and low birthday card sent from the White House esteem. They exist still among us in modern signed by President Barack Obama and First times, leaving one to wonder why Armenians Lady Michelle Obama. are not more cooperative and helpful to each Parishioner Tanya Sarafian made a presenta - other. tion in Armenian to Unjian of the large poster The legendary founder of Armenia was board birthday card. It was signed in English Centennial Birthday Chairwoman Eileen Barsamian Jennings presents Ardavast Unjian his 100th a chieftain who called upon his kinsmen and Armenian by members of St. Hagop’s. birthday card on behalf of St. Hagop Armenian Church. to unite into a single nation thus forming In a contrast of ages, the 4 and 5-year-old chil - Armenia. It is his example we should follow. dren of the Sunday school and their teachers The 100th anniversary of the Armenian presented the man of the hour with a large col - his 80th birthday party, photos of him as cap - president of the Armenian Suncoast Society. Genocide of all Armenians is three short lage depicting aspects of Unjian’s life, including tain of his boat Adventure and his photos as The poster was put together by the children years away. Can we not as an intelligent peo - under the supervision of Yeretskin Anna, with ple unite under one banner as Hayk request - photos donated by Unjian’s long-time friend, ed for the sake of our martyrs? If you do not, Louise Yardumian, who also spoke to the con - the finger of betrayal is pointed straight at gregation about many of Unjian’s past accom - you. plishments as a professional engineer. That is an intelligent move Armenians can Later in the program, Unjian was happy to make. We are known worldwide as chess present to Demerjian a large, ancient Armenian champions. Now tell me, how many Turkish Bible that belonged to his great grandfather chess champions can you name? If it was the and had been printed in Venice in 1733 (the Turk who wanted to destroy the Armenian first Armenian Bible was printed in Amsterdam nation, why do we perpetuate the fracture? in 1666). The congregation then kissed the his - I suggest one of the finest books that all toric Bible before going into the narthex to Armenians should read is The Legacy, enjoy a luncheon prepared by the Women’s Memories of An Armenian Patriot by Guild. Arshavir Shirigian, translated by Sonia “Mr. Unjian enjoyed his 100th birthday cele - Shirigian with introduction by Leon bration, and he loved seeing so many friends Surmelian. Contact Hairenik Press for avail - who had come to congratulate him,” stated ability. Demerjian. “It is a true pleasure to know him If asked “What have you done for your and to have such interesting conversations with nation of Armenia?” this book gives you our very own centenarian. Not only is he a won - answers as you travel with the avengers on derful man, he is still very charming at 100 their search for Armenian justice. Victim or St. Hagop Armenian School children and teachers present Ardavast Unjian with signed birthday avenger? Read the book and be proud to be wishes from parishioners of St. Hagop Armenian Church. years of age! What is his secret to longevity? You will have to ask him yourself,” he said. Armenian. Lesson to be learned: Those who lay down with dogs, get up with fleas. Don’t compro - mise your character by disloyalty under any circumstance. Assemblyman to Propose New Law on Rape

LAW, from page 4 Defense attorneys argued Morales believed the sex was consensual because the victim responded to his kisses and caresses. The appellate ruling said Morales gave con - flicting testimony about whether he tried to identify himself. The court, which remanded the case back for retrial, noted prosecutors had argued two theories and it wasn’t clear which the jury used for the conviction that led to a three-year prison sentence: that Morales “tricked, lied to or concealed information” from the victim, or because he had sex with the woman while she slept. The latter is already defined as rape under state law. California Attorney General Kamala Harris, whose prosecutors handled the appellate case, promised to work with legislators to amend the law. “The evidence is clear that this case involved a nonconsensual assault that fits within the general understanding of what constitutes rape,” Harris said in a statement. “This law is arcane and I will work with the Legislature to fix it.” Defense attorney Edward Schulman declined comment, only to say that “the decision speaks for itself.” 8 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Hrant Dink Commemoration at St. James

DINK, from page 1 and his unfinished work. He asked, “How much er picture of the events surrounding Dink’s Close to 200 people gathered after church more would have happened had he lived?” death, the elaborate assassination plot and the services for the coffee hour. Parishioners, mem - Kurt shared his own journey of discovering latest developments in seeking justice for Dink. bers of the community, Dink family members that his hometown of Aintab, Turkey, was once Although the original court decision had and those seeking justice for Dink communed home to Armenians. When he was 22-years-old, ruled that Dink’s murder was not part of an for a memorial tribute and discussion of Dink’s Kurt met a friend at a coffee house with unique organized criminal plot, an appeals court legacy, six years after his death. architecture and unknown script around the recently disagreed and ruled that the murder Dink, an influential Turkish-Armenian jour - door. “Who made this? Who had been here was part of a full-fledged “deep state” organiza - nalist and advocate for freedom of speech and before?” were questions he was suddenly con - tion. Kurt said that a new trial would begin in recognition of the Armenian Genocide in fronted with. Turkey soon involving those responsible for Turkey, was assassinated on January 19, 2007, Kurt would come to find out that the entire Dink’s murder. neighborhood Kurt noted progress regarding Article 301 of had once been the Turkish penal code, the controversial law Armenian. “I had punishing “insulting Turkishness,” and the no idea that this same law for the violation of which Dink was place in my own prosecuted. The prosecution of Article 301 hometown was offenders has moved under the jurisdiction of [once] the Ministry of Justice in Turkey, thus making Armenian,” Kurt Turkish officials far more hesitant to pursue said of this dis - convictions and effectively eliminating such covery. Though cases, he said. Turkish, Kurt Kurt ended by addressing those 17 conspira - mentioned that tors who still walk free six years after Dink’s he has also begun death. “You took his life [but] You couldn’t Friends of Hrant Dink member Zadik Ozcan wel - an investigation touch his spirit. You couldn’t even reach him,” comes attendees. of his own family he said. history to see if In his closing remarks, Ozcan said of Kurt’s there is any work, “This is the fruit of his [Dink’s] legacy… To have him represent is unknown Hrant wanted to lift the black curtain in huge for me and his memory,” she said. Kurt is currently researching the confiscation A memorial tribute to Hrant Dink Armenian heritage. Turkey… Hopefully Hrant’s legacy will shed As the talk pro - some light on these issues.” of Armenian properties and the role of local gressed, he dis - Fellow Friend of Hrant Dink, Varujan elites in Aintab during the Armenian Genocide. in front of his office at the Agos newspaper in cussed the oppressive nationalism in Turkey, Gulderian, spoke of plans by the organization His dissertation topic is, “The Emergence of the Istanbul. saying, “We are being killed by this nationalism to host a future event in an outdoor and highly- New Wealthy Social Strata between 1915-1922: Rev. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of St. James, everyday.” He spoke about the current prob - visible public forum, in order to broaden their The Local Elites’ Seizure of Armenian Property opened with a blessing, saying “May his lems facing Turkey and why there is hope outreach and spread Dink’s message. in Aintab” and he is the Agnes Manoogian [Hrant’s] memory be eternal in anyone who despite the immense challenges ahead. “It has “The larger global community — not just Hausrath Fellow in Armenian Genocide believes in justice.” been six years since his death when he was Armenians — need to know what happened. We Studies, 2010-2013. Friends of Hrant Dink Vice President Zadik taken from us in front of Agos… It has been six need to go public if want to get justice for He said he plans to remain in the US for the Ozcan introduced the featured speaker, Kurt is years and lawlessness has never been more Hrant,” Gulderian said. foreseeable future and to eventually teach on a graduate student in the Genocide Studies pro - commonplace in this country [Turkey] … Izabel Keremian, an audience member from this subject. gram of Clark University under Prof. Taner Because in Turkey to express something is for - Lexington, shared her reason for attending the For more information on Friends of Hrant Akçam. bidden.” event and the importance of Dink’s legacy to Dink and upcoming events, visit During his talk, Kurt spoke of Dink’s legacy Kurt also provided the audience with a clear - Armenian-Turkish relations. “I’m from Turkey. http://www.friendsofhrantdink.org/. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Miss America Pageant’s Official Photographer Captures Sashes, Smiles

raphy, about 10,000 images’ worth each year. By the time the pageant reached the Strip, it caught the moment with their eyes, none with By Xazmin Garza According to last year’s ratings, the Super was struggling. ABC had dropped it because their cameras. Bowl pulled in about 100 million more viewers America had all but done the same. Things were Except Boyajian. The only guy in the bunch than the Miss America pageant. Boyajian, how - different. who didn’t see it for himself, had it forever on LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas Review-Journal) — A ever, remembers a time when a beautiful Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, there were more film, as discovered in the dark room. The AP lot has changed since Bruce Boyajian started woman weeping beneath a halo of sparkles events throughout the week, more fans, more ran the shot that followed the money shot: The shooting photos of the Miss America pageant could compete with the big game. access, more photos. And, when photographers contestant “stuffing herself back in.” 36 years ago, including his hormones. You That seems like a lifetime ago, though. While might say his motives for taking the gig at age walking into preliminary competitions at the 23 weren’t quite as squeaky clean as the orga - Planet Hollywood Resort showroom Tuesday nization’s image. night, another photographer tells Boyajian his “I mean, I was just in it to look at women. gig is comparable with working for the Sports And then I got older than the contestants ... I Illustrated swimsuit edition or Playboy. A few mean, now I’m like way older. I could be their decades ago, he saw it the same way. father,” said Boyajian, 58. “I’d be proud to be Now, he said, “I just want to take pictures their father.” their parents are proud of.” With two daughters of his own, and now Miss Boyajian speaks highly of the Miss America America’s official photographer of 17 years, he Organization and the more than $45 million in actually sounds sincere. Through the same scholarship money it awards young women viewfinder that once saw them as sex symbols, annually. contestants turned to bright, wholesome “kids” He still gets the chills when the winner is over the years. crowned because, he said, he thinks of what it The titleholders’ hairstyles and hometowns means for their fathers. have changed, but the man clicking away Boyajian now lives with his wife in Richmond, behind them hasn’t. Va., where he shoots advertising and public With a career stretching 40 years, Boyajian relations photography. Miss America isn’t the has worked as an Associated Press (AP) free - most lucrative of his gigs, but he finds it reward - lancer, Philadelphia Bulletin staffer and portrait ing all the same. studio photographer. He has shot breaking As for his future, he sees himself retiring from news that included two beach plane crashes his post as the official Miss America photog - in two New Jersey cities in one day. He has Photographer Bruce Boyajian working an event rapher in four years, when he has reached his snapped Donald Trump calling his private 40th year clicking crowns. He’s counting on plane’s pilot to complain about the turbu - the pageant continuing the uptick in ratings lence. He has taken photos of Frank Sinatra But those were the glory days, when Miss still worked with film, more surprises. it experienced last year, its second year back at and President Jimmy Carter. America was still a Jersey girl. Women who hail from a world of sashes and ABC (at one point it averaged 8 million view - But none of those jobs could compare with Atlantic City played host to the pageant from smiles don’t exactly provide ample opportunity ers). Boyajian’s big dream is to judge the 100th the one that introduced him to “butt glue,” the 1921 until 2006, when Las Vegas stepped in. for the unexpected. In fact, even with the silent Miss America pageant in 2021. stuff that keeps swimsuit bottoms in place. The most notable differences between the feature on the Canon EOS 5D Mark 3 he uses It’s a job for which Miss America His passion for the job spurred him to take a two host cities? The Boardwalk, the Boardwalk today, Boyajian said his pageant subjects are Organization President and CEO Art McMaster Miss America executive aside 17 years ago and and the Boardwalk. always aware of the camera. says he’s certainly qualified. As for now, pitch the idea of one photographer represent - That is where each contestant waved from a But a certain publicity event in 1987 pro - though, it’s hard to imagine anyone but ing the organization. An iconic event should parade car, dressed in a costume representative duced a classic unexpected moment. Boyajian in his current position. own its own images, he asserted. of her state, casinos and Ferris wheels flanking Contestants gathered in swimsuits at the “He’s extremely respectful of these young “It’s not a football game,” said Boyajian, still the pure Americana scene. It’s also where a Bally’s swimming pool, and a bevy of male pho - ladies,” McMaster said. “I tell the contestants passionate about his pitch. “It’s Miss America.” pageant photographer could produce some of tographers followed. each year, ‘You need to be comfortable around The organization agreed, and the rest is photog - his best work. Miss Oregon made two splashes that day, the him because he will be going everywhere you first when she jumped in the pool and the sec - go. He will be backstage, in your hospitality ond when she popped up exposed. Twenty pho - suites, right there in rehearsals. He will be tographers were in attendance. All of them recording history.’”

Fashion for Funds at Holy Martyrs School

OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y. — The Holy cessful businesses run by young Armenians. The Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) fashions will be modeled by HMADS students, as Alumni Association will host A Night of Fashion well as professional models. on Friday, March 1, at Leonard’s of Great Neck. The fundraising event, anticipated to attract The Fashion Show Committee, composed of more than 200 guests, will also feature many alumni spanning over 20 years, from 1982 to exclusive vendors, and more than 50 gifts and 2006, as well as veteran PTO advisors, HMADS services raffled through a Chinese auction - all faculty, and Principal Zarmine Boghosian, is to benefit the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day enthusiastically organizing all the details for School. The sounds of DJ Harry Latirofian will what promises to be a special evening of fan - provide beats for everyone’s dancing pleasure. tastic fashion for young children and ladies, din - The Fashion Show Committee is accepting ner with open bar, dancing and fun for every - business card advertisements and congratulato - one in the family. ry messages from sponsors to enhance a book - The show will feature looks from Flair let being created to commemorate the event. Designer Boutique in Stony Brook and My Petite For tickets and more information on prices, Me Chic Children’s Online Boutique — both suc - call the school by February 22.

Holy Martyrs alumni along with advisors and Principal Zarmine Boghosian are working on organiz - ing a fashion show. 10 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Acclaimed Chicago Chookaszian Drama ‘Hit the To Lecture on Wall’ Sets Off- Broadway Dates Armenian Art Saved during By Adam Hetrick Genocide NEW YORK (Playbill) — Ike Holter’s rock-propelled gay rights drama “Hit the MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Dr. Levon Wall,” which premiered at Chicago’s Chookaszian, UNESCO Professor of Steppenwolf Garage Theatre last winter, Armenian Art History at Yerevan State will debut Off-Broadway Febuary 19 at University, will present an illustrated lecture the Barrow Street Theatre. titled “Armenian Art Treasures Saved From Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Genocide” on Sunday, January 27, at 4 p.m. Tom Wirtshafter, who also produce the at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Hasmik Barrow Street’s current production of Mgrdichian Gallery, 15105 Mission Hills “Tribes,” are producing “Hit the Wall.” Road. The lecture is sponsored by the Ararat- The team flew to Chicago last spring to Eskijian Museum and the National see “Hit the Wall” and had expressed Visitors enjoy the Young Professionals of Northern California’s first Emerging Artists Association for Armenian Studies and interest in giving it a future New York Art Exhibit, the proceeds of which benefitted the pan-YP Greenhouse Project in Research (NAASR). A reception will follow life. Armenia. the lecture. “Hit the Wall” gives another side to the During the years of the Armenian story of the birth of the gay rights move - Genocide in 1915-1922 not only 1.5 million ment outside New York City’s Stonewall Armenians were killed but also thousands of Inn on June 27, 1969. The play, which Young Professionals of Northern was shaped and populated by the artist collective The Inconvenience, was a California Hosts Inaugural Chicago hit. Critics embraced the gritty and gutsy Emerging Artists Art Exhibit take that promises stories from cultural revolutionaries who claimed, “I was SAN FRANCISCO — Art lovers in the San Francisco area can put “talents to there.” watch” on their radar, following the AGBU Young Professionals of Northern Eric Hoff, who staged the Chicago pre - California’s (YPNC) very first Emerging Artists Art Exhibit. Combining art and miere, will also helm the production, fundraising, the two-night event showcased a wide range of original pieces, with pro - which will officially open March 10. The ceeds benefiting the pan-YP Greenhouse Project in Barekamavan, Armenia. Barrow Street Theatre is located just The endeavor was the product of months of planning and preparation that all blocks from the Stonewall Inn. The pro - came together at the unveiling on Saturday, December 1, 2012, at the SoMArts duction has original music and music Cultural Center. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s art district, the center has supervision by Dan Lipton. become well-known in the city over the past few decades as a multicultural, com - Original Chicago cast members Rania munity-built space, making it the ideal venue for YPs who are establishing them - Salem Manganaro and Arturo Soria will selves in the local arts scene. On the exhibit’s opening night, more than 200 guests be joined by Nick Bailey, Jessica Dickey filled the gallery and many returned the following evening to take full advantage of (“The Amish Project”), Ben Diskant, the back-to-back viewings. Nathan Lee Graham (“Wig Out,” Throughout the weekend, the crowds enjoyed works that varied from traditional “Priscilla”), Matthew Greer (“Seminar”), oil on canvas paintings to cutting edge fashion designs. Six up-and-coming artists Gregory Haney (“Bring It On,” “Wicked”), were featured: Zarouhie Abdalian Sean Allan Krill (“On A Clear Day You (installation), Sergey Bagramyan Can See Forever”), Ray Rizzo, Carolyn (ink on canvas), YP Northern Dr. Levon Chookaszian Michelle Smith (“WHADDABLOOD - California Co-Chair Greg Nemet CLOT!!!”) and Indigo Street. (photography), Nina Sarkisyan The play’s creators describe the plays (hair fashion design with live Armenian art treasures were destroyed and setting as “… the early hours of June 28, model installations), Nadine looted by the Turks and Kurds. The gold and 1969, when a routine police raid on The Takvorian (illustration and anima - silver objects, illustrated manuscripts, car - Stonewall Inn, a popular underground tion) and Onnik Yaglioglu (oil on pets, liturgical textiles and carved woodworks gay bar in Greenwich Village, sparks a full- canvas). Whether the artists had were stolen from Armenian churches and the scale riot. Violent protests and street used a paintbrush, a camera or deported Armenian refugees and sold in demonstrations continued for the next non-traditional mediums, each of world markets, especially in Near Eastern several days in what became known as their pieces excited and inspired countries and in European auctions. The Stonewall Riots, thrusting a group of the viewers, who provided over - Numerous artifacts were gathered by two unlikely revolutionaries onto the front - whelmingly positive feedback to expeditions working in 1916 in Western lines of history and igniting one of the the event Co-Chairs Greg Nemet Armenia, one of which was sent by the most influential social and political move - and Ani Jalalian. Russian Imperial Academy to Western ments of the 20th Century. Hit the Wall Commenting on the event’s suc - Armenian territories and the other sent by focuses on that wild and enigmatic first Up-and-coming artists Zarouhie Abdalian (left) cess, Nemet stated, “This visual the catholicos in Echmiadzin. Through the night of the riots, placing the audience and Nadine Takvorian showcase their work at arts exhibit has helped give work - efforts of scholars and others involved in just on the periphery of the conflict. With San Francisco’s SoMArts Cultural Center. ing Armenian artists, many of those expeditions, numerous artifacts were an imaginative and theatrical blend of his - whom have already been commis - discovered and transferred to Echmiadzin. tory and mythology, Hit the Wall shines a sioned for public works projects, Thousands of silver objects and illustrated contemporary light on the legacy of even wider exposure. We were so pleased by the great turnout, which has encour - manuscripts were saved by Armenian Stonewall.” aged us to turn this into an annual AGBU YPNC tradition and look forward to watch - refugees who survived and reached The design team includes Lauren ing it grow next year and in the years to come.” Echmiadzin or European countries and the Helpern (set design,) David Hyman (cos - Though the YPNC exhibit was local, its impact is global. Funds raised in ticket US. tume design,) Keith Parham (lighting sales will be donated to the pan-YP Greenhouse Project in the rural village of The relics of the Catholicosate of at design,) Daniel Kluger and Brandon Barekamavan, bringing more sustainable development to the homeland. With the Sis that were transported by monks to Wolcott (sound design) and J. David support of over a dozen YP groups internationally, the struggling border area will Aleppo, Syria, and later to Antelias in Brimmer (fight director.) soon become home to brand new greenhouses that will enable families to raise and Lebanon and those that were gathered by the The full production team includes sell fresh crops in their backyard, thereby revitalizing their community. The YPs “Go Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem can be Morfee, Doumanian, Wirtshafter, Patrick Green” initiative has roots in the 2009 AGBU Young Professionals Biennial considered as Armenian art treasures saved Daly, Burnt Umber, Roger E. Kass, Starry Assembly in Chicago, where the global YP Network decided to launch an environ - from the Genocide. During the last 100 years Night Entertainment, BarLor mental project in Armenia that would be conceived, funded and developed entirely many Armenian art treasures saved from the Productions, Christian Chadd Taylor, by them. In 2010-11, the YPs built a vibrant new park in the border village of Genocide have appeared in museums and pri - Marc and Lisa Biales. Khachik that local residents enjoy today. vate collections in different countries. Tickets are now on available and can be For more information about the AGBU Young Professionals, visit For more information contact the Ararat- purchased at Smarttix.com. www.agbu.org/yp. Eskijian Museum at ararat-eskijian-muse - [email protected] or NAASR at [email protected]. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Sayat Nova Presents ‘Journey Aznavour Is Through Time’ in Montreal Still Young MONTREAL, Quebec — The Sayat Nova sance of Armenia’s Golden Age expressed in the Dance Company (SNDC) of Watertown is poetry and gentle grace of women’s dances, to preparing for a February 9 performance at the the unthinkable tragedy of the Genocide, to the At Heart Salle Pierre-Mercure. SNDC dancers participat - re-birth of the Armenian nation in the new gen - ed in weekend rehearsals, while the crew mend - erations scattered around the world proudly ed costumes, tweaked music recordings and carrying their history in their hearts. By Zhang Kun in Shanghai

SHANGHAI (China Daily) — Charles Aznavour watched the students playing and offered a helping hand when he saw anyone in difficulty. Few at the mental health school in Shanghai’s Yuyuan community realized he is and composed about 1,000 songs, in several an internationally renowned singer, songwriter languages. Aznavour’s parents were from and activist. Armenia, and he has been heavily involved in Aznavour, born in 1924, made his second humanitarian and charity initiatives for the trip to Shanghai in mid-December. It was a pri - country. He is the ambassador of Armenia to vate trip, accompanied by his youngest son, but Switzerland, as well as the UNESCO cultural even so he was happy to set some time aside ambassador for Armenia. for a trip to Home of Sunshine. He met 30 stu - With an artistic career spanning more than dents who ranged in age from between 19 and 60 years, he has collaborated with many great 35 and when one of the teams had problems artists, such as Sinatra, Edith Piaf, Fred Astaire, sucking at a slip of paper with a straw, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John and others. Aznavour came to the rescue. “He has a traditional way of singing, charac - “Some people retire, but he never will,” says terized by poetic lyrics and melodic music,” his son, Patrick, the youngest of his five chil - Patrick Aznavour says. Paying tribute to the group’s namesake in a dance dren. “He’s an open book,” says Prestige PR’s Aznavour constantly hummed tunes as he Sarah el Asri, who organized his Shanghai trip. strolled around and at 88, he is still touring, Listening to him singing is like sharing prepared for the show. “Journey Through Time” is meant to be expe - performing and composing. He has just com - French musical history, she adds. “He performs The SNDC will return with “Journey rienced, not just viewed, and the SNDC says pleted a tour of South America and will fly to with a unique style. He’s like an actor that Through Time,” directed and choreographed they hope viewers will walk away inspired. Britain to record a new song next month. sings, and his songs have inspired many by Apo Ashjian. The production and premiere The SNDC is an independent, non-profit orga - Aznavour made his first visit to China in artists.” of this show marked SNDC’s 25th anniversary nization, now in its 27th year. They have trav - June, when he performed three songs at a gala On China’s video sharing website and has been performed in Boston, eled internationally, performing throughout the dinner during the Shanghai International Film Youku.com, one of Aznavour’s most popular Washington DC, Los Angeles and Worcester in US, Canada and Armenia. Festival. videos sees him collaborating with Edith Piaf, 2011-2012. The group last performed in For more information about SNDC or tickets, “I have sung in 19 countries, and I’d love to produced through 3D digital imaging. No, Piaf Montreal six years ago. visit www.sayatnova.com. introduce French music to China,” he says. didn’t help him with his career, comments “Journey Through Time” paints in sound and “Journey Through Time” will be presented at Aznavour has been one of the most endur - Aznavour. “She used to promote her lovers, but movement the story of the Armenian nation — 7:30 p.m. at Salle Pierre-Mercure (UQAM-Centre ing singers in France, famed for his clear tenor I was only a friend.” from the early tribes worshipping pagan gods to Pierre Peladeau,) 300 Boulevard de voice and is often compared with Frank “Lovers pass by, but friendships last longer,” drum rhythms, to the spirited battle of Maisonneuve Est, Montreal, QC H2L 4J5, Sinatra. He has acted in more than 60 movies he says. Vartanantz, to the times of the occasional peace Canada. This performance is sponsored by St. in the ancient world and the cultural renais - Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral.

Hamazkayin-Boston and AGBU New England Present:

Boston Premiere Armenian Cultural and Educational Center [47 Nichols Avenue] Saturday, February 2, 2013, 7:00 PM Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students and seniors | www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner 12 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Helene Pilibosian’s Book Garners More Awards in 2012

WATERTOWN — Helene Pilibosian’s latest the Pilibosian’s memoir written by Dr. Mary A. book, My Literary Profile: A Memoir , was just Papazian, president of Southeast Connecticut awarded honorable mention from the New State University. The book has received many England Book Festival in the memoir category. other positive reviews, posted on amazon.com The books were judged on the capability of the and other sites. author to tell a good story and the advisability In it she describes her life as well as the study of the honored books to sell more copies. The of literature with Howard Mumford Jones and books were exhibited on January 19 at the Paul Engle, scenes of Watertown and Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston. Cambridge, Mass., in the 1950s, marriage and Grand prizewinner of its annual competition travel to Europe and the Middle East, emergen - cy surgery performed by Dwight E. Harken, MD, editing the Armenian Mirror-Spectator at the time of the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and so forth. The theories of C.G. Jung led her to a mystical experi - ence, which fired her literary inspira - tion, and she established Ohan Press to publish a number of books, including her own. This is not the first honor for Pilibosian’s books. She has won prizes for poems with others achieving finalist status in competitions, a first prize from Writer’s Digest for At Quarter Past Reality: New and Selected Poems and an honorable mention from that magazine for History’s Twists: The Armenians . Her early poetry has been cited in Greenwood Encyclopedia of Multiethnic American Literature . In addition, her poem, titled “Reinvented on the Subway,” won first place in the Lucidity Clarity Contest. The poem is not Armenian Helene Pilibosian related but is a narrative depiction of Harvard Square and its subway station. The author knows this station well for honoring the best books of the holiday season having traveled through it for a lifetime was Julia’s Cats: Julia Child’s Life in the and was very pleased when it was extensively Company of Cats by Patricia Barey and redone in 1983. She describes in modern poet - Therese Burson. This book dramatizes food, ry form the panel New England Decorative Art cats, the exotic splendors of foreign travel and by Joyce Kozloff, an 83-foot-long mosaic split up the magic of Paris with rare photos of the into 8 sections, each resembling a quilt, as well famed chef and fresh anecdotes following her as the atmosphere of the square. The poem will progress to TV superstar and American icon. be published in a future collection. The Journal of the Association for Armenian Both items are detailed on the Ohan Press Studies published a favorable book review of website at http://home.comcast.net/~hsarkiss. $UPHQLDQ 6LVWHUV¶ $FDGHP\ $QQXDO 9DOHQWLQH¶V 3DUW\

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8 4 7 1 6 0 - 0 0 7 3 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING A Family Novel Probes Mixed Identity, Loves and Hates

The Young Man in the Gray Suit by Agop J., his surviving wives, Safiye and Leila (his second Leila and Vartan are both consumed with jeal - Hacikyan. Interlink Books. 2013. 248 pp. $20. wife having died) and his children. But his final ousy. Leila fears, if Nour finds his real mother ISBN 978-1-56656-907-1 bequest drops a bombshell. Riza leaves a bequest that he will abandon her. And Vartan, who of more than $1 million to a woman, unknown to knows that Nour is the son of Riza Bey, is not the family, named Maro Balian. only jealous but hateful towards a man he knows By Daphne Abeel There are many story lines in this densely plot - was active in the Genocide of the Armenians, per - Special to the Mirror-Spectator ted novel, among them the older sons’ involve - haps salving his conscience by saving Maro. ment in criminal business ventures that extend Nour eventually finds his way to Maro and to illegal sales of the family company’s tobacco meets all of his new family, including his half sis - Agop J. Hacikyan’s new novel focuses on the and trafficking in the opium trade. ter. Somewhat shockingly, the half brother and complex identity of the Kardam family, and in But the main thread of the story is Nour’s sister embark upon a torrid love affair, although particular on the story of its youngest son, Nour, effort to discover who Maro Balian is. He has Nour is also involved with a young Turkish doc - who discovers a secret in his past that sets this always believed that he was the son of Leila, Riza tor, Esin, whom he is considering marrying. multi-plotted tale in motion. Bey’s third wife, but he ferrets out the truth from The discovery by Turks of an Armenian ances - The novel opens in the 1950s and moves a former family servant and discovers that he is, tor or even parent is certainly based in reality as between the Kardam mansion (or yali) on the indeed Maro’s son and that his father saved her, this has been the experience of many who have Bosporus and New York, the two poles of the story. an Armenian refugee, during the period of depor - probed deeply into their origins. Nour’s discov - Nour, the youngest son of Riza Bey, is in his early tations. Maro, already married and with a son by ery has particularly complicated results and he 30s, partially educated in the United States and has her Armenian husband, Vartan, becomes a mem - remains, for some period of time, torn by the pas - been appointed above his older brothers to take ber of Riza Bey’s household, and the mother of sions and demands of both his families. charge of his father’s successful tobacco business. his son. Only Leila, the adoptive or substitute Hacikyan covers a lot of ground in this novel Riza Bey is portrayed as a deeply flawed character, mother has known the truth of Nour’s origins. and the turns and twists of the plot, the revela - a successful businessman and philanthropist in the Maro and her first son, Tomas, are eventually tions, particularly of Nour’s brothers criminal present, but a former governor of Aintab who iden - banished from the household and eventually activities, are sometimes so murky that the read - tified with the Young Turks and possibly was com - rejoin Vartan. er may have trouble following certain aspects of plicit in the Armenian Genocide. He has married His father’s will has indicated that Maro may They publish an Armenian newspaper; Vartan is the narrative. three women and is the father of six sons and three be living in New York and Nour embarks upon a active in the community as a lecturer and sup - Still, many will find this a provocative and com - daughters. tortuous attempt to locate his real mother. Maro porter of the Armenian cause, and in addition to pelling story of mixed identity, its sources and its His sudden death precipitates the reading of and her husband, Vartan, represent, a recogniz - Tomas, they have four additional children, a son consequences. his will, which divides his vast wealth between able Armenian couple living in the Diaspora. and three daughters. Hacikyan, a Canadian university professor, lives in Quebec and is the author of a previously well-received novel, A Summer without Dawn , a historical saga that focuses on the Armenian CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Genocide. Merrimack Valley Plans Syrian Relief MASSACHUSETTS Benefit St. John Armenian Church FEBRUARY 9 — Armenian Sisters’ Academy Annual Valentine’s will host a dinner and Party, presenting Elie Berberian and Band, Oakley Country Club, dance at the cultural hall, By Tom Vartabedian 410 Belmont St., Watertown; information: Nageeb Diarbakerly at honoring Zabel Belian and (617) 480-3700. the late Dr. Garabed Belian on January 26, with music NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Merrimack MICHIGAN by the Harry Hovakimian Valley will join communities throughout the Ensemble; 22001 world in rallying around the Armenians caught JANUARY 26 — St. John Armenian Church Dinner and Dance at Northwestern Highway, in the turmoil currently taking place in Syria. Cultural Hall, honoring Zabel Belian and the late Dr. Garabed Southfield, MI; RSVP Nora An illustrated presentation titled, “Armenia Belian, with music by Harry Hovakimian Ensemble; 22001 Azadian at (248) 757-2320. Unseen — Among the Mountains, Valleys and Northwestern Highway, Southfield; RSVP Nora Azadian at (248) 757- Villages,” will be given by photojournalist Joe 2320. Dagdigian, who makes annual trips to his beloved land of Ararat documenting unusual sites. The program will also include an update on conditions in Syria by Rev. Karekin Bedourian, pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Church, a native of Kessab, a city which con - tinues to remain at risk. The dinner-program will take place Saturday, February 23, at 6 p.m., at St. Gregory Church, Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2013 158 Main St., and all proceeds will be given to the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund. “Conditions are rapidly deteriorating in that battered land,” said Bedourian. “Schools and Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor churches are being destroyed. People are at unrest. We owe it to ourselves to come to their a Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000 aid and support a necessary cause. My heart goes out every day to the families who have and reached out to 4,440 teachers and been tormented, including my very own.” Dagdigian’s illustrated talk will surround school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. photographs he took during his trip to Armenia last summer. £ “Most of these sites are almost never visited by travelers,” he said. “They include places near the center of Yerevan which are largely K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue unknown, even by residents in that locality.” helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have Dagdigian is a member of the Lowell ARF the teacher’s name and address. chapter, which is sponsoring the event, and also belongs to the Boston Chapter of the Knights K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— of Vartan. Name He has long focused on helping the Cosmic Address Ray Division in Armenia, a scientific research City State Zip code station on Mount Aragats, raising thousands of Tel: dollars for that cause. Last year, Dagdigian launched an Armenian Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 history course at NAASR where a portion of Mail your check with this form to: the proceeds benefitted the Shengavit TCA Sponsor a Teacher Historical and Archaeological Cultural Preserve 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 in Armenia. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for stu - Your donation is Tax Deductible. dents and may be purchased at the door. 14 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- A Moral and Political Dilemma

olate the reason why he has been silent so far on the Armenian issue, Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian after so much outcry. The answer is simple; those lobbies are pow - erful enough that every politician has to reckon with. What clout do the Armenians wield in the US and the Caucasus region? The Upon the nomination of Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel as the next answer to that question alone will determine Mr. Hagel’s actions and secretary of defense, a political firestorm broke out involving gays, behavior. the Israeli lobby in Washington and the Armenians. The nominee Armenian lobbying groups are not entirely in harmony — the scan - Established 1932 being a straight talker has offended the above groups, and perhaps dal about the Genocide Museum is the hallmark of our weakness. many others throughout his political career. Now, as he faces the Besides, large contingents of Armenians have been voting with their An ADL Publication uphill battle for his confirmation before the Armed Services pocket books, with little or no regard about this country’s problems Committee and later the full Senate, he has to answer all those and exigencies in Armenia. President Obama won the election for his groups in a satisfactory manner to win the confirmation. second term by empowering a coalition of Latinos, blacks, gays, EDITOR On the other hand the nominee for the position of secretary of immigrants and the dispossessed, while Tea Party zealots and Alin K. Gregorian state, former presidential candidate and current senator, John Kerry, unelected neo-cons took for granted that they owned the country. does not anticipate hurdles. Where were the Armenians in the election shuffle? Some were ASSISTANT EDITOR Before we draw our battle lines, we need to postulate the offenses trapped in “single issue syndrome,” others were out of sync with the Gabriella Gage of which the Republican maverick Hagel is accused. political currents and crying needs of Armenia and the Genocide ASSOCIATE EDITOR First, the gays have an axe to grind with Mr. Hagel who had recognition. This situation can only teach one lesson; unless we Aram Arkun remarked in 1998 that James Hormel, a philanthropist and later, an mobilize the masses for political action, Mr. Hagel, and for that mat - ambassador to Luxembourg, was “openly, aggressively gay,” the ter, any other politicians will never oblige. ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian inference being that he was not a suitable candidate for an ambas - On the other side of the equation is Turkey’s growing political sadorial post in that country. clout in the world scene and Azerbaijan’s dangerous escalation of Next in line is the Jewish lobby with the “neo-cons” in the back - militarization, while Armenia’s work force abandons the country in ground because of Hagel’s remark that “the Jewish lobby in the droves and Diasporan armchair politicians have only criticism to SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: United States intimidates a lot of people.” direct at their homeland, without any actual input. But there is a sil - Edmond Azadian Now all the political weapons in the arsenal of the Israeli lobbyists ver lining in Chuck Hagel’s nomination yet that cannot be viewed as are directed against Mr. Hagel, calling him anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, CONTRIBUTORS: an isolated issue. It has to be analyzed within the context of broad - Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, soft on Israel’s enemies and so on. A crusade has already been er political developments. Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune mounted against him. There is a Kafkaesque irony in standing up to When the first President George Bush was elected, he promised a Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. deny the obvious, just for the sake of political expediency. And “gentler, kinder America.” But all we witnessed was a series of wars Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der indeed, Hagel has tried to accommodate his critics in an interview and bloodbaths around the world, especially with the election of the Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork given on January 7, 2013, to the Lincoln Journal Star where he stat - younger Bush, who became a hostage to the neo-con cabal, and fell Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , ed that his record demonstrates his “unequivocal, total support for into the trap which President Eisenhower had warned against: the Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop Israel […] There is not one shred of evidence that I’m anti-Israel, not takeover of the country by the military-industrial complex. Economic Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian one vote that matters hurt Israel.” collapse, insecurity and instability around the world became the stan - CORRESPONDENTS: This kind of categorical denial, to save his career, only confirms dard and pessimism reigned. rather than denies his earlier statement that the “Jewish lobby intim - President Obama was elected with the promise of improving the Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian idates a lot of people.” economy, overhauling the healthcare system and winding down the Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Mr. Hagel tried to come clean with the gay community stating that senseless wars abroad. His opponent, Mitt. Romney, was promising he had demonstrated “insensitivity” towards gays, meaning that his $15 billion more to the Army, which did not know what to do with Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair views have evolved since over the issue. it. That was, of course, in line with the neo-con policies of supplying Hovsepian These are powerful interest groups in America which any aspirant cannon fodder for the growing military-industrial complex. for a political position can ignore at his or her own risk. Chuck Hagel was chosen first as a Republican, to deflect criticism In order for any campaign to succeed, it must be aligned with the against the administration when it takes up the task of sizing down interests of other powerful groups. This time around, Armenians are the Armed Forces, to become leaner yet more efficient and afford - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published in good company, because not only have they been handling the fir - weekly, except two weeks in July, by: able. ing line but also many human rights groups and prominent Jewish In his inaugural speech, President Obama stated: “We, the peo - Baikar Association, Inc. leaders have joined the fray. ple, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Hagel’s statements are unfortunate and abominably wrong. “What require perpetual war […] We are also the heirs of those who won Telephone: 617-924-4420 happened in 1915 happened in 1915,” Hagel said during a 2005 trip peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the FAX: 617-924-2887 to Armenia when he was serving in the senate. “As a United States surest friends.” www.mir rorspectator.com senator, I think the better way to deal with this is to leave it open to These statements introduce monumental strategic changes to the E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com historians and others to decide what happened and why.” White House world views. Mr. Hagel fits in the perspective of the For advertising: [email protected] This is a vintage Genocide-denial recipe concocted in Ankara and president’s policies. Plus, as Bill Keller stated in his op-ed piece in the delivered hot to Mr. Hagel. The former senator compounded his January 20 issue of the New York Times , Obama’s foreign and insensitivity by voting against the Armenian Genocide bill in the defense policies are directed from the White House. Senate. President Obama seems to have subscribed to Moshe Dayan’s SUBSCRIPTION RATES : Now, as a result, a powerful ally has rushed to the rescue of the statement, “If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends; Armenians: “What Chuck Hagel said in his press conference in you talk to your enemies.” Armenia in 2005 regarding the Genocide of the Armenians by Turks If this peaceful policy is implemented, we can see a relaxation in U.S.A. $80 a year is shameful,” said Walter Reich, a former director of the US the intensifying Cold War with Russia over the plans to use Turkish Holocaust Memorial Museum. “In his forthcoming confirmation territory to install new missile systems aimed at Moscow. We can also Canada $125 a year hearings, senators should confront him with what he said and anticipate further diplomacy with Iran, rather than threats whose Other Countries $190 a year should expect him to address it. It is a disgrace and a disservice to fallout could be disastrous for Armenia. the memory of the victims to say that their murder should be for - Currently Washington has taken a neutral position between Japan gotten in the service of the peace process, as if a real peace process and China over the dispute of coastal islands. is possible if one hides or ignores or mischaracterizes what actually Since Mr. Hagel is amenable to develop his views, and since he can © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator happened,” Reich said. only implement the president’s policies, we may expect some light at Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA It is better said than any Armenian could have formulated it. It is the end of the tunnel. The secretary of defense can no longer be a and additional mailing offices. a very happy coincidence that Jewish leaders have taken up our loose canon; he has to implement the president’s policies. While it is ISSN 0004-234X cause, of course not without self-interest. But that’s the nature of pol - true that Mr. Obama still hesitates to use the word “genocide” with itics and we can only be thankful to them for articulating so force - regard to Armenian history, his views thus far are closer to the his - POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, fully the Cause of the Armenian Genocide. torical truth uttered by any US president, with the exception of Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Now comes the moment of truth; Mr. Hagel has apologized to the Ronald Reagan. Other than the editorial, views and opinions Jewish and gay lobbies, he has yet to make a statement about his Hagel’s nomination still remains a moral and political dilemma expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily scathing remarks on the Armenian Genocide. We can easily extrap - until he makes good on our expectations. eflect the policies of the publisher.

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Most shocking of all, the Turkish government is prepar - of artifacts in order to claim ownership of ancient artifacts ing a lawsuit against the British Museum in the European from major museums around the globe, such as the Louvre Court of Human Rights based on Article 1 of the First in Paris, the Getty in Los Angeles, New York’s Metropolitan Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art and Harvard’s which states: “Every natural or legal person is entitled to Dumbarton Oaks. If Turkey can claim Ottoman-era assets, My Turn the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions.” then it must be held responsible for Ottoman-era liabilities According to an article by Ceylan Yeginsu in the such as plunder, territorial conquest and genocide. By Harut Sassounian International Business Times (IBT), using human rights By filing such questionable lawsuits, Turkey’s real intent laws to recover antiquities is a novel concept never before is to intimidate foreign museums into returning the used by any country. It is incredible that one of the biggest claimed artifacts. If the museums do not cave in to Turkish Turkey Claims Non-Turkish violators of human rights in the world is getting ready to pressure and refuse to turn over these items, it would be Antiquities By Intimidating sue the British Museum ostensibly for violating the rights interesting to see if the Turkish government would still go of Turkish citizens. ahead with its threatened lawsuits. The big risk for Turkey Foreign Museums Turkey is planning to file this lawsuit on January 30 to is that if the courts reject its claims, no museum would ever reclaim the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, “one of the Seven agree to return any of the demanded antiquities. The Turkish government has recently embarked on an Wonders of the ancient world.” The British Museum, how - However, should a foreign museum wish to return an aggressive campaign, pressuring a large number of ever, argues that it had not misappropriated this ancient ancient relic to Turkey, it should make it conditional on the European and American museums to return antiquities relic. Olivia Rickman, press and PR manager of the muse - Turkish government officially identifying the true origin of that were taken out of the country during Ottoman times. um, told IBT that the sculptures from the Mausoleum of the object, such as Hittite, Roman, Greek, Armenian or While it is understandable that nations would want to Halicarnassus in the museum’s collection were acquired in Assyrian. This is necessitated by the fact that Turkey has recover ancient relics that were part of their patrimony, in 1846, 1857 and 1859. Rickman further states that “these omitted all references to the origin of ancient Armenian the Turkish case there are certain anomalies that merit pieces were acquired during the course of two British ini - churches and monuments from inscriptions presently closer scrutiny. tiatives, both with firmans [legal permits issued by the affixed to the entrance of these sites. If these valuable relics were taken out of Turkey in recent Ottoman authorities] that granted permission for the exca - Turkish efforts to reclaim antiquities from the world’s times without proper authorization, one could argue that vation of the site and removal of the material from the site great museums provide a unique opportunity for the Turkish government is perhaps entitled to them, even (1857 and 1859) and Bodrum Castle (1846) to the British Armenians to publicize the Turkey’s misuse and outright though they emanate from ancient civilizations that pre - Museum.” destruction of thousands of Armenian churches, monas - date the conquest of that part of the world by Ottoman IBT quoted Charlotte Woodhead, an expert in cultural teries, schools, cemeteries and castles. Turks. heritage law at the University of Warwick in England, stat - Armenians should petition the European Court of It is ironic that the country claiming these antiquities is ing that she was not aware of human rights legislation ever Human Rights, objecting to the return of any artifacts to one of the history’s biggest looters and pilferers of other being used before to reclaim such objects. “If a claim is Turkey, unless its government makes a legally binding nations’ cultural heritage such as churches, monasteries, brought before the European Court of Human Rights, it pledge to preserve and identify all remaining Armenian monuments and schools belonging to Armenians, will be interesting to see on what basis it is argued and also monuments on its territory. The next step would be to Assyrians and Greeks. One must have clean hands before to see what the outcome is,” Woodhead stated. demand that Turkey return the more than 2,000 churches having the audacity of accusing others of theft. Turkey has also used an Ottoman law banning the export to the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul.

human rights, was annihilated by the barbarians. LETTERS The Existence of Where was God during the Genocide? Why didn’t He take care of his people? Jews during the Holocaust asked such questions. The Jewish world- renowned philosopher Levinas, who was a Holocaust survivor and who Paying Tribute to Evil and God’s Will lost many of his family members, came to this conclusion after long years struggling with God: Fr. Samoorian - “God himself was suffering with His own people in the concentra - By Fr. Bedros Shetilian tion camps.” To the Editor: There is another example and it’s considered to the Genocide survival A man of extraordinary talents, a Areknaz Kocharian from Philadelphia, who passed away several years man of extraordinary intellect, a man of “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” Matt., 27.46 ago. Her daughter Mari Zakarian says: “In the spring of 1980 I inter - extraordinary passions and understand - These words of Christ, said on the cross, are very impressive. It’s dif - viewed survivors of the Genocide in Philadelphia for the Armenian ing has left us to join the growing pro - ficult to find another expression, which more obviously shows His Assembly’s Oral History program in Washington, DC. As I interviewed cession of gifted minds that have been human nature. How profound is the tragedy of our Lord and it shows the survivors of the Genocide, the image of my mother in prayer stayed almost Messianic in their ability to how great is His Self-sacrifice for the salvation of human beings. There with me, her eyes lifted toward the heavens, her hand making the sign nourish and enlighten new genera - is no other occasion where we can see how much he is similar to us. By of the cross. One day as she was praying, I asked how she could believe tions. these words, He becomes the symbol of all people with suffering. in a God who had allowed the bloodshed she had seen. In a moment of Father Ghevont Samoorian, of With these words, Christ is screaming on behalf of the Holocaust vic - human failing I cried, ‘Where was He?’ ‘Hush, my lamb,’ she said, ‘He Billerica, Mass., has left us unwillingly, tims; on behalf of the victims of the 9/11 attacks; on behalf of the peo - was right there with us. God was right there among the dead and the defeated by the most insidious of infec - ple of Africa who are dying because of the starvation and finally on dying.’ She continued to pray.” tions. And, he leaves to us the seeds of behalf of our fathers and mothers who became the victims of the How impressive are the words of this simple and uneducated woman, a burning passion with which to seek Genocide. who came to the same conclusion as the Jewish world-renowned out and discover the deep mystery of During history, human beings justifiably asked this question and will philosopher. our Armenian existence. To those continue to ask it. As long as the world exists, evil and suffering will Truly it is difficult to find another answer to this major question. God whom he mentored, he has left a mon - exist and so the human beings will continue screaming: himself suffered and is continuing to suffer with his own people. umental responsibility, that of intensi - “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” In reality people who are at a distance from such experiences mostly fying the truths and realities which he In reality this issue is the most sensitive and painful one in the sub - ask such questions. People who are part of such tragedies are saying communicated to us through the living ject of man-God relationship. And limited human logic is not enough to and acting in a different way because the person who feels that death fire in his heart and the unquenchable find an answer to this question. In philosophy and theology, there is a is imminent feels also the imminence of passing to eternal life, so he or love of all things Armenian in his soul. division called Theodicy which deals with this issue; however, there is she is judging in a different way. We, who don’t have such experiences, To those of us whom he touched no complete answer. think theoretically; but those who are part of such experiences, think deeply, to those of us who shared his - Why are good human beings suffering while evil ones are happy? more correctly. love and his passions, to those of us - Why are some good people dying early because of sickness and some As a pastor I have been a witness to such an experience. Where I was who learned how to bear the burden of evil ones are living a long time? serving in New York City I had the chance to know an Armenian pain that has befallen our race, mourn - - How we can explain the evil that exists in the world with the fact woman, named Janna, who was working in the Armenian Nursing ing is inadequate. Mourning does not that God is almighty and just? Home in New York City. She was in her 60s. She was a survivor of the articulate the tragedy of his death suf - Vladimir Pozner, one of Russia’s most prominent journalists, chal - Armenian massacres in , Azerbaijan. People used to call her “sko - ficiently to console the soul. lenges faith: “Maybe I can understand why good people are suffering, rie pomash” (ambulance in Russian) because she was a very helpful and Because Hayr Soorp was not simply a because although they are good, they may commit some mistakes or giving person. After coming to America and after her children were man, but a phenomenon that enabled sins, but how can you explain the suffering of innocent children?” grown and married, it seems it should be time to bear the fruit of her minds to transcend superficiality and Now can you imagine that everyday an estimated 30,000 children are good behavior and her suffering. But she was diagnosed with cancer. reach into the depths of human under - dying because of the poverty and instability in the world? Thirty thou - When her illness started, I was In New York City. When I moved to standing. Hayr Soorp loved life. Life sand innocent children every day. Truly it can be said, “My God, how Massachusetts, I was regularly in contact with her. One day I had a call was the precipice upon which he stood can I understand you…?”(Poet Vahan Tekeyan). from her daughter. I understood that there was no hope left and she was and played his philosophical lyre to a When such tragedies happen far from us, we can find some “expla - going to die. I went to the hospital to see her. She had changed in a very world that understood, to a world that nation.” But the dilemma starts when we ourselves become a part of bad way. It was difficult to see her in that condition and therefore I was did not understand, to a world that is such tragedies and we can ask. “My God, My God, Why Have You struggling with God. It came out from my mouth: “God is with you.” She yet to be born. Forsaken Me?” turned away her face from me. I understood that she herself was strug - His pen demonstrated the genius of The person who can understand and feel this issue without being part gling with God and what I said was not the right thing to say at that time. his talent and his mind. His heart was of it is blessed; and actually Christ is calling us to be such a person and When I visited her several days before she passed away, I gave her the last his shield of strength. I grieve not for to be sensitive to the pain of our brothers and sisters, and enemies as communion and a neshkhar. I was very concerned how she would pass Father Ghevont, but for myse lf. well. away from this world, whether upset with God or at peace with Him. There is no better way to find an “answer” to this question than to During the funeral I was consoled, because I was told that during last —Peter Hanoian consider the Armenian Genocide. For us The Genocide is a most painful days and hours of her life here on earth, she was kissing the neshkhar issue. Here is a clear example: The first Christian nation, who had the and she passed away in peace and harmony with God. desire to be part of the civilized world and was demanding its basic see EVIL, page 16 16 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Dink Assassination Anniversary Commemorated in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, from page 1 thropist Robert Bogossian in 2001. Police reportedly intervened in the march, “Armenia is the greatest motherland, and the where some people were at risk of being diaspora is its islands,” Dink once said. crushed due to the large crowds, and used pep - Turkish upper circles were well aware of the per gas against some demonstrators. initiative of Dink’s murder The Friends of Hrant Dink claim that almost The representatives of the civil society of all the civil servants who were involved in the Armenia addressed a letter to UN Secretary death of the journalist have been protected and General Ban Ki-moon with regard to the possi - promoted by the government. ble transfer of the United Nations Development A number of exhibitions, panel discussions Programme (UNDP) European Regional Office and live performances have also been displayed from Bratislava, Slovakia, to Istanbul. at the Tobacco Warehouse (Tütün Deposu) They complained that the country “has com - since the beginning of the week in memory of mitted genocide — the genocide against Dink. Armenians living on their own historic mother - “I feel like a dove in this society, which has to lands, and parts of the Ottoman Empire, that started in Istanbul on April 24, 1915. Turkey commit - ted also massacres of other national minorities, includ - ing Greeks and Assyrians. All of these crimes are until today blatantly Marching in memory of Hrant Dink denied by the Turkish authorities, despite the fact that the Armenian Genocide of 1915 has been recognized and con - demned by a number of The Existence of Evil and God’s Will UN member states.” In addition, they noted EVIL, from page 15 ders of the human logic and look at these that it had blockaded Anyone who is passing through the expe - things with their hearts and souls. Armenia for two decades. rience of death — in other words one foot is It is said that Christianity is the religion of In Turkey, the Peace and here and one foot there — their eyes open. heart; it is said that Christianity is the most For this reason most of the people pass away humanitarian religion, because Jesus Christ Noam Chomsky, center, at the event Democracy Party (BDP) submitted a proposal to open in Peace. There are some exceptions. speaks not only from God’s side, but also a parliamentary inquiry into And this is not a dream, or an illusion or from the human side: “My God, my God, why be very vigilant, so I handily swirl my head up the murder of Dink. fake religious propaganda. This is a fact and have you forsaken me?” and down, right and left, to avoid the danger, The proposal, submitted to the Parliamentary reality. Faith in the eternal life and the res - And Jesus Christ answers: “Father, into but I am not afraid, cause doves are not being Speaker’s Office on January 21 by a group of urrection is the answer to this question. your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke, 23.46 shot in this society,” wrote Dink in his last arti - BDP deputies led by deputy parliamentary When human beings are facing injustice cle. group chair Idris Baluken, said public servants and difficulties they may ask such questions, (Fr. Bedros Shetilian is serving at Holy Hrant Dink was posthumously rewarded in who neglected their duties deliberately or unin - and they may find the answer if they are Cross Armenian Apostolic Church 2007 by Armenian President. Dink was among tentionally were not investigated at all. able to open their eyes. In other words if in Troy, NY and St. Gregory the 18 writers, artists and scientists awarded that they can find the power and ability and by Illuminator Armenian Church in year from a special presidential endowment set (Hurriyet and Armenpress contributed to the grace of God overcome the limited bor - Springfield, Mass.) up with the help of French-Armenian philan - this report.)