MARCH 9, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIII, NO. 34, Issue 4279 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Armenia Will Establish Obama Congratulates Armenian President Embassy at Holy See YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia announced on WASHINGTON (ArmeniaNow) — United two countries and to build your March 7 plans to open an embassy at the Holy See. States President Barack Obama has sent a legacy as a leader who solidifies According to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign message to his Armenian counterpart, Armenia’s reforms and furthers Affairs, deepening relations with the Vatican is of Serge Sargisian, with congratulations on the cause of peace for your people critical importance because of the See’s spiritual his winning reelection in a process still and the people of your region. and political influence. being disputed by the local opposition. “You can be assured that the “Establishing an embassy at the Holy See is of In a letter released by Sargisian’s press United States, as Armenia’s crucial importance as it will give a new impetus to office, Obama reaffirmed Washington’s stat - enduring friend and partner, cooperation. Establishment of an embassy will ed desire to deepen relations with Armenia stands with you in working to make bilateral works more coordinated and during his second term. achieve these worthy goals.” focused, as well as promote the activation of the “I would like to congratulate you on your The Central Election Holy See’s participation in works aimed at mainte - reelection as President of the Republic of Commission last Monday certified nance of Armenia cultural values all over the Armenia. I look forward to continuing our Sargisian as the official winner of world,” stated the ministry in a press release. work together as we both begin our second the February 18 presidential elec - Diplomatic relations between Armenia and the terms,” wrote Obama. President Serge Sargisian and President Barack tion with nearly 59 percent of the Vatican were established on May 23, 1992. “As we move ahead, I would like to build Obama pictured together on August 4, 2012, during vote. The runner-up, Raffi Sargisian’s visit to the US. on the strong ties between our countries Hovannisian, who officially polled and peoples, and to further expand our close to 37 percent of the vote, Mediators Discuss partnership. We remain strongly committed which requires meaningful movement disagrees with this tally, insisting that he to Armenia’s development and look to your toward a settlement that provides lasting has been robbed of a victory with what he Karabagh Issue leadership to promote continued improve - peace and security. We also want to contin - describes as a fraudulent ballot. PARIS (ArmeniaNow) — Armenian Minister of ments in democracy and the economic ue our work to promote the eventual nor - Hovannisian, who has staged public Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandian met with the co- reforms that will present opportunities to malization of Armenian-Turkish relations. protests since February 20, has also dis - chairs of the Organization for Security and both the people of Armenia and the “Your reelection presents opportunities missed the mostly positive evaluation of the Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Igor Americans looking to invest in a valued to advance the relationship between our see OBAMA, page 2 Popov, Jacques Faure and Ian Kelly, and the per - partner with significant potential. We will sonal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in- continue to strongly support progress in Office Andrzej Kasprzyk on March 3 to discuss the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process, issues relating to the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. The sides reportedly addressed the proposal Presidential Runner-Up made by the co-chairs during the previous meeting on confidence building measures. An agreement Takes His Case to was reportedly reached at this latest meeting. Nalbandian noted that during the previous two Constitutional Court meetings between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani side not only failed YEREVAN (Reuters) — Armenia’s main to publish the texts of the joint press releases that opposition party said on Monday the coun - had been agreed upon, but also presented com - try’s president had rigged the result of a ments which had no relation to the content of the February poll and it called on the discussions. Constitutional Court to rule that it had He reiterated that Armenia will continue the been the winner. efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of Incumbent President Serge Sargisian the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. was declared the victor with 58.6 percent of the vote, against 37 percent for opposition BOSTON — On March 3, members of the ADL District Committee leader Raffi Hovannisian. of US and Canada paid a visit to a veteran member of the orga - Heffern Promotes “We demand to register the people’s vic - nization and current secretary of the Tekeyan Cultural tory and to declare Raffi Hovannisian Association Central Board, Dr. Nubar Berberian, at his residence Closer Ties Armenia’s president,” Hovsep in Waltham. The ADL members were in the area to meet with the Khurshudyan, spokesman for the Heritage YEREVAN (Armenpress) — US Ambassador to Party, told reporters after submitting an staff of the ADL District Committee and the Armenian Mirror- Armenia John Heffern emphasized the strength of appeal to the court. Spectator . Above, from left, are, Arsen Demirdjian (member), Dr. Armenian-American ties during a recent tour of US The court has 10 days to issue its ruling. Nubar Berberian, Edmond Azadian (co-chairman) and Dr. Armen Armenian communities. Armenia’s Central Election Commission Demirjian (treasurer). “My message to the American-Armenians is as see HOVANNISIAN, page 2 follows: Armenian-American ties are strong. Our aim is to help Armenia to have success as a demo - cratic, prosperous and secure country, and we per - form our task by encouraging internal reforms, cre - WATERTOWN — Kelly Stuart is not only a ation of opportunities and options and by fixing Uncovering Paradoxes: playwright; she is a fearless storyteller who Armenia’s sight on the West. The embassy and its immerses herself in the complexities of the partners encourage internal reforms in political, human condition. Along with teaching economic and social spheres.” Playwright Kelly Stuart’s courses at Columbia’s School for the Arts (SoA), Stuart has traveled to Turkey nine Narrative Journey times to explore various facets of life there — culture, music, struggle and hope. INSI DE The Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance By Gabriella Gage (ADAA) recently awarded Stuart the third Mirror-Spectator Staff Biennial William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting for “Belonging to the Sky,” a Seeroon lyrical duet of monologues by Sabiha Gokçen (Ataturk’s adopted daughter) and assassinated journalist Hrant Dink. The In LA $10,000 grand prize was announced and presented at ADAA’s awards event on Page 10 December 8 at the Pasadena Playhouse. see STUART, page 12 INDEX Arts and Living . 10 Armenia . 2 Community News. 4 Editorial . 13 International . 3 Kelly Stuart during a visit to Ani 2 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Color-Coding the Post-Election ‘Barevolution’ Heritage Party member David gality and lawlessness [and] against By Gayane Mkrtchyan Sanasaryan says in movements such as anarchy. Hence, this is a struggle for this both the appearance and the con - the sake of the unity of the Armenian Black Sabbath’s Iommi tent are important; however, he does nation.” Writes Eurovision Song YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — not relate those symbols to either the During the same rally, popular song- Following the “Orange” (Ukraine) and orange revolution or the revolution of writer Ruben Hakhverdyan said, “What YEREVAN (Ultimateguitar.com) — Black Sabbath “Rose” (Georgia) revolutions of the past roses, and believes that “barevolution” is this, why should someone from a guitarist Tony Iommi has written the Armenian decade, the post-February 18 election is a good name, especially since it is remote Azeri province come and lead entry to this year’s Eurovision song contest. movement known as “Barevolution” is popular among the youth. us?” The reference was regarding the The song titled, Lonely Planet, performed by the viewed by some as Armenia’s own One of the stark differences in this fact that Sargisian is a native of Dorians, was selected in a national Armenian vote, “orange” or “apricot” revolution. movement is that Hovannisian has not Karabagh, formerly part of Soviet and will appear in the live Eurovision semifinals on Ruben Hakobyan, head of the directed insults or hate speech against Azerbaijan. The social networks and May 14 and 16. The final vote will take place on Heritage Party faction, said Armenia is President Serge Sargisian, whereas Ter- media exploded with outrage after the May 18. going through an electoral revolution Petrosian’s speeches in 2008 were rife comment. Iommi’s role as a songwriter alongside lyricist and does not want to call it “orange.” with sharp criticism, accusations and Sanasaryan said of the incident, Vardan Zadoyan had been kept secret until now. “It is an electoral revolution in offensive language against the authori - “Raffi is guiding the movement… they Iommi has traveled to Armenia several times and Armenia; let anyone [assign] any color ties. are simply looking for a blunder to has worked alongside friend and Deep Purple to it they want,” he said. “In no way does this mean conces - immediately strike a blow against him.” singer Ian Gillan to aid the country since the 1988 Nonetheless, participants of the ral - sion or humility. He [Hovannisian] says Badalyan is convinced that the cur - earthquake. lies who have joined the post-election ‘you have lost and must admit your rent post-election movement is no Iommi and the rest of Black Sabbath will release movement, have orange ribbons tied defeat.’ It is a new culture to us.