AUGUST 31, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 7, Issue 4301 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Armenian Soldier Amnesty Decries Lack of Protection for Gays, Dissenters in Armenia Killed on Azeri Border BAKU (RFE/RL) — An Armenian soldier was shot who expose abuses within the military. to protect the freedom of expression of and killed along the border between Armenia and By Richard Solash Natalia Nozadze, Amnesty’s researcher those individuals.” Azerbaijan’s Naxcivan Autonomous Republic. on the South Caucasus, said that The report says that in condoning vio - The Armenian Defense Ministry’s press service Armenia has made notable improve - lence against both gays and dissenters on also noted that another Armenian soldier was also YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A new report ments in ensuring freedom of expression sensitive topics, officials often hide behind wounded by Azerbaijani snipers on August 23. by UK-based rights watchdog Amnesty since its independence in 1991, as long the so-called “will of the people” or deride Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry denied the International decries the lack of protec - as certain topics remain off-limits. the individuals as “un-Armenian” and a Armenian statement, calling it “disinformation.” tions for Armenia’s beleaguered lesbian, “These are usually the issues that are threat to “national interests.” Azerbaijani reports say that there is data confirm - gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) considered either very sensitive for the While Armenia decriminalized same- ing that an Armenian soldier was killed and also community. Armenian public or issues that fall out - sex sexual relations in 2003, homophobic that several others were injured in a scuffle inside Titled “Armenia: No Space For side of the mainstream view,” Nozadze attitudes remain entrenched. Amnesty an Armenian military unit. Difference,” the report also highlights the said. “Those who exercise this kind of said statements by officials reinforcing intimidation and harassment of journalists freedom of expression, we found, occa - those attitudes “lead to a climate where and activists who question the govern - sionally face harassment and threats. In grave human rights abuses are perpe - Armenian Ambassador ment’s official line on the conflict with analyzing those cases, it becomes clear trated and tolerated.” Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabagh or that the Armenian government is failing see PROTECTIONS, page 2 To UN Condemns Attacks against Syria NEW YORK (Armenpress) — On August 19, the member of the United Nations Security Council Armenia Condemns Treatment of met to discuss the issue of protecting civilians dur - ing armed conflicts. The Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry reported that the majority of speakers referenced the situa - Armenian Captive in Azerbaijan tion in Syria. Armenia’s representative to the UN, Garen Nazarian, in his speech particularly men - tioned that the situation in Syria for Armenia is not YEREVAN (ARKA) — Deputy Armenian military denied this, saying the 22-year-old Ministry said in a statement. just a news headline and the worsening humani - Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan slammed conscript accidentally strayed into Tonoyan reiterated that Ijighulyan will tarian situation is greatly disturbing. international humanitarian organizations Azerbaijani-controlled territory. It has con - not face prosecution once repatriated. The Nazarian condemned all attacks against civilians, and human rights activists for their failure demned Baku for publically interrogating press service also said that no citizen of kidnappings and terroristic acts highlighting the to respond to what he described as the POW. Armenia previously repatriated from destruction of Armenian churches and how a lot of “Azerbaijan’s permissiveness” regarding an “It is evident that Azerbaijani authorities Azerbaijan had ever been prosecuted. Armenians, like their Syrian brethren in Aleppo Armenian army conscript, Hakob are exerting strong moral and psychologi - The Armenian authorities offered last and Damascus, are trying to survive. Idjighulyan, captured by Azeri troops earli - cal and possibly physical pressure on week to swap Ijighulyan for an Azerbaijani The ambassador also added that Armenia con - er this month near Nagorno-Karabagh. Hagop, forcing him to make contradictory soldier who crossed into Armenia and was tinues hosting refugees although many Armenians Tonoyan’s remarks came as he met with statements. A forced interview can not be detained a year ago. There has been no offi - continue to live in Syria under increasing violence representatives of the Armenian offices of the considered as grounds for his handing to a cial response to the offer from Azerbaijan and a growing humanitarian crisis. United Nations Hire Commission for Refugees third country,” the Armenian Defense thus far. (UNHCR) and the International Committee of Red Cross. He said Armenian authorities are PM Sends Birthday concerned over the continued violation of the Greetings to Karekin II captured conscript’s rights. Tonoyan was quoted as saying that no YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian Prime international organization has condemned Minister Tigran Sargsian congratulated Karekin II, the ‘interview’ with Hakob Ijighulyan, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All broadcast by an Azerbaijani TV. Armenians, on the occasion of his birthday, on The Azerbaijani side claims that August 21. Injighulyan defected to its frontline troops According to reports, Sargisian said, “Your on August 8 after being physically abused Holiness, I congratulate on the occasion of your by one of his commanders. The Armenian birthday anniversary on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and myself. I am hope - ful that you will lead the faithful Armenian people with your wisdom for long years.” Karekin II was born in the village Voskehat, near Man Killed in Echmiadzin, in 1951. On October 27, 1999, Archbishop Karekin Nersissian was elected the Damascus Church 132nd Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Nourhan Manoukian Karekin II Armenians and was consecrated on November 4, Explosion 1999.

DAMASCUS (Armenpress) — Five people were wounded and one person died as a Anarchy in the Hierarchy result of a rocket explosion in Surp Sarkis Armenians have become citizens of the global village, living in different coun - Church’s yard. According to Azdag editor tries and subject to different — at times contradictory — laws. Numerically, Shahan Gandaharian, the name of the INSI DE Armenians living in dispersion far surpass those living in the ancestral homeland. deceased was Hakob Sargisian. This fragmentation behooves every single individual Armenian or group to rise During the past week, the Syrian army above those divisions, imposed by history or unfortunate events, to realize that carried out military actions in some regions the survival of the nation requires cohesion, organi - of the city to demolish the centers of the Musical zation and unifying moral foundations adhered to by militant forces. According to official EDITORIAL all segments of the nation. The moral high ground reports, a considerable number of militants needs to be upheld by the clergy as well as lay leadership. were killed and their bases were destroyed. Armenia But what we observe at the present time is the opposite — disarray, chaos and Many Armenian families live and work in confusion, where every authority is a fair target for denigration. Criticism — and the affected regions and have been subject - Page 10 constructive criticism — certainly would be welcome. But the Internet, which ed to bombings. could have become a powerful tool to unify all Armenians, has become a jungle The Surp Sarkis Diocesan Church in where every indignity is fair game. We have reached a point where freedom of Damascus was built in 15th century. The speech has become a license to commit libel. Damascus Armenian community has always Therefore, any participation in raging diatribes — in support of or against INDEX remained loyal to the supremacy of Holy debating parties — would only exacerbate the situation. But by the same token, Arts and Living ...... 10 Echmiadzin. Armenia ...... 2 to keep silent in view of unbridled self-serving pontification will further block the Syrians, including Syrian Armenians, are Community News...... 4 way for sober and civilized discourse aimed to resolve problems plaguing awaiting the decision of the US regarding Editorial ...... 14 Armenians. an airstrike, in the wake of reports this International ...... 3 see EDITORIAL, page 15 week alleging the government killed around 1,500 with chemical weapons. 2 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia President: Students Are the Future of Armenia, Education as Important as Army Mother See Celebrates YEREVAN (Hetq) — President Serge Feast of the Assumption Sargisian this week received numer - ECHMIADZIN — On August 18, the Mother See cel- ous schoolchildren and students from ebrated the Feast of the Assumption. Bishop the capital and provinces who had Mushegh Babayan offered the Divine Liturgy. demonstrated excellent results last During the services, Babayan reflected on the mes- academic year as well as the winners sage of the feast and the virtuous image of the of different science olympiads. mother of Christ, which he called the “utmost At the Presidential Palace, medal example of virtue and purity, modesty and sacrifice; winners who were graduates of the for families, Armenian women and for all Armenian republic’s secondary education estab - Christians.” lishments for the academic year 2012- Following the Divine Liturgy, a pontifical proces- 2013, medal winners of the interna - sion ascended to the St. Tiridates open-air altar, tional scientific Olympiads for school - where Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and children conducted in 2013, medal President Serge Sargisian addresses the young students. Catholicos of All Armenians, conducted the service winners of five international for the Blessing of the Grapes. After the reading of Olympiads for schoolchildren held in the prayer of St. Nerses and singing of hymns, 2013, the winners of the Kangaroo- Republic of Armenia. the schools and medals winners of Karekin II blessed the grapes and harvest for the 2013 international competition in Sargisian congratulated all the stu - the international science Olympiads. upcoming year. mathematics, schoolchildren of excel - dents, wished them success and Please be assured that no matter how At the conclusion of the ceremony, Karekin II lent performance from the provinces answered their questions. busy I am and regardless of the num - offered his blessings to all the faithful, asking, of different age groups as well as the He spoke at length, praising the ber of small and large problems to be “God to fill their lives with heavenly grace and students who won medals at the 27th young scholars and encouraging addressed, I will keep my word and abundance.” World Student Games held in Kazan, them. every year I will be meeting with the The deacons of the brotherhood distributed the Russia. At this traditional meeting He said, “After being elected young people.” blessed grapes to those in attendance. they received their awards, which President of the Republic of Armenia He continued, “In this hall, we hold were medals, certificates and sou - in 2008, I promised to hold meetings meetings with foreign dignitaries. We venirs from the president of the with the medal winner graduates of hold receptions for them right here but trust me, today’s meeting is no Artsakh President Hosts less important. You are the future of our country, you are the heroes of Russian Public Figures our times, and our country needs YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On August 26, Artsakh Nairit Plant Closes, Loan such heroes.” President Bako Sahakyan welcomed a group of He praised the number of medals Russian public figures and journalists. Records Still Missing the Armenian students have won, Sahakyan discussed a number of issues related to compared to other nations. “You have the Artsakh’s domestic and foreign policy, as well already won 11 medals at the science YEREVAN (Hetq) — Over the course cited clause states: “A criminal case can - Olympiads — one silver and 10 as Russian-Karabagh relations with the visitors. of 2013, Hetq has published a series of not be instituted and criminal prosecu - Chairman of the Russian-Armenian Cooperation bronze, which is exactly as many as articles revealing how $180 million in tion may not be started and the insti - your peers from Georgia and Organization Yuri Navoyan and other officials loans granted to Nairit Plant has literal - tuted criminal case is subject to sus - attended the meeting. Azerbaijan combined. I am confident ly vanished through a maze of offshore pension, if the alleged act contains no that we are yet to register success in companies. corpus delicti.” the area of astronomy, and I want us YSU Opens Islamic In June, the ARF faction in parlia - It turns out that the Police together to wish success to our young ment today introduced a motion calling Department, in the person of Police people. Studies Center for the creation of ad-hoc committee Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, has opted to “Well done! Thank you, trust me that would look into the operations, bury the matter, despite the existence you’ve made a great job; last year as YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Yerevan State University loan obligations and privatization of of sound evidence that large amounts (YSU) recently opened its new Islamic Studies well as this year, we have registered the Nairit Rubber Plant. were laundered and illegally appropriat - outstanding results.” Center. YSU Director Aram Simonyan and members Based on our articles the Prosecutor ed. of the delegation of the Institute for Humanities He specifically thanked the stu - General launched an examination of the Armenia’s Energy and Natural dents that had participated in the and Culture of Tehran attended the grand opening. matter, the results of which were then Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan, “The Institute for Humanities and Culture of Kazan Student Games, winning 10 forwarded to the Police Department’s who was directly responsible for the medals. “Never before in our modern Tehran and the Yerevan State University have been Anti-Organized Crime Division. After loans and who was directly involved in implementing different programs in the field of history have we been able to win so two months of dragging its feet, the the Nairit transactions, nevertheless many medals at the Student Games,” translation, science and research and education. 56 Unit transferred the case material to the remains in office. Now, he is busy imple - faculties function for those particular programs. he said. Prosecutor General’s Office. menting two mining projects in He praised the education standard The Center for Islamic Studies will work to study In response to our written inquiry as Artsakh. Islamic philosophy, literature, ethics, translation, not only in Yerevan, but in the to where the Nairit case stood, Hetq Also continuing in office is Vahan provinces. “It is gratifying that sec - aesthetics and other fields,” said Simonyan. received the following from the Police. Melkonyan, the former director of In 2012, a faculty of Armenian Studies was ondary education in Armenia is devel - “We wish to inform you that the Nayirit and the Interstate Bank repre - oping not only in Yerevan, as many opened at the Institute for Humanities and Culture Police Department’s Anti-Crime sentative in Armenia. of Tehran. would say, but also in our provinces. Division has rejected the Nayirit case Given these developments, Hetq It is testified to by the increased num - according to Article 35, Part 1, Point 2 again asks Police Chief Vladimir ber of the medal recipients not only in EU DelegationLaunches of the RA Criminal Procedural Code.” Gasparyan and Prosecutor General Yerevan but also in Goris, Sisian, Article 35 deals with “Circumstances Aghvan Hovsepyan what happened to Hrazdan, Gumri. It is great. Be Online Civil Society Excluding Criminal Prosecution.” The the $180 million in loans. assured that the process will go on.” Dialogue YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The Amnesty Decries Lack of Protection for Gays, Dissenters in Armenia European Union (EU) Delegation to Armenia has launched an online civil society dialogue page in an PROTECTIONS, from page 1 tion that should be protecting them,” the first attempt and that police officers effort to take account of the views of civil society The report quotes Eduard Nozadze said. “As to why it was with - did nothing when protesters vandalized in different policy areas and to help it to conduct Sharmazanov, the spokesperson for drawn, there are several reasons that the location of the planned second more focused consultations, EU Neighborhood Info Armenian’s ruling Republican Party local civil society has mentioned, and I attempt. Center reported. and the deputy speaker of parliament, think most of it has to do with pressure The report also decries official intim - The main aim of the sit is to give civil society par- as calling an arson attack in May 2012 from the West rather than, unfortu - idation of journalists and activists who ticipants the opportunity to exchange their opin- on a gay-friendly bar in Yerevan “com - nately, the genuine will of Armenian expose hazing and abuses within the ions with each other and with the EU delegation to pletely right and justified.” law-enforcement or policy-making agen - military. Armenia about important questions for the future He claimed that supporters of gay cies.” “Even where the investigation and development of EU-Armenia relations. rights were “perverting our society and Amnesty said several NGOs have questioning does not lead to prosecu - Discussion topics range from draft political and defaming Armenian national identity.” reported that “questioning the official tion or cases are subsequently with - operational documents, consultations on ad hoc On August 7 the country’s police had and mainstream view on the Nagorno- drawn, such action has a chilling effect initiatives and establishment of priorities of pro- proposed a ban on promoting “nontra - Karabakh conflict or even using the on the work of journalists and human grams. A press release from the EU delegation to ditional sexual relationships.” phrase ‘territories occupied by rights defenders, raising concern about Armenia said the new online tool would give a “pro- The bill, perhaps drafted to emulate Armenia’ carries the risk of being Armenia’s commitment to its interna - ductive and useful record of interaction between similar measures recently codified in labeled as traitors.” tional human rights obligations,” the European Union and civil society.” Russia, was quickly withdrawn from The report notes two attempts in Amnesty said. Those wishing to participate in the first consul- consideration. April 2012 by civil society activists to The watchdog called on Yerevan to tation session should first register their organiza- “The fact that the bill was proposed hold a festival of Azerbaijani films, an ensure that minorities and dissenting tion online. in the first place probably shows the event meant to promote cultural under - views are protected as the country hopes attitude of the police and law enforce - standing. to sign an Association Agreement with ment agencies toward LGBT [individu - Amnesty said authorities apparently the EU ahead of November’s Eastern als], and [they are] actually the institu - supported protesters who obstructed Partnership summit. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Syria Crisis: Russia and China International News UEFA Bans Two Step up Warning over Strike Armenian Officials NYON, Switzerland (Associated Press) — The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has DAMASCUS (BBC) — Russia and itself almost no room for maneuver — its UN team in Syria to register a complaint. banned two Armenian football referees for life for China have stepped up their warnings credibility would now be zero if it failed to In the most forceful US reaction yet, trying to fix a Europa League match in a betting against military intervention in Syria, take some form of military action” US Secretary of State John Kerry on scam. with Moscow saying any such action Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Monday described the recent attacks in UEFA says referee Andranik Arsenyan and assis- would have “catastrophic consequences” Alexander Lukashevich has called on the the Damascus area as a “moral obsceni - tant Hovhannes Avagyan admitted trying to cor- for the region. international community to show “pru - ty.” rupt Vikingur’s 1-0 win at Inter Turku in The US and its allies are considering dence” over the crisis and observe inter - He said the delay in allowing UN Finland.UEFA investigated after its betting moni- launching strikes on Syria in response to national law. inspectors to the sites was a sign the toring unit “detected suspicious betting patterns” deadly attacks last week. “Attempts to bypass the Security Syrian government had something to during the July 11 match. The US said there was “undeniable” Council, once again to create artificial hide. Both officials, who were expelled by the proof of a chemical attack, on Monday. groundless excuses for a military inter - He said Washington had additional Armenian football federation, had been approved UN chemical weapons inspectors are vention in the region are fraught with information about the attacks that it by FIFA for international matches since January due to start a second day of investiga - new suffering in Syria and catastrophic would make public in the days ahead. 2012. The UEFA can ask FIFA to apply the bans tions in the suburbs of Damascus. consequences for other countries of the “What we saw in Syria last week worldwide. The UN team came under sniper fire as Middle East and North Africa,” he said in should shock the conscience of the Arsenyan awarded two penalties late in the then- they tried to visit an area west of the city a statement. world. It defies any code of morality,” scoreless match, reportedly to help ensure both on Monday. Late on Monday, the US said it was Kerry said at a news conference on teams scored. Vikingur, a team from the Faeroe A spokesman for UK Prime Minister postponing a meeting on Syria with Monday. Islands, scored its penalty in the 78th minute and David Cameron says the UK is making Russian diplomats, citing “ongoing con - “Make no mistake, President Obama Turku missed from the spot two minutes later. contingency plans for military action in sultations” about alleged use of chemical believes there must be accountability for Syria. weapons in Syria. those who would use the world’s most Cameron has cut short his holiday and Hours later, Russia expressed regret heinous weapons against the world’s Ataturk Museum returned to London to deal with the about the decision. The two sides had most vulnerable people.” Syrian crisis. been due to meet in The Hague on John Kerry: “There is a clear reason Re-Opens in Greece The administration has deliberately left Wednesday to discuss setting up an inter - that the world has banned entirely the THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — A museum dedicat- national conference on finding a political use of chemical weapons” ed to the founder of the modern Turkish state solution to the crisis. Washington has recently bolstered its reopened earlier this month in his native city in The Russian deputy defense minister, naval presence in the eastern northern Greece following a year’s restoration Egoyan, Khanjian Gennady Gatilov, said working out the Mediterranean and military leaders from work. political parameters for a resolution on the US, UK and their allies have con - Greek and Turkish government officials said the Appeal for Release Syria would be especially useful, with the vened a meeting in Jordan. museum, at the house where Mustafa Kemal Of Canadians threat of force hanging over the country. Analysts believe the most likely US Ataturk is believed to have been born in 1881, On Monday, Cameron spoke to action would be sea-launched cruise mis - would help efforts to strengthen ties between the Arrested in Egypt Russian President Vladimir Putin who siles targeting Syrian military installa - two historic rivals. said there was no evidence yet that Syria tions. The three-level house inaugurated in TORONTO (Globe and Mail) — had used chemical weapons against But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Thessaloniki on August 16 lies within the Turkish Filmmaker Atom Egoyan and his wife, rebels, Cameron’s office said. Lavrov told reporters on Monday the Consulate complex. It has been declared a modern the actress Arsinée Khanjian, have joined The official Chinese news agency, West had not produced any proof that monument by Greek cultural authorities, and was a growing chorus of calls to release two Xinhua, said Western powers were rush - President Assad’s forces had used chemi - restored to the appearance it had in 1881. Canadians arrested by Egyptian authori - ing to conclusions about who may have cal weapons. Ataturk lived part of his childhood in ties more than a week ago. used chemical weapons in Syria before He was responding to suggestions Thessaloniki. In a brief video posted to YouTube, the UN inspectors had completed their inves - from some Western countries that mili - Cairo-born Egoyan asks for the immedi - tigation. tary action against the Syrian govern - ate release of “our good friends,” film - ment could be taken without a UN man - Kurdish Militants in War UN visit maker John Greyson and emergency- date. Of Words with Turkey room physician Tarek Loubani. “These Both the Syrian government and Lavrov said the use of force without are very, very important members of our rebels have blamed each other for last Security Council backing would be “a ISTANBUL (Reuters) — A Kurdish militant group community, they’re very, very dear Wednesday’s attacks. crude violation of international law.” said on Monday it was keeping its side of the bar- friends, they’re people of the highest, Medical charity Medecins Sans Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William gain in a peace process with Turkey to end a 29- highest character, and I think this has all Frontieres said three hospitals it support - Hague told the BBC an international mil - year-old insurgency, rejecting Prime Minister been a tremendous misunderstanding.” ed in the Damascus area had treated itary response to the suspected use of Tayyip Erdogan’s accusation it had failed to with- He adds: “They are exceptional human about 3,600 patients with “neurotoxic chemical weapons would be possible draw most of its fighters. beings.” symptoms”, of whom 355 had died. without the backing of the UN. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said Ankara Greyson and Loubani were detained US officials said there was “little The UN Security Council is divided, had failed to take steps beyond halting military on August 18 when their supporters say doubt” that President Bashar al-Assad’s with Russia and China opposing military action to end a conflict, which has killed more than they got lost in Cairo and wandered into government was to blame. intervention and the UK and France 40,000 people. a police station to ask for directions. UN inspectors spent nearly three hours warning that the UN could be bypassed if PKK leader Abdullah Oçalan, jailed on an island They were arrested along with seven in the western district of Muadhamiya on there was “great humanitarian need.” near Istanbul, declared a ceasefire in March after other foreigners, none of whom has been Monday where they visited two hospitals In a column in The Times newspaper, months of talks with the Turkish state and his mil- charged. Despite protests by the and interviewed survivors, eyewitnesses former UK PM Tony Blair has written itants began moving to Iraq in May under a deal Canadian government, Egyptian prosecu - and doctors. that if the West does not intervene to sup - envisaging boosted Kurdish rights. tors last week obtained an order permit - A UN spokesman said they had col - port freedom and democracy in Egypt Erdogan was quoted as saying last week that the ting the men to be held for an additional lected some samples. and Syria, the Middle East will face cata - PKK had not kept a promise to withdraw from 15 days without charge. Earlier in the day, the UN convoy came strophe Turkey, with only 20 percent of PKK rebels leaving, The men had arrived in Cairo intend - under fire from unidentified snipers and The UN says more than 100,000 peo - mostly women and children. ing to continue on to Gaza, where was forced to turn back before resuming ple have been killed since the uprising “Our forces have followed the withdrawal deci- Loubani trains physicians in advanced its journey. against President Assad began more than sion to the letter and the implementation process cardiac and trauma life support, but the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon two years ago. The conflict has produced is continuing,” the PKK said in a statement, with- turmoil in Egypt had delayed their travel. condemned the shooting and asked the more than 1.7 million registered refugees. out specifying how many fighters had left. It added In the YouTube video, which has been it would continue to do what was required. posted on TarekandJohn.com, Khanjian The ceasefire has largely held but PKK comman- greets viewers in Arabic and explains Turkish Taksim Square Protester Wins ders have warned of new clashes if Turkey does not that she is good friends with the two take concrete steps to advance the process by men. She then adds in English: “They German Human Rights Award September. have been very actively important mem - In addition to more Kurdish-language education, bers of our community, as artists, as BERLIN (PanArmenian.net) — Turkey’s “Standing Man,” a performance the Kurds, who dominate Turkey’s southeast and members of our civil society, they have artist who became an icon of anti-government protests this year, will receive account for about a fifth of the population, want represented our culture, our arts, and — a major German human rights award on September 5 in Potsdam. anti-terrorism laws softened, the electoral thresh- in the case of Tarek — the sciences in this Erdem Gunduz, a 34-year-old dancer and choreographer, will be honored old to enter parliament lowered from 10 percent, country.” for his “courageous commitment to freedom of expression and human rights” and more powers for local governments. A petition on Change.org calling on with the M100 Media Award, awarded annually by a jury of journalists. To keep the process on track, the government is the Canadian government to “help free Gunduz became known for remaining motionless for hours in Istanbul’s expected to begin debating a package of reforms Tarek and John” had more than 82,000 Taksim Square during protests that challenged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip this week. Erdogan, under pressure from national- names as of noon on Tuesday. Erdogan during the summer. ists for offering concessions to militants, said last The men are expected to appear before “With his silent protest, he became the icon of peaceful resistance and has week the measures would not “disturb the Turkish an Egyptian prosecutor on Wednesday been emulated around the world,” said the jury. public.” He ruled out any general amnesty for PKK afternoon to present documents proving “His weapon is creativity, his trademarks are courage and perseverance. fighters, according to Turkish newspaper reports. they were not part of the anti-govern - That is what you need to promote free speech and human rights,” said ment protests that have roiled Egypt this Potsdam mayor and M100 chair Jann Jakobs. summer. 4 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Nishanians Armenian Awarded St. Educators and Officials from Nersess Medal Perkins School WASHINGTON — On Sunday, August 18, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Exchange Visits Eastern Diocese, visited the St. Mary Church. On the name day of the church, the Feast of the WATERTOWN (Watertown Tab) — Schools Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, the around the world may be out for the summer, Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and per - but educators and government officials have formed the Blessing of Grapes service. been hard at work strengthening relationships After the services, Barsamian presented the that will unlock the potential of children who St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal to Jirair and are blind or deaf and blind in Armenia. In Anahid Nishanian, longtime members of the Watertown, as well as in Yerevan, representa - Washington parish and benefactors at the local, tives of Perkins International have been work - diocesan and international levels. The Primate ing together with the Armenian government presented the medal to the Nishanians on and educational institutions to improve oppor - behalf of Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and tunities for the children they serve. Catholicos of All Armenians. Gagik Hovhannisyan with his mother, Jasmin Khazarian On June 28, participants celebrated the com - In the pontifical encyclical accompanying the pletion of a specialized program at the State medal, Karekin II wrote: “As dedicated mem - Pedagogical University in Yerevan. The series of bers of St. Mary Church of Washington, DC, four intensive seminars over a two-year period you have offered, with love, your financial sup - was arranged by Perkins International in con - port towards the prosperity of the church. Your Armenian Man Thanks junction with the university, the Ministry of contributions testify to your love of church and Labor and Social Affairs, Kharberd Specialized nation.” Children’s Home and the “For You” charitable In presenting the honor, Barsamian extolled North Shore-LIJ Doctors organization. Professionals and university stu - the efforts of the Nishanians on behalf of the dents from Gumri Children’s Home, Mary church, including their renovation of the main Izmirlyan Children’s Home, Special School #14, altar of St. Mary Church and thanked them for For Life-Saving Surgeries local inclusive schools and Kharberd Special their support of scholarships in Armenia. “For Children’s Home enhanced their skills as teach - many years now, Jirair and Anahid have been ers of children who are visually impaired with providing moral and material support for the NEW YORK (Jewish Voice) — Three months to the day after being admitted to North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) for treatment of brain seizures, a 30-year- additional disabilities. edification of our people,” he said. Indicating the value placed on the collabo - Jirair Nishanian was born in Iran, the son of old Armenian man had the opportunity on Thursday, August 8, to thank the two local surgeons who changed his life. ration, the celebration was attended by United Genocide survivors. Educational opportunity States Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, brought him to the US, where he has had a “I am so grateful to you all,” Gagik Hovhannisyan of Yerevan, Armenia, said via an interpreter during a press conference held at NSUH. joined by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs “For the first time in my life, I am not having seizures,” said Hovhannisyan, with Artem Asatryan and other Ministry officials, in his mother by his side and his father and sister joining in from Armenia via Skype. addition to Armenia State Pedagogical “I can go home, drive a car, and do all the things that I could never do before. This University Vice-rector Ara Yeremyan, Dr. is a miracle to me.” Haratun Balasanyan from Kharberd Hovhannisyan was 7 in 1990 when he was brought to Cohen Children’s Medical Specialized Children’s Home and other digni - Center (then Schneider’s Children’s Hospital) under the auspices of the Russian taries. Dennis Lolli of Perkins International Gift of Life and the International Rotary. His mother, Jasmin Khazarian, was told traveled from Watertown to Yerevan to attend her son had been born with a congenital heart condition known as Tetralogy of the event. Fallot — a rare condition that occurs in about five out of every 10,000 babies. The university program not only deepens expertise, but also expands the numbers of chil - dren who can be educated to reach their fullest potential. Of an estimated 8,000 children with disabilities in Armenia, approximately 1,700 are “A SAMOTHER , I GAVE BIRTH TO MY SON , blind with additional disabilities. In 2011, pro - BUT THE DOCTORS AT THE NORTH SHORE -LIJ grams served no more than 75 of these chil - dren. To reach more children in need, Perkins HEALTH SYSTEM GAVE HIM A LIFE ” garnered private support and partnered with the Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social —Jasmin Khazarian Affairs and local social homes. By the end of 2013, Perkins partners in Armenia expect to Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presents the impact more than 400 children and to double Nishanians with the St. Nersess Medal. Vincent Parnell, MD, surgeon-in-chief at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, per - the activities involving families. formed surgery to correct that condition. Furthering the power of collaboration, Due to his heart condition, Hovhannisyan later developed a seizure disorder as Balasanyan accompanied Lala Ghazaryan, head career in engineering and commercial develop - a result of an infection that developed in his brain. When he was 16, Russian Gift of the Department of Family and Children’s ment. Motivated by the experiences his parents of Life stepped in again and had him brought back to the children’s hospital. His Issues, and Senior Specialist Karine had during the Genocide, Jirair Nishanian was cardiac situation was stable, but the anti-seizure medications were not doing the Khacatryan from the Ministry of Labor and inspired to provide assistance to the children of job. Doctors decided he would eventually need brain surgery to remove the lesions Social Affairs, on a trip to observe classes and Armenia — especially to orphans, the under - causing the seizures. teaching methods, interact with students and privileged and promising students seeking high - Through it all, Hovhannisyan refused to give in to his disorder. He taught him - share ideas with educators at Perkins School er education. self how to play the piano, learned English, mastered computers and graduated for the Blind in Watertown in early July. The Jirair Nishanian Foundation currently from Yerevan State University. As his proud mother said during the press confer - Numerous professionals from Armenia had provides scholarships to nearly 60 students in ence, “My son never believed he was sick.” already spent time honing their skills at Perkins the homeland. His foundation also works with On May 8, Hovhannisyan returned to the US and was admitted to NSUH. Three since 2005. the Fund for Armenian Relief in a number of weeks later he underwent a 10-hour diagnostic epilepsy surgery with Ashesh At a July 10 reception welcoming members of charitable efforts. The couple has three children Mehta, MD North Shore-LIJ Health System’s director of epilepsy surgery, to pin - the local Armenian-American community, and five grandchildren. point where the seizures began and what areas were affected. Ghazarhyan told the gathering, “The govern - “I feel humbled,” Jirair Nishanian said as he “During the first surgery, 210 electrodes were implanted by opening Gagik’s ment in Armenia is doing whatever is possible accepted the medal. “I did not expect any skull to determine the exact location of the seizures,” Dr. Mehta said. “After mon - for children in special education.” She acknowl - award, because I feel that it is my duty and itoring his brain activity for several days, we performed a second surgery that last - edged the contributions of the Armenian dias - responsibility to support my church, heritage ed seven hours. In this procedure, the seizure-producing areas of the brain were pora. “Our successes would be difficult to and homeland.” removed. Through all of this, great care had to be taken to avoid harm to the brain achieve without friends like you. There is lots During the luncheon following the services, areas that control movement, vision, memory, language and feeling.” left to do,” she said, “Together, we can do it.” St. Mary’s pastor Rev. Hovsep Karapetyan called Hovhannisyan was discharged on June 14. To date, he is seizure-free with no Perkins President Steven Rothstein also the occasion “a day of joy for all of us, as we cel - impairment to his speech, language or memory skills. spoke of the power of partnership, “Here at ebrate the name day of our beloved home St. “As a mother, I gave birth to my son, but the doctors at the North Shore-LIJ Perkins, or in Yerevan, we have one goal. With Mary Church.” He added, “Today is a day of per - Health System gave him a life,” said Khazarian, who surprised Parnell during the incredible partners like you, we can train teach - sonal renewal and re-commitment to St. Mary press conference when she presented him with a hand drawing he had done 23 ers, build capacity, provide the tools and the Church and to our Christian identity as children years ago to explain Hovhannisyan’s heart condition. equipment needed to empower teachers and of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.” parents to release the genius that exists in see MEDAL, page 5 every child.” S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS

Balakian to Teach Course on Aftermath of Armenian Genocide and Holocaust Jews in Europe and the history of the self? How do literature and art allow us to “I began to see in the mid 1970s that the By Taleen Babayan Armenians of the Ottoman Empire offer see the resilience of human beings in the literary landscape was changing and that striking parallels and this makes for some wake of crushing experience?” the impact of historical trauma on the imag - exciting comparative work.” The interdisciplinary nature of the course, ination was opening into a new area,” said NEW YORK — Award-winning author and The course focuses on the aftermath of which has been approved to satisfy Balakian. professor Peter Balakian will teach a course the Armenian Genocide, which resulted in Columbia University’s Global Core require - A New York Times bestselling author, titled “The Armenian Genocide and the the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians dur - ment, makes the class more accessible and Balakian’s memoir Black Dog of Fate is the Holocaust: Memory and ing the first world war under the Young appealing to students of all fields of best-selling work of literary non-fiction Representation,” this fall at Columbia Turk regime in the Ottoman Empire, and study. The class is open to undergraduate about the Armenian Genocide. The author University. the Holocaust, which culminated in the and graduate students who will have the of nine books, Balakian lectures worldwide Balakian, who has been appointed the extermination of 6 million Jews by the Nazi option to take on projects and assignments and has been the recipient of many literary Nikit and Eleanora Ordjanian Visiting party during World War II. Students will in relation to their specific majors. prizes including the PEN/Albrand Prize for Professor in the Department of Middle East, explore the impact of genocide on the self “This course offers a kind of knowledge Memoir, the Raphael Lemkin Prize, a South Asian and African Studies of the uni - and the imagination’s representations that allows students to see how societies can Guggenheim Fellowship and a National versity, is approaching the issue of genocide through primary texts, which include litera - do awful things but it also allows students to Endowment of the Arts Fellowship, as well studies in a unique way, giving students the ture, film, visual art, memoirs and video tes - see conversely the importance of democra - as the recent Spendlove Prize for Social opportunity to gain insight to some of the timony. cy, tolerance and multi-cultural society,” Justice. broader dimensions of genocide and its “Studying survivor experience, allows us said Balakian. “It’s a course that will take The Armenian Genocide and the aftermath. to see what the long-term impact of geno - students into the most pressing ethical and Holocaust: Memory and Representation, a “The lessons of the Armenian Genocide cide can be on the human self and the imag - moral issues of life on the planet.” seminar-style course (G4326, Call #86035) were not lost on the Nazis,” said Balakian, ination,” said Balakian, who has been study - Balakian, whose research on the Armenian will be taught on Thursdays 2:10 to 4 p.m. who is the Donald M. and Constance H. ing and writing about genocide for more Genocide evolved from his work as a poet and is open to auditors as well as matricu - Rebar Professor of the Humanities, profes - than four decades. “How do survivors make and a literary scholar, laid the groundwork lating students. Classes begin September 5. sor of English and director of creative writ - meaning after catastrophic experience? How for writing about the transmission of trauma Registration may be done online ing at Colgate University. “The history of does the event live on in the traumatized across generations in literary studies. atwww.ce.columbia.edu/auditing. Ara Sarafian to Speak on the Armenians of Bitlis

FRESNO — Historian Ara Sarafian of the remains of the Armenian past. Most of it was Thomas Mugerditchian’s The Diyarbekir ern Armenian history. London Gomidas Institute will present an illus - destroyed in the Armenian Genocide and the Massacres and Kurdish Atrocities , (Gomidas The lecture is free and open to the public. trated lecture “A Hundred Years Ago: The anti-Armenian policies of the Turkish republic. Institute, 2013). Parking will be available in Lots Q, K and L the Armenians of Bitlis” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, In this talk, “The Armenians of Bitlis,” Sarafian is an archival historian specializing night of the lecture. Use parking code 273401 September 5, in the Industrial Technology Sarafian will present both a historical and a in late Ottoman history. He is the director of to receive a free parking pass. For more infor - Building, Room 101, at the South-East corner contemporary view of the Armenian presence the Gomidas Institute, which is a leading mation on the lecture, contact the Armenian of Barstow and Campus Drive, on the Fresno in Bitlis before 1915. His power-point presenta - research and publication center related to mod - Studies Program. State campus. tion will draw on a critical set of Ottoman, The lecture is co-sponsored by the Armenian Armenian and Russian sources from 1880 to Studies Program, the Armenian Students 1915, as well as his latest trip to the region. Organization of Fresno State and the Leon S. “The Armenians of Bitlis” is part of a broad - Peters Foundation. er bridge-building project which the Gomidas Former Aide to West Publishing Bitlis was one of the great centers of Institute launched in Bitlis this year. The pro - Armenian civilization, with a unique identity of ject has already benefited from the support of its own. Armenians lived in this mountainous many Kurds and Turks and will lead to a public Executive Indicted region, in towns and villages with schools, exhibition in Bitlis next year. churches, and monasteries. Today, very little The lecture will end with the release of Cafesjian denied that and countersued, alleg - By Dan Browning ing that Waters embezzled about $5 million from him. The indictment, which largely mirrors MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Star Tribune) — A Cafesjian’s allegations, says Waters had sig - former aide to retired West Publishing Co. natory authority over a number of Cafesjian’s executive Gerard Cafesjian has been indicted accounts. It says that from 1999 into 2012, by a federal grand jury on charges that he Waters transferred millions of dollars from embezzled millions of dollars from his former those accounts to other accounts that he employer for more than a decade and did not controlled, including one in the name of a report the money on his income tax returns. deceased foreign exchange student. Waters The indictment, which was handed up dummied up Cafesjian’s books and records Monday and unsealed earlier this month, and tried to keep others from reviewing charged John Waters Jr., of Eden Prairie, with them, the indictment says. four counts of mail fraud, 16 counts of wire Prosecutors say that after Waters quit fraud, three counts of income tax evasion working for Cafesjian full time in 2009, he and three counts of filing false tax returns. tried to keep his former boss from reporting Waters, 56, started working for Cafesjian in the dispute to authorities and warned that sales and marketing at West Publishing in harmful information would come out if he 1994. In a 2012 lawsuit, Waters said did. Cafesjian reaped about $300 million on the In his lawsuit, Waters suggested that he sale of West Publishing in 1996 when it was believed he could expose embarrassing acquired by Thomson Corp., now Thomson secrets about Cafesjian’s private life, family Reuters. Waters left with Cafesjian to manage and financial practices. his considerable investments and philan - Cafesjian countered that he had done noth - thropic activities. ing wrong and accused Waters of trying to Cafesjian, who now divides his time “extort his way out of this by threatening between Roseville and Naples, Fla., is a scandalous revelations.” patron of the arts and Armenian causes and Cafesjian’s attorney in the civil case is the primary benefactor of the historic State Andrew Luger, who has been recommended Fair carousel that bears his name in St. by US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Paul’s Como Park. Franken to replace B. Todd Jones, the outgo - Waters’ suit alleged that Cafesjian stiffed ing US attorney in Minnesota. Luger declined him on $5 million in deferred compensation. to comment on the indictment.

Nishanians Awarded St. Nersess Medal MEDAL, from page 4 Jirair Nishanian’s nephew, Vazrik Nishanian, Karapetyan also expressed his appreciation to served as the master of ceremonies for the occa - several diplomatic dignitaries at the luncheon: sion. The afternoon also featured a performance Robert Avetisyan, Nagorno-Karabagh’s represen - by the Chamasian Sisters Trio. A traditional tative to the US; Karen Israyelyan, first secretary madagh meal was donated by the Yepremian at the Armenian Embassy and Col. Mesrop family and the luncheon was sponsored by the Nazaryan, defense attaché at the embassy. Ghazarian family. 6 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Holy Trinity Church Holds Trinity Family Festival, Opens Church Schools

camaraderie that day offers as we reconnect Tournament! September 15, meet weekly from 10:30 a.m. to By Seta A. Buchter with family and friends after the summer hia - The Ancient Tradition of the Blessing of the noon, in the Peter Adamian Hall. The Sunday tus,” said Dorian. Madagh will take place at 4 p.m., followed by School program, which ranges in grades from Traditional Armenian food will be available the Raffle drawing for cash prizes. This year’s Pre-School through 12, is open to all children CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Holy Trinity Armenian throughout the afternoon as well as take-out raffle prizes include $1,000 cash, first prize; and youth, ages 3 to 17. To be eligible for Church of Greater Boston is preparing for its meals, beverages, Armenian coffee and a variety $300, second prize; and $200, third prize. Sunday School, a child must be 3 years of age annual Trinity Family Festival, which will be of pastries and desserts. Children’s and Family Tickets can be obtained by calling the Holy by September 1, 2013, and toilet-trained. held on Sunday, September 15, beginning at Games will begin at 1:30 p.m., and include relay Trinity Church office, emailing Parents must register their child(ren) as a noon, on the grounds of the church, at 145 races, face painting and watermelon-eating con - [email protected], or buying on the day of the parental signature is required. For information Brattle St. test. The younger generation will be able to Festival. regarding the Sunday School program, contact Co-chairing this year’s Festival Committee enjoy the Moonwalk for Kids from noon to 5 The morning will begin with the Divine Seta A. Buchter, Sunday School are David Dorian and Jack Ekchian, who invite p.m. The Greg Krikorian Ensemble featuring Liturgy at 10 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Vasken A. Superintendent, at [email protected], or call the everyone to come ready for a day of fun and fel - Greg Krikorian, oud and vocals; Leon Janikian, Kouzouian, pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church office. Church. On this morning, the Feast of the The Armenian School program is for children Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the last major ages 5 through 17, and meets weekly on Sunday Feast Day (Daghavar) of the Armenian Church mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., for stu - year, will be commemorated. Following the dents registered in the Sunday School, and from Divine Liturgy, the Antasdan Service (Blessing 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., for students registered in of the Four Corners) and Basil (Rahan) the Armenian School only. Classes are taught in Blessing will take place. According to the Eastern Armenian in three grade levels: begin - canons of the Armenian Church, no Requiem ner, intermediate and advanced. Armenian Service (Hokehankisd) will be held. School classes will begin on Sunday, September Holy Trinity Church’s Armenian and Sunday 22. For further information about the Armenian Schools will kick-off the 2013-2014 year on the School program, contact Naira Balagyozian, morning of Sunday, September 15, with regis - Armenian School Administrator, at tration for both schools at 10 a.m., in the Peter [email protected], or call the Church office. Adamian Hall of the church complex. For further information, email Sunday School classes, which will start on [email protected].

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Expert hands guarantee good food at the Trinity Family Festival. MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN lowship. “Our Trinity Family Festival is always a clarinet, George Righellis, guitar and vocals; great afternoon as parishioners and friends Charles Dermenjian, dumbeg; and Steve come together to kick off the fall season with Surabian, tambourine, will perform. And don’t delicious food, great music, and especially the forget to bring your tavloo board for the Tavloo Nardolillo Funeral Home Est. 1906 John K. Najarian, Jr. Shant Mardirossian to Speak at Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 St. James Men’s Club 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 www.nardolillo.com WATERTOWN — On Monday September 9, NEF is affiliated with Syracuse University, Shant Mardirossian, the chairman of the Near where its headquarters are located, and oper - East Foundation (NEF), will be the speaker at ates in seven countries, which include Egypt, the dinner meeting of the St. James Armenian Jordan, Morocco, the West Bank, Sudan, Mali Church Men’s Club. The topic will be Near East and Armenia. Mardirossian most recently led Foundation, which was founded in 1915. NEF’s effort to establish micro-economic devel - opment projects in rural Armenian villages. In his professional life, Mardirossian is a partner GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E and the chief operating officer at Kohlberg & Company, LLC, a leading US middle-market pri - James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC vate equity firm. Mark J. Giragosian He is a graduate of the Lubin School of Funeral Counselors Business at Pace University and holds a bache - 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 lor’s in public accounting and an MBA with www.giragosianfuneralhome.com dual concentration in investment management and strategic management. The social hour starts with Mezza at 6:15 p.m. following by a complete losh kebab and Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a kheyma dinner at 7 p.m., $12 per person. The dinner meeting will be at the St. James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, Keljik Hall, 465 Mount Edward D. Jamie, Jr. Shant Mardirossian Auburn St., Watertown. Ladies are welcome. ServiFnguthne eentrireaAlrmCenhianaCpomemlunity Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location OBITUARY Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088

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BELMONT, Mass. — Grace Emily (Cook) Albina Cook. Torosian of Belmont, formerly of Wrentham, Funeral services were at Holy Trinity died on August 21, after a long illness. Armenian Church, Cambridge, on Saturday , Donation She leaves her husband, Kaspar Torosian, August 24. Interment was at Highland Meadow sons Gregory, Markar and Haig; siblings Cemetery, Belmont. In memory of Arsen Demirdjian, Antoine and Rose Bazarbashian and Papken and Anahid Cynthia Charpentier and her husband Paul, Arrangements were made by the Aram Megerian of Philadelphia, Penn., donate $50 each to the . Armenian Mirror- Spectator Diane Johnson and her husband Steve and Bedrosian Funeral home. Warren Cook and his wife Marilyn; father-in-law In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be Arthur Maranian of Belmont, Mass., donated $150 to the , in memo - and mother-in-law Himayak and Lucy Torosian made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church or St. Armenian Mirror-Spectator ry of the late Rev. Ghevont Samoorian. and sister-in-law of Susan Torosian. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, She was the daughter of the late Howard and Watertown. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Bone Marrow Registry Flag Planted atop Mount Ararat

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY. LOS ANGELES — August ration, wave on the summit of Mount Ararat,” 1 became an unforgettable said Dr. Sevak Avagyan, executive director of day for the Armenian Bone ABMDR. Marrow Donor Registry About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor (ABMDR) as a team of Registry: Established in 1999, ABMDR, a non - mountain climbers, includ - profit organization, helps Armenians worldwide ing ABMDR donors, took survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses the organization’s flag to by recruiting and matching donors to those the summit of Mount Ararat, requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. in a gesture of pan-national To date, the registry has recruited over 25,000 support for the registry’s donors in 18 countries across four continents, life-saving mission. identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 16 The 11-member Ararat bone marrow transplants. Dream Team scaled Mount Ararat as part of a journey through Georgia and Western Armenia. Headed Dr. Ara Jeknavorian by Harut Der-Tavitian, the team included three Receives ASTM ABMDR donors: Hratch International Award Lukassain, Ashot Manukian and Hayk Manukian. W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Penn. — ASTM On its way to Mount The ABMDR flag being waved on the summit of Mount Ararat. International Committee C09 on Concrete and Ararat, the Ararat Dream Concrete Aggregates presented the Award of Team passed through Merit to Ara A. Jeknavorian, PhD, a research fel - Javakhk, Georgia, and visited low at W.R. Grace & Co., Cambridge, Mass. The Tmbka Fortress, where it attended the Vahan The Ararat Dream Team also traveled to Lake “We were so very moved by the enthusiasm award and its accompanying title of fellow is Teryan Day celebration, hosted by the Vahan Van and held a celebration on Akhtamar Island. of the Ararat Dream Team and especially the ASTM’s highest organizational recognition for Teryan Museum. The team also visited the ruins Subsequently the ABMDR flag, which was participating ABMDR donors, who had the individual contributions to standards activities. of Ani. signed by the team members, was brought by ABMDR flag, which we consider a wonderful Committee C09 honored Jeknavorian for his Following the arduous climb up Mount the ABDMR donors to the registry’s Stem Cell symbol of pan-Armenian altruism and collabo - dedicated service and outstanding contribu - Ararat, team members held the ABMDR flag Harvesting Center in Yerevan, where the lab PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY. tions to standards for traditional and newly high as the jubilant moment was captured on staff congratulated the donors for having com - developed concrete film. pleted their remarkable journey. admixtures and sup -

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY. plementary cementi - tious materials. He currently serves as a member at large on the C09 executive subcommittee and is a past chairman of Subcommittee C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures. A mem - ber of ASTM Dr. Ara Jeknavorian International since 1984, Jeknavorian was awarded honorary C09 membership status in 2004 and received an Award of Appreciation The ABMDR donors at the registry’s Stem Cell in 2011. Harvesting Center in Yerevan, are, from left, Jeknavorian’s research focuses on the use of Hratch Lukassain, Hayk Manukian, and Ashot Manukian holding the ABMDR flag, which was analytical chemistry to characterize material in The ABMDR donors with the staff of the registry’s Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan signed by members of the Ararat Dream Team. support of product development and trou - bleshooting product performance issues, and the development of chemical admixtures for concrete mixtures. He has been with WR Grace since 1979 and has authored more than 40 pub - lications and holds 18 patents related to chem - ical admixtures. Outside ASTM International, Jeknavorian is a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Concrete Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the former Lowell Technological Institute, Lowell, Mass., and earned his master’s and doctorate in ana - lytical chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 8 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America Celebrates 30th Anniversary

GLENDALE — This year marks the 30th Congresses. The First World Congress was held anniversary of the Armenian Engineers and in the United States, and the Second World Scientists of America (AESA), and their annual Congress (jointly organized with the Ararat banquet will commemorate this occasion. The Academy of Sciences of France) was held at the banquet will be held on Saturday, October 5, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 1993. the Armenian Society of Los Angeles, 117 The AESA has also organized several sym - South Louise St. The reception is at 7 p.m., fol - posia, including one on “Economic lowed by dinner at 8 p.m. The evening’s pro - Restructuring of Armenia,” which was held in gram will include awards, entertainment and Los Angeles in 1991. This specific symposium dancing. attracted more than 200 professionals from the “Anniversaries provide a time of celebration US, Armenia, Canada, UK, France, and and reflection of the important moments in a Australia. Among the attendees was a 16-mem - life,” stated AESA President Mardy Kazarians, ber delegation from Armenia, with members PhD, “and the life of an organization is no from academia and officials of the newly-formed exception. For the AESA, there is much history government of Armenia. In addition, the AESA Hayk Gyokchyan to celebrate, but there is also much more to do has conducted and facilitated various technical to ensure a bright future. This will be an excep - projects in Armenia and in the Armenian dias - tional evening where we will celebrate our orga - pora. It has organized numerous workshops Gyokchyan Named Third Team nization’s 30 years of service by honoring our and lectures on energy, the environment, trans - past presidents for their vision, leadership, and portation, and information processing in dedication to this organization, as well as to the Armenia. All-American Complete Team Armenian community. And for the first time, we Currently, the AESA organizes technical will recognize one of our own with our first workshops and lectures. It plans and organizes LANCASTER, Penn. – Hayk Gyokchyan was named to the 2013 National Association AESA Service Award,” added Kazarians. a Science Olympiad program for junior- and of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III All-America Third Team announced today. The AESA was founded in 1983 in Glendale senior-high school students, as it has done the The team is selected and voted on by member coaches of the National Association of as a non-partisan and non-sectarian philan - past 12 years. This year the AESA begins a new Basketball Coaches. The honor marks the 25th time and fourth straight year a member thropic organization focused primarily on project titled “Green Armenia,” which will of F&M’s basketball team has received All-America recognition. addressing the professional, technical, and sci - explore practical and sound solutions to envi - The honor is the first All-America recognition for Gyokchyan and the fifth postseason entific needs of fellow Armenian engineers, sci - ronmental problems in Armenia. In addition, honor this year. He was named to the NABC Middle Atlantic All-Region First Team, entists, industrialists, and architects through - AESA is initiating two new activities — student D3hoops.com Middle Atlantic Region Second Team, Centennial Conference (CC) Player out the world. The by-laws were established in mentoring and scholarship programs — at the of the Year and earned a spot on the All-CC First Team. 1984 and the first council was elected in 1985. college level. A Robotics Program for junior- Gyokchyan (Beirut, Lebanon/The Lawrenceville School) ranked in the top-10 in mul - The organization was registered in California and senior-high school students is also being tiple statistical categories in the conference. He was fourth in both rebounds per game and DC as a non-profit organization in 1986, evaluated. “We want AESA to play an impor - (7.5) and three-point percentage (38.9), sixth with 15.9 points per game and seventh with and in Armenia as an NGO in 1999. The AESA tant role in the community by providing a a one block per game average. Gyokchyan scored in double-figures in 19 contests, includ - has several sections in the United States, forum for young Armenian engineers and sci - ing eight 20-plus point performances and had six double-doubles this season. including New York/New Jersey, New England, entists to meet and collaborate with their Earlier in the season he became the 33rd player to reach 1,000 points in program his - Michigan, and Metropolitan Washington DC. peers,” concluded Kazarians. tory. He finished his career ranked fourth in blocks (133), sixth in games played (116) Since its inception 30 years ago, the AESA has For banquet tickets, or to learn more, visit and seventh with 712 rebounds. organized two World Armenian Scientific AESA’s website at http://aesa.org. Gyokchyan headlined a senior class that put together one of the best four-year spans in the history of the program. During their time at F&M, the Diplomats won four regu - lar season titles, three conference titles, went to three NCAA Tournaments and made it to the Elite Eight twice. The group had 20 plus win seasons all four years and finished with a 97-21 overall record, 60-12 CC record and went 62-7 at the Mayser Center with a Fresno Commemorates 98th 14-4 postseason mark. F&M finished the season with a 20-7 mark, won its fifth-straight regular season title Anniversary of Musa Dagh Battle and advanced to the its fifth-straight conference championship game.

FRESNO — The heroic struggle and victory cued by the French Allied warship Guichen in of the Forty Days of Musa Dagh will be cele - the nearby Mediterranean Sea. brated in Central California on Labor Day The Allied sailors evacuated more than Weekend. 4,000 villagers to Port Said, Egypt. Two The 98th anniversary commemoration of decades later, many of the survivors immi - the historic battle and rescue takes place grated to Lebanon and founded the town of Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September Anjar. Austrian author Franz Viktor Werfel 1, at the Fresno County Peace Officers immortalized the historical event in his 1933 Association Training Grounds, 7633 North novel, The Forty Days of Musa Dagh . Weber Ave., next to Camp Pashayan. The The commemoration begins at 7 p.m. with commemorative events are open to the pub - traditional Davoul Zoorna and contemporary lic. Armenian music, dancing, food and the In the early decades of the 20th Century, preparation of herissa , a lamb and whole authorities of the Ottoman Empire attempted wheat stew, first prepared by the defenders of to force Armenian villagers in the region of Mousa Ler. The weekend will continue at Cilicia to change their ways and religious 10:30 a.m. on September 1, with celebration faith. The villagers refused to give in to these of the Divine Liturgy, Hokihankist and bless - demands and climbed a stately peak called ing of Herissa. Mousa Ler, meaning “Moses Mountain.” The For more information and to make dona - villagers resisted the armed soldiers of the tions, email [email protected] or Ottoman Empire for 40 days and were res - [email protected]. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Historian Hovannisian Speaks in Australia, Canada

LOS ANGELES — Prof. Richard students and teachers were of Armenian, es beginning with absolute denial to the more August 11, in a program dedicated to the late Hovannisian has continued to bring Armenian Turkish, Kurdish, Pakistani, Nigerian, effective approaches of explaining or rational - Prof. Marjorie Housepian Dobkin, whose pio - history and awareness of the Armenian Argentine, Mexican, American and Canadian izing the event and relativizing the calamity neering work, based in large measure on first- Genocide to audiences worldwide. From backgrounds. During his first day at the insti - by asserting that all peoples suffered from the hand interviews and oral histories, led to the August 5 through 7, he participated in an tute on August 9, Hovannisian presented an same conditions that may have caused some publication of the acclaimed book, The international conference at Monash overarching analysis of the Armenian suffering and loss of life to the alleged victim Smyrna Affair, reissued as Smyrna 1922: University in Melbourne, Australia on “Aftermath: Sites and Sources of Memory.” The Dr. Jan Randa Conference in Holocaust and Genocide Studies was sponsored by the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and drew scholars from Australia, East Asia, the Middle East, the Europe and both North and South America. Hovannisian’s presentation on the Armenian post-Genocide experience and the role of Armenian oral history in reconstructing the historical event was the sole paper on the Armenian Genocide, embell - ished by brief film clips of survivors from Banderma, Smyrna, Aintab, Kharpert and Sepastia. The presentation roused intense discussion about survivor testimony and comparisons of Armenian oral histories with those of sur - vivors of subsequent genocides ranging from the Holocaust, to Cambodia, Indonesia and East Timor and Rwanda. While in Australia, Hovannisian was invited by the joint Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary committees of both Melbourne and Sydney to open a series of planned events with a discussion and visual presentation on historic Western Armenia. The presentations were embellished with video segments pre - pared by his daughter, Ani Hovannisian Kevorkian, of interaction with the last remain - ing Armenians in Dikranagerd/Diyarbakir and the Armenian-speaking Hamshen people in the mountains near the Black Sea in east - ernmost Turkey. The capacity audiences in both cities showed particular appreciation for Hamshen tea growers, June 2013 (Courtesy of Roupen Berberian) these real-life scenes filmed as recently as June. From Australia, Hovannisian traveled Genocide from its historical antecedents to group. The Destruction of a City . During his talk, directly to Toronto to participate in the two- the genocidal process itself and the after - Under the sponsorship of the Zoryan Hovannisian also reflected on the importance week Genocide and Human Rights University math. On the second day, he focused on Institute and 10 community organizations, of the Armenian community of Smyrna/Izmir Program at the University of Toronto, spon - denial of genocide, its reasons and motiva - Hovannisian spoke at the Armenian prior to the great fire that destroyed the thriv - sored by the Zoryan Institute. The enrolled tions, strategies and tactics, and various phas - Community Centre of Toronto on Sunday, ing city in September 1922. 10 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

50-year Retrospective Live Musical by Tom Vartabedian Tradition on Sept. 15 at ALMA WATERTOWN — Tom Vartabedian, Continues at award-winning writer and photographer, will present a program titled, “A 50-year Retrospective into Journalism,” at the ‘Return to Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) on Sunday, September Asbury’ Kef 15, at 7 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, Inc. Weekend Vartabedian will talk about his 50-year career with the Haverhill Gazette and his work as a correspondent for the Armenian press since the early 1960s. His By Taleen Babayan column in the Armenian Weekly , titled “Poor Tom’s Almanac,” is the oldest-run - ASBURY PARK, N.J. — While decades have ning columns in the Armenian press. He passed since the original Asbury Park kef is also a regular contributor to other pub - Bulgarian singer and MAP student Eliz Gagosian (right) performs alongside renowned events, which were geared towards the lications, including the Armenian Mirror- Armenian community in the 1950s and 1960s, Spectator , the Armenian Reporter, USA mezzo-soprano Anna Mayilyan (center) and Armine Khachatryan, a member of her a capella trio, at MAP’s final gala concert this summer. one important element of that generation has Armenian Life and Asbarez . He will rem - withstood the test of time: the performance of inisce about some of his favorite stories — traditional live Armenian music. both nostalgic and entertaining. An exhib - For the second year in a row, a new genera - it of his favorite photojournalism prints tion of diasporan-born Armenian musicians over the past five decades will be on dis - AGBU’s Musical Armenia entertained a sold-out crowd with their tradi - play. A reception will follow. tional Armenian instruments and renditions of Vartabedian was born, raised and edu - Program Launches Young popular songs at the “Return to Asbury Kef cated in Somerville, studying journalism Weekend,” which took place August 2-4 at the at Boston University. As a writer-photog - Ocean Berkeley Waterfront Hotel. Artists’ Careers The weekend gave Armenians of that historic era in Armenian-American history the opportu - NEW YORK — In just one year, the AGBU Musical Armenia Program (MAP), which nity to reminisce about the old days and the was launched last summer to connect talented young artists with their cultural her - new generation a glimpse of a special time itage, has given participants even more: career opportunities. among Armenians who would summer at With MAP’s support, Shaghig Amy Kazandjian, a recent college graduate from Asbury Park and attend Armenian kef events. Canada and a French horn player, has landed a spot in the Yerevan State Opera and Live Armenian instruments, singers and musi - Ballet orchestra. The contract will keep Kazandjian in Yerevan through the upcom - cians were abound the whole weekend, from an ing fall season, where she is building on the weeks of intensive training that all MAP impromptu “jam session” by the hotel’s pool — participants enjoyed. where all attendants had a chance to step in Kazandjian, who joined the Yerevan State Opera and Ballet in two summer con - and grab a mic, thump on a dumbeg or play the certs, wasn’t the only MAP student to take the public stage in Armenia during the violin — and the main event of the weekend, the program, which ran from July 15 to August 4. barahantes (kef dance). Percussionist and composer Andrea Godoshian, who hails from Michigan, played Headlining the musical portion of the week - alongside celebrated jazz musician Armen “Chico” Tutunjian and his band in a live end were members of the Michael Gostanian show and each of MAP’s seven participants have their sights set on performing in Ensemble and the Aravod and Artsakh bands. Journalist Tom Vartabedian the 2014 Renaissance International Music Festival in Gumri after receiving a per - Although they are all US-born, they have sonal invitation from the festival’s director, pianist Karine Avdalyan. learned to play traditional Armenian instru - Avdalyan was one of the many renowned artists whom the students met as they ments and sing Armenian songs, ensuring that rapher for the Haverhill Gazette , he has practiced playing the French horn, harp, percussions, viola, violin and singing and a part of Armenian culture does not get lost in garnered more than 50 awards from composing. Several performers taught back-to-back MAP seminars, including mezzo- the shuffle of assimilation. United Press International, Associated soprano Anna Mayilyan and music historians Gagik Ginosyan, Mher Navoyan, Araxy The interest, will, dedication and inspiration Press and New England Press Association Saryan and Arthur Shakhnazaryan. Each offered instrumental and vocal lessons in the musicians were exposed to in their youth before retiring in 2006. addition to lectures, which spanned genres and years, such as those on 19th-centu - certainly helped them forge not only an interest In 2002, Vartabedian was presented the ry Armenian classical music, Armenian jazz and folk music, medieval spiritual music in the music, but to learn the instruments and Master Reporter Award by the New and 18th century Armenian minstrel music. For the MAP artists, who call Bulgaria, songs as well. The original kef musicians such England Society of Newspaper Editors. Canada and the United States home, it was an experience they could only find in as Mal Barsamian, Onnik Dinkjian, John He also received the Distinguished Armenia. Berberian, Richard Hagopian and Richie Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of When the MAP participants Berberian, served as an impetus for the America; the Armenian Prelacy’s Eagle weren’t training with profes - younger generation to pursue this genre of Award for community service; American sionals, they were collaborating music. Cancer’s Sword of Hope Award; ASA with some of Armenia’s Anthony Deese, a member of the Artsakh Sarafian Award for good citizenship; four youngest artists. On a special Band, who plays the guitar, piano and key - Massachusetts Golden Press Awards from trip to the Talin Music School board, studied Armenian music during his teen the American Legion Auxiliary for stories with members of the global years by listening to recordings of Mal in the best interests of youth; Eunice group El Sistema Armenia, they Barsamian and the Vosbikian Band in particu - Shriver Foundation award for annual cov - joined students in an interactive lar. erage of Massachusetts Special Olympics class focused on Komitas’ work. “The Armenian community has a strong Games and New England Photographer The MAP students themselves affection for its music and, as such, the music of the Year three times. were following in the footsteps has a rich history,” said Deese, a Philadelphia Vartabedian has taught at Armenian of the legendary musician, who native. School for 30 years at St. Gregory Church travelled across the country Armen Sevag, who played the violin as a in North Andover and remains a strong gathering and recording differ - guest with the Michael Gostanian Ensemble, advocate for Armenian Genocide educa - ent songs, and before leaving was taught music by his late grandmother, tion in our public schools where he gives they gave a joint concert with Celebrated violinist Bagrat Vardanyan provides Helen Sevag, who herself performed the violin frequent presentations dedicated to his the school’s youth. AGBU one-on-one instruction to MAP participant Alec for 85 years. His music education continued mom Jennie, the last Genocide survivor in Performing Arts Department Ohanian. when he joined the Aravod Ensemble in 1997 Haverhill. He is on the Board of Directors Artistic Director Hayk Arsenyan and explored other instruments such as the of Project SAVE Armenian Photograph commented on the significance oud and kanun. His experiences at Camp Archives, Inc. of the visit, stating, “During the time we spent at the Talin school, we got to the Haiastan and Camp Vartan and his exposure to He lives in Haverhill with his wife of 48 heart of the MAP mission: to bring Armenians from around the world closer to the music there also stemmed his interest and years, Nancy, a retired schoolteacher. The country’s culture and arts. Watching the students collaborate, it became clear we opened him up to Armenian music, which couple has three children and six grand - accomplished that goal. They were inspired by everything they learned from the chil - “speaks to our soul as Armenians and is a sym - children. dren of Talin and are sure to take the experience with them when they return home bol of our survival and triumph,” said Sevag. The event is free and open to the pub - and move forward in their careers.” Gostanian’s exposure to Armenian music also lic. Refreshments will follow the program. see MUSICAL, page 11 started at a young age while in Armenian school and church. A music session with a good see KEF, page 11 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING AGBU’s Musical Armenia Program Launches Young Artists’ Careers

MUSICAL, from page ? had the opportunity to see firsthand the museum, the participants gave new life to students, it was only the beginning. As Shaghig If the trip to Talin introduced the MAP manuscripts and instruments owned by pieces that dated from as early as the fourth Kazandjian shared, “Through MAP, I was able group to Armenia’s future generation of Armenia’s earliest musicians, including Sayat century. They also showcased their own work. to discover Armenia and embrace my culture, artists, museums tours helped them better Nova and Jivani. MAP participant Stephan Before an audience of tourists and fellow musi - history and identity in ways I never could have understand the country’s musical history. MAP Atamian of New York commented, “I realized cians, the entire MAP ensemble, together with imagined. I learned so much about my musical brought the students to the house-museums of throughout the summer that some of the only their instructors, performed an original piece heritage and I can’t wait to continue to cultural icons Aram Khachaturian, Sergei documentation we have of our musical her - composed by student Andrea Godoshian espe - immerse myself in Armenian music in the Paradjanov, Alexander Spendiarian and itage is archived in Armenia’s wonderful muse - cially for the event. It was one of the highlights months to come. I’m so excited to join the Hovhannes Tumanyan for an intimate look at ums. At the same time, I realized that it is up of an evening that was made complete when orchestra of the Yerevan State Opera and their lives and work. At Yerevan’s Charentz to us Armenian artists to bring those pieces to student and vocalist Eliz Gagosian joined Ballet, a once in a lifetime opportunity that I Museum of Literature and Art, where PAD life as only music can.” Mayilyan’s a cappella trio. know I will look back on years from now as one Director Arsenyan led a lecture on Armenian At the final MAP gala concert on Sunday, The final gala concert marked the end of a of the highlights of my career-thanks to composers of the Ottoman Empire, they also August 4, in the salon of Khachaturian’s house- summer of learning and creating. But for the AGBU.”

“Armenian folk music is like the Armenian Live Musical Tradition Continues at ‘Return language, they go hand in hand,” said Ansbigian. “Our ancestors fought and died to To Asbury’ Kef Weekend preserve it, and I believe we have an obligation to ensure it remains intact for future genera - KEF, from page 10 the legendary Udi Hrant Kenkulian, Marko tions.“ friend of his, however, made him decide to take Melkon and Madlen Araradian,” said Ansbigian. One way to secure that this music will not be his interest in Armenian music a step further. “He made a point of encouraging my father to lost is for young Armenians to start playing “It started out as just something fun for us begin playing and the tradition continued with instruments and contribute to their culture in a to do on our own, but word got out and along me. When I think about it, I realize how fortu - more musical and artistic way. came our first gig,” said vocalist Gostanian, who nate I was to grow up listening to 78rpm “Without new musicians to draw inspiration also plays the kanoun and bass guitar. “Seeing records of my own great grandfather singing from previous artists and make it into some - all the people get enjoyment out of our music and playing dumbeg .” thing new, we will be left listening to the same sealed the deal.” He further learned the craft by studying with songs, same arrangements, and same albums,” Growing up as a part of the East Coast Kef renowned oudist John Berberian. said Deese. Music scene, Antranig Kzirian took a special The opportunity for an event like this to “Beyond the cultural preservation element is interest in the oud , which he found to be “mys - showcase live Armenian music and the talent the joy of the family atmosphere in creating tical and intriguing.” Although he also played behind the performances, came to fruition music together with good friends,” said Sevag. the guitar, he decided to focus more specifical - through Robin Barone’s leadership, who after “These songs are anchors and roots to our hap - piest moments growing up and it is a privilege ly on the oud during his college years. spending time abroad in Armenian communi - Members of the Michael Gostanian Ensemble “Everyone talked about the oud players and ties, realized live Armenian music was a key to infuse new life into a culture that would oth - entertaining the crowd with traditional Armenian erwise be forgotten.” their respective techniques and styles and this missing ingredient. music. really resonated with me as a youth,” said “I quickly learned that I was spoiled to be kef The attendees of Return to Asbury and the Kzirian. raised in Philadelphia and surrounded by musicians alike had an enjoyable time through - As a member of the Aravod Band, “the soul friends who were third-generation musicians,” out the weekend and believe it to be an impor - and depth” of Armenian music has always said Barone. “Every party that I could recall often, when you hear an Armenian song, does - tant event for the Armenian community. inspired him. had live music.” n’t your heart fill will joy and your body want to “Events like the Asbury Kef represent both The youngest member playing at “Return to To that end, she decided to resurrect the start dancing?” nostalgia for the past and move us into the Asbury” was Brian Ansbigian, who played the Asbury Armenian kef event and make it acces - She reached out to the musicians who were future as new generations can be inspired by oud with the Michael Gostanian Ensemble. sible to the new generation of Armenians, who her childhood friends and invited them to per - live music and musicians. Without live musi - Ansbigian, who comes from a lineage of oud could hear traditional Armenian music per - form at the event. cians to watch and be inspired by, as I was in my players — his grandfather and father were tal - formed in front of them. “Like myself, their families had a connection to youth, the future of Armenian music is in jeop - ented musicians — says that Armenian folk “Armenian music is the heart and soul of any the Armenian social life in Asbury decades ago,” ardy,” said Sevag, who also noted it was music is part of his DNA. community event in my opinion,” said Barone. said Barone. “They immediately understood admirable and appropriate for the proceeds to “My great-grandfather, born in Kayseri, was a “It is my favorite part of our culture and an what I wanted to recreate and supported me benefit three local Armenian camps, which is percussionist and vocalist who performed with aspect many people take for granted. Most whole hearted. Without their contributions and where he was first exposed to Armenian music. commitment, this event would not be possible.” “The type of music we play is like history set Events such as the “Return to Asbury” week - to music,” said Gostanian. “It’s a representation end do more than create a weekend of of our people, and I think everybody feels a Armenian camaraderie, music and dance. The draw to their own history. Every time we play organization of an event like this makes sure a song, we get to relive a little bit of that histo - that Armenian music is being preserved and ry, and at the same time we get to pass it on to carried forward. someone else.”

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the young, poor or disadvantaged women of fear that they spread. The dynamic between the By Lucine Kasbarian Armenia? local Armenians and the Diaspora Armenians is VZ: Don’t fall for promises that sound too part of the post-independence Armenian reality, good to be true or appeal to your vanity. When and could not have been excluded from the nar - YEREVAN — Human trafficking represents you face poverty, there are other alternatives. A rative. The contrast between how Diasporan an estimated $32 billion per year in interna - 16 year-old will trust her own circle of friends Armenians generally react to situa - tional trade. In 2008, the United Nations esti - or relatives, many of whom might sell her off. tions toward which local Armenians are largely mated that nearly 2.5 million people from more This could include former childhood classmates indifferent has always intrigued me, and I want - than 125 different countries were being traf - who have fallen in with a bad crowd, brothers ed to incorporate that aspect in the novel. ficked into some 135 countries around the who have drug addictions to feed, or uncles LK: The character of Edik also talks about world. who have gambling debts to pay. They don’t how in post-Soviet Armenia, authority figures According to the International Organization think twice about bartering a friend or relative could not be challenged without serious and for Migration, sex trafficking means coercing a to feed their habits. often fatal consequences, and how the migrant into a sexual act as a condition of allow - LK: Do some of the girls escape and return “Western, activist approach has no place in this ing or arranging the migration. Sex trafficking home? Why do some stay even after they have psyche.” Please talk about this concept. uses physical or sexual coercion, deception, “paid their debts?” abuse of power and bondage incurred through VZ: For the vast majority of them, escape VZ: One of the foundations of communist forced debt. Trafficked women and children, for seems impossible. For many, there are moral philosophy and the Soviet system that ruled instance, are often promised work in the domes - issues that can’t be overcome. How can a girl Armenia was the alleged precedence of the pub - tic or service industry but, instead, are some - resume a respectable life in Armenia if she has lic and collective good over individual rights. times taken to brothels where they are forced been dishonored through prostitution? These Individualism, which was the important driving into prostitution, and their passports and other thugs rule by fear. The traffickers, pimps and force of Western civilizations and philoso - identification papers are confiscated. They may madams are all Armenian. They pay off the phy, had no place on the Soviet system. To this be beaten or locked up and promised their free - police, too. day I see this in Armenia when, for example, I dom only after earning — through prostitution Vahan Zanoyan LK: What do you say to those Armenians was following peoples’ attitude toward Raffi — their purchase price and their travel and visa who don’t want to call attention to this trend Hovanissian’s way of presidential campaigning. costs. because of how shameful it is? Everyone knows the current leadership is bad, Vulnerable populations in former Soviet Armenian girls I met in Dubai. All the names VZ: We can’t say amot eh [it’s shameful], get but no one believes it can be changed. Can you states, such as Armenia, are particularly sus - and locations in the book have been changed to embarrassed and stay quiet. Our silence makes imagine that attitude in the U.S. or Western ceptible to this global phenomenon. Since protect the innocent. us participants in this crime. The best thing for Europe? A handful of oligarchs, no matter how Armenia’s independence, thousands of LK: What has the reaction been to “A Place traffickers is this kind of radio silence on their elaborate their system of patronage Armenian women and girls have been taken — Far Away?” activities. By exposing them, we help the vic - and bureaucratic loyalty, would not be able to to Russia, Turkey, and some Arab states of the VZ: The book has received very favorable tims. If I had the means, I’d freely distribute the rule a country when everyone knows and sees Persian Gulf — to be initiated into prostitution. responses and reviews from media and readers. book to every Armenian over 18, both inside what they are doing. And yet, they get away A 2003-2004 investigation by Edik I don’t seek to make a profit from this initiative. and outside Armenia. Speaking out could also with it in Armenia because people have been Baghdasaryan and Ara Manoogian, journalists My aim is to raise awareness, assist the victims make public officials more diligent. After the conditioned — under seventy years of Soviet for http://www.HETQ.am and and work on prevention. “Desert Nights” documentary surfaced, rule — to accept authority, not to challenge. http://www.TheTruthMustBeTold.com, con - All proceeds from the book go to the United Armenian authorities began to take notice and Only when that link in this vicious cycle is bro - cluded that approximately 2,000 Armenian Methodist Center on Relief action. Before this, the officials would consider ken will Armenia start the process of healing. women were involved in the sex trade in the (http://www.UMCOR.org ), a nonprofit organi - the casualties to be complicit in the crimes LK: In the narrative, you present an act of United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. zation that helps integrate and rehabilitate rather than victims of crime. retribution that comes about after authorities Their findings were documented in the film freed victims of sex trafficking, and that has a LK: What would you like to see happen do nothing to apprehend and punish criminals. “Desert Nights,” as well as a book by the same significant presence in Armenia; and Orran regarding human trafficking? Do you think there is a place for vigilantism in name. (http://www.ORRAN.am), a charitable organi - VZ: There are many great organizations that today’s Armenia? Earlier this year, Armenian-American author zation that provides a safe haven to the most fight against the symptoms of trafficking. One VZ: Vigilantism is a dangerous thing to advo - Vahan Zanoyan released A Place Far Away vulnerable in Armenian society – such as home - is House of Hope (http://mer-hooys.org/). It cate, and that is not what I am advocating. It (Create Space Books, $16.95), a crime novel less youth forced to live on the streets. They are provides teenage girls from state-run orphan - is dangerous simply because it can easily lead to about sex trafficking in Armenia. While the sto - the first to be picked off by traffickers. ages with a safe home, a family environment, new gangs, gang wars, and more destruction. ryline reads like a sordid suspense saga, the sit - Orran does preventive work, while UMCOR and psychological support, as well as life and So popular or widespread vigilantism is not uations are largely based on actual events, the has shelters where they help rehabilitate res - job-training skills. While such organizations do the answer. But there have been critical result of on-the-ground research by the author. cued victims. Rescuing the victims can be espe - valuable work, they treat the symptoms affect - moments in history when the situation gets so In Zanoyan’s engrossing tale, the action cially challenging work since some pimps stage ing these girls but not the root causes, which desperate that acts of “Divine Retribution” save shifts between the trafficked Lara Galian and fake rescue attempts to fool the girls. The pimps are the pathetic economic and social conditions the day. I think one celebrated case like that Swiss-Armenian investigative journalist Edik then lock them up, beat them and thus deter in Armenia. goes a long way in shaking things up and wak - Laurian’s attempts to uncover what happened them from considering genuine rescue attempts Seventy years of Soviet rule, broken homes, ing dulled consciences, not to mention giving to her and her relatives. in the future. But there are not enough fathers who have left their families to work people some hope. Sixteen year-old Lara lives with her family in resources or money to do everything that needs abroad and did not come back — all these have LK: What’s next? the poor village of Saralanj, located somewhere to be done. contributed to the decay of our collective moral VZ: I plan to return to Dubai to do addition - in Armenia. Unaware of her striking good looks, LK: In June, your book was translated into fiber. In 1915, Armenian women threw them - al research for a sequel book and follow up on Lara becomes the unsuspecting target of a local the Armenian language. Tell us about that. selves into the Euphrates River to die rather the whereabouts of the unfortunate girls I’d crime boss, Sergei Ayvazian, who wishes to VZ: To help launch this new edition in than be raped by Turks. Now, underprivileged met. exploit her beauty. After Lara’s skeptical father Armenia, I appeared on perhaps every major Armenian women and families are turning to LK: How can readers help? Samvel rejects Ayvazian’s offer to manage a talk show on Armenian television. A reception prostitution as a survival option. VZ: They can help raise public awareness by lucrative modeling career for Lara, Samvel is was held at US Ambassador [John] Heffern’s Some improvements are happening, and I’d circulating the documentary film, “Desert found dead in a ravine. Grieving, sick and pen - home in Yerevan, which was attended by like to see this continue. The police in Armenia Nights”: niless, Lara’s mother reluctantly agrees to around 100 people, including journalists and are more cooperative on this issue. We need http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL582F Ayvazian’s proposal, and allows Lara to travel organizations engaged in the struggle against more people working with victims, prevention 8F6B42B3277A abroad. Once in Ayvazian’s custody, Lara is human trafficking. organizations, law enforcement, and victim They can circulate this interview. They can beaten, raped and discovers the true nature of Unfortunately, today’s Armenia is divided into rehabilitation and reintegration programs. devise a way to send a copy of this book to the work that awaits her. Shuttled from the filthy rich who don’t read, and the penniless There is a new flow of victims every day, so we every member of the U.S. Congress. Moscow to Dubai, Lara is eventually sold, in a class who love to read but can’t afford to buy must stop it at the source while taking care of They can buy print or electronic copies of A one-year contract, to a local sheik. While Lara books. Thus, nowadays, Armenia does not boast the existing victims. But as I said earlier, the Place Far Away for colleagues, friends and deci - unwillingly goes along with her handlers, she a widespread reading public as it once used to. root cause is the horrible economic and social sion makers. nevertheless tries to maintain her sanity and That said, trafficking of Armenian women is a conditions in the country. Unless that problem https://www.createspace.com/4061270. plot an escape. At the same time, journalist hot topic in certain circles right now. My book is addressed, this phenomenon will only get In September, I’ll be touring the Eastern Edik Laurian discovers and investigates Lara’s costs 3,000 drams [about $7.50], which most worse. United States and Canada to promote the book. case in Armenia. As the action unfolds, Edik, native Armenians cannot afford. So I’m not sure LK: In writing this novel, you also managed I will be delivering presentations at Sts. Lara, her family and a cast of dubious charac - how well the book is selling in Armenia, even to incorporate personal views and a Diasporan’s Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, NJ on ters struggle to dictate Lara’s destiny, in the though it did make it to the top of a bestseller desire to be understood by native Armenians. September 22 and the Armenian Diocese in lead-up to the thrilling finale. list compiled by Armenpress. For example, the character of Edik writes verse New York City on September 26. Details are The following interview with Vahan Zanoyan LK: What did you want to accomplish by writ - as he marvels at the Armenian landscape. One available on the book’s Facebook page: took place in Yerevan on June 20: ing this book? reviewer said the descriptions were so com - https://www.facebook.com/APlaceFarAway Lucine Kasbarian: How did you decide to VZ: I wanted to use gripping suspense to pelling it could bolster tourism to Armenia. The LK: Why did you choose self-publishing? write this book? expose one of the most significant issues of our same Edik ruminates about Armenian ancestral VZ: I tried to go the established route, but Vahan Zanoyan: I discovered the Armenian time. I also wanted to help create awareness moral codes, saying, “The ultimate human dig - found it to be one of the most exasperating sex trafficking phenomenon by accident. While about the criminal class in Armenia. If we sug - nity was living within one’s means.” Your fami - experiences of my life. The prevailing practice in on a business trip to Dubai, I ran into a beauti - arcoat that aspect of life because of national ly’s repatriation experience is represented, too, the industry is to require authors to submit a ful 17 year-old Armenian girl. The girl was talk - pride, we are doing our country and people a as the Galians were aghbars, a pejorative term one-page pitch letter to agents for representa - ing with another woman, and I could tell the great disservice. Aside from telling the main for “brother” that was and still is assigned to tion consideration. I resented trying to encap - conversation was strained. It’s a long tale, but it story, I also wanted to s0howcase the Armenian some repatriates. Would you talk about this? sulate the thrust of what became A Place Far took six months to extract her story from her people, our history, our culture and our moral VZ: As you rightly say, the book is about Away into a one-page synopsis, but neverthe - because the girl was very scared. I compensat - courage. For example, I wrote about the beauty more than the story of one victim of trafficking. less approached a total of 22 agents — all to no ed her for her time so that her pimps would not of Armenia’s landscape as a way to remind peo - In a novel like this, I felt obliged to also describe avail. Since I didn’t care about the perceived get suspicious. Finally, she started to trust me ple of our nation’s gifts, our undeniable assets the country, both in its beauty, history, and in prestige that comes with being affiliated with a and tell me what happened to her. I spent close and to inspire the people who, more than ever, the goodness of the common man, as well as in traditional publisher, I decided to produce the to two years researching the issue. To be clear, need a moral uplift. its deep-rooted problems, such as the rule of book on my own to maintain editorial control. I Lara Galian is a composite sketch of four LK: What message would you like to send to the ruthless oligarchs, and the corruption, and have no regrets. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

NOVEMBER 16 — Armenian Women’s Welfare MASSACHUSETTS Association (AWWA) celebrates 38th Annual Luncheon- Auction at the Burlington Marriott. Silent Auction and SEPTEMBER 4 — One Church, One Nation Book Bidding at 11 a.m.; Door Prizes for early bird bidding. $60 Presentation by photographer Hrair Hawk Khatcherian per person; Visa and MasterCard accepted. For reserva - on his mission to photograph every Armenian church in tion information contact [email protected]. the world; 7:30 p.m., at ALMA, 65 Main St., Watertown; OCTOBER 24 — K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, free admission. MD Lecture on Human Rights: In Our Midst: Slavery SEPTEMBER 8 — Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale Unmasked; 7 p.m., Faneuil Hall, Boston, with keynote 13th Anniversary Gala concert and dinner, 12:30 p.m., speaker Siddharth Kara, fellow at the Carr Center Program Cultural Center of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, on Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery, Harvard Kennedy 34 Boynton Street, Worcester. Led by conductor School of Government. Contact Barbara Tellalian for more Konstantin Petrossian, soloist Narine Ojakhyan, “Arevig” info: 617-332-1880. Armenian Children’s Dance Group. Reservations call Elizabeth Orsi 508-865-9432. Tickets $25.00, $12.00 chil - MICHIGAN dren; for program donations call Charles Der Kazarian 508-963-2076. SEPTEMBER 6 — Detroit Chapter Tekeyan Cultural SEPTEMBER 8 —Annual Husenig Foundation PICNIC. at Association hosts Soiree Musicale, featuring violinist Husenig Grove, Simmons St., Rehoboth, featuring live Henrik Karapetyan and pianist Ken Hakobyan, 7:30 p.m., music by Gary Kashmanian’s New England All Star Band. at the Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Delicious Husenig-style shish kebab, losh kebab, khey - On September 4, singer Emmy, one of Ave., Bloomfield Hills. Program is dedicated to the memo - ma,chicken, pilaf. Also bake table and raffle. Starts at Armenia’s most popular singers and for - ry of Dr. Garabed Belian; reception to follow, $20 dona - noon. For more information contact Marc Janigian, 401- mer Armenian representative at the tion For reservations, call Diana Alexanian at 248-334- 942-3477. Eurovision Song Contest, will perform at 3636 or Karen Koundakjian at (248) 761-9844. SEPTEMBER 8 – Sayat Nova Dance Company performs at 7 p.m. at Egavian Cultural Center, 70 Peabody International Festival with favorite dances from their Jefferson St., Providence, RI. This marks repertory; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the Dance her first-ever performance in New NEW JERSEY Company manning dessert booth featuring homemade deli - England. Tickets are $20. A portion of the SEPTEMBER 22 — The Armenian Relief Society of cacies; Peabody Square on Lowell Street. For details, call proceeds will be given to the Armenian Eastern United States, Agnouni, Pergen, Shake and Peabody Town Hall. Martyrs’ Memorial Committee. Spitak Chapters, presents Poet and author Vahan SEPTEMBER 8 — Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Armenian Zanoyan, as he launches a tour of the US and Canada for Church, 158 Main St., North Andover, 12:30-5:30 p.m., his new book, A Place Far Away, 2 pm., Sts. Vartanatz featuring Armenian music by Leon Janikian, Jason Church, 461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield. Refreshments will Naroian, Joe Kouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along with of Boston presents Avik Deirmenjian’s newly pub- be served. Siroun Dance Group; Armenian food and pastries. For lished book of poems, Khachardzan , 5 p.m. MC Dr. Ara more info, visit www.saintgregory.org. Ghazarian, book presentation by Khajag Mkrtichian, cul - SEPTEMBER 9 — St. James Men’s Club Meeting hosts tural program and reception to follow; free admission; NEW YORK speaker Shant Mardirossian, chairman of the Near East Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic St., Arlington. Foundation, an international development organization; SEPTEMBER 22 — Nor ton Dodge Collection Exhibit NOVEMBER 23-24 – TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical 6:15 p.m. (social hour) and 7 p.m. (dinner); losh kebab Opening: Armenian Art from the Post-Soviet Period, Group celebrates 15th Anniversary with production of and kheyma dinner, $12. Ladies welcome; Charles including art by Vartan Gabrielian and Ashot Kazarian; 5 Hagop Baronian’s “The Perils of Politeness” Mosesian Cultural &Youth Center- Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. p.m., Guest Nancy Dodge; reception to follow; ALMA’s (Kaghakavaroutyan Vnasneruh) directed by Gagik Auburn St., Watertown. second floor, 65 Main St., Watertown. Karapetyan from Armenia; Dwight Englewood High SEPTEMBER 10 — Staged reading of Joyce Van Dyke’s SEPTEMBER 28 — Smithsonian Magazine’s Annual School, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ. Nov. 23, “Depor ted/ A Dream Play,” 7 p.m. at Clark Museum Day: Free Admission to ALMA. Admission tick - Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, Sunday at 4 p.m. For tick - University, Little Center, 950 Main Street, Worcester. The ets available for download on the Museum Day Live! ets; $50, $35, $25; call Marie Zokian (201)745-8850 or play tells the story of two friends, the playwright’s grand - Website. One ticket admits one person, plus a guest; 65 Missak Boghosian at (212)819-0097 or (347)365-6985. mother and the mother of Dr. H. Martin Deranian during Main St., Watertown. SEPTEMBER 26 — Vahan Zanoyan will speak and sign the Armenian Genocide; directed by Judy Braha, featuring SEPTEMBER 28 — Annual “Walk of Life” Walk-a-thon, copies of his new book, A Place Far Away, his new novel a cast from the recent Boston production; Q&A to follow; New England Chapter of the Armenian Bone Marrow on human trafficking in Armenia, 7 p.m., at the Haik and free. For reservations, email [email protected]. Donor Registry (ABMDR), in Watertown. To register or Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, 630 Second Ave. Jointly SEPTEMBER 15 — Talk by Tom Vartabedian titled, “A donate, visit http://www.abmdr.am. sponsored by the Armenian Studies program of the 50-year Retrospective into Journalism;” 7 p.m., ALMA, OCTOBER 18 and 19 — St. James Annual Bazaar! Department of Youth and Education, the Krikor and Clara 65 Main St., Watertown. Vartabedian, award-winning Delicious shish, losh, kheyma and more! Fabulous pas - Zohrab Information Center of the Diocese of the writer and photographer, will kick off the fall season at tries, manti, kufte and toorshi! Children’s activities, ven - Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the Fund for ALMA with a talk about his 50-year career with The dors galore, farmer’s market - Fun! Friends! Family! 11 Armenian Relief. All Proceeds from the book are being Haverhill Gazette and his work as a correspondent with a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. donated to organizations devoted to protecting children. the Armenian Press since the early 1960s. OCTOBER 19 — Hye Kef 5 featuring Leon Janikian, Joe SEPTEMBER 15 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken Kalajian, Bob RHODE ISLAND Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Raphalian and Jay Baronian, Haverhill, MA, 7:30 p.m., Delicious food, Armenian music, Children’s games, Michael’s Function Hall- 12 Alpha Street, Tickets: $40.00 SEPTEMBER 4 — Singer Emmy, one of Armenia’s most Blessing of Madagh at 4 p.m., raffle drawing and more. Each Students $30, includes individually-served mezza popular singers, who previously represented Armenia at SEPTEMBER 16 — Armenian Church of Our Saviour hosts 20th platters. Proceeds to benefit all Armenian churches in the Eurovision Song Contest, will perform at 7 p.m. at Annual Golf Tournament at the Sterling Country Club, Sterling, Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire. Call either John Egavian Cultural Center, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, her 8:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. start; sponsorships and golf regis - Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan, 978-251-8687; first-ever performance in New England. Tickets are $20. A trations still available; contact the church office at 508-756-2931. Scott Sahagian, 617-699-3581, or Peter Gulezian, 978- portion of the proceeds will be given to the Armenian SEPTEMBER 21 — Armenian Independent Broadcasting 375-1616. Organized by Armenian Friends’ of America. Martyrs’ Memorial Committee.

Ararat-Eskijian to Host Lecture on Seizure of Armenian Assets in Aintab

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Ümit Kurt, PhD The processes of genocide and deportation By zooming in on Aintab, Kurt sheds light on tor at Sabanci University. He is the author of candidate in the Department of History at Clark directed at Aintab Armenians were in fact put the origins of the property and wealth of local numerous articles and several books, including University in Worcester, Mass., will present a into practice by local notables and provincial and provincial elites/notables in Aintab and most recently Kanunlarin Ruhu: Emval-i lecture titled “The Emergence of the New elites themselves, and these local actors actual - how massacred and deported Armenians’ prop - Metruke Kanunlarinda Soykirimin Izlerini Wealthy Class Between 1915-1922: The Seizure ly prospered and became a new wealthy social erties in Aintab changed hands. To date no Aramak (The Spirit of Laws: Seeking for the of Armenian Property by Local Elites in class through the acquisition of Armenians’ comprehensive research has been done that Traces of Armenian Genocide in the Laws of Aintab,” and the documentary, “My Father’s property and wealth. In this respect, Kurt examines in detail the expropriation of Abandoned Property, 2012), with Taner Aintab,” on Sunday, September 15, at 4 p.m. at argues that the Committee of Union and Ottoman Armenians in general and in Aintab in Akçam. His main area of interest is confiscation the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Hasmik Progress’ (CUP) genocide and deportation particular as a component of the genocide. of the Armenian properties and the role of local Mgrdichian Gallery, 15105 Mission Hills Road. decree had a certain social background, effec - Kurt, a native of Aintab, holds a BS from elites/notables in Aintab during the Armenian The lecture is sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian tive power and control and support mecha - Middle East Technical University in political sci - Genocide. Museum and the National Association for nism(s) at the local levels. Therefore, what took ence and public administration and a master’s For more information contact the Ararat- Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). place at the local areas or periphery deserves to from Sabanci University in the department of Eskijian Museum ararat-eskijian-muse - A reception will follow the lecture. be examined. European Studies. He is currently an instruc - [email protected]. 14 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- The Arab Spring and the Armenian Winter

Syria is next on the chopping block. No one had raised a voice Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian to bring change in Syria — contrary to media fabrications. But the change was introduced in Syria at the butt of guns by mer - cenaries who have wreaked havoc. Despite coordinated aggres - The political turmoil artificially created in the Arab and sion by Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordon, at the behest of Muslim world has come to be named euphemistically as the Arab the US president, Assad is still in power. The last chance to Spring, as if promising a better future for the citizens of that destroy that country hinges on the Tomahawk cruise missiles of Established 1932 region. Instead, political instability, economic collapse and blood - the US Navy, amassing at this time in the eastern Mediterranean. baths have come to be associated with that spring. An ADL Publication Another country to “benefit” from the Arab Spring is Egypt, As one observes carefully, that “spring” visits certain specific where a transformation is in the offing as the military tries to countries, while others are bypassed. And that selection is based tame the violent Muslim Brotherhood. on the political orientation of the target country. All these countries had served as a haven to the survivors of EDITOR The avowed promise of the “spring” is to bring democracy, the Armenian Genocide. Armenian refugees flourished in these Alin K. Gregorian human rights and freedom to the nations subjected to the breeze countries without discrimination and built affluent communities. of that gentle season. For example, that “spring” never visits a Saddam Hussein protected the Iraqi-Armenian community. The ASSISTANT EDITOR Gabriella Gage country like Saudi Arabia — a most reactionary country where churches, the schools, cultural and youth centers thrived through people’s limbs are chopped off based on antiquated medieval the government’s generosity. Making such public statements is ASSOCIATE EDITOR laws and women not only rank as second-class citizens but they anathema to the engineers of war but they are only the truth. Aram Arkun are bought and sold much like cattle in marriage. In the same Today, those churches, schools and businesses are the target of the

ART DIRECTOR category are Kuwait and the Emirates where the majority of for - vandals who were supposed to bring democracy to Iraq. Marc Mgrditchian eign workers are treated as slaves, while the ruling class enjoys As of this writing, the remnants of Aleppo’s affluent Armenian obscene opulence. community are under the protection of Assad’s government, who These are the darling allies of the US and enjoy the political had treated the Armenians as creative and privileged citizens of epithet of “moderate,” truth notwithstanding. But the main rea - Syria. Should that government fall, Armenians would be the first SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Edmond Azadian son that the breeze of that “spring” does not blow in their direc - target of the Jihadists who have put Aleppo under siege. tion is because they are never perceived as a threat to our strate - Glenn Beck — otherwise the most unsavory of political com - CONTRIBUTORS: gic ally, Israel. Thus, the rest of the Arab and Muslim countries mentators — circulated recently a graphic video and stated, “We Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, are entitled to benefit from that “spring.” are supporting cannibals.” At this moment those cannibals are at Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune The Middle East correspondent of London’s Independent , the doorsteps of each Armenian still stranded in Aleppo. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. Robert Fiske, has pointed out the irony of the Arab Spring, The Syrian War has already spilled over into Lebanon where Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der where a medieval despotic kingdom like Saudi Arabia is engaged another affluent and well-established Armenian community is Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork in an open war to bring democracy to Syria, the only Muslim- affected. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , majority country where political Islam has no place, or at least Egypt was one of the safest countries in the Middle East, iron - Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian did not until hired mercenaries were sent to destabilize that ically, safer than even the US. Not any more. Blood is flowing in strong, progressive, and yes, authoritarian country. Saddam the streets and burglaries, kidnappings and rapes have destroyed CORRESPONDENTS: Hussein of Iraq was the first victim of that policy concocted else - the fabric of society. Many Coptic churches have been burnt Armenia - Hagop Avedikian where in the West and exported to the most stable countries. down. The attempt to burn St. Gregory Armenian Church, on Boston - Nancy Kalajian This “democratization” campaign begins with the docile one of the main thoroughfares in Cairo, was not successful, but Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian media, ridiculed by Mr. Fiske as the tentacles of their respective that does not give comfort to the Armenian community, as the Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach governments, be it the demonization of the targeted government Christians have become the unwanted minorities in the country, Contributing Photographers: or a particular ruler until the saturation point where poison and targeted by the very same seekers of “democracy” that the West Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair lies have convinced the public that that particular demon supports. Many of those freedom seekers, after the dust settles, Hovsepian deserves to be overthrown. show themselves to be intransigent and hard-core fundamental - And then the international law becomes a caricature to justify ist Muslims that turn on their Western sponsors. the lawless actions of the powerful. The Arab Spring has only brought mayhem to the countries it The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published All informed and participating agencies had certified that Iraq has visited thus far. There are no organized Armenian commu - weekly, except two weeks in July, by: did not possess weapons of mass destruction, yet the Bush- nities in Libya and Tunisia, but those countries also have been Baikar Association, Inc. Cheney administration had decided to topple Saddam Hussein destabilized, threatened with violence and fragmented. and make the first Arab country to serve as a political and mili - With the fall of the “Evil Empire,” the balance of the world 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 tary base for Israel Iraq (namely, in its current semi-autonomous power was destroyed and the Western countries have a free hand Telephone: 617-924-4420 Kurdish region). After one million casualties in Iraq, and 4,500 to “tame” the rest of the small nations by promising democracy FAX: 617-924-2887 deaths in the US army and 50,000-60,000 permanently injured and offering bloodbaths. www.mir ror spectator.com veterans to burden the US economy, the carnage is still contin - Thus far, the “Arab Spring” has turned into the Arab night - E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com uing with the same intensity in Iraq and the US economy still mare. In the process, Armenian communities are destroyed. A For advertising: [email protected] struggles to recover from $3-trillion war damage. No one is ques - century after the Genocide displaced Armenians once again are tioning what happened to the “democracy” promised in Iraq. forced to join the ranks of the world refugees, abandoning their Only Saddam Hussein was sent to the gallows and the perpetra - ancestral homes and churches, as well as prosperous businesses tors of the war are still enjoying life in their bunkers and the and affluent cultural life. The Arab Spring has created an SUBSCRIPTION RATES : Halliburtons of the world are reaping the booties of the war. Armenian winter.

U.S.A. $80 a year

Canada $125 a year Other Countries $190 a year Location-Specific Ethics in Armenia and the US

© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator store, and 25 percent return the excess money overt cheating (as defined my most higher edu - Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA By Mihran Aroian to the clerk. cational institutes in the US) is also very dif - and additional mailing offices. I have done this same experiment in ferent when compared to Armenia. I asked stu - Armenia with four classes for a total of approx - dents in Armenia if their friend was unable to ISSN 0004-234X You just entered a coffee shop where the imately 100 students and the results are as fol - come to class to take an exam, would they step POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The smell of freshly baked muffins is wafting from lows. Two students keep the free money and in and take the exam for the absent student? Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, the oven. You step up to the counter and order 98 students return the money. That is pretty Although I have not asked this question in the Watertown, MA 02471-0302 a large to-go cup of freshly brewed coffee along amazing when you stop to think about it. In US, I am confident enough to know that 100 Other than the editorial, views and opinions with a banana-nut muffin. You give the young Armenia, where the per capita income is far percent of the students would say that this was expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily clerk $10 and are rewarded with a steaming below the US, people are willing to act more both unethical and against the policies of their eflect the policies of the publisher. hot cup of coffee and a freshly baked muffin. ethically. Now, we don’t know what actually university. As you walk out the door, you count your happens — but nor do we know in the US! In In Armenia, approximately 25 percent of the change and notice that the clerk gave you the US, when you ask the students why they students said that they would take the exam change for a $20 bill. What would you do? would keep the extra money, the answer is typ - for their friend. In their mind, it had nothing You have three choices: go back to the clerk ically that the clerk made the error and why to do with cheating — since they did not per - and return the money, leave the store and com - should the customer be held responsible? In sonally benefit. They were simply helping a Copying for other than personal use or mit to yourself to pay back the money next Armenia, the students immediately recognize friend who was unable to attend class. What internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright time you return, or enjoy the coffee, muffin, that the clerk will be held responsible for the was even more surprising was that only a few owner. Address requests for reprints or and the extra $10! monetary error and the likelihood is high that of the students recognized that they had back issues to: Having done this little experiment for many the clerk will lose his job or, at the very least, signed a code of conduct that prohibited this Baikar Association, Inc. years with thousands of college students in have to make up the difference. In the US, course of action. How could so few students 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Texas, the results in the US are 60 percent there are a few students who recognize this recognize this behavior as unethical? How keep the free money, 15 percent promise to same negative outcome for the clerk. could they not know that they had signed a return the money next time they visit the On a very different subject, the likelihood of see ETHICS, page 16 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

is definitely more beneficial to us. But, if we set aside this While Sargisian conditioned his support for Aliyev on consideration, the answer to the question is: the victory of the merits of continued progress in the Artsakh negotia - incumbent President Ilham Aliyev would be most beneficial tions, one can think of additional reasons why Aliyev’s for us. We have gone through a long, albeit difficult, nego - reelection is in Armenia’s best interest: tiating process and the path for a resolution is practically — Aliyev is a vulnerable leader who is universally con - My Turn outlined, at least through public acceptance of the princi - demned for being autocratic, corrupt and a major violator ples proposed by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group. We of human rights. By Harut Sassounian have been actively negotiating for the last four years. — Aliyev has wasted huge amounts of his country’s oil Certainly, I wouldn’t say that the negotiating process is wealth in enriching himself, his family and cronies. Why the Reelection of Aliyev Is very active right now; nevertheless, we have made some — He has spent billions of dollars buying weapons that have progress, and if, after the election, Ilham Aliyev could not helped him recover a single inch of Artsakh territory. In Armenia’s Best Interest muster the will and rise above his impetuous — The reelection of an inept Aliyev is a liability for Azerbaijan Armenophobia, I think this is the most acceptable and ben - and an asset for Armenia. If he loses the presidency, his While visiting a youth camp on August 18, President eficial option for us.” replacement could be a more effective leader who can pose Serge Sargisian was asked several questions on domestic Sargisian’s statement was promptly criticized both at a clear danger to the security of Armenia and Artsakh. and foreign issues. One particular question attracted the home and, not surprisingly, in Azerbaijan. Opposition lead - — Sargisian’s endorsement of Aliyev diminishes his credi - most attention due to the president’s unexpected answer. ers in Yerevan were appalled that Armenia’s president bility in the eyes of the Azeri people who would wonder When asked which candidate’s election in Azerbaijan’s would favor the reelection of Aliyev who has repeatedly why the leader of Armenia, demonized as the enemy of upcoming presidential race is in Armenia’s best interest, threatened to attack Karabagh (Artsakh). They wondered Azerbaijan, is supporting their president. Indeed, conspira - Sargisian surprised everyone by endorsing the reelection how the authoritarian and warmongering president of cy theorists must be having a field day in Azerbaijan. Since of incumbent President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan could be beneficial to Armenia. Azeri leaders Aliyev’s reelection to a third term is a foregone conclusion Normally, when politicians are asked for their preferred were also unhappy with Sargisian’s endorsement. Novruz due to the country’s traditionally fraudulent electoral sys - candidate in a foreign election, they refrain from express - Mammadov, Senior Advisor to Aliyev on Foreign Affairs, tem, Sargisian’s preference for Aliyev may not lead to his ing an opinion or simply state that it’s the choice of that harshly condemned Armenia’s president for claiming that defeat, but would certainly cast a cloud of suspicion on his country’s voters. In this case, Sargisian did not shy away Aliyev’s reelection would be in Armenia’s best interest. In already tarnished reputation. from expressing his clear preference and provided the fol - addition, Mammadov criticized Azerbaijan’s opposition par - Finally, in international relations, it is important to have lowing explanation as to why Aliyev’s reelection in October ties for exploiting Sargisian’s endorsement in their “dirty a predictable counterpart, whether friend or foe. Aliyev’s for a third term is in Armenia’s interest: campaign” against Aliyev. Mammadov concluded by boast - behavior toward Armenia and Artsakh has been thus far “For Armenia, and not only for Armenia, neighbors that ing that Azerbaijan’s president does not need Sargisian’s quite predictable. Giorgi Lomsadze, writing in are on the democratic path of development are more ben - support, because Aliyev enjoys the backing of such promi - EurasiaNet.org, has accurately depicted Sargisian’s eficial. Hence, the conclusion that as a neighbor, and par - nent world leaders as US President Barack Obama and endorsement of Aliyev as: “Better the devil you know than ticularly as a negotiating partner, a democratic Azerbaijan Russian President Vladimir Putin. the devil you don’t.”

Zakarian, Primate of France, who had resigned from his position and whose resigna - tion was approved by the “disreputable” Anarchy in the Hierarchy Supreme Spiritual Council on July 31. The letter begins with the statement: “I inci - dentally received the communiqué of the EDITORIAL, from page 1 behind his throne, has only taken minor steps the minefield which Jerusalem has come to be. Supreme Spiritual Council.” Whereas the two As we approach the threshold of the centen - thus far towards unity, despite the demise of After carelessly snubbing the Israeli authori - patriarchs are officially co-chairs of the nial of the Armenian Genocide, unity becomes the Cold War two decades ago. The conclave of ties, His Beatitude has directed his ire this time Council. To begin with, he has failed to attend even more valuable, yet what we observe is fur - high-ranking clergy planned for September 21- at the Supreme Spiritual Head of the Armenian the council’s session which was the proper ther fragmentation and a foolhardy approach 28, to be held in Echmiadzin, offered some Apostolic Church, with arguments which hold venue for the patriarch to be informed and to toward any authority, dignity and sanctity. hope to create coordination and cooperation no rhyme nor reason. express his views on those important issues. between Echmiadzin and Antelias, which would Any patriarch, upon his election, traditionally But, instead, he blames his failures on others. A Dangerous Precedent transcend all the structures and hierarchy of makes a pilgrimage to Holy Echmiadzin, to And then, he goes on to sermonize his supe - The floodgate of the Internet has been the Armenian Church. As of this writing, those renew his vows at the throne of St. Gregory the rior with the following presumptuous state - thrown wide open and the dirty laundry is hopes are dashed because the Patriarch of Illuminator. Instead, His Beatitude traveled to ment: “Your Holiness, allow me to tell you in abundantly displayed, under the guise of a Jerusalem, His Beatitude Nourhan Manoukian, Antelias which demonstrably issued a news a brotherly fashion that threats do not become democratic right to express ideas. has decided to boycott the gathering, for an release that he was at the Cilician See on per - the clergy.” We do not intend to dignify unsigned com - unrelated reason. sonal business. His ill-conceived missive fol - It looks like he himself needs most of the ments, hurled insults and unsavory remarks by His Beatitude was elected earlier this year. lowed a statement by the Dashnag party of advice he has been dispensing freely to his mentioning them here. But one brazen act There were some reservations about his candi - France attacking the Catholicos under the pre - superior, since at the end of his letter, he should worry all Armenians, because this time dacy and he won with a slim majority. At least, tense of defending Archbishop Norvan directs the following threat to Echmiadzin: “I around, it comes from a quarter that is one of that was a message that he did not enjoy the Zakarian. The connection and the conclusion have decided not to participate in the bishop - the pillars of the Armenian Church, the full support of the Brotherhood of St. James; do not need any interpretation. s’ convocation to be held on September 21-28” Jerusalem Patriarchate. instead, he was elected to rule a house divided. His actions rightfully fueled suspicions that at Echmiadzin. He further aggravates the situ - The Armenian Church has held our people That should have guided him to put his house he was being groomed by the powers behind ation by concluding his letter with the follow - together over many centuries. Since the loss of in order and prove to the Brotherhood that he the Cilician See to reinforce the divisive policies ing missive: “Although Archbishop Aris the homeland, the church has served as a spiri - deserved their trust and could move the 14-cen - of the Antelias See, paving the way to institu - Shirvanian [of Jerusalem] will be attending, he tual raft to keep our people afloat over turbu - turies-old institution forward. tionalize the division within the Armenian does not represent the Patriarchate of lent waters. The hierarchy of the church is the Church. Jerusalem.” structure of the Armenian soul. Over the cen - Messing with the authorities Is a After all, since the Cold-War era, the political Members of the Brotherhood are entitled to turies, that hierarchy has survived many chal - Dangerous Game party behind the See of Antelias has advocated ask whether this rash decision was taken at an lenges. Church leaders have had their differ - But, unfortunately, he began his reign on the that Holy Echmiadzin limit its jurisdiction over official meeting at the Governing Council ences and conflicts. After all, they are human, wrong foot, with a politically-incorrect remark the Dioceses in Armenia and the former Soviet (Dnoren Joghov) or it was the patriarch’s arbi - but they have demonstrated the wisdom and about Israeli authorities, who control the des - Union and allow Antelias to control the diaspo - trary decision. foresight to rise above personality differences tiny of the Patriarchate. Answering a question ra. This politically-motivated theory was pro - Reading through the letter one is convinced and adversities in order to preserve the integri - from a reporter, he dismissed the importance of moted first by Simon Vratsian, the last prime that Archbishop Norvan Zakarian’s resigna - ty of that hierarchy for posterity. Once it is shat - Israeli government’s recognition of the minister of the First Republic and continues to tion is the least of his worries. Instead, he has tered, Armenians will be reduced to disparate Armenian Genocide. “It is not the end of the be upheld by his followers, since Antelias refus - another ax to grind. He refers to a letter which groups of nomads in this era of globalization. world if they don’t recognize it,” he is reported es the unification of the church in the diaspora. has no relevance to the archbishop’s resigna - Today, unity of the church is fractured and all to have said. And this, at the moment when the Despite all the dangers of being labeled as tion, and yet which has touched him deeply. good-will endeavors toward this end have thus Patriarchate was waiting for the approval of his communists — during a dangerous period — the He remembers His Holiness Karekin II’s letter far failed to heal the division. ascension to the Jerusalem throne by the Israeli majority of the church continued their loyalty to the late patriarch, Archbishop Torkom The church rests on four main pillars: The government. to the traditional spiritual house of Manoogian, advising him to appoint a coadju - Catholicosates at Echmiadzin and Cilicia and The law requires that the election of the Echmiadzin. tor patriarch in view of the latter’s incapaci - the Patriarchates in Jerusalem and Istanbul. Jerusalem patriarch be approved by the king of tating ailments. The Turkish government will never allow any Jordan, the president of the Palestinian Fears of the Brotherhood Materialized Any member of our church, and especially patriarch on the throne of Istanbul who is will - Authority and the government of Israel. The In a very disrespectful letter dated August 3, the Supreme Spiritual Head of the church, ing to contribute to the unity and strengthen - Israeli government was the last entity to 2013, His Beatitude has taken on the would rightfully worry about an incapacitated ing of the Armenian Church. Instead, the clergy approve his candidacy, certainly grudgingly, Catholicos of All Armenians. The letter was member of the clergy bearing an awesome allowed to ascend that throne have to serve as because of their reservations about him. circulated for three days on the Internet responsibility in the most dangerous region of a political tool in the hands of the Turkish gov - The Holy Places in Jerusalem rest in one of before reaching the addressee, making plainly the world. ernment. That development became codified the most sensitive spots in the world. Every obvious that the subject matter of the letter But it seems that Archbishop Nourhan during the reign of Patriarch Mesrob action of the Israeli government is carefully cal - was only an excuse to air his personal grudges Manoukian has perceived that suggestion as a Moutafian, who literally and tragically has suc - culated. The reputation and the status of the against the Pontiff. The words and adjectives, ploy to bypass his candidacy in a succession cumbed to that pressure, becoming incapacitat - Patriarchate are at stake when any thoughtless carelessly chosen, betray a dangerous stance process. ed. step is taken at the Patriarchate. for a clergyman. Accusations laid against If, indeed, that was the intention of His His Holiness Aram I of Antelias, a courageous All Armenians worry — rightfully — about the Karekin II by other irresponsible parties are Holiness in hindsight, Archbishop Nourhan vanguard of the Armenian Cause and patron of patriarch himself and the patriarchate as a irrelevant at this time. Manoukian has vindicated His Holiness, the Western Armenian language and literature, whole. They must genuinely support the patri - The letter is full of contradictions. He is sup - through his disrespectful outburst and dan - though still a hostage to the political powers arch to be able to navigate successfully through posedly defending Archbishop Norvan gerous political missteps. 16 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 31, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

In Armenia, low-level governmental employ - Location-Specific Ethics in Armenia and the US ees earn significantly less than the national average. This includes policemen. If you want to put food on the table, you have to supplement ETHICS, from page 14 their response. behavior. For the most part, when actions and your income, which can lead to many unethical commitment not to engage in such unethical You figure out a way to use a complex finan - consequences are black and white and clearly acts. Corruption in Armenia may include the academic behavior? Why would they be willing cial transaction to make your results look much cause someone harm, Armenian students are wealthy oligarch families that are overtly cor - to take such a risk? better in the short run, even though you know more astute as to the ethical nature of the situ - rupt but it includes even the most common of It comes down to wanting to help someone there is no underlying change in your compa - ation. But when it is not clear who is being citizens — people trying to feed their families that they have a relationship with that simply ny’s performance. In fact, you know that in the harmed or what damage is being caused to a and wanting to provide the very basics to sur - needs some help. future there will be significant consequences for third-party, Armenian students are more likely vive and live. We may look at Armenia and won - There are examples of where Armenian stu - shareholders and other stakeholders. But, in to engage in such behavior. der how corruption becomes a part of society dents and American students were equally as the short run, you’ll make a lot of money by Ethical behavior in Armenia has a very dif - yet when the average citizen has nothing to live convinced of unethical behavior and there were doing this. ferent meaning than in America. In Armenia, if on, corruption becomes a way to simply survive also examples of where Armenian students Virtually 100 percent of all students, you need or want a higher course grade, simply in a society where real jobs are scarce and sur - were equally as confused about unethical Armenian and American, recognize this as pay-off the professor. In America, it is unheard vival is on a day-to-day basis. behavior. For example, when provided with the unethical behavior. However, there are scenar - of! The thought that grades can be purchased When you travel to the smaller towns in text in the next paragraph, both Armenian and ios where students from both countries are just is simply not a part of the American culture. It Armenia you learn that the only way to survive American students were virtually identical in as unsure as to what constitutes unethical may happen, but not on a wholesale level. is to leave Armenia to look for work. Many of the men travel to Russia to find work for six months in order to send money home. They return to be with their families but what kind of a life is it to have to leave in order to find work only to return to be dismayed by the lack of job prospects? Teaching business ethics to students in Armenia was a privilege but when you put it into perspective, trying to teach ethical decision-mak - ing in a society that is simply trying to survive is challenging. When you see your next-door neigh - bor surviving because they know how the system works makes it hard to convince someone that they should play by the rules. When it comes down to taking care of your - self, your loved ones, and your friends, business ethics can be a foreign concept. If you cannot eat, why should you worry about making the right ethical choice? What does Armenia need in order to solve so many of her problems? Jobs, jobs and more jobs. I want our future business leaders in Armenia to be ethical but I also know that they need jobs. Without the very basic necessities in life like food, water, shelter and clothing how can we expect Armenian’s to work towards a higher level business thinking? As Armenians in the diaspora, if we want to help solve so many of the problems that are faced in Armenia, we need to help them find jobs. They already have too many taxi drivers earning $1.50 per trip and paying $5 per gallon of gas. What they need are some real jobs in manufacturing and export. Armenia needs to generate some hard currency that can help grow the economy. Did you know that the GDP of Armenia is only $10 billion? Vermont has the lowest GDP in the US yet it has 25 percent of the Armenian population and three-times the GDP of Armenia. In the not too distant future, a new web site will be opening that aims to help bring jobs to Armenia. This web site will allow some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in Armenia tap into the vast Armenian diaspora network to find connections that are necessary to bring their products to world markets. For example, a small high tech company in Gumri, the second largest city in Armenia, has developed some of the latest and greatest earthquake detection technology and aside from selling a few units to the Armenian government, they do not have the connections or resources to bring this tech - nology to the world. As it turns out, there are three major companies in the world that manu - facture and distribute this type of technology and are located in the US, UK and Japan. What are the chances that an Armenian works at one of these three companies? Could they help this small company in Gumri to make introductions to either license, sell or market their technolo - gy outside of Armenia? The chances are proba - bly pretty high. When we can bring the power of the diaspora network to help Armenian busi - ness, we not only provide for opportunities of growth, jobs and prosperity — but we also pro - vide hope and a future for our homeland. (Mihran Aroian is an instructor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University. For the past two summers, he has been a lecturer at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan.)

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