MAY 28, 2011 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXI, NO. 46, Issue 4190 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Yovanovitch Says She Will Have Great Hillary Clinton Discusses Karabagh, Memories of Armenia YEREFVAN — On May 23, Armenian Vice Prime US-Armenian Ties with Nalbandian Minister Armen Gevorgyan met with outgoing US ambassador to Armenia ,Marie Yovanovitch, who WASHINGTON (RFE/RL) — US will complete her mission in June. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Gevorgyan thanked the ambassador for her coop - Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard eration. Nalbandian held talks in Washington late Yovanovitch said her work in Armenia was inter - on Thursday, May 19, with the unresolved esting and productive. She added Armenia gave her Nagorno-Karabagh conflict apparently top - great memories. She expressed hope for continued ping the agenda. cooperation between Armenia and the US. They made no public statements after the meeting, which the Armenian Foreign Focus on Kochari, not Ministry said touched upon “a broad range of issues” of mutual interest. Eurovision “The United States and Armenia have many connections and relationships that YEREVAN (PanArmenian.Net) — Ethnographer span politics and go into family and so Gagik Ginosyan said the state’s obsession with the much else that is very important to us,” Eurovision song contest is pointless. According to Clinton said as she greeted Nalbandian at him, the state should finance Armenian art rather the State Department. “And we have many, than focus on Eurovision. many important issues ahead of us, and I Though Armenia won the Karabagh war, now it look forward to continuing the important suffers defeats in peacetime, Ginosyan, the art conversation that we’ve been carrying out.” director of Karin Fold Dance Ensemble, said. “The frequency of our meetings proves our “We suffer defeats in the cultural policy. commitment to deepen and to strengthen Audiences should have understood the fact that Armenian-American relations,” Nalbandian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Kochari is our national dance. We should not have said, for his part. “Due to our joint efforts, we transferred the dance into the Eurovision realm to elevated our relationship to a qualitatively be blamed by Azerbaijanis for lifting the dance from new level during the last years.” ed Clinton as saying that the dispute can be their search for a compromise settlement. them,” said Ginosyan. In a statement on the meeting issued on settled only by peaceful means. Philip Gordon, the US assistant secre - Azerbaijan won the 2011 Eurovision contest. Friday, Nalbandian’s press office singled out According to the statement, Clinton tary of state for Europe and Eurasia, told the two officials’ discussion of “recent devel - assured her Armenian counterpart that the a US congressional panel on Wednesday Israeli MP Urges opments” in international efforts to broker a United States will continue to lend “full that Washington plans to “increase our resolution of the Karabagh conflict. It quot - support” to Armenia and Azerbaijan in see CLINTON, page 20 Genocide Recognition TEL AVIV (news.am) — Israeli Knesset member Zahava Gal-On believes it is Israel’s obligation to AUA President recognize the Armenian Genocide. Armenian Amnesty ‘Will A member of the New Movement Meretz party, Dr. Bruce Boghosian Gal-On said she supported the decision to discuss the Genocide. She noted that this year’s debates Reflects upon Path are important as they are held in open Committee Ease Political Tension’ on Education, Culture and Sports. Of Higher Education “In the last two years the Knesset has decided to Armenian authorities do not intend to meet discuss the Armenian Genocide issue in one of the By Anush Martirosian other opposition demands, chief among committees but they never in the education com - them being the conduct of snap national By Melania Badalyan mittee, which is open. We can invite many people elections. to participate in the discussion. It is very important YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A general “The president’s step was taken at the from this viewpoint,” she said. amnesty initiated by President Serge right time and dedicated to the 20th YEREVAN (Azg) — The current presi - Gal-On stressed every year representatives of Sargisian is expected to lead to the release anniversary of our independence,” he told dent of the American University of Meretz party raise the issue on the Armenian of all opposition prisoners which will fur - journalists. “It will ease tension existing in Armenia (AUA), Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian, Genocide in the parliament. This time the Israeli ther stabilize the political situation in our country.” assumed the post on September 1, 2010. government was more receptive. Armenia, parliament speaker Hovik “The public must be glad that the presi - He is the third president of the AUA since The committee accepted the proposal to discuss Abrahamian said on Monday. dent of the country is doing everything to its establishment 20 years ago. He sat Genocide recognition in the parliament. Meretz Abrahamian also made clear that the see AMNESTY, page 20 down for an interview with Azg recently. submitted the issue for discussion in the commit - His experiences in major universities tee. The proposal to discuss the recognition of the and his background of scientific research Armenian Genocide was adopted by majority vote. represent the work of a specialist that has Obama’s Nominee for United States made valuable contributions to science, in addition as being an administrator. Boghosian received his bachelor’s INSI DE Ambassador to Armenia Named degree in physics and master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the WASHINGTON — This week, President Barack Massachusetts Institute of Technology Obama nominated John A. Heffern to serve as the see BOGHOSIAN, page 3 next ambassador to Armenia, reported the Armenian French Assembly of America. The Assembly expects a rigor - ous Senate confirmation process in the months ahead. Current US envoy to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch, Sunflower nominated by former President George W. Bush, will conclude her three-year mission in June. page 14 In the mid-1990s, Heffern worked for former Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-Neb.) who was consistently one of the most pro-Turkish and anti-Armenian representa - tives to serve in Congress. Ambassador to Armenia Without pre-judging Heffern, the Assembly in a INDEX nominee John A. Heffern statement suggested he would have a steep hill to Armenia ...... 2, 3 climb in explaining and distinguishing his views from Arts and Living ...... 14 those of Bereuter. For example, in 1995-1996, when Calendar ...... 18 Heffern was on the International Relations Committee staff, Bereuter voted against Community News...... 6 several measures aimed to promote not only Armenia’s interests, but human rights Editorial ...... 18 interests around the world. International ...... 4, 5 see AMBASSADOR, page 20 Dr. Bruce Boghosian 2 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Bread Matters: Experts Discuss ‘Unhealthy

Bomb Threat at Additions’ in Armenian Staple Zvartnots Airport problem of rye bread. He said they Nazaryan consider additives to be By Siranuysh Gevorgyan “have reasonable suspicions” that unsafe. According to him, all of them YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — On May 22, most of what is advertised as rye are materials permitted in food pro - Armenian police received a bomb threat at bread (which is considered to be duction. Zvartnots Airport. YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Bread healthier than wheat bread) in Biotechnologist Alexander Deputy head of the Public Relations Department production technologists and a con - Armenia is fake, and, in fact, it is the Selimyan also thinks that the yeasts at the Republic of Armenia police, Armen sumer rights activist expressed their same wheat bread that gets its dark and additives used in bread produc - Malkhasyan, said that representatives of the concerns about the quality of bread color with the aid of some dyes. He tion in Armenia are unhealthy. Like Armenian National Security Service and Ministry in Armenia, at a press conference in also noted that rye is not grown in others, he advises using black or of Emergency Situations arrived in the airport to Yerevan on Monday. Armenia, but is mostly imported from brown bread. It has been six years search for the bomb, but it was a false alarm. The speakers said that unhealthy Russia. that the scientist has produced bread This was the second false notice about a bomb at additives for the faster leavening of “The body that is supposed to exer - with the use of his own yeast, called Zvartnots in one week. bread as well as various dyes are cise control over this process, the hatsatan. Among the main con - often used especially in the produc - food quality inspection, is now under sumers of the bread and lavash baked tion of black and brown breads. reorganization. We wait for this struc - by Selimyan are the United Nations Former Armenian Consumers’ Association NGO head ture to start working,” said Office in Armenia, the United States Prisoner to Sue Armen Poghosyan said he is particu - Poghosyan. Embassy, a number of hotels. His larly concerned about the discrepan - Candidate of technical sciences, products are also sold at stores of two Azerbaijan cy between the weight and size of Aram Nazaryan, who needs to eat rye supermarket chains. The hatsatan loaves on sale at the baker’s. bread because of his diabetes, does yeast, according to Selimyan, also has YEREVAN (news.am) — A Vanadzor-based attorney “Using different tricks they inflate not quite agree with Poghosyan’s a fast fermentation quality but has a will sue Azerbaijan for the illegal two-year custody the bread loaves, making them bigger opinion. He thinks that while some natural composition. and torture of an Armenian citizen. The office will in shape, but as a result we buy 30 companies making rye bread indeed Selimyan says that for many years file the case with the European Court of Human percent of air,” said Poghosyan. fake their production, there are also he has unsuccessfully tried to pro - Rights next month. Poghosyan also spoke about the honest producers. Nor does mote his bread in Armenia. In May 2010, Azerbaijan handed over to Armenia Arthur Badalyan, 32, a native of Haghartsin village in the Tavush region, who lost his way in a forest and accidentally crossed the border, where the Azeri authorities detained him. Ailing, Famished, Caged: Animals in The lawyers claim that Azerbaijan violated the third article of European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Armenian Zoos Face Survival Problems Freedoms which asserts that nobody must be sub- jected to torture, inhuman and depredating treat- mals,” said Avetisyan. elephant, Grand, who had suffered from a ment or punishment. By Siranuysh Gevorgyan Zoo entrance tickets in Hrazdan are toothache for four years after breaking its Before sending the complaint to European Court priced 200 drams (about 55 cents), but tusks and developing abscesses. The of Human Rights, the attorney will have to contact according to Avetisyan, sometimes a zoo’s panther also experiences health Azerbaijani authorities from a third country, to ask YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Problems group of five may enter and buy only one problems after having spent an uneasy them to provide information on the conditions of of animals kept in zoos in Armenia have ticket. winter. The foreign specialists noted that the custody. This is the general procedure to apply been highlighted in recent days as veteri - “I’ve decided to write at the entrance the animals were being kept in cages that to European Court. nary personnel from abroad have paid a to the park — ‘give whatever you can,’” he were too tight for them and reduced to visit to the Yerevan Zoo to check the state says. resting on concrete floors. of health of its pawed, beaked, hoofed Avetisyan says he has sought assis - Environmentalist Silva Adamyan also Actors to Give and other inmates. tance from the government, the National described the conditions at all zoos in Performance Based on Also, the owner of a private zoo in Assembly and Prosperous Armenia Party Armenia as inappropriate for keeping ani - Armenia’s central Hrazdan town gave a leader Gagik Tsarukyan, who, himself, mals and well below decent standards of Werfel Novel press conference last month to complain has a private zoo and has, on different living. about his poor budget that he said was STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan) — On May 21, presi- nowhere near enough to keep the caged dent of the Artsakh Republic, Bako Sahakyan, canine and feline friends happy. received a group of cultural workers and actors from Armenak Avetisyan said his call for the Republic of Armenia and the US who will orga- help was also precipitated by the harsh nize here a literary-musical performance based on winter that dozens of animals in his zoo Franz Werfel’s novel, The Forty Days of Musa Dagh. had to endure. In particular, the zoo The president noted the importance of combining director said as many as 10 guinea-pigs the efforts of Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora died in poor conditions and he had to for mass coverage of the pan-national events, which take some of the animals to his own is part of the national education of the younger house to help them live through the win - generation, as well as introducing the history of ter. the Armenian people to the international commu- Avetisyan complained about the diffi - nity. culties in finding enough forage for ani - According to the office of the Artsakh Republic mals as the zoo exists mostly on charity President, it was mutually stressed that such events and sometimes gets assistance from the should be organized periodically in different cen- municipality of Hrazdan, about 50 kilo - ters in Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora. meters to the northeast of Yerevan. Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Narine The zoo, which late last year A tiger at an Armenian zoo Aghabalyan and head of the NKR Writers’ Union appeared in the news after a lion there Vardan Hakobyan participated in the meeting. mauled a young zoo worker, was found - ed in 1993. Today it is home to 40 occasions, described himself as a big ani - “Especially the predators are kept in Director of Construction heads of animals representing 20 mal lover. The Hrazdan zoo director says such cages that do not correspond to species. Before, it used to have some 80 he has not heard any response from their dimensions. Their daily food rations Company Charged with animals of 30 species during the early Tsarukyan yet. do not correspond to international stan - years of its existence. The Hrazdan Zoo is not the only one dards either; there are also problems with Embezzlement Avetisyan feeds the animals with what - that experiences difficulties. Conditions animals receiving vitamins and vaccina - are almost the same at the zoo in tions,” said the environmentalist, adding YEREVAN (ARKA) — The Armenian prosecutor gen- ever is available, such as leftovers from Armavir, about 50 kilometers to the west that it was unclear to her why zoos had eral’s office has charged A. Petrosyan, director of feasts and funeral parties, etc. of Yerevan, where recently they also have been created in Hrazdan and Armavir in the Erkada Astgh construction company with gross Sometimes, he says, someone from the experienced difficulties with finding suffi - the first place when even the zoo in embezzlement and tax evasion, the office’s press supermarket helps with “expired” cient forage for the animals, as the near - Yerevan was struggling to create proper service reports. sausages and sandwiches. by military unit refused to provide the conditions for its animals. Petrosyan failed to renovate the building of the (In the wild a healthy adult lion may zoo with its food leftovers twice a week But the director of the Hrazdan Zoo first-instance court in Vardenis, Gegharkunik eat up to 18 kilograms of meat at a time as it had done before. The association of says he does not want to close his park province, and pocketed the 39 million drams he that would keep it more or less satisfied young biologists warns that these ani - and give his animals to someone who received from the government budget and compen- for four to six days. A wolf will also nor - mals also face the danger of starving to would provide better conditions for them. sated by Griar Insurance company as prepayment mally need to eat a minimum of two to death. He says Hrazdan must have its own zoo for the reconstruction, according to the charges. four kilograms of meat a day.) The Yerevan Zoo experiences no prob - for kids to visit it in order to get first-hand In addition, the company has submitted incom- “I wake up in the morning with this lems with finding enough food for its ani - experience of animals from the wild. plete accounting reports on procurement without animal feed problem in my head and so mals, but has other kinds of problems. Meanwhile, Adamyan also highlighted VAT data in them to tax agencies, the government on till 10 o’clock in the evening. If I had Earlier this week veterinarians from the problems that animals in Armenia said. a monthly budget of one million drams (about $2,600), I’d make a huge redevel - abroad were at the zoo to administer experience in the wild, as even endan - opment in the zoo, would build cages, medical aid to animals in need of such gered species are hunted in places where would improve the conditions for the ani - assistance. In particular, they helped the they should not be under law. S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA AUA’s President Boghosian Reflects Upon Needs of Higher Education in RA

BOGHOSIAN, from page 1 gible in our country’s economy. Azg: It is clear you have chosen the latter Azg: Since day one, the university has (MIT). He received his PhD in applied science Azg: Do you think the underdeveloped econ - option. And what percentage of the budget do received support from the Armenian General from the University of California, Davis. omy of Armenia can provide sufficient work for tuition fees make up? Benevolent Union. Are there more expecta - For the past decade, before moving to the post all these graduates? Or do you think this will BMB: The university’s student pay approxi - tions? at AUA, Boghosian was a professor in the add to the incentives of these educated young mately one-third of the cost of his/her educa - BMB: Over the years, as a founding body, the Department of Mathematics at Tufts University people to emigrate? tion, which amounts to $2,550 for in-country AGBU has always assisted the university and in Massachusetts, and he served as chair of that BMB: Recent statistics show that 75-80 per - students and it is $8,800 for out-of-country stu - been one of its major benefactors. The department since 2006. He served concurrently cent of our graduates remain in Armenia, while dents. The most important policy of the univer - University of California provides academic con - as adjunct professor in the Departments of 20-25 percent move abroad. Of the ones that sity is not letting down any of our students who sultations, experts and support in exchange pro - Computer Science and Physics. Earlier, he was move abroad, a part of them do so to pursue have financial need. It is the responsibility of grams. Approximately half of the AUA Board are employed as a senior research scientist at the PhDs, and we hope for their return. AUA to procure the necessary financial aid to the leaders of various departments at the Thinking Machines Corporation in Cambridge, Azg: Can you tell us about the university allow these students to continue. Admissions at University of California, and the provost, chief Mass., and at the Center for Computational staff? AUA are carried out on a “need-blind” basis — academic and operations officer is the vice pres - Science and Department of Physics, Boston BMB: The academic staff consists of 48 peo - that is, we admit students solely on considera - ident of the University of California. University. ple, among them foreign and local specialists, tions of merit, and we do not look at their finan - We need to strengthen ties between the AUA, Boghosian’s research has been devoted to whose interaction creates a very dynamic envi - cial need at the time of admission. University of California and the government of developing a fundamental understanding of the ronment. This is a great example of Armenian- Azg: And what percent do students from Armenia to ensure a higher quality of educa - nature of turbulence in fluid dynamics, and he American cooperation. An important part of our abroad comprise? tion. has used both theoretical and computational mission is to conduct training courses, to intro - BMB: They are not many, about 40 out of Armenia’s future economy will be knowledge- methods on some of the largest supercomputers duce American teaching methods and standards 400, and most of them are ethnically Armenian. based. That is the general tendency. We do not available in the US. Pursuant to this research, to the Armenian teachers and to prepare pro - I think this number should be increased. It is have enough natural resources; we are not locat - he has held visiting professorships and research fessors. important to involve students from Iran, India, ed on a natural trade route. We therefore need positions at a number of well-known universi - Azg: As far as I know, there is a working China and other countries. This changes the to invest in the minds of our people. And cre - ties, such as École Normale Supérieure in Paris; mechanism at the university that ensures work university’s environment, makes it international, ation of an excellent educational system is the Peking University; University of California, for the graduates. which helps to increase the institution’s profile main precondition to the development of a Berkeley; as well as University College London, knowledge-powered economy. It is clear that in the UK. great strides are being made in this direction. Boghosian has more than 80 publications to The Ministry of Education and Science pays his credit and has given upwards of 150 talks at “...my experience shows that many more attention to educational effectiveness, dif - various universities. He is a member of the edi - ferent projects and new ideas are brought to torial boards of a number of international- light in order to directly connect education and monthly journals ( Journal of Computational Armenians in the diaspora are not the economy. Science, Physica A, Computing in Science and I hope that the coming years will be very Engineering and International Journal of fully aware of AUA’s existence, particularly inspiring for education. The most important Modern Physics C — Physics and Computers ). thing is that it will develop our economy and He is the recipient of many awards and honors will provide our people with jobs which will in the United States as a scholar and teacher, about its importance and results keep them in this country. including Tufts University’s Distinguished Azg: Yes, it is a very critical situation. AUA Scholar Award in 2010. He has been a foreign produced in Armenia.” provides education on graduate level. Are member of the National Academy of Sciences of BMB: Yes, the Alumni and Career and diversity. An international environment was changes possible in this regard? the Republic of Armenia since 2008. Development Office actively works to ensure very important for me during the years of my BMB: The AUA’s goal is to enhance the qual - The AUA was founded in the first year of the that the graduates are always connected elec - study. It is especially important in Armenia ity of education in Armenia. Such fundamental independence of Armenia, and with its Western tronically and are well informed of relevant because the country itself is 97.9 percent ethni - changes should be considered within the frame - methods and standards of teaching, it has been news and job announcements. I’ve met them in cally homogeneous and these contacts and rela - work of the general educational system. There is a significant phenomenon in the Armenian edu - person and offered advice on being well-pre - tionships create further opportunities. no such decision as of yet, it is an issue to be cational system. In a short space of time, the pared for interviews, etc. I hope the university I would like to speak about another impor - considered in the future. limited programs of the university were expand - and its alumni will have closer mutual ties to tant issue — the university is accredited in the Azg: Consideration was given to turning the ed and vastly developed. ensure that they all feel part of the university US. This is an important factor in attracting stu - Paramaz Avedisian building, which was built This interview was conducted as part of the family. We also try to keep the University in con - dents as they are given an opportunity to with the donations of a benefactor from the series of interviews with rectors of the most tact with those students who are now abroad. A receive a truly American education at a lower diaspora, into an academic-scientific center. important universities in Armenia. significant number of them are in New York, price than in the United States. There is also an adjacent park, which was to be Azg: Dr. Boghosian, after seven months, what Washington and California, and they would also The mission of the American University of renovated after the construction. At what stage are your observations at the American like to stay in touch with the university. Armenia is to help Armenians and the is this? University of Armenia, and what new develop - Azg: Naturally, the university has financial dif - Armenian government by importing new acade - BMB: Construction in the original ments are expected? ficulties. We assume that the increase in tuition mic methods, and including them in the gener - Bagramian building is in progress now; we BMB: The university, which opened on fees has not been enough to overcome the diffi - al educational system thereby getting better improved the new building’s interior, complete - Armenia’s Independence Day, September 21, culties caused by the economic crisis and other results. These new programs and methods are ly renovated the old building: floors and win - had only two academic programs and 101 stu - contributing factors. What are your plans to in addition to those already in place, and they dows, which were not insulated, were replaced dents. Now it has expanded and has seven col - cope with this economic downturn? are not and will not be in direct competition. by new ones. Next year, the library will be leges (Business and Management, Industrial BMB: Indeed, the economic crisis has affect - The institution is unique in its structure and expanded; modern kitchens will be installed. As Engineering, Computing and Information ed university procedures. Our material general approach. As an American university, it for the park, many trees have been planted; we Sciences, Political Science and International resources come, in part, from the interest and is at the same time the American University of have a gardener who takes care of the garden. Affair, Public Health, Law and English). income gained on our endowment funds. Due to Armenia, the meaning and sense of which is the We have close ties to the district administration In addition to this, each department has a the economic crisis, returns have declined. Even collaboration with the government of Armenia, and municipality. Our architect has many fine research center, and there is also the Acopian prior to the 2008 crisis, there had always been Armenian business circles, educational and ideas. But the question of water supply is still Center for the Environment; every AUA student a budget deficit necessitating fundraising. Of other institutions, intellectual and cultural envi - unresolved, if the district administration solves is required to take at least one course on envi - course, this is not an ideal solution; it would be ronments. the problem of irrigation, the completion of the ronmental studies, considering the many seri - better to add the donated funds to the endow - By being original and unique, we should not garden would pick up speed. ous challenges in environmental protection in ment. The difficulties of recent years have forced remain closed off, but rather respond to the Azg: Lastly, had you been in Armenia previ - Armenia. the university administration to make some requirements of the National Academy, Ministry ously and what are your impressions now? Today, the total number of AUA graduates reductions that have affected salaries, i.e., pay of Science and Education, other ministries, and BMB: In recent years I had visited Armenia stands at 1,900. Following meetings with many freezes. effectively cooperate with them. on a number of occasions, the longest visit of them, I have a strong impression that there is Usually in such situations there are two main In addition, my experience shows that many lasting three weeks, with my family. It is a very a positive appraisal of the university’s activities. options: to reduce all programs in order or to Armenians in the diaspora are not fully aware of pleasant place. I am enjoying my time here Many alumni are involved in business, banking take a more aggressive approach, or to expand AUA’s existence, particularly about its impor - immensely. Yerevan has a very intimate atmos - and other areas; the university’s results are tan - programs to attract new investment. tance and results produced in Armenia. phere; the people are warm and welcoming: Appropriate work needs to be carried out in the city center — Opera, Philharmonic Society cooperation with Armenian academics, business and cafes — creates a very good impression. people and donors from the diaspora to increase Whenever I return, I urge my friends in the awareness of the importance of the AUA. diaspora to go and see Armenia. I have many For Your Internal News of Armenia Azg: Such projects require human labor, envi - friends and relatives in different countries, and ronmental resources, volition, assistance, etc. it has been my privilege to have had the oppor - Log on to BMB: This is a challenge: we are organizing tunity to see many cities of the Armenian dias - fundraising in the US and hope to ensure fur - pora. And if you see all of these cities and do ther developments through other worthy pro - not see Armenia, it is comparable to seeing all www.AZG.am jects. This is not to say that it will be easy; we the planets in the universe and not seeing the have to work hard. We have limited resources sun. When I return from Armenia, I give this but great desires and plans. message to everyone. 4 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Iranian Envoy Visits Armenia, Again

Turkey, Azerbaijan Plan YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A special envoy of Iranian President Mahmoud To Send Meshketian Ahmadinejad visited Armenia and held Turks to Javakhk talks with its leaders for the second time in less than three months on Friday, TBILISI (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The Turkish ele- May 13. ment is getting active in Javakhk, said Shirak Official Armenian sources said Torosyan, a member of the ruling Republican Party Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad- of Armenia and head of Javakhk Compatriots’ Reza Sheibani discussed with President Union. Serge Sargisian and Foreign Minister “Turkish and Azerbaijani companies are buying Eduard Nalbandian the current state of lands in Javakhk to secure the return of about Armenian-Iranian relations as well as 13,000 Meskhetian Turks in the region, a signal regional security. alarming not only for Armenians but for Georgians Sargisian was cited by his press office as well,” Torosyan told journalists on May 24. as telling Sheibani that frequent negoti - “The goal of this campaign is to disseminate anti- ations held by senior Armenian and Armenian propaganda and cut Javakhk off from Iranian government officials testify to Georgia,” he stated. “high-level relations existing between the two neighboring states.” Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Reza Sheibani, left, and President Serge Sargisian According to the Armenian Foreign Argentinean President Ministry, Nalbandian welcomed the Receives Karekin II “dynamic development” of those relations Ahmadinejad was reported to have told Sheibani reportedly discussed these at a separate meeting with the visiting Sargisian that Tehran “has placed no projects during his previous visit to BUENOS AIRES (RFE/RL) — Argentinean Iranian diplomat. A ministry statement limits on the development of coopera - Yerevan that took place in mid- President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner received on said he stressed the importance of bilater - tion with Yerevan” and wants to deepen February. Sargisian’s office said at the Monday Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in al economic cooperation on energy, trans - ties between the two “friendly neigh - time that unspecified “regional issues” the course of his visit here. port and “a number of other areas.” bors.” were also on the agenda of his talks During the meeting the president appraised the Both sources said the talks touched Both leaders reaffirmed their govern - with the Armenian president. role of the local Armenian community in political, upon the implementation of agreements ments’ plans to press ahead with more Sheibani’s latest trip came 10 days economic and social life of the country. reached by Ahmadinejad and Sargisian. joint energy and transport projects. after another senior Iranian official, Karekin II expressed his gratitude to leadership They gave no further details. Those include the construction of two Deputy Defense Minister Reza Mozafari of Argentina for their warm attitude towards the The Armenian and Iranian presidents hydro-electric plants on the Arax river Nia, met with Armenian Defense Armenian community, expressing hope relations most recently met in Tehran in late marking the Armenian-Iranian border Minister Seyran Ohanian in Yerevan. between the states and nations will strengthen. March during official celebrations of the and a pipeline that will ship Iranian fuel Few details of that meeting were made Later the same day, Karekin II awarded ancient Persian Nowruz holiday. to Armenia. public. Argentinean-Armenian businessman and philan- thropist Eduardo Eurnekian a medal. Turkish Speaker Calls Russia Sabotaged Iran Nuclear Program Israel Sells Spy Swedish Recognition of JERUSALEM (AFP) — Then Russian him that he intended to delay the process President Vladimir Putin ordered the of sending the nuclear rods to the reac - Camera to Turkey Genocide ‘Bad Luck’ sabotage of Iran’s nuclear program in tor in Bushehr for an extended period of Despite Risk 2006, according to WikiLeaks docu - time and that he had no intention of sup - ANKARA (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The Swedish ments published by Israeli daily, Yediot plying the reactor with ‘fresh fuel’ at the TEL AVIV (Today’s Zaman) — Parliament’s adoption of the Armenian Genocide Aharonot , on Thursday, May 19. current stage,” Yediot reported. Israel’s defense establishment has resolution is a mere unlucky coincidence, accord- The leaked documents purportedly Kiriyenko told the Israelis “the approved the sale of a sophisticat - ing to Turkish parliamentary speaker. detail talks between the head of Israel’s Russians intended to explain the delib - ed intelligence system to Turkey As Mehmet Ali Shahin stated during a meeting Atomic Energy Commission and then- erate delay by means of ‘technical prob - even though the Knesset has with his Swedish counterpart, Per Westerberg, par- US ambassador to Israel, Richard Jones. lems,’” adding that “Putin had person - decided to debate a resolution rec - liaments must not assume the role of historians, During a February 2006 meeting, ally ordered that deliberate delay in ognizing the Armenian Genocide, leaving analysis of 1915 events to the experts. Gideon Frank told Jones “at length delivery,” according to the newspaper. Media Line, a news portal on Westerberg expressed his support for Shahin’s about the results of his secret meetings Frank also said the Russians had told Middle East issues, has claimed. position, the Turkish AA news agency reported. with top figures in the Russian security him “they had made changes to the The news portal said Israel’s On March 11, the Parliament of Sweden recog- establishment and intelligence commu - hardware that they were supposed to Ministry of Defense earlier last week nized the Armenian Genocide after a long debate nity,” Yediot reported. send to the Bushehr reactor so as to approved the sale of a sensitive spy with a vote of 131 to 130. The resolution mandates Among the officials he met were then slow down the Iranian nuclear program camera to Turkey, despite fears that Sweden to officially describe the large-scale mur- Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, Foreign even further.” the technology could find its way to ders of Armenians and other ethnic groups in Minister Sergei Lavrov and the chair - Russia, which has been a long-stand - hostile, third-party elements. Turkey as genocide. man of the Russian Atomic Energy ing nuclear partner of Iran, voted in According to the report, the sys - Commission, Sergei Kiriyenko. favor of UN sanctions against the tem is the Long-Range Oblique Beirut Hosts Event He told Jones that Putin had person - Islamic republic last June. Photography pod (LOROP), built ally ordered measures to delay progress Israel and much of the international by Israel’s top defense companies. Dedicated to Armenia at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant. Under a community fear that Iran’s nuclear pro - It is considered the pinnacle in 1995 deal, Russia agreed to complete gram masks a push to develop nuclear Israeli technology, one of the rea - BEIRUT (PanARMENIAN.Net) — On May 23, St. the plant and provide the fuel, with Iran weapons. Tehran denies the charge, say - sons why the Israeli Ministry of Joseph’s French University in Beirut hosted an committing to return the spent fuel. ing the program is for civilian energy Defense was hesitant to see it in event dedicated to Armenia. The event was initiat- “Frank said that Kiriyenko had told purposes only. foreign hands. ed by the Armenian Embassy in Lebanon. “All Israeli weapons sales must During the event, Armenian Ambassador to be approved by the Defense Lebanon Ashot Kocharian briefed those present on Export Department, or Sibat, a history of Armenia and the Armenian nation, eco- Turkey to Build Bosphorus Straits Bypass branch within the Ministry of nomic tendencies and proprieties of the country, Defense. According to investment possibilities, Armenian culture and her- Israeldefense, an Israeli website itage. ISTANBUL (The Independent) — sels. Turkey will build a new waterway to He said the canal would be completed with close ties to the defense bypass the heavily congested Bosphorus by 2023, without revealing the cost of establishment, Sibat approved the Sex Tapes of Turkish Strait, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip the project. transfer of the system in order [to] Erdogan has announced; the Bosphorus The prime minister stressed that the improve the strained ties with Nationalists Leaked Strait divides Europe from Asia. waterway should be built to protect Turkey,” the report said. The once close Turkish-Israel ISTANBUL (news.am) — Six top members of the He said the 150 meter-wide (492 feet) some 2 million people living on the Canal Istanbul would link the Black Sea banks of the Bosphorus from millions of alliance has greatly deteriorated, Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (NHP) have particularly since last May’s assault resigned due to a scandalous sex tape. to the Sea of Marmara that opens to the tons of hazardous materials being trans - Aegean Sea via the Dardanelles. ported through the 30 kilometers strait by Israeli commandos, on a Turkish Sex tapes associated with a number of top mem- ship, participating in a flotilla try - bers of the Nationalist Movement Party remain rel- Erdogan said the canal would be every year. about 45 kilometers long (31 miles), “One of the main objectives is to ing to break Israel’s blockade of the evant. Two videos containing scenes from Gaza Strip. Eight Turks and one Nationalist Movement Party members’ private life describing it as “the greatest project of reduce traffic through the Bosphorus the century.” and minimize the (environmental) American of Turkish descent were were uploaded to Turkish nationalist-owned “differ- killed in the raid. ent idealism” website. After the incident six of He did not disclose the exact location. threat,” Erdogan said. “We are rolling up our sleeves for Canal The announcement was made during Turkey has recently asked Israel them resigned, reports Milliyet. to provide it with the identities of Vice chairman of the NHP declared that he Istanbul, one of the greatest projects of campaigning ahead of June’s parliamen - the centuries that will outshine the tary elections. soldiers involved so it can prose - renounces party membership as well as MP man- cute them. Israel has warned that date and asks for people’s forgiveness. Panama and Suez canals,” Erdogan said. The Bosphorus is the world’s narrow - He said the waterway would have a est strait used for international naviga - it will meet flotillas planned for depth of about 25 meters and would tion. Its shores are heavily populated as next month with an iron fist. afford the daily passage of up to 160 ves - Istanbul straddles it. S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL

AGBU Montevideo Grung Choir Performs in Yerevan and Gumri

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — At the initiative of the AGBU and the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of Armenia, the Grung Choir of AGBU Montevideo, Uruguay, gave two con - certs in Armenia. The performances launched a series of concerts dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. Established in 1993, Grung Choir is headed by Alvaro Hagopian, who is also the principal conductor of the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra. After touring South American cities with substantial Armenian populations, the choir headed to Armenia for its first-ever performance in the homeland. The first concert of the tour, titled “To the Homeland,” took place at the Arno Babajanian Concert Hall in central Yerevan on April 26. Many art figures, government members, representatives of diplomatic mis - sions and members of the intelligentsia were present at the concert. In her opening remarks, Republic of Armenia Diaspora Grung Choir of AGBU Montevideo performs in Yerevan, under Alvaro Hagopian. Minister Hranush Hakobian said, “My warm and cordial greetings to our compatriots from Uruguay. We are grateful to Grung for pre - the Renaissance third International Contest- serving Armenian roots, Armenian identity Festival of Musician-Performers. The concert and Armenian culture. This is the result of the was attended by town officials, public and art unification of the Armenian communities of figures and students. South America. Symbolic is the fact that The choir members also visited various Uruguay was the first country in the world to landmarks in Armenia. On April 24, together recognize and condemn the Armenian with AGBU Armenian Representation staff, Genocide, and certainly the Armenian com - AGBU scouts and the Yerevan YP team, the munity of Uruguay played a major role in this. choir visited the Armenian Genocide For decades, Grung Choir has been singing Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd to pay tribute to about Armenians and Armenia and their the victims of the Armenian Genocide. On heart is, indeed, in Armenia.” Hakobian April 29, choir members visited the Mother thanked the choir members and conductor See of Holy Echmiadzin where they were Hagopian, and awarded them with a certifi - received by Karekin II, Catholicos of All cate of appreciation for the proliferation and Armenians. On April 30, Grung was hosted by development of the Armenian culture, preser - the AGBU Armenian Representation, where vation of the Armenian identity and continu - Ashot Ghazarian, AGBU Armenian represen - ous creative activities. tation director, made a brief presentation on The concert program presented by the the organization’s activities in Armenia. The choir included pieces by Komitas, Tigranian, guests also got acquainted with the activities Hekimian, Avetissian, Goosan Sheram, of AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College. Choir Goosan Ashot, Goosan Shahen, Kotoyan, members also attended an unforgettable con - Tamatian and others, as well as various inter - cert at the AGBU and Holy Echmiadzin Nork pretations of famous folk and patriotic songs. Children’s Center. On May 2, Armenian After a standing ovation at the packed hall, Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair the choir performed several additional songs. Hovnanian and his wife, Anna, organized a Republic of Armenia Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian gives her opening remarks before the The second concert by Grung took place at farewell reception for the Grung Choir mem - April 26 concert in Yerevan. the Gumri Art Academy on April 28, opening bers at their Yerevan residence.

AGBU YP Lebanon Holds its Third Event on ‘Entrepreneurship and The Challenges of Youth in Lebanon’ with Architect Bernard Khoury

BEIRUT — On May 5, AGBU’s Young Professionals of Lebanon hosted world- renowned architect Bernard Khoury as a guest speaker for its third event, titled “Entrepreneurship and the Challenges of Youth in Lebanon.” The lecture and recep - tion were held at the AGBU Demirdjian Center, with 250 guests in attendance. Khoury engaged the audience during his hour-long lecture, during which he spoke about his career as an architect and the role of architecture in his life. He started the talk by telling the audience that his mother, who was in attendance, is Armenian. He illustrat - ed his presentation with extensive multime - dia materials that gave the audience the breadth of his architectural projects, which have established his reputation as an expert in both the entertainment and residential sec - tors. He emphasized that each project has been a unique journey of discovery and experience in itself, involving many challenges and requiring the utmost perseverance. He believes that architecture and design are political, social and cultural fields, and he spoke about how the complexities in Lebanon are reflected in his work. The lecture was followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session and a two-hour reception, during which the guests were Two hundred and fifty attendees listen to world-renowned architect Bernard Khoury at the AGBU Demirdjian Center in Beirut, Lebanon. given the opportunity to meet and talk with the speaker. 6 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Michigan to Armenia Armenian Caucus Aid Group Grows with Urges Robust Aid to Perseverance and Armenia and Karabagh Persistence WASHINGTON — This week, members of the Armenian Caucus, led by Co-Chair DETROIT — There are many opportunities to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), sent a letter help Armenia. A group from Michigan can to House Appropriations Subcommittee attest to that. Chairwoman Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) From November 2009 to March 2011 a cadre and ranking member Rep. Nita Lowey (D- made up of Bob Kachadourian, Shakeh NY) urging “not less than $60 million” in Basmadjian and Armen Topouzian have sent to economic assistance to Armenia and “not Armenia several containers of medical equip - less than $10 million” in humanitarian ment. aid to Nagorno Karabagh for FY 2012, Networking is the key to it all. There are reported the Armenian Assembly of many relief organizations, charities and other America. entities vying for the material that would help The letter to the Appropriations Armenia. Subcommittee outlines key policy objec - However, Kachadourian finds a way to learn tives regarding funding to Armenia and about it first. Then he goes with Basmadjian Nagorno Karabagh that are essential to and Topouzian to see the potential usable the development and security of the items. Armenian republic. Those policy objec - Kachadourian can be found most any day on tives were submitted in “public witness the phone, emailing, faxing or doing whatever testimony” by the Armenian Assembly it takes to locate items that otherwise wouldn’t last month. find their way to a nation in need of medical In addition, Armenian Caucus members equipment. urged Congress to uphold Section 907 of Then Basmadjian and Topouzian arrange to the Freedom Support Act and cease mili - have the equipment picked up often going with tary assistance to Azerbaijan pointing to Kachadourian to meet the pick-up crew. The First-place winner Julia Palaian with committee member David Terzibashian and Azerbaijan’s enormous military expendi - items are packaged, inventoried and put in a Angela Hagopian Snow tures, continued cease-fire violations central location. along the line of contact of Nagorno For example, along with many medical tools, Karabagh and vitriolic war rhetoric from 60 hospital beds were sent to Armenia in late top government officials. 2009. The beds, donated by Dr. Shukri David of 2011 Armenian Genocide “In light of the ongoing dual blockades Providence Hospital, Southfield, were observed and repeated war rhetoric from by Basmadjian, already in use at a Mother’s Azerbaijan, US funding is indispensable Care Hospital in Armenia, while she visited Essay Competition Winners to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh’s con - there several months ago. tinued development,” stated Assembly This year numerous panoramic X-Ray machines, Announced Congressional Relations Associate Bianka Kadian-Dodov. “We hail the caucus’s BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — The Armenian Genocide Committee of greater Detroit efforts to ensure that adequate levels of has announced the winners of the fourth annual essay competition. assistance are maintained, and remain Awards were presented to the winning students at the Hagopian showroom in dedicated to Armenia and Nagorno Birmingham, before a crowd of students, educators, family and friends. The pre - Karabagh’s security,” said Kadian-Dodov. sentations were made prior to a lecture that same evening to be presented by his - Signatories to the letter included torian and author, Raymond Kevorkian. Congressional Armenian Caucus members The competition funded by the Hagopian Family Foundation and conceived and Gary Ackerman, Joe Baca, Shelley Berkley, initiated by the late Edgar Howard Berman, Bruce Braley, David Hagopian, recognizes and awards Cicilline, Jim Costa, Joseph Crowley, Eliot Michigan high school students who Engel, Anna Eshoo, Chaka Fattah, Barney have written a successful essay on Frank, Elton Gallegly, Rush Holt, Jim the Armenian Genocide. Langevin, Daniel Lipinski, Stephen Lynch, From left, bottom row, Armen Topouzian, Bob This is the fourth year that the Edward Markey, James McGovern, Grace Kachadourian, H. Manoogian statewide competition has been Napolitano, Gary Peters, Charles Rangel, offered to students with the hope Steven Rothman, Loretta Sanchez, John that it will stimulate study of the Sarbanes, Brad Sherman, Jackie Speier dental tools and many related items were sent, many aspects surrounding the and Henry Waxman. that are too numerous to list here. The same could Armenian Genocide in Ottoman The House Appropriations be said for optometric equipment. Turkey, 1915-1923. David Second-place winner Allie Lister with David Subcommittee on State, Foreign We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge Terzibashian, committee member, Terzibashian and Angela Hagopian Snow Operations and Related Programs is the following faithful volunteers. Hovaguim and Angela Hagopian Snow, repre - scheduled to consider the measure on Manoogian, Levon Kesishian, Ralph senting the Hagopian Family July 27. Garabedian, Ed Garabedian, Bob Jacobs, Foundation, presented the 2011 Thomas Arakelian, Ken Kezarjhian and others awards as follows: first place ($500), behind the scenes helped get the health care Julia Palaian, 10th grade, equipment on its way. Farmington High School; second Amaras Offers Summer Kachadourian states, “People must talk to place ($250), Allie Lisner, 10th their friends, relatives, physicians, dentists and grade, Andover High School and Camp for Children indeed call up suppliers of health care equip - third place ($150), Tim Zobel, 11th ment.” He adds, “Hospitals are another source.” grade, Andover High School. WATERTOWN, Mass. — Amaras Art Alliance of Kachadourian goes beyond the Michigan In addition, each teacher of the Watertown is offering a summer program for area as well. Last year he contacted UCLA student submitting a winning essay children. During the first two weeks of August, Hospital through a relative of his wife. was given a $100 appreciation Amaras will offer the Arvest Summer Camp, a Adrineh Poulatian was very helpful. Through award. Third-place winner Tim Zobel with David summer day camp for children ages 7-12 at the the local ARS office and Basmadjian, many This year presented a unique Terzibashian and Angela Hagopian Snow Lowell Elementary School, 175 Orchard St., items were picked up. problem for the essay judges: there from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Children may The rest as they say is history. It just takes a were so many excellent submissions register for one or both sessions. little effort to reflect on useful contacts to begin that honorable mentions ($50) were awarded to five additional students: Olivia The goal of Arvest Summer Camp is for young - networking for aid to Armenia. Ann Kurajian, Seaholm High School; Raha Richardson, AGBU Manoogian School, sters to have fun, in a safe and friendly atmos - Kachadourian works tirelessly at any project Ari Sagherian, AGBU Manoogian School; Brianna Schwarcz, International phere, while also learning about Armenian cul - that serves Armenia. From the YMCA in Academy and Siddartha Jean, International Academy. ture through food, music, arts and crafts, sports Armenia, to fundraising for Baroness Cox and The Armenian Genocide Committee of Greater Detroit, a group committed to and dancing. A number of special guests, includ - many projects he has been involved in over the bringing awareness of the Armenian Genocide, is made up of members of the ing writers, singers and scientists will visit during years; passion is what describes his commit - Detroit-Armenian community including educators, former educators and business the week to share stories and engage the chil - ment to whatever he does. leaders: it was founded by the late Edgar Hagopian. Members are Ray Boujoulian, dren in activities. Additionally, children will learn Yes, the trio know how to get it done with Corinne Khederian, Paul Kulhanjian, Richard Norsigian, Shirley Sarkisian, David new games and learn some Armenian recipes. their indispensable volunteers. However, it’s all Terzibashian and Madeline Thomasian. The camp is open to all children with an inter - about networking. The winning essays can be read at www.annualessaycompetition.com. est in having fun. The challenge is now for others to emulate For more information and registration, includ - the Michigan to Armenia Aid Group. ing prices, go to [email protected]. S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Holy Trinity Church Hosts Diocesan Assembly

Gathering Ideal Way to To conclude the services, students of Holy Trinity’s Sunday School led the clergy and the Mark 50 Years of Parish Life faithful out to the front of the church, where a khachkar monument stands as the gathering CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — “Our parish and com - place for the parish’s annual Armenian Martyr’s munity has been working two years to put the Day requiem service. With Easter falling on 109th Diocesan Assembly together, and we are April 24 this year, the Holy Trinity parish sched - thrilled we had a really positive experience,” uled its Martyrs Day observance for May 1, said Rev. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor of the Holy when the Primate and visiting delegates would Trinity Armenian Church, host parish of this be present. year’s assembly. Afterwards, during a reception in the host “It was great for our community in our 50th parish’s Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural anniversary year to bring parishioners together Hall, the Primate offered his appreciation to the and work for the greater good of the Diocese.” Holy Trinity Church for undertaking the The Holy Trinity Armenian Church of responsibility of hosting the 109th Diocesan Cambridge hosted the annual gathering of cler - Assembly. gy and lay delegates representing the Eastern “We are happy this year’s Diocesan Assembly Diocese’s organized and mission parishes. Most went well, and that excitement was built in our meetings and events convened at the Boston community,” said Kouzouian. “Now we are Park Plaza Hotel, but Holy Trinity parishioners ready to start a new chapter and dream new also organized activities for the visiting dele - dreams.” gates and their families, including a tour of the The host parish’s Diocesan Assembly city on the famous Boston Duck Tours. Committee was led by Kouzouian and co- “Everyone who contributed participated in lay chaired by Janice Dorian and Nancy D. ministry together,” said Kouzouian. “It was a The host parish’s Diocesan Assembly Committee was led by Fr. Vasken Kouzouian and co-chaired by Kasarjian. Members included: Linda Abkarian, wonderful experience for us to become one body Janice Dorian (at podium) and Nancy D. Kasarjian. Maral Ayanian, Seta A. Buchter, Barbara and minister to the greater body of our church.” Dorian, Daniel K. Dorian, Lisa Dorian, After the Diocesan Assembly adjourned on Kalustian, Cynthia Kazanjian, Arlene Kasarjian, Saturday, April 30, delegates had the opportu - their home parishes on Sunday, a number depicts images of the Holy Trinity Church, Holy Yeretzgin Arpi Kouzouian, Richard Kratlian, nity to take a tour of the city steeped in remained and took part in the service, with the Echmiadzin, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Carol Krikorian, Deacon Gregory Krikorian, American history. On Sunday, May 1, delegates Holy Trinity altar servers and choir also partic - Two years ago, Kalustian made a similar dona - Lois Malconian, Karen Martin, William H. attended the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity ipating. tion to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral to mark Martin, Catherine Minassian, Bruce Newell, Church, where the guest celebrant was the Very Following Divine Liturgy, a new 50th its own 40th anniversary. Carlene Newell, Gail B. O’Reilly, Cheryl Rev. Vardan Navasardyan, from Holy Anniversary gold chalice — a gift to the Holy New choir and deacons’ robes were also Scaparrotta, Debra Stevens, Barara Tellalian Echmiadzin, who offered his sermon on the Trinity Parish from longtime parishioner and blessed during the May 1 liturgy. and Albert Zouanjian. meaning of “New Sunday” and renewing one’s current Diocesan Council member James lives in the light of the Resurrection. Kalustian — was blessed by Diocesan Primate While most clergymen had departed to be at Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. The chalice

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Delegates gathered in Boston for the 109th Diocesan Assembly last month.

Susan Kouzouian Derderian Admitted To US Supreme Court Bar

WASHINGTON — On Monday, April 4, Susan Kouzouian Derderian was admitted in open court to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court, during a ceremony before all nine sitting justices. Derderian has also been admitted to the First Circuit Court of Appeals (1989) as well as the Massachusetts Bar (1985). Having graduated in 1981, from Tufts University, Medford, Mass., and in 1984, from Suffolk Law School, in Boston, Derderian began her career as assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, serv - ing during Scott Harshbarger’s tenure as district attorney. She has a solo practice in Cambridge, Mass., in criminal defense liti - C Tellalian Associates Architects & Planners, LLC. gation, as well as providing services in res - idential real estate closings, wills and under construction trusts and estates. Derderian is the daughter of the Rev. Sponsorship/Naming Opportunities DONATE Mampre A. and the late Yeretzgin Nuvart James Kalustian 781 777.2407 online: www.ArmenianHeritagePark.net Charles Guleserian 617 484.6100 R. Kouzouian, of Boston, former pastor of Haig Deranian 617 489.2215 check: Armenian Heritage Foundation Susan Kouzouian Derderian the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Walter Nahabedian 781 891.7249 25 Flanders Road Dr. Jack Kasarjian 617 232.6350 Belmont, MA 02478 Church of Greater Boston. 8 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Naomi Armen Honored as Mother of the Year at Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Genocide was launched. Along with her aunt recitations in honor of By Lalig J. Musserian and her brother, she started the forced march Armen. into the Der ez-Zor desert, where she was sepa - The last speaker was rated from the rest of her family and later taken Armen herself. As she JAMAICA PLAIN, Mass. — Every year, the away as a household servant into a Turkish fam - stood up from her Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center ily in a nearby village. There, she lived with her seat, the room fell (ANRC) celebrates Mother’s Day with a special “Turkish dad” and his two wives, one wife absolutely silent. luncheon honoring a “Mother of the Year.” On Turkish, the other Armenian. As part of her Tearfully, she spoke May 7, Naomi Armen was the recipient of this household duties, she was sent to the well in with her soft voice honor, surrounded by her family and friends. the village to fetch water; one morning, she about the honor she Very Rev. Dajad Davidian, pastor emeritus of went to the well as usual, and in a stroke of fate, felt to be named the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church, was she ran into her brother, who was also fetching “Mother of the Year.” the guest speaker. water! Apparently, he had been taken in by a She thanked God and The afternoon began with the luncheon in Turkish family as well. her daughters and she honor of Armen, followed by remarks by Siran Some time later, when World War I ended, thanked Davidian for Salibian, activities director. Vera Armen, the the Turks were instructed to return Armenian his friendship for more honoree’s daughter, spoke about her mother’s children to the city of Sebastipol. From there than half a century. childhood and escape from the Armenian Naomi Armen and her brother were sent to a “Whatever I did was Genocide. She also spoke about her mother’s local orphanage, both aware that they had a for you, Der Hayr,” she dedication and commitment to St. James father somewhere out there, praying that he said, her voice shaking Armenian Church for almost 50 years, where was alive. One day, she was playing with her with emotion. “My she worked tirelessly with the Senior Ladies’ doll in the orphanage’s courtyard. There was a Naomi Armen with her daughters Carol Theoharous (left) and Vera Armen years of service were Auxiliary Committee. Along with cooking and girls’ school next door and a young girl there for you and my planning scores of bazaars, dinners and func - recognized her. The girl told her that her father church, and I am tions, the committee was instrumental in pro - was looking for her. Within a short time, broth - her friends and family. He spoke about her pres - proud to be Armenian.” ducing plays which Naomi Armen translated, er and sister were reunited with their father, ence at his ordination in 1960, in Worcester. A cake-cutting ceremony and reception, orga - staged, costumed and often starred in, usually beating incredible odds in finding each other. She was a close friend of the late Yeretzgin nized specially by the staff of the ANRC, as a man, since many men were shy or not avail - Naomi Armen and her brother moved to Rosemary Davidian, whose mother was also brought the afternoon to a close. able and the show had to go on. Vera Armen Hamburg, Germany with her father and tried to from Bulgaria. Davidian thanked the honoree The ANRC is an 83-bed Nursing and spoke passionately about her mother’s guiding pick up their broken lives. She was then sent to and told her how proud St. James was to call Rehabilitation facility which has consistently hand in her family’s life, her positive attitude a boarding school in Bulgaria, where she her a parishioner and a “daughter” of the garnered top rankings and reviews from the and how she inspired kindness in anyone she learned and mastered no less than seven lan - church. He spoke emotionally about his own state. The ANRC was recently declared to be met. guages fluently. She and her family eventually mother and blessed all the mothers for the sac - 100 percent in compliance with over 180 feder - Naomi Armen’s story is a story of survival journeyed to the United States when she was rifices they make for their children. al and state regulations by the Massachusetts against all odds. She was born in 1910 in approximately 20. Mary Galstyan, a fifth-grade student at St. Department of Public Health. Marzivan, (now called Phazemon), in northern Davidian spoke of Armen’s love and passion Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in For more information, visit ANRC at Turkey and she was just 5 when the Armenian for her church and her unwavering loyalty to Watertown, charmed the audience with two www.armenianhome.org. Memorial Held for Dr. Antranig Chalabian (1922-2011)

taught in his local school in Kessab for a year. several volumes on Armenian history and his - many contributions to the community and lit - By Betty Apigian Kessel From 1944 to 1949 he returned to Aleppo torical figures, but he is best known for that erary world. College teaching English and arithmetic. immense accomplishment, the biography of Detroit may have lost all too soon another of In 1949 he moved to Beirut where his family General Antranig, which went into four print - its leading intellectual leadership components SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The book is one of had settled in 1945. He taught English for one ings. It was with the defense of this volume in but Dr. Antranig Chalabian has left an indelible my most prized possessions and sits promi - year at the AGBU Hovagimian-Manoogian High Armenia in the History Department of the mark on a community who has shown admira - nently on my bookshelf because of the subject School. Then he took a position in the physiol - University of Armenia that he was awarded a tion and appreciation for his lifetime body of matter contained therein. It is titled General ogy department of the American University of doctorate in history. He donated the proceeds work. This community was blessed by his pres - Andranik And the Armenian Revolutionary Beirut, where he remained for 27 years. While from the sale of this book to the Karabagh free - ence. Movement by Antranig Chalabian. there, he worked as a free-lance medical illus - dom fighters. A quote from the General Antranig book: It is the 588-page English translation about trator, illustrating almost entirely three medical He was the recipient of many awards and “The Armenian Revolutionary Movement the hero of the book and what he represented books and thousands of research papers. accolades and became a popular lecturer being would not have its “raison d’etre,” and the to the Armenian Nation. In it the author has The multi-talented Chalabian was simultane - invited as guest speaker in different states. In Armenian political parties probably would not written the message “To Serpouhi Apikian ously contributing articles to Djanasser, Spiurk 2005, the mayor of Southfield designated a day have been formed during the last quarter of the Castle With Best Wishes: A Chalabian, 3-26-89.” and Nayiri papers. as Dr. Antranig Chalabian Day, a true honor for 19th century, if the Turks had treated the To me it is too precious to ever be available for Chalabian settled in Detroit in 1977 with his a deserving individual who both lived and Armenians more humanely. The Armenian loaning to anyone. family, assuming the position of public relations taught in that city. Revolutionary Movement was the direct conse - With his remains already resting in Kessab, director of the AGBU Alex Manoogian School. Memorial services were followed by an quences of Turkish misrule, evidenced by their Syria, the pews in late afternoon of Saturday, He regularly contributed articles to Baikar, impressive dinner buffet prepared by the Ladies persistent policy of persecution, oppression and April 30, of the Armenian Congregational Nor Or, Abaka, the Armenian Mirror- of the Congregational Church. Afterwards a finally exterminating the Armenians inhabiting Church in Southfield became filled by respect - Spectator and the Armenian Observer . film presentation of Chalabian’s life was shown. their 3,000-year-old homeland in eastern ful admirers to attend a memorial service for a He was eulogized by Pastor Makarios Darawi Long-time friend and community leader Turkey.” long-time respected community member, noted and Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, pastor emeritus Edmond Azadian also spoke of Dr. Chalabian’s Amen. author, teacher and father, Dr. Antranig of the Armenian Congregational Church, Chalabian. describing the deceased as an intellectual. “He My first meeting with Dr. Chalabian came liked to learn and to teach,” Tootikian said. many years ago when he had briefly been my Tootikian also told of Chalabian’s human Armenian School teacher at this same church side: “He could have a disposition similar to a on Saturday mornings when I wanted to brush stormy sea but quickly would settle down and up on my reading and writing skills. was soft as cotton. When asked if he could be On that day Antranig Chalabian was being born again what nationality would he like to be, GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E remembered by more than 175 members of his quick response was Armenian!” Metro-Detroit for his invaluable worldwide liter - Badveli Tootikian told him many times what James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC ary contributions. He was a visionary who real - a fortunate person he was. Funeral Counselor ized the importance of an English translation Dr. Chalabian’s mother was an important fac - 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 book for non-Armenian reading Hyes and oth - tor in molding his character. He also had other www.giragosianfuneralhome.com ers as well to recount the heroic exploits of the mentors who played an important role in his life. legendary Antranig. The importance of this can - Daughter Karine (Karen) and husband not be underestimated. Hovsep who lived nearby Dr. Chalabian along With this book in particular he reawakened with grandson Garo were always there to care pride in our national hero and his soldiers for him. Garo commented how much he loved Telephone (617) 924-7400 allowing younger generations of Armenians to his grandfather and how proud he was to be his learn their ancestors fought bravely, with valor grandson. Aram Bedrosian to defend their homeland in the quest for free - There was a unison reading of Psalm 23 by dom and justice against the oppressive Turks. the congregation. Special music was provided He was predeceased by his beloved wife, by Gayaneh Kachadourian who sang Soorp, Funeral Home, Inc. Siran. He leaves his children Annie (and Tom) Soorp and Der Voghormya, Der Voghormya . Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Hogland, Dr. Jack and Gayle Chelebian and Prelude and Postlude was by Susan Harrison. It Karine and Hovsep Koundakjian was a fitting memorial for a man who con - MARION BEDROSIAN Dr. Chalabian was born in Kessab, Syria, and tributed to the educational and literary life of 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN graduated from the local Armenian Evangelical the community. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN School. He studied at Aleppo College then Dr. Chalabian launched into the writing of S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS ATP Presents Building Bridges Education Program at Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Earlier this month, the Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School were greeted by Principal Kohar Zaher and ATP’s three major programs are tree planti - Southern California representatives of here. Armenian teacher Ani Geloian, along with stu - ng, environmental education and sustainable Armenia Tree Project (ATP) were hosted by Anahit Gharibyan and Hermine Mahmouzian dents from the fifth- and sixth-grade classes. development initiatives. The school recently celebrated its 25th anniver - For more information about ATP and host - sary and the visit was part of ATP’s Building ing a visit by ATP at a school, contact ATP’s Bridges education program to connect diaspo - Watertown Office. ran students with their environmental heritage. Anahit Gharibyan — new to California but a long-time ATP employee in Yerevan — spoke with the students about the reasons behind ASA Journalism the founding of ATP in 1994 and some of the early experiences of the organization, as well Program to Sponsor as some of the environmental challenges fac - Aspiring Journalists, ing Armenia today. Each student was pre - sented with a copy of ATP’s colorful Building Facilitate Internships Bridges newsletter for children. “The Minassian School students were very WARWICK, R.I. — This month, the knowledgeable about Armenia and quite Armenian Students’ Association, enthusiastic in their questions and answers Incorporated (ASA Inc.) announced its about ATP and environmental issues,” noted sponsorship of two internships in jour - Gharibyan after the school assembly. nalism. Working in partnership with the The sixth-grade class will be traveling to Armenian Weekly and Armenian Mirror- Armenia in June and will be met by ATP staff in Spectator, the ASA Inc. announced that order to plant tree seedlings and spend time applications for the first internship class meeting peers of the same age from a local are now available. Applicants for the inau - school. gural session of the program must have ATP’s mission is to assist the Armenian completed their sophomore year of col - people in using trees to improve their stan - lege by May 30. Currently-enrolled gradu - The Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School in Santa Ana hosted a presentation by Armenia Tree dard of living and protect the environment, ate students are also eligible. Project about its Building Bridges education program to connect diasporan students with their envi - guided by the need to promote self-sufficien - “The ASA is proud to make these ronmental heritage. cy, aid those with the fewest resources first internships available,” said Brian and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. Assadourian, chairman of the ASA Inc. Board of Trustees. “This program honors the spirit of the ASA’s mission of provid - ing financial assistance and professional mentorship to qualified students of Armenian heritage.” Participants in the six-week internship 80th program will receive a weekly stipend of $150. Interns will work either under the supervision of Khatchig Mouradian, edi - tor of the Armenian Weekly , or Alin K. Gregorian, editor of the Armenian ANNIVERSARY - BANQUET Mirror-Spectator . The internship pro - gram will take place at the offices of these newspapers, located in Watertown, Mass. “It is important to provide opportunities of the for Armenian-American students to pursue careers in journalism,” noted Dr. Michael G. Mensoian, a member of the ASA Inc. Board of Trustees who will oversee the program on behalf of the organization. “The Armenian Weekly and The Armenian Mirror-Spectator are two of the leading English-language newspapers in North America keeping our community informed of developments locally as well as in Armenia through their print and Tekeyan Cultural Association online editions,” he added. Friends of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Interested students may request an application for the ASA Inc. Journalism Internship by contacting the ASA Inc. Keynote Speaker Master of Ceremonies national office at [email protected].

Stephen Kurkjian PULITZER PRIZE WINNING JOURNALIST Dr. Raffy Hovannesian

Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 7:00 PM Teaneck Marriott At Glenpoint, 100 Frank W. Burr Blve, Teaneck, NJ Entertainment Fridays

DONATION $ 125.00 and Saturdays For Tickets Please call: Shoghig (201) 803-0240 Sirvart (201) 739-7775 SHEMAVON (718) 344-7489 10 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS ArmenBar Annual Meeting in San Francisco Reaches New Heights

SAN FRANCISCO — More than 150 Armenian-American lawyers, judges and com - munity leaders gathered in the city by the bay from April 29 to May 1, for a breakthrough con - vention of the Armenian Bar Association (ABA). “This has been the most fantastic convention of the Armenian Bar Association,” Chairman Edvin Minassian said. “We now return to work with high spirits and a renewed dedication to justice — before our country, our homeland and our history.” The weekend was officially opened at the California Supreme Court, where Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye received the members of the ABA, first at a meeting of the California Judicial Council and then at a private luncheon reception. Drawing from her own background as a Philippina, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye said that she shared with the ABA a deep faith that a dedication to the national heritage “translates directly to our commitment to the rule of law and the strength of our community.” The chief justice also expressed her gratitude for the contribution of so many Armenians, especially Gov. George Deukmejian, both to her professional career and to the law at large. It was fitting, then, that several Armenian-American legal luminaries were in attendance. Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter, a guiding member of the ABA, presided over the afternoon meet - ing and later led a tour through the Supreme Presentation of the prestigious Public Service Award to Armen Hovannisian by the chairman joined by former chairs and founder of ArmenBar, Raffi Court building. Retired Supreme Court Justice Hovannisian Armand Arabian and Court of Appeal Justice Charles Poochigian delighted the crowd with short, sweet reflections. spective, were Antranig Kasbarian, director of freedom fast at Liberty Square. the tears and laughter of a hundred lawyers and The convention was reconvened in the the Tufenkian Foundation, and Garin K. Hovannisian himself, who had made a sur - judges, Hovannisian spoke about his grand - evening, this time at the rooftop hall of the Hovannisian, author of Family of Shadows. prise appearance in San Francisco, followed mother, Siroon Hovannisian, and grandfather, Union Square Marriott Hotel, where Ann Lousin, The second panel, “The Armenian Genocide’s Ghazarian to address the members of the Hovakim Kotcholosian, who represent for him a celebrated professor of commercial law at the Legal Significance in Recovery Litigation,” was Armenian Bar Association, the organization he the different faces of the Armenian Genocide, as John Marshall Law School in Chicago, presented powered by a panel of experts on international founded in 1989. “Our nation is not lost,” he they do the common formula of his service to his the weekend’s first public service award. The law: Harut Sassounian, columnist and political said. “We still have a cause to deliver on — to community and country. recipient was David Balabanian, a premier civil scientist specializing in international law; Steven litigator with the law firm Bingham McCutchen, Dadaian, lawyer, advocate and leading drafts - who spoke of the complex controversies sur - man of legislation that governs genocide litiga - rounding the 103-foot concrete cross on San tion in the United States; Prof. Lee Crawford- Francisco’s Mount Davidson, the tallest monu - Boyd, chief architect of genocide litigation ongo - ment ever dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. ing in the California courts and Federico With signature wit and passion, Balabanian told Hairabedian, Argentine-Armenian lawyer who the compelling tale of how the Armenian com - recently won a historic lawsuit against Turkey in munity — represented pro bono by his law firm — Argentine Federal Court, which issued a verdict was able to crush a Turkish-funded lawsuit recognizing the Armenian Genocide and the launched against the memory of 1915. murder of his family by Ottoman Turkey. A night of festivities gave way to a serious and “We set a landmark in which we took the sober morning, with the first of two extensive genocide, which is an international crime, into a panels, titled “Armenia on the Road to Judicial federal court, but we did this without consider - Independence and Legal Reforms.” The ing the next step,” Hairabedian said. Indeed this Republic of Armenia’s newly-appointed minister was the panel’s original goal and ultimate suc - of justice, Hrayr Tovmasyan, led the discussion cess: to serve as the foundational discussion with an eloquent and candid survey of the prob - about that “next step” — how to organize the dis - lems plaguing the post-Soviet country’s legal parate efforts of Armenians across the world California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Justice Marvin Baxter with Armenian Bar system. “The elimination of corruption, the inde - into a clear and comprehensive international leadership pendence of the judiciary, the protection of campaign to seek justice for the victims of the human rights, the supremacy of law — these are Armenian Genocide. problems that we must face together, if Armenia Tucked between the Saturday deliberations make Armenia the land of liberty, sovereignty “I’m not one of those people who can leave a is ever to become the land of our dreams,” was the gala luncheon. After an elegant and and the national interest that we all expect it to mark,” he said. “I’m somebody who carries the Tovmasyan said. heartrending introduction by founding member become.” Hovannisian also expressed his appre - marks of others.” The minister’s general comments were com - Vicken Simonian, Garo Ghazarian took the podi - ciation to Balabanian, Walter Karabian and all The convention, which was the 22nd annual plemented by the detailed accounting presented um to deliver the keynote lecture. Drawing from those who nourished the ABA from its humble convention of the Armenian Bar Association, by Yerevan State University Prof. Ruben his friendship with Simonian, who was his ath - beginnings, and fueled its evolution into a pio - was interspersed with social events, long walks Melikyan, who addressed specific problems — letic adversary and best friend on the racetracks neering force of justice in the United States. through San Francisco and a concluding dinner in Little Italy, where the lawyers and judges offered toasts and sang Armenian songs. In attendance throughout the weekend were Zaven V. Sinanian, Los Angeles County superior court judge; Amy Hoogasian, federal immigra - tion law judge; Garo Mardirossian, immediate past president of Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles; Frederick K. Ohlrich, clerk of the court, California Supreme Court; Debbie Poochigian, Fresno County supervisor; Metropolitan News publisher and editor-in-chief Roger M. Grace and President Jo- Ann Grace and many others. On Sunday, ArmenBar held elections for its 17-member board, including the most recent Justice Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Hrayr Tovmasyan along with co-panelists Prof. Ruben Melikyan, Garin Hovannisian and Antranig Kasbarian class of Michael Amerian, Ara Babaian, Garo Ghazarian, Armen K. Hovannisian, Laura Karabulut, Edvin Minassian and Gary such as the lack of a system of precedent in of Southern California, Ghazarian inspired the The gala luncheon was closed by Raffi Moomjian. Armenia — and offered specific solutions toward crowd with his larger-than-life story of failure Hovannisian’s brother, Armen K. Hovannisian, The executive officers for the 2011-2012 term reforming the judicial culture in Armenia. His and redemption in America. He concluded with who had organized and presided over the week - were also elected: Edvin Minassian, chairperson; proposal, that diasporan lawyers and judges be a fascinating chronicle of his recent mission to end’s many events and festivities, and who now Garo Ghazarian, vice chairperson; Harry invited to take on official, legally-binding roles in Yerevan, where he monitored the progress of stood before the crowd to receive the Armenian Dikranian, vice chairperson; Sara Bedirian, trea - the administration of law in the republic, was civil rights and visited Raffi K. Hovannisian, the Bar Public Service Award for decades of dedica - surer and Hovanes Margarian, secretary. Sonya met with particular enthusiasm. Also on the first foreign minister of Armenia and present-day tion to law and community. In a powerful and Nersessian will continue in her role as chairper - panel, and contributing to the diaspora’s per - leader of the Heritage party who had declared a deeply-moving acceptance speech, which incited son ex-officio. S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Blindness Is No Barrier to Lynn Black-belt Holder

judges’ commands, Murphy launched attacks ments, but for mastery of aikido, you must “When Gorbachev was in power in the late By Terry Weber against Vassiliev, and each time Vassiliev subdued believe its philosophy.” 1980s, censorship was lessened,” said Vassiliev. him with wrist locks, throws or arm pins. Aikido is a Japanese martial art created by “I openly attended martial arts schools and met Next came a series of attacks with Murphy Morihei Ueshiba in the early 1900s. Ueshiba’s my first great martial arts teachers.” LYNN, Mass. (Boston Globe) — Imagine the wielding weapons: a knife, a sword and a wood - philosophy focuses on peaceful resolution of con - In 1988, a devastating earthquake struck challenge of your first black-belt test in the martial en staff. Each attack ended with Murphy dis - flict. Aikido students learn to neutralize and redi - Armenia, and Vassiliev’s family home was arts: the years of practice, the nerves and the ques - armed and restrained. Then two other students rect the energy of an opponent without causing destroyed. Soon Vassiliev’s family joined him in tions about your opponent’s skills. Now, imagine attacked Vassiliev simultaneously. He flipped and serious injury. The desired result is harmony Russia. But even while personal freedoms were putting on a blindfold just before the test. threw both. between peaceful and hostile energies. improving in the late 1980s, the economies in Such was the challenge facing Serguei “Serguei Vassiliev has a great awareness of According to the US Aikido Federation in New both Russia and Armenia were unstable, and Vassiliev, 43, of Lynn. Vassiliev is blind and movement around him,” said Murphy. “Normally, York, no statistics are available on the number of eventually the Vassiliev family immigrated to recently tested for his black belt in the Japanese students practice with their opponents for blind aikido students who have attained their America in 2002. They relocated without martial art of aikido. months. But we never practiced together, so his black belt. “In my 40-plus years of martial arts Vassiliev’s father, who died in Russia. The test took place at the Shodokan Dojo, a skills are real and extraordinary. He has incredi - experience, I have never trained another blind Shortly after settling in Lynn, Vassiliev under - martial arts training facility in Beverly. Three ble strength in his body and mind.” person,’’ said Mulligan. “I call it rare.” went eye surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear highly-ranked instructors, acting as judges, sat How does Vassiliev defend himself without Mulligan, 83, recently reached the rank of shi - Infirmary in Boston. The surgery improved the alongside a mat with other aikido students in vision? han, or master teacher, from the Aikido World sight in his left eye by 10 to 15 percent. observance. Students were prepared to act as “It is not magic,” said Vassiliev. “It is work and Headquarters in Tokyo. He has trained Vassiliev “It was good to see better in my left eye, but “ukes” (attackers) to test Vassiliev’s skills. practicing the moves. The attack must start and since 2002. the improvement only lasted a few years,” said To begin, instructor Bernie Mulligan selected then I respond. In the movies, perhaps a blind “I am happy to say that Serguei Vassiliev Vassiliev. “For a short time I enjoyed nature and Vassiliev’s primary opponent: John Murphy of man seems to know when and how the enemy passed his black-belt test and demonstrated his seeing my loved ones, but now I am completely Derry, NH. Murphy is 6 feet, 3 inches, 230 pounds, will attack. It is extraordinary but not because skills superbly,” said Mulligan. “Vassiliev is a blind in both eyes. I must say, blindness is incon - and Vassiliev is 5 feet 10, 150 pounds. Both have they are blind. It is because they are great mas - teacher amongst the students; he has faced many venient, but I am grateful to my friends who help more than 15 years of aikido training. At the ters. Anyone, blind or not, can repeat move - of life’s challenges with peace.” me with the inconveniences.” Vassiliev’s challenges started when he lost his Vassiliev now lives on a state-funded stipend. vision as a young boy in his native country of His circle of friends includes fellow aikido stu - Armenia. dents, members of the Russian and Armenian “I consumed a bottle of about 150 vitamins community in Lynn and fellow musicians. when I was 4,” said Vassiliev. “My grandmother “People often ask me how I spend my time,” noticed a red rash on my face and rushed me to said Vassiliev. “When I am not practicing aikido, the hospital believing I may have the measles. A I am listening to audio books and learning how doctor gave me a measles vaccine, and I had a to play the drums, piano and guitar. I want to severe allergic reaction, which damaged my vision.” record my own music because music brings har - Vassiliev then suffered from painful headaches, mony and joy to my life, just like aikido.” nose bleeds and diminishing vision. Further Upon hearing he successfully passed his black- treatments only worsened his condition and left belt test, Vassiliev smiled. him blind. Frantic for better medical attention, “Of course I am pleased I passed the test,” he Vassiliev’s family traveled to Moscow, where he said. “But do not congratulate me. Every day I was admitted to a hospital for six months. In face unseen challenges. Through aikido I learn to Moscow, doctors were able to restore only partial bring harmony to whatever life has coming sight in Vassiliev’s left eye. next.” Despite his impaired vision, young Vassiliev had a desire to learn English and a thirst for knowl - edge about life outside the Soviet Union. At the time, Armenia was a Soviet republic and the gov - ernment censored alternative reading materials. Jack Kevorkian “Growing up in the Soviet Union, we could not openly learn martial arts or even yoga,’’ said In Hospital with LOS ANGELES — Andrea Fehring, Lily Ring Balian, Joan Agajanian Vassiliev. “But I went to a Russian school and Quinn and Barbara Poladian surround author Sue Ann Jaffarian dur - some of my friends’ fathers were highly-ranked ing the recent Westside Guild Luncheon at Wilshire Country Club. military officers. They owned books about Kidney Problems Jaffarian’s engaging presentation, motivated by hopes and dreams, advanced military fighting and when I was 8, one kept the sold-out audience interested in how she applied her fervor to of them gave me a book called This Is Karate by achieving her goals. Jafarian autographed books from her Granny Masutatsu Oyama. From this book and others, I By Shaun Byron Apples and Odelia Grey mystery series and participated in a silent auc - taught myself English and began my training in tion with the proceeds going in support of the Ararat Home. the martial arts.” Vassiliev completed high school in Armenia ROYAL OAK, Mich. (The Daily Tribune) — Dr. and moved to Russia to take advanced courses. Jack Kevorkian, the renowned assisted-suicide advocate dubbed “Dr. Death,” has been hospital - ized for reported problems related to his kidneys. “We took him in last night,” said Kevorkian’s attorney Mayer Morganroth. “He was in a couple weeks ago, but he was out of the hospital and Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2011 now he is back in.” Kevorkian, a long-time Royal Oak resident, became a well-known figure during the 1990s for his views on assisted suicide and actions. Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor He was on the cover of news magazines, fea - tured on national news shows and the subject of a Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750 late-night comedy routines. Throughout the 1990s, he dodged criminal convictions despite and reached out to 3,700 teachers and several high profile arrests and trials. He helped his attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, achieve national school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. fame. However, the pathologist’s luck turned after he appeared on “60 Minutes,” pushing the issue £ further than before. In 1999, he was convicted of second-degree K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue murder in the death of 52-year-old Thomas Youk helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have and sentenced to a 10- to 25-year prison term. the teacher’s name and address. Kevorkian was found guilty of administering the substance used to kill Youk, a Waterford K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Township resident. The killing was videotaped Name and played on national television, prompting Address newly elected Oakland County Prosecutor David City State Zip code Gorcyca, who had run under the promise of no Tel: more prosecutions against assisted suicide cases. He was paroled in 2006 after agreeing not to Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 assist with any more suicides. Mail your check with this form to: Kevorkian is reputed to have assisted in 130 suicides. TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 In 2008, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 9th District as an independent. Your donation is Tax Deductible. Kevorkian was also the subject of an HBO film called “You Don’t Know Jack.” 12 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O Live Armenian Music, Food Will Add Flavor to St. Nersess Father’s Day Picnic

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — St. Nersess brated at 10 a.m. in the seminary chapel, fol - day of the picnic. Only 300 tickets are available seminary office. For more information, visit Armenian Seminary will once again hold the lowed at noon by picnic festivities. There will be for this raffle, with each ticket costing $50 . The www.stnersess.edu. annual Father’s Day Picnic on Sunday, June 19. activities held throughout the afternoon for three cash prizes awarded will be $3,000, Parking and admission are free for this event, This traditional Armenian-style picnic will fea - children and teens, along with a variety of ven - $1,500 and $500. To purchase tickets, call the to be held rain or shine. ture live Armenian music by a talented, all-star dors selling an array of items. A White Elephant ensemble including Dick Barsamian, Harold sale will also take place on the grounds. People Hagopian, Sevan Simonian and Jim Dardouni. are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and tavloo Armenian cuisine will be served under a tent boards. on the grounds of the seminary. Merchant and general sponsorships are being “The St. Nersess Father’s Day Picnic has secured to help underwrite the cost of this turned into an anticipated family tradition, cel - event so that all proceeds on the day of the pic - ebrating all fathers while supporting our nic will directly benefit the ongoing mission of Seminary and its efforts to prepare future spir - St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, which is to pre - itual fathers,” said Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, pare leaders in ordained and lay ministries dean. “We expect hundreds of people to enjoy through graduate degree and continuing edu - an afternoon filled with fellowship, good food cation programs. and lively activities for all.” Additionally, the seminary has launched a The day will begin with Divine Liturgy cele - Super Raffle with winners being announced the

Hundreds feasted on kebob and enjoyed the sounds of Armenian music with an all-star ensemble.

Last year, dozens of college-aged students and young professionals volunteered their time to staff the A variety of activities for children and teens will be held throughout the day during the St. Nersess St. Nersess Father’s Day Picnic. Father’s Day Picnic. Birthright Armenia NYC E-SUBSCRIPTION Alumni Share the ‘Love’ AVAILABLE NEW YORK — With its mid-February jump - those kinds of people.” start in Philadelphia, the “I Love Armenia” cam - The panelists also spoke in depth about the paign moved in March to the nation’s capital of profound cultural exchange they were able to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator will be available every Washington, DC, then Toronto, Canada and experience as Birthright Armenia volunteers. most recently in New York. Shamamian (2007) said of his homestay par - Thursday, in COLOR and PDF format to all who subscribe Excitingly, for every month of 2011, the ents, “They told me before I left that they felt regional committees within Birthright Armenia’s like I was given to them as a son while their specifically to this electronic delivery. alumni network are hosting a series of events, other son left to serve in the army. Hearing that The annual rate is $50. presentations, socials and fun promotional activ - really touched me.” Tatiossian (2008) succinctly ities as part of the yearlong “I Love Armenia” tied together the sentiments expressed by all of campaign. These events highlight the shared love the panelists as she passionately urged those in To subscribe to this service, please fill out the following the alumni have for Armenia by introducing the attendance, “Just go!” and mail it along with your check of $50 made out to the: mission of Birthright Armenia to youth across The Birthright Armenia alumni of New the globe while encouraging their peers’ partici - York/New Jersey concluded the “I Love Armenian Mirror-Spectator, pation in volunteerism in the Homeland. Armenia” campaign for the month of April with This past April the baton was passed to a celebration at Mezzo Mezzo in Astoria, 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Birthright Armenia’s New York metro area Queens. Guests had the opportunity to social - alumni, who hosted two outreach and recruit - ize with the NY Birthright Armenia community Watertown, MA 02472 ment events. The first event on April 13 was a while enjoying a full buffet and musical perfor - panel discussion, titled “Moving Mountains” mances by Elias Sarkar (violin/vocals), Chris held at Fordham University and run in con - Marashlian (bass), Robert Boghosian (oud) and junction with the Fordham Organizational Charlie Dermenjian (tabla/percussion). Part of H Yes, Please e-mail me the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Leadership Program. The panel, made up of the proceeds from this event supported the every Thursday. eight Birthright Armenia alumni, consisted of MaMaSyu Fund in an effort to raise money for Christopher Gasparian, Yetvart Majian, Hasmig women in Armenia in need of breast cancer My E-mail address is ______Tatiossian, Hovig Shamamian, Edward treatment. More information about this cause is Casabian, Inna Djaniants, Anoush Tatevossian available at www.mamjan.blogspot.com. Name and Last name ______and committee head Ani Jilozian. The partici - The next several stops of the international “I pants shared insight about volunteering as they Love Armenia” campaign will be in the Los highlighted their personal and professional Angeles area. Buenos Aires alumni and those experiences in their various fields of interest, down under in Sydney, Australia, are excited to You can also e-mail your request to [email protected] which included finance, art, peace-building, edu - host their own events within their local com - for faster service cation, filmmaking and public health. Casabian munities. Those interested can follow the “I (2005) noted of his professional experience, “It Love Armenia” campaign on Facebook and was very much like a start-up environment, with Twitter to find out when events will be held. some of the brightest Armenians in the country Visit www.birthrightarmenia.org for more infor - working there. It was exciting to be around mation. S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Ne w York M E T R O Andreas Roubian’s Lecture on Aivazovsky at Sotheby’s in New York Concluded Exhibition of the Artist’s Masterworks

ings. Furthermore, many Armenian artists were By Aram Arkun influenced by him and visited him in the Mirror-Spectator Staff Crimea. At the same time, not all of his works were masterpieces, and so there are many Aivazovsky’s of inferior quality. Nonetheless, NEW YORK — The New York headquarters of Roubian said, “If you understand his brush - the international art auction firm Sotheby’s stroke like Sonya or I does, you can tell in a hosted a talk by art collector Andreas Roubian heartbeat what came from his hand.” on the 19th-century painter Ivan The select group of Aivazovsky paintings on Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, famous for his display included “Stampede of Sheep during seascapes, on April 11. Roubian, one of the the Storm,” which was painted in 1861. world’s leading Aivazovsky experts, displayed Aivazovsky considered this to be one of his 10 masterworks of the artist from his own col - important works, and displayed it in a London lection during the exhibition for Sotheby’s exhibition. He loved sheep and owned many. In Russian art auction, April 7 to 11.Roubian, an the painting, the sheep exhibit individual entrepreneur in the field of international trade expressions of fear. and logistics, received his bachelor’s and mas - In the 1860s, Aivazovsky went to the ter’s degrees from New York University’s Stern Caucasus, intending to visit Armenia and the School of business and worked in several finan - Catholicos in Echmiadzin. He never made it cial institutions. He became the chief financial there because of terrible weather, but he paint - officer of Danzas, an international logistics ed his first “Mount Ararat” in 1869 in Tbilisi, provider, in the 1980s, and then founded his which Roubian was exhibiting. Aivazovsky had own firm called FDS International. When never seen the mountain, but the details are Roubian was in his late twenties, FDS became excellent. There is even a monkey on a camel in one of the first software firms to implement the foreground. This was one of Aivazovsky’s paperless processes for the US Customs and favorite paintings. related government agencies. After the first Aivazovsky’s “Caravan before the Pyramids,” 1871 Among the other masterpieces exhibited, Gulf War, FDS provided the international logis - “Alexander II Crossing the Danube” (1878) is tics software for Kuwaiti reconstruction in the one of the rare surviving paintings depicting early 1990s. Roubian was the benefactor for the large cathe - and painted directly from nature, as an acade - this tsar, which was painted for Grand Duke Roubian taught finance and management sci - dral of Shushi in Karabagh, the reconstruction mician. In the 1840s, he strove to find his Sergei Alexandrovich to commemorate the ences as a visiting lecturer and an adjunct pro - of which he funded in the memory of his par - inner strength and moved away from painting Russian victory in the recent war against the fessor at Pace University and the City ents. Today he continues to be active in directly from nature towards a free hand, Ottoman Empire. Nearby, “Caravan before the University of New York for approximately 10 Armenian affairs, and supportive of the painting from imagination. His brush stroke Pyramids” was displayed in the same room. years in the 1980s. He has a large art collection Republic of Armenia and the Republic of gradually evolved. He also moved away from Painted in 1871, it is considered by some critics including the works of many other Armenian Mountainous Karabagh. He frequently hosts Romanticism towards Realism. In the 1890s to be one of the best Aivazovsky paintings in artists like Hovsep Pushman and Mardiros benefits in his home. he began to deviate from the latter and flirt the world. Sarian. Roubian presented a brief biography of with Impressionism, but ultimately he Bekkerman asked what it meant to Roubian Sonya Bekkerman, head of Sotheby’s Aivazovsky (1817-1900). He was born to a poor remained true to Realism. to be a collector, and why in particular he chose Russian Paintings department in New York, Armenian family in Theodosia in the Crimea In the late 1870s or 1880s Aivazovsky Aivazovsky’s works. The answer was that, became more of a Russian nationalist, as evi - “Collecting of art for an intellectual or some - denced by paintings of the tsar or other body who is exposed to the finer elements of Russian themes. He was always also loyal to his life, is inspiration. You can just look at art, and Armenian roots. When the Russians conquered see something new each time….I never bought Kars from the Ottomans, Roubian illustrated, a single painting for money. I bought for my Aivazovsky was overwhelmed as a Russian and own satisfaction. I am an Armenian activist. I’m as an Armenian, and went to meet Lt. Gen. very American too. Similarly, Aivazovsky being Arshak Ter-Ghukasov, one of the Russian com - Armenian, as well as Ukrainian and Russian, manders who was of Armenian origin. He showed that one can be a great Russian, immediately began work on his painting of the Ukrainian and Armenian, all at the same time.”

From left, Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Honduras Ambassador to the UN Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake and Andreas Roubian hosted Roubian’s talk. In her introduction, (today Ukraine, but then, in the Russian Bekkerman said, “I met Andreas over 10 years Empire). His early drawings on walls with char - ago. He invited me to his home to see his col - coal caught the attention of the chief architect lection. Andreas played a critical role in my first of Theodosia, who was Aivazovsky’s father’s sale of Russian paintings in 2004 and I’m very friend. Many local dignitaries also noticed him. grateful to him for that. Since that time, I’ve This attention led to a full, six-year scholarship Andreas Roubian and Sonya Bekkerman facing, in the first row, Aksotan Atayeva, UN ambassador been in many homes in many continents but to the St. Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. of Turkmenistan; second row from left to right, Nana Nazarian, Byrganym Aitimova, UN ambas - have yet to see a collection of Aivazovsky of this Tsar Nicolas I came to love his work and asked sador of Kazakhstan, UN Director-General at Geneva Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev, UN ambassador of magnitude, this quality and breadth and I am him to accompany the Russian navy together Ukraine Yuriy Sergeyev with his wife Nataliya Sergeyeva and Garen Nazarian, UN ambassador of sure that I will not come across such a collec - with his son. Roubian declared, “This was a Armenia tion again.” match made in heaven and Nicolas I became Bekkerman said that Roubian’s passion for Aivazovsky’s best patron, buying all of his art.” art and collecting began when he was a teenag - Bekkerman interjected that Aivazovsky paint - victory. Roubian emphatically concluded, “Aivazovsky er, instilled by his mother. Roubian is a leading ed more than 6,000 canvases. Roubian clarified In the 1890s, interestingly for Americans, is one of the best painters of mankind, unequiv - authority on Aivazovsky who is writing a book that by 1962 or 1963, there were only around Aivazovsky became mesmerized with Columbus ocally.” focusing on the latter’s artwork. He often loans 620 or 650 of his paintings extant in Soviet and the discovery of America. He painted many The large and distinguished audience at works from his private collection to museums, museums, so that many did not survive. Some paintings on this theme, and visited the United Sotheby’s included many diplomats such as but this was the first time a small part of his of his paintings were cut, painted over (e.g., States. He actively exhibited in his last decade Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director-General of the holdings were displayed at Sotheby’s. Roubian over 80 percent of those in Dolmabahçe Palace of life all over the world. United Nations (UN) Office at Geneva; and the is also an activist on behalf of his fellow in Istanbul), or only were fragments. Exposure Aivazovsky was a very successful entrepre - permanent representatives to the UN of Armenians. He served as the chairman of the to sea water also damaged many of his works. neur in his own way and did not participate Armenia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Honduras and Karabagh Committee in the late 1980s and Aivazovsky, like many other artists, has dif - much in group exhibitions. This led many other Russia, respectively Ambassadors Karen early 1990s, helping both the soldiers of ferent periods characterized by different styles artists to become envious of him. He did not Nazarian, Byrganym Aitimova, Yuriy Sergeyev, Karabagh and providing humanitarian aid to in his work. In the 1830s, he was a pupil of have a studio with people working for him, but Aksoltan Atayeva, Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake the rest of the population of the region. Romantic landscape painter Maxim Vorobyov he did encourage amateurs to copy his paint - and Vitaly Churkin. 14 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Met Avoids Brush Arec L. With Mogul Larry Gagosian Jamgochian: NEW YORK (New York Daily News) — Is the Revelation of Metropolitan Museum of Art engaging in the age-old sport of blaming the victim? In March, British collector Robert Wylde An Artist made headlines when he sued the Gagosian Gallery for selling him a $2.5 million Mark WASHINGTON — Since the age of 8, Tansey painting, “The Innocent Eye Test,” Arec L. Jamgochian has gathered an which, it turned out, had been promised to the impressive number of first prizes and Met. scholarships and continued to study at Wylde had purchased the painting through the Levine School of Music, here, which the gallery in 2009 from former art dealer and enabled him to perform with prestigious Artforum magazine publisher Charles Cowles symphonies and symphonettes, such as — only to be informed in spring 2010 that the the Waterford Concert Series “Next Met owned 31 percent of the painting. Cowles’ Generation” Concert in Lucketts, Va. mother, Jan Cowles, owned the remaining 69 In some of the orchestras, Jamgochian percent and the museum had been promised it was seated as principal second violin for would eventually own the work in full. Young Artists and Symphony. He has According to Wylde’s complaint, had the studied as part of master classes with Gagosian gallery properly done its “due dili - world-renowned violinists: Vadim Repin, gence,” it never would have given Wylde “clear Jonathan Carney and Igor Yuzenjovich. As part of his Levine School scholarship, and unencumbered title” to the artwork. Gerald Papasian at the Quatuor Arévadzaghig cultural program in Montreal Wylde, who still has the painting, is seeking he was granted a special privilege, the $6 million in compensatory damages, but now he has to battle the Met and Jan Cowles in a related suit filed Tuesday at the US District An Extraordinary Armenian Court in Manhattan. The complaint, not surprisingly, seeks the return of the Tansey painting. But what is Cultural Presentation by interesting about the suit is the kid-gloves approach it takes regarding the Gagosian Gallery, which is owned by silver-haired bil - Quatuor Arévadzaghig lionaire Larry Gagosian — one of the most pow - MONTREAL — A group of French professional artists from Paris — led by the non- Armenian French quartet Quatuor Arévadzaghig and internationally-renowned, mul - titalented artist Gerald Papasian, patronized by the minister of culture, communi - cations and feminine condition of Quebec, Christine St.-Pierre, with the participa - tion of noted conductor and educator Raffi Armenian sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Tekeyan Cultural Association and driven by a dedicated organizing committee — was the perfect blend for a unique, authentical - ly-Armenian cultural program, on April 15, at St. Georges Anglican Church. The dual emcee’s who animated the program were French TV and radio person - ality Patrick Masbourian and a young lawyer from Montreal, Raffi Yeretsian, acting exceptionally as a talented host at this event. Welcoming remarks and words of appreciation and encouragement were offered by the event’s organizer, Karine Véhouni, who conceived the innovative concept of a trilingual event by combining the vocal aspect by a concert (in French Larry Gagosian, left, pictured with Elton John Arec L. Jamgochian and Armenian) with recitative interpreta - tion of legends and erful art dealers in the world. use of 1912 Joseph Gorretelli Grade poems by Papasian The gallery is not named as a defendant in three copy of Stradivarius. (Armenian and the suit. The complaint notes that “simple On February 6, at the Glenview English) and the searches of publicly available information” — Mansion conservatory, within the his - leadership of conduc - including the Met’s website — would have toric Rockville Civic Center in Maryland, tor Armenian. revealed that the Cowleses had promised the Jamgochian made a solo appearance with In his speech, painting to the museum. that same violin. The regional paper, The Armenian reminded The complaint also points out that neither Gazette , wrote: “The violin and the stu - everyone that Gagosian nor Wylde “ever contacted” the Met dent made a good team.” And indeed Armenians encom - or Jan Cowles “prior to the sale of the paint - they were. With Irina Kats on piano, a pass with pride the ing.” Members of the Quatuor Arévadzaghig at St. Georges dazzling virtuoso performance enchant - standards which That last allegation is also curious, given Church ed the standing room crowded audience. form a nation: their that Charles Cowles told the New York Times The program selections were demanding Christianity, history that “he considered the whole dispute his and the 15-year-old master met the chal - and culture. More importantly he stressed the vital necessity to save that rich mistake.” He said he sold the Tansey because lenge head on, with confidence and mas - Armenian cultural heritage — to be able to bequeath it to future generations. After he “could use the money” and “didn’t even terful handling of the works of succinct praise of the role of the patrons of the arts who support and defend cul - think about whether the Met owned part of it Beethoven, Edouard Baghdasarian, tural heritage, he invited all organizations to unite and join their efforts together to or not.” Edouard Lalo, Komitas Vartabed and preserve the Armenian cultural and artistic assets as Armenians have fallen behind Lawyers for all sides of this legal brouhaha Fritz Kreisler. in this mission. either declined to comment or did not It was a revelation indeed — one that Soprano Aline Kutan could not attend the program but had fully supported and respond to requests for comment by deadline. brought the crowded hall to a standing endorsed the celebration. The speakers commended the efforts of the organizers A representatitve for Gagosian also declined ovation. who intend to garner interest generated by this program for the eventual staging of to comment. On the same day was the opening exhi - “Gariné” in Montreal in the near future. bition of his father’s artwork: painter, This presentation can be considered another ring in the golden string of printmaker and sculptor Levon Papasian’s lifetime mission of introducing the rich Armenian cultural heritage to the Jamgochian, an accomplished artist, who non-Armenian public. The program’s first part was an homage to Armenian songs, had 200 of his recent creations on dis - divided into liturgical and medieval chants, patriotic songs, folkloric music and play. songs based on Armenian poetry with lyrics by Arévadzaghig’s conductor, Vincent The day was a triumph for the father- Bonzom. Before each category of songs, Papasian read his own translations of and-son artistic team. The triumph may poems by Hovhannes Toumanian (“Legends of Doves’ Abbey” and “Akhtamar”), also be shared by his mother, Mariam, a Gevork Emin (“Ararat”) and Vahan Tekeyan (“The Language I Write in”) in English native of Armenia. or French. Though the rendering of poems was somewhat lost in the church’s echo, nevertheless, the audience could follow the poems published in three languages in — Rev. V. Kalayjian, pastor emeritus the program booklet. St. Mary Armenian Church see MONTREAL, page 15 Mark Tansey’s “The Innocent Eye Test” S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Van Dyke’s New Play Focuses Layered Lens on Genocide

Holocaust with the depiction of a young, Jewish although the play ends on a hopeful note. “Our By Daphne Abeel reporter, who comes to interview Victoria in work begins,” are the final words, and stage Special to the Mirror-Spectator her old age. directions note that the stage is showered in Van Dyke touches on feminist themes, espe - rose petals. cially in the portrayal of Victoria’s marriage to It is not possible to give a full account of all BOSTON — About a third of the audience of Harry, a gruff misogynist, who prefers “silence that is present in this play. For one thing, it was 80 or so who came to hear a staged reading of and obedience” from his wife, in contrast to her put on with no props, the actors simply read “Deported: A Dream Play,” by Joyce Van Dyke outspoken and assertive demeanor. their lines and there were visual elements that were Armenian. And this should be viewed as a The later scenes of the play are set in would play an important part in the complete good thing by the Armenian community; it California, because Victoria, who carries the production, such as a red, beaded curtain. means the message about the Genocide is play, is able to emigrate from Syria and remar - These props and videos would all round out reaching those who still don’t know. ry, to Harry, who arrived in the United States what is a complex and many-faceted approach The play, Van Dyke’s newest work, was given prior to the Genocide. to the Armenian experience of the Genocide. a barebones presentation on Saturday in a When finally, there is talk of reconciliation, Audiences already familiar with Van Dyke’s rehearsal space at the Stan Calderwood and the members of a younger generation, both work, “A Girl’s War” and “The Oil Thief” will Pavilion on Tremont Street in Boston, and Armenian and Turkish, seem eager and open to want to see this production and bring their sponsored by the Boston Center for the Arts finally bridging the gap of two terrible histories friends, both Armenian and non-Armenian. and The Publick Theatre Boston. Directed by (a young Turkish man comments cheerfully, “I Van Dyke is now working on a new play, Judy Braha, it will receive a full production next have an Armenian dentist”), Victoria says which, she says, has nothing to do with year at the Modern Theater, also in Boston, and Joyce Van Dyke adamantly, “You’re not going to say ‘reconcile,’ Armenian themes. will run from March 15 to April 8. you’re not going to say ‘forgive.’ What reconcil - As a Huntington Playwright Fellow, Van Seven actors, dressed soberly in black and iation?” Dyke won the Elliott Norton Award in 2009 for reading from scripts, played 22 parts, and Dyke’s mother were best friends. And Victoria’s viewpoint must be taken with outstanding new script, and has been a fellow at Saturday night’s presentation lacked many Deranian’s research on his mother’s life con - utmost seriousness, because, for her, it is impos - the MacDowell Colony. Her rising reputation ancillary elements — music, dancing, video — tributed important content to the play and Van sible to erase the past. The damage and the hor - should ensure the growing audience she that will be part of next year’s full-blown run. Dyke credits him with substantial assistance. ror were too great. Her feelings remain, deserves. The absence of these elements was compensat - The play has also undergone a process of revi - ed for by the reading of stage directions by Ali sions and changes in response to workshops Kerestly. with actors and the director. Van Dyke says that Although Van Dyke, of course, controls and further changes may be in the works before the Van Dyke’s Work Ethic: Change and Collaboration shapes the final form and content of the play, play is performed at the Modern next year. “Deported” is still a work in progress and it is What is unique about Van Dyke’s treatment BOSTON — Following Saturday’s reading of her new play, “Deported: A Dream Play,” very much a result of collaboration. The story of the Genocide is the multiplicity of points of playwright Joyce Van Dyke pronounced herself, “...encouraged. I think the changes I’ve focuses on the memories of the Genocide of view that she develops throughout the course made are good and that a lot of this is working. The first reading we did was with Sayat two women, Victoria, played by Bobbie of the play, which covers several decades. Nova, and then we did another reading at the New Repertory Theater. In the original ver - Steinbach, and her friend, Varter, played by Victoria, who lived through the Genocide, lost sion, there were many more characters — 30 — and now I have it down to 22.” Paula Langton. her children and husband and was deported to The idea for “Deported” surfaced several years ago when Martin Deranian attended a The character of Victoria is based on Van Syria, remains the focus of the play from 1915 performance of another of Van Dyke’s plays, “A Girl’s War.” Dyke’s grandmother, while Varter is based on until the present. But Turkish characters also “I had never met Martin, but I knew my mother knew him. He told me about the friend - another real person — the mother of Martin play a part, notably Zulal, a Turkish woman, ship between his mother and my grandmother and said he thought I should write a play Deranian of Worcester, who has made his own who offered to save Victoria’s baby and the about them. I was too busy at the time, but Martin is indefatigable. He’s very sweet, very contribution to Armenian-American history in Turkish sergeant from Ourfa, who protects determined and very patient. He kept calling me and talking to me. It took a few years, his book, Worcester Is America: The Story of Varter. but I finally agreed.” the Worcester Armenians: The Early Years. In Van Dyke also introduces the issue of how In the meantime, Deranian had collected everything he could — documents, records. He real life, Deranian’s grandmother and Van the Genocide is treated differently from the spoke to relatives who had known his mother. “By searching out eyewitnesses, Martin came across some amazing stories — one about Turkish soldiers, who were so starved that when they smoked, they would cup the ashes in their hands and lap them up,” said Van Dyke. She continued, “I was pleased tonight that two-thirds of the audience was not Armenian. My ideal has always been a mixed audience. I never wanted this play to be just for an Armenian audience. The Genocide happened, and it’s a mistake to think something similar can’t happen again.” Looking forward to the full production of “Deported” next year, Van Dyke said she will be preoccupied with the play until it is put on at the Modern Theater next spring. “We want those performances to be more than just the play. We’re planning panels to discuss the issues raised in the play and the panels will include Turkish participants. We’re also planning exhibits to go along with the play,” she said. “I believe the theater is the ideal place to have a conversation about the Genocide,” said Van Dyke. “First of all, I hope the play gives people an amazing, theatrical experience, that it opens people’s eyes and hearts and minds. Some people who see it will know the story intimately, other people will not have heard of it. I believe something electrical can hap - pen in the theater that can bring about change.”

Cultural Presentation by Quatuor Arévadzaghig MONTREAL, from page 14 A creation donated by Montreal artist Berge Sixteen songs in all were presented by the four Missakian, titled “Harmony,” was displayed in the singers of Arévadzaghig: Amélie Robinault (sopra - church and was later auctioned to the benefit of no), Claire Gascoin (mezzo soprano), Matthieu Gariné’s production in Montreal in French. Justine (ténor) and Vincent Bonzom (baritone Papasian, a successful director, winning pro - and musical director). All songs of part one of the ducer, captivating stage and movie actor, was program were a cappella. It was impossible to dis - raised in a family of artists in the once flourishing cern whether the singers were Armenians or non- Armenian community of Egypt. He has accom - Armenians, who have only been exposed to the plished his artistic talents and knowledge of Armenian culture recently. Armenian culture in Armenia, and later moved to Part two of the program was an homage to the the US and to Europe. He has not only a firm Armenian operatic art. It started with a surprise grasp of the Armenian, French and English lan - piano rendition by the Quatuor’s pianist, Célia guages, but also a first-hand expertise of Bocquel, who played a piece composed by Armenian culture. For more than 30 years he has Papasian at the age of 6. Quatuor Arévadzaghig established in Paris his own institute of research was joined in this part of the program by the ris - of Armenian art named after Dikran ing opera star, soprano Sasha Djihanian, of Tchouhadjian, and has staged “Anoush” opera in Montreal. Arias from Armen Tigranian’s Detroit (in English and in Armenian), “Arshak II” “Anoush” and Dikran Tchouhadjian’s “Arshak II,” (in Armenian) in the opera house of San followed by Tchouhadjian’s “Gariné,” all accom - Francisco and “Gariné” (in French) in Paris and panied on piano by Bocquel, were brilliantly inter - Marseilles, beside performances such as “Sojourn preted by the three sopranos. This part of the pro - on Ararat” and many other performances in dif - gram was topped by William Saroyan’s famous “A ferent languages to introduce the age-old New Armenia” poem, converted to a song by Armenian culture to the non-Armenian public. A Bonzom, bringing the audience to a prolonged by-product of “Gariné’s” staging in Paris resulted standing ovation at the end of the program. in the establishment of Arévadzaghig, a group of Between the two parts of the program a brief two-dozen, all-French performers for an all- homage was also paid to Armenian painters, such Armenian popular and classic songs repertoire. as Aivazovsky, Sarian, Karzou, Minas and others. — H.A. 16 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING The Lamppost Diary Tackles Lives and Loves of Armenians Post-Genocide

For an era early in the last century the love among them could not afford the taxes levied The heavy and dark atmosphere of this novel By Edmond Azadian story is audacious in its development and sexu - on them. After bankrupting them, they were is compensated by humor, which balances the al context. It seems that as the author grows sent to Ash Kale labor camps, to suffer and die mood and propels the narrative forward in an older his sexual imagery becomes bolder. Here under the harshest conditions. effortless pace. The Lamppost Diary Anya is always perceived through the eyes of We find in Hacikyan’s novel many families going The Lamppost Diary is a significant novel, By Agop J. Hacikyan Tomas who becomes the focus of the couple’s through the ordeal and not only for its artistic Interlink books publishers relationship in a narcissistic perspective. losing loved ones quietly. and literary value, but Any novel which is structured along a pre - Although the novel also because it brings This is the fifth novel by the prolific and pop - dictable climax loses interest for the reader was written and pub - into focus a different ular writer, Agop Hacikyan. It comes through who needs some food for thought. A little lished after Orhan dimension of Armenian- the experience and mastery of a novelist weav - room must be left for the reader’s imagination. Pamuk’s novels, it focus - Turkish conflict, which is ing together an eternal love story and a partic - The novelist’s technique must lead the reader es on the period imme - not documented proper - ular social order between World War I and to a point where the latter’s imagination takes diately before the ly, nor studied fully. World War II flight. In that sense, the love story of Tomas Pamuk era. In a way Besides the confines of Istanbul, where and Anya is inconclusive. There is no happy Pamuk’s story in his Armenian-Turkish rela - Book Review minorities are ending where the reader would be left with no monumental book titled tions, it has also global restricted to a issue to ponder. Snow becomes an indi - resonance, which focuses code of conduct of fear and persecution. Anya leaves for America and Tomas settles in rect sequel of The on one of the dark pages The author confesses in an interview that Canada and the rest of the story is anyone’s guess. Lamppost Diary , espe - of Turkish history, which “every novel is autobiographical in that the author The broader framework of the story is the cially in its socio-politi - denialists would have chooses his words according to what he has seen, structure of the society and the plight of the cal contexts. Both in wished forgotten. lived or even imagined…Fiction partly comes from Armenians in that society. They are already ter - Hacikyan’s and Pamuk’s A review in an online experience and imagination — both merge and rified based on what their families had experi - novels, a totalitarian European magazine then suddenly that experience turns fiction. In enced during the immediate past in deporta - regime has an ideologi - (Café Babel) has the fol - The Lamppost Diary , there is a lot of fiction as tions and killings. The trauma has not gone cal axe to grind. In the lowing to say about that well as many episodes based on reality.” through a catharsis and continues to persist first one, Armenians, broader aspect of this This book does not have the traditional struc - silently in their subconscious and in their col - Christians and Jews are book: “Throughout the ture of his previous novels. It is more fluid and lective lives. The probability of a repeat perfor - the target, while in the novel there is a sense of it reads like an actual diary, although without mance is always in the air. second one the Kurds and left wing groups are Europe knocking on Turkey’s door and losing its focus. Hackiyan, using that historic element, has the target. They are killed or quietly eliminated Turkey resisting this approach trying to main - The narrative revolves around three axes. The not tried to write an ideological story which and life continues as business as usual. tain its neutrality and at the same time, sti - first is the loss of a sister at a very young age, would have damaged the artistic quality of the A British columnist, Ashley Perks, writes, fling Turkish ethnic minorities.” bringing home the finality of death, which narrative. Instead he has woven the social “What is the connection between Agop J. We have to acknowledge grudgingly that becomes a permanent obsession for the hero upheavals into the family lives of his characters. Hacikyan and Orhan Pamuk, the 2006 Nobel Turkey is a rising power in the Middle East and Tomas to grapple with. The other theme is the There is not yet a comprehensive history of Laureate?...His book is easier to read than its cultural influence has been spreading hero’s love story with a White Russian immi - the wealth tax (varlik vergisi) era, which tar - Pamuk’s densely lyrical novels…Hacikyan’s throughout the region like a conflagration. The grant girl, Anya, within the context of coming of geted the minorities — and particularly the whole treatment of characters [are] inter - Islamists are proud of Turkey’s achievements, age of a young man, with sexual fantasies and Armenians — for extinction through taxation. spersed with historical details.” which may serve as a role model to the rest of frustrations. All these personal and family inter - Kemal Ataturk has been hailed as moderniz - Tomas grows up in the stifling atmosphere of Islamic world. The West and Europeans have actions take place within the broader theme of er of Turkey. He indeed eliminated the tradi - Turkey. He even tries his hand at journalism their own wishful thinking that Turkey is mod - Turkish society where the minorities are terri - tional Muslim garb and veil, radically changed and publishes a successful literary magazine, ernizing along European standards, while fied with the history of the genocide in their the alphabet but he continued the racist poli - but he is gradually disillusioned. There are no Turkey itself is pursuing its own nationalistic past and are harassed with an uncertain future cies of the previous regimes, by dumping particular sequence of events leading him agenda with new Ottomanist dreams. imposed on them at the time. Greeks in the sea at Smyrna, deporting towards the decision to leave the country. But In short, any event or development relating to The lamppost itself remains as a symbol — or Armenians from Cilicia and massacring the the pervasive sense of insecurity which may put Turkey is a topical issue, which will attract a talisman — for young Tomas who has to turn Kurds in Dersim. anyone’s life in jeopardy is hanging in the air. attention these days. around it every time he passes by. It may also Varlik Vergisi was the continuation of that Perhaps one particular incident came to break The Lamppost Diary was released at the stand as a source of light to illuminate the policy to destroy the minorities to further the camel’s back: the assassination of one of the most opportune time to claim its fame as the rather dark life of a segment of society, which Turkify the country. The government, which contributors to his journal. next best-seller by Hacikyan’s prolific pen. tries to survive within the government-imposed imposed exorbitant taxes on Armenians, Greeks Hacikyan is an accomplished stylist and can Hacikyan complains that he is afflicted with parameters. Racial discrimination has been and and Jews, had a specific goal in mind. Turkish cast characters in a few lively brushstrokes and the disease of depression. I have always begged continues to remain state policy in Turkey. leaders knew full well that even the richest render them as unforgettable living individuals. him to borrow some of his depression, which has triggered his creative impulses, which have made him a compulsive writer with 30 volumes Film Review: ‘Hotel Rwanda’ in Blu-ray to his credit.

and his family and does something quite respect. Nice job MGM. Too bad “The By Ian White unnatural — he gets involved even though he Manchurian Candidate” didn’t look as good knows he’s likely to pay the ultimate price. as this. We would all like to think that there is a LOS ANGELES (bigpicturebigsound.com) Rusesabagina or Schindler inside of us. Final Thoughts — If there was any lesson learned from the Rusesabagina’s actions saved over 1,200 “Hotel Rwanda” may not pack the same Holocaust (although I’m not entirely sure people (who he hid inside the hotel he man - punch as “The Killing Fields,” but this tale of that all of its lessons were truly internalized), aged) and it is a startling tale to watch unfold, heroism in the face of untold barbarity and it was that mankind can no longer remain but as I watched the film, it kept gnawing at me genocide was one of the best films of 2004 and silent in the presence of genocide. that something was amiss. The film is certainly was unfortunately lost in the shuffle of Clint The world was deadly silent during the powerful, but the story seems like it was toned Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” and Martin Holocaust and not a finger was lifted to com - down to not rattle the powers that be. I hate to Scorsese’s “The Aviator.” bat the genocides in Armenia, Cambodia, use the term “whitewash,” but director Terry There is no excuse now to avoid this film Liberia, Tibet, Syria, China and many others. George could have been even more explicit because the Blu-ray transfer is exceptional on The world showed a perplexing amount of with the violence and I don’t think it would all levels, and well worthy of a place in your film interest in Bosnia, yet could have cared less have diluted the story one bit. collection — and the price is right to boot. This when 800,000 people were slaughtered in Steven Spielberg got away with it film is highly recommended. Rwanda under the watchful eye of the United (although he also didn’t go as far as he could Nations (UN). The massacre of Rwanda’s — based on my conversations with my grand - Tutsi population was intentionally swept parents who survived Auschwitz and Bergen- under the rug by France, the UN and the Belsen) and George could have as well. It is United States, and only because of media an excellent film that could have been even pressure did the world act — even though it more powerful and illuminating — although was far too late. “Hotel Rwanda” (in a man - after watching the events in Libya, Syria, ner similar to “Schindler’s List”) does not Afghanistan and Darfur, it is obvious that attempt to explain the Rwandan genocide, mankind hasn’t learned a damn thing. but instead how one man, Paul MGM has been “hit or miss” with some of Rusesabagina, decided to save as many peo - its recent catalog Blu-ray releases, but “Hotel ple as he could. Rwanda” might be the best of the bunch with Don Cheadle has proven on more than one spectacularly deep blacks, fantastic color and occasion that he’s a very fine actor (“Boogie one of the sharpest looking images I’ve seen Nights,” “Devil in a Blue Dress,” “Picket on a Blu-ray release this year. The film’s Fences”), but a different side of him emerged organic film-like structure looks exceptional - in “Hotel Rwanda.” He became Paul ly clean and crisp. The 1080p transfer (which Rusesabagina on many levels, and the film is offered in the film’s original 2.35:1 aspect ultimately succeeds because Cheadle figures ratio) has no visible noise or compression out how not to preach; his character simply artifacts and offers a tremendous amount of reacts to the utter horror that surrounds him detail. Reference quality is included in every S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING

Boston Student- Abaka Celebrates Mother’s Day with Recital Conductor among 10 Selected for Memphis WATERTOWN, Mass. — It was Mother’s Day when the Armenian School for the Performing Competition Arts (Abaka) celebrated its 16th annual recital with 154 students at Watertown High School. MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Boston native Aram Apo Ashjian, the director and choreographer Demijrian, a student-conductor who has led of the school, made the opening remarks wel - the Boston Pops, is one of 10 young con - coming all and congratulating all the mothers ductors selected on this happy occasion. He mentioned that at among 226 appli - the end of the program all the children will be cants worldwide carrying flowers donated by him to all the to participate in mothers of the students. He explained the deci - the Memphis sion for having the recital this early in the sea - International son and on Mother’s Day was due to the avail - Conducting ability of this perfect venue that can accommo - Competition here date such a group while being “at the mercy of May 25-27. Watertown High School.” Demijrian Ashjian congratulated all the parents of this received his years’ six graduates of the school and thanked undergraduate all the parents for their dedication to the school Aram Demirjian degree at throughout the years. He explained the naming Harvard, is com - of this recital as “We Are the Children” due to pleting his mas - Catholicos Aram I naming 2011 as “the year of ters at the New England Conservatory and the children.” served as a conducting fellow at the Aspen On a sadder note, Ashjian remembered Mary Music Festival. He also participated in the Kostikian, a former Abaka student, who had Dimitris Mitropoulos International died tragically 40 days prior at age 20, offering Competition for Conducting held in Greece his condolences to the family and observing a last year. minute of silence honoring her memory. Her Contestants will compete in up to three picture was displayed on a large screen in the rounds at the inaugural competition hosted background on stage. by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra This two-hour celebration ended with the (MSO). Judges include Mei-Ann Chen, MSO finale of the entire school, former students and music director; Anthony Fogg, Boston teachers overcrowding the stage to the dynam - Symphony Orchestra artistic administrator; ic cheers of the audience and students alike. Aaron Jay Kernis, composer and Yale (Story and photos by Jirair Hovsepian) School of Music professor and Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony music director. MSO musicians will have a collective vote. The other nine selected contestants are Ken Lam, of the United Kingdom; Mihaela Cesa-Goje, of Romania; Tae-Jung Lee, of South Korea; Stefano Sarzani, of Italy; Andrew Franco, of Columbia; Mikhail Agrest, Russian-American and Americans Robert Trevino, Roger Kalia and Sarah Kidd. Two alternates also were selected in a sophisticated system of rank - ings by Chen and representatives of MSO musicians.

Ararat-Eskijian Museum Presents Program on Komitas CD-Rom

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Garegin M. Chugaszyan, executive director of the Information Technology Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia, will make a series of visual/interactive presentations of a recently-produced multimedia CD-ROM, titled “Komitas Vardapet: His Life and Works.” He will make a presentation at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum on Sunday, June 5, 4:30 CC AA LLEENNDDAARR p.m., 15105 Mission Hills Road. This presentation was debuted in Paris in December 2010. Chugaszyan’s earlier interactive CD-ROMs, produced in 2005, present: 1) “The Armenian Genocide, 1915-1923” — through more than MASSACHUSETTS 500 photographs, documents, eyewitness accounts and interactive timeline; 2) “Aram JUNE 4 — Armenian Memorial Church Annual Fair and Silent On June 4, an Khachaturian: The Life and Works,” through Auction, (rain or shine), meals served all day, delicacies table, 32 anniversary ban - his letters, archival documents, contemporaries’ Bigelow Ave., Watertown. quet, in anticipa - memories, more than 400 photographs, video tion of the 80th materials, as well as in 35 musical fragments. NEW JERSEY anniversary of the Both DVDs were recognized for their innova - Armenian Mirror- JUNE 4 — Anniversary-Banquet in anticipation of the 80th tive approach by the World Summit Award Spectator , will anniversary of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator newspaper, the 2005 Grand Jury as the world’s best cultural take place at the CD/DVD multimedia product of 2005. first English language Armenian newspaper in the world, organized Teaneck Marriott The main mission of the Information by the Friends of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of New Jersey. Technology Foundation is to assist in the diffu - Saturday, 7 p.m., at Teaneck Marriott at Glenpoint, 100 Franklin W. at Glenpoint, 100 sion of Information Communication Burr Blvd., Teaneck. For tickets, call Shoghig (201) 803-0240 or Franklin W. Burr Technologies in the spheres of economy, cul - Sirvart (201) 739-7775. Blvd., Teaneck, ture, education etc. It assumes cooperation NJ. Keynote with state authorities, private sector, other NEW YORK speaker at the NGOs as well as local and international donors. event will be former Boston Globe journalist For this purpose, the foundation develops and JUNE 19 — St. Nersess Armenian Seminary’s annual Father’s Day Stephen Kurkjian. For tickets, call Shoghig implements various programs and projects, car - Picnic, from noon to 5 p.m., at Stratton Road, New Rochelle. (201) 803-0240 or Sirvart (201) 739-7775. ries out consultations, organizes discussions, Delicious kebob meals and desserts, live Armenian music, children’s seminars and conferences, issues publications activities, vendors. Free parking and admission. Visit and publishes websites. www.stnersess.edu or call (914) 636-2003. For more information contact the museum at [email protected]. 18 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Jerusalem in Limbo

erty at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem to Israel, creating a firestorm Spectator in Greece and Greek communities around the world. In fact By Edmond Y. Azadian the deal was a lease for 198 years. Other deals are for 99 years. For all practical purposes, these deals are, in effect, Armenians have a knack for living in or placing their final sales. It is any one’s guess what happens to the destiny major national treasures in troubled spots around the globe. of those properties at the maturity date of the deal. Established 1932 The Caucasus and the Middle East have been historically Armenians have also become victims of such suspicious volatile regions, where rival political forces have clashed and deals and the only explanation given by the patriarchate An ADL Publication Armenia and Armenians have often constituted the collat - authorities was that they were duped to sign the deal. eral damage. Armenians have churches and other property at prime Following the Genocide, large masses of survivors settled locations, which are easy target for future “deals.” EDITOR in Middle Eastern countries, which served as a safe haven, At this crucial period in history when the entire Armenian Alin K. Gregorian only to deteriorate in time one by one, undermining the existence in Holy Land is in jeopardy, the patriarchate and lives of well-established communities. the brotherhood are in disarray. The public agenda of the ASSOCIATE EDITOR Aram Arkun Thriving Armenian communities in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Armenians is composed of the ailments of 94-year-old Jordan, Lebanon have shrunk into mere skeletons of their Patriarch Torkom Manoogian, rather than his achievements ART DIRECTOR former selves. Today, it is the turn of Syria, where a vibrant or the good deeds of the St. James Brotherhood. Marc Mgrditchian Armenian community lives. At its heyday, the Armenian population in Jerusalem num - PRODUCTION In most of those countries — perhaps except for Egypt — bered at 25,000; today it has been reduced to less than Dilani Yogaratnam Armenian presence dates back to the Genocide era. The only 1,000. The large Armenian presence would only amount to spot that the Armenians have been anchored for almost moral support to the patriarchate, which runs its own affairs 2,000 years has been Jerusalem. Archeological excavations without outside interference, with the authority granted to have proven that Armenians have lived in the Holy Land the brotherhood by the Status Quo agreement. CONTRIBUTORS: even before the Christian era. And Patriarch Abraham of Greeks, Russians and the Vatican have always interfered Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. Jerusalem traveled to Mecca in the seventh century to and supported their respective patriarchates in Jerusalem. Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond secure special privileges for the patriarchate from the Only the St. James Brotherhood savors to the full extent of Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, prophet Mohammed himself. its independence granted by the Status Quo, so much so Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- Jerusalem being the land of miracles, the survival of the that during the last conclave of the brotherhood, high-rank - Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Armenian Patriarchate can be defined as one of those mira - ing clergy from Echmiadzin were not accorded the courtesy Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, cles. Our historic experience has given us good reason to vil - of being invited to attend the conclave and the message of Taleen Babayan ify the Ottoman rulers for their treatment of their minority the Supreme Patriarch Karekin II was handed to the broth - subjects, but at times, for their own good, they have sup - erhood to be read. ported the Armenian interests, indirectly. One being Fatih On top of the Israeli-Palestinian rivalry, which affects CORRESPONDENTS: Sultan Mohammed, who conquered Constantinople in 1453. Armenian interests, there is a tug of war behind the scenes Armenia - Hagop Avedikian He encouraged the establishment of the Armenian between Echmiadzin and Antelias forces, all compounded by Boston - Nancy Kalajian Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Patriarchate in Istanbul as a counterweight to the Greek the personal ambitions of individual members of the clergy. Patriarchate. March 15 was the deadline to elect a co-adjutor patriarch Contributing Photographers: Another instance in Jerusalem is where the conflicting to help the frail patriarch in running the affairs of the broth - Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair Hovsepian interests of Greeks, Latins and Russians were counterbal - erhood. The deadline passed and no action was taken, anced by the Ottoman sultan’s support of the Armenian despite the fact that with the passage of time, the patriarch The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Patriarchate, which was, any way, under the tutelage and is only becoming more feeble. weekly, except two weeks in July, by: control of the Istanbul Patriarchate, until the end of the In view of potentially dangerous prospects, there is foot- Baikar Association, Inc. World War I. dragging, which can produce catastrophic results. The 19th-century “Status Quo” agreement had granted The internal by-laws of the patriarchate was supposed to 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 rights and privileges to the Christian churches in Jerusalem. be amended to allow for the election of the co-adjutor. No Telephone: 617-924-4420 Armenians benefited from that status and they maintained communication was made public to that effect. FAX: 617-924-2887 their control of one quarter of the Christian Quarter for cen - Over the long centuries Armenians around the world have www.mir rorspectator.com turies. But today they stand to lose that position for inter - sacrificed to build the present wealth in Jerusalem, but since E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com nal and external reasons. 1914 when Patriarch Ormanian was dispatched from For advertising: [email protected] Under President Bill Clinton, parameters laid down at Camp Istanbul to inspect the irregularities in the patriarchate, New York/New Jersey Office David in 2000 stated that the Christian and Muslim sectors public accountability has not been the policy of St. James 560 Sylvan Ave. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 were to remain under Palestinian control in case East Brotherhood. (201) 800-1164 Jerusalem becomes the capital of the Palestinian state. The The recent Israeli government policy of taxing the agreement also guaranteed full access for Jews to reach and Christian church properties will further erode the tenuous pray at the Wailing Wall, through the Armenian Quarter. situation of the Armenian patriarchate, but that threat does SUBSCRIPTION RATES : Despite recent pronouncements by President Barack not even compel the brotherhood to put its house in order. U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year Obama, the formation of a Palestinian independent state Horse trading continues between the potential candi - 1st Class $120 a year remains an illusory political dream while the Israeli govern - dates. The high-ranking clergy who can secure the stability Canada ment continues to create “facts on the ground” at the of the patriarchate are shunning the responsibility, while all Air Mail $125 a year expense of Christian Churches. 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The Jerusalem Patriarchate is in limbo. and additional mailing offices. In 2005, the Greek Patriarch Irineos sold a piece of prop - But not for too long. ISSN 0004-234X POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Notice to Contributors The welcomes articles, commen - — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is Armenian Mirror-Spectator taries and community news from our readers. In order to assure 12 noon on Monday of the week of publication. Copying for other than personal use or the accurate and timely publication of articles submitted, — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright please note the following policies: the editors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self- owner. 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S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

are now discussed freely that could not have been dis - Armenia is not sufficiently pressuring its diaspora. The cussed a decade ago. There is zero tolerance of torture, prime minister seems to have forgotten that millions of and barriers to freedom of expression have been Turks living illegally in Europe could also be deported! removed. Some have alleged that there are restrictions Erdogan carefully avoided responding to Rustamyan’s on freedom of expression, but this is wrong…. The press question about his personal order to dismantle the My Turn is free, and freely criticizes anyone and everyone…. In “Armenian-Turkish Friendship Statue” in Kars! Turkey, 26 journalists have been detained or arrested, The most embarrassing part of the PACE meeting was By Harut Sassounian because they are criminals, not because they are jour - Erdogan’s rude answer to French Parliamentarian nalists.” These incredible words are uttered by a prime Muriel Marland-Militello who asked about the protection minister who does not hesitate to sue newspapers sim - of religious minorities in Turkey. Erdogan insulted the Council of Europe Not ply for publishing a cartoon likeness of him! lady by pointing out that in the Turkish language an When Erdogan finished his speech, Cavusoglu shield - ignorant person is described as someone from France, Deceived By Erdogan’s ed him from further embarrassment by allowing only a which she clearly happens to be! He invited her to handful of parliamentarians to ask 30-second questions. Turkey, so she could learn about his country. To Erdogan was displeased when Swiss Parliamentarian Erdogan’s chagrin, Marland-Militello turned out to know Double-Talk Andreas Gross reminded him about “the dark side of much more about Turkey’s minorities than the prime Turkish history,” asking him why Nobel Laureate Orhan minister himself. As she disclosed during a subsequent Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made Pamuk was being persecuted for exercising his right to press conference, Marland-Militello is a descendant of an an embarrassing appearance before the Parliamentary free speech. Armenian family that had escaped from Turkey during Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) last month. In response to Parliamentarian Anne Brasseur’s the Genocide! Erdogan also falsely claimed that the Erdogan was invited to the podium after lavish praise (Luxembourg) question about censorship in Turkey, Armenian Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island is by Mevlut Cavusoglu, who was acting more like a Erdogan claimed that the Turkish “judiciary is indepen - “now open for worship.” The fact is that the Turkish Turkish lobbyist than president of PACE. Cavusoglu is a dent and is entitled to conduct its investigations as it government converted the church into a state museum, founding member of the ruling AKP party and member saw fit.” allowing Divine Liturgy to be performed there only of the Turkish parliament. Armen Rustamyan, chairman of the Armenian once. In his lengthy speech, the prime minister shamelessly Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, asked lectured European parliamentarians about democracy Erdogan what was the point of signing the Armenia- Another member of PACE, Naira Zohrabyan, having and freedom. Given his country’s dismal human rights Turkey Protocols, if Turkey is not going to open its bor - been blocked by Cavusoglu from asking a question, record, Erdogan should have not raised such issues! der with Armenia until the Karabagh (Artsakh) conflict chased Erdogan down the corridor after the session and Claiming that Turkey’s accession was “vital to the is resolved? pushed her way past his bodyguards to hand him a European Union,” he described as “foolish” those who The prime minister responded that Turkey could not photo album of murdered Armenian children during the opposed Turkey’s EU membership “for populist or arti - let Armenia “usurp the rights of Azerbaijan” and would Genocide. ficial reasons.” indeed keep the border closed until the Karabagh issue While the prime minister may easily impress his Making a series of dubious and inflated claims about is resolved. Erdogan then made a series of outlandish devout followers at home, he completely embarrassed his government’s accomplishments, Erdogan asserted statements. He inadvertently reminded his European himself during his appearance at PACE in Strasbourg. In that: “Turkey has achieved historic reforms, especially in audience of the Turkish deportations of Armenians dur - view of his blatantly deceptive statements, one would the area of democratization…. The government has also ing the 1915 Genocide by stating that even though hope that Erdogan would appear more frequently in worked to lift restrictions on freedom. Freedoms have Turkey could, it would not deport the 40,000 undocu - front of European audiences so he could help convince been strengthened in the last decade, and many issues mented Armenian workers! He also complained that them that Turkey does not belong in Europe!

LETTERS More Courageous Members Are Stronger Promotion of Armenian Cause Needed before 2015 Needed in Congress To the Editor: honoring those Armenians who have given be a coordinated international endeavor As the saying goes, “living well is the best back to our people and country one can only whose mantra is “speak with one voice.” revenge.” No words rang truer than witnessing think — “out of the ashes…” Success is at hand if we work “hand in hand.” By Mitch Kehetian the tribute to Charles Aznavour during the cel - Success takes many forms and the above — Adrienne Alexanian ebration of the 20th anniversary of the inde - are only two examples of Armenian victory New York City Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush pendence of Armenia at Cipriani on May 20. over adversity. God willing the next victory and Barrack Obama share a common flaw — The room was filled to capacity with successful will be universal recognition of the Armenian lack of honesty. first-, second- and third-generation Armenians, Genocide followed by reparations. We have a What Is a Liberal All three US presidents lied in fulfilling most of whom had ancestors who were either huge window of opportunity to advocate for their campaign pledges they would recog - massacred in the Genocide or who survived our cause when we commemorate the 100th Armenian to Do in nize the 1915 Genocide of the Armenian having lost the majority of their families and all anniversary of the Genocide in a few short people at the hands of the Ottoman-Turkish of their worldly possessions. The large list of years. However, business as usual will no Presidential Election? government. honorary committee members included the longer “cut it.” I’m sure that Turkey is work - But there’s more. Twice when a House names of giants in the fields of government, reli - ing 24/7 in its attempt to counter anything To the Editor: vote on a Genocide resolution was headed gion, entertainment and the diplomatic corps we might do. Therefore I feel strongly that it’s Lately, we keep hearing from Armenians for a floor vote, the then Speakers of the all of whom lent their names to a milestone in incumbent upon our organizations, both reli - that we should punish President Barack House Dennis Hastert, a conservative Armenia’s history. gious and lay, to not only form a think Obama for reneging on his promise to use the Illinois Republican, and Nancy Pelosi, Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of tank NOW to plan for 2015 but also to word genocide when referring to what hap - a liberal California Democrat, scuttled a Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), and the able include others from the non-Armenian com - pened to the Armenians of Anatolia. This vote that was certain to prevail on the geno - staff deserve a standing ovation for organiz - munity who are sympathetic to our cause, or poses a dilemma for those Armenians of the cide issue during their leadership terms. ing a spectacular event. Whether it is events who we can entice to be sympathetic, to look liberal persuasion, who I believe are the In his successful run for the White House such as this one or the Ellis Island Awards at our cause with fresh eyes. This should also majority. I have no problem with Armenian in 2008 Obama assured Armenians “he businessmen voting Republican. They are just would be the kind of president to recognize voting with their pocketbooks. But, should the 1915 genocide of 1.5 million the rest of us vote against that which we Armenians.” Yet when he issued his subse - Congratulations on 80th Anniversary believe is best for America, or for the narrow quent April 24 tributes to the Armenian issue represented by the genocide. people, he played a word game by not men - To the Editor: their successors, have been engaged in a If we vote against Obama, we’d be voting tioning genocide — instead coughing up I feel privileged, as the Grand worthy enterprise of great patriotic value. for the Republican candidate, and which one an old term that expresses a massive Commander of the Knights of Vartan, to It is appropriate that we celebrate this of the current crop has actually come out tragedy long before the term “genocide” write this letter praising the Armenian important milestone of its rich and varie - forcefully acknowledging the Genocide, like was defined by the United Nations Mirror-Spectator on its 80th anniversary. gated history. Obama did, I might add? Even if one of them Commission on Genocide. The Mirror-Spectator has a long and illus - The Armenians people are noted for their did, what makes us think he won’t disappoint In the aftermath of Obama’s latest retreat trious history of providing accurate news, love of learning and eagerness to keep us also? to the Turkish lobby in the US State cultural articles and observations on inter - abreast of events taking place in their local The Armenian Genocide promise wasn’t the Department, and Pelosi’s shameful capitula - national affairs for the Armenian people in communities, the nation, the homeland and, only one Obama broke. The trouble with tion after pledging to California Armenians the United States, thereby enriching their indeed, around the world. Accordingly, they Obama is the same as for all politicians. They she was on the side of truth, should we intellectual, religious, social and political have produced not only a plethora of manu - don’t tend to be profiles in courage, so they just abandon the genocide issue? lives. It is a record of which it, and its scripts, books and pamphlets, but are also will take the easiest way out. And it’s easy to Emphatically no. sponsors, can justly be proud. renowned for the numerous newspapers, be principled when campaigning, but once in If we do, as individuals or organizations, As the Armenian people settled in which they have published for over 20 years. office and what you do and not what you say then shame on all Armenian Americans. As America, and the new generation was no The Armenian Mirror-Spectator , to its cred - becomes important, a politician will revert to the descendants of the survivors we must longer master of the Armenian language, it, has become a vital part of this noble tra - his usual expedient self. not quit in our efforts. While a distin - it became necessary to reach the younger dition. A president will use the word genocide only guished array of supporting Democrats and generation through a English-language when he perceives he has more to gain than Republicans in Congress addressed the publication. The great success of the — Dennis R. Papazian, PhD not by doing so, and we’d better get used to 97th observance of Ottoman Turkey’s crime Armenian Mirror-Spectator over these Grand Commander of the Knights of that. against humanity, one such person was many years proves that its founders, and Vartan — Berge Tatian Michigan US Sen. Carl Levin. Stoneham, Mass. see CONGRESS, page 20 20 S ATURDAY , M AY 28, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Armenian Amnesty ‘Will Ease Clinton Discusses US-Armenian Ties with Nalbandian CLINTON, from page 1 “Foreign Minister Nalbandian and I had a Political Tension’ engagement” in the Karabagh peace process productive meeting where we found agree - through the OSCE’s Minsk Group, which it ment on issues important to Armenia and AMNESTY, from page 1 Petrosian expressed confidence late last month co-chairs with Russia and France. the United States. I believe a continuing dia - ease tension in the country and start dialogue that both men will be free before the next HAK “In that regard, we strongly believe that logue between our two countries at the [with the opposition,]” he said. rally scheduled for May 31. the time has come to finalize and endorse highest levels is vital to continuing our Abrahamian referred to an amnesty bill that Abrahamian did not confirm this, saying only the Basic Principles [of a Karabagh settle - strategic relationship,” said Pallone. was drafted by the presidential administration that the oppositionists could be set free at any ment] and move to the drafting of a peace Pallone and Nalbandian discussed the and sent to the National Assembly on Friday. moment before September 21, which will mark agreement,” Gordon said, echoing a joint recent deaths that have occurred as a result The parliament’s committee on legal affairs the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s indepen - statement issued by the Minsk Group co- of Azerbaijani aggression and Azerbaijan’s swiftly met to discuss it, reportedly proposing dence from the Soviet Union. chairs last month. refusal to withdraw snipers from the line of some changes in the text. The release of the individuals regarded by the Later on Thursday, Nalbandian held sepa - contact despite international calls for such Sources said that the still unpublicized bill, if opposition as political prisoners is the HAK’s rate meetings with Gordon and Robert action. The foreign minister expressed approved by lawmakers, will lead to the immedi - main precondition for starting a dialogue with Bradtke, the group’s US co-chair. An Armenia’s continued support and dedication ate release of some 400 prisoners. It is expected Sargisian. HAK leaders also say that they would Armenian Foreign Ministry statement said to a peaceful resolution of this conflict that they will comprise all six members of the negotiate with the Armenian government only he discussed with the latter a fresh visit to through the Minsk Process. main opposition Armenian National Congress on the holding of fresh presidential and parlia - the region planned by Bradtke and his Concern over the impact of continued vio - (HAK) who were arrested following a disputed mentary elections. Russian and French opposite numbers. No lence and rhetorical references to war by 2008 presidential election and are still in prison. Like other top representatives of Sargisian’s further details were reported. Azerbaijani officials was also discussed. Asked to comment on this, Abrahamian said, three-party governing coalition, Abrahamian The three co-chairs last month spoke of Pallone expressed that finding a lasting solu - “We are working. Everything will be clear in ruled out such polls. “Every fresh election, be it “positive momentum” created by the tion to the conflict should be a US priority two days.” He added that the full National presidential or parliamentary, has a negative Armenian and Azerbaijani president at their and committed to continuing his calls for Assembly will likely start debating the amnesty impact on a country’s image,” he said. most recent meeting held in Russia in March. official recognition of Nagorno Karabagh by bill on Wednesday. “Are they ready to contest pre-term elec - The two leaders are expected to meet again the United States government. Among the jailed oppositionists are former tions?” the speaker asked, referring to the HAK. in June or July. Nalbandian thanked Pallone for his con - parliament deputy Sasun Mikaelian and Nikol “As for us, we are preparing for regular [parlia - International hopes for a breakthrough in tinued efforts to increase foreign assistance Pashinian, editor of the opposition daily mentary] elections that will take place in May the long-running Armenian-Azerbaijani to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Pallone Haykakan Zhamanak. HAK leader Levon Ter- 2012.” peace talks, a key US policy goal in the is currently circulating a letter to the chair - region, are called into question by continu - woman and ranking member of the House ing ceasefire violations in the conflict zone State, Foreign Operations and Related and bitter accusations traded by the two Programs Appropriations Subcommittee Obama’s Nominee for United States warring sides. requesting that economic and military assis - President Serge Sargisian said earlier this tance to Armenia be increased. The letter Ambassador to Armenia Named week that Yerevan and Baku have differing also calls on the Appropriations Committee interpretations of two key principles that are to ensure funds are used to promote confi - AMBASSADOR, from page 1 appropriate steps to honor the memory of at the heart of a framework peace accord dence building measures between These measures included, most notably, the the victims of the Armenian Genocide.” proposed by the US, Russia and France. Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh and Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which pro - In addition, Nalbandian met with Rep. requests that foreign assistance to hibits US economic assistance to any country Heffern is a career member of the Senior Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) Thursday to dis - Azerbaijan be cut off in light of their contin - that impedes or restricts the transfer or deliv - Foreign Service and currently serves as the cuss the continued aggression perpetrated ued aggressive and violent action in the ery of US humanitarian assistance to another deputy chief of mission at the US Mission to by Azerbaijan towards Nagorno Karabagh. region. country. Heffern’s former boss also voted NATO in Brussels. Prior to his current post, against an amendment to cut $25 million in Heffern served as executive assistant to the aid to Turkey, which was proposed in refer - Undersecretary for political affairs and ence to Turkey’s human rights violations and deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in ongoing blockade of Armenia. Further, the Indonesia. Heffern’s career has also included Congressman voted against an amendment to overseas assignments to Japan, Malaysia, The Armenian cut aid to Turkey until it had “taken all Ivory Coast and Guangzhou, China.

More Courageous Members Are Needed in Congress Mirro r-Spe ctator CONGRESS, from page 19 abuses suffered by the Armenians have been I first met the Detroit Democrat in 1969 described as the first genocide of the 20th cen - when he won a seat on Detroit’s city council. tury.” he added that the Ottoman Turkish YES, I would like a 1 – year subscription to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Through the years our paths crossed often in regime’s systematic engagement in the killing USA /Second Class Mail $75.00 CANADA /Air Mail $125.00 my role as a newspaper reporter covering local and deportation of the Armenian population /First Class Mail politics. By 1978 Levin was on his way to the cannot be denied.” USA $120.00 United States Senate — and he retained his While he points out that “these acts were not J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS FOR ME quest of justice for the Armenian people. committed by the present Republic of Turkey,” NAME Last September 10, after reading a copy of the truth-seeking senator emphasizes “some the memoir about the search for my have sought to deny that these events consti - ADDRESS Aunt Parancim and my family roots in the tuted genocide.” CITY STATE ZIP Keghi, Erzeroum and Moush regions of Levin’s position on denial of the 1915 geno - Turkish-held Armenia, the senator wrote a let - cide is a clear message to Presidents Clinton, J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS A GIFT FOR: ter that I treasure for its motivating message. Bush and Obama — and the pro-Turkish lobby In his personal expression, the chairman of in the US State Department. NAME the Senate Armed Forces Committee wrote: By the 100th observance of the April 24 ADDRESS “Mitch, thanks for sending me Giants of the Genocide, Armenians worldwide need to rally CITY STATE ZIP Earth. “It is a compelling, deeply moving, hon - under one banner of justice to force Turkey to est memoir — a tribute to Armenians lost in the admit to its past crimes against the Armenians genocide. I intend to refer to it when I speak in — and a US president who will speak truthfully Please make check payable to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and mail to: support of a resolution recognizing and memo - for justice and uphold his or her pledge on the 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509 rializing the events you recount for what they April 24, 1915 Genocide. were — a genocide. Best, Carl.” Though the Why does present-day Turkey still deny the All payments must be drawn on US banks Senate was in recess for Easter Week and the truth? The United Nations Commission on April 24 observance, Levin was a man of his Genocide ruled that penalties on the crime of geno - pledge when he issued his May 9 Armenian cide are not bound by a time limit. For Armenia that Genocide statement on the Senate floor. The means reparations and territory illegal - senator said: “We also remember the Armenian ly seized during the genocide and deportations. genocide when Turkish Ottoman authorities That’s why Turkey refuses to admit it was SUB SCRIBE ordered the rounding up and detention of hun - genocide. dreds of Armenian intellectuals. What followed So-called modern Turkey’s greatest allies in between 1915 and 1923 was an organized cam - denying the Genocide have been the last three paign that resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 mil - liars to occupy the White House. lion Armenians.” When Time Magazine named Levin one of Journalist Tom Mooradian, author of The the 10 best senators it cited the “senator’s Repatriate, a chilling account of 13 years he respect from both parties for his attention to spent exiled behind the Iron Curtain, says the detail and deep knowledge of policy.” massacre of Armenians during the genocide We need more Carl Levins in Congress. actually resulted in the “potential population growth loss of more than seven million. We (Mitch Kehetian is the retired editor of The should be a nation of 10 million Armenians by Macomb Daily, and author of Giants of the TODAY! now. But our national birth rate was stunted by Earth a recently published memoir on his the genocide.” 1969 mission into barren Turkish-held Levin also stressed that “while the horrific Armenia.)