DECEMBER 3, 2011 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXII, NO. 21, Issue 4215 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Pop Star Sylvie Vartan All-Armenian Fund Raises Big Says She Is Armenian PARIS — French pop star Sylvie Vartan said for the first time on the show “Vivement dimanche” that she was of Armenian descent through her father, Bucks at Thanksgiving Telethon Georges Vartan, former press officer at Embassy of France in Sofia; this was the singer’s first public LOS ANGELES — In an annual telethon statement on her Armenian heritage. broadcast from Los Angeles late on Asked a question by Michel Drucker, on Thanksgiving Day, the Yerevan-based “Vivement dimanche,” the singer replied, “Yes, I’m Hayastan All-Armenian Fund (Himnadram) Armenian [on the] side of my father.” sponsored its annual telethon, during Born in Bulgaria on August 15, 1944 (her moth - which the organization received $12.3 mil - er is Bulgarian), she arrived in Paris on December lion in pledges. This year, as in last, the 1952 with her parents. funds will be used primarily toward the She started in show business at 16, and immedi - reconstruction of Nagorno-Karabagh’s ately became successful with a song by Charles water distribution network. Aznavour and Georges Garvarentz, La plus belle Final figures may prove to be higher after pour aller danser (The most beautiful to go dancing). it completes the tabulation of donation Her son, David Hallyday, is also a pop star in pledges received from Armenians in the France. United States and elsewhere in the world. “Right now we are ascertaining and pro - Youth Chess Player cessing the whole list of contributors,” Hayastan spokeswoman Hasmik Grigorian Takes World Title said. “I think this work will continue until December.” CALDAS NOVAS, Brazil (Tert.am) — Armenian Irina Lazarian, the executive director of chess player Samvel Ter-Sahakyan won first prize at Armenia Fund USA, said she was happy the World Youth Chess Championship, in the with the telethon. “It went pretty well. under 18 category. Compared to last year, we did better.” Host Mark Geragos (secon from right) and Kev Orkian, joined by co-hosts, mark the end of Ter-Sahakyan earned a total of eight points. She said there will be a dinner in Moscow the telethon. Robert Aghasaryan, in the same age category, on December 21, which is expected to raise ended his game with Erik Rozen from the US at a large sums again, as it did last year. Last tions prefer not to support an unrecognized result of last year’s telethon by $2 million,” draw at the last round and took 14th place with six year, the telethon raised about $10.2 mil - territory.” said Grigorian. points. lion, while the dinner raised about $10.6 “According to our estimates, about Hayastan raised a record-high $35 million In the championship for those under the age of million. 27,000 people have had running water in 2008. Moscow-based businessman 16, Karen Grigoryan, who was considered the The telethon, she said, benefits infra - since then,” said Grigorian. “But there are Samvel Karapetian donated $15 million of favorite, lost to Iranian rival Idani Powai and took structure development in rural villages in tens of thousands of others who still have that. 14th place with six points. Armenia and Karabagh. The program, she problems with access to drinking water.” see TELETHON, page 20 Of the 104 participants in this championship said, will take place as long as Armenia and “If we take into account the fact that the Grigoryan had the highest rating. Karabagh need help. In particular, she said, sum raised at the latest telethon does not Hovhannes Gabuzyan, playing at the same cate - Karabagh cannot get help from any inter - include the results of the [upcoming] gala, gory, had a good performance, beating Denis national organization, as “many organiza - then we can conclude that it exceeds the Erdogan Admission Kadric from Bosnia in the last round and taking the fourth place with 6.5 points. Of Dersim Massacres Armenia did not have representatives in other Viewed in Yerevan age groups. Religious Leaders Call for Sniper As Courting EU Armenia’s Poor Withdrawal in Karabagh Increases by 270,000 By Naira Hayrumyan YEREVAN (news.am) — The number of poor in YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The top religious the end of a trilateral meeting in Yerevan Armenia increased by 270,000 in the past two leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia held as part of a summit of top clerics from YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — After years, as a result of the 2008-2009 economic down - have called for a withdrawal of snipers from post-Soviet countries. the surprise announcement by turn. Currently there are 1.2 million living at the Karabagh frontlines as a means to stop Armenia, as well as international media - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip level of poverty, according to statistics provided by bloodshed amid more reported casualties in tors, have repeatedly called for a bilateral Erdogan, who apologized for the mas - the govnerment. the conflict zone. withdrawal of snipers in order to reduce sacre of Kurds in Dersim in 1937 to Of the country’s residents, 35.8 percent were Russia’s Patriarch Kirill read out the deadly ceasefire violations reported along 39, when, according to official fig - considered to be indigent last year, compared to statement that he made jointly with the Armenian-Azerbaijani “line of contact” ures, 13,000 were killed, a question 27.6 percent in 2008. Those in extreme poverty Catholicos Karekin II, the supreme head of on a regular basis. Each side blames the arose about the next step. First of all, were 3 percent of the population, compared to 1.6 the Armenian Apostolic Church, and other. will this be limited to an apology, or percetn in 2008. Azerbaijan’s top Shia Muslim leader, The military authorities in Armenia and will there be some reparations to the People whose monthly salaries are below 33,500 Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, at see SNIPERS, page 20 Kurds for their material losses, and drams ($90), are considered to be at poverty level. secondly, will the Turkish prime min - ister also apologize to the Armenians for the 1915 Genocide? Armenian President Visits Georgia Apparently, Turkey feels very INSI DE uncomfortable because of interna - tional pressure and by taking “pre - ventive” steps, is trying to shift the issue from the material-territorial Black plane into the moral dimension. Any hope of an apology to Armenia has always been colored by whether History Genocide survivors would demand a return of their lands. Armenia has repeatedly stated that page 5 it has no territorial claims against Turkey. At the same time, the gov - ernment of Armenia does not recog - nize the current borders of Turkey. INDEX And, for decades, the Armenian Arts and Living ...... 12 Diaspora has pushed for internation - Armenia ...... 2 al recognition of the Armenian Community News...... 5 President Serge Sargisian, left, stands with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Genocide and the fact that the Editorial ...... 17 upon his arrival in Tbilisi. See story on page 3. see ERDOGAN, page 20 International ...... 3,- 2 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia AAA Yerevan Hosts Presentation on

Argentinean Film Armenia-Turkey Relations Festival in Yerevan YEREVAN — Earlier this month, the Armenian Assembly of America’s YEREVAN (Arminfo) — The Argentinean Film Yerevan office hosted a presentation on Festival will be held December 9-11. Armenia-Turkey relations featuring The Argentina’s Embassy in Armenia reported political analyst and author Dr. Artak that the first screening of the Oscar-winning film Shakaryan, who is a Yerevan-based “Secret in Their Eyes,” directed by Juan Jose expert in Turkish studies. Campanella, will be shown in the festival. With an audience of journalists, vari - All films will be screened with English subtitles. ous experts, political analysts and stu - dents alike, Shakaryan discussed aspects Echmiadzin among of his book, Beyond Ararat, which is intended as a resource for a range of UNESCO World Heritage users, including journalists covering top - ics on Turkey, Oriental Studies experts, Cities List historians, international relations spe - ECHMIADZIN (news.am) — The 11th World cialists, as well as students wishing to Conference of UNESCO World Heritage Cities gain a wider perspective on Armenia’s Organization was held in Sintra, Portugal. A dele- neighbor to the west. The publication gation from Echmiadzin, led by Mayor Karen covers Turkey’s foreign policy principles, Grigoryan, also attended the event. and discusses many trends in Turkey’s In conjunction with the conference, Grigoryan current external affairs. Country Director Armina Darbinian with Dr. Artak Shakaryan and his family also met with the organization’s leadership, Shakaryan places special emphasis UNESCO representatives and several city mayors on Armenian-Turkish relations, the pro - from a number of countries. During the meetings, tocols negotiation process and the influ - with its neighbors rings hollow in light of tips,” added Darbinian. the parties discussed forms of cooperation in urban ence these had in the region. A transla - Turkey’s ongoing actions against “Through the ongoing projects of the economics and other domains. tion of the portions on Armenia from Armenia,” stated the Assembly’s Youth Club, the Armenian Assembly Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Country Director Armina Darbinian. continues the important tasks of Ahmet Davutoglu’s book, Strategic “Having accurate and complete informa - informing the public, educating the Moody’s Downgrades Depth, is also included in the appendix. tion is important and Dr. Shakaryan’s youth, raising awareness of critical “While the issue of Armenia-Turkey book provides unique insight and analy - issues and encouraging the next gener - Armenian Credit Rating relations is complex, there is no doubt sis of Turkish actions that journalists ation of responsible citizens and future YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Moody’s Investors Service that Turkey’s policy of ‘zero problems’ may not necessarily have at their finger - leaders in Armenia,” she added. has downgraded Armenia’s credit rating and low- ered its broader outlook for the Armenian econo- my, citing the anticipated economic downturn in Europe and Russia. Scholars, Authors Sound Alarm over State of In a statement this week, Moody’s cut the gov- ernment’s foreign and local currency issuer ratings Contemporary Children’s Literature in Armenia by two notches to Ba2. It also revised from “stable” to “negative” the country’s sovereign debt outlook. even attempt to create in it,” says inated and no new thing is put in place, The risk assessment firm attributed the move to By Sara Khojoyan Militonyan, warning about the conse - there is a danger that this vacuum will Armenia’s vulnerability to renewed recession in quences of the lack of proper contem - be filled with trash,” says Arakelyan. Europe and Russia. In particular, it warned of a porary works for children. “Our chil - The Ministry of Culture is trying to possible fall in international prices of base metals, YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — dren’s language changes every day as give some support to modern children’s the country’s number-one export item. Armenian children’s writers and liter - slang and improper language enter writers by publishing their works. But Moody’s also said that an economic slowdown in ary critics are concerned about the cur - their lives from the street and through children’s writer Suren Muradyan still Russia could seriously reduce vital remittances sent rent state of literature targeting chil - television.” does not consider these efforts to be home by hundreds of thousands of Armenian dren. They appeal to media to raise the The Writers’ Union representative sufficient to revive the trend. migrants working there. concerns and make the public at large says the absence of an alternative for “The print runs of books for kids do Fitch, another ratings agency, kept Armenia’s aware of the dangers that the lack of kids in the form of some good modern not exceed 500 copies. Meanwhile, on a debt rating unchanged “BB-” in September. It had proper contemporary literature for kids literature correspond - lowered the long-term rating from “BB” in August may pose. ing to their age may 2009, citing the severe impact of the global reces- Armenian prose and verse writing for affect children’s social sion on the Armenian economy. kids that flourished in the 20th century behavior later on when With the bulk of the Armenian deficit still is going through hard times today as no they grow to be financed by non-commercial loans from the World sufficient state funding is provided for teenagers and adults. Bank, the IMF and other international institutions, the development of this literary genre, Children’s writer the rating downgrade alone will hardly complicate which is considered to be one of the Koryun Arakelyan, a the government’s fiscal performance in 2012. hardest for writers. Besides, specialists member of the National It is based on the assumption that the domestic say there is no proper popularization of Commission on economy will grow by 4.2 percent in 2012. Finance local writers who write prose and Television and Radio Minister Vache Gabrielian admitted last week that poems for children. Private television (NCTR), also complains renewed recession in Europe could call those pro- companies do not provide sufficient about the quality and jections into question. time or quality approach for propagan - contents of the televi - dizing works by Armenian writers. sion programs target - Children’s books in Armenia Hilton Hotel May Come Children’s literature is also getting ing children or teenage “old” as young, commencing writers do audiences. To Yerevan not attempt to create in this genre as He says that during the latest tenders daily basis, I get calls from Gumri, for many it largely remains unchartered for television frequencies late last year Vanadzor and other provinces, from YEREVAN (Arka) — Yerevan Mayor Karen waters. the NCTR issued licenses to several dozens of schools, and they all ask for Karapetian met on October 24 with Robert Writers’ Union Secretary Eduard companies also based on their direc - books. If they [the Ministry of Culture] Dilevsky, president of the Filoksenos Polska Militonyan says very few young writers tions. In particular, AR TV was given a fund the publication of more copies of Spolsky Company, authorized to represent the actually choose the genre for work, license as a channel prioritizing pro - books and distribute them among Hilton Hotels to discuss hotel construction and because it is very difficult to keep the grams for children and teenagers, schools, as an author I will be very development issues. “rhyme and size” that would fit chil - Yerevan TV and ATV were licensed as much in favor of going and signing all “Robert Dilevsky and members of his delegation dren’s psychology and language men - more youth-oriented channels. those books.” presented to the mayor a package of services tality. Arakelyan, however, says that the The writer says that despite the dec - offered by Hilton Hotels chain and expressed inter- “Feeling that this is a hugely complex NCTR cannot direct private television larations that children in Armenia are a est in building a hotel in Yerevan by international genre, our young writers often do not companies on what to broadcast, privileged class that needs special atten - standards,” the municipality said. because these companies should be tion, in reality organization of children’s In turn, Karapetian, highlighting the importance able to find financial resources for their education and leisure involves difficul - of tourism in the Armenian capital, welcomed the work and very often they choose to run ties and is quite costly. Children’s books possible entry of the well-known hotel brand in Correction low-quality soap operas as a means to are not affordable for a majority of the Yerevan. attract larger audiences and subse - population and so are tickets to chil - “High-level services provide an appropriate Due to a typographical error, a quently give more space to business dren’s theater plays, he explains. atmosphere for boosting tourism. I am sure that date in the editorial by Edmond sustaining ads and commercials. Militonyan shares Muradyan’s view - the Hilton brand will come to Yerevan and we are Azadian last week was incorrect. “During the Soviet years a special ide - point. He says: “The Ministry of Culture ready to discuss proposals for mutually beneficial The date for General Evran’s ology was created for children and and the educational sector should cooperation,” Karapetian said. coup in Turkey was 1980. teenagers. Agencies would specialize in develop a joint policy by which at least directing this ideology. Now there is no state-funded institutions should be such ideology. When something is elim - guided.” S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Jailed Publisher Decries ‘Mass International News Lynching’ in Turkish Crackdown French Police Bust Georgian Crime Ring erties has increased since September 11 was imprisoned in 1982 in connection PARIS (UPI) — French police say they crushed an By Philip Boroff in the name of antiterrorism, he said. with his work there. alleged gang of Georgian criminals colluding with “That’s something we’ve obviously After a 1980 military coup, Belge an Armenian outfit to sell property stolen from struggled with in this country as well, began publishing books by political pris - Paris and southwest France. ISTANBUL (Bloomberg News) — which hasn’t helped in holding the line oners and about the genocide of About 300 gendarmes Friday rounded up 23 Prison has not silenced Ragip Zarakolu, on this internationally,” Siems said. Armenians in Turkey in the early 20th Georgians and Armenians from their dwellings in a Turkish publisher and journalist who Sinan Zarakolu, a 36-year-old archi - century. In 1995, its offices were fire - the Pyrenees foothills, Radio France Internationale has been challenging his country’s tect, called his father’s arrest “crazy.” bombed and in the 2000s he and his reported. taboos for four decades. “Ragip is a person who never declares wife were charged with such infractions They were detained, accused of theft, receiving Earlier this month, after he and other himself a member of a group,” he said in as disseminating propaganda and insult - stolen goods and money laundering and will be for- activists were arrested under Turkey’s a telephone interview from his Istanbul ing Turkish institutions. (Aysenur died mally questioned and charged in Bordeaux. anti-terror laws, Zarakolu published an apartment. “He tries to cover various in 2002, at 56, of cancer.) Police allege the gang was well organized. open letter, undaunted. points of views. His point is freedom of In March 2011, Zarakolu was fined French police became aware of their alleged “I believe that it is time to show a col - speech.” for spreading propaganda to support activities after noting a wave of robberies targeting lective opposition to this wave of arrests, In his open letter, Zarakolu said he the PKK. His son Deniz, an editor at his mostly digital products and jewelry from business- which has become a campaign of mass wasn’t questioned about the organiza - father’s publishing house, was arrested es and homes across southwest France. lynching,” Zarakolu wrote from prison. tion he was accused of joining. on October 7. The father was taken into The letter was posted November 3 on the “I have only been pressed on works custody on October 28 and sent to a website of the PEN American Center, that I have written or edited, speeches I high-security prison in northwest Biden Visits Greece, which monitors the mistreatment of writ - have given, and free and public meet - Turkey, according to a report in the Turkey at Key Moment ers, editors and publishers around the ings I have attended,” he wrote. English-language Hurriyet Daily News . world. He demanded an end to “all Since a military junta assumed power His lawyer, Ozcan Kilic, was quoted in WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Vice President Joe moves by the authorities that go against in Turkey in 1971, he’s been imprisoned the paper saying he was concerned Biden travels to Turkey this week amid deepening the law and principles of due legal with regularity. Zarakolu spent five about his client’s health in prison. concern over Syria, before visiting a new Greek process.” months in prison and was tried on Siems described Zarakolu as modest, leader battling a debt crisis that could unravel the Zarakolu was charged with being affil - charges of having secret relations with with a buoyant sense of humor. He said euro zone and sink the US recovery. iated with the Kurdish Communities Amnesty International, according to a he isn’t surprised by Zarakolu’s defiant Biden flew into Ankara on Thursday with a range Union, the political wing of the biography provided by PEN. The open letter, which calls the arrest part of hot-button topics to discuss including the eight- Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which the charges were dropped. of a campaign to intimidate intellectuals month crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Turkish government lists as a terrorist In 1972, he was imprisoned for two and democrats. Siems said Aysenur neighboring Syria and the future of Iraq after US organization. About 12,000 Turkish cit - years for an article he wrote about Ho Zarakolu kept a packed suitcase at troops leave by the year’s end. izens have been arrested under terror Chi Minh, the president of North home to prepare for the arrests that Tony Blinken, Biden’s top foreign policy adviser, statutes since 2001. Vietnam until 1969. In 1977, Zarakolu were sparked by the couple’s publishing said in addition to discussing the turmoil in Syria Free speech and assembly are under and his wife, Aysenur, founded the and activism. and Turkey’s strained relations with Israel, the vice assault worldwide, Larry Siems, director Belge Publishing House, which led to “This is what he and his late wife dedi - president is expected to talk about the fight against of the Freedom to Write program at more prison and fines. Zarakolu co- cated themselves to doing,” Siems said. Kurdish PKK rebels, who he called a “common PEN, said in an interview. Curtailing lib - founded a newspaper, Demokrat, and “He’s that committed to Turkey’s future.” enemy” of Turkey and the United States. Biden will meet in Turkey with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul. Aside from those talks the main public event of his trip is a Global Entrepreneurship summit in Istanbul on Armenian President Starts Visit to Georgia Saturday, which the United States hopes will pro- mote a merchant class that can help deliver eco- TBILISI (RFE/RL) — President Serge that “will promote improved good-neigh - October. Armenia’s Minister of nomic and political change in the Arab world. Sargisian on Tuesday began a two-day borly relations between the two peo - Emergency Situations Armen Yeritsian The Obama administration has placed a premium official visit to Georgia amid calls from ples.” According to the authors of the afterwards questioned the veracity of on close ties with Turkey — a NATO member on a at least one local ethnic Armenian letter, among these issues are “availabil - the statement attributed to the vital frontier between Europe, Asia and the Middle group to address their identity issues at ity of education in the native Georgian president. East — and Biden’s trip comes at a time of tumult meetings in Tbilisi. [Armenian] languages” for members of Visiting Yerevan on November 7, in the region after the Arab Spring. Sargisian was received by Georgian the sizable Armenian community, “the Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Turkey, a former friend but now a sharp critic of President Mikheil Saakashvili at his return of the property seized from the Vashadze insisted that Sargisian’s visit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said last week it palace, after which the two sides report - Armenian Apostolic Church during the was not cancelled. He said the two sides was ready to take action with Arab powers if he edly signed a raft of agreements, includ - Soviet years, the conservation of simply failed to prepare for it on time. fails to take steps to end a bloody crackdown on ing those concerning cooperation on churches and other buildings and mon - Later, on November 19, the Armenian pro-democracy demonstrators. border issues, standardization and uments and their transfer to lawful own - and Georgian prime ministers chaired a Biden will travel on Sunday to Athens, where he metrology, cooperation between some ers.” regular session of an inter-governmental will deliver symbolically important support to ministries. The organization, according to its commission on economic cooperation Greece’s new Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. At a joint press conference with press service head Armen Aghajanov, in the Georgian city of Batumi. They Saakashvili following the meeting, was not on the guest list of the meeting said their governments were pressing Sargisian spoke about “dynamically with Sargisian and chose to publish an ahead with plans for joint management Patriarch of Moscow developing” relations between the two open letter instead. of the Georgian-Armenian border cross - neighboring nations. “The most important question is the ings and will continue to expand bilat - Receives Mashtots Medal “We spoke about all issues. Those are opportunity to receive education in our eral commercial ties. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President Serge energy, transportation, relations native language. The number of Speaking on Tuesday, Yerevan-based Sargisian hosted this week Patriarch of Moscow between our parliaments, defense, secu - Armenian schools in Tbilisi has been political analyst Stepan Grigorian said and All Russia Kirill and Catholicos of All rity at the borders, and these discus - decreasing in recent years,” Aghajanov that meetings between the two coun - Armenians Karekin II. sions will be continued,” the Armenian said in an interview. tries’ leaders are necessary particularly The presidential press service said that the pres- leader said, according to the Georgian In general, Sargisian’s current visit to for smoothing out possible differences. ident welcomed the visit of the delegation of the news website Georgia Online. Georgia comes amid lingering specula - “Let’s face it. Georgia is oriented Russian Orthodox Church to Armenia and Both Sargisian and Saakashvili spoke tions about the Armenian leader’s earli - toward Europe and NATO; we work expressed hope that it will serve for strengthening about regional conflicts, with the er reluctance to travel to the neighbor - more closely with Russia. Reforms in friendly relations between the Armenian Apostolic Armenian president stressing that solu - ing state. the state system of Georgia have clearly and Russian Orthodox Churches. tions to these conflicts are possible only It was not until November 22 that made headway, and it is obvious that we The head of the republic praised the efforts of through negotiations. Sargisian’s office announced the date of are starkly different from them. That’s Kirill directed toward strengthening people moral- The Georgian president, for his part, the visit that is said to have been why these meetings are necessary as a ly and spiritually. According to Sargisian, Kirill is a stressed that all conflicts in the delayed earlier. Tbilisi had reportedly means to iron out the differences that fine example of serving the homeland and the Caucasus have been “instigated” from been expecting Sargisian to pay an offi - may arise.” Russian Orthodox Church. outside and again presented his “United cial visit at the beginning of November, Grigorian also stresses the impor - On a decree from Sargisian, Kirill was awarded Caucasus” concept as a way to settle all but official Yerevan denied it had tance of Sargisian-Saakashvili meetings the Mesrop Mashtots Medal for outstanding contri- disputes. delayed the visit, saying that the as an opportunity for political discus - bution to expanding friendly relations between Sargisian is scheduled to meet with Armenian leader had not scheduled any sions to find a solution to the issue of Armenian and Russian peoples and strengthening representatives of the Georgian- trips abroad for the period in question. Armenian churches. ties between the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Armenian community and take part in a The conflicting information sparked Despite amendments approved by Orthodox Churches. Georgian-Armenian business forum slat - speculation that by ostensibly canceling Georgian lawmakers in July to grant Kirill expressed gratitude to Sargisian and the ed for Wednesday. or rescheduling his visit Sargisian Georgia’s minority religious groups, Catholicos of All Armenians for assisting in the Meanwhile, an organization of local meant to expressed his displeasure with including the Armenian Church, the sta - organization of the board of trustees of CIS Inter- Armenians called the Community of Saakashvili’s reported remark that tus of “legal entities of public law,” a religious Council and wished God’s blessing for the Armenians of Georgia disseminated an Georgian authorities would have number of issues, including those relat - Armenian people and prosperity to Armenia. open letter on the eve of Sargisian’s responded faster and more effectively to ing to property, still remain between the visit to Georgia urging the leaders of the a massive landslide in northern Armenia Apostolic and Georgian two countries to consider also issues Armenia that killed five people in early Orthodox churches. 4 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL Australian Queen Keran Gets Back her Royal Train MPs Call to work during the Medieval ages. It contains, in addition to canon By Arthur Hagopian tables and richly-decorated headpieces, 13 full-page miniatures illus - trating the main events in the life of Christ and 103 marginal minia - Recognize tures. JERUSALEM — Queen Keran has regained her royal train and her Scholars note that the most remarkable aspect of the manuscript glory. is the inclusion of portraits of members of the royal family. The The first time I saw her, I could not even bring myself to touch her gospel was commissioned by Queen Keran for her husband and Genocide with my own hands. She looked so ineffably fragile and sacred, I was future king, Levon of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. It was copied terrified I would be committing a sacrilege. I could only gaze at her by the scribe Avetis in the capital city of Sis in 1272 and illustrated CANBERRA, Australia (Armradio) — In an in wonder — an 800-year-old masterpiece I had been one of the priv - by Roslin. The manuscript was bound in Jerusalem in gold repousse unprecedented development, seven federal ileged few to have seen or examined close up. work by the monks of the St. James Brotherhood. The front cover members rose in the House of Representatives The Queen Keran Gospel , a 1272 manuscript, illustrated by the represents the Crucifixion and the back the Virgin and Child; on the of Australia on November 21, 22 and 23 to most celebrated medieval Armenian artist, Toros Roslin. claps are the four Evangelists. affirm the historical reality of the Armenian, (I had returned to Jerusalem as consultant on a movie project The integral part of ancient Armenian manuscripts is the Greek and Assyrian Genocides and call for planning a 3D IMAX film on the city, and the first port of call was colophon, and these can be exhilaratingly inspiring or revealing. Australian recognition of these crimes against the Armenian Patriarchate of St. “I have saved from captivity this precious humanity, reported the Armenian National James). garden, this fragrant orchard, this pure and Committee of Australia (ANC Australia). Ensconced within the confines of shining book in memory of myself and of Members of Parliament (MP) Craig Kelly, the patriarchate, its location undis - my parents, my wife and my children,” Malcolm Turnbull, Michael Danby and Joel closed, the incomparable work of art reads one such entry. Fitzgibbon — new supporters of this fundamen - bears vivid testimony to the greatness In the dedicatory picture the Queen is tal issue of humanity — added their voices to of the art of Armenian manuscript represented on one of the final leaves, long-time friends of the Armenian, Greek and illustration during what experts call together with her husband King Levon III Assyrian communities in MPs John Alexander, its golden age. and their five children kneeling in front of Joe Hockey and Paul Fletcher and paid tribute But for over a century, the queen picture of Christ enthroned, flanked by to the victims of the first genocide of the 20th had lain forlorn, ravished by rapacious Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. century. hands that had ripped off two of its In the long colophon where all the mem - In his first parliamentary speech on this illuminated pages, representing a por - bers of the royal family are mentioned, the issue, Kelly, spoke in detail about the genocidal trait of the evangelist St. Mark and the scribe Avetis writes that when he had com - policies of the Ottoman Empire against its Ascension. pleted the copy of the manuscript; the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian populations. The loss had been incalculable, Queen “gave it to a man skilled and hon - “The Armenian Genocide and the related degrading what is considered one of ored in the art of the scribes, in order to Assyrian and Greek Genocides were the result the most valuable holy objects in the adorn it.” of a deliberate and systematic campaign against art treasures of the Armenian patriar - That man has been identified as Toros the Christian minorities of the Ottoman Empire chate. Roslin. between 1914 and 1923,” Kelly said. Not any more. Nersessian notes that manuscripts were “Aside from the deaths, Christian minorities The two “prodigal sons” are back regarded with a deep sense of veneration in of the Ottoman Empire had their wealth and where they belong, a magnanimous the Medieval Ages which accounts for “the property confiscated without compensation. boon granted the Armenians by Greek abundance of various kinds of warning Businesses and farms were lost, and schools, shipping magnate, Thanassis with respect to the proper handling of man - churches, hospitals and monasteries became Martinos, who had acquired them uscripts, as well as anathemas against from Dutch antiquities collector those who violated these injunctions.” the property of the Ottoman Empire.” Roslin’s depiction of the evangelist St. Mark The member for Hughes underlined the Michel Van Rijn, from the latter’s icons “The scribes beseech the owners of the importance for Australia to recognize this crime and east Christian works of art. manuscripts, whether individuals or ecclesi - against humanity. In a statement issued here, the patri - astical institutions, not to regard manuscripts “It is now time for our parliament to join archate revealed that the train of events leading to the repatriation as sellable merchandize or an object that can be mortgaged,” he points other parliaments around the world and recog - of the missing pages began in May this year when Timothy Bolton, out. nize these genocides for what they were,” Kelly Medieval manuscript expert at Sotheby’s London, contacted Dr. Vrej “They placed a moral obligation on future generations to recover stated. Nersessian, curator in charge of the Christian Middle East section in manuscripts carried off as booty, by ransom or other means. Turnbull, also delivering his first parliamen - the British Library for expert opinion on the provenance of the two Captured manuscripts were never referred to as booty, but rather, tary speech on this issue, said, “They are assem - miniatures. like human beings, they were either carried off into captivity or they bled here, as we are, to lament what was one of Having investigated the matter and provided the required docu - were rescued or purchased from captivity.” the great crimes against humanity, not simply a mentation of proof of the unlawful removal of the leaves from the Nersessian quotes an example of this kind of injunction in a crime against the Greeks, the Assyrians and the Queen Keran Gospel , Martinos graciously agreed to return the gospel manuscript copied by a scribe, Kostandin Vahkatsi, in 1413: Armenians but a crime against humanity — the miniatures as gift to the Armenian patriarchate of Jerusalem, the “Let no one remove it from this place, let no one hand it over to elimination, the execution, the murder of hun - handover facilitated by Nersessian. an infidel... Let them put it in safekeeping in a fort, or take it to the dreds of thousands of millions of people for no For years, the Patriarchate’s Grand Sacristan, Archbishop island of Cyprus, and when the danger has passed, bring it back to reason other than that they were different. This Nourhan Manoogian, has cherished a dream of reproducing the this place and receive their fitting reward.” type of crime, this sort of genocidal crime, is gospel in facsimile, he confided to me. He realizes that an exact fac - Another scribe, Avag, showers curses in a 1337 colophon on any - something that sadly is not unique in our expe - simile will be an expensive exercise, but he is comforted by the expec - one who would “dare to steal this holy Gospel, or tear off pages from rience.” tation of intense demand from particularly from discerning collec - it, or remove it from the great church . . . may he share the fate of The member for Wentworth reflected on the tors, including museums and libraries. Cain, Judas and the crucifiers and inherit the doleful maledictions.” Ottoman Empire’s record of multiculturalism of And now that the Queen Keran Gospel is whole again, interest in While another colophon dated 1410 threatens that whoever which these genocidal crimes constituted an the acquisition of a facsimile will undoubtedly increase. “approaches this holy book with a sword or a knife and cuts off folios aberration. Experts note that the technology is certainly available in such a from this book, may the flaming sword cut off his loins.” “We lament today great crimes but also the highly advanced IT location as Israel, but believe costs might be But whoever ripped off those two pages from the Queen Keran loss of diversity and the loss of tolerance,” lower abroad. Gospel some 100 years ago, apparently had not heard of the curses Turnbull said. The 1272 manuscript is considered the most elegant produced of the manuscripts. The member for Melbourne Ports and chair - man of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Michael Danby, affirmed the historical reality of the cut short for no other reason than for their eth - diers and survivors there is little doubt that the ognize the truth of history-truth that was Armenian Genocide during a debate in the nicity,” said Fitzgibbon. massacre of an estimated 1.5 million recorded even by the Australian media as it was House of Representatives on a motion related “The best and most effective way to heal the Armenians, one million Greeks and 750,000 occurring, at the beginning of the 20th centu - to the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica. wounds carried still by Armenians today is to Assyrians fits this definition.” ry-and so I officially call on our parliament “... Adolf Hitler, said on August 22, 1939, on recognize and acknowledge both the events of Alexander called upon the Australian govern - again to recognize the genocide of the the eve of perpetrating another genocide, ‘Who the past and the motivations behind them. Only ment to join the wave of international recogni - Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians that occurred remembers the Armenians?,’ referring to the then will the global community collectively be tion of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian in Ottoman Turkey between 1915 and 1923.” failure of anyone to react to Turkey’s genocide able to offer the Armenian people and others Genocide. The member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher, of two million Armenians. It is because he was sufficient empathy. And only then will the inter - “I urge the government to follow in the foot - once again affirmed the historical reality of the able to say that in Europe in the 1930s that fur - national community be able to genuinely claim steps of so many nations in formally recogniz - Armenian Genocide and called for its official ther tragedies engulfed Europe,” said the mem - an unqualified determination to identify and ing these genocides. The actions of members of recognition by the Australian government dur - ber for Melbourne Ports. eradicate genocide in any and every corner of this parliament will help to solidify the global ing a constituency speech on November 22. Danby emphasized the need to acknowledge the globe.” movement to identify these atrocities for what “Consistent with the definition of genocide, and remember past genocides in Armenia, The member for Bennelong, John Alexander, they are.” these deaths took place with the clear intent of Rwanda, Darfur and Srebrenica to prevent such reaffirmed his support for the recognition of The member for North Sydney, Joe Hockey, destroying Armenians as an ethnic group. horrible crimes from recurring. the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides emphasized the strong connections between “Some 20 countries around the world have The member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon, during an adjournment speech on November Australian history and the genocide that began declared these events as genocide. These coun - voiced similar sentiments in his first public 21. in 1915 during an adjournment speech on tries include Canada, France and Germany. It statement on this issue. Recalling the 1948 United Nations’ November 21. is time that the Australian government also “We should collectively spend more time rec - Convention on the Prevention and Punishment Hockey called for an official Australian recog - recognized what happened in the early ognizing that between 1915 and 1923 hun - of the Crime of Genocide, Alexander said: nition of this crime against humanity. decades of the last century as genocide,” stat - dreds of thousands of Armenians had their lives “From the eyewitness accounts of ANZAC sol - “We as a nation should no longer fail to rec - ed Fletcher. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Arakelian Family Receives Grant from Renovates Getapi Gelfand Family Charitable Village School in Trust for Science Program Honor of Jack WATERTOWN — St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) announced recent - ly that the school is going to be part of a Arakelian Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Initiative funded by the Gelfand Family GLENDALE, Calif. — The Arakelian family, Charitable Trust. led by Ron Arakelian Jr., has sponsored the The school has received a $10,000 planning renovation of the Getapi village school in the grant from the STEM fund for the 2011-2012 Shirak region of Armenia. This renovation academic year, to create a four-year strategic was done in memory of Jack Arakelian, who plan geared toward infusing STEM into the cur - was born in the village on March 3, 1913 and ricula and school culture. later emigrated to the United States. The ren - “Our mission will be to increase the focus and ovation was completed through the guidance emphasis on science, technology, engineering and the management of the Armenian and math (STEM) throughout our school, in Educational Foundation (AEF). The order to create and support a deep and sus - Arakelians donated $75,000 to underwrite tainable culture of inquiry-based teaching and the renovation as part of the AEF’s 60th learning that excites and inspires our students,” anniversary celebration, which took place in said SSAES Principal Houry Boyamian. November 2010. At the end of the planning year, grantee Jack Arakelian was a long-time member of the AEF, serving as president from schools that submit a strategic plan that is Painting of Gabriel, by Ana Edwards approved will then be eligible to receive up to 1968 to 1979. $10,000 annually for four years, subject to The village of Getapi (originally named annual review and evaluation of plan imple - Ghasmal) lies in the foothills of the Aragats mentation. mountain range. Getapi was founded in “We have already formed the STEM Team From Armenian History to 1827-1828 by immigrants from Kars, that will convene at least four times during the Alashkert, Manazkert and Moush, forming planning phase,” added Boyamian. The team is 40 households. In the mid-20th century its made up of three elementary teachers, the tech - Black-American History: population reached 1,100 and the current nology teacher, the preschool director, a parent count is 830. Getapi is 18.6 miles from Gumri with a strong science background, a college Elizabeth Cann Kambourian and 62.2 miles from Yerevan. instructor and the principal. The Getapi school building was origi - To learn more about St. Stephen’s Armenian nally built in 1950 and in 1994 it became Elementary School, visit www.ssaes.org. RICHMOND, Va. — Elizabeth Cann Kambourian was a student at Virginia a high school, producing its first gradu - Commonwealth University in Richmond, majoring in history when she decided to ates in 1996. The school currently has 95 write her honors thesis on the first Republic of Armenia. Many years later she students, yet in the past that number has became an expert in an important American reached 160. It has 21 teachers and five slave rebellion in Richmond. In both cases, staff members. St. David’s Pastor By Aram Arkun curiosity about people and things around her Prior to the renovation, the school was Mirror-Spectator Staff stimulated her research. in a deplorable condition. During the ren - Celebrates 20th Kambourian was 28 when she went to col - ovation the windows were replaced, the lege, having already gotten married and floors were replaced and painted, the formed a family. She was working in a jewelry store run by her husband’s family, walls were all repaired and painted, the Year of Ordination the Kambourians, and would walk to classes from work. Kambourian explained doors were replaced, new gutters were that her husband’s family history was interesting. The Kambourians were a pros - installed outside the building and new FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — On Sunday, perous family in Erzerum. As a result of a quarrel there, one young son, Manuel, concrete walkways were installed along all November 6, a committee which has come was sent abroad in the early sides of the building. The Arakelians’ together to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1880s, initially to France. He then donation also helped furnish the school ordination to the priesthood of Rev. Nareg came to New York and became a with desks, tables for the teachers, filing Berberian, pastor of St. David’s Armenian jeweler like his father. After some cabinets, chairs and blackboards. Church, met. The meeting was chaired by Carol business disagreements, he immi - The administrator of the village, Mr. Norigian. The members of the committee are: grated to Richmond and started a Sanosyan, stated that the school renova - Armen Melkonian, Rose Kazanjian, Rose rug business. He had three sons, tion has had an enormous impact for the Tatarian, Nadia Isguzar, George Stapan, Nina two of whom took over the rug village. “The school was very humid and business — which still is flourish - the overall sanitary conditions were very ing today in the hands of a fourth- poor which potentially could have caused generation Kambourian, and the disease and other health hazards. youngest of whom went into the However, after the renovations all these jewelry field. issues have been resolved.” Sanosyan One relative, Dikran Najarian, added, “This program has been very married to a Kambourian, was a important and has become a source of Tashnag, or member of the inspiration for the villagers. They feel that Armenian Revolutionary their compatriots in America are with Federation. He went back to the them and if necessary can help financial - Ottoman Empire in the beginning ly and morally. Our deepest gratitude to of the 20th century and got you. The people of the village are appre - arrested and was executed. His ciative and grateful to the AEF and the final writing from jail is preserved Arakelian family for their generosity.” by the family. The villages of Armenia have great sig - As Kambourian took an interest nificance for Armenia and the diaspora. in the family’s history, one of her Aram Kambourian, father of Manuel and a These villages hold the key to Armenian husband’s uncles gave her various jeweler in Erzerum traditions and customs; hence, their family documents, including pho - preservation is imperative. Today’s global tographs, Ottoman travel papers circumstances put more pressure on Rev. Nareg Berberian and a work permit for the aforementioned Najarian. Armenian villages by threatening their Kambourian wrote her undergraduate thesis on the first Republic of Armenia mere existence. Therefore, it is important but gave background dating back to 1870. Her professor was able to give her good to keep Armenians strongly connected Stapan, Claudette Sarian, Maral Kazandjian guidance and she used contemporary French and English newspapers among her with their land. Recognizing the impor - and Beatrice Babgouni. sources. tance of the village, AEF focused its ren - The committee decided to hold this function Ironically, as Kambourian pointed out, while in college “I skipped American his - ovation program to village schools in on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Mardigian tory altogether, but ended up getting involved in it in the end.” It turned out that Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. Church Hall. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the house that she and her family bought in 1974 played a key role in this. The For 60 years AEF has been providing Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian see KAMBOURIAN , page 8 financial assistance to students and edu - Church, will preside over this function. Also cational institutions. participating will be Archbishop Vicken Aikazian. 6 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Archbishop to Preside over Requiem Service for Filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian

LOS ANGELES — A requiem service will be an accomplishment which earned him an invi - index and disseminate the 400 interviews he held on Sunday, December 11, at 4 p.m. for doc - tation to be a member of the Explorer’s Club of had filmed in 10 countries. umentary filmmaker Dr. J. Michael Hagopian New York and Adventurer’s Club of Los He died on December 10 of that year, at the on the one-year anniversary of his passing. Angeles. He spent 40 years filming the testi - age of 97, his legacy secure. Immediately after the service at St. Peter monies of Armenian Genocide survivors and A four-minute mini-documentary about Armenian Church in Van Nuys, which will be eyewitnesses. He also was instrumental in Hagopian made by Council Member Paul officiated by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, establishing the Narekatsi Armenian Chair at Krekorian’s director of special projects, Hrag there will be a one-hour program in the church UCLA in 1969 and was one of the community Yedalian, will be screened during the memorial hall celebrating Hagopian’s legacy, followed by leaders who founded the City of Thousand program, and composer Alan Roubik will per - a light reception. The memorial program will Oaks in 1964. With four other Armenian form two piano pieces: Spirit of Armenia and touch on Hagopian’s numerous activities and activists, he created the Armenian Film The March , which he composed for Hagopian’s his legacy as a filmmaker, humanist and vision - Foundation in 1979. 2003 documentary, “Germany and the Secret ary. Hagopian’s last major public act was in April Genocide.” Hagopian made 70 educational films and doc - 2010, when he signed an historic agreement The memorial program is organized by the umentaries exploring the diverse cultures and with the University of Southern California Armenian Film Foundation and the Hagopian Dr. J. Michael Hagopian geography of the world during his long career, (USC) Shoah Foundation Institute to digitize, family. The public is invited. There is no charge.

OBITUARY Paul Motian Jazz Drummer

Philadelphia on March 25, 1931, and reared in By Ben Ratliff Providence, RI. In 1950 he entered the Navy. After briefly attending its music school in Washington, he sailed around the NEW YORK (New York Times) — Paul Mediterranean until 1953, when he was sta - Motian, a drummer, bandleader, composer and tioned in Brooklyn. He was discharged a year one of the most influential jazz musicians of the later. last 50 years, died on Tuesday, November 22, in He met Evans in 1955 and by the end of the Manhattan. He was 80. decade he was working in a trio with him and The cause was complications of myelodys - the bassist Scott LaFaro. That group, in which plastic syndrome, a blood and bone-marrow dis - the bass and drums interacted with the piano order, said his niece, Cindy McGuirl. as equals, continues to serve as an important Motian was a link to groups of the past that source of modern piano-trio jazz. informed what jazz sounds like today. He had In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Motian been in the pianist Bill Evans’s great trio of the played with many other bandleaders, including late 1950s and early 1960s and in Keith Jarrett’s Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Mose Allison, Tony so-called American quartet during the 1970s. Scott, Stan Getz, Johnny Griffin and, for a week, But it was in the second half of his life that Monk. After leaving his partnership with Evans, Nardolillo Funeral Home he worked steadily with the pianist Paul Bley, Est. 1906 whom he often credited with opening him up to John K. Najarian, Jr. greater possibilities. Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director “All of a sudden there 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 was no restrictions, not even any form,” he told 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 the writer and drummer www.nardolillo.com Chuck Braman in 1996. “It was completely free, almost chaotic.” In an interview on Telephone (617) 924-7400 Tuesday, November 22, Bley recalled: “We shared the same philoso - Aram Bedrosian Drummer Paul Motian phy, musically. He knew that what he was doing Funeral Home, Inc. in the past was not his Motian found himself as a composer and band - answer. What he lived for was growth and Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 leader, with work that could be counterintuitive change.” or straightforward, runic or crowd-pleasing. Then, and even more with Jarrett’s quartet in MARION BEDROSIAN Stylish and alert — he wore sunglasses in the the 1970s, Motian moved away from swing- 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN dark and laughed often and loudly — he worked based rhythm; he improvised freely, or played WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN steadily for decades, for the last six years or so off melodic form. Eager to grow beyond per - almost entirely in Manhattan. He had the sup - cussion, he studied and composed on a piano port of the record producers Stefan Winter and he had bought from Jarrett, and in 1973 he Manfred Eicher, who released his music on the made a record of his own compositions for labels Winter & Winter and ECM, and of ECM, “Conception Vessel,” with Jarrett and oth - Lorraine Gordon, the proprietor and presiding ers. One of the last records he made with spirit of the Village Vanguard, who booked him Jarrett’s quartet, “Byablue” (1977), consisted many times a year, either in his own groups or mostly of Motian originals. GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E those of others. (In his 1970s he grew tired of But the old sense of swing never left and it traveling, and anyway, he said, he preferred the later became abundantly clear again, whether James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC sound of his drum kit at the Vanguard.) he was playing an original sketch built on Funeral Counselor The many musicians he played with regularly uneven phrasing with gaps of silence or a root 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 included the saxophonist Joe Lovano and the text of jazz like Body and Soul . Sometimes he www.giragosianfuneralhome.com guitarist Bill Frisell, with whom he had a work - would strip a beat to absolute basics, the sound ing trio; the pianist Masabumi Kikuchi; the sax - of brushes on a dark-toned ride cymbal and the ophonists Greg Osby, Chris Potter and Mark abrupt thump of his low-tuned kick drum. Turner, with whom he played in trios and quar - Generally, a listener could locate the form, even tets; the members of the Electric Bebop Band, when Motian didn’t state it explicitly. Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a with multiple electric guitars, which in 2006 “With Paul, there was always that ground became the Paul Motian Band and dozens of rhythm, that ancient jazz beat lurking in the others, from developing players to old masters. background,” said the pianist Ethan Iverson, For nearly all of his bands, his repertory was one of the younger bandleaders who played Edward D. Jamie, Jr. a combination of terse and mysterious originals with and learned from him toward the end. he composed at the piano, American-songbook Motian’s final week at the Vanguard was with LicensedFinuNneweYrorak landCNhewaJperseey l standards and music from the bebop tradition Osby and Kikuchi, in September. “He was an 208-17 Northern Blvd.,Bayside, NY 11361 of his youth by the likes of Bud Powell, economist: every note and phrase and utter - Service any Hour Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Charles ance counted,” Osby said on Tuesday, any Distance (718) 224-2390 or toll Mingus. November 22. “There was nothing disposable.” free (888) 224-6088 Stephen Paul Motian was born in He is survived by his sister, Sarah McGuirl. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS TCA Arshag Dickranian School’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

LOS ANGELES — On November 18, the welcoming guests and interac - community of TCA Arshag Dickranian School tively explaining the purpose of enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner- the day. They also used the occa - Dance held each year by the Parent-Teacher sion to thank parents and faculty Organization (PTO) at the Walter and Laurel for the opportunity given to Karabian Hall. them for the quality education Friends, parents, teachers and students they receive at Arshag gathered in the hall to celebrate the occasion Dickranian School. together as one large family. As in previous Following the opening speech, years, the menu comprised an assortment of students from Pre-kindergarten, Armenian appetizers and the Thanksgiving fourth and fifth grades took the turkey. stage respectively and recited Prior to serving dinner, 2010–2011 Student poems and riddles about Council Chairperson Morris Sarafian and cur - Thanksgiving. Sixth-grader rent Student Council Chairperson Lucy Diana Gasparyan recited a poem Bambalyan delivered the opening remarks, about the importance of sharing, Students recite a Thanksgiving poem. which was followed by a poem about luck per - formed by eighth-graders Lilit then gathered on stage and sang various PTO Chairperson Houri Taglyan-Kourouyan Shishikyan and Liana Sultanyan. songs about Thanksgiving. expressed her thanks and appreciation to her Continuing with the program per - On the high school level, the guests were PTO colleagues for organizing the event, formed by an all-student cast, the first, entertained by a live set of short improvisa - Armenian teacher Emma Umroyan, second and third graders delighted the tional performances directed by their English Kindergarten teacher Anahid Avanessian, pre- audience with short plays revolving and drama teacher, Ricardo Rocha. The stu - K teacher Madlena Marikyan, dance teacher around the origin of Thanksgiving, dents were given a time frame of 30 seconds Robert Arakelian and music teacher Komitas ending their performance by singing to two minutes to come up with creative ways Keshishian for putting together the successful This Land is Your Land . Next, ninth- to act on various scenes given by Rocha and program, and Principal Vartkes Kourouyan, grader Armine Gulyan sang Komitas , improvise them, which brought much laughter administrative secretary Arpi Mazloumian and followed by a gymnastics performance and joy. At the end, the panel of three judges public relations coordinator Salpi Asayan for by seventh-grader Elizabeth Petrosyan, gave the first-place award to the 10th-grade extending their services to ensure the success which left the audience in awe of her performers. The program ended with a medley of the evening. Alumna Ani Nercessian and opera singer Ruben Telunts talent. She has been a gymnast since of Armenian folk songs performed by 2011 The event continued into the late hours of sing Armenian folk songs. the age of 4 and is a member of the school alumna Ani Nercessian and opera the night, with attendees dancing to the music Junior Olympic Team. The school choir singer Ruben Telunts. of disc jockey Shahen. Due to the large num - ber of students taking part in the program, the evening turned more into a family-type gath - ering. Over the years, the PTO has supported the school by organizing functions, serving stu - dents’ daily lunches and promoting goodwill. Located at 1200 North Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, the TCA Arshag Dickranian Armenian

Gymnastic performance by seventh-grader Elizabeth Petrosyan

School is a federally-tax exempt, Pre-K to 12th grade private educational institution. For more information, visit www.dickranianschool.org.

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 8 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Children Helping Children in Boston ASA Searches for Scholarship Recipients WELLESLEY, Mass. — The Boston Orphan WARWICK, R.I. — The Armenian and Child Care Committee of the Armenian Students Association of America, Inc. Missionary Association of America (AMAA) (ASA) invites students to apply for its avail - held its 16th annual Children Helping Children able scholarships for the 2012-2013 acad - Luncheon on Thursday, October 27, at the emic year. Established in 1910, the ASA is Wellesley Country Club. the oldest major Armenian organization The luncheon featured both live and silent founded in the United States and to this auctions. Auction items included tickets and day is still highly regarded for the financial memorabilia from all the major Boston sports assistance it gives to deserving Armenian teams, diamond jewelry, framed art, oriental students in the form of scholarships. In rugs, dinners and much more. AMAA Board order to qualify for an ASA Scholarship, of Directors members Edward Avedisian and potential applicants need to meet the fol - Jeanmarie Papelian, Esq. acted as auction - lowing three requirements: must be of Armenian descent, must be enrolled as a full-time student and have completed one full year of academics at a four-year accred - ited US college by June 2012 or must be enrolled in a two-year college and are transferring to a four-year college or uni - versity as a full-time student in the fall 2012, and must be a US citizen or possess the appropriate visa status in order to study in the US. Students who meet these criteria are encouraged to download an online appli - cation, by going to Students from St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School sang at the program. www.asainc.org/national/scholarships.ht ml. Completed applications must be received at the ASA national office no Carolyn Eurdolian and Stephanie Goldstein with eers for the event, and kept the bidding com - from the luncheon were donated to the later than March 15, 2012. For additional live auction artwork petitive and lively. More than 150 guests AMAA’s Orphan and Child Care Fund to ben - questions, write to [email protected]. attended the fundraising event; proceeds efit needy children in Armenia.

From Armenian History to Black-American History: Elizabeth Cann Kambourian

KAMBOURIAN , from page 5 ernor was then James Monroe, the future fifth to look at the Freedmen’s Bureau records. She old lady who sold the house gave her a title president of the United States. After he sup - eventually decided to write a book making this search done in 1918, which traced the plot of pressed the rebellion by force, he attempted to raw information more accessible, and in 1997 land back to 1745, when it was part of a much cover it up, fearing it could cause political trou - published The Freedmen’s Bureau in Virginia . larger tract. Eventually, in the late 1980s, out of ble. It was a presidential election year with This volume provides a list of former slaves and curiosity Kambourian went to the Henrico another Virginian, Thomas County records and found a plan of a planta - Jefferson, vying for the tion, Quincy Plantation, which included her highest position in the own plot. American government. She said, “I knew already that a slave rebel - However, Monroe was lion had taken place in this neighborhood. I unsuccessful and newspa - thought that surely my house would have had pers in the North did write participants since it was adjacent to two other about the event. The plantations where slaves participated. And I did longterm consequences find a slave, George Smith, who was involved. included the strengthening He was a conjurer. It was fascinating.” of restrictions on the The slave rebellion, called the Gabriel rebel - rights and activities of lion after its leader, a blacksmith, was planned slaves. for the summer of 1800. Kambourian said, “The Kambourian’s research rebels were well educated and belonged to lax led her to locate the gal - owners — that is, they were allowed to roam lows where Gabriel was about. They did not have it that bad [compared hung, along with his fellow to other slaves]. They could, however, see dur - conspirators. They were ing their trips for business into Richmond how immediately buried nearby deprived they really were. Death or liberty was Dikran Najarian in the front with the Panama hat in a site which had been their banner.” They had wide-ranging contacts and walking stick; Annie Najarian is the young turned into a parking lot with other slaves and hoped their act would girl in the back who married Manuel on Broad Street. This is spark a broader rebellion. Kambourian; the seated older woman is Lucy the African-American or The rebellion failed, due to betrayal by fellow Najarian. Negro Burial Ground. slaves, as well as torrential rains. Virginia’s gov - Kambourian tried to get people to listen to the results of her research in the 1990s, but she found that nobody was interested until around 2000. She gave a key presentation then in the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Flag rug woven by Manuel Kambourian and displayed at the 1907 Richmond, and an organi - Jamestown Exposition (courtesy of Mark Kambourian) zation called the Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality soon began to cite her discoveries. A freedmen who received food and medical aid struggle was waged to memorialize the burial from the Virginia Freedmen’s Bureau, with ground, and it no longer is used as a parking maps and whatever personal information was site. available in the records In 2002, Gabriel’s death was commemorated At present Kambourian is preparing a book by a resolution of the City of Richmond, and in on the Gabriel rebellion. She has found inter - 2006 Gov. Tim Kaine informally pardoned esting personal motivations for Gabriel and a Gabriel and his collaborators in recognition of number of the chief conspirators which may his struggle to end slavery and promote equali - have led them to rebel despite the relatively ty for all people. good circumstances of their lives as slaves. For While Kambourian was reading in the State example, Gabriel, a handsome young man, may Library in the 1980s and 1990s, she noticed have had his front teeth knocked out and have that African-Americans were always coming in been humiliated and disfigured by his master, Burial Ground for Negroes, looking south to ask about how to start work on their family though they were of the same age and friends genealogies, and the librarians would tell them of sorts. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham Marks 45 Years

CHELTENHAM, Penn. — Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham on Sunday, November 20, as the community commemorat - ed the 45th anniversary of its current house of worship. During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, Barsamian ordained five acolytes (Daniel Aslanian, Shawn Carnavale, Frederick Jordan, Andrew Movsesian and Brian Peckjian) and five sub-deacons (Michael Alexanian, James Keshgegian, Harout Nalbandian, Brian Peckjian and Chris Torcomian). In a sermon on lay ministry — this year’s Diocesan theme — Barsamian spoke about Christ’s call, reminding parishioners that “we are called to be like Christ, to recognize our true identity in and through him and to share who we are with others.” Following services, close to 300 people gath - ered for the celebratory banquet. The Rev. Hakob Gevorgyan, parish pastor, welcomed Barsamian and expressed his gratitude to the banquet committee and the attendees. “Today we thank our Almighty Lord because he gave us the opportunity to have this beauti - ful church and this beautiful property,” Gevorgyan said. “I know your parents and you worked very hard for this church and now you are enjoying the fruit of your labor.” The afternoon program included musical per - formances by local artists Dr. Andre Garabedian and Greg and Karinne Andonian. A photo slideshow featured images of the church through its four-and-a-half decade history. Seated, from left, Rev. Hakob Gevorgyan, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Rev. Karekin Kasparian, with altar servers and choir members at Holy Six individuals who have been faithful ser - Trinity Church vants were recognized as “pillars” of Holy Trinity Church: Robert and Lorraine Damerjian, Larry and Jeanette DerHagopian, “This was a wonderful way of bringing our John Kash and Merle Santerian. The honorees community together,” said Merle Santerian, were presented with the St. Vartan Award by who has chaired the Parish Council and con - Barsamian. tinues to be involved in parish organizations. “I

ON DECEMBER 13 Vote For Jon Hecht

Rev. Hakob Gevorgyan and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with the St. Vartan Award recipients at Holy Trinity Church

Representative am grateful and blessed to have the opportuni - and Sister Emma from the Armenian Sisters ty to contribute to this parish and I am honored Academy. to have received this beautiful award.” “I was pleasantly surprised to see all the peo - Hecht Barsamian spoke about the importance of ple, especially the representation by our friends carrying forward the mission of the Armenian from all of the other Philadelphia-area Launches Church and emphasized each parishioner’s role Armenian churches,” said parishioner Tanya in helping to realize that mission. He said the day’s celebration was “an Campaign opportunity to express that we are a living Armenian Church and that in for Senate our togetherness we can answer God’s call.” Seat Holy Trinity Church was originally Rep. Jonathan Hecht, a friend located elsewhere within Philadelphia but when a fire destroyed the church of the Armenian community of building in 1964, parishioners decided Massachusetts and a sponsor to rebuild outside the city and pur - chased property in the Cheltenham of the Armenian Genocide The 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex suburb. The present church was con - Commemorations in the State Senate district in Massachusetts secrated in September 1966. includes Watertown, Belmont and The 45th anniversary celebration House, has announced his parts of Cambridge, Allston- was the result of the collaborative candidacy for the Senate seat Brighton, the Fenway and the efforts and service of the entire parish. Back Bay. On this occasion the community also of Sen. Steven Tolman, who welcomed a number of special guests: For more information contact State Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordained acolytes and sub- has resigned. Representative Jon Hecht at the Very Rev. Oshagan Gulgulian, pas - deacons during a recent visit to Holy Trinity Church of tor of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Cheltenham, Penn. Church of Wynnewood; Rev. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of St. Gregory the [email protected] Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY; Rev. Paretchan. “Events like this bring everyone Vertanes Kalayjian, former pastor of St. Mary together as a community and ignite energy 617.320.8905 Church of Washington, DC and Sister Arousiag among us. We couldn’t ask for anything better.” 10 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O ACYOA Leadership Conference Discusses Cardinal Christian Virtues

STONY POINT, N.Y. — ACYOA members the young people to think about the way in which areas of need in one’s community. attending a leadership conference last weekend they love others, and how they might work to “This weekend really started from scratch by learned that love and service are at the heart of strengthen their relationships. teaching us to lead by the example of loving all. strong leadership. Deacon Ryan Tellalian spoke about Holy This is the first step in being a leader,” said The conference, held November 4-6, brought Matrimony and Holy Orders, explaining the simi - Melissa Mardoian of Sts. Joachim and Anne together 70 young people representing 23 parish - lar emphasis on love and service found in both Church of Palos Heights, Ill. “We can now go and es to examine how Christ calls his followers to sacraments. He also underlined the importance show our love by starting good service projects in serve. Under the guidance of clergy and lay lead - of sacrifice as it applies to both marriage and the our parishes.” ers of the Eastern Diocese, the ACYOA partici - priesthood. The evening concluded with a special work - pants discussed their roles in answering that call Deacon Benjamin Rith-Najarian led a Bible shop titled “Let’s Get Creative: Self Expression as leaders in the ACYOA and the church. study on 1 Corinthians 13 (“Love is patient, love Through Art” — which asked participants to sum - The conference was planned by the ACYOA is kind, love envies not.”) Participants reflected marize what they learned by presenting a skit or Central Council, and held at the Don Bosco on the adjectives used to describe love in the well- a song or making a collage based on the day’s Retreat Center. Also joining the ACYOA members known passage, and shared which of those char - lessons. were young representatives from sister Coptic acteristics they saw in themselves. “The leadership skills they worked on were not designed to teach them how to run a meeting or create a program,” said Sabounjian. “They were designed to teach them how to be true servant leaders through the way they live their lives and make their decisions based on Christian love.” On Sunday, Sabounjian celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the retreat center chapel, with young people assisting on the altar and singing in the The Rev. Krikor Sabounjian, conference chap - choir. lain, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the retreat “I thank God that I was given the opportunity chapel. to serve as the chaplain for this year’s ACYOA Leadership Conference,” Sabounjian said after the conference. “I was, once again, extremely definitely taking a good chunk back home with impressed with the quality and seriousness of me,” said Alina Grigorian of St. Mesrob Church of purpose exhibited by these young adults of our Racine, Wis. “I would encourage every young per - Diocese. Their thirst for spirituality and a deeper son to try and attend an ACYOA Leadership ACYOA Leadership Conference participants take part in Bible study sessions. relationship with our Lord is truly refreshing and Conference in the future.” inspiring.” ACYOA Central Council Chair Danny Mantis Following services, the young people had an added that he was pleased with the turnout. and Indian Orthodox Churches. Greg Torosian of Holy Trinity Church of opportunity to participate in an open forum with “Since the year 2000, the ACYOA Leadership Titled “Let Love In,” the conference opened on Cambridge, Mass., said he found this session par - the ACYOA Central Council in which they shared Conference has been one of the most successful Friday evening with a vespers service and intro - ticularly helpful. “Applying St. Paul’s letter to the their concerns and hopes for the future of the programs sponsored by our organization,” he ductory remarks by conference chaplain, the Rev. Corinthians on love to today’s world allowed us to organization. said. “I was especially inspired to see so many new Krikor Sabounjian. ACYOA Central Council focus on how to better live in the world today,” he “I learned a lot during this gathering and I am people attending this year’s conference.” Program Coordinator Olivia Derderian and Vice said. Chair Karen Dardarian, who helped put together Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, youth director of Holy the sessions, welcomed participants and outlined Trinity Church of Cambridge, Mass., and Maria the goals of the weekend gathering. Derderian, youth minister at St. James Church of On Saturday morning, Sabounjian spoke about Watertown, Mass., gave a presentation titled divine love and human love. He stressed that “Service and Witness.” They spoke about the divine love is unconditional while human love is importance of sharing one’s gifts with others and often tinged with expectations. He encouraged gave practical tips on identifying and addressing Reception for Artsakh Delegation at UN Mission

NEW YORK — On November 18, Armenian during the 1990s to help the Artsakh liberation Ambassador to the United Nations Garen struggle. Nazarian hosted a reception at the Armenian Upon receiving the medal, Roubian said, “I Mission in honor of Artsakh President Bako accept this medal on behalf of the many brave Sahakian and his delegation. During the recep - soldiers of Karabagh who died in the fight for tion, Sahakian bestowed upon Andreas the liberation of Karabagh. Today we are strong Roubian the Vachagan Parebashd Medal for his and we are able to depend on ourselves and unwavering support for the people of Artsakh. defend our country.” He added that he hoped Roubian was the chairman of the Karabagh this independence and strength would be a hall - Committee of East Coast, which was formed mark of the future of Armenia.

From left, Andreas Roubian, Karabagh Primate Archbishop Pargev Martirossian, Karabagh President Bako Sahakian and Ambassador to the UN Garen Nazarian S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Ne w York M E T R O The Toufayans Bring Miracles to the Village of Zangakatoun

ened 3-year-old boy a kiss on his cheek. four children, including a brother Krikor, and sis - in Orlando, and is responsible for having the hall By Florence Avakian In the center, Gregory Toufayan, the ters, Armine and Maro, and educated in French expanded in the St. Mary Armenian Church in Toufayans’ son, has established through FAR a Catholic schools. His mother, Siranoush, was Livingston, NJ. digital media lab with several state-of-the art com - born in Izmir and his father, Haroutiune, hailed Toufayan considers his greatest joy to be his NEW YORK and YEREVAN — “We want to puters and modern media equipment. As the from Yozgat, losing members of his family in the family and his good health. Though he impress - show the local people in Armenia our warmth Toufayans walked into the lab, the teenagers Genocide. es one with his obvious warmth, modesty and and our caring for them. And we hope that our who were busily working, stood and gave them a “After classes, I loved watching my father who sincerity, he regards the secret of his success to country Armenia will rise up and advance so that standing ovation and even conducted a recorded established the bread making business in Egypt his “hard work, intelligence, aggressiveness and the people will not leave Armenia which today is interview. Through this program, the Armenian in 1926. I used to love playing and creating with confidence.” a very critical problem,” said benefactor Hratch Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) dough,” he recalls. “Until now, I still play with Suzanne Toufayan is the dynamic and buoyant (Harry) Toufayan, America’s “Pita King,” in his has been able to establish a Big Brother, Big dough to create new things,” he recalled. half of this remarkable union. The daughter of a large office complex in New Jersey, recently. “And Sister-type linkage with the youngsters in the His company in America started in 1968, first baker who worked with Wonder Bread, the com - I am very happy to be helping Armenia through center. It will also be used as an occupational in West New York, then in North Bergen. He still pany that Harry Toufayan is now deeply con - the Fund for Armenian Relief.” therapy facility for these children who have little has the original brick oven. On a tour of the nected with, it seemed almost natural that they A month later, Hratch Toufayan and his wife, or no social skills, so that they can return to a Toufayan Bakery in New Jersey beneath his com - would share life together. A graduate of Queens Suzanne, were in Armenia ready to make a his - normal childhood. pany headquarters, workers were busy manning Hospital Center, she worked as a registered toric trip to the picturesque village of The Toufayans also participated in the three- the whirring assembly lines making the various nurse at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital in Zangakatoun, where they have completely refur - day 60th birthday celebration of the Catholicos kinds of Toufayan breads and pita that are best child psychiatry for four years. “I am a bread doc - bished a new section of the school, including of All Armenians Karekin II. As part of the fes - sellers throughout the United States, the tor,” Harry Toufayan said to her when they first classrooms, kitchen, playroom and resting area tivities, they visited the Armenian Church Youth Caribbean and Central America. met. and are also constructing a 200-ton refrigeration Center in Echmiadzin, sponsored and funded by Two other large Toufayan bread-baking plants “It was Harry’s sincerity, honesty and forth - and cold storage unit. them. It is a large, modern structure used by the are located in Orlando Plant City, both in rightness that attracted me immediately,” she As we traveled by bus with several Fund for students of Echmiadzin before and after their Florida. The Toufayan Bakeries employ 800 recalls. “He told me what his dream was, and Armenian Relief (FAR) employees, through the school day, housing daily classes in sports (gym - workers, and service tens of thousands of out - when you love someone, you want to do it lush Ararat valley in November, the beauty of nastics, wrestling), music, drumming, dance, dec - lets, including retail, wholesale, food service, cafe - together. We looked forward all the time, never Armenia’s mountainous landscape was alive with orative arts and crafts, chess, rug-making, weav - terias and restaurants. They also produce count - giving up, even when times were hard. When we fall foliage and sheep grazing on sparse grass - ing, needlepoint and religious education. less products for the Arnold and Thomas com - made a decision, we stuck with it.” lands. The village of Zangakatoun, nestled in While the students (ranging in age from 4 to panies. He attributes the secret of his company’s Of French-Canadian and German heritage, she snow-covered mountains near the Azeri grew up in a mixed neighborhood, and border, was founded in 1828, and is the quickly became part of the Armenian- birthplace of the poet Paruyr Sevak. American community. “Most people were On arrival, we were greeted warmly by very welcoming. I felt comfortable.” the village governor and a large group of After 43 years of marriage, “I wouldn’t the 1,300 villagers and school children. change anything,” she declares without Welcoming remarks were offered by hesitation. Her greatest passion is her Armenia’s FAR director, Bagrad family, she says, adding, “and exercise.” Sargsyan, and the village governor who She ran and completed the New York expressed deep appreciation to the marathon at age 51. Now her two daugh - Toufayans. He noted that their gift is ters are following in her footsteps and in “most valuable because it is for our November completed the same marathon. future, our children. No matter where we Suzanne Toufayan, who was in Armenia live, we are all Armenians,” he stated. at the time, stayed up late to hear the Before cutting the ribbon for the good news. newly-reconstructed school that will ben - And it has been through her influence efit 80 kindergarteners, an emotional that the three children went to Saturday Hratch Toufayan, in a choked voice, Armenian school, Sunday school, attend - replied, “You don’t need to thank us. You ed the Armenian church and joined the are our brothers and sisters, and we can ACYOA. Now all seven grandchildren never forget you. Our children are our attend the Hovnanian school and like miracles.” their parents, speak Armenian. Suzanne Toufayan concurred, “We are The Toufayan family, including the two very proud and happy to accomplish daughters and son, all work in the this. The children are our future.” Toufayan enterprise. Kristine Toufayan The Toufayans at FAR’s Children Center (photo taken by children of the center using cameras and computers in the Many were seen wiping away tears. To Casali, the controller in the company, Toufayan Media Lab) the delight of all, the children recited and worked behind the counters, packing and sang during the beautifully-prepared delivering bread from her childhood days. reception, after which a handmade cross “I’ve done everything,” she says proudly. in a decorated wooden case was presented to the 18) attend the various classes, their mothers take success to the “quality and variety of the prod - Now, a wife and mother with a daughter and a Toufayans. advantage of the computers in another area. In uct, to the ingredients and to automation.” son, she still considers it “a joy” to come to work The group then toured the stone shell of the addition to these classes, there is a soup kitchen Harry Toufayan reveals that he “loves” the every day. “We each have our niche, and we all huge Toufayan-sponsored Business Support in the building established this year, where 200 business because “bread is like a saint, like com - get along. It stems from the ideals instilled in us Development Center, which will house the refrig - seniors eat a nutritious lunch every day. munion. It is the bread of life.” He relates that by our grandfather and father who took care of eration and cold storage unit that is soon to be Throughout the building, the art and craft tal - when he first visited Armenia in 1983 with his his parents throughout their lives in his home.” completed. This cooling facility is being built ents of the youngsters were on display, creating whole family, he “saw poor people getting up at Karen Toufayan Nargizian, head of sales and with new technology introduced by the a warm and inspirational atmosphere. We visited 4 a.m. to get a loaf of bread. So if I drop any marketing, wife and mother of three sons, again Megerian-Shin company. each and every classroom where the children bread, I always pick it up.” accentuates the great family bond due to their The Zangakatoun community is famous respectfully stood and clapped as we entered. To parents and grandparents. “We did, and still do throughout Armenia for the high quality and everyone’s delight, Suzanne Toufayan joined the ‘In My Blood to Help Armenia’ everything together. On weekends, other peo - large production of apples, as well as other fruits. students in the dance class and perfectly followed In 1989, following the earthquake, he ple’s kids were going to other houses to play. In However, its economic sustainability has been the steps with the group. returned to Armenia with his father, met with our house, other kids came to our home. We hampered due to lack of a facility to store this A few days later, the Toufayans again went to Catholicos of All Armenians Vasken I and offered even do family trips together.” Just recently, the crop and other harvested fruits and vegetables. the Armenian Church Youth Center where the to donate some bread making machinery to Toufayans — 16 parents, children and grandchil - “It’s a good model of the Fund for Armenian students presented a recitation, music and dance Armenia. “It did not happen because the circum - dren — took an Alaskan cruise together. Relief engaging a local community into produc - performance, after which the school principal stances were not right. However, it was in my Gregory Artin Toufayan, vice president of tive, mutually beneficial and honest business presented handmade gifts made by the students blood to help Armenia,” he declares. Toufayan Bakeries, who oversees the three fac - cooperation,” said Toufayan. “When many peo - to the Toufayans and expressed appreciation for When he again asked the catholicos how he tories in New Jersey and Florida, again spoke of ple are speaking of corruption and ‘oligarchiza - their generosity. Hratch Toufayan said, “It is could help his homeland, it was suggested that the strong family bond. He recalls growing up tion’ of Armenia’s business environment, this is always sad to leave our Armenia, but we will he renovate an abandoned youth center in with his grandparents, eating Toufayan bread - an alternative approach — an open, transparent return again and again.” Echmiadzin which took five years, and opened to sticks dipped in tea and milk and watching accountable business cooperation with high great fanfare in 2007 with the catholicos in atten - “Loveboat” with his grandparents. “It was integrity of relations between clients. Agriculture A Model Family dance, as well as 134 of his family and friends unthinkable to act differently.” Married with a is the major economic source of the Ararat The Toufayans — Hratch (Harry) and Suzanne, from all over the world. daughter and two sons, he says, “Nothing has Valley, and the Toufayan Business and Support son Gregory and daughters, Kristine and Karen, This was followed by his funding of the reno - appealed to me more than what I’m doing. Center, through FAR, will provide technical as — are an unusually close-knit family, working vation of the kindergarten and building of the Baking bread has a special lure. It is almost well as marketing support to farmers of together in the family business and spending refrigeration and cold storage plant in holy.” Zangekatoun and neighboring villages.” time together outside of work, preserving the old Zangakatoun through FAR. All three Toufayan children have been to The Toufayans also visited the Children’s family values. Harry Toufayan, owner of “We want to show our warmth, caring and Armenia several times and it is the hope and Center in Yerevan, sponsored by FAR. It is the Toufayan Bakeries, is one of the premier bread love to the people of Armenia. We don’t want the wish of Harry and Suzanne Toufayan that they only establishment in all of Armenia and makers in America, and is popularly known as people to leave Armenia. We want our homeland will continue the Toufayan generosity to Karabagh that takes in and cares for abandoned, the Pita King. He attributes his success to the to rise up and advance so the non-Armenians will Armenia. “There are many examples in the dias - abused, exploited, neglected, maltreated, addict - inspiration he received from his parents whom know there is an Armenia, a country we are all pora where the children do not follow their par - ed or homeless children. During the visit, Hratch he cared for in his home. proud of.” Besides his great contributions to ents’ contributions. I have great faith that our Toufayan knelt down and was able to coax from Born in Heliopolis, Egypt, on Easter Eve, he Armenia, he is also the benefactor of the St. children will follow our example,” states Harry an abandoned and visibly depressed and fright - was appropriately named Haroutiune, one of Haroutiune Armenian Church that is being built Toufayan. 12 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Amaras Art Alliance Prof. Russell to To Sponsor Holiday Concert to Benefit Explore the Juvenile Diabetes Symbolism of Research Foundation

NEWTON, Mass. — The Amaras Art Alliance Bells from Poe of Watertown will sponsor a Holiday Concert at the Union Church, 14 Collins Road in the Waban section of Newton, to benefit the To Sardarabad Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) WATERTOWN, Mass. — Dr. James Russell, on Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at This concert will be filled with Broadway Harvard University, will present a program tunes, classical melodies, the latest pop music titled “The Bells: From Poe to Sardarabad,” on and of course holiday favorites. Thursday, December 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m., The concert will feature 17-year-old tenor at the Armenian Library and Museum of Alexander Carroll, son of Paul Carroll and America (ALMA). Diane Nahabedian, a person with Type I dia - “Church bells are deeply symbolic and of all betes, who will host and perform along with musical instruments may come closest to lan - pop singer Danielle Starz; baritone, Carl guage,” Russell explains. “Edgar Allan Poe’s Wrubel; pianist, William Merrill and the Kranial great final poem, ‘The Bells,’ is language that Kandy Band. “I want to be part of a world that comes closest to music, and the Russian poet lives without diabetes,” says Carroll. “I hope Konstantin Balmont, coming to Poe through that through my efforts as a singer and actor I the French poet Charles Baudelaire, produced can bring attention to the need for more the translation Sergey Rachmaninov used in his research for diabetes. I am so pleased that along symphony, The Bells.” with the other performers we can help JDRF Russell goes on to note that the Armenian continue their amazing work.” poet Rupen Sevag, in Lausanne, wrote a poem, Carroll and Starz appeared in Amaras’ produc - “Bells, Bells!” in reaction to the 1909 Adana tion of Heaven’s Music in February, and Carroll was massacre, and it echoes in the hidden, unpub - featured as a Young Star in 2011 in the Amaras Art lished poems of Yeghishe Charents, who was Alliance Young Stars Concert in May. fascinated by Poe. Poe, in turn, inspired the The aim of Amaras Art Alliance is to promote American protest singer Phil Ochs as well. the rich cultures of people all over the world as Finally Paruyr Sevak, taking the nom de well as to facilitate the exchange of ideas and plume of the earlier poet as his own, rings the expressions between cultures through perfor - bells again in his epic poem, “Anlreli zan - mances, exhibits, lectures, publications, chil - Harry Koundakjian shows some of his photos to Queen Noor of Jordan. gakatun” (“The Unsilenced Bell Tower”) and dren’s art camp, youth cultural travel tours and hymn, Sardarapat, changing the tone of their funding of special programs. chiming from the clangor of disaster to the ring - Amaras creates opportunities for people to ing of survival, defiance and victory. observe, get involved and enjoy the traditions of “We take a philological journey across the all cultures — from folk to the fine arts. Koundakjian Armenian and world cultures and history of two Since its founding in 1970 by parents of chil - centuries, guided by men whose lives ended dren with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has funded uniformly in tragedy, but whose creative work more than $1.5 billion in research. In FY2010 has conquered death,” Russell explained. alone, JDRF provided more than $107 million Rekindles Friendship Russell has been the Mesrob Mashtots for type 1 diabetes research. Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and education. For tickets and information go to amarason - with Queen Noor line.com. For directions to the Union Church, visit ucw.org. NEW YORK — I had been shooting pictures for more than 20 years. One day, while based in Beirut for the Associated Press, I received a call from King Hussein of Jordan. He said to me, “I know you like to take pictures of happy events, and I Erevan Choral Society will give you that event.” Of course I was curious. He said, “Come to Amman tomorrow. It is very impor - Holiday Christmas tant for me.” Early the next morning I flew to Amman, Jordan. A Royal Jordanian Concert on December 11 limousine was waiting. I was driven directly to the palace, where the chief CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Holy Trinity By Harry Koundakjian of protocol told me, “They are in the Armenian Apostolic Church of Cambridge, Fr. garden.” Vasken A. Kouzouian and the Erevan Choral King Hussein and Lisa Najeeb Society and Orchestra will host their annual Halaby were chatting. Minutes later, he said, “I wish to announce that I have decid - Christmas Holiday Concert, celebrating the ed to ask Ms. Halaby to marry me.” That was it. 20th anniversary of the independence of the I took several shots of them talking together, smiling at each other. I was happy Republic of Armenia, to be held on Sunday, myself. Not many photographers get the occasion to take pictures of kings and their December 11, at 3 p.m. fiancées. We had a couple of glasses of juice together, and I had to leave to send my This season’s concert continues the tradition pictures to New York to the Associated Press, for whom I was working at the time. of Armenian choral singing begun by the Very The wedding date was set and, of course, I was on top of the list of press repre - Rev. Oshagan Minassian in 1965, and carried sentatives. Some colleagues were careless and they nearly toppled the wedding on since Minassian’s lamented passing in 2008, cake. They cut the wedding cake with a sword, with members of the royal family by composer and conductor Konstantin present, and all the guests cheering. Again the protocol chief, motioning me over Prof. James Russell in St. Petersburg, Russia Petrossian. The program, as in years past, com - to him, said “Go down to the basement.” I answered him, “I don’t like basements. bines traditional Armenian, classical and They keep you away for a long time as if you are in a prison.” His reply was amaz - Western Christmas music, and, continuing ing. He said, “The king wants you to be there.” University since 1992. He is the author of sev - another Erevan Choral tradition, will feature a I ended up in the Royal Diwan, where King Hussein, Lisa Halaby, her father eral books, and his most recent articles include world premiere, Siro Khosk Hayastanin (Words Najeeb, the king’s brother Prince Hassan, the Mufti of the kingdom, along with the an analysis of the Armenian fragment in the of Love to Our Armenia) by composer Martin prime minister, were all laughing. The moment was important. They all signed the Cairo Geniza and studies of several Armenian Vardazarian. Featured soloists in this year’s con - wedding contract and that was it. I was the only photographer to record this event. magical manuscripts. He is at present writing a cert will be mezzo-soprano Victoria Avetisian, Not even the royal photographer was allowed in. That was in 1978. study of Armenian secret languages, based on a tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan and a new soloist, I met with the former Lisa Halaby, now Queen Noor, again on November 2 of this manuscript at the Oriental Institute of the soprano Noune Karapetian. The balance of the year at a luncheon for journalists that took place at the Dag Hammarskjold Fund Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg. program will comprise a selection of seasonal of the United Nations. She and actress Mia Farrow received UNICEF’s Goodwill Aside from his academic work, Russell this favorites, including both Christmas carols and a Ambassador Inspiration Awards for their humanitarian work. year is spearheading the preparation of an series of powerful settings of Armenian liturgi - I thought presenting Queen Noor with some of my pictures taken in 1978, which exhibit at Harvard next spring, commemorating cal pieces associated with the season. I was sure she did not have, would be a nice gesture. She was very touched and we the 500th anniversary of the first Armenian The concert will take place at Holy Trinity talked for a few minutes, in Arabic, and then we left. printed book, in Venice in 1512. Publications Armenian Apostolic Church, 145 Brattle St. from the extensive Armenian collections at the Admission is complimentary. see RUSSELL, page ? S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Academic, Activist Proposes Vision for Elimination of Mass Violence

moral”; a situation in which one group has group violence: the kind of persons children as admirable is Staub’s vision that reconcilia - By Daphne Abeel become devalued and is targeted for scape- become and the kind of group members they tion, even between the most intractable ene - Special to the Mirror-Spectator goating; passivity in the face of violence on will be. Raising children so that they become mies, is not only desirable, but possible. His the part of both internal and external adults who care about the welfare of other example of personal involvement should go a bystanders; support in a community for a people, who feel empathy and responsibility long way towards inspiring others to partici - small group devoted to a terrorist ideology for others’ welfare and whose caring extends pate in the process of healing and caring. Overcoming Evil: Genocide, V iolent that can contribute to the evolution of terror - to people outside the boundaries of their own Staub has included an interactive feature in Conflict and Terrorism by Ervin Staub. ist violence; and group violence, where the group makes group violence less likely.” Yes, his book, asking readers to post their Oxford University Press. 2011. 581 perpetrators refuse to accept responsibility of course, but the challenge is immense, par - thoughts and suggestions concerning the pre - pp. $50. ISBN 978-0-19-538204-4 and blame the victim, thereby leading to fresh ticularly in societies where families are torn vention of violence and reconciliation on a violence. apart by war and poverty, where there may blog. Interested readers should post their The founding director of the Psychology of Staub identifies several situations that can few or no resources to establish this sort of thoughts and comments to Peace and Violence program at the University become the catalysts for violence. He groups education system. http://overcomingevil.wordpress.com where of Massachusetts, Ervin Staub has pursued a these under the description “difficult life con - In sum, this is a book to admire for its they may be incorporated into essays by lifelong study of violence, its origins and the ditions.” They include economic deteriora - broad based scholarship and analysis of of the researchers and students to further scholar - methods and strategies by which it may be tion, political disorganization, a situation origins of hated and mass violence. And just ship in the field. overcome. where two factions are competing for political While his career has been primarily in power and rapid social/cultural change. academia, he has taken on the role of activist Frustrated needs for security, control, a lack and field worker in his efforts to promote rec - of positive identity, a lack of connection to onciliation in several situations, most notably others, a lack of comprehension of reality in Rwanda, but also through the creation and (knowing how the world operates), lack of jus - Staub’s Boots-on-the-Ground administration of training programs with tice and the lack of transcendence of self, that police in cities such as Los Angeles and is the ability to work for the welfare of others, Work Based on Research Boston. can all create the groundwork for mass vio - This book, a sequel to a previous title, The lence. HOLYOKE, Mass. — In addition to writing many books, Ervin Staub has worked in a Roots of Evil: The Origins of Genocide and Staub draws on the work of many number of situations on the problem of violence prevention. scholars and researchers and using “My work in various field settings has been guided by my academic work,” said Staub these conceptual tools, surveys many in an interview from his home. “In my formal research, I study mass killings and vio - situations in which mass violence has lence in the context of the history of the country, the occurred, including the Holocaust in place and the relationships between people. I apply Germany, the Genocide of the By Daphne Abeel my understanding to different situations, always ask - Armenians in Turkey, the Hutu-Tutsi Special to the Mirror-Spectator ing how can we prevent violence.” genocide in Rwanda, the massacres One of the situations where his help was request - in the Congo, and the Israeli- ed was in Los Angeles after the widely-publicized Palestinian conflict to show, in each beating of Rodney King by the Los Angeles police. case, what led up to violence and “I got a call from the LA Times asking me to analyze what happened. And then I was mass killings. invited to an event organized around the Rodney King incident. I was invited to develop One of Staub’s key concepts is a training program for the police officers which involved the concept of the bystander. that of the bystander —the internal Police officers work in pairs. If one of them gets emotional or threatening towards a cit - bystander, who actually witnesses izen, the other officer is apt to get involved to support his fellow officer.” what is happening, and the exter - Staub added, “It’s a difficult learning process on the part of the police. What does nal, bystander, often in another it mean to support another officer? It can mean intervening to stop an action.” country who observes from afar.. Because of his extensive work in Rwanda to promote reconciliation between the Passivity on the part of either of Hutus and the Tutsis, Staub was asked to come to Amsterdam after filmmaker Theo these groups encourages perpetra - van Gogh was killed by a Muslim jihadist for having criticized the treatment of tors of mass violence. He gives as women by Muslims. Following van Gogh’s death, there were 800 instances of vio - examples the Allies who ignored lence against mosques. the Nazi death camps during “People were very upset. The mayor of Amsterdam invited me to study the situa - World War 11 and the reluctance tion and to create proposals that would make violence less likely between the Dutch of the UN Security Council to and Muslim populations. I interviewed many people, and discovered there was a intervene in Rwanda as it argued great deal of segregation in the schools due to where people lived. There were very over the definition of genocide. few schools where the two populations mixed. I developed a set of proposals to Staub, as noted previously, has which the city administrator responded and there were some mitigations.” intervened personally in a num - Staub also traveled to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. ber of situations to promote the “There was a need to promote racial reconciliation,” said Staub. “After Katrina, strategies of reconciliation and there were certain attempts to make the his involvement in Rwanda provides a portrait city more white, to keep black people out. Other Group Violence (1989) is based on 32 of his idealism and willingness to involve him - The challenge was how to develop more years of research, work in real life settings self in a complex effort to heal a community. positive relations between blacks and and publications on violence between groups With his colleague, Laura A. Pearlman, he set whites, how to make it possible for people and its prevention. He notes in the introduc - up a multi-faceted program of workshops and in one group to see the humanity of peo - tion, “I wrote this book to advance scholar - dialogues between the Hutus and Tutsis that ple in the other group.” ship but also very much to promote practical eventually led to an atmosphere of reconcilia - As noted in his new book, Overcoming efforts in prevention and reconciliation.” tion. Evil, Staub has been deeply interested in Born in Hungary where he lived until the One product of the program was a series or the education of children. age of 18, Staub experienced both the Nazi radio broadcasts that created scenarios with “I have always worked with groups of Holocaust and then the effects of the which the population could identify, portray - teachers and parents on the issue of how Communist regime, and it is these experi - ing both victims and perpetrators. This you raise non-violent children. I’ve worked ences, he says, that motivated him to work on focused and intense effort in a particular sit - with Facing History and Ourselves on cur - the prevention of genocide and the develop - uation bore results, but it’s unclear that the riculum. They use the Holocaust and the ment of humane and caring behaviors in soci - intricacies of these structures could be trans - Armenian Genocide to teach people about eties that have undergone violence and mass ferred to other venues. history and also about the passivity of indi - killing. Staub has a positive and idealistic vision viduals. Why do bystanders remain unin - The book is divided into two parts — the that can be so sweeping as to appear unreal - volved? We teach that there is the poten - first explores the conditions that lead to mass istic. He says, “Dialogue is essential to this tial of a witness to become active, to violence, while the second is devoted to the process [the creation of shared goals]. In the become involved and oppose violence.” principles and practices that can promote the case of group conflict, mediation, dialogue Warmth and affection are necessary to prevention of violence and group reconcilia - and other conflict resolution processes can be raise children, said Staub, but they are not Ervin Staub tion. used to develop a shared vision of society and enough. “You have to teach principles and Staub sets forth several conditions that can shared goals, which then can provide a frame - show children that there are consequences to lead to active group violence: a persistent con - work for peace building.” This prescription is their actions. We place a lot of emphasis on learning by doing, getting children to help flict between groups, based on material admirable, but the practical obstacles can, other people, getting them to engage with people outside their own group.” and/or psychological factors; difficult societal clearly, be immense. This program, Quabbin Mediation, has been in place for five years and can be conditions such as economic deterioration; In Rory Stewart’s observations of Iraqi soci - applied to other settings such as the workplace, said Staub. “Its goal is to train political disorganization or great ety in his book The Prince of Marshes, he active bystanders.” social/cultural change that can often create quotes more than once a mantra that different Staub feels that the Occupy Wall Street movement is a reaction to the myth of confusion and chaos; difficult life conditions, sects and tribes share: “In revenge, there is equality in America. “This myth cannot be maintained when the normal democratic which can cause individuals to turn to a life.” How does a society that espouses that process is subverted by people with money and the lobbyists. I think they are right group that will give them a sense of security, thought make the leap to dialogue and con - about a lot of things except they lack a constructive plan. But I think the movement identity, a feeling of effectiveness and control flict resolution? does support a vision of community that includes everyone — even the rich — not and a meaningful understanding of what is The key to bringing about a world where everyone who is rich wants to maintain the current system. I think they are work - going on around them; harmful actions per - people care for others, identify with others, ing to create a genuine community where everyone deserves respect and considera - formed by individuals or groups that enable a sympathize and empathize with others, Staub tion.” reversal in morality whereby killing members suggests, is education. He says, “There are of the targeted group becomes “right and two outcomes of child rearing that can affect 14 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING ‘Grandma’s Tattoos’ at Watertown Middle School Screening of Suzanne Khardalian Film

WATERTOWN, Mass. — The Armenian Club of Watertown High School, the ARF Boston Sardarabad Gomideh, the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will present Suzanne Khardalian’s documentary, “Grandma’s Tattoos,” on Wednesday, December 14, at 7 p.m., at Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave. Khardalian will be present the evening of the screening and will speak and engage in a ques - tion-and-answer session following the film. “Grandma’s Tattoos” runs for 56 minutes. It contains adult themes and may not be appropri - ate for children under age 13. In 1919, just after the end of World War I, Allied forces reclaimed 90,819 Armenian young Suzanne Khardalian, sitting on right, with a Bedouin family girls and children who, during the war years, were forced to become prostitutes to survive, or had given birth to children after forced or arranged that came from a dark world. They stirred fear in marriages or rape. Many of these women were tat - me. What were these tattoos? Who had done tooed as a sign that they belonged to an abduc - them, and why? But the tattoos on grandma’s tor. European and American missionaries saved hands and face were a taboo. They never spoke thousands of refugees who were later scattered about it,” explains Khardalian. all over the world to places like Beirut, Marseilles “Grandma’s Tattoos” is a journey into the and Fresno. secrets of the family. Eventually, the secret behind “Grandma’s Tattoos” is a personal film about Grandma Khanoum’s blue marks are revealed. what happened to many Armenian women during Khardalian is an independent filmmaker and and after the Genocide. It is a ghost story — with writer. She studied journalism in Beirut and Paris the ghosts of the tattooed women haunting us — and worked as a journalist in Paris until 1985, and a mystery film, where many taboos are bro - when she started to work on films. She also holds ken. As no one wants to tell the real and whole a master’s degree in international law and diplo - story and in order to bring the pieces of the puz - macy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and contributes articles to different journals. She has directed more than 20 films that have been shown both in Europe and the US. They include, among others, “Back to Ararat” (1988), “Unsafe Ground” (1993), “The Lion from Gaza” (1996), “Her Armenian Prince” (1997), “From Opium to Chrysanthemums” (2000), “Where Lies My Victory” (2002), “I Hate Dogs” (2005) and “Young Freud in Gaza” (2009). Admission to the event is free (donations appre - ????? ciated). The film will begin at 7 p.m .

Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2011

????? Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor zle together, the director makes the audience a Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750 move between different times and space, from today’s Sweden to Khardalian’s childhood in and reached out to 3,700 teachers and Beirut. “As a child I thought these were devilish signs school workers in Armenia and Karabagh.

£

K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have the teacher’s name and address. K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Name Address City State Zip code Tel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Mail your check with this form to: TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056

Your donation is Tax Deductible. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Hovannisian’s Family of Shadows Released In Paperback, Translated into Armenian

NEW YORK — Publishing house HarperCollins is offering the paperback release of Garin K. Hovannisian’s Family of Shadows: A Century of Murder, Memory, and the Armenian American Dream, the history of the Hovannisian family: Kaspar — the survivor of Genocide and soldier of General Antranig; Richard — the his - torian and pioneer of Armenian Studies and Raffi — the repatriate citizen and first foreign minister of independent Armenia. The new edition is avail - able on Amazon and at bookstores nationwide. The book, which has accompanied its author on a From left, Garin, Raffi and Richard Hovannisian yearlong tour across the United States and Canada, has received strong critical draws you from page to page with a magnetic force,” praise. “Hovannisian brings a historian’s rigor, a poet’s lyri - remarked Levon Ananyan, president of the Writers’ Union of cism and a native son’s passion to this remarkable book,” Armenia, on the occasion of the release. wrote Samuel G. Freedman, columnist for the New York The Armenian edition is now available at major book - Times. David Ignatius of the Washington Post called it “one stores in Yerevan and at Abril, Berj and Sardarabad book - of modern history’s great unexamined stories.” stores based in Los Angeles. All proceeds will be donated to Family of Shadows has also been translated into the Orran, a non-profit benevolent organization founded by Armenian language by Samvel Mkrtchyan — the editor and Raffi and Armine Hovannisian, which supports needy chil - translator most recently of James Joyce’s Ulysses. The trans - dren and the elderly in Armenia. lation, titled Gerdastan Stverats, was unveiled on September For more information, visit the website 6, at the Yeghishe Charents House Museum in Yerevan. “It www.familyofshadows.com.

Hachig Kazarian and Richard Hagopian Headline St. John Church 80th Anniversary Celebration DETROIT — Kef Time Detroit on November tirelessly for months to organize the 80th 13 was a musical evening to honor the past and anniversary celebration. to celebrate the future. The evening was filled The evening opened with a brief program. with Armenian food and music — a combination Edward Korkoian, master of ceremonies, wel - that made for a great evening. comed everyone and then introduced Brenda Clarinetist Hachig Kazarian and oud player Lawrence, mayor of Southfield, who read a Richard Hagopian were featured in a musical proclamation. Greg Jamian relayed greetings celebration of the 80th anniversary of the estab - from Michigan Gov. John Snyder. St. John’s pas - lishment of St. John Armenian Church of tor, Fr. Garabed Kochakian, offered words of Greater Detroit. congratulations and launched the evening with Kazarian, a native Detroiter, now lives in Las blessing. The warmth and spirit that filled the Vegas. He has been associated with Armenian room was electrifying. The 575 attendees ate, music most of his life and has performed on danced and mingled until 1 a.m. more than 17 recordings. His musical excel - lence has made him one of the foremost Armenian musicians. Hagopian has become one of the most renowned Armenian musicians, preserving Russell to Explore the both folk and classical repertoire of Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. In his Symbolism of Bells youth in Fresno, he learned more than 1,500 folk songs. The New York Times referred to RUSSELL, from page ? Hagopian as “one of America’s most accom - Harvard libraries will be on display, as well as plished folk musicians. loaned items from local Armenian organiza - Uniting these two outstanding musicians, tions including the Armenian Cultural Kazarian and Hagopian, with Harold Hagopian, Foundation, ALMA and the National Bruce Gigarjian and Michael Kazarian made for Association for Armenian Studies & Research a musical evening that will long be remem - (NAASR). Also participating are area universi - bered. Harold and Michael are the sons of ties with Armenian Studies programs, Tufts and Richard Hagopian and Hachig Kazarian and are Boston Universities. continuing the Armenian musical traditions of The public is invited to attend the lecture, their fathers. which is free of charge, and will be followed by The event was sponsored by St. John a reception and refreshments. Further informa - Armenian Church Women’s Guild and the tion about the Russell program or about activi - Men’s Society. The co-chairs, Anna Baylerian, ties at ALMA’s recently renovated building at 65 Yvonne Korkoian, Greg Baise and Daniel Main St. in Watertown Square is available by Cristiano and their committee members worked contacting ALMA at [email protected].

Advertise in the Mirror-Spectator 16 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Zoryan Announces New Book that Sets Post-WWI Ottoman Trials in Their Historical mentation, which the Ottoman government was cities. Often, the articles forced to release during the trials. Second, we were looking for had and Legal Context unlike most books on the Armenian Genocide, been cut out of the paper which are historical interpretations, this study, in one location, but we TORONTO — In the aftermath of its disas - for the first time is based also on the testimony were able to find a copy in trous defeat in WWI, Ottoman Turkey had to of high-ranking Ottoman officials, given under another location.” The face the wartime crime of the destruction of its oath, on the magnitude of the crimes against Zoryan Institute spon - Armenian population. An inquiry commis - the Armenians, and in this sense, serves as a sored the collection of sioned by the Ottoman government in 1919 pre - legal case study of the Armenian Genocide.” these newspapers, their sented enough preliminary evidence to orga - During his more than 50 years of research on translation and transliter - nize a series of trials involving the perpetrators the subject, Dadrian discovered that the Takvim-i ation, as part of the long- of these crimes. It is the record of these trials Vekâyi, the official Ottoman government’s term project known as and the unparalleled details they provide on the gazette, was not the only major source of infor - “Creating a Common planning and implementation of these heinous mation on these military tribunals. In fact, Body of Knowledge,” and crimes that has brought together the two most Renaissance, a French-language Armenian news - retains copies in its renowned scholars of the Armenian Genocide, paper in Constantinople at the time, reported archives. According to the insti - tute’s president, K. M. Greg Sarkissian, “The objective is to provide knowledge that will be shared by Turkish and Armenian civil societies and western scholarship. The aim is to locate, col - lect, analyze, transliterate, translate, edit and publish authoritative, universally- recognized original archival documents on the history of the events surrounding 1915, in both Turkish and English. Elaborating on the impor - tance not only of the pri - mary source material in this book, but also the prosecute cases of mass atrocity, the principles analysis provided by the book’s authors,” he of “crimes against humanity,” which were intro - continued, “the more such documents are duced then, had their echo subsequently in the made available to Turkish society, the more it Nuremberg Charter, the Tokyo Charter and the will be empowered with knowledge to question UN Genocide Convention. This book is an Taner Akçam and Vahakn N. Dadrian narratives imposed by the state. Restoring accu - essential source for historians, legal scholars, rate historical memory will benefit not only political scientists, sociologists, policy makers Turkish, but also Armenian society. Both will be and those interested in Genocide Studies, Professors Vahakn Dadrian and Taner Akçam, summaries of many of the trial proceedings taken emancipated from the straightjacket of the past. Turkish Studies and Armenian Studies. It also in their first joint publication. The Zoryan from the reports of the Ottoman language news - Such a common body of knowledge will hope - holds current relevance, with recent interest Institute announces that after years of research papers of the day, which were otherwise not fully lead to an understanding of each other, act internationally regarding the Armenian and analysis, the authors have compiled for the accounted for in official government records. as a catalyst for dialogue and aid in the nor - Genocide and its denial. first time in English the complete documenta - Akçam, the book’s co-author, noted that malization of relations between the two soci - To order a copy, contact the Zoryan office at tion of the trial proceedings and have set these “While the official government record lists only eties. Judgment at Istanbul is the most recent [email protected]. findings in their historical and legal context. 12 trials, newspapers provide us details on 63. example of the Zoryan Institute’s strong belief The book is titled Judgment at Istanbul: The For the first time, information from the in the importance of a common body of knowl - Judgment at Istanbul: The Armenian Armenian Genocide Trials and is published by Ottoman newspapers of the era has been uti - edge as a key factor in helping the future of any Genocide Trials.. By Vahakn N. Dadrian and Berghahn Books of New York and Oxford. lized to reconstruct the trials. A great deal of relationship between Turkey and Armenia.” Taner Akçam. New York and Oxford: Berghahn In describing the book, Dadrian commented, effort was required to track down all issues pos - The trials described in Judgment at Istanbul Books, 2011. 363p. ISBN 978-0-85745-251-1 “This is a most important work, for two reasons. sible of 14 different Ottoman newspapers, had a far-reaching bearing in the international (hardback), ISBN 978-0-85745-286-3 (ebook). First, it is based on authentic Turkish docu - which meant visiting many libraries in different community. As the first national tribunal to $110.00 ($75.00 to Zoryan Friends). CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

MASSACHUSETTS NEW YORK

DECEMBER 11 — Christmas Holiday Concert: Erevan DECEMBER 3-4 — St. Peter Armenian Church Women Choral Society and Orchestra, 3 p.m., church sanctuary, Guild present their Holiday Bazaar. Gourmet Pantry and Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle Bakery. St. Peter Armenian Church, 100 Troy Schenectady St., Cambridge. Conductor Konstantin Petrossian. For further Road, Watervliet. For info, (518) 274-3673. info, contact the church office at [email protected] or (617) DECEMBER 11 — Armenian Church of the Holy Mar tyrs 354-0632. presents Shnorhali Choir. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of DECEMBER 31 — St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church Armenia’s independence at 4 p.m., Madison Theater of of Merrimack presents its annual New Year’s Gala, Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. For Saturday, at 8:30 p.m. $75 pp, Wyndham Hotel, Andover. info, (516) 678-5000, ext. 7715. Includes mezza and the midnight soujouk and eggs full MAY 19, 2012 — HMADS Gala Dinner Dance. Details to fol - breakfast, buffet and desserts. Music with Richard On Saturday, December 31, St. Gregory low, June 25. HMADS 30th Commencement Exercise at 8 Berberian, Mal Barsamian, Bruce Gigarjian and Ron Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack p.m., Kalustyan Hall. Tutunjian. For tickets, contact Christine Kourkounian at (508) will hold its annual New Year’s Galaat the 878-4199, Greg Minasian at (978) 470-3075 or the church Wyndham Hotel, Andover, Mass. Festivities NEW JERSEY office at (978) 685-5038. include the midnight soujouk and eggs (pic - tured here) full breakfast, as well as live JANUARY 21 — The Armenian Missionary Association DECEMBER 10-11 — Tekeyan Cultural Association, Mher music. Tickets are $75 each. Contact Megerdichian Theatrical group presents Aldo Nigolski’s presents jazz sensation Grace Kelly in concer t. Proceeds Christine Kourkounian (508) 878-4199, “To Kill for Love,” a comedy directed by Gagik Karapetian. to benefit the Avedisian School. National Heritage Museum, Greg Minasian (978) 470-3075 or the church Lexington. Tickets: $35, $20 with student ID. Cocktails, 6:30 office at (978) 685-5038. Oradell Elementary School, 350 Prospect Ave., Oradell, NJ. p.m.; concert, 8 p.m. For more information, visit Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. Call Marie Zokian (201) www.gracekellymusic.com or www.amaa.org. 745-8850 or Maro Hajakian (201) 934-3427. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Erdogan’s Apology Opens a Pandora’s Box Spectator For Turkey when Kilicdaroglu suggested Erdogan’s policy may also By Edmond Y. Azadian force upon Turkey an apology for the Armenian Genocide, much in line with the Diaspora-Armenian thinking. Erdogan retorted: “You are putting me in the same basket with the Established 1932 By all estimates, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Armenian Diaspora! Shame on you! How dare you put me Erdogan is a smart politician and much of the credit of and the Armenian Diaspora in the same basket!” An ADL Publication Turkey’s rise on the international stage goes to him per - Kilicdaroglu said that it is not enough to apologize for sonally and, to some extent, to his party. But his country’s the Dersim massacres and that the state has to open the history does not cooperate with him, since Turkey has too archives on that incident. Opening the archives will become EDITOR many skeletons (figuratively and literally) in its closet and another can of worms, where the military leaders who had Alin K. Gregorian they may jump out at any moment to embarrass the coun - concocted the incident there, where the Alevi population try and its leaders. ASSOCIATE EDITOR had managed to continue in a semi-autonomous system Aram Arkun That is exactly what happened when the prime minister despite Ataturk’s policy of population engineering to made a calculated move to apologize for the mass murders homogenize Turkey, will be implicated. One of the demands ART DIRECTOR of Dersim during 1937-38 operations, when more than of the military, at that time, was for Alevi leaders to hand Marc Mgrditchian 100,00 Alevis and Kurds were massacred in the name of over 25,000 Armenians who had survived the Genocide by PRODUCTION suppressing a so-called revolt. finding a safe haven in Dersim. Another case was the crimes Dilani Yogaratnam Erdogan’s calculated political risk triggered incalculable committed by Sabiha Gokçen, Ataturk’s adopted daughter reactions, which are still piling up. He is a master of and Turkey first military pilot. Armenians in Dersim were hypocrisy and demagoguery; he can use anything and doubly hurt that their “sister” had joined the Turkish mili - everything to pursue his political agenda. tary to shower bombs on them. Hrant Dink had discovered CONTRIBUTORS: But, it seems, this time, there is a boomerang effect that and publicized the fact that Sabiha Gokcen was an Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. may cost Turkey dearly as compared to the anticipated polit - Armenian orphan, much to the chagrin of Turkish racists. Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond ical dividends. Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Of course, the Turkish military conducted carpet-bomb - Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Currently there is a cutthroat competition between ing and exiled the Dersim survivors to other regions of the Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AK) and the republic to assimilate them, after confiscating their proper - Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and both ties. Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, are trying not to leave any stone unturned when it comes Despite Erdogan’s careful delineation of his apology, vir - Taleen Babayan to embarrassing and bringing down the other. tually avoiding and excluding the Armenian Genocide, an The ruling AK Party successfully eliminated a powerful avalanche of press commentaries are demanding apologies opponent, Deniz Baykal, who was the head of the CORRESPONDENTS: for the Armenian Genocide. Republican Party, by leaking a sex tape involving him and It was impossible for Armenians to explode and explore Armenia - Hagop Avedikian a former staffer. The seemingly mild-mannered and moder - Boston - Nancy Kalajian the Genocide issue in the Turkish media in current dimen - Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian ate Kemal Kilicdaroglu replaced him, though now he, too, sions. But one statement by Erdogan didn’t. is spewing fire against Erdogan, his party and his adminis - He may live to regret it, or if we give too much credit to Contributing Photographers: tration. Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair his political acumen, his move may have been a deliberate Hovsepian At this time, accusations and counter accusations are fly - one. ing from one party to the other. Mr. Erdogan had multiple Eren Keskin, a contributor to Radikal newspaper, says The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published targets in mind when he touched upon the Dersim issue, that before anyone else, Turkey should apologize for the weekly, except two weeks in July, by: when he stated: “Dersim is among the most tragic events in 1915 genocide of the Armenians. He has further conducted Baikar Association, Inc. recent history. It is a disaster that should now be ques - a survey among many academics who have come up with a tioned with courage. The party that should confront this series of cases which need apologies. Thus Dr. Mourad 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Telephone: 617-924-4420 incident is not the ruling Justice and Development Party; it Paker brings the case of 5,000 inmates in Diyarbakir prison is the Republican People’s Party which is behind this who were tortured. Another professor reminds people of the FAX: 617-924-2887 bloody disaster, who should face this incident and its chair - massacre of Marash and Chorum. Rifaat Bali brings up the www.mir rorspectator.com man from Tunceli (current name of Dersim).” cases of Jews in Thrace being bankrupted through confis - E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com In a dramatic move, Mr. Erdogan went further by stating: cations in 1934 and the wealth tax on non-Muslims in 1941, For advertising: [email protected] “Is it me who should apologize or you [Kemal Kilicdaroglu]? which sent many to die in labor camps. Regarding the If there is the need for an apology on behalf of the state and Armenians, Keskin insists that an apology is not enough. if there is such an opportunity, I can do it and I am apolo - They also have to be compensated for their losses. gizing. But if there is someone who should apologize on The Human Rights Committee of Turkey has released a SUBSCRIPTION RATES : behalf of CHP it is you, as you are from Dersim. You were communiqué requesting the formation of Truth Committee U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year saying you felt honored to be from Dersim. Now, save your to investigate the issues of the Armenian Genocide and the 1st Class $120 a year honor.” forced assimilation of the Kurdish population. Canada Erdogan, who is fond of asking for apologies from Israel, But the most succinct and sharp questions were asked in Air Mail $125 a year Germany and Armenia, himself was engaged in this apology the newspaper Sabah by columnist Engin Ardic, informing All Other Countries game. that lawyers have already taken up the issue of Dersim and Air Mail $190 a year One of the multiple targets of Erdogan’s apology policy is they are planning to sue the Turkish state. Coming to the Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch to get at the opposition Republican People’s party, founded Armenian case he states that there is a conspiracy of by Ataturk himself. The hot target was Kilicdaroglu, head of silence, especially by the wealthy class. “If you dig down that party. The cold and discrete target, however, is Ataturk their past, you will find out that they murdered Armenians © 2010 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator himself, whose legacy is being dismantled, brick by brick, by and they usurped their properties. Should the case be Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA the ruling Islamist party. raised, there will be an issue of money. They think how and additional mailing offices. The Ergenekon investigations, the arrest of the army could a government compensate Armenians after spending brass and the campaign against the military establishment ISSN 0004-234X $200 billion to suppress Kurdish rebellion? But there is a are all part and parcel of that persistent policy. basic question: is there a principle of continuity in the gov - POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Another target, of course, was the Alevi population in ernment? If no, why apologize for Dersim? If yes, why leave Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Dersim, whose votes the prime minister was wooing. out 1915?” Watertown, MA 02471-0302 All these are on the domestic front. But Erdogan also was These questions lead to the very fact that Mustafa Kemal Other than the editorial, views and opinions targeting his international audience by indicating that Ataturk, under the guise of Europeanizing his country, con - expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the policies of the publisher. Turkey is gradually coming to terms with its bloody histo - ducted the racist policy of the Nazis, as characterized by ry. Thus, he was expecting to win brownie points to be the above writer. In carrying that state policy, he has used applied towards Turkey’s admission to the European Union. and collaborated by all the government officials who had Some quarters in Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora executed the Ittihadist plan of the Armenian Genocide. raised premature hopes that the floodgates of apologies From Sultan Abdul Hamid to Talaat, the genocidal policy Copying for other than personal use or were being thrown wide open and that the next apology has worked inexorably. Ataturk continued it, under the nose internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright could come regarding the Armenian Genocide. But Erdogan of the Great Powers, who even now claim Turkey as our owner. Address requests for reprints or manipulated his debate with the opposition party in such a “trusted ally,” no matter how much blood has stained that back issues to: way that he shut the door on that possibility. To begin with, “ally’s” hands. Baikar Association, Inc. his statement about Dersim case was exclusionary as he The Genocide issue has become a hot topic for Turkish 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 began his statement with the following sentence: society, more than Armenians could anticipate. Should “Dersim is among the most tragic events in recent histo - Turkey take the road to self-cleansing, maybe the turn will ry,” which means there is no event more tragic, thus the come to apologize for the Armenian Genocide. Armenian Genocide is not even being considered. But Erdogan has opened Pandora’s Box inadvertently. Let us Check us out at Erdogan further developed on that exclusionary theme see what may come out of it. mirrorspectator.com 18 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY Turkish Television Takes on Topic of Child Brides

meeting in Izmir, while other women spoke of vio - the report noted. screenplay,” she said. By Susanne Güsten lence, abuse and misery in testimonies collected The commission slammed child marriages as “Will the girl manage to get out of the mar - in the campaign’s book. “We have spent 20 years “violations of children’s rights, women’s rights riage, is she strong, can she liberate herself? That in silence. We are still strangers to each other.” and human rights,” pinpointing the practice as a would be a good thing. But if it turns out to be ISTANBUL (New York Times) — A young girl A national average of 28 percent of Turkish prime cause of domestic violence, infant mortali - just another depiction of a destiny to be borne, in braids and a bridal veil lifts a tear-stained face women are married before the age of 18, Yildiz ty and gender inequality. then it will be a setback.” to the camera. “My name is Hayat, and I am 15 Ecevit, a sociology professor at Middle Eastern “State institutions do not yet address this prob - The production company had contacted the years old,” she tells the audience. “My husband is Technical University, told a parliamentary com - lem sufficiently,” the report found. Flying Broom as a courtesy, but not sought their 70 years old.” mittee hearing on child brides in Ankara last Selen Dogan, project coordinator of the Flying advice for the screenplay, Dogan added. A stout, white-bearded man steps into the month. Broom campaign, agrees. Kirmizigul, a former crooner from the Kurdish frame to join her and she dissolves into tears. But regional differences mean that as many as “Almost all local officials we spoke to at our southeast of the country, has directed several “This dress is not my bridal gown,” she sobs. “It 40 or 50 percent of girls are married off as minors conferences around the country agreed that this movies, including the 2009 film “I Saw the Sun” is my shroud.” in some parts of the country, particularly in east - practice is a bad thing, but no one had ever done about the plight of a Kurdish family racked by the The music swells and the camera cuts to black. ern and central Anatolia, she added. anything about it,” Dogan said in an interview. armed conflict in southeastern Turkey, which “One out of two women in Turkey is married Reliable figures on child brides are hard to The campaign had made some inroads, she brought the suffering of the region’s population off as a teenager,” a speaker announces from off- come by, a parliamentary commission said in a said, reaching 20,000 people directly and many home to a wider Turkish audience. screen. “More than 2 million of our girls have report last year, because official statistics do not others via media reports and a hearing in par - “Life Goes On” is his first attempt at a televi - been sold for a bride price.” register the unofficial religious marriages still liament last month, the culmination of the pro - sion series. The two-minute film clip, which has already prevalent in much of Anatolia. Childhood mar - ject. Kirmizigul, who has not spoken to the press in racked up tens of thousands of clicks on the riages are “widely accepted” by Turkish society, “This cannot continue. We must do something three years, according to his publicist, declined to Internet, is the trailer for a much-anticipated soap the report by the Commission on Equality of about this immediately,” Fatma Sahin, the gov - be interviewed for this article. opera by Mahsun Kirmizigul, a popular singer Opportunity for Women and Men found. ernment minister in charge of family affairs, said Women’s issues like rape and domestic vio - turned screenwriter and director, was scheduled Girls are married off early to minimize the eco - at the hearing, pointing out that Turkish laws do lence have become an increasingly popular sub - to debut last Friday on Turkish television. nomic burden on their family as well as the risk not even agree on the definition of a child: The ject of Turkish soap operas over the past two to The series, called “Life Goes On,” will follow the of any sexual contact before marriage, with the civil code defines a person as a child until the age three years. life and times of Hayat’s extended family as they bride price that is still paid in many regions as an of 17, the criminal code until 15 and the child While some series initially adopted a chauvin - flee poverty in central Anatolia and attempt to additional incentive, the commission report protection law until 18. istic point of view, pressure from women’s rights find their feet in Istanbul. The focus in the initial revealed. Sahin announced that her ministry had recent - groups had caused a shift in perspective, in some episodes will be on the fate of the young girl, as As further causes, the report pointed to deeply- ly signed an agreement with the Religious Affairs cases even within an ongoing series, Kologlu said, she is married off to the old man — a fate that is rooted customs like the exchange of brides Department, under which the 60,000 imams citing the rape-themed series “What Is Fatmagul all too common in Anatolia. between two families, the betrothal of babies at employed by the department around the country Guilty Of?” as an example. In fact, as the television critic Sina Kologlu birth, the giving of girls as brides to settle blood would endeavor to teach their flocks that child As for “Life Goes On,” expectations are high, pointed out in an interview in Istanbul last feuds and the continued practice of polygamy in marriages have no place in Islam. Kologlu said. “From what I have seen, it will be week, the trailer bears a striking resemblance to some regions. Dogan, the activist, hopes the television an ambitious work, technically striking, a very the real-life testimonies of child brides around In addition, girls who have been raped or soap opera “Life Goes On” will spread a sim - lavish production,” he said. “The question is the country interviewed for a documentary film molested are quickly married off to the rapist ilarly enlightened message. “It could have a whether it will fulfill expectations when it comes by women’s rights activists being released this or any other man to preserve family honor, positive effect, but it all depends on the to the content, the message.” week. The film, titled “Child Brides,” is the result of an 18-month information and awareness cam - paign conducted by the Flying Broom women’s rights group, which included seminars, confer - ences and meetings with local officials and fami - America Defends the Weak and Small lies around the country, as well as a book and an academic research project. “I was 13 years old when I was married off to All of these people — Israelis, anti-communist reflecting centuries of oppression — understand - a 30-year-old man I had never seen,” a woman, By Victor Davis Hanson Chinese, Kurds, Greeks and Armenians — have a ably can seem prone to collective paranoia and now 37, told campaigners at one of these meet - few things in common. They have relatively small conspiracy theories. Yet Israel, Taiwan, ings in the southeastern province of Van. “I — and often shrinking — populations, aggressive Kurdistan, Greece and Armenia are democratic, always remained afraid of him.” Recently, an open microphone caught French neighbors, few strong allies, many expatriates and with rich histories that survived against all odds. “I was married at 16,” another recounted at a President Nicolas Sarkozy and American refugees in the United States and a tragic history In the next few years, as never before, our President Barack Obama jointly trashing Israeli of persecution and genocide. Half the world’s small friends will be tested. Iran has promised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sarkozy Jews were lost to the Holocaust. Had Mao Zedong to wipe out Israel and may soon get the bomb scoffed, “I cannot stand him. He’s a liar.” — the most prolific mass murderer in history — to do it. We are withdrawing all troops at the LETTERS Obama trumped that with, “You’re fed up with gotten his way, the entire anti-communist Chinese end of the year from Iraq, and Kurdistan will him, but I have to deal with him every day.” population who fled in terror to Taiwan would then be entirely on its own. Russia often talks Charkoudian Thanks In one of the most bizarre op-eds published have been wiped out. In the early 1920s, nearly a about reconstituting its former Soviet client by The New York Times in recent memory, Paul million Greeks perished in Asia Minor — ethnical - states into some sort of new imperial federa - Mom for Support in Kane suggested that the United States could lit - ly cleansed by a Turkey that had at one time con - tion. China thinks it is only a matter of time erally sell out its support for democratic Taiwan quered and occupied Greece for more than 350 before Taiwan can be absorbed. The new Oral History Project for about $1 trillion. He argued that the years. A million Armenians perished during the Turkey is beginning to look a lot like the old Chinese might be so thankful to us for letting breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World imperial Ottoman Sultanate. To The Editor: them get their hands on the island that they War I. The stateless Kurds have often been per - Yet if protecting these small states is risky, On the 20th anniversary of my moth - might forgive much of what we owe them. secuted by Arabs, Iranians and Turks. our concern also reflects positively upon the er’s death, I was reading the letter to So why does the United States take risks in We should remember that Greece and Taiwan singular values of the United States. The United the editor by Haig Der Manuelian guaranteeing the security of countries such as would have disappeared in the late 1940s as Nations has neither the will nor the capability (“Hovnanian Deserves Accolades, Other Israel and Taiwan? Surely the smart money — free, independent countries without American to ensure the security of these countries. The Assembly Founders Need to Be and most of the world — bets on their richer military support and guarantees. Armenia did eroding European Union talks grandly of inter - Remembered”), in the November 26 edi - enemies. The Arab Middle East has oil, hun - not exist as a free nation until America helped national values but rarely risks its blood or trea - tion of the Armenian Mirror Spectator). dreds of millions of people and lots of danger - to force the collapse of the Soviet Union. sure to defend them. In that letter, Der Manuelian mentions ous radical Islamic terrorists. China is more Kurdistan emerged as an autonomous province Only America is strong enough to protect the me as the administrator of the ALMA than 1 billion strong, with the fastest-growing only when America deposed Saddam Hussein. world’s historically-vulnerable but culturally [Armenian Library and Museum of economy in the world. Israel might have vanished during the 1973 unique peoples. It would be a shame if we for - America] Oral History Project in the But President Obama should remember that Yom Kippur War without massive American mil - got that — either out of desire for profit or 1970’s but what he does not mention, America does not think solely in terms of itary aid. because we became fed up with the bother. nor does he know, is the part that my national advantage. In fact, only the United Of course, these historically-persecuted peo - (This commentary originally appeared in the mother played a part in that project. If States seems to have an affinity for protecting ples can at times be testy allies and even sound November 20 issue of the Richmond Times it wasn’t for the support that my moth - tiny, vulnerable countries. In two wars, and anti-American. Their national characters — Dispatch .) er gave me at the time, caring for my more than 12 years of no-fly zones in Iraq, children, cooking, providing names and America saved the Kurds from a genocidal introductions to her friends, survivors Saddam Hussein. tact person and a daytime telephone number. who she knew would be willing to talk Greece today has few friends. Its northern Notice to Contributors — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is 12 noon on Monday of the week of publication. with me, there is no way that I could European creditors are furious with its profli - The welcomes articles, — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion have administered ALMA’s Oral History Armenian Mirror-Spectator gacy and duplicity. Nearby, an ascendant commentaries and community news from our readers. In Project. So here’s to you, Mummy, of the editors and art director. Photos will be returned only Turkey is flexing its muscles over occupied order to assure the accurate and timely publication of arti - if a self-addressed and stamped envelope is included. Lucille Mae (Jennie) Vartanian Cyprus and new finds of gas and oil in the cles submitted, please note the following policies: — The will publish only one article about an upcom - M-S Bilezikian, who allowed the project to Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. In short, a — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) ing organizational event. For major special events, excep - happen, and here’s to all the survivors bankrupt Greece of only 11 million people, spaced and printed in a type size large enough to be clear - tions may be made only by special arrangement with the who were willing to relive the horror of residing in one of history’s most dangerous ly legible (10 point or larger). Submissions that do not con - editors. their experiences in order that their sto - neighborhoods, has few strong friends other form to these specifications will be assigned lowest priority. — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at ries be known to all in the future. than the United States. The same is true of — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submis - the discretion of the editors) will not be included in press — Bethel Bilezikian Charkoudian Christian Armenia, which likewise is relatively sions are encouraged. releases, but should be reserved for calendar listings and — All submissions should include the name of a con - advertise ments. Newton Corner, Mass. small and near to historical enemies in Turkey and Russia. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

to discredit his main political opponent, Kemal Erdogan’s racist reaction did not bode well for those who Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party claimed that “the genie is out of the bottle,” hoping that (CHP) which was in power during the Kurdish atrocities. the Prime Minister’s apology to the Kurds would set a Erdogan shrewdly scored a major public relations coup precedent for Turkey’s eventual acknowledgment of the when Kilicdaroglu, a native of Dersim who had lost many Armenian Genocide. When one carefully examines the My Turn members of his family, refused to reverse the CHP’s long- Prime Minister’s distorted statements on the Dersim mas - standing cover up of these massacres. sacres, one cannot help but note the eerie similarities with By Harut Sassounian Seeing an opportunity to deliver a bigger blow to his ret - Turkey’s denialist views on the Armenian Genocide: icent rival, Prime Minister Erdogan went on national TV, 1) Minimizing the Kurdish death toll from tens of thou - revealing a series of documents from the state archives that sands to 13,800; No one should be Fooled by provided chilling details of the brutal torture of Kurdish 2) Describing the Kurdish massacres merely as “killings” Erdogan’s Empty Apology for men, rape of women and mutilation of children. In a dra - or “events”; matic gesture, he tore up the government’s falsified report 3) Placing the blame for the “killings” on a rival political Kurdish Massacres on the Dersim carnage. party rather than the Turkish state; and To counter Erdogan’s attacks, Kilicdaroglu came up with 4) Offering no compensation and no restitution to heirs Turkish society was thrown into turmoil last week when a surprise announcement of his own. Despite his failure to of the Kurdish victims. Prime Minister Erdogan issued an unexpected apology for acknowledge the Dersim massacres, Kilicdaroglu claimed All those hoping that Erdogan would issue a similar the hitherto taboo topic of the Kurdish massacres in south - that an apology was not enough! He challenged Erdogan apology for the Armenian Genocide probably do not realize eastern Turkey in the 1930s. to release all archival documents on this subject and return the futility of their expectation. In reality, a Turkish apolo - There are many striking similarities between the Kurdish the properties confiscated from the Kurdish victims. gy would do more harm than good to the Armenian Cause, massacres and the Armenian Genocide. Under the guise of The prime minister’s surprise apology generated a major as it would discourage some Armenians from pursuing quelling a rebellion, the Turkish government, led by Kemal national debate in Turkey. Some media commentators restitution from Turkey, mislead the international commu - Ataturk, ordered the killing and deportation of tens of viewed Erdogan’s acknowledgment of the Dersim mas - nity into thinking that Armenian demands are now com - thousands of Alevi Kurds from Dersim, now known as sacres not only as an effort to undermine Kilicdaroglu’s pletely fulfilled and deprive Armenians from attracting fur - Tunceli. Turkish warplanes dropped bombs and sprayed support with millions of Alevi voters, but also to tarnish ther political support for their national cause. poisonous gases on Kurds hiding in mountain caves. Ataturk’s legacy. Others saw hopeful signs that Erdogan Furthermore, should Erdogan apologize for the Ironically, taking part in the bombing raids was Sabiha was preparing to face other dark chapters of Turkey’s his - Armenian Genocide, the international community would Gokcen, Turkey’s first female pilot, who was an Armenian tory, including the Armenian Genocide. shower him with praise, nominate him for the Nobel Peace orphan adopted by Ataturk. Gokcen was unwittingly par - Kilicdaroglu, in turn, tried to damage Erdogan’s reputa - Prize and support Turkey’s candidacy to the European ticipating in the killing of not only Kurds, but also fellow tion by accusing him of planning to acknowledge the Union. Armenians who had sought refuge in the remote region of Armenian Genocide and likened his mentality to that of The international community should rather demand that Dersim, after having survived the 1915 Genocide. Diaspora Armenians. Erdogan promptly distanced himself Erdogan fully acknowledge the genocides of Armenians, Erdogan’s surprise admission of the “Dersim killings” from what he considered to be an insulting comparison and Assyrians, Greeks, and Kurds, issue a genuine apology, was prompted not by an honest desire to lift the veil of sharply rebuked and warned his political opponent for offer compensation, and return the confiscated properties secrecy from a long concealed state crime, but by the intent drawing such a parallel! to the heirs of millions of innocent victims.

A Chill in the Air Up North: ‘New Cold War’ Could Have Implications for Armenia

Russian missile attack early warning system is extension. saying that: “Gabala RS is utilized for the good By Aris Ghazinyan Gabala radar station (RS). Its detection range is Azeri-Russian negotiations on the extension of of Russia, and if there is a need to further use around 8,000 km in radius, capable of detecting the rental contract were held the day before that segment in the Russian missile defense sys - missile launch from the shores of the Indian Medvedev’s speech; Deputy Foreign Minister of tem, Russia will go for extension of the contract.” In light of recent aggravated contradictions Ocean, and keep a watchful eye on Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan Araz Azimov had said that “Russia’s Theoretically, there is also a possibility that between Moscow and Washington, “New Cold Iran, India and all the Eastern European coun - annual rent of $7 million for the Gabala station Russia might consider deploying a new radar sys - War” is the most commonly used phrase charac - tries. is inadequate.” Hence, Russia might have to pay tem on the territory of Armenia, where Russian terizing the current state affairs between the two The catch is that Gabala RS is in Azerbaijan, double. military base No102 is deployed until 2044. superpowers. Armenia, Russia’s military ally, and Russia has been renting it for $7 million per The day after Medvedev’s speech, Collective may also feel the chill. year for the past decade. The contract, however, Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary (This commentary originally appeared in the On November 23 Russian President Dmitry is expiring next year, but envisages a possible General Nikolay Bordyuzha made a statement November 25 issue of ArmeniaNow.) Medvedev made a special statement in reference to the situation with NATO countries’ Missile Defense System in Europe. Stressing that “regrettably, the USA and other NATO partners have not showed enough willing - ness” to cooperate with Russia in developing a The Arab Spring Has Given Turkey a Voice. Don’t Mess with it joint sector-based rather than in-stages missile defense system, Medvedev presented his five Russians and Chinese to bring them on board. Shiism. And the Turkish Foreign Minister decisions, among them “protective cover of By Robert Fisk In Turkey, however, there is real anger at Ahmet Davutoglu felt he had to respond. “Assad Russia’s strategic nuclear weapons; putting the Syria’s response to Turkish initiatives. And has been a Nusayri [Alawite] all along,” he said. missile attack early warning radar station in when President Abdullah Gul says that Turkey’s “Wasn’t he one when we were friends? We do Kaliningrad on combat alert” and others. The French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé was reaction to another attack on its embassy in not view Syria through a sectarian lens.” Well In the fifth point Medvedev stressed that “if here “to talk about Syria.” Turkey’s prime minis - Damascus will be “entirely different” if it hap - maybe, but this explanation probably belongs to the above measures prove insufficient, the ter, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pontificated that pens again, he probably means what he says. As the ho-hum department. Turkey, of course, is Russian Federation will deploy modern offensive “perhaps because Syria has not enough petrole - the Israelis found out after their killing of nine largely Sunni Muslim. weapon systems in the west and south of the um, there has been less interest in the West in Turks on the Mavi Marmara last year, you don’t What Mr. Juppé and his Turkish opposite country, ensuring our ability to take out any part the killing of Syrian civilians” — probably true — mess with Turkey, certainly not the newly self- number have to chat about is perfectly clear: of the US missile defense system in Europe. One while every Turkish newspaper has been specu - confident Turkey which is championing the they want to unite the Syrian opposition and step in this process will be to deploy Iskander lating about the Turks’ future plans for action in Arab awakening and whose flag flies once more thus prevent any of the catastrophic divisions — missiles in the Kaliningrad Region.” Syria. A Turkish military cordon sanitaire inside in honor across the Arab world. like, for example, the burning alive of the The phrase “Cold War” was first introduced by the border with Syria seems to be the favorite. Mr. Erdogan was almost cruelly to the point Libyan rebel army commander before Gaddafi Winston Churchill in his famous speech in March Listening in the old capital of the Ottoman when he addressed Syria and its President, say - had fallen — which befell the opposition in 1946, in the American town of Fulton, Missouri. Empire to the mice-turned-to-lions of the Gulf, ing: “You, Assad, have been holding thousands of Libya. Wisely, the Turks are taking claims by Churchill called for an overthrow of commu - you could almost believe these were the Last political prisoners in jails; you have to find those Syrian insurgents that they have attacked an nist regimes in the countries of Central and Days of Assad. Personally, I doubt it. When The who attacked the Turkish flag and hold them intelligence headquarters outside Damascus Eastern Europe and used a number of new for - Wall Street Journal announces his forthcoming accountable.” The Turks want far more than the with a very large pinch of salt. As for the gun - mulations (such as “Iron Curtain”), that later demise I reckon he’s safe for a good while yet. personal apology they received from Syrian fire reportedly heard around the city, no doubt became part of a universal political lexicon. The Syrian National Council in Istanbul is itself Foreign Minister Walid Moallem at the weekend. the French ambassador in Damascus will The Cold War is commonly considered to have a pretty argumentative mouse, recognized only They want a full and official apology from Syria — enlighten the world about this when he makes finished with the fall of the “iron curtain” and by the pipsqueak power of the new Libya. just as they are still waiting for a full and official his own exit in the near future. collapse of communist regimes and the USSR. Yet the very final ultimatum from the Arab Israeli apology for the Mavi Marmara killings. Since the official Syrian news agency Sana However, the Russian president’s speech seems League — it expires tomorrow – is an extremely There is much talk in Istanbul of cutting all itself announced that the Arab League wanted to have become a fresh reminder. serious matter for the Baathist powers in oil links with Syria, of cutting back on electric - to send observers to Syria, one can assume that Today’s environment does not rival the early Damascus. Does Syria allow a 500-strong team ity supplies to Syria — much good will that do, Mr. Moallem — which in this case means 1960s “Cuban Missile Crisis” (when Moscow put of observers from the League to go prowling of course, because it is Syria’s poor who will President Assad — has approved their arrival. missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from the US, after the around Homs and Hama and Deraa? Isn’t that suffer. The Syrian government has generators, But 500 of them? And how much freedom will US put missiles in Turkey). The closest “cold war in itself a real boxer’s punch to Syria’s sover - does it not? Interestingly, the Turks evacuated they be given? And will they try to visit opposi - or words” is Medvedev’s decision to deploy mod - eignty? The Moroccan ambassador has left 60 of their diplomats and families from Syria at tion figures inside Syria and — more to the ern offensive weapon systems in the west and Damascus after the attack on his embassy. The the weekend — but all their embassies and con - point — find out exactly who these mysterious south of Russia. Qataris and Saudis left a long time ago. The sulates remain fully operational. but real and armed insurgents are? However, where Kaliningrad was named in ref - German ambassador is flaunting what is sup - Opposition parties in Turkey have been (Robert Fisk is a Middle East correspondent erence with the west of Russia, nothing definite posed to be a new draft UN Security Council claiming that Erdogan and his chums in Ankara for The Independent newspaper. This com - was said about the southern borders. resolution condemning Syria. Presumably he have taken a sectarian dislike to the Assad fam - mentary originally appeared in the November On the south the main constituent of the has discovered some crumbs to throw to the ily because they are Alawites, a branch of 18 issue of the paper.) 20 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Religious Leaders Call for Sniper Withdrawal in Karabagh

SNIPERS, from page 1 Sargisian, reaffirming Armenia’s commitment that is Christianity and Islam, against each two in the matter of finding a solution through Karabagh reiterated their readiness to with - to solve the conflict peacefully, through negoti - other. dialogue.) draw snipers from the frontline positions also ations being mediated by the Organization for In this context, the Armenian leader also In his remarks at the summit referring to con - following the reported deaths of two Armenian flicts, Pashazade said that “millions of people soldiers near Karabagh on November 19 and 20 have to live as refugees” in the former Soviet by what Stepanakert described as sniper fire space, including in the Caucasus. from Azerbaijani army positions. They stressed, “We fully support the efforts of the OSCE however, that they cannot do so unilaterally. Minsk Group and the presidents of our states. At the same time, the military in Armenia At the same time, we have to say that, unfortu - vowed to retaliate to discourage further sniper nately, until today the United Nations Security activity in the conflict zone. Karabagh’s ethnic Council resolutions [on the Nagorno-Karabagh Armenian army reported seven killed or wound - conflict] have not been fulfilled and the long - ed in the Azeri army in the past week, describ - standing efforts of the Minsk Group co-chairs ing the casualties as resulting from their troop - have not yielded tangible results,” said s’ “punitive actions.” Azerbaijan has confirmed Pashazade. only one death. Armenia-backed ethnic Armenians in Talking to media at the weekend President Nagorno-Karabagh broke free of Baku’s control Serge Sargisian underscored that the responsi - following the disintegration of the Soviet Union bility for future losses in the Azerbaijani army in 1991. Baku’s military response against the lies entirely with Azerbaijan’s authorities. mostly Armenian-populated region triggered From left, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Russia’s Patriarch Kirill, President Serge Sargisian Sargisian also attended the Monday proceed - three-year-long hostilities that were halted due and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II ings of the religious summit in Yerevan, calling to a Russia-brokered ceasefire. for a Karabagh conflict settlement to be The war and earlier ethnic tensions in achieved “through contacts, negotiations and Azerbaijan and Armenia displaced hundreds of cooperation, rather than through the escalation Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) called inadmissible destroying historical, cultur - thousands of people. The military phase of the of tensions and threats.” Minsk Group. al and spiritual monuments under the guise of conflict also resulted in ethnic Armenians “We were ready to stretch our hand of friend - Sargisian also warned against giving the con - religious differences. remaining in control of most of the enclave as ship first even at the time when we weren’t sure flict an ethnic dimension and pitting the differ - “In front of this prominent audience, on well as some surrounding territories. that we would get an adequate answer,” said ent predominant religions in the two states, behalf of the Republic of Armenia, I reaffirm Negotiations since then mediated by the our commitment to conserve and, if necessary, American, Russian and French co-chairmanship restore all such values,” Sargisian said. of the OSCE Minsk Group have resulted in lit - The Armenian leader had left the premises tle progress in resolving the dispute. Erdogan Admission of Dersim Massacres before the floor was given to Azerbaijan’s top The religious leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan Shia cleric, who also addressed the Karabagh and Russia already issued a joint declaration in issue in his speech. Russia’s Patriarch Kirill April 2010 when the Armenian pontiff paid a Viewed in Yerevan as Courting EU explained that the Armenian president had landmark visit to Baku to attend a summit of other scheduled meetings and could not stay religious leaders from around the world. Then, ERDOGAN, from page 1 the International Secretariat of the Armenian till the end of the meeting. they, too, voiced support for the long-running Turkish Republic was built through the exter - Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) (Later, the president’s press office reported efforts to resolve the Karabagh conflict and mination of the indigenous population. And Bureau in Yerevan, said Erdogan’s apology was - that Sargisian received Pashazade and Karekin condemned “acts of vandalism” committed in this could call into question the legal basis of n’t really an apology and that such steps at his office and welcomed the assistance of the the conflict zone. Turkey’s territorial integrity. towards Armenians were unlikely. Presumably, the Turkish government is Earlier, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, visit - preparing some kind of gesture timed to the ing from London, stated that problems that 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of exist in the relations between Armenia and 1915, although it is hard to predict anything Turkey will not be solved by a single step. now. This opinion was expressed by Turkish his - According to him, the normalization process is The Armenian torian, professor of the Clark University in the so frozen that whole raft of initiatives is needed United States, prominent scholar Taner Akçam. for a thaw. “I do not know what it might be, but will not be In its turn, Turkey’s influential Today’s surprised if something happens,’ said Akçam. Zaman newspaper raises deep psychological Armenian experts generally comment on this issues, trying to figure out why Ankara does Mirro r-Spe ctator statement in light of Turkey’s intentions to join not recognize the tragedies of the early 20th the European Union. Giro Manoyan, Director of century. The reason, according to the newspa - per, lies in the foundations of the modern YES, I would like a 1 – year subscription to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Turkish identity. “There are even more painful factors, some of USA /Second Class Mail $75.00 CANADA /Air Mail $125.00 Armenian Ruling Party to which have been pointed out by Taner Akçam USA /First Class Mail $120.00 and other writers. Some of those who played Name Candidate for active roles in the massacres of the Armenians J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS FOR ME Parliament Speaker were also part of the founding cadres of the NAME Turkish Republic. Thus, facing up to the past ADDRESS also means that we may lose our founding YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The parliament is set CITY STATE ZIP to elect its new speaker next week after nearly ‘heroes’ and have them turned into a series of ‘murderers’ to be embarrassed about instead. It a month of having no permanent chairperson. J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS A GIFT FOR: The majority Republican Party of Armenia is now clear that we in Turkey have construct - (HHK) confirmed through a spokesman on ed an identity on top of this whole denial mech - NAME anism,” writes the Turkish publication. Tuesday that the party will name its candidate ADDRESS for the position before the legislative body is due to convene next Monday for a four-day ses - CITY STATE ZIP sion with the election of a new speaker on its agenda. More Funds Raised for Please make check payable to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and mail to: The post became vacant after Hovik 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Abrahamian stepped down on November 14. Karabagh During About two weeks before that Abrahamian had Thanksgiving Telethon All payments must be drawn on US banks announced his intention to resign, saying that President Serge Sargisian, who is also the TELETHON, from page 1 leader of the ruling party, offered him the post Karabagh has been the main beneficiary of of managing the HHK campaign for the next almost $216 million worth of development pro - parliamentary elections due in May. jects financed by Hayastan since 1992. That The HHK, which controls the majority of included the construction of about 500 kilome - SUB SCRIBE seats in the 131-member body, is in a position ters of roads, hundreds of apartments and hous - to name the new speaker and one of his or her es and dozens of schools, kindergartens and deputies under a power-sharing deal with its healthcare centers. two junior coalition partners, the Prosperous The Himnadram was created in March 1992, Armenia Party and Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law with the support of the government, in order to Party). bring aid to the desperately poor new republic HHK spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov said soon after its independence. Armenia Fund the party has not yet discussed possible candi - USA is the organization’s first affiliate. Today it dates for the positions. But the HHK’s deputy has 22 affiliates around the world. leader Galust Sahakian said last week that To send a donation, write to Armenia Fund Samvel Nikoyan, one of the two deputy speak - USA Inc., 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301, New ers who took over as acting speaker last week, York, NY 10038 or [email protected]. TODAY! was likely to be the choice if they were to elect (Material from Radio Free Europe was used a permanent speaker before the end of the cur - in this story. Additional reporting was done by rent parliament’s term next May. Alin K. Gregorian.)