AUGUST 9, 2014 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXV, NO. 4, Issue 4347 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 More Armenian Casualties in Aleppo Escalating Violence in NKR ALEPPO (Armenpress) — Another Armenian has died due to a missile attack on the Armenian-pop - ulated districts of Aleppo on July 30, according to Region, World Alarmed The region has seen a largely undis - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the Aleppo News Office. Araksi Arushian- turbed ceasefire, or frozen conflict, since told Itar-Tass news agency on Monday. Khachatourian was the sister of an earlier victim, 1994, even though technically Armenia and “Of course, we are worried about the Azniv Arushian. Azerbaijan are still at war. Occasional events along the so-called ‘Line of The source stated that Sona Palikian was also YEREVAN ( Russia Times , Armenpress) — shooting incidents Contact,’” Lavrov among the casualties. She died in the Jalaa District The international community is raising in no-man’s land said. “The parties after to a missile blast. Gevorg Galemkeryan died in growing concerns over the renewed vio - over the years have “This time everything is being are accusing each the hospital. He had been wounded in the New lence in the Nagorno-Karabagh enclave, resulted in the other of provoca - Village district. Juliet Khachatourian, Gevorg urging the Armenian and Azerbaijani com - deaths of dozens of reported and perceived in a tions. That hap - Tashchian, Hakob Hakobian, Raffi Ayvazyan, and batants to deescalate tensions. soldiers on both particularly dramatic manner.” pened earlier, in the Hovhannes Ayvazyan were injured. As of Monday, at least 18 soldiers were sides, however. past, and unfortu - confirmed dead in the fighting that flared The Organization –Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov nately we have been over the weekend in Nagorno-Karabagh. for Security and Cooperation in Europe observing such escalations for many years. US ‘Concerned’ after Thirteen Azerbaijani soldiers are among (OSCE) Minsk Group on the Nagorno- However, this time everything is being Azeri Activist Charged the dead, according to the country’s Karabagh conflict, which is co-chaired by reported and perceived in a particularly Defense Ministry. Armed forces of the Russia, the United States and France, dramatic manner.” With Treason Nagorno-Karabagh Republic said five of urged the parties to show maximum Washington has also expressed concerns their soldiers have died in the violence. restraint and prevent further fighting, over the escalating tensions in the region, BAKU (RFE/RL) — The United States has voiced stressing that there is no military solution “deep concern” after Azerbaijani authorities to the conflict. “We extend our condolences charged prominent human rights activist Leyla to the families of those killed or injured and Yunus with treason. US Warns Armenia over Sanctions against Russia call on the sides to take immediate action Yunus, 57, was arrested on July 30 and sent to to reduce tensions and respect the cease - pre-trial detention for three months. YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The United others have imposed,” the US Embassy in fire,” US State Department spokeswoman A fierce critic of Azerbaijan’s poor rights record, States has urged Armenia to avoid doing Yerevan said on Thursday. Marie Harf said Monday. she was charged with treason, tax evasion, docu - business with Russian companies and “The US Embassy in Armenia, like other “The United States urges the presidents ments forgery and fraud, and sent to pre-trial deten - individual entrepreneurs that have been US embassies around the globe, distributed of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet at the tion for three months. subjected to US sanctions in retaliation information about these latest sanctions to earliest opportunity to resume dialogue on Her 59-year-old husband, Arif Yunus, faces simi - for Moscow’s alleged role in the Ukraine Government of Armenia representatives as key issues,” she added. lar charges. crisis. well as to local business organizations,” it The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents The Prosecutor General’s office said on July 31 “We encourage all countries and their added a statement to RFE/RL’s Armenian are scheduled to hold separate meetings that the two were involved in passing classified nationals to consider the reputational risk service (Azatutyun.am). with Russian President Vladimir Putin this information to Armenian agents via Azerbaijani of doing business with sanctioned individu - The embassy did not specify whether week in Sochi in southern Russia, Lavrov journalist Rauf Mirkadirov, who was arrested and als and entities and cease business dealings Armenia will only jeopardize its reputation said, stressing that the leaders will most charged with treason in April. inconsistent with the sanctions that we and see WARNING, page 3 likely discuss the situation in Nagorno- US State Department deputy spokeswoman Karabagh. Marie Harf said the charges “represent a further On Sunday, the European Union urged restriction on peaceful civil society activities in both sides to respect the ceasefire and Azerbaijan.” refrain from the use of force or threats. “We In a statement, she called on Baku to ensure reiterate our full support to the efforts of Leyla and Arif Yunus are “afforded all the fair trial the OSCE Minsk Group and the work of guarantees to which all citizens are entitled, and the three co-chairs, especially with regard allow them to freely express their views in accor - to the need to continue negotiations at the dance with international human rights commit - highest level, as was agreed at the meeting ments.” between presidents of Azerbaijan and Human Rights Watch said the charges “are see VIOLENCE, page 2 bogus and intended to silence them.” The New York-based group’s deputy chief for Europe and Central Asia, Rachel Denber, called for an end to “this campaign of intimidation against US Senate Goes Into Azerbaijan’s leading human rights defenders.” On his Twitter account, the Council of Europe’s Recess Without Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks, called the charges a reminder of the difficulties Confirming Turkey rights defenders face in Azerbaijan. Leyla Yunus, the founding director of non-regis - Envoy tered Peace and Democracy Institute in Baku, has been actively involved for years in people-to-people WASHINGTON — The US Senate diplomacy with Armenian rights activists. She has Conductor Sebouh Apkarian recessed for August without confirming an won several foreign prizes and honors for her work. ambassador to Turkey . The Senate finished its business late Thursday, July 31, with the confirmation of Kohar Conductor Sebouh Apkarian Dies US Ambassador to Russia nominee John NICOSIA, Cyprus — Artistic Director and Conductor of Kohar Symphony Tefft, after having declined to act on a num - INSI DE Orchestra and Choir Sebouh Apkarian died at his home here on August 5 after a ber of other diplomatic nominations, brief illness. including a US envoy to Ankara. Majority Apkarian was born in Cyprus. He was a composer, conductor, painter and edu - Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has announced Joan cator. He founded the Armenian Radio Program at the Cyprus Broadcasting that he does not expect any roll call votes Corporation, where he served for 46 years. He was also a member of the ADL and until after the August recess. The earliest supporter of the Tekeyan Cultural Association. date for confirmation votes for Quinn He graduated from the Melkonian Educational Institute, where he later taught Ambassador-designate John Bass and other music and conducted the school choir, following the steps of his music teacher pending ambassadorial nominations is Page 10 and mentor, Vahan Bedelian. September 8. After graduating from the Melkonian he continued his studies in Paris. “We are gratified for the additional time As an opera singer, he performed in Europe and the Middle East. that US Senators and American civil soci - He composed many songs, choral works, chamber music, oratories, cantatas, ety stakeholders will have to scrutinize the symphonic suites and musical caricatures. Many of these compositions have been troubling responses offered by INDEX performed in Tokyo, Paris, Cyprus, Beirut and the US. Ambassador-designate Bass,” stated Arts and Living ...... 10 Armenia ...... 2,3 His work and performances with Kohar Symphony Orchestra and Choir were Armenian National Committee of America Community News...... 5 characterized by many as the most significant contribution towards the promotion (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “More broadly, we welcome Editorial ...... 13 of Armenian culture during the last decade. International ...... 4 Details of his funeral have not been announced yet. this expanded opportunity for a careful consideration of the implications of this see ENVOY, page 16 2 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Escalating Violence in NKR

PM Appoints New Deputy VIOLENCE, from page 1 Serge Sargisian and Ilham Aliyev, could both sides to exercise restraint. Armenia in Vienna on November 19, be held as early as August 8-9 in the Similarly, representatives from Justice Minister 2013,” the EU said in its statement. southern Russian resort of Sochi. France and the UK also expressed hope Lavrov said that Moscow is taking sig - Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the for cooler heads to prevail. YEREVAN (Hetq) — Armenian Prime Minister Hovik nificant efforts together with its Personal Representative of the OSCE “France is concerned about the Abrahamyan this week appointed Artyom American and French co-chairs “to help Chairperson-in-office also urged cau - increase of bloody incidents on the Geghamyan to the post of deputy justice minister. resolve problems that prevent us from tion. Nagorno-Karabagh line of contact and From 2008 to 2011, Geghamyan headed the min- signing an agreement on the common On August 4, Defense Minister the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, istry’s liaison division to the European Court of principles of a resolution.” Seyran Ohanyan and US Ambassador which caused numerous deaths in the Human Rights. Iran also called on Armenia and to Armenia John Heffern had a discus - recent days. The Nagorno-Karabagh Geghamyan holds a JD and Master of Laws from Azerbaijan to hold talks and reach an sion on the situation. Both the Defense conflict can be resolved only through Yerevan State University School of Law, and a PhD agreement following the renewed vio - Minister and the Ambassador expressed negotiations. France urges the sides to in European Union Law and Integration from lence. deep concern about the recent escala - respect the ceasefire regime and take Public Administration Academy. He holds an LLM Meanwhile, Baku’s major regional tion of tension and considered ways to immediate measures to reduce the ten - in International and Comparative Law from Indiana ally, Turkey, announced its support for relieve the tension, primarily through sion and avoid new incidents,” read the University School of Law. Azerbaijan and its armed forces, Trend the process of the Minsk Group. statement. For the past year he was a fellow at the Carr news website reported, citing Heffern conveyed his condolences to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry. the families of the servicemen, killed in on Monday urged the two sides to University. On August 3, the Armenian Defense the result of the recent incidents, and abstain from violence and observe the Ministry accused the Azerbaijani side of urged all parties to alleviate the situa - ceasefire regime agreement. Ban “urges Catholicos Karekin II violating the cease-fire along the front - tion. all parties to respect the ceasefire agree - line nearly 900 times. Spokeswoman of the Ministry of ment, refrain from further violence and Sends Letter to Azeri Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, mean - Foreign Affairs of Iran Marzieyeh commit themselves to immediate de- while, blamed the Armenian forces for Afkham called on Armenia and escalation and continuing dialogue in Counterpart the continuing tensions. Azerbaijan to hold negotiations to reach the pursuit of a rapid and peaceful polit - ECHMIADZIN (Armenpress) —Karekin II, Supreme Armenian Prime Minister Hovik an agreement. In addition, Afkham ical solution,” according to the UN Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on Abrahamian said a meeting between the expressed regret over killing several peo - statement. August 5 sent a letter to Sheikh ul-Islam and Grand presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, ple in a recent military clash and invited Mufti of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s spiritual leader, Allahshükür Pashazade, calling for making efforts to prevent the Azerbaijani authorities to endanger the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Old Pontifical Residence Reopened through Karabakh conflict. The catholicos’ letter reads: “Incessant shooting of the border settlements by the Azerbaijani side, Donation of Berge and Vera Setrakian subversive acts, lasting attempts of ceasefire viola- tions are a serious threat to our fragile but costly ECHMIADZIN — On July 5, the achieved peace. We are deeply concerned about the reopening ceremony of the Old tense situation, which takes the lives of soldiers Pontifical Residence took place at the and the peaceful life of the border population is dis- Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, torted. God-given human life is holy, and the right presided over by His Holiness Karekin to it is sacred, and harassment of human life is II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of unacceptable. All Armenians. The renovations to the “Provocations and hostilities cannot be an alter- historic building were made possible by native to the settlement of the Karabagh conflict a donation from AGBU president Berge through peaceful negotiations, in accordance with Setrakian and Vera Setrakian. international norms.” Present at the opening ceremony It was not clear if there was a response to the let- were Hasmik Boghosian, Minister of ter. Culture of the Republic of Armenia; Armen Muradian, Minister of US Embassy Says Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia; Arthur Nazarian, Minister of Energy of Technical Problems Lebanon; members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin; Paintings by the Hovnatanian family are found on display at the Ornamented Hall of Hamper Visa System members of the Setrakian and Nazarian the Old Pontifical Residence. families; representatives of educational YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The US and cultural organizations; as well as a Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs is large crowd of guests and friends from Describing the Setrakian family, he Jahketsi (1738-1751), the catholicos’s currently experiencing technical problems with the overseas. remarked: “They too wished to leave residence had already been moved from visa system, the US Embassy in Armenia reports. The ceremony began with the Lord’s something good by which they would the western side of the Cathedral to the “We are operating at a significantly reduced Prayer and a blessing offered by the be remembered in the Mother See of upper floor of the two-story building, capacity and will be until we clear the document clergy, led by Karekin II, Supreme Holy Echmiadzin, because Holy which was constructed during the time backlog. This issue is worldwide and is not specific Patriarch and Catholicos of All Echmiadzin has been a part of their of Catholicos St. Movses III Tatevatsi to any particular country, citizenship document, or Armenians. At the end of the ceremony, lives, and has always had an important (1629-1632). Until 1962, every visa category. We are working urgently to correct place in their mission.” He then Catholicos continued to live and work the problem and expect our system to be fully oper- expressed his appreciation to Berge in the Old Pontifical Residence. In ational again soon,” the Embassy said in a state- Setrakian for his leadership and contin - 1968, at the time of Catholicos Vazgen ment. uous endeavors to strengthen the close I of blessed memory, the New Pontifical The State Department will be posting updates to ties between AGBU and the Armenian Residence was built, and with the sup - http://travel.state.gov as more information Church. port of benefactor Alex Manoogian, the becomes available. Cutting the red ribbon, the catholi - Old Pontifical Residence was remodeled cos, together with the Setrakians, offi - and began to operate as a museum. President Sends cially opened the renovated Old With the latest renovations, the Old Pontifical Residence. Guests were invit - Pontifical Residence is now home to a Condolence on His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme ed to tour the galleries and admire the series of galleries dedicated to catholi - Patriarch and Catholicos of All array of historic, sacred and religious coses and kings of Armenia, where their Armenians accompanied by Mr. and Barseghyan Death objects. art collections, treasured possessions Mrs. Berge and Vera Setrakian during YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — On August the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Berge Setrakian expressed his joy on and personal effects are showcased. In 4, President Serge Sargisian sent a telegram of con- this occasion and stated, “We have had the Ornamented Hall, paintings by the dolence to the Barseghyan family on the occasion catholicoses and patriarchs who have Hovnatanian family and the 400-year-old of the death of the eminent linguist and peda- the Catholicos extended His blessing to served our nation unwaveringly and are Holy Chrism is on display. Nearby is the gogue, Prof. Hovhannes Barseghyan. all those present. “Glory and thanks be remembered as heroes. Their lives have historical throne of the Armenian “Hovhannes Barseghyan was one of our elder to God, who has showered us generous - been a source of inspiration for all of us catholicoses, made in Madras in 1837, generation’s devoted specialists of the Armenian ly with His favor, by the means of which and without their dedication and sacri - and the Pontifical Eagle, which belonged language who for decades made a valuable contri- our Holy Church is beautified and made fice; we would have probably lost our to Catholicos Pilipos I Aghbaketsi (1632- bution to both the research of the Armenian lan- more splendid in its mission. We give identity. I believe that Armenians as 1655). In another gallery are the person - guage and the training of qualified native language thanks to God, that today, together with well as all those who visit the Old al belongings of Komitas Vardapet; also specialists. you, we are opening the doors of the Pontifical Residence will pay tribute to featured are unique examples of I extend my deepest condolences to the merited Old Pontifical Residence,” He stated. their memory and their legacy will be Armenian silver and needlework, and linguist’s family, relatives, friends and colleagues,” The Catholicos also offered his bless - kept alive. various ceremonial objects. according to the telegram. ings to the faithful children of the The Old Pontifical Residence has a The Old Pontifical Residence will Armenian Church, Berge and Vera rich history that the renovations will operate as a museum and will serve as Setrakian, for undertaking the renova - help to further preserve. a guesthouse for high-ranking clergy tion of the Old Pontifical Residence. By the time of Catholicos Ghazar I visiting Holy Echmiadzin. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA

Armenian Assembly Yerevan Summer Canadian Minister Concludes Successful Interns Meet with Karabagh Officials Trip to Armenia YEREVAN and OTTAWA — Jason YEREVAN and WASHINGTON — Every year, Kenney, Canada’s Minister of the Armenian Assembly of America Yerevan Employment and Social Development and summer interns travel to the Nagorno Minister for Multiculturalism, completed a Karabagh Republic (NKR or Artsakh) as part of visit to the Republic of Armenia. He is the the program mission. During their time in NKR, first Canadian minister to have visited the the Assembly interns participate in meetings country since 2002. with various NKR government officials. Joining The minister – who completed his them were members of the Assembly’s Young three-day trip this week – had a 90-minute Activists (AYA) club. By working together, the meeting with President Serge Sargisian, Assembly summer interns and the AYA club discussing issues such as trade and invest - members broadened Armenia-Diaspora rela - ment, the Armenian Genocide, Canada’s tions as well as Diaspora-Karabagh relations. support of efforts by Armenia and Turkey On July 16, the Assembly’s youth delegation to seek a path towards reconciliation, met with NKR President Bako Sahakyan, who Armenian and Canadian support for had just returned from a visit to the NKR- refugees from violent persecution in Syria Azerbaijan border. He updated the group on and Iraq, the crisis in Ukraine and align - the latest developments along the line-of- ment by the international community in contact, particularly the recent incursions by its response to Russian aggression in Azerbaijani armed forces. The Assembly delega - Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Assembly Country Director for Armenia and Artsakh Armina Ukraine and the successful role of tion had the opportunity to speak with Darbinyan, Assembly summer interns and AYA members at the Archbishop’s residence in Canada’s Armenian community. Sahakyan on this and other issues of concern. Stepanakert, NKR. Kenney discussed these and other “The task is to introduce Karabagh and the issues with Armenian Prime Minister issues surrounding our homeland to young, Hovik Abrahamian, Foreign Minister you see it for yourself — to feel this land, to and regional issues. active Armenians who are eager to learn, and Eduard Nalbandian, Diaspora Affairs breath the air, to connect with each other. This The Assembly’s trip to NKR concluded with a who are trying to find appropriate solutions,” Minister Hranush Hakobyan, and is another reality.” meeting with its spiritual leader, Archbishop stated Yerevan summer internship program National Assembly President Galust The Assembly youth also met with Vahram Pargev Martirosyan. He highlighted the power coordinator Hayk Minasyan. Sahakyan. Atanesyan, the chairman of the Standing and impact of the spirit of Christianity in Sahakyan highlighted the continuous In 2013, Canadian trade with Armenia Committee on Foreign Affairs of the NKR Armenia’s struggles. He also presented the del - strengthening of ties with the Diaspora, attach - totaled more than $100 million. During National Assembly. The broad discussion includ - egation with copies of his book, Christianity ing special significance to the visits of the visit, on which he was accompanied ed an interesting question-and-answer session and Eschatology. by several members of the Canadian- regarding new develop - “In order to effect positive change in Armenian community, Kenney met with ments in the resolution Armenia and Karabagh, the Assembly empha - Canadian companies investing in Armenia of the Karabagh con - sizes its work with Armenian youth in order to and Armenian business leaders to discuss flict. Meetings with develop deeper bonds between the Diaspora strategies for increasing bilateral trade Karabagh Members of and Armenians in Armenia,” stated Assembly and investment. Parliament touched on Country Director for Armenia and Artsakh Kenney laid a wreath at the Armenian NKR’s foreign policy Armina Darbinyan. Genocide Memorial in memory of the vic -

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the NKR National Assembly Vahram Atanesyan (standing, center left), Assembly Country Director for Armenia and Artsakh Armina Darbinyan (standing, right), Assembly summer interns and AYA members at the NKR National Assembly’s conference hall.

Visit to Holy See of Etchmiadzin, the spiri - Diasporan youth to Armenia and NKR, and the tual centre of Armenia experience of living and working in their his - torical homeland. The Nagorno Karabagh lead - ership shared in appreciation of the activities of the Armenian Assembly of America in this con - text and underlined the importance of the Assembly’s role in Armenia and the United States. “I learned a lot of interesting things on this trip,” stated Yerevan summer intern Narek Sargsyan. “To hear and read on the Internet all NKR President Bako Sahakyan and Assembly delegation at the Office of the NKR President. that happens here doesn’t compare to when

Visit to Khor Virap Monastery, a key site US Warns Armenia over Sanctions against Russia in Armenia’s ancient history, in the shad - ow of magnificent Mount Ararat. WARNING, from page 1 The sanctions bar US persons and firms from Energy and Natural Resources Minister or also face other, more tangible consequences providing financing for longer than 90 days or Yervand Zakharian said when asked whether if it ignores the warning. issuing new equity to Gazprombank, VTB and the US sanctions could scuttle the deal with tims of what the Senate of Canada has The Armenian government declined to com - three other state-controlled Russian banks. Rosneft. Economy Minister Karen recognized as “the first genocide of the ment on the statement. Senior government offi - However, American customers of those banks Chshmaritian and Central Bank Vice-Governor 20th Century” and the House of cials refused to answer relevant questions from are still allowed to conduct other dollar trans - Nerses Yeritsian also refused to comment on Commons recognized as genocide and “a journalists after a weekly cabinet meeting in actions with those banks, and debit and credit the sanctions’ implications for Armenia. crime against humanity.” Yerevan. cards issued by them are not subject to restric - The Armenian Defense Ministry likewise He also paid respects at the Armenian The Russian entities sanctioned by tions. avoided answering a question about Yerevan’s Memorial to the Victims of Communist Washington include defense and energy firms The US blacklist also includes Rosneft, cooperation with Russian defense firms sanc - Repression, noting that the Government and commercial banks mostly owned by the Russia’s largest oil company run by a close asso - tioned by Washington. of Canada is working with community state. Two of those banks, Gazmprombank and ciate of President Vladimir Putin. Over the past Meanwhile, Arsen Ghazarian, the chairman of groups to build a Canadian Monument to VTB, have subsidiaries in Armenia playing a year, Rosneft has negotiated with the Armenian the country’s leading business association, sug - the Victims of Communism. major role in the local banking sector. government on the possible purchase of a mori - gested that Armenia is too dependent on Russia Finally, Kenney visited the Khor Virap The Gazprombank subsidiary, Areximbank bund chemical plant in Yerevan. Armenian offi - to sever ties with blacklisted Russian firms. Monastery, a key site in Armenian history and the VTB Armenia bank declined to com - cials said early this year that the Russian oil “Some of the companies mentioned in the US near to the symbolically important Mount ment on the US Embassy statement. They both giant is ready to invest $400 million in reviving Embassy statement have monopolist positions Ararat; and he attended service at Holy insisted on Wednesday that the US sanctions the Nairit plant that used to employ thousands in Armenia’s transport and energy sectors,” he Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of will not seriously affect their operations in of people. told reporters. “Like it or not, we have to work Armenia. Armenia. “I’m not going to answer any questions,” with them.” 4 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News

Armenian Sentenced to Six Years for Crash MOSCOW (Armenpress) — The Moscow Troitsky court has sentenced Hrachya Harutyunyan, an Armenian truck driver who crashed into a bus near Podolsk last summer, killing 18 people and injuring 40 others to 6 years and 9 months in prison. The Russian Itar-Tass agency reported that Harutyunyan was sentenced in accordance with the articles 264 and 327 of the Russian Criminal Code. After the verdict was announced Harutyunyan’s lawyer Ruben Margaryan said that he was going to appeal it. “I do not know whether we will appeal against the severity of the verdict, as it is up to Harutiunyan to decide it, but there will be an appeal against document forgery,” he said. The accident happened on July 13, 2013 when a Kamaz truck carrying rubble, at the intersection crashed into a bus with 64 passengers. Sign with Armenian writing in Van Armenian-Australians Demand Foreign Armenian Language Added to Signs in Van Minister Retraction ARTAMED, Van, Turkey (Public Radio of Armenia) — “The Kurdish people have historical-cultural similarities SYDNEY (Armenpress) — A group of Armenian- Armenian inscriptions have been added to the signboards with the Armenian people. Van and Artamed were dense - Australians have written to Prime Minister Tony placed in the streets of the city of Artamed (Edremit) in ly populated by Armenians before 1915. The Kurds and Abbott demanding Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Van Province in Turkey, eremenihaber.com reports. Armenians have lived side by side in Van for centuries. retract her recent statement explicitly denying the The initiative aims to stop hostile perceptions of Therefore, we’ll not allow the state to erase the Armenian Armenian Genocide. Armenians and create sympathy towards them, said history and destroy the Armenian culture. We have made In addition to an online letter drive initiated by Mayor of Artamed Sevil Rojbin Cetin, member of the this step as a sign of respect for Armenians,” the Mayor ANC Australia, which resulted in 500 complaint Party of Democratic Regions. told Haber 7 website. emails to Bishop’s inbox, a number of community members living in the district of Prime Minister Abbott wrote to ensure their anger is heard. “ANC Australia has received copies of these let- ters sent from understandably disgusted members Iraq Air Force to Back Kurds Battling of our community, all of whom are direct descen- dants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide,” said ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian. “It is with this sort of direct involve- Islamic State Offensive ment in the political process that we can expect the answers we demand from our leaders.” BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s Prime Iraq’s military spokesman Lt. Gen. virtually collapsed, with police and sol - In a letter addressed to the Australian Turkish Minister Nouri al-Maliki has called upon Qassim al-Moussawi said Monday that diers abandoning arsenals of heavy Advocacy Alliance, Bishop denied the Genocide his country’s armed forces to help the al-Maliki has commanded the air force weapons. stating “we, do not however, recognize these events Kurdish military battle a Sunni militant to provide aerial support to the Kurds in The Islamic State captured the north - as ‘genocide.’” offensive in northern Iraq that has the first sign of cooperation between ern towns of Sinjar and Zumar on caused tens of thousands of people from the two militaries since Iraq’s second Saturday, prompting an estimated the minority Yazidi community to flee largest city, Mosul, was captured by the 40,000 from the minority Yazidi sect to Tank Biathlon World their homes. militants on June 10. flee, said Jawhar Ali Begg, a spokesman Championship Kicks off It was the first sign of cooperation Iraq is facing its worst crisis since the for the community. between Baghdad and Irbil, the capital 2006 civil war when the Islamic State The Sunni militants have targeted MOSCOW (Guardian) — It was meant to be a cele- of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, group captured large swaths of land minority communities in areas they bration of peace, love and tanks as former cold war since Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, straddling the Syria-Iraq border with have conquered. foes raced through obstacles and fired at targets. was taken over by the Islamic State the goal of establishing a self-styled “Their towns are now controlled by Instead, Russia‘s tank biathlon world champi- group in June, signaling a degree of rap - caliphate. (Islamic State) and their shrine has been onship, which started on Monday at testing prochement in the face of the country’s When it overran the cities of Mosul blown up,” Begg told The Associated grounds outside Moscow, featured teams from the deteriorating security crisis. and Tikrit in June, Iraqi security forces Press. The militant group gave the former USSR and its allies but no NATO countries. Yazidis, who follow an ancient religion The competition follows a new low in relations with with links to Zoroastrianism, an ultima - the US and European Union, which last week intro- tum to convert to Islam, pay a tax or duced “tier-three” sanctions against sectors of Turkish Studies Expert Predicts face death, Begg added. Russia’s economy over the Ukraine crisis. The United Nations said last month The defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, who started Erdogan Will Win Turkey Presidency that more than 500,000 people have the competition as a way to raise the prestige of been displaced by the violence since Russia’s armed forces, said after the inaugural YEREVAN (Tert.am) — Hakob Davutoglu, rather than incumbent June, bringing the total this year to 1.4 showdown in 2013 between Russia, Armenia, Chakryan, a Turkish studies expert, President Abdullah Gul, may be appoint - million, including more than 230,000 Belarus and Kazakhstan that the next competition believes that Turkish Prime Minister ed the next premier. Syrian refugees. The group drove ethnic would feature countries from outside the former Recep Erdogan will be elected Turkey’s “Gul has for many years been Turkey’s and religious minorities out of Mosul, Soviet Union, including Italy and Germany. president. president. If he is appointed premier, he and attacked mosques and shrines, Speaking in Washington in August 2013, Shoigu Chakryan said he does not rule out will be too strong for Erdogan to dictate claiming they contradicted strict Islamic even said the US military had agreed to participate. that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet his will to him,” Chakryan said. teachings. But after a year of diplomatic conflicts with the Erdogan stresses Kurdish forces have been battling US and Europe over whistleblower Edward that, in contrast to his with the militants for control of several Snowden, the annexation of Crimea and the con- predecessor, he, if towns stretching between the province flict in eastern Ukraine, no western countries elected Turkey’s presi - of Nineveh and the Kurdish Iraqi showed up for the party. Shoigu nonetheless called dent, will interfere in province of Dahuk. At least 25 Kurdish the event a “new page in international military the government’s fighters were killed in clashes with the cooperation.” The 12 countries participating were activities as he is the militants on Sunday, and another 120 Angola, Armenia, Belarus, China, India, head of the Executive. were wounded, according to Muhssin Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, “None of the Mohamed, a Dahuk-based doctor. Serbia and Venezuela. Turkish presidents A statement Monday by the Islamic Teams have to race through a 20-kilometer obsta- has ever taken part in State said it had captured dozens of cle course in Russian-made T-72B tanks, pausing to cabinet meetings. Kurdish prisoners during the clashes fire at targets imitating tanks and helicopters. However, since and seized “large number” of weapons. China brought its own 96A tanks. Russia also Erdogan is willing to The authenticity of the statement planned to show off its air power at the event by be an active president, could not be verified, but it was posted having Su-25 fighter jets and Mi-28N and Mi-24 Davutoglu is a better on a website used by the group. helicopters fire rockets and cannons at ground- candidate for premier - Kurdish state-media reported late based targets. ship for him.” Monday that peshmerga units sur - Chakryan is former rounded the town of Shangal and were Hakob Chakryan assistant editor of Azg able to capture it from militants seeking Daily. refuge there. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

French Parliamentarian ‘Return to Will Open AIWA Int. Conference in Yerevan Asbury’ BOSTON — Preparations for the seventh International Conference of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), Weekend Reflects on which will be held in Yerevan, Armenia, October 9 to 12, are rapidly moving forward. Past, Embraces Future Valerie Boyer, Deputy in the French National Assembly, who has spearheaded legislation to make denial of the Armenian Genocide recog - nized as a criminal offense, heads the list of dis - By Taleen Babayan tinguished speakers who will participate in the Conference under the general theme ASBURY PARK, N.J. — Hundreds of “Armenian Women in Action: Building Armenians will gather at the New Jersey Communities Across the Globe.” shore for the annual “Return to Asbury” In recognition of next year’s centennial of the weekend, which will be held from August Armenian Genocide, the first full day of the con - 8-10 in an effort to usher in a new gener - ference (October 10) will explore new perspec - ation of Armenians to this coastal city. Aram and Florence Janjigian tives on the roles of Armenian women during In its third year, “Return to Asbury” the Genocide, as well as the lingering effects continues to expand its scope and will fea - that followed. Italian-Armenian scholar and ture exciting activities, including a social writer Antonia Arslan, author of Skylark Farm, at the Watermark Lounge on the board - the best-selling novel about the Genocide Armenian (which has been made into a movie) is one of walk, a tavloo tournament, a day at the beach with games and giveaways, and will several speakers on this topic. The day will end culminate in a Kef Party at the Berkeley with a visit to Tsitsernakaberd to place a wreath Oceanfront Hotel featuring live Armenian at the Genocide Monument and tour the music by Kevork Artinian and the Michael Gourmet to Close Genocide Museum with its director, Hayk Gostanian Ensemble. The weekend wraps Demoyan. up with a poolside brunch featuring New Other speakers on the first day include Jersey’s own DJ Shant. Fethiye Çetin from Istanbul, author of the “Asbury is lightning in a bottle,” said After 40 Years groundbreaking book, My Grandmother , which Arsine Kaloustian, an event planner from has opened a discussion in Turkey about Florida who holds positions in several Islamized women survivors of the Armenian Genocide whose origins have been hidden. Armenian organizations and is spearhead - SUNNYVALE, Calif. (Community Newspapers) — For the past 40 years, the Çetin, who is the lawyer for the Dink ing this year’s weekend in an attempt to Armenian Gourmet classic Lebanese-Armenian restaurant has been more than a Foundation, has been in the news recently for encourage Armenians to be active in their place to grab a bite; it has been a home away from home for South Bay residents her criticism of the Turkish government’s role culture. “The same excitement our par - and employees. in the investigation of the murder of journalist ents and grandparents felt still exists The 48-seat restaurant has seen its share of birthday celebrations, first dates, Hrant Dink. there.” engagement proposals, holiday parties and even funeral receptions. Over genera - Prior to the official beginning of the In its heyday, Asbury Park attracted tions, customers have become a part of the Conference, participants will be welcomed on thousands of Armenians from the 1930s restaurant’s family, celebrating life’s special Friday evening (October 9) by Hranush to the 1970s who stayed at one of the occasions. But come this fall, the locally By Alia Wilson Hakobyan, Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora, at a many Armenian-run hotels by the board - owned business will bid farewell and close its walk, including the Van Hotel, Hye Hotel, doors for good. Lincoln Hotel and Roosevelt Hye Hotel. It was in July 1974 when Aram and Florence Janjigian of Saratoga held the Participants spent their days on the beach grand opening of the Armenian Gourmet. and their evenings at the dances and Back then it was a part of the Fair Oaks Plaza strip mall, and before long — “hookups” listening to traditional live thanks to Aram’s cooking and customers’ word of mouth — every night saw a line Armenian folk music and spending time out the door. with one another. Ten years later they built their current building, which sits detached from the Kaloustian, whose grandparents and rest of the strip mall at 929 E. Duane Ave. The restaurant hasn’t changed much father traveled to these events every sum - over the years, and neither has the menu. mer from Manhattan, was motivated to Aram refers to the dishes as “California Armenian.” continue the “Return to Asbury” tradition “The problem with Armenians is we come from various areas in the world, and when she saw other Armenian weekends you use the local herbs and spices of whatever is available,” Aram said. “When on the East Coast fade away, including Kef someone asks, ‘Do you have authentic Armenian food?’ I don’t know what that Time Hartford and Cape Cod Kef. She has means.” taken the reigns from Robin Barone, who But Aram said his family hails from Lebanon, which is why he features Lebanese initially re-launched the event with the dishes such as humus and tabbouli . sponsorship of the New York Armenian Keeping it small and informal is what the couple says kept the restaurant going Valerie Boyer Students Association. for so many years. “When I first pitched the idea, I would “You know, little old ladies used to come with their kids, and now their kids have have never imagined that it would have kids,” Aram said. “We know our customers by name, and we look forward to com - gala opening reception at the Kars Restaurant developed such a following as it did,” said ing in to work every morning.” Complex. The first day’s session will be held at Barone, a Philadelphia native who vaca - Aram said he is going to turn 70, however, and they feel like they’ve been miss - Conference Hall of the Armenia Government tions in Asbury Park. “I was not alone in ing out on their social circles and time with family. Building in Republic Square. Subsequent ses - wanting to connect back to the atmos - “It’s going to be a shocker once I stop,” Aram said. “I won’t know what to do sions over the next two days will take place at phere and camaraderie of Armenian with myself.” Manoogian Hall of the American University of events from the past, which were warm, Char Petersen, a customer of 40 years, says she hopes Aram will put together a Armenia. welcoming, and full of joy.” cookbook before he hangs up his apron. The second full day of the conference One of the highlights of “Return to The 47-year-old San Jose resident has been coming to the restaurant since her (October 11) will focus on Armenian Women in Asbury” will be the performance of tradi - parents started bringing her. Her father, who owned a printing business at the policy-making, entrepreneurial, social and tional live Armenian music, which will be time, helped the Janjigians print their first business cards and menus. health issues. Among the presenters scheduled featured heavily during the weekend, from Petersen said when her parents passed away, the Janjigians opened up the for that day are Canadian-Armenian actress a jam session by the Berkeley pool to the restaurant for the family to come and eat after the funeral. Arsinée Khanjian, noted for her roles in such more formal “kef” party Saturday “We were in a vulnerable place, but it was like coming home,” Petersen said. movies as “Exotica,” “The Sweet Hereafter” evening. “There’s a special something that he puts in his food that just brings you back, and “Ararat,” and Vahan Zanoyan, author of the “Armenian music is a key element of and they’re just wonderful people. I’m so broken-hearted because there is never highly acclaimed novel about trafficking, A our heritage and culture,” said going to be another Aram’s. You see a lot of the same faces when you’re there, Place Far Away. Several non-governmental Philadelphia-based singer Kevork too. It reminds me of Cheers, where everybody knows your name.” organizations have been invited to provide mod - Artinian, who will perform at the kef Twenty-seven-year customer Andrea Schatz, 58, of San Francisco, said there is els for what can be accomplished in a panel on party, combining modern beats with the nothing like the restaurant and no one like Aram and Florence. NGOs in action in Armenia. melodies and songs of Armenian musical “As sorry as I am to see after 40 years all of this go, the reality is everything Culture will also be on the agenda that day, see ASBURY, page 6 see CLOSING, page 7 with a stage reading of the new play “Women of Ararat,” followed by a discussion with the author, Boston-based Judith Boyajian. Ottoman- see AIWA, page 8 6 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Richard Bazarian Served Community, Church, Merrimack Valley

“If you didn’t know, you never realized he Merrimack Valley. served with the Yankee Division, Army National By Tom Vartabedian had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” said his close “Richard was a huge part of our parish,” said Guard, where he played with the band. He was friend, Gary Koltookian. “He was in a weakened Gyozalian. “He was a spiritual and dedicated employed for 32 years with Verizon until his condition on the day of the monument dedica - member of our church and community and will retirement. HAVERHILL, Mass. — Richard K. Bazarian tion and marched with the brother Knights be missed by all.” Members of his community remember didn’t let his disease stand in the way of service against his family’s wishes. He stood with us the Wherever there was Armenian activity, you Bazarian as an affable guy who always looked to the Armenian community. whole day.” would find Bazarian, whether it was a dance, upon the positive side of life. He never had a With pancreatic cancer ravaging his body, he Bazarian took his place by the region’s last church-related event or a cause for humanity. bad word for anybody and truly embraced his continued to show up at Genocide commemo - Genocide survivor, Nellie Nazarian, who He served diligently and without fanfare, much family — both immediate and those around him. rations and other community events before showed up for the ceremony despite the rain. like the Legionnaire he so emulated. He loved attending events surrounding his death intervened July 23. He was two days shy He had been a part of the committee repre - Sharing an allegiance to the genocide monu - family, particularly three grandchildren, in his of his 73rd birthday. senting the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, ment committee was his involvement with the life, whether sports or academic, with pride Despite the pain and discomfort which he formerly St. Gregory the Illuminator parish. Armenian Genocide Commemorative written on his face. kept to himself, Bazarian traveled to Genocide His presence and impeccable service there Committee of Merrimack Valley, both while rep - During his Watertown days, Bazarian committee meetings, kept singing in his church will surely be missed by the church community resenting his church where he was a catalyst in coached many a player in basketball, including choir and remained a devoted Knight of Vartan in Haverhill, especially by its pastor, Rev. Vart many ways, particularly with the Parish Council the late Roger Krikorian, a prominent musician to the very end. He didn’t want it any other way. Gyozalian. His death hung a pall of grief over and choir. who passed seven years ago. When it came to His other passion was Arakadz Lodge #35, following Boston’s professional sports teams, Knights of Vartan, where he served as com - Bazarian was partial to none. mander and secretary. He leaves his wife of 45 years, Charlene “Richard was the kind of person who had no (Pelosi) Bazarian; a son, Craig and his wife Rosa enemies,” said Commander Harry Alexanian. Bazarian, Peabody; a daughter, JoAnn and her “He was a devoted Christian, a dedicated husband Jason Ryan, Hudson, NH; siblings, Armenian and family man as well as a pillar Charles and his wife Carol Bazarian, North example of Knightly qualities. In my 18 years Andover; Harvey and his wife Barbara Bazarian, with the Knights of Vartan, there was hardly a Quechee, Vt.; Carl Sr. and his wife Linda lodge meeting where he was not present until Bazarian, Amelia Island, Fla.; Maryjo Bazarian his illness. Our lodge simply won’t be the same Murray and her husband Sean, Uxbridge; a without him.” brother-in-law, Frank Pelosi, Sandown, NH; an Others like Ara Jeknavorian remember him as aunt, Margaret Bazarian, Watertown, and three a strong advocate for many worthy causes. The grandchildren, Nuno, Evan and Ryan Bazarian. two were activists for Armenian Genocide Services took place at the Armenian Church recognition. at Hye Pointe. “Richard’s support for that Genocide memo - Memorial contributions may be made either rial in Lowell was an inspiration to all the com - to the Armenian Genocide Monument mittee members,” said Jeknavorian. “He was Committee of Merrimack Valley, c/o Richard always looking out for the best in people.” Juknavorian, 61 Salem St., Methuen, MA 01844 Bazarian was educated in the Watertown or Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, PO Box School System where he graduated and also 8069, Ward Hill, MA 01835.

Telephone (617) 924-7400 Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN

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ServiFnguthne eentrireaAlrmCenhianaCpomemlunity Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 Three generations —- Richard Bazarian attends his last Genocide commemoration May 10 in Lowell, joined by Nellie Nazarian, who preceded him in death as the last survivor in Merrimack Valley, and Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 12-year-old Datev Gevorkian. (Tom Vartabedian photo) Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361

who will be joining the Michael Gostanian ‘Return to Ensemble, was an avid participant in the origi - nal Asbury Park weekends and reflects fondly on the influential historic event. GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E “I grew up and lived through this era, which James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Asbury’ has since vanished over time, yet which is some - Mark J. Giragosian thing that continues to motivate me to this Funeral Counselors ASBURY, from page 5 day,” said Marashlian. “The most recent 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 l history. “Every opportunity to hear and enjoy “Return to Asbury” events have been inspira - www.giragosianfuneralhome.com our music helps to keep the Armenian spirit tional, as both a remembrance of days gone by, alive.” as well as of many more great memories yet to Participating musicians include those with come, where our great music and heritage all memories of the original weekends as well a comes together each summer at the Jersey new generation who are keeping traditional shore.” Armenian music alive by learning to play the “This is a legacy, and we all have a responsi - Nardolillo Funeral Home music of their ancestors. bility to preserve it and pass it on,” said “It will be inspiring to see Armenians of all Kaloustian. “Come be a part of the past, revel in Est. 1906 ages coming together to celebrate our music the present, and hand it down to the future.” John K. Najarian, Jr. and culture,” said Sage Kevorkian McBride, a “Return to Asbury” will take place from Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director classical violinist and concertmaster of the Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10. It is Miami Music Project and the Florida Youth sponsored by the New York Armenian Students 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Orchestra. “Nothing makes me happier than Association. All event proceeds will benefit Camp 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 being able to create and share music with oth - Haiastan, Camp Nubar and St. Vartan Camp. For ers, especially fellow Armenians.” more information and to order tickets, visit www.nardolillo.com New Jersey-based musician Chris Marashlian, www.returntoasbury2014.eventbrite.com S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Carnegie Gives Providence $3M Grant to Create New High Schools

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence has enrollment goes over 450, they will be subject won a $3-million private grant to create two to a lottery system. As it stands now, students small high schools as part of an effort to make in eighth grade are asked to rank the high “dramatic changes” in a district plagued by school they wish to attend the following year poor performance. and the district attempts to make good on Up to 450 students will be eligible to attend those requests. each school beginning in the fall of 2015, according to the Christina O’Reilly, a spokes - woman for the school department. Each school will be housed inside already-existing school buildings, but the locations still haven’t been Armenian Gourmet determined. The three-year grant was awarded by the To Close after 40 Carnegie Corporation of New York, a 103-year- old foundation that focuses primarily on “inter - Years national peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of our democ - CLOSING, from page 5 racy.” The organization’s president former good in life must come to an end,” Schatz said. Brown University President Vartan Gregorian. Justin Aprahamian “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to meet “This Carnegie grant is a tremendous oppor - such a beautiful family who fell in love with me tunity for the Providence Public Schools,” as much as I fell in love with them. They’ve Superintendent Dr. Susan Lusi said in a state - decided it is time to move on, and I totally ment. “We have a chance to create these respect that and am happy for them.” James Beard Award Winner Justin schools from the ground up, to let them be While the restaurant has seen a lot change proof points that we can succeed in taking a dif - over the years—from companies like Verbatim, Aprahamian Cooks up a Storm ferent approach to education. The inherent Tandem, MIPS, Amdahl, and National opportunity in launching these ideas on a small Semiconductor coming and going to the huge MILWAUKEE (Fox6Now) — He entered the culinary world at just 12 years old — helping scale with these two schools is that we can then AMD lawn turning into a residential neighbor - out with his uncle’s catering company. bring them to bear across more schools, accel - hood—the food and service have always stayed At the age of 16, he applied for work at the chef owned and operated Steven Wades Cafe. erating improvement.” the same. Wanting to learn all aspects of a kitchen — he accepted a job as a dishwasher, and worked While the exact design and curriculum for “His food is delicious,” Florence said. “I his way up to garde manager. each school is still being determined, there will always tell people that he can make a bologna During his time at Wades, he graduated from high school and immediately enrolled in the be significant changes from the city’s current sandwich taste good.” culinary program at Waukesha County Technical College. high school. Teachers will be members of the The Janjigians are predicting the store will He earned an Associates Degree at the age of 18 — and joined the kitchen staff at Sanford Providence Teachers Union, but the union has close up shop sometime in the end of August or Restaurant in Milwaukee — then owned by renowned Chef Sanford D’Amato and his wife, Angie. already agreed to be flexible when it comes to the middle of September. He was hired as a prep cook — and moved up the line. By 2005, three years after receiving his the number of students in a classroom and the Associates Degree, he was promoted to sous chef. length of the school day, according to O’Reilly. In December of 2012, Justin Aprahamian purchased Sanford Restaurant from his mentors. “The Providence Teachers Union recognizes Most recently — in May 2014, Aprahamian won the coveted James Beard Award for “Best Chef the need for a range of choices for our students, Midwest” — following in the footsteps of Sandy D’Amato — Sanford Restaurant’s founder. especially in the high school years,” union pres - New Britain D’Amato was Wisconsin’s first chef to win a Beard Award, in 1996. ident Maribeth Calabro said. “It is our hope as Justin Aprahamian was nominated for “Best Chef Midwest” in 2011, 2012 and 2013. educators that the creation of this highly per - Festival to Take Aprahamian and Studio A’s Brian Kramp visited the West Allis Farmer’s Market for fresh sonalized, flexible school environment will supplies — and then Justin was in the studio — cooking up a delicious meal. allow students to thrive.” Every high school student in the city will be Place August 17 eligible to attend one of the schools, but if NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection will hold its annual Armenian Festival on Sunday, August 17. The day’s events will be from noon to 6 p.m. (rain or shine) on the grounds of the church at 1910 Stanley St. Admission is free. The festival will feature traditional Armenian foods and many other delicacies and pastries. The afternoon will be full of entertainment also. The Harry Bedrossian Ensemble will play Armenian, Greek and Middle Eastern music. The band features Harry Bedrossian on vocals and oud (a walnut shaped 12-string instrument similar to a lute). Mike Kassabian on clarinet and George Righellis on guitar. Gary Hovhanessian will play dumbeg (an hour glass shaped hand drum). Also joining in the festivities of the day will be Valentine the Clown (balloons and face paint - ing) and Rocky the Rock Cat (mascot of the New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Team). The Youth Dance Ensemble from the church will also perform some traditional Armenian dance steps. For any additional information about the event, email [email protected]. 8 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Gala on August 10 to Celebrate Crystal Anniversary of ABMDR

LOS ANGELES — “Match for Life,” the annu - al gala of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organization’s founding. The event will take place on Sunday, August 10, at the Glendale Hilton. The hundreds of supporters in attendance will include community leaders, elected offi - cials, and representatives of various community and health organiza - tions, with guests of honor including for - mer Armenian First Lady and ABMDR Honorary Chair Bella Kocharian, MD, among several others. “Our crystal- anniversary gala is a wonderful opportu - nity to share with our supporters 15 years of achieve - Former First Lady of ments, and to renew Armenia Bella our commitment to Kocharian, MD a truly unique mis - sion of helping save Armenian lives,” said Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of ABMDR. “The gala also gives us a chance to publicly recognize all those outstanding individuals — including our founders, Board members, volunteers, and lifetime supporters — as well as institutions that have made ABMDR what it is today.” A scene from last year’s Gala: California state Sen. Carol Liu (second from far right) flanked by Dr. Sevak Avagyan and Dr. Frieda Jordan of ABMDR During the event, special crystal-anniversary awards will be presented to several individuals, in recognition of their support of the registry’s life- saving mission. The award recipients will include and will feature several musical performances. church leaders, ABMDR founders and Board The event’s master of ceremonies will be members, volunteers and lifetime supporters. ABMDR Chairperson Mark Geragos, Esq. The “Match for Life” gala will begin with a For tickets and additional information, email cocktail hour and silent auction prior to dinner, [email protected].

A scene from last year’s Gala: from left, Mark Geragos, Esq., Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the A scene from last year’s Gala: the Gala Committee and supporters Western Diocese, and Father Vazken Atmajian of the Western Prelacy.

French Parliamentarian Will Open AIWA International Conference in Yerevan

AIWA, from page 5 economy, business and finance, health, educa - ery near Yerevan sponsored by the Armenian Armenian author Zabel Yessayan, some of tion, communication, culture, and the arts. Tree Project and other non-profit organiza - whose works have just been published in Beginning with the first AIWA conference in tions. Also available on October 13 are an English by AIWA in two volumes ( Gardens of London in 1994 and continuing in Paris optional one day excursion to Dilijan, Silihdar and My Soul in Exile ) is one of the (1994), Yerevan (2000), Geneva (2004), Buenos Haghartsin and Lake Sevan, or a three-day, authors featured in a panel titled “Women in Aires (2008) and San Francisco (2011), AIWA’s two-night side-trip to Karabagh. Literature.” conferences have become noted for their inter - The Coordinating Committee for the con - Sunday morning will open with an AIWA esting presenters, stimulating discussions, and ference consists of Arpi Balian (Yerevan), organizational meeting, open to the public, especially for opportunities to interact with a Silva Katchiguian (Los Angeles) and Barbara designed to provide an opportunity for affili - Arsinee Khanjian,left, and Antonia Arslan diverse international network of Armenian and Merguerian and Judy Norsigian (Boston). ates in different areas to get together to discuss non-Armenian women. Details regarding the conference program, current programs and future plans. There will Fall is a busy time of year in Armenia, and speakers and activities will be posted on the also be an optional excursion to the Armenian quet on Sunday evening. conference participants are invited to such AIWA website (www.aiwainternational.org). All Church Mother Cathedral in Echmiadzin. AIWA’s international conferences are events as the opening celebration on October sessions are open to the public through regis - Lunch will be followed by a conference wrap- designed to examine the evolving status of 8 of the new, state-of-the-art Avedisian School tration, which can be made on the website or up, with the focus on “Looking Ahead.” Armenian women and develop strategies for sponsored by the Armenian Missionary by contacting the AIWA office at 65 Main St., The conference will end with a closing ban - the future in the fields of government, the Association of America and a visit to a nurs - Watertown, or [email protected]. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Paying Tribute to Raoul Wallenberg and His Legacy

WASHINGTON — Raoul Wallenberg was born on August 4, addressed a video message born into an aristocratic Swedish banking fam - exclusively dedicated to the “Hero without a ily on August 4, 1912, and his father died Grave” for the first time ever in US history. when Raoul was three months old. Raised by Wallenberg is one of the few Honorary Citizens his mother and grandfather, he studied archi - of the United States. tecture, then joined his family]s banking busi - Regarding the fate of Wallenberg we consid - ness and gained experience in a branch of the er that he is alive until proven otherwise. The Holland Bank in Haifa, Palestine, where he central archives of Russia’s Federal Security first came in contact with Jewish refugees Service (FSB) should allow unfettered access to from Nazi Germany. Returning to Sweden, documentation that could shed light into the where he continued his banking and business fate of Wallenberg. The fact that almost 70 career, in 1944, he learned that the Swedish years after Wallenberg’s abduction and disap - government was looking for an appropriate pearance the Russians are still reluctant to offer candidate to work in its embassy in Budapest, access to vital information is absolutely baf - Hungary, as a cover for the US-based War fling. Refugee Board. The purpose was to save the For many years now, the International Raoul remnants of Hungarian Jewry, which at the Wallenberg Foundation has stood by Prof. Guy time was being systematically decimated by von Dardel, a champion of the cause, as well as the Germans, who had occupied Hungary on by other relatives of Wallenberg, in their just March 19, 1944, and their Hungarian collabo - quest to secure reliable answers to this tragic rators. affair. Their noble perseverance is a source of On July 9, 2014, Wallenberg was awarded the inspiration for us. Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony Eduardo Eurnekian and Nina Lagergren To this end the Wallenberg Foundation, a in the US Congress. The International Raoul global-reach NGO devoted to research, preserve Wallenberg Foundation (IRWF) was the driving and divulge the legacy of Raoul Wallenberg and force behind the initiative to present the presti - serve as a catalyst to resolve the mystery of his Foundation received public recognition by of many other saviors, has instituted a gious award to the Swedish hero. According to disappearance in the hands of the Soviets.” members of the US Congress for its relentless $500,000 reward to any person or entity com - Eduardo Eurnekian, the chairman of the IRWF, The Wallenberg Foundation bestowed upon efforts in promoting the deeds of Wallenberg as ing forward with reliable information concern - “We hope that this well-merited recognition by Nina Lagergren a silver medal specially coined well as of other thousands of Holocaust saviors. ing the whereabouts of Wallenberg and his dri - the US Congress will raise the awareness to by renowned silversmith Carlos Pallarols. In 2012, the centennial year of the birth of ver, Vilmos Langfelder. Wallenberg’s legacy and personal fate, and will Moreover, the International Raoul Wallenberg Wallenberg, President Barack Obama, himself Napa Chili Contest Draws a Crowd, Helps Food Bank

“We don’t really have a recipe. We’re just clients are either seniors or working-class finished in second place and Strong and By Kerana Todorov going to throw it together and hope for the poor residents, King said. “A lot of the people Hayden in third place. best,” laughed Farmer, an insurance agent in in the service industry are working but People’s Choice award also went to Jax American Canyon. they’re not making enough money,” she said. Diner’s team. Coldwell Banker Brokers of the NAPA, Calif. (Napa Register) — For those Winning was not on Matthew Kazarian’s The first three finishers in Saturday’s con - Valley won best booth. who enjoy chili, downtown Napa was the mind Saturday. “As long as we raise money for test received cash prizes of more than $1,500. The jurors tasting for Best Chili 2014 jury place to be Saturday, where a dozen teams the food bank, that’s all that matters,” said Jax Diner won first place for Best Chili included Barry Martin, co-founder of Lucky competed for the best concoctions at the 6th Kazarian, owner of Kazar Custom Arms, a 2014; Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley Penny Production annual Napa Chili Cookoff. company on North Kelly Road that builds and While some enjoyed stopping from booth to repairs guns. “It’s all about giving back booth, others like Chuck Tingler came out of today.” curiosity and to meet friends at the cookoff, a “We’re not cookers. We just want to come juried event that raises money for the Napa out and support Napa, and do the best we Jaffarian Blood Drive Helps Food Bank. could for the Food Bank,” Kazarian said. “There is nothing like people watching,” He and his team served “Gunpowder and American Red Cross Replenish said Tingler, as The Voltones played nearby. “I Lead Chili,” along with mints in camouflage like it,” he said, as people milled about the wraps in a booth decorated with World War dozen booths set up in the parking lot on II-era 28-millimeter dummy rounds. “It goes Community Blood Supply Main Street next to Downtown Joe’s. with what we do,” said Kazarian, of the Hours earlier, a dozen teams of volunteers decor. came to the parking lot to set up their booths In 2013, the Chili Cookoff raised about to prepare and cook a minimum of 6 gallons $10,500 for the Napa Food Bank. Saturday’s of chili. fundraising totals were not immediately avail - “It’s one of my favorite things to eat,” said able. Bobby Cabrera, the chef at Jax Diner, as he Shirley King, Food Bank’s program manag - and his team prepared 8 gallons of chili using er, said the food bank serves about 12,000 his secret recipe. people a year. “We take care of the communi - Nearby, Brian Farmer and his wife, Sylvia ty,” she said. “Lots of people think that there Hudencial, cooked bacon, hot sausage links, isn’t poverty in Napa County because you see and hamburger meat, along with jalapenos so much wealth.” and bell peppers. The majority of the food bank’s 12,000

Fresno State Receives Donations

FRESNO — Fresno State’s agricultural pro - Studies Department. In 2007, he established an gram recently received donations amounting to endowment in honor of his parents, Harry and $200,000 each from alumnus Dr. Harry B. Nevart Moordigian – it supports deserving stu - Moordigian Jr. and from agribusiness leader dents in the Department of Viticulture and HAVERHILL, Mass. (Northshore Magazine) — As part of its ongoing efforts to give Olam Spices and Vegetable Ingredients (SVI). Enology. He continues to grow the scholarship, back to the community, Jaffarian Volvo Toyota Scion teamed up with the American Red Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro which now stands at nearly $250,000. Cross to host a blood drive on June 13, which collected enough units of blood to help announced the two gifts at the June 13 ground - Olam SVI, based in Fresno, is a top global save up to 72 lives. breaking ceremony for the Jordan Research supplier of dehydrated onion and garlic, spices, This donation helped to replenish the blood supply during a crucial time for the Red Center, which will be a 30,000-square-foot facil - capsicums, tomatoes and specialty vegetables. Cross, as summer months can take a toll on it. ity to foster collaboration among students and The company sells to more than 70 countries. According to the Red Cross, blood supplies often decline during the summer months faculty in agricultural sciences and technology, The Moordigian gift will be used for the new when schools are out and many families are vacationing. engineering and science and mathematics. center’s microbiology laboratory, where As a treat to the donors who came to Jaffarian that day, Gary Jaffarian arranged to The center will be part of the Jordan College research will be conducted on microorganisms have Boston Pitcher Jake Peavy at the drive to meet and greet guests and give auto - of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. in food processing and wine production. graphs. Moordigian, a retired dentist, has supported The Olam SVI gift will be used to enrich the Pictured (left to right) are Luis Morales, an Iraqi war veteran who came to the drive to his alma mater since the 1970s when he joined sensory evaluation, tasting and prep laboratory donate blood; Gary Jaffarian, CEO of Jaffarian; and Jake Peavy, Boston Red Sox pitcher. the Bulldog Foundation. His contributions inside the new Jordan Research Center. have included support for the Armenian The center is scheduled to open in fall 2015. 10 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Knights, Daughters (JACK KEVORKIAN / GALLERIE SPARTA) AIWA Celebrates Of Vartan Host Joan Quinn, Concert at Plans Conference Armenian Embassy LOS ANGELES — Members of the WASHINGTON — Last month, the Knights Armenian International Women’s and Daughters of Vartan Washington, DC Association (AIWA) joined the Southern chapters featured acclaimed pianist Hayk California support group of the National Arseyan at the Embassy of the Republic of Museum of the Women in the Arts in DC Armenia. at a special talk and tour with AIWA mem - Ani Lodge Commander Jake Bournazian ber Joan Agajanian Quinn at an exhibi - and Dikranouhi Otyag Commander Louisa tion “Joan Quinn Captured.” Baghdasarian opened the program and wel - Much has been said and written about comed the packed hall. Arsenyan brought the art that celebrates the many styles and audience through a majestic musical perfor - mediums of art, but nothing comes close mance that featured the works of famous to contemporary art being shown Armenian composers Hovhaness, through perhaps the largest collection of Khachaturian and Komitas. Arsenyan also portraits, sculpting, drawings and pho - performed a beautiful rendition of tographs of one person, Joan Agajanian Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliette and delight - Quinn. From the 1970s, the Quinn’s Los ed the crowd with Schubert’s Piano Sonata . Angeles home base has been a gathering His performance was passionately concluded place for artists and intellectuals. In this with Khachaturian’s iconic Sabre Dance , milieu, the artists were drawn to show - which brought the audience to their feet in With the push of a button, the Thanatron would deliver a painkiller, then a lethal infu - case their individual styles and expres - magnificent applause. sion. Owners of the Museum of Death in Hollywood bought the device at auction. sions in portraying the essence of Joan “I hope that today’s concert will not only Quinn. be a tribute to our heroes who gave their The month-long exhibition “Joan Quinn lives for the independence of the Republic of Captured” at the Brand Library and Arts Armenia, but will also be an inspiration for all Museum of Death in LA Center in Glendale showcased a large por - those Armenians, who even far away from trait collection by contemporary artists in their motherland, continue to support and the world, including Jean-Michel assist our brothers and sisters in Armenia,” Buys Kevorkian Suicide Basquiat, Shepard Fairey, Frank Gehry, stated Baghdasarian. Robert Graham, David Hockney, Ed Arsenyan is a New York-based pianist/composer and a native of Armenia. Device, Thanatron He has appeared in numerous recitals in the LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles Times) — The Museum of Death in Hollywood has US, Armenia and the Middle East, including bought one of Jack Kevorkian’s assisted-suicide devices, the Thanatron. Carnegie Hall. He teaches at New York In addition to the Kevorkian’s suicide device, one of his macabre paintings join University and holds a doctorate in music the collection at Museum of Death in LA. With its 20th anniversary coming in 2015, the Museum of Death plans a second site in New Orleans. The Thanatron, a lethal contraption built by Jack Kevorkian to expedite assisted suicides — earning him the nickname “Dr. Death” — is now at possibly the only museum that would By Mike Boehm relish showing it. From left, Nora Yacoubian, Joan That’s the Museum of Death in Hollywood, Agajanian Quinn and Margaret Black which is nearing its 20th anniversary of marshal - ing memorabilia of mortality for the public’s entertainment and edification — at least that portion of the public that has the stomach for it. Ruscha, Beatrice Wood and photogra - The Thanatron came on the market last spring at Gallerie Sparta in West phers Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Hollywood, which showcased it along with about a dozen of Kevorkian’s oil paint - Newton, Matthew Rolston and Arthur ings. Tress and Ned Evans. In addition to the The Museum of Death’s co-founders and proprietors, J.D. Healy and Cathee portraits, there were a number of non-por - Schultz, are now the proud owners of the Thanatron and one of the paintings, trait works by selected artists including “Fever,” in which a grimacing man’s see-through torso glows red. He doesn’t appear Jon Krawaczk, sculptor; and Chaz Guest, to be dead but clearly is suffering. Kevorkian designed the Thanatron to release painter and sculptor. chemicals from tubes hung from a simple, clunky-looking frame. The device would “What captured me most about Joan deliver a painkiller, then a lethal infusion with just a push of a button. was her placid calm,” said Guest, who was “It should be in the Smithsonian,” Healy said. present at the exhibit. “She exuded confi - From left, Armenian Embassy First Secretary Instead it’s in Hollywood, but perhaps not for long. Healy and Schultz, who are dence. It was warm and comforting.” Karen Israyelyan, Hayk Arsenyan, Jake married, plan to open a New Orleans branch of their museum this fall, and the “One couldn’t ignore her collection of Bournazian, and Louisa Baghdasarian Thanatron is pegged to reside there for a good while. wrist watches, jewelry and her hair,” said Before it leaves, Healy said, the exhibit of Kevorkiana he’s developing will open Evans who captured the warmth and in September for a couple of weeks in LA. The show might include a related acqui - energy that surrounded her. “Joan (and from the University of Iowa. At age 11 he sition Healy said he’s now considering, despite its impracticality for indoor display: her husband Jack) had a flair for the arts made his orchestral debut performing his the white 1968 Volkswagen van where Kevorkian’s patients ended their lives using and artists naturally navigated toward composition for piano and orchestra. the Thanatron or the Mercitron, a companion device that Kevorkian designed to them.” Armenian Embassy First Secretary Karen release fatal streams of carbon monoxide gas. “She stands firm, she is solid, and yet Israyelyan and Third Secretary Anna In reporting Kevorkian’s 2011 unassisted death from illness in a Detroit hospital, she is energy,” said sculptor Jon Naghdalyan were present for the perfor - the Atlantic noted that the Mercitron saw considerably more use than the Krawaczk, as he stood in front of the mance. “The Knights of Vartan appreciates Thanatron. sculpting of geometric shapes that the Armenian Embassy’s willingness to pro - Still, for Healy, it’s a prized display item that has more than a lurid appeal. He embodied the image of Joan Quinn with vide this prestigious venue for this event so said it helps the museum fulfill what he considers the serious mission of getting forceful grace. that we can feature and support perfor - people to focus now on what we’ll all face later. The art being shown celebrated Joan’s mances by our musical artists for the greater He said the Kevorkian installation will ask museum-goers to consider whether life and also highlighted various styles Washington, DC Armenian community to what the doctor did was murderous or humane. “We’re not here to tell people what used in contemporary art. The portraits enjoy,” stated Jake Bournazian. to think,” Healy said. “We’re here to give them information. Is it murder or is it sui - on display were selected from a collection Following the concert, the members of the cide? That’s what museums are supposed to do — ask the hard questions.” of over 300 and were shown alongside Ani Lodge and Dikranouhi Otyag gathered Also on display will be the suitcase and wooden box in which Kevorkian trans - other artworks on loan from galleries, for a special dinner, where former ported the table-top sized Thanatron, and the medicine bag in which he carried his foundations and the Quinn family. Commander Margie Satian was honored for chemicals for people who no longer wanted to live because of extreme illness or dis - Joan Agajanian Quinn, a longtime her steadfast leadership. All the members ability. Kevorkian said he helped more than 130 people die from 1990 to 1998. member of AIWA, serves as Board Liaison expressed their satisfaction and pleasure He was convicted of murder in 1999 for directly administering a lethal injection and United Nations representative for with the evening’s success, particularly the — an exception to his usual approach of providing a device that his clients could AIWA. Among her many achievements, excellent performance of Arsenyan. operate themselves. Kevorkian served eight years in prison. Quinn has produced and hosted cable The Knights and Daughters of Vartan With a collection of more than 5,000 objects, photographs, documents and television talks on arts and entertain - appreciate the graciousness of the Armenian see KEVORKIAN, page 11 ment. She served on the California Arts Embassy for their hospitality and contribu - see AIWA, page 11 tion to the Armenian-American community. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

“I make sure when I look at scans that I try to Picture Worth never miss anything on them, even if I’m basi - AIWA Celebrates Joan Quinn, Plans Conference cally doing testing on the heart,” Hovanessian AIWA, from page 10 said last week as he pointed out Kading’s mass Council and the Beverly Hills Architectural A Thousand on a hospital computer screen. Commission and served on the board of the Hovanessian had to tell his longtime hospital Hollywood Women’s Press Club. colleague what he found. Various activities of AIWA are being Breaths “That wasn’t easy,” the doctor said. “I treat all planned particularly the forthcoming my patients as if they were friends and family but Seventh International Conference to be held fortunately that’s not something I have to tell in Yerevan, Armenia, October 9-12, them.” “Armenian Women In Action – Building By Paul Harasim Further testing would show that the mass was Communities across the Globe.” Previous cancerous. international conferences have brought As Hovanessian talked about the “incredible together a cross-section of Armenian (and LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas Review-Journal) — It detail” the new CT scanner provides, Kading non-Armenian) women from the United was one of those things that was always in the stared at the computer screen beside the doctor, States, Armenia, South America, the Middle back of Bill Kading’s mind. seeing, for the first time, the images of the dis - East and Europe. “We are working closely The 64-year-old food service director at Desert eased lung that may have soon killed him. with our conference co-chairs in Boston and Springs Hospital didn’t lose sleep over it, but “Thanks for saving my life, doctor,” Kading in Armenia to bring together women from whenever he thought about his parents, he said, shaking Hovanessian’s hand. diverse fields and backgrounds to share the couldn’t help but wonder whether he’d die as Since the scan, Dr. Rick Martin removed richness of our inherited legacy and our they had, from heart failure. Kading’s left lung, a procedure that kept him out learned professions,” said Silva Katchiguian, He made all the right moves to fight it off: ate of work for a month. president of AIWA-LA. For info and regis - Sculpture by Jon Krawaczk sensibly, didn’t party too hard, exercised, did He’s now on a chemotherapy regimen that will tration contact: www.aiwainternational.org what his doctor ordered. finish in about eight weeks. Every Friday he gets Still, he knew that existing testing couldn’t a dose of anti-cancer drugs that he says keeps always pick up existing heart disease or the ear - him in bed for the weekend. liest signs of it. Martin said Kading’s prognosis is excellent for And then he heard that Desert Springs CEO a healthy future. Sam Kaufman not only had ordered a new scan - That the new CT scanner caught health prob - ner that was advertised to do just that, but he lems of several hospital employees didn’t really was giving some hospital employees free scans as surprise radiology director Addington. his radiology team became acquainted with the “It’s just so powerful, ” she said as she stood in advanced computed tomography technology the darkness of the radiology lab (employees call that provides an entire 3-D image of the heart in it the “Batcave”) where scans are read. “For the about a heartbeat. first time we can even see what so many heart Kading was the first to sign up in January for patients worry about — whether the stents that the diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a have been put in to keep arteries open are in the combination of X-rays and computer technology right position and going to last.” to produce cross-sectional images (frequently Only Kading’s scan, however, could find a life- called slices), both vertically and horizontally. threatening condition among employees. Not only did the new 256-slice CT scanner pro - He seems mystified that doctors say his cancer, duce images faster than the old 64-slice CT, doc - which was caught at stage 2, was growing fast tors told Kading it was also far more accurate and could have quickly been largely untreatable. and reliable and reduced radiation exposure by “I didn’t have any pain in my chest, no cough - as much as 80 percent. ing, nothing,” he said. “If it weren’t for the scan, From left, Silva Katchiguian, Ned Evans, Chaz Guest, Joan Agajanian Quinn, Jon Krawaczk “Though it was the latest and greatest, not I’m sure I would have been at stage 4 before I and Nora Yacoubian everybody wanted to be the first volunteer,” had symptoms that would have had me going to recalled Lan-Dai Addington, the hospital’s radiol - the doctor to get checked out. I literally had no ogy director. “Bill took the initiative. He wanted idea.” to know if he had the heart disease that ran in Kading’s wife, Stephanie Anderson, said she’s his family.” “fantastically grateful” that her husband’s can - Turns out he didn’t. His heart’s anatomy cerous mass was found and often wonders how looked great. Even the coronary arteries where it came to be that the hospital offered free scans atherosclerosis occurs were clean. to employees “at just the right time.” But Kading still had a problem that threatened Radiologist Hovanessian has an explanation his life. that doesn’t come out of a management or med - The scan showed he had a mass on his left ical book. lung. “You can have a great staff like we have here, Both Addington and the hospital’s medical people who really care, but you also need some director of radiology, Dr. Armen Hovanessian, luck,” Hovanessian says. “Bill had some good saw it. luck at a good time.”

Museum of Death Buys Kevorkian Suicide Device KEVORKIAN, from page 10 the gallery’s visitors. human remains — among them the head of a “They were real quiet when they realized it French serial killer who was guillotined in 1922 was the real one” that had been used in assist - — Healy estimates the 4,000-square-foot ed suicides. “It definitely had a vibe, and people Museum of Death can show no more than a were somber.” third of its collection. The site in New Orleans’ “The Museum of Death contacted us very French Quarter will be about three times larg - early on” about negotiating a price for the er, he said. The plan is to rotate exhibitions Thanatron, she said. back and forth between the Museum of Death The Museum of Death’s Kevorkian acquisi - and Musee de Mort Orleans, as the Louisiana tions aren’t on display yet. They probably won’t museum will be called. have as extreme an effect on viewers as some of Healy declined to say how much he paid for its more graphic depictions of death. “Already the Thanatron and the “Fever” canvas, or to say this week we had two people pass out,” Healy how many visitors the Museum of Death gets. It said. “Everyone has different triggers,” he has been popular enough, he said, to earn a liv - added, so it’s impossible to say which artifacts ing and finance ongoing acquisitions. are the most powerfully gruesome. “I call it my The wares in Gallerie Sparta’s Kevorkian falling-down ovation.” show were provided by his niece. Co-owner The initials in J.D. Healy are for James Dean. Lee Bowers said that seven of his paintings Healy was born in 1961, six years after the have been sold, fetching $12,000 to $40,000; actor died in a car wreck; his mother named four others remain on display, two of them him for the screen actor. macabre — “Coma” and “The Brotherhood.” Now museum visitors can check out a copy of The others, portraits of Kevorkian’s father and the speeding ticket issued to Healy’s namesake Johann Sebastian Bach, show a more placid shortly before he fatally crashed his Porsche. side. The Museum of Death’s other holdings “Leonardo DiCaprio and his dad came in to include a simple bunk bed that it was one of the see [the show] privately,” Bowers said, noting deathbeds in a 1997 mass suicide in which 39 that the actor “has become a very big collector members of a San Diego County cult called of edgy outsider art, and Kevorkian falls into Heaven’s Gate poisoned themselves. that category. He didn’t make an offer on any of The museum’s most important possession is them.” its name, Healy said. “That’s the magic right Bowers said the Thanatron, which was shown there. All these items and objects come to us in a Plexiglas case, had a discernible effect on because of the name.” 12 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Graphic Novel Centers on Talaat Assassination CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

SPECIAL MISSION-Nemesis Editions Sigest 17x24 cm (about 6½” x 9½”) 68pp / $19.95 ISBN: 978-2-917329-71-9 CALIFORNIA PARIS — One day in March 1921, a young man burst into Hardenberg Street, Berlin, trail - AUGUST 16 — The Armenian National Committee of America ing a neighborhood resident who was out for a Professional Network (ANC-PN) and the Armenian stroll. Minutes later, he struck down his target Engineers & Scientists of America (AESA) joint cocktail net - with a bullet to the head. working event at the exclusive CBS Studios Backlot “New York At his trial, the young Armenian, Soghomon Street” at 7:00 p.m., Studio City. The event will feature an open Tehlirian, acknowledged the bar for all guests, appetizers, and music by DJ Arak. Cocktail killing but claimed he was no attire is recommended. Donation is $45 through August 8 and Books murderer. It was the victim, will increase thereafter. Purchase tickets by August 13, 2014 at Talaat Pasha, who had the latest. Tickets are limited due to capacity, so make sure to orchestrated the massacre of buy yours early via the link below: https://www.paypal.com/cgi- Tehlirian’s family and the annihilation of his bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BP5YAPFE7JX8S people. This true-crime drama unfolds in Special CONNECTICUT Mission–Nemesis , a 68-page graphic novel by Paolo Cossi, J. B. Djian and Jan Varoujan AUGUST 17 – Armenian Festival hosted by the Armenian ($19.95). Church of the Holy Resurrection (rain or shine), on the church Newly translated from the French by Lou grounds at 1910 Stanley St, New Britain. Noon to 6 p.m. FREE Ann Matossian, Special Mission–Nemesis is admission. Shish kebab, Pilaf, Khema, Losh Kebab Burgers, Hot Dogs, beverages and other delicacies and pastries. Live music with the Harry Bedrossian Ensemble featuring Harry (oud/vocals), Mike Kassabian (clarinet), George Righellis (guitar) and Gary Hovhanessian (dumbeg). For more details, call Gary 860-690-5959.

MASSACHUSETTS

AUGUST 10 — New England Poetry Club presents Poetry of Purpose with Diana Der-Hovanessian, Fred Marchant, and Afaa Weaver, Sunday, 3 p.m. Longfellow National Historic Site, East Lawn, 105 Brattle St., Cambridge. Free and Open to the British-Armenian comic, Kev Orkian, is Public, wheelchair accessible. Fred Marchant, professor at coming to Watertown’s St. James Suffolk University, the first US Marine officer to resign as a Cultural Center for a Comedy Night, on Conscientious Objector with an honorable discharge. Der- Friday, September 12, at 8 p.m., present - Hovanessian, president of NEPC, was twice a Fulbright Professor ed by the Sayat Nova Dance Company of of American Poetry in Armenia. Her 10 books of poetry and 15 Boston. Orkian was a finalist in Britain’s of translations, published by Columbia University Press, Sheep Got Talent and has performed around the Meadow Press, etc. have won numerous awards. She will read world. Tickets are $40 until September 1 translations from ancient and modern Armenian. Weaver just and $45 after. For tickets call 617-852- won the prestigious Kingsley Tufts Award for his new book The 1816 or 508-397-7977. Government of Nature (University of Pittsburg Press). AUGUST 10 — Saints Var tanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Road, Chelmsford, will hold its annual picnic from noon to 6 p.m., with Jason Naroian and his ensemble. Admission, $1 per person. For more information, visit SEPTEMBER 21 —Sunday Afternoon at the Park for Families & Friends! 2-4 p.m. Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, available from publisher Editions Sigest www.stsvartanantz.com or call the church office at 978-256- Boston between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Christopher (http://editions.sigest.net) and wherever 7234. Columbus Park. Enjoy the music of Mal Barsamian, oud; Leo Armenian books are sold. AUGUST 24 — Armenian Church at Hye Pointe Picnic to be Janikian, clarinet; Kenny Kalajian, guitar and Jay Baronian, The trial became a focal point for many held at American Legion Farm, 1314 Main St., Haverhill MA dumbeg. Game for the Kids at 2:30pm. Bob Lobel, Emcee. Armenians and non-Armenians who learned (take Rte. 495 to Exit 51 B onto Rte. 125 N), noon to 5 p.m. www.ArmenianHeritagePark.org about the Genocide because of it. In fact, Music by the Jason Naroian Ensemble. Menu includes Shish, SEPTEMBER 26, 27 — Armenians and Progressive Politics Raphael Lemkin, the lawyer who coined the Losh, & Chicken Kebab Dinners, Kheyma, Pastries, & Beverages. Conference returns to Boston. Keynote speaker will be Noam term “genocide,” said, “The trial of Talaat Raffles for Cash prizes & Gift Certificates. Air Conditioned Hall. Chomsky. Details to follow. Pasha in 1921 in Berlin is very instructive. A Bring your lawn chairs. For more info visit OCTOBER 4 — YerazAr t, a group committed to young musicians man [Soghomon Tehlirian], whose mother was www.hyepointechurch.org or call (978) 372-9227 from Armenia, will hold a dinner and benefit concert. Belmont. killed in the genocide, killed Talaat Pasha … So, SEPTEMBER 7 — Picnic Festival, sponsored by St. Gregory Venue, time and ticket prices to be announced soon. you see, as a lawyer, I thought that a crime Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, 158 Main St., North OCTOBER 23 — Najarian Lecture on Human Rights at Faneuil should not be punished by the victims, but Andover, featuring musicians Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Hall, Boston. 7:30 p.m. An endowed public program of should be punished by a court, by a national Johnny Berberian and John Arzigian; appearance by Siroun Armenian Heritage Foundation, sponsor of Armenian Heritage law.” Dance Ensemble of Central Mass.; 12:30-5:30 p.m., church grounds; shish, losh & chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates, Park on Greenway. Details forthcoming. Armenian pastries; family games and activities. www.ArmenianHeritagPark.org SEPTEMBER 12 — COMEDY NIGHT - An invitation to attend and NOVEMBER 8 — Armenia Tree Project’s 20th Anniversary enjoy a fantastic night of fun, laughter, food, music and danc - Celebration. Reception and dinner at the Grand Atrium of the ing! Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston presents the world- John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse overlooking the renowned Armenian comedian/pianist, Kev Orkian, direct from Boston Harbor. Reserve the date, additional details to follow. For the UK and for the first time in Boston. Finalist in “Britain’s Got information about ATP’s programs, visit www.ArmeniaTree.org Talent” and having performed for Britain’s royal family, he is NOVEMBER 15 — The 39th Annual Luncheon/Auction of the now ready to wow his audience in Boston. Friday, at 8 p.m. at Armenian Women’s Welfare Association will be held at the St. James Cultural Center, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Burlington Marriott Hotel. Funds raised will support programs at Please reserve your tickets now and save. $40 if reserved by 9/1; the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica otherwise, $45. Call 617-852-1816 or 508-397-7977 ASAP. First Plain, Mass and Hanganak NGO Health Clinic in Stepanakert, come, first served. Tables of 10 recommended. For more details Karabagh, for senior women in need. For more information, call and flyer, visit www.sayatnova.com. Karen Hovsepian at 617-898-8619. SEPTEMBER 14 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious NEW YORK Armenian food; Armenian music by the Greg Krikorian Ensemble featuring Greg Krikorian, oud & vocals, Leon Janikian, clarinet, AUGUST 8-10 — Return to Asbury Park, Friday Night: Happy George Righellis, guitar & vocals, Michael Sabounjian, keyboard Hour at Watermark Lounge, Saturday 11AM: Tavloo & vocals, Charlie Dermenjian, dumbeg and Steve Surabian, tam - Tournament, Saturday 12PM: Meet us at the 7th Avenue Beach, bourine; fun games and activities for children; Blessing of Saturday 4PM-6PM: Poolside Happy Hour with live Armenian Madagh at 4 pm, raffle drawing and more. For further infor - music, Saturday 8 p.m., Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Kingsley Entertainment Fridays mation, contact the church office, 617.354.0632 or email Ballroom, live music, mezze, and cash bar, featuring the Michael and Saturdays [email protected]. Gostanian Ensemble and Kevork Artinian Band. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Erdogan’s Triumphant March to Presidency

a deal with Kurdistan’s Massoud Barzani to market Kurdish oil By Edmond Y. Azadian internationally and undermine the stability of the government in Spectator Baghdad. He also came to an understanding with Iraqi Kurds not to provoke the PKK in Turkey and encourage the Kurdish indepen - Is it a guilty thought for any Armenian to wish that Turkey were dence movement there. That is why Abdullah Oçalan, PKK’s jailed to be wiped off the map the way historic Armenia was? Whether leader, and Demirtas are satisfied with seeking autonomy within guilty or just, that is not a probability in the present world order, Turkey. EstablEisshteadbl1is9h3e2 d 1932 where Turkey is gaining prominence thanks to its strategic location The Kurdish issue in Syria has a different dimension. The reason and its leadership’s policies. President Obama reprimanded Erdogan and Hakan is that Turkey An ADALnP AuDblLic Patuiobnlication Therefore, Turkey is there, bordering Armenia and Armenians will was — and has been — supporting Jihadists to fight Syrian Kurds have to deal with it until the end of history. who have carved an autonomous region and have been observing a Prime Minister Erdogan has much to do with Turkey’s gaining neutral position between the government forces and its opponents. prominence during the last decade and at this time, his political for - Erdogan, fearing the emergence of another Kurdistan on its bor - EDITOR tunes are moving triumphantly towards his ultimate goal, which is ders, is trying to eliminate that prospect, misusing the US-supplied Alin K. Gregorian his country’s presidency. Up to now, the post has been a ceremoni - armaments for his selfish goals. al one, but after Erdogan’s election, it is planned to be converted As we can see, Armenians will be dealing with a formidable and ASSOCIATE EDITOR into a political powerhouse. Current president, Abdullah Gul, his fel - Aram Arkun sophisticated opponent. We need to abandon our traditional views low collaborator in the AK Party, is geared to replace him in a much- of the “stupid Turk” and be prepared to deal with a major power, ART DIRECTOR enfeebled premiership. whose influence is growing inexorably in the region. Marc Mgrditchian Despite fervent denials that a Putin-Medvedev style pact exists Fortunately, we are at a juncture of history and Armenian-Turkish between them, developments indicate otherwise. relations where we no longer are facing Kenan Evran and Turgut The presidential election will take place on August 10. Some Ozel. We need to be reminded that the engineer of the bloody coup absentee ballots by expatriate Turks in Germany herald Erdogan’s in 1980, the dictator Evran, challenged Armenians by stating: “If victory, if not in the first round, but certainly in the second round. you want land from Turkey, come and take it! Land can only be SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Historically, Turkey’s presidents were elected by the parliament; taken by blood.” Turgut Ozal, in his turn, said that “1915 has not Edmond Azadian first time around, the election is held by the popular vote, which will been enough of a lesson for the Armenians; what if we drop a few CONTRIBUTORS: have a more powerful mandate for the president. bombs over Yerevan during our war games, to teach them a lesson?” Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune Opposing Erdogan are a number of candidates representing dif - The Erdogan government took a few initiatives, which were very Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana ferent factions and interest groups. The opposition parties are most - different from the above belligerent postures. Of course, those ini - Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, ly urbanites and consider themselves “modernists” rallying around tiatives were not done out of the goodness of his heart; there is no Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which distinguishes itself such thing in political dealings. They were compelled by political Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian from traditional nationalists supporting the Nationalist Movement necessities. Party (MHP). These two parties have joined forces to support a sin - CORRESPONDENTS: Turkish leaders have nothing to fear from Armenia or Armenians. gle candidate, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. But their case hangs over Turkey like the sword of Damocles to be Armenia - Hagop Avedikian For the first time in Turkey’s modern history (if we discount Boston - Nancy Kalajian used by the international community at the convenient time. The Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian rumors of Ismet Ununu’s Kurdish ancestry), a Kurd is running as a Genocide issue has been used by Israel, the European Union and Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach candidate; that Kurd is Salahattin Demirtas, who represents leftists even the US to extract concessions from Turkey. Blockading and socialists. Despite Demirtas’s vocal support for the Armenian Armenia has always raised questions with the EU, NATO and the Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian Genocide in the past several years, it is believed that the majority of World Trade Organization. Therefore, Turkey is sensitized by the Armenians will vote for Erdogan for two reasons: political impact of those issues and would like to blunt them or to •Erdogan has ingratiated himself to the Armenian community by dupe the Armenians into submission or silence. some symbolic gestures and by returning to the community a few The ill-fated protocols were promoted for that very same reason. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published pieces of real estate, confiscated by the previous administrations. Especially, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wished ardently to ren - weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: •The political pendulum may swing any time in Turkey as it did der them into a feather on her foreign policy cap. during the 1960 and 1980 coups, and anyone caught red-handed Erdogan’s condolence to the children and the grandchildren of Baikar Association, Inc. voting for socialists or leftists may end up in jail. the Armenians who were “relocated” during the Ottoman period did 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Although political pundit Etyen Mahcupyan discredits, in a com - not go as far as his apology to the Dersim Kurds who were slaugh - Telephone: 617-924-4420 mentary on August 2 in Sabah daily,, the opposition group’s ide - tered during the Kemalist rule, but it was a step in the right direc - FAX: 617-924-2887 ologies as inept to exercise the judiciary’s authority over the execu - tion which Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu tried to capitalize. www.mir rorspectator.com tive, a columnist in Today’s Zaman, Dogu Ergil, bluntly identifies the Also, Turkey played the game of football diplomacy with Armenia. E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com new administration as an authoritarian one, of course, based on Even some trial balloons were floated in the Turkish press recent - For advertising: [email protected] Erdogan’s record thus far: “The separation of powers having been ly that Ankara was in the process of planning to open the border reduced to merely a principle will disappear and give way to a union with Armenia. of powers under the guise of ‘administrative unity.’ The legislature On a more tangible issue, Erdogan took the initiative to return will no longer be an institution to check and correct the excesses some valuable pieces of real estate confiscated from the Armenian and deviations of the executive branch. The executive will be pre - community. If any thing, that was a symbolic minimum out of 2,000 sented by the president, who has already declared himself the sole SUBSCRIPTION RATES : churches and monasteries and other historic sites still languishing decision maker.” in ruins or being used as stables or storage facilities. When the Despite such assessments, Erdogan’s popularity has not been Turkish government began returning some properties, Patriarchal dented. On the contrary, it has survived many adversities. In May U.S.A. $80 a year Vicar Atesian, who was manipulated to assume the Patriarch’s 2013, President Obama reprimanded Erdogan and his intelligence responsibilities by the Ankara government, playing the role of his Canada $125 a year chief Hakan Fidan for supporting the “wrong insurgents” in Syria. master’s voice, stated that the Patriarchate cannot handle all the In June 2013, police brutality against the Gezi Park protestors hard - properties, should the government decide to return them, oblivious Other Countries $190 a year ly bruised his popularity, despite international condemnations. In of the fact that those properties belong to the entire Armenian July 2013, a soul mate of the AK Islamist Party in Egypt, the Muslim nation and not necessarily to the Patriarchate. Brotherhood, fell, and its elected president, Mohammed Morsi, was Before his assassination, Hrant Dink had a prophesy: he said, © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator jailed. In a massive witch-hunt in Turkey, thousands of policemen “The Turkish government will never give in to outside pressure. Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA and judges were replaced or fired and at one point, Erdogan’s arro - Only internal democratization will force changes. Armenians have to and additional mailing offices. gance ran out of control when he threatened to expel the US ambas - help bring democracy to Turkey to achieve recognition.” ISSN 0004-234X sador to Turkey, Francis Ricciardone, for his alleged involvement in Every passing day vindicates Dink’s prophesy. Despite the exis - the corruption probe of his family and cronies. tence of Article 301 of the Turkish penal code, Armenians are com - He also used that opportunity to neutralize Fetullah Gulen’s sym - memorating April 24 on Taksim and Bayazid squares without fear pathizers. of government repression. POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Erdogan’s Palestinian policy comprises many layers; his virulent The Armenian question has been such a serious burden on Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn attacks against Israel, even invoking Hitler and accusing the Israeli Turkish foreign policy that Ahmet Davutoglu took pains recently to St., Watertown, MA 02472 Defense Forces (IDF) of committing genocide, yielded abundant div - publish a thesis in Turkish Policy Quarterly under the title “Turkish- Other than the editorial, views and opinions idends domestically. On the other hand, he did not suspend military Armenian Relations: Is a ‘Just Memory’ Possible?” expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily cooperation with the Jewish state and his son continued his busi - It was a serious opening, albeit self-serving, to challenge our schol - reflect the policies of the publisher. ness activities there. While Israel was pounding Gaza, a source in ars. Prof. Gerard J. Libaridian took the foreign minister to task rebut - Iran revealed that Ankara was shipping jet fuel to the IDF. ting his case point by point. One Turkish journalist remarked that on the one hand, Erdogan’s Our scholars, sometimes consider such challenges as advocacy anti-Israeli outburst contributed to his popularity in the Muslim and they shy away from the battlefield or if they engage in the bat - world, while on the other hand, they constituted a Godsend to tle, they try to insult the other party, damaging the issue in both Prime Minister Netanyahu indicating that anti-Semitic sentiments cases. Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without were on the rise and Israel needed more support. The veracity of Libaridian has chosen a moral high ground and has treated the express permission of the copyright that statement was proven by the US senate, which with unusual issue in a scholarly and dignified manner. owner. Address requests for reprints or unanimity of votes (100-0), approved to send a $350-million gift to The Turks will challenge Armenians in every possible field. We do back issues to: Israel. not need to be intimidated nor offer empty belligerence. Erdogan’s Kurdish policy also proved to be multi-layered. Erdogan’s election will be the most formidable challenge. The Baikar Association, Inc. Contrary to Secretary of State John Kerry’s pleadings to Turkey to diaspora and Armenia have to mobilize their resources. The battle 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 support Nouri Al-Maliki’s central government in Iraq, Erdogan cut will be long and arduous but it is not unwinnable. 14 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

Massachusetts Election Politics and the Armenian American Voter

In 2010, in her abortive race to replace the late Sen. Ted requiring inclusion of the Armenian genocide in the State By David Boyajian Kennedy, Coakley made a last-minute play for Armenian Board of Education’s genocide curriculum guide. American votes by acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. Tolman has never, however, commented publicly on the Granted, after Turks sued the state, Coakley successfully ADL’s war against Armenians. Moreover, months ago he, For decades, top Jewish organizations such as the Anti- defended a Massachusetts genocide education law that and some other big names, petitioned the eight elected Defamation League (ADL) and American Israel Public included the Armenian Genocide. But it was actually Tom members of the Governor’s Council to approve controversial Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have colluded with Turkey to Reilly, her predecessor, who initiated the state’s legal attorney Joseph Berman to be a Mass. Superior Court deny, and defeat Congressional resolutions on, the defense. judge. Berman, an ADL National Commissioner, was nomi - Armenian genocide. State Treasurer Steve Grossman, himself a former ADL nated by Governor Deval Patrick. Not surprisingly, those organizations’ scandalous double and AIPAC officer, is Coakley’s opponent in the September In 2007, Berman supposedly privately urged the ADL to standards figure in Massachusetts elections in September Democratic primary for governor. acknowledge the Genocide. Regardless, he did not do so and November: some candidates are not as supportive of before 2007 or after. That troubled several Governor’s Armenian issues as they’d like you to believe. Steve Grossman and AIPAC Councilors, particularly longtime Armenian friend Marilyn Briefly recall 2007- 2008. Over a dozen Massachusetts When the ADL–Armenian issue exploded in 2007, Petitto Devaney. cities and the umbrella Massachusetts Municipal Grossman — not yet a public official — openly acknowledged Councilors also questioned Berman’s qualifications, and Association tossed out the ADL’s so-called “No Place for the Armenian Genocide and urged the ADL to change its criticized his deceptions about having phoned state senator, Hate” anti-bias program. They recoiled at the ADL’s bare- stance. He had done the same, he claims, when he was an now Congresswoman, Katherine Clark, to ask her to lobby faced hypocrisy regarding genocide. The clash spawned hun - ADL officer. However, there seems to be no public record of for his judgeship. dreds of articles in national and international media and that. Berman and the ADL finally lost what was perhaps the rocked Israeli–Turkish relations. From 1992 to early 1997, Grossman was National biggest judicial nomination fight in Massachusetts history. It Three months ago, under fire from students and faculty at Chairman of the powerful AIPAC, which has been demon - was especially embarrassing for Gov. Deval Patrick who that Boston’s Suffolk University Law School and human rights stratively anti-Armenian American. He resigned that post to day was hosting his friend President Obama. activists over the Armenian genocide and other concerns, chair the National Democratic Party. Did Warren Tolman endorse Berman because he thought keynote commencement speaker Abraham Foxman, ADL According to Yola Habif Johnston, a director at JINSA he’d gain more votes from ADL constituents than he’d lose National Director, mentioned in passing the words (Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs), AIPAC — plus from Armenian Americans? Marilyn Devaney, on the other “Armenian genocide.” It was, of course, decades overdue the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith, and JINSA — hand, has always stood firm on Armenian issues. and undoubtedly insincere. Foxman, renowned for his bully - “have been working with the Turks” since at least 1991 to ing manner, had the gall to imply that he had been “bullied” stop US recognition of the Armenian Genocide. That puts Marilyn Devaney Stands Tall by those who protested his speaking and receiving an hon - Grossman at the center of AIPAC’s anti-Armenian efforts. As a Governor’s Councilor, and a past Watertown Town orary degree. The Washington Times has reported that Keith Councilwoman, Devaney authored successful resolutions In any case, the ADL has yet to issue a formal, unam - Weissman, an AIPAC senior researcher, enthusiastically that called on Turkey to acknowledge the Genocide and pay biguous statement on the Armenian genocide and continues helped Turks defeat an Armenian Genocide resolution in the reparations. She has attended every April 24 commemora - to oppose its recognition. See www.NoPlaceForDenial.com. US House in October 2000. Weissman was an “architect of tion at the State House. She worked with the late House the Jewish community’s support for Turkey.” AIPAC “even Speaker, Rep. George Keverian, on Armenian earthquake Martha Coakley’s Lack of Valor offered training to Turkish Americans on how to establish a relief in 1988. Attorney General Martha Coakley is running for the successful lobby.” At great political risk, Devaney, who represents much of Democratic nomination for governor. In 2005, the Federal government indicted Weissman and eastern Massachusetts, not only opposed Joseph Berman’s In late 2007, while the ADL was openly lying about the fellow AIPACer Steve Rosen for passing classified informa - confirmation but has consistently opposed the ADL’s anti- Armenian genocide, Coakley accepted the New England tion to Israel. (Charges were dropped in 2009.) Armenian actions. ADL’s Woman of Valor award. Precisely what valorous act Beginning in 1993, Grossman’s and Weissman’s tenures September’s Democratic primary pits her against Charlie Coakley — in office only 10 months — had performed at AIPAC overlapped for four years. Yet Grossman has appar - Shapiro of Newton, a Berman partisan who has no position remains a mystery. ently never publicly criticized AIPAC’s or Weissman’s anti- on Armenian issues and has repeatedly insulted Devaney. The Armenian National Committee of America’s Armenian activities. It’s the political fight of her life. Massachusetts chapter pronounced it “unfathomable that As politicians make their pitch for votes, the Armenian Coakley and her team would be unaware of the [2007] scandal Warren Tolman and the ADL’s Berman American voter will scrutinize their actual records. … would she have accepted an award from an organization with Former Democratic State Senator Warren Tolman of a shaky stance on the realities of the Holocaust?” Coakley has Watertown is running for Attorney General. Long sensitive (David Boyajian is a regular contributor to the also attended and co-chaired ADL events since then. to Armenian concerns, Tolman also co-authored a law Armenian press.)

the reader for a long time. stantly present in our hearts and minds; their One of the things that keep us from living life Saroyan used these types of characters to absence is only physical. According to Saroyan, to the fullest is our fear of failure. Failures Teaching teach generations of readers about the most if we are alive, they are alive. They are alive with occur in every human being’s life; some are big, important human feeling, love. He inserted love us as long as we allow them to stay with us. As some small. One should regard failure as a part into the basic conversations of the characters. Stephanie Rappazzo, another of my freshman of human development, shaping people and cul - They were hard workers, striving to make ends students, wrote, “Even though God can take tivating them into stronger and more mature Saroyan meet. They were kind, loving, devoted to their away the ones we love, he can never fully take beings. As my student Benjamin McNamee families and their fatherland. Even in their them away from us; their spirits will forever live wrote, “Life is tough, but it is through the diffi - experience of the pain caused by war, Saroyan’s within the ones who had loved them most.” culties and hardships that we experience that characters still had an openness to love. Saroyan’s ability to treat life and death at the make us stronger.” We all know that humans For example, one of my students, Matthew same level touched many of the students whom experience many ups and downs throughout In College Cinquegrana, focused on Saroyan’s idea, “Love I taught. For example, William Briscoe wrote, their lives; however, failures make people wiser. is immortal and makes all things immortal, but “Saroyan is trying to tell people to embrace the And the lessons that are taught by failure hate dies every minute.” Cinquegrana wrote, fact that death is inevitable and that people become unforgettable, just like the lessons that “People die. People die every day, every minute. should not be afraid. That is a great life lesson. my students learned from engaging Saroyan in By Lusine Mueller They could be family members or friends, or If people are constantly worrying about dying, the classroom. perhaps complete strangers whom you have then they will not be able to live their lives to never met in your life. The fact is, their lives the fullest. But life is a gift from God, something (Lusine K. Hambardzumyan-Mueller earned Teaching William Saroyan’s literary works has have ended, or are ending. But that does not humans should live to its fullest with no her doctorate in philology from Yerevan State been on my to-do list for many years. I decided to mean people are obsessed with death. Those regrets.” In this comment, the student comes to University. In addition to her book, Michael offer non-Armenian students in my Freshman close to the departed can move on because they the same realization that Saroyan did when he Arlen and His Artistic World (Zangak, 2012), Seminar class at Mount St. Mary’s University in still have their love and memories of them.” wrote in The Daring Young Man on the Flying she has published in such outlets as Grakan Maryland the opportunity to engage Saroyan. One of Saroyan’s main ideas is that, even if Trapeze that we should always strive to be Tert, Kamurj, Barruban, Gamar, Kantegh, We enjoyed productive class discussions, wrote people are physically not with us, they are con - wholly alive (13). Nork and the Journal for Armenian Studies. ) essays analyzing Saroyan’s idea of the good life, and composed journal entries on the students’ favorite quotes of the Academy Award and Pulitzer prize-winning author. After reading The Human Comedy, my stu - Notice to Contributors daytime telephone number. dent Brett Smoot wrote, “One technique that — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is 12 noon on The welcomes articles, commentaries and Monday of the week of publication. Saroyan employs in his writing is that he speaks Armenian Mirror-Spectator through his characters, sending invaluable mes - community news from our readers. In order to assure the accurate and time - — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the editors sages to his readers.” Saroyan’s method, speak - ly publication of articles submitted, please note the following policies: and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed and ing through characters who represent lower- — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced and stamped envelope is included. printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 point or larg - — The will publish only one article about an upcoming organizational middle class Americans, is an interesting M-S approach to getting his important ideas across er). Submissions that do not conform to these specifications will be event. For major special events, exceptions may be made only by special to the reader. He creates characters with whom assigned lowest priority. arrangement with the editors. — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are encour - — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the discretion of the the reader can identify or with whom the read - aged. editors) will not be included in press releases, but should be reserved for er can imagine interacting in daily life. In the lit - — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a calendar listings and advertisements. tle book, consisting of 39 simple stories, the simple messages that Saroyan’s characters con - vey offer deep meanings that haunt and pursue S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

The Deputy Prime Minister’s demeaning remarks spread raped? The mother should die instead.” Meanwhile, the like wildfire. In defiance, tens of thousands of Turkish Forestry Minister told women who were seeking employ - women went on social media (Twitter, Facebook, and ment, “Isn’t your housework enough?” Former Minister for Instagram) posting “selfies,” pictures of themselves, laugh - European Union Affairs, Egemen Bagish, an AKP official ing out loud. Rather than stopping their laughter, women who frequently made nonsensical statements, was quoted: My Turn started laughing … at him! “What happened in 1915 can’t be classified as genocide as Arinc’s ridiculous comments were picked up by the inter - far as I am concerned, but I was not around in 1915.” By Harut Sassounian national media, including Hurriyet, the Guardian, ABC Rather than being worried about women’s laughter, News, The Daily Star, National Post, Washington Post, Arinc and Erdogan should be more concerned about their Time magazine, Newsweek, The Australian and hundreds government’s increasing slide into authoritarian rule by Turkish Vice Prime Minister of newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations, blogs and jailing journalists, killing Christian priests, violating minor - Ridiculed For Telling Women not websites. The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister has become ity rights, supporting Jihadists in Syria and Iraq, and the laughing stock of the world! engaging in corruption, theft and embezzlement. This is To Laugh in Public The next day, instead of apologizing for his sexist the real immorality that Arinc should denounce. remarks, Arinc made matters worse by insisting that he By preaching totalitarian morality for women, the con - Turkish Deputy Prime Minster Bulent Arinc is the latest stood by his words and attacked his critics. He wondered servative Turkish leader is appealing to Islamist voters to government official to put his foot in his mouth. why everyone was focusing on a small segment of his hour- support Prime Minister Erdogan who is running for In a speech last week, this high-ranking official preached and-a-half speech. He proceeded to mock female celebrities: President on August 10. Arinc’s stone-age strategy has his perverted version of morality to Turkish women by “There are some artists who laugh artificially and send me backfired as nearly half of Turkey’s deeply divided society telling them not to laugh in public! “A woman will know their photos. Real laughs relieve a person, but these are does not consider itself Islamist and was offended by his what is haram [forbidden] and not haram,” Arinc warned. artificial ones. You all had your moment of fame, but when remarks. Erdogan’s rival in the presidential race, “She will not laugh out loud in public. She will not be invit - that eluded, you tried to attract attention with alcohol and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, blasted Arinc’s statement, saying ing in her attitudes and will protect her chasteness.” such fake laughter. Despite being married with kids, that “more than anything else, our country needs women Arinc, a co-founder of the ruling AK Party, continued women go on vacation with their boyfriends, while leaving to smile and hear everyone’s laughter!” his chauvinist sermonizing: “Where are our girls who their husbands behind and never miss a chance to wrap After Erdogan’s meteoric rise to power, his government slightly blush, lower their heads and turn their eyes away themselves around a dancing pole.” has pursued brutal policies at home and abroad, bringing when we look at their faces, becoming the symbol of This is not the first time that Turkish officials have made worldwide condemnation to the country. As the probable chastity?” He ridiculed women for discussing cooking such asinine statements. In the past, Arinc was quoted say - next President, Erdogan and his clique are most likely to recipes and other “frivolous things” on cell phones. ing that a rape victim must have “wanted it.” He also stat - continue undermining Turkey’s international standing, Imitating a female voice, he squeaked: “What happened to ed that it is perfectly fine if parents give permission to their turning it into a rogue state. After the presidential election, Ayse’s daughter? When is the wedding?” He told the 15-year-old daughter to marry a 45-year-old man. Ankara’s Turkey’s Islamist women would only laugh in private, while women to talk about such insignificant matters “face to Mayor Melih Gokcek, while condemning abortion, shame - the secularists would laugh in public and risk getting 100 face,” not on the phone! fully declared: “Why should the child die if the mother is lashes! Time for Netanyahu to Make Peace in Gaza

ago for seeking a quick Gaza cease-fire that transfer authority in Gaza to the authority. As Hamas’s terrorist ideology. Netanyahu would By David Ignatius would have strengthened Hamas and its allies, a first step, the Palestinian Authority and its also have to be prepared to truly open Gaza to Qatar and Turkey. Hamas didn’t deliver, the U.S.-trained security service would assume the free flow of people and goods in return for fighting resumed and the process had the effect responsibility for policing the Rafah crossing disarming the terrorist groups. Now it’s Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin of undermining moderate Palestinian President from Gaza into Egypt, as well as the passages Netanyahu faces a real leadership dilemma. Netanyahu’s turn to show that he has the vision Mahmoud Abbas. Kerry was widely attacked, into Israel. That’s a big deal, as it would give He has prevailed over Hamas and its tunnels in and leadership to build a durable cease-fire that especially in Israel. Abbas’s security chief, Majid Faraj, control over Gaza, albeit at a terrible cost to Palestinian civil - could empower Palestinian moderates and Kerry isn’t the problem today, however. Over the most strategic ground in Gaza. ians. But his popularity at home is dropping, begin building a pathway from the hell on earth the past week, he has been crafting a cease-fire The authority would begin paying the with his approval ratings down 20 points from that is Gaza. plan that seeks to stabilize Gaza under the lead - salaries of Palestinian civil servants in Gaza, their peak of 82 percent when he ordered the Many people, including me, sharply criticized ership of Abbas and the moderate Palestinian assuming that the details could be worked out. ground invasion. Though Netanyahu may not U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry a week Authority. After an initial truce, negotiators The agreement might also move toward disar - realize it, he needs Kerry’s diplomatic help to would gather in Egypt for talks about Gaza’s mament of all terrorist groups in Gaza by build - consolidate the gains of the war. The question future. Abbas would select the members of the ing on a promise Hamas made in a 2011 unity is whether the Israeli leader has the boldness to Palestinian delegation, and the authority (with plan that the Palestinian Authority’s security leverage his military success in a way that LETTERS the support of the international community) service would be the only armed force in Gaza. brings greater lasting security for Israelis, and would have overall responsibility for the reha - This would also uphold Abbas’s insistence on reduces the Palestinian suffering in Gaza. bilitation of Gaza. The Palestinian delegation is “one government, one law, one gun.” Israel’s continued refusal to attend the peace Museum Back already in Cairo, waiting for the talks to begin. In all these ways, Kerry is now headed in the talks in Cairo would mean returning to the sta - It’s headed by Azzam al-Ahmad, a leader of right direction — away from strengthening tus quo ante and waiting for the next round of Abbas’s Fatah movement and the person who Hamas and toward empowering the moderates fighting. It would be a mistake. Netanyahu On Track brokered the reconciliation agreement in April on whom hopes for a more stable and secure could open new opportunities by treating between Fatah and Hamas. Gaza depend. Abbas as a real partner — starting by helping To the Editor: Israel wants quiet in Gaza, but it seems unde - The question is whether Netanyahu has the him to gain control of Gaza. Netanyahu can go Happy Day for me when I read the cided now whether it wants to negotiate a courage and political clout to move in the same down in history as the statesman who achieved good news. The de-railed Museum & broader peace agreement. The Israelis agreed to direction, toward a new framework for Gaza, greater security for Israelis as well as a measure Memorial Project is back on track; their a cease-fire Monday, and there were press rather than return to the battered status quo of dignity for Arabs. legal problems are past history. reports that the country had agreed to an addi - ante — with continued Hamas rule and the History shows us that in the aftermath of I was curious about how the bank tional 72-hour truce. But the cabinet had recurring wars that some Israelis have Arab-Israeli wars, there are rare opportunities building looks after its purchase 14 years reportedly decided over the weekend against described as “mowing the lawn.” for diplomacy. Kerry, stung by the criticism that ago. I googled maps and typed in the fol - joining the Cairo talks. Hopefully, Netanyahu It will be hard for the Israeli leader to his peacemaking was helping Hamas a week lowing addresses: will seek a broader deal that might reduce the embrace this new vision for Gaza because he ago, appears ready for such a creative moment 1. 619 14 St NW Washington DC likelihood of future conflict. would have to reverse his earlier opposition to now. Is Netanyahu? (National Bank of Washington) The thrust of Kerry’s new plan is to leverage the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement, (David Ignatius is a foreign affairs columnist 2. 1334 G St NW “ Hamas’s unity pact with Fatah and its pledge to which he denounced as an embrace by Abbas of for the Washington Post.) 3. 1338 G St NW 4. 1340 G St NW 5. 1342 G St NW Please enjoy your virtual tour as I did. Islamic State’s Advance in Iraq Jeopardizes Turkmen, Yazidi Presence The four properties on G St are adjacent to the Bank and were purchased by The Islamic State is continuing to expand the while some residents remain trapped in an open struggling to survive under harsh living condi - Gerard Cafesjian. The rubble you see is territories under its control, having recently rugged area, the United Nations said. The UN tions. Some Turkmens, along with Yazidi two razed lots. Regrettably, Mr Cafesjian seized three towns in northern Iraq after dead - mission said that as many as 200,000 civilians, Kurds, have reportedly left Sinjar and taken will not see his vision become a landmark ly fighting with Kurdish security forces, endan - mostly Yazidis — a minority religious sect — refuge in the Duhok and Zaho areas, local building for Armenians. He grew up in gering the ethnically divided country’s have fled to a nearby mountain but are sur - media report. NYC, graduating from Hunter, my alma Turkmen and Yazidi minorities, many of whom rounded by militants and endangered. The Turkmen population in the region mater too, and St Johns Law School have fled from the extremist group’s violence to Sinjar, one of the towns recently seized by the includes members of the Shiite branch of Islam before settling in Minnesota. mountain refuges. Sunni extremists, had hosted thousands of — who radical groups consider to be apostates We are all proud and grateful that the On Sunday, the Islamic State seized three refugees, including Turkmens who were dis - who deserve to be killed — as well as Sunnis. Armenian Assembly and Mr. Cafesjian towns that are home to Turkmen and Yazidi placed when the Islamic State started to solidi - Many Turkmen children have already lost teamed together and purchased the Bank people, an oil field and the electricity-generat - fy its grip on northern Iraq in June and cap - their lives due to heat exposure, diarrhea, mal - which is only about half a mile from the ing Mosul Dam, after an offensive of barely 24 tured Tal Afar, a predominantly Turkmen town, nutrition, thirst and scorpion stings while strug - White House. My sincere wishes for suc - hours. and the surrounding villages. According to gling to stay alive in desert areas that they have cess to the new team. Gains over the weekend by the extremist mil - locals, some 100,000 Turkmens fled the town had to settle in. They and their parents are Sonia Hagopian itants have forced thousands of residents to flee and had taken shelter in the Sinjar area west of often living in extremely unhealthy conditions, Havertown, Penn. from the religiously mixed towns of Zumar and Mosul; however, the Islamic State’s takeover of sleeping in the open air as they are often unable Sinjar to the northern self-ruled Kurdish region, Sinjar threatens the Turkmens, who are already see ISLAM, page 16 16 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 9, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Islamic State’s Advance in Iraq Jeopardizes Turkmen, Yazidi Presence

ISLAM, from page 15 There is no record of the aid that is deliv - Kurdish region, Aydın Maruf Selim, dismiss - killed,” he said. The militant group gave the to find a place in refugee camps and tent ered. If one of the aid trucks goes to a place es the allegations about the delivery of aid. Yazidis, who follow an ancient religion relat - cities and so have no access to services and than other than its destination, nobody real - He says the quantity of aid sent by Turkey to ed to Zoroastrianism, an ultimatum to con - no food. Most of the Turkmen refugees are izes that it is missing,” Sarıkahya said. the region is sufficient and that the aid pack - vert to Islam, pay an additional tax or face living in the open and trying to survive The Turkmen leader also complained that ages have been effectively delivered to death,” Begg added. despite the hot weather and a lack of water. Turkey does not back Turkmens politically. Turkmens. After thousands of Iraqi soldiers fled the Turkish organizations, especially the “This is something that saddens us so much. Mahir Nakip, a Turkmen scholar from Islamic State offensive, Shiite militias and Turkish Red Crescent and the Prime Turkey hasn’t voiced Turkmens’ problems Kirkuk, says that Turkey did not act in time Kurdish fighters have emerged as a key line Ministry’s Disaster and Emergency enough,” he said, adding that Turkey’s fail - to secure the Turkmens’ safety. He believes of defense against the militants. In the early Management Directorate (AFAD), have been ure to ask any international organizations to that Turkey sends sufficient aid to Turkmens days of the Sunni militants’ offensive, the sending aid to Turkmens in the region since guarantee their security has deeply disap - but that Turkey should also ensure a secure Kurdish fighters did not fight the group but the beginning of Islamic State’s advance in pointed them. place for Turkmens. “The most urgent need instead pushed into disputed areas with northern Iraq. However, humanitarian aid Sarıkahya also said that Turkey needs to of Turkmens in Iraq is security,” he said, Kurdish populations. However, they found going to the region from be in contact with other emphasizing that Turkmens face an existen - themselves periodically fighting the mili - Turkey has been allegedly Turkmen groups rather tial threat in Iraq, with their hometowns tants across the northern fronts. misused by locals in COMMENTARY than just the Iraqi under the control of the Islamic State, an Kurdish forces have been battling with the charge of delivering the Turkmen Front (ITF). “The extremist group which recently declared a militants for control of several towns stretch - aid. A Twitter account ITF is perceived as a Sunni caliphate. ing between the province of Nineveh and the named “Turkmeneli” claims most of aid organization by Iraqi Turkmens. It is not Sinjar is also home to Yazidis, a Kurdish- Kurdish Iraqi province of Dahuk. At least 25 packages sent by Turkey have been sold off. healthy to be in contact with Turkmens only speaking religious minority. Some 40,000 Kurdish fighters were killed in clashes with “If Turkey sends 10 trucks, only two of them through the ITF. Turkey shouldn’t discrimi - Yazidis have fled the northern towns of the militants on Sunday and another 120 reach the Turkmens. We don’t know where nate among Turkmens. … When Turkey sup - Sinjar and Zumar, claimed Jawhar Ali Begg, were wounded, according to Muhssin the rest of it goes,” claimed one tweet. ports only the ITF, it gives the impression a spokesman for the community. Mohamed, a Dahuk-based doctor. Iraqi pro-Turkmen Turkmeneli Party that Turkey only backs Sunni Turkmens,” he Clashes between Kurdish peshmerga and A statement released on Monday by the leader Riyaz Sarıkahya says that Turkmens said. Islamic State fighters in the northern towns Islamic State said it had captured dozens of are thankful for the aid sent to the region, The ITF has close contacts with Ankara. of Sinjar, Rabia and Zumar have been report - Kurdish prisoners during the clashes and but that aid packages are both insufficient in ITF leader Ershad Salihi, who pays frequent edly continuing and Kurdish forces are plan - seized a “large number” of weapons. The number and are not delivered effectively visits to Turkey, was in Ankara last Friday ning a counter-offensive against Islamic authenticity of the statement could not be because the packages have been delivered for talks with Foreign Minister Ahmet State fighters after being routed in battles verified, but it was posted on a website used via Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga. Davutolu. However, the organization has on Sunday. The Kurds plan to deploy a large by the group. “Ninety percent of the aid sent from been criticized for only engaging in politics number of fighters to hit back against the Turkey has been delivered by peshmerga. … and not addressing Turkmens’ problems. Sunni militants, according to Begg. (This analysis originally appeared in There are problems in the delivery, though. The ITF representative in the Iraqi “Thousands of Yazidi people have been Today’s Zaman on August 4.) US Senate Goes into Recess Without Confirming Turkey Envoy

ENVOY, from page 1 Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Markey’s inquiry regarding the role of the against Christians and other minorities, Bass Administration’s doubling down on decades of Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ed Markey US Embassy and Consulates in Turkey in com - responded, in part: “If confirmed, I will encour - failed US policy toward Turkey.” (D-MA) questioned Ambassador Bass on US memorating the Armenian Genocide received age the Turkish government to follow through The Senate Foreign Relations Committee policy on the Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s this response: “In recent years, a senior repre - on the return of religious minority properties paved the way for full Senate consideration of ongoing blockade of Armenia and efforts to sentative from our Consulate in Istanbul has and to take additional steps to promote reli - Bass on earlier this week, when it approved a secure the return of confiscated Christian holy attended the April 24 commemoration event in gious freedom, such as allowing more religious slew of Ambassadorial nominees by voice vote. sites from Turkey. Ambassador Bass’ responses Istanbul. This is typically the largest and most communities to own property, register their The ANCA worked closely with Senators to were mixed. public event held in Turkey on Remembrance places of worship, and train clergy.” secure responses from Ambassador Bass on a “The US government acknowledges as his - Day itself, and Istanbul is where the vast major - In response to questions by Chairman range of Armenian American concerns, follow - torical fact and mourns that 1.5 million ity of Armenian citizens in Turkey now live. If Menendez and Senator Boxer regarding efforts ing his disappointing Senate testimony. In his Armenians were massacred or marched to their confirmed, I will continue to make attendance to lift Turkey’s blockade of Armenia, formal testimony he used inaccurate and offen - death in the final days of the Ottoman at such commemoration events a priority, par - Ambassador-designate Bass stated: sive euphemisms, such as “shared history,” to Empire,” began one response to Chairman ticularly in light of the upcoming 100th “Facilitating Armenia’s regional integration by avoid properly characterizing the Armenian Menendez, who had asked how Ambassador- anniversary of one of the worst atrocities of the opening its border with Turkey is a priority for Genocide, and praised Turkish Prime Minister designate Bass “personally characterize[s] the 20th century.” the United States. If confirmed, this would be Erdogan’s cynical repacking of genocide denial events that took place between 1915-23.” The In response to a question by Menendez one of my key goals as Ambassador,” This in his April 23rd “condolence” open letter to nominee, later in his response, went on to regarding the decimation of Turkey’s response downplays Turkey’s unilateral respon - Armenians. reduce this genocidal crime to a “shared histo - Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities sibility for imposing an illegal blockade, imply - Senate Foreign Relations Committee ry” between Armenia and Turkey. and efforts to address religious persecution ing, inaccurately, that Armenia bears some of the burden of “opening its border.” Earlier this week, Hamparian publicly noted that “The ANCA cannot support the nomina - tion of John Bass to serve as US Ambassador to Turkey, on the basis of his Senate testimony Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2014 that compounds President Obama’s broken pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide by retreating even further from the truth and tightening Turkey’s gag-rule on the US gov - Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor ernment.” “It is simply unacceptable — six years after a Teacher’ program has raised over $596,000 President Obama pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide, five years after Ankara and reached out to 4,864 teachers and walked away from the Turkey-Armenia Protocols, and less than a year away from the school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. 100th anniversary of the start of this still unpunished crime — for a US ambassadorial nominee to respond to direct Senate question - £ ing on the Armenian Genocide with generic ref - erences to ‘shared history.’ Such euphemistic K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue language seeks to downgrade a genocidal helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have crime to a bilateral conflict by establishing the teacher’s name and address. moral parity between unrepentant perpetra - K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ tors and those that they mercilessly preyed ————————— upon.” He closed by stressing that: “The Name United States must be represented in Ankara Address on April 24 of 2015 by a clear and compelling City State Zip code voice for truth.” Tel:

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