OCTOBER 11, 2014 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXV, NO. 13, Issue 4356 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 2014 Tekeyan Cultural Biden Apologizes to Turkish President Association Awards Deadline to combat the scourge of ISIL, YEREVAN — The approximately 23 years of cultur - including Turkey.” By Sebnem Arsu al preservation activity of Armenia’s Tekeyan Earlier Saturday, Erdogan had Cultural Association (TCA) has won a special place demanded an apology, saying he in Armenia’s cultural life. The association’s annual ISTANBUL (New York Times) — A diplo - had never made any such remark distribution of awards, which has already turned matic rift between Turkey and the United to Biden. “If Mr. Biden has said into a tradition, has given new meaning and inspi - States was patched over late Saturday after such a thing at Harvard, he needs ration to Armenian artists working in Armenia and the American vice president, Joseph R. to apologize to us,” Erdogan told the diaspora. The 2014 TCA awards ceremony take Biden Jr., officially apologized to Turkey’s reporters here. place at the end of November. Interested authors president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for Erdogan, despite widespread must present their works between October 7 and remarks suggesting that Turkey helped evidence to the contrary, denied November 7 to the TCA office at Yerevan’s facilitate the rise of the Islamic State ter - that Turkey’s long, porous border Khanjyan Street No. 50, second floor. rorist group. had enabled thousands of mili - Vice president, Joseph R. Biden Jr. There are four categories of prizes (financial In remarks at Harvard University on tants to cross onto the Syrian and awards): 1. Literature, from the TCA Shake Thursday, Biden said Erdogan had admit - Iraqi battlefields since the Syrian Ghazarian Fund; 2. Music, from the TCA Shake ted erring in allowing foreign fighters to civil war began in 2011. “Foreign fighters Speaking at the John F. Kennedy School Ghazarian Fund; 3. The fine arts, from the TCA cross Turkey’s border into Syria, eventually never crossed into Syria from our country,” of Government, Biden said allies including Shake Ghazarian Fund; and 4. Ara-Maral (works for leading to the formation of the group, also Erdogan said. “They would cross into Syria Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab children), from the Silva Der-Stepanian Fund. known as ISIS and ISIL. from Turkey on tourist passports, but Emirates had extended unconditional Special committees will serve as juries for each cat - Biden’s spokeswoman, Kendra Barkoff, nobody can claim that they have crossed financial and logistical support to Sunni egory. TCA of USA (Eastern) and Canada provide said in an emailed statement that the two with arms.” see APOLOGY, page 16 major funding for these awards. leaders spoke by phone on Saturday. “The vice president apologized for any implica - tion that Turkey or other allies and part - Azeri Gunfire Kills ners in the region had intentionally sup - Chairman of Board of Pasadena Armenian plied or facilitated the growth of ISIL or Armenian in Karabagh other violent extremists in Syria,” Barkoff Genocide Memorial Announces Resignation STEPANAKERT (RFE/RL) — An Armenian soldier said. “The United States greatly values the serving in Nagorno-Karabagh has been killed by commitments and sacrifices made by our PASADENA, Calif. (Pasadena “It is my belief that the board has failed in gunfire coming from Azerbaijan. allies and partners from around the world Independent) — William M. Paparian, for - that fiduciary obligation owed to the com - Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun mer mayor of Pasadena, announced his res - munity.” Hovannisyan said on October 2 that Karabagh ignation as chairman of the board of direc - The memorial, approved by the Pasadena Army soldier David Navasardyan “died of fatal tors of the Pasadena Armenian Genocide City Council in September 2013, has been wounds after Azerbaijani forces opened fire on Gyumri Information Memorial amid allegations that the board scheduled to be completed and dedicated at October 1.” treasurer provided fraudulent background the north side of Memorial Park in April Exchanges of gunfire along the front-line bound - Technology Center information about himself, that the treasur - 2015 to mark the 100th anniversary of the ary that separates Nagorno-Karabagh and er failed to follow California law regarding killing of 1.5 million Armenians over a Azerbaijan have been common. Director Yeghoyan legal filings and that other board members three-year period beginning in 1915. Tensions flared in early August and dozens of did nothing to address it. On August 6, the webmaster and social people on were killed along the disputed border Visits East Coast “California law requires that the board of media coordinator for the memorial report - during a brief period of heightened hostilities. directors carry out their responsibilities in ed to the board that the bio of the treasur - good faith and with such care, including er had been removed from the website By Aram Arkun reasonable inquiry, as would be used by an (www.pasagmc.org) due to the discovery Returned Azeri POW to Mirror-Spectator Staff ordinarily prudent person,” said Paparian. see PASADENA, page 16 Be Examined YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Hakob Injighulyan was WATERTOWN, Mass. — The city of returned to Armenia via a third party country after Gumri, Armenia’s second largest center of his captivity in Azerbaijan. He is scheduled to population, suffered greatly during the undergo a medical examination at the Saint 1988 earthquake, and even today has not Comedy Legend Andrea Gregory the Illuminator Medical Center. A profes - fully recovered from that heavy blow. sional group has been assembled to carry out the Despite the fact that it had many important medical examination, the results of which will institutions of higher learning, and was Martin Releases New Book determine if Injighulyan is able to continue his mil - able to prepare a new generation of edu - itary service. cated young people, the earthquake and Injighulyan, 23, while serving in the Armenian the changes in Armenia’s economy after By Alin K. Gregorian military, lost his bearings the night of August 7-8, independence left little opportunity for Mirror-Spectator Staff at about 3 a.m. and crossed into Azerbaijan. On employment locally. Young people were August 8 the Armenian Office of the International forced to emigrate to Yerevan and abroad in SAN FRANCISCO — For anyone Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appeared to droves. The Gyumri Information who is a fan of comedy, Andrea the ICRC Baku Office about the incident. Technology Center (GITC) was created 10 Martin’s name is a familiar one. years ago to counter this negative trend. Its From her early television pres - executive director, Amalya Yeghoyan, visit - ence on the Canadian sketch show ed New York, Philadelphia and Boston at “SCTV,” where a host of insane the end of September and early October in characters people the headquarters INSI DE order to promote the center’s work. She of a fictitious television station, to had a number of private meetings along her recent turn on Broadway, with several public presentations, including Martin has gone from strength to one at the Armenian Museum of America in strength in her four decades enter - Lowell Watertown. taining audiences. see IT, page 2 The actress and comedienne, who divides her time between New Awards York and Toronto, jokes that she is often thought to be Jewish and Page 4 Canadian, but indeed, she is an Armenian and a Mainer. “I don’t think I said I was Jewish. It is just that no one knew I was Armenian and it was easy for peo - ple to assume it,” she said. Martin, 67, when not donning wigs or prosthetic butts or guts, is a beautiful INDEX woman. However, she did not always see herself that way. “I don’t think it was Arts and Living ...... 10 until I was a lot older that I was comfortable with how I looked. It was 1995, Armenia ...... 2 when I was 47-48, that I believed I had any merit looking like myself,” that she Community News...... 4 could be “really sexy and pretty and really comfortable with myself.” Editorial ...... 14 International ...... 3 Executive Director Amalya Yeghoyan with see MARTIN, page 11 local host Joseph Dagdigian 2 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Gyumri Information Technology Center Director Yeghoyan Visits East Coast Artsakh at Paris IT, from page 1 all this. Each year it produced 20 grad - to Yerevan but it was too expensive for While at the Mirror-Spectator , uates, so that up to the present there her parents. Instead, she worked as a Tourism Expo Yeghoyan explained that Gumri (the have been a total of 140 graduates, of volunteer as a journalist and then at a Mirror traditionally uses this transliter - whom 90 percent work in Armenia, and psychology center. Then she studied at YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The IFTM Top-Resa ation of the name, while Gyumri is the 40 percent in Gumri. the Gumri Pedagogical Institute while 2014 annual international tourism expo was held form used by GITC in English) was still GITC began to be sought after for working part-time as a translator to September 23-26 in Paris. The Nagorno Karabagh in dire straits in 2005. A group of projects in other parts of Armenia and earn her tuition. After getting married delegation, headed by Chief of Tourism and young professionals visiting through in Artsakh. In 2009, the Armenian and having children, thought she Historical Environment Protection Department the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) Educational Foundation (AEF, based in would have to leave Armenia in order Sergey Shahverdyan, participated in the exhibition. witnessed the situation. Among them Glendale, Calif.) contacted GITC and to economically survive. She pointed The delegation came with a separate pavilion, was Patrick Sarkissian, the founder asked that it prepare teachers to use out that “in Armenia, if you don’t have which was decorated in a traditional style and pre- and chief executive officer of computers that it wished to donate. a lot of money or great patronage, you sented rich literature on Artsakh, sights, maps, Sarkissian Mason, a high tech design The AEF paid all the costs of trans - can’t make it. And I had neither.” information about hotels, etc. The pavilion and marketing services firm in New portation and equipment, while GITC Fortuitously, after taking her final appeared to be interesting not only for tour spe- York City. Sarkissian saw the contrast provided the specialists. This turned exams, her English teacher told her cialists but ordinary visitors as well, the NKR between great human potential, with into an ongoing program, and in differ - about a new center being founded in Tourism and Historical Environment Protection great education especially in mathe - ent years, GITC worked in different Gumri, which needed an administrative Department said. matics, and the desperate economic sit - provinces of Armenia, such as Lori or assistant. She went to GITC, not believ - The Azeri delegation usually tries to impede the uation. Tavush, and in Artsakh. Yeghoyan said, ing that they would accept somebody Karabagh pavilion but failed this year as always. Sarkissian quipped that the only “We want donors to see that what they without connections. Yet after the thing which works in Gumri is the do serves the entire community. Our interview, they accepted her. The direc - President Congratulates human brain. He was confident that a graduates gift back with their knowl - tor, Narine Petrosyan, encouraged her technology center could become a mag - edge. We teach teachers, do free pro - to overcome new challenges and Jewish Community on net to keep youth in Gumri. Meanwhile, grams for children and prepare web - helped her learn new computer pro - according to FAR director Garnik sites for free for associations for the grams, but six months later left for the New Year Nanagoulian, FAR also had been look - handicapped and other benevolent US. Soon Yeghoyan became coordina - YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The President of ing for ways to stop the loss of talented groups. tor of the academic department, and Armenia Serge Sargisian sent a message last week youth there. FAR in a sense was born GITC instituted rigorous procedures, began working closely with congratulating the country’s Jewish community on as a result of the situation in Gumri starting with entrance exams for stu - Nanagoulian at FAR. Then she became Rosh Hashanah. and northern Armenia after the earth - dents. Only 30 people are accepted for assistant director. In 2011 she became According to the president’s press office, he quake. It decided to look at industries the first year, and behavior, perfor - director. She said, “I was fortunate that wrote, “I sincerely congratulate you on the occa- which could be nurtured locally to pro - mance, speech and dress are all scruti - American Armenians were my direc - sion of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. I wish vide employment. After deciding nized in order to prepare people for the tors. They helped me learn from my you a festive mood. May the coming year be a year against textiles and fashion, FAR con - western business mentality. Classes are mistakes. Even our donors are so mod - of peace, creation and abundance for our Jewish sulted with Sarkissian and several oth - seven hours a day as in a regular place est and humble that when they call compatriots of Armenia and the entire Jewish peo- ers and became convinced to focus on of work. Whoever fails is expelled with - they ask first whether I have two min - ple and may the thousand-year history of friendship internet technology. out the certificate of graduation. utes to talk.” and cooperation between the Armenian and Jewish Armenian-American donors liked the Usually only 20 out of 30 graduate. Nanagoulian later said, “We wanted peoples continue to strengthen.” idea of preparing the youth for work in Students who do not possess the Amalya to come here to promote Gumri as specialists. The trained spe - proper education are sent to a summer GITC’s new approach. She is very cialists no longer had to leave for edu - preparatory course before starting the impressive. She worked her way up to Serbia to Open Embassy cation or work abroad, and instead two-year program. Students must become a leader. She can easily turn work would be brought to Gumri. decide between the web and mobile into a mayor or leader of the province. In Armenia Internet technology work was expand - technology divisions. After learning the And GITC proved to be an extremely YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The First Deputy Prime ing in Yerevan, and did not require basics the first year, in the second year, efficient entity. It is now a recognized Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia large amounts of capital to start, unlike the students are sent out to different name in Armenia, and provides Ivica Dacic announced on October 2 during a press other industries. Private businesses in places with specialists for practical advanced training to business owners, conference in Belgrade Serbia’s intention to open Armenia declared that the graduates of work experience. Reports are sent back academics and non-governmental orga - an embassy in Yerevan. educational institutions in Gumri were about their accomplishments, so that nizations. Armenian businesses here in Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian provided with excellent general knowl - GITC sees who can actually do the the US will see that our people can was in Serbia last weekon an official visit by the edge but still needed training to begin work. deliver at least as good service as the invitation of Dacic. Nalbandian is expected to meet practical work. Students pay $500 tuition per year. Indians on a continuing basis, and at a with the high ranking representatives of the FAR found out exactly what these During the second year, the students lower price.” FAR likes the GITC model Serbian legislative and executive authorities and companies were seeking in new can work during the week for pay and so much that it is considering similar the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. employees, and accordingly established come to classes on the weekend. approaches in cities like Vanadzor and a curriculum. Then it decided on the In 2010 GITC’s board decided to Stepanakert. best way to teach the curriculum. strive to create sustainability for its pro - Criminal Case Filed on Instead of using the universities, it grams, and established a business decided to hire as teachers the most department—GITC Solutions. It would Shushi Signs Soldier’s Death advanced programmers and other find work for GITC’s graduates. The YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Contract serviceman young people in private firms in new approach is, said Yeghoyan, that Friendship Pact David Victor Navasardyan was killed by a rival’s Armenia who already had experience in “we will now ask our donors to find us shot in his head at about 9 p.m. on October 1, at dealing with clients in the US and work and projects for Gumri instead of With French Town one of the units of the Defense Army of the Europe. Nanagoulian said, “This our asking donors to give us money SHUSHI, Karabagh Nagorno Karabagh Republic. The Department for became an extremely complex project. directly. We want to slowly become (ArmeniaNow) — President of the Information and Public Relations of the We had to bring these people from independent from donors. I am here Nagorno-Karabagh Republic Investigative Committee of the Republic of Yerevan on weekends, when they were now for this purpose.” Bako Sahakian on Sunday Armenia revealed that a criminal case has been not working at their regular jobs, pro - Yeghoyan declared that GITC can received a delegation of officials filed at the general military investigation agency of vide them with hotels, and then bring deliver a higher quality product at a from the French town of Bourg- the Investigative Committee in accordance with the them back. We soon realized we had to cheaper cost than firms in Asia often les-Valence, headed by its Mayor 13th clause of the second part of the 104th article develop our own faculty. Patrick used by US companies for outsourcing Marlene Mourier. of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. Sarkissian and some local organiza - work. She said, “We want to remain in According to the NKR presi - The motives cited are national hatred. A prelimi- tions were instrumental in this.” Gumri. If we have no work, we will all dent’s press office, Sahakyan nary investigation is being carried out. Yeghoyan said, “At first, we had noth - think of emigrating. Instead, we can do ing — no internet connection, no soci - software and web development work welcomed the signing of the ety that knew what was high tech, no for people in the diaspora. We have a friendship declaration between Armenia Hosts First curriculum, no teachers. We had twen - great portfolio—we’ve worked for the towns Bourg-les-Valence and ty ambitious students and the desire UNICEF (an e-learning portal), German Shushi considering this direc - Lady of Poland and ambition of our three-person staff associations, USAID and New York tion of mutual cooperation among the bases of strengthen - YEREVAN (Armenpress) — First Lady of Poland in Gumri. We started in 2005, teaching firms. We can do search engine opti - ing ties between Artsakh and Anna Komorowska has arrived in Armenia, accord- chip design, then we began to teach mization and mobile applications for France. ing to the Twitter blog of the Embassy of Poland to website design and planning.” IOS and Android.” She pointed out Issues related to Nagorno- the Republic of Armenia. The First Lady of Poland The two-year post-baccalaureate pro - that GITC specialists can communicate Karabagh’s domestic and foreign and First Lady of Armenia Rita Sargisian will gram turned out to be highly success - in English, and offer a team to work on policies were also touched upon, attend the opening ceremony of the exhibition of ful. In 2007, the entire graduating class projects, not just individual specialists. according to a report. NKR the works of the Polish-Armenian painter Theodore of 20 was hired by the chip designer She said, “Moreover, we don’t just pre - Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan Aksentovich, to be held at the National Gallery of Instigate Design, which already had a pare websites. We have a creative and other officials partook in the Armenia from October 8. During the event, orga- center in Yerevan. Now Instigate approach and can suggest new direc - meeting. nized under the auspices of the presidents of Design established a second Armenian tions. Our flexibility is our strength.” Shushi also signed a declara - Armenia and Poland, the public will be able to see center in Gumri. Yeghoyan’s own success story is a tion of friendship with the city of 53 works of the painter. Each year thereafter, new internet testament to both her native talents technology corporations opened up in and the opportunities that diasporan Los Angeles in September of last Gumri. The government started a assistance can provide. After graduat - year. technopark. GITC played a key role in ing school in Gumri, she wanted to go S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Supreme Patriarch Sees Rangoon’s Armenian International News Church Granted Heritage Status Levon Hayrapetyan Released from Prison By San Yamin Aung Moscow (Armenpress) — On October 3 the Basman District Court released Armenian businessman RANGOON, Burma (Irrawaddy) — Levon Hayrapetyan from prison while requiring Catholicos Karekin II, the supreme patri - him to remain under house arrest, according to RIA arch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Novosti. attended a ceremony in Rangoon last The Federal Security Service of the Russian week that saw the city’s historic Federation detained Hayrapetyan, a Russian resi- Armenian Apostolic Church of St. John dent, on July 15 in Domodedovo Airport, where his the Baptist fitted with a blue plaque to flight landed from Monaco. The investigators trans- honor its status as a heritage site. ported the Armenian businessman to the The church, Rangoon’s oldest Investigation Committee of the Russian Federation Christian place of worship, is the third under special surveillance, where he was officially beneficiary of a larger project by the informed of his arrest. The law enforcement author- Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT) to high - ities accuse Hayrapetyan of being connected with light the city’s expansive colonial archi - criminal leader Sergey Finagin. tecture. Along with Karekin II, who made his first-ever visit to Burma this week, Catholicos Karekin II, the supreme patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Markarian Hands attends the unveiling of a blue plaque to honor the heritage status of the Armenian Rangoon Division Chief Minister Myint Apostolic Church of St. John the Baptist in Rangoon. (Photo: Sai Zaw / The Credentials to President Swe, Rangoon Mayor Hla Myint and the Irrawaddy) British ambassador to Burma, Andrew Of Council of Europe Patrick, attended an event unveiling the plaque at the church, located on the cor - census by the colonial administration “I feel like I am in dream,” she said of BRUSSELS (Armenpress) — The head of Armenia’s ner of Merchant and Bo Aung Kyaw revealed that there were 466 Armenians Wednesday’s ceremony. mission to the European Union (EU), Ambassador streets. living in the country, and a decade later “This event marks the third plaque to Tatul Markarian, presented his credentials to The plaques serve to commemorate that number had grown to 1,295. be installed in a historic building of President of the Council of Europe Herman Van landmarks, or well-known events or peo - But today the church is struggling to Rangoon,” said Moe Moe Lwin, director Rompui on October 2. ple, in the city, YHT said. fill the pews, with only a small number of of YHT, at the unveiling ceremony. “We Subsequently Markarian and Van Rompui had a “It is a special day for us. Because worshippers attending service each hope that this blue plaque will highlight private talk, during which they referred to a num- today, at the entrance of the church, week. Of these, few trace roots back to our city’s heritage, and serve as a gate - ber of issues concerning Armenia-EU relations. there is a plaque which has been estab - the community that founded the build - way for Rangoon residents as well as vis - Congratulating the ambassador, Van Rompui lished to indicate its heritage position,” ing more than 150 years ago. itors to celebrate its wonderful diversity expressed hope that he would do everything possi- Karekin II told attendees via a translator. Distinguished by its tropical architec - and incredible history.” ble to strengthen Armenia-EU bilateral relations. “We have come here to encourage ture combined with Gothic features, the Previously, plaques have been fitted on Markarian expressed his thanks for the warm Armenians and their children to pre - church is the oldest church surviving in City Hall and the building that once reception and assured that he is ready to exert serve the tradition. We have come here Rangoon, according to a press release housed the up-market department store efforts for the continuous strengthening of not only to see the preservation of the from YHT on Wednesday. Rowe & Co. Armenia-EU relations. Upon the request of the church, but also to strengthen Canadian Sharman Minus, who said Moe Moe Lwin said YHT is working to president of the council, he presented the latest [Rangoon’s] Armenian heritage,” he her great-great-grandparents helped extend the existing list of heritage build - developments in attempts at regulating the said. build the church, said that the Armenian ings in Rangoon. The blue plaque desig - Karabagh conflict, and the current situation in Burma’s dwindling population of delegation had been incredibly welcom - nation means the Armenian Apostolic Armenian-Turkish relations and in the region. Armenians arrived in the 17th century ing to her, inviting her to Wednesday’s Church of St. John the Baptist will be from Iran, where they had settled after event and taking great interest in her per - included in the extended list, help to fleeing the Ottoman Empire. In 1881, a sonal family history. ensure its long-term preservation. French Gymnast Arthur Magakian Dies at 89 PARIS (Jean Eckian) — Dubbed King Arthur by the Spat Over Who Speaks To UN Hints Of French press, legendary gymnast Arthur Magakian died last week at age 89 from a brain tumor. Magakian became champion of France in junior Looming Political Crisis in Georgia decathlon gymnastics in 1945. In 1952, an injury prevented him from partici- of Georgians believe that former Prime March, Ivanishvili said he was “sur - pating in the Olympic Games in Helsinki and his By Robert Coalson Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili continues to prised” and “disappointed” by career came to an end. play a decisive role in governing the Margvelashvili. He said Margvelashvili Magakian then became one of the leading coach- country despite not holding any office had shown “fundamentally different es and leaders of the French Gymnastics TBILISI (RFE/RL) — When Georgian for nearly a year. Only 17 percent said he features and character” after he was Federation and was its first national technical Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili took does not play a role. elected president. In particular, he crit - director from 1963 to 1986. the podium for his 15 minutes of fame at The conflict between Margvelashvili icized the president for using a lavish His remarkable career was rewarded with the the United Nations (UN) General and the government is not about policies, presidential palace built by the govern - Legion of Honor, the National Order of Merit and Assembly in New York this week, the says Gia Khukhashvili, who served as an ment of former President Mikheil the Gold Medal of Youth and Sports. country’s president was back in Tbilisi, adviser to Ivanishvili when he was prime Saakashvili. Magakian was born on November 11, 1925 in licking his political wounds. minister. Ivanishvili also expressed his backing Vienne. His funeral was held on Wednesday, At a press conference on September “The reality is that the president and for Prime Minister Garibashvili, saying October 8, in Valence. 11, Georgian President Giorgi prime minister don’t have differences his successor was a better prime minis - Margvelashvili said his plans to represent about fundamental issues — our foreign- ter than he had been. 14 Killed in Xenophobic his country at the UN had been “thwart - policy vector, their foreign-policy state - Transparency International Georgia ed” by “serious, organized efforts” by the ments,” Khukhashvili said in an inter - wrote in its statement that, following Attacks in Russia Georgian government to block him from view. “The only thing that cannot be the Ivanishvili interview, “the disagree - travelling. It was a strange statement agreed upon is the form who shall go ment between President Margvelashvili MOSCOW (RFE/RL) — A Moscow-based think tank from a country’s head of state. where and who is the main figure in this and representatives of the government that monitors xenophobia and extremism says 14 “This creates an awkward situation country.” of Georgia has become even more people have been killed and 77 injured in ethnical- and leads one not to take either of these Billionaire businessman and philan - apparent.” ly motivated attacks across Russia since the begin- institutions seriously,” says Tbilisi-based thropist Ivanishvili emerged from the Under Saakashvili, political power was ning of the year. constitutional scholar Vakhtang 2012 parliamentary elections as too concentrated in the executive branch According to the latest report presented by the Dzabiradze. “However, we can take com - Georgia’s political savior. He cobbled and this was a major campaign argument Sova Center for Information and Analysis on fort in the fact that once, a long time ago, together the opposition Georgian Dream that brought Ivanishvili’s Georgian September 30, 31 individuals have been sentenced France found itself in a similar situation coalition and led it to victory. He served Dream to power. Now, however, analysts for hatred attacks since January 1. when both the president [Francois as prime minister, as promised, for one are concerned that Ivanishvili’s alleged The report did not include ethnically or racially Mitterand] and the prime minister year before handing over the reins to informal rule since he resigned as prime motivated attacks in Russia’s volatile North [Jacques Chirac] flew to a G7 summit [in political ally Gharibashvili in November minister threatens to move governance Caucasus region or in Crimea, the Ukrainian region 1986].” 2013. beyond the country’s constitutional that was annexed by Moscow in March. “We aren’t the first to do something At the time, he told Georgian television framework altogether. The main victims of the attacks were migrant like this,” he adds, “but such cases are that Gharibashvili “reminds me of myself Analyst Khukhashvili agrees. “None workers from Central Asia and the Caucasus, as still remembered with laughter around — it is not necessary to repeat things to of [the politicians] is the main figure,” well as representatives of youth subculture groups the world.” him several times.” he says. “In this country, the Georgian and sexual minorities. Laughter aside, the conflict between Ivanishvili also picked Margvelashvili people are the main figure. [The lead - The Sova Center said that 20 people were killed the president and the government is as the coalition’s candidate in the 2013 ers] are simply hired by the Georgian in ethnically motivated attacks across Russia last indicative of a serious problem in presidential election. people and this relationship must be year. Georgian domestic politics — weak insti - But something seems to have maintained — which means mutual tutions and informal governance. changed. respect among institutions, not person - A poll in August found that 50 percent In a much-discussed interview in alities.” 4 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Fr. Vasken TOM VARTABEDIAN PHOTO Students, AYF Kouzouian to And Armenian Celebrate 20th Bar Association Anniversary of Participate in Ordination Free Legal Clinic MONTEBELLO, Calif. — Dozens of lawyers, law students and community members gath - Five Sub-deacons to Be ered on September 18, to participate in a free Ordained legal clinic reaching deep into the Armenian community of Southern California. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On Sunday, October “We want to let the community know that 26, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater we are fully invested in it, and ready to meet Sam Manoian Post #1, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell, presented five Boston will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their needs,” said Haig Siranosian, a member scholarships to worthy high school graduates Oct. 4 during a dinner-dance at Sts. Rev. Vasken A. Kouzouian’s ordination to priest - of the Montebello “Vahan Cardashian” chap - Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford. From left, Commander Richard Juknavorian, ter of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF). hood, the 53rd anniversary of the Consecration Samantha Sarkisian, Nairi Hovsepian, Robert Papazian, Daniel Donabedian, Rob The clinic took place at the local Armenian of Holy Trinity Church on Brattle Street, and Kochakian, standing in for son Matthew, and Scholarship Chairman George the ordination of five sub-deacons. Manuelian. Center and was hosted by AYF Montebello in collaboration with the Armenian Bar The morning will begin with the Divine Association and the Pepperdine University Liturgy, at 10 a.m., presided over by Archbishop School of Law’s Armenian Law Students’ Khajag Barsamian, Primate, Diocese of the Association (ALSA). Armenian Church of America (Eastern), who Lowell Veterans Award Armen K Hovannisian, chairman of the will ordain Oscar Derderian III, Stephen Armenian Bar Association, stated, “With the Hollisian, Harry Lang, Gregory Torosian and rising currents of devotion of our world-class Mark Torosian to the sub-diaconate during the Five Scholarships members, the Armenian Bar Association has Divine Liturgy. developed into a lightning rod of positive Present at the services and Celebration will energy. We continue to fulfill one of our pri - be Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan CHELMSFORD, Mass. — One graduate looks to a career in medicine. Another is mary missions of offering legal guidance to Legate and past president of the National opting to become a nurse. A third has chosen English literature and biochemistry as those in need. This time, we had the privilege Council of Churches of Christ in the United possible majors. A fourth yearns to design video games as his future career while a of being welcomed into one of the most sto - States, member of the Governing Board of the fifth student will get a business degree. ried Southern California communities — World Council of Churches, presently the presi - Welcome to the Class of 2014 in Montebello. This is where another generation dent of Christian Churches Together and mod - By Tom Vartabedian Merrimack Valley where five students now stands proud and humble in the long erator of the each received a $1,000 scholarship shadow of earlier pioneers who helped build Christian October 4 from the Sam Manoian the iconic Genocide Monument more than 45 Jewish Post 1, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell. years ago.” Dialogue. The ceremony took place at Sts. Vartanantz Church with some 240 guests in atten - Attorneys from the Armenian Bar Also attend - dance during the 24th annual dinner-dance. Among the gathered were clergy from Association offered hours of free legal consul - ing the cele - three area churches, along with members of their respective congregations. tations in the fields of immigration, land - bration will The students were recognized with the usual fanfare. Since 1990, more than lord/tenant, labor, criminal law and other be Armenian $140,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 154 candidates of Armenian- areas, conducted in both English and and non- American descent in the community. Armenian. Armenian The scholarships memorialize Menas G. Boghosian, who was a member of the Pepperdine’s ALSA, along with law school clergy from organization. students of different backgrounds from the Diocese This year’s contingent included: Daniel Donabedian, Matthew Kochakian, Nairi Southwestern Law School, Loyola Law and greater Hovsepian, Robert Papazian and Samantha Sarkisian. School and other areas schools, assisted com - community. “The academic standing and extra-curricular side sticks right out,” says munity members in communicating their legal Following Fr. Vasken Kouzouian Commander Richard Juknavorian. “They’re continuing their education at quality issues with the attorneys. church ser - schools and look to enter wonderful careers. Hopefully, the scholarships we’ve pre - “The collaborative effort between the vices, family, sented will come back to enrich our community in some way. The youth represents Armenian Bar Association, the AYF, and the friends, parishioners and the community are our future and we want to invest in that principal.” ALSA enabled us to serve the Montebello invited to the “20th Anniversary Celebration,” Of the scholarship presentations, Juknavorian further added how it’s been a tra - community and help people in a way we in the Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural dition that has been woven into the fabric of academic life in the valley. couldn’t as individual organizations. We hope Hall, which will honor Kouzouian’s two decades “Anything we can do to enhance their schooling is a mission we’ve taken very to continue co-programming and innovating of service and recognize his service to the seriously,” he pointed out. “We try to make it very personal. Parents and siblings ways to serve local communities,” stated Armenian Church, his parish and the greater become part of the celebration.” Tatev Oganyan, president of Pepperdine’s community. Sarkisian graduated from Westford Academy where she belonged to the Spanish ALSA. The Celebration Committee, chaired by Lisa Club, played volleyball, secured honor grades and enjoys dancing. She attends The organizers felt that Armenian refugees Stephanian Burton, Esq., is planning a program Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, majoring in pre-med with a long-range goal who had fled from upheavals in Syria and Iraq which will include tributes, reflections and mul - of becoming a physical therapist. would particularly need legal services as they timedia presentations chronicling his 20 years Hovsepian, another Westford Academy grad, played varsity ice hockey when she navigate the complex immigration system of of pastoral ministry. didn’t involve herself with Project Purple — a cause against drug abuse among stu - the United States. And, in fact, several of the “Holy Trinity is very lucky,” Burton states, dents. She, too, was an honor student and still reflects upon her trip to Armenia public participants came with immigration- “we will not only be celebrating the 20th two summers ago where she volunteered building homes in depressed areas. related questions related to their and their anniversary of the ordination of our pastor and Among other personal highlights was winning an essay contest sponsored by the families’ exodus from these regions. church leader, but also the accomplishments of Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley. “Because of the cycles of dispersion caused our life-long friend and fellow Holy Trinity Donabedian graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory in Brighton where he was by the Genocide and its aftermath, our com - parishioner. One of the greatest gifts we can Student Council president, participated in theater productions and did soccer and patriots have found it necessary to emigrate give Der Hayr , Yeretzgin Arpi and Alina is to all track in addition to his role on the National Honor Society. He majors in English to new countries,” Hovannisian of the come together to share in the moment and Literature and Biochemistry at Harvard University and hopes someday to become Armenian Bar Association explained. “When thank him for all he has done.” a science fiction writer. they arrive in America, we will be waiting to Seating is by advance paid reservation only, Papazian took honors classes at Shrewsbury High School and secured a second- meet them with what they will need to know with an RSVP deadline of October 15. degree black belt in karate. He’s majoring in game design at Becker College and about their legal rights and responsibilities. I Babysitting services, which will include a pizza sees an open market in an already active society. am particularly moved by the great commit - lunch and supervision, will be provided for Kochakian was also an honors student at Middlesex School in Concord where he ment of our partners in this community-bet - guests’ children, ages 3-9, at $5 per child. It is participated in soccer, track, squash and music. He also ran a voluntary program to terment effort, namely the law students and his wish that any gift made on this occasion help deaf students playing baseball and, like Hovsepian, was also a first-place essay the young men and women of the Armenian benefit the establishment of a Youth Center at winner in the Merrimack Valley Genocide Contest. He attends New York University’s Youth Federation.” Holy Trinity Armenian Church. For further Stern School of Business. Accepting in his behalf was his dad, Rob. The legal clinic with the Armenian Bar information, or to make a reservation or dona - Five veterans were honored with life memberships: Richard “Muggy” Association is part of a larger goal among tion, contact the Holy Trinity church office or Juknavorian, John Amboian, John Balian, Haig Goodsoodian and Jacob Ajemian. AYF Western Region chapters to make a pos - email [email protected]. Payment for dinner For more on the veterans, log onto their website: itive impact in their local communities. AYF reservations may be made online at www.armenianamericanveterans.org. chapters currently offer services ranging from www.htaac.org. weekly special-needs basketball programs to see CELEBRATION, page 7 community health fairs in Pasadena. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Group Celebrates Armenia’s Independence at NYC Event

and strengthen our state institutions,” he said. field, and is a guarantor of Armenia’s security. we can hope for in this country. For our home - By Florence Avakian The ambassador related that there are “tragic Today we have a secure Armenia and Artsakh. land to thrive, it must be supported.” She berat - pages in our history, the pain of the Genocide. Other state institutions were born, including ed those who “meddle in our petty politics.” This is not an historical question. It is a political diplomacy, and we are proud that our flag flies Armenia, she said, “needs peaceful relations with NEW YORK — The brilliant sunny day reflect - question of the present. The fourth or fifth gen - high internationally, and at the United Nations.” its neighbors, economic stability, rule of law, a ed the happy occasion of the 23rd celebration of eration of the survivors still carry the pain. He thanked all who live and work for Armenia strong educational system, and a healthy politic. the Republic of Armenia’s independence. Under Justice not delivered is pain not healed.” For sec - and Artsakh. “We have much to celebrate.” We have to connect the past with the future to the auspices of the Armenian Diocese (Eastern) and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and the Armenian Mission to the United Nations, and UN Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, it took place at St. Vartan Cathedral Complex’s Kavookjian Hall on Sunday, September 21, fol - lowing church services. The event was sponsored by the volunteers of the group Noyan Tapan (Noah’s Ark), which planned, organized and funded the celebration, and who for several years has organized not only these annual remembrances, but also has been instrumental in working with the Times Square Genocide commemorations. On September 21, Kavookjian Hall was fes - tooned with tricolor balloons, as more than 250 people took their seats at flower-bedecked tables. Across the stage was a massive tricolor flag with a gigantic emblem of Armenia placed in the center. The program began with the open - ing prayer by Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, fol - lowed by the singing of the American and Armenian national anthems by Vagharshak Ohanyan, accompanied on the piano by Dr. Lloyd Ariola. Noyan Tapan Vice Chairman Tigran Sahakyan was the master of ceremonies, introducing a patriotic video replete with fireworks, robust Some of the dignitaries, organizers and speakers at the celebration choral singing and poetry accompanying a trib - ute to Armenian soldiers marching in step with rows of tanks and missiles following them, and ond and third generations, the 20 to 25 year Southern Connecticut State University insure Armenia’s future, and the strength of our cheering crowds celebrating Armenian olds, the emotion is different, he said, adding, President Dr. Mary Papazian, representing the forebears.” Independence Day in Yerevan’s central square. “Nationalism is natural for the young genera - Daughters of Vartan, reminded the audience In emotional remarks, Hagop Vartivarian, rep - Mnatsakanian, speaking in Armenian, stated tion. They will be taking over the decision mak - that the youth in Armenia always had a country, resenting the ADL-Ramgavar Party, paid tribute that the country’s history, faith, culture and lan - ing soon,” he said. though “For us in the US, an independent to “this holy land which came about from the guage are the strong bases for the finding of “Today, we are a proud people, and indepen - Armenia was a dream.” blood of our brave soldiers and people. Next year solutions in the future. “We are recognized inter - dence is the most serious question for Armenia She paid tribute to the huge majority who has on the 100th anniversary of our Genocide, we nationally. We have to preserve our rich legacy, and Artsakh. Our army was born on the battle - participated in Armenia’s elections, “something shall commemorate it at the Tsitsernakabert Genocide Memorial. The diaspora has to be ready for its responsibilities to Armenia and Artsakh so that our independence is not threat - ened.” Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Brian Ardouny, in offering a personal reflection, revealed that his grandparents, who were Genocide survivors, came to America, but always kept a close connection to the homeland. “Their sacrifices, and those of many others like them, contributed to the independence of Armenia,” he said, and reiterated that freedom and democracy for Artsakh was still in question. “We have many challenges ahead of us, but we have had, and continue to have the enduring spirit for survival. We have much to be proud of.” Noyan Tapan Chairman Artyom Sahakyan, thanked all those present, and declared, “Our forefathers fought for our independent home - land. We have to work together and make sure that our future is maintained and strengthened for future generations.” Several performers delighted the audience with Armenian songs, including soprano Anoush Barclay with piano accompaniment by Lucine Vahradyan, and coloratura Maria Sahakyan, accompanied by Vagharshag Ohanyan. The Antranig Dance Ensemble, clad in colorful tradi - tional costumes and with graceful movements, performed several patriotic and lyrical numbers. Coinciding with the official program, in a side room, children were entertained with games, a magic show and movies. In his heartfelt remarks, Gizirian declared, “Our survival in a difficult neighborhood is exemplary. Our ideals have not been diminished. We should be proud of our holy homeland with its songs, its dances, its icons, its culture, its his - tory. And Artsakh is our responsibility and must be protected.” He related that when he came to the US 23 years ago, he went to the United Nations, “and with tear-filled eyes, paid homage to our flag. Every country has minuses, but we should get nourishment from our roots, and be proud of our homeland, and our people, and pray that God will always bless our nation and its people.” The event concluded with prayers offered by Gizirian and the Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian. They joined the assemblage in the singing of the Hayr Mer . 6 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS After 44 Years at Yale, Harutunian Is Still Young at Heart

desk, while a complete fencing workshop — all — over 500 wins in 44 years — despite many of By Greg Cameron the equipment of his team, tools for building his most successful athletes never having the weapons and even a sewing machine for touched a piece of fencing equipment before fencing outfits — is dispersed around the office. college. One notable example, David Jacobson NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Yale Daily News) — Harutunian is currently in the midst of using ’74, was a football player in high school before Seeing Yale fencing coach Henry Harutunian his tools to make an épée from scratch for Harutunian approached him at Payne Whitney in person, one might think he was 60 or 65. Dillon Lew ’16, who is switching from foil to Gym in his freshman year at Yale. Hearing his booming voice speak about his love epee this year and did not have the appropriate Harutunian told him to report to the fencing for Yale, he might sound 40, and watching the equipment. room the next day to try the sport. Jacobson energy with which he conducts practice five He stores and takes care of all of the team’s proceeded to earn all-American honors in fenc - days a week, he would seem around 18 to 22, equipment, he said, because his students ing and join the American national team. the age of his fencing students. should not need to think about fencing when As much as Harutunian’s former students Never would one guess that Harutunian is they are not in the Yale fencing room. owe him for his teachings in fencing, he also about to turn 82 — the exact age of Payne “I ask, from October 15 to March, for two has much for which to thank them, as it was Whitney Gymnasium — and is now entering his hours a day, you come to fencing and forget one of Harutunian’s pupils who brought him to 45th year as the head of the Yale fencing pro - everything else,” Harutunian said. “At 6:15, you Yale in the first place. gram. His tenure at the helm spans seven Yale leave, and unplug from fencing. [Take care of] Harutunian moved to the United States in presidencies, five NCAA fencing titles for Yale your studies, social life, whatever else in your 1966 to become a conversational Russian and the entire length of the women’s fencing life, because that’s your profession and future. instructor at Harvard. Howard Daniel ’66 was program, which he himself created in 1974. Your parents are paying for education, not fenc - Harutunian’s graduate student. After discover - The former American Olympic coach credits ing.” ing Harutunian’s coaching talent and Yale’s his job at Yale, which he willingly works at from During those two hours a day, Harutunian need for a revitalized fencing program, he decid - 5:30 a.m. to after 6:30 p.m. each day, for keep - runs practices with as much intensity and ener - Coach Henry Harutunian ed to connect the future coach to Yale. ing him young over the years. A religious man gy as the fencers themselves, captain Hugh Harutunian visited the campus and was who hails from Armenia, he said that it is impor - O’Cinneide ’15 said. awestruck by its beauty, especially the size of tant to enjoy the years that God has given him. Above all else, O’Cinneide said that onship each in foil and sabre in the early 1990s. the Yale fencing room despite the small mem - “For me, everything comes naturally,” Harutunian has taught him when to draw the “[Harutunian] has made my experience on bership of the team. In 1970, after three years Harutunian said. “I just like life, I like young line between a lighthearted tone and serious the Women’s Fencing team one of the best of coaching at Brandeis, he eventually was people. My life is my team.” one. parts about my four years at Yale,” women’s offered the fencing job at Yale. Harutunian’s office, the only room on the “His coaching has really given a boost to my captain Lauren Miller ’15 said in an email. “His Forty-four years later, the former Harvard seventh floor of Payne Whitney Gymnasium love of the sport, because he is so passionate long-standing dedication to the team means a instructor remains one of the greatest supports other than the fencing room, is an organized about it,” O’Cinneide said. lot to us and our alumni and I know that we of Yale as an institution. He frequently referred mess that encapsulates his life: busy and loaded Harutunian’s philosophy for coaching has wouldn’t have the team we have today without to past and present administrators as “brilliant,” with memories. certainly proved successful. His women’s team him.” picking out one name, A. Bartlett Giamatti, as Nearly one hundred photos of his past teams has won three NCAA titles, all between 1982 Just 11 years after his immigration to the best Yale president he has witnessed. and the children of his alumni hang behind his and 1985, while the men’s team won a champi - America, he began working with its national Giamatti’s picture also hangs on the filled walls team, eventually coaching in the 1984 Olympic of Harutunian’s office. games. The Yale fencing team’s season starts OBITUARY Harutunian has produced this success at Yale November 7 at Penn State. Bernard ‘Ben’ Akillian ASHLAND, Mass. — Bernard “Ben” Akillian, endary John P. “Stuffy” McInnis. He was one of formerly of Ashland, died on October 2. He the Ivy League’s best outfielders, a hard-hitter ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS leaves his wife, Vivian (Cormier) Akillian; chil - who displayed major league potential with his D D S dren Joyce Rossignol and her husband, Charles, running, fielding and throwing skills. Cemetery Monuments Steven Akillian and his wife, Phyllis, and Gail After graduation, he was again approached Phillips and her husband, Eric; grandchildren by the Yankees and other major league teams Specializing in Chris Rossignol, Jacqui Rossignol and Zachary who were interested in signing him to a minor Armenian Designs and Lettering Phillips. He was the league contract. Although greatly tempted to brother of the late pursue a career in professional baseball, he fol - 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 Victoria Akillian, Setrak, lowed the advice of his older brother, Nubar, Sarkis and Nubar and attended Harvard Business School (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com Akillian. He also leaves After military service, he joined the federal several nieces and government and retired after 37 years of feder - nephews. al service. He was inducted into He lived most of his married life in Ashland the Watertown High with his wife, Vivian and his children and grand - Bernard “Ben” School Athletic Hall of children. Akillian Fame. His family summered for many years at their He was an outstand - favorite vacation place, Camp Wulamat on GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E ing scholar-athlete at Watertown High School, Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC from which he graduated in 1948. He excelled Funeral services were held on Monday, Mark J. Giragosian in football, basketball and baseball, served as October 6, at Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Funeral Counselors class president for two years, was senior class Church in Belmont. In lieu of flowers, memori - 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 marshal and a member of the National Honor al donations may be made to the Holy Cross www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Society and the Cum Laude group. Armenian Catholic Church, 200 Lexington St., After graduation, the New York Yankees Belmont, MA 02478. offered him a contract, but he chose to attend Arrangements were made by the Aram Harvard College instead. He played for the leg - Bedrosian Funeral Home in Watertown. Telephone (617) 924-7400 Walter McKertich Aram Bedrosian SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Walter grew in size and stature becoming a shopping McKertich, of Scarborough, died on August 13, and social destination for many people in Funeral Home, Inc. 2014. He was 76 years old. Andover. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 He was born to Rose Chopoorian and Joseph Always interested in the world around him, McKertich. he became active in local political causes espe - MARION BEDROSIAN He grew up in Watertown, the younger broth - cially in the Clamshell Alliance, a group against 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN er of Vahan and Lillian. nuclear weapons. Throughout his life, he WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN In high school he was co-captain of enjoyed many pastimes, from ballroom dancing Watertown’s championship football team and to golf to creating stained glass pieces and spar - was later inducted into the Watertown Football ring in the boxing ring. But his greatest passion Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a Hall of Fame. After high school, McKertich and joy was for his family. He adored his wife, joined the United States Marine Corps and did children and grandchildren. his tour of duty in the Mediterranean. Upon In 1999, the couple sold their store and returning to the US, Walt graduated from AIC “retired” to Portland, Maine. Never one to be Edward D. Jamie, Jr. in Springfield, Mass. idle, he worked part time at the Woodlands He then started to work at Honeywell Country Club in Falmouth and later, wanting to Funeral Chapel Corporation as a production manager. serve his country after 9/11, he became a TSA Serving the entire Armenian Community He married Glenda (Glenny) Silon and they employee. The couple also began to travel and Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location had three children, Lisa, Edward and Robert. enjoyed many trips both in the US and abroad. Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 Wanting a change from corporate life, he and Even in illness Walt never lost his sense of his wife opened a natural food store in Andover humor, making his hospice nurse smile. He will Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 in 1976. The store was an instant success and always be remembered and loved. Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Fr. Vasken Kouzouian to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Ordination

CELEBRATION, from page 4 ings of Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, of Pastoral Journey blessed memory. In May 1994, he graduated Born in New Jersey in 1964 to Rev. Fr. from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological and St. Mampre A. Kouzouian and the late Yeretzgin Nersess Theological Seminaries in New York, Nuvart Kouzouian, Alexan Sarkis Kouzouian receiving the Master of Divinity degree. was raised in the Armenian Church in a devout Following his seminary graduation, he mar - family that has a long history of serving the ried Arpi Musluyan of Toronto, in July 1994. church. He is the 51st priest in his maternal lin - The two had met on a trip to Armenia for young eage (Der Bedrosian). adults in the summer of 1992. In 1977, when Fr. Mampre Kouzouian became During the weekend of October 29-30, 1994, the pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Kouzouian Greater Boston, the family moved to was ordained to the Holy Order of Priesthood in Massachusetts. Fr. Vasken graduated from the Armenian Church by Archbishop Barsamian. Belmont High School and received his Bachelor “Deacon Alexan” was renamed “Fr. Vasken” in of Arts degree in political science from Boston memory of the late Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch University in 1986. He studied at the Seminary and Catholicos of All Armenians. of Holy Echmiadzin in Armenia for two years After fulfilling his pastoral internship at Holy (from 1988 to 1990), and was ordained to the Trinity, under the direction of his father, diaconate at the Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin, Barsamian assigned the younger Kouzouian to by the late Archbishop Nersess Bozabalian, serve as pastor of the St. Mark Armenian Chancellor of the Mother See, and with the bless - Church, in Springfield MA, from 1995 to 1999. Berjoohie Zakarian Bequest to Mirror And Tekeyan Cultural Association

WORCESTER — The late Berjoohie H. (“Berjie”) Zakarian of Worcester was a longtime subscriber to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator and supporter of the Tekeyan Cultural Assocation (TCA). Through her estate, she recently donated $10,843 to the Mirror , and the same amount to the TCA. The Mirror and TCA are most appreciative of her support, and are certain her memory will live on among friends and relatives. Zakarian was born on November 18, 1921. A graduate of Commerce High School, she worked as a hairstylist for almost 40 years. She was active in the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, as well as in the Armenian General Benevolent Berjoohi Zakarian Union, Armenian Assembly, Daughters of Vartan and the Armenian Museum of America. She passed away on February 15, 2013. The daughter of Hapet and Yougaper (Topjian) Zakarian, she was sister of Asbed “Ozzie” Zakarian, and has many surviving rela - Fr. Vasken Kouzouian at his ordination in 1911 tives. She is buried at Hope Cemetery in Worcester.

While still serving at St. Mark’s, Fr. Vasken She is a Sunday School student, a member of and Yn. Arpi were assigned to serve the St. the Holy Trinity ACYOA Juniors and has attend - Vartan Summer Camp Program as Director and ed St. Vartan Camp. Director of Programming, respectively. Under During Kouzouian’s tenure, Holy Trinity has their leadership, the St. Vartan Camp program seen the establishment of a Distinguished flourished experiencing renewal and growth. Speaker Series, a fellowship group for its senior He served as camp director from 1996 to 2001, parishioners, a Vacation Bible School program and again from 2010 to the present. He also for its youngest faithful; an annual Blessing of served as camp chaplain from 2002 to 2004. Babies’ Service and major renovations to the sys - With the successful revamping of the St. tems of the 50 plus year old Church complex. Vartan Camp program, Barsamian asked Fr. He has continued to be actively involved on Vasken and Yn. Arpi to lead the Diocesan Youth the Diocesan level serving on the Diocesan Ministry Program; Fr. Vasken served as director Council since 2007, and the Board of Directors from 1999 to 2001. It was during this time that of the Ararat Center since 2011. the couple underwent extensive professional In the community, Kouzouian has served on youth ministry training. In 2000 and 2006, he the Massachusetts State House Genocide was Director of the Diocesan Youth Pilgrimages Commemoration Committee since 2002, the to Jerusalem and the Holy Land. In 2001, he led Boston Minister’s Club (founded in 1870) since a Diocesan Young Adult 1,700th Anniversary 2004, with the encouragement of Archbishop Pilgrimage to Armenia. Vicken Aykazian and the Mayor’s Interfaith In 2002, Holy Trinity Church welcomed Clergy Council, City of Cambridge MA. Kouzouian back home as its pastor to lead it Ordination of Five Sub-Deacons into the future. With vast youth ministry expe - Oscar Derderian III, Harry Lang, Stephen rience serving the Diocese, he and his wife Hollisian, Gregory and Mark Torosian come from brought about a renaissance of direction and families that are committed and devoted to the activity into the parish youth program. He has Armenian Church and its teachings. These five personally led more than 100 parishioners on young men have been brought up within the Holy four pilgrimages, two to Armenia, one to his - Trinity Church parish from a young age. All are toric Armenia, and a special Christmas pilgrim - graduates of Holy Trinity’s Sunday School pro - age to Bethlehem and the Holy Land. gram, were actively involved in the Holy Trinity A personal highlight for the Kouzouians was ACYOA Juniors program, and are current members the birth of their daughter, Alina, in 2002. of the Holy Trinity ACYOA Seniors. They have Having grown up within the Holy Trinity attended the St. Vartan Camp program as campers, parish, Alina is actively involved in parish life. CITs and staff members as well as the Deacon’s Training Program at St. Nersess Armenian Seeking Advertising Seminary. Derderian, Hollisian, and the Torosian brothers each have participated in the Diocesan Representative Young Adult Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For four The is years, Lang attended the Junior Choir Leadership Armenian Mirror-Spectator Development Program, sponsored by the Sacred seeking a part-time advertising sales Music Council of the Diocese of the Armenian representative, starting immediately. Church, from which he recently graduated. Salary will be based on commission In April 2003, the five young men received only. Hours are flexible. the Four Minor Orders of Acolyte in an ordina - If interested in the position, contact tion presided over by Barsamian at Holy Trinity Church. Since then, they have served on the Hasmik Saroyan at 617-924-4420 or altar whenever possible as they furthered their email resume and contact information to liturgical training under the direction of the [email protected] long-time deacon of the Holy Trinity Church, Gregory Krikorian. 8 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Announces Partnership with Teach for Armenia

NEW YORK — The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is proud to announce its partnership with Teach For Armenia, an initiative premised on the idea that every child deserves access to an excel - lent education. In honor of this new partner - ship, AGBU hosted a series of lectures with founder and CEO Larisa Ryan on September 30 in Pasadena, October 2 in San Francisco, October 7 in New York and October 8 in Boston. The events are designed to inform the com - munity about the state of education in Armenia and Teach For Armenia’s role in its development. Driven by a belief in pursuing innovative solutions to social problems, Teach For Armenia plans to recruit the best and the brightest from Armenia and the dias - pora to teach in the Armenian educational system. By including enthusiastic and dynam - ic teachers and leaders in the nation’s schools and elevating the discourse about education, the enterprise looks to increase the quality of education in Armenia. Larisa Ryan, Teach For Armenia’s founder

Teach For Armenia plans to recruit the best and the brightest from Armenia and the diaspora to teach in the Armenian educational system.

and CEO, is a Teach For Armenians means that it is committed to building alliances America alumna. “As much with partners who are willing to put their faith in the future as we are leveraging Teach of Armenia’s economic and social strength. With supporters For America’s model, we are like the AGBU, Teach For Armenia will expand its program by not a franchise, but an recruiting, training, and placing its fellows in schools Armenian organization that throughout Armenia to guarantee that the country’s students adopts and translates cut - can realize their potential. ting-edge trends in order to Over the past few months, Teach For Armenia’s efforts have boost Armenia’s competitive received support from major Armenian foundations, organi - advantage,” says Ryan. zations, corporations and individuals who have joined them The initiative’s goal of in their mission to provide stellar education. For more Teach For Armenia is premised on the idea that every child deserves access to an excellent education. expanding educational information about Teach For Armenia, visit opportunities for young http://teachforarmenia.org/ S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenians Honor USC President for Championing USC Armenian Institute Around Town LOS ANGELES — The University of Richard Tufenkian Memorial Scholarship. Southern California Institute of Armenian Attorneys Mark Geragos and Brian Kabateck Studies Leadership Council marked its 10th directed some of the proceeds of the AXA year with a gala celebration in the presence of Insurance Settlement case in support of the 600 guests and supporters, at the Beverly Institute’s programming fund. Hilton Hotel on Sunday, September 28. Several dignitaries were present to join in The 10th anniversary gala honored USC honoring Nikias. The Carnegie Corporation’s President C. L. Max Nikias for championing the president, Vartan Gregorian joined the guests, Institute. Nikias, born in Cyprus, was USC as did Haigazian University’s president, Paul Provost when the Institute was established. “He Haidostian, from Beirut. Paul Ignatius, former recognized and supported the Institute both as Secretary of the Navy, and Ambassador John an idea and as a university program, and for Evans, who served in Armenia as ambassador, that we’re grateful,” said Charles Ghailian, both members of the USC Institute’s Honorary chairman of the Institute Leadership Council Council, were also present. Also in attendance were Paul Krekorian, a member of Los Angeles City Council, and Sam Simonian, founder of Yerevan’s Tumo Center. Several members of the USC Board of Trustees were among the attendees, including Ron Tutor, who introduced the president. Nikias spoke about the importance of scholar - ship for development, and reiterated the impor - Park and Party tance of the Institute to the university. BOSTON — On Monday, September 23, Friends of the Armenian Heritage Park The Institute falls within the USC Dornsife hosted a Friends’ Social at Abby Lane to benefit efforts for the park’s Ongoing Care. College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Dornsife Pictured above are the greeters at the event, from left, Tsoleen Sarian, Demitri Dean Steve Kay expanded on the Institute’s Petrosian, Sara Jangigian, Trifiro, Chris Mensoian, Dr. Armineh Mirzabegian, Sarven mission, and expressed appreciation for the gen - Ipek, co-chairs Martha Mensoian and Arlette Yegumians, Ann Chaglassian, Cathy erous support of donors. He acknowledged the Minassian and Gladys Partamian. To support our Park’s Care, visit three new appointments made in the Armenian ArmenianHeritage.org Studies program and repeated the College’s From left, Charles Ghailian, USC President C.L. commitment to helping the program grow. ***** Max Nikias and Judge Dikran Tevrizian, of the Professor Richard Antaramian is the inaugural USC Institute of Armenian Studies Honorary holder of the Turpanjian Chair in Council Contemporary Armenian Studies. Salpi Ghazarian will head the Institute of Armenian and host of the banquet. Studies. Professor Richard Hovannisian will The Gala committee, headed by Diane work with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute Cabraloff and Lori Muncherian, raised nearly to develop the cataloging and indexing of the $2 million to support the Institute’s work. In Armenian Film Foundation’s collection of sur - addition to donations by the Turpanjian Family vivor testimonies. Educational Foundation, there were several sig - Institute Director Salpi Ghazarian addressed nificant commitments by others who believe in the audience by acknowledging both the seri - supporting students through scholarships. The ousness of their commitment to the role of Kassabian brothers — Garo, Jiro and Diko — scholarship in problem solving, and the seri - established a scholarship fund in their parents’ ousness of the questions and problems facing names. International Jeweler and Collector the Armenian nation and the Armenian state. Michael Kazanjian also established a fund, as The evening’s program included a musical did Leadership Council member and Closet medley, supported by Sara Zaruhi Chitjian, and World CEO Frank and Hoori Melkonian. The performed by the Armenian Pops Orchestra, led Tufenkian family generously established the by Greg Hosharian. Michigan Festival Draws Volunteers

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Members of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party and the Tekeyan Cultural Association Detroit Chapter came together at the St. John Armenian Church Festival on September 27. ADL and Tekeyan members helped out in the kitchen and were joined by friends for this photo. The three-day festival was a huge success. Captain Jack Alexanian gathered the troops for a photo. *****

(LEO GOZBEKIAN PHOTO)

Ambassador in Glendale

GLENDALE — On Tuesday, September 30, a reception in celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia was held at the Glendale Hilton, hosted by Consul General of Armenia Sergey Sarkisov, and his wife, and with the participation of the newly appointed ambassador of Armenia to the United States, Tigran Sargisian. The ambassador, fifth from left, is flanked by journalists, community leaders and members of the clergy. 10 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Armenian International Metro Detroit Keghetsi Women’s Association Group Stays True to Honors Lily Ring Balian Roots and Hosts LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Affiliate of the Armenian International Women’s ‘Pagharch’ Celebration Association (AIWA) anticipate a capacity crowd to walk the red carpet on Saturday, November 22, at the world renowned Beverly Hills Hotel. By Mitch Kehetian The special occasion for the luncheon is to honor Lily Ring Balian, recipient of the 2014 DETROIT — A mission to strength - Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Balian received this en the lifeline between local Armenians of medal on May 10, at a moving ceremony on Keghetsi roots with the residents of the Nor Ellis Island in recognition of her contributions Keghi Village in the present-day Republic of to both the Armenian and American communi - Armenia remains on course. ties. The spirited project is fueled by heritage Silva Katchiguian, president of AIWA-LA, dedication and embraced with a wheat-based states “We are proud to honor Lily Ring Balian staple dish that dates back to the ancient who has had a distinguished career in both pub - Hittites who ruled the Anatolia region of his - lic and community service. She has served on toric western Armenia 500 years before the the Executive Board of AIWA-LA since its estab - birth of Christ. lishment, was elected president in 2000-2003 This wheat-based staple smothered with and currently serves as Publicity Chair and butter and garlic-laced yogurt, revered by Liaison to the International Board. Lily Ring Keghetsis as “pagharch” will be the toast of Actor David Alpay Balian has received recognition and garnered Kef Time Keghi II at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, praise for her deep sense of commitment to the October 25, at St. John Armenian Church Armenian Apostolic Church and for her tireless Cultural Hall in Southfield. work on behalf of the Armenian community.” ATP Anniversary to Feature Actor Last year’s initial Kef Time Keghi celebra - Balian’s public service began in the Office of tion attracted more than 400 metro Detroit the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Armenians joining hands as one communi - where she rose through the ranks to serve as David Alpay and Artist Arthur ty to dance and dine on pagharch and tass executive assistant to Evelle J. Younger, District kebab. Attorney (l964-1970) and continued serving as Hovhannisyan Richard Norsigian, chairman of the Nor his executive assistant following his election as Keghi Association’s steering committee, said attorney general of the State of California (l97l- BOSTON — The organizing committee of Armenia Tree Project’s 20th anniver - funds raised through “pagharch” celebra - 79). In 1980, she moved to Washington, DC to sary recently announced that actor David Alpay will be featured as a special guest tions will go to a deserving cause in present- head Citizens at the Boston event. The celebration will be held in the grand atrium of the John day Armenia. “Our ultimate goal is to fund a Operation for the Joseph Moakley Courthouse overlooking Boston Harbor on Saturday, November 8. community development project in Nor Keghi Reagan-Bush David Alpay’s debut into the world of acting started with his role in “Ararat,” Village that its residents decide upon as a campaign. directed by Atom Egoyan, which garnered international recognition. He has starred necessary need within their community.” Following the opposite Robin Williams in “Man of the Year” and Shirley MacLaine in “Closing the Nor Keghi Village was established on presidential elec - Ring.” A leading man with chameleon-like versatility, Alpay plays Atticus Shane on February 10, 1962 by the then government tion, President “The Vampire Diaries.” of Soviet Armenia, at the request of Keghi Reagan appoint - Alpay can be seen currently starring in the Lifetime Network’s new original compatriotic associations in the diaspora. ed her to the 15- drama, “The Lottery.” An acclaimed actor, he has been nominated for two Gemini Norsigian said the donation for the member National awards and for the Genie award (Canada’s Oscar) for best male lead in “Ararat.” He Keghetsi “pagharch” celebration is $40 with Advisory Council is also an accomplished violinist and fiddle player and tours with Tim Robbins and dance music provided by the Keghi All-Star on Adult the Rogues Gallery Band. Armenian Band. Education (1981- His relationship with ATP began several years ago, when he was inspired by a visit By reviving the spirit of Keghetsi 1988) advising to several of the project sites in Armenia. Armenians, committee activist Marty the president and The 20th anniversary fundraiser is being chaired by Nina Festekjian and Nicole Shoushanian pointed out that last year’s secretary of edu - Babikian Hajjar, who are coordinating a team of more than two dozen ambassadors event brought Armenians together to jointly Lily Ring Balian cation on adult for the event. The organization has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $3,000,000 celebrate a tradition that ultimately serves education pro - in honor of this milestone. the entire community. “While our event grams throughout “I feel privileged to have been entrusted with such a momentous responsibility serves to fund a community development pro - the United States. She was soon elected chair and to serve such an awesome organization,” notes Hajjar. “We’re planning a cele - ject in Nor Keghi it also serves as a uniting (l985-88). bration that will reflect, in its scale and nature, the scope and texture of this vibrant force as Armenians worldwide prepare for Following her volunteer activities in the organization. We want the diverse mission and the formidable work they do to next year’s 100th observance of the April 24 gubernatorial campaign of Pete Wilson, the touch a whole new constituency, the ultimate goal being to pave the way for the genocide. We Armenians survived. That’s governor appointed her to the California exponential and grassroots growth of the organization.” why this project we’ve started in Detroit has Commission on the Status of Women where she The committee is planning a truly unique event, promising a few special surpris - a dedicated goal to create linkage with our served for six years (1991-96) and was elected es for the evening. In addition to Alpay, the program will feature the music of Black fellow Hyes in present day Armenia.” chair in l994-96. In 1995 she represented the Sea Salsa and an art sale and live auction by multiple award-winning painter Arthur According to historical research, the California Commission on the Status of Women Hovhannisyan from Armenia who has been invited by ATP on this occasion. The Hittites shaped the wheat-based “pagharch” at the United Nations Fourth World Conference sale of artwork will benefit ATP’s programs in Armenia. to resemble Keghi’s towering Mt. Sulbuz in Beijing, China. From 1991 to 1997, Balian The “Land in Harmony” exhibition will open with a preview on Thursday, which the Keghetsis called Sourp Looyse served as corporate director of Civic Action and November 6, at the Contemporary Art Gallery of the Armenian Museum of America, (Holy Light.) For the Hittites the wheat-based Public Affairs for Northrop-Grumman 65 Main St., Watertown, at 7 p.m., followed by an ongoing exhibit and sale on staple to make pagharch was the only whole- Corporation in Century City administering its Friday, November 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. Art sales will continue through the 20th grain still available in their dwindling storage government relations program. anniversary celebration on November 8. bins during the freezing winter months in Balian’s volunteer service in the Armenian Born in Yerevan, Hovhannisyan produces distinctive and original canvases that mix the Anatolian mountain region. community is extensive, particularly her articles contemporary reality with elements of classical art. He has participated in numerous In addition to the mission to help the Nor in the Armenian newspapers. She has served as international exhibitions, including Moscow, New York, Singapore and the Venice Keghi district, committee member Alice a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Biennale. He is currently a lecturer at the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts. Nigoghosian is expanding the organization’s Western Diocese since 1981 and served as its “Our goal is to raise further awareness of what ATP has accomplished in improv - “family history” project. “While we’ve lost the chair for 15 years. She was elected to the ing the quality of Armenia’s environment. My vision and hope is for us to create majority of senior Keghetsis in Diocese Council in 2006 and re-elected in 2008, loyal followers that will continually support this great cause,” emphasizes our community, we’re asking their children where she served as its secretary. Currently, she Festekjian. and/or grandchildren to share with us any is honorary chair of the Government Relations “A green Armenia is a healthy Armenia. This is what motivated me to get and all family information and Protocol Committee; member of the involved,” adds Festekjian. “For us to have a prosperous Armenia we need many they can recall relating to the genocide and Zorayan Museum Committee and Annual things, first we need a place where we can look around and be proud. We need to how their parents survived to find refuge in Christmas Ball Committee. Balian was awarded nurture its natural beauty for it to be a healthy place for families to remain and for America,” said Nigoghosian, a retired edi - the Gontag and St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal kids to grow.” tor of press and publishing at Wayne from Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in Since its inception in 1994, ATP has planted nearly 4.5 million trees, established State University. 2004. Her other awards include: the three nurseries and two environmental education centers, and has greened villages, Steering committee members also include Archbishop’s Award from Archbishop Hovnan churches, parks, and open spaces throughout Armenia. In the process, the organi - Greg Vartanian, Esther “Stitch” Vosgerchian, Derderian (2006); “Angel of the Year” by the zation has provided employment for hundreds of people and provided vital Haic Korkorian, Sandi Nigoghosian, Barbara Westside Ararat Guild (2006); and the Justice resources to thousands of villagers throughout the country. Norsigian, Greg Nigosian, Karen Nigosian Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service For more information about supporting the 20th anniversary event on November and Mitch Kehetian. Award by the Encino Chamber of Commerce 8, visit www.ArmeniaTree.org Further details on the Keghi Association (2013). can be obtained at www.keghi.org. Reservations and/or sponsorships can be obtained by contacting Houry Aposhian, S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Comedy Legend Andrea Martin Releases New Book

MARTIN, from page 1 Year.” She has won a host of other stage Martin often plays over-the-top characters awards, including the Outer Circle Critics but when speaking in person, she is self-effac - Award, Drama Desk Award and the Elliot ing, polite, charming and sweet to a fault. It is Norton Award. hard to think that Edith Prickly, the brash, It seems it is on stage that she is happiest. bossy and aggressive station manager from “What brings me most joy is theater. I love the “SCTV,” clad in her trademark leopard print routine of the theater, the camaraderie of the outfit and rhinestone-covered glasses, occu - cast, the community of the cast. You are with pies the same body as this elegant, charming the same people every night.” woman. She added, “I love doing the part of Berthe Martin’s Armenian Genocide survivor grand - in ‘Pippin.’ It is age appropriate. I perform on father changed the family name to Martin a trapeze in a corset.” She added that she is from Papazian upon arriving in Maine. “I “very fit, agile and vital and I feel the part think my background really infused a lot of allows me to be very expressive.” She has appeared in many movies, including brilliant roles in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” as Aunt Voula who is puzzled by vegetarians and Phyllis Stein in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” who is Hedwig’s man - ager. She came up in the world of com - edy with several other legends, such as Martin Short, who was her former brother-in-law, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Rick Moranis, Catherine O’Hara and Harold Ramis, among others. A veteran of both comedy and drama, Martin said for sure, it is hard - Dazzling as Berthe in “Pippin” er to make people laugh in a theater rather than to act seriously. In fact, she has written and staged two one- women shows, including “Nude, a young hairdresser had shown just the right And entertaining it is. Nude, Totally Nude” and “Final Days! touch with her hair the day before.) She has some great reviews from fellow Everything Must Go!!” which she said She added, “I’m a hair diva and bitch.” comic geniuses. Says Tina Fey, “I have loved were incredibly rewarding though ter - Martin also freely discusses sex, her depen - Andrea Martin from afar for many years, but rifying. dence on one particular psychic in New York now, after reading this funny and heroically Speaking from San Francisco, and the effects of age on various parts of her honest book, I would like to take things to the Martin said that she was in a special body. ‘next level’ and marry her.” abbreviated tour of “Pippin” there She has a light touch that can make the Steve Martin calls the book “A lovely, bawdy and in Los Angeles for two weeks. reader chuckle or bring tears to one’s eyes, and emotional memoir from one of our finest “I really love the show,” she said. such as when she talks about her last visit comedy artists.” Andrea Martin HarperCollins Publishers in with her childhood friend, who lost her battle And Martin Short says, “Andrea’s genius at September released her autobiogra - with cancer a couple of years ago. combining hilarity and poignancy is breath - phy, Lady Parts . The book is by Martin also writes extensively on her own taking and will break your heart. From the the characters that I did on ‘SCTV.’ I wasn’t turns hysterically funny, observant, empathet - private demons, including anxiety. She said first page, you know this is going to be a bril - aware of it, but it was cellular, really. There is ic, confessional and somber. So much of it that for her, speaking openly about mental ill - liant and joyous ride with one of the truly great pride in being Armenian, humility, self- revolves around her two sons. She is brutally ness and banishing stigmas was important. “It great, funny originals.” effacement,” creating a balance. “One kept the honest about the challenges she faced as a sin - is how we think about anxiety. It is taboo to It is clear both from the book and from con - other in check,” she said. gle parent after she divorced her husband talk about the illnesses of the mind. These are versations that Martin dotes on her sons. Martin has received acclaim in every field when her boys were young. She speaks about afflictions that I thought were particular to “They are my biggest fans. They love to laugh. she has tackled. She has received two Emmy her anxiety which sometimes would cripple me. Many of us deal with what I have dealt They are proud of me and are an amazing Awards for writing for “SCTV,” as well as gar - her, her battles with alcohol and bulimia, as with. I don’t think we talk about it enough.” audience.” nering several Emmy nominations for acting well as her work ethic. The process of writing the book was “gruel - She noted, “They have grown up around and writing on “SCTV” and other shows. In Martin admits in the book that she has been ing,” Martin said. “You think of every reason not show biz and are not intimidated by it.” addition, she received a Gemini Award in flying regularly to Atlanta for the one hair - to write,” she said, but once she got started, she As for the key to her success, Martin, in typ - Canada for her TV work as well as two Tony dresser in the world that can manage her wild said, “I loved it. I loved the storytelling aspect of ical style, downplayed her genius. “I’m a hard Awards for her roles on Broadway, as Berthe mane. (On the day of our interview, a delight - it. I love entertaining audiences [albeit] in anoth - worker. Talent is overrated. I have been lucky. in “Pippin” and as Alice Miller in “My Favorite ed Martin said her eyes had misted over when er genre. It was really gratifying.” I think there was less competition [when I started]. I don’t know where I would be if I started out now. It is all luck, talent and per - severance, never being bored at what I do. The idea of retirement is not even in the realm.” When Martin speaks, it is hard to believe that she has spent decades in a competitive busi - ness. In fact, she calls herself “enormously naive” and says that she has always had diffi - culty with self-promotion. If she had a bit more of that, she said, “It would have propelled me to be a household name. It is not something I do very well. I just put it out there.” Martin said she has been pleasantly sur - prised by the different people that she has reached with her book. “I thought I was writ - ing it for my demographic. It has been so grat - ifying, particularly when young women, or gay men come up to me, crying. I learned the most powerful connection is honesty.” People, she said, “feel compelled to connect with someone so authentic.” Martin has advice for young people just starting in their path in show business. “It’s a business. Take nothing personally. Hone in on your own voice and exploit that for all its worth. That is what people want to see and hear. Don’t be shy.” She concluded with this humorous appeal to Armenian-American readers: “If you are a good Armenian, go to Amazon.com and take $20 and make me a best-selling author. Chris Bohjalian can’t be the only Armenian- American author on the New York Times Bestseller List!” Lady Parts is available at amazon and at all major bookstores. 12 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

first contract as music director of the Royal where he is working. people think of it as box-office death. But Peter Oundjian: Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), which His actual home base has long been near that’s only because so often it hasn’t been opens its season this week with concerts in New York, yet being in Britain (where his properly interpreted. His music has unbeliev - Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. At the cousins include Eric Idle) allows him to con - able inner tension, yet the sound should be From Injury to RSNO he inherited a much better run organi - nect with other roots. “When I conduct fabulously clear in its textures. After all, it zation, but has also made his mark as an Vaughan Williams, I think, ‘Oh, we were at the comes straight out of Schubert. orchestral builder. same school!’ It’s like singing my own tunes.” “As a string quartet player, I did all the late Triumph To understand an orchestra from the inside Little wonder, then, that Oundjian’s program - Schubert. Playing those masterpieces is very out, it does no harm to have been a violinist — ming strands at the RSNO feature so much close to conducting a Bruckner symphony. in Oundjian’s case, no ordinary fiddle player but British and American music. But perhaps Everyone must conduct from experience, and By John Allison leader of the Tokyo String Quartet for a decade nothing at the moment excites him quite so for me the chamber music informs what I and a half. When repetitive strain injuries much as their imminent Bruckner Seven. “The expect from an orchestra. It’s about listening to forced him to step down, in his late 30s, from orchestra hasn’t done a lot of Bruckner, and each other.” GLASGOW, Scotland (Telegraph) — In the quartet in 1995, he took comfort from a Toronto, when musicians talk about “the resur - comment Herbert von Karajan had made to him rection,” they’re likely to mean the near-death during his student days at the Juilliard School: experience of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra “Never forget that you have the hands for con - and its comeback from crippling debts and ducting.” empty houses in the first years of this millenni - As Oundjian recalls, he had been leading the um. Though the business of running a success - Juilliard Orchestra when the legendary German ful orchestra is so complex that no one person maestro made a rare appearance in New York to deserves all the credit, a key figure in that give master-classes. “When Karajan stopped a session 20 minutes early, everybody thought he was going to get up and demonstrate what he’d been trying to teach. “Instead, he made me conduct the slow movement of Brahms’s First Symphony , standing two feet away and covering up the music. It was an incredible experience, and years later when I realized that my hand wasn’t going to let me work as a violinist for much longer, that memory meant an awful lot. You don’t become a con - ductor lightly.” The son of an Armenian father Peter Oundjian, music director of the Royal Scottish and English mother, Oundjian was National Orchestra born in Toronto but educated at Charterhouse and the Royal College turnaround has been the music director, Peter of Music. He is proud that one of his citizen - Oundjian. He took up the challenge in 2003 ships is Canadian — “Not many conductors can and is due (several contract extensions later) to say, this is the city in which I was born and stay there until at least 2017. they’ve asked me to be their music director” — Oundjian is now also midway through his but is truly cosmopolitan, at home anywhere

AWWA Sponsors Luncheon on November 15

BURLINGTON, Mass. — The 39th Annual funded the Hanganak NGO, a clinic that pro - Luncheon/Auction sponsored by the Armenian vides health care, provisions, and community Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) is being services to 200 elderly from Stepanakert, held on Saturday, November 15, at the Nagorno-Karabagh, who are over the age of 65, Burlington Marriott. live alone, and are in need. This October, five Cindy Fitzgibbon will be the Mistress of members of the organization will travel to Ceremonies for this year’s auction. She will be Stepanakert to celebrate the 10th Anniversary joined by Jordan Rich from WBZ 1030 Radio, with the staff and beneficiaries of the who returns by popular demand to be the Hanganak Clinic. Auctioneer for the Live Auction. For reservations to the Luncheon/Auction, e- The Silent Auction kicks off at 11 a.m. with a mail [email protected]. Visit the AWWA bazaar of tables of gifts. From treasures from website at www.awwa-inc.org for more informa - Armenia, to gifts for that someone special, to tion on the organization. Tekeyan Cultural Association Toronto Chapter CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO A SPECIAL TWO–BOOK PRESENTATION

(SELECTED POEMS) by VAHAN TEKEYAN Edited by Left, Cindy Fitzgibbon WCBV – TV5 DMOND ZADIAN Meteorologist StormTeam 5. Right, Jordan Rich E Y. A WBZ News Radio.
VAHAN TEKEYAN tempting homemade pastries for your SELECTED POEMS Thanksgiving table, there is something for Translated by everyone. In addition to a Super Raffle of all GERALD PAPASIAN and JOHN PAPASIAN Apple products from MacBook to iPad to Edited by iPods, the event also includes a Live Auction EDMOND Y. AZADIAN and GERALD PAPASIAN with tickets to Boston sports events, culinary
opportunities such as a tour of Cook’s Vahan Tekeyan Books to be presented by Illustrated/America’s Test Kitchen, and many Selected Poems more items of local interest. Auction Coordinators Susan Deranian and Melanie Join us... Khederian have spearheaded the event along JIRAIR TUTUNJIAN with an active committee. Friday, October 17th at 8:00 pm Editor and Author The Luncheon/Auction is a major fundraiser Tekeyan Cultural Association Center of the AAWW, owners and operators of the 2105 Midland Avenue Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Scarborough ONT M1P3E3 Jamaica Plain. The ANRC has obtained a defi - for more information call 416-644-8944 ciency-free rating for the fourth year in a row Admission is free Remarks by from the Department of Public Health. In addi - Reception to follow program EDMOND Y. AZADIAN tion, this is the tenth year that the AWWA has S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

NOVEMBER 7 and 8 — Annual Autumnfest Bazaar CALIFORNIA sponsored by the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, 110 Main St., Haverhill, Friday, noon to 8 p.m. and NOVEMBER 15 — SAVE THE DATE: AMAA-Haigazian Saturday noon to 7 p.m. Lamb, losh, chicken kebab and University Celebratory Banquet in honor of Dr. kheyma. Diner served all day. Pastry table, Armenain cui - Mihran Agbabian and George R. Phillips, Esq.; sine, gift baskets, raffles for cash and prizes. For more Saturday, November 15, 2014, 6 pm, Beverly Hills Hotel, info, visit www.hyepointearmenianchurch.org or call $200; Information: Julie Aharonian 818-368-5266; Katia 978-372-9227. Kermoyan 818-242-5064. NOVEMBER 8 — Armenia Tree Project 20th NOVEMBER 22 — Armenian International Women’s Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Reception. Association, Los Angeles Affiliate present Luncheon Special guest Actor David Alpay. Cocktails 6:30 p.m. honoring Lily Ring Balian, recipient of the 2014 Ellis Dinner 8 p.m. John Joseph Moakley US Courthouse, Island Medal of Honor, Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Grand Atrium. One Courthouse Way overlooking the Blvd., 11:30 a.m. Reception; 12:30 Luncheon. Donation: Boston Harbor. Art Sale & Live Auction. Artist Arthur $100.00. For RSVP and info contact Houry Aposhian Hovhannisyan. Visit www.ArmeniaTree.org or call (617) (818)957-7020 or Cindy Norian (310) 277-4490. 926-8733. NOVEMBER 15 — The 39th Annual Luncheon/Auction MASSACHUSETTS of the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association at the Burlington Marriott Hotel, Burlington, MA @ 11 AM Mistress of Ceremonies: Cindy Fitzgibbon, WCBV-TV5 OCTOBER 12 — Holy Trinity Tailgate, immediately fol - Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, the Auctioneer: Jordan Rich, WBZ 1030 News Radio Funds lowing church services, Charles and Nevart Talanian author of The Knock at the Door: A raised at this event support programs at the Armenian Cultural Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Journey Through the Darkness of Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Plain, MA St., Cambridge. Join us to watch the New England the Armenian Genocide, will speak and the Hanganak NGO Health Clinic in Stepanakert, Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills game on Holy Trinity’s new 12- at the Massachusetts College of Nagorno-Kharabagh for seniors in need. Founded in foot screen or outside on a TV near the grill. Admission: Pharmacy and Health Sciences 1915, the A.W.W.A. Inc. will soon be celebrating its $15, which includes sandwich (choice of losh kebab, University on Friday, October 17, at 100th year of service to Armenians. For more informa - sausage or hot dog), chips and drink; $10 for Armenian 6:30 p.m., 179 Longwood Ave., tion about the event or for tickets, please call Karen and Sunday School students wearing Patriots or football Boston. The Armenian Student Hovsepian @ 617-898-8619 or e-mail awwaauc - attire. Additional food items available for purchase. For Association is organizing the pro- [email protected] further info, contact the church office, 617.354.0632. gram. Dinner and refreshments will DECEMBER 5-6 — Trinity Christmas Bazaar, Friday, 12-9 OCTOBER 17 — Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, the author p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian of The Knock at the Door: A Journey Through the be served. Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Darkness of the Armenian Genocide, will speak at the Featuring delicious Armenian dinners, a la carte menu Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and take-out meals; booths and vendors; Armenian University on Friday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m., 179 gourmet foods, delicacies and pastries; raffles, and Longwood Ave., Boston. The Armenian Student OCTOBER 25 — Fall Harvest Bazaar, First Armenian more. For further information, contact the church office Association is organizing the program. Dinner and Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont, noon to 8 p.m. at 617.354.0632. refreshments will be served. Handmade choreg, manti, Armenian pastries and more. DECEMBER 14 — Erevan Choral Society and Orchestra, OCTOBER 17 and 18 — St. James 67th Annual Bazaar – Grilled kebab all day. Marketplace treasures. All are wel - Christmas Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., Holy Trinity 11 a.m.-9 p.m. St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. come, rain or shine. MBTA and handicapped accessible. Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle St., Auburn Street, Watertown. Delicious Armenian food; Call 617-484-4779 or visit www.facbelmont.org/ for Cambridge. Save the date; details to follow. Fabulous delicacies and pastries; booths and vendors, more info. including the Farmer’s Market, Silent Auction, and more. OCTOBER 25 — Ararat Center Boston Cruise on the Attic Treasures, APPLE© Raffle, $100 Raffle, Children’s Odyssey, 30 Rowe’s Whar f, Boston. Embark at 7 p.m. NEW YORK Activities. All are welcome! For more information, con - Return 11 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres, dinner, complimentary tact the church office at 617.923.8860 or bar, live Kef. Adults - $175; Under 21 - $100; Purchase OCTOBER 28 — Sip on French w ine, nibble on [email protected]. tickets at araratcenter.org or contact Pam at 617-645- delectable hors d’oeuvres, meet talented artists and OCTOBER 21 — Julia and the Zerounian Ensemble 2781 cinematographers, and network with kindred spir- Concer t, 7:30 p.m., Regattabar, Charles Hotel, OCTOBER 26 — Fr. Vasken Kouzouian’s 20-Year its, all in a cozy salon at “Château Village,” Cambridge. An all new repertoire from around the Pastoral Journey — Join us as we celebrate the 20th Alouette’s home in Greenwich Village. This exclu - world, including the exciting young violinist Menuhin Anniversary of our Pastor’s Ordination, immediately fol - sive soirée will benefit SR Socially Relevant Film Festival Competition winner from Mongolia, Chinese violinist lowing church services, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of New York. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 1 Minetta St., 2E (STREET, Angelo Xiang Yu, from Macedonia versatile young musi - Greater Boston, Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural not Lane, NE corner of Bleecker St & Sixth Ave, W 4th St cian Goran Daskalov on saxophone and accordion, and Hall, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Dinner Tickets: $40 per subway stop). Donation: $60 Early Bird, $75 Regular. SR seasoned Klezmer specialist Grant Smith on percussion, person; $20 for ages 10-21; babysitting services avail - is a film festival that focuses on socially relevant human Sean Farias on bass and Sarkis Zerounian on piano. For able, ages 3-9, at $5 per child (includes pizza lunch and stories and raises awareness to social problems by offer - reservations, www.getshowtix.com/ supervision). Seating by advance paid reservation only; ing positive solutions through the powerful medium of OCTOBER 23 — Najarian Lecture on Human Rights at RSVP deadline October 15. Payment for dinner reserva - cinema. SR believes that through raised awareness, Faneuil Hall, Boston. 7:30 p.m. Topic: Truth to Action: tions may be made online at www.htaac.org, or by con - expanded knowledge about diverse cultures, and the Media Freedom - Protecting Human Rights tacting the church office, 617.354.0632. human condition as a whole, it is possible to create a bet - Globally. Introduction: Courtney Radsch, PhD, Advocacy NOVEMBER 1 — Third annual Mer Doon Benefit ter world free of violence, hate and crime. Director, Committee to Protect Journalists. Speakers: Ray Dance, in loving memory of Julie Ashekian, 8 p.m. Suarez, Host, “Inside Story” on Al Jazeera America and Featuring Onnik Dinkjian, John Berberian and more. mid - RHODE ISLAND “America Abroad” on Public Radio International; Stephen night dessert table. St. James Armenian Church Kurkjian, founding member and former chief, Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, 465 Mount Auburn OCTOBER 18 — The Cultural Committee & ACYOA Investigative Spotlight Team of the Boston Globe and St., Watertown. Adults $40 Students $20. Please call Proudly Present The Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian editor of its Washington Bureau; and Thomas Mark Kashgegian to reserve tables of 10 and purchase Church Centennial Ball, Saturday, 8 pm - ? Inspired by Mucha. Editor, GlobalPost. A reception follows at the tickets at 617-256-5358. Dr. Herman Ayvazyan, Battle of the Bands, Joe Millennium Bostonian Hotel for all who attend the lec - NOVEMBER 2 — “Musical Benches,” an organ and piano Kouyoumjian Ensemble and the Sevan Band, Egavian ture to continue the discussion with the speakers and the concert presented by Glenn “Ananian” Priest and Cultural Center, 70 Jefferson St., Providence. Mezze - lecture’s leadership. Free and open to the public. An Christopher Garven on the occasion of the dedication of the Cash Bar - 50/50 Raffle. Tickets $35 - Under 16 $25. For endowed public program of Armenian Heritage Park on recently restored sanctuary of the First Armenian Church of Tickets and Table Reservations Please Call: Ann Ayrassian the Greenway. www.ArmenianHeritagePark.org Belmont, at the church sanctuary, Sunday, 3 p.m. Seven Janigian 401-272-4743, 401-533-4147

Dr. Ara Dostourian to Lecture on Armenia and the Crusades at NAASR BELMONT, Mass. — Dr. Ara Dostourian will Armenian Studies, Dr. James R. Russell, will offer Dostourian translated this crucial primary to the notes and bibliography. give a lecture titled “Armenia and the Crusades: introductory remarks. source into English for the first time for his doc - Dostourian is professor emeritus of history at the Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa,” on The Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa has long toral work at Rutgers University. It was published the University of West Georgia and a former Thursday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m., at the National been recognized as an invaluable source of infor - in 1993 as Armenia and the Crusades: The research fellow in Armenian Studies at Harvard Association for Armenian Studies and Research mation concerning the dramatic events taking Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa by NAASR and University. He has a Master of Arts in medieval (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Ave. place in the Near East between the years 952 and the University Press of America; NAASR’s history from Fordham University, and a Master of The lecture is co-sponsored by NAASR and the 1162 AD. Byzantine emperors, Crusader knights, Armenian Heritage Press has just issued the sec - Divinity degree from the Episcopal Divinity Mashtots Chair in Armenian Studies at Harvard Arab potentates and Turkish invaders march ond, revised edition in paperback, incorporating School in Cambridge, Mass., and a doctorate in University, and the Mashtots Professor of across the pages of this eyewitness account. corrections by the translator as well as additions Byzantine history from Rutgers University. 14 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Biden’s Misguided Apology

provoking constant wars in the Middle East and leaving dys - Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian functional governments behind pave the way for Israel’s hege - mony in the region. Whereas Turkey, by joining the coalition, albeit reluctantly, has a completely different agenda and that Vice President Joe Biden seems to be in a lot of hot water is why at at times, their policies are in conflict. By destabiliz - because of statements he made at Harvard University last ing strong governments in lands formerly ruled by the week — statements that had global reverberations and ones Ottomans, Turkey aspires to recreate an Ottoman Empire for EstablEisshteadbl1is9h3e2 d 1932 that the Washington Post believes will cost him the 2016 modern times, its apostle being Prime Minister Ahmet An ADALnP AuDblLic Patuiobnlication presidential nomination for the Democratic party. Davutoglu. To begin with, very few analysts, including the ones in the A cursory review of conditions set by Turkey in joining the Democratic camp, believed that Mr. Biden was a serious con - coalition will reveal its true intentions. A no-fly zone in Syria, tender when Hillary Clinton had already been wearing her a border buffer and the right to invade Syrian territories are EDITOR cold warrior armor in preparation for the bid. not goals to uproot ISIS. When Vice President Biden spilled Alin K. Gregorian For the neocons and the military industrial complex, Mr. the beans, he was right. Even after the parliamentary vote in Obama’s “pacifist” foreign policy has outlived its usefulness, Ankara, Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavusoglu announced that ASSISTANT EDITOR and the priority of the foreign policy agenda is intensifying one should not expect immediate action by Turkey. Because Aram Arkun the cold war. To save his legacy, his entourage has been forc - Ankara is in the process of arming and training ISIS forces to ART DIRECTOR ing him already to conduct that policy by “leading from do its bidding, the first goal is to depopulate the Kurdish Marc Mgrditchian behind.” region in Syria, including Kobani, to prevent the creation of Since the US is the only remaining superpower, all the an autonomous Kurdish area, which can cause a lot of world developments have to be viewed and analyzed within headaches for Ankara. that context. In an interview with the prominent journalist Amberin According to the Washington Post, the vice president has Zaman in Al-Monitor, a Kurdish leader, Cemil Bayik, reveals SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: committed three gaffes recently, the major one being directed that Turkey has supplied ISIS with trainloads of armaments Edmond Azadian against the US’s strategic ally, Turkey, for which he was in Syria, basically confirming the inadvertent indiscretion of forced to apologize to preserve the collaborative veneer of the Mr. Biden. CONTRIBUTORS: 40-nation coalition which the US has enlisted under the pre - Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune The fact that ISIS released 46 Turkish hostages unharmed Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana sumed goal of defeating ISIS, the evil incarnate force which while beheading on camera other hostages, further proves Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, is beheading western hostages, provoking all world capitals. that the two supposed adversaries are in bed together. Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, Before we delve into the task of sifting fact from fiction, it Another writer for Counterpunch, Dan Glazebrook, out - Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian is important to refer to the Biden-President Erdogan incident, lines the intentions, of at least Britain, behind the coalition, which covers and uncovers a host of political realities in the by writing: “Air strikes will inflict casualties on ISIS in Syria CORRESPONDENTS: unfolding events of the Middle East. and Iraq, but they will not be enough to defeat the group and Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Mr. Biden was forced to apologize over the weekend to may not even contain it.” Then he asks: “Why do they not Boston - Nancy Kalajian Turkey and the United Arab Emirates after suggesting in a pursue a more effective strategy? Because the defeat of ISIS Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach speech at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of is not really their goal. ISIS and its friends have played right Government that these two allies, along with Saudi Arabia, into the hands of British foreign policy for the last three Contributing Photographers: were the United States’ “biggest problem” in dealing with the years, acting as the vanguard in the Anglo-American proxy Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian civil war in Syria. “What were they doing?” asked the vice war of attrition against the Syrian state.” Just this week, president. “They were so determined to take down [Syrian while ISIS was overrunning the Kurdish region of Kobani, President Bashar] Assad and essentially have a proxy Sunni- Turkey was banning Kurds from crossing into Syria to rescue The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Shia war….They poured hundreds of millions of dollars and their brethren, while the coalition was unleashing airstrikes weekly, except two weeks in July and the first thousands of tons of weapons into anyone who would fight — a charade, if not a tragic political comedy. week of the year, by: Assad — except that the people who were being supplied were It becomes clear that ISIS represents a necessary evil to Baikar Association, Inc. Al-Nusra and Al-Qaeda and the extremist Jihadis coming from each member of the coalition, to serve a narrow agenda for 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 other parts of the world.” Mr. Biden, added Erdogan, admit - each. Telephone: 617-924-4420 ted to him that Turkey “let too many [foreign fighters] After NATO broke up Yugoslavia, Turkey extended its polit - FAX: 617-924-2887 through” into neighboring Syria. ical and economic influence throughout the Balkans. The war www.mir rorspectator.com Turkey’s president called for an apology and Biden obliged in Syria can launch the second phase of the Turkish leaders’ E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com him. But was an apology warranted and who was speaking old dreams. The only problem is that once Turkey invades the truth? Here is Mike Whitney, writing in Counterpunch: For advertising: [email protected] Syria, it will definitely face Russia, Iran and Hezbollah Party. “Biden apologized for his remarks on Sunday, but he basical - In that scenario, it will be difficult to anticipate the outcome ly let the cat out of the bag. Actually, what he said wasn’t new of the conflict. The cold war is in full swing, if you also figure at all, but it did lend credibility to what many of the critics in the perspective crisis in Ukraine and tensions in the have been saying since the very beginning, that Washington’s Caucasus. allies in the region have been arming and funding the terror - Turkey also used ISIS to teach a lesson to the Armenians, SUBSCRIPTION RATES : ist Frankenstein from the onset without seriously weighing first by unleashing the murderous gangs to rampage Kessab, the risk involved.” that historic Armenian enclave in Syria, and recently by The vice president’s cowardly apology served as public rela - directing those hordes to commit the most heinous sacrilege U.S.A. $80 a year tions damage control. What in fact happened was that against the church and Martyrs memorial in Deir Zor. One Canada $125 a year Washington and Ankara agreed to lie publicly to keep Turkey million and a half martyrs were denied the right to have their happy, which had already joined the US-led coalition against own individual graves. Some remains, recovered from the Other Countries $190 a year ISIS reluctantly. The irony underlying the political goals of desert, had been enshrined in St. Mary’s Church, to symbol - the coalition is that the west has been using a collection of ize an entire nation lost in that desert. As a tool in the hands medieval monarchies to introduce western-style democracy in of the Turkish authorities, ISIS once again violated the © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator the secular states of Iraq, Libya and Syria, with the long-term Armenian martyrs. Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA calculation that the self-serving monarchies are disposable The UN condemnation is inadequate and insufficient and additional mailing offices. any time they outlive their usefulness. response to the barbarity committed in Deir Zor. On October Counterpunch is also using a quote from “How the West 3, the United Nations Human Rights Office expressed con - ISSN 0004-234X Created the Islamic State,” by Nafeez Ahmed, who says, cern about the continuing wave of destruction unleashed by “Since 2003, Anglo-American power has secretly and openly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (or Iraq and Syria, coordinated direct and indirect support for Islamic terrorist sometimes). According to the UN Office of High groups linked to al-Qaeda across the Middle East and North Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), ISIS militants POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn Africa. This ill-conceived patchwork geostrategy is a legacy of destroyed an important Armenian Church in the Syrian city St., Watertown, MA 02472 the persistent influence of neoconservative ideology, motivat - of Deir Zor as part of an ongoing campaign of violence and Other than the editorial, views and opinions ed by longstanding but often contradictory ambitions to dom - terror which has seen the group also blow up mosques, expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily inate regional oil resources, defend an expansionist Israel, shrines and damage churches in Northern Iraq. “We condemn reflect the policies of the publisher. and in pursuit of these, re-draw the map of the Middle East.” the destruction of the church and other religious institu - If one follows the mainstream media, one is at a loss, since tions,” UNHCHR Spokesperson Rupert Colville told a news only the face value of events are defined tailor-made for their briefing in Geneva. respective governments to lull the voters and shape public Without identifying the significance of the martyrs’ memo - opinion for their legislative agenda. Had we believed the rial and issuing a generic condemnation, the UN has done a excuses justifying foreign aggressions in Libya, Iraq and now disservice to the martyrs. It actually has added insult to Copying for other than personal use or Syria, the bloodbaths resulting from those wars would have injury. Would they have had the same reaction if this similar internal reference is prohibited without undermined the claims and led the public to confusion. desecration and violation had happened to a Jewish shrine? express permission of the copyright owner. Address requests for reprints or Independent and investigative journalists — sometimes with Mr. Biden’s apology is misguided. It tries to cover up, awk - back issues to: the help of Julian Assange’s Wikileaks and Edward wardly, a lie, when the truth is so obvious. He does not owe Snowden’s “treasonous” revelations come to shed more light an apology to Erdogan. He and the UNHCHR owe apologies Baikar Association, Inc. on the root causes of political developments. to the Armenians, to the 1.5 million martyrs, on the eve of 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 By creating the coalition, the US policymakers believe that the centennial. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

Robertson reveal that the British government has made a evant intent, has developed significantly in the wake of gradual shift in its position on the Armenian Genocide, events in Rwanda and the Balkans in the 1990’s.” Yet, FCO going from denial to declining to state its position. The still advised against an explicit recognition of the genocide Foreign Office acknowledges that the change in govern - because “the Armenian diaspora in the UK is relatively mental policy is a direct result of the powerful legal argu - small (less than 20,000) and there is limited wider public My Turn ments advanced by Mr. Robertson in his 2009 report. interest.” Until recently, Great Britain had tenaciously clung to its Nevertheless, in view of the upcoming Centennial of the By Harut Sassounian outright denialist position on the Armenian Genocide. A Armenian Genocide, the British government has decided to secret 1999 FCO memo, quoted by Robertson, admitted become a bit more accommodating on this issue. Last year, that the British government “is open to criticism in terms when the British Ambassador to Lebanon asked London UK Shifts Policy on Armenian of the ethical dimension. But given the importance of our for guidance on attending an April 24 commemoration in Genocide After Jurist relations (political, strategic, and commercial) with Turkey, Beirut, the Foreign Office advised him to go ahead. FCO and that recognizing the genocide would provide no prac - also recommended to its staff not to “give the impression Robertson’s Report tical benefit to the UK or the few survivors of the killings that we deny what happened in 1915…we still consider still alive today, nor would it help a rapprochement them (the massacres and deportations) to be truly dreadful Geoffrey Robertson, prominent British expert on inter - between Armenia and Turkey, the current line is the only and in need of remembrance.” national law, wrote a 40-page report in 2009, exposing the feasible option.” To bring the genocide issue to a legal resolution, Mr. false and inaccurate statements on the Armenian Genocide However, shortly after the publication of Robertson’s Robertson makes two suggestions: that the Armenian gov - by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). 2009 report, British officials quietly shifted their position ernment submit it “to adjudication at the International Robertson’s investigative report, “Was there an from denial to avoidance of taking a stand on the genocide Court of Justice [World Court] pursuant to Article IX of the Armenian Genocide?” was based on internal British docu - issue. In a 2010 internal memo, FCO stated: “Following Mr. Genocide Convention” or ask the UN Secretary General to ments obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, Robertson’s report and the publicity it attracted, we have establish an ad hoc court on the Armenian Genocide. which revealed that the Foreign Office had denied the updated our public line to make clear that HMG [Her Geoffrey Robertson should be commended for authoring Armenian Genocide and misled the British Parliament on Majesty’s Government] does not believe it is our place to a most important book on the eve of the Armenian this matter in order to curry favor with Turkey. make a judgment (historical or legal) on whether or not the Genocide Centennial. The Armenian National Committee Mr. Robertson had sent me an advance copy of his new Armenian massacres constituted genocide.” In another of UK has already purchased 1,000 copies for distribution 286-page book, “An Inconvenient Genocide: Who Now memo, FCO explained that it will no longer maintain that to elected officials and members of the media in London. Remembers the Armenians?” to be published this month in “the historical evidence was not sufficiently unequivocal to The book is available from Amazon.com. I feel honored that the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United persuade us that these events should be categorized as Mr. Robertson has made half a dozen references to my States. Anyone who reads this influential jurist’s meticu - genocide.” The memo went on to assert that “there is columns in his monumental work. lously researched book will have no doubt about the true increasing agreement about the extent of the deaths and Mr. Robertson has appropriately dedicated his book to facts of the Genocide and Armenians’ just claims for resti - suffering experienced by the Armenian community” and the cherished memory of Ben Whitaker, author of the tution. that “jurisprudence in relation to genocide, and particular - 1985 UN Report which classified the Armenian mass The confidential FCO documents recently obtained by ly the nature and type of evidence required to prove the rel - killings as genocide. The Caucasus Time for Sanctions on Baku

As the West has turned its attention to the citizens alerting them of the surveillance, Islamic State and the Ukraine crisis, the gov - harassment, and possible detention they might ernment of President Ilham Aliyev has expand - David J. Kramer and Richard Kauzlarich face in Azerbaijan. ed its crackdown on dissenting voices in At a time when Vladimir Putin is continuing Azerbaijan with harassment, threats, beatings, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, some will and arrests. Even American citizens and inter - and Arif Yunus, accused of spying for Armenian Any individual or organization that criticizes argue that, for geopolitical reasons, this is not national NGOs have bet caught up in the widen - secret services — implausible charges linked to Aliyev or promotes democracy is viewed as hos - the time for the United States to get tough on ing net of repression. These actions demand a the decades-old dispute over Nagorno- tile. Mehdiyev has characterized independent Azerbaijan. There is never a good time to take response. Karabakh. On August 20, journalist Ilgar media as “anti-Azerbaijani forces” financed such steps, but the situation inside Azerbaijan Published on October 2, 2014 Nasibov was savagely beaten into a state of from abroad. demands a response now. Further Western For years, Belarus’s leader Alexander unconsciousness while he was in the office of a The Council of Europe’s human rights chief, expressions of “concern” or characterizations Lukashenka has been called Europe’s last dic - rights organization in the Naxcivan region. Nils Muiznieks, slammed the Azerbaijani gov - of the situation as “unacceptable” would sound tator, although Vladimir Putin is giving Several leading opposition figures — including ernment earlier this month for the “totally increasingly hollow. The Aliyev regime must Lukashenka a run for his money, amidst the Ilgar Mamedov of the opposition movement unacceptable” human rights situation, which, understand that there are consequences for its worst crackdown on human rights in Russia in REAL and Tofig Yakublu of Musavat — languish he said, “flies in the face of the human rights abuses. decades. And now we might also add another in prison on unsubstantiated charges. obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan” as a leader in the region to the list: President Ilham American citizens and organizations are not member of the Council. In August, several UN (This opinion piece originally appeared in Aliyev of Azerbaijan. immune from Azerbaijan’s heavy-handed intol - human rights envoys said they were “appalled” American Interest on October 2. Richard After an accelerating series of arrests, erance of dissenting voices. Said Nuri, an by the growing number of abuses and arrests of Kauzlarich is the former US ambassador to Aliyev’s government now holds nearly 100 polit - American citizen of Azerbaijani origin, was rights activists “on the basis of trumped-up Azerbaijan. David J. Kramer is the executive ical prisoners, roughly double the number in recently blocked for nearly a week from leaving charges.” The “criminalization of rights director of Freedome House.) Belarus and Russia combined. Beyond the raw Baku, after visiting his ailing father. The local activists must stop,” they declared, calling for numbers, Azerbaijan’s authorities are also get - offices of several American and international the release of the Yunuses and others. ting more thuggish in their handling of critics, non-governmental organizations have been For years, Azerbaijan’s oil and gas reserves journalists, and opposition figures — as well as raided and/or their bank accounts frozen, and insulated the country from exposure for its LETTERS Westerners. their employees harassed including IREX, the abysmal human rights record. The West’s atten - Statements of concern and criticism from National Democratic Institute, Transparency tion lately has been focused on the Russia- Western and international officials and organi - International, and Oxfam. Several grantees of Ukraine crisis and the challenge of the Islamic Left out of zations have fallen on deaf ears in Baku. Even the National Endowment for Democracy have State, giving the Aliyev regime a sense that it President Obama’s recent criticism of been arrested, and numerous others have had can get away with its crackdown. To be safe, at Gharabekian Azerbaijan’s treatment of NGOs made no their accounts frozen. last month’s NATO summit it offered to take impact. To the contrary, there are now credible Azerbaijan’s smear campaign has included part in investment and reconstruction projects Tribute reports that the Azerbaijani authorities plan to U.S. officials, too. Recently departed U.S. in Afghanistan, betting that contributions to arrest investigative journalist Khadija Ambassador Richard Morningstar was subject - the allied effort would buy it a pass on its inter - To the Editor: Ismayilova when she returns to Baku from a ed to various personal attacks by Azerbaijani nal situation. Azerbaijan has also thrown It is with great surprise that I found out from trip abroad. The best way to try to reverse this government representatives, including the Chief around lots of the money it has earned from a composer friend of mine about the concert disturbing trend is to impose penalties on the of the Presidential Administration, Ramiz energy exports to buy influence and friends in event “Tribute to Maestro Aram Gharabekian.” Aliyev regime for its outrageous treatment of its Mehdiyev. Senate staffers during a visit to Baku the West. Neither I nor Dianne Goolkasian-Rahbee, the own people. earlier this year were called “dogs” by a prose - Azerbaijani authorities often argue that they two well-known Boston composers of Armenian Among the most egregious abuses are the cutor and “spies” by a parliamentarian after live in a tough neighborhood — sandwiched heritage, were asked to participate in the event July 30 arrests of civil society activists Leyla meeting with Khadija Ismayilova. between Russia and Iran and with an unre - that took place on October 4 at the Longy solved conflict with Armenia — and that this School of Music. Both composers are known to should excuse them for their behavior. the organizers of this tribute, thus it is for me Geopolitics, however, shouldn’t shield hard to understand the omission of our partici - Azerbaijan from criticism for treating its citi - pation, since Aram Gharabekian was familiar zens and Western organizations as criminals. with both me and Dianne Rahbee. I had met For Your Internal News of Armenia It’s time, therefore, for the United States to with Aram a number of times at my house here apply a law modeled on the 2012 Sergei in Lexington and at his parents’ house also in Magnitsky Rule of Law and Accountability Act Lexington, and met him a number of times in Log on to www.AZG.am to authorities in Baku. A number of Azerbaijani Yerevan. activists have called for such measures. Given I hope that the organizers of this concert trib - the reported assets the Aliyev family and its cir - ute realize the injustice done to myself and In English, Armenian, Russian and Turkish cle hold overseas, freezing their assets and Dianne by ignoring our existence as composers. denying them access and travel to the West — Hayg Boyadjian might just do the trick. The State Department (Grammy Nominee) should also issue a travel warning to American Lexington, Mass. 16 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 11, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Chairman of Board of Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Announces Resignation

PASADENA, from page 1 removed as treasurer of an Armenian commu - although the treasurer informed the board on the treasurer’s fraudulent background informa - that his claims of being a certified treasury pro - nity organization in Pasadena for the same rea - May 19, 2013, that he had filed the registration. tion and the unlawful receipt of donations has fessional and a former paid employee of the sons. Paparian also learned that no financial been denial and cover-up. They have failed to cities of West Hollywood, Sierra Madre and The Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial reports had been filed by the treasurer for the take decisive action, which I believe makes Pasadena were false. Board of Directors severed ties with the web - past two years with the California attorney gen - them complicit with the treasurer’s actions.” Three days later, Paparian informed the master and took no action on the allegations eral as required by state law. Paparian said he The Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial board that the report from the webmaster was against the treasurer. was shocked to learn that the board had been is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. The corroborated by a background investigation by On August 27, Paparian was informed by the unintentionally receiving donations for the Internal Revenue Code prohibits direct or indi - another municipality, which found that the trea - board’s independent certified public accountant memorial illegally as a result. rect participation in any political campaign on surer had made material misrepresentations that the treasurer had never registered the “Members of the board include a retired behalf of any candidate for elected public office. about his professional and educational back - Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial with police officer, an active duty police officer and Paparian said one of the board members is a ground in his application for appointment to an the California attorney general’s Registry of a candidate for elected public office,” Paparian candidate for the California Senate and that the advisory committee and that he had been Charitable Trusts as required by state law, said. “It is shameful that the board’s reaction to board treasurer, who is the candidate’s cam - paign fundraiser, organized a fundraising event for the candidate in Glendale on June 26 during which attendees were urged to donate to the candidate because of his membership on the Biden Apologizes to Turkish President board of the memorial. “This put the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial’s nonprofit status at risk and is APOLOGY, from page 1 quoted as saying. tion forces. shameful and disrespectful to the memory of fighters trying to oust the Syrian government Facing mounting international criticism In a related story which appeared in the the victims of the Armenian Genocide this pro - of President Bashar al-Assad. about lax border controls, Ankara has stepped Washington Post , Biden apologized on Sunday ject is intended to remember,” Paparian said. “President Erdogan told me,” he said, up the sharing of intelligence with allies in to the United Arab Emirates, for comments he “I am the first-born son of a survivor of the according to the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, recent months to update a no-entry list with made suggesting that the United States’ Arab Armenian Genocide and have dedicated myself “‘You were right. We let too many people 6,000 names, government officials say. allies armed and funded terrorists in Syria. to the pursuit of justice for the Armenian through. Now we are trying to seal the border.’ In September, Turkey agreed to join an The furor over the comments, made during nation all of my adult life, and this was a major “Our allies poured hundreds of millions of American-led coalition against the Islamic a foreign policy address at Harvard University focus of my 12 years as an elected public offi - dollars and tens of thousands of tons of State, but declined to sign a communiqué call - last week, have exposed deep rifts between cial,” Paparian said. “For the past two and a weapons into anyone who would fight against ing for military action because the group was the United States and its regional allies over half years I have worked tirelessly on the al-Assad,” he said, including jihadists planning holding 46 Turkish citizens as hostages. who is to blame for the rise of the Islamic Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial pro - to join the Nusra Front and Al Qaeda. After the hostages were released in a covert State and how to go about confronting it, ject.” Biden also praised the Turkish parliamentary intelligence operation, Turkey gained more underscoring the fragility of the coalition “My fiduciary obligation as chairman of the vote on Thursday that authorized cross-border flexibility in addressing the threat. formed to fight the extremist group. board of directors is more than merely a legal operations into Syria and Iraq to tackle militants Instead of making a firm military commit - The White House said Biden telephoned requirement; it is part of an unspoken promise from the Islamic State and would allow foreign ment, however, Mr. Erdogan on Saturday Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown to honor and cherish the memory of those who forces to use Turkish territory for incursions. underlined the importance of setting up a prince of Abu Dhabi and the most prominent perished in the Armenian Genocide and the tri - “It took a while for Turkey, a Sunni nation, buffer and no-fly zone inside Syria to prevent Emirate leader, to say that the vice president umph of those who survived,” he added. “I can - to figure out that ISIL was a direct and imme - an influx of refugees, and called for training did not intend to imply that the UAE sup - not continue to be associated with this board of diate threat to their well-being,” Biden was and equipment for moderate Syrian opposi - ported terrorists. directors since they continue to ignore the facts.” NAJARIAN LECTURE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AT FANEUIL HALL Truth to Action MEDIA FREEDOM Protecting Human Rights Globally “Everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart ideas without fear and interference. Yet throughout the world, journalists, bloggers and others face harassment and imprisonment for exercising their right to free speech...Freedom of expression is essential to the attainment of all other rights...and is closely linked to the right to hold opinions and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion...” –Amnesty International 2014

Mayor’s Remarks Introduction Martin J. Walsh Courtney Radsch, PhD Mayor, City of Boston Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists

Thursday Faneuil October 23 Hall

Ray Suarez Stephen Kurkjian Thomas Mucha 2014 Host, Inside Story on Founding member and former Editor, GlobalPost Al Jazeera America and chief, Investigative Spotlight Team Boston, America Abroad on Public of The Boston Globe and 7:30pm Radio International editor of its Washington Bureau Mass. Free and open to the public A reception follows at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel.

THE ANNUAL LECTURE, ENDOWED BY K. GEORGE AND CAROLANN S. NAJARIAN, MD IN HONOR OF DR. NAJARIAN’S FATHER, MR. AVEDIS ABRAHAMIAN, IS A PUBLIC PRO GRAM OF THE ARMENIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION, SPONSOR OF ARMENIAN HERITAGE PARK ON THE GREENWAY. ARMENIANHERITAGEPARK.ORG