AUGUST 3, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 3, Issue 4297 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Syrian-Armenians Artsakh Aid Affirmed by House and Kidnapped on Syria- Turkey Border Senate Appropriations Committees ALEPPO (Armenpress) — Kidnappings of Syrian- Armenians continue on the Turkish border, accord - ing to Kantsasar Weekly ’s Zarmik Poghikyan. Section 907 of the Freedom tent with prior years, and for ongoing “On July 28 in the morning a small bus left from Support Act Maintained needs related to the conflict.” The House Aleppo to Turkey, [comprising] three Armenian Appropriations Bill also restated the six families — seven women and two teenagers. On the WASHINGTON — This week, the Senate customary exemptions for humanitarian Turkish border the bus was forced to stop. The mil - Appropriations Committee approved its and other assistance to Section 907 of the itants kidnapped the 14-year-old and 12-year-old Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 State, Foreign Freedom Support Act. Section 907 was and released the women, who are in Turkey now. Operations Appropriations Bill, which enacted in 1992 and requires the We have no information about the young people at included specific report language regarding Government of Azerbaijan to take “demon - this time,” said Poghikyan. Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh), reported the strable steps to cease all blockades and During the last week, the Syrian-Armenians suf - Armenian Assembly of America. other offensive uses of force” against fered considerable losses: an Armenian woman was The Senate report language recommend - Armenia and Artsakh. killed in a bus attack and 17 people were wounded. ed “assistance for victims of the Nagorno- Overall, the Senate Bill represents a 5 US Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and US Rep. Adam A child was wounded by a stray bullet and on July Karabagh conflict in amounts consistent percent cut whereas the House Bill Schiff (D-CA) 26, four Armenian men were kidnapped by the mil - with prior years, and for ongoing needs see ASSISTANCE, page 16 itants. related to the conflict.” In addition, the According to UN data, more than 100,000 people Committee urged “a peaceful resolution to have died in the two-year-old conflict. Currently, 4.5 the conflict.” million refugees live in Syria and 1.5 million live in “Continued assistance for the people of Free Economic Zone Announced in Yerevan neighboring countries. Several Armenians have Nagorno-Karabagh remains an important been killed as a result of the fighting. Many Syrian- priority,” Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who serves YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Due to result of the establishment of these zones. Armenians continue to flee the country. on the Senate Appropriations recent government decision, a free econom - One of the conditions for the formation Additionally, three Syrian-Armenians were wound - Committee, told the Assembly. ic zone started operating on the premises of a free economic zone is that its produc - ed in recent explosions. In her letter to Senate Appropriations of RAO Mars and the Research Institute of tion be export-oriented. Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski Mathematical Machines (Mergelyan Permission for activities in the free eco - Putin to Visit Armenia (D-MD), Assembly Board Member Annie Institute) on August 1. The Sitronics Closed nomic zone has been issued for a 10-year Totah emphasized the importance of US Joint-Stock Company has been recognized period. The free economic zone will be In Fall, Sources Say aid to Armenia and Artsakh given the ongo - as the organizer of this free economic zone. organized in a territory of more than ing Turkish and Azeri blockades. During its meeting on Thursday the gov - 100,000 square meters, including 77,000 MOSCOW (Arminfo) — According to the prelimi - The Senate action follows the House, ernment of Armenia conditioned the estab - square meters of space at the Mars factory nary data, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit which approved its version yesterday. For lishment of free economic zones due to the and 27,000 square meters at the Mergelyan to Armenia is scheduled for the end of September its part, the House-approved language need to attract direct foreign investment, Institute. or beginning of October, a diplomatic source from states, “within the funds provided under with a view to later achieving export growth, The zone will work in two directions — Russia said. this heading, the Secretary of State should creating new jobs and stimulating sustain - high-tech and new-tech production. Putin is going to visit Azerbaijan August 12-15. provide assistance for victims of the able economic development through the Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan says As Zhogovurd newspaper reported, President Nagorno-Karabagh conflict at levels consis - introduction of advanced technologies as a that preliminary agreements on coopera - Serge Sargisian of Armenia will pay a working visit tion have been reached with several foreign to Moscow August 15-17. IT companies (from the US, Iran, India and the UK). Armenian Leader to Aiming for Washington, Rooted The organizer of the free economic zone, Sitronics Armenia Closed Joint-Stock Attend Iran President’s In Waltham: Peter Koutoujian see ECONOMY, page 2 Inauguration Seeks US Congress Seat YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The Iranian Powerhouse Attorneys President-elect Hassan Rouhani will be inaugurated on August 4. WALTHAM, Mass. — Sheriff Peter Koutoujian wants to expand his horizon Involved in AXA Rouhani, a centrist cleric, won an outright major - beyond Middlesex County to Washington. He is seeking the Fifth District House ity, receiving more than 50 percent of the vote this of Representatives seat vacated by now Genocide Claim Settle past June. Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), in a spe - The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan, By Alin K. Gregorian cial election slated for December 10. Their Differences Armenia, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Mirror-Spectator Staff Markey replaced the longtime sena - Turkmenistan, Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Tajikistan tor from the state, John Kerry (D- LOS ANGELES — The Law Offices of as well as three prime ministers, including the Mass.), whom President Barack Obama Vartkes Yeghiayan, the firm of Kabateck prime ministers of Syria and Swaziland, will take named as secretary of state in his second term. Brown Kellner and the firm of Geragos and part in the ceremony. “I’m a kid from Waltham and I always will be. My family will stay here and my Geragos jointly announce that they have The parliament speakers of Russia, Algeria, children will continue to be at the Armenian Sisters’ Academy [in Lexington]. I amicably resolved their differences which Azerbaijan, Oman and Congo will also be present. am not an ideologue. For me, political positions are ways to help people but arose from the settlement of Armenian they are not the only ways. I care about politics but I have come to care more Genocide Claims in deeply about the people I help,” he added. the AXA litigation see KOUTOUJIAN, page 8 pending in federal court. Specifically, the lawsuit filed by INSI DE Geragos and Geragos and Kabateck Brown Kellner (Case No. Tasty 2:11 CV 03043 Mark Geragos CAS AGR), against Yeghiayan, Rita Adana Mahdessian and a number of charities is being dismissed with prejudice forthwith. Page 10 Further, the parties have agreed on a process for the review of all costs and char - itable awards that the parties have made incident to the AXA settlement. The parties INDEX have also agreed to request that the Arts and Living ...... 10 Federal District Court keep and maintain Armenia ...... 2 jurisdiction over the finalization of both Community News...... 5 the claims process as well as the fulfillment Editorial ...... 14 of the terms of this settlement agreement International ...... 3 among the law firms. see SETTLEMENT, page 16 2 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia ATP Student Program Advocates Environmental Education and Civic Engagement Excavations Shed Light MARGAHOVIT, Armenia — The quali - ren and university students visited the tinue this fall. “It is of major importance ty of irrigation water in Aghtsk, the Michael and Virginia Ohanian for ATP to conduct environmental train - On Erebuni Temple condition of the public park in Environmental Educational Center in ings in these regions as there has been Margahovit and the cleanup of the Karin Village last year. widespread deforestation caused by log - YEREVAN (Armenpress) — An Armenian-French grounds of Isahakyan Park in Gumri The Michael and Virginia Ohanian ging and other environmental chal - excavation team is focusing on the entrance pillars were some of the topics presented by of the temple of the god Khald in Erebuni, as it has students at a workshop hosted by the not been studied extensively yet. Armenia Tree Project (ATP). The head of the team, Stefan Deschamp, said at High school students from Aghtsk, a press conference on July 30 that in the 1950s and Margahovit and Gumri participated in a 1960s, when the site was partially excavated, it was poster presentation on June 10 at ATP’s not studied closely. “The main question was to find Michael and Virginia Center for out what connection the temple of Khald had with Environmental Studies. The event was the and great hall with pillars which had been exca- part of a collaborative program vated in past,” he said. between ATP and Armenia’s National In 2012 the group discovered the street around Institute of Education (NIE) on the inte - the temple and this year continued excavations in gration of environmental education in the above-mentioned street, which possibly is the the social sciences curriculum. oldest street in Yerevan. “This street allows making “The goal of the program was to chronological adjustments,” Deschamp said. introduce environmental education to The Armenian-French excavation group has been these students and to create a genera - digging around Erebuni temple since 2008. The tion that is not only aware of current excavations will continue till 2015. environmental issues, but is concerned enough to learn specific skills to solve Catholicos Hosts Russian the issues,” explained Karine Harutyunyan, social sciences specialist Ambassador from the NIE. “We hope such projects will contribute to the formation of Armenia Tree Project operates environmental education centers near its tree nurs - ECHMIADZIN (Armenpress) — Catholicos of All socially active and responsible citizens.” eries in Margahovit and Karin villages, where thousands of local and diasporan stu - Armenians Karekin II hosted the newly appointed Student groups in grades 8-10 were dents visit for lessons and outdoor field-based learning. Russian ambassador to Armenia, Ivan Volinkin, last instructed to identify a local environ - week. mental problem and conduct indepen - During the meeting, Karekin II congratulated the dent research on the issue including a Center for Environmental Studies was lenges,” explained program manager Russian ambassador on his appointment and spoke study of relevant legislation and regula - inaugurated in Margahovit in 2012 and Alla Sahakyan. on the importance of positive relations between the tions. The students recommended solu - has already hosted more than 200 visi - “Teachers seem to appreciate this two nations, as well as cooperation between the tions and addressed their findings to tors. The center is run by biology opportunity as it demonstrates innova - Armenian and Russian churches. responsible officials and organizations teacher, Gayane Margaryan, who super - tive methods and introduces new for implementation. vises several student eco clubs that insights for environmental education. Flour, Sugar Prices The exercise was based on articles in meet there regularly. International organizations are interest - Armenia’s Constitution that address the Elementary and high school students ed in our trainings, and we’re excited Decrease in Armenia right to live in a healthy environment are members of the eco clubs, where about our first training with CISP,” con - and the Aarhus Convention which guar - they discuss environmental challenges, tinued Sahakyan. “We express our grati - YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The recent results of the antees public access to information do hands-on work at the ATP center tude to CISP for their charitable mission Armenian monitoring State Commission for about the environment. and learn environmentally friendly throughout the world. When organiza - Economic Protection recorded a decrease in both Environmental education has been methods of gardening. tions having similar interests cooperate flour and sugar prices. one of ATP’s core programs since the Earlier this year, ATP partnered with in their activities, it leads to even greater “Sugar prices decreased by 10-20 AMD according 2005 publication of the Plant an Idea, the Italian CISP charitable organization impact and encouraging results.” to monitoring held in five major supermarkets,” Plant a Tree teacher’s manual. A second (International Committee for the ATP’s mission is to assist the said Gayane Sahakyna, press secretary for the com- edition of the manual was published in Development of People) on teacher Armenian people in using trees to mission, adding that flour price decreased by 15 cooperation with the NIE in 2010 and training focused on the Lori region. improve their standard of living and AMD. already more than 1,200 teachers from ATP trained teachers on the use of the protect the environment, guided by the The increase of gas and electricity prices in all regions of Armenia have been Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree manual and desire to promote self-sufficiency, aid Armenia led to price increases for various goods trained on its use in the classroom. the “Participatory and Innovative those with the fewest resources first such as bread, beer, mineral water and etc. ATP operates education centers near Pedagogical Tools for Education on and conserve the indigenous ecosys - its tree nurseries in Margahovit and Environmental Health” papers pre - tem. ATP’s three major programs are Erebuni Castle to Install Karin villages, where local and diaspo - pared by the French Histoires tree planting, environmental education ran students visit for lessons and out - Recyclables NGO. and sustainable development initiatives. Amphitheater door field-based learning. Nearly 1,400 A total of 125 teachers have already For more information, please visit the students including young schoolchild - been trained, and the program will con - website www.armeniatree.org. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Erebuni Castle will install a movie amphitheater with accompanying lighting and 3D graphic show. The modification program was announced by Deputy Mayor Aram Sukiasyan at a July 30 press conference. Free Economic Zone Announced in Yerevan “Our [goal] is to adapt the amphitheater correct- ly. [Because it will move, people will have the] ECONOMY, from page 1 The government says Sitronics occu - active in design and production of non- opportunity of watching the total performance,” Company, is a 100-percent subsidiary of pies a leading position in the informa - traditional materials for special purpos - said Sukiasyan. Sitronics Open Joint Stock Company. It tion and communication technologies es. He also mentioned municipality plans to restore was founded in 2009 for the manage - market in Russia. Thus, in 2009 and Sitronics Armenia suggests high-tech the whole complex within two years. “Walls and ment of planned free economic zones. 2010, it was among the top-five IT com - and science-intensive production devel - frescos of the castle will be restored,” he said. RAO Mars and Mergelyan Institute have panies in Russia. Its revenues in 2010 opment for the free economic zone Sukiasyan also added that careful attention been under Sitronics OJSC manage - amounted to close to $1.2 billion. within RAO Mars, and for the would be paid to preserving the archaeological ment since 2008. The enterprises are Electronics and robotics plant RAO Mergelyan Institute it suggests innova - aspects of the castle and that renovations would owned by the Russian Federation rep - Mars was set up in 1988. At the tion, research and experimental design not interfere with preservation. resented by the Federal State Property moment of its foundation it was a activities as well as IT development. The Management Agency. Sitronics is part leader in its sphere working with total volume of investments for the of AFK Sistema, and former president advanced technologies. After the col - implementation of the project planned Sargisian Sends of Armenia Robert Kocharian is on the lapse of the Soviet Union, the plant by the initiators is expected to exceed Board of Directors of this conglomerate stopped turning out production and for $10 million by the end of 2014, of Condolences to Spain company. many years was mainly leasing its pro - which $1.7 million has already been YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian President duction space to other enterprises. In invested. Serge Sargisian sent a letter of condolences to the 2002 it was transferred to Russia as At present, there is also another free King Juan Carlos I of Spain in response to the part of the controversial equities-for- economic zone on the Armenia-Iran recent crash of the passenger train in the Galicia Clarification debt deal. The company resumed its border, of which Armenian businesses Autonomous Region, which caused the death of operation in 2008 and now it has have not availed themselves yet. The more than 70 people, with more than a hundred A Letter to the Editor titled, already started selling the first samples free economic zone at the border situ - wounded. “Shore Up Armenia,” which of its production. ated on an area of 52,000 hectares is “Sharing your and the entire Spanish nation’s appeared in the July 27, 2013 edi - What is most commonly known as the largest of the six such zones estab - grief and pain, I wish the relatives and families of tion of the Armenian Mirror- Mergelyan Institute today was founded lished in Iran — it stretches from the the victims to be strong and the wounded — the Spectator , solely reflects the per - in 1956 and its main direction was com - Turkish border to the border with soonest recovery,” said Sargisian in his letter. sonal views of the author, Walter puters as well as design and introduc - Azerbaijan and is 380 kilometers away C. Bandazian, and does not rep - tion of special automated management from Yerevan. It is expected that anoth - resent the position of the Howard systems commissioned by the USSR er free economic zone will operate in Karagheusian Foundation. Defense Ministry. Today, the Institute the area adjacent to the Zvartnots air - continues its activities, but it is more port near Yerevan. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Russia’s Rosneft Seeks Azeri Gas Field Stake: Sources International News BAKU/MOSCOW (Reuters) — Europe. Pipeline (TAP), chosen last month by Russian oil major Rosneft is seeking a Rival new pipeline projects are being Azerbaijan and Shah Deniz operator British Museum stake in Azerbaijan’s Absheron gas pro - planned to reflect the future competi - BP. ject, sources close to the talks said, in tion between Azeri and Russian gas. Expanded export capacity to coun - Renames Room from the latest move that may help it become Aliyev and Sechin discussed coopera - tries bypassed by TAP could be fed by a competitor of Russia’s gas exporter tion in oil and gas during the meeting, Absheron and other new generation ‘Ancient Turkey’ to Gazprom. Rosneft said in a news release. fields such as Shafag-Asiman, which will ‘Anatolia, Urartu’ Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin discussed a In response to a request for comment be developed under a production-shar - possible role in Absheron with Azeri on the Absheron talks, Rosneft said it ing agreement with BP, Azeri officials LONDON (Arminfo) — The British Museum President Ilham Aliyev during a visit to was studying options in Azerbaijan but said at a ceremony to announce the has renamed its room 54 from “Ancient Turkey” Baku this month and has also been in did not comment on potential participa - selection of TAP last month. into “Anatolia, Urartu.” discussions with the project’s leader, tion in specific projects. One of the sources close to the talks In early 2013, the Forum of Armenian France’s Total (TOTF.PA), the sources Total declined to comment. on Absheron said Rosneft could seek Associations of Europe (FAAE), expressed a protest said. Rosneft has made its growing gas additional partnerships in Azerbaijan against the use of “Ancient Turkey” name for Azeri state oil company SOCAR and business a top priority. Sechin has through BP, the biggest foreign player the museum’s room 54 and suggested that it be the French oil company each hold 40 stopped short of openly challenging in Azerbaijan and holder of a 20 percent renamed into “Urartu, Ancient Armenia.” percent of the project to develop Gazprom’s monopoly on the exporting stake in Rosneft. FAAE said that the values exhibited in the room Absheron, a shallow-water offshore field of Russian gas but has sought to side - BP bought into Rosneft with part of had no relation to Turkey but to Urartu, an ancient on the Caspian Sea, under production- step it - initially by striking a deal with the proceeds from the sale of its state located in the territory of the Armenian sharing agreements. The remainder is Exxon Mobil to build a plant to liquefy Russian joint venture, TNK-BP. Plateau. “This is just one example. Sometimes held by GDF Suez. natural gas from their Sakhalin-1 pro - Of all the former Soviet oil exporting Armenian values, like carpets, are exhibited as Exploratory drilling by Total showed ject in the Pacific. states, Azerbaijan has been the most Muslim values,” FAAE said. the field contained 150 billion to 300 In a sign of frustration with aggressive in courting Western invest - In its response to FAAE, the museum’s director, billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas Gazprom’s gas export monopoly, the ment in energy. It allowed BP in partic - Jonathan N. Tubb, said: ”Our curators are very resources. The find was declared com - Kremlin has launched a debate on ular to gain control of much of its aware that Ancient Turkey is nonsensical from a mercial in 2012. export rights for producers of LNG, hydrocarbon production under produc - historical point of view and so the naming of this Azeri officials have said Absheron and though President Vladimir Putin has tion-sharing agreements, while SOCAR room was the subject of much debate, and contin- other new fields would significantly warned other Russian companies continued to dominate infrastructure ues as such.” increase Azeri gas exports in coming against competing with Gazprom in and refining. years, beyond the 10 bcm it has already exports to Europe. Russia so far has had little participa - pledged to Europe and 6 bcm it has For the next 10 years, Azerbaijan is tion in the Azeri energy industry. Parliament Deputy pledged to Turkey from the giant Shah seen as the most secure source of new Gazprom has kept a foot in the door Speaker Calls on Ankara Deniz field 25 kilomters from Absheron. pipeline gas exports to Europe. through small purchases of Azeri gas These Azeri exports are set to com - European buyers have struggled to for export in recent years. to Stop Interfering in pete with supplies from Gazprom, which find alternatives to Gazprom, whose Sechin’s visit to Baku, which followed holds a monopoly on exports of Russian contracts link prices to oil, generally the decision on TAP by a matter of days, Karabagh gas and covers a quarter of Europe’s making its gas expensive by comparison could be a sign that the Azeris are shift - YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Deputy Parliament gas needs through pipelines. For with the spot gas market. ing some attention back to Russia, per - Speaker Edward Sharmazanov has deplored the Rosneft, an Azeri deal would be its for - Azerbaijan plans to start exporting haps to keep a balance of influence after recent declarations by Turkey’s top diplomat that eign foray that could put it into direct Shah Deniz gas in 2019 to Europe in committing the bulk of its gas resources he implied amounted to interfering in the settle- competition with Gazprom in sales to 2019 through the Trans-Adriatic to Europe. ment of the Karabagh conflict. Commenting on the recent statement of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggesting Ankara will always be supporting Azerbaijan and is Intimidation and Self-Censorship Rising in Turkey ready to promote a peaceful settlement of the Karabagh conflict, Sharmazanov said: “Davutoglu’s ISTANBUL (Deutsche Welle) — begs to differ: Many of the CHP’s accu - interests of the public. “That’s a very statement confirms Turkey’s adherence to the pro- Turkey currently holds 64 journalists in sations have nothing to do with reality, worrying situation,” he said, pointing Azeri resolution of the Karabagh conflict rather its prisons, according to the opposition. he insists. out that he believes it’s the prime min - than a fair one.” Since the begin of the Gezi Park What’s certain is that since the begin - ister himself who’s mostly to blame for “If it is really interested in a rapid settlement of protests, working as journalist critical of ning of the protests in Gezi Park, many that. “Many members of cabinet don’t the conflict, Turkey has to take one simple step — Premier Erdogan has become increas - journalists have lost their jobs. The actually agree with how the media is stop interfering in the settlement process,” ingly difficult. Turkish journalists’ union TGS has treated, but the intimidating presence of Sharmazanov added. There are two very different versions logged 59 such cases. “The reason has the prime minister is just too much pres - of the status quo: Kemal Kilicdaroglu, been mostly the censorship policy of sure.” head of Turkey’s largest opposition some media organization in their cover - According to investigative journalist Armenian Family party CHP, warns that Prime Minister age of the Gezi Park protests,” the TGS Ahment Sik, Turkey’s media is going Reçep Tayyip Erdogan has transformed claimed. through its darkest time in decades. Murdered in Russia the country into a semi-open prison, a This week for instance, journalist “There’s always been censorship, but I STAVROPOL, Russia (Arminfo) — A masked place where it’s impossible for journal - Yavuz Baydar was fired. For nine years, cannot recall that there’s been as much assailant entered the home of businessman ists to live and work properly. Deputy he had been working as ombudsman for self-censorship as there is today. People Khachatur Kazaryan and fired at members of his Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, though, the newspaper Sabah . The paper is are losing their jobs, in print and TV,” family. close to the government, and according Sik told DW. He himself spent some 13 According to reports, Kazaryan’s 11-year-old to Baydar, utterly failed in its coverage months in prison after being accused of daughter died of the gunshot wounds at the scene. of the Gezi Park protests. being a member in an armed under - Her 16-year-old brother was wounded in the head “My main task was to field criticism ground group. and died later in hospital. Their 44-year-old mother Spanish Newspaper and reactions from our readers, and Each of the 64 journalists currently in was severely wounded in the neck and was hospi- Compares Azerbaijan reflect that in my columns,” Baydar told prison is being held on charges related talized. Kazaryan was in the bathroom at the time DW. “But my articles hadn’t been pub - to their work, he explained. “If you look of the attack. To Syria lished since the beginning of the at the cases and the ‘evidence’ used The Kazaryans’ neighbors heard the sounds of protests,” he said. Baydar, who is known against them, you see things like phone the shots and called the police. When the police MADRID (Armenpress) — The in Europe as a liberal journalist, was conversations between journalists, con - arrived at the scene, they found the body of the Spanish newspaper Fronterad com - invited in June by the European versations with informants, or photos or dead girl. Despite the severe injury, Kazaryan was pared corruption in Azerbaijan to that Commission to give a speech in articles they’ve published.” still conscious before the arrival of the ambulance. of North Korea, Cuba and Syria, in a Brussels — in which he criticized the Sik himself was accused of working recent article. press situation in Turkey. with terrorists because of a book he The paper added that the power Upon his return to Turkey, he experi - was researching. “If you accuse some - Nalbandian Meets with transfer from father to son and the con - enced the first signs of outright censor - one of being a terrorist or belonging tinuance of human rights violations and ship. “My criticism was directed against to a terrorist organization, then the Chinese Foreign Minister corruption are unacceptable. all Turkish media. They demonize evidence used to incriminate you BEIJING (PanArmenian.net) — Armenian Foreign “In this country one who criticizes media outlets like CNN, Al Jazeera and should be a gun rather than a cam - Minister Eduard Naldandian met with his Chinese authorities is taken to prison, votes dur - Reuters, depicting them as part of an era,” Sik said. counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday, July 26. ing elections are being stolen and etc. international conspiracy,” Baydar said. The government itself is behind the According to state-run Xinhua news agency, the Criticizing government even on Sabah in particular criticized the pressure and the cruelty, Sik believes — Chinese minister said his country will work with Facebook became a reason of imprison - German magazine Der Spiegel for mak - something obvious upon examination Armenia to strengthen coordination on interna- ment,” said article’s author. ing the Gezi Park protests its cover of the protests: “Six people were killed, tional and regional issues and advance bilateral Fronterad reporters also quoted story. among them a policeman, while many relations to a higher level. Azerbaijani journalist Idrak Abasov But his article about these accusa - others are still in hospital. I can find no The two men discussed political and interparlia- when he said, “If you write about cor - tions against foreign media didn’t get other word than ‘terrorism’ for a men - mentary cooperation, economic and cultural ties, ruption activities of government mem - published. “My last column was about tality that responds to peaceful demon - student exchange programs as well as the possibil- bers you will be certainly punished.” the independence of the ombudsman stration with brutal violence.” ity of establishing a Chinese school in Yerevan. Referring to the country’s “caviar and the credibility of media organiza - At the moment, the best thing for At the completion of the meeting, Nalbandian diplomacy” the paper wrote, tions in general. Two days later, I got journalists is to not work for mass invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Armenia. “Azerbaijani government keeps many fired,” Baydar said. media, Sik concluded. “My friends who people silent with its oil, gas and In Turkey, Baydar explained, public still do work there all are somewhat caviar.” television stations don’t work in the ashamed.” 4 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

TCA Arshag Teen Serena Dickranian School Hajjar Impresses Holds Its 32nd With Heart and Commencement Grace Ceremony

LOS ANGELES — The Tekeyan Cultural By Tom Vartabedian Association (TCA) Arshag Dickranian School (ADS) held its 32nd commencement ceremony LEXINGTON, Mass. — Serena Hajjar is for students in its grades 12, 8 and 5, on Friday, not your typical teenager. June 14, at the Walter and Laurel Karabian While other girls her age are busy Hall. The final evening of the school’s 2012- working on their tans or shopping at the 2013 academic year was well attended by hon - mall, she is out winning gymnastics cham - ored guests, parents, alumni and friends, pionships, writing articles for publication, amongst them Rev. Manoug Markarian, school maintaining stellar grades and volunteer - benefactors Cindy Norian, Laural Karabian and ing her spare time at one Armenian orga - Hmayak Baltaian, who had come along with California State Senator Carol Liu (second from right) with ABMDR Board mem - nization after another. board members to celebrate the achievements bers and supporters On her immediate agenda is not a state of the graduating students. title for which she is capable of earning, The program began with the processional of but an Armenian Bone Marrow Drive in the 12th, 8th, and 5th grade graduates, clad in September. As of March, she has been on their caps and gowns, marching into the hall to a committee that is planning a walk take their assigned seats, amidst the cheers of Bone Marrow September 28, starting at the Armenian their proud parents. Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) Armenuhi Shaklian (Class of 2005), acted as at 10 a.m. and ending in Watertown the emcee. In her opening remarks, Shaklian Square. Registry Hosts “Fortunately, none of my friends or family needs the services provided by this group,” she said in a recent interview. “I Annual Gala enjoy making a difference for the people

GLENDALE — Hope of Life, the 14th annual gala of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), took place on July 14 at the Glendale Hilton. The event celebrated milestones within the organization and honored many individuals and establishments for their support of the registry’s cause. More than 400 people attended Hope of Life, which kicked off with a cocktail hour and silent auction. The evening’s main program began with opening remarks by Tatevik Ekezian Madjarian, who acknowledged the presence of numerous dignitaries, elected offi - cials and healthcare leaders. Guests included Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese; Joseph Matossian, minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Father Vazken Atmajian, representing Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy; California State Senator Carol Liu; repre - sentatives of Congressman Adam Schiff, State Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Glendale City Councilman Zareh Sinanyan; Glendale Unified School District President Greg Krikorian; Glendale Memorial Hospital President Jack Ivie and Vice President of Business Development David Mauss; Glendale Memorial Health Foundation Vice President Wayne Herron; Dr. Stuart Siegel and Dr. Neena Kapoor of Children’s Hospital Los Serena Hajjar spends her free time volun - Angeles; Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, professor at the Department of Microbiology, teering for such Armenian organizations University of Washington; Dr. Arpenik Avagyan and representing the event’s major as Project SAVE. sponsors, Ramella Markarian and Peter Baker of Glendale Adventist Medical Center as well as Mike Sarian of Prime Healthcare Services. MC Armenuhi Shaklian greets those attending Madjarian also welcomed representatives of several community organizations, whose life may depend upon finding a the graduation ceremony. including the Armenian-American Medical Society, Armenian Nurses Association, bone marrow match. I did the Walk for Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Cycling Association and Armenian-American Life last year and I got involved.” Chamber of Commerce, as well as Chamlian School principal Vazken Madenlian. Closer to home was the money she first greeted the students, the guests and teach - Next to take the podium was Gala chairperson Naz Atikian, who thanked the raised for “MySchoolPulse,” a charity ers and gave a heartening address about her attendees for their “unflinching support, year after year” and said, “We are here based in Lebanon that aims to provide student life at the school. She also talked about today because of you.” gravely ill children with tutoring and her experiences as an alumna, shedding light see GALA, page 7 other resources to continue their studies on the opportunities ahead of every graduate of while being hospitalized. the Dickranian School. She then invited This past year, Hajjar turned 16 and Principal Maral Yeranossian to present the asked that instead of presents, guests of awards to outstanding students. her Sweet Sixteen donate to this cause. The successive presentation of diplomas to The charity was founded by a family the 5th, 8th and Senior Class graduates were friend, Mireille Nassif, who lost her son, called upon by Laura Atteukenian, fifth grade Paul, to osteosarcoma, a bone cancer home room teacher; Pascal Nittis, eighth-grade common in teenagers, in August 2009. home room teacher and the school’s English The $5,000 Hajjar raised was quickly Department Chair Ricardo Rocha. matched by her parents, making the total Next, graduates Michael Abassian, David of $10,000 far in excess of her $2,000 Ananyan, Andy Aroutiounian, Onnig Ashikian, goal. Monica Babaian, Ichkhan Bagdassarian, Lucy “Although we were toddlers when we Bambalyan, Arthur Blikian, Stephan met, I’ll never forget his battle against Darakchyan, Aram Ekimyan, Razmik cancer,” Hajjar pointed out. “I was Gasparyan, Urik Gilavian, Arthur Karaian, shocked that someone battling cancer Valentina Kazazian, Azatuhi Martinyan, Natalie would have the energy to continue their Nahapetyan, Robert Odajyan, Allen studies with such enthusiasm. He contin - Shahbazyan, Gevork Shishikyan, Ashley ued to study with an oxygen mask on his Gala Committee and supporters Solakhyan, Lusine Stepanyan, Asatur face until his last moments.” Supikyan, Lucy Tekneyan and Arthur see TEEN, page 7 Vardanian of the Class of 2013 walked across see GRADUATION, page 5 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS TCA Arshag Dickranian School Holds Its 32nd Commencement Ceremony

GRADUATION, from page 4 the stage to receive their high school diplomas from the Principal, Board Chairman George K. Mandossian, Norian and Karabian. Following the presentation of diplomas, Valedictorian Aram Ekimyan, Valedictorian Lucine Stepanyan and Salutatorian Michael Abassian were called to the podium and delivered their speeches conveying the importance of maintaining the Armenian language, identity and spirit and expressed their gratitude to their teachers and parents for the education and opportunities they received at TCA Arshag Dickranian School. Shaklian invited neurophysiologist Dr. Nazely Ashikian (Class of 1999) to deliver the keynote address. After greeting the graduates and attendants, Ashikian talked about her experiences as a student pursuing her dream of attain - ing the medical profession, whereupon ending her remarks by

The graduates of 2013

reminding the students of the importance of the basic education expressing how much she enjoyed working with them through - they had received at ADS and urging them to stay focused on out the years, first as their counselor and then as their principal. their goals. She congratulated students and wished them good luck in their The emcee then called upon Parsegh Kartalian, vice chairman future endeavors. of the Board of Trustees, to deliver his remarks. Kartalian con - The program concluded with closing prayers led by Fr. Neurophysiologist and ADS alumna Dr. Nazely Ashikian delivers gratulated graduating students and stressed the importance of Manoug Markarian who, prior to delivering his benediction, read her keynote address. maintaining their Armenian identity. the congratulatory message by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Yeranossian next delivered her message to the students, Primate of the Armenian Church Western Diocese.

Lia Sona Jamian Receives Medical Degree

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Lia Sona Jamian graduated from Ross University School of Medicine in June with a Doctor of Medicine degree. She has been teaching third-year med - ical students at one of the universities campus - es in Miramar, Fla., since her graduation. Jamian has been accepted into the internal medicine residency program at Cleveland Clinic in Westin, Fla. During her course of studies and clinical rota - tions, she spent two years of intensive class - room studies followed by various rotations at see JAMIAN, page 6

Dr. Lia Sona Jamian 6 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Holds Graduation Ceremonies

WATERTOWN — In June, St. Stephen’s Kew, Sarine Mahrokhian, Patil Mahserejian, Church board of trustees, Rev. Archpriest Awards 2013 Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) com - Victoria Sarkissian, Emma Surenian and Carlo Antranig Baljian, as well as all the organiza - •Prelacy Award: Sarine Mahrokhian, Emin pleted its 29th academic year. The graduation Vosbigian. tions and individuals that contribute to the bet - Abrahamian, Taline Chaprazian, Ani Ganjian ceremonies were held on June 13 (K) and June On June 14, at the Elementary Graduation terment of the school. •Armenian Relief Society Award: Beiyna 14 (Elementary). Night the school was attended by Bishop On June 13, Boyamian and Maral Orchanian Chaparian On June 13, 23 students graduated from Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the (the preschool director) honored Araxie •St. Stephen’s School Award: Gregory Cormier Kindergarten. They are: Lori Avakian, Matthew Armenian Prelacy, who had come from New Poladian on the occasion of her 20 years of ser - (Armenian History) Babigian, Nayiri Chekijian, David Davidian, York to present the Prelacy Queen Zabel Award vice at the preschool. Then Orchanian present - •Armenian Grammar: Christina Kew Christian Diaz, Kristina Dorian, Leanna Dorian, to Houry Boyamian on the occasion of her 25th ed the theme of the Preschool and •Effort: Vickie Bazarbasian, Emma Surenian, Alisa Ficiciyan, Shant Gebeyan, John Diran anniversary as the principal of St. Stephen’s Kindergarten graduation which was the Nairi Enright Gengozian, Christian Goebel, Diana Grigoryan, Armenian Elementary School. Children’s Imaginary World. The preschoolers •Armenian Studies: Victoria Sarkissian, Patel Ryan Guebenlian, Haig Guzelian, Mark On both days, in her speech Boyamian and the kindergarteners presented through Mahserejian and Carlo Vosbigian Guzelian, Hrant Hachikian, Taleen Haleblian, focused on the school’s achievements, especial - songs, dances and poems. The Nursery II stu - •Presidential Award for Academic Excellence: Alexan Haroutunian, Nora Haroutunian, Amelia ly in its STEM Initiative (Science, Technology, dents surprised Boyamian with a special song Emin Abrahamian Kassardjian, Alex Kebadjian, Zachary Kefeyan, Engineering and Math). She mentioned that and a banner thanking her for her 25 years of Presidential Award for Academic Achievement: Anoush McCarthy, Gagik Minasyan, Sarine 2013 coincides with the 10th Anniversary of service. Sarine Maroukhian and Beiyna Chaparian Nigoghosian and Natalie Tenekedzhyan. the school’s accreditation by the Association of On June 14, the first part of the Elementary • American Citizenship Award: Ani Ganjian On June 14, 15 students graduated from the Independent Schools in New England, as well program was dedicated to mothers. The second •Math: Christina Kew, Carlo Vosbigian, Nairi Elementary School. They are: Emin as the 10th anniversary of the class trip to part of the program was dedicated to Armenia. Enright Abrahamian, Vickie Bazarbashian, Beiyna Armenia. She thanked the faculty, the adminis - The elementary students presented both •Science: Victoria Sarkissian Chaparian, Taline Chaprazian, Gregory trative staff, the PTO, the parent volunteers, the themes with poetry recital and chorale songs, •Writing: Ani Ganjian, Patil Mahserejian Cormier, Nairi Enright, Ani Ganjian, Christina school board and committees, the St. Stephen’s followed by a video presentation of the Fifth •Reading Comprehension: Taline Chaprazian, Grade Class Trip to Armenia coordinated with Emma Surenian and Vickie Bazarbashian great expertise by Ardemis Megerdichian, the •Social Studies: Gregory Cormier Armenian teacher. The program ended with all • ARS Essay Contest: 1st Place-Vickie Lia Sona Jamian Receives Medical Degree past graduates going on stage in procession to Bazarbashian $30, 2nd Place-Sarine sing together Mer Sarer and to cut the anniver - JAMIAN, from page 5 founding, Lyman Briggs has graduated a Maroukhian $25 sary cake. On this occasion four students • Nishan and Arshalouys Scholarship Fund for St Joseph Mercy, Oakland-Trinity, Covenant Marshall Scholar, a Truman Scholar, five addressed the attendees. They were alumnae HealthCare, and University of Miami. She Goldwater Scholars, two Udall Scholars and Music and Art: Araxi Krafian, Nairi Krafian, Meghri Der Art: Isabella Balian and Music: Arek Adourian was an active participant and volunteer at one Phi Kappa Phi. Vartanian and Kristina Ayanian. Then students several American Medical School She was accepted into Oakland County ($200 each) (Gr. 4) in grades 1 though 5 students surprised Mrs. • Anahid Kazazian Scholarship ($100 each) Association (AMSA) Health Fairs with activi - Michigan’s Health Department’s summer Boyamian with a video presentation in which ties including: women’s health, suture clinics internship program to work closely with a Lori Ganjian and Berj Chekijian (Gr. 4) each grade expressed their appreciation and • Perfect Attendance Award and helping fund raise for free clinic pro - registry of at-risk women, infants and chil - congratulated her o her 25th anniversary. grams. Her part-time assignments and dren (WIC) in need of counseling, nutrition - Kindergarten: Gagik Minasyan, Grade 1: Aren On both days, Baljian expressed his apprecia - Panian, Grade 2: Chris Ashjian, Vana research included studying psychosocial pat - al support, and care. Additionally, she tion to the administration and faculty for their terns of distressed communities and the pos - received an achievement award from the Karaguesian, Grade 3: Tamar Chaprazian, dedication and effort. He especially thanked Grade 5: Nairi Enright itive impact of a strong community health Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Boyamian on her 25th Anniversary. nursing program in reversing bad lifestyle 2008. patterns in a population. She has worked Jamian is a graduate of Lahser High with various stakeholders in developing the School, Bloomfield Hills, where she received program to reduce costly hospital readmis - the Governor’s Award (State of Michigan) for sions. Through a series of specifically- outstanding scholastic achievement, 2006. Nardolillo Funeral Home designed questions, post-discharged patients She is a member of St. John’s Apostolic would be contacted and screened for proba - Church, Southfield, Mich. She has been an Est. 1906 bilities of readmission. active member of the Detroit ACYOA and She is currently providing educational was a volunteer for the Armenian Service John K. Najarian, Jr. research and program content for the Project in Armenia. She regularly attended Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director Bloomfield Community Cable Television Hye Camp both as a camper and later as a 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Network in Southeastern Michigan, focusing counselor. on senior health issues. She is the daughter of Sandra and 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 Jamian completed her undergraduate Gregory Jamian and the granddaughter of www.nardolillo.com studies in the Lyman Briggs College at Kora Jamian (Edward Jamian) and John Michigan State University, Lansing. Since its Nagohosian (Sophie), all of Bloomfield Hills.

OBITUARY Martin Attarian GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E NEW YORK — Martin Attarian died on June Attarian earned a degree in interior design James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC 1 at the age of 84. He was born in Brooklyn on from the Pratt Institute and he completed many Mark J. Giragosian March 6, 1929, to the late Sarkis and Maritza courses at the New York School of Interior Funeral Counselors Attarian. Design. He was often invited to showcase his 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Attarian had a penchant for drawing at a very designed and furnished rooms at design com - www.giragosianfuneralhome.com early age. He was skilled at making balsa wood petitions. airplanes, fitting them with engines, which he His first employer was the design firm of then directed via U-Control outdoors. William Pahlmann Associates and during his time working there, he helped complete the design of the Four Seasons restaurant in New Telephone (617) 924-7400 York. Attarian also designed and built sets for the Aram Bedrosian various theatrical productions of the Armenian Students Association (ASA). As a board member of the New York Armenian Home in Flushing, he Funeral Home, Inc. helped in the revisions of the center. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 The late Patriarch of Jerusalem, Torkom Manoogian, while Primate of the Eastern MARION BEDROSIAN Diocese, asked for Attarian’s help on a variety 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN of design issues within the Diocesan Complex WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. Attarian is survived by his sister Mariam Bryer and and her husband Leonard Lee Bryer; Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a aunt Pearl Mooradian of Detroit, Mich.; cousin Archie Attarian, MD, and his wife Patricia Attarian of Grand Blanc, Mich. and Thomas Javian, MD, of Philadelphia, Penn., grandson of Edward D. Jamie, Jr. the late family matriarch Margaret Esayian who Martin Attarian had helped rescue several of Attarian’s relatives, Funeral Chapel including his mother, from the Genocide. Serving the entire Armenian Community Funeral services were held at St. Vartan Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location Attarian studied boat building at East New Cathedral. Interment followed at Cedar Grove Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 York Vocational High School. His drafting skills Cemetery in Flushing. Memorial contributions led to an interest in designing home, business may be directed to the New York Armenian Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 and boat interiors. Home. Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Bone Marrow Registry Hosts Annual Gala

GALA, from page 4 Prime Healthcare Services. She also conveyed enhancements to our Stem Cell Harvesting have never seen an organization, such as As he took the stage following Atikian’s her gratitude to the registry’s lifetime support - Center; we have purchased equipment and pro - ABMDR, come together so rapidly, identify a address, Master of Ceremonies and ABMDR ers, the Western Diocese for ongoing outreach vided training for Armenia’s — and the mission so clearly, and make it happen. You Board of Directors Chair Mark Geragos support, Karekin II for conferring on her the St. Caucasus region’s — first auto-transplantation all deserve a tremendous amount of applause reviewed the history of the registry. “It is truly Nerses Graceful Medal and the registry’s procedure; we have adopted a new test with for doing something that I don’t think I have amazing that this organization started off with numerous volunteers, benefactors, committee allows us to gauge a patient’s sensitivity to seen any organization pull off so impressive - only a handful of donors 14 years ago,” he said. chairs and the staff of the ABMDR Stem Cell chemotherapy drugs and we have begun to ly.” “Today it has over 24,000 potential bone mar - Harvesting Center in Yerevan for advancing the implement immunophenotyping, which is a In addition to the main awards, special row donors in 18 countries. Growth of this scale organization’s cause. major step forward for Armenia in blood-disease plaques were bestowed on Glendale Adventist has been made possible by not only relentless Before concluding her remarks, Jordan diagnostics, prediction and treatment” said Medical Center, accepted by Vice President of hard work, but also the extraordinary vision of announced that in September 2012 the registry Avagyan. Business Development Peter Baker; Mike the woman I’m about to introduce, Dr. Frieda held its first-ever walkathon in Boston and Jordan then invited this year’s honorees to Sarian of Prime Healthcare Services; Arpine Jordan, who is the heart and soul of ABMDR.” thanked the Kardashian family for helping raise the stage. The Woman of the Year and Man of Zohrabyan, who has helped save a child’s life by After being greeted with a standing ovation, public awareness of the ABMDR mission, as the Year Award were bestowed on Amy becoming a matched bone marrow stem cell Boyadjian and Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, respec - donor and Andrew Nazarian, a high-school tively; the Volunteer of the Year Awards were senior who had a key role in the realization of bestowed on Hilda Gourdikian and Harmik the Armenian Cycling Association’s bike ride Baghdasarian; the Armenian-American Medical benefiting ABMDR — the 136-mile Glendale-to- Society (AAMS) of California and its Ladies’ San Diego ride, called “Cycle for Life,” which Auxiliary Committee received the Organization raised close to $10,000. of the Year Award, with AAMS President Dr. During the award ceremony, Madjarian read Vicken Sepilian and Ladies’ Auxiliary a letter of congratulation by patient Cici, and Committee Chair Ramella Markarian accepting accepted a plaque of recognition on her behalf. the award; the ABMDR Comedy Night The Gala drew to a close with the announce - Committee was named Team of the Year and ment of this year’s ABMDR lottery winners. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles received the Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit Establishment of the Year Award, which was organization, helps Armenians worldwide sur - accepted by Dr. Stuart Siegel and Dr. Neena vive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by Kapoor. recruiting and matching donors to those requir - In 2012, Siegel and Kapoor were instrumen - ing bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, tal in providing vital physician trainings to help the registry has recruited more than 24,000 ABMDR create the necessary infrastructure donors in 18 countries across four continents, and skill base for starting to perform auto - identified 2,135 patients and facilitated 16 bone transplantation procedures in Armenia. marrow transplants. In his acceptance remarks, Siegel said, “I For more information, visit abmdr.am. Teen Serena Hajjar Impresses

TEEN, from page 4 candidate for the Abaka School of Armenain Man of the Year Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko (seated, second from left) and his wife, Dr. Arpenik Avagyan, with ABMDR Board members Dr. Sevak Avagyan (far left), Dr. Frieda Jordan and Chairman Mark The Armenian lineage in this girl runs deep. Dance and will join its adult counterpart, Sayat Geragos Both parents were born and raised in Lebanon. Nova Dance Company next year. Her paternal grandfather was Dr. Joseph Hajjar, She is an avid reader, cooks, bakes and yes, a distinguished neurologist, while her maternal she’s out with friends who shop, depicting the Jordan began her address by reflecting on the well as the Armenian Cyclist Association for grandfather was Khatchig Babikian, a well- typical side of this teen. evening’s theme. “Hope of Life: yes, there is no dedicating its most recent annual bike ride to known public figure, lawyer, politician, parlia - What may surprise others are her eating better way to describe the work we do,” she raising funds for the registry. ment member and cabinet minister. habits. She happens to be a vegetarian. Another said. Afterwards, Jordan invited to the podium Dr. At the age of 4, she was introduced to the interesting fact about her is that her first lan - “Each of you who has volunteered time and Sevak Avagyan, executive director of ABMDR Boston Ballet. Two years later, she discovered guage was not Armenian, English or Arabic, but expertise at a recruitment drive, or helped orga - and head of its Stem Cell Harvesting Center. gymnastics and took the sport to unparalleled French. nize fundraising events, well knows that striv - “When people ask about the evolution of heights. The medals she won were nothing com - “Both my parents spoke French since they ing to save lives, with precious time ticking ABMDR, we often respond with numbers,” pared to the rush of flying through the air or grew up in Lebanon and carried it to America,” away, is hard and stressful work,” said Jordan. Avagyan said. “To date, we tell them, the reg - completing a new routine on the high beam. she noted. “They thought it would be a useful “But we do what is hard for one reason: to istry has recruited [more than] 24,000 donors Over the past 10 years, Hajjar has built quite addition to the Armenian I would be learning at make it easier on our patients and their fami - in 18 countries across four continents, identi - a resume for herself, winning state champi - St. Stephen’s.” lies, who bear such physical and emotional fied 2,135 patients and facilitated 16 bone mar - onships in her age class. A year ago, she took a Being a fifth-grader at that school entitled pain. I reflect on this moment with gratitude, row transplants. But our fight to find life-saving gold medal on the vault at the Massachusetts’ her to a special school trip to Armenia and and thank you all for making what we do a lit - donor-patient matches is not merely about num - Judges Cup. Artsakh. The memories left an indelible impres - tle easier.” bers. As importantly, we continue to increase “It’s given me a great work ethic,” she admit - sion. Next Jordan recognized the 2013 ABMDR the quality of the services we provide for ted. “Gymnastics has taught me the value of “The people there [in Artsakh] were so gen - Award recipients and the evening’s major spon - patients,” he added. hard work and perseverance in achieving goals erous and kind, despite their dire situation,” sors, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and “For instance, we have made significant that far exceed any awards I may have she recalled. “They were content with the sim - received.” plest things in life, reminding me that many of In addition, she has been taking piano the things we enjoy in America are superflu - lessons for 10 years. Her teacher is Shoushig ous.” Parseghian of Belmont. She has performed in She went back to Armenia last summer with three concerts by Amaras as well as the April a group of family friends, getting a more mature 24th commemoration in Watertown. perspective on the country. She is eager for her The Lexington High junior holds a 4.08 third visit. unweighted GPA while enrolled in honors and As to the centennial in 2015, Hajjar has her AP classes. She hopes to major in history own thoughts about the commemoration and and/or international relations in college. the main focus is to educate others. She has written several articles for her school “It breaks my heart to hear some deny the paper but none were finer than the three she death of 1.5 million Armenians,” she said. “It’s published in the Armenian Mirror-Spectator time for a new approach. The best way to get this year during a volunteer internship at that Turkey to recognize the Genocide is through newspaper. education. Once we spread awareness and “My editor and mentor [Alin Gregorian] cre - knowledge of historical facts, Turkey will lose ated a very friendly environment,” she said. ground and its credibility. Only when Turkey is “Getting my work published was such an excit - isolated in its denial of the Genocide will it final - ing feeling.” ly admit to its crime.” She decided to help out at Project SAVE last A Genocide exhibit at the Smithsonian, summer after learning about its unique mis - protests, vigils, aggressive lobbying, petitioning sion, under the tutelage of executive director and greater awareness are some of the tasks Ruth Thomasian and office manager John that should be employed, she agrees. Kebadjian. “Unfortunately, the fight for recognition is “I have always loved history and enjoyed one of the few things that truly unit all looking at old photographs,” she said. “I was Armenians across the board,” Serena resumed. Donation taught so much about Armenian history during “I just wish Armenians could find unity in other my days at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary areas as well because that solidarity will ulti - Varoujan Torikian of Montreal, Canada donated $250 to the . Armenian Mirror-Spectator School. This is such a valuable resource.” mately be the strongest force in keeping the Through gymnastics, Hajjar became a perfect Armenian nation alive.” 8 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Seeks US Congress Seat

KOUTOUJIAN, from page 1 attorney originally from Spain, with being his Speaking about his platform, the progres - “greatest supporter.” sive Democrat stressed the “economy and “I was considering whether I should run. jobs.” He noted, “The rising tide lifts all My wife continued to encourage me. She said, ships. If we get the economy working strong - ‘you can make this work. You can make a dif - ly, we create better opportunities, jobs, ference.’ It is overwhelming at times but the resources and public funding” for programs. response [to the campaign] has been incredi - He characterized Markey as a “strong and ble.” active” leader. “When people ask what you Issues that he is supporting are gun con - hope to do, I want to build on what he has trol and access to health care. During his done before,” he said. time in the Massachusetts House, he was Koutoujian has risen in the ranks steadily instrumental in crafting the universal health since his days as a young prosecutor in the insurance reform law, the statewide work - Middlesex County district attorney’s office. It place smoking ban and legislation about new is not bigheadedness that is prodding on school nutrition guidelines. Koutoujian, but his family and his roots. He has upcoming fundraising trips to “My own family’s immigrant story is what California and New Jersey in August, focusing motivates me. My grandparents, Abraham on the Armenian community. “They will be and Zarouhi, fled Marash [historic Armenia] the difference in this race if we win,” he said. during the Armenian Genocide. Zarouhi The campaign is trying not only to raise worked in a Syrian orphanage. Eventually funds in the community, but to register more they were able to track each other down and people to vote and to make sure they turn settle in Massachusetts,” he said. out on election day. “They saw unspeakable acts and didn’t Koutoujian said he will not let political dif - want to talk about them,” said Koutoujian Peter Koutoujian with volunteers Kevork Atinizian (in front of the sign), and, from right, Joseph Russo, ferences stop him from cooperating with oth - during a recent interview at his Main Street Vineet Chandra and Robert Pooley ers. “I’m a good team player and I’m respect - headquarters in his hometown. ful,” he said. “Bi-partisanship allows me to do “They raised four kids and all the boys good things for my community.” were in the military,” he said. port from the non-Armenian community,” he Armenian Genocide. The primary, in which Koutoujian will have “My grandparents adored this country for said. “Women have responded very well. I’ve “We can achieve both these goals,” he said. four opponents on the Democratic side, will giving them refuge and an opportunity,” he been a strong supporter of women’s rights “We need to make sure that Armenia gets be held on October 15, while the special elec - said. and issues affecting women over the past 17 aid. We need to get aid to Karabagh and raise tion will be on December 10. His mother was a teacher and his father, years.” the issue of the Javakhk region in Georgia The campaign is looking for volunteers. the Waltham city clerk for 30 years. Indeed, he has been a leader in taking on and make sure that aid reaches Javakhk,” he Those interested in giving of their time or “Through them, I came to love public service. domestic violence as well as sexual assault in said. money or both can visit I became a prosecutor and ran for office,” he the state. He serves on the boards of REACH Koutoujian praised his wife, Elizabeth, an www.koutoujianforcongress.com. recalled. Beyond Domestic Violence and the Newton Koutoujian earned his bachelor’s degree in Community Service Center, as well as the psychology from Bridgewater State West Suburban Samaritans, Waltham Boys & University, his law degree from the New Girls Club and Newton Boys & Girls Club. England School of Law and a master’s in He added that support for women’s rights public affairs from the John F. Kennedy was not a position he had adopted for getting School of Government at Harvard University. votes, but instead, because “it is the right The lifelong Waltham resident was first thing to do, especially as I see my daughter. I

Peter Koutoujian with longtime aide Tsoleen Sarian elected to the Massachusetts House of want her to have every opportunity.” Representatives in 1996, representing the In addition, he said, “I want to be a leader 10th district, including Waltham and Newton, on a national level for our [Armenian] com - a seat he held for 14 years. During his tenure munity,” like the two other Armenian- in the State House, he chaired three different Americans in the House, Representatives committees. Jackie Speier and Anna Eshoo, both Three years ago, Gov. Deval Patrick Democrats from California. appointed him sheriff of Middlesex County. “As a people I believe we need to unite to Koutoujian won the sheriff’s seat in get representational on the national level,” November 2012 with 77 percent of the vote. he noted. “An ‘R’ or ‘D’ should not matter, He is optimistic about his chances in this but an ‘ian.’” race, while conceding that it is a tougher “Mark Geragos said we can bring legal campaign than the sheriff’s race. action but unless we can affect political struc - “This is a much more intense campaign, as tures,” Armenians are not going to be able to it is in a much shorter time period. Money is make a difference, he said. “We need to get the most challenging part of this campaign. people elected into office. We haven’t been as You need the resources to put together a good in that effort as we should be. I hope to good congressional campaign,” he said. “We be a part of that change. It’s not just getting need to turn out our vote. It is crucial in our elected. Armenian-Americans need to get victory.” involved in politics. We need to build up Koutoujian said he hopes to receive the influence that way.” support of the Armenian community, as well Aid for Armenia is a significant issue in as the non-Armenian community. “We’ve had Washington, he said. Another issue that is a great deal of volunteer and financial sup - affecting diasporans is the recognition of the S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Donors Support AGBU Camp Nubar 50th Anniversary

NEW YORK — AGBU Camp Nubar continues grown up like cousins over the years. Camp to receive contributions in honor of its 50th Nubar has that certain element to create ties anniversary. Most recently, Nishan (Pete) and that bind our youth together.” Elizabeth Apelian of New York donated Nishan knew that he wanted to make a dona - $30,000 to purchase new lakefront docks, and tion that would last through the years, and the Jack and Carol Margossian of New Jersey donat - replacement of the lakefront docks seemed just ed $20,000 toward overall camp improvement. right. They have not been changed since camp Nishan Apelian dedicated a full decade to was bought decades ago. Camp Nubar as a committee member beginning Speaking on behalf of his wife and himself, he in the early 1970s because he believed that sup - said, “Our four parents came to the United porting Armenian youth was the best way to States from Turkey with a dream to freely and preserve and perpetuate his heritage, and that safely live their lives, raise a family and practice the camp was the ideal venue for young their Armenian faith. Over the past 50 years, Armenian Americans to interact, relate with AGBU’s Camp Nubar has played a significant one another and share their cultural values in a role in providing opportunities for our youth, fun environment. As a result, his three children and in keeping alive their Armenian cultural — Chuck, Denise and Pat —attended camp. identity and heritage. Liz and I are grateful for Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Their summers began in 1968 (Chuck and the close friendships and fond memories that Nations Garen Nazarian, left, with hon - Pat) and 1970 (Denise), when the program had our children and grandchildren have from their oree Panos Titizian just moved to its present site. Chuck was a summers at camp, and sincerely hope that our senior counselor for two years and taught camp donation ensures that Camp Nubar will contin - craft, during which time his team built a large ue to thrive for many future generations of Panos Titizian lookout tower. Denise started at the age of 8 Armenian Americans.” and went on to become a counselor in training Jack and Carol Margossian The rededication of the lakefront took place (CIT) and a junior counselor. during the special 50th Anniversary Open Receives Movses Pat, however, was the most involved. After House on July 28. attending as a camper for some years, she was tion essay was about Camp Nubar, and after For Jack and Carol Margossian, Camp Nubar Khorenatsi Medal a staff member for five years and became the graduating with her degree, she joined the has been a part of their lives for decades. Both NEW YORK — For the past two girls’ head counselor in 1976. She ran the camp committee for the next 10 years; for a few attended between 1969 and 1976 as coun - decades, the government of Armenia camp’s newspaper (Fall Clove Journal) and of those years, she also served as the treasurer. selors. Jack continued his involvement over the has shown its appreciation to individu - Two of Pat’s children — Kate years as a committee member, and the couple is als who have served the Armenian and Jenny Aitken — have also proud to count many of their relatives and clos - nation. On Thursday, July 25, they attended camp. est friends as fellow alumni. honored Panos Titizian of Los Angeles “For me, Camp Nubar was a Their children, Sarah and Ted Partin, surely for his many decades of service to the wonderful opportunity for young felt that magical bond from an early age — they, Armenian people as well as the people to develop, with our too, went to camp for a decade each, beginning Armenian nation. Garen Nazarian, Armenian identity as a backdrop. in 1983 (Sarah) and 1984 (Ted). Sarah contin - Armenia’s ambassador to the United In fact, it was the only opportuni - ues to remain involved as the camp committee Nations, presented the Movses ty for many Armenian children chair. Today, her children, Armen and Jamie, Khorenatsi medal on behalf of the gov - and young adults to connect with who are fourth-generation Armenians, attend ernment to Titizian. their heritage. During those two Camp Nubar. The evening started off with cock - months of summer, we grew up Carol Margossian notes, “We feel Camp tails and then dinner at St. Vartan more than we did the other ten Nubar encourages a sense of Armenian identity Cathedral of the Diocese of the months of the year. There were no better than any other Armenian youth pro - Armenian Church of America. Present preconceived notions of what you gram, and we want that experience for our at the program in addition to Nazarian could or couldn’t do; everyone grandchildren. All of us met lifelong friends were his wife, Nana, AGBU President Nishan and Elizabeth Apelian participated, whether it was there. It is our pleasure to support Camp Nubar Berge Setrakian and his wife, Vera, Talent Night or swimming,” as an investment toward its future. The camp longtime AGBU board member Nazar recalled Pat. has lovingly nurtured in us and our children the Nazarian and his wife and fellow com - printed copies with a mimeograph machine She, like thousands of other campers, met fel - seed of Armenian pride planted by our parents, munity benefactor, Ardemis, Armenian donated by her father. In addition, she was low Armenians whom they would call friends James (an Armenian Genocide survivor) and Democratic Liberal organization repre - among a group of four girls who started the for life. One of her closest camp friends also has Queenie Melcon; and Krikor and Vivian sentative Hagop Vartivarian; Tekeyan music and drama program. Her college applica - a daughter, and Pat said, “Our children have Margossian.” Caultural Association representative Baydzig Kalaydjian and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate. Other community activists at the event included Sam Simonian, Dennis AGBU Interns Visit Diocesan Center Papazian and Roupen Terzian. Titizian, a community leader and a pharmacist by profession, was a gradu - NEW YORK — Close to 40 participants in the diocesan vicar. Odabashian spoke about the Jerusalem and the diaspora, Armenians need to ate of the Melkonian Educational AGBU New York Summer Internship Program cathedral’s history and architecture. He find ways to come together for a common pur - Institute and the American University visited the Diocesan Center on Wednesday, July explained the significance of its sculpted bronze pose, he added. of Beirut. 24, where they received a tour of St. Vartan doors, stained glass windows and icons. The “We have to be focused and committed to He has been a member of the ADL, Armenian Cathedral and had dinner with interns also saw the cathedral’s baptistery and making these connections,” Barsamian said. Tekeyan and AGBU for many decades, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag the mural depicting the baptism of Christ by “The challenge before us is great, but nothing over the course of which he has used Barsamian. the Armenian artist Narek Antapian. is impossible when we have faith in God and his talents as a strategist to benefit the The young people were greeted on the plaza Barsamian welcomed the interns to the tahlij , one another.” above organizations, particularly dur - of St. Vartan Cathedral by the Rev. Mamigon the formal reception room of the Diocese, Interns had an opportunity to ask questions ing Lebanon’s civil war. Kiledjian, cathedral dean and led on a tour of where they enjoyed a traditional Armenian and to engage in discussion with the Primate. the sanctuary by the Rev. Simeon Odabashian, meal. “It is inspiring to see young Armenians “All of us were really excited to get a chance from different parts to sit down and speak with Srpazan ,” said of the world come Anthony Antreasyan, who is interning at the “Wednesday’s visit to the Diocesan Center together to enjoy fel - Diocesan Center. “He raised interesting ques - was a culturally inspired evening uniting lowship and to gain tions for us to consider, and he was very Armenians from all over the world,” said intern professional experi - approachable and welcoming.” ence in New York “It was an enlightening opportunity City,” Barsamian to meet Srpazan in a casual atmos - said. phere that brought about a friendly He went on to exchange of thoughts on the speak about the Armenian Church in the modern importance of build - world,” added intern Steve Balian. ing relationships In addition to different regions of with others and said the US, this year’s AGBU interns rep - that faith in God resent seven countries, including helps make such Armenia, Russia, France, Lebanon, bonds stronger. As a Turkey, Canada and the United people living in com - Kingdom. They are spending the sum - munities across the mer working in their respective fields world, he said that of study and taking part in cultural Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addresses the young peo - ple in the formal reception room of the Diocese. Armenians must pay and educational activities organized particular attention by the AGBU. AGBU interns pose for a group photo on the steps of St. Vartan Cathedral to building bridges Directing the AGBU program is Tamar Kazanjian. “It was humbling to hear with, from left, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and with each other. Michael Hovsepian, with Mariana Mekbekian Srpazan and the other clergy speak to us and Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian. From Armenia, to and Silva Arjian serving as the activities coor - the experience was one of education and fel - historic Armenia, dinators. lowship.” 10 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Real Turkish Director Atom Egoyan Takes Latest Toronto Heroes of Film Festival

1915 By Cassandra Szklarski

TORONTO (Times Colonist) — A dramatic By Raffi Bedrosyan thriller about controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will open this year’s Toronto International Film Festival while hotly antici - ISTANBUL — Germany has decided to name pated features from directors Steve McQueen, several neighborhoods, streets, buildings and Denis Villeneuve, Justin Chadwick and public schools in Berlin and other German Matthew Weiner will make world premieres. cities after Adolf Hitler and other Nazi heroes. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars as If this revelation were to be true, how would the infamous Assange in “The Fifth Estate,” the you react? How do you think Germans would Bill Condon-directed film that will kick off the react? How do you think Jews still living in star-studded Toronto fest on September 5. Germany would react? My guess is you, the Cumberbatch is also among the stars of Germans and the Jews would all find it incon - McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave,” which tells the ceivable, offensive and unacceptable. The lima bean rice with the two kinds of kebab and Persian salad true story of a free black man who was kid - And yet, it is true, acceptable and inoffensive (baghali polo) napped and sold into slavery in 1841 and fea - in Turkey to name several neighborhoods, tures turns from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael streets and schools of Istanbul and other Fassbender, Paul Dano and Paul Giamatti. Turkish cities after Talaat Pasha and other Festival director Piers Handling says he was Ittihat ve Terakki “heroes,” who were not only This Armenian Life: struck by the number of films that deal with the planners and perpetrators of the 1915 anni - issues of freedom, noting that Chadwick’s hilation of the Armenian citizens of the “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” with Idris Ottoman empire, but also the government lead - Adana Serves the Goods Elba will also debut at the fest. ers responsible for the loss of the Ottoman “It’s so much about people fighting to liber - empire itself. At last count, there were eight offi - ate themselves,” Handling said following a press cially-named Talaat Pasha neighborhoods or LOS ANGELES (New York Times) — Greater Los Angeles is a collection of not conference Tuesday that revealed big-name gala districts, 38 Talaat Pasha streets or boulevards, just smaller cities but also exotic populations. Among those cities is Glendale (not and special presentations. seven Talaat Pasha Public Schools, six Talaat so small: it would be the second-most-populous city in New England), a center of the “I mean that’s what ‘Mandela’ is all about. Pasha Buildings and two Talaat Pasha Armenian diaspora and home to one of the world’s largest Armenian populations We’re showing a film on Lech Walesa, of course Mosques, scattered around Istanbul, Ankara outside Armenia. Fleeing religious violence in the late 19th century, genocide in the that’s what the fight that he led in Poland is all and other cities. After his assassination in 1922, early 20th or the Soviet Union after that, Armenian Californians became integral in about. (With) Julian Assange it’s all about free - he was originally interred in Berlin, Germany, the development of the fig, raisin and bulgur businesses. dom — freedom of information, freedom of but his remains were transferred in 1943 to Edward Khechemyan came to Burbank, which borders on Glendale, in 1991 — the access.” Istanbul by the Nazis attempting to appease the same year Armenia left the USSR. He was 17 then, and of the move, he says simply, New films from directors Atom Egoyan, Turks, and re-buried with full military honors at “We didn’t like the Communist system.” Alfonso Cuaron, Jason Reitman, Mike Myers the Infinite Freedom Hill Cemetery in Istanbul. His father, who left Iran for Armenia — and John Wells are also headed to the festival, The other notorious Ittihad ve Terakki leader By Mark Bittman the home of his ancestors — in 1974, was widely regarded as a key platform for Oscar Enver Pasha’s remains were also transferred in a chef who dreamed of opening a restau - hopefuls. 1996 from Tajikistan and re-buried beside rant, and in 1997, he did just that. Wells has stacked his family dramedy Talaat, with full military honors, attended by The name of the restaurant, which is on the terminally unhip San Fernando Road “August: Osage County,” with A-listers includ - Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and other right near the Burbank border, has changed twice; it is now called Adana. The food- ing Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan dignitaries. Is this hero worship misguided or and-travel writer David Latt, a friend who has never steered me wrong, listed it as McGregor and Sam Shepard. It’s based on the deliberate? Is the denial of the 1915 events a among his favorite restaurants when I was picking his brain last year, and we ate Pulitzer Prize– and Tony Award–winning 2007 state policy only, or also unquestionably and there together last fall. It was so good that I’ve visited Adana on each of my four sub - play. wholeheartedly accepted by the Turkish public, sequent trips to Los Meanwhile, Cuaron helms the 3D thriller brainwashed by the state version of history? Angeles. “Gravity,” which stars Sandra Bullock as a Undoubtedly, there was mass participation in Khechemyan is now brainy medical engineer who embarks on her the genocide committed by the Ittihadist lead - the chef, and the food first shuttle mission with help from an astro - ers, resulting in the removal of Armenians from is not easily catego - naut played by George Clooney. It will also open their homeland of 3,000 years and the immedi - rized. He learned to the Venice International Film Festival, starting ate transfer of Armenian wealth, property and cook from his father, Aug. 28. possessions to the Turkish and Kurdish general but given that that man Reitman’s “Labor Day” casts Kate Winslet, public, as well as thousands of government offi - was from Iran, that his Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire in a tale about cials. And yet, despite the mass participation upbringing was a 13-year-old and his mother who unwittingly and hero worship for the leaders of these Armenian-American taking an escaped convict into their home, “crimes against humanity,” there were also a and that the Russian while Egoyan will debut “Devil’s Knot,” based significant number of ordinary Turks and Kurds influence was strong on the true story of three teens dubiously con - and several government officials who refused to everywhere, the menu victed of killing three children in a small participate in the massacres and plunders, and is a hodgepodge in the Arkansas town. It stars Reese Witherspoon, instead, tried to prevent them. There is com - best sense of the word, Colin Firth and Kevin Durand. plete silence and ignorance in Turkey about boasting of innumer - Canadian director Don McKellar scores a these righteous Turkish officials, who refused able kebabs and more prestigious gala slot for his Newfoundland-set to follow the government orders to destroy the than a few intriguing film “The Grand Seduction,” an English-lan - Armenian people, and instead, tried to save and salads and dishes of guage remake of the 2003 Francophone film, protect them, and paid dearly for their beans, and of rice and “Le Grande Seduction.” It centers on a small Chef Edward Khechemyan (Illustration by Melinda Josie) actions, resulting in the loss of their positions, other grains. There are town desperate to lure a doctor so that it can or even their lives as a consequence. This arti - unfamiliar ingredients also get a factory, with Taylor Kitsch as the cle will cite some examples about these real and preparations, and wooed doctor and Brendan Gleeson as a vil - heroes. it’s all done well, in a tiny and unpretentious kitchen. lager who does everything he can to make him Celal Bey was governor of Konya, a vast cen - One of my trips to LA was actually a trip to Glendale, arranged so that I could stay. tral Anatolian province, and a key concentra - cook with Khechemyan. I was immediately impressed with his facility and his ease Myers, meanwhile, makes his directorial tion point for the Armenian deportation routes and especially his grilling technique. In his kitchen, Khechemyan moves quickly, and debut with “Supermensch: The Legend of Shep from the north and west Anatolia on the way to within 30 minutes, we had done four kebabs. The marinades are simple (he uses a Gordon,” a documentary about the wild life of the Syrian desert. He knew exactly what the lot of mild, dried red chili powder, the kind you can most easily buy in Korean mar - the veteran music executive, who is also a long - fate would be for the Armenians on the depor - kets), and the grilling technique is not difficult. But it’s unusual: he grills slowly (over time pal of Myers. tation routes, or if they survived the deporta - briquettes fired with gas, by the way), not too close to the fire, he insists, until gor - The fest will close with director Daniel tions and reached Der Zor, because he was pre - geously browned. The fire is not superhot, but it’s even — gas is good for that — and Schechter’s “Life of Crime,” featuring Jennifer viously governor of Aleppo and had witnessed he keeps the grill grate a good six inches above the fire. Aniston and Mos Def. Based on an Elmore the atrocities against the Armenians there. He It wasn’t all grilling. Two of the best dishes we cooked were Iranian (“Persian,” Leonard novel, it’s described by Handling as “a had tried to reason with the Ittihad ve Terakki Khechemyan clarifies). The first was baghali polo , extra-long basmati rice boiled very light, fluffy crime caper.” leaders that there was absolutely no Armenian halfway then steamed with garlic powder (an ingredient I haven’t used in 20 years In the past, organizers traditionally picked a revolt in Anatolia nor Aleppo, and that there see ADANA, page 13 Canadian film to kick off the festivities, but was no justification for the mass deportations. see EGOYAN, page 11 see HEROES, page 12 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Norman Miller Scholarship Recipients Discuss Projects

GUMRI — When Hermine Grigorian, a stu - the IT industry. “Already, so many technological interested in food and how various foods come the Miller family. Nalbandyan expressed how dent at the State Engineering University of centers are being constructed,” she explained. about. It was inevitable that I chose food sci - pleased he was to know that “there are people Armenia (Polytechnic), was asked why she “I believe that, after graduation, I will have an ences as my major at the university. This major spreading kindness and happiness throughout chose to study Information Technology, she easier time finding a job within Gumri and its has answered so many of my questions, but as the world. I would like to let the Miller Family explained that it is a developing science and a outskirts. All this will aid Gumri in its progres - they say, knowledge is endless and everyday I know that they have a new friend in Vanadzor profession in great demand. “In the beginning sion and development.” learn more. I still have so many questions that awaiting them.” Popova thanked the Miller fam - of my academic career,” she said, “I was not For a nation struggling for more than two sure that I had made the right decision. But decades with economic challenges, especially after starting my lessons and getting to know high unemployment, those coming of age are my professors and classmates, I started to love keenly aware of the link between education and this field. I am very happy with the decision I real-world success. The rising cost of education have made and I hope that it is a choice that and a highly competitive labor pool are strong will benefit me in my future endeavors.” motivators for choosing a profession with com - Grigorian might have missed the opportunity mercial relevance. As one scholarship recipient to discover her professional calling if not for the said, “It is important to think about what our financial support she receives as a recipient of strengths and weaknesses are when we choose the Norman Miller Scholarship Fund. The fund a profession in life. But it is also very important was established in 2009 by endowment from to think about what kind of knowledge and pro - the family of the late Norman Miller. A highly fessions are in demand.” successful engineer, inventor, businessman, Yet, not all of these young scholars have cho - American citizen, Armenian patriot and philan - sen such an obvious path as IT. This bodes well thropist, Miller understood that the driving for the future of the nation, as a more well- force behind his success was his education. rounded cadre of engineers is prepared to fuel Born in Turkey on the cusp of the 1915 the economic engine. Armenian Genocide, Miller had the quintessen - For example, Michael Nalbandyan is current - tial American success story. It was built on hard ly working toward a graduate degree in Textile work and taking advantage of opportunities Products Design and Development at the State that came his way. Near the time of his passing Engineering University of Armenia in 2009, at the age of 94, Miller decided that the (Polytechnic), Gumri branch. He recalled how it best way to give back to his homeland was to started. “Prior to this, I received my bachelor’s create educational opportunities for young degree in Engineering. During that time, I had engineers with the talent, drive and ambition to the honor to participate in a scientific confer - make a productive difference. ence; I presented my article about technology Grigorian, one of the 10 recipients of this and the textile industry. This article was later Norman Miller Scholarship recipients present an engineering assignment to Irina Lazarian, the execu - year’s scholarships, earned her place at one of published. Soon after my graduation, I was tive director of Armenia Fund USA. Armenia’s best engineering learning centers on called to serve in the army. Upon my return, I the basis of academic excellence and financial received a lot of support and encouragement need. Today, she can focus on her studies, with - from my parents and professor to continue my have not been answered. After graduation, I ily “for its warm and humane attitude.” out the worry of paying for tuition, books and studies. But having to work and attend classes, hope to become a good researcher or specialist Such sentiments of gratitude were seconded other expenses covered by her scholarship I realized that it was hard to keep my grades based on the knowledge that I have acquired by the rest of the group in attendance, includ - award. up.” Today, Nalbandyan no longer has to com - through this program.” ing scholarship recipients Mariam Petrosyan, Five of the 10 recipients have chosen promise, thanks to the financial support he Hovsep Ananikyan described how he decided Vardan Bagaryan, Arakya Harutyunyans and Information Technology as their specialty. receives as a Norman Miller scholar. to make energy his industry focus. “It was not Armine Tonoyans. According to Shoghik Tadevosyan, the city of Seda Popova is also taking an unusual path. a coincidence, but rather a choice based on my Lazarian, who also holds an advanced engi - Gumri is poised to become a leading center for “From a young age,” Popova recounted, “I was great understanding of this complex science,” neering degree in Computer Sciences from Ananikyan noted. “Armenia’s hydropower Yerevan State Engineering University and an plants, thermal power plants and nuclear power Industrial Engineering master’s degree from plant are currently experiencing rapid develop - American University of Armenia, chimed in by ment. There is a need to find applications of stating that it was Miller’s intention that those electricity from non-traditional methods. That’s who benefit from the scholarship will one day why I decided to receive my graduate degree in enjoy the privilege of giving back to future gen - Enterprise Economics and Management. I am erations. She expressed to the group that, “It is THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR sure that, once I am done with my studies, I can important to live up to Norman Miller’s own AND dedicate a lot of my knowledge to this field.” dream: that, one day, you too will be in a posi - THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES AND RESEARCH In a meeting with Irina Lazarian, the execu - tion to help those following in your footsteps. tive director of Armenia Fund USA, the stu - Like you, they can also rise higher. That is how Present a Book Launch dents expressed their genuine appreciation to we build a nation built to last.”

A LEGACY OF ARMENIAN TREASURES: THE ALEX AND MARIE Egoyan Takes Latest Toronto Film Festival MANOOGIAN MUSEUM EGOYAN, from page 10 Galifianakis as childhood friends who struggle with more recently they have looked internationally to handle a large inheritance. for b uzzy titles with emerging stars. Handling says Canadian directors Villeneuve Edmond Y. Azadian The DreamWorks film “The Fifth Estate” is and Vallee have each grown into “incredible Executive Editor, A Legacy of Armenian Treasures especially timely and should get people talk - filmmakers.” Advisor to the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum ing, says Handling. “And both of them I think have made films Saturday, August 24, 2013, 7:30 p.m., “Over the last five years I guess we’ve shown that I think will surprise people,” he says. at the NAASR Center four international and one Canadian [film]. “We’ve followed Denis since he was a young 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA Traditionally we used to open with a Canadian filmmaker, the same with Jean-Marc, so it’s film. I think we’re open to anything at this wonderful to see them arrive in the interna - point in time but we wanted to have the free - tional stage. Jean-Marc closed the festival a few dom to just invite anything,” he says. years ago with ‘The Young Victoria,’ Denis has The Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum in Southfield, Michigan, is home to a large and rich collection of Armenian art and artifacts, including illuminated manuscripts, early printed books, rugs and carpets, “If there’s a film of that kind of stature that been here a number of times before with a sacred vessels and vestments, textiles and embroidery, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, coins, and objects we are excited about we would definitely film. [They are] two of the supreme talents from the ancient kingdom of Urartu. The newly published volume A Legacy of Armenian Treasures featu›Žœ –˜›Ž ‘Š— ŗŜŖ ˜ ‘Ž –žœŽž–Ȃs open with a Canadian film but this year we working in Canada.” most vital and beautiful pieces, each reproduced in full color and accompanied by a detailed entry. The are opening with ‘Fifth Estate’ and we’re The festival will also feature the directorial book features a Foreword by Thomas F. Mathews of New York University and an Introduction by Edmond Y. Azadian; Sylvie Merian of the Pierpont Morgan Library served as the Editorial Coordinator and museum delighted.” debuts of several well known-actors, including director Lucy Ardash was the General Coordinator. Essays by nine renowned scholars of Armenian art and The 11-day festival will also mark the world Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Don Jon,” Keanu artifacts shed light not only on the artistic significance of these objects but on their cultural context as well. premiere of Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” which Reeves’ “Man of Tai Chi” and Jason Bateman’s At this book launch event, Edmond Azadian will provide background information on the develop- ment of the Manoogian Museum and the creation of A Legacy of Armenian Treasures. Introductory re- stars Hugh Jackman as a father pursuing his “Bad Words.” marks will be given by Alin Gregorian, Editor of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, and Marc Mamigonian, missing six-year-old daughter with help from a One of the last performances by James Director of Academic Affairs, NAASR. detective portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal. Gandolfini will also be unspooled, when Nicole Other potential highlights include: Montreal Holofcener’s comedy “Enough Said” makes its Admission is free (donations appreciated). A reception will follow the program. director Jean-Marc Vallee’s “Dallas Buyers world premiere. The “Sopranos” star, who died The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:00 p.m. A Legacy of Armenian Treasures will Club,” a fact-based drama about an HIV-afflict - last month, plays the love interest of a be available for one night only at a special sale price of $ 60 including sales tax ed Texas electrician starring Matthew divorced woman played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (regular price $75.00 plus tax). McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto; The Hollywood Reporter reports that anoth - Parking is available around the NAASR building and in adjacent areas. “Third Person” from London, Ont.-born direc - er posthumous release comes by way of “All tor Paul Haggis, which follows three couples The Wrong Reasons,” an ensemble drama co- in three cities and stars Liam Neeson, Mila starring late “Glee” star Cory Monteith as a Kunis and James Franco; and “You Are Here,” department store manager. Festival organizers the feature-film debut of “Mad Men” creator would not confirm whether the film will join Weiner that stars Owen Wilson and Zach the lineup. 12 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

science, despite the temptations of enriching themselves like the rest of the government offi - Real Turkish Heroes of 1915 cials. These few virtuous men, as well as a sig - nificant number of ordinary Turks and Kurds, defied the orders to eliminate the HEROES, from page 10 wished to convert to Islam. They all decided to murder location, halfway between Lice and Armenians, by keeping and protecting them. However, one of his subordinates in Marash had remain as Christian Armenians except one. Faik Diyarbakir, has become known as “Turbe-i They are real heroes, representing a Turkish inflamed the situation by arresting and execut - Ali’s brother was an influential and well-known Kaymakam” (Mayor’s Grave). Turkish records version of characters similar to the ones in the ing several Marash Armenians, triggering a poet, Suleyman Nazif Bey, who urged his broth - document this murder as “Mayor killed by movies ‘Schindler’s List’ or ‘Hotel resistance by the Armenians. As a result, Celal er not to participate in the barbarianism and Armenian militants.” In an ironic twist, or as Rwanda’. Citizens of Turkey have two choices Bey was removed from his governor’s post in not to stain his family name. Faik Ali Bey was history repeats itself, the Turkish state army today when remembering their forefathers as Aleppo and transferred to Konya. He refused to not removed from his post despite his offers of attacked Lice in October 1993, supposedly heroes, either go with the mass murderers and arrange for the deportation of the Konya resignation and he ended up protecting the going after Kurdish rebel militants, but ended plunderers who committed ‘crimes against Armenians, despite repeated orders from entire Armenian population of Kutahya, except up burning down the entire town, killing the humanity’, or the virtuous human beings with Istanbul. He even managed to keep and pro - for the one who converted to Islam, who was civilian population as well. This act became the a clear conscience who tried to prevent the tect some of the Armenians deported from deported. first case taken to the European Human Rights ‘crimes against humanity’. Getting to know other districts arriving in Konya. By the time he Mustafa Bey (Azizoglu) was district governor Court by the Kurds, resulting in a compensa - these real heroes will help Turks break loose was removed from his post in October 1915, he of Malatya, a transit point on the deportation tion of 2.5 million pound sterling against the from the chains of brainwashed history had saved thousands of Armenian lives. In his route. Although he was unable to prevent the Turkish state. At the same time, several wealthy over four generations, and confront the realities memoirs about the Konya governorship, he deportations, he managed to hide several Kurdish businessmen were targeted for assassi - of 1915. likened himself to “a person sitting beside a Armenians in his own home. He was murdered nation and murdered by the then Turkish river, with absolutely no means of rescuing any - by his own son, a zealous member of the Ittihat Prime Minister Tansu Ciller. One of the victims Selected sources: one from it. Blood was flowing down the river, Terakki Party, for ‘looking after infidels was a man named Behcet Canturk, whose Tuncay Opcin, ‘Ermenilere Kol Kanat with thousands of innocent children, irre - (gavours)’. mother was an Armenian orphan girl who had Gerdiler (They protected the Armenians)’, Yeni proachable old men, and helpless women Other government officials who defied the managed to survive the Lice massacres of 1915. Aktuel, 2007, Issue 142 streaming down the river towards oblivion. deportation orders included Reshit Pasha, gov - Diyarbakir Governor Reshit was also respon - Ayse Hur, ‘1915 Ermeni soykiriminda kotuler Anyone I could save with my bare hands, I ernor of Kastamonu; Tahsin Bey, governor of sible for firing and murdering several other gov - ve iyiler (The good and the bad in the 1915 saved, and the rest went down the river, never Erzurum; Ferit Bey, governor of Basra; ernment officials in the Diyarbakir region, who Armenian Genocide)’, Radikal newspaper, to return.” Mehmet Cemal Bey, district governor of Yozgat had defied the deportation orders for the 29.04.2013 Hasan Mazhar Bey was governor of Ankara, and Sabit Bey, district governor of Armenians. Chermik mayor Mehmet Hamdi Seyhmus Diken, ‘Kaymakam Ermeniydi, who protected the Ankara Armenian communi - Batman. These officials were eventually Bey, Savur mayor Mehmet Ali Bey, Oldurduler... (The Mayor was Armenian, they ty by refusing to follow the deportation orders, removed from their posts and replaced by more Silvan mayor Ibrahim Hakki Bey, Mardin may - killed him...)’, Bianet , 23.04.2011 stating that “I am a Vali (Governor), not a ban - obedient civil servants, who completed the task ors Hilmi Bey, followed by Shefik Bey were all Orhan Cengiz, ‘1915: Heroes and Murderers’, dit. I cannot do this. Let someone else come of eliminating the Armenians from these loca - fired in mid to late 1915, for refusing to deport Cihan News Agency, 02.11.2012 and sit in my chair to carry out these orders.” tions. the Armenians. Another official named Nuri He was removed from his post in August One of the most tragic stories of unsung Bey, Mayor of first Midyat and then Derik, an all (Raffi Bedrosyan is a civil engineer as well 1915. heroes saving the Armenians is about Huseyin Armenian town near Mardin, was also fired by as a concert pianist, living in Toronto, Faik Ali (Ozansoy) Bey was governor of Nesimi Bey, mayor of Lice, a town near the Diyarbakir Governor Reshit Bey, and subse - Canada. For the past several years, proceeds Kutahya, another central Anatolian province. Diyarbakir. Diyarbakir Governor Reshit Bey was quently murdered by his henchmen. The mur - from his concerts and two CDs have been When the deportation order for the Kutahya in the process of organizing the most ruthless der of the mayor of Derik was then blamed on donated to the construction of school, high - Armenians was issued from Istanbul, he refused destruction of Armenians in the Diyarbakir Armenian rebels, resulting in rounding up and way, water, and gas distribution projects in to implement it, and on the contrary, he gave region, not even bothering with deportation execution of all Armenian males in Derik, fol - Armenia and Karabagh — projects in which orders to keep and treat well the deported but quick massacre of all the Armenians imme - lowed by the deportation of the women and he has also participated as a voluntary engi - Armenians arriving in Kutahya from elsewhere. diately outside the city limits. children. neer. Bedrosyan was involved in organizing As he was summoned to Istanbul to answer for Meanwhile, Huseyin Nesimi dared to keep and The names of these brave men are not in the the Surp Giragos Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd his subordination, the police chief of Kutahya, protect the Lice Armenians, numbering 5,980 history books. If mentioned at all, from the per - Church reconstruction project, and in pro - Kemal Bey, took this opportunity to threaten souls. Reshit summoned Huseyin Nesimi to spective of the official Turkish version of histo - moting the significance of this historic pro - the local Armenians to either convert to Islam Diyarbakir for a meeting, but arranged to have ry, they are labelled as ‘traitors’. While the state ject worldwide as the first Armenian reclaim or to face deportation. The Armenians decided his Circassian militant guard Haroun intercept and masses committed a huge crime, while the of church properties in Anatolia after 1915. to convert. When Faik Ali Bey returned, he was him en route to Diyarbakir. On June 15, 1915, crime became a part of daily life, these men In September 2012, he gave the first enraged, he removed the police chief from his Haroun murdered the mayor and threw him rejected to participate in the genocidal cam - Armenian piano concert in the Surp Giragos post, and asked the Armenians if they still into the ditch beside the road. Since then, the paign, based on individual remorse and con - Church since 1915.)

Tekeyan Cultural Association presents...

oireé Musicale Featuring Internationally Acclaimed Young Musicians from Armenia

Henrik Karapetyan Violinist Doctor of Musical Arts University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Ken Hakobyan Pianist & Composer Winner of Multiple International Awards

Program Classical and Armenian Composers Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg, Ludwig VanBeethoven, Arno Babajanian, Edvard Bagdasaryan, Aram Khachaturian, Gomidas, Karen Hakobyan

Friday, September 6th 2013 at 7:30 pm

Birmingham Unitarian Church 38651 Woodward Avenue (at Lone Pine) Bloomfield Hills MI 48304

Reception to follow

Reservations are required—for tickets please call Diana Alexanian Karen Koundjakian Shushan Minassian (248) 334-3636 (248) 761-9844 (248) 569-0999

Donation $20

Please make checks payable to Tekeyan Cultural Association and mail to Diana Alexanian, 1415 W. Square Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING 50+ Years of Contemporary CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Armenian Artists At Gallery Z

PROVIDENCE —Gallery Z celebrates the opening of its 126th exhibit, “50+ Years of CALIFORNIA Contemporary Armenian Artists,” on August 15, from 5 to 9 p.m., as well as Art, Food, and AUGUST 18 — Dinner and Conversation on Genocide with Wine event on August 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. Professor Richard Hovannisian and Rabbi Elie Spitz, 6 p.m., Gallery Z welcome the fall with a stimulating hosted by the Congregation B’nai Israel, 2111 Bryan Avenue, display containing more than 50 works of art Tustin; catering by Zov’s Bistro; tickets $15 (by August 5), call from a variety of Armenian artists. For more 714-730-9693 or email [email protected]. than a decade, Galley Z has celebrated and exhibited eclectic artwork from local and inter - CONNECTICUT national artists working in a diverse array of mediums. This show will feature paintings, AUGUST 18 — Armenian Festival, Holy Resurrection Church, prints, sculpture and mixed media. This large- 1910 Stanley St., New Britain, featuring Armenian music by the scale group exhibition is fashioned after a Harry Bedrossian Ensemble, Armenia exhibition, kids games and library-style hanging, with emphasis on detail, a special guest appearance. Contact the church office at 860- comfort and warmth. The works display a vari - 223-7875. On August 18, Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian ety of styles, textures and subjects which Apostolic Church will host its Annual Picnic together create an energizing and inspiring MASSACHUSETTS perspective into contemporary Armenian art. featuring delicious Armenian food and live By combining abstracted works, vibrant land - AUGUST 4 — Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old music provided by the Mugrditchian Band; scapes, hand carved engravings, and innova - Westford Road, Chelmsford, will holds its annual picnic, with free parking. For more info, contact the church tive portraits the “50+ Years of Contemporary music by Jason Naroian Ensemble, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is rectory 508-234-3677. The church is located Armenian Artists” exhibit is sure to entice all $1. Menu to include shish, losh, chicken, Kheyma, pilaf, pastries, at 315 Church Street, Whitinsville, Mass. lovers of art. salad. 50/50 raffle. In the event of rain, the picnic will be held in The permanent collection at Gallery Z con - the Kazanjian Memorial Ballroom. tains more than 160 works of art from previ - AUGUST 4-10 — PACE [Parent and Child Experience], Craigville ously featured artists, many of which are Retreat Center, Cape Cod. Private accommodations in Craigville’s SEPTEMBER 28 — Annual “Walk of Life” Walk-a-thon, New Armenian. The “50+ Years of Contemporary historic Inn with privileges to newly renovated beach club with England Chapter of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry Armenian Artists” exhibit ties together both access to private ocean beach, tennis lessons, courts, evening (ABMDR), in Watertown. To register or donate, visit rooms and provides a contemporary edge to concerts, and more. Babies, grandparents, teens and all in http://www.abmdr.am. the gallery’s energy. between welcome! Contact [email protected] OCTOBER 19 — Hye Kef 5 featuring Leon Janikian, Joe Traditionally, on the last Thursday of each AUGUST 18 — Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken Kalajian, Bob Raphalian and month, the participating Public art Window Church of Whitinsville will host its Annual Picnic; delicious Jay Baronian, Haverhill, MA, 7:30 p.m., Michael’s Function Hall- organization at Gallery Z hosts a fundraising Armenian food served and live music provided by the 12 Alpha Street, Tickets: $40.00 Each Students $30, includes event to elevate public awareness and con - Mugrditchian Band; free parking. For more info, contact the individually-served mezza platters. Proceeds to benefit all sciousness for its cause. This month, on church rectory at508-234-3677; 315 Church Street, Whitinsville, Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire. Thursday August 29, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. Mass. Call either John Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan, 978- (Gallery Z’s Art, Food & Wine Creating AUGUST 25 — Armenian Church at Hye Pointe Annual Picnic, 251-8687; Scott Sahagian, 617-699-3581, or Peter Gulezian, Awareness for a Cause) Gallery Z will partner noon to 5 p.m., hosted at the American Legion Farm, 1314 Main 978-375-1616. Organized by Armenian Friends’ of America. with the non-profit organization, “Aurea: The St., Haverhill. Music will be provided by the Jason Naroian NOVEMBER 16 — Armenian Women’s Welfare Association Alchemy of Music and Words.” Aurea’s con - Ensemble, menu includes kebab dinners, kheyma, pastries and (AWWA) celebrates 38th Annual Luncheon-Auction at the certs combine poetry, drama, classical and folk beverages; raffles; air conditioned hall; bring lawn chairs. For Burlington Marriott. Silent Auction and Bidding at 11 a.m.; Door music, puppetry and movement into perfor - info, contact www.hyepointechurch.org or call 978-372-9227. Prizes for early bird bidding. $60 per person; Visa and mances that sweep from intimate chamber set - SEPTEMBER 8 – Sayat Nova Dance Company performs at MasterCard accepted. For reservation information and general tings to major theatrical venues. This event Peabody International Festival with favorite dances from their inquiries contact [email protected]. will feature cuisine provided by a local repertory; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the Dance Company DECEMBER 6 AND 7 — Trinity Christmas Bazaar, Friday, 3-9 Providence restaurant and world-class wine manning dessert booth featuring homemade delicacies; p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian Church, provided by I. M. Gan Discount Liquors. Peabody Square on Lowell Street. For details, call Peabody Town 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Located on Historic Federal Hill in Hall. Providence, Gallery Z provides the Rhode SEPTEMBER 8 — Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Armenian NEW YORK Island community with an eclectic collection Church, 158 Main St., North Andover, 12:30-5:30 p.m., featur - of art by Armenian, local, national and inter - ing Armenian music by Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Joe NOVEMBER 23-24 – TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group national artists from the 20th century to the Kouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along with Siroun Dance Group; celebrates 15th Anniversary with production of Hagop present. Since its founfing in 2001 by photog - Armenian food and pastries. For more info, visit Baronian’s “The Perils of Politeness” (Kaghakavaroutyan rapher Bérge Ara Zobian, Gallery Z has been www.saintgregory.org. Vnasneruh) directed by Gagik Karapetyan from Armenia; Dwight spearheading efforts to connect the public SEPTEMBER 15 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy Trinity Englewood High School, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ. with the growing arts community. The Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious food, Nov. 23, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, Sunday at 4 p.m. For gallery’s public art window was created in the Armenian music, Children’s games, Blessing of Madagh at 4 tickets; $50, $35, $25; call Marie Zokian (201)745-8850 or same spirit, geared towards raising awareness p.m., raffle drawing and more. Missak Boghosian at (212)819-0097 or (347)365-6985. of issues of importance to those in our com - munity. Gallery Z is a member of Gallery Night, Providence, and holds opening recep - tions on the third Thursday of each month. Gallery Z offers an intimate setting that attracts a diverse clientele and provides a cen - ter for experiencing fine art in a historic neigh - This Armenian Life: Adana Serves the Goods borhood in Providence. ADANA, from page 10 Marinate overnight in the refrigerator. 2 teaspoons salt or so, but hey . . . ), fava or lima beans and an Once the ribs have marinated, discard the 2 tablespoons olive oil infield’s worth of fresh dill. The other, a salad, onions (or grill them on the side in a grill bas - 1 cup chopped fresh dill or 1/4 cup dried is something I’ve been making all summer; if I ket, or sauté on the stovetop, if you like). To 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder were you, I’d just start chopping. thread the meat onto skewers, orient the ribs so 8 ounces fava beans or lima beans (frozen, the undersides are facing the same direction cooked and peeled) Recipes: (the ribs should look like frowns). Pierce the 2 tablespoons butter meat with the skewers either right above or Preparation BABY-BACK-RIB KEBABS below the bone, and run the skewer through to Combine the rice, salt, olive oil and 3 cups Total time: 20 minutes, plus time to marinate the other side. Wide metal skewers are best; if water in a medium pot with a lid over high heat. Ingredients you’re using wooden skewers, use two per Bring the water to a boil, and let it bubble, 2 to 2 1/2 pounds baby back ribs kebab so the ribs are stable. Leave a little space uncovered, until the water evaporates. (When 1 white onion, sliced between each rib so they brown all over. the water is all gone, the rice should be about 1 teaspoon paprika Grill the ribs slowly, turning as necessary and half-cooked.) Turn the heat to low. 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili powder basting with any leftover marinade, until they’re Add the fresh or dried dill and the garlic pow - 1 teaspoon salt beautifully browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes. der, and stir with a fork. Spread the beans out 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 4 servings over the top of the rice, cover the pot and cook 1/4 cup olive oil until the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Preparation BAGHALI POLO Turn off the heat, add the butter, cover the Cut the baby backs into individual ribs. Put Total time: 45 minutes pot and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the them in a nonreactive dish (or a resealable plas - Ingredients butter melts. Taste and adjust the seasoning, tic bag), and add the rest of the ingredients. 2 cups extra-long basmati rice (called sella) and serve. 14 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY T HE A RMENIAN Mirror- A Kosher Lecture at a Kosher Spectator Armenian Dinner Genocide scholars will certainly dig more similarities and By Edmond Y. Azadian differences in these to historic cases. But mutual education is necessary for both nations to understand each other and stand together as a bulwark against any future threat of eth - Established 1932 An announcement was sent to the media about a lecture to nic cleansing. An ADL Publication be delivered on August 18 at the Congregation B’nai Israel in Many serious and righteous Jewish scholars, including Tustin, Calif. A prominent scholar— Richard Hovannisian — Israel Charny, Yair Auron and others, maintain that the denial has been invited as the lecturer. The context and the format of the Armenian Genocide by the Israeli government erodes are both interesting to the academic community as well as the the moral foundations of the Holocaust itself. EDITOR Alin K. Gregorian general public. The lecture will follow a Kosher Armenian din - These Jewish scholars consider it a moral imperative for the ner and will deal with the similarities and differences between Israeli government to recognize the Armenian Genocide, over the Jewish and Armenian genocides. ASSISTANT EDITOR and above the political expediency of placating the Turks. Gabriella Gage When the historiography of the Armenian Genocide was The louder these righteous voices resonate, the better the still in its infancy, Hovannisian became one of the early pio - chances are for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which ASSOCIATE EDITOR neers on the topic driving the issue not only to the Armenian eventually will pave the way for the US government to join Aram Arkun audience, but to an international audience. This latest under - the fray. It is no secret to anyone that the impediment to that ART DIRECTOR taking is also directed at an audience whose sensitivity to the recognition comes from the people of Abraham Foxman of Marc Mgrditchian issue cannot be overestimated. Hovannisian is taking the the Anti-Defamation League and some pro-Israeli lobbyists in Genocide discussion to the Jewish community, which is also Washington. Whatever these scholars of high integrity traumatized and tormented with a catastrophic experience believe and profess, does not necessarily translate into politi - SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: that befell Armenians early last century. cal currency. Edmond Azadian Ever since the Jewish Holocaust, it has almost become a Every time Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Erdogan makes cliché to state that had the perpetrators of the Armenian a blunder by accusing Israel of committing genocide against CONTRIBUTORS: Genocide been punished, perhaps the Holocaust would have the Palestinian people, rumors circulate and actual parlia - Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, been avoided. But the cruel logic of history and politics is mentary hearings are held in Israeli parliament in preparation Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune that human nature will not change and given the opportuni - of the Jewish State’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. ty any dictator would become a Talaat, Hitler or Pol Pot. Those inconsequential rumors evaporate and the hearings Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der But by comparing the Armenian experience to the Jewish are discontinued, as soon as Ankara signals a conciliatory Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork experience, some lessons could be learned by politicians, note. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop scholars and even by the nations affected and shaped by The most outrageous incident took place when Israeli Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian those historic events. President Shimon Peres visited Ankara and announced that There are similarities and differences between the two the murder of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire did not CORRESPONDENTS: cases. The similarities are within the realm of cause and amount to genocide. That was a political compliment pre - Armenia - Hagop Avedikian effect. The Ittihadist leadership blamed Armenians as traitors sented to his Turkish hosts with the blood of 1.5 million Boston - Nancy Kalajian to the Ottoman Empire, just like Hitler blamed the Jews for Armenian martyrs. However, history is full of ironies. Not too Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian all the ills of German society and determined to bring the much later, Mr. Erdogan faced Mr. Peres in Davos, Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Final Solution to Jewish existence in Europe. Switzerland and walked away from a dispute shouting in the Contributing Photographers: The dissimilarities are much more pronounced since the Israeli president’s face that his country was committing geno - Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair Armenians were exterminated in their own native land while cide against Palestinians. The Armenian victims insulted by Hovsepian the Jews met the same fate in an alien land. As a result of the Mr. Peres were vindicated inadvertently by the Turkish leader. Genocide, the Armenians lost 75 percent of their population, Mr. Foxman and his ilk maintain that holding the Armenian along with their ancestral homeland of 3,000 years. The Jews Genocide or any other mass murder on the level of the The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published received a homeland as a direct consequence of the Holocaust will chip away the political capital of the weekly, except two weeks in July, by: Holocaust. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 to grant a home - Holocaust. However, unless the Jewish Holocaust and the Baikar Association, Inc. land to the Jews did not become a reality until 1948, when genocides perpetrated against Armenians, Cambodians and the Jews took their destiny into their own hands and many 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Rwandans, among an unfortunately long list, are treated as Telephone: 617-924-4420 European Jews sought to live lives as Israelis, not a fearful integral dimensions of the universal pain, they will be deval - minority in Europe. FAX: 617-924-2887 ued as moral and historical cases. The surviving Armenians lost their homes, houses of wor - We are certain that Prof. Richard Hovannisian will drive the www.mir rorspectator.com ship and all their belongings and at best, they were granted point to his Jewish audience, as have other Genocide scholars, E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com some charity in host countries, while Israel became the ben - including Vahakn Dadrian, Taner Akçam, Robert Melson and For advertising: [email protected] eficiary of the compensation owed to the victims of the others have done. Holocaust, despite the fact that it did not exist as a sovereign In the meantime, we hope Professor Hovannisian will enjoy country during the Holocaust. his well-deserved Kosher Armenian Dinner. SUBSCRIPTION RATES :

U.S.A. $80 a year LETTERS Canada $125 a year Other Countries $190 a year Penn. Residents, Help Support Armenian Genocide Educational Measure

© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator To the Editor: involved. Armenians who died. Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA The legislature of Pennsylvania is consid - How much is in any letter is up to the indi - Explain that any study of “genocide” must and additional mailing offices. ering a Genocide education measure for the vidual but it should include the fact that: begin with that of the Armenians or it will high schools. 1. Unbiased historians and countless his - be incomplete. Although the key original ISSN 0004-234X Working with one of the sponsors of the toric organizations accept without qualifica - legislators have been provided with material, POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The original measure, the reference to and teach - tion that the Armenian Genocide was the if you have material to spare, include them. Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, ing of the Armenian Genocide was included. first state-conceived, state-planned, state-exe - Of course, the letter can be longer. Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Unfortunately — but not surprisingly — the cuted Genocide of the 20th century; Indicate that you will be following his/her Other than the editorial, views and opinions Turks heard about it, and a Turkish official 2. The steps that the Ottoman Turks actions on the matter, and offer to provide expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily has been making the rounds of the state’s undertook for the Genocide set the template more information as needed. Offer to meet eflect the policies of the publisher. senators and representatives (but not the for future genocides; during the summer break. original group!) and I have been informed 3. When he was asked to explain the word Be aware that this is a major battle. The that that there is more than one bill in the “genocide,” which he coined, Raphael Turks have failed to get similar measures works — none of which will include any ref - Lemkin said, “What the Turks did to the removed from the education curriculum of erence to the Armenian Genocide! Armenians, and the Nazis did to the Jews.” other states, so their tactic is to ensure that Therefore, I am writing in hopes that read - In that interview, he explained that he pur - nothing about the Armenian Genocide Copying for other than personal use or ers of this publication, residing in sued the task of getting “genocide” an inter - appear on any education program in the internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright Pennsylvania, will write to their state sena - national crime was when he was a law stu - first place. owner. Address requests for reprints or tors and state representatives urging them dent, in the early 1920s, and learned about If we are successful, this could well be one back issues to: to be sure that the reference to and study of the events in Ottoman Turkey, during World of the key achievements of the centenary of Baikar Association, Inc. the Armenian Genocide be a part of any bill War One; the start of the Genocide. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 that come before the Legislature. Readers 4. With the Centenary of the start of the who have relatives in Pennsylvania are Genocide fast approaching, Pennsylvania Avedis Kevorkian urged to contact them and ask them to get will have paid due homage to the 1.5-million Philadelphia, PA S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

Axis atrocities of the present war [World War II] will was established as a Soviet [illegible] in 1920. With the eclipse the atrocities of the last when the final reckoning vision of independence fading, the now Soviet-friendly comes, they are anxious to keep alive the Armenian case Tashnags are turning their attention to the acquisition of against Turkey. Armenians have present as well as past the Turkish provinces of Armenia by the Soviet Armenian grievances against Turkey, whose capital levy tax ‘Varlik’ Republic.” My Turn falls harder on Armenians than on any other minority In explaining ARF’s post-war expectations, OSS stated: group in Turkey. Even more unforgivable in the eyes of “If, as the Tashnags believe and hope, Turkey remains neu - By Harut Sassounian Armenians is the fact that Turkey holds provinces which, tral [in World War II], she will be in a highly vulnerable they are firmly convinced, belong rightfully to Armenia. position, and one item of payment for her neutrality, Restitution of these provinces to Armenia is the goal of according to Mr. [James] Mandalian [editor of the Boston- all Armenians.” Elsewhere in the document, OSS accu - based ARF newspaper Hairenik], would be the cession of US Intelligence Report: All rately reported that “Armenians, almost without excep - Turkish Armenia to Soviet Armenia.” Armenians Demand Return of tion, entertain feelings of deepest suspicion, hostility and The 1943 OSS document also contained a lengthy report fear” toward Turkey. on the Armenian-American press, focusing its attention on Lands from Turkey A second declassified confidential document dated July six of the 17 Armenian newspapers in the United States: 31, 1944, carries a surprising title: “Tashnags Turn to “Hairenik and Asbarez (Tashnag)” classified as “rightist- The recently announced demand for lands from Turkey Soviet Russia.” The OSS indicated that “the once uncom - nationalist;” “ Baikar, Nor Or (Ramgavar)” and “ Eritassard by the Prosecutor General of Armenia attracted much promisingly anti-Soviet Armenian Revolutionary Hayastan (Hunchag)” classified as “liberal;” and Lraper attention from Armenians worldwide and harsh criticism Federation (Tashnags) officially changed its spots, and the (Armenian Progressive League of America)” classified as from the Turkish government. While this was the first time swing toward support of the Soviet Union, which has been “leftist-Communist.” The last two newspapers are no longer that an Armenian official had raised this issue since the growing gradually more perceptible during the last few in publication. country’s independence in 1991, the demand itself is not months, has culminated in the adoption of a pro-Soviet pol - According to OSS, Hairenik and Asbarez are “strongly new. Armenians have been seeking the return of their his - icy at the Federation’s annual convention held in Boston nationalist, anti-Soviet, and anti-Communist,” while Baikar toric territories from Turkey for decades. the first week of July.” This OSS report was prepared as the is “resolutely opposed to the Tashnags and their principles. A confidential 1943 document, declassified by the Soviet Union had announced its intention to claim the The Ramgavars have accepted the incorporation of Central Intelligence Agency, reveals that the US govern - Eastern provinces of Turkey (Kars, Ardahan and Surmalou) Armenia into the Soviet Union as the most satisfactory way ment was well aware of the Armenian demands for recog - in a post-World War II settlement. The Soviet claim was out of Armenian problems, and many articles are printed in nition of the “atrocities” and return of Turkish occupied backed by the Armenian Church, the Soviet Armenian gov - Baikar extolling the Soviet regime in Armenia, particular - “provinces.” ernment and the Diaspora, including the anti-Soviet ly in its relations to the Armenian Apostolic Church.” The document dated December 13, 1943, authored by Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). OSS estimated that the 95,000 Armenians in the United the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of The OSS astutely reported: “The Tashnags have never States in 1943, mostly settled in Massachusetts, New York the CIA, stated: “All the Armenian press in the United actually renounced their dream of a free and independent and California, “retain a keen interest in the affairs of their States is active in keeping the Turkish Armenian mas - Armenia, including the Turkish irredenta, which has kept homeland [Soviet Armenia], though few, if any, would go sacres fresh in the minds of its readers. Fearful that the them at loggerheads with the USSR, ever since Armenia back there.”

alienate many, including some who had ini - not yet. That’s because of the last image I tially supported him and his party. By the remember from those weeks, the image of a time he got on a plane for his North Africa man I spotted by the Bosphorus Strait at The Man by the trip, he had called the protestors — a large the end of my visit to Istanbul. number of Istanbul citizens who had clearly He seemed a bit off, slightly disheveled, articulated their unease over his plans to and was rummaging through the recycle erect yet another shopping mall at Gezi bins. This saying was inscribed on his t-shirt: Park — “a bunch of riff raff.” He had offend - “Hop dedik, karında Turk var!” It means Bosphorus ed many Turkish people who consume alco - something like “Stop right there, you got a hol by implying that anyone who enjoys a Turk in front of you!” Isn’t there something drink or two is an “alcoholic.” And, breaking that goes beyond the average national pride all standards of democracy and decency, he in that saying? Isn’t there something a bit then I considered the protestors’ rage had declared that if the protestors did not offensive, a bit aggressive, and, if it goes By Gonca Sönmez-Poole against the Turkish prime minister, and retreat, he certainly had the other fifty per - unchecked, a bit dangerous in that way of thought, “Does the act of standing in defi - cent of the country on his side, and he thinking? To me, the answer is an unequiv - ance against a particular government or a could unleash them as needed. ocal yes. T has now been a few months prime minister require carrying the nation’s At around the same time, the opposition And that is why, in my opinion, until and since the infamous “Gezi Park” flag?” Or “Was there a danger brewing out - party tried its best to prove that it would unless this kind of mentality — whether in a protests spread like wildfire side the country’s borders that made people not use the Gezi protests to its political prime minister’s haughty tone in addressing through some parts of Turkey and fear losing their flag, their nation, their advantage. And as the international media his opponents, or his opponents’ fervent made the headlines on most of the country?” kept up the interest of its readers and view - desire to find comfort through nationalism major dailies around the world. As I pondered those questions in the fol - ers with headlines such as “The Week That on every occasion, or even in the saying on Journalists, both domestic and lowing days and weeks, the protests spread Changed Turkey,” I kept wondering if the t-shirt of a man on his morning walk — international, have written that across Turkey, wounding thousands and Turkey had indeed changed … and if so, how is erased from the hearts and minds of the I first draft of history, as the saying tragically taking the lives of five people (as would that translate into making Turkey a entire country of Turkey, no “Gezi spirit” goes; and Turkey has once again escaped of July 24). The lethargic way the national better place for all its citizens, not only the will be enough to bring Turkey into a truly (albeit barely) being forever ostracized from media had responded in the first few days young, educated, mainly urban youth that new and improved future. the European Union, despite its unaccept - improved slightly. That said, I found myself dominated the headlines by making their able standards in quelling civilian unrest. It switching between three or four channels at distaste of the government as visible as pos - seems that, somewhere during the heated a time in order to get a realistic picture, sible? (A graduate of the Fletcher school’s mid- conversations and negotiations between the because most of the newspapers and media It remains to be seen whether this partic - career MA program, Gonca Sönmez-Poole is Turkish foreign ministry and the European outlets in Turkey prefer a “selective” way of ular new generation (not to mention the var - TV producer, filmmaker and writer. She has Union officials, the damage done to the reporting the news, very much in line with ious other groups that attached themselves spent two decades working for WCVB-TV’s country’s international reputation was the direction of their respective bosses and to this movement through genuine interest “Chronicle” program, followed by 13 years somewhat lessened. their pro- or anti-government biases. or not) did indeed write the first draft of a managing her own non-profit organization, Though the intensity and shock of those Throughout those weeks, using his own new and improved Turkey. But I simply can - Mediation Way, Inc. For the past seven years, first few weeks have subsided, my thoughts brand of hubris and bravado, Prime Minister not elevate what has been dubbed the “Gezi she has dedicated her free time to Armenian- do trail back to the days in late May and Tayyip Erdogan continued to offend and spirit” to the realm of game-changer, at least Turkish dialogue work around Boston.) early June when I attended the Hrant Dink Memorial Workshop in Istanbul. As I walked out from the conference hall on June 1, cer - tain streets and avenues were being closed off and the protestors’ noise was intensify - ing. I jumped into the first cab I could hail. Notice to Contributors In a matter of minutes, a sea of protestors The welcomes articles, commen - a daytime telephone number. had surrounded not only my cab, but one of Armenian Mirror-Spectator the major avenues in Istanbul as well, a taries and community news from our readers. In order to assure — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon on majority of them carrying the red-and-white the accurate and timely publication of articles submitted, please the Monday of the week of publication. Turkish flag. I couldn’t help noticing that note the following policies: — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the many of them were also carrying the emblems of the opposition party, CHP. Even — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced editors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self- though it may be sound thinking to disre - and printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 addressed and stamped envelope is included. point or larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifi - — The will publish only one article about an upcoming orga - gard this particular political connotation, I M-S remember thinking about the sheer quanti - cations will be assigned lowest priority. nizational event. For major special events, exceptions may be ty of those flags and asking myself, “If I — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are made only by special arrangement with the editors. were to organize a sit-in against the cutting encouraged. — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the dis - of trees for the building of a shopping mall in my favorite park, would I instinctively — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and cretion of the editors) will not be included in press releases. wrap myself up in the nation’s flag?” But 16 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 3, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Powerhouse Attorneys Involved in AXA ‘Encounters with society and the exercise of authority. The major - ity of his plays draw their subject matter from Art’ Celebrates Armenian history, particularly historical episodes Genocide Claim Settle Differences that are relevant to contemporary issues. One Zeytuntsyan’s major theme in his more recent prose and the - SETTLEMENT, from page 1 that while they cannot undo the dark pages of atrical works is the Armenian Genocide, reflect - The AXA Insurance Claims Action was a mile - Armenian history, they must continue to fight Birthday ing the growth of nationalism in the Armenian stone case. It was originally filed by Yeghiayan for justice. The day in which Armenians cease Republic towards the end of the Soviet rule. His and Brian Kabateck in February 2002 in to fight to correct even the smallest of injustices YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The next series in novel the Last Dawn as well as his plays “The Federal District Court in “Encounters with Art” hosted by Cafesjian Great Silence” and “All Rise, the Court is in Los Angeles. Its intent was Center for the Arts celebrated the 75th birth - Session” explore these themes. threefold: to honor the vic - day of Perch Zeytuntsyan. The event on July Zeytuntsyan worked at the Hayfilm center in tims and martyrs of the 29, was dedicated to the life and activity of Yerevan, later becoming the senior editor of Armenian Genocide; to fos - Armenian writer and dramatist. the art film section of the Yerevan studio for ter public awareness and Armenian artist Levon Mutafyan will speak television films from 1968-1975. The film recognition of the Armenian during the event. Lilit Pipoyan will perform a “Erevanyan orerikhronika” (Chronicle of Genocide; and to compen - concert program. Yerevan Days, 1973) was based on his screen - sate descendants of those Zeytuntsyan was born in Alexandria, Egypt, play. He also went on to write a number of policyholders who were in 1938. In 1948, he and his family moved to speeches and newspaper articles focusing on killed in the Armenian Armenia. Zeytuntsyan attended the Aghayan sociopolitical issues affecting the Armenian Genocide with the rightful School in Yerevan and it was during this peri - Republic. He has since received myriad acco - monetary benefit that insur - od that he published his first short stor. lades, including the State Prize of Armenia, the ance companies had denied Zeytuntsyan wrote his first theatrical work, republic’s highest award. them in the decades follow - “Amenatkhur marde” (The Saddest Man) in In 1975, Zeytuntsyan became the executive ing the horrendous deaths 1974. The work was a tragicomedy staged in secretary of the Writer’s Union of Armenia, a of their parents and grand - Vartkes Yeghiayan Yerevan, and since then, 10 of his plays have been position he held until 1981. He went on to parents. produced and later published in Armenia. become the minister of culture in the first post- The lawyers who filed the A recurring theme in Zeytuntsyan’s works has Soviet administration of the Republic of case are aware that the AXA case is meager they have suffered, such as the failure of insur - been the relationship between the individual, Armenia. compensation for the fathomless injustice com - ance companies to honor contracts signed by mitted upon the Armenian people. They know Armenians in their homeland, is the day in which the genocide which was begun in 1915 will be completely accomplished. It is for this reason that the lawyers involved have all renewed their deep commitment to jus - tice for their community and their forefathers. They have applied that commitment to the AXA case through their zealous advocacy. Said Yeghiayan: “We must not lose sight of our main objective, which is a measure of jus - tice for the heirs of the victims. The Armenian community expects an orderly and transparent conclusion of this case.” Mark Geragos, commenting on the settle - ment, said: “Brian Kabateck and I are pleased with this resolution because it will allow all of us to finalize the settlement agreement, resolve all claims accounting issues and conclude any remaining issues between the lawyers. The res - olution of this case is as important as continu - ing the fight to bring justice for all Genocide victims.” The parties expect a final accounting and Court order in connection with the AXA settle - ment to be issued within 90 days.

Artsakh Aid Affirmed by House and Senate Appropriations Committees

ASSISTANCE, from page 1 represents a 19 percent reduction below the FY 2013 enacted levels. “Given the ongoing needs in Artsakh, I was pleased that in working with the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, we were able to craft language to ensure continued funding to Karabagh,” House Appropriations Committee Member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) told the Assembly. Earlier this year, the Assembly, in its testimo - ny highlighted the importance of US assistance to Artsakh as well as Armenia, and much need - ed humanitarian assistance for Armenians in and those fleeing Syria. Additionally, the Assembly’s testimony highlighted the inexplica - ble pardon of an Azeri officer who brutally mur - dered an Armenian officer at a NATO partner - ship for peace training exercise and urged that the Subcommittee “cease military assistance to Azerbaijan.” As the key Congressional panels approved U.S. foreign aid priorities this week, the Assembly reported visiting over 125 Members of Congress and hand-delivered the new 2013 Assembly Press Kit outlining funding priorities for Armenia and Artsakh, including the Assembly’s new FACT SHEET on Azerbaijan. “We thank our House and Senate friends for ensuring that critical assistance to Artsakh is upheld,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We look forward to working with our friends in Congress as the appropria - tions process continues,” he said.