NOVEMBER 10, 2012

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror -Spe ctaItn Ouor Mirror -Spe ctatror 80th Year Volume LXXXIII, NO. 17, Issue 4262 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 School in Returned to New Bishop Takes Charge of ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — The Armenian school in the Sisli district has been returned to Armenians 33 years after it was seized by the government. The decision to return the 200-year-old school to Catholic Armenian Flock in US Armenians was made by the 13th Court of Istanbul. The court decided to return the school to its of the , St. owners, St. Ghazar Armenian Church and its By Alin K. Gregorian Ann’s, was being sold. While Mouradian school fund. “Our efforts weren’t in vain. Now I believe that good things are happening in our days” Mirror-Spectator Staff said the Catholic Church offered the Armenians the chance to have access to declared the chairman of the fund, Rita Nournur. another church in the city, he and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan BOSTON — Bishop Mikael Mouradian, other church leaders decided that due to signed a decree agreeing to return all property the new head of the Armenian Catholic the decline in the numbers of the faithful belonging to minorities which had been seized by Eparchy of the US, is a well-traveled man. in New York and its growth on the West the government. Born and raised in , he has Coast, the church should relocate. served the Armenian Catholic Church in He said that the eparchy in New York AGBU YP Boston Holds Lebanon, Syria, and now the in the 1980s, had 800 families, the major - US. ity of whom were immigrants from the Fundraising Dinner for One of the first changes he has made . Now, there are only about to the Armenian Catholic Church of the 60 to 80 families there, whereas Los Syrian-Armenian Aid US and Canada, the name of which is Angeles has 2,500-3,000 Catholic WATERTOWN — The Armenian General officially Our Lady of Nareg, was to move Armenian families. Benevolent Union (AGBU) Young Professionals it from to , to Mouradian was born to Armenian (YP) are going to hold a fundraising dinner for the Sourp Grigor Lousavorich (St. Catholic parents and attended the AGBU’s Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund on Tuesday, Gregory the Illuminator) Armenian Armenian Sisters’ School in Zahlé. In November 13, at 7 p.m., at the Armenian American Catholic Church in Glendale. The move 1973, the age of 12, he first realized that Social Club (Agoump), 76 Bigelow Ave. was not entirely voluntary, as the New he wanted to be a priest. Upon graduating Bishop Mikael Mouradian Tickets are $25. The dinner includes chicken York church, which had been the home see BISHOP, page 7 kebab, pilaf, salad, vegetable and hummus. Tickets must be purchased in advance from http://agbuypboston.webs.com/. Mirror-Spectator Questions Roil Genocide Ambassador Banned Welcomes New From Visiting Jugha Assistant Editor Compensation Fund Armenian Cemetery WASHINGTON (Armenpress) — US State WATERTOWN — The Armenian The lawsuit stems from allegations made Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Mirror-Spectator welcomes new assis - By Mark Kellam by Glendale-based attorney Vartkes this week that her office was not aware that tant editor, Gabriella Gage. Yeghiayan that there were accounting dis - Azerbaijani authorities had banned US A native of Somerville, Mass., Gage crepancies in the fund set up by the French Ambassador to Richard Morningstar attended Harvard University as an LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles Times) — insurer. He has requested an audit of all from visiting the Armenian cemetery in Jugha, undergraduate and received her mas - More than $1.6 million has been paid out 3,000 claims. Nakhichevan, which is now under Azeri rule. from a compensation fund for descendents The accounting firm of Holthouse, Carlin Morningstar had released a statement this week, of victims of the , and Van Tright has been handling the pay - saying in part, “During my visit to Nakhichevan, I according to a status report filed in a ment of about $2.1 million to 159 held discussions with the local authorities on the lengthy lawsuit in US District Court. claimants. About 75 percent of the funding destruction of the ancient Armenian Cemetery in However, four of the 32 claimants who has been paid out so far, according to the Jugha. I regret that the authorities did not allow me haven’t been paid have died and attorneys status report. to visit the place, citing security reasons. The pro - are seeking direction from US District However, 28 of the 32 remaining claimants tection of the region’s heritage is essential to future Judge Christina Snyder about whether have not responded to multiple attempts by peace.” their families — who have verified their lin - the accounting firm to contact them. The Armenian Cemetery in Jugha dates back to eage to the descendants — should be paid In a past status report, concerns were the medieval-era. The tombstones consisted mainly the funds instead. raised about 17 checks totaling more than of khachkars , unique cross-stones. The cemetery Snyder is also being asked to order banks $312,000 that were made payable to com - was undamaged until the late 1990s, when the gov - that handled past transactions from the pensation claimants, but appear to have ernment of Azerbaijan began a systematic cam - Axa SA insurance settlement fund to check been endorsed by Los Angeles attorney paign to raze the monuments. By 2006, most of the various forms to see if any fraudulent trans - Berj Boyajian and deposited into an headstones had been destroyed. actions have occurred. The request follows account called Boyajian and Associates at Nakhichevan was annexed by Azerbaijan some questionable financial activities Union Bank. through a decree by the central Soviet authorities. Gabriella Gage regarding compensation funds in the past. see PAYOUT, page 6 ter’s in history from McGill University in , Quebec. She INSI DE has worked as a research consultant Dr. Noubar Afeyan Joins AGBU Board for several authors and academics, and is a regular contributor to the — On Saturday, October 13, Festekjian, Vahe Somerville Scout magazine. the Armenian General Benevolent Union Gabrache, Arda Home with In college, Gage became interested (AGBU) kicked off its 87th General Nazerian in Armenian history and developed Assembly to discuss the role that the orga - Haratunian, an affinity for Armenian culture nization will play in Armenia and around Sarkis Jebejian, Lepsius through friendships she has forged in the world. Part of the program was the elec - Dr. Levon Boston’s Armenian community. tion of members to the AGBU Central Nazarian, Berge Page 10 “I’m very excited to be working at Board, which has welcomed a new col - Setrakian, Sam the Mirror-Spectator and to have the league, Dr. Noubar Afeyan. Simonian and Dr. opportunity to learn and grow in the During the AGBU General Assembly Yervant Zorian. Armenian community,” Gage said. Session on Saturday, October 20, which Afeyan was Dr. Noubar Afeyan INDEX “Gabriella brings a whole new per - was led by AGBU President Berge unanimously Arts and Living ...... 10 spective to our staff. She is young, Setrakian and attended by the Prime elected. He Armenia ...... 2 bright and dynamic and is eager to Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargisian, 10 of brings with him decades of experience in Community News...... 4 learn,” said Mirror-Spectator editor AGBU’s Central Board members were for - both the public and private sectors, with a Editorial ...... 14 Alin K. Gregorian. “I look forward to mally re-elected to their positions. The particular focus on promoting development International ...... 3 working with her.” other members, who were relected, are Aris in Armenia. He is the founder, managing Atamian, Joseph Basralian, Nazareth see AFEYAN, page 6 2 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Turkey Renews Demands for ‘Immediate Closure’ of Armenian Nuclear Plant Japanese Film Festival The unprecedented reoperation of to extend its service life for another 10 Held in Armenia By Suren Musayelyan the plant in the mid-1990s returned 24- years, we are ready to assist in its safe hour electricity supply to homes across operation,” said the ambassador, as YEREVAN (Mediamax) — A festival of Japanese Armenia, taking pressure off the strug - quoted by the Arka news agency. films got underway on November 2 at the YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Turkish gling economy. At present, Armenia is Turkey as well as Azerbaijan have Cinema. The festival was dedicated to the 20th authorities in Ankara have demanded an electricity exporting country and repeatedly raised concerns over the anniversary of establishment of diplomatic rela- an immediate closure of the nuclear sta - potentially could supply electric power safety of the Armenian nuclear power tions between Armenia and . The Japanese tion in Armenia which it claims is a even to economically less developed plant in recent years. They became films were shown in Yerevan on November 2-4 and threat to the entire region after author - eastern provinces of Turkey. more vocal in their calls for its shut - Gumri on November 5-6. ities in Yerevan decided to extend its Still, the construction of a new down in the wake of the March 2011 The festival was sponsored by the Hikari lifetime for another decade. nuclear reactor to replace the aging one earthquake in Japan where a nuclear Armenian-Japanese scientific-educational center, as Turkey’s Minister of Energy and that was built in the 1970s has been a station was damaged by a subsequent well as with the assistance of the Embassy of Japan Natural Resources Taner Yildiz told pressing concern for Armenia in the past tsunami to pose real danger to the envi - in Armenia. Turkish media on Wednesday that the few years. Finding investors for a project ronment and the population, as well as Addressing the opening ceremony, Japan’s Metsamor nuclear power plant has been with an estimated cost of several billion the October 2011 earthquake in Van, Ambassador to Armenia Tikahito Harada expressed operating for over 40 years to reach an dollars has proved a tough task for the Turkey, not far from the border with his hope that the festival, which is held in Armenia for age beyond which it begins to pose a government in Yerevan so far. Armenia and the Metsamor station the second time, will become a means to expand the “great threat.” Earlier this month the Armenian gov - itself. two nations’ cultural dialogue and understanding. The facility situated not far from the ernment decided to extend the opera - Armenia has shrugged off the criti - Turkish border is a vital component of tion of the nuclear station originally set cism heard from both its Turkic neigh - Armenian Soldier Found Armenia’s energy security as it for shutdown in 2016 for another ten bors, putting it down to their desire to accounts for 40 percent of electricity years. The United States, which has weaken the Armenian economy for eas - Dead; Suicide Suspected generated in the country. Its closure allocated funding for the plant’s safety ier geopolitical gains, including in the out of environmental concerns in the for years, has in fact agreed with such a potential new war over Karabagh. YEREVAN (Hetq) — The Defense Ministry of late 1980s, following an earthquake in decision taken in Yerevan. At the same time officials in Yerevan Armenia issued a press release on November 5 that the north of Armenia, led to a severe After the October 18 signing of a US- have routinely downplayed the safety a Armenian soldier was found dead early in morn- energy crisis in the South Caucasus Armenia memorandum on energy sec - concerns regarding the Metsamor plant, ing as a result of a gunshot wound, possibly self- country that was aggravated by the dis - tor cooperation in Yerevan U.S. ambas - giving assurances that the facility is in a inflicted. integration of the and a sador to Armenia John Heffern report - good operating condition and is The ministry reports that an investigation has blockade imposed on the Armenian edly said that Washington shared the designed to withstand an earthquake been launched regading the case, which is assumed state by Turkey and its regional ally, position of the European Union that measuring up to 9, something that is at this point to be suicide. Azerbaijan, during the 1988-1994 the facility in Metsamor should be shut unlikely to occur in the Ararat Valley armed conflict in Karabagh. down by 2016. “But if you have decided where it is located. Oskanian May Run for President YEREVAN (Lragir) — This past week the investiga- Fuller Center, Echmiadzin Partnership Creates tor in charge of Vartan Oskanian’s case appeared on television, and said that Oskanian’s bank accounts are being checked after which a decision Homes for Families in Rural Armenia will be made regarding his case. In addition, he IRIND, Armenia — Celebrating the called on the public to think why the Civilitas home blessing of the 108th house spon - Foundation is financed by the governments and sored by Catholicos of All Armenians embassies of Western countries. Karekin II’s “Building on Faith” work Pundits suggest that perhaps the harsher tone project, the Fuller Center for Housing indicates that indeed Oskanian has decided to run Armenia (FCHA) has completed a grant for president. A few days ago Oskanian had said he that was established in 2006 with the would run if Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Armenian Apostolic Church when FCHA leader Gagik Tsarukyan did not. Apparently, staff worked with Habitat for Humanity. Tsarukyan has decided not to run. This partnership initially aimed to assist The investigator did not rule out arrest, thus 37 families, symbolizing the 36 Dioceses hinting that anything is possible unless, of course, of the Armenian Apostolic Church Oskanian, like Tsarukyan, supports the reelection together with the Mother See of Holy bid of President Serge Sargisian. Echmiadzin. In 2007, the project was If Oskanian fails to declare to leave the PAP and expanded to help 37 more families, and run for president, tough measures may be applied in 2009 a new agreement was signed to against him. According to sources, this dilemma is assist another 34 families. In total, 42 behind the comments by US Ambassador John communities in Armenia have been Heffern that they are closely monitoring the impacted by Karekin II’s “Building on Oskanian case. Faith” program. Members of the Harutunian family The 108th and final family to benefit Armenian Students from this six-year collaboration was the Harutunian family from the village of them a partially built structure, which Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Score High at Irind in the Aragatsotn region. The was to become a boiler house. Even Church from all over the world and International Olympiad house partially is supported by KPMG with this gift, they were unable to con - other donors. Construction of these Armenia. The family is made up of the tinue the construction of the house homes was also made possible with vol - YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Students from Armenia father and mother, Tigran and Salvi, because of the meager income. Today, unteers from St. John Armenian Church have earned one gold, one silver and two bronze and their four young children. They the Harutunians are the owners of a (Greater Detroit), St. Leon Armenian medals at a prestigious international Olympiad in used to live in the parental house for beautiful house where their children Church (Fair Lawn, NJ), St. Mesrob astronomy that ended in South Korea this week. many years with extended family of 11 can thrive. Armenian Church (Racine, Wis.), St. The Olympiad, held among 14-18-year-olds repre- people. The local municipality gave The houses are sponsored by different Sahag Armenian Church (St. Paul, senting about three dozen countries, was held in Minn.), as well as churches in the the city of Gwangju from October 16 to 24. region. Armenia was represented by six students at the The beneficiaries of this grant have competitions. expressed their great joy of home own - According to Olymp.am, the gold medal winner ership. Gevorg Martirosyan and two bronze medalists, “This is the happiest day in my life, in Vardges Mambreyan and Siranush Babakhanova, the life of my family. We are so grateful represent Yerevan’s Physics-Mathematics School. to the Fuller Center for Housing The silver medalist, Arsen Aslanyan, is from the Armenia, to the people who came and State Engineering University of Armenia-affiliated built together with us. Let this happi - high school. ness find others too,” said Tigran “Our students have put up a brilliant perfor- Harutunian. mance… A wonderful result!” wrote Armenian Each home, which is blessed by a Education Minister Armen Ashotyan on his local priest upon completion, has been Facebook account sharing the good news from built with great love and care by the South Korea on Wednesday. families themselves and teams of inter - “I congratulate everyone and thank our children national and local volunteers. Each ben - for upholding the ,” he added. eficiary family has received a Holy Bible The traditional home blessing ceremony, which involves salt and bread from the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia as a housewarming gift. S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL More than 350 Members and Supporters Gather International News For AGBU São Paulo’s 48th Anniversary Event Armenian Consulate SAO PAOLO, — Local digni - taries, a beloved band and more than Only Foreign Outpost 350 guests made AGBU Brazil’s 48th anniversary celebration an affair to Operating in remember. The event, which was held ALEPPO (PanArmenian.net) — According to once again at Maison France, began in Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, the Armenian the afternoon of Sunday, September consulate is the only foreign diplomatic outpost 23, and stretched well into the still operating in Aleppo, despite the dangerous sit- evening. Those attending represented uation in the Syrian city. a range of generations, from AGBU’s Nalbandian addressed the Armenian parliament, youngest members to its veterans, and saying, “It is important for Syrian Armenians to enjoyed entertainment by, AGBU know that our diplomatic representation is operat- Montevideo’s Erevan 50 Band, which ing not only in but Aleppo as well, [and has previously performed in São Paulo is] ready to offer help.” and was back by popular demand. Aleppo’s Armenian community was listed as The afternoon honored two individ - 60,000 people prior to the outbreak of the crisis. uals who have been instrumental to Outflow of Armenians from Syria followed the the chapter’s decades of growth. The beginning of the anti-Assad rebellion, with dozens chapter presented the Person of the of Armenians killed in the crossfire. Year award to a leader who has played a vital role in strengthening the local Jose Serra (left), former governor of the state of São Paulo and guest at AGBU São Armenian community: Dr. Ari Paulo’s 48th anniversary gathering, stands with AGBU São Paulo Chapter Chair Armenian, Iranian Geudjenian, chairman of the Helio Balukian. Armenian Community of Osasco Musicians Perform in (CAO). Osasco is located not far from the AGBU Center in São Paulo and for hearts. Under Geudjenian’s leadership, members in 1964, Dr. Benjamin years CAO and AGBU have maintained AGBU Brazil and CAO have continued Distchekenian, was named as the sec - TEHRAN (Tehran Times) — Russian-born Armenian a close relationship. Responsible for to grow closer, each drawing from the ond honoree. Distchekenian has pianist Artur Avanesov and Iranian viola virtuoso building Brazil’s very first Armenian strengths of the other. Youth from worked on behalf of the chapter to Adel Pursamadi are scheduled to perform a recital advance families’ social welfare and in Tehran. create educational opportunities for Compositions by the Russian musician Dmitri youth for decades. His many contribu - Shostakovich (1906–1975) and several other tions were praised by AGBU São Paulo prominent composers will be performed during the Chair Helio Balukian, who also dis - recital at Rudaki Hall on November 10. cussed the chapter’s different pro - Avanesov is a composer of chamber, choral, vocal grams and recent initiatives. He high - and piano works that have been performed in many lighted the talent and enthusiasm that countries including Switzerland, US, Japan, its young athletes brought with them Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada and . to Los Angeles this past summer for He studied piano and composition at the Yerevan the AGBU World Games, and the gen - State Conservatory, simultaneously taking piano erosity that AGBU donors have shown master courses abroad, notably as a member of the over the past few weeks by contribut - Lucerne Festival Academy 2003-2005. Currently, ing to humanitarian relief efforts in Avanesov is a lecturer at the Yerevan Conservatory Syria. Supporters and friends were and holds a doctoral degree. able to relive all the Chapter’s high - Avanesov has been a member of the Swiss ensem- lights from the past year through a ble Laboratorium since 2005. special video that was screened during the reception. Among the hundreds that turned Armenian Attacked in out to celebrate AGBU’s 48th anniver - Russia by Five Assailants sary, there was one guest who did not Dr. Ari Geudjenian (center) chairman of the Armenian Community of Osasco, is hon - go unnoticed. The chapter welcomed NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (News.am) — A 33- ored as “person of the year” by AGBU São Paolo Chapter Cahir Helio Balukian Jose Serra, former governor of the year-old citizen of Armenia was attacked in Nizhny (left) and Chapter CDSecretaary Haig Apovian. state of São Paulo, former mayor of Novgorod upon his arrival from Yerevan. São Paulo City and a mayoral candi - Accompanied by his brother, the man was Church, CAO shares a rich history Osasco who are also alumni of the date in this October’s local elections, approached by a taxi driver, who approached them with AGBU, one rooted in helping AGBU Alex and Regina Bazarian to the event. Through his years in pub - and offered his services. After the brothers immigrants and the generations that School continue to participate in lic service, Serra has always main - declined his services, an argument ensued with the have followed maintain the Armenian AGBU activities. tained strong ties with the city’s taxi driver until the brothers drove away in their traditions that are close to their One of AGBU Brazil’s founding Armenian community. own vehicle. Sometime thereafter, however, they noticed a black vehicle following them and pulled over. Five men — including the taxi driver — who were armed Turkey to Allow Kurdish Language to Be Used in Court with baseball bats emerged from the car. Threatening the brothers at gunpoint, the ISTANBUL (Reuters) — Kurdish mili - “A person will be able to defend them - acted on,” BDP leader Selahattin assailants smashed the windows of the brothers’ tants appear to have achieved their aim selves in court in the language in which Demirtas told a party meeting. car with their bats and stole six bottles of brandy, of being able to speak in their own lan - they can best express themselves,” Arinc called on the inmates to end 100,000 Russian rubles (approx. $ 3,186), two dia- guage in court after the Turkish gov - Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc their protest. mond rings, women’s jewelry and four tires. ernment said it would soon submit a bill told reporters late on Monday after a Erdogan has taken a hard line, The Nizhny Novgorod Police are searching for to parliament on the subject. cabinet meeting where the issue was describing the protest as blackmail and the criminals. The courts’ refusal to allow defen - discussed. a “show.” The head of the Turkish dants who speak Turkish to use Kurdish “The prime minister has given the Medical Association has warned that Deputy FM Meets in their defense has been a source of order to our justice minister to develop such comments risked hardening the controversy in ongoing court cases this and send it rapidly to parliament to inmates’ resolve. Foreign Minister against hundreds of defendants accused become law,” he said. The protesters’ main demand is for of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party Arinc said the ruling AK Party had PKK leader Abdullah Oçalan, who is , Belarussia (Armenpress) — A meeting of (PKK) and resolving the issue has been pledged the reform in a booklet distrib - imprisoned on an island in the Marmara Shavarsh Kocharyan Deputy Minister of Foreign one of several key Kurdish demands. uted at its congress in September, seek - Sea south of Istanbul, to have access to Affairs of Armenia and the Foreign Minister of Some 700 Kurdish inmates in dozens ing to dispel the idea it was acting in his lawyers after 15 months of no con - Belarus Vladimir Makei took place on November 6 of prisons are refusing solid food to try response to the hunger strike. tact. Most of the inmates are either con - in Minsk. Armenian Ambassador Armen to exert pressure on Prime Minister Erdogan’s government has boosted victed PKK members or accused of Khachaturian was also present at the meeting. Tayyip Erdogan’s government to grant Kurdish cultural and language rights links to the outlawed group. The goal of the meeting was to promote further greater Kurdish minority rights and bet - since taking power a decade ago, but A PKK statement said it believed the Armenia-Belarus cooperation within the framework ter conditions for a jailed militant Kurdish politicians are seeking greater hunger strike could end if the protest - of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), leader. political reform, including steps towards ers’ “reasonable demands” were met. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Turkey’s main medical association autonomy for mainly Kurdish south - The protests follow a surge in vio - other international organizations. has warned that some of the hunger eastern Turkey. lence between Turkey and the PKK, During the meeting, both foreign ministries strikers may die if they continue their The leader of the main pro-Kurdish which took up arms in 1984 with the praised the progress of the Armenian-Belarusian protest. party welcomed the move. aim of carving out an independent intergovernmental committee on economic cooper- The government said its decision to “But we don’t have another 56 days Kurdish state. Turkish Kurds now num - ation. change the law had nothing to do with ahead us to sort this out. There are only ber around 15 million, or around one the hunger strike. a few days. These statements must be fifth of the population. 4 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Armenian Assembly Board ABMDR Member Annie Totah Walkathon Advocates on Key Issues WASHINGTON — In meetings with Members of Congress throughout the year, Armenian Gets Support Assembly of America Board Member Annie Totah continues to press key issues. During a meeting with Sen. Bill Nelson (D- From Youth FL), Totah discussed the importance of the Armenian Genocide resolution and urged the senator to cosponsor this important human LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, October 20, rights legislation. Introduced by Senators hundreds of Angelenos took part in the Walk of Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), Life 2012, the seventh annual walkathon of the S. 399, the Armenian Genocide resolution is Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry currently pending before the Senate Foreign (ABMDR). Relations Committee. The event drew youth participation, with Upon intro - teams from several area Armenian schools, ducing the Bill, organizations, student associations and youth Menendez told clubs in attendance. Also participating were the Assembly: “Only when LA Armenian Schools, history’s dark - Organizations and Student est hours are acknowledged Associations Walk for and under - Life-Saving Mission stood can we truly learn from the several dignitaries, including elected officials Annie Totah and Senator Bill lessons of the Nelson (D-FL) and community leaders. past and build A six kilometer walk-run event, Walk of Life a peaceful helped raise awareness of health issues while future. With the 100th anniversary of the raising funds for vital research in immuno - Armenian Genocide approaching in 2015 and genetics, in the ongoing quest to match bone Caving in Armenia few survivors remaining, we must strengthen marrow donors with patients suffering from life- our resolve to unequivocally affirm the threatening blood-related illnesses worldwide. Armenian Genocide.” Walk of Life kicked off at the plaza of A spokesman for Kirk stated: “The Armenian Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center. Genocide is well-documented and formally rec - In her opening remarks, Walkathon Committee ognized by 11 NATO allies and the European co-chair Dr. Stella Baghdasarian said, “With Cavers ‘Caving’ Union. This resolution accurately characterizes your presence here today, all of you not only the events of 1915-1923 as a genocide, honors give us the strength and determination to con - the memory of the victims, and strengthens tinue our quest to find donor matches for our America’s moral leadership on human rights patients, but, most importantly, to show them In Armenia and the prevention of mass atrocities around that they’re not alone in their fight for their the world.” lives.” When meeting with Rep. Steny Hoyer, House Baghdasarian acknowledged the presence of SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — On October 12, Dr. Charles Chavdarian, a native Democratic Whip and fellow Marylander, Totah, the event’s Honorary Chairpersons and their Detroiter whose family was originally from Keghi, provided an enlightening talk along with Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, and slide presentation about the caves and caving exploration in Armenia, at a pro - emphasized the importance of the US-Armenia gram sponsored by the Tekeyan Cultural Association, at the Armenian General relationship, as well as the Assembly’s concerns Benevolent Union (AGBU)Alex and Marie Manoogian School. regarding the ongoing conflict in Syria and the Chavdarian became intrigued with importance of protecting Syria’s minority the subject while traveling in the Christian population, including its vibrant By Alice Nigoghosian south of France in 1992, and after Armenian community. Special to the Mirror-Spectator reading The Scientific Traveler — a In addition to discussing Armenian matters, book about prehistoric cave paintings. Totah also recently had the opportunity to talk Following this trip, he became inter - about issues impacting her home state with ested in caves throughout the US and Canada, learning about them through the John Podesta, former White House Chief of National Speleological Society and a local caving club in the San Francisco Bay Staff to President Bill Clinton, Maryland State Area and by visiting various national parks. He learned how to explore caves in a Sen. James Rosapepe and Terry Lierman, for - proper and safe manner from his newfound colleagues. mer chief of staff to Hoyer. The deepest caves in the world are located in the countries of Georgia and “Coming off of our successful 40th anniver - Mexico. As a result, he believed that there would also be significant caves in sary gala in , the Assembly will con - Armenia. tinue to press forward for the betterment of the Chavdarian decided he wanted to do something for Armenia — and this led to Armenian people,” said Totah. “I want to thank his organizing the first official US caving expedition to visit and photograph caves our many friends in Congress and know that by in the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia in 2007. The initial trip involved his fam - continuing our important work, we will reach ily — his wife, Seda, a professor of French at UC-Berkeley, and son, Greg, who is a our goals and aspirations.” geologist — and also his caving colleagues, Steven Johnson and James Wilson — all Carolyn Kaloostian, Md., waving flags as she from the Bay Area. reaches the walk’s midway point, at the Chavdarian has been to Armenia three times — in 2007, 2010 and 2011 — to Armenian Consulate in Glendale. Photo by Raul continue to explore and photograph the natural, wild caves and also to visit and Roa, courtesy of the Los Angeles Times. photograph church caves and cave villages. In addition to Vayots Dzor, his travels have taken him to Syunik and Lori provinces, and to Nagorno-Karabagh. The initial, and most significant caving expe - representatives, including Prelate Moushegh dition in 2007 was supported with a National Speleological Society (NSS) grant Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy, Primate in the US and organized with assistance from AdvenTour in Yerevan. Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese, The first trip included a visit to four caves, including Arjeri (Bear) Cave, Mozrovi Minister Joseph D. Matossian of the Armenian Cave, Karmir (Red) Cave and Mageli Cave. Mozrovi Cave includes about 300 Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian meters of known passage and is noted for its multi-colored limestone formations. Consul General Grigor Hovhannisyan, Arjeri Cave — at 2.3 miles of passage with many types of formations — is the largest Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol of Armenia’s caves and included many challenges for the group such as walking Liu, State Assembly member Mike Gatto, Los through narrow passageways, crawling, climbing up and down and using hand Angeles Supervisor Michael Antonovich, lines. Karmir Cave was at the highest elevation of the caves that were explored — Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, Burbank nearly 7000 feet. A visit to Mageli Cave, with 1.1 miles of cave passage, found the Mayor Dave Golonski, Glendale City Council cavers in the midst of a huge bat colony, narrow squeezes, climbs, crawls and even member Laura Friedman and Glendale Unified tall, long passageways. The team visited Geghard, a man-made cave monastery School District President Greg Krikorian. carved out of a side of a mountain. Known by St. Gregory as the “Monastery of Baghdasarian conveyed her gratitude to see CAVERS, page 5 From left, Bryan Ardouny, Annie Totah and Rep. Glendale Memorial and the hospital’s vice Steny Hoyer (D-MD) see WALKATHON, page 8 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Young Tennis Phenom Najarian Dazzles Pros

world for six straight years and the winner of seven to Courier’s game and targeted him during some By Tom Vartabedian Wimbledon championships, awaited her on the of the drills. I guess it was enjoyable for him and court he later requested that she return to the Palace for Could the junior from Cranbrook Kingswood tennis matches. She agreed and they gave her a BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Her name is live up to the challenge? seat next to the court.” Alexandra Najarian and her game is tennis. On Sampras’ first serve, Najarian surprised him, During the second match between Sampras and This young woman is making an impression on returning it cleanly and then the two tennis play - Courier, Sampras served a couple aces. Courier the courts of greater Detroit, winning titles while ers proceeded to exchange strokes as if they were then looked to the crowd and asked who could try helping her high school team in a quest for repeat - in a Grand Slam final. and return one of those shots. ed state titles. Najarian then hit a shot that pulled Sampras off “He picked Alex as a ‘ringer’ to hit against Despite several awards and top billings, nothing the court. He returned it with a lob to center court, Sampras,” Najarian’s father said. “Pete had no idea can compete with Najarian recent performance stunned by her skills. of her capabilities. The crowd cheered every return during a match with tennis legends. The youngster caught up to the ball and buried and, in fact, gave her a standing ovation. Years of During the Power Shares Series — a venue of it for a winner as Sampras looked on with awe. The hard work and training every day throughout the touring stars like Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, venerable pro dropped his racquet in apparent dis - year had paid off. Even though she was a bundle Ivan Lendl and Jim Courier traveling the exhibition belief as the crowd roared with approval. Najarian of nerves, she played well and won the point on an circuit — Najarian happened to be in the stands. won over the fans at the Palace, receiving applause overhead smash into the corner.” Her chance came sooner than expected for the for her performance. “I’m okay with it,” Sampras said laughing at 16-year-old. When a volunteer was called on to According to Harry Derderian, who attended being upstaged by the young Armenian. “It’s not take on Sampras during the exhibition, Najarian the exhibition on his birthday, it took an Armenian easy for someone sitting there and watching. I’m seized the opportunity to play with the tennis leg - to truly highlight the evening. Derderian no sure she was a little bit nervous, but she was Alexandria Najarian takes on tennis superstars. end. stranger to tennis, won 10 consecutive tourna - great.” As she approached the court, Courier offered ments at AYF Olympics before seeing his reign As for Najarian, the experience will remain her his racquet, saying, “Here, use my rac - stopped in the early 1970s. indelible in her book of memories. around with angles. Sampras wasn’t expecting quet…You might need it against Pete.” Najarian’s father said to the press, “She actually “That was awesome,” she said glowingly. “That anything.” Sampras, formerly ranked number one in the hit with Lendl and Courier […] Alex took a liking was legendary. I was nervous and then I played Najarian plays high school tennis at Cranbrook Kingswood in Bloomfield Hills. She has won her division state championship two years in a row and led her team to two straight state titles, going undefeated over this stretch. She plays between 12-14 tournaments a year, traveling across the country to appear in such Cavers ‘Caving’ in Armenia places as Phoenix, Boston, St. Louis and San Diego. Her rigid schedule prevented her from play - ing the AYF Olympics this fall in Boston. CAVERS, from page 4 This past July, she played the Girls’16s in the the Spear,” a visit to this site resulted in a deep - Summer Super Nationals in San Diego, taking er understanding and appreciation for our sixth in singles and third in doubles against 192 of ancestors’ devotion to Christianity, and the the top players in the country. It’s one level below importance of geography for the survival of the making a US Open appearance in Flushing people and their edifices. Meadow, NY, which could be next for the talented The team also visited Jerovank, a water player. church cave, located at the end of a narrow, pic - Najarian holds several national doubles titles turesque canyon in Vayors Dzor near the village and has a gold, silver and bronze from three dif - of Arpi. ferent Super National tournaments. In fact, it was while traveling through rugged, Though still a junior, Najarian is currently going mountainous Armenia, that Chavdarian soon through the recruiting process with several realized the difficulty of getting around, and Division 1 universities. came to understand why churches were placed everywhere. True to Armenian hospitality, when the expedition set up campsites, the near - by villagers would bring them food throughout their stay in a given area. AAMS Accepts Applications Chavdarian’s slides helped to educate all as For Scholarships he identified various types of beautiful cave for - mations that are part of living caves, including GLENDALE — The Armenian American bacon strips, pipe organs, stalagmites, stalac - Medical Society (AAMS) announced recently tites, coral, draperies and flowstone —all com - that it is accepting applications for the posed of limestone. The caves in Armenia are 2012–2013 academic year. also multi-colored, due to both mineralization As part of its mission to continue the tradition and organic matter leaching into the solubilized Members of a US caving expedition to Armenia. From left to right: James Wilson, Greg Chavdarian, of providing healthcare to Armenians, the AAMS limestone and then depositing in the caves Chuck Chavdarian, Seda Chavdarian and Steven Johnson. offers scholarships to medical students pursuing resulting in colored cave formations. The mag - their education in the United States. To qualify nitude of colors in the Armenian caves, which for this scholarship, students must be of are quite stunning, are, in fact, rarely encoun - Armenian caving colleagues, led representatives Armenia and the exploration of Armenian caves Armenian descent, show financial need and be tered to this degree in caves around the world. of the foundation into two caves, including a successful and safe one. actively involved in the Armenian community. In 2010, Chavdarian was contacted by the Mozrovi Cave, and later developed a manage - Who knows? Perhaps in the future, if a com - Students who meet the above criteria should National Competitiveness Foundation of ment plan for that cave. mercial cave is created in Armenia, group tours visit www.aamsc.com for scholarship applica - Armenia, and hired as a consultant to assist in Chavdarian acknowledged the assistance of of the cave may result in providing an addition - tion and more information. All completed schol - identifying a cave in Armenia as a possible com - several cave guides and experienced cave al source of pride in Armenia’s natural arship application packages must be post - mercial tourist cave and developing a master explorers during his trips to Armenia, including resources. marked no later than November 15 and mailed plan for implementing such an endeavor. He Vrezh Nazaryan, Samvel Shahinyan and Smbat A brief question-and-answer period followed to AAMS, PO Box 32, Glendale, CA 91209, traveled to Armenia that year and, with his Davtyan, who made Chavdarian’s three trips to Chavdarian’s professional presentation. [email protected].

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for Students of Armenian Descent Having completed one year of college by June, 2013 Applications and other information may be obtained from ARMENIAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Scholarship Committee 333 Atlantic Avenue, Warwick, RI, 02888 Tel. (401) 461-6114, Fax (401) 461-6112 Email: [email protected] Deadline for returning completed applications: March 15, 2013 6 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Questions Roil Genocide Compensation Fund

PAYOUT, from page 1 However, Glendale resident Parsegh Kartalian, Bank because he lives in Syria most of the year. After Haleblian’s deposition, Boyajian Boyajian wrote checks totaling $118,127 to the compensation fund’s administrator, testified However, Boyajian’s power-of-attorney responsi - returned all of the money from the First various individuals from insurance settlement in a deposition that he did not know how bilities did not include opening bank accounts, California account into the Axa settlement fund, funds that he had deposited into his Union Boyajian got ahold of the claimant’s checks, that according to the status report. the report states. Bank account, but Boyajian allegedly kept the Boyajian had no role in the administration of the remaining $194,166 until last June, according claims and that he had nothing to do with decid - to the status report filed in federal district ing which claims would be approved or denied, court. according to the status report. Dr. Noubar Afeyan Joins AGBU Board On June 28, shortly after the previous status Insurance fund “claimant” Zaven Haleblian report was filed outlining the suspicious check testified during a deposition that nine settlement AFEYAN, from page 1 endorsements by Boyajian, a check for $194,166 checks made payable to him totaled $574,425 — partner and CEO of Flagship Ventures, as well as a senior lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School was written from an account for Boyajian’s legal which is the same amount that was in an of Management, where he has taught courses on technology entrepreneurship, innova - counsel and deposited into the Axa settlement account in his name at First California Bank, an tion, and leadership since 2000. During his 25-year career as inventor, entrepreneur, account, the report states. account he knew nothing about until last April CEO and venture capitalist, Afeyan has co-founded and helped build 25 life science and Boyajian doesn’t deny the transactions and that allegedly was opened by Boyajian, according technology startups. his attorney submitted documentation under to the status report filed with the court. In 2008, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which is granted to outstanding oath affirming them. Haleblian said he never submitted a claim for Americans who have distinguished themselves as United States citizens and who have The report also states that Boyajian, citing his settlement funds and had no relatives involved in enabled their ancestry groups to maintain their identities while becoming integral parts of Fifth Amendment rights, refused to answer sig - the Armenian Genocide. American life. nificant questions during a deposition in the He said he did grant Boyajian power of attor - Afeyan is also the co-founder and board member of the National Competitiveness Foundation case. ney to manage his account at Pacific Western of Armenia, a private-public partnership that encourages Armenia’s economic growth. OBITUARY Boghos S. Tavitian

PLAISTOW, N.H. — Boghos (Paul) S. Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Tavitian, 80, a 50-year resident of Plaistow, died Haverhill, as an acolyte at age 9 and at age 14 Saturday, October 6, at the Lawrence General became a member of the church choir and con - Hospital in Lawrence, Mass., after a brief illness. tinued as an active member throughout his Born in Haverhill, Mass., a son of the late whole life. He was an active member of the Sarkis and Zarouhi Tavitian, he grew up in the Armenian Church Youth Organization of AGBU Central Board members led by President Berge Setrakian (third from right) discuss the orga - Wood School neighborhood of Bradford, Mass. America (ACYOA) and Mr. & Mrs. Club. He nization’s new initiatives in Armenia, and internationally, at the 87th General Assembly in Yerevan. served on the Parish Council for many years and as Diocesan Delegate for 16 years and con - tinued his membership in the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe. He was initiated as a member of the Knights of Vartan receiving his Third Degree in March 1960, and had continued his membership hav - Nardolillo Funeral Home ing served as commander and grand district Est. 1906 representative, heading several committees throughout his membership. John K. Najarian, Jr. On September 7, 2008, Tavitian was honored Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director for his leadership and dedicated service to the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe and was pre - 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 sented the Saint Vartan Award by Archbishop 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Diocese). www.nardolillo.com Tavitian and his wife Sylvia (Barbardian) were married for 53 years. He enjoyed gardening, Boghos S. Tavitian fishing, hunting as well as listening to music. Tavitian is survived by his wife Sylvia of Plaistow; son David Paul and wife Diane (Betz) Tavitian graduated from Haverhill Trade Tavitian of Hampton, NH; daughter Debra and School, Class of 1951 and worked at a local husband John Megrdichian of Cranston, RI; shoe factory until enlisting in the US Air Force son Daniel Paul Tavitian of Manchester, NH; GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E in December 1951 and served four years being sister A. Virginia Tavitian of Bradford; brother discharged with the rank of Sargent in Joseph and Brenda Tavitian of Bradford, James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC February 1955. Mass.; grandchildren Melissa and Peter Mark J. Giragosian Tavitian was an industrial electrician and Megrdichian of Cranston, RI; Dillon Tavitian Funeral Counselors employed at the Haverhill Paperboard Hampton, NH, as well as several nieces and 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Company for 30 years and served on their nephews. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Credit Union Board of Directors. The funeral service took place on October He was actively involved in the Bicentennial 10, at St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Committee in 1976 for the City of Haverhill. He Apostolic Church. Interment followed in the started his employment at the Lawrence Plaistow Cemetery. Donations in his memory Telephone (617) 924-7400 General Hospital in l986 until his retirement in may be made to the Armenian Apostolic Church l993. at Hye Pointe Building Fund, PO Box 8069, Tavitian served his church, St. Gregory the Ward Hill, Mass., 01835. Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Inc. Varujan H. Masrof Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN WALTHAM, Mass. — Varujan H. Masrof died 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN on October 31, at age 82, after a long illness. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN He was married to Vivian (Maksabedian) Masrof for 55 years. In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Sona Afarian and her husband Mike of Toronto, Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a Canada; son, Ara Masrof of Haverhill; grand - children Taline and Thomas Afarian; brother Krikor Masrof and “adopted” brother Sarkis Edward D. Jamie, Jr. Gennetian. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Funeral Chapel A Knights of Vartan service was held for him Serving the entire Armenian Community at the Giragosian Funeral Home on November Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location 3. Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 Donations may be made in his memory to the Knights of Vartan Armenia Medical Aid Fund, Varujan H. Masrof Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 PO Box 400, Belmont, MA 02478. Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS

“Parishioners of the Year” — George Chakoian, Jean Farmanian Ricci and Marion Der Vartanian Altar Servers Ordained in Providence, RI — and recognized outgoing Parish Council mem - bers and delegates. Parishioners also conveyed PROVIDENCE — Archbishop Khajag the Primate on Saturday night, I was struck with Torkom Manoogian, the 96th Armenian words of congratulations to the newly ordained Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the the realization that this was no graduation from Patriarch of , and the long-serving for - acolytes and sub-deacons. Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited a rigorous one-year acolyte training program but mer Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who passed A musical program included performances by Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, a beginning of a greater service to and for the away on October 12. sub-deacons Timothy Aznavourian, who sang and last weekend, where he ordained altar servers and church,” Souin said. “These young men have Later in the afternoon, some 240 people gath - played classical guitar, and Davit Gevorkyan, who presided over the church’s name day celebration. worked so hard and served on the altar with such ered in the church hall for the annual name day played duduk , with his mother, Ruzan On Saturday, October 13, the Feast of the Holy enthusiasm that I feel that they are an inspiration banquet. The community honored its 2012 Gevorkyan, accompanying on the piano. Translators, Archbishop Barsamian presided over a for the entire congregation and a breath of fresh vespers service during which 10 young men were air in my own ministry.” ordained to the rank of acolyte. The 10 — Timothy Also taking part in the service on Saturday Aznavourian, Garen Megrdichian, Adam Parnagian, were the Very Rev. Aren Jebejian, pastor of St. St. John Armenian Church Hosts Taner Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, and Rev. Krikor Sabounjian, pastor of Holy Akçam Book Presentation Translators Church of Framingham, Mass. Following the service, the parents of the newly SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — On Tuesday November 13, St. John Armenian Church with host a ordained parishioners sponsored a reception in discussion featuring scholar and author of The Young Turks’ Crime Against Humanity: The the church hall. The community welcomed the Armenian Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in the Ottoman Empire , Dr. Taner Akçam. Primate, congratulated the young men, and Introducing new evidence from more than 600 secret Ottoman documents, Akçam demon - encouraged them to continue their service to the strates in unprecedented detail that the Armenian Genocide and the expulsion of Greeks Armenian Church. David Alexander and the from the late Ottoman Empire resulted from an official effort to rid the empire of its Christian brothers Zachary and Zander Semerjian sang subjects. Presenting these previously inaccessible documents along with expert context and songs and played the piano during the reception. analysis, Akçam’s research goes inside the bureaucratic machinery of Ottoman Turkey to On Sunday, October 14, Barsamian celebrated show how a dying empire embraced genocide and ethnic cleansing. the Divine Liturgy and elevated Samuel DeBlois, By uncovering the central roles played by demographic engineering and assimilation in the Timothy Aznavourian and Haroutiun Ohanesian Armenian Genocide, this book seeks to change how this crime is understood and show that to the sub-diaconate. physical destruction is not the only aspect of the genocidal process. In his sermon, Barsamian spoke about St. Akçam was a scholar-in-residence at the Armenian Research Center from 2000 to 2002 Sahag and St. Mesrob — the patron saints of the before teaching in the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains acolytes. Providence church. The Primate reminded parish - Minnesota. Since 2008 he has been the Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen ioners that “the love of Jesus Christ which and Marion Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University in Massachusetts. inspired and drove the Holy Translators is some - He has published widely in English, German and Turkish. The Young Turks’ Crime Against Antranig Daoud, Michael Papazian, Luke thing available to each and every one of us.” Humanity is his fifth book in English. Alexander, David Alexander, Aren Daoud, Zachary “With such love, the various gifts that each of The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Vartan room of the church. Light refreshments will Semerjian and Zander Semerjian — have spent the us possesses will become greater,” Barsamian be served and copies of his book will be available for purchase. This lecture is cosponsored past year preparing for their new responsibilities said. “Like the Translators, we will see our own by the Armenian Research Center, St. John Armenian Church and the Tekeyan Cultural with Rev. Shnork Souin, parish pastor. ministry made more meaningful, more powerful, Association. “Seeing the look of awe and humility in the because it is inspired by our Lord.” For more information, contact church officials. faces of these 10 young men being ordained by A requiem service was held for Archbishop New Bishop Takes Charge of Catholic Armenian Flock in US

BISHOP, from page 1 But my feelings increased as the years went the Universe in Damascus, assistant pastor of In Armenia, Mouradian was based in from Our Lady of Bzommar Monastery and by, and I made my final decision at age 25,” the Holy Cross parish in Zalka, Lebanon Gumri. “When I arrived, we [at Caritas] had High School, he studied philosophy and the - he said. (1991), pastor of various Catholic communi - two people in the office, now we have 42,” he ology at the Pontifical Armenian College in Mouradian was ordained in and has ties in the northern provinces of Armenia said. Now Caritas has chapters in Yerevan Rome. He also did a year of specialized train - served the church around the world since (1992-2001) and secretary general and exec - and near , with a total of 84 peo - ing as a youth pastor. then. He has had the following missionary utive director of Caritas-Armenia (1995- ple working in the country. Mouradian was ordained a Catholic priest roles: assistant rector of the seminary of 2001.) In 2000, the Ministry of Culture and A good portion of his time was spent in October 1987. Bzommar (1987-1988), assistant rector of the Science of Armenia granted him the title of fundraising in for the charity. It is a decision he has not regretted. “At 12, seminary of Aleppo (1988-1989), pastor of honorary professor in the pedagogical facul - Religion is a part of Mouradian’s family; his I had the feelings and faith of a 12-year-old. the Armenian Catholic church of Our Lady of ty of Armenia. sister, Haginta Mouradian, is a nun with the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. She is currently working with orphans in Dashir, Armenia. Mouradian said that there are about 150,000 Armenian Catholics in Armenia, all the result of the migration of the residents of 37 Armenian villages in fleeing persecution in the wake of the Russo- Turkish war in the 1700s. These Western Armenia residents fled to Eastern Armenia, where many of their descendants still reside. In fact, he said, one of Armenia’s largest vil - lages, Medzavan, with 1,700 families, is exclu - sively Catholic. The Armenian Catholic Church is one of the five rites that form the Universal Catholic Church. The other four are Latin (Rome), Byzantine, Copt and Syriac. The Mkhitarian Order, which has branches in Vienna and Venice, is under the aegis of the Roman pontiff. The current leader of the Armenian Catholic Church is Nerses Bedros XIX, who is based in Beirut, in the Monastery of Bzommar, founded in 1749. “My mission is to keep steady or establish the Armenian Catholic community,” he said. “We have nine parishes, three missions and five schools in the US and Canada.” In addition to the US churches in Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Detroit, Los Angeles, Glendale and Little Falls, NJ, there is a church in Toronto, Saint Gregory the Illuminator, and a successful Saturday school, which has 140 students, and a church and a school in Montreal, with 400 students. The events taking place now in Syria are particularly painful for Mouradian and the Armenian Catholic Church , as that country has five large Catholic Churches. 8 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS ABMDR Walkathon Gets Support From Youth

WALKATHON, from page 4 Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan, said, resident for business development, David “From the moment I met Dr. Jordan some years Mauss. ago, I knew she was on a life-saving crusade and Walkathon Committee Co-Chair Dr. Karoline we all had to get onboard. There’s no substitute Rostamian thanked the Armenian youth teams for what we’re doing here today: which is to from Armenian schools and universities, as well raise money for research, and reaffirm our com - as the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the mitment to healthy living and wellness.” Armenian Youth Federation and the Armenian Among the walkathon participants, many of whom are registered with ABMDR as potential bone mar - row donors, was Lucinee Nazerian, a young woman recently identified as a matched donor for a patient in Australia. “Right now I’m waiting for the final go-ahead, and very much look - Peter, a cancer survivor, cutting the red ribbon. He is flanked by (from right to left) ABMDR president ing forward to being Dr. Frieda Jordan, David Mauss of major event sponsor Glendale Memorial Hospital, Glendale City of help to this Council member Laura Friedman and Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, among other supporters and patient,” Nazerian walkathon participants. Photo by Raul Roa, courtesy of the . said. Los Angeles Times The invocation of Hundreds of youths took part in the walkathon. the walkathon was Matossian representing Armenian Protestants. Armenian Consulate on the corner of Central performed by The walkathon was preceded by an energetic Avenue and Lexington Boulevard. Consul Father Vazken warm-up session led by a team from Total General Grigor Hovhannisyan, another long - Church Youth Organization of America for Atmajian, representing the Prelacy, and Fathers Woman. Subsequently the hundreds of partici - time supporter of ABMDR, warmly saluted the their volunteer work and participation in the Mampre Kesabyan and Haroutioun Tachejian, pants embarked on the walkathon, looping procession. event. Rostamian also acknowledged the con - representing the Diocese and Rev. Joseph D. along a city trajectory that passed by the The walk concluded at the Glendale tinued support of the US Army Armenian Memorial plaza, where the community celebra - Veterans before inviting Dr. Frieda Jordan, pres - tion, featuring food, music and dance, contin - ident of ABMDR, to the podium. ued into the afternoon. At this time, partici - “With every step that you’ll be taking today, pants had the opportunity to join the ranks of you’ll give new hope to a patient who is des - ABMDR at volunteer-staffed information and perately seeking a life-saving bone marrow recruitment tents. transplant,” Jordan said. “It’s thanks to all of The program included an awards ceremony. you that ABMDR continues to grow strong. I The Kaloostian Family Team (comprising Dr. would like to thank Glendale Memorial William Kaloostian, father and siblings — and Hospital, without whose crucial support our doctors — Carolyn, Paul, and Shane) was award - work would not have been possible. Glendale ed for having raised the most funds. The Memorial has sponsored Walk of Life for the Kaloostian Family Team had joined the past seven years, and supported our various walkathon in memory of wife and mother Dr. projects for the past 12 years.” Aida Shirinian Kaloostian, who was a major Next Jordan introduced Peter, a former can - ABMDR supporter as well as a member of its cer patient who has undergone a bone marrow board. For the second year in a row, the transplant through an ABMDR donor match. Chamlian School Team received a trophy for Following his inspirational remarks, Jordan having the highest number of participants and invited Glendale mayor and longtime ABMDR Glendale Memorial Hospital was awarded for supporter Frank Quintero to address the audi - being the major sponsor of Walk of Life for the ence. past seven years. Rima Matevosian accepted the Quintero, who has visited Armenia and wit - ABMDR Board members and volunteers at the walkathon. Photo courtesy of ABMDR. award on behalf of the hospital. nessed firsthand the work of registry at its For more information, visit abmdr.am. AAHPO Holds Family-Style Gathering

Dr. Raffy Hovanessian, who has been on medical missions ing the wrong foods that bring on disease. With the increase in By Florence Avakian to Armenia 27 times, in his decisive manner took center stage. poverty, an educational program is sorely needed. Lacking is a “Our mission is to improve awareness, and to help public awareness program. In addition, very few graduates of the our brethren in Armenia,” he announced. Dr. Arthur Kubikian American University of Armenia go into public health,” said NEW YORK — On Friday, October 12, more than 65 mem - and Dr. Aram Cazazian reiterated this message by emphasiz - Hekimian, painting a depressing scenario. bers of the Armenian American Health Professional ing that AAHPOs primary mission is to “disseminate our Dr. Arusyak Haroutyunyian, with video presentation, con - Organization (AAHPO) held a family-style get together at the knowledge with the public, through different technologies, centrated her talk on the “tobacco epidemic” which is driven new Byblos Restaurant in New York, to renew friendships, pro - including television.” by the Armenian tobacco industry. “Tobacco is very cheap and vide the latest information on the progress of the group, and In a warm atmosphere, the event started off with all present is everywhere. Smokers can lose 17 years of their life due to meet new members and aid them in their quest for positions. introducing themselves and describing briefly their area of this vice,” she pointed out. In Armenia 22 percent of all deaths Besides medical doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, nurses expertise. It became apparent that there was a large contin - are attributable to smoking. In addition, there is the problem and dentists present, there were engineers, lawyers, business - gent of doctors from Armenia. Dr. Kim Hekimian has worked of second hand smoke affecting children. Fifty-four of house - men in attendance supporting the cause. with the American University of Armenia for several years, has holds have at least one family member who smokes. The AAHPO, founded in 1994, represents over 450 health - concentrated her work on improving public , Armenia is one of 40 countries to sign an international care professionals of every field, and not only provides infor - with a focus on infant nutrition and tobacco control. framework on tobacco control, Haroutyunyian said. In 2004, mation and help for thousands of Armenians in America, but the Armenian Parliament passed the National Tobacco it has expanded its program conducting its first medical mis - Dangerous Situation Control Law. She stressed that there should be no smoking in sion to Armenia in 2011 where 15 volunteers visited various The nutritional status in Armenia of children up to age 5 is hospitals and universities, and currently there is no restriction clinics and treated patients. “chronic malnutrition which when measured as short height on smoking in restaurants, bars and on public transportation. On Friday night, October 12, the dynamic President of for age, is called stunting. There is also the problem of obesi - The major causes of death in Armenia are heart disease, can - AAHPO for the last three years, Dr. Larry Najarian welcomed ty, diabetes and non-communicable diseases which is over - cer and diabetes. the crowd in his typically enthusiastic manner, and reviewed whelming the Armenian population,” she revealed. “Non-com - But all the news is not negative. During the last 10 years, recent highlights of the organization. Dr. Khoren Nalbandian, municable diseases account for 90 percent of all deaths in there has been some progress with an advocacy campaign, and a founder of AAHPO emphasized that the “one of the missions Armenia.” the first conference on “Tobacco Health” was held in 2010. of the organization is its networking program” which has been Smoking is one of the most severe public health problems in But the best achievement was the involvement of the youth responsible for helping thousands of Armenians with their Armenia today, Hekimian continued, with 63 percent of males who are now actively involved in collecting cigarette butts in medical needs, as well as assisting a number of interns and res - and 2 percent of females, the latter figure not being accurate, she the parks. “We have to work with the youth, and the leader - idents find medical positions. “Never underestimate the power pointed out since women do not admit to this vice. In the gen - ship of the country,” said Haroutyunyian with great emphasis. of our individual skills,” he said, adding, “We’ve trained 60 eral adult population, she noted that “50 percent have high The warm atmosphere of the evening continued long after physicians, have taught thousands, and are reaching tens of blood pressure, 56 percent are overweight, and 24 percent are the presentations, as members – some of whom had traveled thousands of people.” obese.” And there is also the problem on “over nutrition” – eat - from other states, enjoyed their networking and friendships. S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Arax Dance Group of San Francisco Charms New Yorkers

By Hagop Vartivarian

NEW YORK — New York has four dance groups, which for several years now, have offered the best expressions of tradition. The groups often compete with one another, pushing each other to a standard of technique. Arax Dance Group, which performed on Saturday, October 20, was different from all the others both in its program and selection of dances, particularly the succession of solos, in which the best stylistic forms of Armenian dance were interwoven with ballet and at times Asian elements in a unique fusion. The dance instructor, Noyemi Araxi, succeed - ed in teaching carefully choreographed and staged dances to 10 gifted young ladies and two young men of the group. I should add, dancers performed without any mistakes — at least in the eyes of amateurs like myself. Arax dance group in performance The executive body of New York Chapter of , under the chairmanship of Dr. Ara Caprielian, should be congratulated for inviting The performance took place in Elmhurst, at The program consisted of two parts. At the the audience. Vittorio Monti’s Csardas danced by Arax, an independent entity from San Francisco, the Walter Crowley school auditorium. The beginning of each part, the Aregak youth cho - Annat Koren and Lillit Markosian earned a stand - during this cultural month, when New York troupe deserved a more presentable venue with - rus of New Jersey Hamazkayin performed under ing ovation. the baton of Vagharshak Ohanian. In the past The dance ensemble included: Edouard few years the presence of these children on the Barsoumian, Elizabeth Cresson, Lena Dakessian, stage has instilled hope that Armenian song will Annat Koren, Thomas Koshi, Kouyumdjian, persevere. Damadian’s Talvorik song with Lilit Markosian, Nareh Megerdichian, Maneh renewed patriotic emotions, evoked appreciation Minasyan, Satenik Harutyunyan and Yelena Ter- for the spirit possessed by the youths and shared Sargsyan. with everyone in the audience. The program was dedicated to the memory The group performed four dances and show - and 45th anniversary of literary activities of Aris cased the skills of the choreographer. Using the Sevag, an unforgettable friend, author, editor music of Armenian songs in choreography was and translator, recently deceased. His widow, another innovation. Solo dances based on a few Asdghig Sevag, presented this tribute to her songs by Khachatur Avetisian, Smbat Byurat, beloved husband with the greatest of devotion Ara Georgian, Komitas and Sayat Nova charmed and attention to detail.

Choreographer Noyemi Araxie with New York Hamazkayin’s executive committee

Armenian organizations have an unprecedented out lighting and audio imperfections, enhancing number of events. The initial idea was Asdghig the audience’s enjoyment of the presented pro - Sevag’s, whose tireless efforts, combined with a gram. Unfortunately, the hall, fit for school pro - generous financial contribution, ensured the suc - ductions, did not do justice to the near-profes - New Jersey Hamazkayin’s Aregak youth chorus cess of this concert-tribute. sional Arax group. Prof. Bardakjian Delivers Lecture on History of

from the original Greek and Hebrew. By Yeghishe Hajakian On the occasion of the Cultural Month in October of this year, the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the Greater New York invited TENAFLY, N.J. — Armenians have always Dr. Kevork Bardakjian on October 14th to been proud of their milestones in history, deliver a lecture about the Printing of including accepting Christianity as the state Armenian Books from the beginning of the religion, the discovery of the Armenian 16th century. This affair took place in the St Alphabet and the translation of the Bible Thomas Armenian Church. After the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany around 1439, the following names of the early print - ers were mentioned: Hagop Meghabard, Oskan Yerevantsi, Hovanness Jughayetsi and Khatchadour Kesaratsi. Traditionally, for Armenians the centers of learning have mainly been the monasteries. Thus the following printing centers left their indelible stamps in the development of the Armenian literary heritage: Mekhitarian monks of Venice in Italy, , Persia (Iran), Calcutta, India, Constantinople, Ottoman Empire, St. Petersburg, Russia and Tiflis (), Georgia. In the 20th century the main printing cen - The first Armenian book, part of the collection of Krikor Markarian ters in the diaspora were , Beirut and Istanbul. The printing of books were representative Bardakjian was careful in presenting this a heated question-and-answer period. Even of Armenia’s determination to stay a nation subject to his audience in a simple and under - printing in Soviet Armenia was discussed, with a history of its own, as well as a culture standable manner. He was able to connect especially the Soviet-era adoption of the Prof. Kevork Bardakjian of its own through a separate language, alpha - this 500-year-old theme with the present time, Apeghianagan spelling of the Armenian lan - bet and literature. so much so that the audience participated in guage. 10 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Armenian- Lepsiushaus American Film Remembers Its ‘Here’ Premieres Namesake At Ft. Lauderdale International By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Special to the Mirror-Spectator Film Festival POTSDAM, Germany — In Potsdam, not far from Berlin, there is a beautifully renovated villa known as the Lepsiushaus, or House of By Tina Varjabedian Lepsius, which was the family home where the German pastor and humanitarian aid worker, Dr. Johannes Lepsius, lived and worked from FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — On 1908 to 1926. Since its official opening as a Thursday, October 25, Cinema Paradiso museum and research center in May 2011, the premiered “Here,” an Armenian- Lepsiushaus has become the venue for exhibits, American film, at Ft. Lauderdale’s lectures and conferences related to the theme Members of the AGBU Chapter’s Vahram Papazian Theater Group engage International Film Festival (FLIFF). of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. an audience with their production of the satire “Inknagotch Yerajishte” (“The Self- Most recently, the Lepsiushaus hosted an Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal, Florida Proclaimed Musician”) in Canada. Armenians (FLArmenians) communica - international conference honoring its name - tions director, opened the program by sake. The September conference gathered introducing the Armenian culture and experts from several universities in Germany, FLArmenians to the diverse audience in Latest Production by the AGBU Switzerland, US and Armenia, including Prof. attendance. She explained that the Ashot Hayruni of Yerevan State University, and Armenian community has been present Sydney Chapter’s Vahram Papazian Prof. Margaret L. Anderson of the University of in Florida for more than 50 years and California, Berkeley, who shed light on the many sides of this complex and controversial that St. David was the first Armenian individual. Church in the state. Theater Group Makes Successful Lepsius is known to most Armenians as a She added, “Today we have five courageous German who intervened in an Churches and two mission parishes Canadian Debut effort to halt the Genocide being perpetrated by with approximately 30,000 Armenian- the Young Turk government in Turkey. He trav - American across the great State of TORONTO — A healthy dose of comedy and drama is the key to any successful stage performance, and a recent production by the AGBU Sydney Chapter’s Vahram elled to Turkey to set up his humanitarian mis - Florida.” sion in Urfa in 1896 to aid victims of the Kaloustian-Rosenthal then intro - Papazian Theater Group gave audiences across Canada that and even more: the knowledge that they were supporting fellow diasporans in Syria. Hamidian massacres, and after hearing reports duced renowned Armenian musician through the foreign ministry in Berlin of new Joe Zeytoonian, who played cultural Last month, AGBU’s Sydney troupe brought their widely-acclaimed hit “Inknagotch Yerajishte” (“The Self-Proclaimed Musician”) abroad for the first time. On Saturday, massacres in 1915, Armenian melodies on the oud. The again traveled to audience then asked Zeytoonian ques - September 8 and Friday, September 14, the all-star cast, led by writer and director Noubar Gharibian, attracted almost 500 audience members to the Emile Legault Hall aid Armenians. He tions about the oud and different of Saint-Laurent College in Montreal and the AGBU Alex Manoogian Cultural Center set off for Con- Armenian songs. Zeytoonian explained in Toronto. At each theater, the play, a satire that tells a story of greed, betrayal and stantinople hoping that the oud is a unique and ancient humanity, drew rousing laughter and applause. to mount a human - Armenian/Anatolian instrument that The Toronto performance alone raised $3,000 in ticket sales and donations from itarian aid initia - has been around since the seventh cen - the Chapter and its members. Every penny of those proceeds will support AGBU’s tive to save tury. humanitarian aid initiatives in Armenian communities across Syria. Since AGBU Armenians, but The film “Here” was shot entirely in launched a Syria relief fundraising campaign in August, the outflow of support has was prevented Armenia and showcases the landscape. been enormous, and continues to meet the needs of thousands of families bearing from travelling Although the film is primarily in the brunt of the country’s unfolding crisis. AGBU volunteers on the ground in inland by the English, it contains many segments Aleppo, Damascus and throughout the nation will be able to continue distributing Young Turk offi - Dr. Johannes Lepsius where the is spoken food and necessary provisions, owing to the additional funds collected by the AGBU cials. In a famous with subtitles. “Here” showcases vari - Toronto Chapter. personal encount- ous themes, the primary one being Plans to take “Inknagotch Yerajishte” to an international venue were in the works er with War Minister Enver Pasha, which Franz soul-searching. The film displays the for over a year, but the AGBU Sydney Vahram Papazian Theater Company has been Werfel immortalized in his saga, The Forty complex relationship between expatri - stealing the spotlight for far longer. When the performers came together in 2001, Days of Musa Dagh , Lepsius confronted Enver ate Armenian photographer Gadarine they brought with them diverse backgrounds as trained musicians, poets, production with the Young Turks’ political and moral Najarian (Lubna Azabal) and satellite- managers, singers and writers. Together, they formed a single creative force that responsibility and pleaded with him to be able mapping engineer Will Shepard (Ben quickly caused a stir in the Sydney arts community and overseas. Their repertoire to intervene to help the Armenian population. Foster), who decide to continue their includes “Shevaradz Pesatsoun,” which was a great success in Egypt, where the Enver refused. The only thing that Lepsius journey together, not knowing where AGBU Cairo Chapter invited them to perform in 2010. could do was to interview Armenian refugees this decision can take them both per - see DEBUT, page 11 arriving in the capital, along with foreign mis - sonally and professionally. sionaries and other eye-witnesses to the mass Inspired by the Armenian scenery dis - murders, in order to compile a report based on played in the film, Kaloustian-Rosenthal the testimonies that would document the said, “The film provided us a very inti - tragedy being perpetrated. That report was to shake Germany and the world. mate window into the landscape of As Dr. Rolf Hosfeld, director of the Armenia — something many of us had Lepsiushaus, recalled in his keynote speech to never seen before. For a few hours, the conference, that report titled, “The director Braden King transported us Situation of the Armenian People in Turkey” from the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival to and published secretly in Potsdam in 1916, the land of our ancestors. It was a love - made history, and not only in Germany. In ly escape.” Lepsius’s own country, the privately printed When asked why he chose Armenia report was sent out in 20,000 copies to officials as the landscape for this film, the direc - of the Protestant church, other selected per - tor explained, “As I explored further, sonalities and the editors of the major press. Armenia — its history, landscape, loca - The report was soon confiscated and banned by tion, people and culture — became the German authorities — Germany being allied another collaborator, a third co-writer. to the Young Turk government — and Lepsius When I visited for the first time in had to flee to Holland, where he continued his 2004, it was instantly clear that campaign to inform world public opinion of Armenia was the most precise lens what was happening in Turkey. In America, through which to focus in on ‘Here’s’ where the drama of the Armenians had been story and themes. Within the first few Actors and supporters of the AGBU Sydney Chapter’s Vahram Papazian Theater Group gather to celebrate the Canadian debut of their latest production, “Inknagotch followed closely, Lepsius’s account was report - hours of that very first trip, there was Yerajishte” (“The Self-Proclaimed Musician”). ed in the New York Tribune in July 1919. “That no place else to go.” the most significant charge against such crimes committed by a state should indeed come from see LEPSIUSHAUS, page 12 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING ARPA Presents Lecture by the French- Armenian Historian Claude Mutafian

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — Armenians soon these sources, while numerous illustrations will be commemorating the centenary of the from the neighboring cultures give evidence of Genocide. Yet, Armenian history has other the cosmopolitan nature of this “Armenia of the chapters filled with strength and victories. Levant” and the Armenian world. Dr. Claude Mutafian, who will be the speaker Mutafian was born in 1942 in the suburbs of at a program sponsored by Analysis Research & Paris. His parents were survivors of the 1915 Planning for Armenia (ARPA) on Monday, Genocide. His studies led him towards mathe - November 12 at 7:30 p.m., Merdinian matics, which he taught for more than 40 years Auditorium, 13330 Riverside Dr., will address in various universities in France and around the those chapers of Armenian history, as well as world. However his passion was always history. his latest book, L'Arménie du Levant on that He published many books about different topics era. concerning Armenia, such as a Historical Atlas Armenian history has some particularly glo - of Armenia (2001) covering 30 centuries. He rious pages, as in the late medieval period, organized various exhibitions, including “The when a substantial part of histor - ical Armenia was liberated from Turkic invaders, while in a new “Kingdom of Armenia out of Armenia” came into existence. This fascinating period becomes even more exciting with the appearance of the Crusaders in the 12th century, followed by the Mongols in the 13th. Thanks to a masterly diplomacy and conve - nient local alliances, this “Armenia of the Levant” became in the middle of the 13th century the most powerful Christian State in the East and the hinge of trade between Europe and the “The Hawk” by Ranzar Orient. One reason of this success Claude Mutafian lies in the permanent link of Cilician Armenia with the Ranzar Exhibit Opening at ALMA on November 11 Armenian princely dynasties of Armenia proper. Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia,” (Paris, As a result of new publications of inscriptions Sorbonne, 1993), “Roma-Armenia” (Vatican, WATERTOWN — Beginning Sunday, November 11, the Armenian Library and Museum on monuments in Greater Armenia and of Great Sistine Hall, 1999) and “Armenia, the of America (ALMA) will feature a retrospective show of the art of Ranzar (Fred Elezarian colophons of manuscripts, as well as correc - Magic of Writing” (Marseilles, 2007). His field of Randolph), an overlooked Armenian-American artist of the mid-20th century. The exhibi - tions to previously published sources and new interest is essentially the Medieval period, in tion will run until January 31, 2013. translations from Arabic and Persian, the histo - particular the relations of Armenians with the Randolph was born in , Iran, in 1920 and came to the US at the age of 14 with ry of the Armenians from the 11th to the 14th Crusaders and Mongols. At the age of 60 he his mother. He attended Rindge Technical School in Cambridge and also took private art century, particularly the political and matrimo - received a PhD in history. His thesis was about lessons. Later he served in the Army during WWII in Rhineland-Central Europe, where he nial relationships among themselves and with Cilician Armenia, “Armenian diplomacy in the was a Combat Infantryman and also did artwork for the Stars and Stripes Army publica - their neighbors, had to be totally rewritten. This Levant during the Crusades” (Paris-Sorbonne, tion. Moving to New Jersey in 1956, he worked as a photoengraver until he is what has been attempted in this newly pub - 2002). The present two-volume study is an out - retired. Ranzar’s art captures both the traditional art of the Near East and American pop - lished book. For every statement, references of growth of that thesis, extended to the whole ular forms, straddling two worlds, painting from memory images of his early life in Iran. the sources and of eventual scholars’ comments Armenian world. His works were exhibited in New York City during the 1960s. have been given in the footnotes, while more For information please contact Dr. Hagop The artist was married to Sima Najarian from Watertown for 45 years and she posed for than 70 maps and 80 genealogical charts con - Panossian at [email protected] many of his paintings. stitute an essential complement of the text. The Ranzar was an “amateur,” but he was highly regarded in the Armenian community while abundant iconography — about 230 color pic - living in New Jersey. His paintings are currently displayed on the altars of St. Stephen’s tures — reflects the spectacular artistic achieve - Latest Production by Armenian Church in Watertown and Sts. Vartanantz in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Many other of ments of that period: splendid monasteries of his religious paintings can be seen in other churches in the Northeast. Greater Armenia, impressive strongholds of Vahram Papazian Theater The new exhibit will be housed in the museum’s third floor Contemporary Art Gallery. Cilicia, superb miniatures, khatchkars, metal Admission is free and open to the public. and wood carvings. Reproductions of inscrip - Group Makes Successful tions and manuscripts show the opulence of Canadian Debut

DEBUT, from page 10 “Inknagotch Yerajishte” is one of many origi - nal works that the group puts out almost annu - ally. Their productions are well-received, Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2012 Gharibian attests, because of the actors’ hard work and dedication. He added, “Our talented cast always turns the stage into a mirror, reveal - ing our greatest flaws and strengths as humans. Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor We aim to produce comedies that not only make the audiences laugh but, by including a Teacher’ program has raised over $518,000 somber themes, also prompt them to think and reflect. This play is about people who, in pursuit and reached out to 4,064 teachers and of their own personal goals, disregard the feel - ings of others, facing moral choices and signifi - school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. cant consequences. Whenever the audience laughed, we knew they were amused and at the same time understood the message.” £ After the curtains came down in both cities, the audiences’ standing ovations made it clear K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue that they had, in fact, understood — and enjoyed helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have — the message. In Montreal, where the event the teacher’s name and address. was organized jointly with the Tekeyan Cultural K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ Association, the local paper, Abaka , published a ————————— glowing review of “Inknagotch Yerajishte.” In Name Toronto, each artist received individual plaques Address praising their performances. City State Zip code Yet, for the cast, crew and audience, the great - Tel: est reward was the opportunity to contribute to the relief efforts in Syria. Anyone can still Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 donate 24/7 online by visiting: Mail your check with this form to: http://agbu.org/syriarelief/index.html. TCA Sponsor a Teacher The AGBU Sydney Chapter’s Vahram 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 Papazian Theater Group is already gearing up for another international tour, scheduled to Your donation is Tax Deductible. begin in May 2014, with stops in Canada, South America and the United States. 12 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Early Work by Pamuk Signals His Later Obsessions Project SAVE Silent House by Orhan Pamuk, down and linking a string of events together to He has, in fact, founded an actual Museum of Alfred A. Knopf. 354 pp. $25.95. make a story. Maybe it was like this: looking for Innocence in Istanbul, which he is filling with Calendars ISBN 978-0-307-70028-5 the causes of a series of events, we look to “objects from the daily life in Istanbul in the other events to compare them with, still, and on second half of the 20th century.” In a statement and on until we find that our entire lives would - he recently issued to explain his interest in cre - Pave Way By Daphne Abeel n’t suffice to get to the bottom of so many facts. ating the museum, he said, “I began to buy a Special to the Mirror-Spectator We have to leave off the task somewhere, large number of objects from the handful of Beyond 2015 expecting others to continue from where we left shops that constituted [the] flea market of the The new publication of a novel by Nobel off, but no sooner do they begin than they time and wrote my novel based on all these Prize-winning author, Orhan Pamuk, is not decide all our explanations are wrong. And so things bought and acquired, taking great plea - truly a new book. Silent House , expertly trans - there always remains important work to be sure in describing them.” by Tom Vartabedian lated into English by Robert Finn, was first pub - done.” In Silent House , he frequently refers to innu - lished in Turkish in 1983. Pamuk, now in his Nilgun, a pretty university student, flirts merable series of objects. A single example, and WATERTOWN — Ruth Thomasian late 50s, was likely still in his 20s when he ambiguously with men and just as ambiguous - there are many, is when Faruk stands in his believes in looking ahead. wrote it, and it should be viewed in its context ly, with communism, buying the party’s news - father’s office contemplating, “...hundreds of lit - It is not enough that the executive direc - as an early or even juvenile work, which, in paper without becoming seriously committed to tle vials, pieces of broken glass, trunks, pieces tor of Project SAVE prepares one calendar many respects, prefigures many of the author’s the cause. of bone thrown into a box, old newspapers, for 2013. She also has the next three years later preoccupations and obsessions. Metin, the youngest, is a party boy, hanging rusty scissors, tweezers, French books of anato - well in mind, leading to the Armenian The political and historical background of the out with his friends, drinking and smoking, half my and medicine, boxes full of paper, pictures of Genocide centennial and beyond. story is the lead-up to the mili - in love in a puppy dog way birds and airplanes tacked to a board...” and In some ways, she’s four years ahead in tary coup of the Turkish gov - with Ceylan, who brushes him etcetera. One can only surmise that these are her planning stages. Should all go accord - ernment which took place in off as an immature suitor. He the sorts of items Pamuk is putting on display ing to plan, this will bring the number of 1982. dreams of moving to America in his Museum of Innocence . historic calendars her organization has The action of the novel and wishes his grandmother Pamuk is now known as one of the Turkish issued to 30, touching a variety of subjects revolves around a visit by three would pull down the old house intellectuals who has acknowledged the that include dancing, rugs, music, women, young people to their grand - and build an apartment house, Armenian Genocide, but in this early novel, military and Hye hats, hair and hands. mother, Fatma, who lives in a which could bring in some there is only one inconsequential reference to The 2013 calendar, “Armenians a crumbling mansion on the money for the family. an Armenian printer, who might have been cho - Century Ago: In the and shores of the Sea of Marmara, The story is told in the voic - sen to print Selahattin’s encyclopedia, if it had Diaspora,” gives collectors a diversified an hour’s drive from Turkey’s es of the various characters in ever been finished. glimpse of lifestyles which Armenians have capital, Istanbul. They come alternating chapters, although While Turkey’s domestic politics are an experienced during the pre-genocidal years. each year to honor her and to the voice of each main charac - undercurrent of this story, Pamuk does not fail “You’ll be astonished to see the faces of visit their grandfather’s grave. ter is often interrupted by the to comment on the eternal schism in Turkey our people in such a variety of circum - Fatma, in her 80s, now lives voice of another, and the read - between the East and the West, which persists stances,” said Thomasian. “Our next three alone in her dilapidated house, er must remain alert to the to this day. Fatma spies on her husband’s scrib - calendars are leading up to the 2015 com - save for the companionship subtle shifts in tone that indi - bling to discover he has written “...the East’s memoration of the Armenian Genocide. and service of Recep, a dwarf, cate that a different person is continued slumber in the deep and despicable The year that follows will concentrate on who also happens to be the illegitimate son of speaking. darkness of the Middle Ages had not led us, a the personal histories of Armenians who her deceased husband, Selahattin. Their A Chekhovian sense of terminal doom and handful of intellectuals, towards despair but, on lived during these culture-shattering uneasy, codependent relationship is based on gloom hangs over the scene as it is clear that the contrary, toward a great enthusiasm for years.” habit, need and uncomfortable circumstance. It the family, although well-born and even gilded work, because what was obvious was that we Of particular interest is the December is revealed that Selahattin fathered two chil - in some sense, is on the decline as is the town were not obliged to take all this knowledge and photo of missionaries belonging to Holy dren with a servant woman. The children were of Cennethisar to which Fatma and Selahattin transport it from there to here, but to discover Savior Monastery (Soorp Purgich Vank) of at first exiled to a remote village, but eventually were exiled due to his falling out with Talat it all over again, to close the gap of centuries Ourduz, which is 10 miles from Malatia in brought back into the family fold, by Dogan, the Pasha. Prior to his death, Selahattin passed his between East and West in a shorter time.” the Ottoman Empire. Legend has it that legitimate son, who took pity on them. While days working on an encyclopedia, which he was Fans of Pamuk may not find this his most there was special water here that could Recep works as Fatma’s servant, his brother, convinced would contain all knowledge about compelling book, but it has importance in the cure many illnesses. Ismail, who sells lottery tickets, has built a the world. He, too, was a heavy drinker, and it context of his entire oeuvre . It is a portrait of Another illustration for May shows the house nearby, and has a son, Hasan, whose is plain to see that his son, Faruk, is following his near contemporaries written when he was Modern School for Girls in Smyrna, also in political connections will eventually draw the in his father’s aimless footsteps. still a young man and paints a panoply of the Ottoman Empire. One of the subjects family into the nationalists’ struggle to control The town itself is changing. Once dotted with Turkish youth in a swiftly changing social and in the photograph is identified as the future of Turkey. fields and cherry orchards, it has become the political environment. It is also a statement of Marguerite Abroyan (Hazarian) who, at The three grandchildren, Faruk, Metin and playground of tourists and a second home des - his artistic and aesthetic commitment. age 16, fled Smyrna for America in 1921 — their sister, Nilgun, are still on the cusp of adult - tination for the wealthy from Istanbul. Fatma Whereas history may prove meaningless, the one year before the city was reduced to hood, still not fully formed as adults or fully frequently mourns the appearance of the “new book remains important. As Fatma thinks on ashes. responsible for their lives. Faruk, the eldest, an concrete houses” and the men barbecuing at the very last page, “You can’t start out again in Closer to home is July, which depicts the obese alcoholic, has chosen to be a historian, their grills on weekends. life, that’s a carriage ride you only take once, Armenian July 4th float in Newburyport, a and he pursues his profession obsessively, but Pamuk’s most recent novel, The Museum of but with a book in your hand, no matter how small seaport town north of Boston. Early erratically, delving into obscure archives, taking Innocence , published in English in 2009, confusing and perplexing it may be, once you’ve in the 20th Century, there was a relatively notes, in a vain attempt to capture his elected echoes in many respects some of the intellectu - finished it, you can always go back to the begin - large Armenian population working in the subject. He has been married, but his wife has al and technical aspects of this much earlier ning; if you like, you can read it through again, town’s many shoe foundries and shipyards. left him and he muses often on the pointless - work. Pamuk is entranced by objects and by in order to figure out what you couldn’t under - With each photograph comes hours and ness of his task. series and collections of objects. He often doc - stand before, in order to understand life....” days of research and corroboration by At one point, he thinks, “There must be more uments the amassing of objects to substantiate If that is Pamuk’s sales pitch for his own Thomasian and her team of archivists and to history, I thought, than just copying things the reality of his story. craft, it’s a pretty good one. researchers. Emphasis is also paid to the lives and works of Armenian photogra - phers. Many photo donors have also been documented orally. Lepsiushaus Remembers Its Namesake For 2014, Thomasian has chosen the working title “A World Left Behind: Armenians in the Ottoman Empire,” which LEPSIUSHAUS, from page 10 he openly criticize the policy of an ally of his tary measures related to Turkey’s defense. will feature images depicting Armenians in a German…,” Hosfeld noted, “must have sur - nation in WWI, but he identified that Young Lepsius, as Hosfeld stressed, “saw his work from the old country. prised the reader of the New York Tribune .” Turk policy as part of “an internal political pro - the onset as explicitly political” even back in the The 2015 theme will focus on Armenian In fact, it is precisely this fact that led Hosfeld gram” aiming at the “elimination of the 1890s. And he had to pay a price for it. When his life a hundred years back to honor those to characterize Lepsius as “a German excep - Armenian element of the population” and Protestant church superiors denied him free time whose lives were taken so mercilessly while tion,” the title of the conference. Not only did rejected any notion that it had to do with mili - for his pro-Armenian activities, he decided to 2016 will present a look at the relief efforts resign and to work independently. Lepsius collab - that helped survivors create new lives for orated with the German foreign office on a reform themselves. plan in 1913 to protect the Armenian minority, “Our aim is to have each one read like a but the outbreak of war rendered it a dead letter. book,” Thomasian points out. “We strive to When news of the new massacres reached combine the visual and verbal into history Germany, he left for Turkey, where he tried unsuc - that touches the heart and mind.” cessfully to save the Armenians. What he did man - In and out of basements and attics she age to do with his documentation to inform has meandered in search of forlorn images German and world public opinion was, however, of — a veritable scavenger hunt for lost trea - historic importance. sure. Lepsius was not and is not just a hero. As “In this way, history comes alive and Hosfeld indicated in his speech and other con - revitalizes our understanding of who we ference speakers detailed, he was a creature of are as a people, as a community and as indi - his time. Though firmly opposed to the Young viduals,” Thomasian added. “Through pho - Turks’ genocide policy on religious, political tographs, new meaning is brought to our and humanitarian grounds, Lepsius “had diffi - collective lives.” culties in fully admitting a qualified co-respon - Calendar sponsors are being sought. For sibility of the German Empire on this first great further information, e-mail: archives @pro - Lepsiushaus in Potsdam European mass murder, even though he spoke jectsave.org. in 1919 of genocide,” said Hosfeld. S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

ALMA Presents ADAA’S Saroyan Awards to Feature Arts VIPs Program on LOS ANGELES — The Armenian Dramatic Houshamadyan Project Arts Alliance (ADAA) will host its third biennial William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting Awards Watertown, Mass. — The Armenian Library event on Saturday, December 8, at 6 p.m., at the and Museum of America (ALMA) will present Pasadena Playhouse VIP Library Room. a program by project coordinator Nora Television host and entertainment journalist Lessersohn on Houshamadyan, a historical Jill Simonian will serve as mistress of cere - and cultural preservation initiative, on monies. Her credits range from correspondent Thursday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. and guest co-host for CNN/HLN’s “Showbiz Tonight,” to serving as a special “mom-corre - spondent” for “The Maury Show,” Travel Channel’s “America’s Worst Driver,” KTLA-5’s “Morning News,” ReelzChannel and more. Jill also offers parenting advice on her blog, TheFabMom.com, and contributes to ModernMom.com, RightStartMoms.com, Babycenter.com and various other online par - enting sources across the web. Author David Kherdian will receive ADAA’s 2012 Armenian Star Award, which recognizes an individual who has reached high artistic Jill Simonian David Kherdian achievement in their career or has assisted Armenians in the arts. The award will be pre - sented by Kherdian’s friend and colleague, nov - Wisconsin Authors Award for lifetime achieve - orary jury of theater artists: playwright elist Aris Janigian (This Angelic Land) . ment. Catherine Filloux (“Dog and Wolf”), play - Nora Lessersohn Kherdian is an internationally-known poet, Past ADAA Armenian Star Award recipients wright/screenwriter Eduardo Machado novelist and memoirist, whose work has been include producer Arthur Sarkissian (2011), (“Floating Islands”) and actress/producer Based in Berlin, Germany, the published in 14 languages around the world. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (2010), producer Gates McFadden (“Star Trek”). Houshamadyan project is a unique effort to The Road From Home , the story of his mother Robert Papazian (2009), director/retired liter - ADAA’s William Saroyan Prize for reconstruct the lost world of the Armenian who had survived the Armenian Genocide, has ary agent Michael Peretzian (2008), former Playwriting, for plays on Armenian themes, is communities in the territories of the been in print for more than 30 years. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (2007) made possible by a grant from the William Ottoman Empire by collecting and preserv - As an editor, Kherdian has published several and Armenian playwright, Berge Zeituntsyan Saroyan Foundation, with additional funding ing historical documents and artifacts. seminal works such as Forgotten Bread: First (2006). from Gagosian Galleries. Through scholarly analysis, documenta - Generation Armenian American Writers , and The event will culminate with the Some of the industry’s Armenian American tion and the reproduction of historical numerous literary journals and ethnic antholo - announcement of the $10,000 winner of the actors will also be in attendance, including images, the Houshamadyan project plays gies. Gomidas Press will publish his retelling of William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting. The Hrach Titizian (Showtime’s “Homeland”) and an important role in recovering the daily David of Sassoun in February, 2013. His wife is finalists are: “Doon,” by Sevan Kaloustian Ken Davitian (“Borat”). ADAA Founder Bianca life, customs, traditions, cuisine and envi - award-winning children’s book illustrator Greene; “Night Over Erzinga,” by Adriana Bagatourian will talk about ADAA’s array of rons of the Ottoman Armenian communi - Nonny Hogrogian. Kherdian’s honors include Sevahn Nichols and “Belonging to the Sky,” recent activities. ties. The Boston Globe / Horn Book Award, by Kelly Stuart. All three finalists will be pre - Tickets for the event may be purchased at Admission is free and open to the public Newberry Honor Book Award, a nomination for sent at the awards. http://www.itsmyseat.com//events/102690. The event is co-sponsored by the the American Book Award and the Notable The winner will be selected by this year’s hon - html. National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). For more information, visit the project website: www.houshamadyan.or g. CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

CALIFORNIA

NOVEMBER 17 — Haigazian University Trustees Banquet in Honor of Joyce Philibosian Stein, Ellis Island honoree, Sheraton Universal Ballroom, Los Angeles. Social hour, 6 p.m., dinner, 7 p.m. For more information, call (323) 456-8031 or joyceabdu - [email protected].

MASSACHUSETTS NOVEMBER 9 — 10th Annual Bazaar sponsored by the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, 110 Main St. Haverhill. Friday, 12 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 12 to 7 p.m. Lamb, losh, chicken kebab and kheyma din - ners served all day, along with your favorite . Pastry Table, Country Store, Gift Basket Raffles and Raffles for Cash and Entertainment Fridays Prizes. For more info, visit www.hyepointechurch.org or call (978) Armenian Sisters’ Academy will host annual and Saturdays 372-9227. Thanksgiving Hantes and Friends & Family NOVEMBER 16 — Armenian Sisters’ Academy hosts annual Night on Friday, November 16, 6:30 p.m., at Thanksgiving Hantes and Friends & Family Night. 6:30 p.m. at the the Armenian’s Sisters’ Academy, 20 Armenian’s Sisters’ Academy, 20 Pelham Road, Lexington. Tickets are Pelham Road, Lexington. Tickets are $15 $15 and can be purchased by calling the school office at (781) 861- and can be purchased by calling the school 8303. office at (781) 861-8303. NOVEMBER 30 and DECEMBER 1 — “Trinity Christmas Bazaar,” Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge, Friday, 3-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Delicious Armenian cuisine; farmer’s market, country store, candy, gourmet foods, pastries, wreaths & poinsettias, jewelry, second time around, silent auction, Group Cast Par ty to celebrate “Love and Laughter.” Special hon - sports silent auction and more. Santa’s Playland, Saturday 10:30 oree, Karnig Nercessian, one of the founding members of the TCA a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group. St. Thomas Armenian Church, East Clinton Ave. & 9W, Tenafly. 8 p.m. Donation: $30. BYOB. For NEW JERSEY tickets, call Marie Zokian (201) 745-8850, Maro Hajakian (201) 934- 3427 or Noushig Atamian (718) 344-5582. NOVEMBER 17-18 — Musical theater presentation by TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group, Yervant Odian’s “Love and RHODE ISLAND Laughter” (Ser yev Dzidzagh), directed by Krikor Satamian, with more than 20 actors participating. Dwight Englewood High School, NOVEMBER 24 — Christmas with Onnik Dance hosted by the Englewood Cliffs, 8 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. $25, Providence ACYOA. 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI. Doors open at 8 $35, $50. For tickets, call Marie Zokian or Noushig Atamian. p.m. Adults $30 and Students $20. Mezza, cash bar and raffle. NOVEMBER 18 — Join the TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Contact Kevork Vartanian for details: [email protected]. 14 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Karabagh Issue on World Agenda

Wales, whose Parliament has just adopted a resolution recognizing By Edmond Y. Azadian the right of self-determination for the people of Karabagh. New Spectator South Wales is the largest province with a population of 7,273,000 out of Australia’s 21 million — one third of the country. While the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan continue This move may not result in recognition by Australia’s federal gov - meeting and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ernment, but it is a significant first step. More than 40 states in the (OSCE) representatives continue visiting the region, the Karabagh US have individually recognized the Armenian Genocide, which has conflict is still far from being resolved. not amounted yet to the recognition by the federal government. Established 1932 It is fairly obvious that the parties involved in the negotiations It is believed that Uruguay may follow suit; it was one of the first An ADL Publication have a vested interest in keeping the issue unresolved, so that it may countries to have recognized the Armenian Genocide. be used as bargaining power in order to wield pressure on Armenia Armenians settled in Australia beginning in the 19th century. The and Azerbaijan. 60,000-strong Armenian community is mostly in Sidney (New South

EDITOR People in Karabagh have held a referendum to declare indepen - Wales) and Melbourne. Alin K. Gregorian dence, which no country has recognized yet. Armenia is in a pre - The recent tour of Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian carious situation and should Yerevan recognize Karabagh’s inde - in Central and South American countries may yield some political ASSISTANT EDITOR pendence, it will risk war with Azerbaijan. Since Armenia has not dividends, especially in generating some movement on the Gabriella Gage yet recognized Karabagh’s independence, it cannot ask nor expect Karabagh issue. other countries to recognize it. It is an interesting coincidence that while the New South Wales ASSOCIATE EDITOR Cynicism is rampant in international politics. Russia waged a war parliament was voting to uphold Karabagh’s right to self-determi - Aram Arkun against Georgia and recognized the independence of South Ossetia nation, the government announced that it was recognizing ART DIRECTOR and Abkhazia, ignoring Western calls for the principles of territori - Southern Sudan’s independence, thus placing on the back burner Marc Mgrditchian al integrity. Similarly, Europe and the United States forcibly parti - the principle of territorial integrity which constituted the center - tioned the former Yugoslavia to grant independence to Kosovo. piece of that country’s foreign policy. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, many minorities have bro - Baku, citing this principle, had even refused to recognize SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: ken away from the main countries to attain independence. For Kosovo’s independence despite some prodding from Washington. Edmond Azadian example, East Timor was emancipated from Indonesian rule, and Victory in Australia may reflect only minor progress, but any pos - more recently Southern Sudan became a new country. The issue of itive move by diaspora forces will complement and serve as an exten - CONTRIBUTORS: territorial integrity was not raised in any of those cases, certainly sion of Armenia’s foreign policy. Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, not loudly enough to stop the process. Credit is due to the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune When the issue comes to Karabagh, however, territorial integrity Australia for pushing through the resolution in the New South Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. becomes a sacrosanct principle and statesmen who are not embar - Wales Parliament, as other Armenian political parties are either vir - Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork rassed to apply double standards, go to great lengths to explain that tually nonexistent or are ineffective there. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , Karabagh is a “different” case and that each case has political para - Some people have given up hope that political activism would pay Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop meters different from the others. But, in essence, these arguments off, but Australia seems to disprove that pessimism. Also, the victo - Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian are falsehoods created to mask the duplicity of cynical parties. Even ry achieved in the French Parliament, through the cooperation of Russia upholds the principle of the “square” wheel (equating the combined political forces, is another example that there is light at CORRESPONDENTS: principle of territorial integrity with the right to self-determination). the end of the tunnel, although President Francois Hollande has to Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Thus, since Armenia cannot recognize Karabagh’s independence keep his pledge assuring the passage of the resolution criminalizing Boston - Nancy Kalajian and Russia does not wish to offend Azerbaijan, the issue remains at the denial of the Armenian Genocide in France. Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian a stalemate. ANCA remains the major force in the US, lobbying to influence Contributing Photographers: Western countries are eager to preserve Azerbaijan’s territorial legislation as the Armenian Assembly is bogged down in lawsuits Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair integrity, albeit on false promises; additionally it is the Western pow - with Gerard Cafesjian. They both seem to be determined to Hovsepian ers’ declared policy to break up Iran and to attach its northern destroy all hopes of completing the Genocide Museum in region to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Washington by the year 2015. This is a historic watershed when Time is against Armenia as Azerbaijan is being armed at a rapid Armenians may be engaged in self-flagellation, while the Turks The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published pace and the partition of Iran looms on the horizon. celebrate our failure. weekly, except two weeks in July, by: The , with its limited resources, can make a dif - Meanwhile, although we have scored a minor victory in Australia, Baikar Association, Inc. ference and the case in point of Australia proves it. Indeed, heart - its significance and impact is greater, as it places the Karabagh issue 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 ening news came from Australia’s premiere province, New South on the world political agenda. Telephone: 617-924-4420 FAX: 617-924-2887 www.mir rorspectator.com E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com For advertising: [email protected] It’s Time for an Independent Kurdistan

Kurdish dilemma has its roots in the fall of the three-decade civil war against its 14 million SUBSCRIPTION RATES : By Stanley Weiss Ottoman Empire. Guaranteed self-determina - Kurds, claiming 40,000 lives. Although it has tion by the Allied powers, the Kurds signed the supported regime change in Syria, the Turkish 1920 Treaty of Sévres, only to watch the government has “an almost pathological fear” U.S.A. $80 a year Had the course of history taken a modest Europeans stand passively by as the Ottoman of a greater Kurdistan, and can be expected to swerve, the United States and Kurdistan army officer Mustafa Kemal Atatürk cobbled strenuously resist any attempt at Kurdish uni - Canada $125 a year might have celebrated their independence on together a country of his own, forming what is fication. Turkish tanks now patrol the shared now Turkey out of the Kurds promised land. In border with Syria, intent on preventing any Other Countries $190 a year the very same day. It was July 4, 1187 — 825 years ago — that Saladin, Islams greatest ruler, the years since, the Kurds have been massacred activity from spilling over into its borders. defeated 20,000 outmatched Crusaders at the by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, gassed by Should that powder keg ignite, Turkey — a bloody Battle of Hattin. The victory ultimately Saddam Hussein and forgotten by the rest of NATO ally — could very well drag the US into © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator delivered Jerusalem into the hands of Saladin, the world. In Syria, their language is banned; in a cross-border shooting war with Syria, with Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA the crown jewel of an Islamic caliphate stretch - Turkey, a Member of Parliament with the Russia quite possibly propping up its Syrian and additional mailing offices. ing from the shores of Tunis through Cairo, temerity to pledge an oath “to the Turkish and proxy. Meanwhile Iran, boasting an infamous - ISSN 0004-234X and Damascus. Kurdish peoples” was released from a decade in ly brutal history with its own Kurds, remains a If the Kurds most famous son had bothered jail — only to be re-sentenced this year. regional wildcard spinning nuclear centrifuges POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, to identify himself as such, it may well have With the Assad regime now crumbling, ten - as fast as possible. Watertown, MA 02471-0302 been the beginning of a Kurdish empire to sions between the Kurdish minority and their The dispossessed have become dangerously Other than the editorial, views and opinions rival the Ottomans or the Persians. But many tormentors, always tragic, are becoming destabilizing. The overlooked can no longer be expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Saladin fought for God and not for country, a major geopolitical threat. Desperate to crush overlooked. And what was once a Middle eflect the policies of the publisher. leaving his hapless compatriots at the mercy the Syrian revolution in its infancy, Assad has Eastern flashpoint may yet become a safety of Ottoman chieftains, British cartographers transferred troops away from the Kurdish valve for spiking regional tensions. and malevolent Arab strongmen. provinces to the north, leaving a power vacu - It will not be easy, but the uncertainty and Today, the 25 million Kurds clustered at the um into which two Kurdish political parties plasticity in the region today offers an oppor - contiguous corners of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and have stepped. If Assad falls, Syria will splinter tunity to secure a Kurdish homeland and rem - Syria are the largest ethnic group on earth into religiously or ethnically homogenous edy the capricious map-making of the early without a formal homeland. As the US aban - mini-states, one of which will almost certainly 20th century. Iraq is threatening to split into Copying for other than personal use or dons Iraq to its own devices and Iran rattles be under Kurdish control. Coupled with the the pre-Iraq Sunni, Shia and Kurdish divisions internal reference is prohibited without uranium sabers, as Turkey cracks down on its recent emergence of a relatively independent of the Ottoman Empire, with the Kurds semi- express permission of the copyright Kurds and Saladins Damascus descends into Kurdish region in Iraq, this would create independent and the Iran-allied Shiites ruling owner. Address requests for reprints or something of a league of semi-autonomous the Sunnis. Irans economy is in free-fall. Syria back issues to: the unrestrained slaughter of Bashar Assads, the millennium-long dream of an independent Kurdish states between the northeast regions will soon have no central control and no Baikar Association, Inc. Kurdistan could be the answer to this unfold - of Syria and Iraq. choice. And while no country is eager to sur - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 ing Middle Eastern nightmare. This combustible state of affairs greatly render a fifth of its population, Turkey would As with many conflicts in the region, the alarms Turkey, which has waged a bloody, continued on next page S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

elsewhere. These funds could be raised from both non- ic fate of Syrian Armenians should receive priority atten - Armenian and Armenian sources. tion from all Armenians at this critical juncture, as it is a Non-Armenian sources would include: the US Congress, matter of life and death. All other problems and projects United States Agency for International Development should be placed on the back burner. (USAID), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2) Lobbying: the , Armenian My Turn (UNHCR), international humanitarian organizations and political parties, and influential individuals must urge the other governmental agencies. Great Powers, key neighboring states and international By Harut Sassounian Armenian sources would include: the Republic of organizations to pressure all warring sides in Syria to avoid Armenia, major Armenian organizations and businesses causing civilian casualties. If such pleadings are not fruit - and individual benefactors. Funds could also be raised ful, more stern measures should be taken against offenders Aleppo Burns While We Fiddle: from the general public through special events, mass mail - by cutting off financial and military assistance, and charg - A Wake-up Call to All Armenians ers and telethons. ing them with war crimes. If need be, demonstrations can It is regrettable that the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund be held in front of embassies of countries supporting those For almost two years, Armenians worldwide have fol - and its regional affiliates have failed to properly assess the responsible for civilian casualties. lowed the vicious civil war in Syria with great anxiety and critical condition of Syrian Armenians, as reflected in the 3) Coordinating: A pan-Armenian entity should be creat - concern for the safety and survival of their compatriots. inexcusable decision of allocating to them a mere 10 per - ed, similar to the committee for the 100th anniversary of Regrettably, dozens of innocent Armenians were killed or cent of the proceeds from this year’s Thanksgiving the Armenian Genocide, to coordinate all efforts worldwide injured by indiscriminate gunfire and shelling, while many Telethon. This has created a strong resentment among the for fundraising and lobbying for Syrian Armenians. The others have been kidnapped. Armenian homes, churches Armenian public toward the Armenia Fund. It is still not members of such a body would consist of the leaders of the and schools have been looted, damaged or burned. too late to take corrective action and allocate the full 100 Republics of Armenia and Artsakh as well as the represen - Thousands of families, scrambling to save themselves, fled percent of the telethon’s proceeds to Syrian Armenians tatives of major Diaspora organizations. The coordinating to Armenia and the neighboring countries. both at home and abroad as refugees. Contributors to the committee must have full-time staff to carry out the neces - In recent months, as the situation assumed alarming pro - telethon should specifically request that one hundred per - sary tasks in a timely and professional manner. The pan- portions, the Armenian government and Diaspora commu - cent of their donations be earmarked to Syrian Armenians. Armenian entity would interface with the inter-communal nities finally began making preliminary plans to help Alternatively, they can donate to the Syrian Armenian committee in Syria to ensure that the donated funds serve Syrian Armenians. Relief Fund, a pan-Armenian committee established in sev - their intended purpose. These efforts, although well intentioned, were too little, too eral countries in recent weeks. The Fund will send one hun - It is understandable that due to the sensitive nature of late. Until now, there has not been a coordinated and compre - dred percent of the contributions it has collected to its the situation in Syria, not all efforts can be publicized. hensive plan to deal with this enormous humanitarian crisis. counterpart operating in Syria. Nevertheless, the Government of Armenia and Diaspora Below is an outline of the three key tasks that require the imme - In recent days, I have received heartbreaking phone calls organizations must take some concrete and explicit steps to diate attention and support of all Armenians: from compatriots in Syria, desperately pleading with reassure Syrian-Armenians that they are not abandoned to 1) Fundraising: Tens of millions of dollars are required to Armenians worldwide to help them before it is too late. It their tragic fate, that Armenians around the world care meet the urgent needs of and those is unconscionable to give a mere pittance to fellow deeply for their well-being and will do everything possible who have sought refuge in Armenia, Lebanon, Jordan, and Armenians whose lives are at risk every moment. The trag - to support them in their greatest hour of need.

from previous page do well to get ahead of this issue — ending the vicious, ongoing war with the Kurdistan Workers Turkish Accession Is ‘of Minor Importance’ to EU Party (PKK), saving countless lives and positioning themselves to reap the benefits of a long-term During a three-day visit to Berlin this week, affairs, Turkey intends to establish itself as a strategic alliance to counterbalance Iranian influ - Turkish Prime Minister Reçep Tayyip Erdogan By Kristen Allen regional power and is learning about the diffi - ence. Not to mention, membership in the made a confident impression, swaggering culties associated with this thanks to the war European Union will forever be out of reach for a through the German capital to open an enor - going on at its backdoor in Syria.” Turkey at war with itself. mous new Turkish embassy and hold talks with Chancellor Angela The Financial Times Deutschland writes: “The meeting in Berlin For proof of what’s possible, look no further Merkel. reveals just how much the relationship between Europe and Turkey than Iraqi Kurdistan, a pro-American, pro-Israel The two leaders made the standard statements about deepening has changed. A few years ago, the EU and the conservative govern - and semi-autonomous parliamentary democracy relations between their countries, with nods to Germany’s large ment in Berlin behaved like the much-desired queen of a school most Americans have never heard of. Nurtured by Turkish diaspora of some three million. But inevitably, the long-suf - dance. Then, they were only willing to grant the Turks a second-class an American no-fly zone in the aftermath of the fering topic of Turkey’s accession to the European Union came up, relationship. The country full of Muslims and poor farmers was sup - first Gulf War, the Kurdistan Regional Government and Erdogan went so far as to set an ultimatum on the issue. posed to be grateful that they were being offered anything at all. But (KRG) was established under the Iraqi Negotiations have been stalled for years over Turkey’s human since the euro crisis began, Europe, the former beauty, now has Constitution in 2005, a stunning testament to the rights record, its conflict with neighboring Cyprus, an EU member other concerns, mainly itself. That also has to do with the fact that success of Muslim representative government. Of and doubts from key members Germany and France. But on Turkey itself seems to be losing interest. Still, in Berlin Erdogan more than 4,800 American soldiers killed in the Tuesday, Erdogan warned that if Turkey isn’t admitted by the coun - pushed for talks to begin again — though he didn’t reveal how he brutal battles for Iraq, not a single one has lost try’s 100th anniversary in 2023, then the EU would lose its chance plans to make that possible.” their life — and no foreigner has been kidnapped — to have a prosperous and desirable member. He has also set this date The financial daily Handelsblatt writes: “Turkey is far from giving within the borders of Iraqi Kurdistan. Boasting as a goal for turning Turkey into an international economic and polit - up its path to Europe, even if the accession of Turkey doesn’t cur - two international airports, a booming oil industry ical power. rently take the highest priority for the EU. The self-confidence that and a dawning respect for the rights of women, Merkel addressed the tensions over the issue by ensuring that the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan showed in Berlin does not this 15,000 square-mile territory of nearly four mil - EU is an “honest negotiating partner,” and that “negotiations will go actually reflect the situation in which Turkey currently finds itself. lion Kurds is the one part of President George W. on regardless of the questions we still need to clarify.” The latter The return to Europe is due to developments in the Middle East. Bush’s “mission accomplished” that was actually statement was a reference to a recent European Commission Turkey oriented itself toward the east and south in an attempt to accomplished. progress report on Turkey’s failures to make democratic reforms and gain new prominence in the Middle East and the Caucasus. This Building on this unanticipated success, the US take other steps toward accession to the 27-member bloc since talks strategy hasn’t worked very quickly, though. The Arab Spring, which should rethink its previous opposition to an inde - began in 2005. Turkey had seen as a welcome opportunity to present itself as an pendent greater Kurdistan and recognize that the Nevertheless, Merkel’s conservatives would prefer that the Muslim coun - alternative model to the despots in the region, has not brought the advantages of a friendly, democratic and strategi - try remain in a “privileged partnership” rather than becoming a full mem - expected awakening. The civil war in Syria is also a brutal reminder cally-positioned ally far outweigh the outdated ber. But with a booming economy and increasing influence in the Middle to Erdogan that his leadership in Ankara still leaves much to be assumption that the Kurds national liberation East, Erdogan feels the country deserves more attention. desired. His foreign policy principle of being a ‘good neighbor’ has would result in regional conflagration. At this In an effort to highlight what Turkey has to offer, the prime min - failed, also with respect to Israel.” point, inaction is far more likely to provoke con - ister took the opportunity in Berlin to lecture the EU on its curren - The left-leaning daily Berliner Zeitung writes: “What an absurd tinued regional conflict. Whether that means call - cy crisis, urging officials on Tuesday night to come up with solutions appearance! Europe currently has other things to do than think ing for US-brokered talks with Turkey or a tempo - as soon as possible and suggesting that his demographically young about new member states. Our attention is absorbed by the euro cri - rary UN peacekeeping force, sanctions or scaled up nation with strong economic growth would ease the burden as an sis. There is a risk the EU will break up. In this situation, those who foreign investment, the US should make every EU member. call for the inclusion of a large, but also foreign, country like Turkey effort to incentivize the consolidation and emer - It is a suggestion that German commentators on Thursday said is won’t find much empathy. In the current situation, it is difficult for gence of a single, stable, secure Kurdish homeland. “absurd.” Europe has far greater worries than Turkey right now, they the EU to even consider making a small country like Croatia a mem - After a thousand years of turning a thousand say, and Turkey seems to have lost interest anyway. ber.” blind eyes, the world cant keep kicking the Conservative daily Die Welt writes: “For a Europe in severe crisis, The best arguments in favor of EU membership for Turkey are not Kurdish can down the road. Somewhere along that the question of Turkish accession is of minor importance, particu - the country’s strengths, but its weaknesses. Of course Europe would bloodstained road to Damascus, the region needs larly after recognizing the painful error of integrating other margin - benefit from the economic and demographic dynamics of Turkey. to experience this epiphany — and soon. The first al countries […] The EU is a community of values, not an education - But even more important is what will happen if they remain perma - major protests in Syria began outside the al institution. Turkey may be experiencing an economic boom, but it nently outside. The fact that the accession negotiations have dragged Ummayad Mosque, Islams fourth-holiest site and is not a democratically secure country. Erdogan himself called 2023, on for years has already provided us with a taste. the location of Saladins tomb. Saladins descen - when the Republic of Turkey celebrates its 100th anniversary, the First, the situation in Turkey itself: The democratic reform process dants, it seems, are on the march once more. These final deadline. But accession is not a gift.” has come to a halt, not only because Erdogan has lost his appetite Kurds want to be heard. Will the US — and the The conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes: “Turkey for debate and renewal during his long years in power, but also world — listen? is a country in which so-called traditional values — marriage, family, because the prospect of EU membership is missing […] Turkey’s for - country — are still important to many people. In Europe, it is pri - eign policy developments are also disquieting. Since it has become (Stanley A. Weiss is the founding chairman of marily liberal and left-wing politicians who are working vigorously for clear just how tough the EU accession negotiations would be, Turkey Business Executives for National Security, a non - the inclusion of Turkey into the EU. But the country’s accession has turned away from Europe, the US and Israel towards the Muslim partisan organization based in Washington. This would certainly not make Europe more ‘left’ or ‘liberal.’ ... world. This effort toward regional domination has not been particu - article was originally published on the Huffington Membership in the EU was once a cardinal foreign policy objective larly successful, but has created new risks.” Post Blog, on November 5.) of his conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), but that’s over. The current vision is to retain power until 2023. In foreign (This article originally appeared on Spiegel Online on November 1.) 16 S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 10, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR