JULY 27, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 2, Issue 4296 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Ukrainian Expert Karabagh Urges Recognition of Increasingly KIEV, (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Situations Modeling Agency Deputy Director, Alexey Golobutski, commented on the submis- sion of a draft resolution on Genocide recogni- Attractive tion to Ukraine’s Supreme Council. “The Armenian Genocide has to be recog- nized. The Armenian example shows how the For Tourists national tragedy unifies people to make them even stronger,” he told Analitika.at.ua. On June 6, a draft resolution on the recogni- STEPANAKERT (AFP) — Sniper fire, tion of the Armenian Genocide was submitted minefields, ghost towns: perched perilously to Ukraine’s Supreme Council. The bill was ini- on the verge of conflict Nagorno Karabagh tiated by parliamentarians Vilen Shatvoryan may not sound the ideal holiday destina - and Arsen Avakov. tion. Now, though, a growing number of foreign tourists are heading to Karabagh and saying they are seeing a different side Armenian Foreign A panel of community leaders and government officials disucss the plans for the to its war-scarred image, Agence France- Minister Visits new Armenian Genocide museum in Montevideo. Presse writes. Wandering around the region’s largest BRUSSELS (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Armenian town Stepanakert as part of a tour group Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian arrived here Armenian Genocide Museum whose members come from places ranging on July 22. from Turin to Taiwan, French pharmacist Minister Nalbandian was expected to attend the Jordan Nahoum said that while he knew all meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Project Is Launched in Uruguay about Nagorno Karabagh’s bloody past, he Union and Eastern Partnership countries, the was surprised by what he found. Ministry of Foreign Affairs press office reported. MONTEVIDEO (Diario ) — The presentation of the project of an “People are very nice and open,” Armenian Genocide Museum in Uruguay was launched on Wednesday, July 17. Nahoum, 23, told AFP. “It is very safe here The project has been organized by the Uruguay Ministry of Education and the and I see many tourists from different Levon Aronian Training Armenian community of Uruguay. countries — I don’t feel myself in danger.” For World Cup The museum will be the first of its kind created by a state initiative outside the AFP reminds that “despite a fragile 1994 territory of Armenia. ceasefire that ended major hostilities, (PanARMENIAN.Net ) — World No. 2 Uruguayan Undersecretary of Education Oscar Gomez said that the initiative repeated attempts to get Armenia and Levon Aronian will play at World Chess Cup in the “ratifies the Uruguayan policy of the defense of human rights.” Gomez recalled to sign a final peace deal over Norwegian city of Tromso from August 10 through that Uruguay was the first country in the world to recognize the Armenian the past two decades have failed, and both September 3. Genocide in 1965. sides — especially oil-rich Azerbaijan — are The is readying for the tournament “The museum will not only refer to the Armenian Genocide, but also to the rearming heavily.” in Armenia, where he plans to hold a team practice defense of human rights in general and the recognition of other genocides, such Soldiers along the heavily fortified front - session. as the Holocaust or the African genocide during the era of slavery,” he added. line exchange gunfire almost daily, with “I’ll stay in Armenia till early August to later leave both sides blaming each other for violating for Norway. Here I had a chance to train every day, the ceasefire. So far this year some 20 sol - which I’m very glad about. I’ll try to show a good per - diers from both sides have been killed. formance at the World Cup, yet my main goal is vying Despite this, the local authorities have for the World Champion’s title,” Aronian said. Armenian Government Tries to Help pumped money into promoting the region Aronian and his teammate Gabriel Sargissian opened at tourist fairs overseas, and they say the a chess school in Yerevan, with the grandmaster to con - Driver of Truck that Plowed into Bus drive is paying off. vene a practice session in early December. Over the past few years, local authorities “Children will greatly benefit from meeting and (PanARMENIAN.Net and father was needed he left his family and vol - say, visitor numbers have grown by 40 per - being taught by well-known chess players,” Aronian ArmeniaNow) — Armenian Ombudsman unteered to go [to the front], now he is the cent annually and in 2012 the number of said. Karen Andreasyan returned from Moscow one who needs help,” she said, adding that foreign tourists — not counting visitors where he met with Hrachya Harutyunyan, although she would be happy if her father from Armenia’s huge Diaspora — topped the Armenian man charged with causing a were found not guilty, but even if he gets 15,500 people. Several Killed as deadly road accident outside Moscow on sentenced, she wishes he had the chance to “This unprecedented growth shows that Rebels Shoot at Buses July 13. at least serve it in his native country. despite the heated confrontation with As the Ombudsman said at a news con - Aram Vardevanyan, from the Azerbaijan we’ve created an image of Headed to ference in Yerevan, the head of the Union of Ombudsman’s office of Armenia, has stated Karabagh as a pleasant place for tourism, of Ara Abrahamyan that if countries are on friendly terms, safe and interesting,” says Sergey ALEPPO (PanARMENIAN.Net ) — A rebel attack vowed to extend financial to head the team see CRASH, page 16 see TOURISM, page 2 on two buses going on the Aleppo-Beirut route car - of Harutyunyan’s defenders. rying Syrian-Armenians, among others, this week, An investigation will be conducted to has left several dead and injured. clarify the reasons for Harutyunyan having The attack happened 30 kilometers from Aleppo. been brought to the court after the incident US House Panel Approves Deep Cuts in a woman’s robe and discover those responsible, the Ombudsman noted. On FY2014 Foreign Aid Spending In conclusion, the human rights defender INSI DE stressed that though understandable, pub - WASHINGTON — The US House hear from their Armenian American lic outrage over violation of the country - State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee constituents about the vital role that man’s rights must not be turned into an proposed a significant reduction in for - our aid programs to Armenia and international conflict. eign aid spending for Fiscal Year 2014. Karabagh play in advancing US interests Mush A total of 18 people died after the truck According to the Armenian National in a strategic region,” said ANCA Harutyunyan was driving, packed with Committee of America (ANCA), it would Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “If gravel, ran into a passenger bus in an out - cut nearly 20 percent from both last you haven’t called your legislators, call Heroines lying area of Moscow. year’s figures and the Obama them now. If you’ve already called, call If found guilty, he faces at least seven Administration’s budget request. them again. Make sure they know where Page 10 years in jail. Harutyunyan claims faulty While specific country levels, includ - you stand.” brakes on the vehicle caused the accident. ing allocations for Armenia and The full House Appropriations His daughter, Lilit Harutyunyan, said on Nagorno Karabagh, have not yet been Committee was scheduled to review the Wednesday that his father had been driving made public, sources report that across- foreign aid bill on Wednesday, July 24th. INDEX cargo trucks for two decades and never had a the-board cuts are foreseen on most A parallel process on the Senate side Arts and Living ...... 10 single accident. The daughter says accounts and some multilateral pro - began on Tuesday, July 23rd, with the Armenia ...... 2 Harutyunyan is a Karabagh war veteran and grams being cut by up to 60 percent. Senate State-Foreign Operations Community News...... 5 went to Russia only three months ago because “With Congress considering unprece - Subcommittee taking up its version of Editorial ...... 13 a company there had offered him a job. dented cuts in foreign aid spending, leg - the measure. Armenian Americans International ...... 3 “I am asking our officials — I know they islators in the House and Senate need to see BUDGET, page 16 can help within the scope of their authori - ty — to help as much as possible. When my 2 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA

News From Armenia socially vulnerable and large families there. Two-story and Life at the Edge: newly-built, although yet unfinished, the houses are stand - ing proudly. “We are going to have a new house, with four rooms. A Visit to the Border New house, new hope! We are sure that everything will be More than 10,000 all right. My husband is a master himself, he is building Signatures Collected Village of Khachik our house with his own hands,” said 38-year-old Vard Abrahamyan, the mother of four. Protesting Transport During the soviet years people were actively working the land, growing fruit and vegetable, but now because of Fare Hikes By Gohar Abrahamyan the irrigation problem many have given up on their once YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Pay 100 Dram lush gardens and abundant orchards. action participants are holding a signature collec- KHACHIK, Armenia (ArmeniaNow) — Backed by the “Our gardens dried out during the years of the war. We tion campaign urging fellow citizens to protest high mountains of Nakhijevan, topped with sparkling are now trying to restore them, but lack of irrigation water against transport fare hike. white peak of little Masis, people of a border village 120 won’t let us. We have mechanical pumps, with the help of “Don’t allow oligarchs – the owners of transport kilometers from Yerevan guard their land from an enemy which we irrigate the land, but they are not of much help, lines - to get rich at your expense. Drivers, we’re they have resisted for two decades. because they are old and worn out and often fail, and not protesting against you,” the leaflets distributed Nested on the slope of broad-shouldered mountains, there are little reserves of gravity-flow water,” says the by protesters said. 500 meters from the Armenian-Azeri border, Khachik vil - community leader. The action participants are urging the bus and lage of shares a 27-kilometer border The village head says the irrigation issue was discussed minibus drivers to join in the protest by launching with Nakhijevan, now part of Azerbaijan. with the country leader and suggestions were made on a strike. Khachik is a testament to her More than 10,000 signatures have been collected heroes. Love and duty to the so far to be submitted to Yerevan Municipality. motherland go without saying On Thursday, July 18 a 50-percent increase in here. The village is a tiny part of public transport price was confirmed, with passen- the country where Armenia gers to be charged 150 drams, up from 100 drams. begins and ends. The rate increase fuelled rallies, with several car “The village took an active owners joining the protesters by offering free trans- part in the [national liberation] portation. movement. In 1989, it got shelled by artillery attack, we had to arrange our defense and strike Celebrating Actor back. We stood together, young and old, and kept our village,” Mkrtchyan’s Birthday recalls Vardan Nersisyan, 46, the YEREVAN (PanArmenian.net) — July 4 marked the village community leader. “In 83rd anniversary of the birth of deceased actor Khachik, our opponent almost Mher Mkrtchyan. Mkrtchyan (1930-1993) was a never breaks the ceasefire regime popular Soviet-Armenian actor who was named a signed in 1994. This village The border village of Khachik People’s Artist of the in 1984. fought a heroic battle to survive.” Mkrtchyan was born in Leninakan, currently There are now 1,028 people liv - Gumri, Armenia. He studied in Leninakan Art ing in Khachik, which had 1,400 residents before building a reservoir, because the water generated by the College and Theatre Studio and the Yerevan Armenia’s independence. Just like in many villages of melting snow flows completely towards Nakhijevan; no Institute of Fine Arts and Theatre. Armenia, in Khachik, too, there are locked doors indicat - steps have been taken so far. In 1953, he started performing in Yerevan’s ing immigration, which the village head says is not much, The majority of men in Khachik are contract service - Sundukyan Drama Theatre. The actor directed but there are some who leave. men; they also breed livestock, do a little bit of farming many successful productions, including Maxim “Not many resort to labor migration; those who do and and sell the produce at the market. Gorky’s “The Lower Depths.” find jobs, come back to take their families,” says the vil - Khachik now yields around 50 tons of grapes in the sea - His cinema career began in 1955. His famous lage head and stresses with regret that the birth rate in son, instead of the 100-120 tons before. Nersisyan says roles in Rolan Bykov’s “Aybolit-66” (1966), Leonid the village has dropped. “Traditionally in our village fami - they are expecting abundant crops this year. Gaidai’s “Kidnapping, Caucasian Style” (1966) and lies used to have four or five children; today they settle on The biggest of the only three shops belongs to Alvard Georgi Daneliya’s “Mimino” (1977) earned him the one or two.” Iskandaryan’s family. Her words depict best the social pic - reputation of one of the leading comedy actors in The big family of Abrahamyans lives in a house that ture of the village. the Soviet Union. bears the stamp of the war. They are a traditional “We have run a shop since 1998, then in 2004 opened Armenian rural family where three generations reside this one. It is a general store, has everything in it — together: four children, parents, and grandparents. clothes, hardware, pottery, fruit and vegetable, staples,” Hasmik Papyan to close “We built this house 52 years ago, then it suffered from says Iskandaryan, 47, opens a drawer and takes out debt- Concert season of the hands of ‘Turks’ [they commonly call Azeris ‘Turks’]. lists totaling to 7 million drams ($17,000). “People here We were poor, but worked hard, supported one another, take everything on credit, the day-by-day growing prices Philharmonic Orchestra have overcome days of privation, have had children, raised put them in a difficult state. People are short of money.” YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The world famous opera them, sent boys to the army, then they got married, and In 2012, the only school shelled during the war got full singer Hasmik Papyan will perform a concert with now we rely on our sons to take care of us. We will live repair sponsored by the Social Investment Fund of the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra on and see how they will manage,” says 77-year-old Taguhi Armenia. The school has 110 students. The village’s cul - July 25. As Armenpress was reported by the Press Yeghoyan, smiling through the web of wrinkles the years ture house, offering free weightlifting and dance classes, is Service of the Armenian State Philharmonic have marked her face with. From the window of her house now under repair as well. Orchestra, the APO will present the closing Gala damaged yet from the war she points to the roof of their The village standing out with its historical-cultural mon - concert dedicated to Wagner’s and Verdi’s 200th new house, a few streets down from where they live. uments is taking steps to also develop tourism. anniversary. The soloist in the Vienna State Opera, The Abrahamyans are among the lucky 12 families of The state and various foundations’ assistance help to the world famous soprano Hasmik Papayan will Khachik who have all their hopes for better future linked ease the burden of hardship for Khachik residents and perform arias from operas by Wagner and Verdi. to their new house. inspire hopes for better future, but the always-present fear In 2012, the state budget allotted 50 million drams that the war might resume hangs over them like a big dark Armenia- Business (around $122,000) to Khachik for building houses for the ominous shadow. Forum Meets YEREVAN (Armenpress) — This city hosted an Armenian-Iranian business forum on July 16. Karabagh Increasingly Attractive for Tourists Armenian minister of economy, Vahram Avanesyan, attended the event, which was organized jointly by TOURISM, from page 1 risks being blacklisted by Baku, and tourism, who want to go to the front - the Tehran Chamber of Commerce and the Shahverdyan, head of Nagorno moves to open a new airport that line, but we have to explain to them Armenian Development Agency. Karabagh’s department for tourism. would boost Stepanakert’s links to the that it can be dangerous as there are Iran was represented by a delegation of busi- Once ravaged by fighting, the serene outside world have brought threats of minefields,” said Gohar Hovannisyan, a nessmen. The head of the Tehran Chamber of boulevards of Stepanakert — some 50 a return to war. manager at tour firm Sati. Commerce, Yahya Ale-Eshagh and the executive kilometers from the frontline – do not But for those willing to risk the jour - “We don’t hide anything about the director of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce feel like they are in a conflict zone and ney, tour operators argue that there is conflict,” says tour guide both gave speeches at the event. the town is now studded with new plenty to attract tourists to Nagorno Hovhannisyan. The Armenian Development Agency has orga- hotels and restaurants following a Karabagh — a spectacular highland Despite the region’s uncertain nized a series of events promoting business oppor- building boom in recent years. area of rugged mountains and thickly future, tourists like Andrey Hoynowski tunities for Armenian businessmen. Similarly, “If we can maintain this sort of forested hills. from Poland say they will be recom - Armenian-Polish and Armenian-Romanian business growth in visitors then in five years Despite the destruction of cultural mending a visit to their friends back forums have been organized in the first six months tourism will be one of the most prof - heritage in the war, the region remains home and that the added attention of 2013. In September, an Armenian-Greek business itable sectors for our budget,” studded with testaments to its rich and might even help Karabagh move on. forum is expected to take place, and by the end of Shahverdyan said, pointing out that no diverse history — from ancient ruins to “They need to resolve this conflict this year, Yerevan will host an international forum tourist had ever been injured in medieval monasteries and 18th-centu - peacefully, but in the meantime they on investment and innovation. Karabagh. ry mosques. shouldn’t stop tourists from travelling The article notes that “anyone visit - For some visitors though, that is not here,” Hoynowski, 59, said, smiling for ing Nagorno Karabagh — which is only enough. a photograph in front of the medieval accessible by road from Armenia — “There are those who prefer extreme . S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL

China’s Armenian Community ‘Intelligent Knife’ International News Recognizes Cancer Plans Center in Hong Kong Soccer Star Mkhitaryan LONDON (Irish Health) — HONG KONG (Armenpress) — The “I have been living in Hong Kong and Scientists have invented a surgical May Miss Season Start Armenian community of China, known China for 35 years and this is the most instrument that can tell surgeons as “ChinaHay,” gathered in Guangzhou touching Armenian event I have ever whether the tissue they are cutting Due to Ankle Injury to enjoy Arthur Apkarian’s music and attended. I am confident that the com - into is cancerous or not. DORTMUND, Germany (ArmeniaNow) — Borussia greet the news on opening of a dedicat - munity will organize more similar The so-called “intelligent knife” Dortmund’s new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan has ed Armenian community center in events in the future,” confessed Maxian. or “iKnife,” was developed by a been ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury, Hong Kong. Sebouth Kazarian, a resident of team from Imperial College it was reported last week. The musician and his band flew to China for the past eight years and rep - London in the UK. The 24-year-old Armenian midfielder, who joined China from Canada to perform in front resentative of the Armenian Chamber of As part of the first study to test the German club on a 27.5-million euro (nearly $36 of the Armenian community following Commerce and Industry in China, the instrument, it successfully diag - million) four-year contract from Shakhtar Donetsk the invitation of Jack (Hagop) Maxian added: ”It is very important to have nosed tissue samples from 91 earlier this month, picked up the injury during and Yercho Samuelian, long-time resi - such Armenian events to bring together patients with complete accuracy, Dortmund’s 4-1 friendly win over FC Luzern on dents of China, who covered all the the Armenian community of China. This providing information to surgeons earlier last week. expenses of bringing the artists to the is the type of events we need to have to in less than three seconds. Mkhitaryan, affectionately dubbed Miki by the country. show to our kids what the Armenian Laboratory tests usually take up to German press and fans, scored his second goal in “I would never have imagined that spirit is all about.” 30 minutes to reveal the same two pre-season appearances for Borussia in that the Armenian community of China had During the event, it was announced information. game, but limped from the field after sustaining such passionate young Armenians who that the Armenian community of China The scientists explained that if a the blow. despite being so far from Armenia or would soon have a dedicated communi - person has cancer involving a solid After he underwent a scan on Wednesday, their respective countries are full of the ty center in Hong Kong. The center will tumor, the best treatment is usual - Dortmund have confirmed that their new signing Armenian spirit. I mean it with all my be the first Armenian community center ly removal of the tumor. Some will be sidelined temporarily. heart when I see that I have fallen in in China’s resent history and is made healthy tissue is usually removed The regular season starts on August 9. love with this community,” Apkarian possible through the support of Maxian. as well, as it is often extremely dif - said after the concert. It will serve the Armenians living in ficult, if not impossible, to tell if a Maxian and Samuelian welcomed both Hong Kong and all around China tissue is cancerous simply by sight. ‘Parajanov’ Recognized more than 90 people, including Chinese- and act as a meeting place for “These results provide com - born Armenian children, who came Armenians from all around the world pelling evidence that the iKnife can As Best Ukrainian Film from different cities of the country, to traveling to the region. The community be applied in a wide range of can - At Odessa Festival listen to the Armenian musicians and center will also provide a space for cer surgery procedures. It provides dance all night. The hosts received the Chinese students as well as children of a result almost instantly, allowing YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The feature film guests in a Middle Eastern restaurant, Armenian origin living in China to learn surgeons to carry out procedures “Parajanov” was recognized as the best Ukrainian where they enjoyed numerous tradition - more about Armenian history, culture with a level of accuracy that hasn’t feature film in the Odessa Film Festival. “If the film al dishes. and language. been possible before. We believe it is considered Ukrainian in Ukraine, it should be has the potential to reduce tumor considered Armenian in Armenia, French in France recurrence rates and enable more and Georgian in . This is the infinity of patients to survive,” iKnife inventor Parajanov,” said the film’s director and lead actor, 715 detained during Gezi Park Protests, Dr. Zoltan Takats said. Serge Avedikian. Says Istanbul’s Public Prosecutor Meanwhile, according to study The film was shown in Armenia once at the clos- co-author and professor of surgery ing of the Golden Apricot International Film ISTANBUL (Hürriyet) — A total of of offenses committed against high-level at Imperial College London, Lord Festival on July 13. The film, which covers the last 715 people have been detained over the state officials. Ara Darzi, when operating on 20 years of the late director’s life, was made by course of the Gezi Park protests, The prosecutor’s statement accused someone with cancer, the aim is to Avedikian and Ukrainian producer and director Istanbul’s public prosecutor said July media outlets of exaggerating the take out as little healthy tissue as Elena Fetisova. 23, as Interior Minister Muammer Güler process, “claiming that detainments and possible, while removing all of the The producers got invitations from festivals in issued a warning to all security person - arrests were against the law” and falsely cancer. Venice, San Sebastian, Tokyo, Montreal and San nel with regard to the use of tear gas accusing authorities, including the pros - “There is a real need for technol - Paolo. The film was shot in Ukraine, France, and violence against protesters. ecutors, of protecting police officers. ogy that can help the surgeon Georgia and Armenia. The prosecutor’s statement came in Meanwhile, Güler issued a warning to determine which tissue to cut out the afternoon hours as a response to all police officers with regards to the and which to leave in. This study “the reports and comments on the Gezi protest interventions, calling on all shows that the iKnife has the Armenian GM Crowned media outlets that are damaging, and personnel to be careful about the use of potential to do this, and the impact King at Slovak Festival that have impacts on fair trials,” accord - tear gas, and about individuals launch - on cancer surgery could be enor - ing to the statement, which added that ing attacks on protesters. mous,” he said. BRATISLAVA (ArmeniaNow) — Armenian chess the overall number of detentions added The warning called on all personnel Dr Takats added that while this Grandmaster Sergei Movsesian beat Grandmaster up to 715. to not shoot tear gas canisters at groups study focused on cancer, the iKnife Jan Markos () to become the king of the Of those detained, 179 were sent to closer than 40 meters away, and not to can be used in other scenarios, live chess duel that was held within the framework court with arrest demands and 41 have use devices that went against the guide - such as identifying tissue with an of the festival in Bansca Stiavnica, Slovakia, last been arrested, the prosecutor’s office lines on protesters. Officers were also inadequate blood supply. week. added. Of the 41, 10 were released. told to wear their uniform vests. Details of these findings are pub - This is the fifth time Movsesian has been According to the statement, 110 Police forces should also prevent out - lished in the journal, Science crowned as king in Banska Stiavnica. Before this investigations have been launched into siders from attacking protesters, he fur - Translational Medicine. he got that title in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 win- insulting publications, with the majority ther said. ning accordingly against GMs Stohl, Navara, Hracek and Markos, reports Armchess.am. Earlier this month Movsesian took the first prize with a 100 percent result at a blitz competition in Avakian Jewelers Create New Scholarship the same Slovak town. GENEVA (Professional Jeweler) — Drama Wins Shukshin Avakian has announced Tiffany Baehler as the winner of its first Central Saint Fest Grand Prix Martins scholarship. The Genevan company revealed MOSCOW (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Natalia Baehler as its winner at a recent awards Belyauskene and Michael Poghosian’s “If Only ceremony. It had announced the scheme Everyone” won the main prize at the Shukshin in May this year, describing it a new Film Festival. philanthropic direction for the brand. Film producer Poghosian said it is the first time Baehler was chosen from a shortlist of in the history of the festival that the grand prix has five second year Central Saint Martins gone to two films: “If Only Everyone” and BA jewelry course students who were “Daughter” by Alexander Kasatkin and Natalia each invited to present their portfolios at Nazarova. an interview panel including Avakian “If Only Everyone” follows a girl named Sasha, director Corinne Avakian and the BA the daughter of a soldier who died in the Artsakh course leader Caroline Broadhead. war and an Armenian woman who had been killed Avakian will fund the cost of studies during the Sumgait pogroms. Baehler’s studies annually for the next After 20 years, she travels to Armenia to plant a three academic years. She has also tree on the grave of her father. Her father’s army scooped a six-month paid internship at friends help her, go through trials and adventures Avakian’s headquarters in Geneva. Corinne Avakian with scholarship winner Tiffany Baehler together, understanding that their lives did have a Corinne Avakian said: “Tiffany purpose and that the tree they plant is a symbol of demonstrated great imagination and life, not just a token of memory for the departed. originality in the development of her delighted to be in a position to offer this Central Saint Martins student Dennis designs. The diversity and range of her scholarship.” Song for a piece created to the brief of creativity really shone through and I am Avakian also awarded first year an “Oscars-style hair ornament.” 4 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Runner Wants to Build Armenian-American A ‘Boston Strong’ Community Honors Memorial Bridge over Sheriff Baca Section of I-90 PASADENA, Calif. — Members of the Armenian Council of America (ACA), civic lead - By Steve Annear ers and guests gathered at the Armenian Educational Benevolent Union center (AEBU) to welcome long-time friend and advocate of BOSTON (Boston Daily) — Tom Derderian the Armenian-American community, Los wants to build a memorial in the city that can Angeles County Sheriff Leroy “Lee” Baca. be seen from afar, but that will also connect the ACA Executive Board Member and Master of community and pay homage to the victims of Ceremonies Sevak Khatchadorian, provided a the Boston Marathon attack. brief introduction on the event’s highlights and To do that, he has proposed that a pedestrian spoke about the important political and advo - and running bridge be built across a busy strip cacy work that the ACA has undertaken since of highway, engraved with a tribute to those its inception in the United States and abroad. impacted by the blasts. “I want something over Tateos “Ted” Koroghlian, chairman of the the [Massachusetts Turnpike], which is a gate - Pasadena Chapter of the ACA welcomed Baca way to Boston,” said Derderian, a famed Boston to the stage as he discussed the Sheriff’s long- Marathon historian, and president of the New standing bond with the Armenian-American England association of USA Track & Field. “It’s Students at Sardarabad community, sharing his personal experience a fusion of a few notions, including that there is with the Sheriff and detailing his relentless already a lousy pedestrian bridge in that spot, efforts to continuously improving the quality of which I have run over many times.” life for all LA County residents. He first proposed the idea for a pedestrian Sheriff Baca thanked all those involved in memorial bridge over the highway back in May Graduates of Arshag coordinating the successful event and recog - during a meeting with board members from the nized the organization’s leaders and members organization, just a month after the attack. for their hard work and dedication to the Social After receiving positive feedback from others, Dickranian School Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP), ACA and he decided to continue to push the idea for - all its affiliate athletic, ward, and recently reached out to officials from educational, political Mayor Tom Menino’s office. Travel to Armenia and cultural organiza - Derderian said he has been corresponding tions. with people in the Parks Department, but Reiterating his wants to bring the concept to multiple depart - LOS ANGELES — The members of the class of 2013 of the Tekeyan Cultural stance towards recog - ment heads in order to craft a version of his pro - Association (TCA) Arshag Dickranian School (ADS) traveled to Armenia for a two- nition of the posal that everyone could agree on, while find - week excursion, from June 17 until July 1 — two days after their graduation cere - Armenian Genocide ing out how feasible such a project would be. mony. The group was accompanied by English Department chair, Ricardo Rocha, by the Turkish govern - He even had a sketch made of what he envi - the school’s long time executive secretary, Arpy Mazloumian, and her daughter, ment, Baca expressed sioned the bridge could look like. “The image is Astghik, herself an alumna of the school, and several parents. the position he is in. a rendering that I asked someone to do, just so The students first gathered at St. John Garabed Church to receive the blessings Having a working Sheriff Leroy Baca we had something for people to look at. It’s a of the Very Rev. Manoug Markarian before bidding farewell to their families and relationship with concept sketch and not an architectural heading to the airport by bus. Turkish government design,” he said. Rocha wrote about the officials as the sheriff of the largest county in In the latest issue of New England Runner, trip, “I had an extraordi - the nation, with the highest concentration of Derderian wrote that the bridge would symbol - nary cultural, social and residents of Armenian descent, creates an ize bringing people together, and could be used educational experience.” opportunity for the Sheriff to serve as an unof - to write the names of the victims on it, much The weather caused ficial liaison between the Armenian community like the names of soldiers who served in com - some delays to the and Ankara, providing a vehicle to voice our

TOM DERDERIAN PHOTO group’s arrival in Yerevan, concerns and issues via non-traditional chan - but when they arrived, nels not utilized by Armenian-American they celebrated their safe activists in the past. arrival with a meal at Sheriff Baca applauded the hard work of the Kofkas restaurant, near Armenian-American community, particularly in Ani Plaza Hotel, where the LA County, suggesting they are the the group stayed. strongest, most vocal and most organized advo - ADS students right before departing for Armenia The group visited Garni, cates of the Armenian Cause. Sheriff Baca , Ashtarak, ended his speech by encouraging young , the burial site of Mesrop Mashots, and Amberd on the slopes of Armenian-Americans to join the LA County Mt. Aragats, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Sardarabad and Monastery, where Sheriff’s department and to serve their com - Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. In addition, the group visited munity in the areas of law enforcement and Artsakh, where they stayed at Armenia Hotel. civic leadership. “In Artsakh, excursions to Gandasasar and Shushi followed, and my favorite “It was a great honor to introduce Sheriff An illustration of the bridge ‘expedition’ to , a ninth-century Armenian monastery located in Baca to our membership tonight and we were the village of Tatev in the Province on Syunik in Southern Armenia, which stands delighted to have him at our center,” said on a plateau on the edge of the deep gorge of the Vorotan River,” Rocha wrote. Koroghlian. “His love for the Armenian culture bat, and were honored at the Vietnam Memorial Back in Armenia, the trip continued with tours to Gumri, Vanadzor and Spitak. and his interest in Armenian-related issues is in Washington, DC. “The emotional part is to see TRAVEL, page 5 highly admirable and as Armenian-Americans, remember the Boston Marathon victims under we are fortunate to have such an important the ‘Boston Strong’ notion,” he said. “What elected official as both a friend and a colleague. could be better, symbolically, than something The event was a wonderful opportunity for us that links the community together? It’s a good to exchange ideas, as well as discuss important thing for transportation, as well as public issues that affect the lives of all those who health.” reside in the County of LA,” Koroghlian added. The idea of a bridge comes at a time when As a four-term sheriff and Los Angeles native, Menino is trying to form a task force to con - Baca grew up having close ties to the once ceptualize an appropriate memorial for those vibrant Armenian-American community of East affected by the Marathon attack on Boylston Los Angeles. Although he is of Mexican- Street. The makeshift memorial that accumu - American origin, his love for the Armenian cul - lated thousands of trinkets, letters, articles of ture, traditions and values prompted him to clothing, and other items, which was situated in marry his wife in an Armenian church over a Copley Square, was recently removed, and city decade ago. He has travelled to Armenia on sev - officials placed the objects in the city archives. eral official visits to meet leaders of the “Runners training for the marathon would Armenian government to discuss issues of con - pass over it and the buses carrying runners to cern of the . He is running the marathon start would pass under it. The for re-election in 2014 to serve his fifth term as Boston Strong Bridge would symbolize At Garni sheriff. He was recently awarded the 2013 strength and defiance and, of course, enhance Ferris E. Lucas Award for Sheriff of the Year by Boston as a pedestrian city friendly to bikers the National Sheriff’s Association. and runners,” Derderian said. S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Exorcising the Devil’s Triangle

RICHMOND, Va. (Style Weekly) — In the ’70s and ’80s, the Devil’s Triangle in the Museum District was a magnet for bikers and trouble. Today the neighborhood is a place you’d take your mom for a stroll and Sunday brunch. To complete the area’s transformation, the develop - By Ned Oliver er who helped usher it in is wondering: Can we please come up with a new name for the district that isn’t quite so, you know, evil-sounding? Bedros Bandazian says the triangle, which contains the block of North Sheppard Street bounded by Park and Patterson avenues, deserved its name when he started buying property there in 1986. “It was a night - mare,” Bandazian says. “When I con - vinced some of my investors to come in with me, the first thing they did was Developers Nathan Hughes, Bedros Bandazian and Raffi Bandazian have big plans for the Devil’s Triangle neighborhood. ask me to see a psy - chiatrist to see if I was crazy. Once a Facebook after attend - they’re working with Virginia Commonwealth University’s psychiatrist deter - ing the Viceroy’s debut urban planning program to pursue design changes for mined I was sane, dinner service Friday. some of their buildings, as well as streetscape improve - we went ahead with The space Viceroy ments, zoning changes and, yes, a new name for the dis - the purchase.” occupies is owned by trict. The neighbor - Bandazian’s property Bandazian is thinking something markedly less sul - hood is different management company, furous — “The Shoppes at Park and Sheppard.” But noth - now. That sense Bandazian & Holden. It ing’s been finalized and the company says it plans to work was solidified last manages nearly all the with the neighborhood. The projects have a two- to three- weekend with the retail space in the imme - year timetable. opening of Viceroy, a new modern restaurant in the former diate area and 20 units Zoe Anne Green, president of the Museum District Café Diem, the last faded reminder of the neighborhood’s in the greater Museum District. The crowds who packed Association, isn’t sold on “the Shoppes,” but she hates grittier days. the Viceroy for opening weekend saw “just the tip” of what when the area’s referred to as the Devil’s Triangle. “We “The old Devil’s Triangle has officially been exorcised,” his company has planned, Bandazian says. have fought tooth and nail to get rid of that moniker,” she 1st District City Councilman Jon Baliles posted on The company’s principals say things remain fluid, but says. “I’m sure there is a perfect name out there.”

Graduates of Arshag Dickranian THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR School Travel to Armenia AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES AND RESEARCH TRAVEL, from page 4 Armenia greeted all of us. The modernity, class “Tsakhadzor and Sevan — including a full view of and gallantry of the people, the ruins and the Present a Book Launch Sevanavank from the top of the mountain of the spirit of Armenia mesmerized all of us. My

peninsula — were gorgeous. We then visited impression of everyone on the trip — adults and A LEGACY OF ARMENIAN TREASURES: Dilijan and Hagharstin Monastery. At , students alike — was of extreme gratitude for Astghik and I accompanied some of the boys on a this once in a lifetime experience and opportu - THE ALEX AND MARIE jet skiing excursion. Our final day included an nity,” added Rocha. “Personally, I cannot wait optional tour to the Cathedral of Saint Gregory until I can take my wife and children to share in MANOOGIAN MUSEUM the Illuminator, a visit to the Ponchikanots and Armenia’s significance and relevance to the free time for packing,” he continued. whole world.” with “Throughout the trip, I was especially sur - Visiting Armenia is a traditional activity for prised by and pleased by the safety and securi - graduating students at TCA Arshag Dickranian Edmond A. Azadian ty of Armenia. Absolute peace and beauty are School. Executive Editor, A Legacy of Armenian Treasures understatements to describe not just the beau - For more information on the school, visit Advisor to the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum tiful country, but also the harmony with which www.dickranianschool.org. Saturday, August 24, 2013, 7:30 p.m., at the NAASR Center 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA

The Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum in Southfield, Michigan, is home to a large and rich collection of and artifacts, including illuminated manuscripts, early printed books, rugs and carpets, sacred vessels and vestments, textiles and embroidery, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, coins, and objects from the ancient kingdom of . The newly published volume A Legacy of Armenian Treasures featu›Žœ –˜›Ž ‘Š— ŗŜŖ ˜ ‘Ž –žœŽž–Ȃs most vital and beautiful pieces, each reproduced in full color and accompanied by a detailed entry. The book features a Foreword by Thomas F. Mathews of New York University and an Introduction by Edmond Y. Azadian; Sylvie Merian of the Pierpont Morgan Library served as the Editorial Coordinator and museum director Lucy Ardash was the General Coordinator. Essays by nine renowned scholars of Armenian art and artifacts shed light not only on the artistic significance of these objects but on their cultural context as well. At this book launch event, Edmond Azadian will provide background information on the develop- ment of the Manoogian Museum and the creation of A Legacy of Armenian Treasures. Introductory re- marks will be given by Alin Gregorian, Editor of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, and Marc Mamigonian, Director of Academic Affairs, NAASR.

Admission is free (donations appreciated). A reception will follow the program. The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:00 p.m. A Legacy of Armenian Treasures will be available for one night only at a special sale price of $ 60 including sales tax (regular price $75.00 plus tax).

Parking is available around the NAASR building and in adjacent areas.

Planting trees in Artsakh 6 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS US Women’s Water Polo Coach Adam Krikorian Named National Coach of the Year

Olympic tournament. “And the way to show our ing vicariously through him this By Andrew Gastelum gratitude to the world was to show that he was whole time.” a gold medalist as well.” For the most part, Krikorian, But while the basketball Coach K returned to 38, chooses to ignore past suc - LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles Times) — Adam endorsements, fame and a multimillion-dollar cess. He says it hurts to look Krikorian, the US women’s water polo coach, contract, Krikorian returned to the Little backward in the pursuit of mov - says he can’t recall what exactly happened in League games he missed and family dinners he ing forward. He left that to USA those final seconds of anticipation. A coach’s used to eat cold. Water Polo, who took note of his short-term memory, he says. But what he does But things could have turned out quite dif - past — 14 national champi - remember from that August evening wasn’t so ferently for Krikorian, who lives in Manhattan onships in nine years as coach of much a sight or a sound but the weight. Beach. Because they grew up fans of the San the UCLA men’s and women’s Krikorian coached the US women’s team to Francisco Giants, his older brothers, Blake and programs. its first gold medal at the 2012 London Jason, created Slingbox, a television streaming Such success has taught Olympics. But as a coach, he does not receive a device that allows people to watch the home TV Krikorian about water polo’s tra - medal. Only players do. from anywhere over the Internet. Slingbox sold dition of celebrating a champi - Instead, he got 13, one by one by one. for $380 million. onship, one that involves tossing “The coolest memory for me was at the end Still, the coach is seen as the lucky one in the everyone in the pool. Since tak - of the ceremony when all the athletes put the competitive family. ing over as the national team medals around my neck,” Krikorian said of the “There’s definitely those thoughts that say ‘I coach in 2009, Krikorian has more than 11 pounds of gold-plated accom - could be just hanging out right now if I got in gone for a dip in full attire at a plishment. “It was a gesture that was more with them.’ But I don’t have the same love that world cup, world championship, meaningful than anything I’ve experienced dur - they do,” Krikorian said. “Actually, they always Pan American Games and most ing my coaching career.” tell me they wish they were able to do what I recently in London. He’s the other Coach K, the water polo one am doing.” “It’s a bunch of new belts and according to his Twitter account. But last Blake, a former UCLA water polo player, said new shoes you have to buy,” month, the US Olympic Committee selected he would have loved to have Adam on the Krikorian said, jokingly. “It never Krikorian as national coach of the year over the Slingbox team, but never wanted to force him gets old though. But now we’re other Coach K, Duke men’s basketball Coach to leave his passion for coaching. looking toward the world cham - Mike Krzyzewski. “Starting a company and selling a company pionships in Barcelona.” After the US women’s Olympic water polo team won in 2012, “Adam was the one who got us to that point has tons of ups and downs but there is nothing Of the 15 national champi - all of the players put their gold medals around Krikorian’s neck and helped us become one team,” said Maggie like the adrenaline of sport,” Blake said. “He onship rings — he won one as a because coaches are not awarded one. It was more than 11 Steffens, the most valuable player of the doesn’t know how good he’s got it. I’ve been liv - player at UCLA — Krikorian has pounds of hardware. “misplaced” a few. Why not blame it on short-term memory? It has gotten him this far. “He likes to talk about how heavy those “It’s the journey and the bonds you’ve forged medals were, but I think it was just a symbol of Martin Saradjian Receives Faculty that are more powerful in that moment than a how much weight he carries as a coach,” medal, ring or award will ever be,” he said. Steffens said. Krikorian doesn’t have to remember his success. That’s one memory he might allow to stick Award at Boston University After all, others will do plenty of that for him. around.

BOSTON — Prof. Martin L. Saradjian of Legal Issues in Hi-Tech. Lexington received the Boston University Saradjian holds a BA and MA from the Telephone (617) 924-7400 Roger Deveau Part-Time Faculty Award at the University of Connecticut, and a JD from the Metropolitan College Commencement held at New England School of Law, and has taken the Agganis Arena. advanced courses at Harvard Law School in the Aram Bedrosian The award is given to a part-time faculty Professional Studies for Lawyers Program. member that exemplifies the qualities of excel - Dean Chirkushev pointed out at the Funeral Home, Inc. lence in the mastery of his courses; a distin - Commencement exercises that Saradjian pre - guished professional record; the ability to con - sents the most relevant, up-to-date cases Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 vey that knowledge and experience; and to throughout his courses. He is, according to the inspire students in their quest for learning. dean, an excellent communicator and relates to MARION BEDROSIAN The award was named in memory of the staff, students, and administrators with 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Metropolitan faculty member Roger Deveau, equal ease, and is considered an important WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN who exemplified those qualities. resource at Metropolitan College. Saradjian has been teaching for the Saradjian has often said to his classes: Administrative Science Department since 1996. “Nothing in life is more exciting and rewarding As Dean Lou Chirkushev indicated, Marty than the sudden flash of insight that leaves you has taught International Business Law, a changed person. When you have the ability to ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS International Environmental Law, Business supply others with insight and knowledge, you D D S Law, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and will be giving them a wider scope of the world.” Cemetery Monuments Specializing in Armenian Bar Chairman Garo Ghazarian to Armenian Designs and Lettering 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 Head Glendale Civil Service Commission (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com LOS ANGELES — The cur - leadership. Ghazarian also rent two-term chairman of the thanked his fellow commission - Board of Governors of the ers for their vote of confidence. Armenian Bar Association, Garo He pledged to continue to serve B. Ghazarian, Esq., was unani - the City of Glendale, its citizens, mously elected chairman of and the City’s 1500 civil service Glendale Civil Service employees. Commission on June 26. The Filling the post of vice chair - GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E Commission serves as a quasi- man of the commission — a posi - James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC judicial body in hearing employ - tion Ghazarian held until his Mark J. Giragosian ee appeals against disciplinary election as chair — is Funeral Counselors actions such as suspension, Commissioner Ara Hatamian, 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 reduction or removal. It also who was unanimously elected. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com establishes the rules and poli - Commissioners Arthur Devine, cies under which Glendale's Garo Ghazarian Sam Manoukian and newly- merit system operates, insuring appointed Commissioner Talin continuation of Glendale's repu - Yacoubian, who replaces the Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a tation as a city whose employees attain and long-term Commissioner John Gantus, make up keep their positions on the basis of ability, train - the rest of the Civil Service Commission. ing and experience, rather than political patron - In addition to his nationwide criminal age. defense law practice, Ghazarian is also the dean Edward D. Jamie, Jr. In nominating him to the top post, outgoing and a professor of law at Peoples College of Law two-term Chairman of the Commission, Arthur in Los Angeles. He has lectured extensively to Funeral Chapel Devine commended Ghazarian as being the hard - law enforcement agencies and is a former guest Serving the entire Armenian Community est-working and the most-prepared commissioner instructor at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location with whom he had ever worked with in all his He is a board member of the Mexican American Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 years on the Commission. In taking the helm of Bar Association — Political Action Committee the Civil Service Commission, Ghazarian and serves on its Judicial Evaluations Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 applauded Devine’s distinguished service and Committee. S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict Merrimack Valley Knights Honor Graduates tivated for many years. Seeing them excel in UN Security Council systematic attack against civilian popula - By Tom Vartabedian school and move forward to higher education tions, can significantly exacerbate and pro - can only enhance our future. We hope to con - Takes Action long situations of armed conflict and may tinue this program for many years to come.” impede the restoration of international NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Living up to The group was joined by two pastors, Fr. NEW YORK — The United Nations (UN) peace and security”. While spending the its reputation for promoting humanitarian, Vart Gyozalian, Armenian Church at Hye Security Council in June held an open afternoon in the newly renovated chamber educational and philanthropic initiatives, the Pointe, Haverhill, and Fr. Khachatur debate under the agenda item “Women, of the Security Council, we listened to the Arakadz Lodge, Merrimack Valley Knights of Kesablyan, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Peace, and Security” to address sexual vio - remarks of the states, mostly emphasizing lence in armed conflict. Foreign Secretary of the fight against impunity, the importance the United Kingdom, William Hague, of criminal accountability on national and presided over the session attended by UN international levels and the need to bring Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, his special perpetrators to justice. representative on Sexual Violence in While welcoming the adoption of the res - Conflict, Zainab Bangura, and the special olution, Ambassador Garen Nazarian of Envoy of UN High Commissioner for Armenia called upon fellow members to Refugees, Angelina Jolie. introduce changes on institutional and soci - Participants of the 2013 summer intern - etal levels to expand women’s participation ship program of the Armenian Mission in in political, economic, and cultural spheres. New York had an opportunity to attend the He further noted the need for women to be discussion of this important topic that has present when issues regarding genocide, gained public and political acknowledg - impunity, and security are being discussed, ment, since the sexual violence in armed as their role in peace building processes is conflicts continues to disproportionately indispensable. affect the lives of women and girls in many Witnessing the deliberations of the countries. Security Council along with civil society Hague announced the adoption of a reso - groups and media present in the room, we lution that “[a]ffirms that sexual violence, realize how important the Security Council when used or commissioned as a method or action is and how it may impact our peers in tactic of war or as a part of a widespread or conflict-prone societies.

Arakadz Lodge, Merrimack Valley Knights of Vartan, honored its local graduates with an appropriate dinner and ceremony in North Andover. From left are, Geena Kludjian, Commander Harry Alexanian, Ben Tavitian and Samantha Sirmaian.

Vartan, honored local graduates throughout Chelmsford. the community with a dinner and program. Keynote speaker was Dro Kanayan, chair - Recognized were a trio of high school grad - man, Armenian Genocide Education uates: Geena Kludjian, Chelmsford; Committee of Merrimack Valley, who encour - Samantha Sirmaian, Salem, NH, and Ben aged students to involve themselves in their Tavitian, Bradford. history and culture, especially by remaining Each student received an Armenian silver activists in their schools. coin depicting and Noah’s Ark Kanayan spoke of the values concerning on one side and the Republic of Armenia Armenian Genocide education in our schools. Coat of Arms on the other. Since its inception more than five years ago, “Recognizing the youth of our community some 15 schools throughout the Merrimack The 2013 Summer Internship participants, with Armenia’s Ambassador to the UN Garen has always been a priority with the Knights Valley and Greater Boston have been impact - Nazarian, left, and UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague, seated of Vartan,” said Commander Harry ed through classroom presentations and Alexanian. “It’s been a tradition we have cul - panel discussions with other ethnic groups. Breakfast at Tiffany Theme for St. Gregory’s Church Brunch PHILADELPHIA — The Ladies’ Guild of St. Gregory’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Philadelphia, is planning a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” brunch to be held at the exquisite home of Peter and Irene Vosbikian of Moorestown, NJ, on Thursday September 26, at 10:30 a.m. The first luncheon meeting was held at the Vosbikian home with the following committee members present: Mari Degirmenci, Cissy DerHagopian, Margaret Garabedian, Theresa Hovnanian, Rose Jehanian, Silva Santerian, Sona Selverian, Ani Semerjian, Ashkhen Setrakian and Doris Shamlian. The setting will be transformed into Tiffany Blue. Vendors will be there along with a Chinese auction and brunch. Wear your favorite pearls and come. For reservations and more information, contact Silva Santerian 610- 358-5132 or Cissy DerHagopian 856-231-9447.

Members of the Ladies’ Guild of St. Gregory’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Philadelphia 8 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Young Men Ordained at St. James Church

CHICAGO — Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, late the newly ordained altar servers. The ancient traditions here in America.” Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church acolytes’ family members had an opportunity to “After growing up all these years in the of America (Eastern), visited St. James Church speak with Barsamian and to receive his bless - Armenian Church, it was such an honor and of Evanston, Ill., earlier this month where he ings. privilege to be ordained as a deacon by celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained “Love towards the church begins in the fami - Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,” Zakarian said. altar servers. ly,” Khoja-Eynatyan said. “We are grateful to “I was so grateful to have my parents, my friends, and my new St. James ‘family’ attending and sharing in this special, meaningful ceremo - ny.” “Without such an active, devout youth, who keep our various Diocesan programs thriving, and an older, wiser generation to support us, I don’t think I would have been able to acquire the tools needed to be ordained,” added Korogluyan. More than 100 people took part in the ser - vice on Sunday. In his sermon, Barsamian Archbishop Barsamian bestows the deacon’s spoke about the significance of Christ’s trans - stoles on the young men. figuration on Mount Tabor, and how it relates to our lives today. “We are like the disciples in the story of the Transfiguration. Christ has called us to walk with him. Why did he choose musical performance. us? Where is he taking us? We cannot say for On this occasion, the parish also marked the certain. All we know is that he is leading us third anniversary of Khoja-Eynatyan’s ordina - upward,” Barsamian said. “With his hand on tion to the priesthood. A celebratory cake was our shoulder, and his voice in our ear saying presented to him and the altar servers. ‘Be not afraid,’ Christ has come to lead us out Barsamian expressed his appreciation to the of the darkness.” “The young altar servers parishioners of St. James for their dedication to ordained over the past two days are walking the Armenian Church. He noted that the parish Acolytes place their hands on the Holy Bible during the ordination service. with Christ, and with Him they will reach new has produced a number of lay leaders who have heights,” he went on. “May God continue to served the Diocese in many capacities. “As On Saturday, July 6, the Primate ordained the parents of these young altar servers for guide them as they embark on this journey in Armenian Christians, we must always be aware Jesse Arlen, Antranik Balian, Haig Hagopian, planting the seeds of service in their children.” their lives as Armenian Christians.” of our roots. We have a very special identity, Malkoon Malkoonian, Vartkes Minatiskan and On Sunday, July 7, the Feast of the During a banquet following services, a video and it is our duty to preserve and enrich that Andrew Rejebian to the rank of acolyte. The Transfiguration, Barsamian celebrated the was screened highlighting the many activities if identity for future generations,” Barsamian Rev. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, parish pastor, Divine Liturgy, with Khoja-Eynatyan assisting. St. James Church. Loucine Emrikian gave a said. and the Rev. Paren Galstyan, pastor of St. During the service, Aras Korogluyan and Arie George Church of Waukegan, Ill. and Holy Zakarian were ordained to the diaconate. The Resurrection Church of South Milwaukee, Wis., newly ordained deacons then served on the took part in the ordination service. altar for the remainder of the badarak . The teenagers and young men worked with Both men are active in the local ACYOA. Khoja-Eynatyan and church deacons to prepare Korogluyan chairs the ACYOA Juniors group for their new responsibilities. Many of them while Zakarian, who recently moved to the took part in a summer camp for acolyte train - Evanston area, leads the ACYOA Seniors. ing, and gained experience by serving regularly “It is great to see two young men step for - at the church. ward to answer their call in serving our church During a reception following the ordination and community,” Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan said. “It is service, the community gathered to congratu - this new generation that will carry forward our

From left: Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan, Aras Korogluyan, Archbishop Barsamian and Arie Zakarian cut the cel - ebratory cake.

The newly ordained acolytes pose for a group photo with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan. S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Armenia Fund USA Board Member Receives Presidential Award

NEW YORK and YEREVAN — Armenia Fund USA Board Member Dr. Arthur Grigorian received a Presidential Award in May in Armenia on May 29. This honor is bestowed to a select few candidates each year. Each candi - date is nominated and selected by expert panels in respective fields. Grigorian is a neurosurgeon at the forefront of the management of complex intracranial and spine pathology, with more than 22 years of experience and a practice in Macon, Ga. He is also dedicated to providing service to his native country of Armenia. As the mastermind behind the Neurosciences From left, Albert Boghossian, Dr. Arthur From left, Albert Boghossian, Prof. Ruben From left, Albert Boghossian, Dr. Tigran Physicians’ Training initiative, a program sup - Grigorian and President Serge Sargisian Fanarjyan and President Serge Sargisian Khachatryan and President Serge Sargisian ported by Armenia Fund USA, Grigorian is enabling young neurosurgeons in Armenia to receive the highest level of training and experi - recipients to new achievements. “Not only do European Boards of Neurological Surgery. Armenian and Russian. He is an honorary ence. we therewith appreciate your services, “ he stat - Currently, through his practice at the Georgia member of multiple international neurosurgical In 2001, Grigorian, noted the high rate of ed, “but we also urge you to do more for the Neurological Institute, Grigorian is the only societies. stroke victims in Armenia, second only in num - glory of the Armenian people.” neurosurgeon managing complex vascu - Upon learning of Grigorian’s award, Armenia bers to victims of cardiovascular disease. As an To that end, Grigorian has set the bar ever lar/endovascular lesions in the middle-Georgia Fund USA Chairman Khoren Bandazian associate professor of surgery at Mercer higher to make Armenia a center of medical area. remarked that, “this is a well deserved honor University School of Medicine (MUSM) in excellence in neurosciences and other special - He is a member of numerous medical organi - for Arthur. We have come to know him as one Georgia, Grigorian initiated the program in ties. Recently, he recounted a story that attests zations, including the American Association of of the most relentless and passionate individu - cooperation with the National Institute of to the significant strides already made in stroke Neurosurgeons, CNS, European NS als in pursuit of excellence in medicine. He has Health of the Republic of Armenia and later management. Associations, American Stroke Association and not turned his back on where he started in life. with Yerevan State Medical University. “While visiting Yerevan,” he said, a promi - the MCCG stroke team. He has authored more Instead, he has used his great success as a The purpose was to establish a channel of nent Italian religious figure suffered acute than 40 articles related to intracranial patholo - respected neurosurgeon in America to serve his cooperation that would facilitate the exchange intracranial bleeding from a ruptured brain gy and two monographs on subarachnoidal people and colleagues back home. Well done, of students and/or faculty members between aneurysm. He was rushed to the new stroke hemorrhages and ischemic strokes, including in Arthur.” Armenia and the US. Such exposure would center that we established in 2009. His help provide neuroscientists with the skills and aneurysm was obliterated.” experience to serve the needs of Armenia’s Dr. Arthur Ulm from Louisiana State patient populations. University, who has teamed up with Grigorian Toufayan Family Donates New The prize was presented to Grigorian and to develop the stroke center, remarked that, other recipients by Armenia’s president, along “the patient was lucky it happened in Armenia, with Albert Boghossian, founder of the not .” Pavilian at AGBU Camp Nubar Boghossian Foundation, which makes this Born and raised in Armenia, Grigorian award possible. received his early medical training in Moscow. NEW YORK — “Camp Nubar is a place that will last a lifetime.” In the field of medicine, Grigorian, Prof. After coming to the United States, he complet - helped us grow and mature in our Armenian For the past five decades, the camp has Ruben Fanarjyan and Dr. Tigran Khachatryan ed a fellowship in cerebrovascular surgery at identity. As a result, it gives us great pleasure to enjoyed a reputation among Armenian families were recognized for introducing and developing Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Beth build a pavilion in honor of our parents, since all over the world as a safe haven for their chil - endovascular neurosurgery in Armenia. In his Hospital in New York, followed by another fel - they encouraged us to go to camp. We are also dren to enjoy the summer months in a fun envi - congratulatory speech, President Serge lowship in endovascular neurosurgery. He com - happy that our children will have the opportu - ronment. “That’s why our family is especially Sargisian referred to the honorees as the “best pleted his residency in neurological surgery at nity to enjoy it and be proud to have their grateful to Camp Nubar. It has personally of the best” in their respective fields. The presi - the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. grandparents’ names on it,” said Kristine helped us — and now our kids — fully embrace dent also noted that the award aims to inspire He is board certified by the American and Toufayan. our rich Armenian culture on our own terms. The children of Hratch (Harry) and Suzanne And when campers reflect on their own per - Toufayan — Greg, Karen and Kristine — are all spectives and experiences over time, the tradi - alumni of AGBU Camp Nubar, and share sever - tion continues to thrive and grow as it is trans - al cherished memories of their time spent at mitted to the next generation,” said Karen camp. Greg (86-87) learned to canoe on the Toufayan. Delaware River, which, along with other out - Campers can play basketball, soccer, tennis door camp activities, helped shape his love for and volleyball; make pottery, ceramics and the outdoors. Karen (1985- 1986) recalled that Camp Papken Suni Nubar allowed her to experi - ence the uniqueness of her Armenian heritage and learn the value of friendship. Kristine (85-86) felt simply Agoump that her two years there were some of her best summers Armenian American Social Club ever. When Camp Nubar announced plans to celebrate • Hall available for parties and its 50th anniversary, the functions three Toufayan siblings understood the value of pay - ing tribute to both the camp Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan (third and fourth from left) with their Catering on site and off, and their parents, who have children Greg (second from left), Kristine (thrrd from right) and • been longtime benefactors of Karen (second from right) and their respective families. Maximum 100 guests AGBU, the Armenian Church and community-at-large. Each Featuring traditional Armenian has donated $25,000 for a other crafts; take horseback riding and photog - • combined gift of $75,000 to fund the building raphy lessons; and go canoeing, fishing, hiking, and Middle Eastern foods of the Hratch & Suzanne Toufayan Pavilion. rowing and swimming. Additionally, all campers The completely new structure will serve as an take and history lessons. Social Club open six days all-purpose unit where campers can participate Greg Toufayan remarked, “The hard work • in classes and activities “rain or shine.” and dedication of our parents to their children, a week Naming the facility in honor of their parents the family business, and the Armenian nation was a natural choice. “Over the years, my dad have all brought forth the blessings we have. and mom spent a lot of their time, energy, and Above all, they set the example for us to give resources to ensure that my brother, sister and back.” I have always been immersed in Armenian “Perhaps this is why we felt that one of the schools, churches, and camps, and felt enriched best ways to honor and give thanks to our par - For information on prices, menu by our Armenian culture,” said Karen Toufayan. ents is by giving a donation to Camp Nubar for and availability, call Manager Karen and Kristine Toufayan’s kids attend its 50th anniversary — so that this wonderful Kevork Boyajian at (617) 921-1415 Camp Nubar. “Greg’s children are not yet old institution can continue to encourage enough,” Kristine noted. “The friendships that Or (617) 924-9678 Armenian children to be proud of their her - I made there are some of my closest and dear - itage,” his sister, Karen, added. est friends. Now, with those same friends, we AGBU Camp Nubar will celebrate its 50th are sending our kids to Camp Nubar and they Anniversary with events in New York City on 76 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472 are in the same cabins making memories that July 26 and on the campgrounds on July 28. 10 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Ajemian Reflections on Yair Auron’s Banality of Book Tour Indifference Translation into Keeps Her Armenian

TORONTO — The Zoryan Institute wel - Busy comes the Armenian translation of Prof. Yair Auron’s book titled The Banality of Indifference: Zionism and the Armenian By Tom Vartabedian Genocide , an important book in the effort to combat denial. The book, published originally in Hebrew in 1995, is a ground - WATERTOWN — Although her book, The breaking record, scoping from before the Knock at the Door, was released six years ago, founding of the state of Israel to the author Margaret Ajemian-Ahnert’s popularity Armenian Genocide, of the reaction of the hasn’t waned. Jewish community in Palestine. Seeing In fact, it seems to have gotten stronger. the importance of this pioneering work of What initially appeared as a book club speak - comparative history, the Zoryan Institute ing engagement wound up as a week-long jun - invited Auron to Yerevan in 1995 to par - ket that stretched from Southern New ticipate in the International Conference Hampshire and Merrimack Valley to on “Problems of Genocide,” the first con - Watertown. ference on genocide held in independent “We must have done something right,” said Armenia. the author from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “People Although the official Jewish reaction to who have already read it once are reading it the Genocide was muted and largely self- again. And those who haven’t are ready to dig interested, Auron documents instances of in. For me personally, it’s both gratifying and support. The Nili Group, for example, an humbling for a first-time author to enjoy such underground intelligence organization, success. Yes, there will be a second book. Meanwhile, I’m still enjoying the continued impact this one has brought.” Ahnert was accompanied by her fiancé, Ed Odabashian, an importer and investor who often joins the author on tours and speaking Statue honoring heroines who rescued the engagements. She launched her itinerary with Homilies of Mush an appearance at the Armenian Church at Hye Unknown Heroines of Mush Save Manuscript

YEREVAN — In Venice, in 1512, manuscript lover Hagop Meghapart printed the first Armenian book, the Urbatagirk prayer book, giving birth to the art of Armenian printing. Prior to this Armenian manuscripts were laboriously hand-written, copied and illustrated by scribes. In 2012, Armenians celebrated the 500th anniver - By Joseph Dagdigian sary of Armenian printing with a number of events. One of these events was the actively sought to aid the Armenian vic - establishment of a monument commemo - tims. Chaim Weizmann, a Zionist leader rating the heroic rescue of the Msho Jarntir, Homilies of Mush, manuscript in and later the first President of the State Armenia’s capital of Yerevan. of Israel, and Nahum Sokolov, a Zionist During the Armenian Genocide, not only was intent on destroying the leader and a pioneer of Hebrew journal - Armenian population in Western Armenia, it also attempted to erase from the ism, publicly condemned the killings. Turkish occupied Armenian homeland any remnants of Armenian civilization — Zionist writers and journalists expressed including cultural monuments, libraries, monasteries and manuscripts. Two women, outraged identification with the both from Mush, whose names as far as I know are unknown, determined that a Armenians and tried to arouse the con - priceless Armenian manuscript, which they found in the ruins of Mush’s Surb science of the world. This book was made Author Margaret Ajemian-Ahnert is joined by Arakelots Monastery available to the English language reading 90-year-old ALMA volunteer Anna Yeshilian dur - must be rescued. The public by Zoryan, which sponsoring its ing a recent week-long speaking tour throughout manuscript was huge, translation, editing and publication. Merrimack Valley and Watertown. 22 inches wide and 27 The institute commissioned Auron’s inches long, weighing new study, which was published in 2003 61 pounds. The women as The Banality of Denial: Israel and the Point in Haverhill, followed by an intimate book divided the manuscript Armenian Genocide . In this study Auron club gathering in New Hampshire. into two parts, each decried the State of Israel’s official poli - Next stop was the Armenian Library and endeavoring to trans - cies, regarding the Armenian Genocide, as Museum of America (ALMA), which drew a port their half to the rel - denial. We hope that the Banality of modest but inspired crowd. There, she was ative safety of Eastern Denial will also be made available to greeted by guests from the surrounding com - Armenia. Probably not Armenian readers before the centennial munities, joined by 90-year-old volunteer Anna knowing if they, their of the Armenian Genocide. Yeshilian, who presented the writer with a families, Mush, or even Auron, a long-time member of the handmade cross. Armenia would survive Zoryan Institute’s Academic Board of In return, Yeshilian received an autographed the horrors of the Directors, has been a strong advocate of copy of The Knock at the Door , which has had Genocide, they deter - raising awareness of the Armenian seven printings since 2007. The tour culminat - mined that this reli - Genocide in Israel. Auron was an early ed with a capacity crowd at Sts. Vartanantz – on display at the Matenadaran gious, cultural and liter - Homilies of Mush supporter and a participant in Zoryan’s Church in Chelmsford. ary treasure must live to Genocide and Human Rights University Ajemian was so taken by the Armenian see another day. It is not Program. Furthermore, he has gone on to Genocide memorial project in nearby Lowell, even known if these women were literate. be a leading educator in Israel and abroad that she made a generous donation — so gener - This book was and is a part of Armenia’s cultural heritage. One woman succeed - on the topic of genocide, including the ous, in fact, it put the project over its financial ed in delivering her half of the book to Holy Echmiadzin. The other woman did not Armenian Genocide in particular. He has goal. see HEROINES, page 12 developed a curriculum that is used in Construction will begin in the fall with an see REFLECTIONS, page 12 unveiling planned for next April during which see TOUR, page 11 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

Ajemian Book Tour Ten Armenian Musicians to Play Keeps Her Busy

TOUR, from page 10 Ajemian has been invited to return and par - At Edinburgh Festival Fringe ticipate in the unveiling. “I’ve traveled all over the world and have addressed large crowds,” said Ajemian. “Some YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Ten musicians of the more intimate people are found in the here are gearing up to travel more than 3,000 smaller communities. The people in these miles to Scotland, to perform together for the smaller vistas represent the heart and soul of first time at the biggest cultural event on the our heritage.” planet: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their Among the subjects addressed by Ajemian event, “A Long Way From Armenia,” was a late were the emotional meetings she had con - addition to the Fringe line-up, with registration ducted with her mom, Esther, inside a New only finalized in mid-June, after the printing of York nursing home; her private encounter the official program. with the Dalai Lama; and her passion for out - The festival will take place August 2 to 26. door activities such as big game hunting, avi - “We want to be the first delegation of ation and yachting. She said she is most proud of the schol - arship she funds in Yerevan in her mother’s name for female journalism students. The program was started three years ago and has reached 15 students with five being added annually. Audiences were also surprised to learn about her efforts in the art world. Ajemian holds a master’s degree in fine arts and literature, taught art appreciation in elementary schools, and worked as a docent at the Metropolitan and The Bambir Philadelphia Museums of Art. She took a swipe at the US government for not recognizing the Armenian Genocide launched this week. and announced her plans for a second book. The line-up of the all-Armenian Moreover, she said she was pleased to see event will be The Bambir, Raffi Joe, her book translated into Turkish and said Hrach Mackoushian and Carahunge. she is headed there in August for a tour. “What’s quite special about these Among the meetings will be with Rackel bands and people is that they were Dink, widow of Hrant Dink. Hrach Mackoushian the ones willing to take the risk,” Earlier this year, Ajemian addressed a said Mackoushian, “and what unites large crowd at St. James Men’s Club in all of them is their passion and moti - Watertown and had appeared at ALMA for Armenian musicians to perform at the the opening of the Yousuf Karsh exhibit. Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest vation.” The youngest members of the For the 100th anniversary in 2015, arts festival,” said Raffi Joe, one of the four-act Ajemian preached unity. line-up. group, both in folk-band Carahunge, are Harut Panosyan and Anna Raffi Joe “Whatever we do, it must be done togeth - The group, comprising four separate and er, under one umbrella, with all the church - very diverse musical acts, ranging from hard Harutyunyan. They are 19 and 24, respectively, don't speak English and have “Those musicians are really devoted...People es and organizations throughout the world rock to folk, aim to finance their journey to in unison,” she reminded her followers. “We Scotland using the popular crowd-funding never left Armenia before. have faith in their music and that's what's going “It's a leap of faith,” says Hrach Mackoushian, to take them to Scotland.” have a history that refuses to die. Let’s website Indiegogo, with a campaign that honor it as one nation under God.”

Tekeyan Cultural Association presents...

oireé Musicale Featuring Internationally Acclaimed Young Musicians from Armenia

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

Ken Hakobyan Pianist & Composer Winner of Multiple International Awards

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

Friday, September 6th 2013 at 7:30 pm

Birmingham Unitarian Church 38651 Woodward Avenue (at Long Lake) Bloomfield Hills MI 48304

Reception to follow

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

Donation $20

Please make checks payable to Tekeyan Cultural Association and mail to Diana Alexanian, 1415 W. Square Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 12 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

Reflections on Yair Auron’s Banality of Indifference CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Translation into Armenian

REFLECTIONS, from page 10 Israel and has been adopted in other countries. He has published a series of MASSACHUSETTS books in Hebrew and English on the var - ious major cases of genocide, including AUGUST 4 — Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old one on the Armenian Genocide earlier Westford Road, Chelmsford, will holds its annual picnic, with this year. music by Jason Naroian Ensemble, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $1. Menu to include shish, losh, chicken, Kheyma, pilaf, pastries, salad. 50/50 raffle. In the event of rain, the picnic will be held in the Kazanjian Memorial Ballroom. AUGUST 4-10 — PACE [Parent and Child Experience], Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod. Private accommodations in Craigville’s historic Inn with privileges to newly renovated beach club with access to private ocean beach, tennis lessons, courts, evening concerts, and more. Babies, grandparents, teens and all in between welcome! Contact [email protected] On September 8, Sayat Nova Dance Company will SEPTEMBER 8 – Sayat Nova Dance Company performs at perform at the Peabody International Festival on Peabody International Festival with favorite dances from their Lowell Street in Peabody Square from 11-5 p.m. Members of the Dance Company will also be man - repertory; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the Dance Company ning a dessert booth For details on the Festival, manning dessert booth featuring homemade delicacies; contact Peabody Town Hall. Peabody Square on Lowell Street. For details, call Peabody Town Hall. SEPTEMBER 8 — Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Armenian Church, 158 Main St., North Andover, 12:30-5:30 p.m., featur - ing Armenian music by Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Joe CONNECTICUT Prof. Yair Auron Kouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along with Siroun Dance Group; Armenian food and pastries. For more info, visit August 18 - Festival-Picnic, Armenian Church of the Holy www.saintgregory.org. Resurrection, 1910 Stanley Street, New Britain, 12 noon to 6 Auron is an original scholar, an advo - OCTOBER 19 — Hye Kef 5 featuring Leon Janikian, Joe p.m. Lamb Shish Kebab, Pilaf, Khema, Losh Kebab, Tabooleh, cate of universal human rights and a sol - Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken Kalajian, Bob Raphalian and Pastries, and more. Live band featuring Harry Bedrossian, dier in the fight against denial. It is grati - Jay Baronian, Haverhill, MA, 7:30 p.m., Michael’s Function Hall- George Righellis, Mike Kassabian and Don Baba.Armenian ven - fying that his work is being acknowledged 12 Alpha Street, Tickets: $40.00 Each Students $30, includes dor. Wine Tasting Exhibition. Free Admission and Parking and appreciated by the Armenian Writers individually-served mezza platters. Proceeds to benefit all Union and the government officials. Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire. The Zoryan Institute and its subsidiary, NEW YORK Call either John Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan, 978- the International Institute for Genocide 251-8687; Scott Sahagian, 617-699-3581, or Peter Gulezian, NOVEMBER 23-24 – TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group and Human Rights Studies, are the first 978-375-1616. Organized by Armenian Friends’ of America. celebrates 15th Anniversary with production of Hagop non-profit, international center devoted to NOVEMBER 16 — Armenian Women’s Welfare Association Baronian’s “The Perils of Politeness” (Kaghakavaroutyan the research and documentation of con - (AWWA) celebrates 38th Annual Luncheon-Auction at the Vnasneruh) directed by Gagik Karapetyan from Armenia; Dwight temporary issues with a focus on Burlington Marriott. Silent Auction and Bidding at 11 a.m.; Door Englewood High School, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ. Genocide, Diaspora and Armenia. Prizes for early bird bidding. $60 per person; Visa and Nov. 23, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, Sunday at 4 p.m. For MasterCard accepted. For reservation information and general tickets; $50, $35, $25; call Marie Zokian (201)745-8850 or inquiries contact [email protected]. Missak Boghosian at (212)819-0097 or (347)365-6985.

Unknown Heroines Of Mush Save Book

HEROINES, from page 10 survive her journey. Reaching Erzurum, she buried her half of the manuscript in a monastery there and subsequently died. Later, a Russian soldier found this half of the book and ultimately both halves of the book were reunited in Armenia’s manuscript repository, the Matenadaran, in Yerevan. In the Matenadaran’s display room the Msho Jarntir — Homilies of Mush , the largest manuscript in the Matenadaran’s collection, is on display next to the smallest manuscript in the Matenadaran’s collection. These and numerous other ancient manuscripts may be viewed by visitors and photographed (without flash) for a small fee. The monument commemorating the rescue of the Homilies of Mush may be seen on the greenway near the intersection of Teryan and Moskovyan streets in Yerevan. The monument depicts the Msho Jarntir and two women res - cuers. A homily is a story or sermon intended to set a moral example without delving into detailed religious or theological issues. The Homilies of Mush was written in the Avag Monastery in Yerzinga, Western Armenia, around 1200-1202. It was commissioned by a man named Astavatsadur, perhaps a wealthy merchant, who was killed during the Mongol/Tatar invasion of Entertainment Fridays Armenia. Through a series of events the manuscript ended up in Mush. It miraculously and Saturdays survived the Genocide and was rescued by two Homilies of Mush –overview of display at the Matenadaran women – cultural heroes of Armenia. S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY T HE A RMENIAN Mirror- The Necessary Evil

have contributed to the escalation of the tensions. In Armenia, Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian most of the major media outlets are financed by foreign sources, which leads to the question: what role have those outlets played in adding fuel to an an already-volatile situation? Armenian-Russian relations seem to have hit a crossroad. Russia is still relishing the taste of having been an empire and Tensions and resentments have been mounting on both sides of treats its friends and foes from that posture. That attitude has been the fence. The simmering acrimony came to a boil with a tragic rightfully opposed in Armenia. Those misgivings have also been Established 1932 traffic accident near Moscow involving an Armenian migrant work - criticized in this column. But after everything is said and done, An ADL Publication er. Had relations been on a normal level, no political resonance there is a strategic balance in the world. Major powers will pursue would have been given to it by the Russian news media. their own selfish interests, whether we like it or not. In case Indeed, a cargo truck driver named Hrachya Harutyunyan, a 46- Armenia is fully integrated in the European Union, or joins NATO, year-old citizen of Armenia, struck a passenger bus in Podolsk, EDITOR for the sake of argument, we have to consider the precedents and Alin K. Gregorian near Moscow, leaving 18 people dead and more than 50 injured. live with the consequences. The fact that Harutyunyan had a clean record of driving more than Take, for example, the case of Greece and Turkey, both of which

ASSISTANT EDITOR 20 years and that he was a Karabagh war veteran who was forced are full NATO members, yet have never been treated equally by the Gabriella Gage to apply for a job in Russia to raise funds to put a gravestone on NATO top power, the US. Their arms shipments have been his son’s grave, did not matter to the Russian new media outlets. rationed at the rate of 7 to 10, leaving Greece vulnerable against ASSOCIATE EDITOR Even his claim that the brakes of his truck failed was not a suffi - Turkish guns. Aram Arkun cient excuse to show some mercy. The Greek government blamed the arms race with Turkey as a ART DIRECTOR The sorrow and anger of the victims’ relatives are understand - factor in the recent economic collapse in that country. But the Marc Mgrditchian able, but what happened was an accident and not a deliberate act most telling issue is the occupation of by Turkey. The mem - of violence. bership of the two countries did not help protect the interests of Two days after the accident, Harutyunyan was brought to the the Greek side. At that time, the colonels ruling the Greek junta SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: court unshaven, in a colorful women’s housecoat and slippers, in were in lockstep with the US military, therefore, it was convenient Edmond Azadian full view of TV cameras. As if that was not enough embarrassment, for US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to engineer a coup in correspondent Olga Skabeeva, in a report on Rossiya state-run tele - Cyprus with a call from Athens for union (Enosis) with Cyprus to CONTRIBUTORS: vision channel, spoke in a derogatory language, emphasizing the trigger the 1960 Geneva Clause and justify the Turkish aggression Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, illegal offenders ethnic background as Armenian. Other media out - of 1974. It is also most significant that Mr. Kissinger warned Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune lets also echoed the ethnic undertone. Greece against any intervention, threatening that US missiles Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. During the Soviet era, the ethnic divisions were downplayed in would intercept any Greek warplane heading to aid Cyprus. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der favor of Soviet citizenship, which helped minimize ethnic tensions, This historic precedent may serve as a sobering lesson for Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , perhaps along with the iron fist Moscow used to keep such ten - Armenia, in case there is an incident which may pit Yerevan against Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop sions under check. But with the collapse of the Soviet empire, all Ankara or for that matter, Baku. Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian kinds of neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups have emerged, In any such scenario, Armenia will be treated as the underdog, preying on migrant workers from the and Central Asia. like Greece was. CORRESPONDENTS: This, of course, is a symptom of moral breakdown, reflecting dis - On the other hand, Russia has not hesitated to use its power Armenia - Hagop Avedikian satisfaction of existing social order. when it finds that its interests are undermined. President Mikhail Boston - Nancy Kalajian Unfortunately, the media in its turn, reflects the people’s senti - Saakashvili in Georgia entertained the folly of tempting the devil, Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian ments, which in this case are not very tolerant with regards to the without any strategic calculations and lost the gamble. Although Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach people from the South. Most recent news informs us that Europe and Washington fanned the flames of the Georgian presi - Contributing Photographers: Harutyunyan is being detained at a mental asylum, awaiting the dent’s ambitions to challenge Moscow, but at the moment of truth, Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair verdict on his fate. they did not — and could not — extend their firepower to the Hovsepian Adding insult to injury, the Russian government has appointed Caucasus, resulting in the amputation of Georgian territory. To an ethnic Armenian, Gayaneh Gregorian, as the prosecuring attor - this day, Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain independent entities, ney. Harutyunyan’s family is asking for an extradition to Armenia, much to the chagrin of the . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published since Armenia and Russia are members of the Minsk Convention Thus, the situation is very clear and does not require the heavy- weekly, except two weeks in July, by: guaranteeing extradition process. duty IQ of a rocket scientist to chart the future course for Baikar Association, Inc. Gradually, the tragic accident was reduced to the level of a Armenia’s foreign policy. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 sideshow, giving way to a more important strategic issue, as the Let us hope that the current escalation of tensions serves as a Telephone: 617-924-4420 tensions snowballed between the two sides. Several issues had a catalyst for both side to see clearly the strategic value of their part - FAX: 617-924-2887 cumulative effect in exacerbating the situation: the hike on nership, devoid of any emotional overtones. www.mir rorspectator.com Russian-supplied gas prices; the sale of sophisticated weaponry to Sergey Markedonov, a respected Russian analyst, has down - Azerbaijan; Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s pro-Azeri statements played the significance of recent developments. Markedonov, who E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com on the Karabagh conflict and the remarks in Russian news media is a visiting fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic For advertising: [email protected] about Armenia’s initialing of the Association Agreement with the and International Studies, has also argued that neither President European Union and its Eastern European partnership project. Vladimir Putin nor any other Russian leader has publicly disap - One comment by Russian political analyst, Stanislav Tarasov, proved of Armenia’s European-integration drive. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : touched a raw nerve in Armenia. He said, “Armenia is being inte - “Russia needs Armenia and Armenia needs Russia,” he said. grated with the EU because it is getting ready to cede Karabagh.” “The two have mutual interests.” In recent weeks, almost all issues affecting life in Armenia have No matter how much our national egos are bruised by recent brought protestors to the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, a scenario U.S.A. $80 a year tensions, the political makeup of the region does not leave any that could not have been imagined a few years ago. other rational choice: our strategic ally Russia remains the neces - Canada $125 a year Statements and accusations by media pundits in both capitals sary evil.

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© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Speed Chess Changed My Brain Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. Mastering the three-minute game saw improved skills in unexpected places, from poker to planking. ISSN 0004-234X POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Sunday. accept that I would always be an average poker Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, A slew of studies link chess with higher player. Watertown, MA 02471-0302 By Mark Samuelian grades and better reading comprehension. Chess has generated a lot of buzz lately as a Other than the editorial, views and opinions Those rankings aren’t phenomenal, but they learning tool to help children and young expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily eflect the policies of the publisher. The poker table was down to three players. matter to me because of how much I adults improve their decision-making ability, I had a queen and a 10. It wasn’t the strongest improved. In the same tournament two years concentration, personal responsibility, and hand, but I’d been analyzing my opponents’ earlier, I had placed in the bottom half of play - sportsmanship. As a supporter of a New York playing patterns and knew I needed to send an ers. Here’s the mysterious part: I had barely City charity that promotes chess in schools, aggressive signal. As soon as I saw the leader even played poker over the last year, let alone I’ve been delighted to see the popularity of the start to move, I went all in and pushed my pile worked at elevating my game. game surge across the nation, especially as a of chips to the center of the table. Both fold - What I had played was chess. Specially, I slew of studies link chess with higher grades Copying for other than personal use or ed. “You didn’t even give me a chance to fin - knocked out some 2,000 games of speed (or and better reading comprehension. Chess internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright ish my bet,” he exclaimed. “blitz”) chess in the two months leading up to nights are being held at urban recreation cen - owner. Address requests for reprints or By the end of the three-day MBA Poker the tournament. In fact, I played so much that ters. There’s even a chess camp for girls to back issues to: championship held earlier this year at Planet I’m currently in the top half-percent of more help them become interested in the game. And Baikar Association, Inc. Hollywood in Las Vegas, I left with $1,000 in than 1.3 million of blitz players at an online globally, the ages of the latest crops of chess 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 winnings. Yet what was even more satisfying chess competition site. I’ve always thought of grand masters are getting younger and was how I placed: I came in fifth out of 135 chess as my game, and I was ranked as a younger. players Friday and third out of 35 players that national master at age 16. I’d simply come to see CHESS, page 15 14 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY Death of Rolling Stone ‘Muckracker’ The Michael Hastings Wreck–Video Evidence Only Deepens the Mystery

This was not a paper-pushing general. McChrystal was a soldier’s riage of the car, perhaps rupturing a fuel line. By Michael Krikorian general who would go on raids with his men. A reporter brings I looked at the tape frame by frame. A second flash immedi - him down — and then dies in a mysterious crash three years later. ately follows the first. It might be the brake lights, but it’s hard to If this had happened in Russia, wouldn’t we all figure it was some tell. The next frame is dark. Then comes the first explosion, fol - Shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, I was walking with dark military conspiracy? lowed immediately by a large fireball. my girlfriend, Nancy Silverton, to get my car, which I had left the I’m not a conspiracy guy, but my reporter’s instincts told me I showed the video to Scott E. Anderson, an Academy Award- night before at her restaurant, Pizzeria Mozza, at Highland and that this demands a closer examination. So I snooped around. winning visual effects supervisor with Digital Sandbox who has Melrose avenues. Walking west on Melrose, we noticed crime “I’ve never seen an explosion like that,” said Terry Hopkins, engineered explosions for many films. scene tape as we arrived at Highland. Just to the south, a wrecked 46, a former US Navy military policeman who served in He viewed the footage more than 20 times at various speeds, and charred car was being pulled away from a palm tree in the Afghanistan, told me. “I’ve seen military vehicles explode, but including frame by frame. Anderson concluded, “This was not a median. never quite like that. Look, here’s a reporter who brought down bomb.” We lifted the yellow tape and walked down the sidewalk to get a general. He’s sending out emails saying he’s being watched. It’s He said a bomb would have propelled the car upward, not for - access to the alley leading to the lot where my car was parked. A four in the morning and his car explodes? Come on, you have to ward. Los Angeles police officer stopped us. Nancy explained she be naïve not to at least consider it wasn’t an accident.” “It’s very hard to blow up stuff well,” Anderson said. “I think owned the restaurant and I identified myself as a reporter. The I turned to the one piece of evidence I had: the security cam - too many things would have to go right. Luck would be involved. officer let us walk on and gave a quick rundown: A man had dri - era footage. Good and bad. Does someone doing this to Hastings want to rely ven into the tree at 4:30 that morning. He was dead. The camera shows the view from near the entrance of Pizzeria on luck? Too many things have to go right. It would have to be My first thought was that another early morning LA drunk had Mozza. perfect. And that’s almost impossible.” killed himself. I told the officer that a security camera located out - Four seconds into the start of the tape, a minivan or SUV goes He continued, “It comes down to physics. A bomb would have side the front door of the pizzeria probably captured the crash. by the front of restaurant. Three seconds later, another vehicle lifted the car and the engine up. Based on this video, the car As we talked to the police, a Mozza employee named Gary, who goes by, traveling from the restaurant front door to the crash site doesn’t go up, and the engine goes forward, which makes sense has been staying at a small apartment above the restaurant, in about seven seconds. At 35 seconds into the tape, a car is seen since the car apparently did not hit the tree head on.” approached us to say that he had heard the crash. driving northbound and appears to slow, probably for the light at The pizzeria video is compelling, but it fails to answer the key “I heard a ‘whoosh,’ then what sounded like a bump and then Melrose. question: Why was Michael Hastings traveling so fast? an explosion,” he said. “I thought the building had been hit.” Then at 79 seconds, the camera catches a very brief flash of As Anderson put it, “None of this happens without the speed.” He said he rushed down and saw the car ablaze. Gary listened light in the reflection of the glass of the pizzeria. Traveling at Some theorize that the car was hacked — operated remotely as two men who claimed to have witnessed the crash told police least twice as fast as the other cars on the tape, Hastings’s (like a drone, for example) by someone who wished to harm the car had sped through a red light at Melrose. Mercedes C250 coupe suddenly whizzes by. (This is probably the Hastings. Later, when the pizzeria manager arrived at work, we watched “whoosh” that Gary, the Mozza employee, heard.) That may be technologically possible, but is it plausible? the security camera footage. There’s no wonder it was a fatality. The car swerves and then explodes in a brilliant flash as it hits Hastings ran at least two red lights, and possibly a third. Could The crash ended with a hellish explosion and fire. The officer, a palm tree in the median. Viewed at normal speed, it is a shock - a hacker have planned for no cross traffic, which might have watching the video with us, was as stunned as we were. He said, ing scene — reminiscent of fireballs from “Shock and Awe” images derailed the mission? If the flash before the dark frame was “I have never seen a car explode like that.” from Baghdad in 2003. indeed brakes, that would indicate the brake light was function - Soon, a flatbed truck with the burned Mercedes CL 250 I have heard and read a wide range of guessed speeds, up to as al. If the car were hurtling along out of his control, wouldn’t aboard drove slowly by, going north in the southbound lanes of much as 130 mph. I think it’s safe to say the car was doing at Hastings have been plying the brake pedal all along, not merely Highland. The front of the car, particularly on the driver’s side, least 80. in the last second before the crash? was badly damaged. I snapped a couple of poor photos with my Driving 80 on Highland is flying. Over 100 is absolute reck - And even if the brakes and accelerator were rigged, the steer - iPhone. lessness. ing must have been functional, according to a Los Angeles Police Nancy and I got in my car and went home. I went on to Watts Highland has a very slight rise and fall at its intersection with Department officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “For to do some reporting on another story and later to Gardena. That Melrose. It’s difficult to tell by the film, but based on tire marks nearly a half a mile, that car must have been going straight,” the afternoon, I got an email from a friend to whom I had mentioned — which were not brake skid marks, by the way — chalked by the officer said. “That can’t be done at that speed for that long, even the crash. It included a link to an LA Times story about the traffic investigators, it seems that the Mercedes may have been with the best alignment.” wreck. My friend wrote, “The driver was a well-known journalist: airborne briefly as it crossed the intersection, then landed hard. The day after the crash, I found myself in the homicide squad Michael Hastings. What a drag. Obviously a talented guy. Wonder Tire marks were left about 10 feet east of the restaurant’s valet room in South Los Angeles. The Hastings topic came up, and one why he was driving so fast?” stand. of the detectives said, “Stanley got him. Took his time, but got I went online and read about Michael Hastings, the guy who About 100 feet after the car zooms by on the tape, it starts to him. That wasn’t an accident.” (Meaning General Stanley brought down General McChrystal. The conspiracy theories were swerve. At about 195 feet from the camera, the car jumps the McChrystal.) already being spun on the web: that a bomb had been planted in curb of the center median, heading toward a palm tree 56 feet On cue, a sign showed up the next day on the now-singed the car, or that its controls had been hacked and the crash was away. Hasting’s Palm: “This was not an accident.” By nightfall, some - engineered remotely by an unseen hand. About halfway between the curb and the tree, the car hits a one had replaced it with another message: “Go to sleep people. For nearly five years, McChrystal served as chief of the Joint metal protrusion—perhaps 30 inches tall and 2 feet wide — that This was an accident.” Special Operations Command, which oversees the military’s com - gives access to city water mains below. This is where the first continued on next page mando units, including the Army Delta Force and the Navy Seals. small flash occurs. This pipe may have damaged the undercar -

LETTERS

that permit, even encourage discrimination, The battle of Sardarabad, in which the Legal, Yes, Lawful, oppression, imprisonment of “others,” their Shore Up Armenia Armenian troops stopped the Turkish forces killing and their expulsion. All of this may be from marching on Yerevan and saved the Doubtful legal, but it is questionable whether any of it is To the Editor: republic was another example of what a force “lawful.” Certainly such governments cannot be I read with great interest the Commentary can do when officered by good and well To the Editor: considered “just” by any standard. To apply the by Edmond Y. Azadian, in the Mirror- trained men. Re “Ex-Turkish President Describes term “just” in such circumstances is to justify Spectator of June 29, 2013. It is no secret During the Karabagh war, Armenian feday - Armenian Genocide as ‘Lawful Act’” (Armenian criminal state behavior, not behavior that is that neither Tsarist Russia nor Soviet Russia ees sent the Azeri forces reeling, as they did Mirror-Spectator, July 20, 2013), the article “just” in any of the more commonly accepted nor today’s Russia have ever been a friend of the same to the Afghan mujahedeen “volun - states that in a report related to the case of for - judicial, moral, or philosophical senses. Armenia. teers” whom they obliterated. mer President of Turkey, Kenan Evren, has Was it not “lawful” to have millions of deaths The clamor about recognizing the There is a crying need for good government characterized what is now considered a geno - in the Soviet Union during the 1920s and Genocide by the international community is a in order to transform the country, and make cide as a “just and lawful act.” Although the 1930s? pipe dream, and is of no significance. What it a viable place for the youth to remain article does not specify the authorship of the Was it not “lawful” in the Third Reich to is of significance is the remaking of Armenia because they think that there is a future for report — it could be from the defense side of the exterminate , Gypsies and others, an into a formidable force in the Caucasus — eco - them if they remain. Good government means former president accused of a coup d’état or expanding set of categories of “undesirables”? nomically and militarily. This requires good that the leadership has the best interest of the side of the prosecution by the current Was it not “lawful” to inflict close to two mil - government and a stop of people leaving the the country as its foremost consideration — Turkish authorities — the item should not lion deaths in Cambodia? country like scared rabbits. If the govern - with jobs and education taking the forefront. remain unnoticed. The list can expand and continue. ment is incapable of building infrastructure, The culture of cronyism and corruption must While anticipating a fuller reading of the Yet what we should be most concerned about then it must be replaced by one that can. The be eliminated, and replaced with national report, I am compelled to offer a few comments: is the following: after some 60 years of diaspora has a very significant role to play interest and patriotism. Unless good leader - The massacres and deportations of Ottoman Diasporan politics and over 20 years of in this dynamic of economic development in ship emerges, the country will slip away from Armenians might have been legal but there is a Armenian statehood politics on this issue, we Armenia, and provide confidence that there is us and we shall have lost an opportunity that question is to whether the government that do not have yet a mechanism that can address a future for Armenians in Armenia. may not again happen for many years, if ever. decreed those laws and regulations was a legit - such matters in the name of “Armenians.” Armenians had been a militaristic people And by the way, building more churches will imate and lawful government. I will not even try Admittedly, and reasonably, we do not all agree for centuries prior to the advent of not save us. Get over it. Procuring first-rate to assess whether the term “just” could be on all issues regarding a “Turkish Policy.” But Christianity. As I see it, Armenians interpret - weapons systems, will. applied to them in any moral sense. there are fundamentals of history and historical ed the Bible literally, which does not work in A government can pass laws that make it documentation and argumentation regarding this world. —Walter C. Bandazian, PhD legal to discriminate, to oppress, to imprison which it should not be difficult to agree, if we From the military point of view, Armenians Executive Director, “others,” to kill and to expel citizens. Such are serious about our concerns. distinguished themselves in both the Tsarist The Howard Karagheusian Commemorative actions may be considered legal, because there —Jirair Libaridian, PhD army during WWI, and especially while serv - Corporation have been and still are laws in many countries Cambridge, MA ing in the Ottoman army. New York S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

given to him by the American Jewish Congress (AJC) in many others need to reconsider the awards they had lav - 2004 for “promoting peace between cultures.” In an article ishly heaped on this undeserving leader. published last month in the Jewish Commentary magazine, For example, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) should Michael Rubin urged the AJC to revoke its award, describ - revoke its prestigious “Courage to Care Award” presented ing Erdogan as “Hamas’s leading cheerleader, a promoter to Erdogan in 2005. On that “happy” occasion, the prime My Turn of terrorism, and a force for instability in the region. Rubin minister pointed out to Abraham Foxman, ADL’s national further asserted that “Erdogan already had a history of director, Turkey’s “close relationship with Israel,” and By Harut Sassounian embracing rabid anti-Semitism and harboring conspiracy pledged “zero tolerance” for “anti-Semitic diatribes.” theories during his tenure as Istanbul’s mayor.” Here are some other honors given to Erdogan that Rubin also criticized President Obama for “toasting should be rescinded: Erdogan Succeeds in Erdogan” and the 135 members of the Congressional State Medals: Turkey Caucus for running “interference for Turkey’s — Russian state medal from President Vladimir Putin (June Antagonizing Both worst excesses,” including “arbitrary arrests, police vio - 1, 2006) lence, launching tear gas into hotels and consulates, — Crystal Hermes Award from German Chancellor Angela And Jews attacking the free press, launching anti-Semitic diatribes, Merkel (April 15, 2007) and ordering the arrest of medical personnel.” Rubin — Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award of Pakistan After brutally quelling massive domestic protests against questioned the motives of these House members and (Oct. 26, 2009) his increasingly despotic rule, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip wondered whether they “enjoy the wining and dining — King Faisal International Prize for “Service to Islam” Erdogan is now facing another serious problem: His unex - Turkish authorities arrange on trips to Istanbul or (Jan. 12, 2010) pected “success” in uniting Arabs and Jews against him. Ankara as a reward for membership” in the Turkey — Georgia’s Order of Golden Fleece (May 17, 2010) The Turkish prime minister had already antagonized Caucus. He urged the members of Congress to “suspend — Libyan President Muammar Qaddafi’s International Israel and with his hostile actions and statements. In if not resign their membership.” Prize for Human Rights (Nov. 29, 2010) recent days, he also managed to offend millions of Rubin strongly advised the AJC and other Jewish orga - — Kuwait’s “Outstanding Personality in the Islamic World Egyptians by rejecting their new government after nizations to “base awards on lifetime achievement, not only Award” (Jan. 11, 2011) President Morsy was deposed by the military. Despite wishful thinking. The risk of bestowing legitimacy on plat - Honorary Doctorates: Erdogan’s professed objection to the overthrow of Egypt’s forms that run contrary to the AJCongress’ mission is oth - — St. John’s University, New York (Jan. 26, 2004) “democratically-elected president,” it is evident that he is erwise too great. The AJCongress’ award to Erdogan not — European University of Madrid (May 18, 2010) far more concerned about saving his own neck, fearing a only did not stop Erdogan’s anti-Semitism, but rather it for — (March 16, 2011) similar takeover by the historically coup-prone Turkish mil - too long provided cover for it. Perhaps the organization can — Shanghai International Studies University (Apr. 11, itary. now mitigate the damage it has caused — and also deflate 2012) Last week, Aleppo University stripped Erdogan of his Erdogan’s buffoonery — by publicly revoking its award.” — University of Algiers (July 5, 2013) honorary doctorate in international relations, awarded to Regrettably, Rubin is nine years too late in criticizing Honorary Citizenship: him in 2009, when Syria and Turkey were enjoying a short- AJC’s honoring of Erdogan. Back in 2004, within days of — South Korea (February 2004) lived love fest. Khodr Orfaly, president of the university, the award ceremony, I wrote a column critical of AJC and — Iran (February 2009) accused Erdogan of instigating “plots against the Syrian its president, Jack Rosen, who had absurdly announced — Kosovo (November 2010) people” and using “arbitrary” violence against protesters in that his organization was honoring Erdogan as leader of “a All those who have honored Erdogan have simply dis - Turkey. model Moslem country.” honored themselves. The sooner they revoke their acco - After losing an Arab award, the Turkish Prime Minister Now that the whole world has seen Erdogan’s true col - lades, the sooner they will redeem themselves from their may next be deprived of the “Profiles in Courage” prize ors under the façade of leading “a model Moslem country,” disgraceful acts.

returned to the phone and said, “No.” The way Death of Rolling she said it, I wondered if she had shared a laugh with other detectives about my question. Speed Chess Changed My Brain Stone ‘Muckracker’ She added, “If this were anything other than an accident, other departments would have been CHESS, from page 13 cult were suddenly easier. I shaved a minute from previous page brought in to investigate,” alluding to homicide, During a game of speed chess on a plane, off my mileage pace while training for my Hastings’s death was national news briefly, but the bomb squad or a terrorism unit. (Though a flight attendant told me she had never first 5K and held the “plank” push-up posi - it was soon pushed aside by subjects deemed one might think “other departments” would seen anyone so focused before and didn’t tion for two minutes straight. I stopped let - more pressing to the mainstream media. The have been needed in any case–simply to deter - want to interrupt my game to offer me a ting myself get distracted by email and George Zimmerman homicide trial was gearing up mine whether it was an accident or not.) drink. sailed through tedious work assignments. in Florida. Edward Snowden, the National I’ve seen a number of people use the word I wondered if chess was the key to my Not only had my success at blitz chess Security Agency leaker, was playing Tom Hanks at “fearless” to describe Hastings. The word has dif - improvement in poker. At first, I played blitz given me a confidence boost, it helped me a Moscow Airport. Istanbul had erupted in the ferent meanings to different people. To some, it chess for fun. I had just finished a grueling develop mental and emotional endurance. biggest anti-government protests in its history and might be how well someone held up in the sec - consulting project and had a bit of rare free I stopped thinking of my chess addiction political strife in Cairo was taking center stage. ond battle of Fallujah. time, so I indulged in a few three-minute as goofing off, but an important part of my Michael Hastings was put on the mainstream I have no idea how Hasting was in the trench - games here and there. Unlike traditional brain fitness regimen that deserved as media’s back burner — or perhaps on an unlit es. But I watched him in action on Piers tournament chess, which can take a couple much dedication as my physical exercise hibachi behind the garage. Morgan’s CNN show last November against hours per game, it was convenient to routine. Each morning at 9 a.m., I sched - But on YouTube the conspiracy thrived. One retired General David Kimmit, an admirer of squeeze in a blitz match in between answer - uled an hour of blitz chess. On days when I video that has received over 8,500 views pro - General David Petraeus. At one point, Kimmit ing morning emails. Plus, the growth of had work deadlines, I made it a point to fit claimed that the plot was so over-the-top that the told Hastings that his impressions about Iraq online chess sites means there’s a global in at least a couple games at lunch. Some culprits had removed the bombed car, and in the after Petraeus were wrong. Kimmit added that community of skilled players available any days I took a break, but I tried to build it process, placed another car in front of different he knew this because he has been back to Iraq, time of the day or night. The problem, into my daily routine just as I would brush trees. It also stated there was no damage to the working in the private sector. though, was that I got so absorbed in the my teeth. I also measured my performance front of the car. Exasperated, Hasting threw up his hands, gave game that I would play for hours. I was sur - and set weekly goals to improve my rating. I saw the car being towed away. It was his unique smirk and proclaimed, “I’ve spent prised at my level of concentration, and I I feel fortunate to have discovered this absolutely mangled on the front, particularly the more time in Iraq than you have, man.” experienced that incredible “flow” when brain-training tool as an adult and imagine driver’s side. I’ve lived in Los Angeles most of my Hastings went on to chide Kimmit for profiting you’re so involved in a task that you lose all how it could benefit younger players. I hope life and have seen the aftermath of many car off the war in the private sector. “I’m glad the sense of time. parents will encourage their children to crashes. This was one of the worst. There was no general was able to make money off his services,” When I had played chess tournaments in learn and eventually love the game — way a driver could have survived. he said. high school, my coach had always warned whether speed or traditional. My parents Two days after the crash, the LAPD In that TV vignette, I could see why a guy like me against spending too much time at (whose parents emigrated from Armenia, announced that there appeared to be no “foul Hastings would piss off the military brass and speed chess. He worried that I would get so where chess is a national passion) encour - play” in the single-car fatal crash. That ignited would be so admired by fellow journalists. used to making snap decisions that I would - aged my brother to pick up the game who even more conspiracy talk: The “feds” had got - I hope that someone will be able to explain n’t develop the skill to patiently think then taught me how to play when I was five ten to the LAPD and were hushing it up. why Hastings’s Mercedes was speeding like a sil - through strategic moves. However, as an years old. In fact, chess is a mandatory sub - A week after that statement, the lead investi - ver bullet. Maybe the answer will show up in the adult, I believe that the challenge of having ject in Armenian schools from the age of gator on the case, Detective Connie White from toxicology results. I know this much: American to make some 40 moves in a three-minute six, and I think our schools should offer LAPD’s West Traffic Bureau, contradicted that. journalism has lost a pit bull of an investigative game of speed chess actually trains your chess classes for all grades as an effective, When I asked her if “foul play” had indeed been reporter. brain to think on a higher level. I’m con - inexpensive way to bolster students’ self- ruled out, she replied, “No. Nothing has been (Michael Krikorian is an essayist and former vinced that the 80,000 fine decisions I esteem and academic performance. (There’s ruled out.” Los Angeles Times crime reporter. Hastings, 33, made during the 2,000 games I played a British pilot program underway to bring White said the investigation was nearly com - covered the Iraq War as a young correspondent before the poker tournament enabled me to chess to primary schools.) Charitable plete, but she refused to give details. She said an for Newsweek. But he made front-page news better recognize patterns of play and donors should support non-profit organiza - official report, including toxicology results on (and won the prestigious George Polk journal - helped me win. During a game of speed tions that promote chess in schools and as Hastings’s remains, may be weeks away. ism prize) for his 2010 Rolling Stone magazine chess on a plane, a flight attendant told me after-school programs. Finally, at the other As far as a bomb or car-hacking, White said, profile of “The Runaway General,” Stanley she had never seen anyone so focused end of the spectrum, older adults could “At this point there is nothing that leads us in McChrystal, commander of NATO’s security before and didn’t want to interrupt my take up the game as a way to stay mentally that direction.” force in Afghanistan. Hastings’s story portrayed game to offer me a drink. sharp. And maybe pick up some poker win - When asked if any explosive materials had the dismissive contempt with which McChrystal The benefits of speed chess didn’t stop nings in the process. been discovered on the car or at the crash scene, and his staff viewed President Obama and Vice there. The game had improved my concen - White sounded like she chuckled. President Biden. The general apologized, call - tration so much that endeavors in other (This column by Mark Samuelian origi - She said, “Oh, boy. Hold on.” ing the profile “a mistake reflecting poor judg - areas of my life that had once seemed diffi - nally appeared in The Atlantic .) I thought maybe I had asked a touchy ques - ment.” But he was forced to resign. This article tion, and I expected a “no comment.” But she was originally published by WhoWhatWhy.) 16 S ATURDAY , J ULY 27, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Armenian Higher Education Initiative Brings New Regions, New Disciplines to Second Annual Summer Program

YEREVAN — The Armenian Higher A variety of experts from across the introduction to SPSS, a software program horizons, gained employment, and found Education Initiative (AHEI) recently Armenian diaspora combined efforts to deliv - commonly used in social science research. new volunteer opportunities. In addition, announced the completion of its second er an integrated series of seminars and lec - Following the course, students will spend AHEI networks serve as a bridge between annual Summer Program in Humanities and tures in their respective areas of specializa - the next several months conducting research critical members of diasporan communities Social Sciences. This year, students came tion. Two primary seminars in political sci - on themes determined during the course of that would otherwise have very little or no together from Javakhk, Abkhazia, as well as ence theory and historiography, given by Drs the program. Research projects will be moni - contact with one another. The organization several regions of Armenia for an intensive Hamazasp Danielyan of Yerevan State tored distantly by participating professors. continues to work on expanding these net - course designed to enhance critical thinking University and Elke Hartmann of the Freie AHEI alumni continue to build bonds with works and opening more doors to its mem - skills and lay solid groundwork for future University of Berlin - were complemented by one another and share academic and profes - bers. research undertakings. The program was lectures in comparative government; the his - sional opportunities through active online For more information about the Armenian sponsored by the Open Society Institute, and tory of diplomacy; art, politics, and propa - networks. Because of the links created Higher Education Initiative, visit training space was provided by Yerevan State ganda; and other subjects. In addition, par - between staff, alumni, and related parties, www.armhei.org or contact Sarah Ludwig, University. ticipants received an intensive two-week participants have expanded their academic executive director at [email protected]. Comic-Con: The Queen of the Convention

motes Warner-produced cartoons (“Teen Titans more on the D23 Expo, a fan convention of its By Brooks Barnes Go!”). And then there is the official 2,400- own planned for Aug. 9 to 11 in Anaheim. square-foot Time Warner booth, which this year “Marketing and promotion for the fall TV sea - displays props and costumes from TV programs son is starting earlier and earlier, and this con - SAN DIEGO ( New York Times Blog) — The and films like Tom Cruise’s coming “Edge of vention comes at the perfect time for us,” heat at Comic-Con International, the annual Tomorrow”; allows attendees to play Warner Gregorian said. “All the traditional media now convention for fans of fantasy, science-fiction, video games; and holds DC Comics autograph comes, and we get huge amplification on social horror, animation, video games and related signings and HBO meet-and-greets. networks.” toys, comes from cavernous Hall H, a 6,500-seat “We’re like the department store that Hollywood types who turn up their noses, space where studios try to work attendees into anchors the mall,” she said Wednesday evening, Gregorian said, glancing over at a pack of attendees a frenzy by showing exclusive snippets of com - the convention’s preview night, as she surveyed wearing horned helmets, “simply don’t get it.” ing movies and television shows. her kingdom from the booth’s second-story “Our business is about red carpets and stan - But the convention floor is where the queen platform. chions a lot of the time,” she added, “but we of Comic-Con can be found. Why such an aggressive push, especially as strongly believe — in the age of social media – Lisa Gregorian, the chief marketing officer of some other studios pull back? Disney, for that we need to also go directly to the fans and Warner Brothers Television Group, runs what is instance, has a presence here, but is focused make them feel really special.” unquestionably Comic-Con’s most full-tilt studio charge. Over the coming days, this tour de force will oversee screenings, panels and autograph signings for 17 Warner-produced shows, includ - Armenian Government Tries to Help ing “The Vampire Diaries,” “Revolution” and “The Big Bang Theory.” Her show advertising Driver of Truck that Plowed into Bus is everywhere in downtown San Diego — the drama “Person of Interest,” for instance, CRASH, from page 1 tact with their counterparts and colleagues in appears on 40,000 hotel room key cards. extradition is usually not an issue and is not dif - Russia over the fate of the Armenian citizen She also created Lawn Con, a picnic area out - Lisa Gregorian ficult to arrange. who himself incurred injuries as well as a psy - side the convention center for families that pro - “We have to consider that both Armenia and chological trauma in the accident. Russia are members of the Minsk Convention Late last week Russian Deputy Foreign guaranteeing the extradition process. The Minister Grigory Karasin assured the Armenian Justice Ministry and the Prosecutor-General’s side of the unbiased nature of the ongoing office have the right to turn to Russia with that investigation. At the same time, according to a issue,” he says. statement issued by the Russian Foreign In a report that aired on Rossiya, a state-run Ministry, Karasin and Armenia’s Ambassador to television channel, correspondent Olga Russia Oleg Yesayan, expressed mutual concern Skabeeva emphasized his disheveled appear - regarding “ongoing undignified attempts to ance spoke in a derogatory tone about the exploit that tragedy for inflaming sentiments Armenian, saying that he could only “moo” in running counter to the spirit of Russian- reply to questions. Armenian friendship.” “Such commentaries of a so-called journalist Civil activists and some political circles in are unacceptable. We try not to give impor - Armenia have voiced their anger and dismay in tance to that, but such behavior must be pun - recent days over what they regard as an unac - ished,” said Lilit Harutyunyan, according to ceptable derogatory treatment of the citizen of Aysor.am. Armenia in Russia. Groups of activists staged Armenian diplomats and other representa - protest actions near the Russian embassy in tives, in particular officials from the embassy in Yerevan and the Russian consulate in Gumri Moscow and the ombudsman, have been in con - during last week.

US House Panel Approves Deep Cuts on FY2014 Foreign Aid Spending

BUDGET, from page 1 as part of a mission that included firsthand sur - across the US continue to contact Senate and veys of the benefits of US assistance programs House appropriators to advocate for a broad for both Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. In range of Armenian American concerns includ - addition to meetings with Nagorno Karabagh ing: at least $5 million in US assistance to Deputy Prime Minister Artur Aghabekyan, Nagorno Karabagh, at least $50 million in US Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan and assistance to Armenia, at least 10 percent of Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian, Nahapetian US assistance to Georgia to be earmarked for visited with representatives of the Halo Trust, job creation programs in the Samtskhe- which receives close to half of the $2 million Javakheti region of that country, language annual US assistance package to Karabagh for strengthening Section 907 restrictions on US demining purposes. aid to Azerbaijan; removal of barriers to con - HALO Trust offered shocking statistics about tact and communication with representatives the ongoing maiming of civilians, including chil - of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic, and lan - dren, due to the landmines and explosive rem - guage calling for the participation of Nagorno nants in Karabagh — noting that the injury rate Karabagh leaders in the OSCE Minsk Group is ahead of even Afghanistan on a per capita negotiations. basis. The ANCA has been advocating for the ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate expansion of US assistance to Karabagh to the Nahapetian travelled to Armenia and Karabagh $5 million level to address these concerns.