NOVEMBER 24, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 19, Issue 4563 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF New Ambassador to US Pashinyan Rules out Change Presents Credentials to US Chief of Protocol WASHINGTON — On November 15 the newly In Armenia’s Policy on Iran appointed Ambassador of Armenia to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan presented the copies of his credentials to Ambassador Sean Lawler, Chief of Protocol of the United States. YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia will Lawler congratulated Nersesyan on assuming his maintain its close relationship with neigh- position and expressed confidence that the new boring Iran despite renewed US sanctions Armenian Ambassador will further contribute to against the Islamic Republic, Prime promoting friendly relations between Armenia and Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Tuesday, the United States. November 20. Nersesyan thanked Lawler for his hospitality and “We need to develop relations with Iran underlined his willingness to make efforts towards very intensively and they must be mutually expanding the Armenia-US political agenda. beneficial,” Pashinyan told reporters, com- During the meeting the two touched upon the menting on the impact of the sanctions on prospects of enhancing cultural and economic Armenian-Iranian ties. cooperation, particularly emphasizing the impor- He said he sees “no need to make any tance of expanding bilateral trade and business ties changes” in Armenia’s policy towards Iran. and fostering investments, as well as deepening “We should not only maintain the good cooperation in the tourism area. level of our relations but also try to raise them to a new level,” he stressed. Pashinyan said that the US administra- Azerbaijan Protests tion “understands our situation and poli- cy.” Having good relations with the United Karabakh Leader’s States is also “very important” to Armenia, Visits to US, France he added. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in September A team of officials from the US state and PARIS (RFE/RL) — Azerbaijan has criticized the treasury departments had visited Yerevan United States and France for allowing Bako the previous week to explain the sanctions sanctions policy against Iran to govern- behavior through maximum economic and Sahakyan, the Nagorno-Karabakh president, to re-imposed by President Donald Trump ear- ments around the world.” diplomatic pressure, while also outlining again visit the two countries. lier this year to Armenia’s government and “They also met with the Deputy Governor areas for cooperation with partners like Sahakyan flew to Paris on November 14 to meet private sector. No details of their meetings of the Central Bank of Armenia as well as Armenia,” it added. with pro-Armenian French lawmakers and leaders were made public. with private banks, members of the American Armenian government bodies issued no of the Armenian community of France. He also vis- The US Embassy in Yerevan said the Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, and statements on the discussions with the vis- ited the local offices of the Hayastan All-Armenian “subject matter experts” from the US Armenian academics and think tank iting US officials. Fund as it began an annual fundraiser in Europe departments of state and treasury met with experts,” read an embassy statement. Iran was also high on the agenda of US that will primarily benefit Karabakh. senior Armenian government officials as “The delegation emphasized US efforts National Security Adviser John Bolton’s Sahakyan proceeded to Los Angeles on Friday, part of Washington’s efforts to “explain US to change the Iranian regime’s malign October trip to Armenia. Bolton said he November 16, ahead of the traditional told Pashinyan that the Trump administra- Thanksgiving Day telethon, a key source of funding tion will enforce the sanctions “very vigor- for infrastructure projects implemented by the pan- TCA Mourns Loss of Former ously.” Commercial and other traffic Armenian charity in Karabakh and Armenia. through the Armenian-Iranian border is Both Sahakyan and his predecessor have fre- President Dr. Kevork Keshishian therefore “going to be a significant issue” quently made such trips to the US, France and for Washington, he said. other Western countries. It is with great sadness that we share the news Speaking in the Armenian parliament a Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday of the loss of the prominent community leader and few days after his talks with Bolton, that it has sent a note of protest to the French gov- activist Dr. Kevork Keshishian, Pashinyan made clear that his government ernment. In a separate statement, the ministry also who passed away on Friday, will maintain Armenia’s “special” relation- said Baku will “review” its relations with Paris November 16, 2018, in Los ship with Iran. because of what it called French support for Angeles. The premier on Tuesday did not deny Karabakh’s “occupation regime.” Dr. Keshishian was a com- reports that some Armenian commercial “We believe that this move by France is casting munity activist from his banks have started closing the accounts of serious doubt on its objectiveness and impartiali- youth in Lebanon, taking his Iranian citizens, most of them Armenian ty,” a spokeswoman for the ministry, Leyla place among the ranks of the descent, living in Armenia. He insisted that Abdullayeva, told reporters. Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and those private banks are not acting on his Baku protested against Sahakyan’s trip to the the Tekeyan Cultural Association. government’s orders. He suggested that US in a similar fashion. It questioned the “sinceri- He continued this role after moving to the East they have commercial operations with the ty” of the US policy towards Azerbaijan, saying that Coast of the United States. As a result of his dedi- US and do not want to be sanctioned by by issuing a US visa to the Karabakh leader cation and commitment to the ideals of the AGBU, Washington. Washington is encouraging the “separatist entity.” see KESHISHIAN, page 20 see IRAN, page 2

Alexis Ohanian Launches Shakmat Brandy INSIDE LOS ANGELES — What do you do after you make millions in tech, receives accolades as a model husband for one of the world’s top athletes, and father an adorable child? For Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, the answer was to get into spirits. On Monday Arpa Film (11.12), Ohanian unveiled Shakmat, an Armenian brandy that he created in collabora- tion with Flaviar, a direct-to-consumer spirits club. The Brooklyn-born Ohanian is the great-grandson of refugees Fest Awards from the Armenian Genocide in the early twentieth century. While visiting his ancestral home in 2010, he discovered the joys Pages 10-11 of the local distillate. “Armenian brandy is something Armenians are really proud of, but outside of Armenia and the Armenian commu- nity, no one really knows it, which is a real shame — it’s leg- INDEX endary,” he said in a statement. Arts and Living ...... 13 Shakmat is a blended, 23-year-old XO brandy, clocking in at 40 Armenia ...... 2,3 percent alcohol content. The spirit is grape based and utilizes a Community News...... 6 double distillation process involving both a continuous column Editorial ...... 17 still and French alembic stills. International ...... 4,5 see SHAKMAT, page 20 2 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Pashinyan Rules out Change

Restoring Gyumri In Armenia’s Policy on Iran Priority, Pashinyan Says YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The restoration of the IRAN, from page 1 States is going to be very important.” Foreign Minister Zohrab disaster zone in Gyumri is a priority for the govern- Pashinyan met with Iranian President Speaking in the Armenian parliament Mnatsakanyan commented on the ment of Armenia, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Hassan Rouhani when he visited New a few days later, Pashinyan said he made move’s possible impact on the Pashinyan told reporters during a press conference York in September to address a session it clear to Bolton that his government Armenian-Iranian relationship in an on November 20. of the UN General Assembly. The two will maintain Armenia’s “special” rela- interview with the Russian TASS news “In terms of the restoration of the disaster zone, a leaders discussed ways of expanding tionship with Iran. “We respect the agency published on Friday. number of investment programs seem much more Armenian-Iranian trade and reaffirmed national interests of any country, but the “For us, this is a highly sensitive issue important, over which talks are underway and some their support for joint energy projects Republic of Armenia has its own nation- because Iran is an important partner of of them are being implemented. And we are inclined planned or already implemented by the al and state interests which do not Armenia with which we have … a bilat- that these investment programs create jobs in the two states. always coincide with the interests and eral agenda extremely important to disaster zone,” he said. With Armenia’s borders with ideas of other countries,” stressed Armenia,” said Mnatsakanyan. Touching upon the housing problems, the families Azerbaijan and Turkey closed due to the Pashinyan. US officials have yet to publicly say who need apartments, the acting PM said this debate Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Iran as well Bolton tweeted after his visit that which Armenian-Iranian commercial continues for a long time, but it must end one day. as Georgia serve as the sole conduits for Armenia is an “important friend” of the operations, if any, could be affected by “We need to understand what volumes the talk is the landlocked country’s trade with the United States. the renewed sanctions. about, what part of these volumes is the state’s duty outside world. Armenia also imports Accordingly, both the current and for- According to official Armenian sta- and in what timeframes the state must fulfill that Iranian natural gas and other fuel. mer Armenian governments have sup- tistics, Armenian-Iranian trade stood at duty,” Pashinyan said. “Obviously, we don’t want to cause ported a 2015 multilateral accord on $263 million last year. Pashinyan and He added that there are several proposals for hous- damage to our friends in the process,” Iran’s nuclear program that led to the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dis- ing construction which suggest building new apart- Bolton said in an interview in October. lifting of the US sanctions. Trump uni- cussed ways of expanding it when they ments in the disaster zone with the latest technolo- “So I think conversation between the laterally pulled out of that deal earlier met in New York in September. gies. government of Armenia and the United year. Armenia Warns of Dangers of Regional Armenian President Visits Italy for Talks Arms Race ROME — President Armen YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The regional arms race Sarkissian, who is in Italy on a working is a highly dangerous practice, Armenia’s Acting visit, on November 20 met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan President of the Italian Republic told TASS in an interview on November 16. Sergio Mattarella. “Our country is located in a very delicate region President Mattarella welcomed his where an unresolved conflict exists, and reaching colleague’s visit to Italy. In a cordial peace and stability, as well as the development of an and warm atmosphere, the Presidents atmosphere contributing to the establishment of discussed issues related to the peace, are highly important issues for us. In this con- strengthening of the Armenian-Italian ditions arms race is a highly dangerous [thing],” relations. Mnatsakanyan said. It was noted that high level visits He emphasized that when Armenia is expressing considerably contribute to the deepen- concern to its partners over arms supplies to ing of the bilateral ties and give a new Azerbaijan, it stresses the fact that Armenia cannot impetus to the development of cooper- treat the supplies simply as a usual deal. “These are ation of the two friendly states in all weapons that take the lives of our countrymen, our areas. soldiers and civilians,” he said. “Therefore, in this Sarkissian informed the counterpart type of conditions arms race is very dangerous in our on the meetings and agreements region. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict first of all reached in the framework of his work- relates to people, it is about the physical security of ing visit to Italy. Stressing that wide 150,000 people, and we will do everything possible opportunities exist for cooperation in to ensure their security,” Mnatsakanyan said. the economic, cultural, and scientific President Armen Sarkissian met with the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella He noted that no one can question the resolve and areas, the Presidents underscored the combat-readiness of the Armenian side in being the importance of a full utilization of the guarantor of security of Artsakh’s people. “At the existing potential. President Armen ment production. Armenia. same time I once again emphasize Armenia’s com- Sarkissian, who is in Italy on a working At the meeting, the parties held an The Leonardo Company specializes mitment for the exclusively peaceful solution of the visit, on November 16 had a working engaged discussion on the opportuni- in the production of defense and secu- conflict,” he said. meeting with Alessandro Profumo, ties with the Company in the areas of rity aerospace related equipment, chief executive director of the Italian education and high technologies. broadly applying high technologies. Leonardo company which is a leading President Sarkissian invited The company has more than 45,000 Acting Foreign Minister company in the area of military equip- Profumo to conduct a visit to employees and manufactures heli- copters, aircrafts, aero systems, land Meets with COE Human and sea electronics, defense, security and information systems. It exports its Rights Commissioner production to dozen countries. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Acting Foreign Leonardo maintains considerable Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who was industrial presence at the internal mar- in Strasburg on a working visit, met with Council of kets of Italy, Great Britain, US, and Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights Poland and cooperates strategically at Dunja Mijatovic on November 20. the major international markets. The two referred to the agreements reached during On November 14, Sarkissan partici- the Yerevan visit of the CoE Commissioner for pated in the Digital Geopolitics: New Human Rights in September and the results, record- Borders, Growth, and National ing with satisfaction that the regular meetings give Security Conference. an opportunity to discuss the developments in the The conference was attended also by sphere of human rights in Armenia, the cooperation the Minister of Defense of Italy with the Commissioner’s office and the prospects for Elizabetta Trenta, executive director joint projects. and president of Elettronica Group Speaking about the upcoming early parliamentary Enzo Benigni, a member of the elections in Armenia, Mnatsakanyan emphasized that Administration of Barack Obama, Alec the organization of free and fair elections in line Ross, as well as representatives of sci- with international standards is an important priority entific and expert communities. for the government of Armenia. At the conference, Sarkissian deliv- Mnatsakanyan and Mijatovic also referred to the ered an address, in which he spoke international efforts aimed at the prevention of geno- about globalization and the changing cides and crimes against humanity. world. “The world is changing faster Mnatsakanyan introduced to Mijatovi the approach- and faster by day. We are witnessing es of Armenia for the peaceful settlement of Nagorno the indications. And those, who appre- Karabakh conflict. ciate that fact, will become tomorrow’s leaders. Globalization has changed President Armen Sarkissian speaks at the Digital Geopolitics Conference. from macro to micro: companies, indi- viduals are now unstoppable,” S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and His Wife, Anna Hakobyan, Visit Veterans’ Center Armenia Honors its Fallen War Hero Robert Abajyan YEREVAN — Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan visited the Fatherland Defender’s Rehabilitation Center – a military clinic – to take part in the celebration of 2016 April War fallen soldier Robert Abajyan’s birthday, on November 16. Junior Sergeant Robert Abajyan was 19 when he was killed during the April Four Day War of Artsakh in 2016. After fierce and heavy battles during the April 1-2 combat, Abajyan sacrificed himself by detonating a hand grenade as enemy troops infiltrated his position and saved the lives of the backup forces. He was posthumous- ly awarded the title of Hero of Artsakh, the highest state award of the country, and the Golden Eagle Order. Abajyan’s parents and grandparents were also in attendance of the birthday event. The war hero’s brothers-in-arms, as well as other patients of the clinic, prepared a bar- beque together outside in the clinic’s yard, and later celebrated their friend’s birthday around a dinner table with Pashinyan, Hakobyan and the family and friends of the soldier. “Today is the birthday of our beloved Robert Abajyan, a Hero of Artsakh. I propose to drink a toast in honor of Robert with this glass, a toast to his heroism and a toast to all our fallen A toast to soldiers and fallen comrades and living heroes. Let’s drink that we, with our lives and actions, be wor- thy to their heroism, their sacrifices, that they have done for their fatherland, for the Armenian people, for all of us. I hope that we will be able and will manage to live worthily to this action, regardless what it is that we are doing,” Pashinyan said, thanking Abajyan’s parents for their son’s services to his country. Patients of the clinic chatted with Pashinyan and spoke about their successes and activities after treatment. Pashinyan then toured the facility and viewed the new building of the Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presents flowers to the mother of the clinic that is under devel- late soldier, Robert Abajyan. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife, Anna Hakobyan, arrive at the medical clinic. opment. Armenian Parliament Rejects Pro-Church Bills

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Deputies from icism from the HHK and other conservative parliament debate. the church as a whole needs stronger state Serzh Sargsyan’s Republican Party (HHK) critics of the newly elected Prime Minister “Our church is an inseparable part of our protection. “I don’t think it’s right to put the walked out of the Armenian parliament on Nikol Pashinyan. They accused the govern- national security. Anyone who is against that Catholicos in a situation where he himself has Friday, November 16, after failing to push ment of showing contempt for “traditional church is also against national security,” to ask for protection,” said Armen Rustamian, through bills meant to protect the supreme Armenian values.” declared Samvel Nikoyan, another deputy Dashnaktsutyun’s parliamentary leader. head of the Armenian Apostolic Church One of the HHK bills would ban any representing the former ruling party. Only 28 mainly Republican deputies voted against physical threats. demonstrations inside church premises. Lawmakers allied to Pashinyan rejected the for the bill. Their colleagues representing The HHK drafted the two bills after Pashinyan’s cabinet spoke out against the bill bill. One of them, Lena Nazarian, said there is Gagik Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia Party, Catholicos Karekin II faced calls for his resig- last month. Only 43 members of the 105-seat no need for such legislation because the gov- the second largest force in the outgoing par- nation following this spring’s “Velvet National Assembly voted for it. ernment will protect the Catholicos whenever liament, abstained. Revolution” in Armenia. Citing this summer’s incidents, HHK law- he feels that his security is at risk. “This is the most disgraceful vote in inde- An obscure Armenian group launched a makers also drafted separate legal amend- Another pro-Pashinyan deputy, Sasun pendent Armenia’s history,” charged Eduard series of protests against the catholicos in ments that would obligate the state to pro- Mikaelian, argued against “protecting the Sharmazanov, a deputy parliament speaker June, accusing him of corruption and close ties vide Karekin with bodyguards on a perma- Catholicos against the people.” Mikaelian said affiliated with the HHK. with the country’s former government. Dozens nent basis. Some of them seemed to imply the HHK itself is responsible for Karekin’s per- “There may be 28 of us today. There will be of its members partly occupied his Echmiadzin that the summer protests against him were ceived unpopularity because the latter had 2,800 of us tomorrow and 2.8 million the day headquarters in July. Some of them also phys- provoked by other, non-traditional religious grown too close to the previous government. after,” Sharmazanov said before he and sev- ically confronted Karekin II when he subse- groups active in the country. “Against whom is the prime minister pro- eral other HHK parliamentarians walked out quently travelled to a medieval monastery in “We want to protect the Catholicos against tected by his security detail? Against the peo- in protest. the southeastern Vayots Dzor province. sexual and religious minorities that are ple?” countered the HHK’s Margarit Yesayan. The Armenian Church’s official position on Police waited for several days before forcing financed from abroad and fight against the The Armenian Revolutionary Federation the proposed legislation is not known. Its the protesters out of the Mother See of the Armenian statehood and Armenian faith,” the (Dashnaktsutyun) also backed the HHK ini- chief spokesman could not be reached for Armenian Church. This prompted strong crit- HHK’s Hakob Hakobian said during a heated tiative, saying that not only Karekin but also comment on Friday. 4 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News To Ease Turkish Pressure on Saudis over Killing, White House Weighs Expelling Erdogan Foe Italian General Praises him, Pompeo acknowledged having dis- Armenian Peacekeepers By Carol E. Lee, Julia Ainsley and Courtney Kube cussed Gulen with the Turks. “We did talk about Fethullah Gulen and we In Kabul talked about the set of issues surround- KABUL (Mediamax) — Acting Defense Minister of WASHINGTON (NBC News) — The pressure up by leaking pieces of evi- ing that organization as well,” Pompeo Armenia Davit Tonoyan met on November 20 with White House is looking for ways to dence and repeatedly speaking out to said. “It’s something that the Turks NATO Resolute Support Mission Deputy remove an enemy of Turkish President accuse Prince Mohammed of orches- remind us of often, and we’re mindful of Commander, Gen. Salvatore Camporeale in Kabul Recep Erdogan from the US in order to trating the murder of Khashoggi, a places that we can work with them to while on a working visit to Afghanistan. placate Turkey over the murder of jour- Washington Post columnist and outspo- make sure that we all have a shared set Camporeale introduced Tonoyan in detail to the nalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to ken critic of the Saudi leadership. of facts as well. But it’s mostly not a operative situation, specifics of peacekeeping, as well two senior US officials and two other (Subsequently, the CIA concluded that State Department issue; it’s mostly a as the military and technical equipment of the peace- people briefed on the requests. the order for the killing was issued by Justice Department issue.” keeping forces. Trump administration officials last the Saudi prince.) The Turkish official wouldn’t discuss He also thanked him for the service the Armenian month asked federal law enforcement Saudi Arabia is critical to Trump’s details of Erdogan’s conversation with officers and soldiers involved in the Resolute agencies to examine legal ways of Middle East policy. The White House’s Pompeo but said, “The Gulen issue is a Mission, who, according to him, stand out by great removing exiled Turkish cleric relationship with Prince Mohammed is part of any diplomatic conversation that discipline, initiative and training. Fethullah Gulen in an attempt to per- key to Trump’s goals of countering Iran we’re having with our American coun- suade Erdogan to ease pressure on the and helping to reach an Israeli- terparts.” Saudi government, the four sources Palestinian peace agreement. Turkey is Pompeo, who also met with Saudi Armenia Blasts Azeris said. a NATO ally in possession of evidence leaders in Riyadh on that same trip, The effort includes directives to the about Khashoggi’s murder that posi- briefed Trump on his discussions after Attempts to Try Captive Justice Department and FBI that offi- tions Erdogan to stoke international returning to Washington. YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — The attempt of cials reopen Turkey’s case for his extra- outrage over Riyadh’s culpability in and The Trump administration later sent Azerbaijani authorities to present Armenian citizen dition, as well as a request to the cover-up of Khashoggi’s murder. word to Erdogan that officials would re- Karen Ghazaryan, who is being held captive in Baku, Homeland Security Department for Erdogan has for years demanded the examine the Gulen issue, the US offi- as a criminal and orchestrating judicial proceedings information about his legal status, the US send Gulen back to Turkey. The cials and people familiar with the matter against him is a flagrant violation of the interna- four people said. Turkish leader accuses the elderly cleric said. tional humanitarian law, Foreign Ministry spokesper- They said the White House specifical- of being a terrorist who was behind a Justice Department officials respond- son Anna Naghdalyan said at a news briefing on ly wanted details about Gulen’s residen- failed coup against Erdogan’s govern- ed to the White House’s request saying November 13. cy status in the US Gulen has a Green ment in 2016. After the coup attempt, the review of Turkey’s case against “From the very beginning, it was clear that the Card, according to two people familiar Ankara made a formal request to the US Gulen two years ago showed no basis Azerbaijani authorities would attempt to stage a per- with the matter. He has been living in for Gulen’s extradition. for his extradition and that no new evi- formance involving the Armenian citizen who ended Pennsylvania since the late 1990s. One option that Turkish and Trump dence to justify it has emerged, the US up in the Azerbaijani territory in unknown circum- Career officials at the agencies administration officials recently dis- officials and others familiar with the stances, presenting him as a saboteur. But their ini- pushed back on the White House cussed is forcing Gulen to relocate to requests said. tial scenario seems to have failed since Karen requests, the US officials and people South Africa rather than sending him Trump administration officials then Ghazaryan suffers from mental problems and wasn’t briefed on the requests said. directly to Turkey if extradition is not asked for other options to legally conscripted for military service,” she stressed. “At first there were eye rolls, but once possible, said the US officials and peo- remove him, the US officials and others “By staging a judicial process, Azerbaijan tries to they realized it was a serious request, ple briefed on the discussions. But the said. press grave charges against a person with serious the career guys were furious,” said a US does not have any legal justification They said the White House specifical- health problems, which is a gross violation of the senior US official involved in the to send Gulen to South Africa, they ly wanted details about the terms under international humanitarian law,” she stressed. process. said, so that wouldn’t be a viable option which Gulen resides in the US Officials The spokesperson noted that this farce of A spokesperson for the National unless he went willingly. from the law enforcement agencies Azerbaijan is just aimed at presenting a sick person Security Council initially declined to Trump and Erdogan also recently dis- informed the White House there is no as a criminal and thus putting an equals sign to some comment on this story but after it pub- cussed another option to relieve ten- evidence that Gulen has broken any US extent between him and the two saboteurs sentenced lished, said in a statement: “The NSC sions — the release of Turkish banker laws, the US officials and others familiar in Artsakh for committing serious crimes. has not been involved in nor aware of Mehmet Hakan Atilla, who was sen- with the requests said. any discussions relating the extradition tenced in May to 32 months in prison by The requests on Gulen in mid-October of Fethullah Gulen to the death of Jamal a US federal judge for his role in a mark at least the second time the Turkey, Russia Celebrate Khashoggi.” scheme to evade US sanctions against Trump administration has re-examined The State Department, Justice Iran, two people familiar with the dis- Turkey’s extradition request since tak- TurkStream Gas Pipeline Department and the Department of cussion said. Erdogan has criticized the ing office. In the weeks after Trump’s As Relations Warm Homeland Security did not respond to case against Atilla as a political attack inauguration, the White House asked requests for comment. aimed at undermining his government. the Justice Department to review ISTANBUL (Jerusalem Post) — Turkey aims to be A lawyer representing Gulen declined The US and Turkey have been Gulen’s case, NBC has reported. an energy center, Turkey’s Energy and Natural to comment. The FBI also declined to engaged in negotiations over a series of Some officials have described the first Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said on Monday, comment. sensitive diplomatic issues over the past request as a routine part of a new November 19. His comments came as Turkish A Turkish official said the govern- few months, including a deal for last administration reviewing its relation- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Russian ment does not link its concerns about month’s release of an American pastor, ship with a key ally. The request, how- President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul to celebrate the the Khashoggi murder with Gulen’s Andrew Brunson, who was imprisoned ever, took place under Trump’s former TurkStream pipeline. The pipeline from Russia is extradition case. in Turkey and an agreement for joint US national security adviser, Michael Flynn, part of Turkey’s larger ambitions to become a natur- “We definitely see no connection and Turkish military patrols in Manbij, whose ties to Turkey came under scruti- al gas trading hub and position itself, along with between the two,” the official said. “We Syria. ny in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia, as among the strongest countries in the want to see action on the end of the Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed investigation into Russian election med- region. United States in terms of the extradi- exile in the US for almost two decades, dling. Flynn, who resigned in February Putin thanked Erdogan for showing “political will tion of Gulen. And we’re going to con- denies any involvement in the failed 2017, entered into a plea agreement and courage.” Putin claimed that, “projects of this tinue our investigation on behalf of the coup in Turkey in 2016. A one-time ally with Mueller last December and has kind and this project in particular are not aimed Khashoggi case.” of Erdogan, he’s become an influential been cooperating with the investigation. against the interests of anyone.” However, Turkey The secret effort to resolve one of the cleric with a wide network of followers Turkey provided boxes of materials to warned energy companies on Sunday against dealing leading tensions in US-Turkey relations known as “Gulenistas.” His movement the US in 2016 that Erdogan says with the Greek Cypriot government in pursuing — Gulen’s residency in the US — pro- includes a host of nonprofit organiza- shows Gulen was behind the failed drilling opportunities in the eastern Mediterranean, vides a window into how President tions, businesses and schools, in the US, coup. But officials at the Justice claiming it would “damage regional stability.” This Donald Trump is trying to navigate hos- as well as South Africa. Department and FBI didn’t find evi- illustrates that Turkish and Russia may have differ- tility between two key allies after Saudi After Khashoggi’s murder, Erdogan dence that met the standard for extradi- ing views of the natural gas sector as a strategic officials murdered Khashoggi on Oct. 2 appeared to see an opportunity to ratch- tion, which requires US prosecutors to regional agenda. at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. et up pressure on the Trump adminis- determine that someone committed Gazprom completed the construction of a section It suggests the White House could be tration over Gulen, the US officials and crimes abroad that would also be illegal of the TurkStream project ahead of schedule, accord- looking for ways to contain Erdogan’s people familiar with the matter said. in the US ing to Putin’s comments. It began work on a pipeline ire over the murder while preserving Turkish officials made clear to Relations between US and Turkey in the spring of 2017 and laid the line across 930 Trump’s close alliance with Saudi Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during have been strained under Trump. kilometers the Black Sea to Turkey. It is expected to Arabia’s controversial de facto leader, his Oct. 17 meeting with Erdogan in Khashoggi’s disappearance after stretch toward southern Europe, to enable trading Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ankara that they wanted the Trump entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in with Greece, Italy, Hungary and Serbia. The kingdom, after initially denying administration to turn over Gulen, the Istanbul introduced new friction. Turkey is already a major recipient of Russian nat- any role in Khashoggi’s disappearance, US officials and people familiar with the Turkey publicly accused Saudi Arabia of ural gas and is also the fourth largest natural gas reversed course and admitted that matter said. flying in an assassination team to mur- consumer in Europe. Ankara says that the pipelines Saudi officials were responsible for the “That was their number one ask,” der Khashoggi. The two countries have from Russia will bring 32 billion cubic meters of gas killing. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s top said a person briefed on the meeting. long been rivals. flow annually, of which half will be used in Turkey prosecutor recommended the death Pompeo asked if Erdogan had new Amid Saudi denials over Khashoggi’s and the rest in other areas of the region. penalty for five out of the 11 suspects evidence of Gulen’s involvement in the disappearance, Turkey ramped up inter- charged with killing Khashoggi. A total failed coup, prompting the Turkish national pressure on Riyadh by leaking of 21 suspects have been arrested in leader to try to make the case that its possession of evidence, including connection with the case, according to Gulen has terrorist ties, a senior US offi- recordings from inside the consulate Saud al-Mojeb. cial briefed on the meeting said. that Turkey officials say show the Saudi Erdogan, meanwhile, has kept the In remarks to reporters traveling with government murdered Khashoggi. S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL

derous history that has made Cambodia a byword for genocidal the Khmer Rouge imposed its reign of terror on Cambodia. In Khmer Rouge’s mania. 1975, Pol Pot and his Communist forces marched into Phnom “It may be finished,” said Iam Yen, 52, who gave testimony to Penh, the Cambodian capital, and declared it “Year Zero.” the tribunal of her years imprisoned in a child camp under the The aim was a classless agrarian society. People were execut- Khmer Rouge. “But I won’t ever have peace.” ed for the slightest of crimes: wearing glasses, speaking French Slaughter in Still, a verdict of genocide in Cambodia, no matter how or liking ballet. delayed or limited in scope, carries implications for future pros- Many of the Khmer Rouge’s most fervent ideologues were for- ecutions of crimes against humanity, such as in the cases of eign-educated. Khieu Samphan studied political science at the Sudan or Myanmar. Sorbonne, while Nuon Chea went to college in Thailand. The Cambodia Is “We need to show the world that even if it takes a long time, support they garnered, however, came from Cambodia’s young, we can deliver justice,” said Ly Sok Kheang, the director of the rural base, which had suffered from years of civil war and Anlong Veng Peace Center and a researcher in peace and rec- American bombardment as the Vietnam War spilled over the Ruled a onciliation efforts. border. For more than a decade, the United Nations-backed tribunal, Cambodia today is again a young country. Most of the popu- called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, lation was born long after the Khmer Rouge was removed from has sifted through hundreds of thousands of pages of docu- power by the invading Vietnamese in 1979. Even if many fami- Genocide ments, called hundreds of witnesses and heard in exhaustive lies lost relatives during the rise and fall of the Khmer Rouge, detail how the Khmer Rouge ran its killing fields. little national introspection has occurred. The entire effort has cost more than $300 million. Hun Sen has muzzled the media, thrown opposition leaders Yet the court has convicted just three senior Khmer Rouge in jail and warned that Western-style democracy may be a By Hannah Beech leaders of crimes against humanity: Nuon Chea, Khieu plot to foil Cambodia’s autonomy. The Khmer Rouge trials are Samphan and Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, who not his priority. commanded a prison camp where at least 12,000 people were Yun Bin, 63, said he was taken to one of the Khmer Rouge’s PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (New York Times) — Many of the tortured and ordered to their deaths. killing fields, hacked with an ax and dumped in a well with oth- foot soldiers for the Khmer Rouge remain in Cambodia’s remote Only five top Khmer Rouge leaders have been arrested and ers. To ensure no one lived, the soldiers threw grenades in the reaches, each with a chronicle of the horror-soaked years in put on trial. But as the court’s deliberations dragged on, the well, he said. Yun Bin alone survived. To honor those who died which Pol Pot and his Communist disciples turned the country other two elderly defendants died. in the well, he added his name as a civil party in the Khmer into a deadly laboratory for agrarian totalitarianism. With Friday’s judgment, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Rouge trials. Mea Chrun, a former bodyguard in the Khmer Rouge, lives in Cambodia has made clear he would prefer the tribunal to cease “I don’t want people to forget what happened,” he said. the jungle-choked hills of northern Cambodia, in Anlong Veng. its high-profile work. But others would like trials to extend to “Today, people care about business and money, and they want He is matter-of-fact about the weight of the slaughter. “I think many lower-ranking officials who are believed to have carried to look forward.” that one million people were killed,” he said. “Don’t say three out some of the Khmer Rouge’s most horrific crimes. Even in Anlong Veng, which remained a Khmer Rouge million.” Hun Sen, a onetime Khmer Rouge cadre who has ruled stronghold for years as the ultra-Communists created a fiefdom On Friday, November 16, four decades after a total of at least Cambodia for more than three decades, had opposed the for- near the Thai border, a flashy capitalism has arrived. 1.7 million people, a fifth of Cambodia’s population, were culled mation of the tribunal in the first place. Rather than put Khieu The shabby grave of Pol Pot, who died in 1998, only receives by execution, overwork, disease and famine, an international tri- Samphan and Nuon Chea on trial, he said in 1998, they should a few visitors a day. But across the street from the grave site, a bunal for the first time declared that the Khmer Rouge com- be greeted with “bouquets of flowers, not with prisons and massive casino with fountains and statuary draws Thai and local mitted genocide against the Muslim Cham minority and handcuffs.” customers, even if gambling is illegal for Cambodians. Vietnamese. “This trial has frequently been a disgrace and a farce,” said The most consistent visitors to Pol Pot’s burial grounds are The panel also issued guilty verdicts against the two most Sophal Ear, a professor of diplomacy and world affairs at casino staff, who come to burn fake money to ensure continued senior surviving members of the regime, Nuon Chea and Khieu Occidental College in Los Angeles, whose family fled the Khmer good luck for the gambling hall, the grave’s caretaker said. Samphan, now 92 and 87, respectively. Rouge. “The message is that you can be held to account, if you Many ex-Khmer Rouge in Anlong Veng said they had no idea Nuon Chea was found guilty of genocide against both the live long enough.” that a genocide verdict was imminent in Phnom Penh. Dividing Cham and Vietnamese, and Khieu Samphan against just the Khieu Samphan, head of state during most of the Khmer the Cambodian population into binary good and bad halves is Vietnamese. The pair were found guilty of various crimes Rouge years, and Nuon Chea, Pol Pot’s aide-de-camp and chief impossible, they said. against humanity and grave breaches of the Geneva political strategist, were arrested in 2007, after having spent “We are all victims,” said Panh Sam Onn, who hid his back- Conventions. And they were sentenced to life imprisonment, the years living freely in the country’s north. ground as a teacher to avoid being persecuted by the Khmer same sentence they had received in an earlier trial. When handed life sentences in 2014 at an earlier trial for Rouge. He was soon drafted into the Khmer Rouge and rose In dry legal prose that did not camouflage the violent class other crimes against humanity, both men denied responsibility from foot soldier to district chief. struggle waged by the Khmer Rouge, the verdict repeated cer- for the regime’s brutality, even though they were among its Panh Sam Onn acknowledged the excesses that occurred tain words: murder, extermination, enslavement, imprisonment, highest leaders. under his watch: the forced labor, the separation of children torture, persecution on political grounds and other inhumane “Do you really think that that was what I wanted to happen from their families, the starvation that could have been pre- acts against human dignity. to my people?” Khieu Samphan asked after the verdict four vented by sound agricultural policies. Detailed instances of forced labor, such as the building of years ago. “The reality was that I did not have any power.” The Khmer Rouge trials, in a custom-built courthouse on the dams and dikes at the threat of death, were enumerated, along Khieu Udom, his son, who runs a gas station in Anlong Veng, outskirts of Phnom Penh, were a good idea, he said, because with forms of torture ranging from suffocation by plastic bags dismissed the charges against his father. “My father was target- justice was needed. to the extraction of toenails and fingernails. ed so they can do whatever they like with him,” he said. But sitting on his veranda in a village full of former Khmer Muslims were forced to eat pork. Civil servants were execut- Khieu Samphan’s daughter-in-law, Bun Ratana, called him “a Rouge in Anlong Veng, Panh Sam Onn waved away the idea ed by electrocution with telephone cables. good man who would never beat a dog or a cat.” that more prosecutions should follow. As the lengthy verdict was read out, Nuon Chea, his eyes Nearby, her 6-year-old son sat hunched over a notebook writ- “They should only try the top leaders and stop there,” he shielded by oversized dark glasses and his lips collapsing into a ing the word “teacher” in English. Both the word and the lan- said. “Otherwise, it will be too fragile for society. Where will it mouth missing teeth, asked to be allowed to listen to the pro- guage it was written in could have doomed him when his grand- end?” ceedings in a holding cell rather than in the glass-enclosed father was head of state of Kampuchea, as Cambodia was courtroom. known during the Khmer Rouge era. (Sun Narin contributed reporting from Anlong Veng, and For some, the verdict felt like a marginal footnote to a mur- Friday’s genocide conviction comes more than 40 years after Seth Mydans from Phnom Penh.) Demirtas Calls on Kurds to Save Their Language from ‘Extinction’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Rudaw) — The “The ban on mother tongue is nonsense and mous said that the university administration One user claimed that her account has been jailed Kurdish leader, Selahattin Demirtas, has unbelievable and offending laws have to be lift- asked the academic to ‘be cautious’ in choosing “blocked” in Turkey for two years. warned that the Kurdish language is in danger ed,” Demirtas tweeted. seminar and research topics, saying the admin- “Almost every Kurdish activist has experi- of disappearing if the Turkish government Demirtas recommended for Kurds and non- istration regarded subjects pertaining to long- enced censorship on social media. Twitter is keeps prohibiting it. Kurds to learn Kurdish in order to strengthen standing efforts by the Kurdish population to closing, banning & deleting accounts & con- “Each of the languages on the Earth is indi- social ties. obtain greater language and political rights, tents of Kurdish activists on Turkey’s request. vidually beautiful and precious. It is very impor- “One does not have to be a Brit to learn and religious minorities in Turkey as ‘too sensi- For example, my account has been blocked in tant to adopt or promote languages which are English and one does not have to be a Turk to tive at the moment.’” Turkey since 2 years,” tweeted one activist. prohibited or on the brink of extinction. learn Turkish. In the same way, you do not have HDP has launched a hashtag on Twitter, “Almost every Kurdish activist has experi- Kurdish is one of those languages,” the former to be Kurd to learn Kurdish. It is enough to be #TwitterStopCensoringKurds, claiming that enced censorship on social media. Twitter is co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic human for each,” he added. the platform is being used to censor Kurdish closing, banning & deleting accounts & con- Party (HDP) tweeted through his lawyer. “I do not recommend only for native speakers language. “Hostility against a people’s language tents of Kurdish activists on Turkey’s request. Demirtas, who previously said that he is not to learn the Kurdish language. We live and will means hostility against all languages. For example, my account has been blocked in fluent in Kurdish because he did not have time continue living together. So, let’s respect each International corporations sentence the world Turkey since 2 years to develop it, has started improving his Kurdish other’s languages and learn them. This does to a single perception: Give it up Twitter, the #TwitterStopCensoringKurds #TwitterKurds” over the past year by reading books. not hurt our relationships, but beautifies and world is a garden of many languages, religions It is forbidden to speak Kurdish for official The 45-year-old politician was born in Elazig strengthens it,” he continued. and folks,” tweeted the party late Monday, matters in the parliament. Former HDP MP province, where many speak the Kurdish dialect The Turkish government has been blamed November 19. Osman Baydemir won the hearts of many of Zazaki. He publicly speaks in Turkish. The internationally for prohibiting the Kurdish lan- “Hostility against a people’s language means Kurds when he was asked “Where is majority of Kurds speak the Kurmanji dialect. guage, or shutting down institutions which pro- hostility against all languages. International Kurdistan?” A number of Kurdish political parties in mote Kurdish language. corporations sentence the world to a single per- He replied (in Turkish): “It is here,” clapping Turkey, including the HDP, recently held a Human Rights Watch released a report on ception: Give it up, @Twitter, the world is a gar- his hand over his heart. He is among a group of panel in Diyarbakir in a bid to promote the the government’s crackdown on academic, den of many languages, religions and HDP MPs facing terror-related charges. Ankara Kurdish language. interviewing some academics. folks.#TwitterStopCensoringKurds” has accused the party of having ties with the In Demirtas’ tweets, he expressed support for One academic told HRW that they were It also tweeted: “Our language is like our skin. banned PKK — a charge the HDP denies. the work of some Kurdish artists and academics warned by university administrators not to touch An attack on our language is an attack on our Turkish officials regularly refuse to use the who have been promoting the language in the subjects related to Kurdish language and rights. existence. We do not tolerate these attacks.” word “Kurdistan” — both inside and outside of country despite censorship. “One academic who wished to remain anony- The hashtag has been widely used by Kurds. the country. 6 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

CYSCA, Open World Orthodox Team up to Train Armenian Activists Churches

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.— Five young activists from Armenia will be in Greater Boston Mark World November 30-December 8, to participate in a grant program focused on activism/transition to leadership hosted by the Cambridge-Yerevan Refugees Day Sister City Association (CYSCA). They will be accompanied by a facilitator who will assist them in orientation with customs and traditions in the US. Funding support will be provided by the By Florence Avakian Open World (OW) program of the US Library of Congress, CYSCA and its team of volunteers. The OW program is managed by its OW Leadership NEW YORK — St. Vartan Armenian Center to enhance understanding and coopera- Cathedral was host to the 11th annual Joint tion between the United States and the countries Orthodox Prayer Service for the United of Eurasia. The program, initiated by Open Nations Community, on the evening of World and implemented by CYSCA, aims to give Tuesday, November 13. the participants first-hand exposure to America’s This year’s service was led by the Syriac democratic government and free-market system Orthodox Church of Antioch, and was orga- to Eurasian leaders as an instrument for nized by the Joint Commission of Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches, made up of the Americans engaged in citizens’ diplomacy. The team performing a procedure in Stepanakert. A key goal of the program is to develop Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox activism and leadership capability of young Churches and the Assembly of Canonical adults in government and activist organizations Orthodox Bishops. by engaging them with USA counterparts. The evening began with a procession of the CYSCA has designed a program of visits/meet- Armenia Fund USA’s Orthodox clergy. Diocesan Primate the Very ings with various organizations/individuals in Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan welcomed the guests the Greater Boston area, including the Pioneer with prayers for “peace and justice in a trying Institute, Common Cause, Amnesty Latest Medical Mission world,” and voiced a special tribute in honor of International, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter the 50th anniversary of St. Vartan Cathedral. Koutoujian, ACLU, State Senate and House lead- Chevy Chase Surgery Center’s Generosity Boosts GI and The guests of honor in attendance included ers, and numerous other organizations and indi- Master of Ceremonies Jack Darakjy, president viduals. Presentations at the various meetings Ophthalmology Capabilities of Stepanakert Hospital of the Archdiocesan Executive Council of the planned by CYSCA will engage the participants Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch; and in activism/transition to leadership issues, show- LOS ANGELES — This year, Armenia Fund USA implemented a medical mis- Kwabena Osei Danguah, chief of staff to the UN ing how young adults can become activists in a sion, from September 27 through October 5, in Stepanakert. The mission was General Assembly President Maria Fernanda society that is changing in relevant and interest- jointly organized by Armenia Fund USA, Adventist Health (Glendale), and Chevy Espinosa Garces. Prince Dushan of Serbia ing ways since the Velvet Revolution. Chase Surgery Center (Glendale). The medical team of physicians and surgeons attended as the guest of Bishop Irinej of the The participants, ranging in ages 21-27 are from from Chevy Chase Surgery Center as well as a major donation of medical equip- Serbian Orthodox Church. various backgrounds. They have been selected by ment and supplies by Drs. Avedis and Ara Tavitian helped elevate the profession- Ambassador Mher Margaryan, the Republic the U. S. Embassy for their al levels of the Stepanakert Republican Medical Center. of Armenia’s new representative to the UN, paid leadership potential, and The Stepanakert Republican Medical Center was built by the Hayastan All- special emphasis in a keynote address to the they are: Yuri Avagyan, Armenian Fund in 2013, through a generous donation by Russia-based benefactor communications manager, Samvel Karapetyan. The facility is adjacent to the Stepanakert Armine Pagoumian Restart Student Initiative, Polyclinic, built by Armenia Fund USA in 2006; as well as the Stepanakert Oncology Yerevan; Levon Center, constructed by the Fonds Armenien de France in 2007. Chukaklyan, co-founder, During the mission in Stepanakert, the volunteer medical team from Chevy Restart Student Initiative, Chase Surgery Center performed a range of advanced gastrointestinal (GI) and Yerevan; Astghik ophthalmological procedures and general surgery, working alongside their Isakhanyan, project coordi- Stepanakert colleagues. For the first time in the history of Artsakh, 35 eye surg- Garik Miskaryan nator, Rights Information eries, 56 endoscopies, and 56 colonoscopies were performed during a single mis- Center NGO, Goris; Garik sion, which also encompassed 19 general surgeries. Miskaryan, foreign affairs The Chevy Chase Surgery Center team consisted of Raffi Sarkisian, specialist, Restart Student Administrator; Dr. Edgar Mehdikhani (GI); Dr. Armine Sarkisian (GI); Dr. Mireille Initiative, Yerevan; Alla Hamparian (ophthalmology); Dr. Armen Gregorian (colon-rectal surgeon); Dr. Yeremyan, manager, Basen Andre Yarian (anesthesiologist); Angel Matevossian (surgical technician); Angela Hotel, Sisian; and Liana Shagoyan (nurse-anesthetist); and Vardan Lalayan (surgical technician). Sahakyan, facilitator for Throughout the course of the mission at the Stepanakert Republican Medical the group, currently Center, the team of doctors from Chevy Chase Surgery Center equally focused on resource coordination spe- expanding the specialized knowledge and technical skills of their local colleagues. cialist at the US Embassy To this end, the volunteer team provided their Stepanakert counterparts with Levon Chukaklyan in Yerevan. hands-on trainings in the implementation of advanced GI and ophthalmological “We look forward to screenings and procedures using the donated medical equipment. Valued at more meeting these outstand- than $250,000, the equipment consisted of a state-of-the-art Alcon Infiniti System Ambassador Mher Margaryan, the Republic of for eye surgeries, and a complete GI machinery suite, including five Japanese-made Armenia’s new representative to the UN (Albin ing young adults and introducing them to their Lohr-Jones photo) counterparts in our area to help them develop Pentax scopes, for endoscopies and colonoscopies. The Alcon Infinity equipment their activism and leadership skills and gain has given the Stepanakert Hospital the flexibility to perform three different types knowledge and understanding of issues facing of cataract surgeries, while the Pentax scopes allow doctors at the hospital to per- “continuing humanitarian crisis in the Middle young adults in activism in our area,” stated form endoscopy and colonoscopy screenings, remove polyps, and provide other East which has “severely impacted the lives of Alisa Stepanian, CYSCA program director. treatments. many Armenian communities.” CYSCA is a sister city association partnered “It’s all about securing the long-term technical and professional sustainability of “Today, we remember the suffering and dis- with the city of Yerevan since 1987. Over the the hospital,” said Chevy Chase Surgery Center Administrator Raffi Sarkissian. placement of hundreds of thousands in the past 30 plus years, CYSCA has hosted over 20 “Supporting institutions such as the Stepanakert Republican Medical Center will region, many of whom are Christians, as well as professional development programs, 10 school ultimately enable them to provide better healthcare to the people of Artsakh. We the destruction of numerous religious and cul- partnerships/student and teacher exchanges, have already started planning our next year’s mission by adding two or three spe- tural heritage sites,” he said. environmental programs, school aid projects, cialties to its work scope. I also want to thank Armenia Fund and Adventist Health Pointing out that Armenia was the first business/entrepreneurship training, and for their continued support of the project.” Christian nation in the world, he stressed that numerous cultural projects and humanitarian “Reflecting back on my week-long mission trip to Stepanakert, many emotions “we have cultivated deeply-rooted traditions of assistance for Armenia. CYSCA is a non-profit come to mind. Love, laughter, joy, and hope are a few to mention,” said Dr. Armen ‘living together’ and respect towards other cul- organization based on the premise that citizen’s Gregorian. “I had the fortune to dive into the medical system of Artsakh as a prac- tures and religions.” exchanges on shared values transcend political titioner, and was reminded of all the beautiful characteristics which make us Referencing dispiriting statistics on the and other governmental hurdles in our world- Armenian. Our colleagues in Artsakh have always worked in suboptimal condi- decrease in Middle East Christian populations wide societies in the furtherance of civil rights tions, thinking outside the box to provide optimal medical care. I worked with during the 20th century, he noted that, “These and democratic principles. For more informa- these extraordinary people, learning from their experiences while teaching them declines—from 20 percent to less than 5 per- tion about the OW program, contact Alisa see MISSION, page 9 cent—have been detrimental to Syria’s once- Stepanian at or about thriving Armenian community.” CYSCA visit www.cambridgeyerevan.org. see PRAYER, page 8 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Young Professionals Take on Armenian Assembly Roles in Maryland, New York

WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly of Bagdasarian, Pennsylvania State Chair Paul America announced recently the additions of Sookiasian, Rhode Island State Chair Narine more young professionals, Armineh Ghazarian Emdjian, and Virginia State Chair Meganoosh and Narek Sevacheryan, as new state chairs in Avakian all participated in the Assembly’s 2018 Maryland and New York, respectively, who will National Advocacy Conference and Gala this help promote Assembly initiatives in their com- fall. Moreover, the Assembly’s Southern munities. California Regional Council members Al “The Armenian Assembly has always encour- Cabraloff, Lisa Kalustian, Jim Melikian, aged the next generation across the nation to Margaret Mgrublian, Joyce Stein, and Talin get more involved in their communities and Yacoubian, Northern California Regional learn more about Armenian American advocacy Council member David Ojakian, and Orange efforts, starting with our internship program County Regional Committee member Nicole for college-aged students in Washington, D.C. Nishanian all actively participated in the and reaching out to young professionals to get Conference, Advocacy Day, and Gala. more involved. We look forward to working “In addition to our hardworking State Chairs, with Armineh and Narek to help with our advo- we would like to extend our congratulations to cacy efforts in their home states,” Assembly the Assembly State Chair in South Carolina, Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said. Richard Harpootlian, who was sworn into the Newly appointed Armenian Assembly State Chairs Armineh Ghazarian in Maryland and Narek Ghazarian earned her Bachelor’s Degree State Senate last week, representing District 20 Sevacheryan in New York from the University of Maryland, and graduated of South Carolina. We are inspired by every from Georgetown University School of Medicine Armenian American who takes part in the with a Master’s Degree of Science in clients in New York City. He previously worked create an economic development plan for American democratic process and runs for an Biotechnology, Bio-business and McDonough at the Center for Strategic and International Shushi in Artsakh. elected position,” the co-chairs added. School of Business with a Master’s Degree of Studies (CSIS) in Washington, where he con- “We welcome our new state chairs, as well as Science in finance. She is based in Silver tributed to publications with leading scholars thank the current State Chairs and Committees Spring, and works at Georgetown University as focusing on foreign policy and national security who have been active in their communities the financial Analyst and grant manager at the analyses in Eurasia. While in school, he served throughout the year. It was especially signifi- Lombardi Cancer Center. She is an active mem- as the president of the Armenian Society of cant to have so many travel to our nation’s cap- Rachel Nadjarian ber of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Columbia University, where he organized multi- ital and join us for our National Advocacy and has served as chairwoman and treasurer of ple talks and discussions related to Armenia Conference and Gala,” stated Armenian Named AIWA’s the Armenian Church Youth Organization of and Artsakh, including a panel featuring Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and America, as well as founder and chair of the Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Van Krikorian on College Career Center at St. Mary. Armenian-American and Russian-Armenian Executive Director Sevacheryan is a financial advisor with the relations in the context of current develop- BOSTON — The Armenian International Bieber Group at Morgan Stanley, providing for- ments. In 2014, as part of his Luys Scholarship Women’s Association (AIWA) announced this week ward-thinking financial strategy to high-net- Program, he participated in the “Develop that Rachel Onanian Nadjarian has been named worth families, family offices, and international Armenia Together” program where he helped executive director of the non-profit organization, founded in 1991 and devoted to serving the needs of Armenian women throughout the world. Nadjarian, who was elected to the AIWA Board in 2017, will assume the role in a full- time capacity, succeeding Jennifer Philips who served part-time as AIWA’s first executive direc- tor from 2016 to 2018. “All of us at AIWA recognize how significant this time period is for our Diaspora and for Maryland State Chair Armineh Ghazarian with Armenia,” states Ani Kharajian, chair of the Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) at the Armenian AIWA Board. “We see a tremendous opportu- Assembly-sponsored reception for Armenia’s nity for us to make a greater impact in our com- Independence Day on Capitol Hill in 2017 munities and we are confident Rachel has the exact leadership, entrepreneurial capability and know-how to make it happen.” Van Krikorian. “We look forward to continuing Nadjarian’s hiring comes at a crucial time for this momentum, and encourage every State the organization, which is seeking to reach wider Chair to reach out to their local representatives, audiences around the world and better meet the especially those who are newly elected, and needs of Armenian women in the 21st century. share with them the issues and concerns for the “I am excited to have the opportunity to lead Armenian American community.” New York State Chair Narek Sevacheryan (far right) at the Armenian Assembly 2018 National AIWA in regenerating itself. I am confident we Advocacy Conference Sponsor Reception at The Kreeger Museum with Assembly Board Members Arizona State Co-Chair Dede Krikorian, are ready — across the globe — to work more Lu Ann Ohanian and Annie Simonian Totah California State Chair Valina Agbabian, Illinois collaboratively and cooperatively in trying to State Chair Jim Keledjian, Ohio State Chair Ara understand the challenges facing Armenian women and in working to arrive at potential solutions. AIWA is poised to build upon its vision of empowerment and connectivity, and I look forward to driving the organization to its next level of impact,” Nadjarian said. Nadjarian has more than 25 years of experi- ence as a marketing and fundraising consultant for non-profits, and has held leadership posi- tions in various non-profit organizations. She received her MBA from Boston University with Certification in Public and Non-Profit Management, and a BA in economics and soci- ology from Wellesley College. A native of Boston, she currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband and three children.

Rachel Nadjarian (Photo by Jiro Tcholakian) 8 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Orthodox Churches Mark World Refugees Day

PRAYER, from page 6 Armenia has “continually expressed deep con- cern regarding threats against minority commu- nities in the Middle East, which continue to suf- fer on unimaginable levels,” he said, adding that his country has hosted a series of conferences on the prevention of hate crimes, and the advance- ment of religious freedom for all. Margaryan noted that Armenia has taken in more than 22,000 Syrian refugees, making it per capita the third largest recipient of refugees in Europe. The integration of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into Armenian society has been a pri- ority of the Armenian government which has worked closely with diaspora organizations to provide financial and social support for Middle East refugees. Margaryan closed his remarks by pointing out that as a nation which has historically been persecuted on the basis of faith and ethnicity, “we remain committed to the agenda of geno- cide prevention, exemplified by a resolution ini- tiated by Armenia and adopted by the UN The assembled members of the clergy (Albin Lohr-Jones photo) General Assembly in 2015. This theme of prayers for peace and justice was also voiced by Metropolitan Joseph, the rep- soul-stirring hymns, after which a reception for resentative of the Patriarch of Antioch, who all was held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian stated: “The people of Syria, the people of Gaza, Auditorium. For Diocesan Vicar General the Very Rev. Simeon Odabashian, “it was truly a blessing to have hier- archs, clergy, and faithful from the various Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christian tradi- tions gather in our cathe- dral and offer prayers for the work of the United Nations, and demonstrate brotherly solidarity,” he said. “I found the hymnody offered by the Syriac Orthodox choir to be espe- cially moving, and was Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church deeply moved about the (Albin Lohr-Jones photo) plight of many Christians from the same tradition, who have suffered so much the people of Yemen, and the people of Kosovo in their homeland.” Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church praying during the program and Serbia — they are all my people.” “I pray that in the future, we will be blessed with another member of the clergy. (Albin Lohr-Jones photo) During the hour-long service the choir of St. with other opportunities to express our Mark’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral performed Christian unity,” he said. Telephone (617) 924-7400 Aram Bedrosian 2018 TCA Funeral Home, Inc. Dr. Nubar Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Bereberian WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Trust Fund Awards

F UNERAL H OME WATERTOWN — The Tekeyan Cultural Association’s “Dr. Nubar Berberian Trust Fund” Giragosian has announced the names of Armenian students awarded in 2018 for their academic stud- James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC ies . They are: Mark J. Giragosian •Gayane Ghazarian, from Yerevan, Armenia, studying at Dollar Academy, Scotland, Funeral Counselors United Kingdom, majoring in international relations 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 •Eric Harpootian, from West Warwick, RI, studying at Boston University, Boston, United www.giragosianfuneralhome.com States, majoring in Political Science •Norayk Bahaban, from Montreal, Canada, studying at Concordia University, Montreal, majoring in political science. Noted journalist and Armenian activist Dr. Nubar Berberian passed away on November 23, 2016. His estate was bequeathed to the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Inc. ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS The Board of Directors of the TCA decided to establish a D D S scholarship fund in his honor to college students of Cemetery Monuments Armenian descent who major in either international rela- tions or political science and publish a book of his Specializing in Armenian-language articles and editorials. This year marked Armenian Designs and Lettering the first for the awards. To apply for 2019 awards, email your request to tcadirec- 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 [email protected]. (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS ACYOA Seniors Participate in Retreat in NH

CONTOOCOOK, N.H. — The Eastern Diocese held its inaugural Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) Seniors National Fall Retreat from November 9 to 11, bringing together 44 young adults from 19 parishes. Organized by the ACYOA Central Council, the gathering took place at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. The title of the retreat was “Illumine,” and its theme was to illuminate the world with the light of Christ, through the Armenian Church tradition. For insight into such a project, par- ticipants explored passages from an ancient vol- ume, “The Teachings of St. Gregory the Illuminator,” which guided earlier generations of Armenians in their faith formation and spiri- tual growth. The Primate of the Eastern Diocese, the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, took part in the retreat and led several teaching and prayer sessions. Indeed, it was with his blessing that the ACYOA Central Council developed the National Fall Retreat as a successor to the ACYOA Leadership Conference, which had previously met each November. Findikyan led the first session of the week- end: a discussion about the mission of the Armenian Church and the ACYOA. Participants had an opportunity to reflect on their Christian callings through an interactive dialogue with the Primate. The young participants and the members of the clergy In a presentation on the meaning of baptism, Kathryn Ashbahian (Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministries department) explained why the Armenian Church baptizes members Church, Watertown) spoke about their summer Impressions of the Retreat “The ACYOA Central Council and Diocesan when they are babies, and how one can live out experiences on the Diocese’s “Armenia Service Department of Youth and Young Adult the promise of baptism as an “illumined” adult. Project” (ASP) and “Young Adult Pilgrimage to The retreat included a service project that Ministries did a tremendous job with program- Kathryn and her Youth and Young Adult Jerusalem,” respectively. involved collecting children’s books and unused ming the sessions to apply to our modern-day Ministries colleague Jennifer Morris were on ACYOA Central Council chair Nora Knadjian children’s apparel to donate to “Cradles to lives,” said Aline Beylerian (St. Leon Church, hand throughout the weekend, keeping the gave a talk on prayer and how to incorporate it Crayons,” a non-profit that helps disadvantaged Fair Lawn, NJ). retreat activities moving forward. into daily life. Participants wrote their own per- children. “Through the idea of ‘illumination’—illumi- Spirituality and Prayer sonal prayers, asking God to work through In spare time, participants took advantage of nating others and being illuminated yourself—I Deacon Narek Garabedian (St. Gregory the them to illuminate the world. the beautiful New Hampshire countryside dur- learned that it’s okay to entrust others with Illuminator Church, Chicago) gave a talk on the In an activity built around an inspirational ing an outdoor hike in the woods. Before your prayers, and to be entrusted with the ways in which the Armenian Church is distinc- video titled “Rain,” the group reflected on diffi- departing for home, participants in the ACYOA prayers of others, too” said Sean Yessayan tive from its sister Christian denominations, culties people can face in life, and the ways that Seniors National Retreat” reflected on their (Holy Translators Church, Framingham, MA). with a beauty of spirituality all its own. faith in God can calm life’s spiritual “storms.” experience. “The topics we discussed this weekend, Nick Tashjian (ACYOA Central Council) pre- Throughout the retreat, attendees joined in “This was the best weekend I’ve had in a long from mental health to the mission of the sented research on issues of mental health in morning and evening prayer services, led by the time,” said Vatche Kaftajian (St. Sarkis Church, Armenian Church, pushed my faith to a deep- the United States. Participants split into groups Primate and Fr. Avedis Kalayjian (pastor of St. Dallas, TX). “Our ACYOA chapter has grown er intellectual level,” said Lucine Boloyan (St. to discuss the issue, and explore ways that the Mesrob Church, Racine, WI). The Divine into a very active one locally, and it was nice to James Church, Watertown). “It also reminded Armenian Church might address it. Liturgy on Sunday morning was celebrated by have this experience on a national level. I hope me of the importance of our Armenian Vrej Pilavjian (Holy Trinity Church, Fr. Armash Bagdasarian (assistant pastor of St. to take what I learned here back to Dallas, to Church community.” Cambridge) and Tania Melkonian (St. James John Church, Southfield, MI). help us grow even more.” By Arsen Yelegen Armenia Fund USA’s Latest Medical Mission

MISSION, from page 6 “The highlight of my trip was when they from mine. At the end, the goals of our mis- showed me an x-ray of a two-and-a-half-year- sion were accomplished: to create a bond old boy who had swallowed a coin six days which will last a lifetime, and to reassure the prior to our arrival,” said Dr. Armine people of Artsakh that the Diaspora will con- Sarkisian. “The coin was approximately one tinue to stand side by side with our brothers inch in diameter. The original plan was to and sisters in the Homeland.” operate and remove the coin. But thanks to Other doctors who had participated in the equipment and supplies which were sent from medical mission also reflected fondly on their the US, I was able to perform an endoscopy experiences during the project. and remove the coin without surgery. There “It was an honor to travel to Artsakh and were over 30 local physicians and other staff serve my Homeland by training and working in the room observing the procedure. I’m with fellow Armenian gastroenterologists,” unable to explain in words the cheers and said Dr. Edgar Mehdikhani. “They accepted tears that filled that room at the successful us with open arms, worked with us 10-to-12- completion of the procedure. The boy went hour days, and, by the time we were done (on home the same day.” the fifth day), we all came out as one big fam- “With its excellent facilities and highly ded- ily. I am proud to say that this mission, to me, icated staff, the Stepanakert Republican was very successful, especially since local Medical Center is poised to become a world- physicians were given the skills and tools they class hospital,” said Sarkis Kotanjian, execu- need to continue performing advanced proce- tive director of Armenia Fund USA, and con- dures, serving the people of Artsakh. I hope tinued, “What we’ve done this year was to we can continue to expand our collaboration help elevate its capabilities to higher stan- with the medical community in Artsakh The team of doctors in Stepanakert dards, through the introduction of advanced through future missions to the region.” medical procedures, trainings, and technolog- “We had the ambitious goal of training ical assistance. I would like to convey our local doctors, nurses, and support staff in report that we exceeded our expectations. We synergy, and, I believe, a blueprint for future deep gratitude to the team of volunteer doc- modern cataract-surgery techniques in the were successful because the doctors and collaboration. I am proud of this effort and tors from Chevy Chase Surgery Center, as short time that we worked in Stepanakert,” nurses in Artsakh were open and eager to proud of the heroic people of Artsakh. The well as Drs. Avedis and Ara Tavitian, for their said Dr. Mireille Hamparian. ”I am happy to learn from us. This teamwork created great fact is, we stand united.” extraordinary generosity and selfless service.” 10 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Arpa International Film Festival Pays Tribute to Hollywood Icons Edward James Olmos and Ed Asner

HOLLYWOOD — The 21st Arpa International the stranger in their midst. As she integrates Film Festival (Arpa IFF), one of Hollywood’s into the rhythm of village life, Yeva’s memories longest running film festivals, showcased 47 of the war come flooding back, and a past tied films from 17 countries at Hollywood’s historic directly to her current predicament. Egyptian Theatre from November 2-4. This “Diverted Eden,” winner of the Audience year’s festival once more highlighted a diverse Award at this year’s Sedona International Film range of films that explored themes such as Festival, is the story of a war hero who takes genocide, war, feminism, family dynamics, envi- matters into his own hands after his young ronmentalism, music, art, adoption, intersec- daughter is kidnapped, as detectives unravel tional identities and LGBTQ issues. the mystery surrounding the unusual crime. Opening night on Friday, November 2 kicked Director Bagdasarian’s debut feature off with a special reception and screening of “Abstraction” (2013) starring Ken Davitian and “Monday Nights at Seven” (USA, 2016), a love Korrina Rico won the Audience Award at Arpa story about a single father who is struggling IFF that same year. unsuccessfully to let go of his past. The film Sunday’s Spotlight Film, “In Vino” (USA, stars Edward James Olmos, Marty Sader, past 2017) by director Leonardo Foti, won Arpa’s Arpa IFF award recipient Mary Apick and mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva. A special ceremony honoring Edward James Olmos with a Lifetime Achievement Award followed the screening of the film. The Award was presented by Academy Award and Golden Globe nominat- ed actress Kathleen Quinlan (“Apollo 13,” “I Ed Asner being presented with Icon Award from Arpa IFF Founder Sylvia Minassian Never Promised You A Rose Garden”). Olmos, currently starring in the television series “Mayans M.C.,” has played iconic roles both in submission last year for the Academy Awards, return to the place she briefly worked as a doc- film and television, receiving Academy Award as well as “Diverted Eden,” (USA, 2018) written tor during the Nagorno-Karabakh War, hoping and Golden Globe nominations for “Stand and and directed by Prince Baghdasarian. “Yeva”, she won’t be recognized. With mines still dot- Deliver” (1988). which won Arpa’s Best Feature Film, is an inti- ting the hillsides, the conflict remains part of Saturday evening’s centerpiece program fea- mate drama about a woman suspected of mur- the fabric of this society and people still remem- tured two films – Anahid Abad’s “Yeva” der who flees to an Armenian village with her ber “Crazy Yeva” of the front-line hospital, (Armenia, 2017), Armenia’s foreign-language young daughter in tow. Yeva has chosen to though they don’t immediately connect her to

Edward James Olmos

Best Screenplay. The film, starring Sean Young, Edward Asner, and Marina Benedict, is about a wealthy couple, who invite their closest friends and family members to dinner. Before dinner is served the husband raises the glass for a toast to his family and falls face forward on his plate dead. The wife confesses that she had poisoned him and she had poisoned everyone in the room to get the money. The guests have one choice: Kill one person among them and take the blame for both murders to get the antidote or… die in one hour. What follows is a hysteri- cal exchange between the over-stressed mem- bers of the group who, in an attempt to estab- lish who should die and who should be the killer, reveal all the skeletons in the closet they have been hiding from each-other for years. A special closing night awards show wrapped up the three-day festival with three special hon- orees and a total of six winning films. Best Short Animation Film went to “Echo” (Serbia, 2018) by Borisa Simovic, about a 5-year-old boy who spends a day with his father, whom he only occasionally sees, in nature, with the game of calling Echo. After a great emotional charge that the play and the presence of his father cre- ate in him, he returns to his mother’s house, continued on net page

Garo Berberian S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS

2018 Trinity

Friday,Christmas November 30 Bazaar 12 noon-9 pm Avo Kambourian, Katherine and Glenn Yamada, Anahid and Ara Oshagan (We Were Americans) Saturday, December 1 10 am-7 pm from previous page Arpa IFF to a sold-out audience. Alviti flew in where there is no place for such outbursts of from Rome for the special tribute. She has the DeliciousLamb Shish, Armenian Losh, Chicken Dinners Kebab “irrational” attitude towards the world. Best lead female role in “Lukas” starring alongside (combo dinners available) Short Film went to “Taniel” (UK, 2018) by Jean Claude Van Damme, currently in theaters served Garo Berberian. The London-based filmmaker in Europe. Alviti was nominated for Best accepted the award in person for his film on Female Rising Actress at the 2018 Cesar Friday, November 30, 12 noon-7:30 pm Armenian poet Taniel Varoujan, who lost his Awards. life at the age of 31 during the Armenian The third honoree of the evening was pro- Saturday, December 1, 11:30 am-6:00 pm Genocide. ducer Natalie Qasabian, whose latest feature

Take-out meals and A La Carte Menu Available Best Documentary Film went to “River of “Searching,” starring John Cho and Debra Optional Seating for Families with Children Available Gold” (USA, 2016) by Reuben Aaronson. Messing, was a huge box office success. She’s REDIT CARDS ACCEPTED ISA MERICAN XPRESS Producer Sarah DuPont accepted the award for currently producing “Run” for Lionsgate along- C - MC, V & A E the film which uncovers the savage destruction side “Searching” producer Sev Ohanian and of Peru’s Amazon rainforest. Narrated by director Aneesh Chaganty. The first short film Academy Award winners Sissy Spacek and Qasabian produced, “Join the Club” premiered Herbie Hancock, “River of The Perfect Place To Christmas Shop Gold” bears witness to the apoc- alyptic destruction in the pur- ArmenianChoreg, Gourmet Paklava, Bourma, Foods, Nut Delicacies and Cream and Khadayif, Pastries suit of illegally mined gold with Apricot Squares, Simit, Spinach Boreg, Tourshi, Manti, consequences on a global scale. Puff Pastry Cheese Boreg, Vospov Kheyma, Best Direction went to Ari Gold Soujouk, Sini and Porov Kufta, and much, much, more! of “The Song of Sway Lake” (US, 2017), a romantic drama · about the vanished grace of · America, and the spells cast by Abundant Farmer s BoothsMarket, Exciting and Vendors Silent/Sports Silent Auction, the melodies of lost time. It’s Poinsettias and Wreaths, Country Store, Santa s Gift· Shop, summer on Sway Lake, former Jewelry and Accessories, The Punch is Right Game, playground of the jazz-age New York aristocracy. A young music Shady Hill Kids, Armenianvendor.com, Gabriella s Gifts, collector recruits his only Purl Leez Jewels, Abgaryan Hand-Painted Wearable Art, friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, Tigran Tsitoghdzyan (American Mirror - Intimations of Raffles, and more! to help him steal a one-of-a-kind Immortality) vintage record from his own family’s glamorous lake house. He believes that possessing the secret record- at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. From Peter AdamianActivities Hall, Admission for Children is free for all events ing of the WW2-era hit, “Sway Lake,” will mag- there she went on to produce three Duplass ically boost his confidence with women – and Brothers features: “Rainbow Time,” “Take Me,” Friday, November 30, 7 pm-9 pm redeem his father, who committed suicide on and “Duck Butter” directed by Miguel Arteta. the lake. She also produced “All About Nina” starring The Polar Express Pajama Party Special honorees on Sunday night included Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Common, which TV legend Ed Asner who received the Arpa premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier Saturday, December 1, for all ages Icon Award. His role as Lou Grant during the this year and was acquired by The Orchard. 11 am: Magician Matt Roberts 1970s and early 1980s, on both “The Mary A highlight from the weekend was a special Interactive show of comedy, magic and astonishing illusions Tyler Moore Show” and its spin-off series “Lou Women in Filmmaking Panel Discussion on Saturday morning moderated by Pat Saperstein, deputy editor for Variety. Five influ- 3 pm-5pm: The Star, Animated Movie The Story of the First Christmas ential and distinguished women in the film industry — Angélica Vale, Kelli McNeil, Michelle Alexandria, Micky Levy and Valerie McCaffrey — discussed their journeys, successes and chal- lenges in this ever-changing market. Visit with Santa Celebrity Guests throughout the weekend Saturday, December 1 included Ann Cusack, James Adomian, Ken 12 pm-1 pm Davitian, Peter DiStefano, Sofia Milos, Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall Vanessa Lyon, Q’orianka Kilcher, Tajh Bellow, Andre Gordon, Laure Fortier, Camille Hyde, and Tonya Crowe. For further information, log onto www.htaac.org/calendar/event/580/ ŀ ŀ Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA 617.354.0632 www.htaac.org Lala Yerem accepting Best Feature Film Award for “Yeva” on behalf of Anahid Abad

Grant,” make him one of the few television actors to portray the same leading character in both a comedy and a drama. Asner is the most honored male performer in the history of the Prime time Emmy Awards, having won seven. Arpa’s Career Achievement Award went to Italian actress Sveva Alviti whose critically acclaimed portrayal of iconic singer Dalida in last year’s eponymous biopic by Lisa Azuelos Sveva Alviti took her career to a whole new level. “Dalida” was screened on opening night at last year’s 12 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS AAHPO: Helping Save Lives in Armenia and Artsakh

History of Armenia’s Medical By Florence Avakian Education Longtime AAHPO member Dr. Raffy Hovanessian explained that after the fall of ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — “Helping our the Soviet Union in 1988, the education of brethren in Artsakh is my favorite program,” physicians stopped, an education that had stated the dedicated president of the Armenian been fully funded by the state. With this American Health Professionals Organization momentous event, all physicians were on (AAHPO) Dr. Lawrence Najarian to a sizeable their own, having to finance their education. group of AAHPO members, friends and sup- It was then that Dr. Edgar Housepian, an porters of this group that has been helping eminent neurologist at New York’s famed Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh and the New Columbia Presbyterian Hospital started the York/New Jersey/Connecticut area for the past Fund for Armenia (FAR) project through 24 years. which AAHPO implemented the Artsakh pro- This charity benefit, which took place at the gram. Its success was noted and proven with elegant Najarian family home, was held on doctors signing up again and again for train- September 30. It was hosted by AAHPO Board ing. members Drs. Garbis Baydar, Aram Cazazian, Currently, nurses are also receiving train- Raffy Hovanessian, Arthur Kubikian, Louiza ing for recertification in Stepanakert. Kubikian and Najarian. Twenty-five nurses have already completed The proceeds of the event were slated to ben- specialized training. efit the physicians of Artsakh, with a similar Dental surgeon Dr. Louiza Kubikian noted project started recently for nurses. that many doctors and nurses are women. As the attendants munched on homemade AAHPO’s connecting with women involved hors d’oeuvres, the exuberant Najarian gushed Dr. Garbis Baydar most of the first group that were trained, she that this program of helping brethren in revealed. Artsakh “is my absolute favorite AAHPO pro- In a video presentation, one of Armenia’s ject. And all the funds collected today will be reflects the mission of the AAHPO in “Helping The statement continues, “to achieve this dedicated doctors Hampartzoum Simonyan, allocated for this,” he declared. Save Lives.” The group’s mission statement goal, AAHPO has committed to a program that MD, was shown selecting the doctors for this “recognizes that good health is the foundation trains motivated, bright physicians with mod- unique training project. AAHPO Mission to the future success and the well-being of our ern medical skills that are critically needed in During this Charity Benefit, AAHPO This Artsakh endeavor, which began in 2011, brethren living in Artsakh.” their home villages.” Treasurer Dr. Garbis Baydar announced that Prior to the inception of this program, the more than $27,000 had been collected. This 300 doctors of Artsakh did not have access to was a program that had originally been continuing medical education whereas their brought to AAHPO’s attention by Aram colleagues in Armenia did. In collaboration Cazazian and Raffy Hovanessian, two highly with Fund for Armenian Relief, AAHPO has respected members of AAHPO, both profes- now provided medical and computer literacy sionals known as the “heart and soul” of the training to more than 70 percent of medical organization. providers in Artsakh. Over the years this pro- gram has expanded to reach the dedicated doc- tors in the rural villages that could not leave their patients. In addi- tion, AAHPO is now working with the Artsakh Defense Ministry to train mili- tary physicians as well. AAHPO supplements the CME training with its Visiting Professor Program, HyeBridge Telehealth which pro- vides lectures from the Dr. Louiza Kubikian and another guest at the program Diaspora, and its Medical Dr. Raffy Hovanessian and other attendees Mission Programs.

Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Cambridge, MA SCHOLARSHIPS has two employment opportunities available. Executive Director AVAILABLE The Executive Director oversees Church administra- Students of Armenian Descent tion, personnel, external affairs and management of the Church complex. This is a part-time position con- Having Completed One Year of College by June, 2019 sisting of 15 hours/week spread over at least 3 days in the Church Office. Applications and other information may be obtained from

ARMENIAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Executive Assistant to the Pastor Scholarship Committee The Executive Assistant to the Pastor provides support 333 Atlantic Avenue • Warwick, RI 02888 to our priest in his duties leading a parish of more than Tel. 401 461-6114 • Fax 401 461-6112 600 embers. This is a part-time position consisting of 20 hours/week spread over at least 3 days in the e-mail: [email protected] Church Office. Deadline for returning completed Applications: March 15, 2019 Go to http//www.htaac.org/careers/ for the responsi- bilities and requirements of both positions. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Nancy Kasarjian, [email protected], by November LIKE US ON FACEBOOK 23. S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Arts & Living Exploring Story of NAASR Hye for Talaat as Nation Armenia! Exhibit Builder, Architect And Symposium Of Genocide At the Met PRINCETON, N.J. — Talaat Pasha (1874– 1921) led the triumvirate that ruled the late Ottoman Empire during World War I and is By Nancy Kalajian arguably the father of modern Turkey. He was also the architect of the Armenian Genocide, which would result in the systematic extermi- BELMONT, Mass. — Kind, the name on the nation of more than a million people, and breakfast bar, said it all, and set a welcoming which set the stage for a century that would tone for the National Association for Armenian witness atrocities on a scale never imagined. Studies and Research (NAASR) bus trip to view Here is the first biography in English of the the “Armenia!” exhibit and attend the revolutionary figure who not only prepared Symposium: Honoring the First Scholars of the way for Atatürk and the founding of the Armenian Art in America, at The Metropolitan republic in 1923, but who shaped the modern Museum of Art in New York. Setting out on a world as well. luxury coach from Watertown, during a miser- In the explosive book, Talaat Pasha, Father ably drenching early morning rainstorm on of Modern Turkey, Architect of Genocide, Saturday, November 3, Laura Yardumian, Hans-Lukas Kieser provides a mesmerizing From left, Neil Grover, Daniela Tosic and Sylvie Zakarian NAASR’s Program and Administrative portrait of a man who maintained power Associate, and Sarah Ignatius, Executive through a potent blend of the new Turkish Director, brightened up the crowd by kindly ethno-nationalism, the political Islam of for- serving coffee, breakfast snacks, and fruit, with mer Sultan Abdulhamid II, and a readiness to happy smiles thrown in for extra measure. employ radical “solutions” and violence. From After the group settled in, Ani Babaian, Understanding NAASR’s expert library curator, independent Talaat’s role in the Young Turk Revolution of 1908 to his exile from Turkey and assassina- artist, and art conservator, introduced a brief tion — a sensation in Weimar Germany — history of Armenian art and noted that the sec- Kieser restores the Ottoman drama to the ond most important pilgrimages were made to heart of world events. He shows how Talaat ‘The Other’ the fourth century Saint Garabed Monastery, wielded far more power than previously real- northwest of Moush, which was founded by St. ized, making him the de facto ruler of the Gregory the Illuminator. Speaking of Armenian empire. He brings wartime Istanbul vividly to gold, she reflected on the global influences of Through Song New Julfa and Amsterdam. When the bus arrived in New York after a four-hour journey, the roofs of some high rises BOSTON — On Friday, October 26, the Old South Church was the venue for a were visible as the weather began to clear up novel musical program oriented toward Eastern Europe with two noted local musi- and participants eagerly entered The Met to cians. Titled “Songs of the Other,” the program explored the musical legacy of var- attend the day-long symposium in the Grace ious peoples as well as their tragic histories. Rainey Rogers Auditorium. The symposium “Songs of the Other,” a concert featuring Belgrade-born mezzo-soprano, Daniela focused on various monuments, paintings, Tosic and Armenian-Bulgarian percussionist Sylvie Zakarian, wove together music manuscripts, and unique items that portray the from the Armenian, Balkan, Jewish and Roma traditions. Tosic and Zakarian per- Armenian impact on international trade during formed virtuosic arrangements of various folk songs and prayers for voice and the Middle Ages and its artistic global out- marimba. Though differing in their place and culture of origin, each song high- reach. Mark Momjian, Chairman of the Board lighted the experience of “the other.” of Directors at the Armenian Center at At the turn of the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire committed the first geno- Columbia University, which organized the sym- cide of the modern era by exterminating an estimated 1.5 million Armenians. The posium, gave opening remarks. Dr. Helen C. official narrative still denies it was genocide. The Holocaust targeted the Jews, Evans, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator Roma, Poles, homosexuals, the disabled, dissidents, and others. That too, is denied for Byzantine Art at the Met and curator of today by some. In the mid 1990s, the many ethnic groups in Yugoslavia all went to “Armenia!,” recognized and honored three spe- war against one another, repeating the horrific pattern of ethnically motivated mur- cial professors for their pioneering efforts in der. Today, hateful and xenophobic rhetoric against marginalized groups of people starting Armenian Studies programs: Dr. is brewing in countries all around the world, including the United States. Richard G. Hovannisian and Dr. Nina G. As the artists wrote in the program book, “With this program we hope to pre- Garsoian were welcomed onto the stage, and sent many common elements of our human experience that bind us together.” Dr. Thomas F. Matthews, unable to be there, They sang of the uncertainty and despair of persecution, but also of the quiet was represented by his student, who read a pre- human strength within that endures in the face of great suffering, and great calami- pared statement. Dr. Sirarpie Der Nersessian, life as a thriving diplomatic hub, and reveals ty. It was a beautiful, cohesive night of art that reminded us of our shared humanity. and Dr. Vartan Gregorian, and others were also how Talaat’s cataclysmic actions would rever- The program featured several songs by Komitas as well as marking the debut per- acknowledged. berate across the twentieth century. formance of Neil Grover’s new arrangement of Avinu Malkeinu ( for voice and In this major work of scholarship, Kieser marimba), a Jewish prayer. Grover, a percussionist with the Boston Symphony, see MET, page 15 tells the story of the brilliant and merciless joined the duo on dumbeg. politician who stood at the twilight of empire see SONG, page 15 and the dawn of the age of genocide. Kieser is associate professor in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle in Australia and adjunct professor of history at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. His many books include Nearest East: American Millennialism and Mission to the Middle East, World War I and the End of the Ottomans: From the Balkan Wars to the Armenian Genocide, and Turkey beyond Nationalism. According to Taner Akçam, author of A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility, “This is an extremely important book that not only fills a large gap in the existing scholarship but also introduces new perspectives on the Armenian Genocide. It is a must-read for any- one who wishes to understand late Ottoman history and the Committee of Union and Sylvie Zakarian Progress, which organized the genocide against the Christians during First World Stelae at entrance to Armenia! exhibition War.” 14 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Three Books That Merit Reading

Armenian descent — was one such victim. about the experience many years after his By Lucine Kasbarian Minassian’s daughter, UCLA lecturer, scholar release and did not live long enough to com- and author Dr. Rubina Peroomian, deftly pieces plete his account. Upon liberation, he endeav- together a never-completed memoir written by ored to make up for lost time with his family, These recently released titles were produced her father who was forced into a life of depre- teaching and activism, all while operating in a outside of mainstream publishing mechanisms. dation in one of the most inhospitable climates weakened state caused by his internment. They remind us that Armenians can and should of the world: a Soviet hard labor camp in Minassian’s experience mirrors that which avail themselves of alternatives in order to Norilsk, Siberia. was described in Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s A achieve publication, avoid censorship and tell Why an unfinished memoir? Dr. Minassian, Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich only in this their stories as they wish for them to be told. who miraculously survived his 10 years in cap- case, Minassian survived the ordeal and tivity, was only able to bring himself to write see BOOKS, page 16 The Migrant and the Maverick: An Allegory By Abie Alexander; Publisher: AA Books; abiealexander.com On the surface, this is a straightforward tale about Ken, a Rhode Island Red rooster whose life is forever altered by the arrival of migrant Canadian geese, and goose Helen with whom he develops a fond relationship. Guest Recipe Helen teaches Ken about migratory (and Recipe worldly) ways and not a moment too soon. Ken’s keepers are readying to slaughter him, spurring him to prepare for flight. Upon closer reading, we discover the tale’s moral and political underpinnings — particular- Corner ly as they relate to trials undergone by refugees and immigrants who reinvent their lives on for- eign soil, and to whom this book is dedicated. Ken and Helen deliberate about how social by Christine Vartanian Datian attitudes around the world can differ depending on circumstances, culture and environment. They also express opinions on a range of issues dominating today’s headlines, such as global hegemony, climate change, nationalism, immi- gration, reproductive rights, gun control and Fall Apple Spice Cake political correctness, giving readers much to weigh and consider. Sometimes didactic, often Mrs. Alice Vartanian, Fresno, California touching and almost always thought-provoking, the Migrant and the Maverick is the product of INGREDIENTS a diplomatic, perceptive and sensitive soul. A 4 cups peeled, cored and sliced apples (Granny Smith or tart red financier by profession, Alexander became apples) acquainted with Armenia through his work 2 cups flour, sifted there with Christian relief organizations such 2 cups sugar (use 1 cup white and 1 cup light brown sugar, if desired) 1/2 cup vegetable oil or unsweetened apple sauce 3 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons sour cream Juice of 1 lemon and 1/4 cup sugar (for apples) 1 tablespoon rum (or brandy, optional) 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest 1 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or almonds (optional) 1/2 cup chopped raisins or dates (optional) Cinnamon and sugar

PREPARATION Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 X 13 inch baking pan or Bundt pan. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In a medium bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and sugar, and set aside while you make the batter. Beat together the sugar, oil, eggs, sour cream, rum, vanilla, and zest; stir in apples, toss, and mix to combine. Add dry ingredients and mix to com- bine. If desired, add nuts, raisins or dates, and mix to combine. Pour batter into pan and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 45 minutes, or until cake is done and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. If your oven is weak, it may take a few minutes longer for tooth pick to come out clean. Remove to rack. Top cake with Brown Sugar Glaze (below), fresh whipped cream, caramel sauce or caramel cream cheese frosting. Or sprinkle with powdered as World Vision and the Fuller Center for sugar and serve with sliced fruit or berries, Greek yogurt, or vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. Housing. Though himself not ethnically Armenian, Alexander mentions the Armenians BROWN SUGAR GLAZE in every one of his six published books and is 3/4 cup light brown sugar considered an honorary Armenian by Choice by 3-4 tablespoons unsalted butter his peers. 1/4 cup cream or whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla, walnut or almond extract My Father: A Man of Courage and Combine ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over low heat until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and spoon hot glaze over the still hot- Perseverance – A Survivor of Stalin’s Gulag from-the-oven cake. Let glazed cake cool before serving. By Rubina Peroomian Serves 8-10. Publisher: Rubina Peroomian Minassian; abrilbooks.com/my-father.html Contributed by Mrs. Alice Vartanian, Fresno, California “My beloved mother Alice Vartanian and late grandmother, Mrs. Pepay (Levon) Sarkisian of Lowell, Massachusetts During WWII and overlapping with the and Los Angeles, were exceptionally generous and devoted women, mothers and grandmothers who loved to create Stalinist Purges, the Soviet Union extended its memorable recipes and dishes for family holiday celebrations and special events. I learned by watching and listening long arm of influence to harass the citizens of to them laugh, talk, and cook in our Fresno kitchen for many years, says Christine Vartanian Datian. “They paid atten- Iran. Hunting down free-thinkers, the NKVD tion to detail, loved to please, and were inspired by Middle Eastern and traditional Armenian recipes, flavors, spices, (Soviet secret police) sought to quash opposi- ingredients, and cooking techniques,” Christine adds. “They cooked with love and attention to detail, and that made tion, instill fear in the people and break the will all the difference…” Alice, a native of Lowell, is known for her love of entertaining, creativity, and her outstanding of anyone who posed a potential threat to yalanche, dolma, rice and bulgur pilafs, cheese boureg, cookies, nut breads, gata, Italian biscotti, and desserts, includ- Stalin’s leadership. These brutal repressions ing her much celebrated Armenian “shakarishee” butter cookies she has made for over 50 years. Alice loves travel- adversely affected millions who were either ling, music and plays the piano beautifully; she remains active and busy with her family and friends. She has been a incarcerated or put to death – and by extension, dedicated member of Fresno’s historic Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and the Trinity Guild for many years.” blighted entire families and communities. – Christine Vartanian Datian Baghdik Minassian — a Tabriz-based scientist, teacher, writer, editor and political activist of S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING NAASR Hye for Armenia! Exhibit And Symposium At the Met

MET, from page 13 “The Ruins of Ani: From Sacred Landscape to The symposium speakers, all top-notch with Political Soil.” The symposium was live- impressive resumes, spoke for about a half hour streamed and is available in two parts on The each and gave unique presentations connected Met’s Facebook page under “Videos” to many items on display in The Met Armenia! (https://www.facebook.com/metmuseum/vide exhibit. First, Dr. Benjamin Anderson spoke on os/413355889200741/ and https://www.face- “The Great Kosmos of All Armenia: On the book.com/metmuseum/videos/32023741877 Sarcophagus of Isaac (Sahak).” Dr. Lynn Jones 6795/) and shared on NAASR’s Facebook page spoke next on censers from Medieval Armenia. in the timeline. The “Armenia!” exhibit book, A midday lunch rounded out the morning ses- already in its second printing, will be available sion and provided an opportunity for socializ- through NAASR in the near future. ing and camaraderie as scholars, symposium During the day, there were opportunities for organizers, and NAASR attendees mingled. NAASR’s symposium attendees to explore the The afternoon program included Dr. Antony “Armenia!” exhibit. Sonia Dixon, a graduate stu- Eastmond’s talk on “Stepanos Orbelian and dent in art history at Florida State University, Monumental Painting in Armenia under the heard about the symposium through Dr. Lynn Mongols” and Dr. Kristina L. Richardson’s Jones, one of the symposium’s speakers, and “Portrait of an Armenian Merchant Family in was very impressed with the exhibit. “Looking the Diary of a 16th Century Aleppine Silk- at an old wooden door, the lack of symmetry in Weaver.” Intense international research by Dr. the details is fascinating and shows the arti- Sebouh Aslanian was evident in his topic, san’s talents,” Dixon remarked. “This is a phe- “Their Commercial Arms Stretched over nomenal exhibit.” Europe: New Julfa and the Khwaja Guerak- On the bus ride home, if there were a snack Mirman Family of Venice and Isfahan.” The named High, it would have fit right in with this symposium concluded with Dr. Peter Balakian’s crowd, so thrilled with the opportunity to expe- From left, Julia Hintlian, Dr. Lisa Gulesserian, and NAASR Board Member Judith Saryan

rience the art, history, and culture of Armenia remarked on The Met exhibit, “It was the first with like-minded individuals in one sweeping cultural representation of Armenia. It was such day. Driving through the Bronx, eager NAASR a wonderful, organized trip. NAASR should do participants, energized to share their thoughts more programs like this.” Sonya Merian chimed with one another, were facilitated by two bril- in, “I really enjoyed the symposium. I learned so liant young scholars, Dr. Lisa Gulesserian, lec- much, for example, about the trade routes. It turer on Armenian at the Department of Near was beautifully organized; Laura Yardumian did Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard a terrific job organizing the day. It was a very University, and Julia Hintlian, a PhD student in pleasant day from start to finish.” religion at Harvard University’s Graduate Artist Marsha Odabashian, who has a studio School of Arts and Sciences. Having just expe- and gallery in Boston’s South End concurred, rienced “Armenia!” and the symposium, these “It’s not very often when a bus trip to NY scholars were as excited as other NAASR atten- includes three actively engaged experts. Artist dees and shared their impressions. Gulesserian and conservator Ani Babaian shared her first- remarked, “We were impressed by the sheer hand knowledge on Armenian art of New Julfa number of artifacts exhibited,” while Hintlian, and Isfahan on the way to The Met. Dr. Lisa who has spent time in Echmiadzin, reflected on Gulesserian and PhD candidate Julia Hintlian, seeing some of the items from Echmiadzin’s col- on the way home, facilitated a lively open ended lection now on display thousands of miles away discussion on participants’ impressions of the in a different environment and setting. exhibit and the way in which it was presented. As they fielded many questions pertaining to The background knowledge, which they gener- the symposium and the “Armenia!” exhibit, ously supplied, on the Armenian language and their knowledge and instant responses to ques- the art objects themselves added significant tions piqued even further inquiry and discus- depth to the conversation. Without a doubt, the Standing: NAASR volunteer Adrenna Andreassian and Library Curator Ani Babaian; seated: sion, and the setting felt more like an upbeat NAASR team arranged a well-organized, NAASR Executive Director Sarah Ignatius, Program and Adminstrative Associate Laura Yardumian, and NAASR Board member Shushan Teager classroom with dynamic interplay and discus- delightful, and worthwhile trip to Armenia! – a sions than a humdrum bus ride home. Time very important symposium and exhibition in flew by quickly as such topics as maps, NYC.” manuscripts, liturgical vestments and vessels, Danny Donabedian, a student at Harvard’s and the Armenian language were discussed. Near Eastern Languages and Civilization pro- Sonia Iskenderian said, “This was very interest- gram, remarked, “This trip was a great idea. As ing. They know their subjects very well, espe- someone who is unfamiliar with NAASR other cially the differences between Western and than its research in Armenian Studies, I discov- Eastern Armenian and krapar.” ered that NAASR has a fun, adventurous side. I Snacks were again served by NAASR’s kind thought this trip was extremely rewarding both hosts, and though some people shut off the as a scholar and as an Armenian-American, and overhead light to take some shut eye, for others have NAASR’s efforts to thank for that.” it was a time to further connect with old and Preserve, Enrich, and Inspire, three words new friends or make plans to continue the day’s connected to NAASR’s logo, were in full Hye mutually shared experiences. Anahid Mardiros gear for this noteworthy experience. Understanding ‘the Other’ through Song

SONG, from page 13 America Recording of the Year awards. Most Zakarian is a member of the percussion facul- recently she has joined Rumbarroco, a Boston- ty at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. based Latin-Baroque fusion ensemble. She went to the Dobri Hristov National School of To see a portion of the concert, visit the link Arts in Varna, Bulgaria, before studying percus- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3my7O sion at the Royal College of Music in London and nsMFKc&feature=share later the Boston Conservatory. She has per- — Stephany Svorinic formed locally and internationally. Tosic has performed regularly in the area and has been praised for her “burnished and warm sound” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer). She is a soloist and chamber musician who special- izes in early, contemporary, and world music repertories. Her concert appearances include the Utrecht Early Music and the Maastricht Musica Sacra Festivals, Regensburg’s Tage Alter Musik, the Flanders Festivals of Ghent and Brussels, a Banco Republico tour of Colombia, and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary music; the Frick Collection and Rockefeller University in New York City; Denver’s Newman Performing Arts Center; the Da Camera Society of Los Angeles and festivals in Ottawa and Montreal. Tosic is a founding member of the vocal ensemble Tapestry, win- The performers received thunderous applause. ner of the Echo Klassik and Chamber Music 16 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LL EE NN DD AA RR

MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA Choral Society and Orchestra, Sunday, 7 p.m., Church Cultural Association and the AGBU Alex and Maria Sanctuary, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Manoogian School. Grigoryan is an assistant professor of JANUARY 20-27, 2019 — Armenian Heritage Cruise Boston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Remembering the international relations at Lehigh University in XXII 2019. Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Royal Very Rev. Oshagan Minassian on the 10th Anniversary of Pennsylvania and focuses on ethno-nationalist conflicts. Caribbean’s Allure of the Sea. Traveling to Nassau, his passing, and Commemorating the 30th Anniversary He holds a PhD in political science from Columbia Cozumel, Roaten, Costa Maya. Cabin Rates, starting from of the earthquake in Armenia and the 2,800th University and a master’s in international relations from $949/person based on double occupancy, including port Anniversary of Yerevan. Under the direction of Composer the University of Chicago. Open to the public and free. A charges and ACAA registration fee. Government rates of Konstantin Petrossian, Music Director and Conductor, reception will follow the lecture. $137.45 are additional. Armenian entrainment, with Guest Soloists Anahit Zakaryan, soprano, and Armenian cultural presentations, Armenian Festival Day, Michael Calmés, tenor, the program will consist of a vari- NEW JERSEY Tavlou and Belote Tournaments and much more. Call ety of traditional Armenian and Western sacred and hol- Travel Group International at 1-561-447-08750 or 1-866- iday music. The public is warmly invited to attend this DECEMBER 8 — Tekeyan Cultural Association of 447-0750 ext. 108, contact person Janie. complimentary concert. Reception to follow featuring an Greater New York Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Exhibit, “To Armenia” by Winslow Martin, an Arlington- Group will present a Christmas gala with Sarina Cross. MASSACHUSETTS based documentary photographer. For further informa- Save the date. Details to come. tion, call the Church office, 617.354.0632 or log onto NOVEMBER 30 and DECEMBER 1 — Friday and www.htaac.org/calendar/event/582/. NEW YORK Saturday, Trinity Christmas Bazaar, Friday, 12-9 pm, DECEMBER 16 – Candlelit Labyrinth Peace Walk, Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian Church Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, SEPTEMBER 22 - January 13, 2019 – ARMENIA! at the of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Featuring Sunday, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Walk the Candlelit Labyrinth. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Armenia! is delicious Armenian dinners, a la carte menu and take-out Tie a Ribbon on the Wishing Tree. Hot Chocolate & the “first major exhibition to explore the importance of meals; booths and vendors – perfect for Christmas shop- Desserts, hosted by The Bostonian Hotel. RSVP appreci- Armenians and their remarkable achievements in a glob- ping; Armenian gourmet foods, delicacies and pastries; ated [email protected] al context…” https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibi- raffles, and more. Activities for Children, Peter Adamian DECEMBER 16 — St. James Annual Name Day Banquet tions/listings/2018/armenia Hall: Friday, 7-9 p.m., All Aboard “The Polar Express” - Celebrating the 87th Anniversary of the Parish and Pajama Party, for children ages 5 and older; Saturday, 11 Honoring Rev. Arakel Aljalian on the 25th Anniversary of RHODE ISLAND a.m., Children’s Entertainment, and 3-5 p.m., “The Star” his Ordination to the Priesthood. V. Rev. Fr. Daniel movie, for all ages. Saturday, Visit with Santa, 1-2 pm, Findikyan, Primate, Presiding. 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy. DECEMBER 1 — St. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. For further Name Day Banquet to follow. $45 per person. $15 for ACYOA ANNUAL HOLIDAY KEF. Evagian Hall, 70 information, contact the Church office at 617.354.0632, children 12 and under. Advance Reservations Required – Jefferson St., Providence, RI Featuring Mal Barsamian, or log onto www.htaac.org/calendar/event/580/. purchase tickets online at www.stjameswatertown.org. Jason Naroian, Brian Ansbigian, David Ansbigian. 8:30 DECEMBER 2 — Acapella Christmas Concert by Boston 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown 617.923.8860 p.m. – 1 a.m. Mezze Available, coffee/dessert. For reser- Jazz Voices to Benefit the Armenia Tree Project. 5 [email protected]. vations, contact church office 401-272-7712. Adults $25 p.m. at the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road, Winchester. APRIL 25, 2019 — Holy Trinity Armenian Church of and Students $20. All are welcome. Free parking. Event will feature an acapella performance, Greater Boston Presents The Dr. Michael and Joyce DECEMBER 8 — The Cultural Committee of the Sts. refreshments, raffle, and silent auction. Tickets are $30 Kolligian Distinguished Speaker Series: Anthony Ray Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church presents “O Holy each and a family four-pack of tickets is available for Hinton, Author of The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life Night” Christmas Concert Featuring the Chorale of St. $100. Tickets available via Eventbrite at www.armenia- and Freedom on Death Row, “Surviving Criminal Justice Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church , Woonsocket, RI, tree.org/acappella in America.” Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island, Soloists, 7 p.m. In DECEMBER 3 — Monday, St James Armenian Church 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA 02138. Reception and Church Sanctuary, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI. Men’s Club Dinner Meeting. Speaker: Gregory book signing to follow talk. Open and free to the public. Donation free. Refreshments. Vartanian, Esq., a Boston-based immigration attorney. He For further information, contact the Holy Trinity Church will provide an overview of US immigration laws and reg- office, 617.354.0632, email [email protected], or log ulations. He will also discuss cases of Armenians and non- onto www.htaac.org/calendar/event/622/. Armenians in various parts of the world seeking asylum SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 – SAVE THE DATE! and those just wanting to immigrate to the US. He will InterContinental Hotel, Boston. Extraordinary Benefit Calendar items are free. Entries should also present his opinions on issues with the US immigra- for Armenian Heritage Park’s Endowed Fund for Care. not be longer than 5 lines. Listings tion system, the Presidential proclamation affecting should include contact information. Items Muslim countries, and how to interpret what you hear MICHIGAN will be edited to fit the space, if need be. and read in the news. Social hour and mezza at 6:15 A photo may be sent with the listing no p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Mezza and Losh Kebab & NOVEMBER 29 — “From Nationhood to Statehood: Kheyma Dinner $16/person. Ladies invited. St. James Reflections on Ter-Petrossian’s Writings,” lecture by later than Mondays at noon. Armenian Church, Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Prof. Arman Grigoryan at 7 p.m. at the AGBU Alex and Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Marie Manoogian School, co-sponsored by the University DECEMBER 9 — Christmas Holiday Concert – Erevan of Michigan Armenian Studies Program, the Tekeyan Three Books That Merit Reading

BOOKS, from page 14 meticulous detail, conviction otherwise daunting topic. resumed his productive and exemplary life, and righteous indignation, Among many precious even if deeply scarred. Ravished Paradise recalls the details, we are reminded that Dr. Peroomian, who has written many books Madenjian clan’s activities in all Armenians were targeted about the Armenian genocidal experience, has their native region of Chepni, during the Turkish extermina- finally focused her literary lens on her own fam- located between Sepastia and tion, not just the so-called rad- ily’s journeys around injustice, loss, trauma and Kayseri in Western Armenia. icals; that statesman-author achievement in spite of tremendous odds. This We learn about their history Krikor Zohrab had his head long overdue tribute to the fortitude of through anecdotes, folklore, smashed to pieces so that his Minassian and his family is worthy of our atten- genealogical connections, Turkish tormentors “could see tion, recognition and praise. It also adds anoth- and family dynamics of con- what the brains of a genius er dimension to existing first-hand, non-fiction flict, coincidences and looked like”; that the victori- accounts of the horrors suffered in Siberian redemption. At the same ous French during WWI who gulags. time, Madenjian presents a ultimately betrayed Cilician parallel and condensed narra- Armenia put slippers over Mardig Madenjian tion of the Armenian their horseshoes to conceal Ravished Paradise: Forced March to Genocide brimming with that they were abandoning the Nothingness facts and figures in historical context. Armenians to the predatory Turks; and that By Mardig Madenjian; Though the book has a few spelling, gram- medicinal folk remedies — many now lost — Publisher: Mardiros Madenjian; matical and factual errors, it is a formidable were often life-saving in their properties. mardigmadenjian.com achievement in that it makes learning about the In speaking of the savagery of the geno- Following years of research, travel, inter- Armenian Genocide — especially for students — cidists, Madenjian does not sugarcoat his words, author of 16 books, Madenjian won the views and investigations into family history, an engrossing (but not always comfortable) nor does he abide by tenets of political correct- Hollywood Book Award twice — for this book Mardig Madenjian produced this unique work experience. Readers can, for one thing, apply ness. Some information in Madenjian’s book and again for its sequel, Reclaiming Ravished that is really two books in one. Filled with faces, names, personalities and vignettes to an has never before been presented in English. The Paradise. S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Stalemate in Syria

Spectator cement military and trade relations between Turkey and Russia, By Edmond Y. Azadian because it is creating mutual interdependence,” he added. The Syrian war has resulted in the deaths of 360,000 civilians since it started in 2011 and left many internal refugees, in addi- One of the hotspots of the resurgent Cold War is being fought tion to the ones who have flooded Turkey (3 million), Lebanon (2 on Syrian territory. During the Soviet era, all the Middle Eastern million), Jordan (1 million) as well as Europe. EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 conflicts had an ideological bent, but with the fall of the Soviet Although much of the territory has been recovered by the An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication empire, religion became politicized and weaponized in order to Assad forces, with Russian military assistance, still the war has not fuel sectarian violence in the region. fully come to an end. In November 28-29, Russia, Turkey and Iran The Middle East has a global significance for the major powers will hold their 11th conference in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, because of oil as well as the security of Israel. In this age of fake to finalize an agreement. The three have been meeting regularly

EDITOR pop up news sites on major technological platforms, any a conflict to arrive at a solution, and their efforts have reduced the violence. Alin K. Gregorian can be portrayed in any light other than its accurate one. ISIS is still in Der Zor, an oil rich region as well as a historic site The Arab Spring was launched in the Middle East supposedly of great interest for Armenians. Turkey is in Afrin, fighting local ASSISTANT EDITOR to introduce democracy in the region. After that spring devastat- Kurdish forces The US is in Manbij supporting the Kurdish Forces Aram Arkun ed Iraq, Libya and Syria, as well as Yemen just further south, peo- (YPG), which have proved to be the most effective fighting group

ART DIRECTOR ple realized that any stable country in the region was a threat to against ISIS. Marc Mgrditchian the hegemonic plans of some powers. One irony of that charade The American Special Representative for Syria, James Jeffrey, has was that the authoritarian kingdom of Saudi Arabia, armed with stated that the US’s “local partner since 2014 has been PYD/YPG, an extremist religious ideology of Wahhabism, was relegated by which is the Syrian offshoot of PKK but we have not designated it the US to introduce “democracy” in Syria, one of the few lay as a terrorist organization, which we did with the PKK.” regimes left in the region. But it looks like the American local policy has reached a turn- SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: The Syrian conflict, with its outflowing refugee problem, not ing point, since it has been Ankara’s contention that Syrian Kurds Edmond Y. Azadian only destroyed the country itself, but it had ramifications far also have to be labelled as terrorists. Mr. Jeffry’s statement veers beyond its borders, straining the economies of neighboring toward that direction as he adds, “The US operations in Syria CONTRIBUTORS: Jordan and Lebanon and creating a political backlash all the way could not be done without the active participation, coordination Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun to Eastern Europe and Germany. and cooperation of Turkey.” This is an indication that the US is Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, At this time, many major and minor forces are at work on the contemplating abandoning the Kurds and that is why some of the Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, Syrian battlefield to manage and mismanage the ongoing war. Kurds are cozying up to the Assad regime. Naomi Zeytoonian The major players are, of course, the United States and Russia, fol- The White House, the State Department and the Pentagon lowed by Iran, Turkey, have made conflicting state- CORRESPONDENTS: Israel and to a certain ments about Syria. Mr. Trump Armenia - Hagop Avedikian extent, the Gulf states. announced that the US forces Boston - Nancy Kalajian Each participant in the will soon leave Syria. His Los Angeles - Taleen Babayan conflict has been paying National Security Advisor John Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach lip service to “helping the Bolton contradicted that state- Contributing Photographers: Syrian people,” while ment by declaring that the US Jirair Hovsepian actually pursuing their forces will not leave Syria until narrow, selfish interests. Iranian forces do, along with When Moscow was their paramilitaries. While the recovering from the col- Pentagon was not sure if remov- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published lapse of the Soviet ing Iran and Iranian proxies were weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: empire, the West success- actually the official stance, a US fully instigated the Assistant Secretary of Defense of Baikar Association, Inc. bloody Balkan wars and International Security Affairs 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 the wars in the Middle said that the US was “desegre- Telephone: 617-924-4420 East, without much hind- gating efforts against ISIS from FAX: 617-924-2887 sight, but when Syria was the Iran policy.” www.mirrorspectator.com invaded by mercenaries, While the Syrian conflict is E-Mail: [email protected] the Russian military and winding down, the Armenians For advertising: [email protected] economic assets were dislodged from that country are directly threatened and hesitant to return. Up to 22,000 Moscow decided to draw are in Armenia, some ready to a line in the sand. Then a return, while others are deciding confluence of interests to settle there permanently and from Turkey and Iran still others consider Armenia as a SUBSCRIPTION RATES : became a factor, render- waystation. They are looking for ing the Syrian conflict to Armenian passports in order to become a laboratory of be able to relocate to the West. U.S.A. $80 a year the Cold War to sort out Before the war, there were the self-interests of each combatant. some 80,000 Armenians in Syria, enjoying a privileged status as Canada $125 a year Ironically, Washington’s goal was regime change in Syria. With they did not meddle in politics and contributed to the Syrian Other Countries $190 a year the help of a pliant and undereducated news media, any targeted economy as professionals, traders and hardworking business own- leader can be demonized within a short period of time to justify ers. They also constituted the last bastion of Armenianness, pro- subsequent military attack against his territory, as it happened in viding other communities with educated priests leaders , writers © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Iraq and Libya. Then the US moving target was shifted to ISIS and scholars. Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA (Islamic State or ISIL), when Washington realized that Moscow A researcher named Serdar Kurucu has made a striking state- and additional mailing offices. had decided to defend the Assad regime to the bitter end. ment to Al Monitor: While other ethnic groups from Syria are Today, Russia has an expanded military base in Tartus, Syria, seeking refuge in Turkey, this writer has questioned a Syrian ISSN 0004-234X Iran has its military and political presence, with its ancillary Shiite Armenian: “When Turkey is so close, why are Syrian-Armenians militia of Hezbollah, its hedge against Israel. The US is there with not coming there?” The answer was “Yes, Turkey’s border is very shifting goals. Israel makes its presence felt through its bombing POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The close, but in real life, it is too remote from us.” Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn raids into Syrian territory with Prime Minister Netanyahu boast- That response not only signified the memory of the Armenian St., Watertown, MA 02472 ing confidently that Israel will be on the Golan Heights forever. Genocide, but also the more recent memory of devastation of Der Other than the editorial, views and opinions Also, Turkey is fanning the flames of its Ottoman dreams to carve Zor monument and the pogrom in the Kessab region of Syria, by expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily out a piece of its territory in Eastern Syria. the Turks and their associates. reflect the policies of the publisher. Much of the Syrian territory has been recovered from the ISIS Former President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan had warned forces and has been under government rule in quasi-normal con- Armenians to remain neutral in the Syrian conflict. But it seems ditions good enough for some of the refugees to repatriate. But that Nikol Pashinyan has developed a different policy. Indeed, as far as the major powers and Syria’s future are concerned, the Armenia, along with Serbia, is preparing to send a contingent to conflict is declared to be a stalemate. Syria on a humanitarian mission. Armenia had shipped humani- Copying for other than personal use or During the conflict, Moscow and Ankara have become odd bed- tarian assistance in earlier years, but his current mission involves internal reference is prohibited without fellows much to the chagrin of the West. Turkey has expanded its military personnel as well. express permission of the copyright exports to Russia, defying US sanctions, and has bought military Although Mr. Bolton, during this recent visit to Yerevan, has owner. Address requests for reprints or back issues to: hardware (S-400) from Russia. Moscow, in its turn, has brought to warned Armenia against any involvement, acting Defense Minister fruition the consolidation of the TurkStream gas pipeline to sup- Davit Tonoyan has stated that preparations are underway and the ply Europe with natural gas. Mehmet Ogutcu, head of the mission will take leave soon. Baikar Association, Inc. Bosporus Energy Club, has said that TurkStream is a great suc- Armenia owes that humanitarian assistance to the Syrian peo- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- cess, despite the US efforts to block the project. “This project will ple and the Armenian community in Syria. 1509 18 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

2, 2014) that “our allies” Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Karabakh/Artsakh war. UAE were “our largest problem in Syria … giving hundreds Ambassador Wilson thus gratuitously covered for Blundering of millions of dollars and thousands of tons of weapons” to Azerbaijan’s involvement with jihadists/terrorists just as jihadist organizations. Ambassador Mills would later do for Turkey. These included, said Biden, al-Nusra, al-Qaeda, “extrem- More recently, hundreds of Azeris have joined ISIS and ist” jihadis, and ISIL [ISIS]. similar jihadist groups in Syria. American Though Biden never withdrew his statements, President Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Airlines has report- Obama soon forced him to apologize to Turkey and UAE to edly been delivering billions in weapons (including from the spare them and America further embarrassment. US) to jihadists in Syria. Silk Way is apparently owned part- Mills also vehemently denied that Turkey was buying oil ly by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s family. Ambassadors from ISIS. The inept Wilson also called lham Aliyev — who hadn’t yet Yet the New York Times had reported (“Struggling to inherited the throne from his father Heydar Aliyev — an Starve ISIS of Oil Revenue, US Seeks Assistance From idiot or a similar insult. Turkey,” September 13, 2014) that “the Obama administra- This apparently panicked host Dr. Brenda Shaffer, the Unmask the tion is struggling to cut off the millions of dollars in oil rev- Caspian program’s research director, a prominent pro-Azeri enue that has made [ISIS] one of the wealthiest terror propagandist, former adviser to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, groups in history, but so far has been unable to persuade and now a lecturer at the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy. Turkey … where much of the oil is traded on the black mar- She abruptly announced that Wilson’s presentation was War on Terror ket, to crack down on an extensive sales network. Western now “off the record.” intelligence officials … track the ISIS oil shipments [from] Iraq [into] Turkey.” Armenia’s Unrecognized Record Additionally, a second Columbia University study, Since 9/11, I’ve asked two US ambassadors to Armenia “Research Paper: Turkey-ISIS Oil Trade,” confirmed that this question: Given America’s so-called global “War on By David Boyajian Turkey was buying voluminous amounts of crude oil from Terror,” why do you never mention that Armenia has an ISIS. President Erdogan’s son, Bilal Erdogan, son-in-law exceptionally strong anti-jihadist/terrorist record compared We know that US ambassadors tend to be bureaucratic Berat Albayrak, and brother-in-law Ziya Ilgen, were report- to other countries within a thousand mile radius or more? and boring. edly major players in that illicit trade. Indeed, Armenia has had no jihadist citizens, hasn’t sup- If you challenge them forcefully, however, the resulting As a State Department official, Mills blundered by exon- ported jihadists, and hasn’t served as a jihadist base or tran- outbursts can provide stunning insights into their inepti- erating Turkey. In so doing, he demonstrated that the “War sit route. tude and State Department policies. on Terror” was less about stopping terrorism than about Neither ambassador provided a cogent answer though Consider the mind-boggling statements made by then- shielding an ally from terrorism charges. one said that Armenia is mainly Christian so that it would- Ambassador to Armenia Richard M. Mills during the ques- n’t be expected to be associated with jihadists. tion-and-answer at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Another Blundering Ambassador Yet neighboring Georgia, which jihadists have used as a Cambridge, Mass. Six months after the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, base and pass-through is also mainly Christian. And witness I had bluntly questioned Mills about the Turkish govern- Ross L. Wilson, the American ambassador to oil and gas- the many jihadist cells and terror attacks in Christian ment’s support for ISIS and similar jihadist/terrorist orga- rich Azerbaijan, spoke at a sparsely-attended seminar at Europe. nizations. Harvard University’s oil and gas industry-funded Caspian Though this occurred two years ago (March 3, 2016), his Studies Program. What ‘War on Terror?’ answers remain relevant to America’s so-called “War on I pointedly asked him about terrorism expert Yossef The four ambassadors’ reactions we described reinforce Terror” and the ongoing wars in Syria and Iraq. Bodansky who in 1999 had documented numerous what many experts believe: When posing my question, I said that I would be handing instances of jihadists, including Chechens and Afghans, America’s “War on Terror” has largely morphed into a everyone in the audience a cover for the State study titled “Research Paper: Department’s and some ISIS-Turkey Links” by Columbia American lobbies’ geopoliti- University’s Institute for the cal agendas — such as depos- Study of Human Rights. ing Syrian President al-Assad. Dr. David L. Phillips, director After all, given the chance of its Program on Peace-build- in a rare moment of frankness Vice to criticize Turkey, ing and Human Rights, oversaw Azerbaijan, and others for the study. The widely published President Joe Biden himself told a Harvard supporting jihadists, Phillips is a foreign affairs advis- Ambassadors Mills and er for the State Department and Wilson refused to do so. the United Nations. University audience (October 2, 2014) that American officials down- Using dozens of sources, the play or outright deny the sup- study definitively established “our allies” Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and port that US “allies” such as that Turkey was providing Turkey and Saudi Arabia pro- weapons, ammunition, financ- vide jihadists/terrorists lest ing, transportation, training, UAE were “our largest problem in Syria … our own nation’s support of and recruits to ISIS in Syria and terrorism also be exposed. Iraq and to other terrorist giving hundreds of millions of dollars Similarly, American offi- groups such as al-Nusra, an al- cials never praise Armenia’s Qaeda offshoot. fine record on jihadism/ter- Incredibly, Mills angrily and thousands of tons of weapons” to rorism because as we pointed replied that Turkey had not out the “War on Terror” is helped jihadists/terrorists in primarily not about any way. jihadist organizations. terror/jihadism. The ambassador even claimed Lynne M. Tracy has been that if some jihadists had nominated to replace Richard entered Syria from Turkey they Mills as ambassador to did so only by sneaking past Armenia. Syrian refugees who were crossing in the opposite direc- using Azerbaijan as a base. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee should grill her tion. To its credit, the polite Armenian-American audience Wilson vociferously denied everything in Bodansky’s arti- on the same terrorism subjects, and more, that I raised with refrained from laughing. cle. other ambassadors. Mills’ hyperbolic defense of Turkey was particularly Yet the FBI had found that al-Qaeda used Baku, If citizens do not successfully push Congress to fully incongruous as American-Turkish relations were even then Azerbaijan as a communication and logistical base for expose America’s and its “allies” roles in supporting headed downhill toward today’s quagmire. 1998’s fatal bombings of American embassies in Kenya and jihadists/terrorists, we have only ourselves to blame. Moreover, the ambassador’s vindication of Turkey went Tanzania. even further than had the Obama administration. Moreover, in the early 1990s Azerbaijan imported thou- Indeed, in a rare moment of frankness Vice President Joe sands of Afghan Mujahideen, as well as Chechen and (David Boyajian is a freelance journalist. Many of his Biden himself told a Harvard University audience (October Turkish, mercenaries to fight against Armenians in the articles are archived at

LETTERS Remembering the Many Kindnesses of Anna Hovnanian

To the Editor: again in the summer of 1979, before entering of us feel so welcome in their home. It was as if proud Armenian-Americans in the American It was with a heavy heart that I read about law school at the University of Southern we were part of their family; and of course, in a system, whether in government, business, law, the passing of Mrs. Anna Hovnanian in your California, I was one of those interns fortunate way, we were. education or the arts. October 20 issue. enough to have spent a lovely weekend at the It wasn’t simply their spirit of generosity These were, and are, memories and lessons The article made reference to the summer Hovnanians’ beautiful home in Deal, NJ. In fact, (which was overwhelming). It was also how they which have stayed with me throughout the years. internship program of the Armenian Assembly if memory serves, Tanya Hovnanian was, in valued all things Armenian — the Armenian My deepest sympathies, along with my and the intern classes which Mr. and Mrs. 1978, one of my fellow intern classmates. spirit — and how important it was to them that thoughts and prayers, go out to the entire Hovnanian hosted each summer in their home. I do have very fond memories of those times we celebrate and honor our Armenian heritage Hovnanian family. In the summer of 1978, having just graduat- and of the warm and gracious hospitality of Mr. while, at the same time, providing opportunities Ralph E. Arpajian ed from the University of Pennsylvania, and and Mrs. Hovnanian: how they made each one for us to participate in very meaningful ways as Pennsylvania S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

tough! But, the truth is you are just a mouth and nothing By this law book, I will send you to 10 years in prison. Ten more. I, as a Kurd — history is my witness — that I, as a Kurd, years is the minimum.” live in my land, Kurdistan, at a time when you were gathering Shouts from the floor: “He needs to be shot right here.” grassroots and feeding, playing around with your horses in Encu: “I will finish.” Mongolia…” Shouts from the floor: “You will pay with your life for this; My Turn Shouts from the floor: “Shoot him!” you scum Kurd!” Encu: “This so called your land is not your land, nor that Encu: “Bark all of you as you wish. I stand strong here, By Harut Sassounian of the AKP [President Erdogan’s ruling party]. This land is come and face…” older than all of you. It belongs to the real people…” Shouts from the floor: “That is enough. Where is the secu- Parliament Speaker: “You will be punished for this. You can rity?” Kurdish Member of Turkish talk this over Kebab during lunch time. You support terror- Encu: “You all act tough in a group, but alone, you are cow- Parliament Delivers a Harsh ists in front of us.” ards. Our Kurdish youth showed that to your military. No Encu: “The honorable Greeks and Armenians were here…” Turkish soldier or police can patrol a Kurdish street. Your sol- Speech and Ends up in Jail Shouts from the floor: “Shoot that terrorist.” diers ran from our youth. Like now, you just have mouths and Encu: “We Kurds are still here. No tanks and none of your act tough together. But, face to face you are nothing…” Ferhat Encu, a Kurdish member of the Turkish Parliament military can remove us…” Shouts from the floor: “Shut that Kurd up!” from the Sirnak province of Turkey, delivered a while back Shouts from the floor: “We destroyed your city.” Encu: “Alone, I, as a Kurd, can take on all of you…” extremely critical remarks about Turks and Turkey on the Encu: “You can destroy it, but we will build a dozen more. Shouts from the floor: “Firing squad!” floor of the Parliament in Ankara. I just discovered the video You Turks are nothing. We have defeated worse monsters Encu: “You think by killing us you can defeat us; it only of his bold speech on YouTube. than you in Silopi. Drop your bombs. Kill our children. Kill makes us stronger. You call me a ‘terrorist,’ I, who fight for Encu, a member of the Kurdish HDP Party, is well known civilians, but you cannot kill us being a Kurd in Roboski, all my freedom from your occupation. I, who lived in this land for his steadfast opposition to the Turkish government for its over Kurdistan or what you call ‘Turkey.’ Humanity has seen for thousands of years, you come and occupy it. I fight for the perpetual violence against Kurds and violation of Kurdish worse than you. We defeated them…” freedom of my people, for freedom like all other nations…” human rights. In 2011, the Turkish Air Force bombed a Parliament Speaker: “You will go to jail for this. Five years Shouts from the floor: “You will be shot!” group of Kurdish civilians killing 34 of them, including sever- will be your minimum sentence.” Encu: “I face death and bullets bravely for my freedom like al members of Encu’s family. Encu: “I don’t give a damn. Truth is more important than millions of other Kurds. No occupation lasts forever. Freedom During his speech, Encu, 33, received many threats from life…” always triumphs at the end…” Turkish parliament members. Subsequently, he was Shouts from the floor: “He needs a bullet. Arrest him!” Shouts from the floor: “You signed your own death war- stripped of his parliamentary immunity and jailed. He Parliament Speaker: “We have sent for security. He will be rant by a Turkish bullet. You are a dead man walking. Don’t remains in jail! arrested.” let him leave alive from here.” Here are Encu’s six-minute-long powerful remarks in the Encu: “We Kurds will always be Kurds, before you Turks Parliament Speaker: “Go back to your seats. He is alone. Turkish Parliament which was constantly interrupted by came here and after you Turks leave here. Your ‘Turkey’ is the There is nothing to worry about. He is alone. We are many. threats: “I will make my statement short and to the point. stolen land of Greeks, Armenians and us Kurds. History is my We will get him. Take your seats.” Some of you call us killers. But, who kills civilians and who is witness.” The fearless and self-sacrificing Ferhat Encu has joined a killer? You are!” Shouts from the floor: “Your head will roll.” thousands of other innocent Kurds and Turks who have been Threats shouted at Encu from the Parliament floor: “Shut Encu: “What can you do? Here I am against hundreds of arrested by the Turkish government in recent years for him up! Take that terrorist and shoot him!” you. What you got in you? expressing their opinions and some for no reason at all! It is Parliament Speaker: “Let him speak. Say what you have to Parliament Speaker: “You will be punished for this.” shameful that world leaders have remained silent in the face say and finish it.” Encu: “Kill me. I will still tell the truth.” of such massive and persistent Turkish violations of human Encu continued his remarks: “Together here, you are Parliament Speaker: “Say that when the security gets here. rights.

build new pipelines or railways from Iran to Georgia in order to be a transit point. Talks around the construction of a $3.7 billion railway are stalled as there are difficulties find- New Iranian ing finances for the project. Another reason is that neighboring Azerbaijan already has the necessary pipeline infrastructure and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway. Perhaps Azerbaijan is the country which might benefit most from the new US sanctions, as global oil prices are likely to rise. Since natural gas prices are mostly indexed to oil Sanctions and the prices, Baku might see a sudden growth in revenues. Sanctions-stricken Iran’s influence will be curtailed in the South Caucasus region. The South Caucasus Since one of the major goals of By Emil Avdaliani new US sanctions is to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan will not be N NOVEMBER 5, The Trump administration re-imposed sanctions on Iran fol- lowing Washington’s decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan directly impacted. However, of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015. Following the decision on withdrawal, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi told state TV that his although none of the three states country had “the knowledge and the capability to manage the country’s eco- nomic affairs.” in fact uses or transports Iranian The worst disagreements coming as a result of the US decision were seen between the European and Russian counterparts. Both were against the break- crude, all three sometimes use O up and still remain strong believers in the JCPOA. In order to diminish the eco- nomic effect on Europe, a special clearing house was designed to allow European compa- Iranian natural gas either for nies that trade with Iran to bypass the new US sanctions. It was reported that the clear- ing house will be established within several months either in France or Germany. transit or commercial usage. The Europeans came up with the idea of the clearing house, also known as a “Special Purpose Vehicle” (SPV), to show Iran that Europe is still a strong supporter of the 2015 nuclear deal and that the SPV will even allow the European Union to expand business with Tehran. diminution of Iranian economic activities in the region will be followed by a decline in the While analysts discuss how the new sanctions will impact Iran and the world oil prices, country’s geopolitical force. In that regard, Russia is to reap the most fruit. it is interesting how it will influence the South Caucasus. It is clear that the region is Russia and Iran have long been geopolitical rivals. Russia, for instance, wants to obstruct important for the US in exerting pressure on Iran. One of the major reasons the US any Iranian moves to establish Russian-influence-free pipelines or railways to Armenia and National Security Adviser John Bolton recently visited the South Caucasus countries was Georgia. Now it will be easier for Moscow to block any Iranian initiatives. Yet both coun- to enhance Iran’s isolation. The US remembers well how Iranians acted previously, before tries will nevertheless work together to block Western-led infrastructure projects. Another the 2015 agreement, using Armenian and other regional banks to circumvent the sanc- common interest will be to avoid any foreign military presence in the region, particularly tions. Even though Washington exempted eight countries from new sanctions, none of in Georgia. them is from the South Caucasus. Iran already lags far behind its regional competitors in terms of economic and military Since one of the major goals of new US sanctions is to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero, influence in the region, and now the country is set lose more in the South Caucasus. Those Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan will not be directly impacted. However, although none of geopolitical impetuses which existed before, primarily Europe’s willingness (however the three states in fact uses or transports Iranian crude, all three sometimes use Iranian unsuccessful) to diversify its gas market from Russian gas, are now unlikely to bring natural gas either for transit or commercial usage. results. For example, Armenia, where a major portion of gas is imported from Russia (via The next several months will show how negative the new sanctions will be for the region. Georgia), also imported about 400 million cubic meters of gas from Iran in 2017, in However, one argument is clear: Iran, which hoped, following the successful negotiations exchange for which it sends electricity to Iran. In late 2017, there was even an agreement and the lifting of restrictions in 2015, to increase its involvement in the South Caucasus, through which Yerevan would increase gas imports from Iran by some 25%, again in is likely lose the momentum it enjoyed. The European and Russian decision to stay in exchange for electricity. Now with the new sanctions in force, those plans are likely to be JCPOA might help, but as many believe, the US withdrawal is crucial. shelved. Moreover, Armenia’s position will be further worsened since the US sanctions will also touch other parts of the Iranian economy. Yerevan will now have fewer chances to (This analysis originally appeared in Georgia Today on November 12.) 20 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

AMAA Holds 99th Annual Meeting Elects New Board Members for Class of 2021

LOS ANGELES — The 99th Annual Meeting of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) was held at the United Armenian Congregational Church on Saturday, October 20. AMAA President Nazareth Darakjian, MD presided over the meeting. Rev. Haroutune Selimian, president of the Armenian Protestant Community of Syria offered a prayer and a short devotion. Reflecting on people’s pressures, problems and pain, he said hope liberates people from hopelessness and gives them direction and purpose for life. During the meeting AMAA Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs, as well as delegates of the Armenian Evangelical Unions, the Armenian Evangelical World Council and affiliated organizations shared their joys and concerns and praised God for another successful year. The general membership of the AMAA elected the following nine members to the Board of Directors Class of 2021 for a term of three years: Bryan Agbabian, Bryan Bedrosian, Rev. Dr. Avedis Boynerian, John Cherkezian, Mark Kassabian, Esq., Louis Kurkjian, Heather Ohaneson, Ph.D., Michele Simourian and Ken Kevorkian. In conjunction with the AMAA Annual Meeting, the Armenian Evangelical World Council held its meeting on October 18 and 19. Installation Service of the newly elected members of the AMAA Board On Sunday, October 21, members and guests joined the United Armenian Congregational Church of Los Angeles for a University, preached in English and Rev. preached in Armenian. A special prayer was year. Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian officiated at special Worship Service. Rev. Dr. Paul Hovhannes Hovsepyan, pastor of the offered in memory of AMAA members and the installation of the newly elected members Haidostian, president of Haigazian Evangelical Church of Armenia in Yerevan, friends who had passed away during the past of the Board of Directors

Alexis Ohanian Launches Shakmat Brandy

SHAKMAT, from page 1 mining if we at Initialized Capital should The official tasting notes tout Shakmat’s “fla- invest in their new venture.” vors of dried fruits, nuts and spices, think Ohanian’s partner Flaviar is a spirits club plums, raisins, walnuts and cloves, as well as that fuses mail-order sales, curation, and edu- rich molasses, tobacco and vanilla notes which cation. The company also began branching are typical of a traditional Armenian Konyak.” out into private bottling recently. (If you are Keeping it local, a portion of the proceeds confused, the combined club and mail model will help fund the non-profit Armenia Tree exempt Flaviar from “three tier” regulations.) Project. “Everyone is talking about direct to con- In a final Armenian touch, Shakmat is an sumer now, but the Flaviar team has been homage to the country’s national game, chess. doing it for years, building a real community “Shakmat (chess) is a big deal in Armenia— of consumers who are passionate about dis- it’s a compulsory part of the school curricu- covering new spirits,” said Ohanian in a state- lum,” Ohanian explained. “To be a great ment. “After seeing the launch of Flaviar’s chess player, you need smart moves in the first private label Son of a Peat, I chatted to right moment, patience, knowledge, and Jugo and Grisa, the founders of Flaviar, about resourcefulness. These are values that res- creating my own spirit.” onated with me, especially as an The initial run is only 2,400 bottles. For entrepreneur who looks for these qualities Flaviar members, the price tag is $95; everyone when I’m meeting with founders and deter- else can buy a bottle on the web for $110. TCA Mourns Loss of Former President Dr. Kevork Keshishian

KESHISHIAN, from page 1 he was elected to serve on its Central Board of Directors during the presidency of the late benefactor Alex Manoogian. As one of the leaders of the Tekeyan Cultural Association and the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, his actions have left their indelible imprint on the history of the twin organi- zations. The years 1988 to 1992 marked the expansion and intense development of the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) under Dr. Keshishian’s visionary leadership. The TCA member- ship is particularly indebted to its late president for his initiation, planning and execution of the TCA Mirror Fund drive, in cooperation with his wife, Cecil. Dr. Keshishian’s leadership also helped to further expand programs and chapter member- ship throughout the United States and Canada. His congenial demeanor and enthusiasm were contagious and instrumental in recruiting new membership for the organization. Dr. Keshishian was a devoted family man. He and his wife raised two talented children, rec- ognized internationally in the realm of the entertainment arts. Dr. Keshishian will be sorely missed as a friend, as a generous human being and as a lead- er, who leaves behind a legacy of love, achievement and fond memories. On behalf of the members of the Central Board and the entire membership of the Tekeyan Cultural Association, we extend our sincere and profound sympathies to his widow and to his children, Alek and Aleen. May his soul rest in peace. Tekeyan Cultural Association Central Board Edmond Y. Azadian, President Hagop Vartivarian, Secretary