OCTOBER 22, 2011 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXII, NO. 15, Issue 4209 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the Iran Offers to Help , Ex-Soviet Settle Karabagh Issue (FNA) — Senior Iranian Foreign Ministry States Create Free- US Wants ‘Best Elections officials renewed their readiness to help resolve the Nagorno-Karabagh dispute between and Trade Zone . Ever’ in Armenia “If Armenia and Azerbaijan approve the initiative, ST PETERSBURG (Dow Jones) — Russia Iran is ready to offer a solution for the settlement of and seven other post-Soviet states, includ - (RFE/RL) — The United the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict,” Iranian Foreign ing Ukraine, signed an agreement on creat - States expects Armenia to hold parlia - Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said in a ing a free-trade zone Tuesday, in another By Tigran Avetisian mentary and presidential elections press conference in Kazan, Tatarstan. step in ’s drive to rebuild economic that will be widely regarded as democ - “Border conflicts always occur between the neigh - ties among former Soviet republics. ratic, according to John Heffern, the new US ambassador in Yerevan. boring states. And trans-regional countries try to use “The creation of this zone doesn’t con - “We are working together so that Armenia’s important national elections in the conflict to interfere in regional issues,” he said, tradict the norms of the World Trade 2012 and 2013 are the best elections ever and fully consistent with interna - and added that Iran supports continuation of negoti - Organization,” Russian Prime Minister tional standards,” ations and is ready to assist in settling the territorial Vladimir Putin told reporters after the sign - Heffern said late on conflict between Yerevan and . ing late Tuesday. Monday, just hours The countries whose prime ministers after handing his cre - signed the agreement on Tuesday, besides Yerevan Erects Bust of dentials to President Russia and Ukraine, were Moldova, Belarus, Serge Sargisian. Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Leonardo da Vinci He said the issue Kyrgyzstan. Three of them — Russia, Belarus was on the agenda of YEREVAN (Tert.am) — Yerevan State University of and Kazakhstan — have already formed a his “very good” meet - Architecture and Engineering erected a bust of the trade group called the Customs Union. ings with Sargisian Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor and architect On January 1, 2012, the Customs Union and Foreign Minister Leonardo da Vinci. members are planning to create the so- Eduard Nalbandian. Standing in the yard of the university, the bust is called Common Economic Space, which Washington has a present by the Italian Romualdo del Bianco will coordinate its members’ macroeconom - been critical of the Foundation on the 90th anniversary of the found - ic policies, competition rules and agricul - Armenian authorities’ ing of the university. ture subsidies, among other issues. Putin handling of just about Yerevan State University of Architecture and called for the creation of a Eurasian eco - Ambassador John Heffern every major election Engineering and the Italian foundation have been nomic union to be built on the base of the held in the country in cooperation for 20 years. Customs Union in an article published in a since 1995. In particular, it considers the last presidential ballot held in 2008 Designed by Italian sculptor Dino de Ranieri, the Russian newspaper on October 4. “significantly flawed.” bust is made of marble and is standing on a Heffern’s predecessor, Marie Yovanovitch, stressed the importance of ending pedestal made of Armenian basalt. see ELECTIONS, page 20 France to Invest More In Armenia President Names New Chief of Staff YEREVAN (Arka) — France, the second largest for - eign investor in Armenia, will seek to strengthen its YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A US-educated the staff by the president immediately after positions here, said Henri Renaud, that nation’s senior aide to President Serge Sargisian his appointment. The latter was cited as ambassador to Armenia. was formally appointed as the new chief of expressing confidence that he will do his “Economic relations between Armenia and his staff on Monday. new job “with success.” France are at quite a high level, with many French PM Vladimir Putin with PM Tigran Sargisian Vigen Sargisian, 36, took over the presi - Vigen Sargsian, who was serving as act - companies operating here, small and large, like dential administration more than one ing chief of the staff for the president before France Telecom subsidiary Orange Armenia, repre - month after the resignation of his prede - the appointment, was a foreign policy advis - senting different areas, from manufacturing to ser - cessor Karen Karapetian. er to former Parliament Speaker Babken vices,” he said. Kay Armen, Sargisian’s office said on September 9 Ararktsian before studying at and graduat - According to Renaud, Paris is particularly inter - that Karapetian was relieved of his duties ing from the Fletcher School of Law and ested in increasing its presence in trade, since “at his own request.” The reason for that Diplomacy in Medford, Mass., in 2000. Armenia has great potential. He also stressed that 95, Dies move remains unknown. From 2000-2003 he worked as an assis - the strengthening of ties between Armenia and NEW YORK — Kay Armen died on Karapetian, whose brother Samvel is one tant to then-Defense Minister Serge France is closely linked with the development of an October 3, after a short illness, at the of Russia’s wealthiest , was the Sargisian. He then worked for President Armenia-EU partnership. age of 95. Born on November 2, 1915 parliamentary leader of Sargisian’s Robert Kocharian in the same capacity and According to the National Statistical Service of in Chicago, Armen (née Armenuhi Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) before stayed on in the presidential administration Armenia, foreign investments into Armenia’s real Manoogian) was the first of four chil - being appointed chief of the staff in after the latter handed over power to economy sector in January-June 2011 increased by September 2008. Analysts believe that he Sargisian in April 2008. Foreign policy and 28.8 percent. The largest foreign investor was the was never as influential as his deputy national security has since been Vigen Russian Federation with $206.6 million, France Mikael Minasian, Sargisian’s son-in-law and Sargsian’s key area of responsibility. was second with $68.1 million and the US was reputedly closest confidante. Vigen Sargsian has also taught interna - third with $35.2 million. In a statement, the presidential press ser - tional relations and public administration at vice said Vigen Sargsian was introduced to the American University of Armenia since INSI DE Academy Award-Winning Designer Ray Aghayan Dies at Age 83 Nansen (Hollywood Reporter) — costume designers. Kay Armen with Archbishop Khajag Ray Aghayan, a two-time Oscar nominee With Mackie, he Stories Barsamian in 2009 who won the first Emmy Award for cos - won the first-ever tume design, dressed the glamorous Judy Emmy for costume Garland, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross design in 1967 for page 8 dren born to Armenian parents. and did the costumes for the opening and NBC’s “Alice In 2008, Armen was honored with closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Through the a pontifical encyclical and the St. Olympics, died Tuesday, October 11. He Looking Glass.” He Sahag-St. Mesrob Medal from the was 83. went on to earn two INDEX Catholicos of All Armenians, the Aghayan, the longtime partner of Bob more Emmys (amid Arts and Living ...... 13 highest honor bestowed by the world - Mackie, who started as his assistant, died of nine total nomina - Ray Aghayan Armenia ...... 2 wide Armenian Church to artists for “unknown causes,” the Archive of tions) and received Community News...... 4 their lifetime advancements in the American Television said Wednesday. a career achieve - Editorial ...... 18 arts and culture. Aghayan was instrumental in persuading ment award from the Costume Designers International ...... 3 see KAY ARMEN, page 6 the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Guild in 2008. to officially recognize the contribution of see AGHAYAN, page 6 2 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Shushi Grand Echmiadzin Celebrates Hotel Opens Its 2,696th Anniversary SHUSHI, Karabagh — On September 1, the Shushi Grand ECHMIADZIN (Aysor.am) — Saturday, October 8, Hotel had its grand opening. The marked the 2,696th anniversary of Echmiadzin. celebration, blessing and reception Celebrations were held on Tuesday, October 10. that took place were festive and his - The opening ceremony for the reconstructed toric and were attended by the high - state college of Echmiadzin was also held. est ranking leadership of Karabagh. The mayor of Echmiadzin, Karen Grigoryan, President of Artsakh Republic Bako greeted everyone and said he was happy to start Sahakyan along with the Primate of the festivity with a housewarming party. the Artsakh Diocese of the “It became a reality today due to the direct sup- Armenian Apostolic Church port of Armenian President Serge Sargisian, for Archbishop Parkev Martirosian which we express our gratitude,” he said. were in attendance. Many other government officials and dignitaries from Karabagh along with numer - Husband Who Murdered ous guests form overseas attended His Wife Gets 10 Years the grand opening. The project was the brainchild of YEREVAN (epress.am) — The husband of Zaruhi four Armenians from the diaspora- Petrosyan, Yanis Sarkisov, received the maximum three from Lebanon and one from sentence of 10 years on Friday by the Court of the United States: Alex Sarafian General Jurisdiction of Ararat and Vayots Dzor from Paramus, NJ, Garo Kebabjian, provinces, after being found guilty of killing his Krikor Terzian and Jean Malak from wife. Beirut, Lebanon. Petrosyan, 20, was beaten to death in October Kebabjian, president of the newly 2010 by Sarkisov. formed corporation, spearheaded Relatives of the late Petrosyan, 20, are not the project, which began in 2008. preparing to protest Friday’s Court of General Martirosian performed the bless - Jurisdiction of Ararat and Vayots Dzor Marzes’ rul- ing ceremony before the ribbon cut - ing which sentenced Petrosyan’s husband, ting was done by the wives of the Getting ready for the ribbon cutting Sarkisov, to 10 years’ imprisonment for the murder four. of his wife (who died on October 1, 2010). Currently, 10 years is the maximum penalty for such crimes in Armenia, according to Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women in Armenia coordi- nator Gayane Harutyunyan. The custody of their 2-year-old daughter was UN Office, OxFam Push Efforts to transferred to Sarkisov’s mother, who, incidentally, was named as one of the parties involved in Petrosyan’s beating. Promote Poverty Eradication Work

Anti-Trust Agency Slaps YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan) — A tinue to support the country’s efforts sustainable development must truly Penalty on Company photo exhibition “Eradication of aimed to eradicate poverty.” safeguard ecosystems at the same Poverty after 20 years of indepen - Margarita Hakobyan, the director of time enabling economic and social YEREVAN (Arka) — Armenia’s State Commission dence” dedicated to the International Oxfam office in Armenia, said: “All progress. Sustainable development for Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) Day of Poverty Eradication, which people in the world have the right to will also build countries’ resilience to ruled this week to penalize GavarTrans transporta- was organized by the Oxfam and the be fairly well-off. There are sufficient external shocks and protect develop - tion company in the amount of 10 million drams for UNDP, UN Department of Public resources in the world, which are able ment gains. abuse of its dominance in the market. Information and the Food and to provide it. The photo exhibition is organized The company is engaged in transportation of pas- Agriculture Organization, was opened Poverty is the consequence of in the framework of the series of sengers between Yerevan and Gavar, the adminis- this week at the UN House. inequality, and by overcoming it, we other joint events dedicated to pover - trative center of Gegharkunik province, between Exhibited photos illustrated the will be able to eradicate poverty.” ty eradication, which were held on Yerevan and Sarukhan, a village near Gavar and challenges on the way of poverty The believes that October 12-17 in Yerevan as well as from Gavar to Yerevan. eradication, focusing on the achieve - for present and future generations Shirak and Vayots Dzor. Gavartrans had won the license in a tender ments of the residents of distant rural announced for transportation of passengers from areas, who were supported by various Yerevan to Gavar promising to charge a 500-dram charitable and development pro - fare, but later it breached this term raising the fare grams. to 1,000 drams, according to SCPEC expert Hayk The event was attended by repre - Tekeyan Centre Implements Vardanyan. It turned out also that the company sentatives of government and interna - operated only two of three routes. tional organizations, and the benefi - ciaries of programs held by Oxfam Sports Event, Spartakiad and the UNDP, UNDPI and FAO, as Weightlifter Eyes Return well as the general public. VAHAGNADZOR, Armenia — form and had fighting spirit and great To Competing The UN Resident Coordinator Tekeyan Centre Fund continues to desire to win. For two days there was Dafina Gercheva said: “October 17 support schools both financially and a strong competition in Gugarq; the YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Weightlifting World presents an opportunity to acknowl - morally and, through its humanitari - teams contended for the champi - Champion Nazik Avdalyan announced on Monday edge the efforts and struggle of peo - an activities, to be a unique bridge onship. On the last day of the event that she will return to the sport in two years. ple living in poverty; it’s a chance for between Tekeyan educational estab - the referees finalized the results of Avdalyan, who became world champion in 2009 and them to make their concerns heard. lishments. Spartakiad as follows: Karbi, first has since been a popular figure, was involved in a UN Institutions in Armenia will con - On September 16-18, the fund prize; Berdzor, second prize; Gumri, car accident on April 26 that left her with a frac- implemented its next scholastic pro - third prize; Yerevan,fourth prize; tured vertebrae and two cracked ribs. ject, which was a sports event called Vahagnadzor, fifth prize and “I still can’t lift even a bucket full of water. But I Spartakiad. This time Spartakiad Stepanavan, sixth prize. hope in two years I will return to sport by all took place at Camp Gugarq in Tekeyan Centre Fund awarded let - means,” said Avdalyan, 25, who is now studying law Correction Vahagnadzor village of the Lori ters of commendation and valuable at Mkhitar Gosh University. region in Armenia. Gugarq welcomed prizes to all the teams; all the referees One word was missing from the The champion is also helping to build a sports the eighth-ninth-grade students and and Gugarq camp received letters of column of Harut Sassounian in school for women, the construction of which is cur- teachers from Yerevan, Karbi, Gumri, thanks. At the end of the ceremony, last week’s issue of the Mirror- rently underway. Stepanavan, Berdzor and Karabagh. school representatives expressed grat - Spectator , which changed the “I believe that it is very important, because there This year the Fund has expanded itude to the Fund for caring for meaning of a sentence to the are many girls who want to become weightlifters, the sports project Spartakiad, which Armenian schoolchildren. They opposite of the one intended. however, they need special, separate conditions for has already established a good tradi - praised its activities aimed at educat - The sentence should have read: training, and the school will give that opportunity,” tion, and invited the Vahagnadzor vil - ing and bringing up healthy younger “While the French government she said. lage school to take part in the event, generation by means of sports. banned denial of the Holocaust Avdalyan is also preparing for her wedding in too. Thus, the total number of the In his speech, the fund’s director, in 1990, it did not take a similar January, adding that she does not expect matrimo- project participants was 110 people. Armen Tsulikyan, wished all the action on the Armenian ny to interfere with sport. Competitions were held in football, schools great success and new Genocide, even though France basketball, volleyball, sprint, press, achievements. He also thanked the had recognized it in 2001.” table tennis and chess. school and camp staffs for supporting All the participants were in good the Fund to implement its project. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Former Executive Vasily International News Delegation of Yerevan Aleksanyan Dies in Moscow Mayor’s Office Visits

MOSCOW (Reuters) — The former “He would still be alive Montreal vice president of oil group Yukos, if he hadn’t spent a long MONTREAL (Armenpress) — At the invitation of Vasily Aleksanyan, died on Monday, time in solitary confine - Montreal mayor’s office and Montreal Public October 2, of complications from ment and had received Consultation Office (OCPM), a delegation from the AIDS, according to reports, a condi - medical treatment in Yerevan mayor’s office visited Canada, headed by tion that Russian rights activists said time,” veteran Russian Staff Secretary Vahe Stepanyan. was worsened by poor treatment dur - rights activist Lev The press service of the Yerevan mayor’s office ing a two-year jail term. Ponomaryov told radio said they met with Montreal Mayor Gerald Yukos was split up between 2004 station Ekho Moskvy on Tremblay; leader of the Armenian Diocese of and 2007 after its then-owner, Mikhail Tuesday. Canada Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan was present at Khodorkovsky, got involved in opposi - “The correctional sys - the meeting. Welcoming the guests, Tremblay tion politics and fell out with the tem, law enforcement stressed the need for the expansion of partner rela- Kremlin. agencies are responsible tions between the two cities, in that context point- Khodorkovsky was convicted of for Aleksanyan’s death,” ing out the role of the local Armenian community fraud and tax evasion in 2005. he said. and regional diocese in both economic and cultur- Aleksanyan was found guilty of acting Vasily Aleksanyan Aleksanyan’s death al life of Montreal. as an accomplice and served two years adds another dimension Stepanyan conveyed Mayor Karen Karapetyan’s in prison from 2006 to 2008. to the prolonged legal greetings and expressed his gratitude for the warm The European Court of Human saying it had failed to give Aleksanyan process surrounding the break up and reception. During the meeting issues on bilateral Rights criticized Russia at the time, proper medical treatment in prison. auctioning of Yukos assets since cooperation were discussed. Khodorkovsky’s arrest on a Siberian airfield in 2003. Khodorkovsky and business partner Deputy Minister of Platon Lebedev were found guilty of Defense Receives Polish Azeris Get Israeli Drones additional charges late last year in a trial that drew Western criticism. Delegation They are due for release in 2016. Built under License A Harvard-trained lawyer, YEREVAN (Tert.am) — Armenian Deputy Minister Aleksanyan started out as a legal of Defense Ara Nazaryan held a meeting October BAKU, Azerbaijan (UPI) — Azerbaijan manufacturer after Israel Aerospace adviser to Yukos, which once pumped 17 with a delegation led by Stanislaw Koziej, the is expected to acquire 60 small Israeli- Industries and Elbit Systems. more oil than OPEC-member Qatar. In head of the National Security Bureau of Poland. designed unmanned aerial vehicles built Around 70 percent of the compo - 2006, shortly before his arrest, he was The sides discussed the defense reforms in under license in the oil-rich former nents are produced in Israel, the rest in promoted to vice president of the com - Armenia, Poland’s assistance to the process and Soviet republic that’s moving closer to Azerbaijan. pany. the possibility of deeper cooperation both at the the Jewish state as the Baku govern - Sixty of the drones are to be delivered He was diagnosed with AIDS while bilateral level and within NATO. ment modernizes its military. to Azerbaijan’s armed forces by the end in jail, where the European Court of Nazaryan pointed out military education and mil- The burgeoning military and intelli - of the year, primarily for intelligence, sur - Human Rights said he was deprived of itary industry as priorities of Armenian-Polish gence alliance between the countries is veillance and reconnaissance missions. potentially life-prolonging, anti-retro - cooperation in the defense area. causing growing concern in Iran, Azerbaijan’s military already operates viral therapy and went blind. The two also discussed the Nagorno-Karabagh Azerbaijan’s southern neighbor, and in Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 and IAI’s He was also suffering from peace process, stressing the necessity for settling nearby longtime rival Armenia. Searcher reconnaissance drones, as well advanced , Russian media the conflict by means of peaceful negotiations, on The Israeli Aerostar and Orbiter 2M as some of Aeronautics Defense reported, citing his family. the basis of international legal norms and intoler- UAVs are being manufactured by Baku’s Systems’ Aerostar and Orbiter craft. Aleksanyan’s brother, Grigoriy, said, ance toward use of force. Azad Systems Co., a joint venture The UAV deal with Azerbaijan allows “I confirm (his death) I’m not saying between Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry Israeli manufacturers to pick up some of more,” online portal Gazeta.ru report - and Aeronautics Defense Systems of the slack that appeared when Israel’s ed. Armenia ‘Rapidly’ Israel. strategic military alliance with A Moscow court last year withdrew Moving Closer to EU That’s the country’s third largest UAV collapsed in 2010. the case against Aleksanyan. YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s ties with the European Union (EU) are developing rapidly thanks to its active involvement in the bloc’s Eastern Partnership program, France’s ambassador YP Montreal Launches New Mentorship Initiative in Yerevan said on Monday. Henri Renaud pointed to what Armenian and EU MONTREAL — On September 15, Montreal executive team that ‘when pleted a questionnaire that will help officials say is major progress in their negotiations the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) there is a will, there is a way.’ program coordinators with the men - on an “association agreement,” which is envisaged of Montreal launched their first-ever Sometimes, as university students or torship matching process. The by the program covering six ex-Soviet states. Mentorship Program. The program new graduates enter the work force, Mentorship Program will be aligned “I don’t now if Armenia is the country that has was initiated by YP Montreal Vice- they have the will yet are looking for with the university calendar year, and closed the largest number of [negotiation] chapters Chairwoman Maral Kessemjian, a a mentor to show them the way, and coordinators will perform monthly fol - or just one of such countries because things are human resources specialist, and YP this is where YP Montreal will be help - low-ups with involved parties, as well changing very, very rapidly,” Reynaud said. member Garo Sahinyan, an informa - ing them with the launch of its as hold mixers and information ses - “In any case, it is part of the club of countries tion technology project manager. Mentorship Program.” sions to facilitate interaction and that are advancing most rapidly,” he said. During the launch, YP Montreal YP Montreal presented the short- strengthen team spirit and collabora - The talks in question began in July 2010. It is sill Chairwoman Sarine Chitilian intro - and long-term benefits the program is tion amongst all participants. not clear when they are likely to be concluded. duced the two, explaining, “Both Garo expected to have on both mentors and Interested participants may contact The Armenian government and the EU’s executive and Maral have proven to the YP mentees. Interested members com - [email protected]. body, the European Commission, have yet to open official negotiations on two key components of the association agreement: the creation of a “deep and comprehensive free trade area” and simplification of EU visa procedures for Armenian nationals. Armenian Ambassador Presents Credentials to Queen of Denmark COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Tert.am) — On October 14, at the Fredensborg Palace, Armenian Ambassador to Denmark Hrachya Aghajanyan pre- sented his credentials to Queen Margrethe II. Queen Margrethe congratulated Aghajanyan on his appointment. She expressed hope that the Armenian Embassy in Denmark would facilitate the development of bilateral relations. Queen Margrethe II asked Aghajanyan to convey her greet- YP Montreal Mentorship Program initiators Garo Sahinyan and Maral Kessemjian present an overview of the new initiative to their fellow young professionals. ings to President Serge Sargisian. 4 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Academic Conference Armenian EyeCare To Discuss Restitution Project Announces And Reparation Ninth Newport WORCESTER, Mass. — The Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University is sponsoring an interdisciplinary Gala Honoree conference, “Beyond The : The Question of Restitution and Reparation in Former Gov. Deukmejian Comparative Review,” organized by Taner Akçam, the Robert Aram ’52 and Marianne To Receive Honors Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marian Mugar Professor of Armenian Genocide Studies. The NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — The Armenian conference is presented in partnership with the EyeCare Project (AECP), an organization Belmont-based National Association for dedicated to restoring the eyesight of prema - Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and ture infants, children and adults throughout Eric Weitz, the Arsham and Charlotte Armenia, will be holding its Ninth Annual Ohanessian Professor at the University of Newport Gala on Saturday, November 19, Minnesota. NAASR’s participation is supported 6:30 p.m. at the Balboa Bay Club. Gov. by the Ethel Jafarian Duffett Fund. George Deukmejian will be honored at the The conference opens on Thursday, October event. 27 at 7:30 p.m. with a public keynote address in Members of the AGBU Hye Geen Committee meet with members of AGBU Young “We are recognizing the governor for his Tilton Hall on the Clark University campus. Professionals of Los Angeles. extraordinary contributions to the EyeCare John Torpey, professor of sociology at the Project over the past 20 years,” says Roger Graduate Center, CUNY, will give the opening Ohanesian, MD, founder and chairman of the address, “A Comparative Perspective on EyeCare Project. “His wisdom, guidance and Reparations for Historical Injustices.” Torpey is AGBU’s Young Professionals of support throughout the years have been the author of Making Whole What Has Been invaluable. He has always been one of the Smashed: On Reparations Politic (Harvard Los Angeles Donate to Prenatal first advisors I have turned to for expert legal University Press, 2006). “Reparations,” says guidance. Though a very busy person, he has Torpey, “can be symbolic, such as apologies or always been generous with his time and given the creation of memorials and museums. They Daycare Center in Armenia sage advice.” Deukmejian is an original AECP board can also be economic, such as financial com - LOS ANGELES — The Young Professionals of Los Angeles (YPLA) — under the member and has been a supporter ever since. pensation to individuals or collectivities, or auspices of AGBU — recently donated $1,500 to the AGBU Hye Geen Prenatal “I was and still am impressed with the material redress, such as settlement of the land Daycare Center in , Armenia, to claims of indigenous peoples. These measures fully cover the center’s operating costs for extraordinary way which Dr. Ohanesian and can reflect cultural or legal claims to repara - By Aleen Khanjian the remainder of 2011. other doctors have been willing to provide tions or both.” “This donation to our sister organization their skills and talents to provide good eye The conference continues throughout the day honors the incredible advances of AGBU Hye care for people living in Armenia,” said on Friday, October 28, with a series of panels for Geen and the vital role the organization has played for the future of Armenia by Deukmejian. “I admire them for their tireless participants and invited guests. Leading scholars addressing such important issues such as infant mortality,” said outgoing YPLA efforts and making the many trips to will examine questions of post-conflict justice in Chairman Yeghig Keshishian. “Its work is a testament to the visionary leadership of Armenia. While there, they provide care, a comparative review of the Armenian Genocide, AGBU in serving as a bastion of positive change for the Armenian nation.” treatment and good medical advice to count - the Holocaust and the Native American The AGBU Hye Geen Prenatal Daycare Center in Vanadzor opened in 2006 and less numbers of patients. Then they have car - Genocide. The participants will consider different was the second center established by AGBU Hye Geen, which also has facilities in ried it forward by helping train ophthalmolo - aspects of compensation including the return of the cities of Gumri, Talin, and most recently, Yeghvart. Sona Yacoubian is the gists in Armenia to undertake the most up-to- stolen art and artifacts; the restitution of per - founder and current chairperson of AGBU Hye Geen, an organization based in date diagnostic methods and surgical tech - sonal and communal property and how post-war Southern California at the AGBU Pasadena Center. niques. Finally, the effort to put together the agreements and treaties shape discussions about YPLA’s contribution to the center brings YPLA’s total donations this year to more mobile eye hospital and providing this high compensation. The Holocaust case offers a than $5,000, all of which originated from fundraisers. In June, AGBU YPLA award - level of care for everybody in the countryside model for restitution and reparation that has ed $2,500 in scholarships to eight participants in the AGBU Generation Next has been extraordinary.” achieved significant success but also frustrating Mentorship program. In September, the group donated smaller amounts to the local Deukmejian, the gala’s honorary chairper - disappointments and delays. The Native AGBU Scouts and the students at AGBU Manoukian High School in Pasadena. son, will attend with his wife, Gloria. Aram American case provides a valuable example of “These contributions highlight AGBU YPLA’s deep commitment to supporting Bassenian and Kenneth Khachigian — past the importance of pursuing justice at home and and strengthening the general welfare of our community — both in the diaspora recipients of the Lifetime Humanitarian of for all peoples. Discussions about the Armenian and the homeland,” said Keshishian, whose officer term and tenure on the steer - the Year Award and former board members — case will consider why efforts to secure compen - ing committee ends this month. “In the past year, AGBU YPLA has made strong will serve as masters of ceremonies. sation emerged so late and the influence of devel - gains by heightening its overall presence across Los Angeles through several new Khachigian, accomplished speechwriter is opments in securing justice for victims of the initiatives and by fostering partnerships in Armenian and non-Armenian circles. It best remembered for his tenure in the Nixon Holocaust. has been an honor and pleasure to serve as YPLA chair and as a general member and Reagan administrations. Bassenian, Turkish recognition of the Armenian of its steering committee.” chairman and CEO of Bassenian/Lagoni Genocide has been an enduring goal of AGBU Hye Geen was established nearly 20 years ago to provide pregnant Architects, founded the architectural firm 35 Armenian communities at home and interna - Armenian women in need of medical care with basic prenatal services, as well as years ago and throughout his long career has tionally. Yet, the political, financial and legal necessary medical exams and personalized counseling. To date, more than 740 designed thousands of homes in California consequences that might emerge in the wake of women have benefited from their services. and abroad. recognition have not been fully articulated. Each year, the AECP hosts a gala dinner to Recently, scholars and lawyers have pursued raise awareness and funds for ongoing med - concrete efforts to secure reparation, restitution ical missions to Armenia. At no cost to and compensation; they are proceeding inde - patients, Ohanesian with a team of renowned pendent of groups lobbying governments to ophthalmologists travels to Armenia to treat acknowledge the Genocide. These initiatives needy infants, children and adults. Donations demonstrate that the pursuit of justice through are used to purchase medical equipment and financial means can progress without necessar - train doctors in Yerevan. Additionally, money ily resolving the complicated politics of raised at the gala supports AECP’s Mobile Genocide recognition. Eye Hospital that travels across the country Recent court cases against American and and treats Armenians who cannot afford med - French insurance companies have resulted in ical treatment. reparations and they have given encourage - Entertainment will be provided by Robert ment to newly-filed lawsuits in the US. These Duquesnel and his three-piece orchestra. A developments demonstrate that financial silent and live auction will include items such redress for the Armenian community may be as a trip to Armenia, an opportunity for a stu - possible on a broader scale. New lawsuits dent to attend the trip with the doctors addressing theft of artifacts, properties and and be at their side during the 10-14 day mis - bank accounts have been filed against the sion and see patients examined and treated. Turkish government and private Turkish com - From left, AGBU YPLA leaders (far left) Yeghig Keshishian and (far right) Taline Other items include: a weekend getaway to panies. They seek compensation for both indi - Guevrekian, meeting with AGBU Hye Geen Chair Sona Yacoubian on the occasion , Las Vegas and a luxury Paris vidual and collective losses suffered during the of the AGBU Young Professional group’s donation to the Hye Geen prenatal center vacation package, sports memorabilia and Genocide. in Vanadzor, Armenia more. For more information, contact the Strassler For more information about the Armenian Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies EyeCare Project, visit www.eyecareproject.com. ([email protected]) or NAASR ([email protected]). S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS

Stricken Belmont Resident Seeks Bone Marrow Match BELMONT, Mass. — Deborah Margosian procedure. For more information about Chapman found herself unusually tired a donor criteria and the procedure itself, visit few months ago. The normally energetic http://www.abmdr.am/donors/. full-time physical therapist and mother of Other dates include, Saturday, October two grown children played tennis a couple 22: Flavia Leal Institut, 600 West of times a week and walked several miles a Cummings Park, Suite 1000 Woburn, 10 day. She was shocked to discover that she a.m.-1 p.m. and Thursday, November 3, TJ / had Acute Myeloid Leukemia, an aggressive Boston College Drive, Alumni Field, 2599 blood cancer. The oncologist who spoke to Beacon St., Chestnut Hill, 3:30-7:30 p.m. her the evening of her diagnosis told her to Everyone involved with this bone marrow pack a suitcase, because she was being drive wants to grow the pool of potential admitted the following morning for up to donors by having testing done in her grand - six weeks of treatment. She now needs a parents’ home villages in Armenia, and in marrow donor to save her life. Because Armenian communities in America. They Chapman is Armenian — her parents were are working with twoorganizations: The Alfred and Mary Margosian — she is much Armenian Bone Marrow Registry and Be more likely to match with someone of The Match. The Armenian Bone Marrow Armenian heritage. There are many people Registry states that $50 will cover the ini - of all heritage types looking for a marrow tial costs of testing for one person. Be The donor. Participating is easy; all it takes is a Match said that it costs them $100 per test. cheek swab. Chapman is offering a $10,000 To help, visit the Armenian Bone Marrow reward for a perfect match. donation page www.abmdr.am/donate- In the meantime, Chapman is receiving now/ Or see the Team Debbi page at Be chemotherapy, which will hopefully drive The Match the leukemia into remission, but a bone (http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/si marrow transplant offers the best chance te/TR/TeamBeTheMatch/TeamBeTheMatc for a cure. Her oncologists have not been h- very encouraging about finding a match, FY10TeamRaiser?px=1652472&pg=person because of the unique genetic make-up of al&fr_id=1450). Armenians. Deborah Margosian Chapman The of Chapman are looking for Be The Match, the National Bone volunteers to help pass out flyers and other Marrow Transplant organization, is holding tasks for the Be The Match drive on a drive on Saturday, October 29, from noon national group allows for an additional 10 registry; Be The Match is looking for poten - October 29 in Belmont Center. For infor - to 4 p.m., at 66 Leonard St., in the office of years of testing. Armenians between the tial donors from all backgrounds for thou - mation or to help, contact Linda Levin- Light Touch Chiropractic. Anyone between ages of 50-60 can be tested through this sands of patients in need. Scherz ([email protected]), Sue the ages of 18-60 can be tested. This organization. This is not just an Armenian Donating bone marrow is a non-surgical Kelleher ([email protected]) or Lora Sheriff Koutoujian to Be Guest Speaker at St. James Men’s Club

WATERTOWN — On Monday November 7, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian of Middlesex County, will be the speaker at the dinner meeting of the St. James Armenian Church Men’s Club. The topic will be “Criminal Justice in Era of Political Reform.” After 14 years on Beacon Hill representing the 10th Middlesex District, Koutoujian was appoint - ed Middlesex Sheriff on January 14, by Gov. Deval Patrick. Upon becoming sheriff, Koutoujian hit the ground running, utilizing his experience in the law and public sector to implement multiple new programs and policies affecting both employees and inmates alike. He created inmate vocational courses in janitorial services and print shop design, adding more possibilities for the men in Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian his custody to gain essential job skills and become productive citizens upon release. Koutoujian also instituted progressive new policies designed to guest lecturer at Harvard School of Public increase camaraderie among the hardworking Health, Boston University School of Public men and women of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Health and Northeastern University. and increase public confidence in this historic Koutoujian is a graduate of Bridgewater State department. Some changes include: a policy that University and the New England School of Law. prevents employees from donating to the He also earned a masters degree in public affairs Sheriff’s political campaign and mandates cam - from the John F. Kennedy School of Government paign political finance education classes for all at Harvard University. employees; an in-house newsletter; Employee of He is a lifelong resident of Waltham, where he the Month program and many others. is very active in the community. He serves on the A state representative elected first in 1996, boards of several local organizations, including Koutoujian held several leadership positions, the West Suburban Samaritans, the Waltham and including chairman of the Joint Committee on Newton Boys & Girls Clubs, REACH Beyond Financial Services, chairman of the Joint Domestic Violence and the Newton Community Committee on Public Health and chairman of the Service Center. Commission to End Racial and Ethnic Health In the spring, Koutoujian’s community service Disparities. He was instrumental in crafting the work and devotion to heritage earned him the historic universal health insurance reform law, Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This national award the statewide workplace smoking ban and legis - is given annually to outstanding American citi - lation about new school nutrition guidelines. A zens from all walks of life who have distinguished staunch public safety advocate, Koutoujian led themselves through significant contributions to efforts for victim’s rights and suicide prevention. this country and embody the patriotic values of A lawyer by trade, Koutoujian served as a our nation. Middlesex County prosecutor before being elect - The social hour starts at 6:15 p.m., followed by ed to the Massachusetts Legislature. He has a complete Armenian dinner at 7 p.m. The dinner worked as an adjunct professor at the meeting will be at the St. James Armenian Massachusetts School of Law in Andover and Church Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth taught a course on American Government at Center Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Bentley University in Waltham. He is a frequent Watertown. Ladies are welcome. 6 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS AMAA Gala Banquet Celebrates Nine Decades of Service

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — The Armenian George Deukmejian, advising him on judicial and Armenian Evangelical schools around the world; Missionary Association of America (AMAA) cele - executive appointments. In 1988, Deukmejian Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon with 800 brated its 92 years of outreach with a gala featuring appointed Baxter associate justice to the students — the only Armenian university outside Judge Marvin Baxter, associate justice, Supreme California Court of Appeals. In 1991, he was Armenia; the AMAA Armenian Children’s Milk Court of California, as keynote speaker, on appointed associate justice of the Supreme Fund; various children’s summer camps; AMAA Saturday, October 15, at the Sheraton Universal Court of California. He has a reputation among Orphan and Child Care and medical and dental clin - Hotel. court observers as cautious, conservative and ics serving many communities. Born in Fowler to Armenian parents, Baxter is competent. AMAA was founded in 1918 “ to serve the spiri - a product of California schools and a graduate of With the founding Biblical commission: “Go into tual and physical needs of Armenian people every - the University of California Hastings College of all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,” where, both at home and overseas.” Law. Following a successful career as a Fresno the AMAA’s nine decades of Christian service have AMAA outreach is funded through the donations County deputy district attorney, Baxter entered expanded to mission and service ministries sup - and endowments that have grown over the years. Judge Marvin Baxter private practice specializing in civil law. In 1983, porting, among others, 145 Armenian Evangelical This gala banquet will be a celebration of these he became appointments secretary for Gov. churches and fellowships around the world; 25 many accomplishments.

OBITUARY

radio, television, stage, screen and recording Sullivan Show,” “The Merv Griffin Show” Kay Armen Dies industries. A singer, actress and composer, she and “The Mike Douglas Show.” made many records and performed on stage, in She made her screen debut in the 1955 nightclubs, films and on television. MGM musical smash, “Hit the Deck,” appear - KAY ARMEN, from page 1 Her many radio hits include the successful ing with co-stars Vic Damone, Debbie In the 1980s, New York’s St. Vartan “Stop the Music” program with Bert Parks, on Reynolds, Tony Martin, Jane Powell and Ann Armenian Cathedral honored her with its “St. both radio and later on TV. At one time Armen Miller. The production finale from “Hit the Vartan Award” for her longstanding support of was heard on all three national radio networks, Deck” in which Armen sings Hallelujah is the cathedral construction project and for her CBS, NBC and ABC, with various programs. featured in the MGM musical retrospective continuing contributions to its cultural life. Playwright William Saroyan and his cousin, “That’s Entertainment!” (1974). Affectionately known as “Charmin’ Kay Ross Bagdasarian (creator of the In 1995, President Bill Clinton present - Armen,” she had an illustrious show business “Chipmunks”), wrote Come on-a My House for ed her with the National Medal of Honor career, which spanned almost 60 years in the Armen and it was later recorded by many for the Arts, and in 2000, she received the artists, including Rosemary Clooney. Handel Medallion from New York City. On television, she starred in the hit sitcom In October 2005, Armen was honored Larry Zarian “Love and Marriage,” and Ray Bolger’s by the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation “Washington Square,” in which she was his with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The singing star and was a regular guest on many prestigious Opera News Magazine called Former Glendale Mayor talk/variety shows, including “The Tonight Armen “one of the great pop contraltos Kay Armen recording GLENDALE, Calif. (LA Times) — Larry Show starring Johnny Carson,” “The Ed of all time.” Zarian, 73, a former mayor of Glendale and the first Armenian American to be elected to the City Council, died of blood cancer Thursday at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. Ray Aghayan, 83 Academy Award-Winning Hollywood Designer Zarian also served as a board member for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan AGHAYAN, from page 1 “And to be able to help the audience to look at Hobson. He also did more than a dozen Transportation Authority and as a state trans - A native of Tehran, Iran, Aghayan was nomi - that and know what the hell it is they’re look - Academy Award telecasts from 1968 to 2001. portation commission - nated for Oscars for Norman Jewison’s “Gaily, ing at.” In addition to his work on the Los For the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in er. He had his own Gaily” (1969); with Mackie and Norma Koch for Angeles Olympics, Aghayan produced 1974, Aghayan and Mackie designed the open - local cable television “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972) starring Ross as “Consenting Adult,” a landmark 1985 telefilm ing for “Hallelujah Hollywood,” a $3-million show, “The Larry Billie Holliday and, again with Mackie, for about a gay son coming out to his family that tribute to classic MGM musicals that encom - Zarian Forum,” and “Funny Lady” (1975) starring Streisand. was adapted from the novel by Laura Z. passed an astounding 940 costumes. also had hosted a talk- For “Funny Lady,” Aghayan and Mackie creat - radio program on ed 40 complete 1930s-style outfits — not only KIEV that focused on dresses and suits, but also the hats, gloves, Telephone (617) 924-7400 political issues. scarves and shoes — for Streisand’s Fanny Brice. In 1983, Zarian The son of a society couturier in Tehran, became the first Aghayan at age 14 designed the mourning Aram Bedrosian Armenian American clothes for the wife of the Shah of Iran, Queen Larry Zarian elected to the Fawzia. Three years later, he convinced his Funeral Home, Inc. Glendale City Council mother to allow him to move on his own to Los and served for 16 Angeles. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 years. He had four one-year terms in the cere - After several years producing, directing and MARION BEDROSIAN monial post of mayor of Glendale, whose statis - designing costumes for his own productions, 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN tics show at least 27 percent of the city’s popu - Aghayan got a job on the mid-1950s anthology WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN lation is of Armenian descent. series “Matinee Theater” (the live show required a talent for quick costume changes). That led to a stint as costume designer on the Garo Vosgerichian short-lived 1963-64 variety series, “The Show.” BELMONT, Mass. — Garo Vosgerichian, of Aghayan’s film resume also includes “The Art Belmont, died on October 9. of Love” (1965), “Our Man Flint” (1966), “Dr. He was an active member of the Knights of Doolittle” (1967), “Hannie Caulder” (1971) Vartan, Ararat Lodge No. 1, since 1993. with Raquel Welch and three Doris Day films: GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E He is survived by his wife Alice (Ekmekjian) “Do Not Disturb” (1965), “The Glass Bottom Vosgerichian; one son, Dr. George Vosgerichian; Boat” (1966) and “Caprice” (1967). James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC siblings, Rosaly Aghayan designed costumes for such stars Funeral Counselor Chamlian and her hus - as Julie Andrews, Fred Astaire, Pearl 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 band, Antoun, Mary Bailey, Lucille Ball, Diahann Carroll, Carol www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Vosgerichian and Mr. Channing, Cyd Charisse, Bing and Mrs. John Crosby, Sammy Davis, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Vosgerichian; in-laws, Eden, Lola Falana, Mitzi Gaynor, Betty Ardemis Ekmekjian Hutton, The Jackson Five, Danny Kaye, Peggy and many nieces and Lee, Shirley MacLaine, Dinah Shore and Leslie nephews. Uggams. Nardolillo Funeral Home Funeral services He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1970 were at St. Stephen’s for “Applause” and he also designed on Est. 1906 Armenian Church, 38 Broadway for “Vintage 60” (which opened in John K. Najarian, Jr. Garo Vosgerichian Elton Ave., 1960), “The Egg” (1962), “On the Town” (1971) Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director Watertown, on and Channing’s “Lorelei” (1974). October 14. In a 1997 interview with the Archive of 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Interment was at Highland Meadow Cemetery, American Television, Aghayan was asked what 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 in Belmont. makes an excellent costume design. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be One that “gives the actor the character, helps www.nardolillo.com made to St. Stephen’s Armenian Church. the actor grow into that human being,” he said. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Colorado-Armenian Group Fetes Announces Online Auction Senator Aide WATERTOWN, Mass. — The St. Stephen’s BOULDER, Co. — Pamela Barsam Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) Brown, joined by Vi Bashian Cooper, host - Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is hold - ed a garden buffet luncheon at her home ing its third annual online Christmas auction for a meet-and-greet with Rosemary to raise funds to benefit the school. Rodriguez, state director for Sen. Michael Starting on November 10 and through Bennet (D/CO). November 20, bidders will have the opportu - Barsam Brown explained, “Rosemary first nity to win unique products, services and met with a small group of Colorado memorabilia through Bidding for Good Armenians at my home in July 2009, just www.biddingforgood.com/ststephensschool). months after assuming charge of Bennet’s Last year, this auction event drew bidders Colorado offices. Our group’s collective inter - from both the St. Stephen’s school community est was to secure a firm Armenian Genocide as well as an online community of more than position statement from our newly-appointed 230,000 active bidders through Bidding for senator. From that point forward Rosemary Good (www.biddingforgood.com). More than actively assisted us in promoting our position 1,700 visitors navigated the school’s auction with Senator Bennet.” website last year, a number that is expected to Bashian Cooper added, “Pamela and I significantly increase this November. both felt this gathering was a perfect way to Julia Elvin of Watertown is one of last year’s express our appreciation to Rosemary who online bidders who bid on and won several A weekend stay at the Fairmont Princess Hotel in Hamilton, Bermuda (above) is one of the hundreds is a very special person and truly dedicated items for prices that were far lower than the of items to be auctioned at www.biddingforgood.com/ststephensschool to raise money for St. to representing Colorado citizens.” market value. “It was kind of neat. Not only was Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown. Luncheon guests represented a host of I doing something good and charitable, I had Colorado interests and included activist the opportunity to bid on and win items I would leaders from political, genocide, human not have normally thought to purchase or bid tioned off, from Walt Disney World Park items catalogue comprising toys and games, rights and environmental organizations; on. The auction had some great items and it Hopper passes for four, an overnight stay at salons and spas, camps, restaurants, art, jew - state-elected officials; retired former educa - was so much fun.” Boston’s hip Liberty Hotel, a weekend stay at elry, parties and much more. tors now public school volunteers; a This event will allow bidders to shop at Bermuda’s Fairmont Princess Hotel in “As the excitement builds towards our third University of Colorado Boulder professor; their own convenience, refer others to the Hamilton, to lunch at the renowned Blue annual auction we are thrilled that this event local artists, writers and musicians; a auction, easily monitor the bidding and come Ginger Restaurant, in Wellesley and a has become one of our school’s signature Boulder Community Hospital oncology away with holiday gifts, all to benefit the karaoke party at the Limelight. There is fundraisers,” said PTO Co-chair Christine support group psychologist; a Boulder school. There are a variety of gifts being auc - something for everyone to enjoy with an Kahvejian. YWCA Board member; a Boulder Chamber “We are using the incredible power of the of Commerce member; a Colorado Internet to reach well beyond our school Chautauqua Association Board member; a community, drawing support from across the Colorado Parole Board member; a Boulder country and around the world.” Library Board member and several inde - LSU Welcomes Armenian Student as Part “Local and national businesses have come pendent small business owners. forward to generously support this event. We “I was delighted to have been able to Of State Department Fellowship are proud to be able to create a unique value assembly such an extraordinarily diverse proposition by generating broader exposure group of engaged Colorado women. We BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana State countries of the former , the for our donors,” added Kahvejian. had a Boulder-perfect afternoon and University (LSU) will host a new international Muskie program aims to promote mutual SSAES is a private bilingual school cur - guests had the opportunity to discuss a scholar on campus as part of the US understanding, build democracy and foster the rently serving approximately 200 children broad range of topics with Rosemary,” Department of State’s Edmund S. Muskie transition to market economies in Eurasia from the Greater Boston area. It is the only concluded Barsam Brown. Graduate Fellowship Program, as Viktorya through intensive academic study and profes - Armenian school in New England to be Rocky Mountain High Advocates Mirzoyan, from Armenia, will be pursuing her sional training. In addition to their academic accredited by the Association of Independent (RMHA) is a volunteer organization, master’s degree in mass communication in the programs, Muskie fellows gain exposure to Schools in New England, and its students focusing its attention on Colorado-elected Manship School of Mass Communication. American values through a community service have achieved top scores in the members of Congress. It has assumed Established by the US Congress in 1992 to experience and develop professional skills Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills. three distinct roles since its founding in encourage economic and democratic growth in through a full-time internship in their field of For more information about the auction, to 2005: it actively engages candidates to Eurasia, the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate study. preview the growing auction catalog or to offer Armenian Genocide pledge state - Fellowship Program is a program of the Bureau The Muskie program averages nearly 4,000 make a donation, visit ments; it advocates in support of the of Educational and Cultural Affairs, or ECA, of applications per year with a 4-percent rate of http://www.biddingforgood.com/ststephens Armenian Genocide with members of the US Department of State and administered acceptance. For more information, visit school or [email protected]. For more infor - Congress and it offers a free community by IREX. By selecting emerging leaders from 12 www.irex.org/programs/muskie. mation about the school, visit www.ssaes.org. service e-newsletter addressing Armenian issues from a Colorado perspective. In this current 112th session, RMHA is proud of its accomplishments. In April the organization solicited commemora - tion statements from the Colorado Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2011 Delegation. Both senators and five House members released testimonials exclusively to RMHA. In 2005, Colorado had one House member on the Armenian Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor Genocide Resolution and no Armenian Caucus members. Today, Colorado boasts a Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750 five House members on the Armenian Genocide Resolution; one House member and reached out to 3,700 teachers and on the Return of Churches resolution and five Armenian Caucus members. school workers in Armenia and Karabagh.

£

K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have the teacher’s name and address. K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Name Address City State Zip code Tel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Mail your check with this form to: TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056

Your donation is Tax Deductible. 8 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

one before him, setting a new record and again earning a hero’s welcomed with fruit and wine. At the new university in Yerevan, welcome in Norway. Nansen was awarded an honorary doctorate. At Holy Scientific work continued to occupy Nansen’s time in the ensu - Echmiadzin, the commission was received by the catholicos. The Fridtjof ing decades though his rising international reputation also made Armenians were a hard-working lot and Nansen held out hope him an attractive candidate for diplomacy. At the turn of the cen - that the country would prosper. tury, he helped engineer Norway’s break from Sweden and But his optimism notwithstanding, Nansen also took note of became the country’s first ambassador to Britain. the incongruities of the Soviet system. “Here were Armenians, During , Nansen traveled to the US where he per - Russians, Georgians and — gathered up in the name Nansen suaded Washington to provide food and supplies to neutral of collectivism, their grievances swept under a rug. In a village Norway, whose trade networks had been devastated in the war. close to the Turkish border, the commission was welcomed by a The trip to the States also drew Nansen’s attention to Woodrow group of Armenian men offering water, milk and fruit. Wilson’s Fourteen Points — the foundation of the League of “They were friendly folk, but grave and unsmiling. We inquired Nations. Convinced of its promise, he lobbied for Norway’s entry how many people there were in town. Only one-and-a-half thou - And the into the newly-established organization at the close of the war. sand now, they replied, but there had once been three-and-a-half In 1920, Nansen became the League’s commissioner for the two thousand having been massacred or carried off by the Turks exchange and repatriation of prisoners of war and the resettle - in the last war. They said it as if they had been talking of the pre - ment of refugees displaced by the . He also vious year’s harvest; it was all in the day’s work. That their - realized the 1924 population exchange between Greece and mals, great and small, had been taken, that the major part of the Armenians Turkey, and less successfully, tried to curb the Russian famine of town lay in ruins, they did not even mention. Such is the history 1921. In 1922, Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He of the Armenian people.” spent the prize money on agricultural development projects in And later, at the opening of a new irrigation canal near Gumri, n the hot weeks of June 1925, Fridtjof Nansen — the Ukraine and Russia. when the president of Azerbaijan gives a speech in Russian and great Arctic explorer, scientist and Nobel laureate who By the time Nansen arrived in Armenia in 1925, he was well Turkish, Nansen remembers that “the in Azerbaijan were had lately become the League of Nations’ High aware of the limits of the League of Nations and the rising ten - among the bitterest enemies of the Armenians, and it was not Commissioner for Refugees — found himself motoring sions between the new Soviet government and the West. very long since they had perpetrated their bloody massacres of across Soviet Armenia in a sincere, if ill-fated, attempt Armenia at the time was part of the Transcaucasian Socialist the Armenians in Baku. But it is all unity, peace, and concord to secure a home for the hundreds of thousands of Federative Soviet Republic, along with Georgia and Azerbaijan now.” Armenians unmoored in the aftermath of the (not to be confused with the short-lived Transcaucasian In the end, Nansen’s enthusiasm about cultivating stretches of Genocide of 1915. Democratic Federative Republic of the Sardarabad desert — “once it is given water and seed, I On the table lay a proposal submitted by the 1918), and it was stipulated by Soviet the most splendid crops will spring up every - Armenians to the League of Nations to irrigate and cultivate the authorities that Nansen’s work be con - where” — came up against considerations of Sardarabad desert, and to settle some 50,000 refugees in this ducted outside the framework of the cost and time. He concluded that the plan sparsely-populated region west of Yerevan. Nansen, who had League of Nations and with the coop - would be a hard sell back home and redirected been tasked with evaluating the feasibility of the project, assem - eration of Soviet Armenian represen - the commission’s efforts to exploring other bled a five-member tatives. options. international commis - The country was largely rural, its These included cultivating land on the out - By Karine Abalyan sion of experts to travel basic infrastructure already sagging skirts of the capital and draining a marshy to Armenia for a two- under the pressures of a rising popu - patch near the Arax River. All in all, he esti - week investigation. lation of refugees and orphans. mated that the new plan would yield 81,000 Their reports were published in Geneva in 1927. That same Yerevan, Nansen wrote, suffered from acres of fertile land and sustain 25,000 people — year, Nansen published Armenia and the Near East , an account “a serious shortage of houses, and at least 15,000 of whom “should be Armenian of his travels in the Armenian countryside and the launching inhabitants have to live in very crowd - refugees brought by us from .” The fund - point of a project that would occupy the final years of his life. ed conditions.” In the villages, there ing, he hoped, could be secured through a loan, From the beginning it appeared that for Nansen, what was at were outbreaks of tuberculosis and with the aid of the League of Nations. The loan stake was far greater than the prospect of fertilizing a swath of malaria and occasional “marauding would be guaranteed by the local Armenian gov - land in the arid plain of Sardarabad. In a post-war Europe, this expeditions” by Kurds from the ernment, as well as by the Soviet state and the enterprise of development and repatriation held the promise of a Turkish side of the border. State Bank of Russia, and repaid by the kind of redemption for a West that had done little to reverse the Local officials had their hands full, Armenians once the new farms became prof - grisly episodes to which the Armenians had been repeatedly sub - and informed Nansen that they itable. jected in the previous decades. And on the eve of a changing and would accept additional refugees “if “By developing this fertile land it might be uncertain time, it held the possibility of advancing the new diplo - these could be brought to Armenia possible at long last to make life fairly safe and macy of openness and cooperation set forth by the League of without cost to the country, and if prosperous for an incredibly maltreated people,” Nations. outside help could be obtained to A Nansen passport issued in London to Nansen wrote. “Accordingly, we considered that “It seemed highly desirable to find some such solution,” make possible the irrigation and cul - Onnig Isbendjian, an Armenian refugee we had every reason to believe that the govern - Nansen wrote in the foreword to Armenia and the Near East . tivation of new land” — namely the from Smyrna. The passport is from the col - ments of the Great Powers would gladly give “For by doing so one might hope to do something, at least, to pro - Sardarabad desert, for which the lection of the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara their adhesion to this plan, and thus honor, with - cure for the Armenians that ‘national home’ which the Western Armenians hoped to obtain foreign Zohrab Information Center. out incurring any great sacrifice, some, at least, of Powers of Europe and the United States of America had pledged capital. their pledges to the Armenians.” themselves to give to the Armenian nation, and of which the The Sardarabad desert, Nansen Nansen appealed to Vidkun Quisling — one of League of Nations had repeatedly held out a prospect.” wrote, was “a true wilderness, an endless scorched, dry, brown the commission members who subsequently settled in Moscow And so Nansen, at age 64, set out with his team of specialists plain, with nothing but here and there a few thistle-like tufts of where he represented various foreign interests — to win the to take up this challenge, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to a camel-thorn, a rough plant with sharp spikes that you approach Soviets’ approval. In the meantime, Nansen returned to Europe cause that would become no more than a footnote in a lifetime at your peril.” Even so, the landscape was dotted with evidence to present the new scheme to the League of Nations. In 1926, marked by prolific accomplishment. History has rendered the of former habitation — crumbling houses, old churches and other when a powerful earthquake struck near Gumri, Nansen became effort misguided. But on the 150th anniversary of Nansen’s birth signs of civilization. What had made this once-fertile land so des - even more determined to obtain financing for the project. But — which rolled around this month — it is perhaps worth revisit - olate? “Can the climate have become drier since those days?” from everywhere reverberated a loud “no.” ing the conviction with which one man hoped to stir “the con - Nansen wondered. “Does the League consider that it has now done its duty, and science of Europe and America.” More interesting still, Armenia Leafing through records of rainfall and temperature patterns, does it imagine that it can let the matter drop without under - and the Near East provides a rare glimpse into that transforma - lake water levels and other indicators, he concluded that “war, mining the prestige of the League, especially in the East?....Woe tive period of Armenian history — when a broken nation teetered not fluctuations of climate, has brought about these great to the Armenians that they ever were drawn into European poli - between the unfulfilled promises of the West and the steely assur - changes and turned the land into a desert.” It would be possible tics! It would have been better for them if the name Armenia had ance of Communist Russia. then to revive Sardarabad, but to begin the commission wanted never been uttered by any European diplomatist.” Nansen was born on October 10, 1861, in Christiania (later to survey the plain firsthand. Exasperated, Nansen briefly resigned from his post as high com - Oslo), Norway, the second child of Baldur Nansen, a lawyer, and Packing into four government-provided automobiles, they set missioner of refugees. Ultimately, he resolved to take matters into Adelaide Johanne Thekla Isidore, the daughter of an aristocratic off on their second day in Yerevan. What is most striking about his own hands. Through his personal efforts, he was able to settle family. Growing up in a bustling household — both Baldur and Nansen’s account of these excursions is his eye for local customs 7,000 refugees in Armenia in 1928. (Many of these refugees now Adelaide had children from previous marriages — Nansen found and the everyday details of social relations. traveled on Nansen passports — international identification certifi - comfort in the outdoors, where he mastered skiing and skating “Outside the village of Markara, close to the road, a crowd cates issued by the League of Nations). Nansen was still pursuing and learned how to swim, fish and hunt. gathered at once — as usual only men — staring curiously at our - the cause when he died in May 1930, of a heart attack. In 1881, Nansen enrolled at the University of Christiania and selves and our cars, and of course, bent upon knowing our busi - Armenia was now part of the Soviet enterprise. In 1936, the began studies in zoology. A promising student, he was soon ness…Their clothing was varied in the extreme, and sometimes Transcaucasian Republic was divided along ethnic lines, resulting offered the opportunity to journey to the coast of Greenland ragged; not particularly Oriental, except for a sheepskin cap here in the Armenian SSR. Many of the refugees who had settled where he studied Arctic zoology and ice formations. Upon his and there, which looked anything but Occidental in such burn - there were suddenly subject to Stalin’s forced programs of col - return, Nansen was appointed the curator of zoology at the ing sunshine; otherwise they had on the dull, ‘wholesale’ lectivization and industrialization. By the time a second wave of Bergen Museum, where he continued his research and in 1887, Bolshevik caps of soft, drab cloth, with here and there a white newcomers, more than 100,000 Armenians from abroad, arrived completed a dissertation on the central nervous system of cotton blouse, but chiefly European coats and long trousers and after World War II, repatriation had been given a bad name. marine animals. dilapidated foot-gear. Deceived by promises of a better life, the repatriates were denied In the meantime, Nansen had been planning another expedi - A little farther on there were some women weeding a cotton- exit visas and swallowed up by the Soviet machine. tion to Greenland, and the following year he and his small party field. I wanted to see how the work was done, so we stopped and Although it was the darker undertones in Nansen’s travelogue became the first to cross its interior — a feat that brought Nansen I walked across to them. Then a curious thing happened: a hand - that prevailed, the Scandinavian diplomat remained for the considerable fame in Norway and abroad. Returning home, some young woman got up, came to me and gravely handed me Armenians a celebrated figure, admired for his commitment to Nansen accepted a position at the University of Christiania, mar - a small cotton-plant. This done, without looking about her, she their cause and the earnestness with which he sought to affect ried and started a family. quietly returned to her place and bending down, resumed her change. For his part, Nansen applauded the doggedness of the Still, a restlessness surged inside him, and in 1893, Nansen set weeding without looking up again. It was a gesture of welcome Armenian spirit, consoled perhaps by some idea that the out on yet another adventure with the goal of reaching the North in accordance with the custom of the country, very touching in Armenians would make something of their new homeland. Pole. Things were less providential this time. Fram, the famous its artless simplicity. I kept those modest leaves as a memento of “The Armenian people have never abandoned hope,” he wrote vessel constructed for the journey, drifted off course and the Armenian womanhood.” at the close of Armenians and the Near East. “They have gone on crew did not make it to the North Pole. But never one to give up, Armenian hospitality continued to make an impression bravely working, and waiting…waiting year after year. They are Nansen continued on skis and traveled farther north than any - throughout the trip. Everywhere, it seemed, the commission was waiting still.” S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Service Dedicated to Kevork Hovnanian at St. Vartan Cathedral

NEW YORK — On Sunday, October 9, a ser - it of kindness and human outreach; a down- family members and close friends gathered at vice at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral pro - to-earth quality that was every bit as unfor - the University Club in for a vided an opportunity to honor the late gettable as the character traits that made memorial meal. Kevork Hovnanian. Family, colleagues and him so extraordinary in his achievements.” Karekin II presided over the gathering, friends gathered to mark two years since The Primate recalled Hovnanian’s spirit of where he spoke about Hovnanian’s efforts on Hovnanian’s passing. outreach to fellow human beings, which behalf of Armenia and the Armenian Church Presiding over the occasion was Karekin II, “inspired his greatest acts of philanthropy and fondly recalled Hovnanian’s virtues and the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All and service: his heroic contributions to hos - piety. Armenians, who had arrived in New York two pitals in and New York; his imme - Ara Hovnanian, Kevork Hovnanian’s son days earlier. diate drive to reach out to people in the wake and longtime partner in business, offered a Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of of the 9/11 attacks and of course his incred - poignant reminiscence of his father and the the Diocese of the Armenian Church of ible, indispensable leadership in the recovery warm relationship they shared. America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine and development of our homeland of Brief remarks were also made by Liturgy and delivered a homily reflecting on Armenia, over a period of more than 20 Barsamian; Hovnanian’s son-in-law, Dr. Tavit the significance of Hovnanian’s life. years.” Najarian, and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, presi - “All of us can testify that Kevork As founding chairman of the Fund for dent of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Hovnanian was a man great in accomplish - Armenian Relief, Hovnanian led the Eastern who had forged a friendship with Hovnanian ment; great in stature; a man of consequence Diocese’s outreach and development effort to through the latter’s humanitarian efforts. in his profession and in the society around the Republic of Armenia since the time of the All the speakers paid special tribute to him,” he said. “And yet we can testify, too, 1988 earthquake. Sirvart Hovnanian for the strength and sup - that there was a tenderness about him; a spir - Following the liturgy and requiem service, port she gave her husband and family throughout their life together. A brief video presentation brought the late Hovnanian’s voice and image into the pres - ence of the assembled crowd, and related the Metropol-Residence story of his life through the personal remem - The late Kevork Hovnanian brances of those who knew him. 2 MashtotsIdeal Ave. for Family Yerevan. vacations Armenia Daily, weekly and monthly low rates, starting $65.00 per day/ residence The four star residences at the heart of Yerevan with a kithcen and private bathroom is an ideal place to stay for families and couples. This luxurious residence is convenient for what- ever purpose your visit is. New York Dinner Honors 60th Birthday of Catholicos Karekin II

NEW YORK — On Wednesday, October 12, a family spiritual life flourishes and our church as group of friends and benefactors of Holy a whole will flourish,” said Barsamian. Echmiadzin gathered at a dinner hosted by Following the announcement of the estab - Nazar and Artemis Nazarian in honor of lishment of the fund, Setrakian stated that Karekin II’s 60th birthday. AGBU had decided to earmark $1 million of its The event was held at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Club. Berge Setrakian, president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), acting as the mas - ter of ceremonies, welcomed the guests and congratulated Karekin II on his birthday. Reservations in English please call Sevag at 011-374-93211217 “You are surrounded tonight by Reservations in Armenian please call Onnig at 011-374-94435445 great friends of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians” he said, and further noted that the AGBU has been a longstanding supporter of Karekin II’s initia - tives to further strengthen the Armenian Church. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), after thanking the hosts Nazar Nazarian, left, with Catholicos Karekin II and congratulating the catholicos, spoke on the need to develop strong spiritual leadership in the Armenian scholarship programs for this purpose. Church — a mission Karekin II has advanced The Nazarians then took the initiative of throughout his pontificate. He then announced donating in lieu of the catholicos’ birthday gift on that occasion the establishment of the $1 million to this fund and they were followed ESTATE SALE Pontifical Endowment for Pastoral with similar amounts by Sarkis and Ruth Development, which will be chaired by Bedevian and Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan. 50 or More Armenian Music Setrakian. The Setrakians then announced their contri - Records 33 1/2 RPM with Magnavoy console - $350 “From my experience, I can testify that hav - bution of $250,000 and they were followed by Call Bob: 401-474-4817 ing a dedicated, well-prepared pastor is key to a Yervant and Melissa Demirjian, Haig and Elsa flourishing parish life. ... Our parishes flourish, Didizian and Nishan and Margaret Atinizian with $100,000 each. Harry and Edna Keleshian, Oscar Tatosian and Jerry Demirjian pledged $50,000 each. George and Alice Kevorkian, Donation Zaven and Arlene Dadekian, Papken and Anahid Megerian and Haroutune and Shakeh In memory of Vartkess Balian, former Mekhjian pledged $25,000 each. Further dona - president of the Tekeyan Cultural tions continued to follow. Association, Inc. of USA and Canada, Setrakian then announced that Archbishop Sirop and Maro Bedrosian of Houston, Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Diocese Texas, donate $500 to TCA’s Sponsor of Armenian Church of America (Western), had a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh informed him that a pledge drive getting under - 2011 Project. way in that region had raised $1 million so far for the same purpose.

ADVERTISE IN THE MIRROR-SPECTATOR 10 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O HMADS Students Start New School Year with Celebrations

students, faculty, parents and guests for anoth - By Janet Marcarian er academic year. What is so special about this particular year (2011-2012) is that the school is celebrating its 45th anniversary. BAYSIDE, N.Y. — Holy Martyrs Armenian The members of the Class of 2012 had the Day School (HMADS), like any other schools, privilege of blowing out the candle representing awaits and prepares to embrace its new and cur - the anniversary and making wishes for another rent students every September. 45 years. On opening day, Fr. Bedros Kadehjian and Within two weeks of instructions, HMADS School Board members joined the principal, students were ready to celebrate the anniver - Zarminé Boghosian, as she welcomed all the sary of Armenia’s independence. On that day, September 21, stu - dents, faculty and par - ents gathered around with one purpose in mind, rejoicing and expressing their pride of being able to announce to the world this event. Some were wearing the colors of the Armenian flag and the sun, blue sky and HMADS students with President Serge Sargisian soft wind, joined them in celebratory mood. Gathered on the church plaza, every - lowed packed with recitations, songs and a Sargisian of Armenia. Led by Boghosian and a one sang the skit about government elections, told through few parents, the students carried the US and American and a fable. All of the presented material was new, Armenian flags and a large sign welcoming the Armenian national which in turn reiterates the following: president. The children sang and chanted phras - anthems, following by HMADS consists of a devoted principal, teach - es that expressed their joy and honor of being a prayer led by ers that can deliver students that learn at a present at this auspicious event. Kadehjian. moment’s notice and the beneficial impact of On behalf of the HMADS Family a special Eventually, 45 color - it all. appreciation is extended to NECO for includ - ful balloons were The festivities continued by planting 20 ing HMADS students to this historical event. released with wishes plants in honor of Armenia’s Independence. The school is planning to celebrate the for the continuous On Thursday, September 22, the fourth- and anniversary in May and the 30th graduation in HMADS students plant 20 plants in honor of Armenia’s anniversary. success of the school. fifth-grade students were invited to Battery June 2012. For more information, visit A short program fol - Park, Manhattan, to meet President Serge www.hmads.org. Ordination, Khachkar Blessing at St. Leon Church in NJ

FAIRLAWN, N.J. — On Sunday, September Holy Spirit, the people to whom we minister 18, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan can themselves become part of the Ministry of Primate, visited St. Leon Church, where he cel - the Faithful.” ebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained He cited Benjamin Rith-Najarian’s service as an Benjamin Rith-Najarian to the diaconate. Later example of a young man following Christ’s call. in the afternoon, the Primate also consecrated “From his earliest examples within his family, a new Khachkar on church grounds, dedicated to his experiences on the altar, in the seminary, to all Armenian Christian martyrs. and serving our parishes, Benjamin has been In his sermon, Barsamian spoke about the guided, step by step, along a pathway laid out Diocese’s theme, “Ministry of the Faithful,” by our Lord,” Barsamian said. which parishes across the Diocese introduced A native of Philadelphia, Rith-Najarian grew last Sunday. He reminded the faithful of up at the St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, Minn. Christ’s call to follow him, and touched upon He graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and pursued graduate stud - ies at St. John’s School of Theology and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 2010. Following his graduation, he spent nine months with his wife, Danielle DerAsadourian, studying the and the Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. For the next year, he will intern with the Rev. Diran Bohajian, pastor of St. Leon Church, to strengthen his understanding of parish life in the Eastern Diocese. “For me, being ordained to the diaconate was a moving experience,” Deacon Rith-Najarian said. “Being deacon is not simply a title, but a new step in my spiritual journey that comes with responsibility and greater opportunity to serve God and the Armenian Church. I am excit - Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains Benjamin Rith-Najarian to the diaconate, with Fr. Diran ed to serve in my new role at such an active Bohajian (at left) and Fr. Daniel Findikyan assisting. parish as St. Leon and to learn from a priest as experienced as Father Diran.” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian consecrates a Bohajian said that the entire community was Bohajian said that the ordination of a new dea - administered by the Diocese’s Department of khachkar dedicated to all Armenian Christian pleased to witness the ordination. Also joining con is also a sign that God has heard and Youth and Education. martyrs. the St. Leon parish last Sunday was the Very answered the prayers of the community. Following the Divine Liturgy, Barsamian led Rev. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess “In the brief time I have known Benjamin, I a procession to the parish’s Charles and Grace Armenian Seminary. can attest that he is a warm, humble and faith - Pinajian Youth Center, where he consecrated a ways that lay people can answer this call, which “The mission of our church continues with a ful son of the Armenian Church,” Bohajian new Khachkar dedicated to all Armenian mar - include joining the choir, teaching Sunday young man coming forward to receive the rank added. “I will do everything in my power as a tyrs. The Khachkar was donated to the parish School, serving on the altar or reaching out to of deacon,” he said. “As a parish priest, it was priest of this community to make sure that his by the Leitner family. In brief remarks, Sandra community members who are in need. an honor and a blessing for me to be part of time here will be fruitful and God-pleasing.” Shahinian Leitner spoke about the importance “As ministers of our Lord, you are the lamp this celebration.” Also during Sunday’s service, Barsamian pre - of erecting such a monument. through which the light of Christ shines on oth - Referring to the words of Jesus — “The har - sented the Diocesan Girl Scout awards to four Bohajian said the monument serves as a ers,” Barsamian said. “You can be the illumina - vest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray young girls — Talia Boyajian, Anais Boyajian, reminder of “those who came before us and the tion, which shows the presence of Christ in therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out Lauren Dadekian and Mary Tartaglione — who enormous sacrifice they made in order to per - their own lives. And through the power of the laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2) — recently completed the program, which is petuate our Christian faith.” S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Ne w York M E T R O St. Peter Church of Watervliet Marks Anniversary

to his home parish to receive the blessings of By Paulette Doudoukjian Barsamian in a very moving liturgical ceremony. The banquet was held at Michael’s Banquet House in Cohoes, with more than 150 people in WATERVLIET, N.Y. — It was Psalm 100 that attendance. The day’s festivities were organized started off the 112th anniversary celebration for as a cultural celebration with the Antranig Dance St. Peter Church here, on Sunday, October Ensemble performing several routines. 2. Deacon Garo Derian, Parish Council chair, wel - Additionally, four young adults in the commu - comed everyone to the banquet and read the nity — Rita Guleserian, Moroukian III, entire Psalm in his opening remarks of this day Thomas Nevins and Nora Derian — made remarks that began with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by of what this milestone in the St. Peter Church Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the means to them. Eastern Diocese. As Guleserian noted, “Each year our church Following the Divine Liturgy, seven young peo - celebrates an anniversary is a blessing. It shows ple were ordained to the rank of acolyte, includ - the devotion and perseverance of our faith and ing first-year seminarian, Eric Vozzy. He returned culture. Each year, more leaders are born. I am just one — but there have been many before me and many more to follow in the footsteps of our forefathers. Every one of us can lead by example and show the new generations what dedication it From left, The Rev. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Church, with Richard Hartunian and takes to ensure the future of our faith, culture, Harry Tutunjian community — and even more specifically of our St. Peter Church.” But the real highlight of the afternoon came supporting the needs of the community. lating the St. Peter community on 112 years of with a surprise presentation by Barsamian when Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, parish pastor, proud service by generations of faithful. The he presented Diocesan khachkar plaques of addressed the crowd and reminded all that a mile - Primate stated that “St. Peter Armenian Church recognition to two of St. Peter’s own: Harry stone such as this is a time for a community to is one of the oldest communities in our diocese. Tutunjian, mayor of the City of Troy, whose two- rejoice, reminisce and renew. In the spirit of rem - And it is a strong church family because of its year consecutive terms will end with the next iniscing, Doudoukjian acknowledged that on this determination and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” election; and Richard Hartunian, who was day of the church’s anniversary, Charlie and Alice He continued, “I was especially moved to see so appointed in 2010 as the United States Attorney Chorbajian, faithful parishioners of St. Peter, are many young people in church during the cele - for the Northern District of New York by also celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary. bration of the Badarak. Seven young people President Barack Obama and became the first “Charlie and Alice, you, as well others of your today were ordained to the rank of acolyte and Armenian-American to receive such an appoint - generation, have been great role models of love 20 more youth were blessed as candle holders ment. and devotion to God and St. Peter Church and readers. This is a sign of great life in this com - Barsamian spoke of their leadership as exam - throughout your life. May the parishioners of St. munity, especially as we celebrate the year of the ples of pride for the Armenian community. Both Peter follow your lead in service and participation ‘Ministry of the Faithful.’” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains acolytes Tutunjian and Hartunian have been long time in the life of our very special St. Peter Armenian With that, more dancing ensued by attendees at St. Peter Church. (photo by Joseph O’Keefe) members of the St. Peter Church, serving on the Church,” he said. to the sounds of DJ Sayat of Northern New Parish Council, being involved with ACYOA and Barsamian concluded the event by congratu - Jersey. 12 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living

James Russell to Unravel Aslanian to ‘Armeno-Hebrew Mystery’ Speak on New In Talk at NAASR Julfa Armenians BELMONT, Mass. — Prof. James R. Russell, Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University, will give a lecture titled “An At Ararat-Eskjian Armeno-Hebrew Mystery: Or, a 1,000-Year-Old Armenian Text in a Cairo Synagogue and the Museum Stories It Tells,” on Thursday, November 3, at 8 p.m., at the National Association for Armenian MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Dr. Sebouh Studies and Research (NAASR) Center, 395 D. Aslanian, the newly-appointed Richard Concord Ave. Hovannisian Term Chair of Modern Russell has been the Mashtots Professor of Armenian History, established by the Armenian Studies at Harvard University since Armenian Educational Foundation at 1992. His books include Bosphorus Nights: The UCLA, will speak on Sunday, October 30, Complete Lyric Poems of Bedros Tourian, at 4 p.m., at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum. Armenian and Iranian Studies, The Book of The lecture, which is free and open to Flowers, An Armenian Epic: The Heroes of the public, will be cosponsored by the Kasht, Zoroastrianism in Armenia and museum and the National Association for Hovhannes Tlkurantsi and the Medieval Armenian Studies and Research Armenian Lyric Tradition . (NAASR). In the waning years of the 19th century, a Aslanian’s lecture, “From the Indian traveling scholar happened by chance on a Ocean to the Mediterranean: The Global store-room at the back of a Cairo synagogue Trade Networks of Armenian Merchants Krikor Satamian in “Perezagner” filled to the ceiling with medieval from New Julfa,” will draw on his recent - manuscripts: letters, poems, sacred books, ly-published book of the same name, economic documents, etc., that could not sim - issued by the University of California ply be thrown away, because they employed Press. AGBU Celebrates Renowned Actor, the sacred Hebrew script. Like a fly trapped Drawing on a rich trove of documents, in amber, the documents of the Geniza including correspondence not seen for Director and Entertainer Krikor (which literally means “treasure house”) pro - 300 years, Aslanian’s study explores the vide a vivid and detailed primary record of emergence and growth of a remarkable the life and letters of the Middle East in the global trade network operated by Satamian’s Golden Jubilee centuries just after the beginning of the sec - Armenian silk merchants from a small PASADENA, Calif. — On Sunday, October 30, at 6:30 p.m., the Armenian General ond millennium. outpost in Among the items preserved in the Cairo the Persian Benevolent Union (AGBU) will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of renowned actor, entertainer, comedian and director Krikor Satamian. The program, featuring speak - Geniza is a short Armenian word list, with Empire. translation into Judeo-Arabic. Since the Based in New ers Assadour Guzelian from London, England, and Sarkis Minassian, as well as Armenian words are written out in Hebrew Julfa, Isfahan, characters we know exactly how they were pro - in what is By Aleen L. Khanjian lifelong friends, co-stars and admirers of Satamian, will commemorate and honor nounced; and the curious selection of vocabu - now Iran, lary invites one to speculate upon the occasion these mer - his 50 years as an entertainer. While Satamian is well known for his current role as director of the AGBU for which they might have been compiled. Both chants oper - the Geniza record and Armenian sources enable ated a net - Ardavazt Theatre Group in Los Angeles, where he has served for a large part of his career, in addition to his role as the AGBU Western District’s artistic director, there us to recreate that context and to enter, very work of com - briefly, a long-lost world. mercial settle - is no denying that his history, diverse training and contribution to the internation - al theatrical community is enduring. Admission to the event is free. Sebouh D. Aslanian ments that stretched Following his graduation from the American University of Beirut (AUB), from London Satamian attended the London School of Film Technique as well as the Bristol Old and Amsterdam to Manila and Acapulco. Vic Theater School. Following a season of theatrical performances at the Belgrade Aslanian brings to light the trans-impe - Theater in Coventry City, England, he returned to Lebanon to serve as the artistic Presentation at Glendale rial cosmopolitan world of the New Public Library on Julfans, the effects of long distance trade on the organization of community life, Armenian Kars and Ani the ethos of trust and cooperation that existed among merchants and the impor - GLENDALE, Calif. — The Armenian tance of information networks and com - Educational Foundation, the Ararat-Eskijian munication in the operation of early mod - Museum and the National Association for ern mercantile communities. Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will Prof. George Bournoutian of Iona sponsor a book presentation and illustrated College has praised From the Indian talk on Armenian Kars and Ani on Friday, Ocean to the Mediterranean as “the most November 4, at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Central researched and original work” on the sub - Library, 222 East Harvard St. ject that “exceeds, by far, all previous In the first part of the evening, Hagop scholarship on the Armenian merchants Gulludjian, lecturer in Armenian language and of New Julfa.” The book has been select - literature at the University of California, Los ed by the Committee of the California Angeles (UCLA), will provide an introduction to World History Library as the first book to the recently-published Armenian Kars and Ani , appear in their new series, Author’s edited by Richard G. Hovannisian, recently- Imprint, which celebrates and recognizes retired UCLA professor of Armenian and Near “exceptional scholarship by first-time Eastern history. Armenian Kars and Ani is the authors.” 10th volume of proceedings from the UCLA conference series, “Historic Armenian Cities Aslanian has previously taught in the Krikor Satamian with Mher Mkrtchian Department of History at California State and Provinces.” This volume represents a depar - University (CSU)-Long Beach as an assis - ture from its predecessors that have focused on historic Western Armenian areas, whereas Kars tant professor in fall 2010 after serving a director of the AGBU Vahram Papazian Theatre Group. While in Lebanon, and Ani were very much a part of Eastern or year at Cornell University as a Mellon Satamian also served as a lecturer of drama at AUB. Russian Armenia. Armenian Kars and Ani will Foundation Postdoctoral fellow in world Satamian joined the AGBU Vahram Papazian Theatre Group as a young actor in be available for purchase and signing the night history. He received his PhD (with dis - 1960. Twelve years later, as its artistic director, he led the same theatre group on a of the event. tinction) from Columbia University in well-received tour of Armenia. In 1975, Satamian led the group to France, England Hovannisian will conduct a photo presenta - 2007. and Cyprus. Following his work with the Vahram Papazian Theatre Group, he went tion of his travel through Historic Armenia in From the Indian Ocean to the on to teach at the Bristol Old Vic Theater School before becoming resident direc - spring 2011 as the historian-guide for a NAASR Mediterranean will be on sale at the talk tor at New York’s famous, Off-Broadway company, “Colonnades Theater Lab,” in Armenian Heritage Tour led by Armen Aroyan, and available for signing by the author. 1976. After his success at Colonnades, Satamian was invited to the “Hope Summer providing him with the opportunity to visit and More information about Aslanian’s lec - Repertory Company” to direct on three subsequent occasions. reflect on these cities and regions that he has ture may be had by contacting the Ararat- Satamian has been an avid, active member of the AGBU since his early childhood. so often written about as a scholar. Eskijian Museum at aem@ararat-eskijian- In 1978, here rejoined his beloved organization, in New York City, as its national For more information about this free event, museum.com or NAASR at [email protected]. see SATAMIAN, page 14 contact [email protected] or aem@ararat-eskijian- museum.com. 14 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING AGBU Celebrates Actor, Director and Entertainer Krikor Satamian’s Golden Jubilee

SATAMIAN, from page 13 Some of Satamian’s most memorable charac - artistic director. Since the 1970s, he has found - ters include: Off-Broadway, with the Classic ed several AGBU theater companies in Boston, Theater, in Shirvanzadeh’s “Evil Spirit” in the , New York, Philadelphia and Los demanding role of Kij-Taniel and later, in Angeles. He was the artistic director of the Nishan Parlakian’s “Grandma Pray For Me,” in AGBU Ardashad Theatre Group, as well as the the lead role of Deacon. Satamian acted in two producer and anchor of the AGBU-Spotlight successful AGBU professional productions in Armenians TV program in New York City. In English: “Three Acts of Love” at the Fireside 1988, Satamian was appointed as artistic direc - Theater, in North Hollywood, and Raffi tor of the AGBU Western District, and perma - Arzoomanian’s “The Moths” at the Hudson nently relocated to Los Angeles. He then Backstage Theater, in Hollywood. Satamian

Krikor Satamian with Buck Kartalian

became the director of the AGBU Ardavazt also partakes in professional American produc - Theater Group, which he had helped establish tions. Some of his TV credits include: in 1979 together with Haig Messerlian and “Suddenly Susan,” “The Naked Truth,” “Team Parsegh Kartalian. To date, Satamian has Knight Rider,” “Mad TV” and “Alias.” directed and staged 75 plays, three operettas Satamian’s film credits include: “Assignment Krikoris Satamian with Kevork Soghomonian and acted in 85 productions. Berlin,” “Chickpeas,” “One False Step,” “Subterfuge,” “Enemies of Laughter,” “After Freedom,” “Pomegranate,” as well as “Must Love Dogs,” which stars, Diane Lane, John ADAA Boston Armenian Cusack and Christopher Plummer. Satamian is credited as the first actor to Film Festival to Open introduce the art of stand-up comedy in the Armenian performing art, in 1984. Since November 12-13 then, he has given more than 150 perfor - mances in all the major cities of the United CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The fourth Annual States and Canada. Bristol Old Vic Theatre ADAA Boston Armenian Film Festival will take School Principal Nat Brenner wrote about place at the Fresh Pond Cinemas on November him, “Mr. Satamian has proved one of the 12-13. The event is dedicated to providing a most gifted and brilliant students of the the - forum for the works of new Armenian filmmak - atre it has ever been my experience and plea - ers. sure to direct.” It is no wonder that Satamian The 2011 festival is sponsored by Roy has maintained his legendary appeal, more Shahan and John Vigen Der Manuelian, in than 50 years later. memory of Manuel, Armenouhy, Armane All are invited to partake in Krikor (Aghababian), Takouhi (Chorbajian) Satamian’s Golden Jubiliee celebration on and Kenneth Shant Der Manuelian. October 30, at 6:30 p.m., at the Pasadena AGBU This year’s line-up includes more than 10 Center located at 2495 E. Mountain St. For films from around the world beginning with an more information, call the AGBU Western At the Old Vic in “Le Misanthrope” interesting new film by French Armenian film - District Office. maker, Serge Avedikian, called “Dogs of Istanbul,” a follow up to his short film last year, “Barking Island.” Also by French-Armenian filmmaker, Levon Minasian, comes the award-winning short film, Researcher on Gender Roles, Sexuality in Ancient Egypt Receives Fellowship “The Piano,” a charming look at a 13-year-old in Leninakan who longs to play a piano that does - MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Chrystal Goudsouzian, a doctoral candidate at Fellows affords them the n’t fit in her tiny home. the University of Memphis History Department, with a focus in ability to become leading From Belgium, filmmaker Comes Chabazian Egyptology, is the recipient of the American Association of University thinkers in their fields and presents “Ici Bas” (Down Here), an abstract Women’s (AAUW) 2011-12 American Dissertation Fellowship. sets them apart in an realist look at life in Armenia. Goudsouzian’s work focuses on gender, sexuality and the body in important way because From South Africa comes Shareen Egypt’s ancient past. Her dissertation investigates the culture of they are receiving support Anderson’s “Charents: In Search of My ancient Egyptian reproductive lives through textual, iconographic and from one of the nation’s Armenian Poet.” This full-length film explores archaeological evidence. Her research seeks to identify gendered roles most respected women’s the life and works of one of Armenia’s best- and experiences, reproductive notions and attitudes, and actions and organizations,” said Gloria loved poets, Eghishe Charents, through rituals through the cycle of conception, pregnancy, childbirth and the Blackwell, AAUW director a literary travelogue from Armenia to the poet’s postpartum period. of fellowships, grants and birthplace in Kars, Turkey. The oldest and largest of AAUW’s fellowship and grant programs, international programs. “Son of the Olive Merchant” is a film by the American Fellowships program began in 1888, at a time when The AAUW advances Mathieu Zeitindjioglou, who travels to Turkey women were discouraged from pursuing an education. American equity for women and girls on his honeymoon with his Polish wife to con - Fellowships are awarded to highly-qualified female scholars who are through advocacy, educa - front Genocide denial. completing doctoral dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research tion, philanthropy and All films will start at midday and go through or finishing research for publication. research. Since 1881, the evening on both days. One of the largest sources of funding for graduate education for AAUW has been one of the The Film Festival Committee this year women, AAUW has provided more than $90 million to more than nation’s leading voices pro - includes Roset Atinizian, Samuel Vartan and 11,000 fellows and grantees since awarding its first fellowship to moting education and Alfred Demirjian. The films were curated by Vassar graduate Ida Street, a pioneer in the field of early American equity for women and Chrystal Goudsouzian Janice Keuhnelian and Bianca Bagatourian. Indian history. “The funding we provide to the AAUW American girls. For more information on the festival, visit www.armeniandrama.org. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 BOOKS Garegin Nzhdeh: Selected Works in English Book, Published in Canada, Aims to Introduce Him to New Readers

reinforcements, secured for Armenia her objective and subjective conditions. Moreover, unfinished battle.” What an eloquent way to By Antranig Bedrossian southern territories in Siunik (Zangezur), bor - his thoughtful and realistic analysis of prepare the Armenian long-term struggle for dering Iran thus creating a wedge between Armenia’s strategic priorities and security the recovery of the lost homeland. Turco-Tatars of eastern South (sub - threats has a contemporary significance in light “The more socially just, the more powerful is Several works by orks of Garegin Nzhdeh sequently identified as Azerbaijanis) and Turks of recent geopolitical transformations in the the fatherland.” Here isa guiding idea upon have been chosen for an English translation for of Turkey (Lernahayastani goyamarte, South Caucasus. which to anchor the state-building processes of the first time. The texts represent his thoughts “Mountainous Armenia: the Battle for His philosophical inclination is best reflected post-soviet Republic of Armenia and Artsakh! as well as his political and philosophical Survival,” 1923). His organization of the in his aphorisms, characterized by its fragment - “Sword or pen? As one as well as the other — approaches. They cover the period from the National Covenant (“Tseghakron”) movement, ed, but deeply-reasoned style. both I liked and used. But I appeared before an early 1920s until his prison writings, in a Soviet which constituted later the basis of the found - Nzhdeh’s style is fragmentary, but his rea - alternative and I had to choose the first because prison camp, in the mid ’50s. They also include ing of the Armenian Youth Federation of the soning is powerful and complete. Few, very few there are times when to advance, pen, word, an interview (1943) with Nzhdeh by Razmi United States and Canada, affiliated with the people speak, write or act with “blood and truth need a sword. I like the pen, which at the newspaper of and a testimony by Nzhdeh. ARF, prevented the assimilation of thousands vein.” His writings are the psychological fea - same time is a sword that knows how to raise A chronological survey of his life and work, bib - of Armenian youth. tures of a distinctively temperamental and pow - thousand arms with swords to defend justice.” liographical sources and a glossary of place According to R. Hampardzumian (2007), the erful individuality, which are remarkable for This resumes Nzhdeh’s life, but it also describes names complete this volume. texts point to his ideology: Christian their unique style and pious qualities of the hard and complementary choices facing the The selected writings reflect the evolution of Armenianism whose self-defense system focuses expressed ideas and truths (Hayk Asatrian, Armenian people in their historical journey to his thoughts shaped by the turbulent political on David Bek’s, St. Vartan’s and the philosopher and one of his closest companions- their homeland. events and the intense ideological battles that Mamikonian Covenant, revived by him in the in-arm). Finally, this publication of Selected Works of characterized most of the 20th century in the ’20s and the ’30s. The texts reveal a talented writer, who with Garegin Nzhdeh make available to scholars, Armenian and international political scene. The In this volume Nzhdeh raises many political, newly-coined words and with new styles of rep - researchers, students and general readers the Armenian national liberation struggle of late strategic, historical and social issues pertaining resenting them, enriched the Armenian lan - political, military and philosophical reflections 19th- and early 20th-centuries, the worldview of to the Armenian people in particular and to guage. “His colorful thinking reminds us of of a great 20th-century Armenian patriot, while the Armenian Revolutionary Federation international developments in general. His Yeghisheh, the fifth-century Armenian histori - paving the way for further studies into his (Dashnaktsutiun), the struggle for survival of prison writings and self-testimony reflect the an; the mystic Grigor Naregatsi among ancient worldview and his relevance to posterity. the First Republic of Armenia and, subsequent - culmination of his thoughts, reinforced by his writers; Hakob Oshakan and Avetis Aharonian, Comparative links between European political, ly, its forced partition and Sovietization had experience. The selected texts also indicate among modern writers” (Hambardzumian, military and philosophical currents of thought their impact upon the development of his polit - Nzhdeh’s acquaintance with his contemporary 2007). and his approaches can be explored further. ical thinking and philosophy. Nzhdeh witnessed European political, military and philosophical Aphorisms of Nzhdeh preserve a value of To obtain a copy of Selected Works of the collapse of the Ottoman Turkish and Tsarist currents of thought. Certainly, Nzhdeh reflection for the new generations of Garegin Nzhdeh , contact Antranig Bedrossian Russian Empires and faced the destruction and approaches many of these issues with clear per - Armenians and inspire them with patriotism, at [email protected]. the dispossession of Western Armenians during spective of his own and formulation. self-knowledge, self-confidence and self-reliance. For more information, visit World War I. He participated in the struggle for The debate between spiritualism and materi - By singling out a few of them, their contempo - http://www.keghart.com/Bedrossian-Nzhdeh. the independence and territorial unity of the alism; the role of the state in politics; the rela - rary relevance can be seen outright: (Antranig Bedrossian is president of first Republic of Armenia and saw its forced par - tionship between the individual, the nation and “History, it is not an unfinished novel but an Nakhijevan Institute of Canada, Montreal.) tition, Sovietization and its incorporation into the state; the role of history, culture and ances - the Soviet Union. Finally, as part of the diaspo - tral territory in nation-building; the value of ra, he joined the struggle for national survival, social justice in human societies; the inter-rela - experienced World War II and always focused tionship between national and universal values; on Armenia’s preservation and territorial unity. the role of intellectual, spiritual and military Lucille Apcar Memoir Available His fame was kept alive in the popular memory elites in shaping the national life of peoples are MARIPOSA, Calif. — Lucille Apcar has published a memoir of her 20 years in Japan, as of Armenia, despite the prohibition of his name issues discussed by Nzhdeh. They are all rele - part of the diaspora, describing events leading up to and including World War II, culmi - during the Soviet era (1921-1990). vant today. Indeed, today the debate around nating in the American Occupation. Nzhdeh possessed a strong personality and these issues is conducted within the interwoven The book, titled Shibaraku, Memories of Japan, 1926–1946 , describes her early years embodied three prominent talents: that of an and multifaceted relations of the world and in the home of her paternal grandmother, Diana Agabe Apcar, well known author, diplo - orator, military strategist and philosopher. within the parameters of new theoretical mat and humanitarian and continues through descriptions of early 20th-century Japanese These attributes made him one of the out - approaches and empirical results. life, interaction with the people of Japan, the devastation suffered by her family with the standing Armenian political and military lead - The strengths and weaknesses of the onset of hostilities with the Allied Powers and the hunger and deprivation suffered through ers of the first half of the 20th century. His Armenian people; education, self-knowledge the years of war. political and intellectual achievements acquired and the spiritual renewal of Armenian genera - The memoir ends on an upbeat note, describing first the chaos encountered upon return significance, his legacy spreading during his life - tions; unity among various Armenian currents to the city of her birth, Yokohama, the indoctrination of herself and siblings to American time and after. of thought and the emancipation of the ways and unfamiliar language, ending with immigration to California to begin a new life. As a political and military leader, Nzhdeh Armenian homeland forcefully incorporated Shibaraku, Memories of Japan, 1926–1946 is available for $17 (plus $3 postage) from played an important role in shaping the out - into the Republic of Turkey (Western Armenia) the author, Lucille Apcar, PO Box 2058, Mariposa, Ca. 95338, or by e-mail: [email protected] come of some of these events of modern are also issues addressed by Nzhdeh. These also or contact website: www.outskirtspress.com/lucilleapcar. Armenian history. He played a major role in are presently part of the discussion agenda organizing and leading the Armenian forces among Armenians, albeit, under more complex into reversing the trend in the battle of Gharakilisa in 1918, which became pivotal along with the decisive battles of Sardarabad and Bash-Abaran fought against the Ottoman Turkish army (Hambardzumian, 2005). The victorious struggle for Zangezur (1920 to 1921) under his leadership against the com - bined forces of the Red Army and Turco-Tatar

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 16 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR BOOKS New Issue of Genocide Studies and Prevention Released

TORONTO — Now in its sixth year of publica - about “Healing Psychosocial Trauma in the creation of weak public institutions and intensi - College of William and Mary and chairman of tion, Genocide Studies and Prevention (GSP) Midst of Truth Commissions: The Case of fication of existing economic anxieties, all of the International Institute for Genocide and Volume 6.2 features in its latest issue a diverse Gacaca in Post-Genocide Rwanda.” Writing as a which led to the enactment of violence against Human Rights Studies (A Division of the mix of original articles that cover a wide range Rwandan community-based mental health the vulnerable Armenian population of . Zoryan Institute). In his article, “George Steiner of topics related directly to the field of genocide researcher and practitioner concerned with the The fourth contribution to this volume, “Did and the War Against the Jews: A Study in studies. This issue features articles by the mental well-being of individuals and communi - Newsnight Miss the Story? A Survey of How Misrepresentation,” Smith critiques the work of Zoryan Institute’s chairman, Roger W. Smith, its ties that survive mass violence and genocide, the BBC’s ‘Flagship Political Current Affairs Steiner, finding it to be misleading in its inter - associated scholar, Bedross Der Matossian, and she critiques the exclusive use of community- Program’ Reported Genocide and War in pretations, explanations and implications. He a graduate of the Genocide and Human Rights based truth commissions, regardless of their Rwanda between April and July 1994,” exam - contests Steiner’s claims that the Jews brought University Program(GHRUP), Regine King, from emphatic endorsement by post-conflict govern - ines the role of the news media in exposing or their near destruction upon themselves, that Rwanda. The journal speaks to the opportuni - ments and multilateral organizations since the ignoring an ongoing genocide. It is authored by they had invented the practice of genocide, had ties and platform provided for both established end of the Cold War. She concludes by sug - Georgina Holmes, a scholar of international created such moral demands upon ordinary and upcoming scholars that GSP provides. gesting that other models should be adopted to relations theory and media, currently writing a human beings that the tension became unbear - “The African Standby Force, Genocide and supplement gacaca. book on the gendered politics of mediatized able and resulted in a revolt against the tyran - International Relations Theory,” by Stephen In “From Bloodless Revolution to Bloody conflict in Rwanda. She writes that at the time ny of conscience and perfection. In his own writ - Burgess, professor at the US Air Wave College, Counterrevolution: The Adana Massacres of of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, the BBC’s ing, Smith works to correct these assertions examines the proposal to create an African 1909,” Der Matossian describes that the histori - late-night political discussion program, and directs the reader to the shortcomings in Standby Force (ASF) to intervene when geno - ography of the Adana Massacres of 1909 are rep - “Newsnight,” was one of the few media political Steiner’s work as it relates to the Holocaust. cide threatens on the continent. In launching resented by two diverging views. While some spheres within which representatives of the Genocide Studies and Prevention: An the ASF, African leaders over-promised to stop Turkish scholars deny the involvement of local British government, opposition parties, the International Journal was co-founded by the genocide, given their lack of political will, the government officials in the massacres by putting United Nations and international non-govern - International Association of Genocide Scholars weak capacity of their states and the weak mili - all of the blame on the Armenians who revolted mental organizations could comment on British and the International Institute for Genocide and tary capability of the Force’s subregional as part of a conspiracy to establish a kingdom in foreign policy. Since 1994, the British media Human Rights Studies (A Division of the Zoryan brigades. Burgess notes that the leaders of vari - Cilicia, some Armenian scholars, whose work is have been charged with failing to report geno - Institute). The journal’s mission is to understand ous countries have failed to come close to meet - overshadowed by the Armenian Genocide, cide; yet a focus on print media has created a the phenomenon of genocide, create an aware - ing the 2010 deadline and questions an “African accuse the Committee of Union and Progress void in understanding how BBC’s “Newsnight” ness of it as an ongoing scourge and promote solution for African Problems” — reinforcing the (CUP) of acting behind the scene to destroy the covered events. The present article analyzes the necessity of preventing it, for both pragmat - international importance of genocide and the Armenian economic development in the area. By how the BBC framed the genocide in a specific ic and moral reasons. It is the official journal of international responsibility of its prevention. breaking free from the existing historiography, way until July 31, 1994. Holmes concludes that the International Association of Genocide King, PhD, candidate at the Factor-Inwentash the present article contends that the Adana “Newsnight” missed the story and “failed to Scholars and is published three times a year by Faculty of Social Work at the University of Massacres should be viewed as part of the revo - hold British politicians to account.” the University of Toronto Press. For more infor - Toronto and a graduate of the Genocide and lutionary process which led to the erosion of The final selection in this issue is authored by mation, contact the IIGHRS at Human Rights University Program, writes social and political stability in the region, the Smith, professor emeritus of government at the [email protected].

Cal State, Fresno Press and Armenian Studies Program Release New Book by Der-Hovanessian

FRESNO — The Armenian Studies Program ogy. The poets are themselves from either Der-Hovanessian was Fulbright professor of Armenian poetry into English but also a strik - and the Press at California State University, Armenia or live in the . American poetry at Yerevan State University in ing and original poet herself. According to the announce the release of the new book, There are excerpts of poems translated from 1994 and 1999. She is, according to former Times Literary Supplement , she is a brilliant Armenian Poetry of Our Time , translated by the literary giants of the late 19th and early book editor of the Boston Globe Herbert poet who has opened up the book of her peo - Diana Der-Hovanessian. The American-born 20th centuries: Daniel Varoujan, , Kenney, not only the foremost translator of ple to the English-speaking world. poet has won national and international awards Vahan Tekeyan, Avedik Issahakian, Indra and for her translations and poetry in Armenia and Bedros Tourian. the diaspora. Armenian Poetry of Our Time is The works of noted diasporan writers such as the third book published in the recently-estab - Vasken Shushanian, Zahrad, Nigoghos lished Armenian Series at the Press, under the Sarafian, Antranig Dzarougian, Vahe Oshagan The Armenian supervision of series editor, Prof. Barlow Der and Zareh Melkonian are also included among Mugrdechian, director of the Armenian Studies the translated poems. Their works explore Program at Fresno State. themes that are different from the earlier writ - Armenian Poetry of Our Time is a collection ers, as they were composed post-Genocide, but of Armenian poems that spans a broad period they reflect the pain of exile. of modern . It will be a valu - Some works, by poets from Armenia or able addition not only to Armenian studies but Karabagh, have been translated into English for Mirror -Spe ctator also to western poetry. Der-Hovanessian is a the first time. well-known poet and author of 25 books of Armenian Poetry of Our Time is a compre - poetry and translations, whose earlier work, the hensive volume that will introduce Armenian groundbreaking Anthology of Armenian poetry to the non-Armenian speaking literary Poetry, appeared more than 30 years ago. world. It is a valuable addition to the corpus of E-SUBSCRIPTION The works of 117 poets, all originally com - recent books that have begun to present the posed in Armenian, are presented in this anthol - works of Armenian poets in translation. AVAILABLE

Celebration of Leonardo Alishan’s Literary Work The Armenian Mirror-Spectator will be available every GLENDALE, Calif. — Leonardo Alishan’s He is the editor of Bats Namak , a Glendale- Thursday, in COLOR and PDF format to all who subscribe literary work will be featured at the Glendale based Armenian literary journal. He is also edi - Public Library Auditorium, 222 East Harvard tor of Birthmark , a bilingual anthology of specifically to this electronic delivery. St., on Sunday, November 20, at 4 p.m. Armenian-American Poetry . Arzoumanian’s Admission is free and seating is limited. poetry, short stories, book critiques and trans - The annual rate is $50. Alishan was a former University of Utah pro - lations have appeared in numerous Armenian fessor, writer and poet who passed away in literary magazines. To subscribe to this service, please fill out the following 2005. Peroomian, the author of the article “The He was born in Iran, to Armenian parents. Restless World of Leonardo Alishan,” published and mail it along with your check of $50 made out to the: During his life he published two collections of in Genocide Studies and Prevention (2006), is poetry, Dancing Barefoot on Broken Glass and a research associate at UCLA, where she earned Armenian Mirror-Spectator, Through a Dewdrop. His poems and short sto - her PhD in Near Eastern languages and cul - ries have been published in a variety of antholo - tures. Her publications include, And Those who 755 Mt. Auburn Street, gies and journals and he was the recipient of a Continued Living in Turkey after 1915 and Watertown, MA 02472 number of literary awards. Literary Responses to Catastrophe: A The program will include an in-depth discus - Comparison of the Armenian and the Jewish sion of Alishan’s literary work through lectures Experience . H Yes, Please e-mail me the Armenian Mirror-Spectator given by Gourgen Arzoumanian, Dr. Rubina Oshagan is a photographer whose work Peroomian and Ara Oshagan. revolves around the intersecting themes of every Thursday. A multimedia presentation will highlight his identity, community and memory. His work is in life Alishan through photos, a radio interview the permanent collection of the Southeast My E-mail address is ______and more. Museum of Photography, Florida; the Downey Arzoumanian is the editor of Alishan’s short Museum of Art, California and the Museum of Name and Last name ______story collection, Free Fall , published after his Modern Art in Armenia. death, by Mazda Publishers, and the translator Library visitors receive three hours of free of his short stories to Armenian, Azad Angum . parking across the street at The Market Place You can also e-mail your request to [email protected] for faster service He is the author of two Armenian books of parking structure with validation at the loan poetry, Apricot Shine and In the Intersections . desk. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

presents its 25th anniversary premiere per formance, CALIFORNIA “Journey Through Time,” with all new choreography, cos - tumes and music. Robinson Theater, Waltham High School. NOVEMBER 19 — The Armenian EyeCare Project will hold For tickets, www.itsmyseat.com/sayatnova or call Apo: (339) its ninth Annual Newpor t Gala, honoring Gov. George 222-0142, Garen (617) 930-2921 or 24-hour voicemail (617) Deukmejian, on November 19, 6:30 p.m., at the Balboa Bay 923-4455. See flyer for details: www.sayatnova.com. Club, Newport Beach. For info and reservations, call (949) Flyer/video-four minutes, Facebook or Twitter. 675-5611. FEBRUARY 11, 2012 — The Armenian Sisters’ Academy 30th Anniversary Gala, Saturday, at the Fairmont Copley FLORIDA Plaza Hotel, Boston. Additional details to follow. The Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc. pre- NEW JERSEY sents: Armenian Heritage Cruise XV. Leaving January 21, 2012. 15th Anniversary Celebration. For more info, visit OCTOBER 22-23 — St. Thomas Armenian Church Bazaar www.ArmenianHeritageCruise.com. and Food Festival, Saturday, noon; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Armenian gourmet foods, take out available. Dance perfor - MASSACHUSETTS mance by the Akh’tamar Dance Ensemble. Saturday, 4 p.m., Corner of E. Clinton Avenu and Route 9W, Tenafly. Tel: (201) OCTOBER 22 — Fall Harvest Bazaar, noon-8 p.m., First 567-5445. Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont. Great food, OCTOBER 29 — Holy Cross Armenian Church, Union City. fun and the marketplace. Lamb, beef, chicken and losh Food Festival, Saturday evening only. Children’s Halloween kebab dinners grilled fresh all day with pilaf and salad, enjoy Party, 5-6 p.m. 6 p.m., Khavourma dinner. 50/50 raffle, in- in our Fellowship Hall or packed for home. Yalanchi, cheese house raffles. Music by DJ Berg. Holy Cross Church Center, boreg and falafel. Home made manti, kufte, choreg, string corner of 27th Street and Bergenline Avenue, Union City. cheese packaged for the freezer. Handmade pastries, dried NOVEMBER 13 — St. Stepanos Armenian Church fruits, nuts. Marketplace includes books, children’s items, Women’s club invites you for an Armenian concert by “attic treasures” and more. Handicamp ramp and MBTA the AREKAG Children’s Choir, conducted by Vago John train and bus line. For info, visit www.FACBelmont.org or On November 11, the Knights of Vartan Ohanyan. Following church services, 1184 Ocean Ave., (617) 484-4779. All welcome. Ararat Lodge Number 1 will hold their Elberon. Thanksgiving Lunch will be served. Tickets: $30, OCTOBER 27 — “A Journey to Historic Armenia,” by Ed and annual ceremony at the Renaissance adults; $10, children, 10 and under. Call Linda Patruno (732) Mary Ann Kazanjian. Andover Library Memorial Hall, 2 North Waterfront Hotel on Long Wharf, Boston, 449-5249, Norig Buchakjian (732) 929-0776. Main St., Andover, 6:30 p.m. Admission free. Presented by the Merrimack Valley Lodge of the Knights of Vartan with the reception at 7 p.m. and the dinner (www.knightsofvartan.org). Contact Vahan at at 8 p.m., featuring guest speaker NEW YORK [email protected]. Archbishop Pargev Martirossian, and Man OCTOBER 28-30 — The annual symposium weekend of the NOVEMBER 4-5 — Annual Bazaar sponsored by Armenian of the Year, Aurelian Mardiros, pictured Women’s Guild Central Council. At the St. Vartan Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, 110 Main St., Haverhill, above, on the left, with Jack Medzorian. Armenian Cathedral Complex and Diocesan Center, New Friday, 12-8 p.m.; Saturday, 12-7 p.m. Armenian cuisine served York City. For information, contact Rita Oscherician at (201) all day. Pastry table, Country Store, Gift Basket Raffles and 398-0153 or [email protected]. Raffles for cash and prizes. For more info, visit OCTOBER 30 — Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble of St. www.hyepointechurch.org or call (978) 372-9227. Year is Aurelian Mardiros, Community Leader Award to Vartan Cathedral, New York City, presents Independence NOVEMBER 4-5 — “Alleluia,” It’s St. Stephen’s Bazaar Registrar Rachel Kaprielian and the Faithful Knight Award to celebrating the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s Time. 55th Annual St. Stephen’s Church Bazaar, 10 a.m.-9 John Peterson. “Independence.” Twentieth anniversary of Karabagh and p.m. Armenian gourmet food, pastries, arts and crafts, silent NOVEMBER 12-13 — Save the date. ADAA Fourth Annual 20th anniversary of the Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble. and live auctions. Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, Boston Armenian Film Festival. Fresh Pond Cinemas, 150 Performers. 5 p.m., Felician College, 262 Main St., Lodi. 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown. Cambridge. See www.armeniandrama.org. Donation: $100, $50, $40, $30 and $25. For tickets, call NOVEMBER 6 — Preview of “Deported/ A Dream Play,” a NOVEMBER 17 — Party at the Other Park! Benefit for the Marie (201) 745-8850, Sossy (201) 779-9007, Diocese (212) new play about the Armenian Genocide, with award-win - Armenian Heritage Park Endowment. Fenway Park, 686-0710. Purchase tickets online at www.shushidance.org. ning playwright Joyce Van Dyke, director Judy Braha and Boston. Advance reservations only. For details and reply DECEMBER 3 — The AGBU/NYSEC presents the fourth actors reading scenes from the play that premieres next form, visit www.ArmenianHeritagePark.net. annual AGBU Per forming Artists in Concert, at 8 p.m. March in Boston. Armenian Library and Museum of America, NOVEMBER 19 — Holiday Kef, featuring Richard Hagopian Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. 154 W 57th St., New York 65 Main St., Watertown, 3-5 p.m. Free and open to the pub - and his Kef Time Ensemble. Saturday, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Adults, City. Tickets, $65. For info, call AGBU at (212) 319-6383, ext. lic. $45, students, $25. UMass Lowell Conference Center, 50 124. To purchase tickets directly through the Carnegie Hall NOVEMBER 11 — The Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge Warren St., Lowell, (978) 934-6920. Cash bar only. Mezza, Box Office: carnegiehall.org. Carnegie charge: (212) 247- Number 1 annual ceremony at the Renaissance coffee, dessert. Sponsored by Armenian Apostolic Church at 7800. Box Office: 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. Waterfront Hotel on Long Wharf, Boston, Friday. Guest Hye Pointe. For info call Mike (978) 682-3946 or Richard MAY 19, 2012 — HMADS Gala Dinner Dance. Details to fol - speaker, Primate of Artsakh, Archbishop Pargev (978) 374-0687. low, June 25. HMADS 30th Commencement Exercise at 8 Martirossian. Reception, 7 p.m.; dinner, 8 p.m. Man of the NOVEMBER 19 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston p.m., Kalustyan Hall.

Zobian Marks 10th Anniversary with Art on Wheels

vals. The Armenian side stands out vividly. A worked as a photographer and taught at Rhode By Tom Vartabedian Tricolor will be displayed on its side. The Island College where he secured a masters unique venture will serve as a mobile calling degree in photography. card for the Rhode Island art community. Over the years, he has photographed every - PROVIDENCE, R.I. — When it comes to pro - He has financed the project with a sponsor - one from Palestinian Yasser Arafat and anthro - moting fine art and photography, Berge Ara ship campaign called kickstarter.com where pologist Margaret Mead to William Saroyan, Zobian finds himself in the driver’s seat — liter - viewers can log on to a link ArtMobile. Over the actress Vanessa Redgrave, Genocide survivors ally. past decade, Zobian has operated Gallery Z on and models. He stumbled across an old, discarded Fed-EX the west side of Providence in the historic He has been to Armenia six times, including truck, dumped $9,000 into the project and Federal Hill district. four trips following the earthquake. His turned the 18-foot box car into a traveling art “I want to bring original art to many desti - itinerary is also bolstered by a half dozen visits gallery. Upon renovation, the interior features a nations and communities where it is not avail - to Lebanon. Not pleasure shooting per se. His hardwood floor, hanging system, surround able or accessible,” says the 54-year-old photog - time was spent in the war zone during tumul - stereo sound, digital monitors and track light - rapher. “The Gallery Z ArtMobile is the latest tuous times, bent on getting the shots of a life - ing to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. concept for bringing fine art to the streets of time. Photographer Berge Zobian stands ready to take Now, he is set to hit the road with other peo - Providence and beyond.” His vast collection is estimated around his art show on the road. ple’s consignment art. His own photography Zobian’s life has turned into a juggling act of 500,000 images over what can be described as will take a back seat. The 45-linear-foot vehicle sorts. He opened a photo studio in 1983 before a prolific 38-year career. Hardly an Armenian is expected to house about 25 medium pieces of venturing toward an art studio in 2001, all community event passes in which Zobian does moil in our economy. Art comforts people and art. while helping raise five children with wife Jayne. not capture with his lens. More than anything, arouses their creativity.” Zobian calls his latest mission, “Art on Born in Haleb, Syria, he moved to Lebanon what’s shot is shared by the masses. “Photographing people has been a lifelong Wheels,” and he will make his stops at schools, before immigrating to New York City in 1971 “Art fills the soul,” he maintains. “In this day passion for me,” he notes. “From the time I held private homes, corporations, art fairs and festi - and finally Rhode Island in 1983. He has and age, there’s so much uncertainty and tur - my first camera, I felt an infinity for it.” 18 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Turkey’s Internal Debate on Genocide

good people, we have not committed any slaughters or Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian genocide,” let them read a book by the conservative writer Nihal Atsez, who deals with that subject beginning with the Kurdish issue. Belge makes extensive quotes from the said Early in October news services reported that a Turkish cab book, which are very revealing about the Turkish psyche: driver had beaten an Armenian woman in Istanbul and had “The Kurds will be uprooted and wiped out from the face of thrown her out of his taxi upon learning that she is an eth - the globe if they continue to be used by foreigners and con - Established 1932 nic Armenian. An Azerbaijani soldier, Safar Abiev, had axed tinue to pursue their dream of establishing a Kurdish home - An ADL Publication to death an Armenian soldier in Hungary who was being land. By destroying Armenians in 1915 and the Greeks in trained in a military program. In 1955, Turkish mobs ran - 1922, the Turkish race has demonstrated what it can do to sacked Armenian and Greek homes and businesses, killing those who have claims on these lands, which we have won many, in what is called the September 6 Incident. The riots EDITOR by shedding rivers of blood.” Alin K. Gregorian were triggered by a false news report that Ataturk’s birth - Belge further continues quoting from the same book: place in Salonika had been bombed. Later on it was discov - “…Even if they become a 100-percent majority in any region ASSOCIATE EDITOR ered that the bombing was the work of the Turkish govern - of Turkey, their dream of establishing their own government Aram Arkun ment precisely to incite the mob. will only remain a dream, like the dream of Greeks to revive

ART DIRECTOR Indeed, these incidents do not take place spontaneously. Byzantium and the dream of Armenians to have Greater Marc Mgrditchian There is an anti-Armenian propaganda in both countries, Armenia. For this reason they have to leave this country, fueled by official and unofficial forces to keep the hatred before causing trouble for Turkey. Where can they go? Let PRODUCTION burning, to be used for political ends at any given moment. them go wherever they like. They can go to Iran, India, Dilani Yogaratnam The late Turkish President Turgut Ozal had once threat - Pakistan or to Barzani [in Iraqi Kurdistan]. Or they can ask ened Armenians “in case they had not learned their lesson in the UN to provide them a territory in Africa. If they wish to 1915.” Turkey’s former Minister of Defense Vecdi Gonul had learn anything [about our temper] let them ask their CONTRIBUTORS: also bragged in a Brussels conference that Turkey would not Armenian friends, and learn from them how patient is the Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. enjoy presently a unified vast territory had it not expelled Turk until it gets angry and becomes a lion.” Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond Armenians and Greeks during and after World War I. “For people like Atsez these deeds are actions of Turkey’s Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Still, on the official side, former and current Prime greatness and power,” Belge writes. Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Ministers Tansu Ciller and Tayyip Erdogan have threatened In concluding his article, Belge cautions the Turkish gov - Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- Armenian guest workers with expulsion. ernment to demonstrate some flexibility on the issue. Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, One would question why this continued campaign of Turkish arrogance is still a factor to be reckoned with. Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, hatred exists after slaughtering 1.5 million Armenians and Denialism is still state policy, because Turkish leaders are not Taleen Babayan taking over their historic homeland? The answer is clear and naive as to what comes after recognition. As the debate about unequivocal: Turks live in constant fear, because they are sit - the Genocide rages in Turkish society, the consequences are CORRESPONDENTS: ting on the bones of 1.5 million victims. They are fearful also also part of the debate. Armenians and the international com - Armenia - Hagop Avedikian that the Sevres Treaty of 1920 may be revived and thus the munity will certainly go beyond recognition, raising the issue Boston - Nancy Kalajian land can shift under their feet. The irony is in the fact that of restitution. The use of the term “genocide” has legal con - Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian very few Armenians believe that an unratified treaty may be sequences, which have scared the Turkish leaders thus far. Contributing Photographers: brought to force one day, but for the Turks, the threat and Any presidential candidate can make generous pledges, Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair the fear are real. only to forget them after the election. President Sarkozy can Hovsepian We are sometimes relieved that the issue of Genocide prove his sincerity while holding office. Otherwise, his oppo - recognition has moved into Turkey after being verboten for nent, the Socialist candidate Francois Holland, has already The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published more than 90 years. Yet, there are powerful currents against made the same pledge, while the Senate majority has already weekly, except two weeks in July, by: the advocates of Genocide recognition and against those slipped through Mr. Sarkozy’s fingers to the leftist parties. Baikar Association, Inc. who circulate petitions to make amends to the Armenians. France is only one step closer in recognizing the Genocide 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 One expression of those powerful forces surfaced recently in and criminalizing its denial. It is not the finale in this long Telephone: 617-924-4420 the Turkish newspaper, Taraf , quoted by a courageous jour - and arduous process. The finale is in Turkey where the Grey FAX: 617-924-2887 nalist Murat Belge. After criticizing the Turkish Foreign Wolves and ultra-nationalists like Mr. Atsez hold sway on www.mir rorspectator.com Ministry for its lame response to President Nicolas Turkish public opinion. And it is no small consolation that E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com Sarkozy’s statement in Yerevan about the recognition of the the debate has now moved to another level; it is no longer For advertising: [email protected] Genocide, he continues his attack on knee-jerk deniers, who only between Armenians and Turks, it is among the Turks he claims, are controlled by the leading political parties. themselves, as people like Murat Belge emerge and stand up Those who justify themselves by stating “We Turks are in the process.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES : U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year 1st Class $120 a year LETTERS Canada Air Mail $125 a year All Other Countries ARA Story Mistakenly Run as Letter Air Mail $190 a year Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch To the Editor: thanking the ARA for its contribution to the the Mirror-Spectator . We were puzzled when reading the head - Fuller Center. Following that letter, we had It would seem necessary for the Mirror- © 2010 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator line “Thanks from ARA to Donors” added some information about the Fuller Spectator to correct the errors that resulted Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA (September 17) and even more bewildered Center for Housing.” in such a confusing and inaccurate account. and additional mailing offices. when reading what followed. The item we The Mirror-Spectator dropped the open - — Lorig Hamasdegh ISSN 0004-234X submitted for publication began with the fol - ing paragraph. You then printed the letter (Editor’s Note: We regret the error and lowing explanatory paragraph: from the Fuller Center for Housing to the hope this explanation clears up the confu - POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, “Last Christmas, the Central Committee ARA as if it were a letter from the ARA to sion.) Watertown, MA 02471-0302 of the Armenian Renaissance Association (ARA) distributed some funds to four chari - Other than the editorial, views and opinions Most of all (as repeatedly said), in spite of my table organizations: Project Save, Mer Doon, expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Thanks for 80 Years! whole and content European integration and reflect the policies of the publisher. Heifer Project and Fuller Center for assimilation, if I still have some knowledge, I Housing in Armenia. We received letters of To the Editor: “lean” towards my identity, carry faintly the appreciation from all the organization. The Just a word to congratulate Edmond spirit and mission of our ancestors, it is mostly Fuller Center’s appreciation letter was espe - Azadian on the 80th anniversary of the and only because you did cross the language cially interesting and very detailed. We are Armenian Mirror-Spectator . I am certain if Copying for other than personal use or barrier successfully. enclosing their letter and just a few of those this weekly paper survived too many hurdles it internal reference is prohibited without May I return you the question now…is it a express permission of the copyright details telling us where and specifically to is due and thanks to your outstanding dedica - pity to cross the language barrier? Insist with owner. Address requests for reprints or who our donation was applied. (Many pho - tion, perseverance, loyalty and long-lasting far - speaking, reading and wring Armenian? Is it back issues to: tographs of the families and the homes were sighted vision, rare ingredients to find now a the only way to be an Armenian and feel Baikar Association, Inc. sent to us so that we could share them with day. Armenian? By speaking Armenian? And what 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 our members.) We hope that others in the Beyond doubt, personally, I enjoy reading about our culture? I truly love your editorials. Armenian Community will become familiar the Mirror enormously, not as it is in English, Again, congratulations, and may the with their work and will try to help more but because of the feature of the articles on Armenian Mirror-Spectator survive many families move from their metal shipping con - one hand, covering a wide range of topics, decades (encore and encore) led by wise vision - tainers to permanent, livable dwellings. including the diaspora, especially, and the Check us out at aries. What followed was a letter addressed to homeland; and on the other hand, because mirrorspectator.com the Armenian Renaissance Association from after four decades, I learn particularly a lot — Karine Véhouni the Fuller Center for Housing, Armenia about my roots. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

• Turkey’s European Union Minister Egemen Bagis: “If me, so it’s no problem.” Sarkozy worked on how his country could come out of eco - Some French parliamentarians were incensed, however, nomic turbulence instead of assuming the role of a histori - upon hearing that Prime Minister Erdogan had accused an, it would be more meaningful for France and Europe.” President Sarkozy of being two-faced. They greeted the • Devlet Bahceli, leader of the opposition Nationalist Turkish leader’s insulting words with loud and derisive My Turn Movement Party (MHP): The French president is a “rude exclamations in the French parliament. and ill-mannered” man. “Our advice to Sarkozy is that if he Former Ambassador Omer Engin Lutem expressed his By Harut Sassounian wants to see an example of genocide, he should look back concern that if France were to ban denial of the Armenian at his history. He will clearly see the atrocities committed Genocide, it would trigger other European countries to fol - in Algeria and will notice explicit or implicit massacres in low suit. He cautioned the Turkish public that such a devel - 96 Years Later, Turkey Still Pays North Africa.” opment on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the A Price for Genocide Denial The Turkish attacks on France included demonstrations Armenian Genocide would constitute a significant victory in front of the French Consulate in Istanbul last week, for Armenians. Almost a century after the fact, the Republic of Turkey where protesters carried portraits of President Sarkozy Murat Belge, an outspoken Turkish human rights continues to be disgraced for its persistent denial of the with Adolph Hitler’s mustache and denounced alleged activist, took issue with the negative reaction of his coun - Armenian Genocide. crimes committed by France in the Algerian war. try’s leaders. He boldly condemned all those who claimed During his visit to Armenia earlier this month, French Uncharacteristically, Turkish officials did not go beyond that “Turks are good people; we do not kill or commit geno - President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned Turkey by declaring mere words to denounce President Sarkozy’s statements cide.” Such statements are “slanderous,” Belge stated. that 96 years is long enough for to come to terms on the Armenian Genocide. Missing were the customary Another prominent scholar and columnist, Ahmet with its genocidal crimes. He also threatened to pass a law recall of the Turkish Ambassador and threats to boycott Insel, rebuked Prime Minister Erdogan for telling punishing denial of the Armenian Genocide, unless Turkey French goods. There was no bite in their bark! President Sarkozy to look at France’s own colonial past. recognized it in the near future. The French president was unfazed by the Turkish out - Insel wondered if Erdogan would indeed recognize the Rather than heeding President Sarkozy’s sound advice, bursts. Upon returning to Paris, he sent a letter to Armenian Genocide if France faced its own history? And Turkish leaders retaliated by attacking him and insulting President Serge Sargisian reconfirming his earlier state - what would Turkey do if the same suggestion came from his country. Here are some of their rejectionist statements: ments in Armenia: “Rest assured that France will not cease a country that did not have dark pages in its history? • Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: “He should first its commitment, as long as the massacres have not been Insel observed that this is the same Prime Minister who listen to his own advice. He is different in France, different properly recognized by the descendents of the perpetra - was claiming that all Ottoman archives are open, as his in Armenia, and more different in Turkey. There cannot be tors.” President Sarkozy went on to state that he was “most government was blocking the posting of these docu - a political leader with so many faces. Politics requires hon - of all deeply moved at the Genocide Memorial Monument ments on the Internet. esty…. You should know that Turkey is not an easy bite to while paying tribute to the memory of the victims of the As an Iranian diplomat recently noted: “The Armenian swallow.” death sentence carried out against your people on April 24, Genocide is a Damoclean Sword hanging over Turkey’s • Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu: “France should 1915.” When the French president learned of the angry head.” Sooner or later, a wise Turkish leader would come confront its own history. I consider such remarks as politi - Turkish reaction to his statements in Yerevan, he told his to realize that acknowledging the Armenian Genocide is cal opportunism.” aides that he had no regrets: “The Turks have always hated more beneficial to Turkey than its continued denial. Is Vladimir Putin’s Eurasian Dream Worth the Effort?

The Russian Prime Minister’s Politicians like the occasional grand vision, image of the early modern Polish-Lithuanian the Soviet era. Of course, Soviet ambitions went especially one with historical resonance. Yet will commonwealth — a time of Polish and Swedish far beyond Eurasia; they wanted influence in Union Plan Is Not Meant as a all this be worth the effort? The precedents are regional power when merchants and ideas trav - the Middle East, Africa and South East . Return to the Soviet Past, but He not reassuring. If the EU’s eastern partnership eled easily between the Baltic and the Black And this became clear after 1945, when Stalin’s smacks of an effort to reshape the region in the Sea — Putin’s Eurasian union seems stuck in SEE Putin, PAGE 20 Would Do Well to Check Precedent Great War Secrets of the Ottoman Arabs By Mark Mazower stunning stuff. the 50 Jerusalem prostitutes sent to entertain Far more Arabs fought against the Allies on Turkish officers, the Ottoman troops hanged Vladimir Putin is “supporting the idea of a By Robert Fisk behalf of the Ottomans than ever joined outside the Jaffa Gate for desertion, the Eurasian union of former Soviet-bloc nations.” Lawrence’s Arab revolt, but here is Private Turkish aircraft that crashes (“badly trained In Eric Ambler’s masterly interwar thriller, The Forgotten soldiers. We all know about Turjman expressing fury at his masters. pilots or badly maintained engines”). Turjman Mask of Dimitrios, the puppet master pulling Gallipoli; hopelessly conceived mess, dreamed Year of the Locust is an odd little book, ter - even has a crush on a married woman. the strings as a seedy Europe slides hopelessly up by Churchill to move the Great War from ribly short but darkly fascinating, concentrat - Long forgotten now are the Arab-Turkish into war is the shadowy Eurasian Credit Trust. the glued trenches of France to a fast-moving ing on the Great War diaries of three Ottoman inmates of the Tsarist prison camp The name was deliberately chosen. For most of invasion of Germany’s Ottoman allies in 1915. Ottoman soldiers, one of them an actual at Krasnoyarsk, in Russia, where Lt. Aref the last century, Eurasia was scarcely a neutral Embark a vast army of Australians, New Turk, the others Palestinian Arabs. We are Shehadeh, born in Jerusalem in 1892, ended term: it evoked the whiff of racial degeneration, Zealanders, Brits, French and others east of used to British and German soldiers’ up. Islam united them; class divided them. the prospect of civilization overrun by eastern Istanbul in order to smash “Johnny Turk.” accounts of the Great War; scarcely ever do But there were concerts, sports clubs, football hordes. Problem: the Turks fought back ferociously as we read of the personal lives of our Ottoman teams, a camp library, a Great War version of But now comes the Russian prime minister, Mustafa Kemal (later Ataturk, titan of the opponents. The Turjman family home, by all the stalags and oflags made famous in Putin, perhaps looking to lift the attention of a 20th century, etc.) used his Turkish 19th extraordinary chance, is the very same World War II. Come the Bolshevik revolution, restive public at home to something more ele - Army Division to confront the invaders’ first Jerusalem building, in ruins since the 1967 Shehadeh high-tailed it back to the Middle vated than a peremptorily staged presidential wave. Problem two: most of the division were Arab-Israeli war but now transformed into an East – via Manchuria, Japan, China, India and succession, supporting the idea of creating a not Turks at all. art gallery, which I visited in Jerusalem just Egypt via the Red Sea. Eurasian union of former Soviet-bloc nations They were Arabs. Indeed, two-thirds of the three weeks ago today. But the most impressive text in this tiny that could become “one of the poles of the mod - first men to push back the Anzac forces were In 1917, when Turjman was shot dead by book is not a diary but a letter from ern world, serving as an efficient link between Syrian Arabs from what is today Lebanon, an Ottoman officer, Palestinian Arabs were Shehadeh’s wife, Saema, in Jerusalem when, Europe and the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.” Jordan, Syria and “Palestine.” And of the less concerned about the Balfour Declaration 30 years later, he had set off for Gaza as a Putin explicitly denies that this is about 87,000 “Turkish” troops who died defending than whether the British would give them British mandate officer. “I woke up early this rebuilding the USSR. Nevertheless, there has the Dardanelles, many were Arabs. As independence, annex them to Egypt or allow morning,” she writes. “I walked around in the been a lot of talk of Eurasia since the collapse Palestinian Prof. Salim Tamari now points them a Syrian homeland. How wrong could garden for a while. I picked up some flowers of the USSR and there is a close connection out, the same applies to the Ottoman battles they have been? Britain had no intention of and leaves. I picked up some beans to cook between the Eurasia concept and Soviet histo - of Suez, Gaza and Kut al-Amara. In the hith - adding to its Egyptian interests when it had for myself. While I was milling around, you ry. Belarus and Kazakhstan have already erto unknown diary of Private Ihsan Turjman already given its support to a Jewish home - were always on my mind. It is your presence embarked on commercial integration and the of the Ottoman Fourth Army — he would land in Palestine. Later, as Tamari recounts, that makes this garden beautiful. new union will hope to take that further, per - today be called a Palestinian Arab — there was the lives of the other two diarists, one “Nothing has a taste without you. May God haps attracting other former Soviet republics nothing but scorn for those Arab delegations Turkish, the other Arab, would revolve not deprive me of your presence, for it is you into its orbit: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are from Palestine and Syria who sent delega - around Palestinians who came to believe that who makes my (our) life beautiful. When you mentioned. And in a world where EU member - tions “to salute the memory of our martyrs in it was Jewish immigration that would threat - left us last time I noticed that you had a little ship is effectively barred to Russia, and where this war and to visit the wounded.” en their future. But it is the Great War that cold. I am thinking about it. Let me know the EU is promoting its own eastern partner - What, he asked in his secretly-kept diary, dominates their memoirs. about your health. Your life’s partner, who ship, led by Poland and Sweden to intensify were these Arabs playing at? “Do they mean In the anti-Ottoman literature that perme - loves you with all her heart. Saema.” Now European links with other former Soviet to strengthen the relationship between the ated the Arab world (and the West) after the that’s quite a love letter to get from your wife. republics — including both Belarus and the Arab and Turkish nations... truth be told, the war, it is important to remember these Ukraine — one can see the logic in Russian Palestinian and Syrian people are a cowardly Ottomans, Turkish or Arab. There is a touch (Robert Fisk is the Middle East correspon - efforts to extend internal markets, remove bar - and submissive lot. For if they were not so of Robert Graves here. Turjman’s diary dent for the Independent . This column origi - riers to labor mobility and at the same time win servile, they would have revolted against records the plague of locusts that settled nally appeared in that publication on the fight for the hearts and minds of the inhab - these Turkish barbarians,” he wrote. This is upon Jerusalem, the cholera and typhus and October 15.) itants of its western gateways, above all in Ukraine. 20 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 22, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Is Vladimir Putin’s Eurasian Dream Worth the Effort?

PUTIN, from page 19 ical prestige of Moscow. And none of it was ic terms than it got back. It had one great lands in the Balkans and the Middle East Russia really did become a world power ever a match in purely economic terms for the achievement to its credit — the industrializa - rather than to the post-Soviet Black Sea and thanks to its defeat of Nazis and the Kremlin astonishingly powerful global alliance system tion along late 19th-century lines of its own Caspian republics, but more importantly that got its chance to build a second world of put together by Washington, linking the pow - backward periphery, but by the late 20th cen - it is intended as a complement rather than an socialism around the globe that united eastern erhouse economies of western Europe and tury, that was not enough. alternative to the increasingly European and Europe, the Balkans and the Soviet republics east Asia with the oil-producing states of the There is a lesson here to be learned, surely, global orientation of the Turkish economy. with other socialist partners further afield. Middle East. from an earlier foray into a kind of In short, it is no wonder Putin stresses his Ideas and technology — above all, ideas about The first world definitely won that particu - Eurasianism by Turkey. In the early 1990s, new vision of deeper integration is not meant technology and the modernization of peasant lar struggle and globalization — by which I then-president Turgut Özal imagined a coming as a return to the Soviet past. The question is societies — circulated across the borders of the mean the extraordinary combination of indus - “Turkish century” based on a new union whether there is any alternative model that countries in this second world, as far away as trial productivity growth in American partners among the Turkic-speaking states of the makes sense for his proposed union. If the Cuba, Angola, Ethiopia and North Korea. such as Japan and South Korea with the finan - Eurasian heartlands. After his death, it coupling of the Russian economy to the south - Today some historians remind us that the cial flows that reshaped finance after the became abundantly clear that the choice ern Stans brings with it a decoupling from the “third world” was so called precisely because 1970s — ultimately brought the Soviet second between orienting the Turkish economy east more powerful regional dynamos to its west of the sustained tussle for its allegiances in the world to its knees, both because it simply or west was no kind of choice at all. Having and east, it will end up as a drag, not a spur, 1950s and 1960s between the first and second could not compete internationally and learned that lesson, the Erdogan government to growth and Russia will pay a heavy price for worlds. Yet all of this can be exaggerated. The because much of eastern Europe had become is pursuing a sort of post-imperial foreign pol - an old-fashioned dream of imperial glory. second world was concentrated on eastern addicted to western debt. Overall, the effort of icy of its own. But what makes it much more Europe, and other member states came and sustaining this vast sphere of influence proba - powerful than the earlier Özal model is not (This commentary originally appeared in the went. The rise of China weakened the ideolog - bly cost the USSR far more in purely econom - only that it is oriented to the former Ottoman October 7 online issue of the Guardian .)

US Wants ‘Best Elections Ever’ in Armenia Kurdish Rebels Say Turkey Is ELECTIONS, from page 1 Shelling Northern Armenian’s post-Soviet culture of electoral fraud and effecting other “deep and difficult changes” in a speech last February. Heffern, who was confirmed as ambassador by the US Senate late last month, cited ARBIL, Iraq (AFP) — Turkey was shelling Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, him - Yovanovitch as reporting “some important progress here in Armenia in the last six months.” northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan self a Kurd, said during a visit to Ankara this “So we hope and expect that Armenia will build on those favorable decisions that were region on Tuesday, a Kurdish rebel month that the presence of Kurdish rebels in made earlier this year to create a climate of fairness for the upcoming elections in 2012 and spokesman said, in the first report of Turkish the north was “unacceptable,” but stopped 2013,” he said. “And the United States will do all that it can to help make these the best bombardment in the area in more than two short of offering a solution. elections ever.” weeks. Turkey’s parliament overwhelmingly voted The diplomat appeared to refer to a series of concessions made by Sargisian to the main The shelling began Monday night “against on October 5 to extend the government’s opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) last spring. Those included the release of the Khowakirk and Zab in northeast Dohuk” mandate to order military strikes against last opposition members remaining in jail. province, said Dozdar Hammo, a spokesman Kurdish rebels in neighboring Iraq for one The concessions led to several rounds of negotiations between the HAK and Armenian’s for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), more year. ruling coalition. The dialogue collapsed in late August following the controversial arrest of which operates out of bases in Kurdistan. Since 2007, Turkey has renewed the an opposition activist. It was still ongoing early Tuesday after - motion giving a green light for the Turkish Addressing the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in June, Sargisian noon, he said, adding that there were no military to conduct cross-border raids to hit said his administration “will spare no effort” to ensure the proper conduct of next year’s par - reports of casualties. PKK hideouts in northern Iraq. The current liamentary elections and the 2013 presidential vote. The HAK and other major opposition The shelling was the first report of Turkish authorizsation was to expire on October 17. groups dismissed those assurances. bombardment in Kurdistan since September The Turkish military has repeatedly 29, when the PKK said Turkish warplanes attacked suspected PKK targets since August carried out strikes in the region. 17.