Armenians WorryAbout Safety

DAMASCUS (Combined Sources) —While fighting continues to rage in Syria,its residents, including Syrian-Armenianscontinue to escape. According to a United

Nations survey, about 120,000 people haveleft Syria, most of them for Turkey, Iran,Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

During the recent few days there wereheated clashes in the capital city ofDamascus, as well as near Aleppo, whereabout 45,000 Armenians have lived.

It is reported that Syrian-Armenians are

being kidnapped and ransoms are demand-ed to set them free. Some Armenians haveeven got warnings by the rebels not to opentheir shops.

The press secretary of the Prelacy of theArmenian Church of Aleppo, ZhirayrReisyan, reported at a briefing that both loy-alists to President Bashar al-Assad and rebelforces are digging in their positions. As forthe situation of Aleppo Armenians, the con-dition remains the same and the conflictshave not yet reached Armenian districts.

“Our national, religious authorities aregoing to monitor their supervision aimedat ensuring security of Syrian Armenians.Already, an Emergency Situation Body isbeing established, tasked to provide assis-tance not only to Armenians, but theones who have left their apartments,found shelter in other places,” Reisyannoted. He added that the members of thecommunity will spare no effort to ensurethe security of Armenian churches andmonuments as well.

“Fortunately neither an Armenianchurch nor monument was damaged, yetthe city life, traffic and economy have beenparalyzed, hindering the community’s liveli-hood,” he said.

In accordance with the Syrian HumanRights Defense Organization, the ongoingclashes have resulted in the deaths of morethan 17,000 people. Among the victimsthere were seven Armenians, two of whomwere in the Syrian armed forces.

see SYRIA, page 16

Galustyan, MartirosyanAmong 50 RichestRussian Celebrities

MOSCOW (Arminfo) — Two Armenians, MikhailGalustyan and Garik Martirosyan, appeared on thelist of the 50 most popular and richest Russiancelebrities in the Russian edition of Forbes.

Galstyan, who ranked 35th, is reported as havingan annual income of $2.7 million, 245 appearancesin media outlets and 1,180,000 Yandex hits.(Yandex is the largest Russian search engine.)

Martirosyan’s annual income is $2.8 million. Heappeared in the press 201 times and has had790,000 Yandex hits.

At the top spot is singer Stas Mikhaylov, with14.4 million Yandex hits and an annual income of$20 million; second is tennis player MariaSharapova with $24.8 million and third is singerAlla Pugacheva.

Armenia Favored byItalian Tourists

YEREVAN (Arminfo) — Armenia is popular amongItalian tourists who say Armenian cultural heritage issimilar to their own, according to Anahit Dabinyan, atravel agent at Imega Tour and Travel Agency.

She said that the cultural heritage of Armenia alsoappeals to tourists fromAustralia, Canada and the US.Californians are frequent visitors to Armenia, she said,and their favorite spots in Armenia are the resorttowns of Dilijan and Jermuk.

Tigranuhi Aleksanyan, a travel agent at SirovTravel Agency, agrees that Armenia is very popularamong Italian tourists, as well as Ukrainian,English and Japanese tourists. Their top place tovisit is Lori.

However, one of the complaints tourists have isthe high prices of hotels, according to GeghamAghouzuntsyan, director of Gamo Tour Agency. Asa result of high prices, the inflow of tourists inArmenia fell from previous years. He said the costof trips to the country rose by 10 to 15 percent.Most of the tourists in Armenia are from Russia.

Hunchakian, RamgavarParties Ready to Assist

Syrian-ArmeniansYEREVAN (Combined Sources) — The SocialDemocrat Hunchakian Party and the RamgavarParty in Armenia issued separate statements onthe tragic events currently taking place in Syria,which are threatening the safety of the local vibrantArmenian community.

The parties expressed their readiness to assistSyrian-Armeanins find safety in their historic home-land.

“We are ready to cooperate with relevant insti-tutions to help and support our compatriots, theRamgavar Party said in their statement.

INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXIII , NO. 3, Issue 4248

A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2

$ 2.00

Janigian’sAngelic Land

Page 10

INSIDE

The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932

NEWS IN BRIEFII nn OOuurr 88 00tt hh YYee aa rr

Galstyan Wins Russia’sFirst Gold, Dedicates itTo Flood Victims

LONDON (Moscow Times) — ArsenGalstyan has become Russia’s firstOlympic judo winner since the Sovietcollapse, and he dedicated his goldmedal to those affected by recent floodsin the Krasnodar region.

“I feel absolutely wonderful,” saidGalstyan, 23, who stunned favoriteand world number one holder, RishodSobirov of Uzbekistan, on his way to vic-tory Saturday. “My medal will meana lot, especially [to] people who are suf-fering from the flood.”

Flash floods earlier this month killedat least 171 people and damaged morethan 4,000 homes in Russia’sKrasnodar region.

Galstyan’s route to gold could hardlyhave been more difficult. Having onlyjust overcome South Korean ChoiGwang-Hyeon, his close encounter with

see GOLD, page 16

Arsen Galstyan

LONDON — At the openingceremony of the OlympicGames on Friday, July 27, theteam from Armenia made itsway. Thus far, athletes fromArmenia have not won amedal. President SergeSargisian and his delegation,including his chief of staff,Vigen Sargisian, to his right,and and the president ofArmenian’s National OlympicCommittee, Gagik Tsarukian,first from right, took in someof the games in London.

Sam Simonian Receives Armenia’sHighest Medal of Honor

YEREVAN — President SergeSargisian this week presentedSam Simonian, president of theSimonian Education Foundation,the nation’s highest award, theAnania Shirakatsi Medal.

Simonian was awarded themedal through a decree by thepresident of Armenia on the occa-sion of the 20th anniversary ofArmenia’s independence for hiscontribution to the preservationof Armenian identity, services tothe Motherland as well as for con-tributing greatly to the friendshipbetween Armenia and foreign states.

Sargisian and Simonian spoke about the activities of the Simonian EducationalFoundation and implemented programs, including the Tumo Educational Center forCreative Technologies. They also discussed future plans for the foundation.

President Serge Sargisian, right, presents SamSimonian with the Anania Shirakatsi Medal.

Syria Fighting Goes Unabated

AArrmmeenniiaa ttoo BBaann FFoorreeiiggnnFFuunnddiinngg ooff RReelliiggiioouuss

OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonnssYYEERREEVVAANN.. ((nneewwss..aamm)) —— AArrmmeenniiaa ppllaannss ttoo bbaann ffoorr--eeiiggnn ffuunnddiinngg ooff tthhee rreelliiggiioouuss oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss..

SSuucchh aa rreeqquuiirreemmeenntt iiss iinncclluuddeedd iinn tthhee nneeww llaaww““OOnn ffrreeeeddoomm ooff ccoonnsscciieennccee aanndd rreelliiggiioonn,,”” wwhhiicchh iisssscchheedduulleedd ttoo bbee ssuubbmmiitttteedd ttoo tthhee ggoovveerrnnmmeenntt oonnAAuugguusstt 22,, rreepprreesseennttaattiivvee ooff JJuussttiiccee MMiinniissttrryy EEddwwaarrddAAssttssaattrryyaann ttoolldd rreeppoorrtteerrss..

IInn aaddddiittiioonn,, rreelliiggiioouuss oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss wwiillll bbee pprroo--hhiibbiitteedd ffrroomm ccoonndduuccttiinngg mmaassss pprrooppaaggaannddaa,, ccoommiinngguupp ttoo tthhee ssaammee ppeerrssoonn mmoorree tthhaann oonnccee.. RReelliiggiioouussoorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss aallssoo hhaavvee ttoo ppuubblliisshh aannnnuuaall ffiinnaanncciiaallrreeppoorrttss oonn tthheeiirr wweebbssiitteess oorr ssuubbmmiitt tthheemm ttoo tthheeggoovveerrnnmmeenntt..

UUnnlleessss tthheeyy oobbeeyy tthhee rruulleess,, rreelliiggiioouuss oorrggaanniizzaa--ttiioonnss wwiillll hhaavvee ttoo ppaayy aa ffiinnee ooff nneeaarrllyy $$11,,000000..

HHoowweevveerr,, tthhee llaaww ccoonnttaaiinnss aa nnuummbbeerr ooff mmoorree lliibb--eerraall pprroovviissiioonnss,, iinncclluuddiinngg rreedduuccttiioonn iinn rreeggiissttrraattiioonnmmeemmbbeerrsshhiipp ffeeee.. TThhee iiddeeoollooggyy ooff tthhee oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnwwiillll nnoott uunnddeerrggoo aann eexxaammiinnaattiioonn aass wweellll..

TThhee llaatttteerr ccaauusseedd ddiissaapppprroovvaall ooff VVaarrddaannMMaarrkkaarryyaann,, tthhee hheeaadd ooff tthhee rreelliiggiioonn ddeeppaarrttmmeenntt aatttthhee AArrmmeenniiaann ggoovveerrnnmmeenntt..

““EEvveenn iiff SSaattaanniissttss aappppeeaall,, wwee aarree ffoorrcceedd ttoo rreeggiiss--tteerr tthheemm,,”” hhee eemmpphhaassiizzeedd..

SSaarrddaarraappaatt MMoovveemmeennttCCaallllss oonn AArrttssaakkhh ttoo

SSeettttllee LLiibbeerraatteedd LLaannddssWWiitthh SSyyrriiaann IImmmmiiggrraannttss

SSTTEEPPAANNAAKKEERRTT,, KKaarraabbaagghh ((AArrmmiinnffoo)) —— TThheeSSaarrddaarraappaatt MMoovveemmeenntt hheerree ccaalllleedd ffoorr NNaaggoorrnnooKKaarraabbaagghh ((AArrttssaakkhh)) aauutthhoorriittiieess ttoo ccoonnssiiddeerr tthheeKKaarraabbaagghh pprroobblleemm oonnllyy iinn tthhee ccoonntteexxtt ooff aallll--AArrmmeenniiaann iinntteerreessttss aanndd ttoo ttaakkee tthhee mmoosstt aaccttiivvee ppaarrttiinn tthhee iimmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn ooff tthhee ttooppiiccaall ttaasskkss ffaacceedd bbyytthhee AArrmmeenniiaannss wwoorrllddwwiiddee.. OOnnee ooff tthheessee ttaasskkss iiss ttoopprroovviiddee rreelleevvaanntt ccoonnddiitt iioonnss ffoorr tthhee SSyyrriiaannAArrmmeenniiaannss ttoo rreettuurrnn ttoo tthheeiirr hhoommeellaanndd,, SSaarrddaarraappaattssaayyss.. TThhee mmoovveemmeenntt tthhiinnkkss tthhaatt tthhee lliibbeerraatteedd tteerrrrii--ttoorriieess aarroouunndd tthhee NNKKRR ccaann aanndd mmuusstt bbee sseettttlleeddwwiitthh tthhee AArrmmeenniiaannss ooff SSyyrriiaa..

TThhee ggrroouupp aallssoo pprraaiisseedd tthhee mmoosstt rreecceenntt pprreessiiddeenn--ttiiaall eelleeccttiioonnss tthheerree,, nnoottiinngg tthhaatt tthheeyy iinnddiiccaatteedd tthheeppeeooppllee ooff KKaarraabbaagghh wweerree iinntteerreesstteedd iinn ppuurrssuuiinnggddeemmooccrraaccyy..

OOsskkaanniiaann AAppppeeaallss CCoouurrttJJuuddggmmeenntt

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmiinnffoo)) —— VVaarrttaann OOsskkaanniiaann,, tthhee ffoouunnddeerrooff tthhee CCiivviilliittaass FFoouunnddaattiioonn,, eexx--ffoorreeiiggnn mmiinniisstteerr ooffAArrmmeenniiaa aanndd mmeemmbbeerr ooff ppaarrlliiaammeenntt ffrroomm tthheePPrroossppeerroouuss AArrmmeenniiaa PPaarrttyy ((PPAAPP)),, hhaass ttaakkeenn hhiiss ccaasseettoo tthhee CCoouurrtt ooff AAppppeeaallss aafftteerr tthhee ccoouurrtt ooff ggeenneerraalljjuurriissddiiccttiioonn ooff tthhee CCeenntteerr aanndd NNoorrkk--MMaarraasshh aaddmmiinniiss--ttrraattiivvee ddiissttrriiccttss rreeffuusseedd ttoo ddiissmmiissss tthhee ccrriimmiinnaall ccaasseeaaggaaiinnsstt tthhee CCiivviilliittaass FFoouunnddaattiioonn aanndd iittss ffoouunnddeerrss..

TThhee pprreessss sseerrvviiccee ffoorr tthhee CCiivviilliittaass FFoouunnddaattiioonnssaaiidd tthhaatt SSaallppii GGhhaazzaarriiaann,, ddiirreeccttoorr ooff tthhee ffoouunnddaa--ttiioonn,, aaddddrreesssseedd aa lleetttteerr ttoo GGaaggiikk KKhhaacchhaattrryyaann,, hheeaaddooff tthhee SSttaattee RReevveennuuee CCoommmmiitttteeee,, aasskkiinngg hhiimm ttooeexxppllaaiinn tthhee rreeaassoonn ffoorr tthhee ddeellaayy iinn tthhee aauuddiitt ccoonn--dduucctteedd bbyy tthhee ccoommmmiissssiioonn.. TThhee aauuddiitt ffoorr tthheeCCiivviilliittaass FFoouunnddaattiioonn sshhoouulldd hhaavvee ccoonncclluuddeedd oonnAAuugguusstt 33,, hhoowweevveerr,, uunnddeerr KKhhaacchhaattrryyaann’’ss oorrddeerr,, oonnJJuullyy 2233,, tthhee aauuddiitt wwaass ssuussppeennddeedd ffoorr 3300 ddaayyss..

TThhee NNaattiioonnaall SSeeccuurriittyy SSeerrvviiccee ((NNSSSS)) ooff AArrmmeenniiaaiinnssttiittuutteedd aa ccrriimmiinnaall ccaassee aaggaaiinnsstt tthhee CCiivviilliittaassFFoouunnddaattiioonn ccoonncceerrnniinngg aa $$22--mmiilllliioonn ttrraannssaaccttiioonn ffoorrtthhee ssaallee ooff HHuunnttssmmaann BBuuiillddiinngg PPrroodduuccttss,, aannAArrmmeenniiaa--bbaasseedd ccoommppaannyy oowwnneedd bbyy UUSS--bbaasseedd PPoollyymmeerrMMaatteerriiaallss aanndd HHuunnttssmmaann IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall.. ““AAss aa rreessuullttooff ssoommee iinnaaccccuurraacciieess iinn tthhee ccoonnttrraacctt,, tthhee ttrraannssaaccttiioonnwwaass nnoott ssuubbmmiitttteedd ttoo tthhee ttaaxx aauutthhoorriittiieess aanndd tthheerree--ffoorree lleefftt uunnttaaxxeedd.. OOff tthhee cchhaarriittyy ffuunnddss lleefftt iinnAArrmmeenniiaa aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoo tthhee wwiisshh ooff tthhee AAmmeerriiccaann ssiiddee,,aass mmuucchh aass $$11..113355 mmiilllliioonn wwaass nnoott ssppeenntt ffoorr cchhaarriittyybbuutt wwaass ttrraannssffeerrrreedd ttoo aaccccoouunnttss ooppeenneedd bbyy tthheeffoouunnddeerr aanndd pprreessiiddeenntt ooff tthhee CCiivviilliittaass FFoouunnddaattiioonnVVaarrttaann OOsskkaanniiaann aanndd tthhee ffoouunnddaattiioonn’’ss ttrruusstteeeeTTiiggrraann KKaarraappeettyyaann,, wwiitthh ppaarrtt ooff tthhee mmoonneeyy uusseedd ffoorrppeerrssoonnaall nneeeeddss,,”” tthhee NNSSSS ssaaiidd..

News From Armenia

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R2

ARMENIA

YEREVAN (Hetq) — Golden ApricotFilm Festival Artistic Director SousannaHarutyounyan spoke to Hetq about herthoughts on this year’s festival.

HHeettqq:: How would you compare thisyear’s ninth festival to previous ones?

SSoouussaannnnaa HHaarruuttyyoouunnyyaann:: I wouldsay look at this year’s festival poster. It’sa big comma. That punctuation says itall. We have to take a step back and seewhat we have achieved over nine yearsand what needs to be done for nextyear’s 10th anniversary.

In a way, this year’s festival was apreparation exercise for next year. It willbe a showcase of the good and the notso good.

HHeettqq:: What came before the comma,the pause?

SSHH:: It’s utter madness to organize afilm festival in a country with no realinternational experience and with a verylimited film industry. But we perseveredand over the years have brought the bestnames in cinema to Armenia. We havealso attracted up and coming young tal-ent to the festival.

HHeettqq:: Under the Armenian Panoramafilm category, Armenian directors mainlyfocused on themes related to theGenocide and Western Armenia, in anattempt to return to their roots. Was thisstandard for the festival?

SSHH:: It’s our pain and these are issuesthat still exist. We can’t rest until somesort of resolution is reached. If these arepublic issues, then the cinema mustreflect them in an attempt not only tofind answers but to raise those issues onan international level. And it is doublyimportant to maintain certain artisticstandards while doing so. If thesethemes were so prevalent, it means theyare of concern to Armenian directors.

I don’t think this is anything new. TheArmenian Panorama category alwaysdisplayed this tendency. DiasporaArmenian directors especially carryaround this family trauma and history.

In 2015, the 100th anniversary of theGenocide, the festival must have a sepa-rate large project on the subject. It’s myhope that between now and then somereally quality films will be made aboutthis collective pain we bear.

HHeettqq:: It turns out that Armeniandirectors are only represented in theArmenian Panorama category wherethey basically compete against eachother. Why aren’t Armenian films repre-sented in the international feature cate-gory?

SSHH:: This is not a case of devaluingArmenian films but rather it’s an inter-nationally accepted format. There’s anational and international competition.The aim of this format is to show asmany national films as possible.

HHeettqq:: Isn’t there an Armenian featurefilm that corresponds to internationalstandards and be included in that cate-gory?

SSHH:: I believe it was correct to includeArmenian feature films in the ArmenianPanorama category. Our strategy is toincrease national completion accordingto our means. We are trying to create thebest conditions in which to presentArmenian films.

There is the fear that if an Armenianfilm is entered in the international fea-tures category it will be pushed asideand not stand up to scrutiny. Our direc-tors must recognize this; that we aremerely motivated by the best of inten-tions when we include their films in theArmenian Panorama section. We justwant to ensure the best conditions to

present them.Take a look at the Armenian film, “If

Only Everyone,” which won the BestArmenian Fiction Film award this year.It’s already been invited to be shown atseveral important film festivals.

HHeettqq:: So what’s preventing the devel-opment of our local cinema?

SSHH:: In Armenia we lack a film indus-try with all the necessary components.It’s a complex organism and the produc-tion side is just one aspect. Films mustbe shown and we have no mechanismsto gauge the response of viewers. Thentoo, there is no connection between ourArmenian cinema and the internationalcinema, so that Armenian cinematogra-phers understand the tendencies takingplace in the wider world — the language,themes, etc.

Furthermore, film reviewing inArmenia is lacking. The cinema is anintegrated whole. If one of the chains islacking the entire system suffers. But Isee a trend, step by step, to connect theArmenian cinema to that which existsoutside.

HHeettqq:: Let’s get to some technicalissues. What happened to the showing ofAlexander Sokurov’s film “The Sun?” Itwasn’t shown in its entirety and peopleleft the theatre. Even Sokurov didn’twant to respond to what had happened.

SSHH:: In this case, the festival can’t beblamed. Everything was checked before-hand; the color and sound. Who wouldhave thought that the end of the filmwas missing? This is the first such case innine years. The DVD sent to us bySokurov’s studio didn’t contain theentire film. While we respect Sokurov’ssituation he must reciprocate thatrespect. We arranged for a full showingof the film in just one day at great cost.

Golden Apricot Artistic Director: ‘In Armenia we Lack aFilm Industry with all Necessary Components’

YEREVAN — On May 30, the Board ofTrustees of the Hayastan All-ArmenianFund held its 21st annual meeting here,where its chairperson, President SergeSargisian, and representatives of all ofthe fund’s 25 international affiliatesreviewed a year’s worth of work and dis-cussed plans for the future.

It was a joyous occasion as the fundcelebrated its 20th anniversary with astring of opening ceremonies, seeing itsmany water, healthcare, infrastructure,community and education projects cometo life. Armenia Fund has made educa-tion projects a priority for years, ensur-ing that the leaders of the future aregiven the best possible resources to suc-ceed. As Ara Vardanyan, ExecutiveDirector of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund,

stressed, “stay put in your land, and theHayastan All-Armenian Fund will do itsutmost to support you.”

This year, a boarding kindergarten inYerevan, serving children from economicand socially vul-nerable families,underwent acomplete reno-vation and cele-brated its open-ing this pastMay. Two brandnew schools inVaghuhas andGishi villages,both located inKarabagh, alsocelebrated byopening theirdoors to the younger generation. Pureexcitement was felt from the crowd dur-ing these opening ceremonies, each hav-ing its own unique flare. Vaghuhas andGishi School, both brand new construc-tions, will be able to accommodatealmost twice the number of studentsthan before, 240 and 300 students,respectively. Vaghuhas School will nowserve the residents of the neighboringvillage of Khnkavan as well, bringingthese two communities closer together.For Gishi, the opening ceremony wasaccompanied by the graduation of its2012 students. Vice-principal AdelaidaOhanjanyan said that 20 of this year’s 26graduates intend to continue their stud-ies at various colleges and universities.“This wonderful school has given uswings to fly,” she added. Gishi’s two-story campus, with its unique architec-

ture and all new modern amenities, willsoon boast a sizable outdoor recreationarea, including a brand new soccer field.

Both the Vaghuhas and Gishi schoolsare located in Karabagh, where the

implementation of water infrastructureprojects has been a main focus of theFund for the past few years. With thedelivery of clean and accessible water dis-tribution networks, new and renovatedschools are now being opened through-out Karabagh.

As more schools are opening theirdoors to the younger generation, thefund now turns some of its focus toequipping these schools with all themodern amenities.

The opening ceremonies were attend-ed by the president of Karabagh, BakoSahakian, and other officials, includingVladik Khachatryan, Karabagh’s ministerof education and science. Reflecting onthe joyous events taking place,Khachatryan said, “The Armenian peoplehave endured through the ages thanks toits venerable traditions of learning.”

The children of Shengavit Boarding Kindergarten

Armenia Fund USA Celebrates SchoolOpenings in Armenia, Karabagh

The ceremonial ribbon was cut at theopening of Gishi School.

ANKARA (Reuters) — Turkey has setup a secret base with allies Saudi Arabiaand Qatar to direct vital military andcommunications aid to Syria’s rebelsfrom a city near the border, Gulf sourceshave said.

News of the clandestine Middle East-run “nerve centre” working to toppleSyrian President Bashar Assad under-lines the extent to which Western pow-ers — who played a key role in unseatingMuammar Gadhafi in Libya — haveavoided militaryinvolvement so far inSyria.

“It’s the Turks who are militarily con-trolling it. Turkey is the mainco-ordina-tor/facilitator. Think of a triangle, withTurkey at the top and Saudi Arabia andQatar at the bottom,” said a Doha-basedsource.

“The Americans are very hands-off onthis. U.S. intel(ligence) are workingthrough middlemen. Middlemen arecon-

trolling access to weapons and routes.” The centre in Adana, a city in south-

ern Turkey about 100 kilometers fromthe Syrian border, was set up afterSaudi Deputy Foreign Minister PrinceAbdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Saud visitedTurkey and requested it, a source in theGulf said. The Turks liked the idea ofhaving the base in Adana so that theycould supervise its operations, headded.

A Saudi foreign ministry official wasnot immediately available to commenton the operation.

Adana is home to Incirlik, a largeTurkish/US air force base whichWashington has used in the past forreconnaissance and military logisticsoperations. It was not clear from thesources whether the anti-Syrian “nervecentre” was located inside Incirlik baseor in the city of Adana.

Qatar, the tiny gas-rich Gulf state

which played a leading part in supplyingweapons to Libyan rebels, has a key rolein directing operations at the Adanabase, the sources said. Qatari militaryintelligence and state security officialsare involved.

“Three governments are supplyingweapons: Turkey, Qatar and SaudiArabia,” said a Doha-based source.Ankara has officially denied supplyingweapons.

“All weaponry is Russian. The obvi-ous reason is that these guys (theSyrian rebels) are trained to useRussian weapons, also because theAmericans don’t want their hands on it.All weapons are from the black market.The other way they get weapons is tosteal them from the Syrian army. Theyraid weapons stores.”

The source added: “The Turks havebeen desperate to improve their weaksurveillance, and have been beggingWashington for drones and surveil-lance.” The pleas appear to have failed.“So they have hired some private guyscome do the job.”

President Barack Obama has so farpreferred to use diplomatic means to tryto oust Assad, although Secretary ofState Hillary Clinton signaled this weekthat Washington plans to step up helpto the rebels.

Reuters has established that Obama’saides have drafted a resolution whichwould authorize greater covert assis-tance to the rebels but still stop short ofarming them.

The White House’s wariness is sharedby other Western powers. It reflectsconcerns about what might follow Assadin Syria and about the substantial pres-ence of anti-Western Islamists and jiha-di fighters among the rebels.

The presence of the secret MiddleEast-run “nerve centre” may explainhow the Syrian rebels, a rag-tag assort-ment of ill-armed and poorly organizedgroups, have pulled off major strikessuch as the devastating bomb attack onJuly 18 which killed at least four keyAssad aides including the defense min-ister.

A Turkish diplomat in the regioninsisted however that hiscountry playedno part in the Damascus bombing.

“That’s out of the question,” he said.“The Syrian minister of informationblamed Turkey and other countries forthe killing. Turkey doesn’t do suchthings. We are not a terrorist country.Turkey condemns such attacks.”

However, two former senior U.S. secu-rity officials said that Turkey has beenplaying an increasing role in shelteringand training Syrian rebels who havecrossed into its territory.

One of the former officials, who isalso an adviser to a government in theregion, told Reuters that 20 formerSyrian generals are now based inTurkey, from where they are helpingshape the rebel forces. Israel believes upto 20,000 Syrian troops may now havedefected to the opposition.

Former officials said there is reasonto believe the Turks stepped up theirsupport for anti-Assad forces after Syriashot down a Turkish plane which hadmade several passes over border areas.

Sources in Qatar said the Gulf state isproviding training and supplies to theSyrian rebels.

“The Qataris mobilized their specialforces team two weeks ago. Their remitis to train and help logistically, not tofight,” said a Doha-based source withties to the FSA.

Qatar’s military intelligence direc-torate, Foreign Ministry and StateSecurity Bureau are involved, said thesource.

Sargisian Meets with InternationalLeaders, London Armenians

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 3

INTERNATIONAL

CCaatthhoolliiccooss ooff AAllllAArrmmeenniiaannss ttoo VViissiitt NNiiccee

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— CCaatthhoolliiccooss ooff AAllllAArrmmeenniiaannss KKaarreekkiinn IIII wwiillll bbee iinn tthhee FFrreenncchh cciittyy ooffNNiiccee oonn aa ppaassttoorraall vviissiitt ffrroomm SSeepptteemmbbeerr 77 ttoo 99..IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn ssyysstteemmss ddiirreeccttoorr ooff tthhee HHoollyy SSeeee ooffEEcchhmmiiaaddzziinn,, RReevv.. VVaahhrraamm MMeelliikkyyaann aannnnoouunncceedd tthhaatttthheerree hhee wwiillll mmeeeett wwiitthh mmeemmbbeerrss ooff tthhee AArrmmeenniiaannccoommmmuunniittyy..

NNoouuvveelllleess dd’’AArrmmeenniiee--rreeppoorrtteedd tthhaatt tthheeCCoooorrddiinnaattiioonn CCoouunncciill ooff AArrmmeenniiaann OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonnssiinn FFrraannccee wweellccoommeess tthhee vviissiitt ooff tthhee ccaatthhoolliiccooss aannddccaallllss oonn tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann ccoommmmuunniittyy rreepprreesseennttaattiivveessttoo rreemmaaiinn ffaaiitthhffuull ttoo tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann AAppoossttoolliiccCChhuurrcchh aanndd tthheeiirr rreelliiggiioonn..

SSppaanniisshh PPaarrlliiaammeennttPPoossttppoonneess DDiissccuussssiioonn ooff

AArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee MMAADDRRIIDD,, SSppaaiinn ((AArrmmiinnffoo)) —— TThhee SSppaanniisshhPPaarrlliiaammeenntt hhaass ppoossttppoonneedd tthhee ddiissccuussssiioonn ooff tthheeAArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee iissssuuee,, AArrmmeenn SSiirruunnyyaann ffrroommHHaayy DDaatt CCoommmmiitttteeee iinn BBaarrcceelloonnaa ttoolldd NNoouuvveelllleessdd’’AArrmmeenniiee mmaaggaazziinnee..

TThhee ooffff iicciiaall rreeaassoonn ffoorr tthhee ppoossttppoonneemmeenntt iiss tthheeddiiffff iiccuulltt ffiinnaanncciiaall ssiittuuaattiioonn iinn SSppaaiinn,, bbuutt ccoommpplliiccaatt--iinngg tthhee ssiittuuaattiioonn,, aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoo SSiirruunnyyaann,, iiss tthhee llaacckkooff uunniittyy wwiitthhiinn tthhee llooccaall AArrmmeenniiaann ccoommmmuunniittyy..

SSyyrriiaa:: TTuurrkkeeyy JJeett CCrraasshhMMaayy HHaavvee BBeeeenn AAcccciiddeenntt

AANNKKAARRAA ((TTeelleeggrraapphh)) —— AAfftteerr ccoonncclluuddiinngg aa ppaarrttiiaallssuurrvveeyy ooff tthhee rreemmaaiinnss ooff tthhee PPhhaannttoomm FF--44,, TTuurrkkeeyy’’ssggeenneerraall ssttaaffff iissssuueedd aa ssttaatteemmeenntt ssaayyiinngg:: ““NNoo ttrraacceessooff eexxpplloossiivveess oorr ffllaammmmaabbllee pprroodduuccttss wweerree ffoouunndd oonntthhee ddeebbrriiss rreeccoovveerreedd ffrroomm tthhee sseeaa..””

TThhee ffiinnddiinnggss aaddddeedd aa bbiizzaarrrree ttwwiisstt ttoo aann iinncciiddeenntttthhaatt pprroovvookkeedd aa mmaajjoorr ddiipplloommaattiicc ccrriissiiss bbeettwweeeenntthhee ttwwoo ccoouunnttrriieess,, lleeaaddiinngg ttoo TTuurrkkeeyy ssttaattiioonniinnggmmiissssiillee bbaatttteerriieess aalloonngg iittss bboorrddeerr wwiitthh SSyyrriiaa..

SSyyrriiaa iittsseellff aaddmmiitttteedd ttoo ffeelllliinngg tthhee ff iigghhtteerr jjeett,,kkiilllliinngg bbootthh iittss ppiilloottss,, wwiitthh aa ssuurrffaaccee--ttoo--aaiirr mmiissssiilleeaanndd BBaasshhaarr aall--AAssssaadd llaatteerr eexxpprreesssseedd hhiiss rreeggrreett,,iinnssiissttiinngg iitt hhaadd iinnttrruuddeedd oonn SSyyrriiaann aaiirrssppaaccee..

TTuurrkkiisshh aauutthhoorriittiieess sseeeemmeedd ttoo bbaacckk aawwaayy ffrroommaasssseerrttiinngg ccaatteeggoorriiccaallllyy tthhaatt tthhee ppllaannee hhaadd bbeeeenn sshhoottddoowwnn iinn tthhee wwaakkee ooff tthhee tteessttss,, ddeecclliinniinngg ttoo uussee tthheetteerrmm ““sshhoott ddoowwnn bbyy SSyyrriiaa”” aanndd iinnsstteeaadd rreeffeerrrriinngg ttoo““oouurr ppllaannee tthhaatt SSyyrriiaa ccllaaiimmeedd ttoo hhaavvee ddeessttrrooyyeedd..””

BBuutt wwiitthh eexxppeerrttss ccoonncclluuddiinngg tthhaatt tthhee aaiirrccrraaffttpprroobbaabbllyy ccrraasshheedd dduuee ttoo hhuummaann eerrrroorr aafftteerr tthheeppiilloottss ffaaiilleedd ssuucccceessssiivveellyy ttoo ppeerrffoorrmm aann eevvaassiivveemmaanneeuuvveerr,, iitt sseeeemmeedd lliikkeellyy tthhaatt TTuurrkkeeyy wwoouulldd ssttiillllccoonnttiinnuuee ttoo bbllaammee tthhee lloossss ooff tthhee ppllaannee oonn SSyyrriiaa..

““IItt iiss bbeetttteerr nnoott ttoo ccoommee ttoo ddiiffffeerreenntt ccoonncclluussiioonnssbbyy ggeettttiinngg hhuunngg uupp oonn cceerrttaaiinn nnuuaanncceess,,”” ssaaiiddBBuulleenntt AArriinncc,, tthhee TTuurrkkiisshh ggoovveerrnnmmeenntt ssppookkeessmmaann..

““TThhee TTuurrkkiisshh jjeett wwaass ddoowwnneedd,, tthhee SSyyrriiaann ggoovveerrnn--mmeenntt wwhhiicchh ddoowwnneedd iitt hhaass ssaaiidd ‘‘wwee ddoowwnneedd iitt..’’””

AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss WWiinnee WWiinnssSSiillvveerr MMeeddaall

PPAARRIISS ((NNeewwss..aamm)) —— AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss MMuussccaatt ggrraappee wwiinneerreecceeiivveedd aa ssiillvveerr mmeeddaall aatt tthhee ““WWoorrlldd’’ss BBeessttMMuussccaatt”” iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall wwiinnee ccoommppeettiittiioonn,, ssaaiidd JJeeaann--BBaappttiissttee SSoouullaatt,, ffoouunnddiinngg ddiirreeccttoorr ooff tthhee FFrreenncchhWWiinnee AAssssoocciiaattiioonn,, aatt aa pprreessss ccoonnffeerreennccee llaasstt wweeeekk..

““TThhee ffiirrsstt ttiimmee wwhheenn wwee ssppookkee aabboouutt AArrmmeenniiaa’’ssppaarrttiicciippaattiioonn iinn tthhiiss eevveenntt,, tthheerree wwaass aa vviieeww tthhaattAArrmmeenniiaa ccaannnnoott ppaarrttiicciippaattee bbeeccaauussee iitt wwaass nneevveerriinncclluuddeedd iinn ssuucchh iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ccoommppeettiittiioonn.. [[BBuutt]]wwiitthh iittss ppaarrttiicciippaattiioonn,, AArrmmeenniiaa pprroovveedd ttoo tthhee wwoorrllddyyeett aaggaaiinn tthhaatt iitt hhaass aa ssooiill wwhhiicchh eennaabblleess [[iitt]] ttoorreecceeiivvee wwiinnee tthhaatt mmeeeettss aallll iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ssttaann--ddaarrddss,,”” SSoouullaatt ssttaatteedd..

AArrmmeenniiaa WWiinnee FFaaccttoorryy hhaadd iinnttrroodduucceedd tthhee““AArrmmeenniiaa””--bbrraanndd MMuussccaatt--ggrraappee wwiinnee ttoo tthhee 22001122““WWoorrlldd’’ss BBeesstt MMuussccaatt”” iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall wwiinnee ccoommppeettiittiioonn..

DDuurriinngg tthhee eevveenntt,, tthhee iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall jjuurryy tteesstteedd223322 wwiinneess ffrroomm 2244 ccoouunnttrriieess..

AArrmmeenniiaa ttooookk ppaarrtt iinn tthhee ccoommppeettiittiioonn ffoorr tthhee ffiirrssttttiimmee,, bbuutt tthhee eevveenntt oorrggaanniizzeerrss aassssuurreedd tthhaattAArrmmeenniiaa wwoouulldd ccoonnttiinnuuee ttoo ppaarrttiicciippaattee iinn tthhiiss iinntteerr--nnaattiioonnaall ccoonntteesstt..

International NewsTurkey Sets up Secret Base to BringAid to Syria Rebels, Sources Say

LONDON (Panarmenian.net,Armenpress) — On July 27, PresidentSerge Sargisian attended a receptiongiven on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II tohonor visiting dignitaries and heads ofstate attending the Olympics.

Earlier the president and his officialdelegation during his visit to GreatBritain will hold meetings with the rep-resentatives of Armenian community ofGreat Britain.

On July 30, Sargisian attended areception organized by Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s British chapter.

“The more powerful and developed

the Republic of Armenia is, the strongereach Diaspora Armenian feels,” he said,hailing the fund’s efforts in uniting dias-pora institutions and representatives.

Sargisian further briefed the partici-pants on Armenia’s current economicsituation, development programs andprospects, as well as the steps taken toovercome the consequences of the glob-al financial crisis.

“Armenian Diasporan representativescan greatly contribute to developmentof their homeland through investmentsand involvement in reform implementa-tion,” he said.

From left, Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, President Serge Sargisian, Bishop VahanHovhanessian and TCA London Trust Chair Vartan Ouzounian

President Serge Sargisian is flanked by Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian and Armenia’sAmbassador to the UK Karine Kazinian, as well as other guests at a reception in hishonor.

4 S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

Community News

Lenten Drive Raises FundsFor Hunger Relief in US

And ArmeniaNEW YORK — This year, Sunday Schools across the Eastern Diocese raised

more than $14,000 as part of the annual Lenten Drive. Three schools in particu-lar — St. Leon Sunday School of Fair Lawn, NJ, Holy Virgin Mary and ShoghagatSunday School of Belleville, Ill., and St. James Sunday School of Watertown, Mass.— were at the forefront of the effort.

The money will be distributed to two charities: Feeding America, the nation’sleading domestic hunger-relief organization, and the Fund for Armenian Relief’sNor Hajn Soup Kitchen, which serves 300 elderly and low-income people inArmenia’s Kotayk Province.

“The Diocesan-sponsored Lenten Drive is so important for our Sunday Schoolstudents,” said Andrea Carden, superintendent of St. Leon Sunday School in FairLawn, NJ. “Children need concrete lessons to help them understand almsgivingand the Lentenprocess.”

As part of theLenten Drive, stu-dents at St. Leon tookpart in a PoonParegentan celebra-tion, which includedstorytelling, singing,dancing, cupcake dec-orating and cleaningthe classrooms. Theylearned about the sig-nificance of Lent andhow they can growduring their Lentenjourneys.

“The Lenten drive isan event our studentstruly look forward toevery year,” said JaneMatoesian, superinten-dent of Holy VirginMary and ShoghagatSunday School ofBelleville. “The sense of responsibility and the chance to do good is empowering.”

At the local school, students make and serve lunch for the parish. They also sellplants and host an auction to raise funds and collect canned food for the needy.

“I think Lent allows the children to ‘give unto others’ — something we all needto be reminded of,” added Matoesian.

The Diocesan-sponsored Sunday School Lenten Drive was first launched some50 years ago and has since distributed almost $1 million to dozens of charities.

In Armenia, the Lenten Drive has helped feed the homeless, assist withKarabagh relief, summer camps, orphanages, tree planting, youth centers, fostercare, soup kitchens, Christian Education and health care. The drive has alsohelped support the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and assist victims of nat-ural disasters, hunger and other calamities in the United States and abroad.

Lenten fundraising activities have included sponsored Scripture verse memo-rizations, housecleaning coupons, car washes, Easter basket sales, family dinners,children’s craft sales and sponsored walk-a-thons.

Assembly Interns DiscussTurkey Trade Bill withRep. John Sarbanes beforeHistoric Vote

WASHINGTON — Last week, as part of theTerjenian-Thomas Internship Program, the2012 Armenian Assembly summer internclass met with Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD),reported the Armenian Assembly of America.

Sarbanes, an active member of theCongressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,represents the third congressional district ofMaryland.

During the meeting, Sarbanes discussedHR. 2362, the Indian Tribal Trade andInvestment Demonstration Act of 2011 andshared his concerns with the interns, includ-ing the dissenting committee views. Sarbanesindicated that the bill was controversial andspecifically singled out Turkey.

The interns, who were making calls toactivists across the country, expressed theirappreciation for Sarbanes’ principled posi-tion. In addition, the Assembly sent letters toevery representative outlining its oppositionto the bill. A few days after the meeting withSarbanes, HR 2362 was rejected by theHouse of Representatives on July 23.

“On behalf of the Assembly internship classand Armenian-Americans across the country,I want to thank Congressman Sarbanes forhis leadership and bringing to light the truenature of the bill,” said Simon Shahinian whohails from Maryland and serves as theAssembly’s intern coordinator.

Stonehill Prof.Anna OhanyanEarns FulbrightFellowship

EASTON, Mass. — Stonehill associate profes-sor of political science, Anna Ohanyan, hasearned a Fulbright Fellowship Award toArmenia, where she will spend the 2012-2013academic year both teaching and conductingresearch.

Ohanyan’s goal while teaching in Armeniawill be to diversify instructional technologies inhigher education. She will work with theYerevan State Linguistic University (YSLU) tointroduce two new courses and will also collab-orate with its new Center for QualityAssurance, which focuses on establishing toolsand policies of quality control as well as devel-oping and implementing learning assessmentstandards. Ohanyan plans to assist the centerwith professional development programs for fac-ulty.

“I will be working with my colleagues atYSLU to develop programs for regular profes-sional development seminars which will helpestablish a culture of continuous learning anddiscovery of innovative teaching tools that maybe used by instructors in their teaching,” saidOhanyan, who was born in Armenia.

Topics for the seminars will range fromcourse development to skills-based learning andwriting infusion to prospects of student auton-omy and empowerment in the learning process,she said.

One of the courses she plans to introducewhile teaching at YSLU is her InternationalOrganizations course, which she has taught atStonehill since her arrival in 2005.

“Graduates of YSLU are often recruited towork for international organizations and NGOsthat are active in Armenia and for such stu-dents, a background on the workings of inter-national organizations as well as of the eco-nomic, social and political dimensions of glob-alization, will be a significant compliment totheir educational experience,” said Ohanyan.

On the research end, she plans to continueher investigation on regionalism in politically-divided areas such as the South Caucasusregion. Her research this summer and duringher time in Armenia will focus on the involve-ment of the Regional Cooperation Council inthe Balkans and the role of the Black SeaEconomic Cooperation organization inArmenia and its neighboring countries.

Through a grant from Civil Society,Education and Media Development (IREX),Ohanyan will travel to the Balkans this summerfor fieldwork and in the fall, will begin con-ducting interviews in Armenia.

“Professor Ohanyan has set a high bar withher scholarship and teaching. Since her arrivalwe have seen a steady increase in the numbersof students wishing to pursue careers with non-governmental organizations or post graduatework in the area of peace and conflict studies.We are thrilled that her excellent work has beenrecognized with a Fulbright Fellowship,” saidPeter Ubertaccio, professor and chair ofStonehill’s Political Science Department.

At Stonehill, she actively works with theCenter for Teaching and Learning, which sup-ports faculty in their roles as educators andfacilitates collaboration among faculty mem-bers at the college.

Ohanyan established the multidisciplinaryminor Peace and Conflict, which has attracteda growing number of students at Stonehill. Aspart of the program, she developed three newcourses.

She has served as a fellow at the KennedySchool of Government at Harvard Universityfrom 2002-2004 and at the Woodrow WilsonInternational Center for Scholars in 2007.

Ohanyan is the author of NGOs, IGOs, andsee FULBRIGHT, page 5

A young Sunday School student at an Easter basket sale held as part of this year’sLenten Drive

Sunday School students decorated cupcakes as part ofthis year’s Lenten Drive.

Armenian AssemblyInterns Discuss BillAffirming ArmenianGenocide With Rep.Anna Eshoo

WASHINGTON — Recently, as part ofthe Terjenian-Thomas InternshipProgram, the 2012 intern class met withRep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), reported theArmenian Assembly of America.

Eshoo, now in her 10th term, repre-sents California’s 14th CongressionalDistrict, home to Silicon Valley. OfAssyrian and Armenian background, sheis the co-chair and co-founder of theReligious Minorities in the Middle EastCaucus and is also a member of theCongressional Caucus on ArmenianIssues. Previously serving on the HousePermanent Select Committee onIntelligence, Eshoo currently serves asthe ranking member on the HouseEnergy and Commerce Subcommittee onCommunications and Technology.

An ardent supporter of US affirmationof the Armenian Genocide, Eshoo reflect-ed on recent congressional efforts as wellas the current resolution pending beforethe House Foreign Affairs Committee.Expressing her steadfast determination,Eshoo stated that “we will prevail” aslong as we continue to put forth the effortand never give up hope. Eshoo also dis-cussed current issues regarding Armeniaand the Nagorno Karabagh peaceprocess.

“It was a special honor to meet withCongresswoman Eshoo,” stated Lori Yeni-Komshian, who hails from Eshoo’s dis-trict and is currently interning at theArmenian National Institute as well asHalo Trust in Washington, DC. “It washeartening to hear her views and to knowhow dedicated she is to Armenian issues.She is a role model for those of my gen-eration interested in public service,” Yeni-Komshian added.

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

Armenia Fund USA

Stonehill Prof. AnnaOhanyan Earns FulbrightFellowshipFULLBRIGHT, from page ?the Network Mechanism of Post-Conflict GlobalGovernance, published in 2008. She has pub-lished widely on transnational politics, interna-tional organizations and peace-building in suchpost-conflict settings such as Kosovo, Bosniaand Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Abkhazia.

Ohanyan has also served as a consultantfor numerous organizations such as theUnited Nations Foundation, the World Bank,the National Intelligence Council Project atthe University of Maryland, the USDepartment of State, the Carter Center andthe United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID).

Bay Area’s Award-WinningCasper’s Hotdogs NowSold in LA

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — SPAR SausageCompany, makers of the award-winningCaspers Famous Hot Dogs, announcedrecently that Caspers Hot Dogs will be avail-able for the first time at retail locations inand around the greater Los Angeles market.Beginning July 27, six Sam’s Club locationsin Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange and RiversideCounties will carry the hand-crafted frankswhich SPAR Sausage Company hopes willdevelop into a long-term relationship.

Caspers Famous Hot Dogs is a restaurantchain with eight locations throughout theBay Area. Since 1934, the family owned-and-operated brand established by Armenianimmigrants, has been serving its secret recipefoot-long frankfurters, to generation aftergeneration of hot dog lovers. It is distin-guished with a signature “snap” when bitteninto providing a tasty, old-fashioned style hotdog.

The family also owns SPAR SausageCompany which manufacturers the hot dogsin its San Leandro facility. Today, JackDorian, Ronald Dorian and Paul Rustigian,all grandsons of the original partners, runboth Caspers Famous Hot Dogs and SPARSausage Company.

The fCaspers Hot Dogs products firstbecame available outside of the brand’s sig-nature fast-casual locations in 1989. Sincethen, they have been available in most of theWestern United States but never in the LAarea where legions of dedicated customersnow reside.

PASADENA, Calif. — The alumni reunion ofthe Armenian General Benevolent Union(AGBU) Tarouhi Hagopian and HovagimianManoogian schools in Beirut, Lebanon tookplace on Sunday, June 10, at the AGBU Vatcheand Tamar Manoukian Center.

The breakfast gathering was attended bymore than 275 guests, mostly alumni of bothAGBU schools in Beirut; among who were fac-ulty members including, Louise Hadidian,Haigouhi Patapoutian, Sona Tabakian, HratchManougian, Yenovk Balikian, Panos Titizianand Dr. Giragos Minassian.

Haig Messerlian, chairman of the AGBUWestern District Committee, made the open-ing remarks. He dedicated the event to formerHovagimian professor, Osheen Keshishian,who had recovered from a life threatening ill-ness. Keshishian is a staff member at GlendaleCity College and publisher of the ArmenianObserver.

Messerlian then noted that the AGBUCentral Board of Directors had appointed himas AGBU alumni worldwide coordinator, withthe purpose of organizing and revitalizingalumni associations and committees for allAGBU schools, which was the focus for thisgathering. He called upon every alumnus tojoin this endeavor with the intention of help-

ing their school which now, more then ever,needs their financial and moral support forsurvival. He finally asked every alumnus to fillout a questionnaire to form a database for

future contacts.The highlight of the gathering was the

entertainment provided by two Hovagimian-Manoogian classmates and close friends,

Krikor Satamian and Dikran Ekizian. Theyboth related humorous stories about theirschool experiences with comic flare, much tothe delight of the audience.

Haig Messerlian, WDC chairman and alumnicoordinator, addressing the reunion

AGBU Tarouhy-Hovagimian Alumni Hold Reunion in Los Angeles

Krikor Satamian and Dikran Ekizian entertain.

By Florence Avakian

BAYSIDE, N.Y. — The great American writer,Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, “The purposeof life if to be useful, honorable, compassionate,and to have it make some difference that youhave lived and lived well.” This has been, and isthe history of the Holy Martyrs Armenian DaySchool (HMADS) during its 45 years. This spe-cial anniversary was celebrated with manynotable events during 2012, culminating withits 30th commencement exercises on Friday,June 15.

Attending were special guests AmbassadorGaren Nazarian and Armenian Foreign Ministryrepresentative Tigran Sarkissian, as well as anumber of HMADS current benefactors, includ-ing Barbara Peters, Mr. and Mrs. AlexDadourian, Mr. and Mrs. Noubar Mahdessian,Mr. and Mrs. Vahan Tanal and Mr. and Mrs.Hratch Arukian.

As the parade of teachers and graduatesmarched into the Holy Martyrs Kalustyan Hall,the overflow crowd of parents, friends and sup-porters gave them a standing ovation. The ded-

icated principal of the school since 1987,Zarmine Boghosian, welcomed all present withher well known enthusiasm and beaming smile,and declared, “It takes a whole village to raise achild. This school is a small diamond with 45years of life, with 240 graduates in these 45years. We are here, we prospered and our chil-dren are talented.”

The five graduates, Shushan Agavian,Vartkes Arakelian, Melissa Ashbahian, SarkisGalstian and Nicole Mark started the programby singing the American, Armenian andHMADS anthems, after which they presented aseries of Armenian and English poems dedicat-ed to the 500th anniversary of Armenian print-ing, which is also being celebrated this year.These included works by Hagop Meghabard’sfirst Armenian book published in Venice, Italyin 1512, and poetry written by David Kherdian.The fifth- and sixth-grade students delightedthe audience with several Armenian andAmerican songs and recitations.

The HMADS 45th anniversary was empha-

sized through the creative writings of the grad-uating class as it paid tribute to the foundingfathers of the school — Suren D. Allelemjian,George G. Bashian, Dadour Dadourian, SurenD. Fesjian, Edward Peters, as well as the bene-factor of the HMADS Endowment Fund IrwinWayne Uran.

HMADS alumna Hooshere Bezdikian-Kaligian, a 1987 graduate, in her keynoteaddress, in both English and Armenian, calledHMADS “our second home,” and reminded thegraduates that “your sense of self-identity andcharacter development were nurtured here.This school did more than educate you. Itshaped you. The years you spent here are a spe-cial gift. You, your teachers and your friends inthis school are one big family.”

Currently the vice president of the People’sChoice Awards, as well as a professional singerand songwriter, Bezdikian-Kaligian pointed outthat her singing was “nurtured” while she wasa student here. Speaking directly to the gradu-ates, she urged them to “hold tightly to yourroots as Armenians, and cherish, respect andcontinue your culture. This school is a smallArmenia. These are the pillars. Explore beyondour community; spread your wings; follow your

heart; pursue your dreams and respect yourparents, teachers and most of all yourself. Thesebonds will last a lifetime.”

Special awards given by state, city and differ-ent Armenian organizations were announced,and the teachers of the school were acknowl-edged from Hye Bardez, nursery, pre-kinder-garten to sixth grade, including those of thegraduating class — Houri Ghougassian(Armenian) and Christopher Conterelli (homeroom), as well as the piano accompanists JanetMarcarian, Nevart Z. Dadourian and choirmas-ter Anahid Boghossian.

The evening’s high point came as each grad-uate stepped forward to receive the diplomafrom both Ambassador Nazarian andBoghosian, who again reminded the graduatesthat “the most important lesson to be learned ischaracter. Character means doing the rightthing when no one is looking.”

Nazarian in his remarks congratulated theschool on its anniversary and expressed appre-ciation to the parents, teachers and students.

“Your achievement is an enormous source ofpride for Armenia and America,” he said, andstressed the “primary importance” of theArmenian language. “We recognize the impor-tance of the Armenian schools in the diasporain keeping Armenia strong, and preserving ourheritage. Our children are the stewards of ourfuture,” he noted, and urged the graduates to“stay faithful to your heritage.” (During thisanniversary year, one of the most anticipatedevents took place when fourth- and fifth-gradeHMADs students, carrying American andArmenian flags, were invited to Battery Park to

meet Armenian President Serge Sargisian.)During the graduation ceremonies, Arek

Nisanyan and Edouard Garabedian, co-chairs ofthe HMADS Board of Directors, also addressedthe graduates and attendees, pointing out theschool’s role in nurturing “family values” whichinvolves not only the academic program, butalso the ties to the Armenian community.

Following bouquets of flowers presented toBoghosian, and school secretary MaroJamgotchian, the crowd enjoyed a festive eveningof congratulations and succulent Armenian deli-cacies that lasted long into the evening.

6 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O RS A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2

COMMUNITY NEWS

558 MOUNT AUBURN STREETWATERTOWN, MA 02472

Telephone (617) 924-7400

Aram BedrosianFuneral Home, Inc.

Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945MARION BEDROSIANPAUL BEDROSIANLARRY BEDROSIAN

GiragosianF U N E R A L H O M E

James “Jack” Giragosian, CPCMark J. Giragosian

Funeral Counselors576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606

www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a

Edward D. Jamie, Jr.Funeral Chapel

Licensed in New York and New Jersey217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside, NY11361Service any hour,any distance

(718) 224-2390 or tollfree (888) 224-6088

OBITUARY

Nardolillo Funeral HomeEst. 1906

John K. Najarian, Jr.Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director

1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-12201111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300

www.nardolillo.com

WORCESTER — Queeney (Tutunjian)Boghosian, 86, of Worcester died on Tuesday,July 24, after a period of declining health.

She leaves a son, Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian, andhis wife, Laura, of Lexington; two grandchildren,Taline and Aram Boghosian of Lexington; a sis-ter, Marion Tateosian, and her husband, Charles,of Bedford; two sisters-in-law, Alice Tutunjian ofMilton and Margo Montecalvo and her husbandJoseph of Whitinsville; and her close friend,Mary Shamoian, of Worcester. She was prede-ceased by her husband, Harry Boghosian; herbrother, Robert; and her sister-in-law, MarthaGarabedian. She also leaves several nieces andnephews.

Born in Dorchester, she was the daughter ofthe late Joseph and Maritza (Janigian)

Tutunjian. She graduated from Boston Girls’High School and worked as a secretary in theBoston Naval Shipyard during and after WorldWar II. She moved to Worcester in 1952 uponher marriage.

Funeral services were on Friday, July 27 atthe Armenian Apostolic Holy Trinity Church,635 Grove St. Interment followed in Pine GroveCemetery, Whitinsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memorymay be made to the Armenian Apostolic HolyTrinity Church of Worcester, or to the AmericanUniversity of Armenia in support of scholar-ships for students in Armenia (checks may bemade to the American University of ArmeniaCorporation and mailed to 300 Lakeside Dr.,7th Floor, Suite 700, Oakland, CA 94612).

Queeney Boghosian

HMADS Graduation amidst Celebration of 45th Anniversary

Pre-K 45th Kindergarten graduation

Graduating Class with Armenia’s Ambassador to the UN Garen Nazarian

WATERTOWN — In June, St. Stephen’sArmenian Elementary School (SSAES) com-pleted its 28th academic year. The graduationceremonies were held on June 14 for the kinder-garten students and June 15 for elementarygraduates, in the presence of parents andfriends of the school as well as Rev. ArchpriestAntranig Baljian and the pastors of the sur-rounding Armenian churches.

On both days Principal Houry Boyamianfocused on the school’s recent achievements,especially the 2012 Expansion Project.

The principal then thanked the faculty, theadministrative staff, the PTO, the parent volun-teers, the school board and committees, the St.Stephen’s Church board of trustees, Baljian,Rev. Karekine Bedourian, as well as all the orga-nizations and individuals that contribute to thebetterment of the school.

On June 14,Boyamian and MaralOrchanian, thepreschool director, hon-ored SvetlanaVehapetian for her 10years of service at thepreschool.

Orchanian presentedthe theme for thepreschool and kinder-garten graduation pro-gram, which was TheArmenian Village. Thepreschoolers and thekindergarteners pre-sented through songsand poems the differentaspects of Armenian vil-lage life.

On June 15, the ele-mentary program wasdedicated to the

Armenian Book, as Catholicos of the See ofCilicia Aram I had proclaimed 2012 “TheYear of the Armenian Book” and as theUnited Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization (UNESCO) was mark-ing the 500th anniversary of the first printedArmenian book. The elementary studentspresented the theme with poems and songs,followed by a video presentation of the fifthgrade class trip to Armenia, coordinated withgreat expertise by Ardemis Megerdichian, theschool’s Armenian teacher for grades 1-5.

On both days, Baljian expressed his apprecia-tion to the administration and faculty for theirdedication and effort. He also praised the stu-dents for their excellent performance

On June 14, 23 students graduated fromKindergarten. They are: Maral Abrahamian,

Hovanes Aroian, Beatrice Bilezikian, VrezhGyulakian, Krikor Hachikian, MichelleJoubanian, Antrias Kahvejian, Naera Margios,Zepur Merdinoglu, Aren Panian, SiennaSoghomonian, Nora Vartanian, Serena Antoine,Alina Chaparian, George Chapian, KrikorIskenderian, Sarah Joubanian, Talar Markarian,Brian McCarthy, Sebu Najarian, AniOhannessian, Bianca Tamburrini and GregoryTinkjian.

On June 15, 15 students graduated fromSSAES. They are: Hovannes Aroyian, KarylAshjian, Mary Boyajian, Natalie Gebeyan,Melanne Ghahraman, Anelga Hajjar, MarkHaroutunian, Sanan Mahrokhian, ArmenMichaelian, Moushegh Monteiro, AJ Movsesian,Juliana Rizza, Samuel Sagherian, NarekSahakian and Nareg Stepanian.

Awards

GGrr.. 55 AAwwaarrddss ffoorr EExxcceelllleennccee iinn AArrmmeenniiaannSSttuuddiieess

•Prelacy Award: Karyl Ashjian, AnelgaHajjar, Sanan Maroukhian, Mary Boyajian•Armenian Relief Society Award: ArmenMichaelian•St. Stephen’s School Award: MarkHaroutunian, Melanne Ghahraman, SamuelSagherian and Narek Sahakian•St. Stephen’s Education Committee Award:Arman Movsesian, Nareg Stepanian andJuliana Rizza• The following students are recognized fortheir special love for and interest in ArmenianStudies: Hovannes Aroyan, Natalie Gebeyanand Moushegh Monteiro

PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss EEdduuccaattiioonn AAwwaarrdd•Presidential Award for AcademicExcellence: Anelga Hajjar, Armen Michaelian,Mark Haroutunian, Sanan Maroukhian •Presidential Award for AcademicAchievement: Narek Sahakian, Karyl Ashjian,Mary Boyadjian, Samuel Sagherian andArman Movsesian

CCiittiizzeennsshhiipp AAwwaarrdd Armen Michaelian and Sanan Maroukhian

AARRSS EEssssaayy CCoonntteesstt:: 22nndd PPllaaccee Arman MovsesianHonorable Mention: Samuel Sagherian, Mark

Haroutunian and Narek Sahakian

GGrr.. 44 AAwwaarrddss ffoorr OOuuttssttaannddiinngg EEffffoorrtt iinnAArrmmeenniiaann SSttuuddiieess::

Anahid Kazaian Scholarship ($100) TalineChaprazian and Ani Ganjian

PPeerrffeecctt AAtttteennddaannccee AAwwaarrddKindergarten: Sarah and Michelle

Joubanian;Grade 1: Chris Ashjian; Grade 2:Nareg Minassian; Grade 3: Berj Chekijian;Grade 5: Karyl Ashjian

GGrr.. 55 SSppeecciiaall SSttrreennggtthh AAwwaarrddssExcellence in Math: Narek Sahakian,

Arman Movsesian, Nareg Stepanian, KarylAshjian, Mary Boyadjian; Excellence inScience: Natalie Gebeyan; Excellence inWriting: Juliana Rizza, Moushegh Monteiro,Sanan Maroukhian, Melanne Ghahraman;Excellence in Reading Comprehension:Hovanes Aroyan and Mark Haroutunian;Excellence in Social Studies: Anelga Hajjar,Samuel Sagherian and Armen Michaelian

7S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fr. Arakel Aljalian speaks at the kindergarten graduation ceremony at St.Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School. From left are Aljalian, PrincipalHoury Boyamian and Fr. Antranig Baljian, with longtime kindergartenArmenian teacher Anahid Joubanian.

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School 2012 Graduation Ceremonies

Principal Houry Boyamian and members of the clergy from area Armenian churches, as well as thefifth-grade teachers stand with the graduating fifth-grade class.

The kindergarten graduates sing at the program.

8 S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

Hundreds Gather forWeekend of Festivities

NEW YORK — For 25 years, the AGBU NewYork Summer Internship Program (NYSIP) hasbeen creating professional development opportu-nities and lasting memories, and the silver jubileecelebrations gave alumni and supporters evenmore to look back on. From July 20 to 22, hun-dreds gathered in the city to reconnect with oldfriends, learn about new NYSIP initiatives andhonor all who have made the program possible.The highlight event was the gala on Saturday,July 21, which was attended by AGBU PresidentBerge Setrakian and Vera Setrakian; CentralBoard members M. Michael Ansour, NazarethFestekjian and Sarkis Jebejian; AmbassadorGaren Nazarian, Armenia’s PermanentRepresentative to the United Nations, and NanaNazarian; Very Rev. Simeon Odabashian,Diocesan Vicar, and Rev. Mardiros Chevian, deanof the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Churchof America; and NYSIP Committee Co-ChairRaffi Balian.

The festivities began at a Friday night mixerthat gave close to 340 alumni and friends thefirst opportunity to greet familiar faces.Organized by the AGBU Young Professionals ofGreater New York (YPGNY) and held at the pop-ular lounge, Pranna, the event also served as afundraiser benefiting NYSIP scholarships, whichenable deserving students to participate in theprogram.

The following afternoon, more intimate gath-erings were held across Manhattan, as individualNYSIP classes came together for their own minireunions. Different groups spanning generationsmet at sites they had frequented during theirNYSIP summer to reminisce about discoveringthe city together and the defining moments thathelped them pave their career paths.

On the night of the gala, more than 275 guests

filled the halls of the downtown venue, BatteryGardens. Against a backdrop of New York Citylandmarks, Serge Kassardjian, the chair of the25th Anniversary Planning Committee andSummer Internship Program Committee mem-ber, delivered the welcoming remarks. Hethanked all who had traveled from Brazil,Canada, France, Lebanon, South Africa andSwitzerland, in addition to several US cities, totake part in the celebration. Kassardjian, himselfa former intern from 2000, said, “I know I speakfor everyone who has completed or been affiliat-ed with this program when I say it provides a keyto a unique Armenian community that is both a

professional network and international group oflifelong friends.” Kassardjian then introducedFather Odabashian, who spoke on behalf of theEastern Diocese Primate, Archbishop KhajagBarsamian, noting that over the past five years,the Diocese has benefitted from its partnershipwith AGBU to host the Diocesan interns.

It was the NYSIP alumni, representing nearlyhalf of the attendees, who were full of praise forthe event’s honorees — all of whom were chosenby the former interns comprising the NYSIP25th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Theirsentiments were echoed by Raffi Balian, co-chairof the Summer Internship Program Committee,

as he led the subsequent presentationof awards. Balian stated, “Tonight, wehonor three important categories ofindividuals, who have inspired usthrough their examples. First, we aregrateful to our founders, Rita andVartkess Balian, who volunteeredcountless hours and raised significantfunds for more than 20 years to turntheir vision into reality, building a pro-gram that has helped over 800Armenians from around the world toadvance in their careers. Second, weare thankful to the director of CentralBoard Programs, Anita Anserian, whoserves with devotion and dedicationas a tireless advocate for the programand our youth. And finally, we recog-nize the committed individuals whohave acted as supervisors for six ormore years.”

The first awards presenter, 2006alumna Ella Baroyan, acknowledgedthe 10 supervisors who have givenscores of students both the skills andthe confidence to start their careers,namely: Gregory Amerkanian (MerrillLynch senior vice president), AnnaBruno (AXA Advisors financial consul-

tant), Ted Candella (Merrill Lynch senior finan-cial advisor), Yervant Demirjian (Interaudi Bankmanaging director), Dr. James Giglio (ColumbiaUniversity Medical Center emergency room asso-ciate clinical professor), Dr. Edgar Housepian(Columbia University Medical Center former pro-fessor of Neurological Surgery), MovsesHovsepian (New York University LangoneMedical Center pharmacy supervisor), ChrisParnagian (O’Hare Parnagian LLP attorney),Patrick Sarkissian (SarkissianMasonfounder/CEO) and Emmanuel Tchividjian(Ruder Finn ethics officer). Reflecting upon thehonor, Candella commented, “AGBU has been a

AGBU New York Summer Internship Program’s 25th Anniversary

Close to 340 AGBU New York Summer Internship Program alumni and friends reunite at a Friday night mixer tokick off the program’s 25th anniversary weekend celebrations.

special relationship for me. I am proud to be apart of an organization that puts so much time,effort, energy and financial resources behindtheir leaders of tomorrow. I have mentored manyhard working, intelligent, dedicated studentsfrom AGBU that I consider to be of the highestcaliber, and I only wish I had the same opportu-nity to be a part of a program like this when Iwas in school.”

Following the supervisors’ awards ceremony, aspecial tribute was paid to Anserian for hernumerous years of dedication not only to NYSIPbut to all of the organization’s youth initiatives.Presenter Melania Melikian (NYSIP 2008)applauded her continuous and passionate cham-pioning of AGBU’s younger constituents, actingas a strong role model for all youth. Taking thepodium, Anserian explained that NYSIP hasalways been a labor of love and that she takesgreat pleasure from meeting the new internsyear after year, and forming a special bond with

every one. Addressing all NYSIP participants,she stated, “Each year, I wait anxiously for Juneto come so that I can meet that summer’sinterns. You should know how much I enjoy get-ting to know each of you throughout the pro-gram. It gives me immense pride to see you growas individuals by the end of each session, and tocontinue to watch you prosper and give back toAGBU in the years that follow.”

Each intern that passes through NYSIP’s doorsknows that their experience would not have beenpossible without Rita Balian and the late VartkessBalian, her husband, the program’s visionary co-founders and Emeritus Life Chairpersons.Together, the couple established and managed anunprecedented initiative. Before bestowing RitaBalian with an honorary gift, Alexis Halejian(NYSIP 2005) recounted the many ways they ledNYSIP’s remarkable growth, helping it expandfrom its first year, when it hosted 13 students, toa total of 800 young leaders today. To a standingovation, Balian addressed the guests, stating: “Myhusband Vartkess and I initiated the New YorkSummer Internship Program in 1987, the year hebecame president of AGBU’s Central Committeeof America, to give Armenian students career andlife-enhancing opportunities. I will always begrateful to the members of the President’s Clubwho helped the program sustain itself for over 20

years and build a $750,000 endowment, of whichVartkess and I were honored to contribute per-sonally $150,000. I am happy to see that ouralumni have helped rejuvenate AGBU andbecome the backbone of the program, as mentorsand donors. It is time for the alumni to now takeon the role that the President’s Club had playedfor so many years by raising the funds needed tomaintain the program.”

As the evening unfolded, Setrakian took theopportunity to share his vision of an evenbrighter future for NYSIP — one that depends onan active alumni base. Appealing to the pro-gram’s recent interns, he urged, “You havereaped the many benefits of this unique initia-tive, and future generations of NYSIP partici-pants will turn to you for support as they pursuetheir own aspirations. It is your responsibility,your duty, to fill a void by rising to leadershippositions in top institutions around the world.The future of NYSIP, and AGBU as a whole, lies

in your capable hands, and I look forward towatching your ideas manifest.” Setrakian alsoacknowledged the memory of Vartkess Balian,whose legacy will always remain strong.

Early in the night, guests learned aboutNYSIP’s recent efforts to broaden its reachthrough a new website, newsletters, alumniengagement activities and an alumni directory.Yet, the greatest reveal came as the evening drewto a close, when the total amount of funds raisedto benefit NYSIP was announced: $100,000.

As Sarkis Jebejian, NYSIP co-chair, comment-ed, “The success of the Internship Programswould not be possible without the financialinvestment by AGBU. The tremendous supportwe received from friends and alumni in theweeks leading up to the anniversary weekendwas incredible. We hope this celebration is thestart of a tight-knit network of alumni engaged incommunity life and ready to give back to theInternship Programs.” The funds will be allocat-ed to providing financial assistance for high-achieving students accepted to NYSIP, ensuringthat the program will continue to thrive over thenext quarter century and beyond.

The AGBU NYSIP 25th anniversary celebra-tions were organized by the Event PlanningCommittee, which included: William Albrecht,Raffi Aynilian, Robin Barone, Ella Baroyan,

Nicholas Burdman, Stephanie Dolik, AlexisHalejian, Michael Hovsepian, Serge Kassardjian(Chairperson), Arpiné Kocharian, Vadim Krisyan,Melania Melikian, Ani Minassian, Alex

Nalbandian, Amy Parks and Tania Voskertchian,in collaboration with Ani Manoukian.

To learn more about AGBU’s InternshipProgram, visit: http://agbu-internship.org/.

9S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

The AGBU New York Summer Internship Program 25th Anniversary Celebration Committee gathersoutside Battery Gardens for the gala reception on Saturday, July 21.

AGBU’s supervisors stand together to before receiving their honors at the NYSIP 25th Anniversarygala. From left: NYSIP coordinator Michael Hovsepian, who accepted on behalf of his father,Movses Hovsepian; NYSIP Co-chair and AGBU Central Board member Sarkis Jebejian; GregoryAmerkanian; Elena Sarkissian, who accepted on behalf of her brother, Patrick Sarkissian; NYSIPCommittee Co-chair Raffi Balian; Anna Bruno; Ted Candella and Chris Parnagian. Missing fromphoto are honorees Yervant Demirjian, Dr. James Giglio, Dr. Edgar Housepian and EmmanuelTchividjian.

AGBU President Berge Setrakian and Vera Setrakian (left) and Garen Nazarian, Armenia’s perma-nent representative to the United Nations, and Nana Nazarian (right) flank honoree Rita Balian, whowas honored with her late husband, Vartkess Balian (inset).

New York City Reception forCongressional Candidate Terry Phillips

NEW YORK — A reception for Terry Phillips, an Armenian-American candidate for theUS House of Representatives from Bakersfield, Calif., was held at the home of Jon andCharlene Simonian on Sunday, July 22.

Forty people participated in this event that had an interesting and productive format.Instead of the usual speeches, the program was a discussion on American political issuesthat people feel strongly about and the strategy of addressing them in an election cam-paign.

Everyone participated in the discussion which lasted three hours over dinner. Theissues included equitable taxation; immigration and border control; drug enforcement;support for education; American foreign policy and foreign intervention; private sectorjob creation; public works; and social security and health care.

Phillips said the ideas and especially the words used to express them has been the bestinput he has heard from any group, and it will positively influence his approach to theelection.

His goal is to convince 100,000 voters in the Great Central Valley of California that heis a voice of fairness and equality for all. The ideas from this cross-section of Armenian-Americans in New York directly address that objective, and the message has a goodchance to win the election.

Phillips also said that he is touched by the generosity of the Armenian-Americans inNew York who collectively made the single largest contribution to his campaign so far.The contribution covers all his office and communication expenses for the campaignthrough November.

Phillips is a journalist and wrote Murder at the Altar, a historical novel based on theassassination of Archbishop Levon Tourian in 1933. He is running as an independent can-didate; the incumbent is a Republican. There is no Democratic candidate running.

Terry Phillips, second from left, accompanied by Zartonk editor Badzyig Kalaydjian, is sur-rounded by supporters.

10 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

Arts & LivingS A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2

Peter MusurlianNominated forTwo Los Angeles-Area NewsEmmys

LOS ANGELES — Veteran broadcastjournalist Peter Musurlian has been nom-inated for two 2012 Los Angeles-areaEmmys: one for a local story on theBurbank Rose Float, and the other for anin-depth look at a Europe-based non-prof-it environmental organization, whichfocuses on national parks in the Caucasusregion of the former Soviet Union.

The 50-year-old station manager andsenior producer of the City of Burbank’sgovernment access station, called “TheBurbank Channel,” has garnered 10RTNA Golden Mikes over the past decadeand, over that same time period, hasreceived six Emmy nominations from theAcademy of Televisions Arts & Sciencesin North Hollywood.

Musurlian hopes to win an Emmy onAugust 11, since, so far, that distinction

has slipped his grasp.Musurlian was nominated in the public

and municipal-operated cable category forhis mini-documentary, called “TheBurbank Centennial Rose Float.” His fel-low nominees in that category hail fromthe cities of Santa Monica, Lakewood andGlendale.

The second Emmy nomination came inthe Information Segment category for hispiece called, “Saving the Wild: TheCaucasus Nature Fund.” Musurlian shotthe story last summer in Armenia andGeorgia.

He faces stiff competition from KCET’sflagship news program, “SoCalConnected,” which was nominated for itsinvestigation into the spending habits atthe Los Angeles Housing Authority.

Musurlian has a bachelor’s degree inbroadcast journalism and political sciencefrom USC in Los Angeles, as well as mas-ter’s degrees from Baylor University(political science) in Texas, AmericanUniversity (journalism) in Washington,and the University of Redlands School ofBusiness (management) in California.

In the 1980s, Musurlian reported fortelevision stations in Montana, Texas andWashington DC, and for nearly a year inthe 1990s, worked as a solo televisionjournalist for the US Army in CentralEurope, venturing into Hungary, Croatiaand Bosnia, for which he received a NATOMedal and an Army CommendationMedal.

Submissions Now BeingAccepted for the 2012AGBU InternationalComposition Competition

GENEVA — Musicians around the world arenow being invited to participate in the AGBUSayat Nova International CompositionCompetition for the chance to win up to 2,500euros and showcase their work under an inter-national spotlight.

The Sayat Nova International CompositionCompetition, now in its second edition, has threemain objectives: to discover new talent, provideemerging artists with financial support andrecord and distribute their work to a broad audi-ence. For composers, it presents the perfectopportunity to raise their profile while payingtribute to the celebrated troubadour.

The 2012 Sayat Nova InternationalComposition Competition, which marks the 300-year anniversary of the birth of the composer, iscalling for submissions from young musicians inevery corner of the globe. Participants need notbe of Armenian descent; submissions from allartists who are interested in creating Armenian-influenced music are being considered. AsChristian Erbslöh-Papazian, a pianist and musi-cologist who initiated the competition com-ments, “As an artist, blending classical music,which has mostly been documented on paper,with traditional music, which has long beentransmitted orally, is most difficult, yet incrediblyrewarding. By utilizing both the classical and thetraditional, we can create the musical heritage oftomorrow.” To that end, participants are asked tocreate a composition for a chamber ensemblethat incorporates six instruments, including theduduk, the traditional woodwind instrumentthat can be traced back centuries in Armenianculture. Submitted work must also contain onequotation, spoken or sung, from a text of SayatNova in Armenian or translated into a Westernlanguage (i.e. English, German, French, Italian,Spanish or Russian). The winning pieces will berecorded and produced at a special concert onthe occasion of the tercentenary of the birth ofSayat Nova, an anniversary celebration withwhich the United Nations Educational, Scientificand Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is associ-ated. The concert will be held at the prestigiousParisian venue Salle Cortot in December 2012.

When the competition was first introduced in2006, it proved to be a laboratory of creativitythat helped launch the career of its winners.Numerous submissions were received, and eachwas reviewed anonymously by a panel of anony-mous expert judges, which included internation-ally renowned figures in the field of music andcomposition. The third prize was awarded toArgentinian composer Hernan Dario Palmieri,second place to Grégoire Lorieux, a native ofFrance, and the winner was Armenian-bornArtur Akshelyan. Since then, each has risen tonew heights in their respective careers, carving aspace for themselves in the international musicscene and attracting a diverse body of listeners.Building on his experience with the AGBU com-petition, Palmieri went on to receive prizes in theGalperin Iascha Composition Competition(Argentina, 2007) and the Gustav MahlerKompositionspreis Competition (Austria, 2007),while Lorieux is now teaching at IRCAM (Institutde Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique), one of the world’s most importantresearch centers dedicated to musical creationand scientific research. For his part, Akshelyansaw his winning piece, the string quartet “ImMemoriam,” performed at the AGBU 2006 cen-tennial celebrations in Paris before he continuedto receive numerous international honors includ-ing first prize in the Geneva International MusicCompetition (2011) and the Kiefer-HablitzelComposition Award (Bern, 2012).

The deadline for submission is September 1.Participants will be considered for three prizes of2,500, 1,500 and 1,000 euros.

For more information and a complete listof rules and regulations, visithttp://sayatnova.agbueurope.org or email ZarouhiOdabashian at zodabashian@agbueurope.org.

The Darkness of A BurningCity: Aris Janigian’s This

Angelic LandIt took seven years living in Los Angeles to realize it was not the city that Adam,

whose dearest friend “believed him to be mad,” had admired as a young boy inLebanon. Much as it gave him a feeling of nor-malcy and of belonging, the city also pushedthe “crazy handsome” Angeleno to “thebrink.” It is difficult to miss the truth of theKurd’s pronouncement following Adam’s

death, “America killed [Adam].”Adam Derderian, the protagonist of Aris Janigian’s newly-released novel, This

Angelic Land (West of West Books 2012), is a victim of the senseless violence thatovertook the city of Los Angeles following the acquittal, in 1992, of the white offi-cers who had savagely beaten a black construction worker named Rodney King dur-ing a traffic stop. Janigian tells his story against the backdrop of what came to beknown as the Rodney King Riots.

The novel follows Adam who, with his family, while still a boy, flees the Civil Warin Lebanon to start a new life in America. Adam settles in Los Angeles, the “cooland agile” city that provides exiles like him a chance to reinvent themselves.“Anything was possible in LA,” writes Janigian. It is through his engagements withSacha (a curator from Iran), the Wizard (a Jewish professor who takes Adam underhis wing), the Kurd (a landscape artist and “buddy” to Adam) and other exiles whohad fled a bloody past in search of a new home, that we get to know Adam’s sweet-ness and generosity. Adam never holds a grudge. His selflessness is evident in hissupport of his immigrant parents whom he cares for while his older brother Ericsettles in New York in pursuit of his own dreams.

Adam’s kindness, however, his youth and his beauty, are no match for the subtle,and the not so subtle, destructive forces surrounding him. The special bond he haswith a strong-willed and spirited grandma — the only survivor of the death march— and “the shelter of a family” prove inadequate against the disdain and the dark-ness of a burning city. “And yes, there was a dark irony in the fact that [Adam was]now reliving the horrors [he] had crossed half the world to escape,” writes Janigian.The city where he comes to survive abruptly ends Adam’s life.

This Angelic Land explores a dangerous topic unflinchingly. Janigian recreatesthe King Riots, an episode he says he “personally went through and never got over.”“It’s a massive event but we have no literature about it,” he adds, incredulous.Perhaps race is too hot a topic to handle and the central issue of the riots is race.Nonetheless, Janigian “tells it the way it happened here,” giving us an almost myth-ic recreation of the brutal beatings and of the lootings and the fires that consumed

see ANGELIC, page 11

Peter Musurlian

By Arpi Sarafian

GLENDALE, Calif. — Glendale’s CentralLibrary buzzed with excitement on the eveningof July 25, as the crowd poured into its secondfloor auditorium to hear Dr. Arda ArsenianEkmekji, dean of Arts and Sciences at HaigazianUniversity. She had traveled more than 7,000miles to launch the US release of TowardsGolgotha, the memoirs of her grandfather,Hagop Arsenian, a pharmacist and survivor ofthe Armenian Genocide.

Elizabeth Grigorian, director of ArmenianOutreach at the library, invited ArdashesKassakhian, Glendale’s city clerk, to the podium

to introduce Ekmekji. Kassakhian is the great-grandson of Arsenian and a nephew of Ekmekjiwho had painstakingly translated the memoirsfrom Armenian to English. She revealed that shewasn’t aware her grandfather’s handwrittenmemoirs even existed until her uncle, visitingfrom Ottowa in 1996, carried them with him to

the Middle East.Arsenian documented his early life in the sub-

urbs of Constantinople and the eventual depor-tation of his family to Aleppo, Syria, thendescribed his life in Palestine from 1919 until1940. Ekmekji, during her research at the com-prehensive Derian Armenological Library ofHaigazian University, read numerous accounts ofother survivors and, in comparing their identicaldescriptions, discovered that the authors hadbeen detained in the same encampments, butnever met.

The audience hushed when an audiotape was

played of her father, Noubar, reading a portion ofher grandfather’s writings in Armenian in whichhe chronicled the atrocities he had witnessedusing the terms “massacres” and “slaughterhouse.” (The word genocide was coined later byRaphael Lemkin in the 1940s and thus was notused by Arsenian.)

Ekmekji, a professor at Haigazian, holds aMaster of Arts in ancient history and archaeolo-gy from the American University of Beirut and adoctorate in archeology from the University ofParis. Her translation is the first book to be pub-lished by Haigazian University Press. As it cameoff the presses, Dr. Paul Haidostian, president ofthe University, remarked that “all memoirs ofGenocide survivors or stories of the Armeniangenocide are considered as a resurrection, in theArmenian collective conscience.”

Audience members who were present duringthe evening were Elise Kalfayan, president of theFriends of the Glendale Library; Arno Yeretzian,representing Glendale’s Abril Bookstore; Dr.Richard Hovannisian, Prof. Emeritus at UCLA;Rev. Ghevont Kirazian, pastor of the CrescentaValley Armenian Apostolic Church and FrankQuintero, the mayor of Glendale. Also in atten-dance were members of the Haigazian UniversityBoard of Trustees.

— Phyllis Hamo

T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O RS A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2

ARTS & LIVING

11

High School Finalists Awarded PrizesFor Essays About ALMA

WATERTOWN — Four high school students from across the country were awarded mon-etary prizes for essays describing their visit to the Armenian Library and Museum ofAmerica (ALMA) in June. They were among the 10 finalists of the annual Holocaust EssayContest and visited ALMA to view the Armenian Genocide and the Ukrainian GenocideExhibits. The contest was sponsored by the international law firm of Holland & Knight,LLP and organized by the Boston office this year. More than 2,800 essays on the Holocaustwere submitted.

The first prize in the ALMA essay contest was awarded to Kendall Jones from the CapitalHigh School (Boise, Idaho). Tied for second prize were Anissa Lee from the Winsor School(Wellesley, Mass.) and Daniela Hernandez-Fujigaki from Clarksburg High School(Clarksburg, Md). Third prize went to Brian Hula from the Mother of Divine Grace HighSchool (Bellevue, Neb.). Above, the 10 finalists are seen touring ALMA.

Dr. Arda Ekmekji lecturing

Dr. Arda Ekmekji Travels to West CoastFor US Launch of Towards Golgotha

ANGELIC, from page 10the city following the “not guilty” verdict. Hewrites about white boys and black boys andthat in-between world that his Lebanese-Armenian protagonist has to traverse. Adam,who could easily be taken for a white boy, butwho was not a white boy, is the perfectmetaphor for the American experience, saysJanigian. “The experience of becomingAmerican is the central American experience,”he adds.

The book, however, goes well beyond the LAriots. Through Adam’s story Janigian exploresthe human condition of exile and of survival.Enduring the pain of endless dislocationappears to be the only reality in a world ravagedby wars and by violence, a bloody present theinevitable next step to a bloody past. In thenovel, the burning of LA alternates with theburning pasts of the Lebanese Civil War and ofthe Armenian Genocide — Janigian’s Armenianheritage being an essential part of his identity.

One closes the book wondering if Adam’sdeath indicates an end, or if it is perhaps thebeginning of a more fulfilling life for the sur-vivors. Indeed, following Adam’s death, there isa sense of the senselessness of “the willfuldestruction of the city,” and the promise thatLA will be rebuilt “in unison.” A new brother-hood forms between Adam’s brother Eric andthe Kurd, erasing a bloody historical trail. Yet,the book ends on a deliberately ambiguousnote. It is “impossible to say,” writes Janigian, ifthe light that the “horizontal band of sunlight”provides in the painting the Kurd finally com-

pletes and offers to Eric “and Adam,” is “com-ing or going....whether it was breaking on thehorizon, or draining away from beneath adoor.”

Janigian has a passion for ideas. His charac-ters are always conversing, pondering the sig-nificance of various philosophical and psycho-logical ideas. They are, nonetheless, specificpeople in specific settings, engaged in dialoguesthat are true to their inner truths as well as totheir contexts. Additionally, Janigian has theuncanny ability to observe, with insight into thenature of things. His description of old peoplein retirement homes, “slumped in wheelchairslike banana peels, some Filipino girls smiling‘open wide’ and shoving the microwave lasagnainto their mouths,” conveys a truth that goesbeyond the truth of matter-of-fact accuracy.

This Angelic Land follows Bloodvine (2003 )and Riverbig (2009), two novels set in theCentral Valley of California. Reading these ear-lier novels had given me the excitement of nov-elty, the rural scene and the drama of the immi-grants’ attempts to take root in a new land—which Janigian recreates so truthfully — beingalien to me. The rootlessness of the city, how-ever, “a nowhere place where nowhere peoplecongregated before moving onto anothernowhere place....taking root everywhere butnowhere deep,” is a scene I experience on adaily basis. The urban setting of This AngelicLand, with Janigian’s penetrating comments onthe vices of Hollywood and the media thatextinguish the human imagination — whichJanigian exposes through his recreation of the

television broadcasts of the riots — gives me thethrill of recognition.

Fiction is not about ideas, but there are “a lotof little mirrors in This Angelic Land, my mostambitious book by far,” says Janigian. Janigiancares deeply and he reaches us deeply. Buried

deep inside his fictional world is the plea tobring America back to America.

(Arpi Sarafian is on the faculty of theCalifornia State University, Los Angeles. ThisAngelic Land was issued in 2012 to mark the20th anniversary of the 1992 LA Riots.)

The Darkness of A Burning City: Aris Janigian’s This Angelic Land

BOCA RATON, Fla. — On Sunday, July 23,Florida Armenians gathered at St. DavidArmenian Church to congratulate Sub-DeaconArman Avedyan on his acceptance to YerevanKomitas State Conservatory in Armenia.During this four-year program, Avedyan willtrain his voice and master the language ofmusic, while embarking on new adventures anda new life in the homeland.

Like many of his friends in south Florida’sgrowing Armenian-American community,Avedyan started serving God and fellow parish-ioners at the age of 14. Beginning as an acolyteon the altar under the guidance of Very Rev.Nareg Berberian, pastor of St. David ArmenianChurch, Avedyan began to develop and displayhis talents, delivering powerful and upliftingrenditions of the Armenian Apostolic HolyBadark.

“In January 2012, at my 20th anniversarybanquet in Mardigian Hall of St. DavidArmenian Church, Arman Avedyan sangNessun Dorma, which is an aria from the final

act of Puccini’s opera ‘Turandot,’ and is one ofthe best-known tenor arias in all opera,” saidBerberian. “It was then that I realized he wouldbe a wonderful candidate for the YerevanConservatory. Since that time, all efforts toadmit him to the conservatory have succeeded,and I am extremely pleased to see the fruitionof all the many years of work in the Deacon’sTraining Program at St. David Church havesuch an exciting result for him. I am very proudof his accomplishment and am confident he willwork hard in continuing his education and nur-turing his career at the Yerevan Komitas StateConservatory in Armenia,” Berberian said.

Avedyan has already performed at LynnUniversity, Florida Atlantic University, FloridaSuncoast Opera Guild and various Armenian-American community events throughoutFlorida. “Years of preliminary training, practiceand performances have lead to the opportunityof a lifetime,” Avedyan told FLArmenians. “Icannot wait to begin my studies. This really is adream come true,” Avedyan said.

Florida Man to Study at Komitas State Conservatory

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

ARTS & LIVING

12

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 3300 —— HHoollyy TTrriinniittyy 5500tthh AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy GGrraanndd FFiinnaalleeBBaannqquueett,, following church services, Charles and Nevart TalanianCultural Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145Brattle St., Cambridge. Save the date; details to follow.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 2255 —— KK.. GGeeoorrggee aanndd CCaarroollaannnn SS.. NNaajjaarriiaann EEnnddoowweeddLLeeccttuurree oonn HHuummaann RRiigghhttss.. SSppeeaakkeerr:: AAmmbbaassssaaddoorr EEddwwaarrdd PP..DDjjeerreejjiiaann,, founding director, James A. Baker III Institute for PublicPolicy, Rice University and former US ambassador to Israel (1992-1994) and the Syrian Arab Republic (1988-1991). Faneuil Hall,Boston. Thursday, 7 p.m. An endowed public program of ArmenianHeritage Park. Free and open to the public.

AAUUGGUUSSTT 1100--1122 —— RReettuurrnn ttoo AAssbbuurryy,, AArrmmeenniiaann KKeeff WWeeeekkeenndd aatttthhee BBeeaacchh.. For tickets and information, visit returntoas-bury.eventbrite.com. The event is sponsored by the ASA.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 55 —— SSaavvee tthhee ddaattee.. His Eminence Archbishop KhajagBarsamian, Primate, Diocese of Armenian Church, invites everyone toattend a tribute banquet in honor of Hrant Gulian. Details to follow.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 2211 —— HHyyee DDoooonn ((AArrmmeenniiaann AAmmeerriiccaann SSuuppppoorr tt aannddEEdduuccaattiioonnaall CCeenntteerr)),, 3355tthh AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy CCeelleebbrraattiioonn, with the par-ticipation of Akh’Tamar Dance Ensemble of the Hye Doon, ArevArmenian Folk Ensemble of Hamazkayin of Boston, Sunday, 3:45p.m. Bergen County Academics, 200 Hackensack, NJ 07601. All netproceeds to benefit the Hovnanian Armenian School. Tickets: $50,$35 and $25. For tickets, call Sonya Bekarian, (201) 315-5916; JuliyetTabibian, (201) 233-0326; Nivart Arslan, (201) 475-0224; MaralKalishian, (845) 729-1888; Maral Kaprielian, (201) 289-6486; LinaBakhtiarian, (732) 299-1120; Linda Gezdir, (201) 394-6310 or theschool, (201) 967-5940.

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1177--1188 —— MMuussiiccaall tthheeaatteerr pprreesseennttaattiioonn bbyy TTCCAA MMhheerrMMeeggeerrddcchhiiaann TThheeaattrriiccaall GGrroouupp,, YYeerrvvaanntt OOddiiaann’’ss ““LLoovvee aannddLLaauugghhtteerr”” (Ser yev Dzidzagh), directed by Krikor Satamian, withmore than 20 actors participating. Dwight Englewood High School,Englewood Cliffs, 8 p.m., Saturday and 4 p.m., Sunday. $25, $35,$50. For tickets, call Marie Zokian or Noushig Atamian.

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1188 —— TTCCAA MMhheerr MMeeggeerrddcchhiiaann TThheeaattrriiccaall GGrroouupp CCaassttPPaarr ttyy aanndd ttrriibbuuttee ttoo KKaarrnniigg NNeerrcceessssiiaann oonn tthhee ooccccaassiioonn ooff tthhee1155tthh aannnniivveerrssaarryy ooff tthhee ggrroouupp.. Special program and dinner, withArchbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of

the Armenian Church, presiding. St. Thomas Armenian Church,Tenafly. Donation, $30. For tickets, call Marie Zokian or NoushigAtamian.

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 2299 —— AArrmmeenniiaa FFuunndd’’ss 2200tthh AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy GGaallaa,, atGotham Hall, New York City. Celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos, as mas-ter of ceremonies, entertainment by French-Armenian pop singerPatrcik Fiori; keynote speaker, Eduard Nalbandian. Details to follow.

CC AA L E N D A RL E N D A R

On September 30, Holy Trinity ArmenianApostolic Church will celebrate its 50th anniver-sary in lavish style, with a Grand FinaleBanquet, following church services, at theCharles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, atHoly Trinity Armenian Church of GreaterBoston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge, Mass.

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

Entertainment Fridaysand Saturdays

Composer SergeSuny’s MusicPerformed in Mass., NY

NEW YORK — Serge Suny, pianist and com-poser, was born in 1930 in New York City. Hegraduated from Music and Art High School,and then the Juilliard School (NYC), where heobtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.His works have been performed at Town Halland Carnegie Hall and were well reviewed bycritics from the New York Times, the New YorkHerald Tribune and the American RecordGuide. Suny has been awarded a number ofMeet the Composer grants. He taught music asa professor at Suffolk County CommunityCollege in Selden, NY for 26 years.

This past season his music was performed atthe New England Conservatory of Music(NECM) and the Rivers School Conservatory inWeston, Mass. On January 28, an entire pro-gram of his piano music performed at theNECM was performed by five different studentson the occasion of the 22nd Annual Festival ofContemporary Music. His music was again per-formed on April 29 at the Rivers SchoolConservatory as part of the 34th AnnualSeminar in Contemporary Music for the Young.

Suny, a longstanding member of the LongIsland Composers Alliance, has given recitalsand performed his music primarily in theLong Island and Philadelphia area through-out the years but also internationally, includ-ing in Korea. At LICA he served as vice presi-dent and finance director for years.

He is the son of Seda Suny, a longtime balletteacher (noted as a “Teacher Assoluta” in theMarch 1976 issue of Dance Magazine) whostudied dance with Michael Mordkin and had aballet studio in New York City and Beacon, NYfor more than 50 years; and the grandson ofGrikor Mirzaian Suni, a prolific musician andcomposer who studied with Rimsky Korsakovand Glazounov. He was Suny’s inspiration.

Suny’s music is scheduled to be performedlater this year in Long Island and Key West.

CHICAGO — On Thursday, May 3, theAGBU Young Professionals of Chicagohosted a group of 50 Young Professionals(YP) and community members at-large atthe Chicago Theatre for an evening ofworld music featuring Armenian violinistSamvel Yervinyan.

The evening marked the last night ofthe tour stop in Chicago for “An Eveningwith Yanni.” Following the show, theAGBU YP of Chicago hosted an exclusivemeet and greet with Yervinyan in a pri-vate reception where community mem-bers had a chance to meet the artist, takepictures and receive autographs.Yervinyan was greeted with a standingovation by guests as he entered the pri-vate reception area. “It is always great tosee an event pull together cross genera-tional Armenians — we are grateful to Mr.Yervinyan for sharing his extraordinarytalents and recognizing the Armeniancommunity here in Chicago,” said AvoMavilian, AGBU YP Chicago SteeringCommittee publicist.

Proceeds from ticket sales were donat-ed to benefit the AGBU YP of Chicago’sHye Camp scholarship fund. The fundprovides assistance to support Armenianyouth in the Midwest to attend HyeCamp.

For additional information or to joinYP Chicago’s e-mail list, visit their websitehttp://yp.agbuchicago.org/.

From left, AGBU YP Chicago Steering Committee Vice President Linda Sultanian, Samvel Yervinyan, SilvaSultanian and Gary Sultanian

Chicago AGBU YP Hosts Evening with Yanni,Samvel Yervinyan to Raise Money for Hye Camp

13S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMENTARY

By Edmond Y. Azadian

Any crisis in an Armenian community is a crisis for the entireArmenian nation, wherever they may be living.

Those people who fail to see that perspective may have losttheir compass regarding their sense of ethnic identity. With theGenocide, the Turks not only snuffed the lives of the martyrs, theyalso triggered a process of alienation among the living. Thus anyassimilated Armenian adds to the number of the martyrs, becausetheir psyches as well as flesh and blood react differently to anytragedy afflicting the Armenians.

Thus, after the Genocide, a wave of exiled Armenians leavingtheir ancestral homeland crashed on the shores of the countriesof the Middle East — Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iran, etc. — aswell as further afield. Armenians have historically demonstratedthat they blossom and thrive faster in foreign lands than on theirown.

The settlement in mostly-Muslim countries proved one essentialpoint: that Islam was not the driving factor behind the Genocide, asMuslim brethren of the Turks were offering succor to Armenians intheir most bleak time of need. Armenians — who were received withopen arms in Middle Eastern countries — experienced a lesserdegree of discrimination than those who had settled in Europe andthe US. Therefore, they integrated in their host societies but did notassimilate, perhaps as a result of the inherent taboo in both culturesof converting from either religion to the other. There they estab-lished their churches, schools and publications and organized theircommunities in a brief period of time.

Then, starting about four decades back, a second wave ofArmenian emigration from Middle Eastern countries to Europe,Australia and the United States began, this time around with ahigh rate of attrition. The revolutions, turmoil and civil strife thatgripped many of these countries in the Middle East once againforced Armenians to seek safer havens. The revolution in Iran wasa devastating blow to the well-established community there. TheNasserite revolution in Egypt expropriated the wealth of individ-ual Armenians and their institutions, driving the families out ofthe country. The Lebanese civil war, which lasted 16 years, deci-mated that flourishing community. After Jerusalem was annexedby Israel, the 25,000-strong Armenian community was reduced to1,000.

Armenians experienced prosperity even in Saddam Hussein’sIraq but the subsequent dethroning of the admittedly tyrannicalleader decimated the country’s population, including theArmenians, drowning that community in blood.

Syria was the last bastion of Armenian power in the MiddleEast, much to the envy of the Turks. While Armenian languageand literature was regressing in other communities, the Syrian-Armenian community reared a new generation of Armenian writ-ers, thanks to a network of schools and social and cultural orga-nizations.

Today that prosperous community is facing disintegration, asthe country is caught in an imported civil war.

Turkey is at the forefront of the aggression against Syria,because it has everything to gain and nothing to lose by a regimechange there. By arming and sending mercenaries across the bor-der into Syria, Turkey has three distinct objectives: a) serving asa surrogate to the West and rendering much-needed services tothe US, Europe and Israel, while maintaining its economic andpolitical dominance in the region; b) Syria has never resigned tothe fact that one of its provinces (Sanjak of Alexandretta or Hatay)was taken over by France and ceded to Turkey. Therefore, bySyria’s defeat at the hand of Turkey, Ankara once and for allresolves that issue; c) the thriving Armenian community hasalways been a thorn in the side of Turkey, especially a communi-ty that builds monuments dedicated to the unspeakable cruelty ofthe Ottoman leaders on the sands of Deir Zor, now part of Syriaproper, across the Turkish border to remind the world of theArmenian Genocide.

Our biased news media purports to bring a messianic messageto the Syrian people, that with Bashar al Assad’s downfall, democ-racy will be around the corner. But the most simple-minded per-son, looking at the continuing bloodbaths in Iraq and Libya, cansee what kind of “democracy” is in store for Syria.

Syrian Armenians caught in the crossfire have been looking forrefuge in neighboring countries. Many have already fled toLebanon, while others have found temporary relief in Armeniaand are waiting for some sort of conclusion there.

There are some critical voices in Armenia saying that the gov-ernment is not doing enough for the Syrian-Armenian communi-ty. Actually, Armenia, this time around is more prepared to helpthe Syrian Armenians, should an overflow of refugees leave Syria,especially Aleppo, where the majority of the Armenians live. ButYerevan has to coordinate its policy with Russia, which has beenopposing the violent overthrow of the Syrian regime in the UnitedNations.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia has been playing a pos-itive role, first by giving courage to the people through politicallycorrect messages and second, by materially helping the strickencommunity.

It is not surprising that all Christian communities — and espe-cially the Armenians — have been supportive of the Assad regime,because they have enjoyed personal and community-wide pros-perity, contrary to what we see and hear in the Western media.Should the Muslim Brotherhood extend its tentacles from Cairoto Damascus, that will be the end of the Armenian community inSyria. In Iraq and Egypt, in the wake of violent uprisings and for-eign intervention, Christian churches and minority institutionswere bombed or attacked by extremists; a similar prospect loomsalso for Syria.

But the major powers who have determined to overthrow thegovernment in Syria have other items on their agenda — the well-being of the Armenian community is the least of their worries. Itshould be our concern.

Established 1932

An ADL Publication

EDITOR

Alin K. Gregorian

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

Marc Mgrditchian

COPY EDITOR

Dilani Yogaratnam

SENIOREDITORIAL COLUMNIST:Edmond Azadian

CONTRIBUTORS:Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian,Daphne Abeel, Dr. HaroutiuneArzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof.Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana DerHovanessian, Philip Ketchian, KevorkKeushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido,Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, HagopVartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian

CORRESPONDENTS:

Armenia - Hagop AvedikianBoston - Nancy KalajianPhiladelphia - Lisa Manookian

Contributing Photographers:Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, JirairHovsepian

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is publishedweekly, except two weeks in July, by:

Baikar Association, Inc.755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509

Telephone: 617-924-4420

FAX: 617-924-2887

wwwwww..mmiirr rroorrssppeecc ttaattoorr.. ccoomm

E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator.com

For advertising: mirrorads@aol.com

SUBSCRIPTION RATES:

U.S.A. $80 a year

Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year

© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA

and additional mailing offices.

ISSN 0004-234X

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TheArmenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302,Watertown, MA 02471-0302

Other than the editorial, views and opinionsexpressed in this newspaper do not necessarilyeflect the policies of the publisher.

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror-Spectator

Syria: Disintegration of a CommunityCOMMENTARY

Copying for other than personal use orinternal reference is prohibited withoutexpress permission of the copyrightowner. Address requests for reprints orback issues to:

BBaaiikkaarr AAssssoocciiaattiioonn,, IInncc..775555 MMtt.. AAuubbuurrnn SStt..,, WWaatteerrttoowwnn,, MMAA 0022447722--11550099

By David Boyajian

If Turkey were to open its border withArmenia and the two established diplomaticand trade relations, Turkey would still be athreat to Armenia.

Turkey would be a threat even if it were toacknowledge the Armenian Genocide, payreparations and return stolen Armenian prop-erty. And the threat to Armenia would remaineven if it someday regains its homeland whichnow lies in eastern Turkey.

Why? Because Turkey’s belligerent policiestowards Armenians, its pan-Turkic goals in theCaucasus and Central Asia and its neo-Ottoman ambitions pose essentially the samedangers today as at the time of the genocide.And they show no sign of ever changing.

Aside from a general awareness of the geno-cide and present-day Turkish hostility, howev-er, many Armenians and others are unfamiliarwith key details of past and present Turkishpolicies. Consequently, they underestimate thedangers that Armenia faces.

Even the commonly held view that “in 1915the Young Turk regime committed genocideagainst Armenians in Turkey” is dangerouslymisleading.

The Genocide actually lasted through 1923,

five years after Turkey’s defeat in WWI. Tworegimes conducted the Genocide: OttomanYoung Turk and Kemalist. The latter, ofcourse, founded today’s “modern” Turkey. Andthe Genocide took place not only in “Turkey”but also, ominously, on what was and is todaythe territory of the Republic of Armenia.

Endless Genocide

Turkifying and Islamizing the remnants ofits empire was a key reason that Turkeydestroyed its indigenous Armenian, Assyrianand Greek Christians during WWI (1914-18).But Armenians and Armenian soil also lay justacross the border, in the Caucasus region ofthe Russian empire, directly in the path ofTurkey’s genocidal pan-Turkic jihad. Turkeycommitted genocide against those Armenianstoo and ripped large chunks of territory fromthe new Armenian Republic, which had justbeen reborn from Russian Armenia.

Azeris — Turkey’s blood brothers then andnow — also conducted large-scale massacres ofArmenians in the Caucasus in WWI andthrough 1920.

After Turkey’s defeat in 1918, Turkish forcesunder Kemal (known later as Atatürk) contin-ued the Genocide in the Armenian Republicthrough 1920 and in Turkey through 1923.

Like Turkish leaders today who lie anddeceive, Kemal publicly professed peaceful

intentions toward Armenia. Secretly, however,he told his commanders that it is “of theutmost necessity that Armenia be both politi-cally and physically eliminated.” Kemal, too,lopped off chunks of Armenia. Though itresisted heroically, only a Soviet takeover inDecember of 1920 saved Armenia from anni-hilation.

These facts are relevant to the perils thatArmenia faces today because of Turkey’s pan-Turkic and neo-Ottoman foreign policies.

Pan-Turkism

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in1991, Turkey has established ongoing rela-tionships with Azerbaijan and Central Asia’snew “Turkic-speaking” countries: Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.Turkey has invested billions of dollars andestablished Turkish schools and universities inthese countries. Turkey’s President AbdullahGül declared that “Kyrgyzstan is our ancestralhomeland” while visiting that country’sInternational Atatürk-Alatoo University.

Turkey hosts major gas and oil pipelinesoriginating in Baku, co-produces weaponswith Azerbaijan and trains Azeri troops. InTurkic solidarity with Azerbaijan, Turkey hasinjected itself into the Artsakh/Karabagh con-flict by closing its border with Armenia for two

see THREAT, page 15

Turkey: A Permanent Threat to Armenia

14 S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMENTARY

“Especially as 2015 approaches, the pressurewill increase. Turkey will, as it has done before,react harshly. It will utter threats, but they willremain ineffective.

“Do you know why? It is because theArmenians have gotten a significant part of theworld to accept their claims of genocide.”

Who is speaking here? Is it a DiasporaArmenian bragging about progress towardsTurkish recognition of the 1915 Genocide?That might seem most likely. But, no, these arethe words of a Turkish journalist writing in thepages of the daily, Hurriyet. The article, titled,“We are surrendering ourselves to ‘genocide,’”appeared in the April 28 edition of the paper.Although Hurriyet is generally consideredrather nationalistic, the commentator, MehmetAli Birand, is known as a liberal. He is not brag-ging. Quite the contrary: he raises the alarmthat as the centenary of the Genocide looms,Turkey may finally be forced to acknowledge itsoccurrence.

The reason for concern he identifies in thecirculation of a new book in Turkish, a hefty1,000-pages-long, which presents irrefutable evi-dence of genocide. The book, issued on January12, 2012 by Belge Publishing House, whoseowner, Ragip Zarakolu, was recently put on trialon trumped-up charges, contains translations“into an extremely comprehensible and beauti-ful Turkish” of documents from the GermanForeign Ministry archives during World War I.Wolfgang Gust, “the famous German journalistand writer,” put it together; first published inGerman in 2005, Birand tells us that it alsoexists in other languages. It is titled, AlmanBelgeleri: Ermeni Soykirimi 1915-1916(German Documents: Armenian Genocide 1915-1916).

His assessment of the power of the docu-ments is straightforward. “Without going intodetail,” he writes, “if you read the book andlook at the documents, if you are a person whois introduced to the subject through this book,then there is no way that you would not believein the genocide and justify the Armenians.Even if you are an expert on the subject,” headds, “or have researched what went on fromthe Turkish side, again, you will be confused.You will have many questions.”

Birand concludes his somewhat agitatedreport with a challenge directed to the leadersof his nation. “Now, I want to ask all Turkishofficials: In the last 50 years, have you done

such a study? Have you researched internation-al sources and, however biased or one-sided itmay be, have you been able to publish such abook? What kind of study have you made, mov-ing outside our own sources that would con-vince the international public? Were you limit-ed to or satisfied with using only Turkisharchives because you could not find plausibledocuments or evidence?” And his conclusion isbrutal. “Let us not deceive each other: If youcan give answers to these questions, then youwill be able to clarify some very key facts forus.” But will they do so? Birand’s view: “I knowyou will be silent.”

The Turkish edition of Gust’s monumentalcompilation of historical records has indeedshaken the fragile edifice of lies and distortionswhich constitute the official Turkish denial ofevents. It is one thing if historical records onthe Genocide from Armenian sources — orAmerican or British archives — are published,because denialists can shrug them off as “pro-paganda” by Turkey’s wartime adversaries. It isquite another matter when detailed accounts ofthe atrocities and official discussions about theextermination policy originate from thearchives of Turkey’s wartime ally Germany, andthat they now appear in Turkish translation.

In October 2011, another book containingmuch of the same documentation had appearedin Turkish, translated and with a lengthy intro-duction by Serdar Dincer. This book, titledAlman-Turk Silah Arkadasligi ve Ermeniler, waspublished by Iletisim Yayinevi publishing houseand was reviewed, among other places, in Agos,the Istanbul-based paper of the late Hrant Dink.Dincer, who lives in Berlin, drew his materialfrom the same archives and stressed the role ofGerman militarism in his analysis. In addition topositive reviews in Agos and Radikal, severalTurkish journalists picked up the themes with-out directly citing the source, possibly becausethey objected to left-leaning references in theintroduction; others, seeking to deny that geno-cide occurred, picked out isolated references toargue that the Armenians had been “terrorists”and deserved to be deported, etc. Prior to theappearance of Dincer’s book, other volumesclaiming to deal with the German documentshad appeared, among them one whose leitmotif

was that the “Armenians are lying.”

Blame It on the Germans

The more serious writers who attempt toblunt the impact of the documents as Gust pre-sented them seize on the German connectionand distort it. Umit Kardas, a retired militaryjudge, published a major piece in Today’sZaman, a leading Turkish daily on May 20, inwhich he tried to twist the facts. Titled,“German militarism’s connivance withCommittee of Union and Progress,” the articleidentifies the book issued by Gust and his wifeSigrid explicitly, then proceeds to argue that itwas German militarism which was ultimatelyresponsible for the Genocide.

Kardas writes that the Germans “perceivedthe region as an area of interest as a Germancolony,” and, through their military alliancewith Turkey, “meddled with the political affairsof the CUP.” He claims that, “non-Muslimgroups living in the Ottoman Empire posed anobstacle to Germany’s economic and ideologicalaspirations in the East” and “Thus began theconnivance of German militarism with the[Committee of Union and Progress] CUP forinhumane practices against non-Muslims in theOttoman Empire.” The author states that“Germany’s policies had overlapped with theCUP’s policy of homogenizing the country,” i.e.turning it into a Turkish Muslim state. Hequotes a passage from one of the documentswhich refers to those Turks and Arabs who dis-approved of the massacres and who held theGermans responsible “as Turkey’s schoolmas-ter” during the war. Kardas ends with thisassertion: “The conclusion confirmed by thedocuments published by Gust is that Germanmilitary officers as agents of German militarismendorsed the forced relocation, and they foundmilitary justifications for it. And the CUP lead-ers violently implemented its Turkification andIslamification policies with support and con-nivance from Germany.”

Kardas’s review grossly misrepresented thework by Wolfgang Gust. The German scholarset the record straight in a Letter to the Editorof Groong Armenian News Network on May 21.In it, Gust explicitly stated his thesis as follows:“The Armenian Genocide was genuinely a pro-ject of the CUP and the Germans accepted itmore or less. Some of them protested againstthe extermination of the Armenians, otherseven recommended the deportations, twoGerman officers actively participated in theassassinations. But the Armenian Genocide wasnever a German project, what the Turks at thetime often tried to propagate.” He added that“other conclusions of the author [Kardas] arenot based on my documents.” In sum, “theArmenian Genocide in the First World War wasa Turkish undertaking with despicable Germanassistance.”

Psychological Truth

With the exception of some crude falsifica-tions committed by die-hard denialists inTurkey, the debate sparked by the circulation ofthe German Foreign Ministry archive materialrepresents an attempt to deal with the factualdocumentation of an atrocity, which Turkey,since its founding as a modern state, has cate-gorically denied. To “deal with” the matter ispsychologically complicated because acknowl-edging the Genocide is tantamount to under-mining the identity of Turkey and Turkish citi-zens. It is no coincidence that the legal code’sinfamous Article 301, which penalizes discus-sion of the Genocide, did so under the rubric ofprotecting “Turkishness.” Orhan KemalCengiz, writing in Today’s Zaman onNovember 24, 2011, explained the difficulty indiscussing the Armenian issue with “the factthat ‘modern Turkey’ and the ‘Turkish identity’are founded upon a sort of ‘exclusiveness,’meaning that the founders of Turkey were“those who were not the non-Muslims.” And,since some of those responsible for 1915 werealso the fathers of the Republic, it follows thatto acknowledge the genocide would mean “thatwe may lose our founding ‘heroes’ and have

them turned into a series of ‘murderers’ to beembarrassed about instead.” He went on tostate: “It is now clear that we in Turkey haveconstructed an identity on top of this wholedenial mechanism.” And he urged his compatri-ots to face up to the past.

The psychological pressure placed on com-mentators by this complex inevitably erupts intheir writings. Thus, Kardas ends his articleconfessing that “Reading the details of the doc-uments Gust has managed to retrieve has leftme in utter shame and gripped my soul.”Referring to Germany’s “tradition of offeringofficial apologies about such periods of shame”,i.e. the Holocaust — Kardas concludes: “IfGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel and TurkishPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan togethercondemn the atrocities and massacres theirancestors performed, the souls of the victims,squeezed somewhere, will turn into doves. Doesconscience tell us to spare our words from theoppressed?”

Significantly, this is not the first time Kardashas addressed the issue. Back in May 2010, hepublished a lengthy commentary titled, “Do wehave to defend the actions of the Committee ofUnion and Progress?” in Today’s Zaman.Summarizing the history of the concept ofgenocide as shaped by Raphael Lemkin andembodied in the UN Genocide Convention in1948, Kardas reviewed the Ottoman persecu-tions of Armenians and other Christians up tothe 1890s, then presented the CUP’s “homoge-nization” campaign of ethnic cleansing throughdeportations and massacres. He offered the fol-lowing reflections:

“A regime that hinges upon concealing anddenying the truth will make the state and thesociety sick and decadent. The politicians, acade-mics, journalists, historians and clerical officialsin Turkey should try to ensure that the societycan face the truth. To face the truth is to becomefree. We can derive no honor or dignity fromdefending our ancestors who were responsiblefor these tragedies. It is not a humane or ethicalstance to support and defend the actions ofAbdulhamit II and senior CUP members andtheir affiliated groups, gangs and marauders.Turkey should declare to the world that itaccepts said atrocities and massacres and that inconnection with this, it advocates the highesthuman values of truth, justice and humanismwhile condemning the mentality and actions ofthose who committed them in the past.”

He concluded with the proposal that Turkeyshould invite all Diaspora Armenians to returnto their former homeland and become citizens.This “may serve to abate their sorrow, whichhas now translated into anger.” Furthermore,he urged the opening of the border to Turkey.Through such actions, “Turkey will become freeby getting rid of its fears, complexes and wor-ries by soothing the sorrows of Armenians.”

Breaking the Floodgates

Three years remain to the centenary of theArmenian Genocide. During this period, the dis-cussion process inside Turkey will only acceler-ate, hopefully culminating in the psychological-political breakthrough of which these and otherTurkish intellectuals are harbingers: officialrecognition of the genocide. The publication inTurkish of documents from the Germanarchives has turned a simmering debate into anexplosion. Yet more documents from thearchive have recently been posted on Gust’swebsite, dealing with Germany’s Orient policyduring the war years. Although available only inGerman thus far, the new material has attract-ed widespread attention. Of the almost 8 mil-lion visits to the site, a large and growing num-ber are from Turkey. Articles like those byKardas have provoked a stream of comments onthe internet and the trend will only intensify.The floodgates have been broken, and Birandwas right in saying, “This process is like aChinese torture. Especially as 2015 approach-es,” he added, “the pressure will increase.”

(Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is the author ofThrough the Wall of Fire: Armenia, Iraq,Palestine: From Wrath to Reconciliation (edi-tion fischer, Frankfurt). Her new book,Madness at the Helm: Pathology and Politicsin the Arab Spring (Ithaca/Garnet, London),will be released soon.)

German Archive Material Raises Stir in TurkeyBy Muriel Mirak-Weissbach

View from LebanonPre-Election Campaign Shapes up in Lebanon

Although it is yet early to discuss the upcoming parliamentary elections of 2013 here,since it has not officially been launched, but the Armenian parties are already polarized,especially the alliance of the Tashnag party with General Michael Aoun’s Change and

Reform bloc — and consequently withHezbollah — worries many Armenians.Furthermore, the Tashnag leaders have beenunconditionally backing Aoun’s dangerous andadventurist strategy regarding regional issues

and his collaboration with the Syrian regime and its Iranian counterpart.Aoun, the former Lebanese army commander and current politician and leader of the

Free Patriotic Movement, declared “The Liberation War” against the Syrian Occupationon March 14, 1989. He was driven out of power by Syrian Forces on October 13, 1990and was forced into exile in France, where he remained until 2005. While in exile, heappeared before a US Congressional subcommittee to support the Syrian AccountabilityAct, which was designed to punish Syria’s regional role.

He returned to Lebanon on May 7, 2005, after the assassination of Prime MinisterRafiq Hariri, 11 days after the withdrawal of Syrian troops. After his return, he contro-versially shifted to adopt a pro-Syrian agenda (according to many analysts, for some per-sonal ambitions to achieve the presidency of Lebanon) going as far as signing a memo-randum of understanding with pro-Iran Hezbollah in 2006. Aoun, currently a member ofparliament, visited Syria in 2009. He leads the “Change and Reform” parliamentary blocof 27 members that include the Tashnag members of parliament.

It is even more worrying the irresponsible statements of Tashnag representatives inpublic announcements and in private salons. The language and terminology used aresurprisingly similar to those of Aoun’s and those of Hezbollah officials reading many con-troversial Lebanese issues, like for example, the UN Special Tribune for Hariri’s caseagainst the Syrian regime.

I have many questions for the Tashnag leaders in Lebanon. What is the benefit of theArmenian-Lebanese community in general, and the Tashnag party in particular, in back-ing Aoun’s political agenda? Is this a political adventure practiced by the Tashnag party

see LEBANON, page 16

By Sevag Hagopian

THREAT, from page 13decades. The Turkish-Azeri axis — termed “onenation, two states” — harks back to its assaulton Armenia during the Genocide. One hundredyears has changed nothing. Turkey remainsenamored of Turkic blood bonds.

In the former Armenian province ofNakhichevan — now part of Azerbaijan andemptied of its Armenians — Turkey, Azerbaijan,Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan recently signed atreaty creating the Cooperation Council ofTurkic Speaking States.

Let’s be clear. Only Soviet control of theCaucasus and Central Asia from the 1920s to1991 and Russian and Chinese dominancesince then have thwarted Turkey’s pan-Turkicgoals.

For several decades, of course, Russia andChina have possessed nuclear weapons; Turkeyhas not. Imagine what an arrogant, genocidalTurkey would have perpetrated by now had itpossessed nuclear weapons. Turkey could still,unfortunately, acquire nuclear weapons orother WMDs.

Turkey’s dangerous imperial goals today alsoinclude “neo-Ottomanism.”

Neo-OttomanismTurkey regards itself as the leader of not only

its former colonies in the Middle East andBalkans but also the entire Muslim world.Turkey is investing heavily in those regions.

Its Education Ministry recently releasedmulti-media material that shows Armenia,Cyprus and parts of Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece,Iraq and Syria as being part of Turkey. Turkeyclaimed it was just a mistake.

“You are the grandchildren of the Ottomans.It will be the Ottomans who will make the worldtremble again. If the Ottomans do not comeback, the unbelievers will never be broughtdown to their knees.” A Turkish clergymanthundered those words to a frenzied Turkishrally in Belgium two decades ago.

In attendance were his admirers: NecmettinErbakan, soon to be Turkey’s prime ministerand the latter’s protégés, Recep Tayyip Erdoganand Abdullah Gül, Turkey’s current prime min-ister and president, respectively.

Far from renouncing its bloody Ottomanpast, such examples illustrate that Turkeyembraces and wants to recreate it.Consequently, its threats against Armenia mustnever be taken lightly.

Turkish ThreatsDuring the Artsakh/Karabagh war, then-

Turkish President Turgut Özal repeatedlythreatened Armenia. Armenians, he warned,“had not learned the lessons” of WWI — that is,the Genocide.

According to Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos,former Greek ambassador to Armenia, US andFrench intelligence sources confirm thatTurkey was poised to invade Armenia in 1993.Ruslan Khasbulatov, a Chechen who was speak-er of the Russian Supreme Soviet and an oppo-nent of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, hadsecretly given Turkey the go-ahead to invadeArmenia if he toppled Yelstin. Fortunately,Yelstin survived the challenge.

If not for the Armenian-Russian alliance ofthese past two decades, Turkey and Azerbaijanwould have jointly attacked Armenia, with cata-strophic consequences.

Despite Turkey’s hostile record, someArmenians have fallen victim to the constantdrumbeat of propaganda that Turkey is“reforming.”

Turkish non-ReformsSome even believe that acknowledgement of

the Armenian Genocide would be tantamountto Turkey’s having “reformed.” That’s absurdand a serious mistake.

An acknowledgment, which would almost cer-tainly be incomplete, insincere or reversible,could psychologically disarm Armenians intoletting down their guard. By not owning up tothe Genocide, therefore, Turkey may unwitting-ly be doing Armenians a favor.

Turkey’s actual record is one of repression,followed by mass violence, interspersed with so-called “reforms.”

In the 19th century, large-scale massacres ofArmenians, particularly those of the 1890s, fol-lowed Ottoman “reforms” such as the Tanzimat(anti-discrimination decrees). The Young Turk“reform” revolution of 1908 — cheered in thebeginning by Armenians, Greeks and othernational groups — was followed by the 1909Adana massacres, the 1915-23 exterminationand genocidal attacks on Russian Armenia andthe Republic of Armenia.

Then along came the new “reformed, modern”Turkey of 1923. It confiscated Armenian proper-ty, destroyed Armenian churches and TurkifiedArmenian city and village names. In 1943,Turkey unleashed its malicious Capital Tax pro-gram against Armenians, Greeks and Jews.

Later came the devastating Istanbul riots of1955. Did we mention Turkey’s massacre ofGreek Cypriot civilians and ongoing occupationof northern Cyprus? The death squads and tor-ture chambers? The repression, deportationand massacre of Kurds and other minoritiesand the jailing of dissidents and journalists?

All the while, we are told that Turkey is“reforming.”

Turkish SyndromeIn addition to Turkey’s policies, its political

leaders pose a danger because of what one mayterm Turkish Political Personality Syndrome.

This syndrome is on full display today in“modern” Turkey’s constant threats, chest-beat-ing, belligerence, malignant narcissism,hypocrisy, extortion, despotism, cruelty, crude-ness, lies, broken pledges and, of course, theuse of violence.

The countless victims of Turkish violencedown through the centuries are proof ofTurkish leaders’ disordered state of mind.

There is little indication that either Turkey’spolicies toward Armenians or their leaders’ dis-order will ever change. Indeed, they may growmore threatening.

Yet, Armenians still hope that Turkey willchange. How to make them aware that theTurkish threat is here to stay? Education.

Young people will, of course, become theadults who conduct the political, economic, cul-tural and military affairs of Armenia. They mustbe equipped intellectually and psychologicallyto deal with Turkey.

From a young age, Armenian students muststudy — but not in Turkish schools — Turkish his-tory, geo-politics and language and their applica-tion to present-day Armenian-Turkish relations.

The Turkish political personality and its vio-lent and deceitful tendencies must be dissectedand understood.

This is not easy, for two reasons. First,Armenians are bombarded by pro-Turkish and“reconciliation” propaganda from around theworld and even by some Armenians. Second, weArmenians are unlike Turks and often have dif-ficulty understanding their political culture.

Ultimately, future generations of Armenianswill have to choose whom to believe. Will it bethe allegedly “reformed, modern” Turkey? Theinternational media that kowtows to Turkey?Countries that historically have betrayedArmenia?

Or will Armenians learn from the past andthe hard-earned wisdom of their forebears?

Their decision may determine whetherArmenia lives or dies.

(David Boyajian is a freelance journalist.Many of his articles are archived on

Armeniapedia.org.)

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 15

COMMENTARY

Armenia Should Retaliate againstTurkish Ban on Buying RealEstate

Turkey’s Cabinet is in the process of finalizing a lawadopted by parliament last May, which bans citizens of sixcountries — Armenia, Cuba, Nigeria, North Korea, Syriaand Yemen — from buying real estate in Turkey, accordingto Sabah. No reason was given for blacklisting these coun-tries.

The law demonstrates the persistent hostility of Turkishofficials, contradicting their sugarcoated announcementsabout wanting to normalize relations with Armenia. Afterreviewing the restriction placed on its citizens, theArmenian Parliament should consider adopting retaliatorymeasures against citizens of Turkey interested in purchas-ing Armenian properties.

The proposed Turkish law is doubly provocative since itplaces a ban on citizens of Armenia, while expanding from53 to 129 the list of countries authorized to invest inTurkey, and allows citizens of another 52 countries toinvest with some limitations. The new law even permitsnationals whose governments ban Turkish investments topurchase property in Turkey. Relaxing restrictions on for-

eign investments in the Turkish real estate market wouldbring an additional $300 billion of revenue over the next10 years, Sabah wrote.

Here are the restrictions that the new law places on cer-tain countries: citizens of China, Denmark, East Timor, Fijiand Israel may only purchase a single residence in Turkey.Jordanians, on the other hand, may purchase two housesand one place of business. Russians and Ukrainians maybuy real estate anywhere in Turkey, except on the BlackSea coast, while Georgians cannot buy real estate in thecoastal and border regions. Greek citizens are not permit-ted to purchase property near the Aegean Sea and the bor-der areas, except for those who are of Turkish origin.Citizens of Afghanistan, Egypt, Latvia, Morocco and someother African countries are not allowed to buy agriculturalland, vineyards or orchards. Albanians can purchase a resi-dence or a business, but not land.

Citizens of another 16 countries, including Iran,Palestine and India, need permission from the Ministry ofInterior before acquiring real estate in Turkey. Iraqis, onthe other hand, need a permit issued by the TurkishForeign Ministry. A foreign individual or firm cannot pur-chase more than 10 percent of the land in a particular dis-trict or a total of 30 hectares in all of Turkey. The law alsobans foreigners from purchasing or leasing real estate inmilitary and security zones.

Among the 129 countries allowed to purchase propertyin Turkey without conditions or restrictions are:Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brunei, Kazakhstan,Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco,Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

What steps should Armenia take in retaliation for thisnew Turkish law? Article 31 of the constitution of theRepublic of Armenia states: “foreign citizens and stateless

persons shall not enjoy the right to land ownership exceptfor cases prescribed by the law.” According to a report sub-mitted by the Armenian government to the World TradeOrganization (WTO): “foreigners are allowed to use landthrough lease contracts with an Armenian counterpart.Furthermore, foreigners have the right to own real estateproperties built on Armenian land, and to exploit renew-able and non-renewable natural resources on the basis ofconcession contracts granted by the Government.”Armenia’s report to the WTO also stated that “the legisla-tion grants the Government the power to limit and prohib-it foreign investment for national security concerns.”

It would be important to know the number of foreignindividuals and companies that lease land or own buildingsand businesses in Armenia, their names, citizenship, loca-tions, sizes and market value. How many of these leases areheld by Turkish citizens? Raising these questions is rele-vant because in the past Armenian officials have stated thatthere is no need to restrict foreigners who are interested ininvesting in Armenian real estate.

While it is understandable that Armenia would encour-age foreign investments, it is not known if certain sensitiveborder areas are exempt from leasing to foreigners such asAzeris and Turks for national security reasons. There arealso lands that contain strategic reserves of certain pre-cious metals and minerals. They too should not be leasedto foreigners who are citizens of hostile nations.

In retaliation for the new Turkish law banning citizens ofArmenia from purchasing real estate in Turkey, Armeniashould immediately pass a law banning Turkish citizensfrom all purchases or leases of real estate. No exceptionsshould be made.

Armenians should not be too worried that they cannotbuy land in Turkey. Hopefully, they will get their lands backsomeday without paying for it.

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

Notice to ContributorsThe Armenian Mirror-Spectatorwelcomes

articles, commentaries and communitynews from our readers. In order to assurethe accurate and timely publication of arti-cles submitted, please note the followingpolicies:— All articles submitted should be typed, dou-ble (or triple) spaced and printed in a typesize large enough to be clearly legible (10

point or larger). Submissions that do not con-form to these specifications will be assignedlowest priority.— Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mailsubmissions are encouraged.— All submissions should include the nameof a contact person and a daytime tele-phone number.— Deadline for submission of all articles andadvertising is noon on the Monday of theweek of publication.— Photos will be published without charge atthe discretion of the editors and art director.

Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed and stamped envelope is includ-ed.— The M-S will publish only one articleabout an upcoming organizational event.For major special events, exceptions maybe made only by special arrangementwith the editors.— Telephone numbers, ticket prices and otherdetails (at the discretion of the editors) will notbe included in press releases, but should bereserved for calendar listings and advertise-ments.

Turkey: A Permanent Threat to Armenia

LEBANON, from page 15in Lebanon? Is it a gamble based on the person-al interests of the party leaders, or a selfish,materialistic and dubious personal commitmentof some of the party leaders — who are basedabroad — to regional countries? Does theTashnag party leadership really believe that therelatively weak (both in quality and quantity)Armenian community in Lebanon can handlethe consequences of such an adventure?

What do the Armenians share with Hezbollahand its agenda — which I respect but definitely donot endorse — both on ideological and politicalgrounds? I don’t need to remind the Tashnagleaders that the Armenian General VartanMamigonian was martyred in his heroic struggleto stop the political and cultural influence of thePersians in Armenia. We shouldn’t support thePersian Iranians now in their very same attemptto dominate the Lebanese political scene.

Is it not enough experience for the Tashag

party — which left its “natural allies” (i.e.Christian classical parties) to join the Syriancamp after the Taiif Accord — to have lost mostof the Armenian seats in the LebaneseParliament that it held for decades? And this hap-pened in front of the eyes — and maybe with theblessing — of their Syrian patrons whom theytrusted the party’s political future.

The Taiif Accord was an agreement reached toprovide the basis for ending the civil war and thereturn to political normalcy in Lebanon.Negotiated in Taiif, Saudi Arabia, it was designedto end the decades-long Lebanese civil war. Itpolitically accommodated a shift to a Muslimmajority, reassert Lebanese authority in SouthLebanon (then occupied in Israel), though theagreement set a time frame for Syrian withdraw-al and stipulated that the Syrians withdraw intwo years. It was signed on October 22, 1989 andratified on November 4, 1989.

I remind our Tashnag friends that despite

their party’s alliance with the Syrian regime —the Armenians have always failed to convince theconcerned parties in Lebanon to recognize theArmenian Genocide in the Lebanese parliament.Tashnag leaders are definitely aware that in spiteof their party’s efforts, this was only achievedduring the days of political and military tensionin the late ’90s between Damascus and Ankaraover the issue of the Iskenderoun (Hatay)Province, which was ceded by French colonialpowers to Turkey in 1938. I believe that thisrecognition didn’t come from Syria to reward itsTashnag allies for their loyalty but was a clearpolitical message sent by Syria to Turkey for theabove-mentioned reason.

I should also advise the Tashnag Party to eval-uate the political future of the Syrian regime andfind out how long the Assads will stay in power.The current dramatic developments in Syria arenot enough indication for the leaders of Tashnagparty to consider their commitments with theSyrian regime? What will happen to the Syrian-Armenians when the regime is soon toppled?How shall the Armenian community survivethere when because of the Tashnags they hadfailed to find common grounds with those whooppose the regime and who will take over oneday? If chaos ensues, the Syrian Armenians willbe one of the most vulnerable communities inAleppo and Damascus.

It is noteworthy here to mention that I am nota supporter of the Clash of Civilizations theory.Nor am I engaged in promoting religious extrem-ism and racism. On the contrary, I am a propo-nent of respect and tolerance among societies.But how can the Tashnag leaders explain themassive internal migration of Armenians fromWest Beirut (mainly occupied by Muslims) toEast Beirut (mainly occupied by Christian) dur-ing the civil war in Lebanon? I do believe they

were seeking safety, security and peace of mindliving with their co-religionists in days of crisis.Again, how can the Tashnag leaders explain themassive migration of Armenians during most ofthe last century from Syria, Iraq, Iran and othernon-Christian countries to Lebanon and abroad?

It is wiser and more prudent for the Armeniancommunity in Lebanon to stick to its “naturalallies” with whom — whether the Tashnag pro-Iran leadership like it or not — they share thesame destiny in the region.

After all, what gave the Tashnag Party theopportunity to have members in the LebaneseParliament, or me the chance to have this free-dom of speech as a citizen, but the Lebanese cit-izenship our forefathers were granted when theysettled in Lebanon almost a century ago with thegreat support of our “natural allies,” while othernon-Christian communities were fighting againstthis.

I, of course, sympathize with Pope John PaulII’s statement that says Lebanon is a country ofa message (Balad al-Risalah) on an emotionallevel, but my Tashnag friends and I in Lebanonall know, that the above-mentioned statementsare more made in good intentions rather than arealistic political belief. We all know the real fact— that Lebanon is, unfortunately, the country of“realization of regional messages.”

Accordingly, what do you think is the best forthe Armenian-Lebanese community, my fellowTashnag friends? Where would you like our chil-dren to grow up, my dear compatriots? In apeaceful, pluralistic society — why not in a feder-al state of Lebanon — supported and protectedby the international community?

(Sevag Hagopian is a political sociologistand an expert in Armenian-Lebanese sociopo-

litical affairs.)

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R16

YES, I would like a 1– year subscription to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator.

� THE SUBSCRIPTION IS FOR MENAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

� THE SUBSCRIPTION IS A GIFT FOR:

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

Please make check payable to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and mail to: 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509

All payments must be drawn on US banks

CANADA /Air Mail $125.00 USA/Second Class Mail $75.00USA/First Class Mail $120.00

Mirror-SpectatorThe Armenian

SUBSCRIBE

TODAY!ADVERTIZE IN THE MIRROR

Galstyan Wins Russia’s First Gold,Dedicates it to Country’s Flood VictimsGOLD, from page 1Sobirov, who had been aiming to add an Olympic gold to his two successive world titles, wasonly settled with a waza-ari throw in the extra time golden score period.

In the final, it was a different matter, beating Japan’s Hiroaki Hiraoka, silver medalist at lastyear’s world championships, just 40 seconds into their clash.

Galstyan, who was born in Armenia, joined Russian teammates in celebrations in front of astanding ovation from a crowd that included a large number of disappointed Japanese fans.

“I always imagined this situation. I always had hope,” Galstyan said. “My medal will showthat Russian judo athletes and Russian sport should be number one.”

Hiraoka, who suffered disappointment when losing in the first round in Beijing four yearsago, was unhappy to only take silver in London.

“I worked really hard for the last four years and still I’m not satisfied with the color of mymedal, but I did the best that I can,” he said.

President Vladimir Putin, himself a judo enthusiast and former champion, missedthe weekend competition but will make a “short working visit” on August 2 to see BritishPrime Minister David Cameron and take in some Olympic events, the Kremlin reported, lastweek.

Athletes from Armenia have yet to medal. As of press time, Mikayel Koloyan, a swimmer,failed to make the grade in the 100 meter men’s freestyle competition with a disappointing53.82 second showing in his heat.

SYRIA, from page 1Many Armenians are leaving Syria, if they

can, and heading to Armenia. One such personis Tigran Gaboyan, a Syrian-Armenian writer,who said the situation in Syria is very fluid. Headded that he had arrived in Armenia with theaim of obtaining Armenian citizenship andworking.

Syrian-Armenian Karlos Gasparayn, a phar-macist, also wants to obtain Armenian citizen-ship. Syrian-Armenian Vazgen Mesropyan saidthat they had some visa problems, and it wouldbe great to make the process of getting visaseasier. He also noted that it would be better toobtain citizenship within a shorter time.

Those who have recently arrived in Armeniafrom Syria said that the situation is very tense,especially in Aleppo, therefore the stream ofSyrian-Armenians to the motherland will con-tinue.

The Government of Armenia has once againaddressed the issue of Syrian-Armenians whohave suffered because of the civil war in Syria.

Under a new decree issued on Thursday, theArmenian government gives an opportunity toall Armenians who are citizens of a number ofcountries (including Syria) to get an entrancevisa at border checkpoints of Armenia.Previously citizens of other countries withArmenian origin could get an entrance visaonly at Armenian diplomatic offices and con-sulates in foreign countries and only based onan invitation from Armenia.

The government has also addressed the con-cerns of Syrian-Armenians, saying that in orderto get an Armenian passport they have to comeand back and forth to Armenia several times.The government has approved a list of coun-tries whose citizens can get an Armenian pass-port for the first time in diplomatic representa-

tions and consulates of Armenia in foreigncountries; Lebanon and Syria are on the list ofthose countries.

Negotiations between the government andArmavia Airlines to increase flights betweenAleppo and Yerevan to twice a week went for-ward. Starting August 1, a second weekly flightis being added. Armavia has been repeatedlycriticized for having limited number of flightsand raising the ticket prices. The airlineresponded that the criticism is baseless,because unlike many European countries,Armavia continues carrying out flights in a warzone and thus needs to pay high insurance pre-miums.

Armavia has officially stated that it will beable to add one more flight a week if the

Despite these disturbing reports, on Sundaya video appeared on YouTube where one of thegenerals of the Syrian free army, reportingabout the “liberalization” of Aleppo, which isconsidered to be the main residence for Assad’ssupporters, said that the religious and ethnicminorities, including Armenians, had no reasonto be worried about the activations of militaryactions there, and that they would defend all ofthem.

According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry,the Armenian missions in Damascus andAleppo have issued some 3,000 visas to mainlyethnic Armenian Syrian nationals this year. Themissions will be allowed soon to give passportsto those Syrian Armenians who have appliedfor and been granted Armenian citizenship. Theauthorities in Yerevan have received more than6,000 citizenship applications since the start ofthe Syrian crisis early last year.

(Armenpress, ArmeniaNow and RFE/RLcontributed to this report.)

Syria Fighting Goes Unabated

View from Lebanon