By Nancy KalajianSpecial to the Mirror-Spectator

BOSTON — The 60th annual ArmenianNight at the Pops featured world-renownedsoprano Hasmik Papian, who did not dis-appoint.The Friends of Armenian Culture

Society, Inc. (FACS) is the sponsor of thisannual event, one of the most anticipatedArmenian cultural events in the GreaterBoston community. This year, more than450 tickets were purchased through FACS;during program intermissions, guests wereseen greeting each other with warmembraces and sharing their thoughts onthe unique program.Held in the majestic ambiance of

Boston’s Symphony Hall, this year’s pro-gramming was eclectic. “Triple Crown,” thefirst part of the program, centered on hors-es and included the premiere of RandyNewman’s Selections from Seabiscuit.Actress Paula Plum narrated a film onhorseracing and “horses’ mystical relation-ship with man.” Though occasionally sheseemed to be drowned out by the music,she nonetheless did an admirable job in achallenging role.After a long intermission, conductor Keith

Lockhart welcomed the Armenian commu-nity with an Armenian greeting andexpressed admiration for FACS’ ongoingsupport and commitment to this annualevent, now in its 60th year. “This is one ofmy favorite nights at the Pops,” sharedLockhart. Most of the audience — includingmany non-Armenians — stood up solemnly as

the Boston Pops Orchestra performed theHayr Mer (the Lord’s Prayer).As in previous FACS events, the Armenian

talent held the audience spellbound.Lockhart introduced Papian, a “distin-

guished classical artist” and later admiring-ly remarked, “It’s an honor to work withsomeone of her international stature.” In aglittery blue gown, the soprano had greatrange without a microphone and showedpoise and solid voice in performing a vari-ety of pieces.The mystical Aria-Vocalise by

Babadjanian was followed by the well-known Kilikia by Yeranian-Yekmalian.Catalani’s Ebben? Ne andro lontana, from“La Wally” was a dramatically expressed-piece that drew huge applause and con-trasted with Puccini’s O mio bambino caro,which she sang in a delicate, sensitive man-

ner. Drinking Song, an upbeat and eclecticwork by talented young composer JohnSarkissian, premiered that evening to favor-able review. Listeners gave him a big handwhen Lockhart acknowledged him in theaudience.During the evening, Lockhart also

acknowledged Ara Arakelian of FACS, the20th anniversary of the independence of

see POPS, page 13

Armenian AssemblyReserves JudgmentOn John HeffernNominationWASHINGTON — John Heffern, the

administration’s nominee to serve asambassador of the US to Armenia, faced aseries of questions on a range of issues dur-ing the recent Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee hearing chaired by Sen. JeanneShaheen (D-NH), reported the ArmenianAssembly of America.Presiding over the hearing, Foreign

Relations Subcommittee Chair onEuropean Affairs, Shaheen began theround of questioning and touched on theProtocols between Armenia and Turkey,the current statusof the Nagorno-Karabagh talksand prospects forpeace, as well asthe importance ofdemocracy andfree and fair elec-tions, especially inthe context of theupcoming nation-al elections inArmenia in 2012and 2013. Sen.John Barrasso (R-WY) emphasizedthe importance of democratization andqueried Heffern about the steps he wouldtake to assist Armenia’s development.In response to Shaheen’s questions,

Heffern indicated that the United Statesstrongly supported the Protocols signedbetween Armenia and Turkey in October of

see NOMINATION, page 16

Sen. RobertMenendez (D-NJ)

Armenia, GreecePromote Cooperation

YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — On July 19, con-sultations were held between the ForeignMinistries of Greece and Armenia in Yerevan,according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry.On the Armenian side, talks were led by the head

of the ministry’s European Union division, ArmenLiloyan, and on the Greek side by the director ofthe Department for CIS states, Ambassador KarlosGadis.During the meeting, the two sides discussed

bilateral and economic ties.

Armenia RecognizesSouth Sudan

YEREVAN — Armenia recognizes the newly-createdRepublic of South Sudan, Armenia’s ForeignMinister Eduard Nalbandian announced.“The declaration of independent statehood in

South Sudan is an exercise of legal equality ofnations and an inalienable right to self-determina-tion and another example of civilized settlement ofconflicts,” said Nalbandian.The Republic of Sudan officially recognized the

new state on Saturday. The Republic of SouthSudan declared independence early in July, follow-ing a decades-long civil war with North Sudan.

Ambassador ComplainsTo UN Chief on Azeri

PropagandaYEREVAN (Armradio.am) — Armenia’s PermanentRepresentative to the UN Garen Nazarian hasaddressed a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.Calling the secretary general’s attention to the

cases of violation of the ceasefire regime at the lineof contact by the Azerbaijani armed forces, henoted, in part, that “such provocative actions con-tradict the ongoing negotiations in the frameworkof the OSCE Minsk Group, the statements of theheads of co-chairing countries, the UN Statute andthe Helsinki Final Act.”Nazarian expressed concern over Azerbaijani

leadership spreading anti-Armenian propaganda,which is becoming a major aspect of Azerbaijan’sforeign policy.“Armenia is committed to continuing the negoti-

ations on the settlement of the Karabagh conflictwithin the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group,which is an effective and the only legitimate formatfor mediation. It’s time for Azerbaijan to under-stand that it should stop hampering the activity ofthe mediators and concentrate on the negotiationprocess instead of disseminating groundless andoffensive information,” the letter reads.

INDEXArmenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Arts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXII , NO. 2, Issue 4196

J U LY 2 3 , 2 0 1 1

$ 2.00

COAF GalaIn NYC

page 10

INSIDE

NEWS IN BRIEF

Soprano Papian Dazzles atArmenian Night at Pops

Lilit and Rouben Shugarian with Hasmik Papian at the post-concert reception

LOS ANGELES — Marking the school’s30th anniversary, the commencement cere-monies of the fifth grade (elementary),eighth grade (middle) and 12th grade (highschool) graduates of the Tekeyan CulturalAssociation Arshag Dickranian School tookplace on Saturday, June 25, at the school’sWalter and Laurel Karabian Hall.Very Rev. Dajad Yardemian, Archpriest

Manoug Markarian, benefactresses EleanorDickranian and Laurel Karabian, membersof the Tekeyan Cultural Association Boardof Directors were amongst the honoredguests, joined by members of the schoolboard of trustees, faculty and a capacityaudience comprised of jubilant parents, rel-atives and friends.

see COMMENCEMENT, page 7

TCA Dickranian School 2011 Commencement

TCA Board of Directors Meet in California

Pictured above are members of the TCA Board of Directors. Seated, from left, TCAArshag Dickranian School Trustees Arpi Avanesian-Idolor, Gia Aivazian, George K.Mandossian (president and TCA vice president), TCA President Dr. HaroutiunArzoumanian, Vice President Edmond Azadian and Treasurer Maro Bedrosian;Standing Trustee Parsegh Kartalian, Vartkes Kourouyan,(principal) TCA Board mem-bers Arsen Demirdjian, Papken Megerian, Hagop Vartivarian, Vatche Semerdjian,Rouben Terzian and Kevork Marashlian (executive secretary). See story on page 16.

YEREVAN — AGBU President BergeSetrakian paid a visit to Armenia fromMay 28 to June 3, to participate in thefirst session of the state committeecoordinating events dedicated to the100th anniversary of the ArmenianGenocide and the 20th session of theHayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Board ofTrustees.As part of his visit, Setrakian had a

number of meetings with importantgovernment officials, including presi-dent of the Republic of Armenia, SergeSargisian, chairman and speaker of theNational Assembly, Hovik Abrahamian,Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian,Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanian,Minister of Education and ScienceArmen Ashotyan and Diaspora MinisterHranoush Hakobian.During the meetings, Setrakian was

accompanied by AGBU Central Boardmember Yervant Zorian and director ofAGBU’s Armenian Representation,Ashot Ghazarian.On May 29, along with the Pontifical

retinue of Karekin II, the AGBU presi-dent left for Rostov-on-Don (NewNakhijevan) in Russia to attend the con-secration and the Divine Liturgy at the

newly built St. Harutyun Church. In hisspeech, Setrakian congratulated thelocal Armenian community and allthose present. Since he had been pre-sent at a similar ceremony in the UnitedStates, Setrakian drew parallelsbetween the two events, noting that theArmenian traditions, rituals and atmos-phere are always the same, whether inArmenia or abroad. He welcomed theunification of the Armenians aroundthe Church and praised the fact thatArmenian communities in the post-Soviet territory are becoming increas-ingly organized. On behalf of AGBU,Setrakian presented an organ to thecongregation on the occasion of theconsecration.On May 30, accompanied by the

AGBU delegation, Setrakian participat-ed in the first session of the ArmenianGenocide 100th Anniversary StateCommittee, established and presidedover by President Serge Sargisian.On June 1, Setrakian took part in the

20th session of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund’s Board of Trustees.That evening, Setrakian attended the90th anniversary celebration of theHoward Karagheusian CommemorativeFoundation, which was held atYerevan’s Arno Babajanian Hall.President of the board of directors ofthe Karagheusian Foundation, MichaelHaratunian, and the executive director,Walter Bandazian, were both in atten-dance, as were many other board mem-bers, chairmen, and friends of the cor-poration’s offices in New York,Lebanon, Syria and Armenia.In his speech, the AGBU president

spoke about the wide scope of nationaland humanitarian activities of theKaragheusian family, particularly focus-ing on Arshak Karagheusian’s activitiesas AGBU President (1942-1953) duringWorld War II and the years that fol-lowed. During Karagheusian’s presiden-cy, AGBU had undertaken the mission

of holding national fundraisers to sup-port war survivors, organize repatria-tion and help Armenia.Setrakian praised the devoted nation-

al activities of the members of theKaragheusian family — Arshak, Mihranand Leila — and underscored their rolein the construction and improvement ofAGBU’s Middle East schools, contribut-ing profoundly to humanitarian activi-ties in the past decades. He also men-tioned the lasting cooperation and his-toric warm relations between AGBUand the Foundation.The Howard Karagheusian

Commemorative Foundation was estab-lished in 1921 in New York by Mihranand Zabel Karagheusian, brother andsister of Arshak Karagheusian, for thepurpose of caring for, healing and edu-cating orphaned children. In honor ofthe anniversary, Setrakian visited theKaragheusian office, dental clinic andthe Karagheusian Museum in the Norkdistrict of the Armenian capital.That same day, Setrakian had a meet-

ing with Armenia’s Education andScience minister, Armen Ashotyan, todiscuss cooperation between theMinistry and AGBU in the field of edu-cation. Following the meeting, he wasreceived by Ohanian. Prospects ofAGBU’s educational assistance in theform of scholarships to army officerspursuing their education in such fieldsas law, management, and internationalrelations were discussed. Setrakianwent on to participate in the jubilee

event dedicated to the 70th birthdayanniversary of Jirair Tanielian, a promi-nent linguist, editor, bibliographer, edu-cator and social figure. The celebrationwas held at the Tekeyan CulturalAssociation. In his speech, Setrakianpraised the honoree’s active role in edu-cation and in his activities as the long-time principal of AGBU Tarouhi-Hovagimian Secondary School andthanked him for the generations ofArmenians that he helped cultivate.On June 2, Setrakian was received by

the National Assembly chairman andspeaker, Abrahamian. The two dis-cussed strengthening Armenia-diasporarelations, preservation of the Armenianidentity, and possible projects betweenthe Ministry and AGBU. They also wentover the results of the recent interna-tional conference titled “Prospects ofDiaspora in a Globalizing World.” Laterin the day, Setrakian had a meetingwith Diaspora Minister HranoushHakobian to discuss the joint projectsof the Ministry and AGBU.On June 3, Setrakian was hosted by

Karekin II at the Mother See of HolyEchmiadzin. Both discussed the processof joint educational and faith-based pro-jects of AGBU and the Mother See.Karekin II expressed his gratitude to theAGBU president for the continued sup-port for Holy Echmiadzin by the mem-bers of the organization. Setrakianemphasized the importance of the estab-lished cooperation between AGBU andthe Mother See.

AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss PPooppuullaattiioonnDDeecclliinniinngg;; 4444 PPeerrcceennttSSeeee NNoo FFuuttuurree iinn

HHoommeellaannddYYEERREEVVAANN ((TTeerrtt..aamm)) —— TThhee wwoorrlldd ppooppuullaattiioonn wwiillllttoopp 44 bbiilllliioonn iinn NNoovveemmbbeerr,, bbuutt aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoo ddeemmoo--ggrraapphhiicc pprroojjeeccttiioonnss,, AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss ppooppuullaattiioonn wwiillllsshhrriinnkk bbyy 22005500,, GGaarriikk HHaayyrraappeettyyaann,, tthhee eexxeeccuuttiivveerreepprreesseennttaattiivvee ooff tthhee UUNN PPooppuullaatt iioonn FFuunndd’’ssYYeerreevvaann ooffffiiccee,, ttoolldd aa nneewwss ccoonnffeerreennccee eeaarrlliieerr tthhiisswweeeekk..AA UUNN ssttuuddyy ccoonndduucctteedd iinn 22000099 sshhoowwss tthhaatt oonnllyy

1166 ppeerrcceenntt ooff tthhee rreessppoonnddeennttss iinn AArrmmeenniiaa hhaavvee ssaaiiddtthheeyy aarree rreeaaddyy ttoo hhaavvee aannootthheerr cchhiilldd iinn tthhee tthhrreeeeyyeeaarrss ttoo ccoommee;; 6688 ppeerrcceenntt rruulleedd oouutt ssuucchh aa ppoossssii--bbiilliittyy.. TThhee nnuummbbeerr ooff cchhiillddrreenn bboorrnn ttoo yyoouunngg ffaammii--lliieess ssttaannddss aatt 11..55,, wwhhiillee 22..11 iiss nneeeeddeedd ffoorr aa ssiimmpplleerreepprroodduuccttiioonn..SSoommee 4444 ppeerrcceenntt hhaavvee ssaaiidd tthheeyy ddoonn’’tt sseeee tthheeiirr

ffuuttuurree iinn AArrmmeenniiaa..CCoommmmeennttiinngg oonn tthhee nnuummbbeerrss,, VVaanniikk BBaabbaajjaannyyaann,,

tthhee hheeaadd ooff tthhee LLaabboorr aanndd SSoocciiaall AAffffaaiirrss MMiinniissttrryy’’ssDDeemmooggrraapphhiiccss DDiivviissiioonn,, ssaaiidd ssoommee ooff tthhee rreeaassoonnssiinncclluuddee iissssuueess lliikkee ddwweelllliinngg,, eemmppllooyymmeenntt,, hheeaalltthhccaarree aanndd llaacckk ooff rreessoouurrcceess ttoo ssttaarrtt ffaammiilliieess aammoonnggootthheerr ddiiffffiiccuullttiieess..HHee,, hhoowweevveerr,, sshhrruuggggeedd ooffff aalllleeggaattiioonnss tthhaatt eemmii--

ggrraattiioonn nnuummbbeerrss hhaavvee hhiitt tthhrreeaatteenniinngg lleevveellss iinnAArrmmeenniiaa..

GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt BBooddyyRReeppoorrttss SSuurrggee iinn IIlllleeggaall

LLooggggiinngg YYEERREEVVAANN ((RRFFEE//RRLL)) —— AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss ssttaattee ffoorreessttrryyaaggeennccyy rreeppoorrtteedd oonn TTuueessddaayy aa sshhaarrpp iinnccrreeaassee iinn tthheessccaallee ooff iilllleeggaall llooggggiinngg iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy,, bbllaammiinngg iitt oonntthhee iinnccrreeaasseedd ccoosstt ooff nnaattuurraall ggaass.. MMaarrttuunn MMaatteevvoossiiaann,, ddiirreeccttoorr ooff tthhee HHaayyaannttaarr

aaggeennccyy,, ssaaiidd ssoommee 11,,770000 ttrreeeess iinn vvaarriioouuss AArrmmeenniiaannffoorreessttss wweerree iilllleeggaallllyy ccuutt ddoowwnn iinn tthhee ffiirrsstt hhaallff oofftthhiiss yyeeaarr,, aann aallmmoosstt 110000--ppeerrcceenntt iinnccrreeaassee ffrroomm tthheessaammee ppeerriioodd ooff llaasstt yyeeaarr..““TThhiiss iinnccrreeaassee iinn tthhee ssccaallee ooff iilllleeggaall llooggggiinngg wwaass

oobbsseerrvveedd aallrreeaaddyy llaasstt ffaallll,,”” MMaatteevvoossiiaann ttoolldd aa nneewwssccoonnffeerreennccee.. ““IItt’’ss ccoonnnneecctteedd wwiitthh tthhee rriissee iinn tthheepprriiccee ooff ggaass..””TThhee ooffffiicciiaall ssaaiidd tthhee mmoossttllyy rruurraall rreessiiddeennttss lliivviinngg

iinn oorr cclloossee ttoo wwooooddeedd aarreeaass ffiinndd iitt iinnccrreeaassiinnggllyy hhaarrddttoo ppaayy ffoorr tthhee ggaass aanndd uussee ff iirreewwoooodd ffoorr hheeaattiinngg aannddccooookkiinngg ppuurrppoosseess.. ““WWee aarree aaccttiivveellyy wwoorrkkiinngg wwiitthhllaaww--eennffoorrcceemmeenntt ssttrruuccttuurreess ttoo iiddeenntt iiffyy tthhoosseeeennggaaggeedd iinn iilllleeggaall llooggggiinngg,,”” hhee aaddddeedd..EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall pprrootteeccttiioonn ggrroouuppss aaggrreeeedd tthhaatt tthhee

iilllleeggaall ddeessttrruuccttiioonn ooff ttrreeeess aaccrroossss tthhee ccoouunnttrryy iiss oonntthhee rriissee.. BBuutt IInnggaa ZZaarraaffiiaann ooff tthhee EEccoolluurr nnoonn--ggoovv--eerrnnmmeennttaall oorrggaanniizzaattiioonn ssaaiidd tthhaatt tthhee ooffffiicciiaall ffiigg--uurreess cciitteedd bbyy MMaatteevvoossiiaann aarree nnoott ccrreeddiibbllee aanndd tthhaatttthhee rreeaall ssccaallee ooff llooggggiinngg iiss hhiigghheerr..

HHaallff ooff OOrrpphhaannss iinnAArrmmeenniiaa AArree DDiissaabblleedd

YYEERREEVVAANN ((aa11pplluuss..aamm)) —— HHaallff ooff tthhee cchhiillddrreenn lliivviinnggiinn AArrmmeenniiaann oorrpphhaannaaggeess aarree ddiissaabblleedd,, ssaayyss LLaallaaGGhhaazzaarryyaann,, hheeaadd ooff tthhee FFaammiillyy,, WWoommeenn aannddCChhiillddrreenn AAffffaaiirrss DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt aatt tthhee MMiinniissttrryy ooffLLaabboorr aanndd SSoocciiaall AAffffaaiirrss..““IInn ccoommppaarriissoonn wwiitthh ffoorreeiiggnn ccoouunnttrriieess,, ppaarreennttss iinn

AArrmmeenniiaa hhaavvee aa bbiiaasseedd aapppprrooaacchh ttoo ddiissaabbiilliittyy aannddwwaanntt ttoo aaddoopptt aa hheeaalltthhyy cchhiilldd,,”” ssaaiidd GGhhaazzaarryyaann..SShhee ddiissmmiisssseedd tthhee iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn tthhaatt ffoorreeiiggnneerrss

aaddoopptt cchhiillddrreenn mmoorree eeaassiillyy tthhaann llooccaallss..““IInntteerrssttaattee aaddooppttiioonn iiss aa mmuucchh mmoorree ccoommpplliiccaatteedd

pprroocceessss tthhaann yyoouu ccaann iimmaaggiinnee,,”” sshhee ssaaiidd..TThheerree aarree sseevveenn oorrpphhaannaaggeess iinn tthhee rreeppuubblliicc wwiitthh

880000 cchhiillddrreenn.. AAbboouutt 112200 cchhiillddrreenn wweerree aaddoopptteedd iinnAArrmmeenniiaa iinn 22001100;; aannootthheerr 555511 cchhiillddrreenn wweerree ppllaacceeddiinnttoo ffoosstteerr ccaarree.. ““HHoowweevveerr,, tthheessee cchhiillddrreenn ccoonnttiinnuueettoo rreemmaaiinn oorrpphhaannss aanndd iiff tthheeyy aarree ssuubbsseeqquueennttllyyaaddoopptteedd bbyy tthheeiirr gguuaarrddiiaannss,, tthheeyy aarree uunnaabbllee ffoorrmm aannoorrmmaall ffaammiillyy iinn tthhee ffuuttuurree,,”” sshhee ssaaiidd..OOnnllyy mmaarrrriieedd ccoouupplleess ccaann aaddoopptt,, bbuutt oonnllyy wwhheenn

tthheeyy hhaavvee aa ppeerrmmaanneenntt ppllaaccee ooff rreessiiddeennccee aannddsstteeaaddyy wwoorrkk..

News From Armenia

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

Golden Apricot Selects ‘Nader And Semin, the Separation’ byFarhadi for Best Feature FilmYEREVAN (Arminfo) — The winners of the eighth Golden Apricot Yerevan

International Film Festival were announced this week.In the International Feature Film Competition, the Golden Apricot prize

for the best feature film was bestowed upon “Nader and Semin, theSeperation,” by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. The Silver Apricot prize wasawarded to “The Journals of Musan,” by Park Jungbum. The Special JuryPrize was given to “The Prize,” by Paula Markovitch.In the International Documentary Film Competition, the Golden Apricot

prize was awarded to “The World according to Ion B.,” by Alexander Nanau;the Silver Apricot prize went to “Summer Pasture,” by Lynn True, NelsonWalker III and Tsering Perlo and Special Mention was given to “MagnificentNothing” by Ahmad Seyedkeshmiri.In the Armenian Panorama Competition division, the Golden Apricot prize

for Best Armenian Film and Best Short film was awarded to “Loading MyLife,” by Haroutyun Shatyan; the Silver Apricot to “The Spaceship,” by EmilMkrtchian and Special Mention was given to “The Last Hippie of the PinkCity,” by Anastasia Popova.In the Golden Apricot Stone Competition for Short Films, the Golden

Apricot prize was awarded to “Glasgow,” by Piotr Subbotko; Special Mentionto “Bicycle,” by Serhat Karaaslan and the FIPRESCI Jury Prize was given to“Mandoo,” by Ebrahim Saeedi. The Hrant Matevosyan Prize went to EmilMkrtchian for the film, “The Spaceship.”The British Council established a prize, which was awarded to “Loading

My Life,” which also won the Nvard prize.The Special Prize of the Armenian Film Academy “Unique Artistic View”

went to “The Prize,” by Paula Markovitch.

Berge Setrakian met with DefenseMinister Seyran Ohanian

AGBU President Visits Armenia

Second right, Berge Setrakian, Hranoush Hagopian, Jirair Tanielian and KOHARKhatchadourian at the Tekeyan Cultural Association of Armenia

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

UUSS SSeennaattoorrss WWoorrrryy oovveerrRRaaddaarr DDeeaall wwiitthh TTuurrkkeeyy

WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN ((AAFFPP)) —— TTwwoo kkeeyy UUSS sseennaattoorrsseexxpprreesssseedd ccoonncceerrnnss TTuueessddaayy aabboouutt aa ppoossssiibbllee aaggrreeee--mmeenntt ttoo bbaassee aa mmiissssiillee--sshhiieelldd rraaddaarr iinn TTuurrkkeeyy,, cciittiinnggtthhee NNAATTOO aallllyy’’ss ssttrraaiinneedd ttiieess wwiitthh IIssrraaeell aanndd rreellaa--ttiioonnss wwiitthh IIrraann..RReeppuubblliiccaann SSeennaattoorrss JJoonn KKyyll aanndd MMaarrkk KKiirrkk

wwrroottee DDeeffeennssee SSeeccrreettaarryy LLeeoonn PPaanneettttaa aannddSSeeccrreettaarryy ooff SSttaattee HHiillllaarryy CClliinnttoonn sseeeekkiinngg rreeaassssuurr--aanncceess oonn tthhee ppoossssiibbllee ddeeaall,, wwhhiicchh wwaass ddeessccrriibbeedd iinnaa nneewwss rreeppoorrtt llaasstt wweeeekk..TThhee llaawwmmaakkeerrss aasskkeedd ffoorr ““wwrriitttteenn aassssuurraanncceess””

tthhaatt ddaattaa ccoolllleecctteedd bbyy aa ssoo--ccaalllleedd XX--bbaanndd rraaddaarr ““wwiillllbbee mmaaddee aavvaaiillaabbllee,, iinn rreeaall ttiimmee”” ttoo ssttaauunncchh UUSS aallllyyIIssrraaeell ttoo bbee ““ffuullllyy iinntteeggrraatteedd iinnttoo iittss bbaattttlleemmeennttmmaannaaggeemmeenntt aanndd ccoonnttrrooll..”” TThheeyy aallssoo ssoouugghhtt aa gguuaarr--aanntteeee tthhaatt ““TTuurrkkiisshh eennttiittiieess aarree nnoott eennggaaggeedd,, oorrssuussppeecctteedd ooff eennggaaggiinngg”” iinn aaccttiivviittiieess tthhaatt ffaallll aaffoouullooff vvaarriioouuss UUSS llaawwss aaiimmeedd aatt ccuurrbbiinngg ssuussppeecctteeddnnuucclleeaarr wweeaappoonnss pprrooggrraammss iinn IIrraann aanndd SSyyrriiaa aannddkkeeeeppiinngg sseennssiittiivvee kknnooww--hhooww ffrroomm NNoorrtthh KKoorreeaa..AAnndd PPrreessiiddeenntt BBaarraacckk OObbaammaa’’ss aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn

mmuusstt aallssoo cceerrttiiffyy tthhaatt tthhee ppoowweerrffuull rraaddaarr wwiillll oonnllyybbee ooppeerraatteedd bbyy UUSS ppeerrssoonnnneell,, aanndd ffoorr 2244 hhoouurrss aaddaayy,, sseevveenn ddaayyss aa wweeeekk,, eexxcceepptt ffoorr mmaaiinntteennaanncceebbrreeaakkss,, tthhee sseennaattoorrss ssaaiidd..KKiirrkk aanndd KKyyll,, tthhee nnuummbbeerr--ttwwoo SSeennaattee RReeppuubblliiccaann,,

aallssoo qquueessttiioonneedd wwhheetthheerr tthhee rreeppoorrtteedd ddeecciissiioonn ttoollooccaattee tthhee rraaddaarr iinn TTuurrkkeeyy wwoouulldd ““eennssuurree tthhee bbeessttddeeffeennssee ooff tthhee UUnniitteedd SSttaatteess aaggaaiinnsstt tthhee IIrraanniiaannlloonngg--rraannggee bbaalllliissttiicc mmiissssiillee tthhrreeaatt..””TThheeyy cciitteedd aa UUSS MMiissssiillee DDeeffeennssee AAggeennccyy ssttuuddyy

tthhaatt ffoouunndd tthhee SSoouutthh CCaauuccaassuuss ttoo bbee ““tthhee ooppttiimmuummppllaacceemmeenntt”” iiff tthhee ssyysstteemm iiss ddeessiiggnneedd ttoo ddeeffeennddaaggaaiinnsstt aann eevveennttuuaall IIrraanniiaann bbaalllliissttiicc mmiissssiillee aattttaacckk..““TThhee aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn’’ss ppllaannss ffoorr mmiissssiillee ddeeffeennssee

wwiillll rreeqquuiirree tthhee ccooooppeerraattiioonn ooff tthhee CCoonnggrreessss;; tthheepprroossppeeccttss ffoorr ssuucchh ccooooppeerraattiioonn aarree jjeeooppaarrddiizzeedd iifftthhee CCoonnggrreessss iiss nnoott pprroovviiddeedd tthhee iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn iittrreeqquueessttss,,”” tthheeyy wwaarrnneedd..

WWoommaann AAccccuusseedd iinn TThheeffttOOff AAiivvaazzoovvsskkyy PPaaiinnttiinngg

MMOOSSCCOOWW ((eepprreessss..aamm)) —— MMoossccooww ppoolliiccee hhaavveeddeettaaiinneedd aa wwoommaann oonn ssuussppiicciioonn ooff sstteeaalliinngg aa ppaaiinntt--iinngg bbyy sseeaassccaappee ppaaiinntteerr IIvvaann AAiivvaazzoovvsskkyy tthhaatt sshheewwaass rreeppoorrtteeddllyy rreessttoorriinngg,, aa ppoolliiccee ssoouurrccee ttoolldd IIttaarr--TTaassss nneewwss aaggeennccyy llaasstt FFrriiddaayy..AAccccoorrddiinngg ttoo tthhee ssoouurrccee,, tthhee bbaannkk ddiirreeccttoorr wwhhoo

oowwnneedd tthhee ppaaiinnttiinngg ttoolldd ppoolliiccee tthhaatt hhee hhaadd ggiivveenn tthheewwoommaann AAiivvaazzoovvsskkyy’’ss ppaaiinnttiinngg,, ““SSeeaasshhoorree CCaallmm,, AALLaannddssccaappee wwiitthh aa CCaarrrriiaaggee aanndd aa BBooaatt,,”” eessttiimmaatteedd ttoobbee wwoorrtthh aabboouutt $$664400,,000000.. HHee nnoottiiffiieedd tthhee aauutthhoorrii--ttiieess aafftteerr hhee wwaass uunnaabbllee ttoo ggeett tthhee ppaaiinnttiinngg bbaacckk..SSoo ffaarr tthhee mmaann hhaass nnoott pprroodduucceedd aannyy ddooccuummeennttss

ccoonnffiirrmmiinngg tthhee ppaaiinnttiinngg’’ss aauutthheennttiicciittyy..PPoolliiccee aarree aatttteemmppttiinngg ttoo ffiinndd tthhee ppaaiinnttiinngg..

TTeehhrraann MMaayy IInnvviitteeAArrmmeenniiaa ttoo MMeeeettiinngg ooff

FFoorreeiiggnn MMiinniisstteerrssTTEEHHRRAANN ((PPaannAArrmmeenniiaann..NNeett)) —— IIrraann iiss oorrggaanniizziinngg aammeeeettiinngg bbeettwweeeenn FFoorreeiiggnn MMiinniisstteerrss ooff TTuurrkkeeyy,, IIrraannaanndd AAzzeerrbbaaiijjaann iinn tthhee nneeaarr ffuuttuurree..IItt iiss nnoott yyeett ddeeff iinniittee iiff TTeehhrraann wwiillll iinnvviittee AArrmmeenniiaa

ttoo ppaarrttiicciippaattee iinn tthhee ttrriillaatteerraall mmeeeettiinngg bbeettwweeeenn ffoorr--eeiiggnn mmiinniisstteerrss,, aass iitt iiss bbaasseedd oonn aa uunniillaatteerraall aaggrreeee--mmeenntt aammoonngg tthhee ppaarrttiieess iinnvvoollvveedd,, aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoo tthheeIIrraanniiaann EEmmbbaassssyy iinn BBaakkuu..HHoowweevveerr rreepprreesseennttaattiivvee ooff AAzzeerrii FFoorreeiiggnn MMiinniissttrryy

kkeepptt ffrroomm ccoommmmeennttiinngg oonn tthhee iinniittiiaattiivvee ooff IIrraann aannddssttrreesssseedd tthhaatt tthhee IIrraanniiaann ppaarrttyy’’ss pprrooppoossaall nneeeeddss ttoobbee ssttuuddiieedd..TThhee mmeeeettiinngg iinn tthhee ttrriillaatteerraall ffoorrmmaatt bbeettwweeeenn tthhee

ffoorreeiiggnn mmiinniisstteerrss ooff TTuurrkkeeyy,, IIrraann aanndd AAzzeerrbbaaiijjaannwwaass ffiirrsstt oorrggaanniizzeedd iinn IIssttaannbbuull aatt tthhee bbeeggiinnnniinngg oofftthhiiss yyeeaarr.. LLaatteerr,, oonn AApprriill 1166,, tthhee ppaarrttiieess hheelldd aammeeeettiinngg iinn tthhee IIrraanniiaann cciittyy,, UUrrmmiiaa..TThhee mmeeeettiinngg rreessuulltteedd iinn ssiiggnniinngg aa jjooiinntt ddeeccllaarraa--

ttiioonn ccoonnssiissttiinngg ooff nniinnee pprroovviissiioonnss.. TThhee ddeeccllaarraattiioonnssttaatteess tthhaatt iitt iiss nneecceessssaarryy ttoo bboooosstt ppoolliittiiccaall,, eeccoo--nnoommiicc aanndd sseeccuurriittyy ccooooppeerraattiioonn aammoonngg tthhee tthhrreeeeccoouunnttrriieess aass wweellll aass ttoo eennhhaannccee ttiieess iinn tthhee ffiieellddss ooffttoouurriissmm,, sscciieennccee aanndd ccuullttuurree..IItt wwaass ddeecciiddeedd ttoo hhoolldd tthhee nneexxtt mmeeeettiinngg iinn

OOccttoobbeerr,, iinn NNaakkhhiijjeevvaann,, aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoo 11nneewwss..aazz..

International NewsISTANBUL (RFE/RL) — US Secretary

of State Hillary Clinton pressed Turkeyto unconditionally comply with its nor-malization agreements with Armeniaduring a weekend trip to Istanbul.A senior State Department official

said Turkish-Armenian relations were onthe agenda of her talks with Turkish

President Abdullah Gul, Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip Erdogan and ForeignMinister Ahmet Davutoglu.

“She encouraged Turkey to supportand move the [Turkish-Armenian]Protocols, which have been stuck in theTurkish parliament, but more generallyto reach out to Armenia with confidence-building measures and do whatever pos-sible to strengthen that relationship,leading ultimately to restored diplomatic

ties,” the official told journalists.The two protocols were signed, in

Clinton’s presence, by the Turkish and

Armenian foreign ministers in Zurich inOctober 2009. They committed the twoneighboring nations to establish diplo-matic relation and open the Turkish-Armenian border, which Ankara closedin 1993 in a show of support forAzerbaijan.The Turkish government has repeat-

edly made clear that it will not ensurethe Protocols’ ratification by Turkey’sparliament before a resolution of theNagorno-Karabagh conflict, acceptableto Baku, is reached. Yerevan rejects thislinkage, saying that it contradicts theletter and the spirit of the US-backedagreements.Citing the Turkish precondition,

President Serge Sargisian suspendedthe process of Armenian parliamentaryratification of the Protocols in April2009. But he stopped short of formallyannulling them.Clinton welcomed this stance as “very

statesmanlike” when she visited Yerevanin July 2010. “The ball is in the othercourt,” she said, urging the Turks todrop the Karabagh linkage.Nevertheless, Erdogan and other

Turkish officials have continued to makenormal relations with Armenia contin-gent on Karabagh peace. In a sign ofYerevan’s growing frustration with thisstance, Sarkisian threatened to scrap theprotocols altogether earlier this year.The normalization of Turkish-

Armenian relations has long been a USpolicy goal in the region. The StateDepartment official who briefed US jour-nalists on Clinton’s talks in Istanbuldescribed it as a “historic project.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu

Clinton Presses Turks to Honor Accord with Armenia

BUENOS AIRES — On Saturday, May14, nearly 500 people gathered to cele-brate the centennial anniversary of thefounding of AGBU’s Buenos AiresChapter.The celebration took place in the

AGBU Buenos Aires Center’s NazarianHall, which was filled to capacity. Theevening was honored with the patron-age and presence of Karekin II,Catholicos of All Armenians, who wason a pontifical visit to South America.Teacher and chairwoman of the

Armenian Department at the BuenosAires’ Marie Manoogian Institute,Rosita Yousoufian, acted as theevening’s emcee. Buenos Aires chapterchairman and AGBU Central Boardmember, Ruben Kechichian, welcomedKarekin II and all attendees and thenwent on to give an overview of the orga-nization’s benevolent activities, particu-larly for the benefit of the church andnation, and stressed that this directionhas characterized AGBU’s whole mis-sion since its founding. The BuenosAires Chapter, which was founded inArgentina prior to the 1915 Genocide,has consistently served the Armenianpeople for the past 100 years. “Wordsare insufficient to express our admira-tion and appreciation for the founders,the successive chairmen and the com-mittees. They truly knew how to inter-pret Boghos Nubar’s message, makingthe Buenos Aires Chapter one of themost active and enterprising chapters,”said Kechichian.There were numerous speeches dur-

ing the evening, including words byArmenia’s ambassador to Argentina,Vladimir Karmirshalian, and AGBU vicepresident, Sinan Sinanian, who con-veyed his message on behalf of theAGBU leadership who were not in atten-dance. “The Buenos Aires Chapter ofAGBU, with its fervent and diverse activ-ity and the Marie Manoogian Institute,

joins the youths and young adults withthe Armenian senior citizens, being anatural right of succession of genera-tions and simultaneously maintainingthe organization’s vitality,” saidSinanian. “In this sense too, throughcollective effort and uninterruptedly formore than 30 years now, the successivegraduating classes have visitedArmenia, where the Armenian educa-tion they receive becomes firmly rootedthrough their immersion in theArmenian environment.”AGBU President Berge Setrakian sent

a message in which he expressedAGBU’s gratitude to the ArmenianCatholicos in Echmiadzin, Armenia,who “encourages us with his presenceand participation in the celebration,stressing the mutual and inviolableattachment existing between theMother See of Holy Echmiadzin andAGBU.” Setrakian’s message also statedhis deep conviction that the BuenosAires Chapter will continue to provide arich array of services to the coming gen-erations.Karekin II delivered his own message

of appreciation and praise, emphasizingthe invaluable presence of AGBU in thelives of Armenians around the worldand expressing the Mother See’s grati-tude to all the chapters and members ofthe world’s largest Armenian nonprofitorganization, who consistently supportHoly Echmiadzin and back its missionand programs. “It is our wish that themarking and celebration of the worthy100-year-old mission of the AGBUBuenos Aires Chapter gives you newinspiration and incentive to continueyour service to the Argentinean-Armenian community with the samelove, care and zeal and to make yourgood contribution to the realization ofthe hopes and aspirations of our peo-ple,” he said. At the conclusion of hisremarks, Karekin II decorated

Yousoufian, Dr. Roberto Malkhassianand longtime executive committeemember Haroutiun Sarafian, withmedals in appreciation for their service.Antonio Sarafian presented Karekin

II with one of the first stamps that theofficial Argentinean postal serviceissued in tribute to the centennialanniversary. Among the guests for the evening

were Armenia’s ambassador toArgentina, Karmirshalian, and his wife,Anahit; ambassador of France toArgentina, Jean Pierre Asvazadourian;Primate of the Diocese of Argentina andChile, Archbishop Kissag Mouradian;Primate of the Western Diocese of theArmenian Church of North America,Archbishop Hovnan Derderian; Primateof the Armenian Apostolic Church ofBrazil, Archbishop Datev Gharibian;AGBU vice president, Sinanian;Argentinean-Armenian entrepreneurand philanthropist, Eduardo Eurnekian;benefactor, Berdjuhi Emirian; AGBUBuenos Aires Chapter chairman andmember of AGBU’s Central Board ofDirectors, Kechichian, and his wife,Elsa; AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter vicechairman, Hampartsoum Hallajian andhonorary chairman of the Chapter,Vahram Hairabedian.Also in attendance were AGBU Sao

Paulo Chapter chairman, KrikorManukian; AGBU Montevideo Chapterchairman, Dr. Gustavo Zulamian; AGBUMontevideo secretary and committeemembers, Valeria Momdjian andPatricia Koharian; AGBU CordobaChapter vice chairman, ChristianYacoubian; honorary ArmenianCounselor in Brazil, Diruhi Burmaian;honorary member of AGBU, LeonCarlos Arslanian; founders of BuenosAires Youth League, Nicholas Hermesand Bautista Kuyumdjian and otherhonorary and benevolent members andfriends of AGBU.

AGBU’s Buenos Aires Chapter CelebratesIts Centennial Anniversary

4 S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

Worthy Tribute to ArchpriestZaven Arzoumanian in

Los AngelesBURBANK, Calif. — Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Los Angeles Chapter orga-

nized a tribute honoring Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian’s 60 years of service to theArmenian Church. It was held under the auspices of the Western Diocese of theArmenian Church, with the Primate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presiding. Ittook place at the Zorayan Hall of St. Leon Cathedral here on Sunday, June 26.

A cross section of the prominent figures of the Armenian community of theGreater Los Angeles had filled the hall to capacity. Among the attendees were theformer Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church ArchbishopVatche Hovsepian, Primate of the Armenian Church in Iraq Archbishop AvakAsadourian, eight members of Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Board of Directorsof the United States and Canada, parish priests and church members who hadknown and worked with the honoree.

Tekeyan Cultural Association’s chairman of the Los Angeles Chapter, VatcheSemerdjian, made the opening remarks. He portrayed the honoree as a prolificwriter, who had written 11 books in the last 30 years. Most significant amongthese books were the last three, which were the continuation of ArcbishopMaghakia Ormanian’s famous tri-volume publication of the Armenian ChurchHistory, Azkabadoum. Semerdjian then passed the baton to the Master ofCeremonies, Hratch Sepetjian, to proceed with the program.

Sepetjian invited one by one the following clergymen and laypeople to delivertheir remarks about Arzoumanian, the inquisitive person, the beloved parish priestand the erudite historian of the Armenian Church: Very Rev. Baret Yeretsian,Edmond Yervant Azadian, Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, Dr. HaroutuneArzoumanian and Derderian.

Tabakian had the difficult task of presenting Arzoumanian’s 11 publications,which had immensely enriched the bibliography of the Armenian Church. Two ofthose publications, noted Tabakian, were written in English about the rituals andsacraments of the Armenian Church, thus making the non-Armenian speakingparishioners understand and grasp the essence of the first Christian nation in theworld.

The last three publications, continued Tabakian, were the all important exten-sion of Ormanian’s tri-volume publication of the history of the Armenian Church,from its inception until 1909. Arzoumanian’s three-volume publication covered thechurch history from 1910 until 1995 and its last volume was dedicated toCatholicos of all the Armenians Vazken the first of blessed memory.

Dr. Haroutune Arzoumanian, the honoree’s younger brother, described his olderbrother’s personal characteristics. He noted that his brother loved to read, lovedhis church and had a keen memory that distinguished him from his two brothersand three sisters.

Daniel Arzoumanian went to the Seminary of Antelias at age 16, was ordaineda celibate priest in 1954. Thereafter he went to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to serve asa parish priest. He received his initial theological education in England, then inthe United States, where he graduated from Columbia University with a doctorate.He served as parish priest first in Philadelphia, then in Montreal, and later still inBoca Rotan, Orlando and St. Petersburg, Fla., and finally in Pasadena.

Sepetjian read congratulatory letters sent by different colleagues of the honoreefrom all over the United States, among who was Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, the

see TRIBUTE, page 6

Armenian AssemblyInterns Meet withGenocide ResolutionSponsors

WASHINGTON — This week, as part of theArmenian Assembly’s Terjenian-ThomasSummer Internship Program, participantsmet with Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA)and Robert Dold (R-IL), the lead sponsors ofthe Armenian Genocide resolution, H. Res304.

Schiff spoke with this year’s intern classabout the efforts and challenges involved inmoving the bill through Congress, and reaf-firmed his commitment to the passage of thisimportant human rights legislation. Schiffalso spoke with the group regarding theimportance of safeguarding the rights ofminorities in Turkey and discussed H. Res.306, introduced by his colleagues, ArmenianCaucus Co-Chair Edward Royce (C-RA) andHouse Foreign Affairs Committee RankingMember Howard Berman (D-CA). H. Res. 306urges “the Republic of Turkey to safeguard

its Christian heritage and to return confis-cated church properties.”

“The preservation of history and culture isa deeply rooted value among Armenians andso I was very encouraged to hear first-handhow members of Congress are seeking to pro-tect what remains of the little Christian her-itage in Turkey,” said Araksya Mikaelyan,who hails from Armenia and is pursing abusiness degree at Hope College in Michigan.

Dold also addressed the group, stressinghis commitment to US affirmation of theArmenian Genocide. Dold provided the classwith a behind-the-scenes view of inter-partypolitics on the issues of the day, includingthe current budget negotiations process.

“Congressman Dold provided revealing per-spective on the politics involved in and hur-dles to passing hot-button legislation, like thecurrent debt ceiling fight,” stated MichaelDaniell, an intern with Blue Star Strategies,a local lobbying firm.

As part of the “Capital Ideas” lectureseries, throughout the summer Assemblyinterns have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with elected officials to hear their viewson the issues facing the nation.

“As we advance both H. Res. 304 and H.Res. 306 through Congress, the ArmenianAssembly will continue to train the next gen-eration of community leaders to ensure thatArmenian-American issues remain at the fore-front of future policy discussions,” statedAssembly Grassroots Director TanielKoushakjian.

Ruth AllukianNamed BostonEducator ofThe Year

BOSTON — Ruth Felice Allukian, RN,received the 2011 Educator of the YearAward from Mayor Thomas M. Menino onbehalf of the City of Boston and the BostonSchool Department on June 20, at theShubert Theater.

Allukian is the first Boston school nurse tobe selected as educator of the year. Thisaward is given to an individual who has beenextraordinary in their work and has beenexemplary in their efforts on behalf of thestudents of the Boston Public Schools.

Allukian began her career as one of thefirst adult nurse practitioners in NewEngland working for the MassachusettsGeneral Hospital at the Bunker Hill HealthCenter in Charlestown in the late 1960s. Shethen received her master’s degree in publichealth (MPH) from the University ofMichigan and went on to Boston CityHospital, where she became director of nurs-ing in the Outpatient Department.

After her second child was born, shestopped working as a nurse, had four morechildren and then went back to work as a

nurse when her sixth child began going toschool. Allukian then worked as a schoolnurse at the Carter School, which had themost severely disabled children in the city. In1998, when she received the William P.Doran Award for Excellence as a school nursefrom the Massachusetts School NursesAssociation, she stated that one of her great-est challenges at the Carter School was whenshe was able to teach an 18-year-old disabledboy how to eat with a spoon for the first timein his life.

Allukian has been working for the past 13years at the middle school at Tech Boston inDorchester, which was recently visited byPresident Barack Obama. Upon receiving theaward from Menino, she stated that of signif-icant importance to her in receiving theaward was the recognition that healthy chil-dren were able to learn better than sick chil-dren and that health must be an integral com-ponent of learning and the educational sys-tem. Allukian thanked her principal, MarySkipper, the keystone to Tech Boston and hercolleagues at work, a dynamic group of teach-ers and staff members who bring passion,patience and perseverance to the schoolevery day. Allukian also expressed her appre-ciation and thanks for their support to herhusband, Dr. Myron Allukian Jr., and their sixchildren: Myron III, Kristin, Alison, Jason,Alexandra and Nathan, all of whom wentthrough the Boston public schools, K-12 andare college graduates.

The evening ended with a reception at theWang Center.

Dr. Haroutiun Arzoumanian, president of Tekeyan Cultural Association, hands theTCA acknowledgment to his brother, Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian.

Caption: Ruth Allukian with Boston MayorThomas Mennino

2011 Interns with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

5S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Affiliate ofthe Armenian International Women’sAssociation are planning a luncheon to be heldon Wednesday, July 27, at 11:30 a.m. at theWilshire Country Club, 301 North RossmoreAve. Guests are invited to enjoy an afternoonwith Kathy Smith, a well-known leader in the fit-ness and health industries and noted spokesper-son for the International Council on ActiveAging.

Diane Cabraloff, president of the AIWA LosAngeles Affiliate, reports that Smith has stood atthe forefront of the fitness and health industriesfor more than 30 years, selling more than 16 mil-lion exercise DVDs, and is an accomplishedauthor, with best-selling book titles, including

Feed Muscle Shrink Fat Diet and MovingThrough Menopause. She has also contributedher expertise on health and wellness to countlessmedia outlets, including the LA Times, USAToday, “The Today Show,” “Oprah,” “The View”and more.

Smith is a recipient of the LifetimeAchievement Award from IDEA, the world’slargest organization of fitness professionals, anda member of the Video Hall of Fame. Each of her

more than 35 titleshas reached gold orplatinum status. In2011, the LA CountyCommission forWomen named her“Woman of the Year”for her work educat-ing communities.

“We are not onlyfortunate to have ourguests hear from aworld renownedcelebrity in the healthand fitness arena,”stated Cabraloff, “weare also pleased toannounce that ourluncheon will be host-ed by Arous Hanna.We are grateful forher generous dona-tion and thank her forher friendship and

support of AIWA.”Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit

AIWA’s forthcoming sixth international confer-ence to be held at the Palace Hotel in SanFrancisco, October 6 to 10. The goal of the con-

ference is to bring together a strong and activenetwork to address critical issues that willadvance the position of Armenian women world-wide. The theme is “Armenian Women: Sharing-Inspiring-Advancing.” Presentations will be orga-nized along four major subject areas: media andtechnology, women’s rights, leaders and entre-preneurs and cultural identity.

Invited speakers include Rep. JackieKanchelian Speier; Mary Ellen Iskenderian, pres-ident and CEO, Women’s World Bank; AnnaMagzanyan, vice president of Advertiser

Marketing and Events, Los Angeles Times MediaGroup; Gasia Mikaelian, newscaster, KTVU-Channel 2, Bay Area; Lara Setrakian, reporter,Bloomberg TV, Dubai; Eliz Gazarian Semerjian,director of Sales, Telemundo, LA; Dr. Arda A.Ekmekji, dean of Arts and Sciences, HaigazianUniversity, and Shakeh Havan Karapetian,owner, Artbridge Cafe, Yerevan.

To make reservations for the luncheon and fur-ther information regarding the sixthInternational Conference, visit the AIWA website:www.aiwala.org.

Three members of the Working Committee for the AIWA Luncheon: JessicaVartougian, Joan Agajanian Quinn and Ani Aivazian

AIWA Luncheon Features Kathy Smith, Leader in Fitness and Health Industry

Joan Agajanian Quinn (right) and the two other members of the Working Committee for the AIWALuncheon, Elizabeth Agbabian and Cynthia Norian

under constructionDONATESponsorship/Naming Opportunities

James KalustianCharles GuleserianHaig DeranianWalter NahabedianDr. Jack Kasarjian

online: www.ArmenianHeritagePark.netcheck: Armenian Heritage Foundation 25 Flanders Road Belmont, MA 02478

Tellalian Associates Architects & Planners, LLC.C

781 777.2407617 484.6100617 489.2215781 891.7249617 232.6350

FRESNO — Community leader HagopManjikian spoke on The Armenian GenocideLibrary Book Series to an audience at FresnoState University on Wednesday, May 4.

Manjikian had conceived of and executed theseries together with his wife, Knar Manjikian.

The presentation was sponsored by theArmenian Studies Program as part of its Spring2011 Lecture Series.

Armenian Studies Program Director Prof.Barlow Der Mugrdechian introduced two guestspeakers for the evening: Mark Arax, speakingin English, who read excerpts from three of thevolumes in the series, and Hagop Manjikian,who spoke in Armenian about his motivation tocreate a book series on survivor testimoniesfrom the Armenian Genocide.

Journalist and author Arax, who returned

to Fresno State this semester to teach a grad-uate writing course as the Tatarian Chair inthe Department of Mass Communicationsand Journalism, discussed the significance ofthe series. He movingly read excerpts fromthree of the memoirs, commenting on themas he read. The memoirs have been translat-ed from Armenian into English, thereby mak-ing them accessible to the English-speakingworld.

Der Mugrdechian then introduced Manjikian,who had heard the stories of the deportationsand massacres of his people while growing up.Those stories left an indelible mark on his mem-ory, so much so that he dedicated his life to thepreservation of that memory.

Recognizing the need to present the writteneyewitness accounts of the Armenian Genocidein English so that Armenian youth and English-speaking people could understand the scope ofthe tragedy, Hagop Manjikian and his wifebegan publishing English-language translationsof memoirs of the horrific events of 1915 writ-ten in Armenian in the decades immediately fol-lowing the Genocide. The first book in theseries was, Passage Through Hell (2007) byArmen Anush, followed by The Fatal Night(2007) by Mikayel Shamtanchian, Death March(2008) by Shahen Derderian and The Crime ofthe Ages (2010) by Sebuh Aguni. All of thebooks were translated from Armenian intoEnglish by Ishkhan Jinbashian.

Manjikian spoke passionately about his pro-ject and about his dream to see the booksplaced in libraries throughout the English-speaking world. Over the years he has been toFresno many times, since most of the head-quarters for Armenian community institutionswere once located in Fresno.

He directed the project to build theSoghomon Tehlirian Monument in Fresno andhas supported the Asbarez Armenian newspa-per as an occasional contributing writer.

A large contingent of Fresno State studentsand community members were present andwere visibly moved by Manjikian’s words.

Hagop Manjikian Presents ArmenianGenocide Library Series at Fresno State

Entertainment Fridaysand Saturdays

PHILADELPHIA — AGBU YoungProfessionals of Philadelphia is hosting thethird annual “Coast in the City” at PositanoCoast here on Thursday, August 11, 5:30-9:30

p.m. This event is an after-work networkingmixer that continues to be co-chaired byMeredith Avakian and Jacqueline Santerian.“‘Coast in the City’ has been so successful inthe past that we’ve decided to host it againthis summer. The event provides excellentnetworking opportunities and serves as a funway to introduce our new board and get toknow new members,” adds Avakian.

The AGBU YP committee thankd and bidsfarewell to treasurer Nubar Dalerian, secre-tary Gina Ekmekjian and board membersSanterian and Gina Terkanian for their ser-vice and time on the YP Philadelphia board.They have left an important imprint on theYP Philly family.

In addition, they congratulate and welcomeColette Seter as vice chair, KarinaAmbartsoumian as publicist, Tina Hagopianas secretary and Avakian and JulieParetechan sharing chair duties.

The AGBU YP Philadelphia officers andcommittee meet monthly to plan social, pro-fessional, cultural and community serviceevents. Committee members include:Ambartsoumian, Avakian, VickenBazarbasian, Hagopian, Paretchan, Seter andPaul Sookiasian.

YP Philly is proud its events attract a cross-section of people from the five Armenianchurches and various Armenian organiza-tions throughout the Greater Philadelphiaarea and the Northeastern US.

For more information about the chapter, con-tact Avakian and visit their Facebook page.

6 S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

ADVERTISE IN THE

MIRROR-SPECTATOR

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, CPCFuneral Counselor

576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

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

Metropol-ResidenceMetropol-Residence2 Mashtots Ave. Yerevan. Armenia2 Mashtots Ave. Yerevan. Armenia

Ideal for Family vacationsDaily, weekly and monthly low rates, starting $65.00 per day/ residence

The four star residences at the heart of Yerevan with a kithcen and private bathroom is anideal place to stay for families and couples. This luxurious residence is convenient for what-

ever purpose your visit is.

Reservations in English please call Sevag at 011-374-93211217Reservations in Armenian please call Onnig at 011-374-94435445

TRIBUTE, fom page 4former Primate of the Armenian Church inEngland, who now resides in Philadelphia. Healso invited Salpi Kerkounian, a graduate of theUniversity of Southern California, for a musicalrendition on the flute, accompanied by hermother on the harp. The performance includedtwo pieces from composer KhatchadourAvedisian.

Sepetjian then invited Rev. ZavenArzoumanian to the podium. The humbled hon-oree thanked the Western Diocese for providingthe venue, the Tekeyan Cultural Association fororganizing the event, the many presenters for

their kind remarks and finally the audience.Arzoumanian ventured to say that schooling

starts at home, and he owes his love of booksto his father. He then noted that his task in lifehas been to learn and to teach and expressedgratitude that his 57 years of service to God hasincluded both teaching and writing, besidesbeing a parish priest.

Derderian, the Primate of the WesternDiocese of the Armenian Church, delivered theclosing remarks and asked Arzoumanian tooffer the benediction. Reception followed theimpressive ceremony.

— Kevork Keushkerian

Tribute to Archpriest Zaven Arzoumanian

Friends of Holy Trinity1000 Club to Host HotDogs and Beans Dinner

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Friends of HolyTrinity 1000 Club of the Holy Trinity ArmenianChurch is hosting an “All American Hot Dogsand Beans Dinner” on Thursday, July 28, in theCharles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall ofthe church complex at 145 Brattle St., begin-ning at 6:30 p.m.

The 1000 Club, established in 1976, holds amonthly drawing on the last Thursday of eachmonth, awarding $2,000 in cash prizes. Thedrawing will be held following the dinner onJuly 28. “One-time” numbers will be sold thenight of the dinner at $5 per number or fivenumbers for $20.

Armen Skenderian, co-chair of the 1000Club, says, “Everyone is welcome. For only$4.99, you’ll get two hot dogs, beans, cole slaw,dessert and watermelon. And,” he continues, “ifyou have a 1000 Club number or buy one thatnight, you’ll have a chance to win $1,000.”

Dinner tickets will be on sale at the door. Formore information, contact the church office oremail office@htaac.org.

Philadelphia AGBU Young Professionals to Host ThirdAnnual ‘Coast in the City’ and Introduce New Board

Assembly Interns Meet with Armenia’sAmbassador to the US

WASHINGTON — Last week, the 2011 Armenian Assembly Terjenian-Thomas SummerIntern class had the opportunity to meet with Tatoul Markarian, ambassador of Armenia tothe United States. Markarian briefed the group on a range of issues of importance to theUS-Armenia bilateral relationship, as well as gave an overview of the key issues facing theRepublic of Armenia last week.

“The Armenian Assembly has a remarkable record of service to the homeland and itsinternship program is just one of the ways that the Assembly provides opportunities andhelps train the next generation of leaders,” stated Markarian.

Markarian fielded questions from the intern class on the major issues of the day, includ-ing the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, relations with neighboring states and the Turkish andAzeri blockades of Armenia, US assistance and US affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

2011 Assembly Interns with Ambassador Tatoul Markarian (center right, back row)

7S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

RADNOR, Penn. — Graduation, by definition,is the conferral of an academic diploma mark-ing the completion of one’s studies, and theArmenian Sisters Academy (ASA) honored thismomentous occasion for the eighth-grade Classof 2011 with a June 17 ceremony.

Most of these graduates had been togetherfor 11 years, and as graduate Alex Ayrapetyancommented, the academy had become his “sec-ond home and his classmates had become hisextended family.”

The class of 2011 is the first class to gradu-ate under Principal Sister Emma Moussayan’sleadership and is also the same class she wel-comed, nurtured and taught as youngMontessori students. On this occasion, sheencouraged them to take what they havelearned at the academy and build upon its foun-dation. “Be your own person, trust your ownvoice and conscience and always follow yourheart,” she advised.

For these nine graduates, their time at ASAhad been one of growth in many ways: academ-ic, spiritual and social. Through the years theyhave become, as Christopher Andonian alluded,like an NHL hockey team and he gave thanksfor his teammates (fellow students), his coaches(the sisters and teachers) and his fans (parentsand family). Whether these students were thefirst in their family to graduate, or the last ofmany siblings, each reflected on the impact theSisters made on their journey through ASA.Anie Avedissian credited the sisters with teach-ing that it is “choice, not chance, that deter-mines destiny,” while Michael Knudson came torealize that the sisters were not only teachersand disciplinarians, but also messengers of God

preparing them for the next phase of their lives.Throughout the years, the friendships and

bonds formed among these students grew tolast a lifetime. As George Ambartsoumian com-mented, his time at the ASA was akin to a carride — sometimes an easy drive and other timesone requiring the help of friends to navigate thelarge bumps. As the son of a graduate, ArmenEwing expressed how he understood why hismother looked back on her ASA years withfondness.

Many students credited the ASA with provid-ing the skills and background necessary to suc-ceed in high school. Both Davit Stepanyan andJulie Arthin were proud to join the ranks ofASA graduates; Stepanyan credited the acade-

my as giving him his senseof independence whileArthin felt the challengesshe had overcome hadgiven her strength for thenext step. When EvanMazmanian reflected onhis academy experience, hecommented that he onlyhopes “the rest of the bookwill be as good as the firstchapter.” Each studentdelivered eloquent bilin-gual speeches where theythanked their own families,Sisters, faculty, and entireASA family for makingtheir time at the schoolmemorable.

Zareh Zohrabian, anAcademy alumnus (1991)

and cousin of graduate Christopher Andonian,gave a commencement address in Armenian ashe reflected upon his own ASA graduation withpride. Speaking from experience, he relayed tothe graduates, “The tools you’ve gained herewill serve you well as you write the rest of yourlife story.” Zohrabian is an accomplished leaderin the aerospace industry and currently servesas senior manager of Networked Tactical ISR(Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)for Information Solutions (IS), a division of TheBoeing Company’s Network and Space SystemsBusiness. Through his leadership role at Boeingand his desire to help the Academy, Zohrabiansecured and presented Boeing Company’s$7,500 charitable donation for the fundraising

efforts of the Class of 2011. Moussayan gra-ciously thanked him for the efforts he put forthto help the Academy by obtaining a donationfrom a multi-billion dollar corporation, but mostimportantly for the example he set for the grad-uates showing how they, too, can one day giveback to their school and communities. Thisdonation, along with other contributions and ayear’s worth of fundraising activities, allowedthe Class of 2011 to raise a record-breaking$37,000. The Class of 2011 has chosen to applythese funds to a much needed renovation of thelower playground for the enjoyment of theyounger students.

Vahan Janjigian, chief investment officer ofGreenwich Wealth Management, LLC inConnecticut and editor of the Forbes SpecialSituation Survey investment newsletter, deliv-ered a commencement speech in English.Having learned from his own experiences, headvised the graduates to live by three princi-ples: keep your options open, surround yourselfwith good people and let God be your guidewhile utilizing your Christian values. Goodadvice, indeed.

A new twist this year featured alumnae hand-ing diplomas to their children; Sibelle Arslanianto her son, Armen, and Liz Mazmanian to herson, Evan.

Dr. George Avetian, chairman of the Board ofDirectors, closed the program encouraging thegraduates to aim high and work hard while fol-lowing their hearts and their dreams. He hopedthey would learn from their mistakes and berespectful of others. The school will miss themembers of the class of 2011 and hope theywill visit from time to time.

COMMENCEMENT, from page 1The processional entry of the three graduat-

ing classes was followed by the school choir’srendition of the national anthems of the UnitedStates, the Republic of Armenia and the hymnof the Dickranian School.

Acting as the master of ceremonies, ViceChairman of Board of Trustees ParseghKartalian delivered the opening remarks of theevent, introducing and welcoming guests andgraduating students alike. “We are gatheredhere today to graduate 16 students into thenext chapter of their lives,” said he. “They willleave this school and pursue higher educationin prestigious universities and make us allproud.”

Following Kartalian’s remarks, PrincipalVartkes Kourouyan presented awards of excel-lence to fifth- and eighth-grade students. Hethen invited Board of Trustees Secretary GiaAivazian to present the fifth graders with theirdiplomas as Ashley Kirakossian, their home-room teacher, called their names. Respectively,the eighth graders were then called one by oneby their homeroom teacher Alvard Uzunyan toreceive their diplomas by their one time teacherVatche Semerdjian.

Board of Trustees chairman, George K.Mandossian, and TCA Board of Directors chair-man, Haroutiun Arzoumanian, were then calledupon to jointly present the 16 graduates of theClass of 2011 with their diplomas asSoukiassian read their names, thus calling on:Lusine Aleksanian, David Aghabekyan, RoziDemirtchian, Lusine Zeitountsian, KhachikHaladjian, Alex Garibyan, John Gukasyan,Mariam Meliksetyan, Anahit Mestchyan, HaroutMishikyan, Ani Nercessian, Hykouhi Shamlyan,Grace Chilyan, Shake Dzhulfayan, VardanVardanyan and Gevork Keshishyan.

Valedictorian Mestchyan, recipient of EleanorDickranian’s coveted $1,000 “ArshagDickranian Award” and Salutatorian HykouhiShamlyan, recipient of the $500 ArmenianEducational Foundation “Arshag DickranianMemorial Award,” presented their speeches inArmenian and English, reflecting upon theirexperiences and memories of their school days.

Aside from the awards received by the vale-dictorian and salutatorians, Board TreasurerAngine Garibyan presented monetary prizes inthe total amount of $2,800 to winners in vari-

ous intramural competi-tions such as recitation,composition, arts and sci-ences. The prizes weredonated by respectivesponsors

The keynote speaker ofthe event was school alum-na Mariam Danielyan, Esq.,(Class of 2002). She wasintroduced by the emcee asa graduate of UC Berkeleyand University of SanFrancisco School of Law.One of the highlights ofher career was attendingthe 13th session of theUnited Nations HumanRights Council in Genevawhere she presented athree-minute interventionto the Council and dele-gates on the Right to Food.Danielyan began heraddress by memorializing her days at ADS. “Ibegan my life with tears as I enrolled in

Kindergarten and left with tears when I gradu-ated” she said, “Later on, during my four years

at UC Berkeley, I found out that ArshagDickranian School had given me a solid foun-dation to face my challenges.”

The congratulatory message of the SchoolBoard of Trustees was delivered byMandossian. “Tomorrow, as you start attendingthe college of your choice, you will not findyour current teachers there,” said he addressingto the Class of 2011. “Hence, it will be your soleduty to safeguard your mother tongue and her-itage.” Apart from addressing the graduates,Mandossian expressed the board’s appreciationto the faculty and working committees for theirdedication and hard work and to the benefac-tors for their continued support. Mandossianthen acknowledged Kourouyan for his 30-yearservice at the school and presented him with aplaque of recognition.

Kourouyan then gave his message biddingfarewell to the graduates of the Class of 2011,most of who were enrolled as kindergarten stu-dents.

The program ended with Yardemian’s remarksand benediction, after which the graduates, par-ents and friends all gathered at the schoolgrounds for carousing and picture taking.

For more information, visitwww.dickranianschool.org.

Principal V. Kourouyan receiving recognition plaque from TCA Chair Dr. H. Arzoumanian and schoolboard chair George K. Mandossian

TCA Arshag Dickranian School 2011 Commencement Ceremonies

Class of 2011

This year’s graduates include Julie Arthin, George Ambartsoumian,Davit Stepanyan, Christopher Andonian, Michael Knudson, EvanMazmanian, Armen Ewing, Alex Ayrapetyan and Anie Avedissian.

Nine Students Graduate from Sisters Academy of Radnor, Penn.

NEW YORK — Khrimian Lyceum held itsannual graduation and cultural program onSaturday, May 21, at the Diocese of theArmenian Church of America (Eastern). Theseven graduates, accompanied by their azkahayrand azkamayr (heritage-honoring godparents),pledged to continue their Armenian Christianheritage in a memorable graduation ceremony atSt. Vartan Armenian Cathedral officiated byArchbishop Yeghishe Gizirian.

This year’s graduates — Anna Akopian, VaniApanossian, Anna Boyadjian, Alex Calikyan,Christina Haroutunian, Peter Oundjian and LaraOzdemirci — each prepared farewell speechesreflecting on their time as students at Khrimianand the valuable experiences they have had overthe course of five years.

The Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator,Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, congratulated thegraduates’ parents, as well as Khrimian Lyceum’sstudents and teachers. She spoke about the ded-icated involvement of the graduates in theArmenian Church and in various aspects ofArmenian cultural life.

In his remarks, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirianencouraged the graduates to continue to learnand honor the language of their ancestors and toresearch the hidden treasures of their culturalheritage. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.Vartan Cathedral and Deacon Vahagn Azizianwere also in attendance.

The graduates received their diplomas andgraduation gifts from Archbishop KhajagBarsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. Thegifts included Hagop Nersoyan’s New Faith toNew World and Armenian coins from HirantGulian. They also received the newly-publishedArmenian Heritage Dictionary and a compila-tion of Maro Partamian’s music.

A cultural program dedicated to the 20thanniversary of Armenia’s independence tookplace in Kavookjian Hall following graduationceremonies. Guests enjoyed an afternoon full ofArmenian cultural traditions, including recita-tions, song, music and dance commemoratingthe centennials of Alan Hovannes and KhachigTashdents. The program opened with choralmusic sung by the Khrimian Lyceum studentsconducted by Maro Partamian, with piano

accompaniment by Florence Avakian.A photo and art exhibit by Khrimian students,

under the guidance of the Lyceum’s art teacherSusan Kirby, was also on display. The artworkdrew on the styles of renowned Armenian artistsYousuf Karsh, Toros Roslin and Ivan Aivazovsky.

The highlight of the program was a perfor-mance by Khrimian students of the famousArmenian opera, “Anoush,” which was adaptedfor the young group and directed by VartanGarniki. It was choreographed by NairaMkrtchyan. Music and electronics were providedby Berch Manukian.

The Khrimian Lyceum is a five-year programof cultural literacy developed for graduates ofArmenian schools. In addition to Armenianlanguage instruction, Khrimian Lyceum stu-dents enhance their knowledge of theirChristian-Armenian faith, traditions and cul-ture through field trips and lectures. In addi-tion to the staff mentioned earlier, JanetDemirozu, Shakeh Kadehjian, Lucia Vorperianand Talin Manukian are the language teachersat the New York Khrimian Lyceum. While theKhrimian Lyceum format has its foundationsat the Eastern Diocese in New York, the pro-gram has also been implemented in

Massachusetts, Michigan and Texas.One of the components of Khrimian Lyceum is

its service to the Armenian Church and to thelarger Armenian community. During services onChristmas and Easter Eve, readings are done bythe students. Annual visits are made to theArmenian Home in Flushing. Educational fieldtrips have included visits to the MetropolitanMuseum of Art to view the Armenian khachkarand the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the“Gorky Retrospective.”

“In addition to linguistic and faith literacy,Khrimian Lyceum students are encouraged fromyear one to hone their skills in public speaking,civics, writing, debate and engaging with lectur-ers in their field of specialization,” saidBuchakjian-Kupelian.

“Attending Khrimian brought me back to myArmenian roots by meeting fellow Armenians,learning about my culture and history andsinging the songs our grandparents and greatgrand-parents once sang,” said Khrimian alumniMelissa Nazar. “Khrimian allowed me and willcontinue to allow me, to be the Armenian I amtoday: proud of my heritage and culture.”

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

Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsora Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750and reached out to 3,700 teachers andschool workers in Armenia and Karabagh.

� Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continuehelping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to havethe teacher’s name and address.

� $160 � $ 320 � $ 480 � other $—————————

NameAddressCity State Zip codeTel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010Mail your check with this form to:

TCA Sponsor a Teacher5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056

Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2011

Yourdonation is TaxDeductible.

�

MM EE TT RR OONewYork

A performance by Khrimian students of theArmenian opera “Anoush”

Khrimian Lyceum Graduates Seven Students in New York

Khrimian Lyceum graduates with the Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian

Alex Calikyan at the Khrimian Lyceum graduation ceremony at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral inNew York, with Fr. Mardiros Chevian and Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian

9S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

EE--SSUUBBSSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONNAAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator will be available every

Thursday, in COLOR and PDF format to all who subscribe

specifically to this electronic delivery. The annual rate is $50.

To subscribe to this service, please fill out the following

and mail it along with your check of $50 made out to the:

Armenian Mirror-Spectator,

755 Mt. Auburn Street,

Watertown, MA 02472

� Yes, Please e-mail me the Armenian Mirror-Spectatorevery Thursday.

My E-mail address is ______________________________

Name and Last name _____________________________

You can also e-mail your request to mirrorads@aol.com for faster service

MM EE TT RR OONewYork

CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. — Few countries haveseen the amount of violence that theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seenin the past decades. Since 1996, the fourthlargest African state has seen wars with itsneighbors, civil wars and other forms of vio-lence that have proliferated immense povertyand famine, an AIDS/HIV epidemic, increasingrape rates and gender intolerance. TheInternational Rescue Committee estimated thatmore than 5.4 million people have died fromthe prolonged conflict, that Nicholas D. Kristofof the New York Times says is being “ignored”by the international community. The viciouscycle of hate and fear seems almost unbreak-able for the citizens of the DRC.

The Association for Trauma Outreach &Prevention (ATOP) of Meaningful World, aNew York-based international humanitariancharitable organization (501 c (3)) affiliatedwith DPI of the United Nations, devoted to fos-tering a, just, peaceful and meaningful world,has collaborated with many organizations tobring rehabilitation programs to Sierra Leonein March 2009 and more than 29 otherhumanitarian empowerment, educational andrehabilitation programs around the world,including Haiti. The mission to the DRC willfocus on the city of Bukavu, home to nearlyhalf a million people, including 500 displacedchildren. They are collaborating with thePeace Center there, as well as Université de laPaix, refugee centers and hospitals in the areaand working with traumatized women. Withthe experience and expertise to make a differ-ence, they will be working with vulnerablegroups of children, women who were raped inthe war, refugees and older adults. ATOP will

also be part of the opening of the Ruzizi PeaceMarket collaborating with Rotary Club ofMontecito, District 5240, Santa Barbara, Calif.ATOP team members that will be traveling toCongo are: Dr. Ani Kalayjian, founder andpresident of ATOP (Kalayjian has devoted herlife to bringing healing to those who have sur-vived the devastation of disaster) and DavidPressley, Meaningful World ambassador,retired Correction Officer from New York CityDepartment of Corrections with expertise inDigital technology, filming, editing and trans-ferring slides into digital media.

ATOP’s goals are to help survivors heal theiremotional and psychospiritual wounds result-ing from years of armed conflict, poverty, dis-crimination, and displacement. They aim to helpsurviving communities understand the impactof the past on their present through education,healing groups and self-healing. ATOP will trainpsychologist, social workers, nurses and otherhealth care practitioners. This helps create edu-cated and healthy communities that are able totransform generationally-transmitted trauma bycultivating a new world view, train and educatehigh school teachers and students to nurturenon-violence in their respective communities,and foster communal dialogue for conflicttransformation and peace-building throughpracticing forgiveness. ATOP also plans to helpmobilize communities, facilitating healthy part-nerships that build bridges of diversity throughcommon values centered on the UN UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights.

The first team is departing July 1 to 12. Tax-deductible donations can be made via check orPay-Pal (see www.meaningfulworld.com formore details).

ATOP Meaningful World Humanitarian MissionIn the Democratic Republic of Congo: Post-WarRehabilitation and Recovery

Actor Hrach TitizianSpeaks aboutBroadway Debut,Career to NY/NJArmenian Community

NEW YORK — The plaza of St. VartanCathedral served as the stage for Broadwayactor Hrach Titizian, who recently starredalongside Robin Williams in the acclaimed play,“Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.”

The Los Angeles-based actor spoke to agroup of enthusiastic Armenian-Americans onMonday evening, June 20, at an event hostedby the Krikor and Clara Zohrab InformationCenter of the Diocese of the Armenian Churchof America and the Armenian Network ofAmerica, Greater New York Region.

In New York City since last February,Titizian has been busy performing for sold-outaudiences twice a day, six days a week. The

play, written by Rajiv Joseph, takes place short-ly after the fall of Baghdad in 2003 and exam-ines the meaning of life amid destruction anddespair. Titizian — very convincingly — playedUday, one of Saddam Hussein’s sons who waskilled during the war. The play completed its

run on July 3.Titizian, 32, spoke about his role in “Bengal

Tiger,” as well as his acting career, whichincludes roles in the hit television series “24,”“NCIS” and “Alias,” among many others.Talented and humble — a rare mix in the enter-tainment industry — Titizian spent time afterhis talk signing autographs and greetingguests. The evening also featured traditionalArmenian music by the John Vartan Ensembleand a wine-and-cheese reception.

— Taleen Babayan

ActorHrachTitizianwas inter-viewed byKarineKochar-yan of theVoice ofArmeniansnews pro-gram

Hrach Titizian speaks about his acting career and role in the Broadway play “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.”

Guests Karine Abalyan and Aleen Tovmasian atthe event

10

Armenian YouthTalent Shines inNew York

By Florence Avakian

NEW YORK — For the third consecutive year,more than 25 young Armenian musicians whohad been selected after rigorous auditions, per-formed to great acclaim on Sunday afternoon,May 29. The Armenian Youth Talent (AYT) con-cert held at Merkin Concert Hall was organizedby “Direct Help for Armenian People” (DHAP)and dedicated to the 20th anniversary ofArmenia’s independence.With its aim of promoting the Armenian her-

itage and culture, the event drew a crowd ofmore than 200, including guests of honor, thePrelate of the Eastern Prelacy ArchbishopOshagan Choloyan, Armenian Catholic Exarch,Bishop Manuel Batakian, Armenia’s Ambassadorto the United Nations Garen Nazarian, UnitedNations high-ranking official Dr. Movses Abelianand Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara.One of last year’s AYT finalists, Eugenia Sarian,

who had the distinction of being born the sameyear as the independence of Armenia, welcomedthe large crowd. The program was replete withcaptivating melodies by such beloved Armeniancomposers — Komitas, Sayat Nova, Khachaturyan,Kanachyan, Tigranian, Babadjanyan andHovhaness Melikian, among others.The finalists in the voice category included

Arman Abelian, Zovinar Aghavian, AniManvelyan, Julia Naldjian, Serena Tchorbajian,Shoushig Tenguerian and Irene Vilgorin.Instrumentalists were flute soloist Sareen NairiBalian, viola de gamba soloist Lucine Musaelianand violin soloist Lilit Vahradyan.Piano finalists were Shushan Aghavian, David

Antabian, Nareg Stepan Balian, Ryan Chan, VaheKafafian, Vatche Kafafian, Nicole Khrimian,Daniel Manucharian, Ani Mouradian andKatherine Sadaniantz.The 2011 Armenian Youth Talent guest per-

formers from the winners, finalists and partici-pants of the first, second and third AYT compe-titions included Merydel Ambre, Aram Balian,Ani Djirjirian, Mila Gak, Niree Kaprielian, LilyKijyan, Nicole Mark, Elen Ohanyan and Sarian.Another part of the program was the perfor-

mance of the 31-member Hamazkayin ArekagChoir, the members of which range in age from7 to 15. They performed rousing renditions ofAzg Parapants and Azat Hayastan, under theartistic direction of Vagharshak Ohanyan whoalso accompanied them on the piano.Following a standing ovation by the enthusi-

astic crowd, Dr. Svetlana Amirkhanian presentedeach finalist with an honorary certificate accom-panied by a financial gift and a flower bouquet.“These gifted young people are our future andenhance the spirit of Armenia,” she said, speak-ing in Armenian.The inspiring event concluded with the audi-

ence singing God Bless America.Judges for the 2011 competition included

noted musicians soprano Anoosh Barclay, bari-tone Vagharshak Ohanyan, pianist LusineBadalyan, composer and pianist KarenHakobyan, violinist Diana Vasilyan and singerAnahid Boghossian.Members of the AYT Executive Committee

were Amirkhanian, Marina Bagdasarova, AngelaKazarian and Melik Kazarian. The ArtisticAdvisory Panel included Hakobyan, KhorenMekanejian and Ohanyan.Among the sponsors were the AGBU, Doctors

Karen and Irina Kakosian, Amirkhanian, ArpineAynilian, Bagdasarova, Harry and SuzanneToufayan, Saro and Hilda Hartounian, RitaBalian and Nazar and Artemis Nazarian.With Armenian organizations celebrating the

20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, thegifted young finalists of the Armenian YouthTalent presented their tribute in the way theyknow best — through music and song to promotethe Armenian heritage and culture.

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, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1

Children of ArmeniaFund Summer Soirée

In ManhattanNEW YORK — The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) held a fundraiser on the

evening of June 22 at New York City’s Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District.Armenian-American actress and comedienne Andrea Martin, artist and designer

Michael Aram and fashion boutique chainfounder Khajak Keledjian served as hosts to acrowd of some 230 people.The event was aimed at attracting a younger

crowd than COAF’s annual banquet, and itseems to have succeeded. Despite the early

evening thunderstorms, the hotel room and surrounding terrace were packed byfashionably-dressed guests enjoying the view, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Morethan $20,000 was raised, permitting COAF to build a wing on one of the schools itis renovating in the large village of Miasnikian.The formal portion of the event was fairly brief. Martin, a steadfast supporter of

COAF, pointed out the importance of the organization’s work. She spoke both atthe start and the end of the event with humor and charm. She said that five yearsago when she was first approached to serve as the entertainment for a COAF event,she asked for money, a car, a dress and “this and that,” but when she became famil-iar with the work that COAF did, she no longer could ask for any payment. She saidthat once any audience member would go to Armenia and see for himself the impactof the extraordinary work being done on people’s lives, “You will sell your houseand give it to COAF.”

see COAF, page 12

ADAA AnnouncesLillian and VarnumPaul 2011ScreenwritingAward Finalists,JudgesLOS ANGELES — The Armenian Dramatic

Arts Alliance (ADAA) announced recently thethree finalists of the third Biennial Lillianand Varnum Paul 2011 Screenwriting Award:“Bluebeard” by Kraig Kuzirian (US), adaptedfrom the novel Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut;“Fading In and Out of Love” by MissakArtinian (US) and “The Florist” by JeffKalousdian (US).Screenplay submissions were received from

across the United States, Europe andArmenia. Entries were required to be full-length, unproduced film scripts written inEnglish and based on Armenian themes.More screenplays were submitted this yearthan in previous years. The screenplays sub-mitted were of high quality, which made theselections difficult for the first round judges,all of whom are industry professionals.The three finalist screenplays will now be

evaluated by an honorary jury: award-win-ning screenwriter Steven Bagatourian(“American Gun”); actor David Alpay (AtomEgoyan’s “Ararat,” Showtime’s “The Tudors,”Fox’s “Weekend at Bellevue”) and Frenchwriter and director Stéphane Kazandjian(“Modern Love”).

The winner of the $10,000 grand prize willbe announced at a private ceremony in LosAngeles in October. This year’s ceremony willfeature a VIP reception and special perfor-mance. Tickets will be available for this exclu-sive event by invitation only.The ADAA’s mission is to make the

Armenian voice heard on the world stagethrough the dramatic arts of theatre andfilm. The organization accomplishes this mis-sion by supporting playwrights and screen-writers and providing production opportuni-ties, research tools, networking resourcesand writing awards.In addition to the $10,000 Lillian and

Varnum Paul Screenwriting Award, ADAAadministers the $10,000 William SaroyanPrize for Playwriting, the deadline for whichis February 15, 2012.

Andrea Martin

By Aram ArkunMirror-Spectator Staff

COAF supporters mingle at the Standard Hotel

Finalists Jeff Kalousdian, “The Florist” and KraigKuzirian, “Bluebeard”

Missak Artinian, “Fading In and Out of Love”

BELMONT, Mass. — The ArmenianInternational Women’s Association (AIWA) andthe National Association for Armenian Studiesand Research (NAASR) will present a talk byHelene Pilibosian titled “From Journalist to PoetandMemoirist,” on Thursday, August 11, at 8 p.m.,at the NAASR Center, 395 Concord Ave.Helene Pilibosian was born in Boston to

Armenian immigrant parents. She graduatedfrom Watertown High School, Katharine Gibbs

School and Harvard University with an ADA(bachelor equivalent) in humanities. In 1964,she became the first woman editor of theArmenian Mirror-Spectator and later served asa writer/editor there for many years. After trav-eling widely in Europe and Lebanon, she nowowns and operates Ohan Press and has pub-lished poems in such magazines as NorthAmerican Review, Weber: The ContemporaryWest, Journal of the Society for Armenian

Studies, Poetry Salzburg and many others. Herearly poetry has been cited in the GreenwoodEncyclopedia of Multiethnic AmericanLiterature and she has received a first prize fromWriter’s Digest for her collection AtQuarter PastReality: New and Selected Poems, and an hon-orable mention from that magazine for History’sTwists: The Armenians.Pilibosian, who recently published her memoir,

My Literary Profile, presents her journey from

being a child of survivors of the ArmenianGenocide to fighting depression, immersion inthe Armenian-American community and literaryexplorations in later years. My Literary Profileis a valuable contribution to the literature onfirst-generation Armenian-American life. Thebook is available at the NAASR bookstore andwill be available for purchase and signing by theauthor the night of the event.Admission to the event is free. More informa-

tion about the lecture is available by contactingNAASR at hq@naasr.org, or AIWA ataiwainc@aol.com.

11T 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

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1

Soprano Papian Dazzles at Armenian Night at PopsPOPS, from page 1Armenia and the passing of Dr. KeranChobanian, a FACS founder and supporter.“The Armenian Community, the BSO andPops lost a great friend,” expressed Lockhart.The final part of the program had an unex-

pected variation with bluegrass pieces per-formed by the talented Ricky Skaggs andKentucky Thunder. Skaggs explained the per-sonal significance in the touching pieces heand his fellow musicians performed with greatskill. The audience seemed energized by thegrand songwriting, immense talent and fan-tastic acoustics during this set.A new twist this year was that the post-con-

cert reception was held at the nearbyColonnade Hotel, instead of a hall in theSymphony building. Though a bit challengingto access by foot because of a heavy rainfall,most of those who purchased a ticket attend-ed the reception and seemed happy to meetfellow patrons and supporters and even meetthe evenings’ stars, Papian and Sarkissian.During the elegant champagne and desert

reception, Arakelian, president of FACS, wel-comed the guests and encouraged the partic-ipation of the younger generation in futurecultural events. “Armenians and Armenianculture have many undiscovered gems andpresenting our heritage adds its own uniquecolor to the cultural mosaic of this world,”Arakelian reflected.Special recognition was given to Chobanian

for his decades-long strategic work withFACS. Appreciation was given to FACS sup-porters, organizers and volunteers includingRaffi Yeghiayan, Karen Ucuz, JessicaManguikian and Robert and Sandra

Aghababian.Eating a delicate sweet, Haig Babaian of

Brighton felt the reception was a good place“to chill out after the concert and meet peo-ple.” Countless conversations at the receptionrevolved around the evening’s diverse con-tent.

Sarkissian discussed the creative process incomposing Drinking Song. “I worked on it 10years ago and recently finished it precisely forthis occasion,” he said. Joan Sadyan ofConnecticut shared with her friends, “I thor-oughly liked Hasmik.”Estrellita Karsh of Boston was just as

impressed with Papian and felt, “the spirit onand off the stage was infectious. Papiancaught the mood. Each rendition was perfect-ly done in a way the composer would havewanted it.”Indeed, FACS supporters look forward to

future memorable events.

Diane Matevosian, Rose Tufenkjian, Louise Hekimian, Joyce and Paul Barsam

The Marderos family with Hasmik Papian

Linda Kasparian, Violet Ohanasian, Joan Sadyan and Lucia Ohanasian

AIWA and NAASR Present Talk by Memoirist, Journalist and Poet Helene Pilibosian

Helene Pilibosian

12 S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

California Man DonatesGrandfather’s PaintingsTo Presidential LibrariesSAN PEDRO, Calif. (Daily Breeze) — His grandfather’s 1962 oil painting of

President John F. Kennedy hung on the family’s dining room wall during all theyears John Saroyan was growing up in San Pedro.

On Friday, Saroyan, 49, packed up the24-by-30-inch canvas and shipped it off towhat will be its new home — the John F.Kennedy Presidential Library andMuseum in Boston.

Later this year, he plans to send another canvas portrait — this one of a youngRichard Nixon when he was still in Congress — to the Richard M. Nixon Library inYorba Linda.“They belong in the right place,” Saroyan said of his decision to donate some of

the works by his artist grandfather, Jay Meuser. “It seems for me to hold on to themreally doesn’t do much. ... They have to have a home.”September 28 will be the 100th anniversary of Meuser’s birth. Saroyan’s dona-

tions aren’t the only means by which the self-taught artist, who spent the last partof his short (Meuser died in 1963 of a heart attack at the age of 51) but varied lifein San Pedro, is getting some new recognition.On Thursday, the San Pedro Arts Association — a group Meuser led in 1953 —

dedicated a plaque in Meuser’s honor on space donated by Linda Jackson and herbrother, Charles Barsam, the owners of property at 343 W. Seventh St.Meuser, born in San Francisco, packed plenty of adventure into his years. His

biography includes stints as a teenaged Vaudevillian performer, sailor, shipyard andsheet metal worker, baseball pitcher and instructor at the San Francisco ArtInstitute.At 31, he was the youngest chief of police in Marin County.But in his later years, living in San Pedro with his wife and daughter (who mar-

ried a cousin of American playwright William Saroyan), it was his artwork that con-sumed his time and passion.Classified as an abstract expressionist, Meuser also painted classical portraits of

prominent people through the years. His portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, done inthe late 1930s, hung in the White House for a time and the artist received a per-sonal letter of thanks from the president.The JFK painting “wasn’t done from a sitting or a photo, it was by memory,

maybe a series of shots,” said grandson Saroyan, a Rancho Palos Verdes residentand psychologist who has a practice in San Pedro.The family still owns a number of Meuser’s paintings, but it was still difficult to

part with the heirloom.“I have to admit it was [difficult], it was part of our family history,” Saroyan said.

“Taking it out of the frame was kind of hard.”His grandfather’s body of artwork, Saroyan said, “was quite eclectic. Being an

abstract impressionist painter in the 1950s was quite a challenging thing, it wasn’tthat acceptable.”Many of Meuser’s works today are in private collections, Saroyan said, but a few

can still be seen in public places, including his award-winning painting titled “Spiritof the Fisherman” that hangs at Dana Middle School in San Pedro.No one is sure what happened to the Roosevelt portrait, but it is believed to be

still with the former president’s family.When it’s ready to go on permanent display, Saroyan and his family plan to visit

it in Boston.

By Donna Littlejohn

The late Jay Meuser, works on his painting of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1950.

COAF, from page 10Aram said that the poverty levels he saw in

Armenia after the fall of the Soviet Union wereextreme. Students had to go to schools with noheat, crumbling walls and holes in the floors.Aram continued, “Living conditions and studyconditions were among the worst I have everseen in my life, and I have lived in India for 20years of my life.” One COAF Board member wasvisiting a school in Armenia, and some studentspassed out from hunger at that time. Aramasked for the help of those present to improvethis tragic situation.Businessman Dr. Garo Armen, who founded

COAF in 2000, introduced two short videos.One was prepared by children in Armenia who

had received the necessary equipment andtraining through a COAF grant funded by thePaul Newman Fund. They showed how build-ings and the environment affecting their liveshad changed in a two-minute video. The videoended with the children all saying thank you totheir COAF donors.The second was an unfinished draft begun

some eight days ago, showing what COAF doesin a broader sense through animation. It wasthe work of a young group of Armenian collegestudents from Boston.Armen provided the audience with basic

information about COAF, recommending thatthey visit their website for more details(www.coafkids.org). Approximately 30 people

work in the Armenia offices. Everything isdirectly done by COAF in Armenia to avoid cor-ruption. Armen said that in the 11 villages inwhich COAF works, there are some 25,000 peo-ple, of which some 6,000 are school-age chil-dren. Economic conditions are worsening there;thus more than 10 percent of the populationcannot afford the most basic things. Thoughthe schools are free, books, equipment and per-sonal items such as clothing and meals are not,therefore poor families sometimes cannot affordto send their children. It takes approximately$350 per year per child to provide what is nec-essary. Approximately 500 of the 6,000 childrendepend on COAF for these necessities.Keledjian said that COAF staff members are

paid their salaries through board members, so

that all donations go directly to the children inArmenia. He gave the example of his ownbirthday present to his brother Haro, who wasin the room. He went with Haro to Armenia,which allowed them to see the difficultiesArmenians there are facing. However, despiteall their talk and plans, they did not do muchuntil Keledjian joined COAF. Keledjian pointedout to the audience that Larry Feinberg, thebiggest donor to COAF, was not evenArmenian, and that made him feel even moremotivated to participate. So Keledjian donatedthe presents from his 38th birthday to COAF.He urged those present, lucky to be living inNew York, to help Armenians in the Republicof Armenia who are living without the sameopportunities.

Children of Armenia Fund Summer Soirée In Manhattan

Michael Aram addresses the COAF crowd

Khajak Keledjian speaks, with Andrea Martin and Garo Armen to the right

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 13

ARTS & LIVING

By Nancy KalajianSpecial to the Mirror-Spectator

Dr. Susan Pattie, author of the newly-released paperback, Who are the Armenians?,has produced a contemporary, colorful andinformative guide and accompa-nying CD to introduceArmenian history and culture.When she recently spoke aboutthe book to a full house at NAASR in Belmont,Mass., nearly 50 copies of the book were soldthat evening alone.Aimed at children aged 5-12, the format and

design of the book easily engages readers of allages; there are 16 sections or mini chapters,and each section makes good use of back-ground color, font color changes, captions andhighlighted words, to share and distinguishrelated information.Information is usually presented within a few

paragraphs on each page, or occasionally onlists, for example, on traditional Armenianinstruments or letters of the Armenian alpha-bet.The readability level and font size might be a

bit challenging for an early elementary age stu-dent, though the spacing between lines of printis generous, which can make it easier foryounger readers to access.For those youngsters who may have difficul-

ty reading it on their own, an older sibling oradult could easily read it to a child who couldfollow along looking at the attractive visualinformation. Indeed, the wonderful family pho-tographs, illustrations, friendly and simple cap-tions and wealth of information will likely cap-ture the interest of readers of all levels.Many of the sections include an “activity,”

whereupon the reader can reflect on a person-al connection and then think of that connec-tion outside the box, for example in a global

context. In the diaspora, for instance, the read-er is asked to trace their roots, where they havelived and changes that have taken place there.Then it asks the reader to discover “famous”Armenians living in their country or perhapsother diasporan countries. In religion, the activ-ity focuses on the Jashagestzouk prayer saidbefore a meal; not only are the words there in

transliteration but can be heardby a group of people, perhaps afamily, in the accompanying CD.In one of the last chapters,

Armenian Children around the World, you canmeet children of Armenian descent who livethroughout the diaspora, like Anush and Felipein Buenes Aires, Sarine and Garen in Boston(both attend the Armenian Sisters’ Academy),Dzovinar and Chouchane in Paris, Noemi inLondon, Mikel in Beirut and Eduard, Monikaand brothers Vilen and Hakob in Yerevan. Livingin the diaspora, many of the featured studentsseem to attend Armenian, parochial or privateschools and it would have been interesting to

also include an example of a student whoattends a public school in the US and goes toSunday School and Armenian School on week-ends, as I did. But the main focus here is on chil-

dren in the diaspora and how, through learningthe Armenian language and culture, or connect-ing with their friends, families and especiallygrandparents, students can learn and keep theirunique heritage alive and be proud of who theyare and where they have come from. Throughtheir words, photographs and games shared, welearn of their passions and commonality withpeers around the world, an effective approach tomulticultural understanding.The Armenian language section describes its

connection to the Indo-European language fam-ily. You can open the book to the section anduse the CD to learn how to say in Armenian thenumbers 1-10, the recited alphabet as well as analphabet song, and most importantly, how tosay and respond in both Eastern and WesternArmenian to, “Hello. How are you?”Reading this book took me down memory

lane, especially when I read about yadess andthe custom of breaking a chicken bone; decadesago, this game was as common an occurrencearound our Sunday lunches with our grandpar-ents as was the bulghur pilaf I always lookedforward to. Here, the game of yadess wasexplained along with nardi(tavloo/backgammon), ashik (jan) andHavgitakhagh (cracking colored eggs duringEaster).The section titled Food Customs is one of my

favorites; a recipe for Anooshaboor, sweet soup,is included, as well as a description of readingcoffee cup grinds. The layout of Dance includesa photo of immigrant families dancing at a pic-nic in the 1930s in Pennsylvania, contrastingwith a contemporary picture of women doingan Armenian line dance in Paris. There’s even apocket guide with the CD that describes step bystep how to do the Tamzara line or circle dance,that “originated in the Gagharkounik regionnear Lake Sevan in Armenian.” Tamzara musicis even included in the CD.At her talk at NAASR, the audience seemed

genuinely interested in the subject matter dis-

cussed in the presentation, thanking the authorfor her careful research and well-written book.When the author discussed writing a secondchildren’s book on a similar theme in thefuture, she was receptive to audience members’feedback and some ideas she might consider inthe next go-around.In summary, this book is a grand discovery

and can meet the needs of diverse audiences ofall ages, whether you are “new” to Armenianculture, need to be refreshed on the somewhatfamiliar, or simply love to learn and want toexperience Who are the Armenians? answeredin an uncomplicated, informative and enlight-ening manner. Who are the Armenians? waspublished by the Armenian Institute in Londonand is being sold and distributed in the USthrough NAASR.Pattie is the director of the American

Institute in London and has a PhD in culturalanthropology from the University of Michigan,Ann Arbor. Her previous book, Faith inHistory: Armenians Rebuilding Community,was published in 1997.

Dr. Susan Pattie

Pattie’s Book Asks: Who Are the Armenians?

Book Review

PROVIDENCE — It is not just America thathas got talent; anyone present at the Sts. Sahag& Mesrob Armenian Church on Saturday, June4, would have agreed that Providence Armeniankids are replete with talent.

The program was the 17th annual children’stalent show sponsored by the Cultural Committeeof Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church.Konstantin Petrossian, director of the

Cultural Committee, has been the guiding force

of the talent show, with Irene Eranosian aschairperson for 17 years. Plans are alreadyunderway for the 18th season.Many of the more than 40 performers are stu-

dents in the Cultural Committee’s Arts

Education Program, which is open to all young-sters in the Greater Providence area. It offersclasses in art, music, song and dance. JannaGuegamian has chaired this unique programsince its inception 12 years ago. Many of thestudents are multi-talented, performing on twoor more musical instruments as well as partici-pating in song and dance.The appreciative audience listened to guitar

solos and ensemble, violin, flute, clarinet, pianoand the Junior Choir under the direction ofPetrossian. The Nazeli Dance Group, both chil-dren’s and junior groups, dressed in beautifulcolorful costumes delighted the crowd withtheir authentic Armenian dances, chore-ographed by the teachers Lusine Ovanesyanand Narine Amroyan.A stunning art exhibition of the students

enrolled in painting, drawing and sculpture wasdisplayed in the Egavian Cultural Center. AnnOvanesyan is the teacher.Other teachers in the Arts Education

Program are Oxana Izyumoff, piano; NanaGazaryan, piano; Vahan Grigorian, guitar;Meghan O’Connor, violin; David Griego, fluteand Apkar Lefian teaches clarinet.In addition to teachers in the Arts Education

Program, private teachers are also invited tohave their students perform in the Talent Show.Piano teachers Aurora Emdjian and RouzanGevorkian had several students playing thepiano beautifully.At the close of the evening the Rev. Gomidas

Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz ArmenianChurch, Providence, complimented Petrossian,Guegamian and Eranosian for another success-ful show and for giving the opportunity for ouryoungsters to showcase their talents.A reception followed in the Hanoian Hall,

hosted by the Cultural Committee.— Marilyn J. Woloohojian

Annual Talent Show Held in Providence, RI

Some of the children’s paintings

14 S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is considered a polit-ical wizard who can play any dirty trick and come out on top.These credentials have more takers in the West than anywhereelse in the world.

Emboldened by his bravura, the prime minister has developedsuch a degree of confidence that he believes he can dupe ormesmerize the West through his democratic reforms while keep-ing the genie of democracy in the bottle. But since the June par-liamentary elections in Turkey — where his AK party won amajority — the prime minister is suffering the predicament ofthe sorcerer’s apprentice, because the genie is already out of thebottle and he is between a rock and a hard place. He cannotundo the reforms, which will certainly offend the West, and hecannot control ethnic minorities and those in opposition, whichhave broken the chains of repression. The prime minister andhis ruling Islamist party will be facing further challenges as theyundertake the promised amendments in the Constitution.Beginning with President Abdullah Gul, and all the way downto the military brass, the powers-that-be are opposed to the pro-posed changes in the constitution. Already, many highly-rankedmembers of the military are in jail or in the process of ongoinginvestigations of the Ergenekon conspiracy, creating a veryvolatile situation in the country.

But events are moving faster than Mr. Erdogan and his rulingparty can act. To begin with, the opposition parties boycottedthe oath-taking ceremony in the parliament, because some oftheir elected party members had been jailed under differentcharges. Erdogan used his negotiating tactics — coupled withsome threats — to convince Kilicdaroglu’s Republican party toreturn to fold. Similarly other parties followed suit, except theKurdish party, which had a surprise in store.

The Kurds were already complaining that Turkey is too vast acountry to be ruled by one prime minister, and on July 14 theKurdish party called Popular Collective Convention (with theKurdish acronym DTK), declared Kurdish autonomy inDiarbekir.

This declaration came on the heels of a major bloody con-frontation between the army special units and PKK militants,claiming 13 victims from the army and seven victims from theKurdish ranks. Seven other soldiers were also wounded. Theprime minister, who was flying to Istanbul diverted his flight toAnkara, and after consulting with army, police and interior min-istry chiefs, he flew to Diarbekir to fire his threats to the restiveKurds.

The Kurdish convention lasted for six hours and was attend-ed by co-chairs Ahmed Turk and Aysel Tugluk. Following thedeclaration of Kurdish autonomy, the latter further commentedon the move by adding: “The basic Kurdish problem can beresolved only when Kurds are given recognition as a distinctethnic group and enjoy the same rights exercised by the Turksin the country. There are no other people in the world whoserights are trampled more than the rights of 40 millionKurds…We are declaring autonomy on behalf of the Kurdishpeople based on the principle of sharing a common homeland.We are pleading the Turkish people to be in peace with us.” Hefurther clarified that “the declaration of autonomy does notmean to undermine the Turkish state. This is not a state appa-ratus. The autonomy will be exercised by accepting Turkey as a

common homeland and by remaining faithful to the unity of allnations in Turkey.”

Then he appealed to his fellow Kurds to consider themselvesas citizens of the “popular autonomous Kurdistan.”

Currently, the Kurds are populating most of historic Armenia.Now that the Kurds are planning their future homeland in his-toric Armenian territories, what does that mean for the site ofthe Armenian case in history? We should have built a bridgewith the Kurds a long time ago. Maybe it’s not too late, yet.

This will shake the foundations of the Turkish state as hasbeen feared for a long time. Erdogan faced the challenge headon, first castigating the perpetrators of violence by saying, “Noone should expect concessions from us by committing suchacts. I feel sorry for the loss of 13 soldiers, but I speak veryfrankly that no one should expect tolerance and understanding[if they are committing] these acts of terror. These people haveonly one option: giving up their arms. The military operationswill continue as long as militants have not given up their arms.”

He was equally categorical in answering the Kurdish declara-tions of autonomy: “There is no Kurdish problem in this coun-try. There is only a PKK problem.”

This bold Kurdish initiative does not have only domestic ram-ifications for Turkey.

The issue should rather be analyzed on the broader chess-board of the Middle East politics. For a long time, Turkish lead-ers, especially Erdogan himself, were fighting tooth and nail topreserve the territorial integrity of Iraq, because the partition ofthat country would inexorably lead to the creation of an inde-pendent Kurdistan, fanning the aspirations of the 15 millionKurds in Turkey. Although Iraq’s territorial integrity was pre-served, in part by having a ceremonial president of Kurdish her-itage (Jelal Talebani), in fact the country was partitionedbecause Israel was seeking a firm foothold in that country.Israel armed and trained the Kurdish army, contributed to itsadministration and stability and pacified the region. Much ofErdogan’s anger and frustration against Israel is derived fromtheir conflicting interests in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Now Kurdish aspirations of autonomy — and eventual inde-pendence — have spilled over into Turkey.

But today, there is an irony in the political developments ofthe Kurdish issue. For the declaration of Kurdish autonomy,Turkish leaders are blaming Iran, which is reacting to theTurkish initiatives to topple Syria’s President Beshar Assad,Iran’s only ally in the region. If the accusations prove to be true,whatever Israel began, its Moslem enemies are bringing to itsculmination.

Turkey had hardly mended its fences with Syria, by eliminat-ing the visa regime with great fanfare, it soon turned its back toits newly-won ally and began plotting against Syria at the urg-ing of the West.

Hosting Syria’s “government in exile” on its territory consti-tuted the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Additionally Turkey threatened to invade northern Syria,under the pretext of “protecting” the refugees. Therefore it isnot inconceivable that Syria and Iran may react in a manner todestabilize Turkey by inciting the Kurds.

Erdogan was caught by surprise, believing that his Kurdishinitiative had gone far enough to tame their aspirations.

Now that the genie is out, the world is watching Erdogan’swizardry, to see if he can put back the genie in the bottle.

Meanwhile the Kurds have created a fait accompli and will notretreat unless they face a bloodbath in traditional Turkish style.

Established 1932

An ADL Publication

EDITOR

Alin K. Gregorian

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

Marc Mgrditchian

PRODUCTION

Dilani Yogaratnam

CONTRIBUTORS:Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr.Haroutiune Arzoumanian, EdmondAzadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, DianaDer Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian,Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido, Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian,Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian,Taleen Babayan

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..mmii rr rroorrssppeecc ttaattoorr.. ccoomm

E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator.com

For advertising: mirrorads@aol.com

NNeeww YYoorrkk//NNeeww JJeerrsseeyy OOffff iiccee560 Sylvan Ave. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

(201) 800-1164

SUBSCRIPTION RATES:U.S.A.

2nd Class $75 a year1st Class $120 a year

Canada Air Mail $125 a year

All Other Countries Air Mail $190 a year

Display advertising rate: $7 per column inch

© 2010 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

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror-Spectator

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

The Kurdish Fait Accompli in Turkey

COMMENTARY

Check us out at mirrorspectator.com

WASHINGTON — This week,Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent thefollowing letter to AttorneyGeneral Eric Holder concerningthe murder of 19-year-old MikeYepremyan from North Hollywoodand the primary suspect in thecase, Zareh Manjikian:Dear Mr. Attorney General:

I am writing to bring to your attention acase of great concern to me and my con-stituents, and to respectfully request yourassistance. In November 2009, MikeYepremyan, a 19-year-old college studentwas murdered in a North Hollywood parkinglot. The senseless and brutal killingoccurred over an argument about a text mes-sage that he had sent. His killers lured himto a parking lot, assaulted him, and shot himto death from close range.

Since the murder, the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment has aggressively investigatedthe case. After an 18-month investigation, a

primary suspect was identified and locatedin Puerto Rico, where he had apparentlyfled after the murder. The suspect, ZarehManjikian, was captured by US Marshals inMay, and placed in Puerto Rican custody toawait an extradition request by the LosAngeles District Attorney.

Incredibly, just when it seemed justicewould be done, Mr. Manjikian appearedbefore Puerto Rican Judge Gloria Maynard.The Judge set bail at the extraordinarily lowamount of $50,000, meaning the suspectneeded to post only $5,000 in cash to makebail. Not surprisingly, Mr. Manjikian postedbail and fled once again. His location is cur-rently unknown. A suspect in a premeditat-

ed murder who had alreadyfled from California and active-ly evaded attempts to capturehim should never have beenreleased from custody, muchless so on such a low bail.

I understand that the USMarshal Service has worked diligently inclose collaboration with the LAPD to locateMr. Manjikian. I ask you to use the full pow-ers of your office to assist in the recapture ofMr. Manjikian, wherever he may be, and tobring him to justice. Additionally, I ask thatyou, in cooperation with Puerto Ricanauthorities, investigate the circumstancesthat led to his release from custody and pur-sue any leads that could lead to his recap-ture.

Thank you as always for your service andyour assistance in this important matter.

Sincerely,Rep. Adam B. Schiff

Schiff Writes to AG Holder Concerning the Murder of Mike YepremyanUrges Holder to Use the Full Powers of His

Office to Assist in the Recapture of Suspected Culprit

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 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

Professor Akçam Reveals TurkishPlan to Pay Scholars to Deny theArmenian Genocide

Professor Taner Akçam dropped a bombshell during alecture at the Glendale Public Library last month, when herevealed that a confidential source in Istanbul hadinformed him about the Turkish government’s scheme tobribe American scholars to deny the Armenian Genocide.

Dr. Akçam, holder of the Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair inArmenian Genocide Studies at Clark University inWorcester, Mass., stated that “the Turkish government isfollowing a very systematic and aggressive policy in theUS,” by attempting to cast doubt on the veracity of theArmenian Genocide. Ankara’s grand scheme is to makeTurkish denialist claims as widely acceptable as the beliefthat the events of 1915 constituted genocide. Moreover,through a series of lawsuits in US courts, Turkey and itsproxies are trying to present any criticism of denialist schol-ars and exclusion of revisionist materials from universityprograms as suppression of “academic freedom.”

Professor Akçam, one of the first Turkish scholars toacknowledge the Armenian Genocide, related to his audi-

ence that during his visit to Istanbul last December, he hada private conversation with a person who had “inside infor-mation” regarding the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s activitiesin the United States on subject of the Armenian Genocide.Dr. Akçam’s confidential source told him that sometime in2004-2005, an American university professor had met with“authorities connected with the Turkish Foreign Ministry.”At that meeting, the professor told his Turkish hosts that“Turkey didn’t have a systematic program on the academiclevel with which to counter the claims of an ArmenianGenocide,” and that “the Genocide claim is well establishedat this point,” telling them that “there’s very little” they cando “by trying to confront it head on.”

Dr. Akçam was privately informed that the American pro-fessor made the following recommendation to Turkish offi-cials: “The thing you need to do is to dig a ditch in front ofall the Genocide claims; you need to create doubt by writ-ing scholarly works which will awaken that doubt.”

Dr. Akçam interpreted these words to mean that “by pro-ducing and encouraging new academic works,” Americanscholars could “normalize the idea that 1915 was not geno-cide, just as the belief that it was genocide has becomeaccepted.”

While it is commonly assumed that the Turkish govern-ment provides financial incentives to scholars worldwide topublish articles and books denying the ArmenianGenocide, this is the first time that a knowledgeableTurkish insider has confirmed these assumptions. The con-fidential source told Dr. Akçam that the Turkish ForeignMinistry accepted the American scholar’s proposal and“transferred large sums of money to the US.”

The informant revealed to Dr. Akçam the names ofAmerican academics who received funds to write books deny-ing the Armenian Genocide, and disclosed that “there are doc-

uments signed by their own hand and that these receipts arenow in the files of the Foreign Ministry’s records.”

In his lecture, Dr. Akçam stated that he did not want “toput any academic under a cloud of suspicion.” However,when he connected the information received from hisIstanbul source to some recent publications, “a disturbingpicture emerges as far as Armenian Genocide research isconcerned.”

Dr. Akçam then referred to Michael Gunter’s recentbook, Armenian History and the Question of Genocide, asa possible “example of this approach.” The website of thebook’s publisher, Palgrave Macmillan, stated: “Although asmany as 600,000 of them [Armenians] died during WorldWar I, it was neither a premeditated policy perpetrated bythe Ottoman Turkish government nor an event unilaterallyimplemented without cause. Of course, in no way does thisexcuse the horrible excesses that were committed.”

Professor Akçam further observed that the four acade-mics — Hakan Yavuz of University of Utah, Guenter Lewyof University of Massachusetts, Jeremy Salt of BilkentUniversity, Ankara, and Edward J. Ericson of Marine CorpsCommand & Staff College, Virginia — who praised Gunter’sbook, “are well known for their denialist position andworks regarding the genocide of 1915.” AlthoughProfessor Akçam did not wish to make “an accusationagainst the book’s writer,” he stated: “the strange similari-ties between what I was told in confidence in Istanbul andwhat appears on the jacket cover of that book gave mepause, that’s all.”

While no one should accuse academics of receiving fundsfrom the Turkish government or its proxies without solidevidence, it would be enlightening if any of them would vol-untarily come forward and disclose whether they have beenfunded by Turkish sources.

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

Volunteering Changed my Life The Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) changed my life.Life is funny and unpredictable and expectations are often realistic. So

after a four-year career as a television reporter in the United States, I quit tofind salvation…in a developing country with a serious migration problem.Everyone told me to bring an open mind and no goals; I said OK and then

wrote down all my goals.AVC placed me with the Civilitas

Foundation in their new onlinemedia project. It sounded like a per-fect fit to everyone except me. I for-

got to tell you I quit media because I hated it, passionately.Day 1 at Civilitas was challenging, so was day 10, same with whatever day

today is. But that’s why I love it. Civilitas is the best foundation in Armenia.It was founded by Armenia’s former Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian. SalpiGhazarian is the most dynamic leader I have ever worked for (I’m not kiss-ing up and she’s too busy to read this anyway). Civilitas works in many sec-tors including microfinance, diasporan relations and now media. But here’swhy it’s great…

It’s full of young, intelligent, multi-lingual professionals from Armenia. Andif you have an entrepreneurial idea, you can implement it. So I’m helpingdevelop an online media outlet while training reporters because a good storyis a good story in any language. Most of the reporters are very inexperiencedand we still need more infrastructure; but I have no doubt we will succeed.

Quick story about startups and challenges; I developed a Google Docs sys-tem to help organize the newsroom’s script writing. Change is not alwayseasy and the first day we tried it things did not go smoothly. So we had ameeting and since my Armenian is not exactly great, I had a translator. Inthe beginning everyone was calm, so she translated. By the end, people werescreaming, I occasionally heard my name, and then she stopped translating.But most good stories have good endings right? We’re still using the script-writing program (with fewer struggles). One of the people most opposed toit told me the other day how much she now enjoys the program. Change isdifficult but worthwhile.

You will read many posts about how impossible the job market is here. Andmany more posts detailing diasporan struggles to find work. All those sto-ries are probably true. But so is mine. Armenia is a country with its chal-lenges, but you can help conquer them.

I came here speaking no Armenian. On the first day I was asked, “What isyour favorite Armenian food?” I had no answer because I did not know thenames of any of the foods. The vast majority of my friends in the UnitedStates are not Armenian.

And yet I came with huge expectations and a willingness to work. I haveput in multiple 60-hour weeks (because Civilitas lets me and I want to) andhave missed a few excursions to work on the weekends. Hard work pays offeverywhere.

This is my first and last blog post as an AVC volunteer because I recentlyagreed to become a full time employee at the Civilitas Foundation. My titleis producer; it might as well be “dream job.” Oh yeah, I don’t hate media any-more. AVC changed my life.

(Greg Bilzerian is from the US and volunteering at Civilitas Foundation in Armenia.)

By Greg Bilazarian

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator has received aprotest letter from the Turkish Embassy, datedJune 28, 2011, regarding the publication of theobituary of the late Vergin Mazmanian, who wasa vocal witness of the Armenian Genocide untilher last breath at the age of 103.

It seems that one statement in that obituaryhas touched some raw nerves at the TurkishEmbassy, as evidenced in the letter, which wehave reproduced here below. Rauf Alp. R.Denktas, counselor and spokesman for theembassy, finds “reckless andirresponsible” the statement inthe obituary that at one pointMs. Mazmanian had beenharassed by the TurkishEmbassy.

It is very good news thatTurkish Embassy monitorsArmenian publications by paidstaff members and reacts imme-diately to statements which con-tain “falsehoods” in their judg-ment.

Ms. Mazmanian is no longeralive. Common sense dictatesthat criminals have more reasonto falsify facts than their vic-tims. But, Mr. Denktas goes fur-ther to counsel us “to promotecivility.”

Turning back the tables, weare entitled to ask how much ofthat “civility” did the Turks exer-cise in murdering Ms.Mazmanian’s parents, alongwith 1.5 million Armenians?

They certainly may regret thatVergin was left alive to embar-rass the Turks for the rest of herlong life.

Counselor Denktas goes one step further from“educating” us on “civility” and opens a moreloaded issue by stating: “It [the statement] couldfurther frustrate efforts by Turks and Armeniansto reconcile their complex relationships andreignite the open hostilities some Armenianactivists committed in the past against Turks andtheir representatives in Massachusetts andaround the US.”

The reference is transparently directed to somefrustrated Armenian youth who had taken the

law in their hands to avenge the Genocidethrough some individual acts of violence.

We stand far from endorsing terrorism in civi-lized countries, but on balance, what the Turkscommitted against Armenians in murdering anentire nation and usurping its historic homeland,far outweighs the understandable acts of someyoung people.

Thirty five nations and counting have hurledthe accusation at present-day Turkey. “That youcommitted a genocide against Armenians and

there is still blood on your hands.” President Barack Obama himself advised

Turkey, right in the Ankara Parliament, that ithas to face its dark pages of history.

Therefore, rather than dispensing “civility”advice to us, it is incumbent upon official repre-sentatives of Turkey to initiate the promotion of“civility” themselves by admitting the heinouscrime that they perpetrated against Armenians.

Below is Mr. Denktas’ letter, reproduced verba-tim, in tradition with the Mirror-Spectator’s toneof civility.

Turkish Embassy in WashingtonCounsels ‘Civility’ to Mirror-Spectator

To the Editor:Your June 23 obituary of Vergin Mazmanian paints

a vivid picture of a woman, born in Amasya, Turkey,who was obviously vibrant and much loved by herfamily and community. Turkey is also saddened byher passing.

I was struck that the obituary offered an utterlyfalse accusation that the Turkish Embassy had onceharassed Ms. Mazmanian. Including this falsehood inthe story is reckless and irresponsible. It could fur-ther frustrate efforts by Turks and Armenians to rec-oncile their complex relationship and reignited theopen hostilities some Armenian activists committedin the past against Turks and their representatives inMassachusetts and around the US.

The best way to honor the memory of remarkablepeople like Mazmanian is to promote civility.Unfortunately, this article falls short of that principle.

— Rauf Alp. R. DenktasCounselor, Spokesman

Embassy of the Republic of TurkeyWashington, DC

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R16

NOMINATION, from page 12009, and indicated that the administrationremains “committed to doing whatever wecan to encourage the two parties to get theprotocols back on track.” Heffern also statedthat Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “hasmade it clear” that “the ball is in Turkey’scourt.” With respect to the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process, Heffern noted thatPresident Barack Obama and Clinton havebeen “deeply involved” and “remain commit-ted” to the OSCE Minsk Group process tofind “a lasting, peaceful and just solution tothis conflict.”

On the democracy front, Heffern noted aseries of positive steps that the Armenian gov-ernment has taken in the last six months andindicated that if confirmed he would continueto build on this progress and the work of for-mer Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.

In Heffern’s opening testimony, he indicat-ed that “the Obama Administration hasstrengthened US relations with Armenia,”and noted that last April the presidents “ofour two countries held their first bilateralmeeting in 10 years, and when SecretaryClinton visited Yerevan last year, it was thefirst visit by a Secretary of State to Armeniain 19 years.”

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) welcomedHeffern’s opening statement which reiteratedObama’s position on the Armenian Genocide:“President Obama has recognized anddeplored the horrific events that took place inthe waning days of the Ottoman Empire. Hehas publicly called the massacre of 1.5 millionArmenians at this time one of the worst atroc-ities of the 20th century. The president hasurged Turkey and Armenia to work throughtheir painful history to achieve a full, frankand just acknowledgement of the facts. If con-firmed, I will do my best to fulfill the presi-dent’s vision.”

Menendez outlined the facts and discussedseveral historical documents pertaining to theArmenian Genocide, including various cablesfrom US officials serving at the time of theGenocide, as well as Article II of the UnitedNations Convention on the Prevention andPunishment of the Crime of Genocide.Menendez asked Heffern if he disputed any ofthe facts presented, of which Heffern did not.Menendez also asked if Heffern believed that

the facts presented, including those inHeffern’s opening statement fit the definitionof Article II of the Genocide Convention.Heffern responded in the affirmative, but indi-cated that the characterization of the eventswas a policy decision as reflected in the pres-ident’s April 24 statement.

In closing, Menendez expressed his contin-ued frustration with Administration policy bystating that this is “an inartful dance that wedo. We have a State Department whose histo-ry full of dispatches cites the atrocities com-mitted during this period of time. We have aConvention from which we signed on to as asignatory that clearly defines these acts asgenocide. We have a historical knowledge ofthe facts, which we accept that would amountto genocide, but we are unwilling to referenceit as genocide. And if we cannot accept thepast we cannot move forward, and so I find itvery difficult to be sending diplomats of theUnited States to a country in which they willgo, and I hope you will go, as some of yourpredecessors have, to a Genocide commemo-ration and yet never be able to use the wordgenocide. It is much more than a question ofa word. It is everything that signifies our com-mitment to saying ‘Never Again’ and yet wecannot even acknowledge this fact and we putdiplomats in a position that I think is totallyuntenable.”

“The Armenian Assembly welcomes thecontinued efforts of Senator Menendez toensure that the facts of the ArmenianGenocide are brought to the forefront and notdenied. We concur with the Senator that theAdministration’s current policy is untenable.The Assembly strongly believes that America’slong-term interests would be better served byspeaking the truth and squarely affirming theArmenian Genocide,” said ArmenianAssembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

Also attending the hearing were theAssembly Terjenian-Thomas 2011 Interns,including Evelina Beknazaryan and AramBagrazyan.

The next step in the confirmation process isto allow senators to submit questions in writ-ing to the nominee. After the Senators havean opportunity to review the nominees’responses, the Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee will hold a business committeemeeting to vote on Heffren’s candidacy.

Armenian Assembly Reserves JudgmentOn John Heffern Nomination

TCA Board of DirectorsMeet in California

ALTADENA — The Tekeyan Cultural Association Inc. (TCA) Central Board ofDirectors of the United States and Canada held their regular meeting in California onthe weekend of June 24-26 to discuss all the issues of a full agenda regarding theAssociation, its chapters, schools, Armenia projects, media and cultural centers.

Chaired by Dr. Haroutiun Arzoumanian, members had a private meeting on Fridayat the residence of Board member Rouben Terzian. The board conducted its businessthe next day at TCA Arshag Dickranian School, where commencement ceremonies ofthe school were taking place on the same afternoon and the board members were invit-ed to preside over the heart-warming ceremonies. Before the commencement, the TCAboard met with members of TCA Arshag Dickranian School Trustees and discussedissues related to the school.

During its regular meeting, the board reviewed the state of the Association andheard the encouraging reports of the Arshag Dickranian School Board, the report ofthe TCA Board of Administration, the Treasurer’s report, and appraised the situationof the unfounded litigation against the Association. A report was also presented aboutits active chapters in US and Canada.

On Sunday, at the TCA Beshgetourian Cultural Center, board members met with themembers of the Executive Committee of TCA Los Angeles and Pasadena/Glendalechapters, as well as members of the Beshgetourian Caretaking Committee, headed byKevork Keushkerian. A constructive discussion of current events and issues were open-ly discussed and recommendations were noted.

The same night, Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Los Angeles Chapter organized atribute honoring Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian’s 60 years of service to the ArmenianChurch. It was held under the auspices of the Western Diocese of the ArmenianChurch, with the Primate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presiding. It took place at theZorayan Hall of St. Leon Cathedral here on Sunday, June 26.

Separate press releases and reports have been issued regarding the school com-mencement ceremonies and related activities of the weekend.

ISTANBUL (Azg) — The Democratic SocietyCongress (DTK) of Turkey, a platform thatbrings together Kurdish non-government orga-nizations, met and declared “democratic auton-omy” within Turkey’s territorial integrity inDiyarbakir on Thursday, according to Today’sZaman.

The source reports, pro-Kurdish independentdeputy Aysel Tugluk said in a declaration aftera six-hour meeting of the DTK on Thursday thatthe Kurdish people declare democratic autono-my while remaining loyal to the national unityof Turkey under the country’s territorialintegrity and based on democratic nationalprinciples. She also referenced internationalhuman rights documents that allowed them todo so.

Tugluk, who is also chairwoman of the DTK,delivered a positive message regarding the cen-turies-long friendship of Turkish and Kurdishpeople in this land and warned that a continu-ing deadlock in the Kurdish issue will keep peo-ple in a situation of violence and conflict. TheDTK’s declaration came at a time when out-lawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) mem-bers killed 13 soldiers and wounded seven oth-ers in an ambush in Diyarbakir, escalatingalready high-running tensions.

Tugluk stated that the solution to theKurdish problem could only be solved if Kurdsare recognized as a nation based on equal sta-tus. The Kurdish deputy also called on the inter-national community to recognize the democrat-ic autonomy her congress has declared.

The DTK, which describes itself as a localorganization of Kurds in eastern Turkey com-prising intellectuals, representative from civilsociety organizations, pro-Kurdish politiciansand some members of the Peace and

Democracy Party (BDP), presented the firstcomprehensive draft of its “DemocraticAutonomous Kurdistan Model” at a conferencein Diyarbakir in December of last year.

Abdullah Oçalan, the imprisoned leader ofthe outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),is known to advocate the idea of democraticautonomy, a term no one can clearly define.The DTK argues the term refers to strong localgovernment, but the government and other par-ties are suspicious that it would lead to the useof a separate language and flag, which theyargue is out of the question.

Kurdish Group Declares DemocraticAutonomy within Turkey’s Borders

Yerevan Trade HouseTo Be Opened inSaint Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Aysor.am) — Atthe invitation of St. Petersburg Gov.Valentina Matvienko, a delegation led byYerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan paid anofficial visit July 6 to 8.

During the meeting, Karapetyan andMatvienko focused on cooperation betweenthe two cities.

The Yerevan mayor’s office and the St.Petersburg mayor’s office signed an agree-ment on trade and economic, agriculturaland humanitarian cooperation for 2011-2014.

The two sides also agreed to open theYerevan trade house in Saint Petersburg anda St. Petersburg counterpart in Yerevan, thepress service of Yerevan mayor’s officereported.

TODAY!SUBSCRIBE

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

USA/Second Class Mail $75.00USA/First Class Mail $120.00

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator