Section 907 of the FreedomSupport Act Maintained

WASHINGTON — This week, the SenateAppropriations Committee approved itsFiscal Year (FY) 2014 State, ForeignOperations Appropriations Bill, whichincluded specific report language regardingNagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh), reported theArmenian Assembly of America.The Senate report language recommend-

ed “assistance for victims of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict in amounts consistentwith prior years, and for ongoing needsrelated to the conflict.” In addition, theCommittee urged “a peaceful resolution tothe conflict.”“Continued assistance for the people of

Nagorno-Karabagh remains an importantpriority,” Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who serveson the Senate AppropriationsCommittee, told the Assembly.In her letter to Senate Appropriations

Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski(D-MD), Assembly Board Member AnnieTotah emphasized the importance of USaid to Armenia and Artsakh given the ongo-ing Turkish and Azeri blockades.The Senate action follows the House,

which approved its version yesterday. Forits part, the House-approved languagestates, “within the funds provided underthis heading, the Secretary of State shouldprovide assistance for victims of theNagorno-Karabagh conflict at levels consis-

tent with prior years, and for ongoingneeds related to the conflict.” The HouseAppropriations Bill also restated the sixcustomary exemptions for humanitarianand other assistance to Section 907 of theFreedom Support Act. Section 907 wasenacted in 1992 and requires theGovernment of Azerbaijan to take “demon-strable steps to cease all blockades andother offensive uses of force” againstArmenia and Artsakh.Overall, the Senate Bill represents a 5

percent cut whereas the House Billsee ASSISTANCE, page 16

YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Due torecent government decision, a free econom-ic zone started operating on the premisesof RAO Mars and the Research Institute ofMathematical Machines (MergelyanInstitute) on August 1. The Sitronics ClosedJoint-Stock Company has been recognizedas the organizer of this free economic zone.During its meeting on Thursday the gov-

ernment of Armenia conditioned the estab-lishment of free economic zones due to theneed to attract direct foreign investment,with a view to later achieving export growth,creating new jobs and stimulating sustain-able economic development through theintroduction of advanced technologies as a

result of the establishment of these zones.One of the conditions for the formation

of a free economic zone is that its produc-tion be export-oriented.Permission for activities in the free eco-

nomic zone has been issued for a 10-yearperiod. The free economic zone will beorganized in a territory of more than100,000 square meters, including 77,000square meters of space at the Mars factoryand 27,000 square meters at the MergelyanInstitute.The zone will work in two directions —

high-tech and new-tech production.Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan saysthat preliminary agreements on coopera-tion have been reached with several foreignIT companies (from the US, Iran, India andthe UK).The organizer of the free economic zone,

Sitronics Armenia Closed Joint-Stocksee ECONOMY, page 2

Syrian-ArmeniansKidnapped on Syria-

Turkey BorderALEPPO (Armenpress) — Kidnappings of Syrian-Armenians continue on the Turkish border, accord-ing to Kantsasar Weekly’s Zarmik Poghikyan.“On July 28 in the morning a small bus left from

Aleppo to Turkey, [comprising] three Armenianfamilies — seven women and two teenagers. On theTurkish border the bus was forced to stop. The mil-itants kidnapped the 14-year-old and 12-year-oldand released the women, who are in Turkey now.We have no information about the young people atthis time,” said Poghikyan.During the last week, the Syrian-Armenians suf-

fered considerable losses: an Armenian woman waskilled in a bus attack and 17 people were wounded.A child was wounded by a stray bullet and on July26, four Armenian men were kidnapped by the mil-itants.According to UN data, more than 100,000 people

have died in the two-year-old conflict. Currently, 4.5million refugees live in Syria and 1.5 million live inneighboring countries. Several Armenians havebeen killed as a result of the fighting. Many Syrian-Armenians continue to flee the country.Additionally, three Syrian-Armenians were wound-ed in recent explosions.

Putin to Visit ArmeniaIn Fall, Sources Say

MOSCOW (Arminfo) — According to the prelimi-nary data, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visitto Armenia is scheduled for the end of Septemberor beginning of October, a diplomatic source fromRussia said.Putin is going to visit Azerbaijan August 12-15.As Zhogovurd newspaper reported, President

Serge Sargisian of Armenia will pay a working visitto Moscow August 15-17.

Armenian Leader toAttend Iran President’s

InaugurationYEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The IranianPresident-elect Hassan Rouhani will be inauguratedon August 4.Rouhani, a centrist cleric, won an outright major-

ity, receiving more than 50 percent of the vote thispast June.The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan,

Armenia, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, North Korea,Turkmenistan, Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Tajikistanas well as three prime ministers, including theprime ministers of Syria and Swaziland, will takepart in the ceremony.The parliament speakers of Russia, Algeria,

Azerbaijan, Oman and Congo will also be present.

INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXIV, NO. 3, Issue 4297

A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 1 3

$ 2.00

TastyAdana

Page 10

INSIDE

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

Aiming for Washington, RootedIn Waltham: Peter KoutoujianSeeks US Congress SeatWALTHAM, Mass. — Sheriff Peter Koutoujian wants to expand his horizon

beyond Middlesex County to Washington. He is seeking the Fifth District Houseof Representatives seat vacated by nowSen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), in a spe-cial election slated for December 10.Markey replaced the longtime sena-

tor from the state, John Kerry (D-Mass.), whom President Barack Obama

named as secretary of state in his second term.“I’m a kid from Waltham and I always will be. My family will stay here and my

children will continue to be at the Armenian Sisters’ Academy [in Lexington]. Iam not an ideologue. For me, political positions are ways to help people butthey are not the only ways. I care about politics but I have come to care moredeeply about the people I help,” he added.

see KOUTOUJIAN, page 8

By Alin K. GregorianMirror-Spectator Staff

Powerhouse AttorneysInvolved in AXAGenocide Claim SettleTheir DifferencesLOS ANGELES — The Law Offices of

Vartkes Yeghiayan, the firm of KabateckBrown Kellner and the firm of Geragos andGeragos jointly announce that they haveamicably resolved their differences whicharose from the settlement of ArmenianGenocide Claims inthe AXA litigationpending in federalcourt. Specifically,the lawsuit filed byGeragos andGeragos andKabateck BrownKellner (Case No.2:11 CV 03043CAS AGR), againstYeghiayan, RitaMahdessian and a number of charities isbeing dismissed with prejudice forthwith.Further, the parties have agreed on aprocess for the review of all costs and char-itable awards that the parties have madeincident to the AXA settlement. The partieshave also agreed to request that theFederal District Court keep and maintainjurisdiction over the finalization of boththe claims process as well as the fulfillmentof the terms of this settlement agreementamong the law firms.

see SETTLEMENT, page 16

Free Economic Zone Announced in Yerevan

US Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and US Rep. AdamSchiff (D-CA)

Artsakh Aid Affirmed by House andSenate Appropriations Committees

Mark Geragos

EExxccaavvaattiioonnss SShheedd LLiigghhttOOnn EErreebbuunnii TTeemmppllee

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— AAnn AArrmmeenniiaann--FFrreenncchheexxccaavvaattiioonn tteeaamm iiss ffooccuussiinngg oonn tthhee eennttrraannccee ppiillllaarrssooff tthhee tteemmppllee ooff tthhee ggoodd KKhhaalldd iinn EErreebbuunnii,, aass iitt hhaassnnoott bbeeeenn ssttuuddiieedd eexxtteennssiivveellyy yyeett..TThhee hheeaadd ooff tthhee tteeaamm,, SStteeffaann DDeesscchhaammpp,, ssaaiidd aatt

aa pprreessss ccoonnffeerreennccee oonn JJuullyy 3300 tthhaatt iinn tthhee 11995500ss aanndd11996600ss,, wwhheenn tthhee ssiittee wwaass ppaarrttiiaallllyy eexxccaavvaatteedd,, iitt wwaassnnoott ssttuuddiieedd cclloosseellyy.. ““TThhee mmaaiinn qquueessttiioonn wwaass ttoo ffiinnddoouutt wwhhaatt ccoonnnneeccttiioonn tthhee tteemmppllee ooff KKhhaalldd hhaadd wwiitthhtthhee aanndd ggrreeaatt hhaallll wwiitthh ppiillllaarrss wwhhiicchh hhaadd bbeeeenn eexxccaa--vvaatteedd iinn ppaasstt,,”” hhee ssaaiidd..IInn 22001122 tthhee ggrroouupp ddiissccoovveerreedd tthhee ssttrreeeett aarroouunndd

tthhee tteemmppllee aanndd tthhiiss yyeeaarr ccoonnttiinnuueedd eexxccaavvaattiioonnss iinntthhee aabboovvee--mmeennttiioonneedd ssttrreeeett,, wwhhiicchh ppoossssiibbllyy iiss tthheeoollddeesstt ssttrreeeett iinn YYeerreevvaann.. ““TThhiiss ssttrreeeett aalllloowwss mmaakkiinnggcchhrroonnoollooggiiccaall aaddjjuussttmmeennttss,,”” DDeesscchhaammpp ssaaiidd.. TThhee AArrmmeenniiaann--FFrreenncchh eexxccaavvaattiioonn ggrroouupp hhaass bbeeeenn

ddiiggggiinngg aarroouunndd EErreebbuunnii tteemmppllee ssiinnccee 22000088.. TThheeeexxccaavvaattiioonnss wwiillll ccoonnttiinnuuee ttiillll 22001155..

CCaatthhoolliiccooss HHoossttss RRuussssiiaannAAmmbbaassssaaddoorr

EECCHHMMIIAADDZZIINN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— CCaatthhoolliiccooss ooff AAllllAArrmmeenniiaannss KKaarreekkiinn IIII hhoosstteedd tthhee nneewwllyy aappppooiinntteeddRRuussssiiaann aammbbaassssaaddoorr ttoo AArrmmeenniiaa,, IIvvaann VVoolliinnkkiinn,, llaassttwweeeekk..DDuurriinngg tthhee mmeeeettiinngg,, KKaarreekkiinn IIII ccoonnggrraattuullaatteedd tthhee

RRuussssiiaann aammbbaassssaaddoorr oonn hhiiss aappppooiinnttmmeenntt aanndd ssppookkeeoonn tthhee iimmppoorrttaannccee ooff ppoossiittiivvee rreellaattiioonnss bbeettwweeeenn tthheettwwoo nnaattiioonnss,, aass wweellll aass ccooooppeerraattiioonn bbeettwweeeenn tthheeAArrmmeenniiaann aanndd RRuussssiiaann cchhuurrcchheess..

FFlloouurr,, SSuuggaarr PPrriicceessDDeeccrreeaassee iinn AArrmmeenniiaa

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— TThhee rreecceenntt rreessuullttss ooff tthheeAArrmmeenniiaann mmoonniittoorriinngg SSttaattee CCoommmmiissssiioonn ffoorrEEccoonnoommiicc PPrrootteeccttiioonn rreeccoorrddeedd aa ddeeccrreeaassee iinn bbootthhff lloouurr aanndd ssuuggaarr pprriicceess..““SSuuggaarr pprriicceess ddeeccrreeaasseedd bbyy 1100--2200 AAMMDD aaccccoorrddiinngg

ttoo mmoonniittoorriinngg hheelldd iinn ffiivvee mmaajjoorr ssuuppeerrmmaarrkkeettss,,””ssaaiidd GGaayyaannee SSaahhaakkyynnaa,, pprreessss sseeccrreettaarryy ffoorr tthhee ccoomm--mmiissssiioonn,, aaddddiinngg tthhaatt ff lloouurr pprriiccee ddeeccrreeaasseedd bbyy 1155AAMMDD..TThhee iinnccrreeaassee ooff ggaass aanndd eelleeccttrriicciittyy pprriicceess iinn

AArrmmeenniiaa lleedd ttoo pprriiccee iinnccrreeaasseess ffoorr vvaarriioouuss ggooooddssssuucchh aass bbrreeaadd,, bbeeeerr,, mmiinneerraall wwaatteerr aanndd eettcc..

EErreebbuunnii CCaassttllee ttoo IInnssttaallllAAmmpphhiitthheeaatteerr

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— EErreebbuunnii CCaassttllee wwiilllliinnssttaallll aa mmoovviiee aammpphhiitthheeaatteerr wwiitthh aaccccoommppaannyyiinngglliigghhttiinngg aanndd 33DD ggrraapphhiicc sshhooww.. TThhee mmooddiiffiiccaattiioonnpprrooggrraamm wwaass aannnnoouunncceedd bbyy DDeeppuuttyy MMaayyoorr AArraammSSuukkiiaassyyaann aatt aa JJuullyy 3300 pprreessss ccoonnffeerreennccee..““OOuurr [[ggooaall]] iiss ttoo aaddaapptt tthhee aammpphhiitthheeaatteerr ccoorrrreecctt--

llyy.. [[BBeeccaauussee iitt wwiillll mmoovvee,, ppeeooppllee wwiillll hhaavvee tthhee]]ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ooff wwaattcchhiinngg tthhee ttoottaall ppeerrffoorrmmaannccee,,””ssaaiidd SSuukkiiaassyyaann..HHee aallssoo mmeennttiioonneedd mmuunniicciippaalliittyy ppllaannss ttoo rreessttoorree

tthhee wwhhoollee ccoommpplleexx wwiitthhiinn ttwwoo yyeeaarrss.. ““WWaallllss aannddffrreessccooss ooff tthhee ccaassttllee wwiillll bbee rreessttoorreedd,,”” hhee ssaaiidd..SSuukkiiaassyyaann aallssoo aaddddeedd tthhaatt ccaarreeffuull aatttteennttiioonn

wwoouulldd bbee ppaaiidd ttoo pprreesseerrvviinngg tthhee aarrcchhaaeeoollooggiiccaallaassppeeccttss ooff tthhee ccaassttllee aanndd tthhaatt rreennoovvaattiioonnss wwoouullddnnoott iinntteerrffeerree wwiitthh pprreesseerrvvaattiioonn..

SSaarrggiissiiaann SSeennddssCCoonnddoolleenncceess ttoo SSppaaiinn

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— AArrmmeenniiaann PPrreessiiddeennttSSeerrggee SSaarrggiissiiaann sseenntt aa lleetttteerr ooff ccoonnddoolleenncceess ttoo tthheeKKiinngg JJuuaann CCaarrllooss II ooff SSppaaiinn iinn rreessppoonnssee ttoo tthheerreecceenntt ccrraasshh ooff tthhee ppaasssseennggeerr ttrraaiinn iinn tthhee GGaalliicciiaaAAuuttoonnoommoouuss RReeggiioonn,, wwhhiicchh ccaauusseedd tthhee ddeeaatthh ooffmmoorree tthhaann 7700 ppeeooppllee,, wwiitthh mmoorree tthhaann aa hhuunnddrreeddwwoouunnddeedd..““SShhaarriinngg yyoouurr aanndd tthhee eennttiirree SSppaanniisshh nnaattiioonn’’ss

ggrriieeff aanndd ppaaiinn,, II wwiisshh tthhee rreellaattiivveess aanndd ffaammiilliieess oofftthhee vviiccttiimmss ttoo bbee ssttrroonngg aanndd tthhee wwoouunnddeedd —— tthheessoooonneesstt rreeccoovveerryy,,”” ssaaiidd SSaarrggiissiiaann iinn hhiiss lleetttteerr..

News From Armenia

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

ECONOMY, from page 1Company, is a 100-percent subsidiary ofSitronics Open Joint Stock Company. Itwas founded in 2009 for the manage-ment of planned free economic zones.RAO Mars and Mergelyan Institute havebeen under Sitronics OJSC manage-ment since 2008. The enterprises areowned by the Russian Federation rep-resented by the Federal State PropertyManagement Agency. Sitronics is partof AFK Sistema, and former presidentof Armenia Robert Kocharian is on theBoard of Directors of this conglomeratecompany.

The government says Sitronics occu-pies a leading position in the informa-tion and communication technologiesmarket in Russia. Thus, in 2009 and2010, it was among the top-five IT com-panies in Russia. Its revenues in 2010amounted to close to $1.2 billion.Electronics and robotics plant RAO

Mars was set up in 1988. At themoment of its foundation it was aleader in its sphere working withadvanced technologies. After the col-lapse of the Soviet Union, the plantstopped turning out production and formany years was mainly leasing its pro-duction space to other enterprises. In2002 it was transferred to Russia aspart of the controversial equities-for-debt deal. The company resumed itsoperation in 2008 and now it hasalready started selling the first samplesof its production.What is most commonly known as

Mergelyan Institute today was foundedin 1956 and its main direction was com-puters as well as design and introduc-tion of special automated managementsystems commissioned by the USSRDefense Ministry. Today, the Institutecontinues its activities, but it is more

active in design and production of non-traditional materials for special purpos-es.Sitronics Armenia suggests high-tech

and science-intensive production devel-opment for the free economic zonewithin RAO Mars, and for theMergelyan Institute it suggests innova-tion, research and experimental designactivities as well as IT development. Thetotal volume of investments for theimplementation of the project plannedby the initiators is expected to exceed$10 million by the end of 2014, ofwhich $1.7 million has already beeninvested.At present, there is also another free

economic zone on the Armenia-Iranborder, of which Armenian businesseshave not availed themselves yet. Thefree economic zone at the border situ-ated on an area of 52,000 hectares isthe largest of the six such zones estab-lished in Iran — it stretches from theTurkish border to the border withAzerbaijan and is 380 kilometers awayfrom Yerevan. It is expected that anoth-er free economic zone will operate inthe area adjacent to the Zvartnots air-port near Yerevan.

Free Economic Zone Announced in Yerevan

ClarificationA Letter to the Editor titled,“Shore Up Armenia,” whichappeared in the July 27, 2013 edi-tion of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, solely reflects the per-sonal views of the author, WalterC. Bandazian, and does not rep-resent the position of the HowardKaragheusian Foundation.

MARGAHOVIT, Armenia — The quali-ty of irrigation water in Aghtsk, thecondition of the public park inMargahovit and the cleanup of thegrounds of Isahakyan Park in Gumriwere some of the topics presented bystudents at a workshop hosted by theArmenia Tree Project (ATP).High school students from Aghtsk,

Margahovit and Gumri participated in aposter presentation on June 10 at ATP’sMichael and Virginia Center forEnvironmental Studies. The event waspart of a collaborative programbetween ATP and Armenia’s NationalInstitute of Education (NIE) on the inte-gration of environmental education inthe social sciences curriculum.“The goal of the program was to

introduce environmental education tothese students and to create a genera-tion that is not only aware of currentenvironmental issues, but is concernedenough to learn specific skills to solvethe issues,” explained KarineHarutyunyan, social sciences specialistfrom the NIE. “We hope such projectswill contribute to the formation ofsocially active and responsible citizens.”Student groups in grades 8-10 were

instructed to identify a local environ-mental problem and conduct indepen-dent research on the issue including astudy of relevant legislation and regula-tions. The students recommended solu-tions and addressed their findings toresponsible officials and organizationsfor implementation.The exercise was based on articles in

Armenia’s Constitution that address theright to live in a healthy environmentand the Aarhus Convention which guar-antees public access to informationabout the environment.Environmental education has been

one of ATP’s core programs since the2005 publication of the Plant an Idea,Plant a Tree teacher’s manual. A secondedition of the manual was published incooperation with the NIE in 2010 andalready more than 1,200 teachers fromall regions of Armenia have beentrained on its use in the classroom.ATP operates education centers near

its tree nurseries in Margahovit andKarin villages, where local and diaspo-ran students visit for lessons and out-door field-based learning. Nearly 1,400students including young schoolchild-

ren and university students visited theMichael and Virginia OhanianEnvironmental Educational Center inKarin Village last year.The Michael and Virginia Ohanian

Center for Environmental Studies wasinaugurated in Margahovit in 2012 andhas already hosted more than 200 visi-tors. The center is run by biologyteacher, Gayane Margaryan, who super-vises several student eco clubs thatmeet there regularly.Elementary and high school students

are members of the eco clubs, wherethey discuss environmental challenges,do hands-on work at the ATP centerand learn environmentally friendlymethods of gardening.Earlier this year, ATP partnered with

the Italian CISP charitable organization(International Committee for theDevelopment of People) on teachertraining focused on the Lori region.ATP trained teachers on the use of thePlant an Idea, Plant a Tree manual andthe “Participatory and InnovativePedagogical Tools for Education onEnvironmental Health” papers pre-pared by the French HistoiresRecyclables NGO.A total of 125 teachers have already

been trained, and the program will con-

tinue this fall. “It is of major importancefor ATP to conduct environmental train-ings in these regions as there has beenwidespread deforestation caused by log-ging and other environmental chal-

lenges,” explained program managerAlla Sahakyan.“Teachers seem to appreciate this

opportunity as it demonstrates innova-tive methods and introduces newinsights for environmental education.International organizations are interest-ed in our trainings, and we’re excitedabout our first training with CISP,” con-tinued Sahakyan. “We express our grati-tude to CISP for their charitable missionthroughout the world. When organiza-tions having similar interests cooperatein their activities, it leads to even greaterimpact and encouraging results.”ATP’s mission is to assist the

Armenian people in using trees toimprove their standard of living andprotect the environment, guided by thedesire to promote self-sufficiency, aidthose with the fewest resources firstand conserve the indigenous ecosys-tem. ATP’s three major programs aretree planting, environmental educationand sustainable development initiatives.For more information, please visit the

website www.armeniatree.org.

Armenia Tree Project operates environmental education centers near its tree nurs-eries in Margahovit and Karin villages, where thousands of local and diasporan stu-dents visit for lessons and outdoor field-based learning.

ATP Student Program Advocates EnvironmentalEducation and Civic Engagement

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

BBrriittiisshh MMuusseeuummRReennaammeess RRoooomm ffrroomm‘‘AAnncciieenntt TTuurrkkeeyy’’ ttoo‘‘AAnnaattoolliiaa,, UUrraarrttuu’’

LLOONNDDOONN ((AArrmmiinnffoo)) —— TThhee BBrriittiisshh MMuusseeuummhhaass rreennaammeedd iittss rroooomm 5544 ffrroomm ““AAnncciieenntt TTuurrkkeeyy””iinnttoo ““AAnnaattoolliiaa,, UUrraarrttuu..””IInn eeaarrllyy 22001133,, tthhee FFoorruumm ooff AArrmmeenniiaann

AAssssoocciiaattiioonnss ooff EEuurrooppee ((FFAAAAEE)),, eexxpprreesssseedd aa pprrootteessttaaggaaiinnsstt tthhee uussee ooff ““AAnncciieenntt TTuurrkkeeyy”” nnaammee ffoorrtthhee mmuusseeuumm’’ss rroooomm 5544 aanndd ssuuggggeesstteedd tthhaatt iitt bbeerreennaammeedd iinnttoo ““UUrraarrttuu,, AAnncciieenntt AArrmmeenniiaa..”” FFAAAAEE ssaaiidd tthhaatt tthhee vvaalluueess eexxhhiibbiitteedd iinn tthhee rroooomm

hhaadd nnoo rreellaattiioonn ttoo TTuurrkkeeyy bbuutt ttoo UUrraarrttuu,, aann aanncciieennttssttaattee llooccaatteedd iinn tthhee tteerrrriittoorryy ooff tthhee AArrmmeenniiaannPPllaatteeaauu.. ““TThhiiss iiss jjuusstt oonnee eexxaammppllee.. SSoommeettiimmeessAArrmmeenniiaann vvaalluueess,, lliikkee ccaarrppeettss,, aarree eexxhhiibbiitteedd aassMMuusslliimm vvaalluueess,,”” FFAAAAEE ssaaiidd.. IInn iittss rreessppoonnssee ttoo FFAAAAEE,, tthhee mmuusseeuumm’’ss ddiirreeccttoorr,,

JJoonnaatthhaann NN.. TTuubbbb,, ssaaiidd:: ””OOuurr ccuurraattoorrss aarree vveerryyaawwaarree tthhaatt AAnncciieenntt TTuurrkkeeyy iiss nnoonnsseennssiiccaall ffrroomm aahhiissttoorriiccaall ppooiinntt ooff vviieeww aanndd ssoo tthhee nnaammiinngg ooff tthhiissrroooomm wwaass tthhee ssuubbjjeecctt ooff mmuucchh ddeebbaattee,, aanndd ccoonnttiinn--uueess aass ssuucchh..””

PPaarrlliiaammeenntt DDeeppuuttyySSppeeaakkeerr CCaallllss oonn AAnnkkaarraattoo SSttoopp IInntteerrffeerriinngg iinn

KKaarraabbaagghhYYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeenniiaaNNooww)) —— DDeeppuuttyy PPaarrlliiaammeennttSSppeeaakkeerr EEddwwaarrdd SShhaarrmmaazzaannoovv hhaass ddeepplloorreedd tthheerreecceenntt ddeeccllaarraattiioonnss bbyy TTuurrkkeeyy’’ss ttoopp ddiipplloommaatt tthhaatthhee iimmpplliieedd aammoouunntteedd ttoo iinntteerrffeerriinngg iinn tthhee sseettttllee--mmeenntt ooff tthhee KKaarraabbaagghh ccoonnff lliicctt.. CCoommmmeennttiinngg oonn tthhee rreecceenntt ssttaatteemmeenntt ooff TTuurrkkiisshh

FFoorreeiiggnn MMiinniisstteerr AAhhmmeett DDaavvuuttoogglluu ssuuggggeessttiinnggAAnnkkaarraa wwiillll aallwwaayyss bbee ssuuppppoorrttiinngg AAzzeerrbbaaiijjaann aanndd iissrreeaaddyy ttoo pprroommoottee aa ppeeaacceeffuull sseettttlleemmeenntt ooff tthheeKKaarraabbaagghh ccoonnfflliicctt,, SShhaarrmmaazzaannoovv ssaaiidd:: ““DDaavvuuttoogglluu’’ssssttaatteemmeenntt ccoonnffiirrmmss TTuurrkkeeyy’’ss aaddhheerreennccee ttoo tthhee pprroo--AAzzeerrii rreessoolluuttiioonn ooff tthhee KKaarraabbaagghh ccoonnff lliicctt rraatthheerrtthhaann aa ffaaiirr oonnee..””““IIff iitt iiss rreeaallllyy iinntteerreesstteedd iinn aa rraappiidd sseettttlleemmeenntt ooff

tthhee ccoonnff lliicctt,, TTuurrkkeeyy hhaass ttoo ttaakkee oonnee ssiimmppllee sstteepp ——ssttoopp iinntteerrffeerriinngg iinn tthhee sseettttlleemmeenntt pprroocceessss,,””SShhaarrmmaazzaannoovv aaddddeedd..

AArrmmeenniiaann FFaammiillyyMMuurrddeerreedd iinn RRuussssiiaa

SSTTAAVVRROOPPOOLL,, RRuussssiiaa ((AArrmmiinnffoo)) —— AA mmaasskkeeddaassssaaiillaanntt eenntteerreedd tthhee hhoommee ooff bbuussiinneessssmmaannKKhhaacchhaattuurr KKaazzaarryyaann aanndd ff iirreedd aatt mmeemmbbeerrss ooff hhiissffaammiillyy..AAccccoorrddiinngg ttoo rreeppoorrttss,, KKaazzaarryyaann’’ss 1111--yyeeaarr--oolldd

ddaauugghhtteerr ddiieedd ooff tthhee gguunnsshhoott wwoouunnddss aatt tthhee sscceennee..HHeerr 1166--yyeeaarr--oolldd bbrrootthheerr wwaass wwoouunnddeedd iinn tthhee hheeaaddaanndd ddiieedd llaatteerr iinn hhoossppiittaall.. TThheeiirr 4444--yyeeaarr--oolldd mmootthheerrwwaass sseevveerreellyy wwoouunnddeedd iinn tthhee nneecckk aanndd wwaass hhoossppii--ttaalliizzeedd.. KKaazzaarryyaann wwaass iinn tthhee bbaatthhrroooomm aatt tthhee ttiimmeeooff tthhee aattttaacckk..TThhee KKaazzaarryyaannss’’ nneeiigghhbboorrss hheeaarrdd tthhee ssoouunnddss ooff

tthhee sshhoottss aanndd ccaalllleedd tthhee ppoolliiccee.. WWhheenn tthhee ppoolliicceeaarrrriivveedd aatt tthhee sscceennee,, tthheeyy ffoouunndd tthhee bbooddyy ooff tthheeddeeaadd ggiirrll.. DDeessppiittee tthhee sseevveerree iinnjjuurryy,, KKaazzaarryyaann wwaassssttiillll ccoonnsscciioouuss bbeeffoorree tthhee aarrrriivvaall ooff tthhee aammbbuullaannccee..

NNaallbbaannddiiaann MMeeeettss wwiitthhCChhiinneessee FFoorreeiiggnn MMiinniisstteerrBBEEIIJJIINNGG ((PPaannAArrmmeenniiaann..nneett)) —— AArrmmeenniiaann FFoorreeiiggnnMMiinniisstteerr EEdduuaarrdd NNaallddaannddiiaann mmeett wwiitthh hhiiss CChhiinneesseeccoouunntteerrppaarrtt WWaanngg YYii oonn TThhuurrssddaayy,, JJuullyy 2266..AAccccoorrddiinngg ttoo ssttaattee--rruunn XXiinnhhuuaa nneewwss aaggeennccyy,, tthhee

CChhiinneessee mmiinniisstteerr ssaaiidd hhiiss ccoouunnttrryy wwiillll wwoorrkk wwiitthhAArrmmeenniiaa ttoo ssttrreennggtthheenn ccoooorrddiinnaattiioonn oonn iinntteerrnnaa--ttiioonnaall aanndd rreeggiioonnaall iissssuueess aanndd aaddvvaannccee bbiillaatteerraallrreellaattiioonnss ttoo aa hhiigghheerr lleevveell..TThhee ttwwoo mmeenn ddiissccuusssseedd ppoolliittiiccaall aanndd iinntteerrppaarrlliiaa--

mmeennttaarryy ccooooppeerraattiioonn,, eeccoonnoommiicc aanndd ccuullttuurraall ttiieess,,ssttuuddeenntt eexxcchhaannggee pprrooggrraammss aass wweellll aass tthhee ppoossssiibbiill--iittyy ooff eessttaabblliisshhiinngg aa CChhiinneessee sscchhooooll iinn YYeerreevvaann..AAtt tthhee ccoommpplleettiioonn ooff tthhee mmeeeettiinngg,, NNaallbbaannddiiaann

iinnvviitteedd hhiiss CChhiinneessee ccoouunntteerrppaarrtt ttoo vviissiitt AArrmmeenniiaa..

International NewsBAKU/MOSCOW (Reuters) —

Russian oil major Rosneft is seeking astake in Azerbaijan’s Absheron gas pro-ject, sources close to the talks said, inthe latest move that may help it becomea competitor of Russia’s gas exporterGazprom.Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin discussed a

possible role in Absheron with AzeriPresident Ilham Aliyev during a visit toBaku this month and has also been indiscussions with the project’s leader,France’s Total (TOTF.PA), the sourcessaid.Azeri state oil company SOCAR and

the French oil company each hold 40percent of the project to developAbsheron, a shallow-water offshore fieldon the Caspian Sea, under production-sharing agreements. The remainder isheld by GDF Suez.Exploratory drilling by Total showed

the field contained 150 billion to 300billion cubic meters (bcm) of gasresources. The find was declared com-mercial in 2012.Azeri officials have said Absheron and

other new fields would significantlyincrease Azeri gas exports in comingyears, beyond the 10 bcm it has alreadypledged to Europe and 6 bcm it haspledged to Turkey from the giant ShahDeniz field 25 kilomters from Absheron.These Azeri exports are set to com-

pete with supplies from Gazprom, whichholds a monopoly on exports of Russiangas and covers a quarter of Europe’sgas needs through pipelines. ForRosneft, an Azeri deal would be its for-eign foray that could put it into directcompetition with Gazprom in sales to

Europe.Rival new pipeline projects are being

planned to reflect the future competi-tion between Azeri and Russian gas.Aliyev and Sechin discussed coopera-

tion in oil and gas during the meeting,Rosneft said in a news release.In response to a request for comment

on the Absheron talks, Rosneft said itwas studying options in Azerbaijan butdid not comment on potential participa-tion in specific projects.Total declined to comment.Rosneft has made its growing gas

business a top priority. Sechin hasstopped short of openly challengingGazprom’s monopoly on the exportingof Russian gas but has sought to side-step it - initially by striking a deal withExxon Mobil to build a plant to liquefynatural gas from their Sakhalin-1 pro-ject in the Pacific.In a sign of frustration with

Gazprom’s gas export monopoly, theKremlin has launched a debate onexport rights for producers of LNG,though President Vladimir Putin haswarned other Russian companiesagainst competing with Gazprom inexports to Europe.For the next 10 years, Azerbaijan is

seen as the most secure source of newpipeline gas exports to Europe.European buyers have struggled to

find alternatives to Gazprom, whosecontracts link prices to oil, generallymaking its gas expensive by comparisonwith the spot gas market.Azerbaijan plans to start exporting

Shah Deniz gas in 2019 to Europe in2019 through the Trans-Adriatic

Pipeline (TAP), chosen last month byAzerbaijan and Shah Deniz operatorBP.Expanded export capacity to coun-

tries bypassed by TAP could be fed byAbsheron and other new generationfields such as Shafag-Asiman, which willbe developed under a production-shar-ing agreement with BP, Azeri officialssaid at a ceremony to announce theselection of TAP last month.One of the sources close to the talks

on Absheron said Rosneft could seekadditional partnerships in Azerbaijanthrough BP, the biggest foreign playerin Azerbaijan and holder of a 20 percentstake in Rosneft.BP bought into Rosneft with part of

the proceeds from the sale of itsRussian joint venture, TNK-BP.Of all the former Soviet oil exporting

states, Azerbaijan has been the mostaggressive in courting Western invest-ment in energy. It allowed BP in partic-ular to gain control of much of itshydrocarbon production under produc-tion-sharing agreements, while SOCARcontinued to dominate infrastructureand refining.Russia so far has had little participa-

tion in the Azeri energy industry.Gazprom has kept a foot in the doorthrough small purchases of Azeri gasfor export in recent years.Sechin’s visit to Baku, which followed

the decision on TAP by a matter of days,could be a sign that the Azeris are shift-ing some attention back to Russia, per-haps to keep a balance of influence aftercommitting the bulk of its gas resourcesto Europe.

Russia’s Rosneft Seeks Azeri Gas Field Stake: Sources

ISTANBUL (Deutsche Welle) —Turkey currently holds 64 journalists inits prisons, according to the opposition.Since the begin of the Gezi Parkprotests, working as journalist critical ofPremier Erdogan has become increas-ingly difficult. There are two very different versions

of the status quo: Kemal Kilicdaroglu,head of Turkey’s largest oppositionparty CHP, warns that Prime MinisterReçep Tayyip Erdogan has transformedthe country into a semi-open prison, aplace where it’s impossible for journal-ists to live and work properly. DeputyPrime Minister Bekir Bozdag, though,

begs to differ: Many of the CHP’s accu-sations have nothing to do with reality,he insists.What’s certain is that since the begin-

ning of the protests in Gezi Park, manyjournalists have lost their jobs. TheTurkish journalists’ union TGS haslogged 59 such cases. “The reason hasbeen mostly the censorship policy ofsome media organization in their cover-age of the Gezi Park protests,” the TGSclaimed.This week for instance, journalist

Yavuz Baydar was fired. For nine years,he had been working as ombudsman forthe newspaper Sabah. The paper isclose to the government, and accordingto Baydar, utterly failed in its coverageof the Gezi Park protests.“My main task was to field criticism

and reactions from our readers, andreflect that in my columns,” Baydar toldDW. “But my articles hadn’t been pub-lished since the beginning of theprotests,” he said. Baydar, who is knownin Europe as a liberal journalist, wasinvited in June by the EuropeanCommission to give a speech inBrussels — in which he criticized thepress situation in Turkey.Upon his return to Turkey, he experi-

enced the first signs of outright censor-ship. “My criticism was directed againstall Turkish media. They demonizemedia outlets like CNN, Al Jazeera andReuters, depicting them as part of aninternational conspiracy,” Baydar said.Sabah in particular criticized theGerman magazine Der Spiegel for mak-ing the Gezi Park protests its coverstory.But his article about these accusa-

tions against foreign media didn’t getpublished. “My last column was aboutthe independence of the ombudsmanand the credibility of media organiza-tions in general. Two days later, I gotfired,” Baydar said.In Turkey, Baydar explained, public

television stations don’t work in the

interests of the public. “That’s a veryworrying situation,” he said, pointingout that he believes it’s the prime min-ister himself who’s mostly to blame forthat. “Many members of cabinet don’tactually agree with how the media istreated, but the intimidating presence ofthe prime minister is just too much pres-sure.”According to investigative journalist

Ahment Sik, Turkey’s media is goingthrough its darkest time in decades.“There’s always been censorship, but Icannot recall that there’s been as muchself-censorship as there is today. Peopleare losing their jobs, in print and TV,”Sik told DW. He himself spent some 13months in prison after being accused ofbeing a member in an armed under-ground group.Each of the 64 journalists currently in

prison is being held on charges relatedto their work, he explained. “If you lookat the cases and the ‘evidence’ usedagainst them, you see things like phoneconversations between journalists, con-versations with informants, or photos orarticles they’ve published.”Sik himself was accused of working

with terrorists because of a book hewas researching. “If you accuse some-one of being a terrorist or belongingto a terrorist organization, then theevidence used to incriminate youshould be a gun rather than a cam-era,” Sik said.The government itself is behind the

pressure and the cruelty, Sik believes —something obvious upon examinationof the protests: “Six people were killed,among them a policeman, while manyothers are still in hospital. I can find noother word than ‘terrorism’ for a men-tality that responds to peaceful demon-stration with brutal violence.”At the moment, the best thing for

journalists is to not work for massmedia, Sik concluded. “My friends whostill do work there all are somewhatashamed.”

Intimidation and Self-Censorship Rising in Turkey

Spanish NewspaperCompares AzerbaijanTo SyriaMADRID (Armenpress) — The

Spanish newspaper Fronterad com-pared corruption in Azerbaijan to thatof North Korea, Cuba and Syria, in arecent article.The paper added that the power

transfer from father to son and the con-tinuance of human rights violations andcorruption are unacceptable.“In this country one who criticizes

authorities is taken to prison, votes dur-ing elections are being stolen and etc.Criticizing government even onFacebook became a reason of imprison-ment,” said article’s author.Fronterad reporters also quoted

Azerbaijani journalist Idrak Abasovwhen he said, “If you write about cor-ruption activities of government mem-bers you will be certainly punished.” Referring to the country’s “caviar

diplomacy” the paper wrote,“Azerbaijani government keeps manypeople silent with its oil, gas andcaviar.”

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

Bone MarrowRegistry HostsAnnual Gala

GLENDALE — Hope of Life, the 14th annual gala of the Armenian Bone MarrowDonor Registry (ABMDR), took place on July 14 at the Glendale Hilton. The eventcelebrated milestones within the organization and honored many individuals andestablishments for their support of the registry’s cause.

More than 400 people attended Hope of Life, which kicked off with a cocktailhour and silent auction.

The evening’s main program began with opening remarks by Tatevik EkezianMadjarian, who acknowledged the presence of numerous dignitaries, elected offi-cials and healthcare leaders. Guests included Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of theWestern Diocese; Joseph Matossian, minister of the Armenian Evangelical Unionof North America; Father Vazken Atmajian, representing Archbishop MousheghMardirossian of the Western Prelacy; California State Senator Carol Liu; repre-sentatives of Congressman Adam Schiff, State Assemblyman Mike Gatto and LosAngeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Glendale City Councilman ZarehSinanyan; Glendale Unified School District President Greg Krikorian; GlendaleMemorial Hospital President Jack Ivie and Vice President of BusinessDevelopment David Mauss; Glendale Memorial Health Foundation Vice PresidentWayne Herron; Dr. Stuart Siegel and Dr. Neena Kapoor of Children’s Hospital LosAngeles; Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, professor at the Department of Microbiology,University of Washington; Dr. Arpenik Avagyan and representing the event’s majorsponsors, Ramella Markarian and Peter Baker of Glendale Adventist MedicalCenter as well as Mike Sarian of Prime Healthcare Services.

Madjarian also welcomed representatives of several community organizations,including the Armenian-American Medical Society, Armenian Nurses Association,Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Cycling Association and Armenian-AmericanChamber of Commerce, as well as Chamlian School principal Vazken Madenlian.

Next to take the podium was Gala chairperson Naz Atikian, who thanked theattendees for their “unflinching support, year after year” and said, “We are heretoday because of you.”

see GALA, page 7

TCA ArshagDickranian SchoolHolds Its 32ndCommencementCeremony

LOS ANGELES — The Tekeyan CulturalAssociation (TCA) Arshag Dickranian School(ADS) held its 32nd commencement ceremonyfor students in its grades 12, 8 and 5, on Friday,June 14, at the Walter and Laurel KarabianHall. The final evening of the school’s 2012-2013 academic year was well attended by hon-ored guests, parents, alumni and friends,amongst them Rev. Manoug Markarian, schoolbenefactors Cindy Norian, Laural Karabian andHmayak Baltaian, who had come along withboard members to celebrate the achievementsof the graduating students.

The program began with the processional ofthe 12th, 8th, and 5th grade graduates, clad intheir caps and gowns, marching into the hall totake their assigned seats, amidst the cheers oftheir proud parents.

Armenuhi Shaklian (Class of 2005), acted asthe emcee. In her opening remarks, Shaklian

first greeted the students, the guests and teach-ers and gave a heartening address about herstudent life at the school. She also talked abouther experiences as an alumna, shedding lighton the opportunities ahead of every graduate ofthe Dickranian School. She then invitedPrincipal Maral Yeranossian to present theawards to outstanding students.

The successive presentation of diplomas tothe 5th, 8th and Senior Class graduates werecalled upon by Laura Atteukenian, fifth gradehome room teacher; Pascal Nittis, eighth-gradehome room teacher and the school’s EnglishDepartment Chair Ricardo Rocha.

Next, graduates Michael Abassian, DavidAnanyan, Andy Aroutiounian, Onnig Ashikian,Monica Babaian, Ichkhan Bagdassarian, LucyBambalyan, Arthur Blikian, StephanDarakchyan, Aram Ekimyan, RazmikGasparyan, Urik Gilavian, Arthur Karaian,Valentina Kazazian, Azatuhi Martinyan, NatalieNahapetyan, Robert Odajyan, AllenShahbazyan, Gevork Shishikyan, AshleySolakhyan, Lusine Stepanyan, AsaturSupikyan, Lucy Tekneyan and ArthurVardanian of the Class of 2013 walked across

see GRADUATION, page 5

California State Senator Carol Liu (second from right) with ABMDR Board mem-bers and supporters

Teen SerenaHajjar ImpressesWith Heart andGrace

By Tom Vartabedian

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Serena Hajjar isnot your typical teenager.

While other girls her age are busyworking on their tans or shopping at themall, she is out winning gymnastics cham-pionships, writing articles for publication,maintaining stellar grades and volunteer-ing her spare time at one Armenian orga-nization after another.

On her immediate agenda is not a statetitle for which she is capable of earning,but an Armenian Bone Marrow Drive inSeptember. As of March, she has been ona committee that is planning a walkSeptember 28, starting at the ArmenianCultural and Educational Center (ACEC)at 10 a.m. and ending in WatertownSquare.

“Fortunately, none of my friends orfamily needs the services provided by thisgroup,” she said in a recent interview. “Ienjoy making a difference for the people

whose life may depend upon finding abone marrow match. I did the Walk forLife last year and I got involved.”

Closer to home was the money sheraised for “MySchoolPulse,” a charitybased in Lebanon that aims to providegravely ill children with tutoring andother resources to continue their studieswhile being hospitalized.

This past year, Hajjar turned 16 andasked that instead of presents, guests ofher Sweet Sixteen donate to this cause.

The charity was founded by a familyfriend, Mireille Nassif, who lost her son,Paul, to osteosarcoma, a bone cancercommon in teenagers, in August 2009.The $5,000 Hajjar raised was quicklymatched by her parents, making the totalof $10,000 far in excess of her $2,000goal.

“Although we were toddlers when wemet, I’ll never forget his battle againstcancer,” Hajjar pointed out. “I wasshocked that someone battling cancerwould have the energy to continue theirstudies with such enthusiasm. He contin-ued to study with an oxygen mask on hisface until his last moments.”

see TEEN, page 7

Gala Committee and supporters

MC Armenuhi Shaklian greets those attendingthe graduation ceremony.

Serena Hajjar spends her free time volun-teering for such Armenian organizationsas Project SAVE.

GRADUATION, from page 4the stage to receive their high school diplomas from thePrincipal, Board Chairman George K. Mandossian, Norian andKarabian.

Following the presentation of diplomas, Valedictorian AramEkimyan, Valedictorian Lucine Stepanyan and SalutatorianMichael Abassian were called to the podium and delivered theirspeeches conveying the importance of maintaining the Armenianlanguage, identity and spirit and expressed their gratitude totheir teachers and parents for the education and opportunitiesthey received at TCA Arshag Dickranian School.

Shaklian invited neurophysiologist Dr. Nazely Ashikian (Classof 1999) to deliver the keynote address.

After greeting the graduates and attendants, Ashikian talkedabout her experiences as a student pursuing her dream of attain-ing the medical profession, whereupon ending her remarks by

reminding the students of the importance of the basic educationthey had received at ADS and urging them to stay focused ontheir goals.

The emcee then called upon Parsegh Kartalian, vice chairmanof the Board of Trustees, to deliver his remarks. Kartalian con-gratulated graduating students and stressed the importance ofmaintaining their Armenian identity.

Yeranossian next delivered her message to the students,

expressing how much she enjoyed working with them through-out the years, first as their counselor and then as their principal.She congratulated students and wished them good luck in theirfuture endeavors.

The program concluded with closing prayers led by Fr.Manoug Markarian who, prior to delivering his benediction, readthe congratulatory message by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,Primate of the Armenian Church Western Diocese.

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

Neurophysiologist and ADS alumna Dr. Nazely Ashikian deliversher keynote address.

TCA Arshag Dickranian School Holds Its 32nd Commencement Ceremony

The graduates of 2013

Lia Sona JamianReceives MedicalDegree

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Lia SonaJamian graduated from Ross University Schoolof Medicine in June with a Doctor of Medicinedegree. She has been teaching third-year med-ical students at one of the universities campus-es in Miramar, Fla., since her graduation.

Jamian has been accepted into the internalmedicine residency program at Cleveland Clinicin Westin, Fla.

During her course of studies and clinical rota-tions, she spent two years of intensive class-room studies followed by various rotations at

see JAMIAN, page 6

Dr. Lia Sona Jamian

WATERTOWN — In June, St. Stephen’sArmenian Elementary School (SSAES) com-pleted its 29th academic year. The graduationceremonies were held on June 13 (K) and June14 (Elementary).

On June 13, 23 students graduated fromKindergarten. They are: Lori Avakian, MatthewBabigian, Nayiri Chekijian, David Davidian,Christian Diaz, Kristina Dorian, Leanna Dorian,Alisa Ficiciyan, Shant Gebeyan, John DiranGengozian, Christian Goebel, Diana Grigoryan,Ryan Guebenlian, Haig Guzelian, MarkGuzelian, Hrant Hachikian, Taleen Haleblian,Alexan Haroutunian, Nora Haroutunian, AmeliaKassardjian, Alex Kebadjian, Zachary Kefeyan,Anoush McCarthy, Gagik Minasyan, SarineNigoghosian and Natalie Tenekedzhyan.

On June 14, 15 students graduated from theElementary School. They are: EminAbrahamian, Vickie Bazarbashian, BeiynaChaparian, Taline Chaprazian, GregoryCormier, Nairi Enright, Ani Ganjian, Christina

Kew, Sarine Mahrokhian, Patil Mahserejian,Victoria Sarkissian, Emma Surenian and CarloVosbigian.

On June 14, at the Elementary GraduationNight the school was attended by BishopAnoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of theArmenian Prelacy, who had come from NewYork to present the Prelacy Queen Zabel Awardto Houry Boyamian on the occasion of her 25thanniversary as the principal of St. Stephen’sArmenian Elementary School.

On both days, in her speech Boyamianfocused on the school’s achievements, especial-ly in its STEM Initiative (Science, Technology,Engineering and Math). She mentioned that2013 coincides with the 10th Anniversary ofthe school’s accreditation by the Association ofIndependent Schools in New England, as wellas the 10th anniversary of the class trip toArmenia. She thanked the faculty, the adminis-trative staff, the PTO, the parent volunteers, theschool board and committees, the St. Stephen’s

Church board of trustees, Rev. ArchpriestAntranig Baljian, as well as all the organiza-tions and individuals that contribute to the bet-terment of the school.

On June 13, Boyamian and Maral Orchanian(the preschool director) honored AraxiePoladian on the occasion of her 20 years of ser-vice at the preschool. Then Orchanian present-ed the theme of the Preschool andKindergarten graduation which was theChildren’s Imaginary World. The preschoolersand the kindergarteners presented throughsongs, dances and poems. The Nursery II stu-dents surprised Boyamian with a special songand a banner thanking her for her 25 years ofservice.

On June 14, the first part of the Elementaryprogram was dedicated to mothers. The secondpart of the program was dedicated to Armenia.The elementary students presented boththemes with poetry recital and chorale songs,followed by a video presentation of the FifthGrade Class Trip to Armenia coordinated withgreat expertise by Ardemis Megerdichian, theArmenian teacher. The program ended with allpast graduates going on stage in procession tosing together Mer Sarer and to cut the anniver-sary cake. On this occasion four studentsaddressed the attendees. They were alumnaeAraxi Krafian, Nairi Krafian, Meghri DerVartanian and Kristina Ayanian. Then studentsin grades 1 though 5 students surprised Mrs.Boyamian with a video presentation in whicheach grade expressed their appreciation andcongratulated her o her 25th anniversary.

On both days, Baljian expressed his apprecia-tion to the administration and faculty for theirdedication and effort. He especially thankedBoyamian on her 25th Anniversary.

Awards 2013

•Prelacy Award: Sarine Mahrokhian, EminAbrahamian, Taline Chaprazian, Ani Ganjian

•Armenian Relief Society Award: BeiynaChaparian

•St. Stephen’s School Award: Gregory Cormier(Armenian History)

•Armenian Grammar: Christina Kew•Effort: Vickie Bazarbasian, Emma Surenian,Nairi Enright

•Armenian Studies: Victoria Sarkissian, PatelMahserejian and Carlo Vosbigian

•Presidential Award for Academic Excellence:Emin Abrahamian

Presidential Award for Academic Achievement:Sarine Maroukhian and Beiyna Chaparian

• American Citizenship Award: Ani Ganjian•Math: Christina Kew, Carlo Vosbigian, NairiEnright

•Science: Victoria Sarkissian•Writing: Ani Ganjian, Patil Mahserejian•Reading Comprehension: Taline Chaprazian,Emma Surenian and Vickie Bazarbashian

•Social Studies: Gregory Cormier• ARS Essay Contest: 1st Place-VickieBazarbashian $30, 2nd Place-SarineMaroukhian $25

• Nishan and Arshalouys Scholarship Fund forMusic and Art:

Art: Isabella Balian and Music: Arek Adourian($200 each) (Gr. 4)

• Anahid Kazazian Scholarship ($100 each)Lori Ganjian and Berj Chekijian (Gr. 4)• Perfect Attendance AwardKindergarten: Gagik Minasyan, Grade 1: ArenPanian, Grade 2: Chris Ashjian, VanaKaraguesian, Grade 3: Tamar Chaprazian,Grade 5: Nairi Enright

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

558 MOUNT AUBURN STREETWATERTOWN, MA 02472

Telephone (617) 924-7400

Aram BedrosianFuneral Home, Inc.

Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945MARION BEDROSIAN

PAUL BEDROSIANLARRY BEDROSIAN

GiragosianF U N E R A L H O M E

James “Jack” Giragosian, CPCMark J. Giragosian

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

www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

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

COMMUNITY NEWS

OBITUARY

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

Edward D. Jamie, Jr.Funeral Chapel

Serving the entire Armenian CommunityAny Hour • Any Distance • Any LocationCall (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088

Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361

NEW YORK — Martin Attarian died on June1 at the age of 84. He was born in Brooklyn onMarch 6, 1929, to the late Sarkis and MaritzaAttarian.

Attarian had a penchant for drawing at a veryearly age. He was skilled at making balsa woodairplanes, fitting them with engines, which hethen directed via U-Control outdoors.

Attarian studied boat building at East NewYork Vocational High School. His drafting skillsled to an interest in designing home, businessand boat interiors.

Attarian earned a degree in interior designfrom the Pratt Institute and he completed manycourses at the New York School of InteriorDesign. He was often invited to showcase hisdesigned and furnished rooms at design com-petitions.

His first employer was the design firm ofWilliam Pahlmann Associates and during histime working there, he helped complete thedesign of the Four Seasons restaurant in NewYork.

Attarian also designed and built sets for thevarious theatrical productions of the ArmenianStudents Association (ASA). As a board memberof the New York Armenian Home in Flushing, hehelped in the revisions of the center.

The late Patriarch of Jerusalem, TorkomManoogian, while Primate of the EasternDiocese, asked for Attarian’s help on a varietyof design issues within the Diocesan Complexof St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

Attarian is survived by his sister MariamBryer and and her husband Leonard Lee Bryer;aunt Pearl Mooradian of Detroit, Mich.; cousinArchie Attarian, MD, and his wife PatriciaAttarian of Grand Blanc, Mich. and ThomasJavian, MD, of Philadelphia, Penn., grandson ofthe late family matriarch Margaret Esayian whohad helped rescue several of Attarian’s relatives,including his mother, from the Genocide.

Funeral services were held at St. VartanCathedral. Interment followed at Cedar GroveCemetery in Flushing. Memorial contributionsmay be directed to the New York ArmenianHome.

Martin Attarian

Martin Attarian

JAMIAN, from page 5St Joseph Mercy, Oakland-Trinity, CovenantHealthCare, and University of Miami. Shewas an active participant and volunteer atseveral American Medical SchoolAssociation (AMSA) Health Fairs with activi-ties including: women’s health, suture clinicsand helping fund raise for free clinic pro-grams. Her part-time assignments andresearch included studying psychosocial pat-terns of distressed communities and the pos-itive impact of a strong community healthnursing program in reversing bad lifestylepatterns in a population. She has workedwith various stakeholders in developing theprogram to reduce costly hospital readmis-sions. Through a series of specifically-designed questions, post-discharged patientswould be contacted and screened for proba-bilities of readmission.

She is currently providing educationalresearch and program content for theBloomfield Community Cable TelevisionNetwork in Southeastern Michigan, focusingon senior health issues.

Jamian completed her undergraduatestudies in the Lyman Briggs College atMichigan State University, Lansing. Since its

founding, Lyman Briggs has graduated aMarshall Scholar, a Truman Scholar, fiveGoldwater Scholars, two Udall Scholars andone Phi Kappa Phi.

She was accepted into Oakland CountyMichigan’s Health Department’s summerinternship program to work closely with aregistry of at-risk women, infants and chil-dren (WIC) in need of counseling, nutrition-al support, and care. Additionally, shereceived an achievement award from theOakland County Board of Commissioners,2008.

Jamian is a graduate of Lahser HighSchool, Bloomfield Hills, where she receivedthe Governor’s Award (State of Michigan) foroutstanding scholastic achievement, 2006.

She is a member of St. John’s ApostolicChurch, Southfield, Mich. She has been anactive member of the Detroit ACYOA andwas a volunteer for the Armenian ServiceProject in Armenia. She regularly attendedHye Camp both as a camper and later as acounselor.

She is the daughter of Sandra andGregory Jamian and the granddaughter ofKora Jamian (Edward Jamian) and JohnNagohosian (Sophie), all of Bloomfield Hills.

Lia Sona Jamian Receives Medical Degree

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Holds Graduation Ceremonies

GALA, from page 4As he took the stage following Atikian’s

address, Master of Ceremonies and ABMDRBoard of Directors Chair Mark Geragosreviewed the history of the registry. “It is trulyamazing that this organization started off withonly a handful of donors 14 years ago,” he said.“Today it has over 24,000 potential bone mar-row donors in 18 countries. Growth of this scalehas been made possible by not only relentlesshard work, but also the extraordinary vision ofthe woman I’m about to introduce, Dr. FriedaJordan, who is the heart and soul of ABMDR.”

After being greeted with a standing ovation,

Jordan began her address by reflecting on theevening’s theme. “Hope of Life: yes, there is nobetter way to describe the work we do,” shesaid.

“Each of you who has volunteered time andexpertise at a recruitment drive, or helped orga-nize fundraising events, well knows that striv-ing to save lives, with precious time tickingaway, is hard and stressful work,” said Jordan.“But we do what is hard for one reason: tomake it easier on our patients and their fami-lies, who bear such physical and emotionalpain. I reflect on this moment with gratitude,and thank you all for making what we do a lit-tle easier.”

Next Jordan recognized the 2013 ABMDRAward recipients and the evening’s major spon-sors, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and

Prime Healthcare Services. She also conveyedher gratitude to the registry’s lifetime support-ers, the Western Diocese for ongoing outreachsupport, Karekin II for conferring on her the St.Nerses Graceful Medal and the registry’snumerous volunteers, benefactors, committeechairs and the staff of the ABMDR Stem CellHarvesting Center in Yerevan for advancing theorganization’s cause.

Before concluding her remarks, Jordanannounced that in September 2012 the registryheld its first-ever walkathon in Boston andthanked the Kardashian family for helping raisepublic awareness of the ABMDR mission, as

well as the Armenian Cyclist Association fordedicating its most recent annual bike ride toraising funds for the registry.

Afterwards, Jordan invited to the podium Dr.Sevak Avagyan, executive director of ABMDRand head of its Stem Cell Harvesting Center.

“When people ask about the evolution ofABMDR, we often respond with numbers,”Avagyan said. “To date, we tell them, the reg-istry has recruited [more than] 24,000 donorsin 18 countries across four continents, identi-fied 2,135 patients and facilitated 16 bone mar-row transplants. But our fight to find life-savingdonor-patient matches is not merely about num-bers. As importantly, we continue to increasethe quality of the services we provide forpatients,” he added.

“For instance, we have made significant

enhancements to our Stem Cell HarvestingCenter; we have purchased equipment and pro-vided training for Armenia’s — and theCaucasus region’s — first auto-transplantationprocedure; we have adopted a new test withallows us to gauge a patient’s sensitivity tochemotherapy drugs and we have begun toimplement immunophenotyping, which is amajor step forward for Armenia in blood-diseasediagnostics, prediction and treatment” saidAvagyan.

Jordan then invited this year’s honorees tothe stage. The Woman of the Year and Man ofthe Year Award were bestowed on AmyBoyadjian and Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, respec-tively; the Volunteer of the Year Awards werebestowed on Hilda Gourdikian and HarmikBaghdasarian; the Armenian-American MedicalSociety (AAMS) of California and its Ladies’Auxiliary Committee received the Organizationof the Year Award, with AAMS President Dr.Vicken Sepilian and Ladies’ AuxiliaryCommittee Chair Ramella Markarian acceptingthe award; the ABMDR Comedy NightCommittee was named Team of the Year andChildren’s Hospital Los Angeles received theEstablishment of the Year Award, which wasaccepted by Dr. Stuart Siegel and Dr. NeenaKapoor.

In 2012, Siegel and Kapoor were instrumen-tal in providing vital physician trainings to helpABMDR create the necessary infrastructureand skill base for starting to perform auto-transplantation procedures in Armenia.

In his acceptance remarks, Siegel said, “I

have never seen an organization, such asABMDR, come together so rapidly, identify amission so clearly, and make it happen. Youall deserve a tremendous amount of applausefor doing something that I don’t think I haveseen any organization pull off so impressive-ly.”

In addition to the main awards, specialplaques were bestowed on Glendale AdventistMedical Center, accepted by Vice President ofBusiness Development Peter Baker; MikeSarian of Prime Healthcare Services; ArpineZohrabyan, who has helped save a child’s life bybecoming a matched bone marrow stem celldonor and Andrew Nazarian, a high-schoolsenior who had a key role in the realization ofthe Armenian Cycling Association’s bike ridebenefiting ABMDR — the 136-mile Glendale-to-San Diego ride, called “Cycle for Life,” whichraised close to $10,000.

During the award ceremony, Madjarian reada letter of congratulation by patient Cici, andaccepted a plaque of recognition on her behalf.

The Gala drew to a close with the announce-ment of this year’s ABMDR lottery winners.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofitorganization, helps Armenians worldwide sur-vive life-threatening blood-related illnesses byrecruiting and matching donors to those requir-ing bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date,the registry has recruited more than 24,000donors in 18 countries across four continents,identified 2,135 patients and facilitated 16 bonemarrow transplants.

For more information, visit abmdr.am.

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

Bone Marrow Registry Hosts Annual Gala

Man of the Year Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko (seated, second from left) and his wife, Dr. Arpenik Avagyan,with ABMDR Board members Dr. Sevak Avagyan (far left), Dr. Frieda Jordan and Chairman MarkGeragos

TEEN, from page 4The Armenian lineage in this girl runs deep.

Both parents were born and raised in Lebanon.Her paternal grandfather was Dr. Joseph Hajjar,a distinguished neurologist, while her maternalgrandfather was Khatchig Babikian, a well-known public figure, lawyer, politician, parlia-ment member and cabinet minister.

At the age of 4, she was introduced to theBoston Ballet. Two years later, she discoveredgymnastics and took the sport to unparalleledheights. The medals she won were nothing com-pared to the rush of flying through the air orcompleting a new routine on the high beam.

Over the past 10 years, Hajjar has built quitea resume for herself, winning state champi-onships in her age class. A year ago, she took agold medal on the vault at the Massachusetts’Judges Cup.

“It’s given me a great work ethic,” she admit-ted. “Gymnastics has taught me the value ofhard work and perseverance in achieving goalsthat far exceed any awards I may havereceived.”

In addition, she has been taking pianolessons for 10 years. Her teacher is ShoushigParseghian of Belmont. She has performed inthree concerts by Amaras as well as the April24th commemoration in Watertown.

The Lexington High junior holds a 4.08unweighted GPA while enrolled in honors andAP classes. She hopes to major in historyand/or international relations in college.

She has written several articles for her schoolpaper but none were finer than the three shepublished in the Armenian Mirror-Spectatorthis year during a volunteer internship at thatnewspaper.

“My editor and mentor [Alin Gregorian] cre-ated a very friendly environment,” she said.“Getting my work published was such an excit-ing feeling.”

She decided to help out at Project SAVE lastsummer after learning about its unique mis-sion, under the tutelage of executive directorRuth Thomasian and office manager JohnKebadjian.

“I have always loved history and enjoyedlooking at old photographs,” she said. “I wastaught so much about Armenian history duringmy days at St. Stephen’s Armenian ElementarySchool. This is such a valuable resource.”

Through gymnastics, Hajjar became a perfect

candidate for the Abaka School of ArmenainDance and will join its adult counterpart, SayatNova Dance Company next year.

She is an avid reader, cooks, bakes and yes,she’s out with friends who shop, depicting thetypical side of this teen.

What may surprise others are her eatinghabits. She happens to be a vegetarian. Anotherinteresting fact about her is that her first lan-guage was not Armenian, English or Arabic, butFrench.

“Both my parents spoke French since theygrew up in Lebanon and carried it to America,”she noted. “They thought it would be a usefuladdition to the Armenian I would be learning atSt. Stephen’s.”

Being a fifth-grader at that school entitledher to a special school trip to Armenia andArtsakh. The memories left an indelible impres-sion.

“The people there [in Artsakh] were so gen-erous and kind, despite their dire situation,”she recalled. “They were content with the sim-plest things in life, reminding me that many ofthe things we enjoy in America are superflu-ous.”

She went back to Armenia last summer witha group of family friends, getting a more matureperspective on the country. She is eager for herthird visit.

As to the centennial in 2015, Hajjar has herown thoughts about the commemoration andthe main focus is to educate others.

“It breaks my heart to hear some deny thedeath of 1.5 million Armenians,” she said. “It’stime for a new approach. The best way to getTurkey to recognize the Genocide is througheducation. Once we spread awareness andknowledge of historical facts, Turkey will loseground and its credibility. Only when Turkey isisolated in its denial of the Genocide will it final-ly admit to its crime.”

A Genocide exhibit at the Smithsonian,protests, vigils, aggressive lobbying, petitioningand greater awareness are some of the tasksthat should be employed, she agrees.

“Unfortunately, the fight for recognition isone of the few things that truly unit allArmenians across the board,” Serena resumed.“I just wish Armenians could find unity in otherareas as well because that solidarity will ulti-mately be the strongest force in keeping theArmenian nation alive.”

Teen Serena Hajjar Impresses

DonationVaroujan Torikian of Montreal, Canada donated $250 to the ArmenianMirror-Spectator.

KOUTOUJIAN, from page 1Speaking about his platform, the progres-

sive Democrat stressed the “economy andjobs.” He noted, “The rising tide lifts allships. If we get the economy working strong-ly, we create better opportunities, jobs,resources and public funding” for programs.

He characterized Markey as a “strong andactive” leader. “When people ask what youhope to do, I want to build on what he hasdone before,” he said.

Koutoujian has risen in the ranks steadilysince his days as a young prosecutor in theMiddlesex County district attorney’s office. Itis not bigheadedness that is prodding onKoutoujian, but his family and his roots.

“My own family’s immigrant story is whatmotivates me. My grandparents, Abrahamand Zarouhi, fled Marash [historic Armenia]during the Armenian Genocide. Zarouhiworked in a Syrian orphanage. Eventuallythey were able to track each other down andsettle in Massachusetts,” he said.

“They saw unspeakable acts and didn’twant to talk about them,” said Koutoujianduring a recent interview at his Main Streetheadquarters in his hometown.

“They raised four kids and all the boyswere in the military,” he said.

“My grandparents adored this country forgiving them refuge and an opportunity,” hesaid.

His mother was a teacher and his father,the Waltham city clerk for 30 years.“Through them, I came to love public service.I became a prosecutor and ran for office,” herecalled.

Koutoujian earned his bachelor’s degree inpsychology from Bridgewater StateUniversity, his law degree from the NewEngland School of Law and a master’s inpublic affairs from the John F. KennedySchool of Government at Harvard University.

The lifelong Waltham resident was first

elected to the Massachusetts House ofRepresentatives in 1996, representing the10th district, including Waltham and Newton,a seat he held for 14 years. During his tenurein the State House, he chaired three differentcommittees.

Three years ago, Gov. Deval Patrickappointed him sheriff of Middlesex County.Koutoujian won the sheriff’s seat inNovember 2012 with 77 percent of the vote.

He is optimistic about his chances in thisrace, while conceding that it is a toughercampaign than the sheriff’s race.

“This is a much more intense campaign, asit is in a much shorter time period. Money isthe most challenging part of this campaign.You need the resources to put together agood congressional campaign,” he said. “Weneed to turn out our vote. It is crucial in ourvictory.”

Koutoujian said he hopes to receive thesupport of the Armenian community, as wellas the non-Armenian community. “We’ve hada great deal of volunteer and financial sup-

port from the non-Armenian community,” hesaid. “Women have responded very well. I’vebeen a strong supporter of women’s rightsand issues affecting women over the past 17years.”

Indeed, he has been a leader in taking ondomestic violence as well as sexual assault inthe state. He serves on the boards of REACHBeyond Domestic Violence and the NewtonCommunity Service Center, as well as theWest Suburban Samaritans, Waltham Boys &Girls Club and Newton Boys & Girls Club.

He added that support for women’s rightswas not a position he had adopted for gettingvotes, but instead, because “it is the rightthing to do, especially as I see my daughter. I

want her to have every opportunity.”In addition, he said, “I want to be a leader

on a national level for our [Armenian] com-munity,” like the two other Armenian-Americans in the House, RepresentativesJackie Speier and Anna Eshoo, bothDemocrats from California.

“As a people I believe we need to unite toget representational on the national level,”he noted. “An ‘R’ or ‘D’ should not matter,but an ‘ian.’”

“Mark Geragos said we can bring legalaction but unless we can affect political struc-tures,” Armenians are not going to be able tomake a difference, he said. “We need to getpeople elected into office. We haven’t been asgood in that effort as we should be. I hope tobe a part of that change. It’s not just gettingelected. Armenian-Americans need to getinvolved in politics. We need to build upinfluence that way.”

Aid for Armenia is a significant issue inWashington, he said. Another issue that isaffecting diasporans is the recognition of the

Armenian Genocide.“We can achieve both these goals,” he said.“We need to make sure that Armenia gets

aid. We need to get aid to Karabagh and raisethe issue of the Javakhk region in Georgiaand make sure that aid reaches Javakhk,” hesaid.

Koutoujian praised his wife, Elizabeth, an

attorney originally from Spain, with being his“greatest supporter.”

“I was considering whether I should run.My wife continued to encourage me. She said,‘you can make this work. You can make a dif-ference.’ It is overwhelming at times but theresponse [to the campaign] has been incredi-ble.”

Issues that he is supporting are gun con-trol and access to health care. During histime in the Massachusetts House, he wasinstrumental in crafting the universal healthinsurance reform law, the statewide work-place smoking ban and legislation about newschool nutrition guidelines.

He has upcoming fundraising trips toCalifornia and New Jersey in August, focusingon the Armenian community. “They will bethe difference in this race if we win,” he said.

The campaign is trying not only to raisefunds in the community, but to register morepeople to vote and to make sure they turnout on election day.

Koutoujian said he will not let political dif-ferences stop him from cooperating with oth-ers. “I’m a good team player and I’m respect-ful,” he said. “Bi-partisanship allows me to dogood things for my community.”

The primary, in which Koutoujian will havefour opponents on the Democratic side, willbe held on October 15, while the special elec-tion will be on December 10.

The campaign is looking for volunteers.Those interested in giving of their time ormoney or both can visitwww.koutoujianforcongress.com.

8 S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 1 3 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

Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Seeks US Congress Seat

Peter Koutoujian with volunteers Kevork Atinizian (in front of the sign), and, from right, Joseph Russo,Vineet Chandra and Robert Pooley

Peter Koutoujian with longtime aide Tsoleen Sarian

NEW YORK — Close to 40 participants in theAGBU New York Summer Internship Programvisited the Diocesan Center on Wednesday, July24, where they received a tour of St. VartanArmenian Cathedral and had dinner withDiocesan Primate Archbishop KhajagBarsamian.

The young people were greeted on the plazaof St. Vartan Cathedral by the Rev. MamigonKiledjian, cathedral dean and led on a tour ofthe sanctuary by the Rev. Simeon Odabashian,

diocesan vicar. Odabashian spoke about thecathedral’s history and architecture. Heexplained the significance of its sculpted bronzedoors, stained glass windows and icons. Theinterns also saw the cathedral’s baptistery andthe mural depicting the baptism of Christ bythe Armenian artist Narek Antapian.

Barsamian welcomed the interns to the tahlij,the formal reception room of the Diocese,where they enjoyed a traditional Armenianmeal. “It is inspiring to see young Armenians

from different partsof the world cometogether to enjoy fel-lowship and to gainprofessional experi-ence in New YorkCity,” Barsamiansaid.

He went on tospeak about theimportance of build-ing relationshipswith others and saidthat faith in Godhelps make suchbonds stronger. As apeople living in com-munities across theworld, he said thatArmenians must payparticular attentionto building bridgeswith each other.From Armenia, tohistoric Armenia,

Jerusalem and the diaspora, Armenians need tofind ways to come together for a common pur-pose, he added.

“We have to be focused and committed tomaking these connections,” Barsamian said.“The challenge before us is great, but nothingis impossible when we have faith in God andone another.”

Interns had an opportunity to ask questionsand to engage in discussion with the Primate.

“All of us were really excited to get a chanceto sit down and speak with Srpazan,” saidAnthony Antreasyan, who is interning at theDiocesan Center. “He raised interesting ques-tions for us to consider, and he was veryapproachable and welcoming.”

“It was an enlightening opportunityto meet Srpazan in a casual atmos-phere that brought about a friendlyexchange of thoughts on theArmenian Church in the modernworld,” added intern Steve Balian.

In addition to different regions ofthe US, this year’s AGBU interns rep-resent seven countries, includingArmenia, Russia, France, Lebanon,Turkey, Canada and the UnitedKingdom. They are spending the sum-mer working in their respective fieldsof study and taking part in culturaland educational activities organizedby the AGBU.

Directing the AGBU program isMichael Hovsepian, with Mariana Mekbekianand Silva Arjian serving as the activities coor-dinators.

“Wednesday’s visit to the Diocesan Centerwas a culturally inspired evening unitingArmenians from all over the world,” said intern

Tamar Kazanjian. “It was humbling to hearSrpazan and the other clergy speak to us andthe experience was one of education and fel-lowship.”

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

MM EE TT RR OONewYork

Panos TitizianReceives MovsesKhorenatsi Medal

NEW YORK — For the past twodecades, the government of Armeniahas shown its appreciation to individu-als who have served the Armeniannation. On Thursday, July 25, theyhonored Panos Titizian of Los Angelesfor his many decades of service to theArmenian people as well as theArmenian nation. Garen Nazarian,Armenia’s ambassador to the UnitedNations, presented the MovsesKhorenatsi medal on behalf of the gov-ernment to Titizian.

The evening started off with cock-tails and then dinner at St. VartanCathedral of the Diocese of theArmenian Church of America. Presentat the program in addition to Nazarianwere his wife, Nana, AGBU PresidentBerge Setrakian and his wife, Vera,longtime AGBU board member NazarNazarian and his wife and fellow com-munity benefactor, Ardemis, ArmenianDemocratic Liberal organization repre-sentative Hagop Vartivarian; TekeyanCaultural Association representativeBaydzig Kalaydjian and ArchbishopKhajag Barsamian, Primate. Othercommunity activists at the eventincluded Sam Simonian, DennisPapazian and Roupen Terzian.

Titizian, a community leader and apharmacist by profession, was a gradu-ate of the Melkonian EducationalInstitute and the American Universityof Beirut.

He has been a member of the ADL,Tekeyan and AGBU for many decades,over the course of which he has usedhis talents as a strategist to benefit theabove organizations, particularly dur-ing Lebanon’s civil war.

Armenia’s Ambassador to the UnitedNations Garen Nazarian, left, with hon-oree Panos Titizian

NEW YORK — AGBU Camp Nubar continuesto receive contributions in honor of its 50thanniversary. Most recently, Nishan (Pete) andElizabeth Apelian of New York donated$30,000 to purchase new lakefront docks, andJack and Carol Margossian of New Jersey donat-ed $20,000 toward overall camp improvement.

Nishan Apelian dedicated a full decade toCamp Nubar as a committee member beginningin the early 1970s because he believed that sup-porting Armenian youth was the best way topreserve and perpetuate his heritage, and thatthe camp was the ideal venue for youngArmenian Americans to interact, relate withone another and share their cultural values in afun environment. As a result, his three children— Chuck, Denise and Pat —attended camp.

Their summers began in 1968 (Chuck andPat) and 1970 (Denise), when the program hadjust moved to its present site. Chuck was asenior counselor for two years and taught campcraft, during which time his team built a largelookout tower. Denise started at the age of 8and went on to become a counselor in training(CIT) and a junior counselor.

Pat, however, was the most involved. Afterattending as a camper for some years, she wasa staff member for five years and became thegirls’ head counselor in 1976. She ran thecamp’s newspaper (Fall Clove Journal) and

printed copies with a mimeograph machinedonated by her father. In addition, she wasamong a group of four girls who started themusic and drama program. Her college applica-

tion essay was about Camp Nubar, and aftergraduating with her degree, she joined thecamp committee for the next 10 years; for a fewof those years, she also served as the treasurer.

Two of Pat’s children — Kateand Jenny Aitken — have alsoattended camp.

“For me, Camp Nubar was awonderful opportunity for youngpeople to develop, with ourArmenian identity as a backdrop.In fact, it was the only opportuni-ty for many Armenian childrenand young adults to connect withtheir heritage. During those twomonths of summer, we grew upmore than we did the other tenmonths of the year. There were nopreconceived notions of what youcould or couldn’t do; everyoneparticipated, whether it wasTalent Night or swimming,”recalled Pat.

She, like thousands of other campers, met fel-low Armenians whom they would call friendsfor life. One of her closest camp friends also hasa daughter, and Pat said, “Our children have

grown up like cousins over the years. CampNubar has that certain element to create tiesthat bind our youth together.”

Nishan knew that he wanted to make a dona-tion that would last through the years, and thereplacement of the lakefront docks seemed justright. They have not been changed since campwas bought decades ago.

Speaking on behalf of his wife and himself, hesaid, “Our four parents came to the UnitedStates from Turkey with a dream to freely andsafely live their lives, raise a family and practicetheir Armenian faith. Over the past 50 years,AGBU’s Camp Nubar has played a significantrole in providing opportunities for our youth,and in keeping alive their Armenian culturalidentity and heritage. Liz and I are grateful forthe close friendships and fond memories thatour children and grandchildren have from theirsummers at camp, and sincerely hope that ourdonation ensures that Camp Nubar will contin-ue to thrive for many future generations ofArmenian Americans.”

The rededication of the lakefront took placeduring the special 50th Anniversary OpenHouse on July 28.

For Jack and Carol Margossian, Camp Nubarhas been a part of their lives for decades. Bothattended between 1969 and 1976 as coun-selors. Jack continued his involvement over theyears as a committee member, and the couple isproud to count many of their relatives and clos-est friends as fellow alumni.

Their children, Sarah and Ted Partin, surelyfelt that magical bond from an early age — they,too, went to camp for a decade each, beginningin 1983 (Sarah) and 1984 (Ted). Sarah contin-ues to remain involved as the camp committeechair. Today, her children, Armen and Jamie,who are fourth-generation Armenians, attendCamp Nubar.

Carol Margossian notes, “We feel CampNubar encourages a sense of Armenian identitybetter than any other Armenian youth pro-gram, and we want that experience for ourgrandchildren. All of us met lifelong friendsthere. It is our pleasure to support Camp Nubaras an investment toward its future. The camphas lovingly nurtured in us and our children theseed of Armenian pride planted by our parents,James (an Armenian Genocide survivor) andQueenie Melcon; and Krikor and VivianMargossian.”

Nishan and Elizabeth Apelian

Donors Support AGBU Camp Nubar 50th Anniversary

Jack and Carol Margossian

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addresses the young peo-ple in the formal reception room of the Diocese.

AGBU Interns Visit Diocesan Center

AGBU interns pose for a group photo on the steps of St. Vartan Cathedralwith, from left, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian andFr. Mamigon Kiledjian.

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

Arts & LivingS A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 1 3

This Armenian Life:Adana Serves the Goods

LOS ANGELES (New York Times) — Greater Los Angeles is a collection of notjust smaller cities but also exotic populations. Among those cities is Glendale (notso small: it would be the second-most-populous city in New England), a center of theArmenian diaspora and home to one of the world’s largest Armenian populationsoutside Armenia. Fleeing religious violence in the late 19th century, genocide in theearly 20th or the Soviet Union after that, Armenian Californians became integral inthe development of the fig, raisin and bulgur businesses.

Edward Khechemyan came to Burbank, which borders on Glendale, in 1991 — thesame year Armenia left the USSR. He was 17 then, and of the move, he says simply,

“We didn’t like the Communist system.”His father, who left Iran for Armenia —the home of his ancestors — in 1974, wasa chef who dreamed of opening a restau-rant, and in 1997, he did just that.

The name of the restaurant, which is on the terminally unhip San Fernando Roadright near the Burbank border, has changed twice; it is now called Adana. The food-and-travel writer David Latt, a friend who has never steered me wrong, listed it asamong his favorite restaurants when I was picking his brain last year, and we atethere together last fall. It was so good that I’ve visited Adana on each of my four sub-sequent trips to LosAngeles.

Khechemyan is nowthe chef, and the foodis not easily catego-rized. He learned tocook from his father,but given that that manwas from Iran, that hisupbringing wasArmenian-Americanand that the Russianinfluence was strongeverywhere, the menuis a hodgepodge in thebest sense of the word,boasting of innumer-able kebabs and morethan a few intriguingsalads and dishes ofbeans, and of rice andother grains. There areunfamiliar ingredientsand preparations, andit’s all done well, in a tiny and unpretentious kitchen.

One of my trips to LA was actually a trip to Glendale, arranged so that I couldcook with Khechemyan. I was immediately impressed with his facility and his easeand especially his grilling technique. In his kitchen, Khechemyan moves quickly, andwithin 30 minutes, we had done four kebabs. The marinades are simple (he uses alot of mild, dried red chili powder, the kind you can most easily buy in Korean mar-kets), and the grilling technique is not difficult. But it’s unusual: he grills slowly (overbriquettes fired with gas, by the way), not too close to the fire, he insists, until gor-geously browned. The fire is not superhot, but it’s even — gas is good for that — andhe keeps the grill grate a good six inches above the fire.

It wasn’t all grilling. Two of the best dishes we cooked were Iranian (“Persian,”Khechemyan clarifies). The first was baghali polo, extra-long basmati rice boiledhalfway then steamed with garlic powder (an ingredient I haven’t used in 20 years

see ADANA, page 13

The lima bean rice (baghali polo) with the two kinds of kebab and Persian salad

Director Atom EgoyanTakes Latest TorontoFilm Festival

By Cassandra Szklarski

TORONTO (Times Colonist) — A dramaticthriller about controversial WikiLeaks founderJulian Assange will open this year’s TorontoInternational Film Festival while hotly antici-pated features from directors Steve McQueen,Denis Villeneuve, Justin Chadwick andMatthew Weiner will make world premieres.

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars asthe infamous Assange in “The Fifth Estate,” theBill Condon-directed film that will kick off thestar-studded Toronto fest on September 5.

Cumberbatch is also among the stars ofMcQueen’s “12 Years a Slave,” which tells thetrue story of a free black man who was kid-napped and sold into slavery in 1841 and fea-tures turns from Chiwetel Ejiofor, MichaelFassbender, Paul Dano and Paul Giamatti.

Festival director Piers Handling says he wasstruck by the number of films that deal withissues of freedom, noting that Chadwick’s“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” with IdrisElba will also debut at the fest.

“It’s so much about people fighting to liber-ate themselves,” Handling said following a pressconference Tuesday that revealed big-name galaand special presentations.

“I mean that’s what ‘Mandela’ is all about.We’re showing a film on Lech Walesa, of coursethat’s what the fight that he led in Poland is allabout. (With) Julian Assange it’s all about free-dom — freedom of information, freedom ofaccess.”

New films from directors Atom Egoyan,Alfonso Cuaron, Jason Reitman, Mike Myersand John Wells are also headed to the festival,widely regarded as a key platform for Oscarhopefuls.

Wells has stacked his family dramedy“August: Osage County,” with A-listers includ-ing Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, EwanMcGregor and Sam Shepard. It’s based on thePulitzer Prize– and Tony Award–winning 2007play.

Meanwhile, Cuaron helms the 3D thriller“Gravity,” which stars Sandra Bullock as abrainy medical engineer who embarks on herfirst shuttle mission with help from an astro-naut played by George Clooney. It will also openthe Venice International Film Festival, startingAug. 28.

Reitman’s “Labor Day” casts Kate Winslet,Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire in a tale abouta 13-year-old and his mother who unwittinglytaking an escaped convict into their home,while Egoyan will debut “Devil’s Knot,” basedon the true story of three teens dubiously con-victed of killing three children in a smallArkansas town. It stars Reese Witherspoon,Colin Firth and Kevin Durand.

Canadian director Don McKellar scores aprestigious gala slot for his Newfoundland-setfilm “The Grand Seduction,” an English-lan-guage remake of the 2003 Francophone film,“Le Grande Seduction.” It centers on a smalltown desperate to lure a doctor so that it canalso get a factory, with Taylor Kitsch as thewooed doctor and Brendan Gleeson as a vil-lager who does everything he can to make himstay.

Myers, meanwhile, makes his directorialdebut with “Supermensch: The Legend of ShepGordon,” a documentary about the wild life ofthe veteran music executive, who is also a long-time pal of Myers.

The fest will close with director DanielSchechter’s “Life of Crime,” featuring JenniferAniston and Mos Def. Based on an ElmoreLeonard novel, it’s described by Handling as “avery light, fluffy crime caper.”

In the past, organizers traditionally picked aCanadian film to kick off the festivities, but

see EGOYAN, page 11

By Mark Bittman

Chef Edward Khechemyan (Illustration by Melinda Josie)

Real TurkishHeroes of1915

By Raffi Bedrosyan

ISTANBUL — Germany has decided to nameseveral neighborhoods, streets, buildings andpublic schools in Berlin and other Germancities after Adolf Hitler and other Nazi heroes.

If this revelation were to be true, how wouldyou react? How do you think Germans wouldreact? How do you think Jews still living inGermany would react? My guess is you, theGermans and the Jews would all find it incon-ceivable, offensive and unacceptable.

And yet, it is true, acceptable and inoffensivein Turkey to name several neighborhoods,streets and schools of Istanbul and otherTurkish cities after Talaat Pasha and otherIttihat ve Terakki “heroes,” who were not onlythe planners and perpetrators of the 1915 anni-hilation of the Armenian citizens of theOttoman empire, but also the government lead-ers responsible for the loss of the Ottomanempire itself. At last count, there were eight offi-cially-named Talaat Pasha neighborhoods ordistricts, 38 Talaat Pasha streets or boulevards,seven Talaat Pasha Public Schools, six TalaatPasha Buildings and two Talaat PashaMosques, scattered around Istanbul, Ankaraand other cities. After his assassination in 1922,he was originally interred in Berlin, Germany,but his remains were transferred in 1943 toIstanbul by the Nazis attempting to appease theTurks, and re-buried with full military honors atthe Infinite Freedom Hill Cemetery in Istanbul.The other notorious Ittihad ve Terakki leaderEnver Pasha’s remains were also transferred in1996 from Tajikistan and re-buried besideTalaat, with full military honors, attended byTurkish President Suleyman Demirel and otherdignitaries. Is this hero worship misguided ordeliberate? Is the denial of the 1915 events astate policy only, or also unquestionably andwholeheartedly accepted by the Turkish public,brainwashed by the state version of history?

Undoubtedly, there was mass participation inthe genocide committed by the Ittihadist lead-ers, resulting in the removal of Armenians fromtheir homeland of 3,000 years and the immedi-ate transfer of Armenian wealth, property andpossessions to the Turkish and Kurdish generalpublic, as well as thousands of government offi-cials. And yet, despite the mass participationand hero worship for the leaders of these“crimes against humanity,” there were also asignificant number of ordinary Turks and Kurdsand several government officials who refused toparticipate in the massacres and plunders, andinstead, tried to prevent them. There is com-plete silence and ignorance in Turkey aboutthese righteous Turkish officials, who refusedto follow the government orders to destroy theArmenian people, and instead, tried to save andprotect them, and paid dearly for theiractions, resulting in the loss of their positions,or even their lives as a consequence. This arti-cle will cite some examples about these realheroes.

Celal Bey was governor of Konya, a vast cen-tral Anatolian province, and a key concentra-tion point for the Armenian deportation routesfrom the north and west Anatolia on the way tothe Syrian desert. He knew exactly what thefate would be for the Armenians on the depor-tation routes, or if they survived the deporta-tions and reached Der Zor, because he was pre-viously governor of Aleppo and had witnessedthe atrocities against the Armenians there. Hehad tried to reason with the Ittihad ve Terakkileaders that there was absolutely no Armenianrevolt in Anatolia nor Aleppo, and that therewas no justification for the mass deportations.

see HEROES, page 12

GUMRI — When Hermine Grigorian, a stu-dent at the State Engineering University ofArmenia (Polytechnic), was asked why shechose to study Information Technology, sheexplained that it is a developing science and aprofession in great demand. “In the beginningof my academic career,” she said, “I was notsure that I had made the right decision. Butafter starting my lessons and getting to knowmy professors and classmates, I started to lovethis field. I am very happy with the decision Ihave made and I hope that it is a choice thatwill benefit me in my future endeavors.”

Grigorian might have missed the opportunityto discover her professional calling if not for thefinancial support she receives as a recipient ofthe Norman Miller Scholarship Fund. The fundwas established in 2009 by endowment fromthe family of the late Norman Miller. A highlysuccessful engineer, inventor, businessman,American citizen, Armenian patriot and philan-thropist, Miller understood that the drivingforce behind his success was his education.

Born in Turkey on the cusp of the 1915Armenian Genocide, Miller had the quintessen-tial American success story. It was built on hardwork and taking advantage of opportunitiesthat came his way. Near the time of his passingin 2009, at the age of 94, Miller decided that thebest way to give back to his homeland was tocreate educational opportunities for youngengineers with the talent, drive and ambition tomake a productive difference.

Grigorian, one of the 10 recipients of thisyear’s scholarships, earned her place at one ofArmenia’s best engineering learning centers onthe basis of academic excellence and financialneed. Today, she can focus on her studies, with-out the worry of paying for tuition, books andother expenses covered by her scholarshipaward.

Five of the 10 recipients have chosenInformation Technology as their specialty.According to Shoghik Tadevosyan, the city ofGumri is poised to become a leading center for

the IT industry. “Already, so many technologicalcenters are being constructed,” she explained.“I believe that, after graduation, I will have aneasier time finding a job within Gumri and itsoutskirts. All this will aid Gumri in its progres-sion and development.”

For a nation struggling for more than twodecades with economic challenges, especiallyhigh unemployment, those coming of age arekeenly aware of the link between education andreal-world success. The rising cost of educationand a highly competitive labor pool are strongmotivators for choosing a profession with com-mercial relevance. As one scholarship recipientsaid, “It is important to think about what ourstrengths and weaknesses are when we choosea profession in life. But it is also very importantto think about what kind of knowledge and pro-fessions are in demand.”

Yet, not all of these young scholars have cho-sen such an obvious path as IT. This bodes wellfor the future of the nation, as a more well-rounded cadre of engineers is prepared to fuelthe economic engine.

For example, Michael Nalbandyan is current-ly working toward a graduate degree in TextileProducts Design and Development at the StateEngineering University of Armenia(Polytechnic), Gumri branch. He recalled how itstarted. “Prior to this, I received my bachelor’sdegree in Engineering. During that time, I hadthe honor to participate in a scientific confer-ence; I presented my article about technologyand the textile industry. This article was laterpublished. Soon after my graduation, I wascalled to serve in the army. Upon my return, Ireceived a lot of support and encouragementfrom my parents and professor to continue mystudies. But having to work and attend classes,I realized that it was hard to keep my gradesup.” Today, Nalbandyan no longer has to com-promise, thanks to the financial support hereceives as a Norman Miller scholar.

Seda Popova is also taking an unusual path.“From a young age,” Popova recounted, “I was

interested in food and how various foods comeabout. It was inevitable that I chose food sci-ences as my major at the university. This majorhas answered so many of my questions, but asthey say, knowledge is endless and everyday Ilearn more. I still have so many questions that

have not been answered. After graduation, Ihope to become a good researcher or specialistbased on the knowledge that I have acquiredthrough this program.”

Hovsep Ananikyan described how he decidedto make energy his industry focus. “It was nota coincidence, but rather a choice based on mygreat understanding of this complex science,”Ananikyan noted. “Armenia’s hydropowerplants, thermal power plants and nuclear powerplant are currently experiencing rapid develop-ment. There is a need to find applications ofelectricity from non-traditional methods. That’swhy I decided to receive my graduate degree inEnterprise Economics and Management. I amsure that, once I am done with my studies, I candedicate a lot of my knowledge to this field.”

In a meeting with Irina Lazarian, the execu-tive director of Armenia Fund USA, the stu-dents expressed their genuine appreciation to

the Miller family. Nalbandyan expressed howpleased he was to know that “there are peoplespreading kindness and happiness throughoutthe world. I would like to let the Miller Familyknow that they have a new friend in Vanadzorawaiting them.” Popova thanked the Miller fam-

ily “for its warm and humane attitude.”Such sentiments of gratitude were seconded

by the rest of the group in attendance, includ-ing scholarship recipients Mariam Petrosyan,Vardan Bagaryan, Arakya Harutyunyans andArmine Tonoyans.

Lazarian, who also holds an advanced engi-neering degree in Computer Sciences fromYerevan State Engineering University and anIndustrial Engineering master’s degree fromAmerican University of Armenia, chimed in bystating that it was Miller’s intention that thosewho benefit from the scholarship will one dayenjoy the privilege of giving back to future gen-erations. She expressed to the group that, “It isimportant to live up to Norman Miller’s owndream: that, one day, you too will be in a posi-tion to help those following in your footsteps.Like you, they can also rise higher. That is howwe build a nation built to last.”

S A T U R D A Y, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 11

ARTS & LIVING

THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR AND

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES AND RESEARCH

Present a Book Launch

A LEGACY OF ARMENIAN TREASURES:THE ALEX AND MARIE MANOOGIAN MUSEUM

with

Edmond Y. Azadian Executive Editor, A Legacy of Armenian Treasures Advisor to the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum

Saturday, August 24, 2013, 7:30 p.m., at the NAASR Center

395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA

Admission is free (donations appreciated). A reception will follow the program.

The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:00 p.m. A Legacy of Armenian Treasures will be available for one night only at a special sale price of $ 60 including sales tax

(regular price $75.00 plus tax).

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

The Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum in Southfield, Michigan, is home to a large and rich collection of Armenian art and artifacts, including illuminated manuscripts, early printed books, rugs and carpets, sacred vessels and vestments, textiles and embroidery, ceramics, metalwork, paintings, coins, and objects from the ancient kingdom of Urartu. The newly published volume A Legacy of Armenian Treasures featu smost vital and beautiful pieces, each reproduced in full color and accompanied by a detailed entry. The book features a Foreword by Thomas F. Mathews of New York University and an Introduction by Edmond Y. Azadian; Sylvie Merian of the Pierpont Morgan Library served as the Editorial Coordinator and museum director Lucy Ardash was the General Coordinator. Essays by nine renowned scholars of Armenian art and artifacts shed light not only on the artistic significance of these objects but on their cultural context as well.

At this book launch event, Edmond Azadian will provide background information on the develop-ment of the Manoogian Museum and the creation of A Legacy of Armenian Treasures. Introductory re-marks will be given by Alin Gregorian, Editor of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, and Marc Mamigonian, Director of Academic Affairs, NAASR.

Norman Miller Scholarship recipients present an engineering assignment to Irina Lazarian, the execu-tive director of Armenia Fund USA.

Norman Miller Scholarship Recipients Discuss Projects

EGOYAN, from page 10more recently they have looked internationallyfor buzzy titles with emerging stars.

The DreamWorks film “The Fifth Estate” isespecially timely and should get people talk-ing, says Handling.

“Over the last five years I guess we’ve shownfour international and one Canadian [film].Traditionally we used to open with a Canadianfilm. I think we’re open to anything at thispoint in time but we wanted to have the free-dom to just invite anything,” he says.

“If there’s a film of that kind of stature thatwe are excited about we would definitelyopen with a Canadian film but this year weare opening with ‘Fifth Estate’ and we’redelighted.”

The 11-day festival will also mark the worldpremiere of Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” whichstars Hugh Jackman as a father pursuing hismissing six-year-old daughter with help from adetective portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal.

Other potential highlights include: Montrealdirector Jean-Marc Vallee’s “Dallas BuyersClub,” a fact-based drama about an HIV-afflict-ed Texas electrician starring MatthewMcConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto;“Third Person” from London, Ont.-born direc-tor Paul Haggis, which follows three couplesin three cities and stars Liam Neeson, MilaKunis and James Franco; and “You Are Here,”the feature-film debut of “Mad Men” creatorWeiner that stars Owen Wilson and Zach

Galifianakis as childhood friends who struggleto handle a large inheritance.

Handling says Canadian directors Villeneuveand Vallee have each grown into “incrediblefilmmakers.”

“And both of them I think have made filmsthat I think will surprise people,” he says.

“We’ve followed Denis since he was a youngfilmmaker, the same with Jean-Marc, so it’swonderful to see them arrive in the interna-tional stage. Jean-Marc closed the festival a fewyears ago with ‘The Young Victoria,’ Denis hasbeen here a number of times before with afilm. [They are] two of the supreme talentsworking in Canada.”

The festival will also feature the directorialdebuts of several well known-actors, includingJoseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Don Jon,” KeanuReeves’ “Man of Tai Chi” and Jason Bateman’s“Bad Words.”

One of the last performances by JamesGandolfini will also be unspooled, when NicoleHolofcener’s comedy “Enough Said” makes itsworld premiere. The “Sopranos” star, who diedlast month, plays the love interest of adivorced woman played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that anoth-er posthumous release comes by way of “AllThe Wrong Reasons,” an ensemble drama co-starring late “Glee” star Cory Monteith as adepartment store manager. Festival organizerswould not confirm whether the film will jointhe lineup.

Egoyan Takes Latest Toronto Film Festival

12 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

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

oireé Musicale

Reservations are required—for tickets please call Diana Alexanian Karen Koundjakian Shushan Minassian

(248) 334-3636 (248) 761-9844 (248) 569-0999

Donation $20

Please make checks payable to Tekeyan Cultural Association and mail to Diana Alexanian, 1415 W. Square Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Tekeyan Cultural Association presents...

Featuring Internationally Acclaimed Young Musicians from Armenia

Henrik Karapetyan

Violinist Doctor of Musical Arts University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Ken Hakobyan Pianist & Composer

Winner of Multiple International Awards

Program Classical and Armenian Composers

Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg, Ludwig VanBeethoven, Arno Babajanian, Edvard Bagdasaryan, Aram Khachaturian, Gomidas, Karen Hakobyan

Friday, September 6th 2013 at 7:30 pm

Birmingham Unitarian Church

38651 Woodward Avenue (at Lone Pine) Bloomfield Hills MI 48304

Reception to follow

HEROES, from page 10However, one of his subordinates in Marash hadinflamed the situation by arresting and execut-ing several Marash Armenians, triggering aresistance by the Armenians. As a result, CelalBey was removed from his governor’s post inAleppo and transferred to Konya. He refused toarrange for the deportation of the KonyaArmenians, despite repeated orders fromIstanbul. He even managed to keep and pro-tect some of the Armenians deported fromother districts arriving in Konya. By the time hewas removed from his post in October 1915, hehad saved thousands of Armenian lives. In hismemoirs about the Konya governorship, helikened himself to “a person sitting beside ariver, with absolutely no means of rescuing any-one from it. Blood was flowing down the river,with thousands of innocent children, irre-proachable old men, and helpless womenstreaming down the river towards oblivion.Anyone I could save with my bare hands, Isaved, and the rest went down the river, neverto return.”

Hasan Mazhar Bey was governor of Ankara,who protected the Ankara Armenian communi-ty by refusing to follow the deportation orders,stating that “I am a Vali (Governor), not a ban-dit. I cannot do this. Let someone else comeand sit in my chair to carry out these orders.”

He was removed from his post in August1915.

Faik Ali (Ozansoy) Bey was governor ofKutahya, another central Anatolian province.When the deportation order for the KutahyaArmenians was issued from Istanbul, he refusedto implement it, and on the contrary, he gaveorders to keep and treat well the deportedArmenians arriving in Kutahya from elsewhere.As he was summoned to Istanbul to answer forhis subordination, the police chief of Kutahya,Kemal Bey, took this opportunity to threatenthe local Armenians to either convert to Islamor to face deportation. The Armenians decidedto convert. When Faik Ali Bey returned, he wasenraged, he removed the police chief from hispost, and asked the Armenians if they still

wished to convert to Islam. They all decided toremain as Christian Armenians except one. FaikAli’s brother was an influential and well-knownpoet, Suleyman Nazif Bey, who urged his broth-er not to participate in the barbarianism andnot to stain his family name. Faik Ali Bey wasnot removed from his post despite his offers ofresignation and he ended up protecting theentire Armenian population of Kutahya, exceptfor the one who converted to Islam, who wasdeported.

Mustafa Bey (Azizoglu) was district governorof Malatya, a transit point on the deportationroute. Although he was unable to prevent thedeportations, he managed to hide severalArmenians in his own home. He was murderedby his own son, a zealous member of the IttihatTerakki Party, for ‘looking after infidels(gavours)’.

Other government officials who defied thedeportation orders included Reshit Pasha, gov-ernor of Kastamonu; Tahsin Bey, governor ofErzurum; Ferit Bey, governor of Basra;Mehmet Cemal Bey, district governor of Yozgatand Sabit Bey, district governor ofBatman. These officials were eventuallyremoved from their posts and replaced by moreobedient civil servants, who completed the taskof eliminating the Armenians from these loca-tions.

One of the most tragic stories of unsungheroes saving the Armenians is about HuseyinNesimi Bey, mayor of Lice, a town nearDiyarbakir. Diyarbakir Governor Reshit Bey wasin the process of organizing the most ruthlessdestruction of Armenians in the Diyarbakirregion, not even bothering with deportationbut quick massacre of all the Armenians imme-diately outside the city limits.Meanwhile, Huseyin Nesimi dared to keep andprotect the Lice Armenians, numbering 5,980souls. Reshit summoned Huseyin Nesimi toDiyarbakir for a meeting, but arranged to havehis Circassian militant guard Haroun intercepthim en route to Diyarbakir. On June 15, 1915,Haroun murdered the mayor and threw himinto the ditch beside the road. Since then, the

murder location, halfway between Lice andDiyarbakir, has become known as “Turbe-iKaymakam” (Mayor’s Grave). Turkish recordsdocument this murder as “Mayor killed byArmenian militants.” In an ironic twist, or ashistory repeats itself, the Turkish state armyattacked Lice in October 1993, supposedlygoing after Kurdish rebel militants, but endedup burning down the entire town, killing thecivilian population as well. This act became thefirst case taken to the European Human RightsCourt by the Kurds, resulting in a compensa-tion of 2.5 million pound sterling against theTurkish state. At the same time, several wealthyKurdish businessmen were targeted for assassi-nation and murdered by the then TurkishPrime Minister Tansu Ciller. One of the victimswas a man named Behcet Canturk, whosemother was an Armenian orphan girl who hadmanaged to survive the Lice massacres of 1915.

Diyarbakir Governor Reshit was also respon-sible for firing and murdering several other gov-ernment officials in the Diyarbakir region, whohad defied the deportation orders for theArmenians. Chermik mayor Mehmet HamdiBey, Savur mayor Mehmet Ali Bey,Silvan mayor Ibrahim Hakki Bey, Mardin may-ors Hilmi Bey, followed by Shefik Bey were allfired in mid to late 1915, for refusing to deportthe Armenians. Another official named NuriBey, Mayor of first Midyat and then Derik, an allArmenian town near Mardin, was also fired bythe Diyarbakir Governor Reshit Bey, and subse-quently murdered by his henchmen. The mur-der of the mayor of Derik was then blamed onArmenian rebels, resulting in rounding up andexecution of all Armenian males in Derik, fol-lowed by the deportation of the women andchildren.

The names of these brave men are not in thehistory books. If mentioned at all, from the per-spective of the official Turkish version of histo-ry, they are labelled as ‘traitors’. While the stateand masses committed a huge crime, while thecrime became a part of daily life, these menrejected to participate in the genocidal cam-paign, based on individual remorse and con-

science, despite the temptations of enrichingthemselves like the rest of the government offi-cials. These few virtuous men, as well as a sig-nificant number of ordinary Turks and Kurds,defied the orders to eliminate theArmenians, by keeping and protecting them.They are real heroes, representing a Turkishversion of characters similar to the ones in themovies ‘Schindler’s List’ or ‘HotelRwanda’. Citizens of Turkey have two choicestoday when remembering their forefathers asheroes, either go with the mass murderers andplunderers who committed ‘crimes againsthumanity’, or the virtuous human beings witha clear conscience who tried to prevent the‘crimes against humanity’. Getting to knowthese real heroes will help Turks break loosefrom the chains of brainwashed historyover four generations, and confront the realitiesof 1915.

SSeelleecctteedd ssoouurrcceess::Tuncay Opcin, ‘Ermenilere Kol Kanat

Gerdiler (They protected the Armenians)’, YeniAktuel, 2007, Issue 142

Ayse Hur, ‘1915 Ermeni soykiriminda kotulerve iyiler (The good and the bad in the 1915Armenian Genocide)’, Radikal newspaper,29.04.2013

Seyhmus Diken, ‘Kaymakam Ermeniydi,Oldurduler... (The Mayor was Armenian, theykilled him...)’, Bianet, 23.04.2011

Orhan Cengiz, ‘1915: Heroes and Murderers’,Cihan News Agency, 02.11.2012

(Raffi Bedrosyan is a civil engineer as wellas a concert pianist, living in Toronto,

Canada. For the past several years, proceedsfrom his concerts and two CDs have been

donated to the construction of school, high-way, water, and gas distribution projects inArmenia and Karabagh — projects in whichhe has also participated as a voluntary engi-neer. Bedrosyan was involved in organizing

the Surp Giragos Diyarbakir/DikranagerdChurch reconstruction project, and in pro-moting the significance of this historic pro-

ject worldwide as the first Armenian reclaimof church properties in Anatolia after 1915.

In September 2012, he gave the firstArmenian piano concert in the Surp Giragos

Church since 1915.)

Real Turkish Heroes of 1915

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

ARTS & LIVING

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

AAUUGGUUSSTT 1188 —— DDiinnnneerr aanndd CCoonnvveerrssaattiioonn oonn GGeennoocciiddee wwiitthhPPrrooffeessssoorr RRiicchhaarrdd HHoovvaannnniissiiaann aanndd RRaabbbbii EEll iiee SSppiittzz, 6 p.m.,hosted by the Congregation B’nai Israel, 2111 Bryan Avenue,Tustin; catering by Zov’s Bistro; tickets $15 (by August 5), call714-730-9693 or email cbi18@cbi18.org.

AAUUGGUUSSTT 1188 —— AArrmmeenniiaann FFeessttiivvaall,, HHoollyy RReessuurrrreeccttiioonn CChhuurrcchh,,1910 Stanley St., New Britain, featuring Armenian music by theHarry Bedrossian Ensemble, Armenia exhibition, kids games anda special guest appearance. Contact the church office at 860-223-7875.

AAUUGGUUSSTT 44 —— SSttss.. VVaarr ttaannaannttzz AArrmmeenniiaann CChhuurrcchh,, 180 OldWestford Road, Chelmsford, will holds its annual picnic, withmusic by Jason Naroian Ensemble, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is$1. Menu to include shish, losh, chicken, Kheyma, pilaf, pastries,salad. 50/50 raffle. In the event of rain, the picnic will be held inthe Kazanjian Memorial Ballroom.

AAUUGGUUSSTT 44--1100 —— PPAACCEE [[PPaarreenntt aanndd CChhiilldd EExxppeerriieennccee]],, CraigvilleRetreat Center, Cape Cod. Private accommodations in Craigville’shistoric Inn with privileges to newly renovated beach club withaccess to private ocean beach, tennis lessons, courts, eveningconcerts, and more. Babies, grandparents, teens and all inbetween welcome! Contact familycampvacation@yahoo.com

AAUUGGUUSSTT 1188 —— SSoooorrpp AAssddvvaaddzzaaddzziinn AArrmmeenniiaann AAppoossttoolliiccCChhuurrcchh ooff WWhhiittiinnssvv iillllee wwiillll hhoosstt iittss AAnnnnuuaall PPiiccnniicc;; deliciousArmenian food served and live music provided by theMugrditchian Band; free parking. For more info, contact thechurch rectory at508-234-3677; 315 Church Street, Whitinsville,Mass.

AAUUGGUUSSTT 2255 —— AArrmmeenniiaann CChhuurrcchh aatt HHyyee PPooiinnttee AAnnnnuuaall PPiiccnniicc,,noon to 5 p.m., hosted at the American Legion Farm, 1314 MainSt., Haverhill. Music will be provided by the Jason NaroianEnsemble, menu includes kebab dinners, kheyma, pastries andbeverages; raffles; air conditioned hall; bring lawn chairs. Forinfo, contact www.hyepointechurch.org or call 978-372-9227.

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 88 –– SSaayyaatt NNoovvaa DDaannccee CCoommppaannyy performs atPeabody International Festival with favorite dances from theirrepertory; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the Dance Companymanning dessert booth featuring homemade delicacies;Peabody Square on Lowell Street. For details, call Peabody TownHall.

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 88 —— PPiiccnniicc FFeessttiivvaall,, SStt.. GGrreeggoorryy AArrmmeenniiaannCChhuurrcchh,, 158 Main St., North Andover, 12:30-5:30 p.m., featur-ing Armenian music by Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, JoeKouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along with Siroun Dance Group;Armenian food and pastries. For more info, visitwww.saintgregory.org.

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 1155 —— TTrriinniittyy FFaammiillyy FFeessttiivvaall,, 12-5 p.m., Holy TrinityArmenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious food,Armenian music, Children’s games, Blessing of Madagh at 4p.m., raffle drawing and more.

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 2288 —— AAnnnnuuaall ““WWaallkk ooff LLiiffee”” WWaallkk--aa--tthhoonn,, NewEngland Chapter of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry(ABMDR), in Watertown. To register or donate, visithttp://www.abmdr.am.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 1199 —— HHyyee KKeeff 55 featuring Leon Janikian, JoeKouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken Kalajian, Bob Raphalian andJay Baronian, Haverhill, MA, 7:30 p.m., Michael’s Function Hall-12 Alpha Street, Tickets: $40.00 Each Students $30, includesindividually-served mezza platters. Proceeds to benefit allArmenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire.Call either John Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan, 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian, 617-699-3581, or Peter Gulezian,978-375-1616. Organized by Armenian Friends’ of America.

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1166 —— AArrmmeenniiaann WWoommeenn’’ss WWeellffaarree AAssssoocciiaattiioonn((AAWWWWAA)) celebrates 38th Annual Luncheon-Auction at theBurlington Marriott. Silent Auction and Bidding at 11 a.m.; DoorPrizes for early bird bidding. $60 per person; Visa andMasterCard accepted. For reservation information and generalinquiries contact awwaauction@gmail.com.

DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 66 AANNDD 77 —— TTrriinniittyy CChhrriissttmmaass BBaazzaaaarr,, Friday, 3-9p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian Church,145 Brattle St., Cambridge.

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 2233--2244 –– TTCCAA MMhheerr MMeeggeerrddcchhiiaann TThheeaattrriiccaall GGrroouuppcelebrates 15th Anniversary with production of HagopBaronian’s “The Perils of Politeness” (KaghakavaroutyanVnasneruh) directed by Gagik Karapetyan from Armenia; DwightEnglewood High School, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ.Nov. 23, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, Sunday at 4 p.m. Fortickets; $50, $35, $25; call Marie Zokian (201)745-8850 orMissak Boghosian at (212)819-0097 or (347)365-6985.

MASSACHUSETTS

On August 18, Soorp Asdvadzadzin ArmenianApostolic Church will host its Annual Picnicfeaturing delicious Armenian food and livemusic provided by the Mugrditchian Band;free parking. For more info, contact the churchrectory 508-234-3677. The church is locatedat 315 Church Street, Whitinsville, Mass.

NEW YORK

CALIFORNIA

CONNECTICUT

50+ Years ofContemporaryArmenian Artists At Gallery Z

PROVIDENCE —Gallery Z celebrates theopening of its 126th exhibit, “50+ Years ofContemporary Armenian Artists,” on August15, from 5 to 9 p.m., as well as Art, Food, andWine event on August 29, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Gallery Z welcome the fall with a stimulatingdisplay containing more than 50 works of artfrom a variety of Armenian artists. For morethan a decade, Galley Z has celebrated andexhibited eclectic artwork from local and inter-national artists working in a diverse array ofmediums. This show will feature paintings,prints, sculpture and mixed media. This large-scale group exhibition is fashioned after alibrary-style hanging, with emphasis on detail,comfort and warmth. The works display a vari-ety of styles, textures and subjects whichtogether create an energizing and inspiringperspective into contemporary Armenian art.By combining abstracted works, vibrant land-scapes, hand carved engravings, and innova-tive portraits the “50+ Years of ContemporaryArmenian Artists” exhibit is sure to entice alllovers of art.

The permanent collection at Gallery Z con-tains more than 160 works of art from previ-ously featured artists, many of which areArmenian. The “50+ Years of ContemporaryArmenian Artists” exhibit ties together bothrooms and provides a contemporary edge tothe gallery’s energy.

Traditionally, on the last Thursday of eachmonth, the participating Public art Windoworganization at Gallery Z hosts a fundraisingevent to elevate public awareness and con-sciousness for its cause. This month, onThursday August 29, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m.(Gallery Z’s Art, Food & Wine CreatingAwareness for a Cause) Gallery Z will partnerwith the non-profit organization, “Aurea: TheAlchemy of Music and Words.” Aurea’s con-certs combine poetry, drama, classical and folkmusic, puppetry and movement into perfor-mances that sweep from intimate chamber set-tings to major theatrical venues. This eventwill feature cuisine provided by a localProvidence restaurant and world-class wineprovided by I. M. Gan Discount Liquors.

Located on Historic Federal Hill inProvidence, Gallery Z provides the RhodeIsland community with an eclectic collectionof art by Armenian, local, national and inter-national artists from the 20th century to thepresent. Since its founfing in 2001 by photog-rapher Bérge Ara Zobian, Gallery Z has beenspearheading efforts to connect the publicwith the growing arts community. Thegallery’s public art window was created in thesame spirit, geared towards raising awarenessof issues of importance to those in our com-munity. Gallery Z is a member of GalleryNight, Providence, and holds opening recep-tions on the third Thursday of each month.Gallery Z offers an intimate setting thatattracts a diverse clientele and provides a cen-ter for experiencing fine art in a historic neigh-borhood in Providence.

ADANA, from page 10or so, but hey . . . ), fava or lima beans and aninfield’s worth of fresh dill. The other, a salad,is something I’ve been making all summer; if Iwere you, I’d just start chopping.

Recipes:

BBAABBYY--BBAACCKK--RRIIBB KKEEBBAABBSSTotal time: 20 minutes, plus time to marinate Ingredients

2 to 2 1/2 pounds baby back ribs 1 white onion, sliced 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 cup olive oil

PreparationCut the baby backs into individual ribs. Put

them in a nonreactive dish (or a resealable plas-tic bag), and add the rest of the ingredients.

Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.Once the ribs have marinated, discard the

onions (or grill them on the side in a grill bas-ket, or sauté on the stovetop, if you like). Tothread the meat onto skewers, orient the ribs sothe undersides are facing the same direction(the ribs should look like frowns). Pierce themeat with the skewers either right above orbelow the bone, and run the skewer through tothe other side. Wide metal skewers are best; ifyou’re using wooden skewers, use two perkebab so the ribs are stable. Leave a little spacebetween each rib so they brown all over.

Grill the ribs slowly, turning as necessary andbasting with any leftover marinade, until they’rebeautifully browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes.

4 servings

BBAAGGHHAALLII PPOOLLOOTotal time: 45 minutes Ingredients

2 cups extra-long basmati rice (called sella)

2 teaspoons salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup chopped fresh dill or 1/4 cup dried 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 8 ounces fava beans or lima beans (frozen,cooked and peeled) 2 tablespoons butter

PreparationCombine the rice, salt, olive oil and 3 cups

water in a medium pot with a lid over high heat.Bring the water to a boil, and let it bubble,uncovered, until the water evaporates. (Whenthe water is all gone, the rice should be abouthalf-cooked.) Turn the heat to low.

Add the fresh or dried dill and the garlic pow-der, and stir with a fork. Spread the beans outover the top of the rice, cover the pot and cookuntil the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

Turn off the heat, add the butter, cover thepot and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes, or until thebutter melts. Taste and adjust the seasoning,and serve.

This Armenian Life: Adana Serves the Goods

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

LETTERS

By Edmond Y. Azadian

An announcement was sent to the media about a lecture tobe delivered on August 18 at the Congregation B’nai Israel inTustin, Calif. A prominent scholar— Richard Hovannisian —has been invited as the lecturer. The context and the formatare both interesting to the academic community as well as thegeneral public. The lecture will follow a Kosher Armenian din-ner and will deal with the similarities and differences betweenthe Jewish and Armenian genocides.

When the historiography of the Armenian Genocide wasstill in its infancy, Hovannisian became one of the early pio-neers on the topic driving the issue not only to the Armenianaudience, but to an international audience. This latest under-taking is also directed at an audience whose sensitivity to theissue cannot be overestimated. Hovannisian is taking theGenocide discussion to the Jewish community, which is alsotraumatized and tormented with a catastrophic experiencethat befell Armenians early last century.

Ever since the Jewish Holocaust, it has almost become acliché to state that had the perpetrators of the ArmenianGenocide been punished, perhaps the Holocaust would havebeen avoided. But the cruel logic of history and politics isthat human nature will not change and given the opportuni-ty any dictator would become a Talaat, Hitler or Pol Pot.

But by comparing the Armenian experience to the Jewishexperience, some lessons could be learned by politicians,scholars and even by the nations affected and shaped bythose historic events.

There are similarities and differences between the twocases. The similarities are within the realm of cause andeffect. The Ittihadist leadership blamed Armenians as traitorsto the Ottoman Empire, just like Hitler blamed the Jews forall the ills of German society and determined to bring theFinal Solution to Jewish existence in Europe.

The dissimilarities are much more pronounced since theArmenians were exterminated in their own native land whilethe Jews met the same fate in an alien land. As a result of theGenocide, the Armenians lost 75 percent of their population,along with their ancestral homeland of 3,000 years. The Jewsreceived a homeland as a direct consequence of theHolocaust. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 to grant a home-land to the Jews did not become a reality until 1948, whenthe Jews took their destiny into their own hands and manyEuropean Jews sought to live lives as Israelis, not a fearfulminority in Europe.

The surviving Armenians lost their homes, houses of wor-ship and all their belongings and at best, they were grantedsome charity in host countries, while Israel became the ben-eficiary of the compensation owed to the victims of theHolocaust, despite the fact that it did not exist as a sovereigncountry during the Holocaust.

Genocide scholars will certainly dig more similarities anddifferences in these to historic cases. But mutual education isnecessary for both nations to understand each other andstand together as a bulwark against any future threat of eth-nic cleansing.

Many serious and righteous Jewish scholars, includingIsrael Charny, Yair Auron and others, maintain that the denialof the Armenian Genocide by the Israeli government erodesthe moral foundations of the Holocaust itself.

These Jewish scholars consider it a moral imperative for theIsraeli government to recognize the Armenian Genocide, overand above the political expediency of placating the Turks.The louder these righteous voices resonate, the better thechances are for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, whicheventually will pave the way for the US government to jointhe fray. It is no secret to anyone that the impediment to thatrecognition comes from the people of Abraham Foxman ofthe Anti-Defamation League and some pro-Israeli lobbyists inWashington. Whatever these scholars of high integritybelieve and profess, does not necessarily translate into politi-cal currency.

Every time Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Erdogan makesa blunder by accusing Israel of committing genocide againstthe Palestinian people, rumors circulate and actual parlia-mentary hearings are held in Israeli parliament in preparationof the Jewish State’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.Those inconsequential rumors evaporate and the hearingsare discontinued, as soon as Ankara signals a conciliatorynote.

The most outrageous incident took place when IsraeliPresident Shimon Peres visited Ankara and announced thatthe murder of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire did notamount to genocide. That was a political compliment pre-sented to his Turkish hosts with the blood of 1.5 millionArmenian martyrs. However, history is full of ironies. Not toomuch later, Mr. Erdogan faced Mr. Peres in Davos,Switzerland and walked away from a dispute shouting in theIsraeli president’s face that his country was committing geno-cide against Palestinians. The Armenian victims insulted byMr. Peres were vindicated inadvertently by the Turkish leader.

Mr. Foxman and his ilk maintain that holding the ArmenianGenocide or any other mass murder on the level of theHolocaust will chip away the political capital of theHolocaust. However, unless the Jewish Holocaust and thegenocides perpetrated against Armenians, Cambodians andRwandans, among an unfortunately long list, are treated asintegral dimensions of the universal pain, they will be deval-ued as moral and historical cases.

We are certain that Prof. Richard Hovannisian will drive thepoint to his Jewish audience, as have other Genocide scholars,including Vahakn Dadrian, Taner Akçam, Robert Melson andothers have done.

In the meantime, we hope Professor Hovannisian will enjoyhis well-deserved Kosher Armenian Dinner.

Established 1932

An ADL Publication

EDITOR

Alin K. Gregorian

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Gabriella Gage

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

Marc Mgrditchian

SENIOREDITORIAL COLUMNIST:Edmond Azadian

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

CORRESPONDENTS:

Armenia - Hagop AvedikianBoston - Nancy KalajianPhiladelphia - Lisa ManookianBerlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach

Contributing Photographers:Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, JirairHovsepian

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

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

Telephone: 617-924-4420

FAX: 617-924-2887

wwwwww..mmiirr rroorrssppeecc ttaattoorr.. ccoomm

E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator.com

For advertising: mirrorads@aol.com

SUBSCRIPTION RATES:

U.S.A. $80 a year

Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year

© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA

and additional mailing offices.

ISSN 0004-234X

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

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

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror-Spectator

A Kosher Lecture at a KosherArmenian Dinner

COMMENTARY

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

To the Editor:The legislature of Pennsylvania is consid-

ering a Genocide education measure for thehigh schools.

Working with one of the sponsors of theoriginal measure, the reference to and teach-ing of the Armenian Genocide was included.Unfortunately — but not surprisingly — theTurks heard about it, and a Turkish officialhas been making the rounds of the state’ssenators and representatives (but not theoriginal group!) and I have been informedthat that there is more than one bill in theworks — none of which will include any ref-erence to the Armenian Genocide!

Therefore, I am writing in hopes that read-ers of this publication, residing inPennsylvania, will write to their state sena-tors and state representatives urging themto be sure that the reference to and study ofthe Armenian Genocide be a part of any billthat come before the Legislature. Readerswho have relatives in Pennsylvania areurged to contact them and ask them to get

involved.How much is in any letter is up to the indi-

vidual but it should include the fact that:1. Unbiased historians and countless his-

toric organizations accept without qualifica-tion that the Armenian Genocide was thefirst state-conceived, state-planned, state-exe-cuted Genocide of the 20th century;

2. The steps that the Ottoman Turksundertook for the Genocide set the templatefor future genocides;

3. When he was asked to explain the word“genocide,” which he coined, RaphaelLemkin said, “What the Turks did to theArmenians, and the Nazis did to the Jews.”In that interview, he explained that he pur-sued the task of getting “genocide” an inter-national crime was when he was a law stu-dent, in the early 1920s, and learned aboutthe events in Ottoman Turkey, during WorldWar One;

4. With the Centenary of the start of theGenocide fast approaching, Pennsylvaniawill have paid due homage to the 1.5-million

Armenians who died.Explain that any study of “genocide” must

begin with that of the Armenians or it willbe incomplete. Although the key originallegislators have been provided with material,if you have material to spare, include them.

Of course, the letter can be longer.Indicate that you will be following his/heractions on the matter, and offer to providemore information as needed. Offer to meetduring the summer break.

Be aware that this is a major battle. TheTurks have failed to get similar measuresremoved from the education curriculum ofother states, so their tactic is to ensure thatnothing about the Armenian Genocideappear on any education program in thefirst place.

If we are successful, this could well be oneof the key achievements of the centenary ofthe start of the Genocide.

Avedis KevorkianPhiladelphia, PA

Penn. Residents, Help Support Armenian Genocide Educational Measure

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

US Intelligence Report: AllArmenians Demand Return ofLands from Turkey

The recently announced demand for lands from Turkeyby the Prosecutor General of Armenia attracted muchattention from Armenians worldwide and harsh criticismfrom the Turkish government. While this was the first timethat an Armenian official had raised this issue since thecountry’s independence in 1991, the demand itself is notnew. Armenians have been seeking the return of their his-toric territories from Turkey for decades.

A confidential 1943 document, declassified by theCentral Intelligence Agency, reveals that the US govern-ment was well aware of the Armenian demands for recog-nition of the “atrocities” and return of Turkish occupied“provinces.”

The document dated December 13, 1943, authored bythe Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor ofthe CIA, stated: “All the Armenian press in the UnitedStates is active in keeping the Turkish Armenian mas-sacres fresh in the minds of its readers. Fearful that the

Axis atrocities of the present war [World War II] willeclipse the atrocities of the last when the final reckoningcomes, they are anxious to keep alive the Armenian caseagainst Turkey. Armenians have present as well as pastgrievances against Turkey, whose capital levy tax ‘Varlik’falls harder on Armenians than on any other minoritygroup in Turkey. Even more unforgivable in the eyes ofArmenians is the fact that Turkey holds provinces which,they are firmly convinced, belong rightfully to Armenia.Restitution of these provinces to Armenia is the goal ofall Armenians.” Elsewhere in the document, OSS accu-rately reported that “Armenians, almost without excep-tion, entertain feelings of deepest suspicion, hostility andfear” toward Turkey.

A second declassified confidential document dated July31, 1944, carries a surprising title: “Tashnags Turn toSoviet Russia.” The OSS indicated that “the once uncom-promisingly anti-Soviet Armenian RevolutionaryFederation (Tashnags) officially changed its spots, and theswing toward support of the Soviet Union, which has beengrowing gradually more perceptible during the last fewmonths, has culminated in the adoption of a pro-Soviet pol-icy at the Federation’s annual convention held in Bostonthe first week of July.” This OSS report was prepared as theSoviet Union had announced its intention to claim theEastern provinces of Turkey (Kars, Ardahan and Surmalou)in a post-World War II settlement. The Soviet claim wasbacked by the Armenian Church, the Soviet Armenian gov-ernment and the Diaspora, including the anti-SovietArmenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).

The OSS astutely reported: “The Tashnags have neveractually renounced their dream of a free and independentArmenia, including the Turkish irredenta, which has keptthem at loggerheads with the USSR, ever since Armenia

was established as a Soviet [illegible] in 1920. With thevision of independence fading, the now Soviet-friendlyTashnags are turning their attention to the acquisition ofthe Turkish provinces of Armenia by the Soviet ArmenianRepublic.”

In explaining ARF’s post-war expectations, OSS stated:“If, as the Tashnags believe and hope, Turkey remains neu-tral [in World War II], she will be in a highly vulnerableposition, and one item of payment for her neutrality,according to Mr. [James] Mandalian [editor of the Boston-based ARF newspaper Hairenik], would be the cession ofTurkish Armenia to Soviet Armenia.”

The 1943 OSS document also contained a lengthy reporton the Armenian-American press, focusing its attention onsix of the 17 Armenian newspapers in the United States:“Hairenik and Asbarez (Tashnag)” classified as “rightist-nationalist;” “Baikar, Nor Or (Ramgavar)” and “EritassardHayastan (Hunchag)” classified as “liberal;” and Lraper(Armenian Progressive League of America)” classified as“leftist-Communist.” The last two newspapers are no longerin publication.

According to OSS, Hairenik and Asbarez are “stronglynationalist, anti-Soviet, and anti-Communist,” while Baikaris “resolutely opposed to the Tashnags and their principles.The Ramgavars have accepted the incorporation ofArmenia into the Soviet Union as the most satisfactory wayout of Armenian problems, and many articles are printed inBaikar extolling the Soviet regime in Armenia, particular-ly in its relations to the Armenian Apostolic Church.”

OSS estimated that the 95,000 Armenians in the UnitedStates in 1943, mostly settled in Massachusetts, New Yorkand California, “retain a keen interest in the affairs of theirhomeland [Soviet Armenia], though few, if any, would goback there.”

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

By Gonca Sönmez-Poole

T has now been a few monthssince the infamous “Gezi Park”protests spread like wildfirethrough some parts of Turkey andmade the headlines on most of themajor dailies around the world.Journalists, both domestic andinternational, have written thatfirst draft of history, as the saying

goes; and Turkey has once again escaped(albeit barely) being forever ostracized fromthe European Union, despite its unaccept-able standards in quelling civilian unrest. Itseems that, somewhere during the heatedconversations and negotiations between theTurkish foreign ministry and the EuropeanUnion officials, the damage done to thecountry’s international reputation wassomewhat lessened.

Though the intensity and shock of thosefirst few weeks have subsided, my thoughtsdo trail back to the days in late May andearly June when I attended the Hrant DinkMemorial Workshop in Istanbul. As I walkedout from the conference hall on June 1, cer-tain streets and avenues were being closedoff and the protestors’ noise was intensify-ing. I jumped into the first cab I could hail.In a matter of minutes, a sea of protestorshad surrounded not only my cab, but one ofthe major avenues in Istanbul as well, amajority of them carrying the red-and-whiteTurkish flag. I couldn’t help noticing thatmany of them were also carrying theemblems of the opposition party, CHP. Eventhough it may be sound thinking to disre-gard this particular political connotation, Iremember thinking about the sheer quanti-ty of those flags and asking myself, “If Iwere to organize a sit-in against the cuttingof trees for the building of a shopping mallin my favorite park, would I instinctivelywrap myself up in the nation’s flag?” But

then I considered the protestors’ rageagainst the Turkish prime minister, andthought, “Does the act of standing in defi-ance against a particular government or aprime minister require carrying the nation’sflag?” Or “Was there a danger brewing out-side the country’s borders that made peoplefear losing their flag, their nation, theircountry?”

As I pondered those questions in the fol-lowing days and weeks, the protests spreadacross Turkey, wounding thousands andtragically taking the lives of five people (asof July 24). The lethargic way the nationalmedia had responded in the first few daysimproved slightly. That said, I found myselfswitching between three or four channels ata time in order to get a realistic picture,because most of the newspapers and mediaoutlets in Turkey prefer a “selective” way ofreporting the news, very much in line withthe direction of their respective bosses andtheir pro- or anti-government biases.

Throughout those weeks, using his ownbrand of hubris and bravado, Prime MinisterTayyip Erdogan continued to offend and

alienate many, including some who had ini-tially supported him and his party. By thetime he got on a plane for his North Africatrip, he had called the protestors — a largenumber of Istanbul citizens who had clearlyarticulated their unease over his plans toerect yet another shopping mall at GeziPark — “a bunch of riff raff.” He had offend-ed many Turkish people who consume alco-hol by implying that anyone who enjoys adrink or two is an “alcoholic.” And, breakingall standards of democracy and decency, hehad declared that if the protestors did notretreat, he certainly had the other fifty per-cent of the country on his side, and hecould unleash them as needed.

At around the same time, the oppositionparty tried its best to prove that it wouldnot use the Gezi protests to its politicaladvantage. And as the international mediakept up the interest of its readers and view-ers with headlines such as “The Week ThatChanged Turkey,” I kept wondering ifTurkey had indeed changed … and if so, howwould that translate into making Turkey abetter place for all its citizens, not only theyoung, educated, mainly urban youth thatdominated the headlines by making theirdistaste of the government as visible as pos-sible?

It remains to be seen whether this partic-ular new generation (not to mention the var-ious other groups that attached themselvesto this movement through genuine interestor not) did indeed write the first draft of anew and improved Turkey. But I simply can-not elevate what has been dubbed the “Gezispirit” to the realm of game-changer, at least

not yet. That’s because of the last image Iremember from those weeks, the image of aman I spotted by the Bosphorus Strait atthe end of my visit to Istanbul.

He seemed a bit off, slightly disheveled,and was rummaging through the recyclebins. This saying was inscribed on his t-shirt:“Hop dedik, kar� ında Turk var!” It meanssomething like “Stop right there, you got aTurk in front of you!” Isn’t there somethingthat goes beyond the average national pridein that saying? Isn’t there something a bitoffensive, a bit aggressive, and, if it goesunchecked, a bit dangerous in that way ofthinking? To me, the answer is an unequiv-ocal yes.

And that is why, in my opinion, until andunless this kind of mentality — whether in aprime minister’s haughty tone in addressinghis opponents, or his opponents’ ferventdesire to find comfort through nationalismon every occasion, or even in the saying onthe t-shirt of a man on his morning walk —is erased from the hearts and minds of theentire country of Turkey, no “Gezi spirit”will be enough to bring Turkey into a trulynew and improved future.

(A graduate of the Fletcher school’s mid-career MA program, Gonca Sönmez-Poole isTV producer, filmmaker and writer. She hasspent two decades working for WCVB-TV’s“Chronicle” program, followed by 13 yearsmanaging her own non-profit organization,

Mediation Way, Inc. For the past seven years,she has dedicated her free time to Armenian-

Turkish dialogue work around Boston.)

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator welcomes articles, commen-taries and community news from our readers. In order to assurethe accurate and timely publication of articles submitted, pleasenote the following policies:— All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spacedand printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10point or larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifi-cations will be assigned lowest priority.— Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions areencouraged.— All submissions should include the name of a contact person and

a daytime telephone number.— Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon onthe Monday of the week of publication.— Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of theeditors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed and stamped envelope is included.— The M-S will publish only one article about an upcoming orga-nizational event. For major special events, exceptions may bemade only by special arrangement with the editors.— Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the dis-cretion of the editors) will not be included in press releases.

Notice to Contributors

The Man by theBosphorus

I

SETTLEMENT, from page 1The AXA Insurance Claims Action was a mile-

stone case. It was originally filed by Yeghiayanand Brian Kabateck in February 2002 inFederal District Court inLos Angeles. Its intent wasthreefold: to honor the vic-tims and martyrs of theArmenian Genocide; to fos-ter public awareness andrecognition of the ArmenianGenocide; and to compen-sate descendants of thosepolicyholders who werekilled in the ArmenianGenocide with the rightfulmonetary benefit that insur-ance companies had deniedthem in the decades follow-ing the horrendous deathsof their parents and grand-parents.

The lawyers who filed thecase are aware that the AXA case is meagercompensation for the fathomless injustice com-mitted upon the Armenian people. They know

that while they cannot undo the dark pages ofArmenian history, they must continue to fightfor justice. The day in which Armenians ceaseto fight to correct even the smallest of injustices

they have suffered, such as the failure of insur-ance companies to honor contracts signed byArmenians in their homeland, is the day inwhich the genocide which was begun in 1915will be completely accomplished.

It is for this reason that the lawyers involvedhave all renewed their deep commitment to jus-tice for their community and their forefathers.They have applied that commitment to the AXAcase through their zealous advocacy.

Said Yeghiayan: “We must not lose sight ofour main objective, which is a measure of jus-tice for the heirs of the victims. The Armeniancommunity expects an orderly and transparentconclusion of this case.”

Mark Geragos, commenting on the settle-ment, said: “Brian Kabateck and I are pleasedwith this resolution because it will allow all ofus to finalize the settlement agreement, resolveall claims accounting issues and conclude anyremaining issues between the lawyers. The res-olution of this case is as important as continu-ing the fight to bring justice for all Genocidevictims.”

The parties expect a final accounting andCourt order in connection with the AXA settle-ment to be issued within 90 days.

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

Artsakh Aid Affirmed byHouse and SenateAppropriationsCommitteesASSISTANCE, from page 1represents a 19 percent reduction below the FY2013 enacted levels.

“Given the ongoing needs in Artsakh, I waspleased that in working with the Chairwomanand Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, wewere able to craft language to ensure continuedfunding to Karabagh,” House AppropriationsCommittee Member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)told the Assembly.

Earlier this year, the Assembly, in its testimo-ny highlighted the importance of US assistanceto Artsakh as well as Armenia, and much need-ed humanitarian assistance for Armenians inand those fleeing Syria. Additionally, theAssembly’s testimony highlighted the inexplica-ble pardon of an Azeri officer who brutally mur-dered an Armenian officer at a NATO partner-ship for peace training exercise and urged thatthe Subcommittee “cease military assistance toAzerbaijan.”

As the key Congressional panels approvedU.S. foreign aid priorities this week, theAssembly reported visiting over 125 Membersof Congress and hand-delivered the new 2013Assembly Press Kit outlining funding prioritiesfor Armenia and Artsakh, including theAssembly’s new FACT SHEET on Azerbaijan.

“We thank our House and Senate friends forensuring that critical assistance to Artsakh isupheld,” stated Assembly Executive DirectorBryan Ardouny. “We look forward to workingwith our friends in Congress as the appropria-tions process continues,” he said.

Powerhouse Attorneys Involved in AXAGenocide Claim Settle Differences

Vartkes Yeghiayan

‘Encounters withArt’ CelebratesZeytuntsyan’sBirthday

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The next series in“Encounters with Art” hosted by CafesjianCenter for the Arts celebrated the 75th birth-day of Perch Zeytuntsyan. The event on July29, was dedicated to the life and activity ofArmenian writer and dramatist.

Armenian artist Levon Mutafyan will speakduring the event. Lilit Pipoyan will perform aconcert program.

Zeytuntsyan was born in Alexandria, Egypt,in 1938. In 1948, he and his family moved toArmenia. Zeytuntsyan attended the AghayanSchool in Yerevan and it was during this peri-od that he published his first short stor.

Zeytuntsyan wrote his first theatrical work,“Amenatkhur marde” (The Saddest Man) in1974. The work was a tragicomedy staged inYerevan, and since then, 10 of his plays have beenproduced and later published in Armenia.

A recurring theme in Zeytuntsyan’s works hasbeen the relationship between the individual,

society and the exercise of authority. The major-ity of his plays draw their subject matter fromArmenian history, particularly historical episodesthat are relevant to contemporary issues. Onemajor theme in his more recent prose and the-atrical works is the Armenian Genocide, reflect-ing the growth of nationalism in the ArmenianRepublic towards the end of the Soviet rule. Hisnovel the Last Dawn as well as his plays “TheGreat Silence” and “All Rise, the Court is inSession” explore these themes.

Zeytuntsyan worked at the Hayfilm center inYerevan, later becoming the senior editor ofthe art film section of the Yerevan studio fortelevision films from 1968-1975. The film“Erevanyan oreri� khronika” (Chronicle ofYerevan Days, 1973) was based on his screen-play. He also went on to write a number ofspeeches and newspaper articles focusing onsociopolitical issues affecting the ArmenianRepublic. He has since received myriad acco-lades, including the State Prize of Armenia, therepublic’s highest award.

In 1975, Zeytuntsyan became the executivesecretary of the Writer’s Union of Armenia, aposition he held until 1981. He went on tobecome the minister of culture in the first post-Soviet administration of the Republic ofArmenia.