Western U.S. edition - Armenian Reporter

Daniel Varoujan
Hejinian to
show “Colors of
Liberty”
See story on page 12m
Young Armenian
professionals
take Windy City
by storm
See story on page 10m
FAR helps
people discover
their own
Armenia
See story on page 4 m
Western U.S. Edition
Number 126
August 22, 2009
the armenian
reporter
Rep. Frank Pallone, a national leader on Armenian-American affairs.
Rep. Frank Pallone discusses
Armenian-American issues
Armenian Caucus co-chair responds to
Armenian Reporter readers’ questions
Visit us at reporter.am
See story on page 3 m

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Written Publication
Important Message for Potential
Lawsuit Claimants
Attorneys MARK GERAGOS, VARTKES YEGHIAYAN, AND BRIAN KABATECK are
seeking documents and information about bank accounts held at the Deutsche Bank and
Deutsche Orientbank in Ottoman Empire Turkey by individuals of Armenian descent between
1875 and 1915. The documents and information are sought from United States
residents who may be class members in a pending class action lawsuit in the United States
District Court for the Central District of California against Deutsche Bank and Dresdner
Bank for the recovery of assets not returned to victims of the Armenian Genocide or their
heirs.
If you have any such documents or information you may be a potential claimant in the above
mentioned lawsuit. Anyone with documents or further information should contact any of the
lawyers representing the proposed class by no later than September 15, 2009.
You may also submit information about your potential claim
online at www.armeniangenocidebankclaims.com.
The court has not certified a class and has not made any decisions
regarding the merits of the claims. This is not a courtordered
notice, and the court has played no role in causing
this advertisement to be published. The lawyers identified
below have made published this advertisement in an effort to
develop evidence to support the allegations made in the case
and to identify members of a potential class.
Mark Geragos: geragos@geragos.com (213) 625-3900
Vartkes Yeghiayan: vartkesy@sbcglobal.net (818) 242-7400
Brian Kabateck: bsk@kbklawyers.com (213) 217-5000

Number 126
August 22, 2009
Community
Tufenkian reception aids Shushi Museum,
Karabagh summer camp
Community
Commentary
James Tufenkian hosted a reception
in New York on July 23 to support
two projects in Karabagh: a summer
camp for impoverished children and
the renovation of the Shushi Museum.
Three dancers of the Shushi
Dance Ensemble performed several
of their well-known numbers.
See story on page 8m
As the Armenian Dance Ensemble takes the State
Fair stage, traditions come full circle
On August 4, a farewell reception
was held at the Diocesan Center in
honor of Ambassador Armen Martirossian,
the Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Armenia to
the United Nations, who has been
Community
Armenian dance in Minnesota
goes back more than a century. The
state’s Armenian Dance Ensemble
takes the stage at one of the largest
state fairs in the country on
September 5, Lou Ann Matossian
reports.
See story on page 5m
Community bids farewell to Amb. Martirossian
appointed Armenia’s ambassador
to Germany.
The AMAA likewise bid farewell to
the ambassador on July 27.
See stories on pages 18, 19m
Karabakh War veteran Apres Zohrabyan is doing something at least as patriotic
as what he did as a fighter in the early 90s: he is helping Armenians discover and
fall in love with their native land, Vincent Lima writes in his Editorial Notebook.
See story on page 22m
National
Federal appeals court strikes down Armenian
Genocide insurance claims law
On August 20, the U.S. Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals struck down
a California law that allowed the
descendants of Armenian Genocide
victims to sue in state courts
for unpaid insurance benefits. The
federal court ruled that the California
law was unconstitutional because
it conflicts with U.S. foreign
policy not to recognize the Armenian
Genocide as such.
“The federal government has
made a conscious decision not to
apply the politically charged label
of ‘genocide’ to the deaths of these
Armenians during World War I,”
wrote Judge David Thompson
for the majority of the three-judge
panel. “Whether or not California
agrees with this decision, it may
not contradict it.”
In dissent, Judge Harry Pregerson
said that although the
federal government declines to
use the term “Armenian Genocide,”
he could find no evidence
that the states were barred from
doing so.
“There is no express federal policy
forbidding California from using
the term ‘Armenian Genocide’ in
the course of exercising its traditional
authority to regulate the insurance
industry,” Judge Pregerson
wrote.
“I think the decision is outrageous,”
said plaintiffs’ attorney
Brian Kabateck, who vowed to
appeal for a rehearing. “If taken to
its logical extension, what this decision
means is that all 40 states
that have recognized the Armenian
Genocide have to set aside that recognition,”
he told the Los Angeles
Times.
— Lou Ann Matossian
connect:
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/
opinions/2009/08/20/07-56722.pdf
the armenian
reporter
In Karabakh talks, promise of a
referendum in return for land
Details of the
negotiations emerge
News analysis
by Tatul Hakobyan
TSAGHGATSOR, Armenia – At a
meeting with young Armenians
in the resort town of Tsaghgatsor,
the American co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza,
said the Madrid Document for the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict sought to reconcile
the three main principle of the
OSCE Helsinki Final Act – the principles
of the self-determination of
peoples, the territorial integrity of
states, and the nonuse of force.
“Those three principles may
sound contradictory, at least the
first two, but they are not. It is difficult
to reconcile them; that is why
we have been negotiating so long,
that is why the talks have been
so complicated. But I think we
have found a formula in the Basic
Principles as reflected in the Madrid
Document of November 2007
– and now reflected in the updated
version of that document that the
co-chairs pulled together in Krakow
at the end of July – that does
strike that balance,” Mr. Bryza said
at the meeting, which had been
organized by the Yerevan-based
International Center for Human
Development.
Testimony part of
Ohio Rep. Schmidt
complaint
by Emil Sanamyan
Washington – Operatives allegedly
acting at the behest of the
Turkish government used evidence
of an extramarital affair to blackmail
a sitting Democratic member
of Congress, while paying off others
in Congress and the executive
branch to support Turkey’s agenda,
a former translator privy to federal
investigations of the activities said
in a deposition for the Ohio Elections
Commission.
The scandalous details were
part of testimony by former FBI
translator Sibel Edmonds heard
at the National Whistleblowers
Association office in Washington
on August 8 by representatives of
incumbent Rep. Jeanne Schmidt
(R.-Ohio) and David Krikorian, a
candidate for the Democratic Party
ticket in that district, who requested
Ms. Edmonds’ deposition.
With a full video of Ms. Edmonds’
deposition anticipated to be released
at a later time, Mr. Krikorian
told journalists about some of the
charges presented.
One case concerned “a current
female member of Congress
Mr. Bryza, who is deputy assistant
secretary of state, went into
greater detail than ever before
about the document on the negotiating
table.
“A legalization of the
status quo”
who [is] apparently bisexual and
[Turkish operatives] bugged her
apartment,” Mr. Krikorian said.
“She’s married with children, and
they set up a relationship with another
female who went in and had
sexual relationships with her. And
they had all the episodes bugged
within this current representative’s
home and they blackmailed
her.”
While Ms. Edmonds did not
name the member of Congress, she
Matthew Bryza,
the U.S. co-chair
of the OSCE
Minsk Group,
during a July 27
visit to Yerevan.
Photo: Photolure.
“The basic idea of the agreement
is that Nagorno-Karabakh will receive
an interim status, which will
be a legalization of the status quo.
The interim status will make clear
and ensure that that status quo will
continue for an interim period until
the second key element – until
there is a vote by the residents of
Nagorno-Karabakh to determine
the final legal status of Nagorno-
Continued on page 20 m
Sibel Edmonds offers details of
Turkey’s covert operations in the U.S.
Sibel Edmonds answering questions after her deposition on August 8, with her
lawyer Michael Kohn on right. Photo: Armenian Reporter.
later told Brad Friedman blog that
the congresswoman in question is
a Democrat.
Mr. Krikorian also confirmed
that charges of taking bribes and
engaging in other illegal activity
were heard against sitting Rep.
Dan Burton (R.-Ind.), ex-Speaker
Dennis Hastert (R.-Ill.), and other
current and former members of
Congress.
Continued on page m

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
National
Washington briefing
by Emil Sanamyan
State Department’s
Caucasus manager
names his successor
Ambassador Tina Kaidanow will
serve as the next U.S. deputy assistant
secretary of state in charge
Tina Kaidanow.
Running in Senate
race in Nevada,
House races in
Michigan, Ohio
by Emil Sanamyan
WASHINGTON – At least three Armenian-Americans
have launched
electoral campaigns to take on incumbent
members of Congress in
the 2010 elections.
Danny Tarkanian, a Las Vegas
businessperson of Armenian descent,
is seeking the Republican
Party nomination to challenge Senate
Majority leader Harry Reid in
the 2010 elections, Mr. Tarkanian’s
office reported on August 9.
Making the announcement, Mr.
Tarkanian acknowledged he was
facing long odds.
“I have no illusions about what
I’m up against, but I also know I
am doing the right thing,” he said
in a statement, adding that he
would run on mainstay Republican
issues, such as opposition to
growth in government spending
and regulation.
According to the Reno Gazette-
Journal, six other individuals are
seeking the GOP nomination in addition
to Mr. Tarkanian, and Nevada
Republicans were also reportedly
seeking to recruit others.
of relations with the Caucasus,
Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus. Matt
Bryza, who currently holds the job,
made the announcement in Georgia
on August 10, Civil.ge reported.
Amb. Kaidanow’s has not yet been
formally named by the State Department.
Speaking in Azerbaijan on August
12, Mr. Bryza said it was unclear
whether Ms. Kaidanow would
also succeed him as U.S. envoy for
the Karabakh peace process, Turan
news agency reported. The State
Department has combined the two
previously separate responsibilities
in one official since 2004.
Embarking on a farewell tour
of the South Caucasus earlier this
month, Mr. Bryza indicated to
Azerbaijani media that he remains
hopeful about being appointed ambassador
to Azerbaijan. The previous
U.S. ambassador there, Anne
Derse, completed her posting earlier
this summer.
When reports first surfaced that
Mr. Bryza was being considered
for the job in Azerbaijan, several
critics raised concerns about close
personal relationships Mr. Bryza
reportedly enjoyed with leaders in
both Baku and Tbilisi. In various
capacities at the State Department
and the National Security Council,
Mr. Bryza has been dealing with
Caucasus issues without interruption
since the mid-1990s.
Ms. Kaidanow has been focused
on the Balkans for a similarly long
period. From July 2008 until last
June, she was U.S. ambassador to
Kosovo, the first person to hold that
position in a country that the United
States recognized a year and half ago.
Ms. Kaidanow served as U.S. chief
of mission in Kosovo from 2006 to
2008 and was deputy ambassador in
Bosnia from 2003 to 2006.
According to RFE/RL, while in
Kosovo Ms. Kaidanow was known
for “getting things done,” but also
– and very much in contrast to Mr.
Bryza – appeared to avoid publicity
and rarely gave interviews.
In her earlier assignments, Ms.
Kaidanow served as special assistant
to Deputy Secretary of State Richard
Armitage (2001–3) and before
that as special assistant to the U.S.
envoy for the Kosovo crisis, Christopher
Hill. She also worked at U.S.
embassies in Belgrade and Sarajevo
and as an official managing U.S. policy
in the Balkans at the President’s
National Security Council.
Russia says it wants
Karabakh settlement;
mulls use of military
force abroad
“Russia is interested in the [Karabakh]
conflict settlement and we are
not interested in any conflicts in the
Caucasus,” Russian premier Vladimir
Putin said on a visit to Turkey
on August 6. He also praised the
“great positive work” undertaken by
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev
“in connection with Karabakh
conflict settlement,” the Russian
state-funded RIA Novosti reported.
Mr. Medvedev has helped organize
several meetings between
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan
since last fall. Russia along with the
United States and France, mediates
in the dispute.
That the comments were made
during Mr. Putin’s visit to Ankara
indicated that Turkish leaders were
continuing to raise Armenian issues
with third countries.
But Sen. Reid, who is running for
a fifth term in the Senate, is believed
to be a strong favorite. His
campaign expected to raise $25 million
in campaign cash.
Nevada’s other senator is John
Ensign, a Republican who has recently
admitted to an extramarital
affair; he is not up for re-election
until 2012.
Son of the nationally renowned
basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian,
Danny Tarkanian previously ran for
the Nevada State Senate in 2004
and Nevada Secretary of State in
2006, both times unsuccessfully. In
the latter run he received votes of
more than 230,000 Nevadans.
Both incumbent Nevada senators
– Democrat Reid and Republican
Ensign – have been supportive
of Armenian-American issues.
Armenian Caucus
member challenged in
Michigan
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R.-
Mich.), an active member of the
Armenian Congressional Caucus,
in his fourth term in Congress, is
facing a challenge from an Armenian-American
Democrat.
An educator and community activist,
Natalie Manoogian Mosher
is seeking the Democratic nomination
in the 11th congressional
district, which includes northwestern
suburbs of Detroit, in the 2010
election. The district has elected
Like in Sochi earlier this year, Mr.
Putin reiterated Russia’s position
that it would not force a settlement
and would only serve as a “guarantor
of the [peace] process and
agreements made.” He added that
Moscow would continue to “help”
the parties in the effort to “achieve
agreements and find compromises
that would lead to a complete and
final settlement.”
Writing for RIA Novosti on the
day of Mr. Putin’s visit to Ankara,
commentator Andrey Fediashin
suggested that only Russia could
try to compel Armenia to compromise
in Karabakh. But he also
added that for Russia it would be
both “stupid and dangerous” to try
something like that “especially after
[Russia’s] recognition of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia.”
Meanwhile, on August 10 Mr.
Medvedev asked leaders of the
Duma, the Russian parliament, to
modify the federal law on defense
to specify when Russian military
force could be used abroad.
According to the president’s
website, Mr. Medvedev recalled
last year’s war with Georgia, when
Russia justified its intervention on
the grounds that its peacekeeping
forces deployed in South Ossetia,
as well as local civilians with Russian
citizenship, were attacked by
Georgian forces. Both circumstances
– an attack on Russian forces
or citizens abroad – would now be
spelled out in legislation.
The new legislative language
would also allow the Russian leadership
to authorize the use of force
to “defend or preempt” aggression
against another state, as well as to
fight piracy.
Russia, Turkey reach
fresh energy, trade
agreements
Turkey agreed to transit Russian
gas to third countries and will
continue to consider the Russian
bid to build Turkey’s first nuclear
power plant, the two nations’ leaders
agreed earlier this month. Russia
in turn agreed to ease customs
regulations for Turkish imports.
The agreements were announced
during Russian premier Vladimir
Putin’s visit with his Turkish counterpart
Recep Tayyip Erdogan in
Ankara on August 6, the New York
Times and regional media outlets
reported soon after.
The gas deal complements Turkey’s
efforts to become the hub for
Europe’s gas imports. Last month,
Turkey agreed to transit natural
gas from Russia’s potential competitors
in Central Asia – the socalled
Nabucco project supported
by the European Union and the
United States, which are seeking
to lessen Russia’s dominance in the
European gas market.
Turkey already imports most of
its natural gas from Russia, through
what is known as the Blue Stream
pipeline that crosses the Black Sea
and was built by Italy’s Eni corporation.
The Russian-Turkish summit
was joined by Italy’s prime minister
Silvia Berlusconi, reflecting the
Italian business interests.
But Russian-Turkish cooperation
appeared to be driven in equal
measure by economic and political
interests. RFE/RL cited a commentator
for Hurriyet Daily News noting
Mr. Putin’s popularity in Turkey
because he was seen as seeking
to challenge America’s global dominance.
f
Armenian-Americans to challenge congressional incumbents in 2010
Danny Tarkanian. Natalie Manoogian Mosher. David Krikorian.
Putin and
Erdogan meeting
in Ankara on
August 6.
Republican members of Congress
since 1967.
As part of her campaign announcement
earlier this year, Mrs.
Mosher pledged to “make certain
the Armenian-American community
has an active and effective advocate”
in Washington.
Michigan is one of the U.S. states
most affected by the recession and
Rep. McCotter is believed to be vulnerable.
Mrs. Mosher has strongly
criticized the incumbent Republican’s
opposition to the Obama administration’s
economic stimulus
programs and healthcare reform
proposal.
According to CQ Politics, the
Michigan Democratic Party was
seeking to recruit additional candidates
to run against Rep. Mc-
Cotter.
Armenian-Turkish
debate in Ohio
David Krikorian is another Armenian-American
seeking the
Democratic Party’s nomination
ahead of the 2010 elections. Unlike
the other two challengers, he
is running against an incumbent
who is opposed to the Armenian-
American agenda and is supported
by the Turkish lobby.
Republican incumbent Jean
Schmidt is in her third term and
represents Ohio’s 2nd congressional
district that includes parts of
Cincinnati; the district has been
under GOP control since 1983.
Last April Ms. Schmidt filed a
complaint against Mr. Krikorian
over his charges that she took
money from Turkish government
interests to oppose the congressional
resolution on the Armenian
Genocide. As part of the complaint,
Ms. Schmidt is represented by
Turkish American Legal Defense
Fund, an organization linked to
the Turkish lobby. Mr. Krikorian
in turn retained the help of Mark
Geragos, a prominent attorney of
Armenian-American descent.
The Ohio Elections Commission
is expected to rule on the complaint
on September 3.
f
connect: www.dannytarkanian.org,
www.mosherforcongress.com and
www.krikorian2010.com.

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
International
Pallone: U.S. recognition of NKR will be difficult
Veteran member of
Congress discusses
Armenian-American
agenda
by Emil Sanamyan
Washington A member of Congress
for more than 20 years, Rep.
Frank Pallone, Jr., a New Jersey
Democrat, is a national leader on Armenian-American
issues and a founding
co-chair of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues; he also chairs
the Energy and Commerce subcommittee
on Health.
The interview that follows is based
in large part on questions we solicited
from the Armenian Reporter readers
last week. Washington Editor Emil
Sanamyan put them to Rep. Pallone
on August 14.
Karabakh policy
Armenian Reporter: Kosovo, Abkhazia,
and South Ossetia have
recently set precedents of international
recognition without the
consent of countries that claimed
sovereignty over them. Should
friends of Armenians in the United
States initiate Nagorno-Karabakh’s
recognition instead of deferring to
talks with Azerbaijan? What work
can be done in Congress to achieve
this goal?
Rep. Frank Pallone: I believe
personally that the United States
should recognize Nagorno-Karabakh.
I certainly would be willing
to do whatever I can to have that
happen.
But I will say that it will be difficult,
because a lot of members
of Congress are not that familiar
[with the subject], I assume that
the State Department would be
against it, and I am not sure how
much Armenia itself would be
pushing for it. So it would probably
be hard to do.
And while I support recognition
of NKR, I do not know if the Armenian
community wants to prioritize
that. The community has to prioritize
the issues and spend their time
on things that are more likely [to
be successfully accomplished]. And
[since] this issue would be difficult,
I would not recommend that they
prioritize it.
AR: There has been quite a bit
of criticism in Armenia of the
outgoing U.S. envoy for Karabakh,
Matt Bryza, as biased in favor of
Azerbaijan and Turkey. What can
Congress do to have a Karabakh
envoy who would better reflect
U.S. respect for Armenians’ selfdetermination
and democratic
choice, and appreciation of security
challenges Armenians are
facing?
FP: Matt Bryza is only reflecting
the policy of the State Department.
The State Department takes
a position that Nagorno-Karabakh
doesn’t have the status of a state.
And they have traditionally highlighted
territorial integrity over
self-determination.
But they are wrong in this case
because they do not realize that
Nagorno-Karabakh has every right
to be an independent nation. So,
what you really need to do is to
have the State Department change
its position.
They have to realize that according
to the Soviet legal framework,
Nagorno-Karabakh had self-government
and certain rights, including
holding a referendum and
becoming an independent country,
which is what had happened.
So it’s not simply an issue of territorial
integrity versus self-determination.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a
successor state to the Soviet Union,
and no different from Armenia or
Russia in that respect.
AR: Armenia has been historically
carved up by imperial powers
and the current state occupies only
a fraction of its historic homeland.
Today, Armenians are urged to
make substantial territorial concessions
as part of a Karabakh settlement
with no such concessions
by the other side. How can Armenian-Americans
get their pre-history
and their interests to be better
appreciated in the United States?
FP: Simply because Nagorno-
Karabakh is a small area with a relatively
small population, it is difficult
for the State Department, and
any administration to focus on it.
The argument that should be
made is that this a powder keg. In
other words if you do not work to
solve this situation and come up
with a compromise, there is a potential
for another major war in the
Caucasus that would have major
implications for several neighboring
countries, Turkey and Russia
especially. And that this strategic
concern must be appreciated.
The war between Russia and
Georgia [in August 2008] is a recent
example of the volatility in the
Caucasus region.
Relations with Turkey
AR: Speaking of community priorities,
how have you handled occasional
disagreements between
Armenian-American priorities and
those of the Republic of Armenia?
There were clearly divergent positions
on the Armenia-Turkey “roadmap”
announced on April 22.
FP: Most people in the community
that I talk to are in favor of
normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey. And of course
I would like to see more normal relations
between the two countries,
including significant trade between
them.
But Armenian-Americans also
want genocide recognition and
they felt that the Obama administration
was trading the roadmap
for genocide recognition. I believe
that these two issues should be
separated. The president should
make a public statement recognizing
the Armenian Genocide and
Congress should pass its resolution.
We should proceed with the roadmap
as well; one should not be in
lieu of the other.
The Armenian government was
very supportive of the roadmap,
but they did not want it to be an excuse
not to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. And after April 24, Turkish
leaders began to step back from
the “road map,” and going back to
their preconditions related to the
Karabakh conflict.
These are all separate issues. Normalizing
Turkish-Armenian relations
should not be linked to the
Karabakh conflict.
AR: Three or more administrations
have been blocking congressional
resolutions on Armenian
Genocide. Have Armenian advocacy
groups ever asked the administration
for something in lieu of
a congressional resolution that
would both show respect for the
genocide’s victims and also benefit
the Armenian-American agenda?
In your mind, what could be such
an alternative?
FP: I would note that the Obama
administration is not opposed to
the resolution, I have not heard
that. And President [Barack
Obama]’s position is that the
Genocide occurred and should be
recognized. But [because] all the
emphasis was on the “road map” in
April, the issue of the genocide was
sort of put aside.
I do think that a presidential
statement and a resolution by Congress
are necessary to memorialize
the Armenian Genocide. And
while genocide recognition needs
to remain a priority, the diaspora
should spend time to prioritize
other issues as well. These would
include a settlement with regard to
Nagorno-Karabakh as well as U.S.
support of Armenia economically
and militarily. We have the two Armenian
republics and they need to
be protected.
AR: Former FBI translator Sibel
Edmonds recently repeated her allegations
about the Turkish government’s
attempts to bribe and even
blackmail U.S. officials into supporting
their agenda. Do you support
a congressional inquiry based
on these troubling allegations?
FP: I am not familiar enough
with her to express an opinion.
Armenia aid and trips
AR: On the subject of aid to Armenia,
the Obama administration’s
first aid request differed markedly
from promises candidate Obama
Rep. Frank Pallone during a meeting with NKR officials at his office on Capitol
Hill. Photo: NKR Office in the United States.
made in his campaign. Was that a
reflection of the administration’s
lack of interest in Armenia, inertia
from the Bush administration,
or both? Can you explain how the
budget request process works?
FP: The request comes out of the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), but the figures basically reflect
the recommendations of the
State Department.
The Obama administration believed
that their request was generous
because it was above President
Bush’s request the previous year.
They ignored the fact that Congress
appropriated significantly more
and that the Bush administration
was not a friend.
So I told them that they cannot
make their budget request based
on the previous administration because
Bush was not a friend of Armenia
and they are. So, they have
to be more generous and request
more than Congress appropriated
the previous year.
There is also this tendency to expect
that Congress would always
add aid to Armenia, and therefore
the administration can request less.
I have told them that that’s the
wrong approach for a friend.
Next year, we expect the administration
to request at least as much
as Congress put in the previous year
or make a more robust request.
AR: In the last several years there
have been markedly fewer visits by
U.S. lawmakers to Armenia. What
is the reason for that?
FP: That is totally a function of
changes in the congressional ethics
rules. I used to go to Armenia every
year, and I haven’t been back for a
few years now because when the
ethics rules were changed about
four years ago, that precluded
any trips being paid by advocacy
groups or individuals associated
with them.
The Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) or the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA),
and other Armenian groups can no
longer pay for the trips.
Government-funded congressional
delegations are still available,
but those are normally subject to
committee jurisdiction. So if you
are not a member of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, you may not be
included. And if they have a trip,
they are more likely to go Iraq or
Afghanistan or some of the major
trouble spots.
f
Sibel Edmonds offers details of Turkey’s covert operations in U.S.
n Continued from page
Other charges of collusion with
Turkish officials were made against
Marc Grossman, a former undersecretary
of state and ambassador
to Turkey, and other former U.S. officials.
Since leaving government both
Mr. Hastert and Mr. Grossman,
who have in the past denied any
wrongdoing, joined Washington
lobby groups with ties to Turkish
government contracts; reaction
from Rep. Burton, one of the few
members of Congress to engage
in outright denial of Armenian
Genocide, was not available as of
press time.
The deposition came as part
of the Ohio Elections Commission’s
consideration of a complaint
filed by Ms. Schmidt, who
alleged that Mr. Krikorian made
“false statements” that she took
“blood money” from Turkish interests
to oppose a congressional
resolution on the Armenian
Genocide.
By summoning Ms. Edmonds,
Mr. Krikorian sought to establish
a pattern of efforts on the part of
the Turkish government and affiliated
entities to induce U.S. policy
makers into opposing the genocide
resolution.
The Ohio Elections Commission is
expected to rule on Rep. Schmidt’s
complaint on September 3.
Charges corroborated
and ignored
The former FBI translator’s testimony
is based on her past access to
wiretap recordings made as part of
investigations of Turkish government
activities in the United States
from 1996 to 2002. After being fired
from the FBI, Ms. Edmonds took
evidence of federal mismanagement
and corruption to Congress
and sought reinstatement through
the courts.
Ms. Edmonds’ allegations
– covered at the time by U.S.
mass media – took on added
weight when the Justice Department’s
internal investigation
issued in early 2005 confirmed
many of them and did
not dispute others.
But no congressional investigation
or prosecutions based on her
charges ever followed.
Her deposition last Saturday
came despite warnings from the
Department of Justice that she
“has not complied with the procedures
for obtaining authorization
from the FBI, her former employer,
prior to making any disclosure
relating to information that she
acquired in the course of her work
for the FBI.”
Lawyers for Ms. Edmonds argued
that without renewing the
state secrets privilege first invoked
by the Bush administration
against the former FBI translator
to prevent her from testifying,
the current Department
of Justice could not prevent Ms.
Edmonds from offering her testimony.
f

4 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Community
far helps young diaspora Armenians discover their own Armenia
by Daniele Faye Sourian
Sahr
NEW YORK – Living in multiple
cultures is something many Armenian-Americans
know well. Despite
growing up in America, many of us
have a strong awareness of and attachment
to our Armenian roots
– even if those roots have crossed
through other nations and cultures
before reaching the United States.
Most of us have an understanding
of Armenia built on such childhood
stories as Mesrop Mashtots’
alphabetical vision, images of
snow-capped Mount Ararat, and
numerous tales diluted by generations
and distance.
For many Armenian-Americans,
setting foot in Armenia is a way to
step beyond these childhood images.
It provides a chance to learn
who they are, as Armenians.
Over 14 years, the Fund for Armenian
Relief (far) has provided
this opportunity to dozens of young
Armenian-Americans through the
Young Professionals Trip. For two
weeks each June, up to 20 individuals
can experience the sights, smells
and tastes of Armenia.
This year, led by far’s Projects
Director Arto Vorperian, participants
traveled through 10 regions
of the country, visiting sites like
the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial
and Vorotan Canyon and
witnessing the astounding height
and beauty of Mount Ararat.
Even though the trip incorporates
visits to significant cultural
and historical landmarks, participants
do not solely explore Armenia
as tourists getting a mere snapshot
of the country. This trip gives
them the opportunity to delve into
the nation’s fabric, to step beyond
the history books, and to experience
a physicality lacking in any
photo or painting hanging on a
wall back home.
Through this trip, far instills
in the young professionals a keen
sense of awareness for the needs of
Armenia and its people. They learn
about Armenia’s religious, political
and economic heritage by engaging
with political and religious leaders.
They witness firsthand the country’s
need for better infrastructure,
education, health care and employment
by meeting those who benefit
from far’s programs.
Participants were brought face
to face with the orphans who
live at far’s Homeless Children’s
Center in Yerevan, which is a
complete full-service facility for
at-risk children. They met the
elderly who rely on far’s soup
kitchen for daily sustenance and
survival. They shared coffee with
students who attend far’s Gyumri
Information and Technology
Center (gtech), students who,
by furthering their education, are
helping to rebuild a community
still recovering from the devastation
caused by an earthquake 20
years ago.
With each introduction and each
conversation, the country they
once knew only through the stories
of others becomes their own. They
develop a richer, deeper connection
that ultimately benefits their lives
and the lives of their fellow Armenians.
Armenia becomes real, and,
more often than not, it becomes a
place to which they want to stay
connected.
Daniele and Celine release a dove and make a wish, a tradition at Khor Virab.
Photo: Ara Jingirian.
Daniele Sahr, a participant
from the June 2009 trip put it
this way, “Each experience, location,
and person had a way of
bringing to life the symbolic images
we carried to Armenia with
us and unfailingly introduced us
to the palpable realities of daily
life. While there was no question
of the difficulties faced by so
many in this country in need of
modern infrastructure, more jobs,
and greater security, there was a
consistent underlying feeling of
vibrancy, hope, and wide-spread
intelligence that I could not help
but want to be a part.”
Daniele may be one of the many
trip participants who soon return
to Armenia to play a role in bettering
the nation by participating
in far’s programs, doing anything
from supporting abandoned children
to helping Armenian doctors
enhance their skills.
Dates for the 2010 trip will be
announced at far’s blog and website,
and on Twitter. far will also
hold an event for prospective participants
in September when trip
alumni will share their experiences
and photos. Details about the event
will be announced later in the summer.
connect:farusa.org
far staff contributed to this story.
Russian-style pool is more difficult than its American
counterpart, with the pockets narrower. Raffi tries a game
at Lake Sevan. Photo: Celine Kaladjian
The 2009 far ypt
group arrives in
Armenia. Photo:
Celine Kaladjian.
The far young professionals admire the view of Yerevan from the Cascade, the
Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Photo: Celine Kaladjian.
Amy remembers the Armenian Genocide at the Genocide
Memorial in Yerevan. Photo: Celine Kaladjian
Looking for the best and the brightest?
Help Wanted with the Armenian Reporter
classifieds@reporter.am 818-955-8407
Let us know what’s on your mind.
Write to us at
letters@reporter.am

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 5
Community
As the Armenian Dance Ensemble takes the State Fair stage,
traditions come full circle
Local troupe to
perform Sept. 5
at the “Great
Minnesota Gettogether”
by Lou Ann Matossian
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Armenian
dance in Minnesota goes back
more than a century, not quite as
long as the Minnesota State Fair,
which marks its 150th anniversary
August 27 through Labor Day.
These two venerable traditions
– one modest, the other gargantuan
– will meet on Sept. 5, when the
Armenian Dance Ensemble takes
the stage at one of the largest state
fairs in the country.
Led by director-choreographer
Naïry Digris, the St. Paul–based
folk troupe will present regional
Armenian dances in four halfhour
performances. The general
State Fair ticket price includes
free admission to the noon, 1:30,
3:00, and 4:00 p.m. shows in the
International Bazaar area of the
fairgrounds.
“Since its founding in 1990 under
the auspices of the Armenian
Cultural Organization of Minnesota,
the Armenian Dance Ensemble
has evolved into a strong,
self-sufficient, and organized
entity,” says Ms. Digris, who also
teaches Armenian dance in the
lively Twin Cities international
dance community along with her
husband, Ensemble member Terry
McGibbon.
Now in its second generation,
the Armenian Dance Ensemble
aims to preserve the regional
dance traditions of historic Armenia,
teach them to interested Armenians
and non-Armenians, and
enhance community awareness of
Armenian heritage, history, and
culture through music as well as
staged and narrated performances.
Dancers of varying abilities,
ages, and ethnic backgrounds are
welcome.
Following in their mother’s
graceful footsteps, Natasha and
Alarica Hassett grew up with the
Armenian Dance Ensemble. The sisters
now dance professionally with
Minneapolis avant-garde companies
– Natasha as a co-founder of
Catalyst and Alarica as a member of
Ballet of the Dolls.
Today’s ensemble includes Bradley
and Mitchell Erickson and
their mother, acom President
Cynthia Reimers Erickson, descendants
of a North Dakota Armenian
pioneer family.
Armenian dance arrived in Minnesota
with turn-of-the century
immigrants from Kharpert and
Sepastia. Their daughters staged
the earliest known public performance
in 1932 at the original
Festival of Nations – now a longrunning
St. Paul multicultural institution
in its own right – and
later generations carried on the
custom.
With plenty of Festival of Nations
experience under its embroidered
belt, the Armenian Dance
Ensemble debuted at the State Fair
in 2002. This year, the Festival of
Nations is sponsoring the State Fair
stage where the troupe will take its
second bow.
Some 1.7 million people are
expected at the twelve-day celebration
of all things Minnesotan,
which boasts an average daily attendance
of about 140,000.
And on September 5, in the
graceful turn of a veil, traditions
will come full circle.
connect:mnarmenians.org (Dance Ensemble)
mnstatefair.org
coaf NextGen to host “Gatsby at the
Bowery” Sept. 10
Top: The
Armenian
Dance Ensemble
performs each
year at the
Festival of
Nations in St.
Paul, Minnesota.
The troupe,
pictured here at
the 2009 Festival,
will dance at the
Minnesota State
Fair on Sept. 5.
Left: Founding
director Nairy
Digris, lower
left, leads the
Armenian Dance
Ensemble of
Minnesota
in a recent
performance.
Kef Time Band, Mal Barsamian
Ensemble to reunite at Kef Time
Hartford
NEW YORK – The Children
of Armenia Fund (coaf) has announced
Gatsby at the Bowery, a
fundraising event hosted by coaf
NextGen, a new group formed to
educate and involve the next generation
of philanthropists in coaf’s
work in rural Armenia.
The event, which includes an
open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres,
a raffle, and 1920s-themed entertainment,
will take place at The
Bowery Hotel Terrace on Thursday,
Sept. 10 from 8 to 11 p.m. The
net proceeds from the event will
benefit children and youth in rural
Armenia.
Founded in 2000, the Children
of Armenia Fund is an independent,
nonprofit, nongovernmental
(501)(c)(3) organization. coaf
seeks to reverse the impoverished
conditions affecting significant
numbers of Armenia’s children
by revitalizing Armenia’s villages
and implementing projects that
provide immediate and sustainable
benefits to children and
youth.
Since its founding, the Children
of Armenia Fund’s activities have
focused on revitalizing rural Armenia,
with a comprehensive approach
to addressing the critical
needs of children together with
economic development activities
which enable people to acquire the
necessary tools to help themselves.
coaf’s partnerships with undp,
usaid and the World Bank, along
with many other local and international
organizations, have allowed
us to effectively channel financial
resources where they are needed
most.
Tickets are offered at two levels
of support, the higher level including
a signed limited-edition photograph
taken in one of coaf’s villages
by acclaimed photographer
Hrair Hawk Khatcherian. Admission
prices will increase after
August 28.
connect:
coafkids.org
1-212-994-8234
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The
Kef Time Band and the Mal Barsamian
Ensemble, powerhouse performers
of the lively kef-style dance
party music, will reunite at Kef Time
Hartford Sept. 25–27, organizers
have announced. The festivities take
place at several venues within a fivemile
radius in West Hartford.
Opening the weekend will be the
Mal Barsamian Ensemble with Mal
on clarinet, Harry Bedrossian on
oud and vocals, Kenny Kalajian on
guitar and vocals, and Jason Naroian
on dumbeg and vocals. This
Friday night kef (Sept. 25) will begin
at 10 p.m. at the Shish Kebab
House of Afghanistan, 36 LaSalle
Rd. Those making dinner reservations
should mention “Kef Time
Hartford,” organizers suggest.
At the main event, Saturday, Sept.
26, the band features Richard Hagopian
on oud and vocals, Hachig Kazarian
on clarinet, and Jack Chalikian
on kanoon. All are members of
the original Kef Time Band and will
be joined by Paul Mooradian, who
has been a member of Kef Time
Hartford since its inception in 1971.
Joining the original members will
also be Mal Barsamian on guitar
and Ron Tutunjian on dumbeg.
Saturday night’s event will get an
early 6pm start and end at midnight.
The dance will be held at the West
Hartord Meeting and Conference
Center located at 50 South Main St.
The weekend will close with a
Sunday kef (Sept. 27) featuring Joe
Kouyoumjian on oud and vocals,
Mal Barsamian on clarinet, Harry
Bedrossian on keyboards and vocals,
and Ron Tutunjian on dumbeg.
The noon event takes place at the
new Shish Bar and Ultra Lounge,
904 Farmington Ave.
A special “Kef” rate, including
breakfast, has been arranged at the
Homewood Suites Hotel in nearby
Farmington. Local shuttle service
is available.
connect:
Gary at 1-860-690-5959
garyhov@aol.com
Visit us at reporter.am

6 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Community
15 acyoa youth teach – and learn – from young campers in Armenia
NEW YORK – Nestled in the
scenic mountains of Vanadzor in
Armenia’s northern region of Lori
is a modest center offering spiritual
and recreational activities to local
children who wouldn’t otherwise
be able to afford summer camp.
It was here – in the simple but
stirring setting of Camp Tzitzernak
– that 15 young people from
the Eastern Diocese spent a week
teaching English and assisting
camp staff as part of the Armenia
Service Program (asp), organized
annually by the Armenian Church
Youth Organization of America.
“Camp is always my favorite part
of the trip,” said Syona Marout, a
past asp participant who co-led this
summer’s program with the Rev. Fr.
Mesrob Hovsepyan. “The campers
and staff were wonderful, and
as always, made us feel extremely
welcome.”
Armed with lanyards, crayons,
markers, and other materials, the
asp volunteers designed and introduced
an arts & crafts class this
year. One morning toward the end
of their visit, they also surprised
the campers by dressing up in character
costumes for breakfast.
“When we made our entrance,
all of the kids and staff started to
smile and laugh, and it absolutely
made their morning,” Ms. Marout
recalled.
Run by the Gougark Diocese,
Camp Tzitzernak shares a warm relationship
with the Eastern Diocese.
Last year, the Eastern Diocese’s
Sunday School Lenten Drive collected
$16,800 to help underwrite
renovation projects at the camp.
Contributions like these, along
with the assistance of volunteers,
make it possible for the camp to
enroll children at no cost to their
families. asp group members in
turn experience life in Armenia’s
third largest city, which is still recovering
from the 1988 earthquake
and adopting post-independence
changes.
“The interaction between the
campers and the asp participants
was the most important part of the
trip,” said Fr. Hovsepyan, pastor of
the St. James Armenian Church of
Richmond, Va.
“It was not only the campers who
learned a few English words and
arts & crafts skills from our youth,”
he added, “but it was our young
participants who also learned from
the children about their lives, their
schools, and their interests. They
had an opportunity to compare the
lifestyle of the campers with the
lifestyle of the children here in the
U.S.”
The weeklong volunteering session
at Camp Tzitzernak is the cornerstone
of the asp trip, which took
place this year between June 21 and
July 12. The program also featured
two weeks of sightseeing, including
visits to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, the Matenadaran
manuscript archive, the Armenian
Genocide Museum, Lake Sevan,
and a number of other churches,
museums, and monuments.
A highlight was the group’s audience
with Karekin II, the Catholicos
of All Armenians, at the Mother
See.
The Catholicos spoke to asp participants
about “the richness of our
religion, history, and culture, and
about their important role in the
life of the Armenian Church,” Fr.
Hovsepyan said.
At the invitation of the Catholicos,
the young visitors attended
a children’s performance at the
Paronian Theater in Yerevan. The
show was put on by children taking
courses at the Hayortats Tner or
Armenian Church Youth Centers,
jointly sponsored by Holy Etchmiadzin
and agbu.
asp participants by the St. Arakelotz Church on Lake Sevan.
Armenia’s mysteries
linger
The travelers also had a chance to
meet with young people at a church
in Yerevan’s Jrvezh district. They
heard the choir perform sacred
hymns and folk songs, and spent
time practicing English and getting
to know each other.
“We sang and danced and played
games in the church yard, with Mt.
Ararat in the background,” said asp
participant Michelle Birky.
Traveling to Nagorno-Karabakh,
asp participants toured the monastery
at Gandzasar and the Soorp
Amenaprgich Kazanchetsots Cathedral
in Shushi, the administrative
center of the Artsakh Diocese.
Built in 1887, the cathedral was
recently restored to remove the
damage caused during the Karabakh
war and years of neglect during
Soviet rule.
“Architecturally, it is absolutely
beautiful,” Ms. Marout said of the
cathedral. “As Karabakh continues
on its road to recovering from the
devastations of the war, I feel that
it serves as a beacon of hope and
faith.”
Group members said they shared
a sense of togetherness fostered by
their common interest in exploring
Armenia and learning more about
their heritage.
They sang the Der Voghormya
hymn at one of the chapels of the
Geghard cave monastery, released
doves from the Khor Virab monastery
overlooking Armenia’s border
with Turkey, enjoyed fresh kebab
in a private garden not far from the
Garni temple, posed for pictures at
the Artashavan complex of Armenian
letters, met with youth service
groups from the Western and
Canadian dioceses, and had many
opportunities to discover local customs.
“It was a very different culture,
but one I am proud to call my
own,” said asp participant Christine
Quinn, adding that she was
touched by the resourcefulness and
optimism of the local population in
the face of hardships.
“Seeing the churches and monasteries,
with their thousand-yearold
stones still holding together
strong, amazed me at how far we
have come and how strongly our
traditions have stayed connected,”
Ms. Quinn said. “I was left with a
certain sense of mystery about the
Right above: asp
trip co-leader
Syona Marout
assists campers
with a lanyard
project at Camp
Tzitzernak
in Vanadzor,
Armenia.
Right below: An
arts & crafts
class at Camp
Tzitzernak
in Vanadzor,
Armenia.
Left: asp
participants pose
for a group photo
by the “We are
Our Mountains”
monument in
Karabakh.
asp participants dance with campers at Camp Tzitzernak in Vanadzor, Armenia.
Turkey.
The asp group at the Khor Virab monastery overlooking Armenia’s border with Turkey.
land, a mystery that made me feel
like I should come back.”
Others, too, said they felt compelled
to make another journey to
Armenia in the future. Ms. Marout
herself has been on the asp trip
three times – once as a participant,
and twice as an assistant group
leader.
“Visiting and serving in Armenia
was an amazing and inspiring experience,”
Ms. Birky said. “I definitely
plan to return some day.”
asp, formerly called the Armenia
Studies Program, dates to the late
1960s. The program was suspended
for several years following the 1988
earthquake but resumed in 1992,
with a group visiting Armenia every
summer since.
The acyoa Central Council has
already begun preparations for the
2010 asp, with plans to announce
dates in December. The program is
open to college students and young
professionals, ages 19 to 28.
The asp participants “left Armenia
with unforgettable memories,”
Fr. Hovsepyan said. “It is one thing
to read about Armenia’s history
in books or to see pictures of the
country’s historic sites, and another
thing to visit and experience all
those places first hand.”

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 7
Community
Jack Antreassian remembered in a memorial service at
Saint Vartan Cathedral in New York
NEW YORK – A large group of
family, friends, and admirers of the
late Jack Antreassian gathered at
New York’s St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral on the afternoon of Sunday,
July 26, 2009, for a memorial
tribute to the man who, in important
respects, defined the critical,
formative years of the cathedral
and Diocesan Center.
As executive director of the
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America from 1968 to
1975, Mr. Antreassian worked with
then-Primate Archbishop Torkom
Manoogian to realize an ambitious
vision of the St. Vartan Cathedral
Complex – a vision that remains
influential more than three
decades later.
For the July 26 memorial service,
Mr. Antreassian – who died on July
4 of this year – was remembered as
a writer, editor, and leader of such
major Armenian institutions as the
Eastern Diocese and the agbu.
Readings were done by his
daughter, Elise Antreassian Bayizian,
his grandchildren Kohar
and Vahan Bayizian, and nieces
and nephews Ashod Antreassian,
Haigoohi Cefalu, Tony Moscato,
and Susan DeLeo.
Also reading from Jack Antreassian’s
writings were Michael
Zeytoonian, Ed Setrakian, and
Nishan Parlakian. Musical selections
were performed by Sahan
Arzruni and Julie Hoplamazian.
Florence Avakian played the cathedral
organ.
Presiding over the occasion was
the Diocesan Primate, Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian. What follows
is the text of the message delivered
by Archbishop Barsamian during
the July 26 memorial service.
In the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The news of Jack Antreassian’s
passing was a deeply sorrowful
occasion – not only for his
family, but for the entire Armenian-American
community. I am
grateful that we have gathered
today – in this great cathedral
that Jack loved, and which will
always be closely associated with
him – to say a proper goodbye, as
a community, to this great and
Calendar of Events
influential figure.
What can one say of a man who
was the architect of so much that
we hold dear – so much of what
we identify with, as Armenians in
America?
It was not simply the case that he
led our greatest institutions, most
notably the Diocese and the agbu.
Jack Antreassian actually set the
pattern by which they would be led,
and set the standard for all subsequent
executives.
It was not simply the case that
he enriched and built on the
Armenian inheritance. Jack Antreassian
actually created whole
forms of literature – and our
young writers of today are merely
re-fashioning the forms Jack Antreassian
gave us. He was a man of
many parts: Intellectual, publisher,
executive, impresario. Above
all, I would say – as perhaps he,
too, would have insisted – a “man
of letters.” That describes his aspiration,
and the range of talents
he brought to bear in pursuing it.
It is common enough to call such
a person a “Renaissance man.”
Many people would fit that description,
and Jack was certainly
among them. But there is a deeper
truth to that phrase, which Jack
was virtually alone in embodying:
the ideal of marrying different
kinds of human activities in a
single individual: the life of contemplation
with the life of action;
the habit of artistic detachment
with the vocation of passionate
commitment. That was the deeper
dream of the Renaissance. And
as I say, in our community, Jack
Antreassian was without peer in
fulfilling it.
In 1968, at the request of Archbishop
Torkom Manoogian, then
the Primate of our Diocese, Jack
took the helm of the Diocesan
Center. Starting on the eve of the
cathedral’s consecration, and continuing
to 1975, Jack executed an
ambitious vision of this complex
as a hub of constant activity. As
the center’s first executive director,
Jack was a pioneer, and his
tenure is still regarded as a “golden
age” of creativity and public service.
The same was true, it should
be said, of Jack’s time as director
of the agbu.
The Diocese turned to Jack again
in the days following the 1988
earthquake in Armenia, when
Archbishop Torkom asked him to
oversee the Diocese’s relief efforts.
That effort was the core of what
would eventually evolve into the
Fund for Armenian Relief.
I know that to his family, all of
these distinctions seem beside the
point, at this moment. Jack was a
husband, a father, a friend. Each of
those roles is deeply personal, and
the way Jack joined his soul with
those around him was especially
intimate.
I think of his sweet marriage to
Alice, and his tender ministry to
her these past, difficult years.
I think of the heroic regard in
which he held his parents, Vahan
and Satenig; his brothers Ardashes,
Ashod and Antranig; and his sisters
Anne and Varsenig.
Jack Antreassian,
1920–2009.
I think of the love and pride he
felt for his children, Michael and
Elise – and his noble desire to regard
them as peers, when they blossomed
as accomplished individuals
in their own right.
I think of the way Jack celebrated
the advent of his grandchildren, by
writing a book expressing his innermost
thoughts to them.
To hereafter be separated from
such a powerful, personal force is
supremely painful – like losing a
part of one’s own self.
At the same time, one can understand
that living in the orbit of
such a man demands certain sacrifices
from his family members – no
matter how dearly he loves them
and wishes to benefit them.
And yet I can only observe that
the Antreassian family has always
been a model of love, mutual support,
and quiet pride. That spirit
has enfolded all the generations,
from parent to child. In their own
ways – perhaps in ways they do
not yet realize – each member of
the family has contributed to the
great project that Jack pursued all
his life.
This fact is, perhaps, the most
beautiful testimony to the goodness
of his life’s work.
For decades, his dear wife, Alice,
was another constant force here
at the Diocese. She could always
be found here, and even donated
all the proceeds of her famous
book on Armenian cuisine to this
center.
And of course, for more than
thirty years now, Jack and Alice’s
daughter, Elise, has been a true
leader on the Diocesan staff. Under
her creative inspiration, our
Christian education programs have
flourished, and thousands of young
Armenians have been brought closer
to their heritage of faith.
As happens in the case of all truly
great men, the news of Jack’s passing
brought a sensation of physical
weight – as if the burdens of the
world would be that much heavier
for the rest of us, now that he is
gone. What we have witnessed
now is the passing of a great spirit,
whose living presence comforted
and even magnified us.
Now he has gone to our Lord’s
kingdom, and the magnitude of
our task, as the living, is gradually
coming into focus. We cannot
do better than to try to live up to
Jack’s ambition, embodied in an institution
like St. Vartan Cathedral:
To portray the world in the fullness
of its truth, and to shape it under
the aspect of love.
To his loved ones – to his surviving
sister Varsenig; to his
daughter Elise and her husband
Papken, and their children Kohar,
Aris, and Vahan; to Jack’s
son Michael and his wife Brenda,
and their son Adam; and especially
to Alice, who has lived
these years under her own trials
– I convey my deepest sympathies
and prayers. May God be with
you, now and always. And may
our Almighty Creator keep Jack
Antreassian in His holy presence,
until we are all re-united in God’s
eternal Kingdom. Amen.
Northern California
OCTOBER 4 - YerazArt in
benefit for KZV Armenian
Day School. Location: Saroyan
Hall @ Khatchatourian Center:
825 Brotherhood Way San
Francisco. For more information
contact: 415-586-8686
NOVEMBER 14 - Armenian
Food Fair and Festival. Location:
Calvary Armenian Congregational
Church: 725 Brotherhood
way San Francisco,
12:00noon-9:00pm. Admission:
Free. For more information
contact: cacc@cacc-sf.org or
415-586-2000.
Southern California
AUGUST 28, 2009 - Free Small
Business Tax and Opportunities
Seminar. Location: Karapetian
Hall: 1614 N. Alexandria
Ave. Los Angeles. 8:30 a.m. -
1:30 p.m. Admission: Free. For
more information contact: anoda@sco.ca.gov,
(213) 833-6010
SEPTEMBER 5 - FIFA - AR-
MENIAN VS. BOSNIA-HER-
ZEGOVINA SOCCER GAME
SHOWING. Location: AGBU
Alex Manoogian Pasadena
Center, 2495 E. Mountain St.,
Pasadena, CA. TBA Admission:
Free. For more information
contact AGBU Generation Next
Mentorship Program, (626)794-
7942; info@agbugennext.org.
SEPTEMBER 9 - FIFA AR-
MENIA VS. BELGIUM SOC-
CER GAME SHOWING. Location:
AGBU Alex Manoogian
Pasadena Center, 2495 E.
Mountain St., Pasadena, CA.
Admission: Free. For more
information contact AGBU
Generation Next Mentorship
Program, 626-794-7942; info@
agbugennext.org.
SEPTEMBER 13 - St. Peter
Church, Van Nuys, Annual Picnic,
Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m.
OCTOBER 3 - Armenian
Bone Marrow Donor Registry
Walk of Life. Location: Verdugo
Park: 1621 Canada Blvd
Glendale. 7:30 am registration,
9 am Walk. Admission: Pre
$25, Day $30. Contact: phone:
(818) 522-8531.
OCTOBER 10 - FIFA - ARME-
NIA VS. SPAIN SOCCER GAME
SHOWING. Location: AGBU
Alex Manoogian Pasadena
Center, 2495 E. Mountain St.,
Pasadena, CA. Admission: Free.
For more information contact
AGBU Generation Next Mentorship
Program, 626-794-7942;
info@agbugennext.org.
OCTOBER 14 - FIFA- AR-
MENIA VS TURKEY SOCCER
GAME SHOWING. Location:
AGBU Alex Manoogian
Pasadena Center, 2495 E.
Mountain St., Pasadena, CA.
Admission: Free. For more
information contact AGBU
Generation Next Mentorship
Program, 626-794-7942; info@
agbugennext.org.
OCTOBER 17 - ANNUAL
BAZAAR- ARMENIAN CUL-
TURAL FESTIVAL. Location:
St John Garabed Armenian
Church, 4473 30th Street, San
Diego, CA. 12:00pm Admission:
Free. For more information
contact St. John Garabed Armenian
Church, 619-284-7179;
StJohnGarabed@sbcglobal.net.
Save the date:
OCTOBER 31 – St. Peter Ladies
Fashion Show, Lady in
Red, Saturday, Sheraton Universal.
Subscription Coupon
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8 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Community
Rev. Fr. Garen Gdanian honored for 60 years in the priesthood
by Joyce Kenosian
WATERVLIET, N.Y. – Sunday,
May 17, was a special day at St. Peter
Armenian Church. It was a day
to honor beloved Pastor Emeritus
Fr. Garen Gdanian for his 60 years
of service in the priesthood.
The parish welcomed Archbishop
Yeghishe Gizirian of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) as guest celebrant and
homilist for the Divine Liturgy
that morning. Yeghishe Srpazan is
a friend and former seminary classmate
of Der Garen.
Following services, nearly 200
parishioners, friends and wellwishers
gathered in the Gdanian
Auditorium for a celebratory dinner
and program. Master of Ceremonies
Paul DerOhannesian
welcomed everyone and offered a
special toast for the honored guest.
Congratulatory notes and letters
were read aloud, including messages
from Karekin II, Catholicos of
All Armenians, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America
Fr. Tateos Abdalian to be honored at 25th anniversary of his ordination
(Eastern), Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun
Najarian, Vicar General, former
Rep. Michael McNulty, City of
Troy Mayor Harry J. Tutunjian,
and several others.
Archbishop Gizirian spoke of his
longstanding friendship with Der
Garen, recalling their experiences
as seminary classmates. The former
pastor of St. Peter Armenian
Church, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian,
recalled the warm welcome he
and his wife Paulette had received
from Der Garen and his wife Zabelle
when he began his first pastorate.
Der Garen’s support and
guidance was invaluable to him as
a newly ordained priest, said Der
Stepanos, adding that he regards
Der Garen as his “spiritual father.”
The current pastor, Fr. Bedros
Kadehjian, noted his family’s
longstanding relationship with Der
Garen, dating back to his pastorate
at St. Gregory the Illuminator in
New York City, when Der Bedros’s
father was Der Garen’s secretary.
Parish Council chairperson Richard
Hartunian and Mr. DerOhannesian
spoke for many attendees as
they recalled Der Garen’s significant
Fr. Tateos Abdalian.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A special
reception in Cambridge, Mass.,
will honor the Reverend Fr. Tateos
Abdalian on the 25th anniversary
of his ordination to the priesthood
of the Armenian Church.
The reception and church services
will take place on Sunday, August
23, at Holy Trinity Armenian
Church, 145 Brattle St.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern),
will preside over the event,
which is going forward under the
auspices of the Eastern Diocese.
Organizing the day is a committee
from the Holy Trinity parish
led by its pastor, the Reverend Fr.
Vasken Kouzouian.
The day will begin the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy, beginning at
10:00 a.m. Fr. Abdalian will be the
celebrant. Archbishop Barsamian
will deliver the homily.
Following church services, a celebratory
reception will convene in
the parish’s Charles and Nevart Talanian
Cultural Hall. The reception
is open to the public, and will be an
opportunity for people in the Boston
area – where Fr. Abdalian was
born and raised – to congratulate
him on his quarter-century of service
to the Armenian Church.
Rev. Fr. Garen Gdanian.
role in their individual and family
lives. Both men were boys when Der
Garen became the parish priest and
they grew up in the church during
the 19 years of his pastorate.
There were several musical and
dance presentations during the
program. Armenian School students,
under the direction of Dr.
Ara Kayayan, sang “Govgasi
Katcher” and “Kahoojan Asger” in
their youthful voices, followed by a
piano solo by Nora Derian.
The Sipan Dance Group, directed
by Garo and Maria Derian,
performed “Hovivi Yeraz” (Shepherd’s
dream) and “Harsanegan
Bar” (Wedding dance). The audience
also enjoyed two vocal solos:
“Vartu” by Ovsanna Mooradian, a
longtime member of the St. Peter
Church Choir, and “Geroong” by
Sylvia Kutchukian, a prominent
soprano of the Capital District.
The honored guest expressed his
appreciation for all the kind words
that had been said about him. Taking
no credit for himself, Fr. Garen
declared that he had been led into
and throughout his priesthood by
the hand of the Lord opening the
way for him.
Growing up in Aleppo, Syria, Der
Garen said he had had no early
thought of becoming a priest but
was given the opportunity to study
at the Jerusalem Seminary and later
at the Antelias Seminary. Archbishop
Tiran Nersoyan, who later
ordained him, made it possible for
Der Garen to come to the United
States for further study.
Der Garen added that he definitely
had not wanted to become a
celibate priest and found his lovely
wife Zabelle in Lowell, Mass.
Since his retirement in 1989, Der
Garen has maintained his home in
the area and even obtained a burial
lot in the Albany Rural Cemetery.
He continues to serve the Armenian
Church when and where needed,
especially as a visiting priest.
Dr. Aristakes Kachadourian
brought greetings from St. Gregory
the Illluminator of Binghamton,
N.Y., expressing the gratitude, love,
and respect which that parish has
for Der Garen.
After Archbishop Gizirian’s benediction,
attendees came forward to
extend their personal greetings
and good wishes to Der Garen and
Yn. Zabelle.
To date, more than $8,000 has
been contributed to the St. Peter
Armenian Church Building Fund in
honor of the beloved pastor emeritus.
Fr. Tateos Abdalian
Fr. Abdalian was born in Watertown,
Mass., the son of Manoog
and Virginia Abdalian, and baptized
Richard Daniel. After working
in the banking sector and as
administrative director of Watertown’s
St. James Armenian Church
he entered St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox
Seminary in 1977.
At the direction of then-Primate
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian,
Richard spent a year at the seminary
of Holy Etchmiadzin, having
first been ordained a sub-deacon by
Archbishop Manoogian under the
sponsorship of Fr. Papken Maksoudian.
He continued theological
studies toward his masters of divinity
at Boston’s Holy Cross Greek
Orthodox Seminary.
In 1981, now a full deacon, he
began work at Holy Trinity Church
in Cambridge, Mass., under the
pastorship of Fr. Mampre Kouzouian,
as the parish youth director,
Sunday School superintendent,
and as an assistant to the pastor.
During this time, Dn. Richard was
asked by community members
living on Cape Cod to conduct religious
services there, leading to
the establishment of the Mission
Church of Cape Cod.
He was ordained into the priesthood
by Archbishop Manoogian in
June 1984 at Holy Trinity Church,
on the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin,
and given the priestly name of
“Tateos.” Serving as sponsor was Fr.
Mampre Kouzouian.
Fr. Tateos was assigned to the St.
John the Baptist Church in Greenfield,
Wisc., in August 1984. Working
with community members, he
oversaw the groundbreaking for a
new sanctuary, leading to a muchanticipated
consecration in November
1986. Following the 1988
earthquake in Armenia, Fr. Tateos
became a spokesperson for the
Wisconsin Armenians, who worked
with the state and National Guard
to coordinate cargo flights, the
collection of tons of clothing, and
fundraising for earthquake relief.
In September 1989, Fr. Tateos
was assigned to the St. Peter
Church in Watervliet, N.Y., and in
1993 he became the pastor of the St.
George Church in Hartford, Conn.
While in Hartford he served as an
on-call chaplain at Hartford Hospital
and as a member of its Pastoral
Services Advisory Committee.
In honor of his son David becoming
a Los Angeles Police Officer, Fr.
Tateos began to serve as a police
chaplain with the Hartford Police
Department.
Fr. Tateos also served terms as
pastor of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, R.I.
(1999–2001) and of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, Pa.
(2003–2007). In the intervals he
has served the Diocesan Center in
New York, in its youth ministry
and mission parish programs.
Since 2007, Fr. Tateos has been
director of the Department of
Mission Parishes, by the appointment
of Archbishop Barsamian.
Responsible for overseeing more
than a dozen communities, he
has brought a new resurgence to
the mission parishes, and new opportunities
for their material and
spiritual growth.
Der Tateos has been married since
1969 to Margaret Meranian of
Methuen, Mass. In addition to their
son David, they have a daughter,
Alicia, and two grandchildren.
connect:
1-617-354-0632
Tufenkian reception aids Shushi Museum, Karabagh summer camp
NEW YORK – The history of the
Shushi Museum in Karabakh, a repository
of Armenian culture, has
mirrored the traumas, as well as
liberation, of its Armenian population.
Only days after Shushi’s liberation
in 1992, the museum was
saved from destruction while the
city was still in flames. Holding rare
collections of the city’s rich heritage,
it is today in desperate need
of renovation and upgrading.
On Thursday evening, July 23, at
the Tufenkian Rug Corp. headquarters
in New York, close to 100 people
attended a reception to support
two Tufenkian Foundation causes
in Karabakh – the Shushi Museum
renovation efforts, and a summer
camp project for children from impoverished
families.
During the evening, guests enjoyed
cocktails, hors d’oevres, and
live music, and participated in a silent
auction of Karabakh artifacts.
One of the winners walked away
with a hand-made Tufenkian rug.
In a slide show, Antranig Kasbarian,
executive director of the
Tufenkian Foundation, detailed the
rich history of Shushi. Surrounded
by deep gorges on three sides, centuries-old
Shushi is often called the
“Fortress City.”
Strategicaly situated between
Persia and Russia, Shushi was the
third largest city in Transcaucasia,
and became Karabakh’s capital city
during the 19th century. However,
it fell prey to ethnic clashes at the
turn of the 20th century. In 1920,
Azerbaijani forces entered this
once prosperous city, massacring
its Armenian leaders, and burning
the city to the ground.
It was from Shushi, during the
modern Karabakh struggle, that
Azerbaijani forces bombarded Stepanakert
and the surrounding lowlands.
However, in 1992, Shushi became
a crucial battle site that eventually
led to the enclave’s victory.
The Shushi Museum testifies to this
unique history, and accordingly, the
Tufenkian Foundation has brought
nearly $100,000 to the effort to
James Tufenkian answers questions during a reception to support programs in
Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: Harry Koundakjian.
renovate and modernize it.
During his presentation, Mr. Kasbarian
described other important
projects as well, in particular, the
foundation’s collaboration with the
Armenian Missionary Association
of America, whose Shushi summer
camp serves as a source of enrichment
from nearby Kashatagh
(Lachin). These children come mainly
from destitute or single-parent
families who have resettled in this
area amidst difficult conditions.
More than 50 projects
These are two of more than 50 projects
in Karabakh and Armenia that
James Tufenkian has initiated
and put into motion since 1983.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd,
Mr. Tufenkian pointed out that the
Tufenkian Foundation, which was
created in 1999, has a multilayered
program that includes combating
poverty; promoting education;
renewing national, civic, cultural,
and spiritual values; supporting
health care; and rehabilitating the
environment.
He announced that four Tufenkian
hotels today are located in different
regions of Armenia, and that
three more are in the process of being
built, always with the utmost
consideration given to the needs of
the environment, and the beauty of
the location.
To the delight of the crowd,
three dancers of the Shushi Dance
Ensemble, garbed in beautiful Armenian
costumes performed several
of their well-known numbers.
Among the guests attending were
Irina Lazarian, executive director
of the Armenia Fund usa, and
Nareg Haroutunian, who himself
has been instrumental in establishing
several projects in Armenia and
Karabakh, including the Naregatzi
Art Institute.

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 9
Community
alma Armenian Legionnaire traveling exhibit begins
nationwide tour in Whitinsville, Massachusetts
WATERTOWN, Mass. – Légion
Arménienne: The Armenian Legion
and Its Heroism in the Middle East
is a traveling exhibit developed and
prepared by the Armenian Library
and Museum of America (alma) in
honor of the Legionnaires and their
devotion to their nation and to the
cause of liberty during World War I.
The exhibit explores the formation,
training, military action, and postwar
activities of this all-volunteer
force through photographs and
narratives.
alma will premiere the exhibit
at Northbridge Town Hall (7 Main
St., Whitinsville Mass.) from Aug.
31 through Sept. 22. The exhibit is
open to the public Monday 8:30 am
to 7 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Monday, Sept. 14, alma
will host a free public reception at
Northbridge Town Hall from 5 to
7 p.m. in celebration of the exhibit
embarking on its first nationwide
tour. Following its premiere in
Whitinsville, “Légion Arménienne”
will travel to the West Coast in October.
The story of the Armenian Legion
reflects the community’s attempts
to come to grips with the destruction
and devastation following the
Armenian Genocide. It also represents
the successful efforts of Armenians
from different social, economic,
and political backgrounds to
work together for a common cause.
The Legion encompassed a group
of remarkable individuals--some of
them officers, others of no special
rank or distinction--who volunteered
throughout the Diaspora,
overcoming tremendous difficulties
in order to serve their people
and nation courageously, often at
great personal sacrifice. Their lives
are well worth remembering.
Example of dedication
One of these individuals, Hagop
Arevian, provides an example of
the dedication exhibited by the
Legionnaires under extraordinary
circumstances. Born in 1894 in a
small village near Sebastia (Turkey),
he experienced the tragedy
and dislocation that have affected
so many Armenians. His family miraculously
survived the massacres
ordered by Sultan Abdul Hamid in
1894-1896, and moved to the capital
of Constantinople (Istanbul),
where Hagop’s father, Nazareth,
obtained work as a port supervisor.
However Nazareth was soon arrested
and imprisoned by Ottoman
officials on charges of illegal political
activism. Despite repeated appeals
to the authorities, even to the
Sultan himself, Nazareth remained
in prison and ultimately died there.
Hagop received his education in
Mekhitarist schools in the capital,
and in 1914 he went to Alexandria,
Egypt, to join his older brother. With
the outbreak of World War I, he resolved
to fight for the Allies and he
Legionnaires from the United States training in Cyprus, with the tattered American flag they refused to give up.
went to Marseilles, France, to volunteer
for the French Foreign Legion.
After training in Algeria, he
joined the French Army in France.
On leave in Paris, he met Boghos
Nubar Pasha and learned of the
plans to form the Armenian Legion
to fight with the French/British
forces in the Middle East; as part of
the plan the Armenians were promised
autonomy in the regions of
Cilicia, southern Turkey, which had
been allocated to France, according
to World War I secret agreements
between the Allies (France, England,
and Russia).
Arevian, now a corporal first
class, returned to the battlefield in
France and was seriously wounded
at Vitry-le-Francois. Receiving the
valued Croix de Guerre, he was detached
from the Foreign Legion in
1917 and assigned to the Armenian
Legion, which was then training in
Cyprus.
After helping to train the Armenian
volunteers in Cyprus, Arevian
joined the Legion as it marched to
Palestine to join in the campaign
being waged by British General
Edmund Allenby. As a member of
the Fifth Battalion, Arevian participated
in the Legion’s victory at
the Battle of Arara (near Rafat, Palestine)
against a combined Turkish/German
Army commanded by
Mustapha Kemal (later Ataturk).
The victory marked the collapse
of the Turkish/German forces and
culminated in the end of the war in
November 1918.
Marching north with General Allenby’s
forces, Arevian joined other
Legionnaires in rescuing Armenian
women and children who had survived
the death marches of the
Genocide. The Armenian Legion
was now assigned as the advanced
guard to occupy Cilicia. Lt. Col.
Louis Romieu, commander of the
Legion, granted Arevian’s request
for his section to have the honor
of being the first to land in Cilicia,
at the port of Mersin. Arevian was
subsequently stationed in Adana,
the center of the French occupation
in Cilicia, where he served for
the following two years.
By 1920 the political landscape
had shifted drastically. France
turned Cilicia over to the Turkish
nationalists, thus abandoning
thousands of Armenians who had
returned to their homes under
Mother-daughter luncheon to introduce Western
Diocese debutante ball
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The Ladies
Auxiliary of the Western Diocese
has already begun plans and preparations
for the 2010 Debutante Ball.
To introduce this traditional event, a
mother-daughter luncheon for the
prospective debutantes and their
mothers will be held on Saturday,
September 19, at the home of Auxiliary
member Cindy Norian in Beverly
Hills. The purpose of the luncheon is
to provide the prospective debutantes
with information about the ball.
The 2010 ball will be held on Sunday,
February 21, 2010 at the Regent
Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500
Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills.
Ms. Norian, the chair, reports that
her energetic and hard-working
committee have already begun the
myriad of arrangements to ensure
another successful ball.
Currently in its 39th year, the
ball provides an opportunity to
introduce young people to society
and congratulate them on their
achievements. The ball and all
its associated festivities are very
memorable, truly fun occasions for
the debutantes, the escorts, and
their families and friends.
Any young Armenian women who
are interested in participating should
call Geraldine Chuchian (310) 274-
1694or e-mail her at gscmgt@adelphia.net
for further information.
Left: Group of
military police,
including Lt.
Arevian, in
Adana.
Right: 97-year
old Genocide
Survivor from
Marash, Peter
Bilezikian (of
Newton, Mass)
reads the
information
on the exhibit
panels.
the promise of French occupation
and protection. France quietly disbanded
the Armenian Legion, and
Arevian (now a citizen of France)
returned to Egypt, where he married
and established a family and
a successful business. He died in
Paris in 1965.
Enthusiastic response
In recognition of the importance
of remembering the Legionnaires
and their devotion to their nation
and to the cause of liberty, the Armenian
Library and Museum of
America prepared a major exhibit
in 2001. The exhibit was curated by
Ardemis Matteosian in close collaboration
with alma Board Members
Dr. Barbara J. Merguerian and
Arakel Almasian. The enthusiastic
response to the exhibit revealed a
Lt. Hagop Arevian.
tremendous interest in this overlooked
and in many ways unwritten
story.
In response to requests to bring
the exhibit to other locations in the
United States and as part of its goal
of a broader community outreach,
alma commissioned this traveling
exhibit, incorporating the community
spirit of the original into an
informative historic, literary, and
artistic presentation.
The traveling exhibit was made
possible by a grant from K. George
and Carolann S. Najarian, M.D.
Foundation with additional support
provided by The Armenian-
American Veterans of Milford,
Mass., Inc.
connect:
gamavor@almainc.org
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10 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Community
Young Armenian professionals take Windy City by storm
CHICAGO – agbu focus celebrated
its fifth biennial affair with
400 participants from 16 countries
and dozens of American cities in
Chicago from July 16 to 19 with
much style and success. The fourday
event took place around the
Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel,
which is situated in the city’s exhilarating
downtown core and footsteps
away from the relaxing Oak
Street Beach on Lake Michigan.
Networking, cultural, and social
activities throughout the weekend
exposed guests to Chicago’s unique
history and present happenings.
In addition, through the pre-event
efforts of the focus Organizing
Committee, the agbu program
raised over $35,000 for the agbu
Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Project
in Armenia.
First initiated in 2001, focus was
created not only to bring together
young Armenian professionals to
share their international perspectives
on a variety of important issues,
but to showcase notable contributions
and achievements made
by agbu’s diverse programs.
Over the years, this biennial affair
has become the most highly anticipated
event for young Armenian
professionals across the globe with
over 2,000 participants, setting a
standard for other gatherings of
its kind and cultivating a new generation
of agbu members. In fact,
tickets for focus events were sold
out well over a week before the festivities
even began.
Raising awareness and
giving back
“While focus is a great reunion of
friends old and new, packed with
both cultural and social activities,
it is also a time for our generation
to give back,” said Arda Berberian,
who, along with Aline Markarian,
co-chaired the weekend.
Every two years, focus highlights
a specific agbu program
and educates its attendees about
the true spirit, generosity, and diversity
of the organization’s work
throughout the world, launching
a large-scale pre-event fundraising
program with international donors.
“As young professionals, it was
quite evident at focus that we are
prepared and eager to continue
agbu’s mission into the next generation,”
said Ms. Markarian. “This
year, we chose to honor the Hye
Geen Pregnant Women’s Project in
Armenia and are so grateful to all
the individuals who supported our
efforts and donated over $35,000
for this amazing cause.”
agbu Hye Geen is a Los Angeles–
based volunteer committee that
works to honor the achievements
of Armenian women and provides
a forum for them throughout the
world. Their Pregnant Women’s
Project looks to help the next generation
in Armenia as a response to
the shortage of resources for many
potential mothers in Armenia.
The first Pregnant Women’s Center
opened its doors in Gyumri in
2002, followed by the establishment
of a second location in Vanadzor
in 2004. This year, through
funds raised by focus, there are
plans to reallocate resources from
the first center to a new location in
Talin, where there are many poor
and underserved villages.
The Hye Geen Project helped establish
community-based health
resource centers that provide
critical prenatal care to pregnant
women who often suffer from malnutrition,
lack the funds for proper
medical care, and have limited access
to accurate health information.
Expectant mothers can visit
the centers daily to benefit from
vital medical exams, meetings with
Guests from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New Jersey enjoy Saturday’s focus 2009 Gala.
counselors, peer support, nutritious
meals, and vitamins.
To date, over 700 healthy babies
have been born to the mothers who
have attended centers sponsored
by agbu Hye Geen.
“The focus Organizing Committee
is extremely grateful for the outpouring
support of the Hye Geen
program. We are going to make a
huge difference in the lives of so
many present and future mothers
giving life and opportunity to the
next generation in Armenia,” said
Berberian.
Exchanging
perspectives and
defining the “agbu YP”
generation
For this year’s festivities, guests
flew to Chicago from Argentina,
Armenia, Canada, France, Israel, Italy,
Lebanon, Mexico, Russia, Spain,
Switzerland, Syria, the United Arab
Emirates, the United Kingdom,
Uruguay, and over twenty American
states.
The schedule of events included
Thursday night’s Perspectives, a
networking forum featuring a panel
discussion; Friday’s Club Night at
a private club in the heart of downtown
Chicago; Saturday afternoon’s
focus on Art with an architectural
boat cruise; a closing Sunday
brunch; and the weekend’s most
anticipated Saturday-evening gala
at the internationally renowned
and newly opened Modern Wing of
the Art Institute of Chicago.
Thursday’s Perspectives has become
the traditional kickoff event
of focus, bringing guests together
to network and discuss a specific
current issue facing a generation
of young Armenian professionals.
This year’s panel took place at the
River East Art Center, which houses
many of the city’s art galleries.
The evening’s discussion centered
around the legacy Armenian
young professionals want to leave
as Armenians to the next generation
and how the Armenian community
can engage them to take
part and make a difference. The
dialogue was moderated by ABC
News Dubai Correspondent/Digital
Reporter Lara Setrakian, who
was joined by three guest speakers:
Harry Onnig Madanyan from
Chicago, Ignacio Balassanian
from Buenos Aires, and Valentina
Poghosyan from London.
“Perspectives 2009 was a timely
and important discourse on the
community our generation wants
to leave behind,” Ms. Setrakian reflected.
“Valentina emphasized Armenian
culture and history in the
home, as our community sees more
families of mixed cultural backgrounds.
Harry encouraged building
more ‘touch points’ between
members of the diaspora and community
structures – opportunities
to engage and participate at different
stages of life. And Ignacio
pointed out the need to leverage
both social networking and face
time as members of our generation
connect in person and online.”
In addition to insight from Ms.
Setrakian and the panelists, Perspectives
featured a lively discussion
that included a great amount
of participation from audience
members who contributed their
ideas on issues like the importance
of language on cultural sustainability,
the Genocide and its role in
our consciousness, and how to live
an Armenian life in the 21st century.
A speaker from France even
described his generation’s legacy as
“a new pipeline,” and the need to reengineer
the way his peers engage
each other and cross traditional
community barriers.
The discussion was followed by
a catered reception in the fine-art
setting.
Following Perspectives, Friday’s
Club Night at Griffin Lounge gave
guests access to a private and exclusive
venue to socialize and dance
until late in the evening. Everyone
enjoyed a modern mix of music
supplied by a local DJ throughout
the night and mingled in the club’s
uniquely decorated rooms.
Beyond the official focus activities,
the weekend was also the setting
for the agbu Young Professionals
(YP) Biennial Assembly. Twentyfive
YPs representing the leadership
of a dozen YP groups and partner
organizations from seven countries
(Argentina, Armenia, Canada,
France, Russia, the United Arab
Emirates and the United States)
convened Friday morning to engage
in cross cooperation and collaboration
with the end purpose in mind
of strengthening and advancing the
worldwide agbu YP Network.
Co-facilitated by YP Liaison Kim
Yacoubian and YP Northern California
Member Alison Ekizian,
YP representatives, several meeting
for the very first time, participated
in an open exchange on partnership
opportunities and best practices,
with a special presentation
made by agbu YP Yerevan chairperson
Harutyun Poghosyan on
available projects in Armenia.
“Representing the largest and
most diverse attendance for an
agbu YP meeting ever with a clear
focus on international cooperation,”
said Ms. Yacoubian, “this year’s assembly
is testament to the accelerated
growth and popularity of the
YP Network, and the dedication of
the young Armenians belonging to
it who are committed to working
together as a cohesive whole to give
back to the community at large to
preserve our time-honored identity
and heritage.”
focus 2009 Co-Chairs Aline Markarian and Arda Berberian
greet guests during Thursday night’s kick-off event,
Perspectives, at Chicago’s River East Art Center.
Harry Onnig Madanyan from Chicago shares his thoughts about the possible legacy of today’s young Armenian professionals
during Thursday night’s Perspectives event, which was moderated by Lara Setrakian.
A view of Friday’s agbu Young ProfessionalsBiennial Assembly, which included
the participation of 25 leaders from a dozen YP groups and partner organizations
from seven countries.
Cruising for art
and celebrating an
achievement
After a successful debut during focus
Montreal in 2003, the fourth
focus on Art event took place on
Saturday afternoon with a popular
architectural boat cruise on
the Chicago River. Guests enjoyed
a sunny afternoon and gourmet
lunch while marveling at Chicago’s
soaring towers during a tour guideled
discovery of the city and its architectural
treasures.
“As a lifelong Chicagoan, I was
happy to hear the participants’ reaction
to the cruise event and the
weekend overall. They saw our architecture,
our treasures, enjoyed
the food and culture and made
new friends at the same time,” said
Houri Gueyikian, the local member
of the focus 2009 committee.
The highlight and most anticipated
event of the weekend was
the Saturday-night gala, held at
the newly opened Modern Wing of
Chicago’s Art Institute. Beginning
with cocktails in the Museum’s
Grand Staircase surrounded by
fine art, guests had the privilege to
walk through the Alsdorf gallery of
South East Asian Art before being
welcomed into the soaring modern
wing for a multimedia presentation
on the Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s
Centers and an evening with
the Kevork Artinian Melody Band,
which played a selection of Armenian
and international music.
The evening’s master of ceremonies
was Steve Odabashian from
Philadelphia, who introduced focus
co-chairs Arda Berberian and
Aline Markarian.
“This year we invaded the Windy
City and have had the pleasure of
taking in so many of its cultural attributes,”
said Ms. Berberian. “Tonight,
we sit amongst the artwork
of one of the most well-known art
institutions in the world, while
supporting an agbu program. I
hope you will take a moment to
take it all in.”
The co-chairs’ enthusiasm for Hye
Geen was also amplified by a video
presentation illustrating the stories
and faces behind the centers.
Continued on page 11

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 11
Community
Young Armenian professionals take Windy City by storm
Continued from page 10
“The efforts by the Los Angelesbased
agbu Hye Geen Committee
are exemplary and we stand here
today to applaud their achievements,”
said Ms. Markarian. “They
saw a desperate situation and
sought action. I am proud to announce
that the opening of a new
Pregnant Women’s Center in Talin,
Armenia, has been made possible
by our generous donors of this
year’s focus campaign.”
Dr. Lucy Tovmasian from New
Jersey was then invited to the podium
to speak about the importance
of the Hye Geen program from her
professional understanding of its
objectives and success.
“As a doctor [I find that] sometimes
progress is best evaluated
in numbers,” Dr. Tovmasian said.
“In 2001, Armenia’s infant mortality
rate was an unfortunate 41 out
of 1,000 births. In 2008, this rate
greatly improved and, according to
the CIA World Factbook, the infant
mortality was stated to be [fewer]
than 21 out of 1000 births.”
Dr. Tovmasian also quoted Hye
Geen Chair Sona Yacoubian, who
had said: “What we do through this
project is keep two people healthy:
the mother and her newborn child.
This way, mothers will be far less
likely to abandon their children and
both will remain healthy. Just consider
how strong this will make the
future generations of our nation.”
Bonds of friendship
On the final morning of a great
weekend, guests came together for
the last time for a Sunday brunch on
the 16th floor of the Westin Hotel.
A view of Saturday night’s gala in the Art Institute of
Chicago’s soaring new Modern Wing.
The camaraderie of focus certainly
echoed throughout the room amidst
the continual goodbyes with excitement
and eagerness to reunite again
soon and stay active in agbu.
“The weekend was nothing short
of fantastic,” said first-time guest
Alex Grigorians from Los Angeles.
“This was my first agbu Focus and
my only regret is that I missed out
on New York, Montreal, and Miami.
It provided a great setting to
connect and reconnect with young
Armenian professionals.”
“All I can say is that focus exceeded
all my expectations,” said
Ohanes Sangochian from Mexico.
“I am eager to keep in touch with
great Armenians from so many
places worldwide. It would be
focus guests cruise the Chicago River for anarchitectural tour of the city as part of Saturday’s focus
on Art cultural program.
amazing to do events like this more
often to reinforce our Armenian
heritage and friendships.”
Like previous focus events before,
Chicago 2009 helped unite Armenian
young professionals from around the
world to nurture friendships and
strengthen their connection to agbu,
leaving a lasting impression on their
lives. Participants gain a better understanding
of the world’s largest
Armenian nonprofit organization’s
mission to preserve and promote the
Armenian identity and heritage.
“focus 2009 used the same ingredients
of success of the past
four events uniting and providing
a sense of pride to all young Armenian
professionals around the
world who participated,” said Arnaud
Attamian from London, who
has attended every focus event
since the first one was organized in
New York in 2001. “focus is now
a pillar of agbu’s youth programs
by not only cementing friendship
for longtime supporters, but also
adding new people with refreshing
ideas to this powerful network.”
To date, pre-event fundraising efforts
for all five focus events have
raised close to $200,000 for agbu
programs, including the three
agbu-funded Children’s Centers in
Armenia, the American University
of Armenia’s Digital Library, the
New York Summer Intern Program,
the Generation Next Mentorship
Program of Southern California,
Camp Nubar in upstate New York,
the organization’s Scholarship Program,
and now the Hye Geen Pregnant
Women’s Centers.
The group of tireless focus committee
volunteers who worked diligently
behind the scenes for months
leading up to a flawless weekend
included: Co-Chairpersons Arda
Berberian and Aline Markarian
and committee members Natalie
Gabrelian, Houri Gueyikian,
Jenna Ishkanian, Talia Jebejian,
Vadim Krisyan, Ani Manoukian,
Salpi Mekhjian, Sevana Melikian,
and Monique Svazlian.
Planning is already underway for
the 10th Anniversary of agbu focus
in 2011.
connect:agbu.org/focus

Daniel Varoujan Hejinian to show “Colors of Liberty”
by Rosario Teixeira
BOSTON – State Representative
Peter Koutoujian, the
artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian,
and others will be present at the
Doric Hall, Massachusetts State
House, on September 11th, from
12 noon to 2 pm, when Mr. Hejinian
will officially unveil a painting
dedicated to the victims of the
September 11 terrorist attack.
Colors of Liberty is a Peace
of Art project sponsored by Mr.
Koutoujian. The exhibit is a collection
of artwork created by
Daniel Varoujan Hejinian and it
expresses the artist’s vision of
America, his adopted country.
In 1979, Daniel Varoujan
Hejinian came to the United
States to seek the freedom
to express himself as an artist.
He settled in the Boston
area and here he has raised a
family. This is the land where
his father, a survivor of the
Armenian Genocide, came to
die, where his son was born,
where he has let his imagination
soar.
Here, Mr. Hejinian has created
an impressive body of beautiful
and meaningful art work,
from romantic expressionist
paintings, to corporate and religious
murals in seven Armenian
churches. Here he planted
the seeds of a new beginning
and a different future.
Mr. Hejinian chose to be an
American citizen by naturalization.
Amidst hundreds of
people pledging allegiance to
the flag of the United States,
Varoujan was inspired to create
Colors of Liberty.
“There were people of all colors,
from all corners of the world,
from different ethnic groups, cultures,
religions, speaking different
languages, and yet together
as one, with one common goal,
to be American,” says the artist.
“This is where I saw the real face
of America, and I was inspired
to create Colors of Liberty collection.
That intense desire was
renewed in me during the 2008
Above: Daniel
Varoujan
Hejinian in his
studio.
Right: Thinker by
Daniel Varoujan
Hejinian.
presidential inauguration marking
a new beginning in our history
as a people and a nation.”
“The American flag is the most
beautiful of all flags with an ingenious
and modern design,”
Mr. Hejinian adds. “When the
red and white stripes wave in
the wind, I feel its beat as I feel
the beat of my heart. The bright
stars on the midnight blue are
the guiding light to the promised
land.”
Daniel Varoujan Hejinian
is the founder of Peace of Art,
Inc., a nonprofit educational
organization that uses the universal
language of art to bring
awareness to the human condition
and to promote peaceful
solutions to conflict.
The Colors of Liberty exhibit
will be open to the public at
the Massachusetts State House,
Doric Hall, from August 31st to
September 11th.
connect:
colorsofliberty.com
12 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009

Need cash for the summer?
Sell your stuff with the Armenian Reporter
classifieds@reporter.am, 818-955-8407
Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009 13

Aida Sargsian on motherhood
by Vahram Stepanyan
The birth of a child tends to interrupt
careers, especially women’s
careers. Armenian pop stars are
no exception. The popular singer
Aida Sargsian has devoted the
last six months to the care of
her newborn daughter. She responded
to this observation.
Aida Sargsian: Any woman,
after giving birth, needs some
time to readjust physically. For
a singer, there’s also the matter
of restoring her voice. I gave
birth on January 6 in the United
States, and returned to Armenia
three months later. I had
one or two recitals and found
that I was having a hard time
performing. When I was pregnant,
I gave three-hour-long
solo performances. So I decided
to remain silent for a while
until I found my voice again.
Thank God, I think my voice is
back and I am preparing to continue
my recording work.
Vahram Stepanyan: Did
you have a difficult birth?
AS: Not at all. With the support
of my excellent obstetrician,
Kevin Galstyan, I had a
very good birth experience. My
silence is a strictly physiological
issue, which will go away
with time. Just as I will regain
my figure over time. [Smiles.] I
have no complexes about having
put on some weight during
pregnancy; that’s perfectly
normal. But walking down the
street, I occasionally hear women
say, “Aida has put on quite a
few pounds,” as if they haven’t
had any children!
Giving birth in America
VS: You have been on the road
a lot. They haven’t seen you in a
while. Did it just so happen that
you were in the United States
for your daughter’s birth, or had
you planned it that way?
AS: There were no special
plans. The child could have
come earlier or later, when I
would be back here. Before my
last trip, the U.S. Consulate
warned me that if I gave birth
in the United States, I would
have to cover all the costs; if
the state were saddled with the
costs, the doors of the United
States would be permanently
closed to me in the future.
VS: Is giving birth in the
United States an expensive
proposition?
AS: Quite. And that’s even
though my doctor kindly agreed
to forgo his fee. He could have
artificially required me to stay
longer in the birth clinic, which
would have cost me a lot of
money, and he didn’t do that.
Continued on page 15
Aida Sargsian. Photo: Vigen Mnoyan.
14 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009

Aida Sargsian on motherhood
Continued from page 14
But my doctor was decent, and
my baby chose to come to this
world without complications,
and the whole thing cost me a
less than I had feared.
Professional rivalries
VS: It is no secret that you and
other members of Armenia’s
show business elite are not
close. Which of your colleagues
congratulated you on becoming
a mother?
AS: Well, whoever was in the
United States at the time, including
Naira Ter-Karapetyan,
came to visit. A group of singers
who came to Los Angeles
for an awards ceremony came
to visit. And I got many international
phone calls.
VS: You stayed in the United
States for theee months to get
the baby’s citizenship papers in
order?
AS: No. The paperwork was
taken care of quickly. The only
thing that took time was that
I needed a formal paper from
my husband, who was in Armenia,
acknowledging paternity.
I stayed three months on my
doctor’s advice to hold off on
flying with the newborn.
Frequent flyer
VS: Did she take the flight well?
AS: Quite. She was already a
frequent flyer in utero, you see?
[Smiles.] She probably also understood
that they were waiting
for her impatiently in Yerevan.
VS: I take it the reception in
Yerevan was impressive.
AS: Oh, my husband had
organized a spectacular reception.
If you wrote a scenario,
it wouldn’t have been so great.
Before we walked into the airport
terminal, my husband
Arshak was there with a bouquet
of flowers. It was an intimate
moment, because no one
was there but us and one or
two airport workers. Then we
came out and saw all the relatives.
Home was decorated with
balloons and toys. In the yard,
there were fireworks in the baby’s
honor. The only thing was
that the child slept through the
whole thing! Her father was impatient
for her to wake up and
open her eyes, so they could become
acquainted. In any case, I
was surprised by the reception
and expected something more
modest.
Family matters
VS: Just as your wedding was
fairly low key? Even though you
are a public figure, your wedding
was not a big spectacle.
AS: Yes, we had a smallish
reception surrounded by relatives.
Because of my husband’s
work, he does not welcome too
much attention. [He works in
the security apparatus.] His
work also makes it difficult for
him to leave the country too often.
I wish he could accompany
me more often on my tours.
VS: Who helps you care for
your baby?
AS: Sona-Lana – named in
honor of her two grandmothers
– is a very relaxed child, and
caring for her is not especially
challenging. At my husband’s
home, of course, his relatives
help. And when we go to see my
mother, she does not put her
granddaughter down.
Entourage
VS: Have you thought about
childcare while you tour?
AS: My mother will probably
accompany us. I have invitations
to Paris and Berlin for the
fall. I think my mother and my
daughter will accompany me.
That is the suggestion of the
inviting party, people from Gyumri
who have long lived in Europe.
Since I appeared on stage
last fall as an expectant mother,
they wish to see me come with
my child.
VS: That won’t bother you?
AS: On the contrary, it will
help. My mother has traveled
with me often before. That
gives me a sense of security and
confidence.
Fate and business
VS: Now that you have a U.S.
citizen in the family, you have
new possibilities for places to
live and create.
AS: I have never thought
about living elsewhere. Of
course, you never know what
the future will bring. In my
teen years, I didn’t think about
being a singer. I pursued swimming
seriously. I did other
sports. I studied nursing. I
thought about being an athlete,
a doctor, or a lawyer – though
my relatives noticed my talent
in singing and dancing. Time
showed that I was destined to
be a singer. And now it is difficult
to say what fate holds for
my future.
VS: Let’s hope your new business
will join fate in keeping
you in Armenia. How is the
construction of your resort at
Lake Sevan coming along?
AS: The first floor – the restaurant
– is finished. But I have
frozen construction because
there were bureaucratic problems
and there’s the financial
crisis. I think I will resume construction
next year. But it would
be better if I found a partner for
this business venture. If I don’t,
I’ll eventually make it happen
myself. No rush.
Aida Sargsian
with Sona-Lana.
Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009 15

Program Grid
24 – 30 August
EST PST
09:30 pm 12:30 am
10:00 pm 1:00 am
10:30 pm 1:30 am
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09:00 pm 12:00 am
24 August 25 August 26 August 27 August 28 August 29 August
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Kyanqi Gine
2 Yeres
Repeat
Sassounian Commentary
Unlucky Happiness
Repeat
Bari Louys Hayer
HayFilm
Nvagaxmbi tghaner
Sassounian Commentary
Mi katil Meghr
Fort Boyard
Film
Bari Gisher Hayer
Mi katil Meghr
Khohanotz
YO YO
News
2 Yeres
1 original
Fort Boyard
Blef
News
Unlucky Happiness
original 1
Mi Katil Meghr
Kyanqi Gine
original 1
Yere1
Bari Gisher Hayer
Bari Gisher hayer
Kyanqi gine-repeat 1
Unlucky Happiness-repeat 1
News
Khohanotz
2 Yeres
repeat
News
Mi katil Meghr
Aybenaran
News
Bari Louys Hayer
2 Yeres
1 repeat
Blef
News
Unlucky Happinessrepeat
1
Mi Katil Mneghr
Kyanqi Ginerepeat
1
Yere1
Bari Gisher Hayer
Sana Vita
Khohanotz
YO YO
News
2 Yeres
2 original
Bejanyan Br.
Hamerg
nav
News
Unlucky Happiness
2 original
Los Armenios
Kyanqi Gine
original 2
Yere1
Bari gisher hayer
Bari Gisher Hayer
Kyanqi Gine-repeat 2
Unlucky Happines-repeat 2
News
Khohanotz
2 Yeres
repeat
News
Yere1
Mi Katil Meghr
Mer Lezun, Mer xosqe
News
Bari Louys Hayer
2 Yeres
2 repeat
Mi Katil Meghr
News
Unlucky Happinessrepeat
2
Los Armenios
Kyanqi Ginerepeat
2
Yere1
Bari Gisher Hayer
Titus
Sunday
YO YO
News
2 Yeres
3 original
Mi katil meghr
Los Armenios
HayFilm
News
Unlucky Happiness
3 original
Kargin Haghordum
Kyanqi Gine
original 3
Yere1
Bari gisher hayer
Bari Gisher Hayer
Kyanqi Gine-repeat 3
Unlucky Happiness-repeat3
News
Khohanotz
2 Yeres
repeat
News
Yere1
Mer Lezun, Mer Xosqe
Kargin Haghordum
News
Bari Louys Hayer
2 Yeres
3 repeat
HayFilm
News
Unlucky Happinessrepeat
3
Kargin Haghordum
Kyanqi Ginerepeat
3
Yere1
Bari Gisher Hayer
Sana Vita
Khohanotz
Aybenaran
News
2 Yeres
4 original
Internet
Fort Boyard-oragir
News
Unlucky Happinnes
4 original
Blef
Kyanqi Gine
original 4
Yere1
Bari gisher hayer
Bari Gisher Hayer
Kyanqi Gine-repeat4
Unlucky Happiness-repeat4
News
Khohanotz
2 Yeres
repeat
News
Yere1
Mi katil Meghr
Blef
News
Bari Louys Hayer
2 Yeres
4 repeat
Fort Boyard-oragir
News
Unlucki Happinessrepeat
4
Blef
Kyanqi Ginerepeat
4
Yere1
Bari Gisher Hayer
Fort Boyard
Khohanotz
Aybenaran
News
2 Yeres
5 oreiginal
Mi katil Meghr
Mer lazun, Mer xosqe
HayFilm
News
Unlucky Happiness
5 original
Yere1
Kyanqi Gine
original 5
Bari gisher hayer
Internet
Internet
Kyanqi gine-Repeat5
Unlucky Happiness 5
News
Khohanotz
2 Yeres
repeat
News
Haytnutyun
Mi katil meghr
News
Hamerg- Jrashxarh
Mer lezun, mer xosqe
2 Yeres
5 repeat
Blef
News
Unlucky Happinessrepeat
5
HayFilm
Kyanqi Ginerepeat
5
Yere1
Bari Gisher hayer
Mer Lezun, Mer Xosqe
Arajnordaran
Gor
Vardanyan
Sassounian Commentary
2 Yeres
6 original
Mi katil Meghr
Hot Line
HayFilm
Sassounian Commentary
Mi katil Meghr
Los Armenios
Kargin Haghordum
Fort Boyard-oragir
Hamerg
Yere1
Metzeri hamar
Arpa Foundation plans summer networking mixer
30 August
SUNDAY
Unlucky Happiness
Sassounian Commentary
Unlucky Happiness
Sassounian Commentary
Yere1
Blef
Sassounyan Commentary
Hot Line
HayFilm
2 Yeres
6 repeat
Mi katil Meghr
Sassounian Commentary
Mi katil Meghr
Los Armenios
Kargin haghordum
Fort Boyard-oragir
Hamerg
Yere1
Mi katil Meghr
Blef
Arajnordaran
Armenian Teletime
Titus
Class Prof.
Hot Line
Mi katil meghr
Sassounian Commentary
Mi katil Meghr
Yere1
Fort Boyard
Film
Metzeri hamar
GLENDALE, Calif. – The Arpa
Foundation for Film, Music,
and Art will host an industry
networking event on Thursday,
August 27 at 7 p.m. Actors, musicians,
filmmakers, and affma
patrons will have the opportunity
to meet and mingle at Katsuya,
located at the Americana
(701 Americana Way, Glendale).
The foundation will be hosting
the 12th annual Arpa International
Film Festival Friday,
October 23, to Sunday, October
25, at the Egyptian Theatre in
Hollywood.
The festival program includes
the U.S. premier of Haik Gazarian’s
Venezzia, starring two of Latin
America’s great stars, Alfonso
Herrera and Ruddy Rodriguez.
More than 50 feature films,
shorts, documentaries, music
videos, and animations will be
screened during the festival,
including films from Armenia,
Turkey, France, Iran, Spain,
Lebanon, England, Israel, Palestine,
and Germany.
Films by such organizations
as Armenian Educational Foundation
will be featured along
side films starring Olympia Dukakis
(Hove by Alex Webb) and
Sting (Battle for Xingu).
This year, at&t will present
the Arpa/at&t Award for Environmental
Conservation and
Stewardship at the 2009 Arpa
Awards Gala and Reception,
which will be hosted by the Hollyscoop
Girls. The star-studded,
red carpet event will be attended
by stars of this year’s films,
as well as celebrities from the
Hollywood community.
Past attendees include Atom
Egoyan, Alanis Morissette,
Frances Fisher, Shoreh Aghdashloo,
Dean Cain, Vivica A.
Fox, and Arsinee Khanjian.
Stars will be in attendance to
present awards to filmmakers,
and to the recipients of the Armin
T. Wegner Award, Arpa Career
Achievement Award, and
Arpa Foundation Award.
The foundation is offering a
limited number of complimentary
tickets to the networking
mixer with the purchase of an
all-access pass to the festival.
connect:
www.affma.org
1-323-663-1882
Haik Gazarian’s
Venezzia will have
its U.S. premier
at the Arpa
International
Film Festival in
October.
16 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009

Watch Armenia TV on Dish Network. To get a dish and subscribe, call 1-888-284-7116 toll free.
Satellite Broadcast Program Grid
24 – 30 August
24 August 25 August 26 August
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
EST PST
EST PST
EST PST
4:30 7:30 News in
Armenian
4:30 7:30 News in
Armenian
4:30 7:30 News in
Armenian
5:00 8:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
5:00 8:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
5:00 8:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
6:00 9:00 A Drop of 6:00 9:00 Los-Armenos 6:00 9:00 Cool Program
Honey 6:30 9:30 Cost of life- 6:30 9:30 Cost of life-
6:30 9:30 Cost of life-
Serial
Serial
Serial 7:20 10:20 A Drop of 7:20 10:20 A Drop of
7:20 10:20 A Drop of
Honey
Honey
Honey 7:45 10:45 Good
7:45 10:45 Good
7:45 10:45 Good
Night,Armenians
Night,Armenians
Night,Armenians 9:30 12:30 Cost of life-
9:30 12:30 Cost of life-
9:30 12:30 Cost of life-
Serial
Serial
Serial 10:15 13:15 Unhappy
10:15 13:15 Unhappy
10:15 13:15 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
Happiness-Serial
Happiness-Serial 11:00 14:00 News in
11:00 14:00 News in
11:00 14:00 News in
Armenian
Armenian 11:30 14:30 Telekitchen
Armenian
11:30 14:30 Telekitchen 12:00 15:00 Two Faces-
11:30 14:30 Telekitchen
12:00 15:00 Two Faces-
Serial
12:00 15:00 Two Faces-
Serial 13:00 16:00 News in
Serial
13:00 16:00 News in
Armenian 13:00 16:00 News in
Armenian 14:00 17:00 A Drop of
Armenian
14:00 17:00 A Drop of
Honey 14:00 17:00 A Drop of
Honey 14:30 17:30 Our
Honey
14:30 17:30 Our Alphabet
Language,Our Speech 14:30 17:30 Cool Program
15:00 18:00 News in
Armenian
15:00 18:00 News in
Armenian
15:00 18:00 News in
Armenian
15:30 18:30 A Drop of 15:30 18:30 Los-Armenos 15:30 18:30 Two Faces-
Honey 16:00 19:00 Two Faces-
Serial
16:00 19:00 Two Faces-
Serial 16:30 19:30 Unhappy
Serial 17:00 20:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
17:00 20:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial 17:50 20:50 Cost of life-
Happiness-Serial 18:15 21:15 Cost of life-
Serial
18:15 21:15 Cost of life-
Serial 19:00 22:00 News in
Serial 19:00 22:00 News in
Armenian
19:00 22:00 News in
Armenian 19:30 22:30 Good
Armenian 19:30 22:30 Good
Morning,Armenians
19:30 22:30 Good
Morning,Armenians 21:00 0:00 News in
Morning,Armenians 21:00 0:00 News in
Armenian
21:00 0:00 News in
Armenian
21:30 0:30 Two Faces-
Armenian 21:30 0:30 Two Faces-
Serial
21:30 0:30 Two Faces-
Serial
22:15 1:15 Telekitchen
Serial 22:15 1:15 Telekitchen
23:00 2:00 Unhappy
22:15 1:15 Telekitchen 23:00 2:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
23:00 2:00 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
0:00 3:00 Cost of life-
Happiness-Serial 0:00 3:00 Cost of life-
0:00 3:00 Cost of life-
Serial
Serial
Serial 1:00 4:00 A Drop of
1:00 4:00 A Drop of
1:00 4:00 Sana Vita
Honey
Honey
1:30 4:30 News in 1:00 4:00 News in 1:00 4:00 News in
Armenian
Armenian
Armenian
2:00 5:00 A Drop of 2:00 5:00 A Drop of 2:00 5:00 A Drop of
Honey
Honey
Honey
2:30 5:30 Blef 2:30 5:30 Los-Armenos 2:30 5:30 Cool Program
3:00 6:00 Two Faces-
Serial
3:00 6:00 Two Faces-
Serial
3:00 6:00 Two Faces-
Serial
4:00 7:00 A Drop of
Honey
4:00 7:00 The Armenian
Film
4:00 7:00 The Armenian
Film
27 August 28 August 29 August 30 August
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
EST PST
EST PST
EST PST
EST PST
4:30 7:30 News in 4:30 7:30 News in
4:30 7:30 News in
Armenian
Armenian
4:30 7:30 News in
5:00 8:00 Unhappy 5:00 8:00 Unhappy
Armenian
Armenian
Happiness-Serial
Happiness-Serial 5:00 8:00 A Drop of
6:00 9:00 Blef 6:00 9:00 Los-Armenos
6:30 9:30 Cost of life- 6:30 9:30 Cost of life-
Honey
6:00 9:00 Fort Boyard
Serial
Serial 5:30 8:30 Los-Armenos 7:00 10:00 The Armenian
7:20 10:20 A Drop of 7:20 10:20 A Drop of
6:00 9:00 Cool Program
Honey
Honey
Film
7:45 10:45 Good
7:45 10:45 Good 6:30 9:30 Fort Boyard
Night,Armenians
Night,Armenians
9:00 12:00 For Adults
7:20 10:20 Concert
9:30 12:30 Cost of life-
9:30 12:30 Cost of life-
Serial 9:00 12:00 For Adults
9:00 12:00 Cost of life-
Serial
10:15 13:15 Unhappy
10:15 13:15 Unhappy
9:30 12:30 Unhappy
Serial
Happiness-Serial
Happiness-Serial
11:00 14:00 News in
Happiness-Serial
13:00 16:00 voa(The Voice
11:00 14:00 News in
Armenian 11:00 14:00 News in
Armenian
11:30 14:30 Telekitchen
of America)
11:30 14:30 Telekitchen
Armenian
12:00 15:00 Two Faces-
12:00 15:00 Two Faces-
Serial 12:00 15:00 Unhappy
13:30 16:30 Yo-Yo
Serial 13:00 16:00 News in
13:00 16:00 News in
Happiness-Serial 14:00 17:00 Unhappy
Armenian
Armenian 14:00 17:00 A Drop of 13:00 16:00 News in
Happiness-Serial
14:00 17:00 A Drop of
Honey
Armenian
Honey 14:30 17:30 Los-Armenos
17:30 20:30 Concert
14:30 17:30 Blef 15:00 18:00 News in
13:30 16:30 Los-Armenos
15:00 18:00 News in
Armenian 14:00 17:00 Blef
19:00 22:00 News in
Armenian 15:30 18:30 Two Faces-
15:00 18:00 News in
Armenian
15:30 18:30 Two Faces-
Serial
Serial 16:30 19:30 Unhappy
Armenian
19:30 22:30 Good
16:30 19:30 Unhappy
Happiness-Serial
15:30 18:30 Our Alphabet
Happiness-Serial 17:50 20:50 Cost of life-
Morning,Armenians
17:50 20:50 Cost of life-
Serial 17:00 20:00 Two Faces-
Serial 19:00 22:00 News in
Serial
21:00 0:00 News in
19:30 22:30 Good
Armenian
Morning,Armenians 19:20 22:20 A Drop of
18:00 21:00 A Drop of
Armenian
21:00 0:00 News in
Honey
Honey
21:30 0:30 Two Faces-
Armenian
20:00 23:00 Fort Boyard
18:30 21:30 voa(The Voice
21:30 0:30 Two Faces-
21:00 0:00 News in
Serial
Armenian
of America)
Serial
21:30 0:30 Two Faces-
22:15 1:15 Telekitchen
19:00 22:00 Our
22:15 1:15 Telekitchen
Serial
23:00 2:00 Unhappy
22:15 1:15 A Drop of
Language,Our Speech 22:45 1:45 Our Alphabet
Happiness-Serial
Honey
0:00 3:00 Cost of life-
19:30 22:30 The Armenian
23:30 2:30 The Armenian
23:00 2:00 Unhappy
Serial
Happiness-Serial
Film
1:00 4:00 Blef
Film
0:00 3:00 Cost of life- 21:00 0:00 Sana Vita
1:00 4:00 News in
Serial
Armenian
21:30 0:30 Our Alphabet
1:30 4:30 News in
1:00 4:00 A Drop of
2:00 5:00 A Drop of
Honey 22:00 1:00 Cool Program
Armenian
Honey 1:30 4:30 News in 22:20 1:20 Los-Armenos
2:30 5:30 Our
Armenian
2:10 5:10 Fort Boyard
Language,Our Speech 2:00 5:00 A Drop of 22:40 1:40 Blef
3:00 6:00 Two Faces-
3:00 6:00 Two Faces-
Honey 23:10 2:10 Cost of life-
Serial 2:30 5:30 Our Alphabet
4:00 7:00 A Drop of
Serial
Serial
3:00 6:00 Two Faces-
Honey
Serial 2:30 5:30 Yo-Yo 4:00 7:00 Blef
ESSAY
by Nareg Seferian
There are many odd, quirky, inexplicable,
incomprehensible, and
downright surreal aspects to life
in Armenia, especially for those
who are used to the things people
in First-World countries take
for granted. I’m not talking about
conveniences like plumbing or
electricity (which Armenia does
have), or even lofty ideals such as
human rights or the rule of law;
it’s more the social dynamic that
can take getting used to.
One manifestation of the
public psychology is the Armenian
obsession with numbers,
or, to be perhaps a little bit
more precise, cell phone numbers
and license plate numbers
on cars.
There is such a concept as a
“voske hamar,” a “golden number.”
(There are, of course, also
platinum numbers and mere
silver numbers.) A golden number
can be the repetition of a
digit or a combination of digits
(such as 11111, or 121212, or
123123), consecutive numbers
in either order (12345, 54321),
or anything that would strike
The numbers game in Armenia
IT’S KEF TIME
one as fanciful (“007” comes
rushing to mind).
Admittedly, there can be convenience
in choosing certain
numbers – such as when one
opts for a cellphone number the
same as one’s home landline
number (the prefixes for cell
phone numbers and landline
numbers are different) – but
the matter of choosing numbers
appears to take energy and
money on a larger scale than
one might imagine.
A friend of mine who studies
psychology thinks it’s about
standing out. Since we are small
in numbers (hah!) something
as seemingly innocuous as a
phone number can be used to
display status. Not that those
who go for “voske hamarner”
don’t bother with big houses or
fancy cars. But the point is that
in our little society, those numbers
can stand out.
And there’s apparently a good
trade in them too. Any cell
phone place or underground
pedestrian crossing has numbers
pasted to walls of kiosks
and booths. Legal or not, these
merchants are basically reselling
phone cards at a premium,
cashing in on the prevailing
mentality of the desirability of
an easy-to-remember or impressive-in-some-other-way
number.
If this were Ancient Greece
instead of modern-day Armenia,
the Pythagoreans would be delighted,
because, for that school
of philosophy, the number was
the most divine and mystical
phenomenon. I’m not sure how
pious such practices are in Armenia,
but there is certainly an
air of mystery about them. At
least to the uninitiated.
Your news goes right here
See an “ian” on the credits?
Watch a Hye on your local
news? Write the Reporter, and
we’ll get crackin’ to profile
the son or daughter of Hayk
in an upcoming issue.
Point and click an ‘e’ to
arts@ reporter.am (dot am
on the ‘net is for all things
Armenian!).
connect:
arts@reporter.am
Let us know what’s on your mind.
Write to us at
letters@reporter.am
Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009 17

18 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Community
amaa bids farewell to Ambassador Martirosyan
UN envoy reassigned
to Germany
PARAMUS, N.J. – On Monday,
July 27, Ambassador Armen Martirosyan
paid a farewell visit to
the Armenian Missionary Association
of America (amaa), where he
was received by executive director
Andy Torigian and field director
Dikran Youmshakian. During
his service in New York, Mr. Martirosyan
established a cordial relationship
and friendship with amaa
and its representatives.
Mr. Martirosyan was assigned
to the post of permanent representative
to the United Nations
on June 12, 2003. “He carried
out his responsibilities faithfully
and fervently,” commented the
amaa.
Along with his busy schedule at
the UN, he always made time for
the community and became heavily
involved in Armenian community
life in the United States, the amaa
said. He cooperated with all Armenian
organizations and churches.
He made himself available to most
Armenian functions in the tristate
area, personally attending and thus
receiving a special welcome wherever
he went.
Prior to his assignment to the
United Nations, Mr. Martirosyan
served Armenia as deputy foreign
minister and as a two-term member
of the National Assembly. Mr.
Martirosyan is married to Anahit
and the couple have two children:
Vahan, age 15, and Davit, age 9.
Mr. Martirosyan will move to
Germany, as he has been appointed
ambassador in that key country in
Europe.
During his farewell visit, Mr.
Martirosyan thanked the amaa for
their cordial friendship and for the
support amaa had provided, helping
the Permanent Mission secure
healthcare coverage for the staff.
amaa continues to support the Permanent
Mission and the Embassy
in Washington, assisting in providing
health coverage to the staff.
“amaa thanks the ambassador
for his unique service and wishes
him God’s choicest blessings, as he
moves to Germany,” the organization
stated.
Julieann Hovanesian, 77, teacher and community activist
Ambassador
Armen
Martirosyan,
center, with
amaa executive
director Andy
Torigian, right,
and field
director Dikran
Youmshakian.
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – After
a long battle with declining health,
Julieann P. Der Hovanesian, a respected
community leader in her
former hometown of Farmington
Hills, Mich., died peacefully July 4.
Ms. Hovanesian was born Julieann
Pearl Piligian in Detroit in
1931 and grew up in the home of
her Armenian immigrant parents,
John and Isgouhi “Ethel” Piligian
with her two brothers, Roy and
John, on Linwood Avenue near the
city’s center during its heyday as
a manufacturing hub and urban
magnet for immigrant families
seeking employment. Known to
close childhood friends as “Pearlie”
or “Kouhar,” she attended Cooley
High School, graduating cum laude
in 1949, and went on to earn a
bachelor’s degree and teaching credential
from Detroit’s Wayne State
University. For 12 years she taught
fifth grade in the Detroit Public
School system, earning distinction
in her role as a “mentor teacher” to
beginning educators. Her education
continued well into the 1970s
when she earned a master’s degree
in child psychology.
A lifetime member of St. John’s
Armenian Church in Southfield,
Ms. Hovanesian is remembered
fondly by Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian,
Pastor at St. John’s. “Julieann
was a much loved member of her
spiritual home St. John Armenian
Church where she served with devotion
and diligence in many of
the parish organizations. Fondly
remembered as a caring teacher of
Christian Education in the Church
School, an active and creative
member of the parish Women’s
Guild and also singing praise to the
Lord in the parish Komitas Choir,
she has left a legacy of love and a
wonderful example for others to
follow. Truly she will be missed but
never forgotten by all whose lives
she touched,” said Fr. Kochakian.
In 1960 she married Joseph Der
Hovanesian, an assistant professor
of engineering at Detroit’s Wayne
State University who later became
professor and chairperson of mechanical
engineering at Oakland
University in Rochester, Mich. The
couple had two sons, Charles and
John.
Ms. Hovanesian became known
as a community activist in 1980
amaa awards scholarships to needy
and deserving students
when she founded Citizens for
More Responsible Government.
This governmental watchdog group,
based in Detroit’s suburbs, called
for referendums when local governments
took actions that did not
meet with public approval. In the
early 1980s, through a referendum
it quelled plans for a proposed lowincome
housing project in Farmington
Hills, Michigan, and successfully
backed a slate of new city
council members who were more
responsive to public outcry about
the projects. The housing project
was converted to much-needed and
well-accepted low-income housing
for seniors only.
In later years, she was an active
member of her city’s Historical
Commission and Committee to Increase
Voter Participation. As part
of the latter group, she created,
produced, directed, and hosted an
award-winning local television program
called “My Vote Counts.”
An avid cook, Ms. Hovanesian
was known as a kitchen wizard for
her varied recipes, many of them
Armenian, which friends and family
relished when they visited her
Farmington Hills home.
She is survived by her two sons,
her brother John Piligian, and
three grandchildren, Joseph, Ani,
and Daniel Hovanesian.
In lieu of flowers tax-deductible
donations may be made “in
memory of Julieann Hovanesian”
and payable to St. Mary Armenian
Church, 148 22nd St., Costa Mesa,
CA 92627-1715.
naasr expands bookstore,
improves headquarters
PARAMUS, N.J. – The chairperson
of the amaa Scholarship Committee,
Robert Hekemian, Jr.,
recently reported awards totaling
of $105,000 in direct scholarship
grants to college and university
students for the 2009–10 academic
year. This year 53 students applied.
Upon verification of need and academic
qualifications, 51 students
were awarded scholarships.
In addition, $15,000 was assigned
for qualified university students
in Armenia and $300,000 to various
institutions of higher learning,
including Haigazian University of
Beirut and California State University
in Fresno.
“Words cannot express my appreciation
for the support that I
receive from amaa for my studies
at Rutgers University,” wrote one
scholarship recipient, not an English
major. “Hard work has been
part of my college life. amaa’s
scholarship aid will drive me to do
more.”
Most students respond likewise
as they express their appreciation
to the amaa’s Scholarship Program.
It helps relieve the financial burden
that otherwise makes it harder for
students to focus on their work.
For over 40 years, amaa has
helped thousands of college students
with scholarships, thus helping
them to prepare for the future.
Many past recipients have returned
the favor by helping others in need.
The scholarships granted this year
were provided from the income of
several amaa endowment funds
established over the year for this
purpose: John & Sona Abadjian,
John and Mary Abrahamian, Rev.
Hovhannes Agnerian, Haigazoun
& Angel Andonian, Dr. Robert
Nerses Armen, Aynilian Family,
Vahan and Grace Azadian, Rev.
Antranig Bedikian, Tavit & Sirvart
Bogosian, Rev. Dr. Giragos and
Yeprouhie Chopourian, Giragos
M. & Helen T. Churukian, Arthur
Dadian, Drs. Nazareth & Ani Darakjian,
Dr Haig Robert Darpinian
and Berjouhie Timourian, Hagop
& Esther Dohanian Family, Armine
Ejdaharian/Bilezikian, Dr Meguerditch
Ejdaharian, Rev. S.K. & G.T.
Emurian, Ani Etoyan, Charles Mesrob
Garabedian, Flora & Diane Galoostian,
Leon & Matilda Giridlian,
Louise Googooian, Anne (Googooian)
Halford, Khacher and Puzant
Guzelimian, Angele Bedrossian
Hancock, Martin Hatch Jr., Hekemian
Family Trust, Dr. Michael S.
Hovenanian, Peter and Sara Hovenanian,
Paul & Arousiag Iskiyan,
Martha D. Jedidian, George & Elizabeth
Jerjisian, Karekin Kaboolian,
Leo Kaljian, Ohannes & Araxie
Karamanoukian, Alice Odian
Kasparian, Kevork H. and Sirvart
Kassouny Kavouksorian, John
G. Kazanjian, Jeffrey Kerbeykian,
Moses & Victoria Keshishian, Dr.
John Keuhnelian, Lucy Kezlarian/
Philipian, Rev. & Mrs. Dikran &
Yester Koundakjian & Haroutune
& Salihe Berejiklian, Araxie Kouyoumjian
Poladian, Hrant, Dolores
and Rosanne Krikorian, Serge and
Ann Krikorian, Prof. Lootfi Levonian,
Yervant & Virginia Levonian,
Samuel & Victoria Magzanian, Rahel
& Osanna Makanian, Edward
& Helen Mardigian, Albert, Henry
& James Mouradian, Leon Mouradian,
Murad & Yevkin Muradian,
Raymond & Marie Nahigian,
Nazareth, Artin & Yester Nazarian
Memorial Fund, George & Alice
Philibosian, Stephen Philibosian
Fund, Altoon & Sarah Saprichian,
Dickran & Flora Sarkisian, Krikor
& Anna Sermabeikian, Berjouhi
Sherene, Diran Simpadian, Edward
& Hovnan Tashian, Telfeyan Evangelical
Fund, Ezras & Nellie Tellalian,
Dr. Jirayr & Louise Tezel and
Rev. Edward S. Tovmassian.
connect:
amaa.org
BELMONT, Mass. – The National
Association for Armenian Studies
and Research (naasr) Bookstore has
undergone an expansion while significant
improvements have been made
to the naasr Headquarters building.
naasr’s Bookstore, which has
been in existence since the 1960s
as a distributor of books in English
on Armenian and related subjects,
is the largest of its kind in
the world and has long needed additional
space. A wall to an adjoining
room formerly used as an office
was opened, creating a new space
nearly double the previous area. A
table and chairs allow customers to
sit and browse in comfort.
The increased size will allow for
better display of books, including
special featured titles. For example,
in September and October the
bookstore will have a display of featured
titles on Armenian-American
artist Arshile Gorky, a seminal figure
in Abstract Expressionist art, in
connection with major exhibitions
forthcoming at the Whistler Museum
in Lowell and the Philadelphia
Museum of Art.
The bookstore is open from 9:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, as well as on nights when
lectures are held at naasr, and is
accessible online.
Throughout the summer, other
improvements have been undertaken
at the naasr Headquarters.
New windows have been
installed throughout the building
and updated high-efficiency
lighting has been installed in the
second floor Edward and Helen
Mardigian Library, with the remainder
of the building to be
done before the end of summer.
The new lights have dramatically
improved working and viewing
conditions in the library.
New fuel-efficient gas furnaces
will also be installed in the fall.
These green projects have been undertaken
through the generosity
of naasr’s members and friends,
including a major grant from the
Edward & Helen Mardigian Foundation
of Detroit.
The fall will continue what has
been naasr’s busiest year ever
for lectures and public programs.
Through August 2009, it has sponsored
or co-sponsored more than
30 programs in four states and Canada.
The fall schedule is currently
being worked out and announcements
will be forthcoming.
connect:
1-617-489-1610
naasr.org

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 19
Community
At Diocesan Center, community bids farewell to Ambassador
Martirossian, U.N envoy
NEW YORK – On Tuesday, August
4, a farewell reception was held
at the Diocesan Center in honor of
Ambassador Armen Martirossian,
the Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Armenia to the
United Nations, who was soon to
become Armenia’s ambassador to
Germany.
Organized by the Eastern Diocese
and the Fund for Armenian
Relief, the evening was attended
by some 100 people, who gathered
to thank Ambassador Martirossian
for his six years of service
at the United Nations, and
to wish him success in his new
position.
Opening the evening’s program,
Diocesan Vicar Very Rev. Fr.
Haigazoun Najarian spoke about
Ambassador Martirossian’s deep
faith and close connection to the
Armenian Church.
Fr. Najarian said that Ambassador
Martirossian will be remembered
in New York’s Armenian
community, just as the ambassador
will cherish the memories of his
time here.
Vartan Gregorian, president
of Carnegie Corporation of New
York, discussed Armenia’s uncertain
situation on the international
stage, tracing the problems posed
by the closed borders with Turkey
and Azerbaijan.
Given this scenario, he said, it
is critical for Armenia to have
diplomats who can articulate its
needs and represent its interests.
“I’m glad he’s going to be our ambassador
to Germany,” he said of
Ambassador Martirossian. “It will
be helpful to Armenia.”
Drawing a distinction between
short-term aid and long-term
investment, Dr. Gregorian said
that Germany and other European
Union states should aim to
support such efforts as educating
Armenia’s young and developing
the country’s computer,
banking, medical, and other industries.
Dr. Gregorian also stressed that
the initiative must begin with the
Armenian community in Germany,
saying that “charity begins at
home.”
Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of
New York, speaks at the farewell reception for Ambassador
Armen Martirossian.
“I’m amazed at how few Christians
support Armenia,” he said,
adding that Ambassador Martirossian
will need to harness “talent,
investment, and cooperation from
the European Union and from Germany.”
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), recalled the day in
1992 when the Armenian flag
was hoisted alongside the flags
of other countries at the United
Nations, and how Armenia’s UN
Mission first opened its office at
the Diocesan Center.
“It was a great privilege, and it
will always be a mark of honor, for
the Diocesan Center to have played
such a role in our country’s history,”
the Primate said.
Members of Armenia’s delegation
to the U.N. have likewise been
closely involved with the Armenian
Church and the larger Armenian
community in New York.
“To our own people, Armen has
been the kind of ambassador who
goes far beyond his formal diplomatic
mandate, to be helpful to Armenians
in whatever way possible,”
the Primate said. “The Armenian-
American community has been
blessed to enjoy Armen’s attention,
his activity, his brotherly advice
and goodwill.
“From his earliest days in America,
he has felt at home here at
St. Vartan Cathedral, and Armen,
Anahit, and their family were always
in attendance at events here
and in churches around our Diocese.”
But above all, Archbishop Barsamian
said, Ambassador Martirossian
“has shown himself to be a
master of working within the U.N.,
and with his colleagues, to advance
intelligent and just solutions to the
issues of the day.
“Time and again, on a variety of
concerns – Genocide acknowledgement,
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,
and others – Ambassador
Martirossian’s constant attention,
his firm convictions, and his efforts
in public and in the background
were the keys to a positive and beneficial
result.”
Guarantors of
Armenia’s future
Jack Zaven Noorigian, World War II veteran
Right: Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, Ambassador Armen Martirossian,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Council member Papken Megerian, and St. Vartan Cathedral
Dean Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian.
Nagorno-Karabakh, in particular,
has been a priority for Ambassador
Martirossian and his delegation.
“Karabakh won on the battlefields,
and we now have to secure
our military victory on diplomatic
fields as well,” the ambassador said.
He explained that the issue was
especially challenging because the
U.N. Charter is designed to deal
with international conflicts more
so than with internal disputes. In
guaranteeing both the right to selfdetermination
and the territorial
integrity of states, the U.N. Charter
makes it difficult to conduct talks
surrounding a question that falls
under both categories.
Most U.N. member states no longer
support Azerbaijan’s claims to
Nagorno-Karabakh, Ambassador
Martirossian said, though he acknowledged
that the issue needs
continued attention.
“We ourselves are the only guarantor
of a decent future for Armenia,”
he said.
Ambassador Martirossian also
spoke about the important role
played by the Armenian diaspora,
and thanked New York’s Armenian
community for acting as “a reliable
partner” in his ambassadorship.
Recalling the many thought-provoking
conversations he shared
with clergy and other leaders of the
Armenian-American community,
Ambassador Martirossian said he
learned a great deal during his time
at the United Nations.
“It is believed that in order to preserve
national identity, it is the diaspora
that needs Armenia. Although
that judgment is correct, it is not
comprehensive,” he said. “From my
personal experience, I claim that it
was the diaspora that enriched and
strengthened my Armenian identity.
“I give my thanks to you and to
the people of Armenia, for the
times I have succeeded,” he said,
adding with characteristic humility,
“and my apologies for the times I
have fallen short.”
Ambassador Martirossian was to begin
serving as Armenia’s ambassador
to Germany the following week.
Jack Zaven Noorigian.
by Sonia I. Ketchian
Jack Zaven Noorigian died on June
21, 2009, after a lengthy battle with
cancer.
Born in New York City on February
14, 1921, Zaven Noorigian
was one of four brothers – Lazarus,
George, Zaven, and Harry. He was
an avid lifelong lover of the movies
and the beach. Zaven was also a
great Lincoln buff.
Brothers George, Zaven, and
Harry served with distinction in
World War II and were awarded the
Distinguished Service Medal on
May 9, 2001 (Daphne Abeel, “The
Noorigian Brothers: Heroes at War
and at Home,” The Armenian Mirror-
Spectator, December 1, 2001). Enlisting
in the Navy at 21, Zaven received
his boot training in Newport,
R.I., where he was able to meet up
with his cousin Charles Nakshian,
who was already in army uniform
(their photo remains).
Charlie, a brilliant painter accepted
at the Rhode Island School
of Design, would be killed in action
in February 1944 in Italy, one week
before his twentieth birthday, but
eight Noorigian cousins (brothers
James, Leon, and Aram; and brothers
Edward and Everet Mushegh)
would heroically survive the war.
Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, Zaven
served on the USS Hamul, the
USS Altair (both destroyer tenders)
and the USS Hayter (destroyer escort).
Zaven was deployed on shakedown
cruises in Cuba and along the
east coast of the United States. He
also served as a secretary and chief
petty officer in Washington.
While stationed near Bermuda,
Zaven met Dr. and Mrs. Munro,
who had been searching for an Armenian
to translate the certificate
awarded to Mrs. Munro’s deceased
missionary sister Catherine Fraser.
Zaven sent a photocopy to his parents,
and eminent writer and editor
Penyamin Noorigian promptly
returned the translation.
It was a blessing (Gontag) dated
February 15, 1897, from Constantinople’s
Archbishop Malachia
Ormanian for Catherine’s help to
9,000 Armenian refugees in Bulgaria
in the 1890s following the
Turkish massacres of Armenians
from 1894-96. Zaven wrote about
her in “The Remarkable Catherine
Fraser (1869–1899)” in The Armenian
Observer, April, 25, 1979.
After the war and his discharge in
November, 1945, Zaven joined the
Foreign Service in 1949 for 5 years
where he served at the American
embassies in Moscow and Belgrade.
While abroad, thanks to the access
provided by his American diplomatic
passport, Zaven made two
trips to Kharpert in 1950 and 1953.
Because the first time he had
not been able to visit Husenig, the
birthplace of both his parents, he
made a second trip with his mother
Takouhi and even managed to
shoot a clandestine film of currentday
Husenig, which he screened in
the Boston area and Providence.
His riveting story “Journeys to the
Land of Our Ancestors” was published
in the Armenian Mirror-Spectator.
Zaven’s marriage to a Yugoslav
woman ended in divorce.
Under the G. I. Bill, Zaven Noorigian
earned his B.S. (1957) and M.A.
(1962) degrees from Columbia University
in New York City. Movie
connoisseur that he was, Zaven
worked as a personal secretary to
movie producer Mike Todd before
the latter’s fateful plane crash in
1958, and helped promote the film
Around the World in Eighty Days.
He then went on to work as a
high-school Spanish teacher in
northern New Jersey and subsequently
as a school social worker in
the Browns Mills School District, in
southern New Jersey, from which
he retired in 1989. Zaven was handsome,
personable, sanguine, caring,
warm, intelligent, and efficient, so
he was perfect for the job.
His memory was phenomenal;
he could relate the distant past in
vivid detail, such as delivering as
an adolescent to the publisher the
manuscript of the first issue of
Penyamin Noorigian’s acclaimed
literary and political journal Nor
Kir (in Armenian). Conversations
with Zaven were always informative,
lively, fun, and a big treat, as
were his treasured letters to this
writer.
Zaven Noorigian leaves his
brother Harry and sister-in-law
Rosine, many nieces and nephews,
great nieces and nephews, and loving
cousins, among whom Philip
P. Ketchian and this writer are but
two.

h fort.
Amasia
Vahramaberd fort.
Marmashen Mon.
umayri fort.
on.
I mnt
Akhurian
MARALIK
2047
ar - paleolithic
ttlement
Q
TALIN
Ashotsk
Sardarapat
Monument complex
LORI
20 STEPANAVAN
TUMANIAN
Kirants Mon.
TOVUZ
The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
GYUMRI
In Karabakh talks, promise of a referendum in return for land
Goshavank Mon.
Lmbatavank Mon.
Hogevank Mon.
TSOLAKERT (IGDIR)
ACHKASAR mnt
3196
ARTIK
Haritchavank Mon.
ARAGATZ mnt
Dzoraget
SPITAK
4092
Pambak
TASHIR
Armenia
APARAN
Khuchap
Mon.
VANADZOR
Khorakert
Mon.
Karabakh. So there is a way that
Saghmosavank Mon.
ARAILER mnt
self-determination is expressed 2575 in
Amberd fort. Ohanavank Mon.
terms of this interim status and the
Byurakan
final status Tegher Mon. that will be determined
YEGHVARD
by the vote,” Mr. ASHTARAK Bryza said.
Arutch
karavansaray
The principle of territorial integrity,
as the American diplomat put
Oshakan
it, will be reflected with the return
VAGHARSHAPAT
Ejmiatzin
of the “seven territories surrounding
Metzamor Nagorno-Karabakh” - metallurgical
to Azer-
ARMAVIR
Cathedral
and observatorian complex
(4-3 th. B.C.)
baijan.
MASIS
“Those territories will be returned
in a staged way, as President Aliyev
described in July in an interview
with Russian television; five or Khor six Virap
Monastery
territories being returned immediately
and one or two or part of
one and another territory returned
with some delay, maybe in five
years, maybe in another number of
MASIS (GREAT ARARAT) mountain
years. So we will 5165 also take care of
the principle of territorial integrity
3925
SIS (SMALL ARARAT) mountain
by the return of these territories to
Azerbaijan with the final legal status
of Nagorno-Karabakh to be determined
at some point,” he said.
In addition, “knowing that the
most important factor for the
residents of Nagorno-Karabakh is
their security,” there will be a special
security regime with guarantees
that ensure that there won’t
be any threatening military forces
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh;
there will be international peacekeepers.
Nothing is agreed until
everything is agreed
Finally, another key element, according
to Mr. Bryza, is the corridor
that connects Nagorno-Karabakh
to Armenia and the opening of all
transit routes between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, including Nagorno-
Karabakh and Nakhichevan.
“I truly do believe that the two
presidents right now are on the
verge of a breakthrough that will
clear the way, could be in months,
to finalize the Basic Principles. I
can’t predict exactly when they will
come up with that agreement to finalize
the Basic Principles because
they still wonder about each other;
they wonder, Does my counterpart
really want a settlement or is he
trying to manipulate me? Is he trying
to get more concessions from
me so that the agreement looks
as good as possible to his population
or is he simply trying to get a
little more advantage over me?” Mr.
Bryza said.
The U.S. diplomat, who according
to persistent rumors, is a contender
for the position of U.S. ambassador
to Baku, said, “The Karabakh and
Armenian-Turkish negotiations are
separate processes; they are moving
forward at different speeds, but
they help each other as one process
moves forward.”
Referring to Presidents Serge
Sargsian and Ilham Aliyev, he
added, “There is no agreement yet
but they are very close. Nothing is
agreed upon until all the elements
are agreed upon at once.”
Kasakh
Hankavan
n Continued from page
Dzernak
fort.
LALVAR mnt
2543
AKHTALA
LALVAR
Odzun
Kecharis Mon.
TZAGHKADZOR
Hrazdan
Debed
Sanahin Mon.
Haghpat Mon.
DILIJAN
national park
Haghartzin
Mon.
Makaravank Mon.
Sevan Mon.
SEVAN
Reading the documents
The Madrid Document was presented
to the foreign ministers of
Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2007.
An updated proposal was placed
on the table in July 2009, and the
main elements were publicized.
How does the updated version,
which is sometimes referred to as
the Krakow Proposal, differ from
the Madrid Document?
The Armenian Reporter was able
to review the still-secret Madrid
Document in its various manifestations.
This review and interviews
with former and current officials
intimately familiar with the negotiations
show that the Krakow Pro-
national park
posal does not differ profoundly
from either the original Madrid
Document or from the Hayravank working paper
presented to the sides in
Mon.
2005.
l a k e
GAVAR
Points of contention
YEREVAN
ARTASHAT
HRAZDAN
CHARENTSAVAN
BYUREGHAVAN
ABOVIAN
Garni
AYRUM
DILIJAN
lake Parz
SEVAN
NOYEMBERIAN
Araks
Lastiver rock
Aghstev
IJEVAN
At the core of all these documents
are four basic principles: that the
AZHDAHAK mnt
resolution of 3598 the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict must be based on
the principle Geghard Mon. of self-determination
(Ayrivank)
through Havuts a Tar referendum, Mon.
a plebiscite,
a popular vote, or a legally binding
expression of will; that certain
KHOSROV
territories reservation must be returned; that
internally displaced Sulem persons karavansaray must
Geghi fort.
have VEDI the chance to return; and that
St.Stepanos Mon.
there must be security guarantees.
Hovhannes-Karapet
ARARAT
The principles Mon.
are certainly important,
but as they say, the devil
is in the details. In order to decide
Yeraskhavan
Areni
the acceptability or unacceptability
of any document, one has to review
not the positive points of the
Noravank Mon.
document, but its negative aspects.
Simply put, if all the points in the
SHARUR
document are acceptable except for
one, then the whole document can
be considered unacceptable.
Znaberd
The Madrid Document, presented
in November 2007, is composed
of 14 basic principles, and incorporates
the four founding principles.
The first point is about the status
of Nagorno-Karabakh, which, according
to the Madrid Document,
must be decided by a plebiscite. Legally,
a plebiscite differs somewhat
from a referendum. If a referendum
is legally binding, a plebiscite isn’t
necessarily so. And in the updated
Madrid Document, the term “expression
of will” is used, which isn’t
a legal term, although it is qualified
as “legally binding.” Both Armenia
and Azerbaijan have neither rejected
nor accepted the Madrid and
updated Madrid Documents.
Kelbajar linked to
referendum
Nor
Varagavank Mon.
Argitchi
Noratus
khachkar-field
TCHAMBARAK
S E V
Over the years since the failed 2001
Key West talks, Armenia and Azerbaijan
have been arguing around
three basic issues. The first was
when Kelbajar would be returned.
The second was how the region of
Lachin – beyond the narrow corridor
around the Goris-Stepanakert
Highway – would be dealt with. The
third was the status of the Lachin
corridor.
The Armenian Reporter
was able to review
the still-secret
Madrid Document
in its various
manifestations.
BERD
Following the 1994 ceasefire, during
all negotiations, the Armenian
side has agreed in principle to return
five of the seven regions that
adjoined the former Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region. Former
President Robert Kocharian was
also not against the return of Kelbajar
– but only after a referendum
determining the final status of
Nagorno-Karabakh. The February
2006 talks in Rambouillet, hosted
by French President Jacques Chirac,
came to an impasse for this
very reason.
Azerbaijan insists that Kelbajar
must be returned within a specific
and determined time frame
– three, five, or 10 years. Armenia
insisted that the return of that region
should be linked to the carrying
out of the referendum. In other
words, Armenia wasn’t opposed to
GAZAKH
MARTUNI
A N
Khoranashat
Mon.
Yergevanits
fort.
SEVAN national park
Tsakhats Kar Mon.
Hermon Mon.
VARDENIS mnt
3521
Arpa
AGHSTEV
YEGHEGNADZOR
VAYK
Nakhijevan
NAKHICHEVAN
Kura
Artzvashen
Vanevank Mon.
St.Gevorg Mon.
Karmirvank Mon.
Darashamb Surb
Stepanos Mon.
Gndevank Mon.
Hazarabyurats Mon.
Makeniats Mon.
JERMOUK
Surb Khach Mon.
St.Karapet
Mon.
VARDENIS
The unique Armenian Medieval
khachkar-field of Old Jugha was
destroyed by Azerbaijan authoriries
in 2005-2006
JUGHA (JULFA)
Hreshtakapetats Mon.
GETABAK
Amenaprkich Mon.
Amenayn Srbots Mon.
Yernjak fort.
Tzaghkotsavank Mon.
ARMENIA
NAKHICHEVAN
(Azerbaijan)
JULFA
Áàðñóì
Charekavank Mon.
KARHAT (DASHKESAN)
Tanahat Mon.
Áàðóì
Surb Nshan
Mon.
Astvatzatzin Mon.
St.Tovma Mon.
returning Kelbajar quickly – even
within a year – as long as the referendum
took place first. It was
apparent to everyone that carrying
out a referendum in the future was
added to the document as a facesaving
measure for the sides, and
a referendum would never take
place; thus, Azerbaijan insisted on
a definite timeframe instead of a
definite order of events.
Lachin: the region and
the corridor
Tzara Astvatzatzin Mon.
The second dispute was over the
portions of Lachin that were not
part of the land corridor. Azerbaijan
demanded the return of the region
of Lachin, with the exception
of the Lachin corridor. The region
of Lachin covers an area of 1,835
square kilometers and Azerbaijan
does not want to give that up. During
the negotiations, the Armenian
side was trying very hard to ensure
that the corridor be as wide as possible,
at least 30–40 km. In this way,
what remained disputed was when
the region, minus the corridor,
would be returned and how wide
the actual corridor would be.
The third and most fundamental
problem, around which the Armenians
and Azerbaijanis had been
arguing from 2004 to 2007, had to
do with the status of the Lachin
corridor. Armenia insisted that the
Lachin corridor would have the
same status as Nagorno-Karabakh.
Another point of contention was
the status of the Lachin corridor
in the interim period between the
signing of an agreement and the
referendum to determine Nagorno-
Karabakh’s final status.
Azerbaijan was opposed to the
Lachin corridor having the same
status as Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku
proposed several alternatives to be
Trtu
KARVATCHAR
(KELBAJAR)
SISIAN
VORDUAR (ORDUBAD)
Levonaberd fort.
Shoghavank Mon.
ISHKHANASAR mnt
3548
Karahunj
observatory
(4 th. B.C.)
Vorotnavank Mon.
Vorotan
Tatev Mon.
ARAMAZD mnt
3392
Halidzor fort.
KAPUTJUGH mnt
3906
KAJARAN
Dadivank Mon.
Baghatskar Mon.
Arakelots Mon.
Tztiternavank Mon.
3201
KHUSTUP mnt
SHIKAHOGH
reservation
Goris and
Khndzoresk
cave-settlements
Bgheno Noravank Mon.
Vahanavank
Mon.
Kajkert Mon.
Horekavank Mon.
MARGUSHEVAN
Yeghishe Arakyal
Gyulistan fort.
Mon.
Khatravank Mon.
Gandzasar Mon.
MRAV mnt
3348
Sarsang res.
Astvatzatzin Mon.
KAPAN
Voghji
Araks
Kachaghakaberd fort.
Yeritsvank Mon.
Ghazanchetsots
church
Krvaberd fort.
Vankasar Mon.
Amutegh Mon.
Shushi fort.
SHUSHI
Dzoravank Mon.
KOVSAKAN
(ZANGELAN)
able to use the corridor simultaneously
with the Armenians. Baku
proposed that it belong neither to
the Armenians nor to the Azerbaijanis,
but rather be placed under
the protection of the OSCE, or perhaps
be rented the corridor to the
Armenians. In this way, Azerbaijan
did not want to sign a document
that could place its ownership of
Lachin into question.
Unanswered questions
When Robert Kocharian became
president in 1998, he refused to
continue the negotiations as they
had been conducted in the previous
years by Yerevan, Baku, and
Stepanakert.
Armenia’s third president, Serge
Sargsian, continued the negotiations
and ensured continuity in the
negotiation process. The co-chairs,
Yerevan, and Baku accept that in
Hagari
Khachen
NAGORNO-KARABAKH
MEGHRI
AGARAK
SHAKASHEN (KHANLAR)
Getashen
GORIS
Nrnadzor
SHAHUMIAN
Trtu
STEPANAKERT
BERDZOR
(LACHIN)
KUBATLU
MIJNAVAN
MARTAKERT
ASKERAN
Mayraberd fort.
"We and our Mountains"
Katarovank Mon.
Tovmasaberd fort.
Gtchavank Mon.
AGDAM
AZERBAIJAN
Aghjkaberd fort.
Azokh cave
HADRUT
Karkar
Khudaperin bridges
IRAN
JRAKAN
(JEBRAIL)
MARTUNI
Amaras Mon.
VARANDA
(FIZULI)
The map shows the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic today, but the administrative divisions shown are the
Soviet-era ones. Shown in ligher gray is the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, and in darker gray, the Sovietera
districts of Kelbajar, Lachin, Kubatly, Jebrail, Fizuli, and Aghdam. Karabakh forces temporarily controled Shahumian,
in the north, during the war. Part of Martuni, which was part of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, was lost to
Azerbaijan during the war. Armenian Reporter map © 2009.
HORATIS
Life in Karabakh: girls in the Mets Tagher village of Hadrut. Photo: Vincent Lima.
the last several months, the negotiation
process has seen progress.
It was even said that after the July
17 meeting of the two presidents in
Moscow, an announcement would
be made about an agreement over
the Basic Principles – which did
not happen. If progress has been
made, the question is this: have the
disputes surrounding Kelbajar, the
region of Lachin, and the Lachin
corridor been resolved? If so, what
mutual concessions have the side
agreed to?
Is it possible that President Sargsian
and Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian have been able to ensure
that Kelbajar will not be returned
until a referendum is held?
Is it possible that Yerevan has been
able to secure a favorable resolution
to the issues of the Lachin region
and the status of the Lachin corridor?
That remains to be seen. f

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 21
Armenia
Market update
by the Cascade
Investments Group
FX outlook
The USD/AMD pair rate posted upward
movement in July and was
near AMD 360-370/USD 1. The volume
of dollars traded on the NAS-
DAQ OMX Armenia decreased by
57% to USD 27 million, with an average
price AMD 365.5/USD 1. We
believe the dram’s depreciation is
manly associated with the intervention
of the CBA. A drastic fall
of the pair rate to AMD 360/USD
1, followed by a CBA intervention
resulted in the dram’s depreciation
to AMD 370/USD 1. Meanwhile, we
are of the view the Central Bank
will intervene only in case of drastic
fluctuations. So, if the rate once
again goes down to the lower limit,
there is a big likelihood that the
CBA will no longer support the dollar
and the rate will go down.
The EUR/USD pair rate was fluctuating
from 1.39 to 1.43 throughout
July. The month was full of
events favoring the single currency
and positioning it notably higher
against its North American counterpart.
The USD started to lose
steadily since the world economy
posted more solid signs of recovery.
Improvements in German
business confidence along with
recovered risk appetite helped the
euro to gain a strong position and
climb to a two-month high versus
the USD. Notable improvements
in U.S. macroeconomic indicators
suggested the United States has
found its way for recovery, bringing
optimism to the stock markets.
This factor increased the level of
risk tolerance among investors
moving them back to high-yielding
positions. This tendency left
the USD, currency associated with
a low rate and safety, in an unattractive
position, damping demand
for it. A recently reported two-year
high in a manufacturing index and
a less-than-expected contraction
of GDP enhanced the existing optimism
of markets weighing negatively
on the dollar’s outlook and
pushed the currency down by further
points.
However, we are of the view that
before a full recovery, markets
again will experience an unprecedented
fall, boosting demand for
dollars. So the key difficulty in forecasting
near-future movements of
the rate is the timing or the length
of period the world economy will
be supported by optimistic data.
Key macroeconomic
indicators
GDP
For January-June Armenia’s GDP
contracted by a further 16.3% compared
to the same period in 2008.
The decline reflects 53.5% and 11.5%
declines in the construction and
industry sectors. The export and
import indicators fell by 45.9% and
27.5% respectively, while the service
sector rose by 9 basis points.
Construction and external trade
are the most volatile sectors pushing
the volume of the gross product
down. However, compared to the
previous month, many indicators
posted some improvements. For
instance export and import went
up by 37.9% and 45.7% respectively.
Industrial output posted 2 percentage
points increase. On the whole,
our economy seems to be on a slow
recovery path following the world’s
tendency. However, the situation
can be radically changed depending
on further movements on the
world markets.
Cascade Business
Sentiment Index (CBSI)
In July the CBSI rose from 3.5 to
4.0. The positive tendency reflects
increased optimism on the world
markets.
Cascade Commodity
Index (CCI)
In July the Cascade Commodity
Index fell by 5% to 19453.3. The
downward movement of the index
reflects decrease of the meat price.
The price of fuel remains on the
same level.
Inflation overview
On August 11 the CBA Board decreased
the refinancing rate by a
further 0.25% to 5.25%. The July
deflation rate was 2.7% compared
to June and YOY inflation 3.1%.
Increased optimism on the world
markets resulted in increased prices
of some commodities. However,
the inflation rate remains on the
low level and further decrease of
the refinancing rate can be useful
for acceleration of the economic recovery
of the country.
Corporate securities
In July the activity level on the
NASDAQ OMX Armenia was at a
record low. The volume of corporate
bonds traded on the NASDAQ
OMX Armenia decreased by 88.9%
to AMD 162 million. The average
yield went down from 11.89% to
11.39% and 7226 securities were
Orran raises over $130,000 to help families in need
YEREVAN – Friends attending a
banquet at the Yerevan Marriott
Hotel pledged more than $130,000
to support Orran’s charitable activities
in Armenia. The organization
had only hoped to raise $42,000 at
the event, held August 14.
Founder and Board chairperson
Armine K. Hovannisian recounted
a recent visit to three of
the families in crisis supported by
Orran. She said she wanted to disbelieve
the extent of their poverty,
%
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going so far as to open cupboards
and the fridge – which in one case
had long been out of service. But,
alas, things were as bad as her staff
had reported.
Major benefactor and Board
member Krikor Krikorian, who
is based in London, said donations
had dropped over the last year, and
asked for additional support.
Much of the money raised came
from an auction conducted by
Jonathan Stark, CEO of Cascade
Capital Holdings. On auction were
flowers that represented flowerbeds
and trees that would be planted
at Orran’s centers in Yerevan
and Vanadzor. The auction raised
$64,000, with notable contributions
by Mr. Krikorian and Garo
Armen, Ph.D., founder of the Children
of Armenia Fund, who was
present at the banquet.
Vivacell-MTS, one of Armenia’s
mobile-phone operators, represented
by Ralph Yirikian, matched
%
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390
370
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330
310
290
270
%
570
520
470
420
370
USD/AMD
J-08 M-08 M-08 A-08 O-08 D-08 J-09 M-09 M-09 J-09
USD/AMD USD/AMD Index (Jan'08- 100%)
EUR/AMD
J-08 M-08 M-08 A-08 O-08 D-08 J-09 M-09 M-09 J-09
EUR/AMD EUR/AMD Index (Jan'08- 100%)
Armenians buckle up amid police crackdown
CPI
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
traded. However, during the last
week the situation posted notable
improvement followed by increase
in transactions’ volume. We believe
this fact is mainly associated with
imbalance between yields of government
and corporate bonds. The
price of government bonds rose
and investors started to buy relatively
cheap corporate bonds. This
tendency resulted in a decrease of
the yields.
In July the most actively traded
bonds were HSBC with 30% trade
volume. Nominal value is AMD
100,000; total volume AMD 1 billion;
annual coupon yield 9%; maturity
date 13.01.2009. f
the amount, raising the total to
$128,000.
A champagne raffle and admission
tickets added to the total.
Ms. Hovannisian also read the
names of friends of Orran who
had renewed their major support
on the eve of the banquet. They
included Gerard and Cleo Cafesjian
of Naples, Fla., and Vahagn
Hovnanian of Yerevan.
Among the dignitaries present
were Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch
of the United States
– who made a personal pledge of
support – and the ambassadors
of Italy, Poland, and the United
Kingdom. Also present was the
U.S. deputy chief of mission Joseph
Pennington, who had donated
$5,000 the previous year
along with his wife Amberin Zaman.
At the time he served as
chargé d’affaires at the U.S. embassy.
f
—V.L.
0
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by Karine Simonian
YEREVAN (RFE/RL) – Motorists in
Yerevan began wearing their safety
belts in droves on Thursday to avoid
paying hefty fines that are finally
being enforced by traffic police.
The use of seat belts has long
been mandatory in Armenia. The
Armenian police began cracking
down in earnest on the widespread
and long-standing defiance of the
legal requirement in the capital on
Wednesday, August 19, one week
after the government approved a
five-year plan to make roads safer
for drivers and pedestrians. Prime
Minister Tigran Sarkisian singled
out seat belt use as a key element of
that plan.
According to the police, more
than 200 persons were fined 5,000
drams ($13.50) each on Wednesday
for failing to buckle up while
driving. The vast majority of Yerevan
drivers appeared to be driving
with fastened seat belts the next
day.
“I didn’t expect to see such a drastic
change,” Arsen Arshakian,
commander of a road police battalion,
told RFE/RL. “I enjoy observing
it.”
“The traffic police are ensuring a
gradual transition to safer driving,”
he said.
“We buckle up so they don’t fine
us,” explained one motorist. “I
didn’t do that until yesterday. Why
should I pay 5,000 drams?”
Some drivers found the experience
unusual and inconvenient.
“It feels likes something is handing
from your neck,” said one
of them. “True, we are not used
wearing seat belts, but little by little
people find that normal,” said
another.
[Several drivers were observed
by the Armenian Reporter pretending
to wear seatbelts, with the belt
covering the shoulder closest to
the door, or brought close to the
A driver in
Yerevan. Photo:
Hayk Badalyan/
Photolure.
buckle but left unbuckled. Asked
about the practice, they said they
found it inconvenient to buckle in
and buckle out.]
f

22 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009
Commentary
Editorial
Notebook
Apres Apres
by Vincent Lima
YEREVAN – Every summer the Armenian
Reporter’s mailbox is filled with stories about
journeys to Armenia – school trips, church
trips, young professionals’ trips. People travel
to connect with their roots, to discover
or rediscover the country and its people, to
make themselves useful through organizations
such as the Armenia Volunteer Corps,
the Fuller Center for Housing, or Habitat for
Humanity, and sometimes to proselytize.
I do not tire of the stories. Every new group
and new initiative has its own energy, and it
is interesting to see how expectations and
reactions have evolved over the years.
I made my first trip to Armenia in 1992, returned
a few times over the years, and moved
here with my family three years and some
months ago. I bought and renovated a house
I enjoy living in. My children go to school here.
I work with a wonderful group of creative, industrious,
and interesting people I recruited
to help bring you the Armenian Reporter. So
perhaps I should consider myself beyond the
connect-discover-make oneself useful stage.
But during the Reporter’s two-week vacation,
I seized an opportunity offered by Apres
Zohrabyan and his Bnatachar initiative, and
went camping in Karabakh. Once again, I was
back to connecting and discovering.
The new middle class
For the last three years, I have accompanied
Apres from time to time on hiking trips in
various parts of Armenia. The first time I
went, I was surprised to find Rusan Avetisyan,
the Armenian Reporter’s chief accountant
at the time, and her nephew on the bus with
me and my family.
The fact is, however, that Rusan typifies
the participants in Apres’s excursions.
Almost everyone on the Karabakh trip
was born and raised in Armenia. Most were
women, with a couple of mother-daughter
pairs. Many of the participants worked in
the banking sector. Two were computer programmers.
In short, it was Armenia’s new
and relatively small middle class taking a
break to discover the homeland. Besides my
two daughters and me, the only noncitizens
of Armenia in our group of 26 were a graduate
student from Ann Arbor and a teenager
raised in Belarus who was spending the
summer with his aunt in Armenia.
And that is the main point that struck me
about the camping trip. Trips to Europe and
various parts of the United States are popular
with Armenians in Armenia and America
alike (one participant in the Karabakh trip
had just returned from South Africa, another
from Detroit), but diaspora Armenians are
not alone in feeling a need to discover the
homeland.
Karabakh revisited
It was a comfortable ride and the driver, Aksel,
was safe and risk-averse. If you have been
in Armenia, you know he is a member of a
rare breed.
Our first destination was Hadrut. There,
pretty much in the middle of nowhere, we
arrived at the New Life resort. It is a business,
but in a sense, it is owner Artur Aghabekyan’s
gift to the people of his native village of Mets
Tagher and to the people of Karabakh. Mr.
Eight-year-old Noor on one of the charming cobblestone lanes of Shushi. Photos:
Vincent Lima.
Aghabekyan was a commander of Hadrut
forces in the Karabakh War, and was seriously
wounded in combat. He served as deputy defense
minister of Armenia, a post he resigned
to run (successfully) for parliament on the
ARF ticket. He served as chair of the parliamentary
Commission on Defense, National
Security, and Internal Affairs until his party
quit the governing coalition this April.
We pitched our tents there and headed for
the enormous swimming pools to cool off.
The next day we went to Gtchavank. It was
an arduous climb, but my four-year-old Arev
made me proud and made it all the way up.
When Arev and I arrived, my eight-year-old,
Noor, was already there, picking wild blackberries,
which she shared with us.
Strong women
That was the sweet reward for the hike. The
inside of the church was covered in graffiti,
much of which was left from the Soviet era.
When Arev climbed on the altar to grab a couple
of candles, one of the young women on the
trip said the little girl was not allowed to be on
the altar because she bore Eve’s original sin.
That evening Noor and I had an interesting
discussion about misogyny and the church.
In many ways, however, this trip sought
to break such traditions that discriminate
Bnatachar offers dancing lessons in addition to its excursions.
Some of the campers moving gracefully as a birthday is marked.
The trek to Gtchavank was arduous, but 4-year-old Arev made it .
Campers pitched their tents near the Khachen River below the
Gandzasar monastery.
against women and girls. Looking at Noor
and Arev, two of the young women on the
trip told me that they wished they had been
raised to be so strong and free and selfconfident.
They said they had only learned
to swim over the last year. All I could say was,
Look at you now: you’re camping in tents,
swimming, hiking, speaking, and living with
verve and confidence and I have no doubt
that’s how you will raise any children you
may choose to have.
Soon we were in Mets Tagher (which, I
later learned, was home to our Washington
editor Emil Sanamyan’s forebears), where
Continued on page 23 m
Armenian Reporter (ISSN 0004-2358), an independent newspaper,
is published weekly by Armenian Reporter llc.
Copyright © 2009 by Armenian
Reporter llc. All Rights Reserved
Gerard L. Cafesjian, President and ceo
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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box
129, Paramus, NJ 07652-0129.
The views expressed, except in the editorial, are
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Editor Vincent Lima
Associate editor Maria Titizian
Washington editor Emil Sanamyan
Eastern U.S. editor Lou Ann Matossian
Assistant to the Editor Seda Stepanyan
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The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009 23
Commentary
Rev. Vahan Tootikian champions the Armenian press
by Mitch Kehetian
Detroit – Through the years, Rev. Vahan
Tootikian has served as a pillar of strength
of the Armenian Evangelical movement – a
spiritual devotion he launched 50 years ago
as pastor of a church in Damascus, Syria.
He also champions the cause of the press
in America, and in particular the role of the
Armenian press in the diaspora while offering
pointed thoughts on why Armenians should
read and support the Armenian press in the
United States.
“Our people are not good readers, newspapers
or books. Like the American public, we
let the one-liners on television news to keep
us informed. That’s not enough. Every home
should subscribe to a newspaper – and by
all means, at least one Armenian newspaper.
That should be a family priority,” Rev.
Tootikian said.
Until his retiremement in 2005 as minister
of the Armenian Congregational Church
in Detroit, Rev. Tootikian also excelled as
a wordsmith of religious knowledge while
writing about the Evangelical movement and
Mitch Kehetian is a past president of the Detroit
Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists.
In 2006 he was honored with a “lifetime achievement
award” by the Journalism Department of
Wayne State University.
Letters
The exclusion of women
from the priesthood
Sir:
“Armenian Church ordains 27 men to the
priesthood” (Armenian Reporter, August 1,
2009), and not a single woman?
For sure there must be some Armenian
women who have the desire and are qualified
to be priests, probably more than their male
counterparts. There is no sound theological
reason for the exclusion of women from the
priesthood. The worldwide Christian Church,
in all its current varieties, would most likely
Apres Apres
Rev. Vahan Tootikian.
its role in the Armenian community here and
the world.
But retirement as an active minister has
not limited Rev. Tootikian’s writings. He
has written and published 31 books, several
since stepping down as pastor of the Detroit
church. “Writing books is now my pulpit,” he
adds.
In his 30th book, published last year, titled
As I See It, Tootikian devoted a special section
to newspapers in America and focused on the
“role and freedom of the Armenian Press.”
As one who spent over 50 years as a reporter
and editor of American newspapers
not have come into existence if not for the
dedication of the the three women at the
“empty tomb” and the subsequent efforts of
Saul/Paul of Tarsus.
I am also amazed at the dedication and
support that Armenian women continue to
provide to an institution that excludes them
from its most important functions. Will they
remain the silent majority?
Very truly yours,
Simon Y. Balian
New York, N.Y.
The writer, an attorney, obtained a graduate degree in
theology before attending law school.
The wrapper
of the Aug.
1, 2009
editions of
the Armenian
Reporter.
in Ohio and Detroit, I found Rev. Tootikian’s
freedom of press commentary as a sermon
worth reporting to readers of English-language
Armenian newspapers – and why they
need to take active roles in supporting the
Armenian press in America.
While citing that “freedom of the press is
essential to the basic rights of people,” Rev.
Tootikian stresses that “It is another sign of
a country’s true freedom.”
The noted author of religion-driven books
gets to the point on the “role of the Armenian
press.”
He urges reader support for the Armenian
press, and warns that the rising cost of operating
newspapers in America is taking its toll
with the closing of major American newspapers
across the country.
“Our Armenian newspapers also face rising
printing and mailing costs. We need them,
partisan and independent, to retain our
identity as a people,” he repeats.
Rev. Tootikian’s message is clear and accurately
expressed.
When quizzed on how Armenians can support
the Armenian press, he again stressesd:
“If you belong to an Armenian organization,
whether independent or partisan, you
should subscribe to the organization’s paper
or news magazine. And encourage others to
support the paper.”
Rev. Tootikian also emphasized that the
Armenian scene is now being covered by papers
that are independent of political or religious
movements. “The Armenian press is
a vital instrument of education. It publishes
articles about Armenian history, art, and literature.
There is no doubt that it plays a very
important role in the lives of the Armenian
masses.”
While agreeing there are political and
structural limits, he observes that “a good
number of the Armenian papers are partisan
or politically oriented, since they are the publications
of either religious and philanthropic
organizations or political parties.”
Tootikian said their editorials and column
writers help stoke the opinion process, developing
open discussions on Armenian life
– here or in Armenia
He also agrees that it “is understandable
they should work within the structure and
constitutional bylaws of the particular organization
or party.”
But he goes on to reiterate that the “Armenian
press should have the strength of
character to reach out to embrace the broad
spectrum of Armenian life – and must have
integrity and the courage of their convictions.
Without it, the Armenian press cannot
embrace freedom of the press.”
Though Rev. Tootikian’s challenge to the
role of the Armenian media is directed solely
to the Armenian press in America, his platform
for a strong, free Armenian press appears
to be needed in present-day Armenia
– based on a special edition of the Yerevan
Press Club newsletter. In its July 27 weekly
newsletter, a lengthy commentary focusing
on “ethics of Armenian journalism” in Armenia
claims “journalists are viciously evading
professional standards.”
In the lengthy perspective, club president
Boris Navasardian writes that “quality journalism
is in need of a vaccine against selfdestruction.”
Here in the United States, the Armenian
press remains on sound footing and direction,
but Rev. Tootikian urges greater readership
and support for the Armenian press.
He concludes that “freedom of the Armenian
press is also a categorical imperative”
to Armenian American communities and
the best safeguard to support his position is
reader support for the Armenian press.
Since 2003 Rev. Tootikian has served as
executive director of the Armenian Evangelical
World Council.
f
n Continued from page 22
we visited the house-museum of Marshal of
Aviation Sergei Aleksandrovich Khudiakov.
Khudiakov (Armenak Khanferiants) rose to
chief of staff of the Air Force of the Soviet
Union during the Second World War. (He
was executed in 1950 and rehabilitated in
1954 after Stalin’s death.) So this far-flung
village had generated one of the most distinguished
members of the Allied force that my
daughters’ two grandfathers had fought in as
American soldiers.
I will not try readers’ patience with an exhaustive
account of the trip. Everyone fell
in love with Shushi (though Arev was disappointed
to learn that it was a place rather
than the raw-fish meal she had hoped for).
The church of Amaras had been renovated
as if it were a restaurant, with stucco on the
inside walls.
And having relocated to Gandzasar (in
Mardakert) for the last night of camping, our
tents were flooded and we were soaked to the
bone by endless rain. Amazingly, everyone
was upbeat about the incident, saying it added
to the memories. (We had endured quite
enough rain camping in Quebec last year, so
we could have done without.) But much of
the beauty of Karabakh is in its verdancy, so
I suppose the rain is necessary.
A true patriot
Apres, a veteran of the Karabakh War, is softspoken
and gentle. He led the group in yoga
every morning (though, admittedly, Noor,
who loves the children’s yoga classes offered
at Yerevan’s Shoonch studio, found Apres’s
yoga class to be boring).
He is doing something at least as patriotic
as what he did in the early 90s, when
he put his life on the line in Karabakh: he
is helping Armenians discover and fall in
love with their native land. And as we journeyed
back from Karabakh, several of the
young professionals on the trip announced
that they would explore moving there.
Like so many others who have traveled to
Armenia and Karabakh this summer and in
years past, I found myself enthralled not just
by the land but also by the people of Armenia.
Come on over.
f
The altar at Gtchavank in Hadrut.
Apres
Zohrabyan
and campers
in the Mets
Tagher village
of Hadrut,
Nagorno-
Karabakh.
Photos:
Vartan
Melikyan.

24 The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009

The Armenian Reporter | August 22, 2009

August 22, 2009
arts
culture
the armenian
&
reporter
Singer Aida Sargsian
on motherhood
See page 14
Aida Sargsian. Photo: Vigen Mnoyan.