National, International, Armenia, and Community News and Opinion

Arpa Film 

Festival to 

feature The 

River Ran Red 

See story on page 6m 

World-renowned 

doctors to perform 

50 life-changing 

surgeries 


All that 

jazz 

See story on 

page C10m 

Western U.S. Edition 

Number 82 

October 4, 2008 

the armenian 

reporter 

Soldiers from the United States (far right), Armenia (far left), and other countries at the opening ceremony of NATO exercises in Armenia. Photo: Armen Hakobyan for the Armenian Reporter. 

Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 

NATO military training exercises 

commence in Armenia 

Reporter.am 

See story on page 16 m

The Armenian Reporter | October 4, 2008 

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Number 82 

October 4, 2008 

Editorial 

Armenian Reporter endorses Obama-Biden 

“Seldom do we face such a straightforward 

choice,” the Armenian Reporter 

notes in its editorial this 

week. “As we compare the records 

of the candidates for president 

and vice president of the United 

States, we find that, as U.S. citizens 

and as Armenian-Americans, 

we have every reason to throw our 

strong support behind Senator 

Barack Obama and Senator Joe 

Biden.” 

The Obama-Biden ticket also 

enjoys the strong support of the 

Armenian National Committee of 

America (ANCA) and the U.S.-Armenia 

Public Affairs Committee 

(USAPAC). 

See editorial on page 18 m 

Armenia 

World-renowned doctors to perform 50 lifechanging 

surgeries in Armenia this week 

Community 

More than a dozen doctors, nurses, 

and other specialists are in Yerevan 

this week to perform 50 lifealtering 

operations on clients with 

cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, Paul 

Chaderjian reports. 

The operations will be realized 

through Project Smile. Project 

Smile was initiated by the Cafesjian 

Family Foundation, Hope for 

the City, and the Smile Network 

which leads similar projects around 

the world. The three Minneapolisbased 

organizations have come together 

to address cleft-care needs 

in Armenia. 


A profile of Armen Stepanian, the Christopher 

Columbus of recycling 

Armen Stepanian began promoting 

recycling at a time when the 

United States was gripped with 

an energy crisis brought on by 

the OPEC oil embargo. As he witnessed 

the long lines in front of 

gas stations, he realized that the 

country’s energy future would be 

in peril without conservation and 

sustainable consumption practices. 

It was in 1975 when Mr. Stepanian 

and a group of volunteers initiated 

Organizers of the William Saroyan 

Centennial Celebration are calling 

their year-long tribute to the Pulitzer 

Prize–winning author a success. 

A group of Saroyan enthusiasts 

from Fresno have spent three years 

planning the almost 100 individual 

projects in honor of Fresno’s native 

son. “It’s been extremely rewarding,” 

said Larry Balakian, one of 

the lead organizers of the Saroyan 

Centennial Celebration. Saroyan 



Barack Obama with Joe Biden on April 

8. AP Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais. 

and successfully implemented the 

first recycling program in Seattle. 

The initiative was to be the first 

of its kind in the United States. 

Hailed as a hero for both pioneering 

the recycling movement and 

educating people to adopt conservation 

and recycling practices, Mr. 

Stepanian is unhappy with how the 

movement has evolved. 


From lower left, Hratch Abdulian, Hratch Hovsepian, and Raffi Pilavian serving up 

prpoor at the second annual Grand Armenian Festival in Fresno. 

See story on page 8 m 

Saroyan centenary continues with Fresno events 

lived a good portion of his life in 

California’s San Joaquin Valley, 

drawing a great deal of inspiration 

from its agricultural communities. 

“Saroyan is one of the great giants,” 

said Edward EmanuEl, theater director 

at California State University, 

Fresno. “His work has reached 

millions. Saroyan is still as valuable 

today as when he was writing.” 

See story on page 9 m 

the armenian 

reporter 

Holy Muron is blessed at 

Etchmiadzin in ancient ritual 

Pilgrims joins 

bishops from around 

the world 

by Antranig Dereyan 

VAGHARSHAPAT, Armenia – It 

is an ancient ritual that typically 

takes place every seven years. In a 

ceremony that combined solemnity 

with pageantry, the Mother See 

of the Armenian Church on Sunday, 

September 28, replenished its supply 

of muron, or chrism, the holy 

oil used for baptism, ordination, 

and other rituals. 

“It is the unity symbol of the Armenian 

Church,” said Archbishop 

Nerses Bozabalyan. The bishops 

come together to bless the chrism, 

and then each takes some of it to 

his diocese, where he distributes it 

to all the churches in his jurisdiction, 

the archbishop explained. 

The day was dark and gloomy, 

and rain seemed inevitable. But 

the ceremony would go on, rain or 

shine, at the open-air Saint Trdat 

altar at Etchmiadzin. 

Continued on page 11 m 

Abp. Barkev Martirossian holds a sacred relic, the right hand of Saint Gregory the 

Illuminator, while Catholicos Karekin II adds an ingredient to the muron, on Sept. 

28 at Etchmiadzin. Photo: Photolure. 

Armenian Genocide Museum 

litigation moves to discovery phase 

Experts to examine 

books and records 

of Assembly and 

AGM&M 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. District 

Court for the District of Columbia 

has confirmed the schedule for discovery 

and depositions in the ongoing 

litigation over the future of 

the Armenian Genocide Museum 

and Memorial (AGM&M) in Washington. 

The parties will be required 

to respond to interrogatories and 

requests for the production of documents 

by mid-October. Depositions 

will begin in late November or 

early December, and be completed 

by mid-January. 

The project to develop and build 

a museum and memorial was 

launched over eight years ago, in 

2000, when Anoush Mathevosian 

and Gerard Cafesjian donated 

the funds to acquire a site in 

Washington. 

In November 2003 the project 

was transferred from the Armenian 

Assembly of America to a newly 

formed entity, the Armenian Genocide 

Museum and Memorial, Inc. 

The Assembly, however, was given a 

trustee position on AGM&M board. 

At that time, Mr. Cafesjian donated 

four additional properties, acquired 

at a cost of over $12,500,000, to expand 

the project site. 

Mr. Cafesjian and the Cafesjian 

Family Foundation are the largest 

supporters of the Armenian Genocide 

Museum and Memorial project, 

with pledges and donations of over 

$17,500.000. Mr. Cafesjian and CFF 

Trustee contributions to the AGMM 

Financial contributions by former and current members of the Board of 

Trustees of Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial (AGMM) for the 

benefit of the AGMM as of September 2006. 

are entitled to three of the six votes 

on the AGM&M Board of Trustees. 

However, Mr. Hovnanian and the 

Assembly have used their board 

positions to block Mr. Cafesjian’s 

work on the project. Since May 

2007, Mr. Hovnanian and the Assembly 

have excluded Mr. Cafesjian 

and CFF from all AGM&M decisions, 

in breach of all donor agreements 

and the AGM&M by-laws. 

“Mr. Cafesjian donated over seventeen 

million dollars, and significant 

time and effort, in an attempt 

to help build the Armenian 

Genocide museum,” said Cafesjian 

Family Foundation Vice President 

John Waters. “Unfortunately, Mr. 

Cafesjian’s contributions have been 

met with no comparable support. 

Mr. Cafesjian still supports development 

of a museum project that 

Armenians can be proud of.” 

The discovery stage of the litigation 

will require AGM&M and the 

Assembly to turn over their books 

and records to CFF. The Cafesjian 

Family Foundation’s legal and financial 

experts will then examine 

those books and records in detail, 

in order to determine the precise 

nature of the Assembly’s actions 

in breaching its donor agreements 

with Mr. Cafesjian. 

“We are looking forward to telling 

our story, under oath, including 

our motivations and efforts in 

planning and designing the museum. 

We are confident the truth will 

emerge and the issues will be resolved 

so that the project can move 

forward,” said Mr. Waters. f


National 

Washington briefing 

as a text sent to the ANCA on February 

1. Both communications 

acknowledged the Armenian community’s 

contributions to America 

and Armenia’s cooperation 

with the United States, but did 

not promise any positive changes 

in U.S. policy on matters of significance 

to Armenian-Americans, 

such as the Armenian Genocide 

issue. 

Levan 

Gachechiladze 

with Zeyno 

Baran of Hudson 

Institute. Photo: 

Armenian 

Reporter. 

by Emil Sanamyan and 

Lusine Sarkisyan 

U.S. Ambassador- 

Designate to Turkey 

clarifies position on 

Genocide 

U.S. ambassadors to Ottoman Turkey 

Henry Morgenthau (1913–16) 

and Abram Elkus (1916–17) and 

other contemporary U.S. diplomats 

described in their communications 

“an attempt to exterminate the Armenian 

population,” ambassadordesignate 

to Turkey James Jeffrey 

noted in a written response 

to questions for the record from 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee 

Chair and vice-presidential candidate 

Sen. Joe Biden (D.-Del.) 

The exchange, released by the 

Armenian National Committee of 

America (ANCA) on September 26, 

was part of the Senate committee’s 

consideration of Mr. Jeffrey’s candidacy 

to be the next U.S. ambassador 

to Turkey and a congressional 

effort to correct the Bush administration 

language on the Armenian 

Genocide. 

Mr. Jeffrey promised that if 

confirmed he would continue to 

encourage “Turkey to come to 

terms with the dark spots in its 

history and establishing an honest 

dialogue within Turkey on these 

events,” as well as support normalization 

of relations between Turkey 

and Armenia. 

Meanwhile, Senator John Mc- 

Cain of Arizona, the Republican 

presidential candidate, released 

a statement to Armenian-Americans 

on September 29. The statement 

was substantially the same 

Says scope of 

program shrunk 

because of dram 

appreciation 

by Emil Sanamyan 

Ambassador Nabi Sensoy of Turkey, 

who attended an Independence Day 

reception at the Armenian Embassy 

in Washington. Photo: Embassy of 

Turkey. 

Senior U.S., Russian, 

and Turkish officials 

mark Armenia’s 

independence 

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce 

David Bohigian, the U.S. 

State Department’s coordinator 

for Eurasian energy, Ambassador 

Steven Mann, newly appointed 

Russian ambassador to the United 

States Sergei Kislyak, and, significantly, 

Ambassador Nabi Sensoy 

of Turkey were among more 

than 100 guests at a reception on 

September 30 at the Armenian 

Embassy in Washington to mark 

Armenia’s independence. 

According to present and former 

Armenian Embassy staff, this was 

the first time since the Armenian 

Embassy in the United States was 

established that a Turkish Ambassador 

attended one of its formal 

functions. Ambassador Sensoy’s 

unprecedented gesture comes 

weeks after the first-ever visit to 

Armenia by a Turkish president. 

(One source told the Reporter 

that in 1999 Turkish Ambassador 

Baki Ilkin together with Azerbaijani 

Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev 

visited the Armenian Embassy to 

pay an informal farewell to outgoing 

Ambassador Ruben Shugarian. 

But neither Turkish nor Azerbaijani 

diplomats have attended Independence 

Day or Armed Forces 

Day receptions regularly held by 

the Embassy.) 

WASHINGTON – In public remarks 

at the headquarters of the 

Millennium Challenge Corporation 

(MCC) on October 1, Alex Russin, 

the corporation’s resident country 

director for Armenia, outlined the 

program’s goals, while sharing his 

concerns about Armenia’s continued 

eligibility under the good-governance 

criteria. 

Mr. Russin said that only about 

$20 million has been spent in nearly 

two years since the $235 million, 

five-year program was launched. 

Another $4.7 million request for 

funds is now pending. 

The work so far has included 

the completion of one canal system, 

the repair of 24 kilometers 

of mountainous rural roads just 

Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian of 

Armenia will visit Washington October 

9–14. 

Coming up: Armenian 

prime minister plans 

U.S. visit 

Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian 

will visit Washington between 

October 9 and 14, U.S. and 

Armenian officials familiar with 

the visit’s planning told the Armenian 

Reporter. Mr. Sarkisian, 

for whom this will be the first 

visit in his capacity as prime minister, 

will meet U.S. officials and 

participate in the annual meetings 

of the World Bank and the 

International Monetary Fund on 

October 11–13. 

Georgian opposition 

leaders flock to the 

United States 

Levan Gachechiladze, the main 

opposition candidate in the Georgian 

presidential election in January 

2008, this week became the 

latest Georgian pro-Western opposition 

leader to visit the United 

States. 

Speaking at the Hudson Institute, 

a conservative think tank, 

on September 30 about the recent 

developments in his country, 

south of Gyumri, and the training 

of about 15,000 farmers, with a total 

of 60,000 farmers to be trained. 

Mr. Russin said that the tempo of 

the program will ramp up in the 

next three years. 

Significantly, because of the 

decline in value of the U.S. dollar, 

coupled with Armenia’s strong economic 

growth, which has strengthened 

Armenia’s currency, the MCA- 

Armenia has been forced to scale 

back the scope of work, with 350 kilometers 

of roads now planned for 

renovation instead of the original 

goal of 900 kilometers. 

Mr. Russin has also expressed 

concern that the political situation 

in Armenia hangs like a “cloud” 

over the program. When asked 

what steps from the government 

he is anticipating that would keep 

Armenia eligible for MCC aid, Mr. 

Russin generally pointed to the 

Mr. Gachechiladze argued that it 

has become “impossible” to unite 

around the current Georgian leader 

Mikheil Saakashvili since he 

makes “wrong decisions” and there 

are serious questions about his 

leadership since Georgia’s brief but 

militarily disastrous war with Russia 

last month. 

Mr. Gachechiladze warned that 

unless Mr. Saakashvili promptly 

restores democratic freedoms and 

shares power with the opposition, 

“destabilization” will follow. 

Georgia’s former acting president 

and parliament speaker until 

earlier this year Nino Burjanadze, 

David Usupashvili of the Republican 

Party, and David Gamkrelidze 

of the New Rights Party have all 

visited the United States since the 

August war. 

In a September 8 commentary, 

the Washington Post’s Jackson 

Diehl revealed that “American 

officials are still seething at Saakashvili 

[over] his impulsive and 

militarily foolhardy attack on 

South Ossetia,” provoking the 

Russian counter-attack and thus 

causing an “embarrassment” to 

the West. 

“The truth is that it would be 

considerably easier for the United 

States to defend Georgia and its 

democracy if it did not have to defend 

– and depend on – Saakashvili 

himself,” Mr. Diehl argued. 

Although both President George 

W. Bush and Mr. Saakashvili were 

at the United Nations General Assembly 

last week, no meeting between 

the two has been reported. 

Russia touts selfdetermination 

in “miniempires” 

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov 

of Russia, who was in New York 

last week for the United Nations 

General Assembly, offered Russia’s 

views on relations with the United 

States and international developments 

in light of the war in Georgia 

in an extensive presentation to the 

MCC Armenia rep.: $20 million disbursed in two years 

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of 

Russia advocated self-determination. 

Photo: Wikimedia. 

Council on Foreign Relations on 

September 24. 

Mr. Lavrov spoke at length on 

nations’ right to self-determination, 

which the Russian minister 

recalled has long been the “mantra” 

of U.S. foreign policy and was 

described as “one of the noblest 

ideas in our world” by Vice President 

Dick Cheney during his visit 

to Italy on September 6. 

Mr. Lavrov argued that in addition 

to major empires, “there exist 

mini-empires and the same attitude 

ought to apply to them. If we are to 

be guided by principle rather than 

bias and political conjecture, the 

size should not make difference.” 

He went on: “The relevant issues 

are those of oppression, of threat 

of genocide, of central authorities’ 

inability or unwillingness to bring 

the minority into the fold peacefully 

by way of persuasion, creating 

a climate of confidence and trust, 

providing a decent and caring government 

for all citizens.” 

Speaking of his country’s actions 

in support of South Ossetia and 

Abkhazia, Mr. Lavrov suggested 

that “Russia is now an advocate of 

such principles of America as live 

and let live, give and take, helping 

the underdog!” Minister Lavrov’s 

remarks in full can be found at 

http://www.cfr.org. 

f 

need for reforms that would satisfy 

local civil-society groups as well as 

an effective fight against corruption 

pledged by the government. 

Previously, during a visit with 

the Armenian community in Detroit 

on August 5, MCC Chief Executive 

Officer Ambassador John 

Danilovich told the Armenian Reporter 

that the Armenia program 

was “moving ahead in all respects.” 

He also sounded optimistic about 

the Armenian government’s ability 

to implement needed democratic 

reforms. 

In his September 3 speech to 

the Armenian diplomatic corps, 

President Serge Sargsian underscored 

MCC’s importance for Armenia, 

while also noting “certain 

foot-dragging with regard to the 

program’s” implementation. Mr. 

Sargsian expressed hope that the 

“efforts of the Armenian authorities 

so far will be understood correctly, 

and the opportunity will be 

given to continue the project jointly 

agreed to.” 

The MCC Board of Directors held 

its quarterly meeting on September 

17. No new decisions on Armenia 

were announced. The meeting 

focused on provision of a possible 

$100 million in additional aid to 

Georgia. 

On September 29, the MCC welcomed 

legislation that would make 

it possible to extend compact implementation 

from five to up to 

ten years and would also authorize 

conclusion of concurrent and additional 

compacts. MCC also praised 

efforts of members of the House of 

Representatives to keep the corporation’s 

total funding at about $1.54 

billion in Fiscal Year 2009. f 

connect: www.mcc.gov



John McCain writes to 

Armenian-Americans 

Barack Obama emphasizes the 

importance of U.S.-Armenia relations 

 

The following letter was issued on October 

1, 2008. 

Dear Friends, 

The Armenian-American community 

has contributed richly to the 

American fabric and has been instrumental 

in ensuring that a terrible 

tragedy is never forgotten. 

It is fair to say that one of the 

greatest tragedies of the 20th century, 

the brutal murder of as many 

as one and a half million Armenians 

under the rule of the Ottoman 

Empire, has also been one of 

the most neglected. The suffering 

endured by the Armenian people 

during that period represented 

the prologue to what has come to 

be known as humanity’s bloodiest 

century. It is our responsibility to 

recognize those tragic events and 

to ensure that our world never experiences 

the impact of the bloody 

conflicts that so filled the 20th 

century. 

In light of that history, the rise 

of the independent Republic of 

Armenia from such painful experiences 

is inspirational, as is the 

vibrancy of the Armenian diaspora. 

In particular, I deeply admire 

both Armenia’s support of coalition 

operations in Iraq and NATO 

peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo. In 

my visits to Armenia, I have been 

deeply impressed by the resilient 

and hard working Armenian people 

who have made tremendous 

progress in very difficult circumstances. 

Our country is greatly enriched 

by the descendents of the victims 

and survivors of the horrific tragedy 

that befell the Armenian people. 

Republican presidential candidate Sen. 

John McCain of Arizona, accompanied 

by his running mate, Alaska Gov. 

Sarah Palin, during a campaign rally at 

Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, on 

Sept. 29. AP Photo:Paul Vernon. 

Today Armenian-Americans represent 

that indestructible spirit of a 

people and embody the principles 

of freedom and democracy that all 

Americans prize above all else. I am 

grateful for all of the contributions 

that Armenian-Americans have 

made to our wonderful country 

and I greatly value the opportunity 

to stand with the Armenian-American 

community in my campaign 

and as the next President of the 

United States. 

Sincerely, 

John McCain 

f 

The following statement was issued 

on January 19, 2008. 

I am proud of my strong record on 

issues of concern to the one and 

a half million Americans of Armenian 

heritage in the United States. 

I warmly welcome the support of 

this vibrant and politically active 

community as we change how our 

government works here at home, 

and restore American leadership 

abroad. 

I am a strong supporter of a U.S.- 

Armenian relationship that advances 

our common security and 

strengthens Armenian democracy. 

As President, I will maintain our 

assistance to Armenia, which has 

been a reliable partner in the fight 

against terrorism and extremism. 

I will promote Armenian security 

by seeking an end to the Turkish 

and Azerbaijani blockades, and 

by working for a lasting and durable 

settlement of the Nagorno 

Karabagh conflict that is agreeable 

to all parties, and based upon 

America’s founding commitment 

to the principles of democracy 

and self determination. And my 

Administration will help foster 

Armenia’s growth and development 

through expanded trade and 

targeted aid, and by strengthening 

the commercial, political, military, 

developmental, and cultural relationships 

between the U.S. and 

Armenian governments. 

I also share with Armenian 

Americans – so many of whom 

are descended from genocide survivors 

- a principled commitment 

to commemorating and ending 

genocide. That starts with acknowledging 

the tragic instances 

of genocide in world history. As 

a U.S. Senator, I have stood with 

the Armenian American community 

in calling for Turkey’s 

acknowledgement of the Armenian 

Genocide. Two years ago, I 

criticized the Secretary of State 

for the firing of U.S. Ambassador 

to Armenia, John Evans, after he 

properly used the term “genocide” 

to describe Turkey’s slaughter of 

thousands of Armenians starting 

in 1915. I shared with Secretary 

Rice my firmly held conviction 

that the Armenian Genocide 

is not an allegation, a personal 

opinion, or a point of view, but 

rather a widely documented fact 

supported by an overwhelming 

body of historical evidence. The 

facts are undeniable. An official 

policy that calls on diplomats to 

distort the historical facts is an 

untenable policy. As a senator, I 

strongly support passage of the 

Armenian Genocide Resolution 

(H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as 

President I will recognize the Armenian 

Genocide. 

Sen. Joe Biden 

(D.-Del.), left, 

talks with Sen. 

Barack Obama 

(D.-Ill.), prior to 

the start of the 

first Democratic 

presidential 

primary debate 

in Orangeburg, 

S.C., on April 

26, 2007. AP 

Photo: J. Scott 

Applewhite. 

Genocide, sadly, persists to this 

day, and threatens our common 

security and common humanity. 

Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan 

many of the same brutal tactics 

– displacement, starvation, and 

mass slaughter – that were used by 

the Ottoman authorities against 

defenseless Armenians back in 1915. 

I have visited Darfurian refugee 

camps, pushed for the deployment 

of a robust multinational force 

for Darfur, and urged divestment 

from companies doing business in 

Sudan. America deserves a leader 

who speaks truthfully about the 

Armenian Genocide and responds 

forcefully to all genocides. I intend 

to be that President. 

I look forward, as President, to 

continuing my active engagement 

with Armenian American leaders 

on the full range of issues of concern 

to the Armenian American 

community. Together, we will build, 

in new and exciting ways, upon 

the enduring ties and shared values 

that have bound together the 

American and Armenian peoples 

for more than a century. f 

ANCA Capital Gateway Program opens public policy doors for 

Fall 2008 participants 

WASHINGTON – The Armenian 

National Committee of America 

(ANCA) Capital Gateway Program 

welcomed five new participants 

to the nation’s capital this month, 

each eager to embark on careers in 

politics and public policy. 

Now in its fifth consecutive year, 

the Gateway Program helps applicants 

attain exciting internships 

and challenging full-time public 

policy jobs in the nation’s capital. 

To date, over 40 fellows have gone 

through the program and secured 

positions in dozens of Congressional 

offices, as well as media and political 

institutions such as Congressional 

Quarterly, the U.S. Chamber 

of Commerce, Export-Import Bank 

(EXIM), SRCP Media, and the World 

Bank. 

The five Fall 2008 participants hit 

the ground running in Washington, 

landing Congressional internships 

within weeks of their arrival. “Being 

in D.C. for only a week and having 

already secured internships on 

the Hill is very exciting for both 

me and my colleagues,” said Meri 

Telelyan, a recent University of 

California, Santa Barbara graduate 

currently interning for Rep. Mike 

Thompson (D.-Calif.) “Of course, 

our ultimate goal is to find permanent 

positions working in Congress.” 

Joining Ms. Telelyan is fellow 

UC Santa Barbara graduate Grigor 

Mirza-Avakyan, who is interning 

with Rep. Sam Farr (D.-Calif.) 

Mikael Kourinian and Shant 

Nahapetian, both from California 

and both with master’s degrees in 

public administration, have also set 

in motion their careers in Washington 

with internships for Rep. Joseph 

Crowley (D.-N.Y.) and Rep. 

Howard Berman (D.-Calif.), respectively. 

A fifth participant, from 

Detroit, Aleek Kahramanian, was 

the final fellow to arrive and join 

her new roommates at the Gateway 

house, located just a stone’s throw 

from the White House. Ms. Kahramanian 

is interning with Senate 

Armed Services Committee chair 

Carl Levin (D.-Mich.) 

“It is often difficult to pick up 

one’s life, leave family and friends, 

and move across country to pursue 

a dream,” said Mr. Nahapetian. “But 

the ANCA Capital Gateway program 

provides the resources, mentoring, 

and encouragement to significantly 

ease the burdens such a drastic life 

change may entail.” 

In addition to excelling academically 

and having a passion 

for politics, each of the five fellows 

has demonstrated a track 

record of commitment to the Armenian-American 

community. 

Mr. Kourinian recently wrapped 

up a summer internship with the 

ANC-WR and looks forwarding to 

ANCA Capital 

Gateway 

Program Fall 

2008 participants 

Grigor Mirza- 

Avakyan, Meri 

Telelyan, Mikael 

Kourinian, Aleek 

Kahramanian, 

and Shant 

Nahapetian. 

ANCA photo. 

handling Armenian-American issues 

as one of his main tasks for 

Rep. Crowley. “I am grateful to the 

ANCA Capital Gateway Program 

for giving me the opportunity 

to make my dream of working in 

Congress and addressing Armenian-American 

issues a reality,” 

said. Mr. Kourinian. He is also interning 

with the Hudson Institute 

in his pursuit of a policy position 

in a think tank. 

As in the past, Washington-area 

Armenian-American policy professionals 

have reached out to the 

ANCA Capital Gateway fellows, offering 

them valuable advice and encouragement. 

Among community 

activists always ready to share insights 

is Senate Banking Committee 

Senior Counsel Dean Shahinian, 

who brings insight both from 

the Congressional and U.S. government 

agency perspective. 

“It’s wonderful how many doors 

suddenly appear in front of you 

when you get here,” said Mr. Mirza-Avakyan. 

“Regardless of what 

preconceptions you might have 

had, it’s hard to have anything but 

confidence that you’re in the right 

place at the right time.” 

Established through a generous 

donation from the Cafesjian 

Family Foundation, the Capital 

Gateway Program over the years 

has benefited tremendously from 

the generosity of donors committed 

to creating public service opportunities 

for young Armenian- 

Americans. The leading financial 

contributor to the program has 

been the family of Hovig Apo 

Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth 

leader and community activist 

from Fresno, California, who lost 

his life in 2004 in a tragic car accident. 

His family established the 

Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial 

Fund in his memory. Substantial 

support has also been provided by 

longtime ANCA benefactors Frank 

and Barbara Hekimian and the 

Armenian American Veterans Post 

of Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO). 

For more information, email 

ANCA Capital Gateway Program Director 

Serouj Aprahamian. f 

connect: serouj@anca.org

4 The Armenian Reporter | October 4, 2008 


Donna Evans and Hranush Hakobyan to address aiwa Buenos 

Aires Conference in November 

The Fifth International Conference 

of the Armenian International 

Women’s Association, to be convened 

in Buenos Aires November 

9 to 12, will have as its overall focus 

“Continent to Continent: Armenian 

Women Interacting in Worldwide 

Arenas.” 

In keeping with this theme, 

two special guests, one from the 

United States, the other from Armenia, 

will join the conference 

participants gathered in the capital 

of Argentina. Each will bring her 

particular expertise. 

The keynote speaker, Donna J. 

Evans, of Washington, acquired a 

unique perspective on the lives of 

Armenian women when, from 2004 

to 2006, she engaged in various 

charitable, educational, and development 

projects in Yerevan as wife 

of the U.S. ambassador to Armenia, 

John M. Evans. 

Special guest Hranush Hakobyan, 

longtime elected member 

of Armenia’s parliament, has come 

into special prominence in recent 

weeks as the head of the newly 

formed Ministry of Diaspora Affairs 

in Armenia. 

The goal of AIWA’s international 

conferences is to provide a forum 

for Armenian women from all 

parts of the world to come together, 

share experiences, and create 

short- and long-term strategies to 

improve their status. 

The program in Buenos Aires 

will include sessions on Armenian 

women in politics, business, 

education, health, family life, 

culture, history, arts, and more. 

Previous conferences were held 

in London (1994), Paris (1997), 

Yerevan (2000), and Geneva 

(2004). Complementing the program 

in Buenos Aires will be a 

number of optional social activities 

designed to explore the 

dynamic Armenian community 

in Buenos Aires and the cultural 

richness of this first AIWA 

conference site in the Western 

hemisphere. 

Donna J. Evans 

As president of the World Affairs 

Council of Washington, 

Ms. Evans managed a membership 

organization of over 2,000 

local business leaders, foreign 

diplomats, young professionals, 

teachers, students, and seasoned 

policy professionals. She developed 

and implemented programs 

on international affairs for the 

general membership and educational 

programs for teachers 

and students. She has served on 

World Affairs Councils of America 

leadership delegations to Israel, 

Taiwan, and Germany. 

Ms. Evans also worked as development 

consultant at the Hermitage 

Museum in Saint Petersburg, 

Russia, and as regional country 

director for Northwest Russia of 

the International Executive Service 

Corps. She is the founding 

executive director of the American 

Chamber of Commerce in Prague, 

and served as associate director 

for external relations in Eastern 

Keynote speaker Donna J. Evans, 

community activist and wife of the 

former U.S. ambassador to Armenia. 

Europe for the Center for Strategic 

and International Studies, Washington. 

Ms. Evans is Board chair of the 

Armenian American Cultural Association 

and honorary chair of 

the Armenian American Wellness 

Center. She serves on the board 

of the Children of Armenia Fund. 

She is a member of the American 

News Women’s Club, the Women’s 

Foreign Policy Group, and the National 

Museum of the American 

Indian. 

Hranush Hakobyan 

Hranush Hakobyan has held several 

prominent political positions 

in Armenia. In addition to her 

election to parliament as representative 

from the Gavar region 

in several recent elections, she is 

one of only three women to have 

held cabinet-level position in independent 

Armenia; she served 

in 1996–98 as minister of social 

security. 

Before her current assignment 

to head Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, 

Ms. Hakobyan chaired the 

parliamentary Standing Committee 

on Science, Education, Culture, 

and Youth Affairs. For several 

years she headed Armenia’s delegation 

to the international Inter-Parliamentary 

Union, and has 

attended meetings in many countries 

in that capacity. 

For the past several years Ms. 

Hakobyan has been president of 

aiwa’s Armenia affiliate, and she 

served as the Armenia chair of 

aiwa’s International Conference 

held in Yerevan in 2000. She is 

also co-president of the American 

Armenian Wellness Center. 

Trained as a mathematician, 

Ms. Hakobyan also holds 

a doctorate in law, teaches at 

Gavar State University, and is 

the author of two monographs 

Diocese prepares for January 

pilgrimage to Jerusalem 

and several articles. She rose to 

prominence in the Soviet era as 

the head of Komsomol, the Communist 

Youth Union. 

Final preparations 

The aiwa East Coast Committee, 

chaired by Eva Medzorian, 

and the West Coast Committee, 

chaired by Lily Ring Balian, 

working in conjunction with the 

local Buenos Aires committee 

headed by Madlen Tcherian, 

are currently engaged in the final 

planning for the conference. Enthusiasm 

and interest to attend 

the conference in Buenos Aires is 

very high, and the response has 

been encouraging. 

aiwa was established in 1990 

as an independent, nonprofit, 

nonsectarian organization designed 

to advance the visibility 

of Armenian women. Open to all 

who share its goals, aiwa has supported 

health, educational, and 

social programs in Armenia, held 

numerous lectures, workshops, 

and programs dealing with issues 

of interest to Armenian women, 

instituted a scholarship program, 

published several books, and established 

an Armenian women’s 

network. 

Further information regarding 

the international conference 

or other activities is available by 

contacting aiwa at 65 Main Street, 

#3a, Watertown, MA 02472; email: 

aiwainc@aol.com; web: www.Aiwanet.org; 

telephone: 617-926-0171 or 

562-943-1081. 

Stephanie’s Art Gallery to feature 

koko’s Allegory + Motif 

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif. 

– koko, a Los Angeles–based 

contemporary artist, will be exhibiting 

at Stephanie’s Art Gallery here 

from October 3 through 18. An architect 

with a master’s in advanced 

architectural design from Columbia 

University, he works in Frank Gehry’s 

architectural firm. His artwork 

– primarily oil on canvas, but also 

drawing, film, and physical/digital 

constructs – is profoundly influenced 

by his experience as an architect. 

He paints in his private studio, 

where, according to the gallery, he 

Nassaus Hudson 

oil on canvas 

24x24 inch. 

explores “the dialogue between art 

and architecture.” 

According to the gallery, his 

paintings are “driven from the aesthetics 

of abstraction and expressionism.” 

In the collection “Allegory and Motif 

,” koko explores thematic observations 

and developments of the city 

through the relationship of the human 

figure to physical constructs. 

connect: 

www.stephaniesartgallery.com 

1-818-790-4905 

NEW YORK – A group of 26 

Armenian faithful from the New 

York metro area traveled on a pilgrimage 

to the Holy Land from 

August 21 to 31, during the Feast 

of the Assumption of the Mother 

of God. Under the guidance of Rev. 

Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of 

Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral, 

participants visited ancient sites, 

including the Armenian Quarter 

in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the 

Sea of Galilee. The pilgrims also 

had the opportunity to meet twice 

with Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, 

the Armenian Patriarch 

of Jerusalem. 

During the visit, Fr. Chevian 

had the opportunity to finalize 

plans for the upcoming Armenian 

Christmas Pilgrimage to the Holy 

Land, organized by the Diocese of 

the Armenian Church of America 

(Eastern), under the leadership of 

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, 

Primate. This winter pilgrimage 

– scheduled for January 13 to 22, 

2009 – will feature audiences with 

the Patriarch and an invitation to 

a special reception in his honor. 

Participants will tour the Armenian 

Quarter in Jerusalem and the 

Patriarchate Complex. 

In addition, participants will 

receive guided tours of Jerusalem, 

Jericho, the Sea of Galilee, the 

Dead Sea, the Jordan River, Tiberias, 

and Qumran, and participate 

in onsite Bible study and religious 

services. On January 18, pilgrims 

will travel to Bethlehem to celebrate 

the birth of Christ with a 

Christmas procession and a midnight 

Divine Liturgy. 

“Having returned from an enriching 

experience this summer, we 

are looking forward to this special 

Christmas pilgrimage to the Holy 

Land,” Fr. Chevian said, “And we 

encourage all of our faithful to participate.” 

The deadline for registering for 

the January pilgrimage is October 

15. The package for this ten-day pilgrimage 

includes air travel, lodging, 

two meals daily, a group guide, bus 

tours, and airport transfers. 

For registration information, 

please contact Nadia Charchyan 

at Educational Opportunities 

Tours at 863-648-0383, ext. 1+287, 

or visit www.armenianchurch.net 

to download an application. 

College 

student 

needing cash 

for books 

Part-time 

sales positions 

available. Email 

jobs@reporter. 

com

The Armenian Reporter | October 4, 2008 5 


Armenian Church Youth Organization holds first Senior 

Sports Weekend in San Diego 

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Armenian 

Church Youth organization 

(acyo) held its first annual Senior 

Sports Weekend event in San Diego. 

Over 200 members of the organization 

gathered in the beach city 

to embark on a three-day sporting 

event that featured competitions 

such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, 

and swimming. Not only did 

the games aim to challenge the 

physical prowess of participants, 

but the event stood as a testament 

that the Armenian church is re-focusing 

its energies on playing a central 

role in the cultural and spiritual 

life of the Armenian youth. 

“This event creates a revival 

in the heart of youths and it is 

a call to renew their devotion to 

the Armenian Apostolic Church,” 

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian 

said. “The success of the event is 

the latest triumph in the restructuring 

of the acyo in its goal to 

create distinct venues for the Junior 

and Senior acyo divisions, 

so that they may grow independently 

through age-appropriate 

programming.” 

anc-wr 2008 Annual Banquet sold out 

acyo Sports Weekend events 

began in 1965, first taking place 

in Los Angeles and later in Fresno. 

This year the acyo Central Council 

launched a second sports weekend 

(September 19-21) that would exclusively 

cater to the 18-and-over 

members of the organization. “The 

acyo-Western Diocese has all the 

aspects of a strong organization,” 

said Central Council Chairwoman 

Sossi Iocovides. “It provides the 

youth and young adults of today 

with a spiritual foundation, a dedication 

to service, and fellowship 

among their peers.” 

As the organization continues 

to evolve, its 18-and-over membership 

will be led by the Central Council 

while juniors (ages 12 to 17) will 

be led by local parish priests and 

youth directors. “We hope that this 

transition will allow us to tailor the 

spiritual and fellowship programs 

for each age group accordingly,” Iocovides 

said. 

Mary-Ann Yaghdjian-Yaldezian, 

27, has not participated in 

a Sports Weekend tournament in 

over nine years. This year she came 

LOS ANGELES – The Armenian 

National Committee-Western Region 

(anc-wr) has announced that 

the organization’s annual banquet, 

to be held on October 12 at the Ronald 

Reagan Presidential Library in 

Simi Valley, California, is sold out. 

“We are very excited for what again 

is a sold out banquet,” said anc-wr 

Banquet Chairwoman Aida Dimejian. 

“The anc-wr Annual Banquet 

allows all of our community leaders 

and activists to come together with 

government officials and policymakers 

to reflect on a year of tremendous 

accomplishments.” 

Honorary chairs of the event 

include U.S. Congress members 

Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, 

Ed Royce, Jackie Speier, 

and several others. Those being 

honored include vice-presidential 

nominee Senator Joseph Biden, 

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, 

the late President Ronald 

Reagan, and Mrs. Ashkhen 

Pilavjian. 

Senator Biden, set to receive the 

anc-wr’s Freedom Award, has provided 

friendship and support to 

the Armenian-American community 

dating back to his first days 

in public office, the anc-wr said. 

As chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign 

Relations Committee, Biden 

has cosponsored numerous Armenian-Genocide 

resolutions and 

most recently presided over the 

confirmation hearing of Ambassador 

Marie L. Yovanovitch. 

The anc-wr 2008 Man of the 

year is Antonio Villaraigosa. As 

mayor of Los Angeles, he has repeatedly 

demonstrated his steadfast 

support for the Armenian 

community, the anc-wr said. In 

2007, at the urging and support of 

the mayor, the Los Angeles City 

back to play volleyball on a newly 

formed alumni team. 

“Having a Senior Sports Weekend 

for the older members creates a forum 

where those who were heavily 

involved in their teens can still feel 

a part of the organization,” Yaghdjian-Yaldezian 

said. “Even if you are 

married or a working professional, 

the acyo is very much relevant to 

the older age group.” 

Yaghdjian-Yaldezian, who has 

been an acyo member for 15 

years, speaks fondly about how 

the organization has enriched 

her spiritually and given her a 

sense of connectedness to her 

church. “[The acyo] is a place 

where not only I met my husband, 

but formed deep friendships with 

other Armenians from all over 

the Western United States,” she 

said. “It was a place where I could 

learn about my faith and share 

the common experience of growing 

up bicultural.” 

At the San Diego high school 

which Yaghdjian-Yaldezian attended, 

there were no other Armenian 

students. She explained that 

Council passed a resolution calling 

on the House of Representatives to 

pass House Resolution 106. 

Following his election to the 

presidency in 1980, Ronald Reagan 

became the last U.S. president to 

acknowledge the Armenian Genocide 

as “genocide.” President Reagan 

will be honored with the Woodrow 

Wilson Award of the anc-wr. 

Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian, a longtime 

supporter of the anc-wr, will 

be honored with this year’s Legacy 

Award. The anc-wr said that over 

the years Pilavjian has supported 

several Armenian organizations including 

the Western Prelacy, Armenian 

Cultural Foundation, Armenian 

National Committee, Homenetmen, 

and Armenian Relief Society as well 

as many Armenian Schools. 

connect: 

(818) 500-1918 

the acyo was a “comfortable place” 

where she came across positive 

role models who helped inform her 

identity as an Orthodox Christian 

and an Armenian. 

The Senior Sports Weekend, 

which was hosted by St. John Garabed 

Armenian Church in San Diego, 

comprised an array of sports 

tournaments, a gala banquet on 

Saturday evening, Divine Liturgy 

on Sunday, and an awards barbecue 

luncheon on Sunday Afternoon. 

In his remarks during the gala 

banquet, Archbishop Derderian 

encouraged the youth to “become 

apostles of Christ and put their 

faith in action and have the vision 

of becoming wise leaders of 

the community.” The archbishop 

thanked the acyo Central Council 

and members of the St. John Garabed 

Church by gifting them with 

memorabilia, as tokens of appreciation. 

acyo Youth Director Fr. Avedis 

Abovian spoke about the importance 

of the youth functioning as 

a source of vitality and service. The 

young priest urged the attendees to 

“embrace their maturity within the 

context of the church.” 

Fr. Datev Tatoulian, parish 

priest of St. John Garabed Armenian 

Church in San Diego, said he 

was pleased to see so many young 

members of the church come to 

San Diego to engage in a festive 

weekend. “San Diego is considered 

one of the most beautiful cities in 

the world and it became so much 

more beautiful to see so many 

acyo members and their families 

convene for a weekend and reconnect 

with each other through 

sports and friendship,” the enthusiastic 

priest commented. “I really 

feel that the acyo is growing in the 

right direction and we are making 

sure that we create forums, sports 

events, and spiritual conferences 

to reach out to our youth and our 

community as a whole. We feel it 

is our responsibility to engage our 

youths and be a spiritual anchor as 

they grow into adults.” 

Upcoming acyo events include 

the annual Assembly Convention, 

which will take place in Oakland, 

California, November 28-30. 

Let us know what’s on your mind. 

Write to us at 

letters@reporter.am 

SEARCHING FOR ADAPAZAR FAMILIES 

I am an award-winning investigative journalist writing a book about my grandfather and his hometown 

of Adapazar. I am looking for any information about the families listed below. These people were friends 

with my grandfather. If you have any information, please call, write, or email as soon as possible. I’m also 

looking for all memoirs, books or other written material about the town. Please help me with this 

endeavor. And thank you very much for your time. 

Nerses Aghajanian of Adapazar 

Haroutiun Atanasian of Adapazar 

Vartan Choulerian of Bardizag. 

Hagop Chavoushian of Adapazar 

Vartan Chullerian from Bardizag 

Bedros Dimijian of Adapazar 

Antranig Giumiushian of Adapazar 

Hagop Hadimosian of Adapazar 

Asadour Istefanian of Adapazar 

Dikran and Garabed Kabadayan of Adapazar 

Mardiros Kesoghluyan of Adapazar 

Murat Kesoghluian of Adapazar 

Vahan Koyumjian of Adapazar 

Dikran Maghakian of Adapazar 

Antranig Maghakian of Adapazar 

Antranig Merjanian of Adapazar 

Khoren Mkhjian of Adapazar 

Boghos Potigian. of Adapazar 

Mihran Portukalian of Adapazar 

Yeghisapet Sarian and daughter Nvart of 

Izmit 

Aram and Ardashes Shalvarjian of Tarsus 

The Tarikian family of Adapazar 

Antranig Unanian of Adapazar 

Please send any leads to the address or e-mail below: 

Adapazar Book 

P.O. Box 26691 

Los Angeles, CA 90026 

Phone: 323-660-0483 

E-mail: adapazarbook@yahoo.com



THIS ARMENIAN LIFE 

Camliyayla 

by Tamar 

Kevonian 

We awake in Camliyayla in the early 

morning. The hotel is at the base 

of the mountain below Lampron 

Castle. We have a long day of climbing 

ahead of us. Today we plan to 

see four fortresses – scattered 

throughout the region which used 

to be the central hub of the kingdom 

of Armenian Cilicia between 

the 12th and 14th centuries. 

We begin to climb the trail behind 

the hotel. Very quickly we 

reach a vista above which loom a 

turret and part of the outer wall 

of the castle. We continue up the 

rocky mountain, occasionally using 

hidden stone stairs carved into the 

rock. The path disappears behind 

us as soon as we clear the last step. 

Once at the top, I look around 

and wonder where the fortress is. 

The view of the castle from the base 

was much more interesting than 

what I see before me now. Osman, 

a colleague traveling with me and 

my father Nazareth, and I look at 

each other and shrug. “This is it” 

we wonder. At the edge of the crest 

is the stone structure we noticed 

from below. A hundred feet of the 

outer wall and two chambers are 

what remain of the formidable 

fortress. As I enter the cavernous 

interior to explore further, I find 

the walls covered in graffiti and the 

corners littered with plastic bottles 

and cola cans. 

On the opposite hill is Sinap. It 

looks so small from here. We climb 

back down and head over to the 

other side. It’s not a paved road and 

several times a loud “clunk” sound 

emanates from underneath the 

car as we drive over a large rock. 

Sinap is also disappointing. All that 

remains is one garrison with a recently 

caved-in second floor. 

Now we’re heading further inland, 

into the heart of Cilicia. The 

land is flat, with a few scattered 

rocky mountains on which our ancestors 

built their fortresses and 

castles. 

We reach Yilan Kalesi (which 

means Snake Castle). The legend 

is that the castle was overrun by 

snakes and ultimately abandoned. 

In reality, the name is a derivative 

of Levon, the name of the king who 

ruled this area at the time of its 

construction. The castle’s entrance 

is on a steep embankment, with 

several more entrances on different 

levels. 

It’s noon and the sun is high in 

the sky. It’s hot. Up till now Osman 

and Dad have taken turns 

to accompany me on my climbs 

to castles and fortresses. At Yilan 

they both opt to sit in the shade of 

a café and wait for me to come back 

down. I start up the stone-paved 

path, which abruptly ends after 

200 feet. I walk the rest of the way 

across a rock-strewn dirt trail, and 

then I begin to scramble over the 

big boulders that block the way to 

the entrance. Making it to the first 

portal wipes me out. I sit on the 

only shady bit of rock I can find and 

rest a few minutes before I head 

back down. The view is incredible. 

Back in the air-conditioned car, 

we head to Kozan (Sis), the heart of 

Cilicia and the seat of the Cilician 

Catholicosate until the 1930s, when 

it moved to its present location in 

Antelias, Lebanon. 

Once a thriving religious and 

cultural center, Kozan today has 

no Armenian residents. The town’s 

fortress, like others in the region, 

sits at the crest of a mountain. We 

drive the steep incline through the 

town, where there still are vestiges 

of Armenian architecture, including 

a scattering of distinctive Armenians 

houses. We wind up the 

hill until we reach the end of the 

residential area before the final ascent 

to the fortress. 

A flat piece of land stretches out 

to our left. We park the car and 

walk across the expanse. There is 

nothing left of the Catholicosate 

except for two partial walls of the 

original building – the stones were 

used long ago to build a hospital 

in the valley below. Further up the 

road we park the car and climb once 

again to the fortress. The main entrance 

has a Mamluk inscription 

dating to the time when the fortress. 

As for the older Armenian inscription, 

it was removed (stolen) 

some 20 years ago. 

On our way to Kozan we’d noticed 

a sign that read “Anavarza, 5 

km,” pointing to our right. We now 

backtrack to that sign. Anavarza, 

another Armenian fortress not 

mentioned in either our Armenian 

or English guidebook, was not on 

our original itinerary. It’s the only 

one of the fortresses that Dad had 

not previously visited and he was 

curious to see it. I was exhausted 

after climbing four mountains in 

one day and was desperately hoping 

for a warm meal, a cool drink, 

and a hot shower. 

The narrow, badly paved road is 

marked by a simple sign that we almost 

overlook. Osman stops next 

to a man on an esheg (donkey) to 

ask for directions. The man points 

behind to the large rock outcropping 

on the horizon. As we approach 

it, we come to an archway, 

what remains of the Roman aqueduct, 

and the Greco-Roman ruins 

across the flat expanse. Beyond it 

is a very large mountain with what 

looks like a vast structure spanning 

its three crests. 

All of a sudden a man materializes. 

Tall, thin, with crystal blue 

eyes, Yashar is the director of the 

museum. He has seen us drive up 

and has come to tell us about the 

area. He leads us to the museum, 

which, in reality, is his house. Many 

years ago, while tilling his yard, he 

discovered two intact mosaics of 

what used to be the floors of a Roman 

bath. He hauled a few carved 

stones from the site, hand-wrote 

“Muze” on his wall, and he was in 

business. He is the “official” guide 

in these parts. 

There is about an hour before the 

sun is to set and we head towards 

the base of the mountain to begin 

our fifth climb of the day. Both Osman 

and Dad plan to join me this 

time. The mountain is steep and 

the crest too high up. It seems like 

an impossible task but we start the 

trek, scaling rocks interspersed 

with 330 stone steps still intact 

along the path. I’m grateful for 

them as they make the effort a bit 

easier to bear. While the three of 

us struggle with each step, Yashar 

gambols over them like a mountain 

goat. Finally I reach the top, just as 

the sun hides behind the horizon. 

Osman is a few meters behind me 

and Dad is further down the mountain. 

His ascent is going slowly because 

of his excruciating back pain, 

but he doesn’t want to hold us back. 

I make my way towards the small 

church in the first courtyard inside 

the walls. The fortress is over half 

a mile long and it’s impossible to 

explore it all. The roof of the church 

has caved in, but the distinctive Armenian 

carvings around the perimeter 

are mostly intact. Years ago, 

the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian 

conducted a wedding here for 

a couple who had met in Armenia 

during a Land and Culture Organi- 

Citizen activism stressed at anc 

Pasadena town hall meeting 

PASADENA, Calif. – Recently 

the Pasadena chapter of the Armenian 

National Committee hosted a 

town hall meeting featuring guest 

speaker Ardashes Kassakhian. 

As Glendale city clerk, Kassakhian 

spoke of the importance of 

citizen participation in the democratic 

process. He said all citizens, 

including Armenian-Americans, 

have a responsibility to be involved 

in local government affairs. The 

gathering, held on September 17 at 

the Armenian Center in Pasadena, 

drew a mix of young and old community 

members, some longtime 

activists, and others new to the 

community. 

“Our town hall meeting this 

zation summer campaign. Then the 

church was still in good shape and 

I could imagine the three of them 

standing at the altar in this majestic 

location. In the growing twilight 

Yashar, Osman and I emerge from 

the entrance. Dad is 50 meters 

below us. There isn’t enough time 

to wait for him to make it to the 

top and over to the church. We’re 

hurrying down while we still have 

some light to see our way. We reach 

the car just as the night engulfs the 

trail. 

Yashar has invited us to dinner 

with his family. His grandfather 

was a Cappadocian enlisted in 

the Janissaries (the Ottoman infantry 

which conscripted the orphaned 

sons of families that were 

massacred by the Turks). Yashar 

has never left the area except for 

the time he served in the military, 

where he came into contact with 

U.S. personnel and taught himself 

English. He has a thirst for 

knowledge, history in particular, 

and grills us for stories about the 

evening was all about serving the 

community,” remarked Pasadena 

anc leader Dikran Tabakian. “We 

plan to hold more town hall meetings. 

Today we touched on the importance 

of grassroots action and 

the need to be involved locally with 

our city council and other local officials.” 

“Our upcoming town hall meetings 

will touch on other interesting 

topics designed to engage our 

community members and get 

them involved,” Tabakian continued. 

“The idea is simple: we need 

to educate our community, motivate 

[people], and, finally, we need 

to [encourage] them to support 

worthwhile activities.” 

people who built the mountaintop 

castle. 

I wonder how these formidable 

structures, so hard to reach, could 

ever fall in the hands of enemies. 

This is a question I ponder as I recover 

from a day of climbing increasingly 

difficult mountains and 

scaling the walls of more fortified 

walls. I have no answer. 

Before embarking on this trek, 

several friends advised me to take 

lots of pictures during my travels, 

but Roger had a specific demand. 

“When you get to a place where 

standing there you feel the energy 

of those that went before us, then 

take a picture for me,” he requested. 

I remembered his words when 

I first stopped the car at the ancient 

western border of Cilicia and 

looked across the rolling mountains 

and the blue Mediterranean waters. 

I’ve thought about his request at 

each site since that first one. Every 

time I stood high on the ramparts 

of a castle and looked across the 

sea or the waters of a flowing river 

In his remarks, Kassakhian reflected 

on his own history of grassroots 

involvement and later work 

as the executive director of the 

Armenian National Committee– 

Western Region office. He cited 

a number of examples of how an 

energized and motivated group 

of Armenian-Americans can bring 

positive change to their local government. 

Kassakhian said that failing 

to be involved in local government 

affairs in Pasadena and 

elsewhere is not an acceptable 

option. “If you want to play a 

positive role in the future of your 

city, you have to be involved,” he 

emphasized. 

 

Arpa International Film Festival to be held 

at the Egyptian Theatre, October 24–26 

LOS ANGELES – The 11th 

Annual Arpa International Film 

Festival, featuring a diversity of 

local and international films – 

including works from usc, ucla, 

Pasadena Art Center, and csun 

– will be held at the Egyptian 

Theatre in Hollywood, October 

24 through 26. 

The opening-night premiere will 

be J. Michael Hagopian’s final 

installment in his trilogy about 

the Armenian Genocide, titled The 

River Ran Red. Other highlights 

include a 90th-birthday tribute 

to screen legend Rita Hayworth, 

featuring the first work that won 

her international acclaim, Rouben 

Mamoulian’s 1941 Academy 

Award-winning Technicolor film 

Blood and Sand. 

Arpa will screen 49 films from 

21 countries, including Armenia, 

Australia, Belize, Canada, China, 

Congo, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, 

France, Iran, Ireland, Italy, 

Romania, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, 

Tobago, Trinidad, Turkey, the U.K., 

the usa, and Venezuela. Among 

the films on the list of Arpa’s 2008 

Official Selection are Familiar Voices 

with Mia Farrow; the world 

premiere of Tadeh Daschi’s The 

Witch of Portobello, based on Paulo 

Coelho’s novel of the same name; 

and Strength and Honour, starring 

Michael Madsen and Richard 

Chamberlain. 

Each year, the festival recognizes 

individuals in the film industry 

with achievement and humanitarian 

awards. Arpa’s 2008 award recipients 

include Ted Braun, who 

will receive the Armin T. Wegner 

Award for his film Darfur Now. 

Actress and activist Mary Apick 

will receive the Arpa Foundation 

Award; and actor Marco Khan 

will be named Breakthrough Artist 

of the Year for his performances 

in 10,000 B.C., Iron Man, and 

Dr. Michael 

Hagopian. 

Photo: Helena 

Gregorian. 

Don’t Mess with Zohan. Honorees 

and winners will be recognized 

at an awards ceremony hosted by 

ReelzChannel’s Jill Simonian, on 

October 26. 

The Egyptian Theatre is located 

at 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 

CA 90028. 

For schedule and tickets, call (323) 

663-1882 or visit affma.org. 

through the green valleys of our 

historic homeland, I thought, “Yes, 

this is the place.” Yet every time I 

came across a new vista, it made 

me rebut the previous one. Here at 

Anavarza, I again thought of Roger’s 

words and wondered if it was 

the ultimate place to feel the spirit 

of our ancestors. Once more I could 

not come to any clear conclusion, 

as each fortress and each view had 

its own special energy and place in 

history. And now they are lodged in 

my heart. 

 

Visit us at 

reporter.am



Armen Stepanian: the Christopher Columbus of recycling 

How a Seattle man 

helped ignite the 

American recycling 

revolution. And why 

he’s unhappy with 

how things turned 

out. 

by Karin Saghdejian 

OCEAN SHORES, Wash. 

– Crouching on a counter in the 

middle of his ramshackle house, 

Armen Stepanian is browsing 

through his old files. He shows me 

typewriter-written questionnaires, 

flyers, and postage-paid cards addressed 

to Fremont (Seattle, Washington) 

households, asking them if 

they would subscribe to a garbagecollection 

program that might start 

in their neighborhood. 

It was in 1975 when Armen and 

a group of volunteers initiated and 

successfully implemented the first 

recycling program in Seattle. The 

initiative is now considered to be 

the first of its kind in the United 

States. 

But, after 33 years, Armen is not 

happy with what the recycling phenomenon 

has morphed into. He 

believes his original energy-saving 

idea has actually become an energywasting 

service. 

On Broadway 

With a hearty pari yegak (welcome), 

Armen greets me on the stairs of 

his house in Ocean Shores, a small 

coastal town three hours’ drive 

from Seattle. At an age when most 

people are retired, 77-year-old Armen, 

with his unflinching spirit 

and mighty hands, is in the business 

of “recycling” his house with 

wooden planks he has collected 

from a remodeled local church. Every 

Armenian can relate to Armen’s 

resolve to make things happen and 

survive amid adversity, as he has 

done throughout his life. 

He was born in New York City 

to Napoleon Stepanian (born in 

Kharpert) and Zaro Hatchadoorian 

(born in Everek) – both had left 

their historic Armenian towns in 

the early 1900s because of Ottoman 

persecution. 

Armen’s childhood was a colorful 

one. He grew up in lower-class 

Manhattan neighborhoods and 

became a professional singer. Recycling 

was never in his repertoire. 

His childhood was spent in Hell’s 

Kitchen, a gritty neighborhood 

of Manhattan popularized in the 

1930s by the films of James Cagney 

and Humphrey Bogart. “I grew up 

there and my first taste of America 

comes from those struggling 

people, the streets, the kids, and 

the white culture,” he says. “Every 

Friday night, in order to escape the 

terrible neighborhoods we lived in, 

my mother would take me by trolley 

six miles to Washington Heights to 

my grandparents.” The ride made 

him nauseous. “She would tell me, 

‘Look up at the clouds and the skylight, 

they don’t move.’” 

Being an only child, Armen was 

groomed by the adults in his life 

to become a young-boy virtuoso 

violinist phenomenon. Conflicted 

between a mother who wanted 

him to attend Columbia University 

and a father who wanted him to 

take over his window-display business, 

Armen chose what he himself 

wanted: singing in choirs. 

He sang in New York’s St. Gregory 

Armenian Church Choir, which 

led to a professional singing career 

with the Robert Shaw Chorale. He 

appeared in the Broadway musical 

Silk Stocking and summer stock musicals 

such as My Sister Aileen, Call 

me Madame, Carousel, Showboat, Annie 

Get Your Gun, Kiss Me Mate, and 

Finian’s Rainbow. He even recorded 

an album with Harry Belafonte and 

got a Juilliard vocal scholarship. 

Armen ended his music career 

after realizing that the prospects of 

staying in show business would diminish 

in case he got out of shape. 

In the mayor’s office 

After a short stint in San Francisco, 

where he started a window-display 

business following in his father’s 

footsteps, Armen moved to Seattle 

on the eve of 1970 to start a new 

life. He made his home in Fremont, 

the city’s bohemian district, where 

he first worked as a carpenter. He 

went on to serve as an honorary 

mayor, community activist, recycling 

manager, and ultimately a 

leader who helped transform Fremont 

from a seedy neighborhood 

into an organized and revitalized 

district. 

With his larger-than-life personality, 

Armen was able to change the 

face of the squalid neighborhood. 

In 1973, when an enterprising local 

newspaper publisher, seeking 

to increase sales of his publication, 

announced elections for honorary 

mayor of Fremont, Armen ran and 

won. “I ran against 37 candidates 

Armen Stepanian 

is “recycling” his 

house, in Ocean 

Shores, Wash. 

Left: Armen 

Stepanian. 

Photos: Karin 

Saghdejian. 

(among them a black Labrador) 

and won the title,” he recalls. But 

to everybody’s surprise, Armen 

showed his election was not just 

a publicity stunt: he subsequently 

founded the Fremont Food Bank 

to feed the hungry, the Well-baby 

Center for expectant mothers and 

children, the Seniors Center, the 

Fremont Fair (still running after 35 

years), and the district’s first recycling 

station. With his show-business 

background, Armen was able 

to rally people around him. The 

press loved him. He stirred the media 

in favor of his causes and wrote 

the governor of Washington State 

to gain support for his energy-saving 

ideas. 

Father of recycling 

Armen began to promote recycling 

at a time when the United States 

was gripped with an energy crisis 

brought on by the opec oil embargo. 

As he witnessed the long lines 

in front of gas stations, he realized 

that the country’s energy future 

would be in peril without conservation 

and sustainable consumption 

practices. “I hit the recycling button 

and it worked,” he says. 

His idea was first met with suspicion. 

Nobody believed people 

would be willing to collect and give 

away recyclables for no return. 

As Armen and other volunteers 

began his recycling program, only 

a few households participated. In 

time, however, their numbers grew 

considerably and Armen’s recycling 

model would eventually be emulated 

and expanded by other cities. 

Neil Seldman, president of the 

Institute For Local Self-Reliance, a 

nonprofit organization that promotes 

sustainable use of resources, 

believes Armen was a key player in 

the recycling and anti-incineration 

movement of the 70s. 

“He established communitybased 

recycling in Seattle, [a program 

that] was a forerunner to the 

current citywide systems,” he says. 

Armen started off with a survey 

of 150 households in Fremont, asking 

them if they would be willing to 

participate in a recycling program. 

He was pleased that 67 said yes. 

“On the first day of recycling, [May 

6, 1975], 32 of the 67 did participate,” 

he recalls. “We did it every month 

and the 32 grew to 1,500.” The service 

was organized by volunteers 

of the Fremont Public Association 

and provided free of charge. 

Armen calculates how much energy 

is saved if we recycle just a portion 

of our daily garbage. “Recycled 

glass saves nine barrels of oil per 

ton – an average family puts out 

ten pounds per month,” he says. 

“Each group of 200 families will 

save nine barrels of oil per month. 

Aluminum cans are more dramatic. 

If you make an aluminum can a second 

time you only use 5% of the 

original energy, so you save 95%.” 

Armen boasts about the success 

of his recycling program, which 

served as a blueprint for other cities. 

“The recycling pick-up you have 

in Vancouver is a copy of this program 

in Seattle,” he says. “Every 

time you recycle, know that it’s an 

Armenian program.” 

Seldman believes Armen’s role 

was also critical in the development 

of public policy. “For example,” he 

says, “when the city announced a pilot 

recycling program in several disconnected 

communities, he pointed 

out that ‘you don’t make a fire with 

the logs separated from each other.’ 

He accomplished this by successfully 

critiquing the various plans that the 

city suggested. Eventually, Armen’s 

positions were successful.” 

The service was provided free 

of charge from 1975 until 1980, 

when the Reagan administration 

cut funding for such community 

projects. Armen continued the 

program as a private business until 

1988, when the city contracted big 

garbage-collection companies to do 

the work. 

Armen was later (1990–94) commissioned 

to initiate a recycling 

program in Indianapolis, which 

did not succeed, since it was a huge 

task for one person. “They needed 

a massive grassroots effort to raise 

awareness and implement [the program],” 

he says. 

An energy-saving idea 

gone wrong 

Today recycling is far from the original 

energy-saving idea Armen and 

his volunteers designed more than 

33 years ago, he says. He believes 

a lot of what passes for recycling 

is not really saving us energy but 

rather is a huge waste of energy. 

He points out three major pitfalls: 

first, the inefficient pick-up 

process. He says the pick-up truck 

that collects trash once a week 

drives by even if the garbage is not 

placed outside, since the service is 

paid for based on the number of 

times the truck travels and not by 

the amount of garbage collected. 

“It ends up costing us at least ten 

times more to pick up the material 

than its original worth,” he explains. 

Second, the pricey garbage bill, 

which has two components: recycling 

and trash collection. “Garbage 

companies don’t tell households 

that they are paying for two different 

services, collection and recycling, 

lest they opt to take their 

garbage to the recycling centers 

themselves and save half of their 

bill,” he says. 

Third, the wasteful packaging 

industry. The “post-consumer recycled” 

label that cardboard boxes 

carry refers to the leavings that are 

reused after stamping out a box 

from a cardboard, Armen explains. 

“It’s salvaging, that’s pre-consumer, 

not recycling,” he says. “Recycling 

is bringing back the used material.” 

He wants all the packaging 

to be declared. “We know that 50% 

post-consumer boxes can be done, 

as a California company is doing 

it,” he says. “So we need the reused-material 

percentage to go up 

to 85%.” Armen also advocates the 

use of glass instead of plastic for 

the manufacture of bottles (since 

glass is cheaper to make and recycle), 

and a ban of plastic bags 

(as is the case in some European 

countries). 

What’s next 

Armen Stepanian has lived a full life. 

He’s hailed as a hero in American 

recycling circles, for both pioneering 

the recycling movement and 

educating people to adopt conservation 

and recycling practices. “He 

has demonstrated that in a 15-minute 

conversation he would make 

families recyclers for life,” Seldman 

says. “Armen is a hero of the grassroots 

recycling movement.” 

Today Armen lives alone on a 

windy stretch of the Pacific coast, 

barely able to sustain a living and 

undergoing his fourth divorce. Yet 

his imagination is teeming with 

fresh ideas for societal change. 

He contemplates the next thing 

in his life, which could be a campaign 

against a recycling regime 

gone wrong. “I can’t wait to open 

this can of worms,” he says. He 

even would consider moving to 

Armenia and raising awareness 

about the benefits of recycling 

– in a landlocked country with no 

space to spare. “Armenia is prone 

to earthquakes, and landfills can be 

a double disaster,” he explains. “It 

would be a huge input to educate 

Armenian people about the importance 

of recycling.” 

But for the time being it would be 

enough to spend an afternoon entertaining 

a kindred spirit. “Thank 

you for your visit,” he tells me. “It 

was a cup of water in the middle of 

the desert.”



Thousands attend Fresno’s prpoor festival 

by Alik Hovsepian 

FRESNO, Calif. – Thousands 

discovered one of the Fresno Armenian 

community’s best-kept secrets 

last weekend, namely the Armenian 

Cultural Foundation’s second 

annual Grand Armenian Festival, 

which took place on the grounds 

of the California Armenian Home 

in Fresno. 

The three-day event featured 

a full lineup of activities and performances 

as well as prpoor, an 

800-year-old harvest celebration 

that Armenians of California’s 

Central Valley have observed since 

the 1950s. Prpoor celebrates food, 

music, art, and community. “It’s 

a combination of festivals,” said 

Raffy Chekerdemian, one of the 

organizers of the event. 

The heat didn’t stop the revelers, 

who had gathered from all over California, 

including San Francisco, Los 

Angeles, and San Diego. “We found 

out about prpoor last year and that it 

was taking place in Fresno,” said Talar 

Aintablian of San Mateo. “We 

enjoyed ourselves last year, so we 

made it a point to come out again 

this year. It was a good way for our 

families from San Francisco and Los 

Angeles to meet here in Fresno for 

this Armenian tradition. I feel like 

Los Angeles has the Navasartian 

Games, San Francisco has the Food 

Bazaar, and this could be the good 

yearly tradition that people can congregate 

to Fresno for.” 

As part of the William Saroyan 

Centennial Celebration taking 

place worldwide this year, the festival 

kicked off on the night of September 

26 with a Saroyan theatrical 

performance by the California 

State University, Fresno Theatre 

Arts Department. The performance 

was followed by a dance party with 

the ayf Armenian All Stars Band. 

At dawn on September 27, organizers 

were hard at work picking 

grapes and then crushing the fruits 

by stomping on them, until all that 

was left was the juice. The liquid was 

boiled to purify it and subsequently 

cooked until 8 that night, when the 

bubbling grape molasses became 

foamy on top – hence the prpoor. Officiating 

the harvest were the Very 

Reverend Father Barthev Gulumian, 

Reverend Father Vahan Gosdanian, 

Reverend Father Hrant Serabian, 

and Reverend Father Gomidas 

Torosian, who together blessed 

the four corners of the world. 

The prpoor was then eaten in celebration 

of the harvest. “I never 

knew what it was, it’s fantastic,” 

said Azad Deeb. “It’s like cotton 

candy, very sweet.” Sebouh Serabian, 

who had traveled from Los 

Angeles, also enjoyed it. “It was 

good, it kind of tasted like fuzz,” 

he said. Prpoor isn’t for everyone, 

however. “I don’t care for the prpoor 

the first day,” said Pierre Pilavian. 

“But once it sits and it gets cooler, I 

like it, especially on pancakes.” After 

settling, prpoor turns into a rich, 

sweet syrup which can be eaten 

with bread. It can also be used to 

treat sore throats and coughs. 

Other acts performing at the 

festival included the San Fernando 

Valley’s Hamazkayin Nairi Dance 

Ensemble, which captivated the 

audience with its performance of 

traditional Armenian dances. Children’s 

entertainment was provided 

by Maggie while Tom Bozigian 

gave Armenian-dance lessons. The 

evening concluded with a dance 

party by Khatchig Jingirian and 

his band. 

“I feel great today because of all 

these Armenians from all over California 

who came here to support 

Fresno and the prpoor… all these 

kids helping and learning about 

Armenian culture and the tradition 

of prpoor,” Pilavian said. 

connect: 

grandarmenianfestival.com 

Above: 

Officiating the 

harvest were 

from left to 

right Reverend 

Father Gomidas 

Torosian, 

Reverend Father 

Hrant Serabian, 

Very Reverend 

Father Barthev 

Gulumian, 

Reverend Father 

Vahan Gosdanian 

Right: From Left 

to Right Hratch 

Abdulian, Hratch 

Hovsepian and 

Raffi Pilavian 

serving up 

prpoor. 

Prelacy continues series of lectures on Christian education 

GLENDALE, Calif. – On September 

23, Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, 

co-director of the Prelacy’s 

Christian Education Department, 

presented the first lecture in a 

three-part series titled “Christian 

Education in Family, School, 

Social, and Community Life” at 

St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. 

The second lecture in this series 

(which is part of the larger, ongoing 

“Year of Christian Education” 

series) took place on October 

1 and the third is planned to be 

held on October 8. 

Following the opening prayer by 

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, 

Prelate, and clergy members, 

Master of Ceremonies Mrs. 

Tamar Tufenkian-Seraydarian 

reflected on the message of H.H. 

Aram I, Catholicos of the Great 

House of Cilicia, in declaring 2008 

to be the “Year of Christian Education,” 

and emphasized her belief 

that the Armenian church, school, 

and family are all vital to the proper 

development of the Armenian 

youth. 

Fr. Muron began his lecture by 

speaking of the overall mission of 

the church and said Christian education 

is at the heart of that mission. 

Fr. Muron went on to speak of 

the different stages in the development 

and rearing of children, and 

of the responsibility of parents to 

provide the right instruction, starting 

at a young age. 

Stressing that spiritual nourishment 

is just as vital as physical 

growth and nourishment, Fr. Muron 

presented a number of prayers 

Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, co-director 

of the Prelacy’s Christian Education 

Department, at the lectern. 

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, 

Prelate. 

Community members gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. 

which he said can be recited at different 

times of the day and in different 

circumstances to assist parents 

in the religious instruction of 

their children. 

The program also included an 

artistic portion in which highschool 

students from Rose and 

Alex Pilibos School participated 

with songs and recitations. 

In his closing remarks, the Prelate 

spoke of the family-churchschool 

connection and concluded 

by noting the importance of the 

respective and collaborative contributions 

of clergy, parents, educators, 

and community leaders in the 

instruction of Armenian youths. 

The event was followed by a reception 

in the hall by the Board of 

Trustees and Ladies’ Auxiliary. 

Let us know what’s on your mind. 

Write to us at 

letters@reporter.am



Saroyan centenary continues with several events in Fresno 

by Sarah Soghomonian 

FRESNO, Calif. – A complete 

success – that’s what organizers 

of the William Saroyan Centennial 

Celebration are calling their 

year-long tribute to the Pulitzer 

Prize-winning author. 

A group of Saroyan enthusiasts 

from Fresno have spent three years 

to plan the almost 100 individual 

projects in honor of Fresno’s native 

son. 

“It’s been extremely rewarding,” 

said Larry Balakian, one of the 

lead organizers of the Saroyan Centennial 

Celebration. 

Saroyan lived a good portion of 

his life in California’s San Joaquin 

Valley, drawing a great deal of inspiration 

from its agricultural communities. 

“Saroyan is one of the great giants,” 

said Edward EmanuEl, 

theater director at California State 

University, Fresno. “His work has 

reached millions. Saroyan is still 

as valuable today as when he was 

writing.” 

Fresno State is taking part in the 

Centennial Celebration. EmanuEl 

is directing Saroyan’s play Slaughter 

of the Innocents. 

“The play is very interesting from 

a dramatic point of view,” Emanu- 

El said. “I think it’s an important 

piece. It’s a play that needs to be 

seen.” 

One of Saroyan’s lesser-known 

works, Slaughter of the Innocence 

is a dark, powerful piece that 

was written in response to the 

Joe McCarthy hearings of the 

1950s. 

While EmanuEl expressed his 

admiration for classic Saroyan 

plays such as Time of Your Life 

(which won the Pulitzer Prize in 

1940), The Human Comedy, and 

Hello Out There, he said it was 

important to stage a play, such 

as Slaughter of the Innocence, that 

showed a different side of the author. 

Slaughter of the Innocence has 

no specific setting or time frame. 

For the Fresno State production, 

EmanuEl chose a Caribbean island 

as the setting. 

The 33-member cast is working 

on overdrive preparing for the production. 

They’ve had only about a 

month of rehearsal time. The 80- 

minute production kicks off the 

Fresno State theater season. 

Slaughter of the Innocence opens 

on October 3 and runs through 

Slaughter of 

Innocents. 

Photos: The 

Collegian’s Ryan 

Tubongbanu. 

October 11, at Fresno State’s John 

Wright Theater. 

“We are extremely excited and 

honored to be part of a celebration 

that honors Fresno’s greatest writer,” 

said EmanueEl. “Saroyan helps 

prove that Fresno has a lot more 

to offer culturally than one would 

think.” 

The centennial celebration is “really 

about community,” Balakian 

said. “It has shown the community 

in a very favorable light.” 

The Saroyan Centennial Celebration 

has garnered considerable media 

attention, through television 

coverage and series of articles. The 

Fresno Bee, for instance, ran a series 

of Saroyan’s writings and helped 

promote the different events happening 

around the San Joaquin 

Valley. 

The Fresno County Library has 

also taken an active role in the 

celebration, showcasing Saroyan’s 

work at each of its branches. 

Events honoring Saroyan started 

back in January. They peaked 

during August, when Saroyan 

would have celebrated his 100th 

birthday. 

Upcoming centennial events include 

a Saroyan exhibition, at the 

Home Arts Building, during the 

Fresno County Fair (October 1-12). 

Centenary celebrations will come 

to a close in November with a town 

hall lecture at the Saroyan Theater 

in Fresno. 

“Our years of hard work and planning 

paid off,” Balakian said. “It 

shows that when a group comes together, 

you can have a productive 

outcome.” 

 

You share the same 

community. Discover what 

happens when you share 

the same experience. 

For more information about 

Relay For Life or to join an 

event near you, visit 

www.cancer.org/RelayNYNJ 

or call 1.800.ACS.2345. 

Paint the Town Purple in 

celebration of Relay For Life on 

May 1, May Day For Relay. 

1.800.ACS.2345 

www.cancer.org/relayNYNJ

10 The Armenian Reporter | October 4, 2008



Muron is blessed at Etchmiadzin in ancient ritual 

n Continued from page 

At 5 p.m., the bells of Etchmiadzin 

started ringing loudly. 

After shaking hands with Serge 

Sargsian, the president of the Republic 

of Armenia, the Catholicos 

of All Armenians, Karekin II, took 

his place at the very end of a long 

procession. Toward the front of the 

procession were junior clergy, followed 

by more senior clergy, then 

bishops, then archbishops, and finally, 

the Catholicos and Supreme 

Patriarch. 

The clergy carried holy relics, 

including the right hand of Saint 

Gregory the Illuminator, the patron 

saint of the Armenian Church 

and the first Catholicos. 

Bartholomew, the Ecumenical 

Patriarch, was present, as were 

other representatives of sister 

churches. 

Representing the Catholicos 

of the Great House of Cilicia was 

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, 

Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy. 

Representing the Armenian Patriarch 

of Jerusalem was Archbishop 

Nurhan Manoogian. The Armenian 

Patriarch of Constantinople 

was represented by Archbishop 

Shahan Svajian. 

The president of the Republic of 

Nagorno Karabagh, Bako Sahakian, 

as well as diplomats, ministers, 

and other dignitaries were 

also present. 

Armenians from Etchmiadzin 

and elsewhere in Armenia joined 

perhaps two to three thousand 

pilgrims from around the world 

to witness the ceremony. They 

congregated – and pushed forward 

– in a massive crowd waiting 

for the procession to come 

their way, so they may be blessed 

by the cross the Catholicos was 

holding. 

After the procession made its 

ways to the stage, the ceremony 

continued with the Lord’s Prayer. 

The Etchmiadzin choir sang enthusiastically, 

adding to the spiritual 

ambiance. 

The cauldron of pure olive oil was 

opened. Over 40 ingredients, many 

the essence of various flowers, were 

blessed and added, as was balsam. 

Senior clergymen, including Archbishop 

Khajag Barsamian, Primate 

of the Eastern Diocese, and 

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, 

Primate of the Western Diocese, 

made their way to the Catholicos 

and the cauldron and presented ingredients. 

As a symbol of the unity of the 

Armenian church, Archbishop Koriun 

Papian added newly blessed 

muron from the Cilician See. 

And then some of the old muron 

was added. 

“In the new blessing, the old muron 

is poured in so the tradition 

going back all the way to the first 

Catholicos, going back to the beginning, 

to Saint Gregory the Illuminator 

is kept,” Archbishop Barsamian 

told the Armenian Reporter. 

He added that the muron “is the 

symbol of the presence of the Holy 

Sprit, the sign of the unity of the 

Armenian Church, and it is the life 

of the church.” 

After the blessing, the time came 

for the Catholicos to speak. All was 

silent, and all were waiting to hear 

what the pontiff was going to say. 

The only sounds to be heard were 

the rain falling on umbrellas and 

raincoats, and, the occasional mobile 

phone ringing. 

“From the heights of heaven, holiness 

descends once more today and 

disperses blessing, grace, and exuberance 

over our homeland, within 

our souls, and throughout the whole 

of Armenian life,” he said. “With 

the prayerful participation of the 

sons and daughters of our nation 

Scenes from the blessing of the Holy Muron. Above: Catholicos Karekin II with 

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Photos: Photolure. 

dispersed throughout the world, we 

bless the Holy Muron according to 

the words granted from our Lord. 

Glory, unending praise, and thanks 

to our all-provident God.” 

He also spoke about mixing the 

old and new oils and the oil from 

the Great House of Cilicia. “We 

combined the previous muron, 

through which we transmit the oil 

blessed by our Lord from generation 

to generation; and also mixed 

the newly made muron of the Catholicosate 

of the Great House of 

Cilicia. We blessed it with our sacred 

and cherished relics – with the 

saving Cross of our Lord, the Holy 

Lance, and the Holy Right Hand of 

our Illuminator Pontiff,” the Catholicos 

said. 

When the ceremony was all 

over, the Catholicos, the other 

clergy, and the dignitaries left the 

grounds; people rushed forward to 

touch anything they could to the 

now-blessed cauldron that held the 

blessed muron. 

“I was fortunate to have my scarf 

touched to the Holy Muron,” said 

Nancy Arabian, a pilgrim from 

Tarzana, California. “Everyone 

wanted their scarves to be touched 

by the Holy Muron; I didn’t think I 

was going to make it out alive. This 

event was something that I wanted 

to witness all my life. I have heard 

the procedure from my parents. It 

was a very important pilgrimage 

for me” 

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, 

who is based in Washington, said 

he believed the laity in Armenia has 

a great interest in religion, perhaps 

because such interest had been discouraged 

by the Communist Party 

in the Soviet era. “They are getting 

much closer to their religion,” Archbishop 

Aykazian said. 

One of the young people in 

attendance was Narine Hakobyan, 

who lives in Armenia and 

is in her mid-twenties. She said, 

“Each time a muron blessing is 

held, more and more people 

show up, of all ages. This means 

our faith is spreading among our 

people, wherever they might be 

living.” 

f



Community in brief 

John Papken Damboragian's 100th 

Birthday. 

John Papken 

Damboragian turns 100 

John Papken Damboragian just celebrated 

his 100th birthday. A party 

on August 24 attended by family 

and friends marked the occasion. 

Mr. Damboragian was born in 

Worcester, Massachusetts, on August 

25, 1908. At the age of 3, he was 

taken to historical Armenia by his 

parents. He returned to the United 

States with his mother when he was 

16 years old. He father had died in 

Armenia during the Genocide. 

Mr. Damboragian’s pride in his 

heritage is only exceeded by his 

pride in his family. He and his late 

wife Mary were married for 54 

years. Together they raised four 

children who have blessed the family 

with six grandchildren and six 

great-grandchildren. 

After working more than 45 years 

in the photoengraving industry, he 

retired at the age of 73. Known and 

respected today for his honesty, integrity, 

generosity, sense of humor, 

and caring nature, he still enjoys 

gardening, cooking, entertaining, 

and a daily cigar. 

He has been and continues to 

be an inspiration and positive role 

model to his children, grandchildren, 

and great-grandchildren. 

The destruction 

of Smyrna in 1922 

documented in new 

edition 

Sterndale Classics has just published 

a new edition of George 

Horton’s Blight of Asia, which was 

originally written with a foreword 

by James W. Gerard (former United 

States ambassador to Germany). 

The new edition includes a new introduction 

by James L. Marketos, a 

Greek-American attorney based in 

Washington. 

Dubbed “Gavur Izmir” (infidel 

Smyrna) by fanatics, Smyrna was 

destroyed by Turkish nationalists 

in September 1922. Horton was the 

United States consul in the city and 

witnessed the carnage and burning 

first hand. 

According to Mr. Marketos, 

Horton’s account “offers a clear 

rationale for why the Turks would 

have wanted to start the fire. . . 

. Horton emphatically stated his 

belief that the fire was intended 

finally to exterminate Christianity 

in Asia Minor and to render it 

impossible for the Christians to 

return, i.e. it was an intentional 

act of genocide.” 

The book, a paperback, spans 

209 pages. It includes photos and 

an index. Sterndale Classics is an 

imprint of the Gomidas Institute 

(London). 

 

connect: 

info@garodbooks.com 

Calendar of Events 

Hoy Lari to hold a 

concert for children in 

Hollywood 

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Hoy Lari 

will hold its first-ever solo concert 

on Sunday, October 26, at Barnsdall 

Gallery Theatre in Hollywood. 

Two performances will take place, 

one at noon, the other at 3:30 pm. 

Hoy Lari is Paola Kassabian 

and Janet Yetenekian. Together, 

they form a dynamic duo entertaining 

and educating kids of all 

ages with their fun, upbeat songs. 

The music is designed to encourage 

children to sing in Armenian and 

develop the Armenian language in 

their formative years, while stimulating 

imagination, cognition, and 

self expression. 

After their debut album Jamanagn 

eh, Hoy Lari released Getseh 

Pokreegner. The new album takes 

children on imaginary adventures 

with amusing songs about an elephant, 

monkeys, astronauts, mixing 

colors, and healthy foods. 

connect: www.hoylari.com 

www.itsmyseat.com 

1-310-600-0207 

Audience to laugh with 

Dottie Bengoian in 

Connecticut 

TRUMBULL, Conn. – “Laugh with 

Dottie Bengoian,” a performance 

by the humorist, motivational 

speaker, and educator, will take 

place on October 19, at 12:30 P.M. at 

the Armenian Church of the Holy 

Ascension in Trumbull. 

Early reservations are recommended. 

 

connect: 

1-203-372-5770. 

Armenia’s 

independence marked 

in New Jersey 

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. – Ara Papian, 

who served as Armenia’s ambassador 

to Canada from 2001 to 2006 

and has since resigned from Armenia’s 

diplomatic corps, was the 

keynote speaker at a New Jersey 

celebration of the 17th anniversary 

of Armenia’s independence. The 

event, which brought together 250 

people, took place at the Dwight 

Englewood School Auditorium in 

Englewood. It was organized by the 

ARF New Jersey “Dro” Gomideh. 

Pauline Dostoumian, the gomideh 

representative, said Armenia 

needs to be ready to grab any opportunities 

presented by the complex 

and volatile situation in the 

Caucasus. She argued that Armenia 

could potentially lay claim to territories 

now under Turkish rule. 

Mr. Papian gave a 25-minute 

PowerPoint presentation on the 

subject of Armenian territorial 

claims, decisions, and treaties. He 

offered an argument that President 

Woodrow Wilson’s arbitration of 

Left: Arev Folk 

Ensemble. 

Below: Ara 

Papian meeting 

with ayf New 

Jersey Seniors. 

the borders between Armenia and 

Turkey on November 22, 1920, was 

still in effect. Mr. Papian’s interpretation 

brought about a lively period 

of questions and remarks. 

The program included the performance 

of Armenian songs by 

the Hamazkayin Arev folk ensemble 

of Boston. Traditional Armenian 

instruments were played 

under the directorship of Martin 

Haroutunian. The audience appreciated 

Ani Zargarian’s gracious 

voice. Also on the program 

was the Yeraz dance ensemble of 

the Saint Sarkis Church of New 

York, under the leadership of 

Karnig Nercessian and Lena 

Oranjian. 

 

Northern California 

OCTOBER 3 & 4 - ST. VARTAN 

BAZAAR & FOOD FESTIVAL. 

Location: St. Vartan Armenian 

Church, 650 Spruce St., Oakland, 

CA. noon to midnight Admission: 

free. For more information 

contact St. Vartan Armenian 

Church, 510-893-1671; Stvartanoakland@aol.com. 

OCTOBER 4 - ISABEL BAYRAK- 

DARIAN, SOPRANO. Location: 

Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness 

Ave, San Francisco, CA. 8pm 

Admission: $65/$40. For more 

information contact San Francisco 

Performances, (415) 398- 

6449; info@performances.org. 

OCTOBER 12 - ALLA LEVO- 

NIAN IN CONCERT. Location: 

Saroyan Hall, 825 Brotherhood 

Way, San Francisco, CA. 4:00pm 

Admission: $35 adults $20 stude. 

For more information contact 

Hamazkayin SF Chapter and 

HMEM SF and Walnut Creek 

Chapters, 650-583-5477;. 

OCTOBER 19 - JOURNEY 

TO HISTORIC ARMENIA - IN 

SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTRAL 

ROOTS. Location: St. Vartan 

Armenian Church, 650 Spruce 

St., Oakland, CA. 12 noon Admission: 

$12.00. For more information 

contact St. Vartan Cultural 

Committee, 510-893- 1671; 

lizojakian@yahoo.com. 

OCTOBER 25 - ST. JOHN 

FOOD FESTIVAL. Location: 

St. John Armenian Church, 275 

Olympia Way, San Francisco, 

CA. 12:00noon-12:00midnight 

Admission: N/A. For more information 

contact St. 

John Armenian Church, 415-661- 

1142; nsarkiss@sbcglobal.net. 

OCTOBER 29 - ORIENTAL 

CARPETS IN EARLY RENAIS- 

SANCE PAINTINGS: A NEW 

INTERPRETATION. Location: 

Rugs and Carpets, Inc., 931 No. 

Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, CA. 

7:30 p.m. Admission: free. For 

more information contact West 

Coast Chapter of the Armenian 

Rugs Society and by The S, (650) 

343-8585; zzlorr@yahoo.com. 

NOVEMBER 1 - KZV ARME- 

NIAN SCHOOL BANQUET 

WITH VARTAN GREGORIAN. 

Location: Saroyan Hall, 825 

Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, 

CA. 6:30 PM Admission: tbd. 


Ani Ayanian; anizenop@yahoo. 

com. 

NOVEMBER 8 - ARMENIAN 

FOOD FESTIVAL AND BOU- 

TIQUE NOEL. Location: Calvary 

Armenian Congregational 

Church, 725 Brotherhood Way, 

San Francisco, CA. 12:00 -9:00 

pm Admission: Free. For more 

information contact Calvary 

Armenian Congregational 

Church, 415- 586-2000; Cacc@ 

cacc-sf.org. 

NOVEMBER 9 - FASHION 

SHOW. Location: HYATT RE- 

GENCY SANTA CLARA ,CA, 

5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa 

Clara, CA. 12:30 PM Admission: 

TBD. For more information contact 

St. Andrew Cultural Committee, 

(650)344-4707; sylvia. 

baghdasarian@Lmco.com. 

NOVEMBER 9 - FASHION 

SHOW. Location: HYATT RE- 

GECLANCY, 5101 Great America 

Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA. 11:30AM 

Admission: $60. For more information 

contact St. Andrew Cultural 

Committee, (650)344-4707; 

sylvia.baghdasarian@Lmco.com. 

NOVEMBER 21 - FROM CON- 

STANTINOPLE TO TBILISI: AN 

ARMENIAN LEGACY. Location: 

St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic 

Church, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, 

CA. 7:30pm Admission: 

$35 / $28 / $15. For more information 

contact Bay Area Classical 

Harmonies, (510) 868-0695; 

Info@BayAreaBACH.org. 




St. John Armenian Apostolic 

Church, 275 Olympia Blvd, San 

Francisco, CA. 7:30pm Admission: 

$35 / $28 / $15. For more 

information contact Bay Area 

Classical Harmonies, (510) 868- 

0695; Info@BayAreaBACH.org. 




St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic 

Church, 11370 S. Stelling Road, 

Cupertino, CA. 5:00pm Admission: 

$35 / $28 / $15. For more 

information contact Bay Area 

Classical Harmonies, (510) 868- 

0695; Info@BayAreaBACH.org. 

JANUARY 18 - CAL PERFOR- 

MANCES: SERGEY KHACHA- 

TRYAN VIOLIN WITH LUSINE 

KHACHATRYAN, PIANO. Location: 

Hertz Hall, University of 

California, Berkeley, CA. 3p.m. 


contact Cal Performances, 

510.642.9988; tickets@ 

calperfs.berkeley.edu. 

MARCH 15 - CRD BENEFIT 

CONCERT. Location: California 

Palace of the Legion of Honor, 

100 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA. 

2:00 pm Admission: TBD. For 

more information contact Support 

Committee for Armenia’s 

Cosmic Ray Division, (650) 926- 

4444; anahid1@sonic.net. 

Central California 

OCTOBER 5 - AGBU-LUN- 

CHEON. Location: St. Pauls 

Armenian Church, S.W. Corner 

of 1st and Dakota, Fresno, 

CA. 1:00 pm Admission: $12.00. 


AGBU-Fresno Chapter, 559-970- 

9354; dancing_zar@yahoo.com. 

OCTOBER 7 - LEARN CON- 

VERSATIONAL WESTERN 

ARMENIAN. Location: Charlie 

Keyan Armenian Community 

School, 108 N. Villa, Fresno, CA. 

6:30 pm Admission: $30.00. For 

more information contact Fresno 

AGBU, 559-431-3054; dancing_zar@yahoo.com. 

Southern California 

OCTOBER 3 - KOKO EXHIBI- 

TION. Location: STEPHANIE’S 

ART GALLERY, 466 Foothill 

Blvd., La Canada, CA. 6:30 PM 

to 10 PM Admission: free. For 

more information contact 

STEPHANIE’S ART GALLERY, 

818 790-4905; stephaniesart@ 

att.net. 

OCTOBER 4 - AGBU MD- 

SCHOOL HOLD ‘EM HYE 

LLL POKER TOURNAMENT 

FUNDRAISER. Location: AGBU 

MDSchool HOLD ‘EM HYE lll 

Poker Tournament Fundraiser, 

6844 Oakdale Ave., Canoga Park, 

CA. 7:30 PM Admission: $200.00 

Buy In. For more information 

contact AGBU MDS Alumni Association, 

; info@mdsalumni. 

com. 

OCTOBER 4 - DR. HAKOB SA- 

NASARYAN TO LECTURE ON 

ARMENIA ENVIRONMENTAL 

ISSUES. Location: Glendale Public 

Library, 222 E. Harvard Street, 

Glendale, CA. October 4th &5th 

Admission: Free. For more information 

contact Glendale Public 

Library, (818) 548-3288; EGrigorian@ci.glendale.ca.us. 

OCTOBER 4 - BIKFAYA, LEB- 

ANON - A LIFE-CHANGING 

EXPERIENCE. Location: Western 

Prelacy, 6252 Honolulu Avenue, 

La Crescenta, CA. 4:00pm 

- 6:00pm Admission: FREE. For 

more information contact Armenian 

Church Youth Association, 

818-859-9081; acyaglendale@yahoo.com. 

OCTOBER 5 - ISABEL BAYRAK- 

DARIAN WITH THE ARME- 

NIAN CHAMBER PLAYERS. 

Location: Renée & Henry Seger-



Calendar of Events 

strom Concert Hall, 615 Town 

Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. 

7:00 pm. Admission: $30-$195. 


Philharmonic Society of Orange 

County, 949-553-2422; marie@ 

philharmonicsociety.org 

OCTOBER 5, 2008 - ST. PE- 

TER ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC 

CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC. Location: 

St. Peter Armenian Apostolic 

Church of Van Nuys. Location: 

17231 Sherman Way, Van 

Nuys, CA, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Admission is free. For more information 

contact the 

OCTOBER 5 - ARMENIAN MU- 

SICAL LECTURE & MINI-CON- 

CERT. Location: Ararat- Eskijian 

Muesum, 15105 Mission Hills 

Rd, Mission Hills, CA. 2:30 P.M. 

Admission: Free Admission. For 

more information contact Ms. 

Maggie Mangarsarian-Goschin, 

(818) 838-4862; 

OCTOBER 5 - EMILY’S STEM 

CELL SURGERY FUNDRAISER. 

Location: Palladio Hall, 1018 E. 

Colorado St, Glendale, CA. 7 pm 

Admission: 150.00 or any. For 

more information contact Stage 

1 Productions, 818-482-0358; 

djraymx@yahoo.com. Tickets on 

www.itsmyseat.com.mgoschin@ 

mindspring.com.church office 

at (818)344-4860. 

OCTOBER 9 - ARMENIAN 

AMERICAN WOMEN IN BUSI- 

NESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 

LUNCHEON. Location: Hilton 

Hotel, 100 West Glenoaks Blvd., 

Glendale, CA. 11 am Admission: 

50.00. For more information 

contact AACC GLAC, 818-247- 

0196; aacc@armenianchamber. 

com. Tickets on www.itsmyseat. 

com. 

OCTOBER 9 - DEAD SERIOUS 

- OCT 9 - NOV 9. Location: Luna 

Playhouse, 3706 San Fernando 

Rd, Glendale, CA. Various; 8 pm 


contact Luna Playhouse, 

818.500.7200; kathypearson13@ 

hotmail.com. Tickets on www. 

itsmyseat.com. 

OCTOBER 9 - JAZZ PIANO 

STYLINGS OF VARDAN OVES- 

PIAN. Location: Pasadena Jazz 

Institute, 260 East Colorado 

Blvd Suite 206, Pasadena, CA. 

8:30 pm Admission: $20.00. For 

more information contact Paul 

Lines, 626-398-3344; paul@pasjazz.org. 

Tickets on www.itsmyseat.com. 

OCTOBER 10 - ALLA LEVO- 

NIAN CONCERT. Location: 

Glendale Presbyterian Church, 

125 S Louise St, Glendale, CA. 

8:00 Admission: $40. For more 

information contact ARS Glendale 

Sepan Chapter, 818-246- 

5549; emmasalmassian@yahoo. 

com. Tickets on www.itsmyseat.com. 

OCTOBER 12 - ANCWR ANNU- 

AL BANQUET. Location: Ronald 

Reagan Presidential Library, 40 

Presidential Dr, Simi Valley, CA. 

5:30 Admission: Not set. For 

more information contact Armenian 

National Committee 

Western Region, 8185001918; 

teresa@anca.org. Tickets on 

www.itsmyseat.com 

OCTOBER 12 - BURBANK 

COMMUNITY PICNIC. Location: 

Robert E Gross Park, 2800 

W Empire Ave, Burbank, CA. 

11am - 5pm Admission: $3.00 

Adults & $1.00. For more information 

contact Burbank Armenian 

Center, 818-562-1918; info@ 

burbankanc.org. 

OCTOBER 13 - BOOK EVENT: 

“ME AS HER AGAIN” BY NAN- 

CY AGABIAN. Location: Abril 

Bookstore, 415 E. Broadway 

#102, Glendale, CA. 7:30 pm Admission: 

FREE. For more information 

contact Abril Bookstore, 

818 243 4112; info@abrilbooks. 

com. 

OCTOBER 13 - DANCE CLASS. 

Location: Homenetmen Ararat 

Chapter, 3347 San Fernando 

Road, Glendale, CA. 7:30 pm 

Admission: $40.00 Donation. 


Homenetmen Ararat Chapter, 

818-640-2657; arenanor@aol. 

com. 

OCTOBER 18, 2008 - ST. PE- 

TER LADIES SOCIETY “PUT- 

TIN’ ON THE RITZ” ANNUAL 

FASHION SHOW & LUN- 

CHEON. Location: Sheraton 

Universal Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 

333 Universal Hollywood 

Drive, Universal City, CA. Boutique 

& Social Hour at 10:00 a.m. 

Luncheon at 12:00 p.m. Tickets: 


contact Manoush Devian (818) 

886-8950 or Hermine Mitilian 

(818) 988-3084. 

OCTOBER 24 - ARPA INTER- 

NATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. 

Location: Egyptian Theater, 6712 

Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA. 

6pm Admission: $11-$25. For 

more information contact AF- 

FMA, 323-663-1882; affma95@ 

aol.com. 

OCTOBER 23 - BOOK EVENT: 

“WILLIAM SAROYAN: PLAC- 

ES IN TIME”. Location: Abril 

Bookstore, 415 E. Broadway 

#102, Glendale, CA. 7:30 pm Admission: 

Free. For more information 

contact Abril Bookstore, 

818 243 4112; info@abrilbooks. 

com. 

OCTOBER 24 - AESA ENGI- 

NEERING AND SCIENCES JOB 

FAIR. Location: Glendale Community 

College, 1500 North 

Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA. 

11:00am- 3:00 pm Admission: 

Free. For more information contact 

rmenian Engineers and Scientist 

of America, Inc. (AESA), 

626.376.7420; Misak Zetilyan. 

OCTOBER 25 - ANC-PN AN- 

NUAL HAROUT BARAHANTES. 

Location: Homenetmen Ararat 

Banquet Hall, 3347 N San Fernando 

Rd, Glendale, CA. 8:00 

pm Admission: TBD. For more 

information contact ANC Professional 

Network, ; info@ancpn. 


com. 

OCTOBER 25 – ARMENIAN 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY 

50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA. 

Location; The Sheraton Universal 

Hotel. Special guest, Vartan 

Oskanian, former Minister of 

Foreign Affairs, RA. Dark Eyes 

Band. For sponsorship and tickets 

information contact APS 

at apsla@apsla.org or 818-685- 

9946 

OCTOBER 25 - ST. JAMES AR- 

MENIAN CHUCH LADIES SO- 

CIETY PRESENT “FIESTA OLE,” 

ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND 

COUNTRY STORE: Location: 

St. James Armenian Church, 

Gogian Hall, 4950 W. Slauson 

Avenue,Los Angeles. 11:00 

a.m. Country Store Bake Sale; 

12 Noon Luncheon. Donation: 

$35.00. Reservations: Shirley 

Moore (310) 670-7177; Alice Simonian 

(323) 465-6742. 

OCTOBER 26 - HOY LARI - 

CHILDREN’S MUSIC CONCERT. 

Location: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 

4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los 

Angeles, CA. 3:300 pm Admission: 


contact Horizon / Hoy Lari, 

(310) 600-0207; hoylari@yahoo. 


com. 

OCTOBER 26 - INSIGHT & DR. 

HAKOBYAN LIVE IN GLEN- 

DALE. Location: Glendale Public 

Library, 222 E. Harvard Street, 

Glendale, CA. 7:30 p.m. Admission: 


contact LNH Insight Inc., 

818-230-2789; joeseifert@att.net. 

Tickets on www.itsmyseat.com. 

NOVEMBER 1 - LOS ANGE- 

LES 40TH ANNIVERSARY CEL- 

EBRATION DINNER DANCE. 

Location: Glendale Ararat Center, 

3347 N San Fernando Rd, 

Los Angeles, CA. 7:00 pm Admission: 

$100. For more information 

contact LA Homenetmen, 

(818) 4930936; datevd@ 

hotmail.com. 

OCTOBER 26 - HAMAZKAY- 

IN 80TH ANNIVERSARY DIN- 

NER BANQUET. Location: Bagramian 

Hall, 900 West Lincoln 

Avenue, Montebello, CA. 5:00 

p.m. Admission: $60. For more 

information contact Hamazkayin 

of Western U.S. Region, 

818-935-3555; info@hamazkayin.net. 

OCTOBER 27 - DR. HAKOBY- 

AN AND INSIGHT LIVE. Location: 

Glendale Public Library, 

222 E Harvard St, Glendale, CA. 

7:00 p.m. Admission: $40.00. 


LNH Insight, Inc., 818-230- 

2789; joeseifert@att.net. Tickets 

on www.itsmyseat.com. 

OCTOBER 31 - GREATEST 

HITS BAND - HALLOWEEN 

BASH @ SIDE-BAR. Location: 

Sidebar, 1114 N. Pacific Ave., 

Glendale, CA. 9 PM Admission: 

$10. For more information contact 

Greatest Hits Band, (323) 

365-4796; info@greatesthitsband.com. 

OCTOBER 31 - AGBU HAL- 

LOWEEN BASH. Location: 

Citizen Smith, 1600 N Cahuenga 

Blvd, Hollywood, CA. 

9PM - 2 AM Admission: $25 

presale $30 door. For more 

information contact AGBU 

YP, ; Ani_AGBUYPLA@yahoo. 

com. Tickets on www.itsmyseat.com. 

NOVEMBER 1 - FRIENDS OF 

MASSIS 5K RUN/WALK. Location: 

Woodley Park, 6335 Woodley 

Ave, Van Nuys, CA. 8:30 AM 


contact HMEM Massis, 

(818) 554-4397; massis5k@gmail. 


com. 

NOVEMBER 2 - AKH’TAMAR 

DANCE ENSEMBLE OF NJ 

ST. THOMAS ARMENIAN 

CHURCH IN GLENDALE. Location: 

Glendale High School Auditorium, 

2000 W. BROADWAY, 

Glendale, CA. 6pm Admission: 

$50 - $35 - $20-$12. For more information 

contact Tekeyan and 

OIA, 818-243-4112. 

NOVEMBER 3 - DR. HAKO- 

BYAN AND INSIGHT LIVE. Location: 



7:00 p.m. Admission: $40.00. 


LNH Insight, Inc., 818-230- 

2789; joeseifert@att.net. Tickets 

on www.itsmyseat.com. 


BYAN AND INSIGHT LIVE IN 

GLENDALE. Location: Glendale 

Public Library, 222 E Harvard 

St, Glendale, CA. 7:00 p.m. 


contact LNH Insight, 

Inc., (818) 230-2789; joeseifert@ 

att.net. Tickets on www.itsmyseat.com. 

NOVEMBER 7 - AESA 25TH 

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET. Location: 

Renaissance Banquet 

Hall, 1236 S Central Ave, Glendale, 

CA. 8:00 pm Admission: 

TBD. For more information contact 

AESA, (818) 547-3372; contact@aesa.org. 

NOVEMBER 8 – “SAVE THE 

DATE” ST. PETER ARMENIAN 

APOSTOLIC CHURCH 50TH 

ANNIVERSARY DINNER & 

CELEBRATION: Location: Nazarian 

Center of the AGBU Manoogian 

Demirjian School, Canoga 

Park – 6:00pm. 

NOVEMBER 8 - ST PETER AR- 

MENIAN CHURCH OF VAN 

NUYS 50TH ANNIVERSARY 

DINNER. Location: AGBU-AYA 

Nazarian Center, 6844 Oakdale 

Ave., Canoga Park, CA. 6:00 p.m. 

Admission: $150.00/person. For 

more information contact St 

Peter Armenian Church of Van 

Nuys, 818-886-8950; eilesq@aol. 

com. 

NOVEMBER 9 -THE ARME- 

NIAN EYECARE PROJECT 

WILL HOST ITS SEVENTH 

ANNUAL NEWPORT GALA. 

Location: The Balboa Bay Club, 

Newport Beach. The event 

will honor Nishan and Ruby 

Ann Derderian with a Lifetime 

Humanitarian Awards 

and celebrate “Bringing Sight 

to Armenian Eyes” for sixteen 

years. Dinner is at 6:00pm, 

$500 per person and proceeds 

will benefit the Project’s programs 

to eliminate preventable 

blindness in Armenia. 

For advance reservations and 

additional information, contact 

the AECP office toll free 

at 866-448-2327. 

NOVEMBER 9 - LEYLA 

SARIBEKYAN EV ARSEN 

GRIGORIAN(MRRO). Location: 

Alex Theater, 216 North Brand 

Boulevard, Glendale, CA. 20:00 

Admission: Soon. For more information 

contact Apricot Entertainment, 

818 397 8479;. 


BYAN & INSIGHT LIVE. Location: 



7:00 p.m. Admission: $40. For 

more information contact LNH 

Insight, Inc., (818) 230-2789; 

joeseifert@att.net. Tickets on 

www.itsmyseat.com. 

NOVEMBER 15 - ANOUSHA- 

VAN ABRAHAMIAN EDUCA- 

TIONAL FUND. Location: Palladio, 

1018 E Colorado St, Glendale, 

CA. 7:00 pm Admission: 

$100.00 per person. For more 

information contact Ofik & 

Roza, (818) 363-7865; ofikabrahamian@hotmail.com. 

NOVEMBER 15 - 50TH ANNI- 

VERSARY AYF MONTEBELLO 

& ALUMNI REUNION. Location: 

Bagramian Hall, 900 W 

Lincoln Ave, Montebello, CA. 

8:00PM Admission: $40. For 

more information contact AYF 

Subscription Coupon 

the armenian 

reporter 

annual rates 

U.S.A.: First Class Mail, $125; Periodicals Mail, $75 

Canada: $125 (u.s.); Overseas: $250 (u.s.) 

name 

street 

city/state/zip 

Montebello Vahan Cardashian 

Chapter, 562-760-9578; ayf@ayfmontebello.org. 


BYAN AND INSIGHT LIVE. Location: 



7:00 p.m. Admission: $40. For 

more information contact LNH 

Insight, Inc., (818) 230-2789; 

joeseifert@att.net. Tickets on 

www.itsmyseat.com. 

NOVEMBER 18 - ART KNOWS 

NO BORDERS. Location: Safari 

Sam’s, 5214 W Sunset Blvd, 

Los Angeles, CA. 7 PM Admission: 

$20 suggested/varies. 


Crystal Allene Cook, (310) 739 

1159; info@artknowsnoborders. 

com. 

NOVEMBER 23 - ARMENIA 

FUND ANNUAL GALA. Location: 

Hyatt Regency Century 

Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the 

Stars, Los Angeles, CA, 90067, 

7:00pm . For more information, 

please call 818-243-6222. 


BYAN AND INSIGHT LIVE IN 

GLENDALE. Location: Glendale 

Public Library, 222 E Harvard 

St, Glendale, CA. 7:00 p.m. 


contact LNH Insight, 

Inc., (818) 230-2789; joeseifert@ 

att.net. Tickets on www.itsmyseat.com. 

NOVEMBER 28 - THANKSGIV- 

ING DINNER DANCE WITH 

PAUL. Location: PASADENA 

ARMENIAN CENTER, 740 E 

WASHINGTON BLVD, Pasadena, 

CA. 08:30PM Admission: 


contact AGBU HIGH SCHOOL 

PASADENA, (818) 247-1717; 

PAUL@VERGINIEPRODUC- 

TIONS.COM. 

NOVEMBER 29 - ARA PROJ- 

ECT ART SHOW AND SILENT 

AUCTION. Location: Vill del 

Sol d’Oro, 200 N. Michillinda 

Ave., Pasadena, CA. 12 pm-6 pm 

Admission: Free Admission. For 

more information contact ARA 

Project, 626 792-4479; ckaloo@ 

sbcglobal.net. 

APRIL 19 - MIKHAIL SI- 

MONYAN, VIOLIN. Location: 

Raitt Recital Hall: Pepperdine 

University, 24255 Pacific Coast 

HWY, Malibu, CA. 2:00 PM Admission: 

$25. For more information 

contact Center For The 

Arts, (212) 994-3540; tdorn@ 

imgartists.com. 

Check Enclosed OR Charge My: 

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mail coupon to: armenian reporter 

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World renowned doctors to perform 50 lifechanging 

surgeries in Armenia this week 

Cafesjian Family 

Foundation 

takes the lead in 

organizing Smile 

Network mission to 


by Paul Chaderjian in 

Yerevan 

YEREVAN – Every morning, fouryear-old 

Gayane cries and begs not 

to be taken to school. She covers 

her mouth so that people don’t see 

her lips. But they do, and they often 

react. 

Gayane was born with a cleft lip 

– a genetic defect also known as 

cheiloschisis. In Armenia, they still 

call it a “harelip,” a pejorative other 

cultures and nations have already 

retired from their languages. 

No matter what it’s called or the 

age in which we live, people on the 

streets here often stare at Gayane. 

Kids at school don’t want to be 

around her. Some classmates make 

snide remarks. Others tease and 

bully her. Some adults here think 

of the split in her lip as a curse or a 

sign that she is mentally disabled. 

Unfortunately, Gayane’s story is 

not unique; but this weekend, Gayane 

tortured life will change forever 

thanks to a team of volunteer specialists 

from the United States participating 

in the first Smile Project 

mission in Armenia. 

More than a dozen doctors, nurses, 

and other specialists will be in 

Yerevan to examine 250 patients 

with either a cleft lip, a cleft palate, 

or both. Fifty of these patients will 

undergo surgery between Monday, 

October 6, and Friday, October 10. 

“The two surgeons leading the 

team are both renowned cleft surgeons,” 

said Madlene Minnasian, 

director of the Smile Project. “One 

is Dr. Les Mohler, and the second 

is Dr. Samir Mardini. They call 

him Magic Hands. We’re very lucky 

to have world-renowned surgeons 

come to this mission.” 

Project Smile 

Project Smile was initiated by the 

Cafesjian Family Foundation, Hope 

for the City, and the Smile Network 

– which leads similar projects 

around the world. The three Minneapolis-based 

organizations have 

come together to address cleft-care 

needs in Armenia. 

In addition, Project Smile will 

give the local medical community 

a chance to listen to world authorities 

on cleft care through lectures. 

Local physicians and nurses will 

also shadow the guests and learn by 

observing their American counterparts. 

Dr. Les Mohler. Photo: Andrew Tonn. 

“Coming to Armenia are expert 

anesthesiologists, pediatricians, 

operating room nurses, ward 

nurses, medical recordkeepers, and 

a host of nonclinical volunteers,” 

said Ms. Minassian. “It’s a very 

good group of 19 volunteers, one 

of which is of Armenian heritage. 

He’s second or third generation Armenian, 

Dr. Robert Chantigian, 

anesthesiologist.” 

It’s estimated that one in 700– 

1000 kids are born with a cleft lip 

or cleft palate, both considered 

the most common birth defects in 

the world. While there are no thorough 

statistics of how cleft lip and 

cleft palate have been successfully 

treated in Armenia, the need for 

surgical intervention became obvious 

when Cafesjian Family Foundation 

board member Megan Doyle 

came to Armenia for a fact-finding 

mission last November with Kim 

Valentini, the founder of the 

Smile Network. 

“The Smile Network has been operating 

all over the world for many 

years,” said Ms. Minassian. “They 

reach out to the international community, 

and if they find a need for 

cleft care in any country, they begin 

their work. Through the generosity 

and coordination of Hope 

for the City and its founder Megan 

Doyle, we were able to meet Kim 

Valentini, who is founder of the 

Smile Network. It was wonderful 

to host Megan and Kim in Armenia. 

The passion and love they have for 

children all over the world is inspirational 

and exemplary.” 

Megan and Dennis Doyle established 

Hope for the City eight years 

ago to help fight poverty, hunger, 

and disease around the world by 

utilizing corporate surplus. The 

couple’s organization has brought 

more than $40 million in medical 

equipment, supplies, and medication 

to Armenia over the past few 

years and was instrumental in 

bringing the Smile Network to Armenia. 

“Mrs. Doyle came to oversee and 

visit her projects in Armenia, and 

she brought Mrs. Valentini with 

her,” said Ms. Minassian. “The visit 

helped determine that there was a 

need for cleft care in Armenia, even 

though we have experienced, competent, 

very professional maxillofacial 

surgeons here. The problem 

was in the ability for the patient 

to pay for the care and access to 

surgery.” 

The government of the Republic 

of Armenia tells the Armenian 

Reporter that it offers a $700 stipend 

for children under seven in 

need of reconstructive cleft-lip or 

cleft-palate surgeries, which are estimated 

to cost around $2,000 in 

Armenia and upwards of $10,000 

if performed in the United States. 

One local surgeon says that the 

government subsidy does not cover 

costs for surgery, and the families 

are asked to pay the difference. 

Preparing for the 

mission 

During Mrs. Doyle’s and Mrs. Valentini’s 

trip to Armenia last November, 

the Smile Project was able 

to secure the support of Armenia’s 

Ministry of Health. 

“We met with many different institutions 

in order to do a search 

to find a partner,” said Ms. Minassian, 

“and we found our partner in 

Dr. Les Mohler. Photo: Marc Ascher. 

the Arabkir Medical Center, which 

is run by Dr. Ara Babloyan. It’s 

a privately owned and the largest 

pediatrics hospital in Armenia. Dr. 

Babloyan is a very capable, brilliant 

person.” 

The Smile Project also partnered 

with the Health ministry’s Mother 

and Child Department, which was 

able to tap into public records and 

its regional polyclinics and provide 

a list of hundreds of children born 

with cleft conditions since 1988. 

“The lists were pretty extensive, 

and we tried to target younger children 

that we thought would have 

not been operated on,” said Ms. 

Minassian. “The lists did not indicate 

whether these children had 

had surgery. We just had statistics 

of the birth defects.” 

While compiling lists of prospective 

patients, the Smile Project also 

engaged local media to reach out to 

families in Yerevan and throughout 

the republic. The media campaign 

resulted in hundreds of calls from 

parents with children who needed 

cleft care as well as adults, well into 

their 40s, who had had a series of 

unsuccessful cleft procedures. 

“We have so much support that it 

is surprising,” said Erik Grigoryan, 

project manager for the Smile 

Project. “Armenians are usually less 

volunteerism-oriented, and it was 

a surprise for me to get the type 

of feedback we have been receiving. 

For example, we went to the hotels 

and asked for discounts and said 

these doctors are coming to Yerevan 

to perform free surgeries. We 

received 25–30 percent discounts 

plus car service from Hotel Meg.” 

Another big surprise for Mr. 

Grigoryan has been the number 

of calls he has been receiving from 

people who want to volunteer next 

week. He has enlisted psychologists, 

speech therapists, translators, and 

those who wants to drive patients 

and their parents to and from the 

screenings and surgeries. 

“One woman called and wanted to 

cook for the patients and the other 

volunteers,” said Mr. Grigoryan. 

One of the other businesses 

heavily involved with getting the 

word out was Cascade Insurance, 

which took the initiative to print 

and distribute posters to all local 

and regional hospitals, clinics, and 

dental offices informing the public 

about the Smile Project. 

“When people call to register 

for the screenings,” said Yvetta 

Ghazaryan, project coordinator, 

“they cannot believe that 

this medical attention is possible 

in Armenia. Many patients and 

their families have been waiting 

for this mission with a lot of hope 

and they trust us. They know that 

with the help of our mission, the 

children will begin a new life. They 

will also gain the invaluable gift of 

a new smile. 

Preparing for this 

mission 

With the health ministries of the 

Republic of Armenia and the Republic 

of Nagorno-Karabakh, the 

Arabkir Medical Center, and the Cafesjian 

Family Foundation teamed 

up to organize the first Smile Project 

mission, the Fund for Armenian 

Relief (FAR), and the Hand in Hand 

nongovernmental organization in 

Karabakh also joined the project. 

“FAR is taking care of transportation 

costs and food and lodging for 

our patients, so the 50 who are chosen 

for surgery will then get their 

transportation compensated for 

and will get their nutrition,” said 

Ms. Minassian. “They will bring 

food to the children who are in 

post-operation care, and they will 

also pay for the lodging of one relative 

if they are from out of town.” 

Helping locate patients with 

cleft care needs in the Republic of 

Nagorno-Karabakh was the Hand 

in Hand organization, which is a 

partnership of several Canadian- 

Armenian medical associations. 

Hand in Hand provides free dental 

care through mobile clinics and 

several stationary clinics all over 

Karabakh. Since cleft children have 

major dental care needs, Hand in 

Hand was able to let cleft children’s 

parents know about the Smile Project 

mission. 

“They’ve been instrumental as 

our Karabakh partners.” said Ms. 

Minassian. 

First week of October 

After screening exams on Saturday 

and Sunday, October 4 and 

5, the visiting medical specialists 

will meet and discuss each of the 

cases. The team will see 17 patients 

an hour and 250 patients over the 

weekend. 

“Fifty-five of the patients are under 

seven and are awaiting their 

first surgeries,” said Ms. Ghazaryan, 

the project coordinator. “Other patients 

are as old as 43, who need 

additional operations. There’s one 

patient who has had 11 surgeries 

already and had complications, infections, 

and sometimes the palate 

cracks were not closed properly.” 

Ms. Ghazaryan says patients are 

coming from all over the Republic 

of Armenia, from Karabakh, as 

well as Javakh in Georgia. Those 

patients who live in Yerevan or are 

a short distance away have already 

been prescreened by Dr. Harach 

Arshakyan, a plastic surgeon 

from the Arabkir Medical Center. 

Dr. Arshakyan has been organizing 

the clinical aspect of this first mission, 

and he has already seen 150 

patients who will be examined by 

the team from the Smile Network. 

Dr. Arshakyan tells the Armenian 

Reporter that cleft issues arise in 

the first three months of a pregnancy, 

and he tries to advocate that 

in addition to genetic factors, malnutrition 

and low folic acids may 

also be factors in children being 

born with cleft palates and lips. He 

said he sees a great need for the local 

medical community to develop 

cleft care services and deal with the 

current need. 

“The patients already screened 

by Dr. Arshakyan will meet our 

visiting pediatricians and with our 

cleft surgeons and nurses,” said Ms. 

Minassian. “Vital statistics will be 

taken, and we will make sure that 

the child is healthy, that the child 

doesn’t have any conditions or issues 

that would lead to complications 

or inability to operate.” 

After the initial examinations, 

the team will meet Sunday afternoon, 

prioritize the 250 patients 

and schedule surgeries for the top 

50 patients. 

“The highest priority is for children 

that have problems with 

nutrition,” said Ms. Minassian. 

“Children who have not had an operation 

before will also be a high 

priority. With a condition like cleft 

palate, there are difficulties in eating, 

so if you’re trying to feed with 

a bottle, and the child is very young, 

they can’t suckle. And most of these 

children end up being fed through 

a feeding tube. Also, drinking from 

a cup, even drinking from a bottle 

can result from the milk coming 

out of the nose.” 

After the screenings, the Smile 

Project team will schedule 10 daily 

surgeries for five days. Two different 

surgical teams will operate in 

two separate operating rooms, and 

surgeries may take between 40 

minutes to two hours. 

“Two hundred cleft care patients 

will not have the opportunity to be 

treated,” said Ms. Minassian, “Instead 

of being turned away, we’re 

organizing a spring mission; but 

we’re going to need funds to do that. 

The funds for this week’s mission 

are covered, but we’re going to have 

to share in the Smile Network’s 

costs for a follow-up mission.” f 

connect: 

madleneminassian@gmail.com 

(818) 434 1725 

+374 99 00 25 30



From Armenia, in brief 

Minister discusses 

potential impact of 

global financial crisis 

Tigran Davtian, Armenia’s finance 

minister, at a press conference on 

September 30 said he expected the 

short-term impact of the global 

financial crisis on Armenia to be 

minimal. According to Armenpress, 

the minister acknowledged that 

some negative influence might be 

felt over the long haul. “Our share 

in the world financial market is not 

big,” noted the minister. 

Serge Sargsian 

meets with Georgian 

president in Tiblisi 

President Serge Sargsian went to 

Tbilisi for an official visit on September 

30 to meet his Georgian 

counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili. 

Armenia’s president expressed 

his condolences for the lost lives 

after the conflict in August in the 

country. Both men stressed the importance 

of the centuries-long relationship 

of Armenia and Georgia 

and underscored the necessity to 

further deepen relations and foster 

development between the two 

countries. According to Armenpress, 

the presidents also discussed 

a number of issues on economic 

cooperation and partnership including 

the spheres of energy and 

transport, making special reference 

to border zoning activities, 

inter-border cooperation, as well as 

the facilitation of entry processes 

for the citizens of both countries. 

According to Arminfo Georgia 

and Armenia reached an agreement 

to set up a consortium on 

the construction of a highway between 

the two states that will run 

through Ajaria. They are hopeful 

that the consortium will procure 

the necessary funds for the construction 

of this highway in two 

months’ time. According to the 

Georgian president, they have already 

started construction through 

the aid of foreign finances. Almost 

70 percent of all Armenian trade 

flows through Georgia. 

Mr. Sargsian also stressed that 

Georgia’s stability was imperative 

for peace and stability in the entire 

region. Noting that Armenia has 

a strategic partnership with Russia, 

at the same time, Armenia and 

Georgia are neighbors. “Our commitments 

as partners, neighbors, 

and strategic allies must not bother 

each other and must not contradict 

one another,” the Armenian president 

said. 

Hovik Abrahamian 

elected as Speaker of 

the National Assembly 

On September 29, Hovik Abrahamian, 

member of the ruling 

Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), 

was elected by secret ballot as the 

new Speaker of Armenia’s National 

Assembly. Larissa Alaverdian of 

the Heritage Party was also nominated 

for the position. She received 

5 votes, while Mr. Abrahamian received 

110 votes. 

According to Armenpress, Mr. 

Abrahamian took his oath as a 

newly elected member of parliament 

and then presented his program. 

He stressed the necessity of 

mutual respect and tolerance, and 

espoused an atmosphere of partnership. 

The former Speaker of the National 

Assembly Tigran Torossian, 

had been ousted out by his party, 

which designates the Speaker according 

to the coalition agreement. 

Mr. Torossian later resigned 

from the RPA. 

Hranush Hakobyan. 

Serge Sargsian 

in Tbilisi 

with Mikheil 

Saakashvili. 

Photos: 

Photolure. 

Hranush Hakobyan 

appointed minister of 

diaspora affairs 

Hranush Hakobyan was appointed 

as minister of diaspora affairs on 

October 2 by a presidential decree. 

She was relieved at the same time 

T. Sarkisian at the Agroforum opening. 

of her position as chair of the parliamentary 

committee on Foreign 

Affairs and Diaspora Relations. The 

diaspora ministry is a new ministry 

that will now be fully operational. 

According to Arminfo, Ms. Hakobyan 

graduated from Yerevan State 

University with a degree in applied 

mathematics. She has been a member 

of parliament since 1999 and 

served as Minister of Labor and Social 

Affairs from 1996 to 1998. 

Fruitful Armenia 

Agroforum opens in 

Yerevan 

The fourth international Fruitful 

Armenia Agroforum was launched 

by Seda Stepanyan 

David Nalbandian said these 

words during a press conference in 

Yerevan on October 2. The professional 

tennis player, who is ranked 

7th in the world, arrived in Armenia 

on the invitation of Argentinian-Armenian 

investor Eduardo 

Eurnekian. On October 2, Mr. 

Nalbandian gave master classes 

to young Armenian tennis players 

and then played a friendly exhibition 

game with Armenia’s top lawn 

tennis player Harutyun Sofyan. 

The renowned tennis player said 

that he always dreamed of coming 

to Armenia but there was 

in Yerevan on September 30. Present 

at the opening ceremonies was 

Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran 

Sarkisian, who said that agriculture 

development is one of the top 

priorities of the government. According 

to Mediamax, the prime 

minister said, “Today agriculture 

secures 30 percent of Armenia’s 

GDP, and this is a quite high index.” 

Armenia was one of the first 

states from the post-Soviet era to 

implement radical reforms in agriculture. 

However at this stage, 

Armenia must pay more attention 

to infrastructure development, including 

irrigation. 

Minister of Agriculture 

Aramayis Grigoryan said that 

the primary objective of the forum 

is to study the experience of 

developed countries and effectively 

implement them in Armenia. 

Fruitful-Armenia Fund was established 

in 2005, and its main goal 

is to secure development of farm 

economies and expansion of prospects 

for stable development in agriculture. 

The event is organized by 

Argentinean-Armenian businessperson 

Eduardo Eurnekian. 

Digitec 2008 launched 

in Yerevan 

The fourth annual international exhibition 

Digitec 2008 was launched 

in Yerevan on October 3 and will 

run till October 5. According to the 

never enough time because of his 

extremely tight schedule. He will 

be in Armenia for three days but 

hopes that he will be able to travel 

to his “first” homeland more often 

after finishing his career in professional 

tennis. “I have two homelands 

and Armenia is the first one. 

I am proud to be able to be here” 

said Nalbandian. 

During the press conference, 

Mr. Nalbandian recalled that he 

won his first championship at 

12 years old and devoted his victory 

to his family, which included 

his father Norberto (deceased), 

mother Alda, and two older 

brothers Dario and Javier, who 

also play tennis. 

f 

head of the Union of Information 

Technology Enterprises Karen 

Vardanian, the objective of this 

annual exhibition is to create favorable 

conditions to present Armenia’s 

achievements in the sphere of 

information technology. The exhibition 

also provides companies the 

opportunity to discuss their issues, 

study the dynamics of the field, understand 

some of the challenges, 

and become acquainted with each 

other’s achievements. Also it will 

serve as a vehicle to strengthen 

cooperation between the state and 

the private sector. 

Simultaneous events will be taking 

place like DigiLive. About 50 

local and international IT organizations 

will be participating including, 

Microsoft RA, Softline, MediaStyle 

and Moscow Teleport. 

Young Armenian 

chess players to take 

part in world youth 

championships in 

Vietnam 

Fifteen Armenian chess players will 

be traveling to Vun Tau, Vietnam, 

between October 19 and 31 to take 

part in the World Youth Championship. 

Officials from the Armenian 

Chess Federation said that 

chess players from more than 100 

countries will be participating in 

the tournament. 

f 

“I am Armenian and we are a nation of fighters” 

David Nalbandian at a press briefing 

in Yerevan. Photo: Photolure. 

Advertising Sales Representative wanted 

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Military training aims to enhance regional trust 

Cooperative 

Longbow/Lancer 

NATO military 

training commences 

in Armenia 

by Armen Hakobyan 

YEREVAN – Sheri Maclean is from 

Ontario, Canada. Even though this 

is her first visit to Armenia, the 

ancient country has already left a 

warm impression upon her. She 

has visited Republic Square, which 

according to her “is simply amazing.” 

Armenian soldiers have also 

left a good impression on Officer 

McLean; some of them are able to 

communicate in English. 

The Canadian soldier is one of 

940 participants in the NATO Cooperative 

Longbow/Lancer military 

training and has been in Armenia 

for the past month. Our conversation 

is interrupted when her fellow 

soldiers call her for a photograph 

with the Canadian flag with the 

Biblical Mount Ararat in the background. 

The fascination with Ararat 

is widespread, especially as today 

the holy mountain has pushed 

aside the clouds and has revealed 

its wondrous peak. After the Canadians, 

the Americans take pictures, 

and then the Kazakhs, the Moldovans, 

and so on. 

Officer Maclean and the other 

NATO soldiers are at the Armenian 

Defense Ministry’s Vazgen Sarkissian 

Military Institute, where the 

opening ceremony of the Cooperative 

Longbow/Lancer military trainings 

took place on September 29. 

Prior to the opening ceremony, 

Lieutenant General John D. Gardner, 

deputy commander, Land 

Component Command Heidelberg 

and Major General Arshaluis Paytyan, 

deputy chief of the General 

Staff of Military Forces of Armenia, 

held a press conference. NATO’s 

Armenia’s choices: Russia or NATO or both 

Yerevan is able 

to maintain 

good relations 

with Moscow, 

Washington, and 

Brussels 

by Tatul Hakobyan 

YEREVAN – One of the architects 

of Armenia’s foreign policy of complementarity, 

Vartan Oskanian, 

used to insist that it was possible 

for Yerevan to maintain good and 

equal relations with Russia and the 

Collective Security Treaty Organization 

(CSTO) on the one hand and 

the European Union and NATO on 

the other. Mr. Oskanian also noted 

that the principle of complementarity 

is completely justified as long as 

relations with Russia and the West 

remain normal. When Georgia’s attack 

on South Ossetia on August 

8 turned into Russian aggression 

against Georgia, the fragile balance 

of Moscow/Washington/Brussels 

was breached. Some specialists 

even began talking about a return 

of the Cold War. 

Official Yerevan was able to maintain 

good relations with Moscow 

and the West. Concerns that Russia 

could place its strategic partners, 

Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 

military trainings are conducted 

annually and bring together NATO 

members, Partnership for Peace 

members as well as Mediterranean 

Dialog Nations and Istanbul Initiative 

Nations. “It is aimed at the 

implementation of crisis response 

processes within the framework of 

the UN’s mandate, the main aim 

of which is improving the cooperation 

of NATO’s soldiers and those 

of its partner countries in spheres 

such as doctrine, procedures, command 

headquarter systems and 

terminology,” noted the American 

general. He thanked the Armenian 

side, headed by Defense Minister 

Seyran Ohanian, Major General 

Arshaluis Paytyan. and training cochair 

Murad Isakhanian for their 

efforts and the large-scale preparatory 

works. Gen. Paytyan said 

that such military trainings within 

NATO’s partnership are being conducted 

in Armenia for the second 

time. 

The current military trainings 

will continue until October 20. 

Gen. Gardner first of all noted that 

such military trainings create the 

opportunity to establish relations, 

exchange experience and methods 

of working and improve the 

professionalism of all participating 

Armed Forces. He emphasized 

that 900 soldiers from seven NATO 

member and 10 partner countries 

are involved in the military training. 

More than 360 soldiers and 

officers from the Armenian Armed 

Forces are also participating. 

“The military trainings consist of 

two phases: multination command 

headquarters military trainings on 

a brigade level and field trainings 

on a battalion level. If we study the 

staff of the posts, we can see the 

multinational essence of the military 

trainings. For example, the 

Cooperative Longbow battalion 

headquarters consists of officers 

from the following countries: the 

commander is from Switzerland, 

head of headquarters and the intelligence 

officer from Austria, the 

including Armenia, before a difficult 

choice by asking them to recognize 

South Ossetia and Abkhazia 

were not justified. President Serge 

Sargsian explained to Moscow, in 

a language that they could understand, 

that Armenia could not recognize 

those two entities – in the 

same way that it did not recognize 

Kosovo months earlier. Armenian 

authorities made it clear that they 

would not recognize them henceforth 

because they had not yet recognized 

Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Official Yerevan has stated on 

many occasions that it is realizing 

a foreign policy of complementarity, 

and deepening its relations 

with Russia and CSTO on the one 

hand, and the West and NATO on 

the other is not contradictory. Will 

Armenia be able to continue with 

its adopted foreign policy of complementarity 

of the past decade 

In other words, will it be able to 

continue to deepen relations with 

the European Union and NATO 

without causing discomfort for 

Russia, a country which Armenia 

depends upon strategically, politically, 

and economically. 

Arkady Dubnov, an analyst 

with the Russian daily Vremya Novostey 

told the Armenian Reporter 

that following the five-day war, a 

new agenda was formed which will 

refer initially to the Caucasus. Mr. 

Dubnov referred to Kazakhstan as 

an example (Kazakhstan is one of 

the seven members of CSTO, and 

Soldiers at the opening ceremony of NATO exercises in Armenia. Photo: Armen 

Hakobyan for the Armenian Reporter.. 

personnel officer from Armenia, 

the military-civilian officer from 

the U.S. and the communication 

officer from Moldova. The second 

part of the military trainings, the 

Cooperative Lancer, is a field training 

with the following battalion 

and headquarter staff: Commander 

– Armenia, Head of Headquarters 

– Austria, Chief Sergeant – USA, Action 

Officer – Bosnia and Herzegovina 

and rear guard officer – Greece. 

The battalion will work with three 

companies, one from Armenia and 

the other two comprised of different 

nations. This structure proves 

the multinational character of the 

event,” noted Lt General John D. 

Gardner. 

He clarified that during the field 

trainings mostly light arms are going 

to be used. Gen. Paytyan added 

that transportation and sanitary 

helicopters will also be used. Asked 

whether the Roubezh-2008 exercises 

recently organized within the 

CSTO and Russia cooperation framework 

and these military trainings 

will not affect or damage the bilateral 

cooperation, he said no. He 

noted that both military trainings 

had been planned in 2007 and were 

implemented according to signed 

contracts. In essence, according to 

one of Russia’s closest allies), who 

after the war in August began to 

consider the expediency of transporting 

Kazakh gas through the 

Baku-Tiblis-Ceyhan pipeline, and 

has also refused to build a gas refinery 

and a grain terminal in Georgia. 

According to the Russian analyst, 

the Kazakhs are taking steps that 

will not irritate Russia. 

“I don’t think that Moscow has 

similar expectations from Yerevan 

because Armenia doesn’t participate 

in any regional project which 

is unacceptable to Russia. From 

a geopolitical perspective, Russia 

will continue to be Armenia’s principal 

security guarantor as long 

as Armenia remains surrounded 

by enemies, at least on behalf of 

one of its neighbors,” Mr. Dubnov 

said. 

In his opinion, the five-day war 

in August demonstrated that Russia 

is prepared to use force to protect 

its interests, while the United 

States is not prepared to confront 

Russia, trying to avoid being 

pulled into an extensive war. According 

to Mr. Dubnov, Armenia 

cannot ignore Russia’s position 

in the Caucasus nor the existence 

of a Russian military base in Gyumri. 

“However all of this does not 

mean that Yerevan is obligated to 

become a vassal of Moscow and 

under this pressure relinquish its 

relations with the West and NATO 

or slow down cooperation, with a 

clear stipulation that Armenia does 

not intend to become a member 

of NATO in the future. I hope that 

in the Kremlin they realize that 

pressure against Armenia in the 

end will have a boomerang effect 

and can create anti-Russian sentiments,” 

concluded Mr. Dubnov. 

Aghavni Karakhanian, director 

of the Yerevan-based Institute 

for Civil Society and Regional Development 

(ICSRD), believes that 

Armenia must not change its foreign 

policy. Ms. Karakhanian believes 

that Armenia must not only 

maintain its foreign policy of complementarity 

but it must further 

develop and supplement it. 

“Today, our foreign policy of complementarity 

has justified itself like 

never before. It is possible to say 

that it is the only reasonable choice, 

and as a foreign policy principle its 

accurateness has been proven. The 

August crisis demonstrated that 

to ‘hang on by a single branch,’ no 

matter how strong it is, is not justified,” 

Ms. Karakhanian told the 

Armenian Reporter. 

Asbed Kotchikian, a lecturer at 

Bentley College told the Armenian 

Reporter that the idea of complementary 

foreign policy was appreciated 

by pro-Russian circles as a euphemism 

for lip service to the West 

and a full-spectrum relationship 

with Russia. Other circles, on the 

other hand, regarded it as a positive 

sign where Armenian diplomacy 

had finally come up with an 

the general’s evaluation, the effectiveness 

of the military trainings 

organized within the CSTO framework 

was high and best results are 

expected from this military training, 

especially when “these military 

trainings are aimed at the maintenance 

of general peace.” Even 

though during the planning stage 

it was decided that Georgia would 

participate in the ongoing military 

trainings with one battalion, as 

General Paytyan noted, “because of 

obvious reasons, Georgia’s Armed 

Forces are not participating. In the 

preliminary phase it was decided 

that Russia would participate, but 

currently, naturally, it is not participating. 

As far as the others are 

concerned, including Turkey and 

Azerbaijan, each of them decides 

the level of its participation.” 

In a speech at the opening ceremony, 

Arthur Baghdasarian, 

secretary of Armenia’s Security 

Council, stressed Armenia’s complementary 

approach to cooperating 

with both NATO and the CSTO. 

“These military trainings are a very 

good example for successfully organizing 

Armenia-NATO activities 

and we are sure that cooperation 

will continue. Only a month ago 

the Rubezh-2008 military trainings 

conducted within the CSTO 

framework successfully concluded 

in Armenia. I am sure that this 

military training will also conclude 

successfully.” 

During his welcoming speech 

to the participants of the military 

training, Defense Minister Ohanian 

noted in particular that it is 

not a coincidence that the soldiers 

of NATO’s Partnership for Peace 

and Istanbul Initiative Nations, 

17 member states and NATO’s different 

structures despite their diversity 

are preparing to jointly resolve 

all problems put before them 

during the training, as one team. 

“From this point of view I can only 

express regret that our neighbor 

EAPC (Euro-Atlantic Partnership 

Council) member states are not 

participating for different reasons. 

Unfortunately, this once again 

proves that security is fragile in the 

South Caucasus. I assure you that 

peace and stability are absolute 

values for the Republic of Armenia. 

We regard this military training as 

an important way of strengthening 

trust in the region,” announced the 

defense minister. 

Noting that Armenia willingly 

accepts any international military 

training whether it be within the 

frameworks of the Collective Security 

Treaty Organization and Partnership 

for Peace project, or the European 

command headquarters of 

the United States, and does its best 

to conduct them professionally, Mr. 

Ohanian said, “The hosting of the 

military trainings has one aim only, 

to raise our potential for practical 

cooperation in peacekeeping as far 

as possible, to develop their implementation 

methods, to gain experience 

and to pass it down to our 

subdivisions participating in the 

trainings. This aim is reconfirmed 

by the Republic of Armenia, as a 

full member of the international 

community, by it willingness to 

carry out its responsibilities, raise 

its international image and credibility, 

and to play its part in guaranteeing 

international security.” f 

elegant, flexible, noncontroversial 

formula to get things moving toward 

greater diversification of the 

country’s policy choices, while at 

the same time providing conservatives 

some room to engage and 

own stakes in the debate. 

“While the concept of complementary 

foreign policy was welcomed in 

Armenian circles, the international 

and regional community could not 

make sense of it and sometimes 

even criticized what they perceived 

as Armenia’s attempts to play various 

international powers against 

each other. To say that Armenia’s 

complementary foreign policy was 

successful is wrong; perhaps a better 

word would be it was tolerated 

by both sides,” said Mr. Kotchikian. 

Vicken Cheterian, who writes 

about the Caucasus in many European 

publications, reminds us 

that in the post–Cold War reality, 

after the collapse of the military 

blocs, and the development of a 

globalized economy, international 

relations functions on the basis of 

“complementarity.” 

“Armenia did not discover this 

approach. But early on Armenian 

foreign policy was wisely balancing 

between different influences – Russia, 

U.S., Iran, Europe, among others 

– and as a result profiting from 

such an approach,” Mr. Cheterian 

told the Armenian Reporter. 

Continued on page 17 m



Saralanj or Kirk Kerkorian highway opens 

by Armen Hakobyan 

YEREVAN – The Saralanj highway, 

which took three years to construct 

at a cost of about 6 billion drams 

(approximately $20 million), is finally 

a reality. The inauguration 

ceremony of this impressive structure 

took place on the morning of 

September 29, with the participation 

of Armenia’s present and former 

presidents, Serge Sargsian 

and Robert Kocharian. 

The construction of the highway 

was implemented through 

the funds donated by American-Armenian 

benefactor Kirk 

Kerkorian’s Lincy Foundation. 

The streets of Yerevan are heavily 

congested and the Saralanj 

highway is very important for the 

city, as it connects the Center and 

Arabkir communities, extending 

to Vagharshian Street, which continues 

on to the Davtashen Bridge, 

without any traffic lights. The highway 

begins with a 186 meter-long 

tunnel on Miasnikian Avenue and 

is six kilometers long. Along with 

the construction of the Saralanj 

highway, the Abovian-Miasnikian 

traffic junction has also been constructed, 

with 1.35 billion drams allocated 

from the state budget. 

During his speech at the opening 

ceremonies, Yervand Zakharian, 

the mayor of Yerevan said, “Modern, 

quality road structures are 

being put into operation, where 

all requirements have been taken 

into consideration: the parallel link 

roads, local infrastructure, and the 

regulations for long-term structures. 

Today, projects which had 

been designed during Soviet years, 

most of which had been postponed 

for years and had been planned for 

a country with a strong state and 

lively economy, are being implemented.” 

It is worth noting that former 

president Kocharian suggested 

that in order to show appreciation 

for Mr. Kerkorian’s contributions 

over the years, they should 

rename the Saralanj highway in his 

name. The current president understandably 

responded positively 

to this suggestion. Mr. Sargsian 

also noted that he highly values 

all the construction works carried 

out by the Lincy Foundation. “I 

am thankful to Kirk Kerkorian and 

the Lincy Foundation for financing 

these works. I hope that Kirk Kerkorian 

and the Lincy Foundation 

will continue carrying out projects 

in Armenia. I attach great importance 

to projects involving the 

construction of roads and schools 

and the streets of Yerevan. It is not 

right to separate or compare any of 

them, as with the help of the school 

construction projects our children 

now study in educational establishments 

that did not previously exist 

in Armenia. Road construction 

projects are also very important; 

as life lines connecting the different 

communities of the republic 

were opened. In order to eliminate 

traffic jams in the capital city and 

make streets better for the citizens, 

we had no choice but to undertake 

the project of reconstructing them, 

even though there were complaints 

during the construction works. 

Kirk Kerkorian’s work will be appreciated.” 

Robert Kocharian feels 

better without a tie 

The participation of the former 

president in the inauguration ceremony 

of the Saralanj highway was 

an opportunity to ask him personally 

about his return to the political 

arena, potentially as the prime 

minister. “This is the principal topic 

of rumors. I am still not bored with 

the freedom I finally have. I must 

also confess that during the past 

six months this is only the second 

time I am wearing a tie. The last 

time was on May 28, when I participated 

at the ceremony in Sardarabad. 

For the time being I have no 

desire to return to such a working 

regime. Once I decide to do so, you 

Civilitas Foundation opens in Yerevan 

At the opening, President Sargsian with former president Kocharian (pointing) 

and the mayor of Yerevan (left). Photo: Photolure. 

will hear it directly from me and 

not as a result of rumors. These rumors 

hamper peoples’ work. It is 

also clear why these rumors are circulated,” 

said Mr. Kocharian. 

Regarding the sentiment that argues 

that in order to fix the domestic 

political situation in the country 

it is necessary to be rid of his heritage 

as president, Mr. Kocharian 

said, “It is impossible to get rid 

of my heritage, because you would 

first have to get rid of an established 

Republic of Armenia, a renovated 

Yerevan, a restored Gyumri, 

the Northern Avenue, the road on 

which we are currently standing, 

and the civil service system, which 

on the whole carries out its responsibilities 

professionally. How 

would we get rid of all this I do 

not know. If we wanted to get rid 

of it all, we would have to destroy 

everything.” 

f 


YEREVAN – In one of the newly 

constructed buildings on Northern 

Avenue, the opening of the 

Civilitas Foundation took place on 

October 1. The founder of Civilitas 

is former Foreign Minister Vartan 

Oskanian and its director is Salpi 

H. Ghazarian. In a press conference 

on the day of the opening, 

Mr. Oskanian said that the Latin 

civilitas was not a name chosen 

arbitrarily. It has many meanings 

– citizen, civilization, civil society. 

“In this name we see the responsibility 

of citizens to society. This 

will be our foundation’s principal 

slogan,” Mr. Oskanian told reporters. 

Civilitas, which is funded by individuals 

and organizations, will 

work in two principal directions 

through its Council on Foreign 

Relations and the Democracy and 

Development Initiative. 

The Council on Foreign Relations 

will advocate peace and stability in 

the Caucasus through multifaceted 

dialogue and open discourse. It 

Vartan Oskanian. Photo: Photolure. 

Armenia’s choices, 

Russia or NATO or both 

n Continued from page 16 

He recalled that during the early 

90s, during the Karabakh war, 

when Azerbaijan under President 

Elchibey was pushing for “exclusivist” 

policies which are reflections of 

identity and not strategy, Armenia 

profited by its military relations 

with Moscow (and receiving arms 

and ammunition), cooperation 

with Washington which permitted 

hundreds of millions in U.S. dollars 

in aid, and commercial ties with 

Iran which permitted the import of 

much needed diesel and sugar. 

“Today, more than in the early 

days of independence, Armenia 

needs to fine-tune its diplomatic 

efforts to balance between powers 

that have interests and influence 

over the Caucasus, and especially 

in a time of change as it is now after 

the August war in Georgia,” concluded 

Mr. Cheterian. 

Armenia is deepening its cooperation 

with NATO in several directions, 

the most important of which 

is the Individual Partnership Action 

Plan (IPAP), which does not assume 

membership in NATO. The second 

direction is Armenia’s participation 

in peacekeeping missions. Armenia 

has peacekeeping missions 

in Kosovo and Iraq and discussions 

are underway about the possibility 

of sending Armenian doctors to Afghanistan. 

f 

will offer a forum through which 

to inform Armenia’s opinion and 

policy making process as well as 

the international academic, political, 

and media communities about 

Armenia’s foreign policy choices, 

options, and actions, in the context 

of Armenia’s national security challenges. 

Through public and private 

discussions as well as research and 

publications, the council will promote 

the Armenian perspective internationally 

and domestically. 

The Democracy and Development 

Initiative will work in four main directions: 

education, media, rural 

development and environmental 

awareness. 

Civilitas’ Scholarship Program 

will enable access to university education 

in Armenia and abroad for 

gifted and determined young people 

in order to increase the knowledge 

base, introduce national and 

civic understanding, enhance 

strategic thinking and managerial 

skills, and nurture professionals 

for a knowledge-based economy. 

Selection will be need-based, and 

will prefer those unlikely to find 

alternative sources of support, 

as well as those wishing to study 

 

 

 

specific, strategically targeted subjects. 

The Civilitas Media Program will 

produce content for newspapers 

and television, in Armenian and 

English, for Armenia and the diaspora 

to begin to eliminate a social, 

political, economic and cultural information 

gap. 

The Civilitas Foundation will initiate, 

execute, and back projects 

that facilitate and support sustainable, 

comprehensive and even 

development in Armenia’s villages, 

enabling villagers to live a selfreliant, 

dignified life in Armenia’s 

border areas. 

The Civilitas Foundation will use 

its own high-profile to work with 

local and international organizations 

to initiate new projects and 

 

 

 

back existing ones which educate 

the public and inform them on how 

to reduce impact on the environment 

and protect Armenia’s unique 

flora and fauna. The foundation 

will also focus on environmental 

programs as a means to foster regional 

cooperation. 

The honorary board of the Civilitas 

Foundation includes: Vartan Oskanian, 

former Georgian Parliament 

speaker Nino Gurjanadze, former 

prime minister of Armenia Armen 

Darbinyan, former Canadian foreign 

minister Lloyd N. Axworthy, 

Istanbul’s Bilgi University lecturer 

Murat Belge, Israel’s former Minister 

of Education Yossi Sarid, Ambassadors 

Stephen W. Bosworth, 

Peter R. Rosenblatt, and Jivan 

Tabibian, and others. f


Editorial 

Elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden 

the armenian 

reporter 

Seldom do we face such a straightforward choice. As we compare the records of the candidates 

for president and vice president of the United States, we find that, as U.S. citizens and as Armenian-Americans, 

we have every reason to throw our strong support behind Senator Barack 

Obama and Senator Joe Biden. 

The Armenian-American agenda 

On Armenian issues, the contrast between the records and commitments of the two pairs of 

major-party candidates could not be more stark: 

Senator Barack Obama has repeatedly made a clear and unequivocal commitment to recognize 

the Armenian Genocide and work toward an equitable resolution of the Karabakh 

conflict. 

“As President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide,” he pledged in a January 19 statement 

“On the Importance of U.S.-Armenia Relations.” On April 24, he reiterated his strong support 

for the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. “It is imperative that we recognize the horrific 

acts carried out against the Armenian people as genocide,” he said in a statement submitted 

into the Congressional Record. 

In his January 19 statement, Senator Obama also pledged to support Armenia’s development 

and supported a settlement of the Karabakh conflict “based upon America’s founding 

commitment to the principles of democracy and self-determination.” 

Senator Obama’s commitment is consistent with his actions in the Senate. As a member of 

the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he asked the ambassador-designate of the United 

States to Armenia what actions she would take to remember the victims of the Armenian 

Genocide and how she would work with her counterpart in Ankara to decriminalize discussion 

of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. 

Senator Joe Biden has a record of more than 35 years of consistent support of Armenian- 

American issues. He has supported Armenian Genocide resolutions introduced in the Senate 

since 1990. 

On July 29, during a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he chairs, 

Senator Biden noted, “Recognition by the United States of the Armenian Genocide is not the 

final goal. The real goal is the recognition of Turkey – of the Turkish Government – of the 

Armenian Genocide and the establishment of a common Turkish-Armenian understanding 

of the events and tragedy that took place.” 

This level of demonstrated commitment to Armenian-American issues is a rarity on the 

presidential ticket. 

What makes Senator Obama’s commitments in matters of interest to Armenian-Americans 

particularly credible is the candor and confidence with which he has made those 

commitments, further bolstered by Senator Biden’s consistent and long record as an 

ally of our community. The more we as Armenian-Americans get involved in the Obama- 

Biden campaign, support the campaign, develop relationships with campaign staff, and 

help Senators Obama and Biden get elected, the stronger our position to follow up and 

work with the administration to make sure these commitments are fulfilled in the best 

possible way. 

By contrast, just last October, Senator John McCain publicly opposed the Congressional 

resolution acknowledging the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. In 1999 he voted to lift 

restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan over its blockade of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. In 

1990 he opposed the Armenian Genocide resolution introduced by fellow Republican Senator 

Bob Dole. 

In 26 years in Congress, Senator McCain has either opposed or been indifferent to initiatives 

supported by the Armenian-American community. He did introduce legislation in 1989 

supporting a peaceful and fair settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and he initially supported 

restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan introduced in 1992; but he reversed that position 

in 1999. He issued a letter to Armenian-Americans this week. But the letter gave no indication 

that as president he would take a different approach to Armenian-American issues. 

And his running mate has no record on Armenian-American issues. 

A stronger America 

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States attained such military and 

economic superiority – and with it, influence over other countries – that many people believed 

American power, if managed wisely, could remain unsurpassed for generations. 

Strong as America was, however, it could never expect to sustain its leadership role through 

brute force. The countries and peoples of the world expected to see in America a force for the 

common good, one that would inspire friendship and loyalty. Everyone understood that the 

United States had to pursue its own interests, but it was expected to define those interests in 

a way that was inclusive, and could serve as an example and inspiration to others. 

Thus, for example, President George W. Bush was able to invoke the leadership role of the 

United States by speaking out in favor of democracy around the world. He championed the 

creation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which was established at his initiative and 

from which Armenia is benefiting. 

But a succession of actions and inactions over the last several years has served to discredit 

American leadership and weaken the United States with direct and indirect consequences 

for Armenia and the U.S.-Armenia relationship. Among these missteps is America’s timid 

response to genocide, first in Rwanda and now in Darfur – and the support of the campaign 

against recognition of the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. Other missteps include 

the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq, a sovereign state, on a trumped-up pretext; 

unabashed support for waterboarding, sexual humiliation, and other forms of torture directly 

and through “extraordinary rendition” – the handing over of suspects to foreign states that 

have no compunctions about torture; and a refusal to cooperate with the rest of the world 

in key matters, witness the refusal to join the Kyoto agreement on global warming and the 

refusal to accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. 

Armenian Reporter (ISSN 0004-2358), an independent newspaper, 

is published weekly by Armenian Reporter llc. 

Gerard L. Cafesjian, President and ceo 

Publisher Sylva A. Boghossian 

Office manager Lisa Kopooshian 

Copyright © 2008 by Armenian 

Reporter llc. All Rights Reserved 

Periodicals postage paid at Paramus, N.J., and 

additional mailing offices. 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 

129, Paramus, NJ 07652-0129. 

The views expressed, except in the editorial, are 

not necessarily those of the publishers. 

Editor Vincent Lima 

Western U.S. Bureau Chief and 

Arts & Culture editor Paul Chaderjian 

Washington editor Emil Sanamyan 

Associate editor Maria Titizian 

Assistant to the Editor Seda Stepanyan 

Copy editor Ishkhan Jinbashian 

Art director Grigor Hakobyan 

Layout assistant Nareh Balian 

Meanwhile, U.S. relations with countries in and around the Caucasus, especially with 

powerful states like Russia and Iran, have deteriorated, increasing regional instability. In any 

regional conflict, Armenia suffers. 

Time for change 

Senator McCain has supported many of these failed policies, and has expressed his intention 

to pursue a similar foreign policy. To his credit, he disagreed with the Bush administration on 

the matter of torture, but he does not give us cause to believe that a McCain administration 

would introduce significant changes in U.S. foreign (or economic) policy. 

We do not expect Senator Obama to radically transform U.S. foreign policy. Like Senator 

McCain, he has made it clear that in the Middle East, the United States would continue to be 

a strong supporter of Israel. He has joined President Bush and Senator McCain in their condemnation 

of Russia for its intervention in Georgia. 

On the other hand, however, as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Mr. Obama opposed the invasion 

of Iraq from the very start. No pacifist, he supported military action in Afghanistan in 

the wake of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and continues to support U.S. military 

action there. But his early good judgment on Iraq speaks volumes. Further, he is outspoken 

on the need for decisive intervention to prevent genocide. 

Senator Obama is an advocate of alliance-building, cooperation with other nations, and 

good-faith efforts at resolving conflicts through diplomacy and direct negotiations. An Obama 

administration should help rebuild U.S. credibility and influence in world affairs. 

Real and present danger 

Coming back to the neighborhood that concerns us the most, we have a real fear that a President 

McCain would be more inclined to assault Armenia’s southern neighbor, Iran. He had no 

compunctions about publicly and callously singing a song about bombing Iran [http://www. 

youtube.com/watchv=o-zoPgv_nYg]; moreover, it is consistent with the foreign policy approach 

he advocates. Such a course of action could bring about numerous potential disasters, 

including catastrophic consequences for Armenia. 

Unable to move beyond the mentality of the Cold War, Senator McCain is promising to rush 

along Georgia’s membership in NATO – and thereby potentially engage the United States in a 

new and hot confrontation with Russia – a big risk with no clear benefit. Any regional military 

action could easily spill over into Armenia, with potentially dire consequences. It is a result 

we should fight to avoid. While Senator Obama is committed to approaching Russia from a 

position of strength, he is also committed to diplomacy. 

On November 4, we, the people of the United States, will elect a new president. We have 

noted the stark contrast between the record and the commitments of the Obama-Biden ticket 

on the one hand and the McCain-Palin ticket on the other. 

For us, for Armenian-Americans, the choice is clear. Let us come together and work hard, 

very hard, to elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden as president and vice president of the United 

States. 

f 

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Commentary 

Gül’s visit to Armenia “more advantageous to Turkey” 

Vartan Oskanian believes 

the Genocide is “not 

negotiable” 


YEREVAN – On October 1, Vartan Oskanian, 

who was Armenia’s foreign minister 

from 1998 to 2008, gave a press conference 

for the first time since leaving office. During 

the briefing Mr. Oskanian said that Turkish 

president Abdullah Gül’s visit to Yerevan 

“elevated Turkey’s prestige ten times more 

than Armenia’s, even though Armenia’s prestige 

also benefited.” The veteran diplomat, 

who during his ten-year tenure on many 

occasions negotiated with his Turkish counterparts, 

including Mr. Gül, said that it is 

perhaps too soon to evaluate the steps being 

taken with Turkey. 

“For me there is one criterion of success, 

and that is the opening of the border or at a 

minimum, as a start, the start of the railroad. 

If one of these two things do not materialize 

in the coming months, I would say that 

Turkey was able to manipulate in the best 

possible way the possibilities given to it. And 

if in the coming months the border is opened, 

or the railroad begins operating, it will be 

possible to say that Armenia’s president’s invitation 

to Gül was the right decision,” said 

Mr. Oskanian. 

According to the former foreign minister, 

Turkey has already gotten what it wanted 

from Armenia: a statement that Armenia 

has no territorial claims from Turkey; that 

after the opening of the border, Armenia is 

ready to discuss any issue with Turkey. However 

Armenia has not yet received that which 

is fundamental for Armenia and that is the 

opening of the border. 

With regard to Turkey’s possible role in 

the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Mr. 

Oskanian insisted that Turkey has no place 

at the negotiating table because the border 

has not yet been opened; the railroad has 

not begun operating; and in the Karabakh 

issue, Turkey protects Azerbaijan’s interests. 

In Mr. Oskanian’s opinion, Armenian diplomacy 

must do everything possible so that it 

not only blocks Turkey’s participation in the 

resolution process, but also does not allow 

for Turkey to leave that impression on the 

international community. 

“It is unacceptable to announce that if the 

border is opened, and diplomatic relations 

established, it is then possible to create 

commissions and discuss any issue,” Mr. Oskanian 

said in response to a question posed 

by the Armenian Reporter. It has to be made 

clear, he added, what exactly they mean when 

they say “any issue” and the Turks must realize 

that the Armenian side will never agree 

to put the facts of 1915 into question. Mr. 

Oskanian emphasized that “we have nothing 

to concede to them; this is not only an issue 

for Armenia’s authorities; this is not only an 

issue for Armenians in Armenia. It is an issue 

for all Armenians.” 

In 2005 Prime Minister Receb Tayyip 

Erdogan sent a letter to President Robert 

Kocharian recommending the creation of 

a joint historian’s commission to study the 

events of 1915. However Armenia’s thenpresident 

and Mr. Oskanian declined, stressing 

that historians had long ago done their 

job and there was no question that at the 

beginning of the 20th century, genocide was 

perpetrated against the Armenians. That refusal 

was justified with the fact that if you 

agree to the creation of a commission, then 

you are unwittingly putting the reality of the 

Armenian Genocide into question; and as 

long as that commission exists, other countries 

will avoid recognizing or condemning 

Turkey, citing the ongoing nature of the work 

of that very commission. Indeed, countries 

that have already recognized the Genocide 

will be confused and have a hard time understanding 

Armenia’s position. 

A slip of the tongue 

On June 23 of this year, during a meeting 

with the Armenian community in Moscow, 

President Sargsian announced: “The Turkish 

side is recommending the formation of 

a commission, which will study historical 

facts. 

“We are not opposed to establishing such a 

commission but only when the border between 

our countries is opened. Otherwise, it 

could be a means to protract the question for 

years and exploit it.” 

In Mr. Oskanian’s opinion, President Sargsian’s 

announcement in Moscow was “a slip 

of the tongue,” and he wants to believe that 

is what it is. “No one has the moral right to 

shed doubt on the fact of the 1915 Genocide,” 

Mr. Oskanian said. “Turkey’s desire is 

to start the process, and not the actual result 

itself. That will be an eternal process. Everything 

must be done to halt the process from 

beginning.” 

It is difficult to agree that Mr. Sargsian’s 

statement in Moscow was a slip of the tongue. 

First of all, the president was not responding 

to an unexpected question; he was reading 

from a prepared, written speech. Aside 

from that, when meeting with the Armenian- 

American community in New York on September 

24, Mr. Sargsian said: “Days following 

the meeting in Yerevan, Turkey’s foreign 

minister announced that Turkey is ready to 

come to terms with its past, to face the conclusions 

of the presumed commission’s findings. 

These are the words of a courageous 

representative of the authorities. We have 

to think, how we can help Turkish society 

be more unbiased toward the pages of their 

own history.” 

It would be great if Armenia was so strong 

as to help Turkey and its citizens to look 

through the bloody pages of their history. 

However desire is not a political or diplomatic 

category. And the fact is that Europe, with 

a population of 500 million, has not been 

successful in forcing Turkey, a country that 

wants to be part of the European Union, to 

finally remove Article 301 from its criminal 

code, which allows authorities to systematically 

persecute all those who speak about the 

Armenian Genocide. 

President Abdulah Gul of Turkey with President Serge Sargsian of Armenia in Yerevan on September 6. 

Photo: Photolure. 

It’s not a bazaar. 

The director of the ARF Bureau’s Central Hai 

Tahd Office Giro Manoyan told the Armenian 

Reporter that while Mr. Sargsian did not 

directly express his agreement to the formation 

of a historians’ commission, “the fact 

remains that if Armenia agrees to the formation 

of any commission of historians which 

is to examine whether the ‘events’ do or do 

not constitute genocide, it will be perceived 

to shed doubt on the fact of the Genocide, no 

matter how much the Armenian side insists 

that it doesn’t consider the fact of Genocide 

questionable. 

“Turkey’s 2005 proposal for a bilateral commission 

of historians had one goal, namely 

to block the efforts for the international 

recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Highranking 

Turkish officials continue to state 

that their aim for a historian’s commission 

is to block the international recognition of 

the Armenian Genocide. Armenia has no reason 

to agree to such a commission neither 

before, nor after the lifting of the blockade 

by Turkey or the establishment of diplomatic 

relations with Armenia. 

“If Turkey sincerely wants to study its own 

history of the Genocide period, it should first 

of all lift all limitations on the free study of 

the period; secondly, it should invite . . . genocide 

experts and historians to help them in 

their soul-searching, because Turkey is alone 

against the whole world in denying the Genocide. 

Historic facts can not be established like 

prices are agreed upon in a bazaar. Today, for 

Turkey, establishing normal relations with 

Armenia is at least as necessary for Turkey 

as it is for Armenia; so official Yerevan needs 

only to stand firm on its ‘relations without 

any preconditions’ position, thus uniting the 

whole Armenian potential behind it and not 

giving in to Turkish ultimatums. 

“This is also true to all the preconditions 

Turkey sets forth, including those related to 

Artsakh and Armenian rights from Turkey. 

Turkey’s aim is to capitulate Armenia and the 

Armenian nation; official Yerevan should not 

take any step in the wrong direction, which 

would have irreversible negative effects.” 

It would appear that among Armenia’s 

ruling parties, it is only the ARF that is displeased 

with Turkey’s policies. In reality 

however, there are many that are displeased. 

Stepan Safarian, the secretary of the 

Heritage Party, the only opposition party in 

parliament, believes that resolving Armenian-Turkish 

relations and opening the border 

must not contribute to the falsification of 

truth and history, the distortion of historical 

facts, and disregarding issues because these 

do not have any connection to our national 

and state interests. 

“After Gül’s visit to Armenia, the amount 

of news flowing from the Turkish media and 

the subsequent posturing by official Ankara 

bears witness to the fact that they weren’t 

honest and aren’t honest about their motivation. 

They are even trying to discredit Armenian 

authorities and the Armenian president 

in Armenian public opinion by stating that 

he was naïve to invite Gül with a weak agenda 

(that is to accept Turkey’s conditions to 

open the border). They made it clear that the 

Armenian side didn’t properly evaluate and 

assess all possible scenarios during the meeting 

and didn’t reach any tangible results,” Mr. 

Safarian said. 

To substantiate his statement, the member 

of parliament and political analyst notes 

that official Yerevan was more muted while 

Ankara was utilizing every available forum to 

proclaim its position on Armenian-Turkish 

relations, which include its well-known anti- 

Armenian, unproductive preconditions, the 

opening of the border and the resolution of 

the Karabakh conflict. “I believe that this has 

to be a bitter lesson for Armenian authorities 

to approach similar issues with more seriousness,” 

he said. 

Impartial mediators 

During his speech at the UN General Assembly 

on September 23, Mr. Gül unequivocally 

characterized Mountainous Karabakh as an 

occupied territory. If Turkey, while being one 

of the 11 members of the OSCE Minsk Group 

and today expressing the desire to mediate 

in the resolution of the conflict, continues 

to characterize Karabakh as occupied, then 

what mediation are we talking about If Mr. 

Gül had used the wording, “Karabakh’s adjacent 

occupied territories” that would have 

been more understandable because that is 

how the international community coins it. 

In the meantime, Mr. Gül and Turkey, which 

continue to consider Karabakh as occupied 

territories cannot act as mediators. 

Words versus actions 

Time will tell how Turkey will react to Armenia’s 

good intentions. But those of us who 

have been following Armenian-Turkish relations 

for the past 15 years can attest to the 

fact that Ankara never moves from words 

to action, when it comes to its policies regarding 

Armenia. Armenia’s first president. 

Levon Ter-Petrossian, never placed the 

Armenian Genocide issue on Armenia’s foreign 

policy agenda; Turkey didn’t establish 

diplomatic relations even then. Turkey didn’t 

want to establish diplomatic relations at a 

time when the issue of Kelbajar didn’t exist 

and when Armenian forces were in battle on 

a war forced upon them by Azerbaijan. At 

that time there wasn’t a security buffer zone 

around Karabakh; still, Turkey was absurdly 

talking about preconditions. 

Serge Sargsian finally spoke 

about the Genocide 

Armenia’s third president finally spoke about 

the Armenian Genocide. 

Armenia’s third president, like the first 

president, is trying to separate history from 

politics and diplomacy. And even though 

Armenia’s current foreign minister Edward 

Nalbandian, told this reporter months ago 

that the Armenian Genocide was not off the 

foreign-policy agenda of Armenia, there had 

been no evidence of active pursuit of recognition. 

Reviewing all of President Sargsian’s 

speeches and interviews that can be found on 

the presidential website, the word genocide is 

conspicuously absent. These include his July 

9 commentary in the Wall Street Journal, and 

interviews with the Austrian Standard and 

the Turkish Radikal daily. President Sargsian 

talks about Armenian-Turkish relations and 

does not in any way mention the Genocide. 

Likewise, in setting out his foreign-policy 

priorities in a meeting with Armenia’s diplomatic 

corps on September 3, the president 

made no mention of the Genocide. 

But that changed on September 28. Speaking 

to the United Nations General Assembly, 

Mr. Sargsian said. “This year we will be 

celebrating two significant international 

law achievements: the 60th anniversary of 

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

and 60th Anniversary of the Convention on 

Genocide Prevention. For us, the Armenians, 

as a people who survived the Genocide, these 

anniversaries are more than just important. 

Armenia has been and will be doing every 

possible thing at the UN to provide for a continuous 

advocacy of the Genocide Convention 

and its enforcement. Genocide can not 

be worrying just one nation, Genocide is a 

crime against humanity.” 

President Kocharian had placed the Genocide 

on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda in 

1998 during his speech at the UN’s General 

Assembly. Mr. Sargsian also mentioned the 

Armenian Genocide at the opening of the 

General Assembly. 

f

20 The Armenian Reporter | October 4, 2008

The Armenian Reporter | October 4, 2008


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Honoring individuals whose commitment 

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children and youth in Armenia 

Friday, October 24, 2008 

Cipriani 42nd Street 

110 East 42nd Street, New York City 

Featuring 

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and Emmy and Tony Award winning actress, Andrea Martin 

Private performance by Cirque du Soleil 

 

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