National, International, Armenia, and Community News and Opinion
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Ancient<br />
capitals are<br />
now open<br />
to visitors<br />
See story on<br />
page 16 m<br />
The ten<br />
classes of<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
See story on page 10 m<br />
Two works by<br />
Aivazovsky<br />
may fetch over<br />
$1,650,000<br />
See story on page C6 m<br />
Eastern U.S. Edition<br />
Number 109<br />
April 11, 2009<br />
the armenian<br />
reporter<br />
President Obama meets with, from left, <strong>Armenia</strong>n foreign minister Edward Nalb<strong>and</strong>ian, Swiss foreign minister (<strong>and</strong> mediator) Micheline Calmy-Rey, Turkish undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry Ertugul<br />
Apakan <strong>and</strong> Foreign Minister Ali Babacan at a reception in Istanbul on April 6. The president met with the foreign ministers to commend them on “recent progress” toward the normalization of <strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey<br />
relations <strong>and</strong> urged them to complete a bilateral agreement. White House photo: Pete Souza.<br />
Obama, in Turkey, raises<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n issues<br />
Avoiding the word genocide the president plays up<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey talks<br />
Visit us at reporter.am<br />
See story on page 1 m
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009
Number 109<br />
April 11, 2009<br />
the armenian<br />
reporter<br />
The ten classes of <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong><br />
The ancient capitals of Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat <strong>and</strong> Bagaran<br />
The residents of Bagaran wake up every<br />
morning to the voices of the muezzin<br />
from the neighboring village of<br />
Halimjan. The call for prayers at the<br />
crack of dawn has been part of the<br />
lives of the residents of Bagaran for<br />
decades. The two villages are on two<br />
sides of the Akhuryan river, which<br />
separates <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Turkey.<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
The two ancient cities of Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat<br />
<strong>and</strong> Bagaran, closed off for<br />
centuries because of their strategic<br />
position, are now open to visitors<br />
who can see ancient archaeological<br />
sites dispersed throughout the region,<br />
Tatul Hakobyan reports.<br />
See story on page 16m<br />
Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan completed<br />
At the annual fund-raising event<br />
of Sipan <strong>Armenia</strong>n School, Louisa<br />
Janbazian, president of the school<br />
board, announced that the school<br />
received an Honorary Award from<br />
Spartak Seyranyan, the minister of<br />
science <strong>and</strong> education of <strong>Armenia</strong>,<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong><br />
In five years, <strong>Armenia</strong>, Iran to be connected by rail<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
High ranking officials from <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Iran are giving assurances<br />
that in five years’ time there will<br />
be a railroad linking the two countries.<br />
According to preliminary calculations,<br />
the railroad will stretch<br />
for approximately 470 kilometers,<br />
with 410 of those on <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
territory. The total cost of this undertaking<br />
is expected to run about<br />
$1.2 billion.<br />
An agreement will be signed by<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Iran sometime this<br />
month when President Serge Sargsian<br />
is expected to be in Tehran for<br />
an official visit.<br />
See story on page 17m<br />
On the evening of April 2, the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Bone Marrow Donor Registry<br />
(ABMDR) held a cocktail reception<br />
in Glendale, California, to<br />
celebrate the upcoming opening<br />
of its Stem Cell Harvesting Center<br />
in Yerevan. The event served as<br />
an opportunity to announce formally<br />
the much-anticipated launch<br />
of the Stem Cell Harvesting Center,<br />
inform guests of current <strong>and</strong><br />
future ABMDR projects, <strong>and</strong> thank<br />
supporters for helping save lives<br />
through the registry.<br />
See story on page 5m<br />
Sustainable-forestry training program prepared<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> Tree Project (ATP) recently<br />
completed a two-year project to<br />
develop sustainable forestry training<br />
models for <strong>Armenia</strong>. Through<br />
a collaborative effort with Yale<br />
University’s Global Institute of<br />
Sustainable Forestry, ATP worked<br />
with Chadwick Oliver <strong>and</strong> Zachary<br />
Parisa to conduct an analysis of the<br />
forests around the village of Margahovit.<br />
See story on page 4m<br />
Not everyone is delighted to<br />
be there, <strong>and</strong> there are some you<br />
cannot keep away, Gregory Lima<br />
writes of the St. Gregory <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
School in White Plains, N.Y.<br />
As they grow older some can rebel<br />
against their parents’ insistence<br />
they attend class. Asking one such<br />
very young lady what she would<br />
rather do, she answered, “Sleep,”<br />
which she seemed to manage exactly<br />
where she was. Until it was<br />
time to dance. Then the sleepy<br />
girl turned into a dynamo. There<br />
was also the boy who had finished<br />
all the grades <strong>and</strong> still came back.<br />
He was drawn by the pleasure of<br />
speaking <strong>Armenia</strong>n, the cultural<br />
activities, <strong>and</strong> the friends he had<br />
made.<br />
See story on page 10m<br />
Sipan <strong>Armenia</strong>n School honored by <strong>Armenia</strong>’s<br />
Ministry of Education<br />
for its legacy of educating <strong>and</strong> nurturing<br />
the young <strong>Armenia</strong>n generation<br />
with the <strong>Armenia</strong>n spirit,<br />
<strong>and</strong> for the 30th anniversary of its<br />
founding.<br />
See story on page 6m<br />
President Obama, in Turkey,<br />
raises <strong>Armenia</strong>n issues<br />
Avoids the word<br />
genocide<br />
Asks Turkey to open<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> border<br />
by Emil Sanamyan<br />
WASHINGTON – In a first for a U.S.<br />
president, Barack Obama used his<br />
visit to Ankara to publicly speak of<br />
the need for Turkey to address its<br />
past <strong>and</strong> improve its present relations<br />
with <strong>Armenia</strong>.<br />
But citing reports of an impending<br />
breakthrough in talks between<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Turkey, Mr. Obama<br />
effectively sidestepped his pre-election<br />
promise to clearly recognize<br />
the destruction of Ottoman <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
as genocide. Mr. Obama also<br />
encouraged Turkish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
officials “to complete an agreement”<br />
in an expeditious manner.<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n agenda<br />
without the G word<br />
In his April 6 speech at Turkey’s<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong> <strong>National</strong> Assembly <strong>and</strong> in a<br />
joint press conference with Turkish<br />
president Abdullah Gül earlier<br />
the same day, Mr. Obama became<br />
the first U.S. president to publicly<br />
air some <strong>Armenia</strong>n-American concerns<br />
on a visit to Turkey. (See<br />
transcripts below.)<br />
Addressing the parliament, Mr.<br />
Obama recalled America’s own<br />
treatment of Native Americans <strong>and</strong><br />
Serge Sargsian hopes to go to Turkey<br />
in October through open borders<br />
by Tatul Hakobyan<br />
YEREVAN – <strong>Armenia</strong>’s President<br />
Serge Sargsian stated on April 11<br />
that in terms of <strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey<br />
relations, the ball is now in Turkey’s<br />
court. He is also hopeful that<br />
Turkey will open the border with<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> by October.<br />
On the occasion of the first anniversary<br />
of his presidency, Mr.<br />
Sargsian held a press conference<br />
on April 11. Asked by the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Reporter about the “red lines” the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n side would not cross in<br />
Turkish-<strong>Armenia</strong>n relations, Mr.<br />
Sargsian said that Yerevan considers<br />
unacceptable the imposition, by<br />
Turkey, of preconditions for the establishment<br />
of relations.<br />
“We have said, <strong>and</strong> I repeat, we are<br />
ready to establish relations without<br />
preconditions. Now, in my opinion,<br />
the ball is in Turkey’s court,” the<br />
president said.<br />
“If we are talking about soccer diplomacy,”<br />
the president continued,<br />
“then we must state that the ball<br />
cannot constantly be on one side of<br />
the field, <strong>and</strong> each soccer match has<br />
a predetermined time frame.” The<br />
current round of talks with Turkey<br />
are spoken of as soccer diplomacy<br />
because Mr. Sargsian invited his<br />
Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gül,<br />
President Obama meets with, from left, <strong>Armenia</strong>n foreign minister Edward<br />
Nalb<strong>and</strong>ian, Swiss foreign minister (<strong>and</strong> mediator) Micheline Calmy-Rey, Turkish<br />
undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry Ertugul Apakan <strong>and</strong> Foreign Minister Ali<br />
Babacan at a reception in Istanbul on April 6. The president met with the foreign<br />
ministers to commend them on “recent progress” toward the normalization of<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey relations <strong>and</strong> urged them to complete a bilateral agreement.<br />
White House photo: Pete Souza.<br />
Blacks, <strong>and</strong> urged Turks to address<br />
the “terrible events of 1915” in a<br />
way that is “honest, open, <strong>and</strong> constructive.”<br />
Extolling the benefits of<br />
opening the border with <strong>Armenia</strong> –<br />
which was closed <strong>and</strong> is kept closed<br />
by Turkey – he said the United<br />
States “strongly supports normalization<br />
of relations between Turkey<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>.” He also invited Turkey<br />
to play a “constructive role” in<br />
the Karabakh peace process.<br />
At the press conference, the subject<br />
was formally prompted by Chicago<br />
Tribune <strong>and</strong> Los Angeles Times<br />
correspondent Christi Parsons,<br />
who referred to Mr. Obama’s comments<br />
on the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide<br />
as a senator <strong>and</strong> his pre-election<br />
pledges to recognize the Genocide<br />
as president. Ms. Parsons asked<br />
whether the president still held the<br />
same views <strong>and</strong> whether he asked<br />
Mr. Gül to recognize the Genocide.<br />
Mr. Obama responded that he<br />
had not changed his views, which<br />
are “on the record.” But he then<br />
turned to the subject of talks between<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Turkey that<br />
could “bear fruit very quickly very<br />
soon” <strong>and</strong> which, he said, he did<br />
not want to “tilt” in favor of either<br />
side, presumably by speaking more<br />
c<strong>and</strong>idly.<br />
Continued on page m<br />
President Serge<br />
Sargsian. Photo:<br />
Photolure.<br />
to Yerevan to watch the September<br />
2008 <strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey World Cup<br />
qualifying soccer match.<br />
“Is it possible that we have perhaps<br />
miscalculated <strong>and</strong> the Turks<br />
have now adopted another position<br />
<strong>and</strong> are attempting to place<br />
a precondition on the table Of<br />
course, this is possible,” he said.<br />
“But I believe, even in that case, we<br />
will come out of the process much<br />
stronger. Through this process<br />
we were able to once again demonstrate,<br />
as was witnessed by the<br />
international community, that we<br />
are really prepared to establish relations<br />
without preconditions.”<br />
The next <strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey World<br />
Cup qualifying match will be held in<br />
October in Kayseri, Mr. Gül’s birthplace.<br />
Mr. Sargsian has accepted an<br />
invitation from Mr. Gül to attend.<br />
“During the negotiation process,<br />
the question of Nagorno-Karabakh<br />
or the Genocide has never been<br />
brought up,” the president said, referring<br />
to two pre-conditions long<br />
set by Turkey for the normalization<br />
of relations. He predicted that<br />
at the next soccer match, “I will either<br />
cross through open borders or<br />
we will be at that threshold.” f
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>National</strong><br />
Washington briefing<br />
by Emil Sanamyan<br />
Obama visits Turkey,<br />
calls Azerbaijan<br />
President Barack Obama visited<br />
Turkey on April 6–7 in an effort<br />
to rebuild a troubled alliance <strong>and</strong><br />
reach out to the Muslim world. The<br />
White House reported that on April<br />
7, Mr. Obama also placed a call to<br />
the president of Azerbaijan.<br />
President Obama prepares to enter<br />
Istanbul's Blue Mosque on April 7.<br />
Addressing the Turkish parliament,<br />
the U.S. president said he was<br />
“committed to renewing the alliance”<br />
that has come under strain as U.S.<br />
<strong>and</strong> Turkish policies on Iraq, Iran,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Middle East conflict drifted<br />
further apart in recent years.<br />
Mr. Obama said his visit was evidence<br />
of the importance he placed on<br />
U.S.-Turkish relations, although no<br />
formal agreements were announced<br />
during the trip. From the first days<br />
of his administration, Mr. Obama<br />
said he wanted to reach out to the<br />
Islamic world <strong>and</strong> was expected to<br />
visit a majority-Muslim country in<br />
the first months of his presidency.<br />
In January, Turkey invited Mr.<br />
Obama to attend a United Nations<br />
conference dubbed the Alliance of<br />
Civilizations, held in Istanbul. The<br />
invitation led to an official visit to<br />
Turkey at the end of Mr. Obama’s<br />
tour of Europe.<br />
Speaking in parliament, Mr.<br />
Obama praised Turkey’s founder<br />
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk <strong>and</strong><br />
the Turkish political system, while<br />
also noting that there are disagreements<br />
<strong>and</strong> outst<strong>and</strong>ing issues such<br />
as the history of <strong>Armenia</strong>n-Turkish<br />
relations.<br />
The latter subject also featured in<br />
a “good conversation” Mr. Obama<br />
had with Azerbaijani president Ilham<br />
Aliyev, in which the “U.S commitment<br />
to a strong relationship<br />
with Azerbaijan <strong>and</strong> to supporting<br />
progress toward a resolution of the<br />
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict” were<br />
reiterated.<br />
According to Hurriyet newspaper,<br />
upset with reports of progress in<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey talks, Mr. Aliyev refused<br />
to attend the Alliance of Civilizations<br />
meeting even after being telephoned<br />
by Secretary of State Hillary<br />
Clinton, who reportedly promised a<br />
meeting with Mr. Obama.<br />
Instead, Mr. Aliyev dispatched<br />
his daughter Leyla Aliyeva. Ms.<br />
Aliyeva serves as the Moscow representative<br />
for the Heydar Aliyev<br />
Foundation headed by her mother<br />
Mehriban Aliyeva.<br />
State Department<br />
nominee held up over<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide<br />
comments<br />
Left out of President Obama’s trip<br />
to Turkey was his pick for assistant<br />
secretary of state for Europe <strong>and</strong><br />
Eurasia, Philip Gordon. According<br />
to Foreign Policy magazine, Mr.<br />
Gordon planned to depart after confirmation<br />
by the Senate on April 3,<br />
but his nomination was held up at<br />
the last moment.<br />
In a statement issued on the<br />
same day, the <strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>National</strong><br />
Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed<br />
the “delay as a meaningful<br />
opportunity for senators to weigh<br />
the merits of approving a nominee<br />
with a record of arguing against<br />
[U.S.] recognition of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
genocide.” (See this page in the<br />
March 14 <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter for<br />
some of Mr. Gordon’s past comments<br />
on the subject.)<br />
During a March 27 Senate Foreign<br />
Relations Committee hearing<br />
on Mr. Gordon’s nomination,<br />
his views were scrutinized by Sen.<br />
Robert Menendez (D.-N.J.), who<br />
had previously blocked a Bush administration<br />
nominee for ambassador<br />
to <strong>Armenia</strong> over his comments<br />
on the Genocide.<br />
Silva Harotonian.<br />
But according to Foreign Policy,<br />
Mr. Menendez eventually decided<br />
not to block Mr. Gordon‘s c<strong>and</strong>idacy<br />
<strong>and</strong> abstained in the committee<br />
vote.<br />
On April 8, the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Assembly<br />
of America reported that it was<br />
Sen. John Ensign (R.-Nev.) who<br />
requested the postponement of Mr.<br />
Gordon’s confirmation. In 2007 Mr.<br />
Ensign was the main Republican cosponsor<br />
of a Senate resolution on<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.<br />
The Senate is expected to return<br />
to consideration of the nominee after<br />
its Easter recess.<br />
Georgian opposition posters. Photo: civil.ge.<br />
U.S. joins talks with<br />
Iran, requests release of<br />
detainees<br />
In a departure from Bush administration<br />
policy, the State Department<br />
said on April 8 that the United<br />
States will formally join other<br />
permanent members of the United<br />
Nations Security Council <strong>and</strong> Germany<br />
in their ongoing talks with<br />
Iran regarding its nuclear program.<br />
Barack Obama advocated direct<br />
talks with Iran during his presidential<br />
campaign. Under George W.<br />
Bush, the United States insisted<br />
that Iran first halt nuclear fuel<br />
enrichment as a condition for U.S.<br />
participation in the talks.<br />
Incidentally, on April 9 the New<br />
York Times reported that Iran had<br />
announced just days earlier making<br />
advances in its ability to enrich<br />
uranium.<br />
On March 31 U.S. <strong>and</strong> Iranian officials<br />
met briefly during a United<br />
Nations conference on Afghanistan<br />
held in the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s. At<br />
that meeting, Iranian officials<br />
were h<strong>and</strong>ed a letter from Secretary<br />
of State Hillary Clinton<br />
requesting the release of four U.S.<br />
citizens held in Iran on what are<br />
believed to be politically motivated<br />
charges.<br />
On April 6, the State Department<br />
additionally urged Iran to<br />
release 34-year-old Silva Harotonian,<br />
an Iranian-<strong>Armenia</strong>n employee<br />
of the U.S.-funded <strong>International</strong><br />
Research <strong>and</strong> Exchanges<br />
Board (IREX) imprisoned in Iran<br />
since last June.<br />
The State Department’s acting<br />
President Obama, in Turkey, raises <strong>Armenia</strong>n issues<br />
spokesperson Robert Wood said<br />
that charges against Ms. Harotonian<br />
– of plotting against the<br />
Iranian government on behalf of<br />
the United States – were “baseless”<br />
<strong>and</strong> that “she is reportedly in<br />
poor <strong>and</strong> deteriorating health as a<br />
direct consequence of her confinement.”<br />
Ms. Harotonian’s case, first made<br />
public last January, was covered by<br />
the Los Angeles Times on April 2<br />
<strong>and</strong> ABC <strong>News</strong> on April 7. (See also<br />
the Reporter’s Feb. 28 edition.)<br />
Georgian opposition<br />
launches campaign for<br />
president’s ouster<br />
Political opponents of Georgian<br />
leader Mikheil Saakashvili began<br />
on April 9 what they promise will<br />
be continuing protests aimed at<br />
toppling the president, whom they<br />
blame for authoritarianism <strong>and</strong><br />
last year’s defeat in the war with<br />
Russia.<br />
The opposition includes a number<br />
of past allies of Mr. Saakashvili’s,<br />
including former parliament<br />
Speaker Nino Bourjanadze <strong>and</strong><br />
former Ambassador to the United<br />
Nations Irakli Alasania, the two<br />
figures seen as frontrunners in a<br />
potential early election.<br />
In a manifesto released before<br />
the campaign’s launch, the opposition<br />
pledged to guarantee Mr. Saakashvili’s<br />
personal security should<br />
he resign voluntarily. Mr. Saakashvili<br />
in turn offered dialogue to the<br />
opposition, but insists he will stay<br />
in office until his second term of<br />
office expires in 2013.<br />
f<br />
n Continued from page <br />
In his follow-up, Mr. Gül outlined<br />
some of the points of the official<br />
Turkish position, denying the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide, <strong>and</strong> seeking to shift<br />
it from the realm of law <strong>and</strong> politics<br />
to the realm of academic history.<br />
The Turkish president did not<br />
sound as upbeat as Mr. Obama<br />
about the prospect of a breakthrough<br />
in talks with <strong>Armenia</strong>,<br />
noting only that he “would like to<br />
see a good resolution of these discussions,”<br />
<strong>and</strong> adding, “we have a<br />
lot of work” to do, including resolving<br />
“issues between <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Azerbaijan.”<br />
Talks with <strong>Armenia</strong>:<br />
PR campaign or real<br />
progress<br />
Turkish officials <strong>and</strong> their supporters<br />
have offered contradictory opinions<br />
on the status of talks with <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> whether they might be nearing<br />
some kind of a turning point.<br />
On the eve of Mr. Obama’s visit, a<br />
media blitz sought to play up progress<br />
in talks. Leaks by anonymous,<br />
but presumably Turkish <strong>and</strong> some<br />
U.S. officials to the Wall Street Journal<br />
even suggested April 16 as a day<br />
when an <strong>Armenia</strong>n-Turkish agreement<br />
could be signed. The story was<br />
picked up by the Washington Times,<br />
Financial Times, <strong>and</strong> others.<br />
Members of the congressional<br />
Turkey caucus spun the same story<br />
line, urging Mr. Obama to encourage<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Turkish leaders<br />
to reach an agreement.<br />
But speaking in London on April<br />
3, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip<br />
Erdogan said Turkey would not<br />
concede that the Ottoman treatment<br />
of <strong>Armenia</strong>ns was genocide<br />
<strong>and</strong> again linked the establishment<br />
of relations with <strong>Armenia</strong> to the<br />
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The<br />
next day Mr. Gül dismissed the<br />
Wall Street Journal report of the<br />
April 16 date as “false.”<br />
In a comment for the media late<br />
Sunday night, <strong>Armenia</strong>’s Foreign<br />
Minister Edward Nalb<strong>and</strong>ian<br />
stressed that there is a “mutual<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing” between <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Turkey that normalization<br />
can have no preconditions, that<br />
there would be no linkages to the<br />
Genocide or Karabakh, <strong>and</strong> that<br />
statements to the contrary “may<br />
be regarded as an attempt to impede<br />
the progress reached in the<br />
negotiations.”<br />
Mr. Nalb<strong>and</strong>ian then postponed<br />
by 24 hours his departure for Istanbul,<br />
where he was to attend the<br />
Alliance of Civilizations meeting.<br />
Upon arrival in the evening of April<br />
6, he had a brief conversation with<br />
Mr. Obama <strong>and</strong> then a four-way<br />
meeting that included the foreign<br />
ministers of Turkey <strong>and</strong> Switzerl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
which has recently hosted<br />
talks between <strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Turkish<br />
officials.<br />
An unnamed but senior U.S. official<br />
told Reuters that Mr. Obama<br />
“urged [<strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Turkish ministers]<br />
to complete an agreement<br />
with dispatch.”<br />
In the meantime, the Azerbaijani<br />
leadership expressed public distress<br />
over <strong>Armenia</strong>n-Turkish talks<br />
<strong>and</strong> President Ilham Aliyev refused<br />
to attend the Istanbul conference<br />
– even after being promised a<br />
meeting with Mr. Obama, Turkish<br />
media reported.<br />
On April 7, Turkish foreign minister<br />
Ali Babacan again spoke of<br />
progress made in talks, but a report<br />
carried by the Anatolia news<br />
agency referred to no timeline. In a<br />
comment that could be seen as directed<br />
to the United States, Mr. Babacan<br />
suggested that “third countries<br />
should act sensitively during<br />
this ongoing process.”<br />
Mixed community<br />
reaction<br />
Adding to the week’s confusion<br />
were the substantially different<br />
interpretations of Mr. Obama’s remarks<br />
offered by <strong>Armenia</strong>n-American<br />
advocacy groups.<br />
Aram Hamparian of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
<strong>National</strong> Committee of<br />
America (ANCA) said in a statement,<br />
“President Obama missed<br />
a valuable opportunity to honor<br />
his public pledge to recognize the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.” At the same<br />
time, he welcomed as “a step in the<br />
right direction” Mr. Obama’s “willingness<br />
to raise his commitment to<br />
recognizing the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide,<br />
even indirectly.”<br />
In a comment for the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Reporter, Ross Vartian of the U.S.-<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> Public Affairs Committee<br />
(USAPAC) said, “President Obama<br />
made it clear that his well-known<br />
views on the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide<br />
have not changed <strong>and</strong> that Turkey<br />
needed to face its history. Yet he<br />
could have <strong>and</strong> should have said<br />
the words ‘<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide’ at a<br />
time <strong>and</strong> place perfect for doing so.”<br />
“President Obama st<strong>and</strong>s by his<br />
pledge regarding affirmation of the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n genocide,” ran the headline<br />
of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Assembly of<br />
America statement released to the<br />
media. Unlike the ANCA, the Assembly<br />
offered no criticism, pointing instead<br />
to Mr. Obama’s comment that<br />
he hasn’t changed his view.<br />
The Assembly’s Bryan Ardouny<br />
noted, “For the first time, a U.S.<br />
President has delivered a direct<br />
message to Turkish officials in their<br />
own country that he st<strong>and</strong>s behind<br />
his steadfast support <strong>and</strong> strong<br />
record of affirmation of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide.”<br />
The Assembly statement sidestepped<br />
the fact that Mr. Obama<br />
chose to sidestep the word genocide.<br />
Incidentally, on April 6 the Hawaii<br />
State House of Representatives<br />
passed a measure condemning the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide. Mr. Obama’s<br />
home state became the 42nd U.S.<br />
state to recognize the Genocide. f
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>International</strong><br />
<br />
Telling the truth about the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide<br />
We must resist<br />
Turkish pressure to<br />
distort history.<br />
by Christopher Hitchens<br />
This article is reprinted with permission<br />
from Slate.com, where it was<br />
posted on April 6.<br />
Even before President Barack<br />
Obama set off on his visit to Turkey<br />
this week, there were the usual<br />
voices urging him to dilute the<br />
principled position that he has so<br />
far taken on the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.<br />
April is the month in which<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n diaspora commemorates<br />
the bloody initiation, in 1915,<br />
of the Ottoman Empire’s campaign<br />
to erase its <strong>Armenia</strong>n population.<br />
The marking of the occasion takes<br />
two forms: <strong>Armenia</strong>n Remembrance<br />
Day, on April 24, <strong>and</strong> the annual<br />
attempt to persuade Congress<br />
to name that day as one that ab<strong>and</strong>ons<br />
weasel wording <strong>and</strong> officially<br />
calls the episode by its right name,<br />
which is the word I used above.<br />
Genocide had not been coined in<br />
1915, but the U.S. ambassador in<br />
Constantinople, Henry Morgenthau,<br />
employed a term that was<br />
Christopher Hitchens is a columnist for<br />
Vanity Fair <strong>and</strong> the Roger S. Mertz media<br />
fellow at the Hoover Institution in<br />
Stanford, Calif.<br />
in some ways more graphic. In his<br />
urgent reports to the State Department,<br />
conveying on-the-spot dispatches<br />
from his consuls, especially<br />
in the provinces of Van <strong>and</strong> Harput,<br />
he described the systematic slaughter<br />
of the <strong>Armenia</strong>ns as “race murder.”<br />
A vast archive of evidence exists<br />
to support this claim. But every<br />
year, the deniers <strong>and</strong> euphemists<br />
set to work again, <strong>and</strong> there are<br />
usually enough military-industrial<br />
votes to tip the scale in favor of our<br />
Turkish client. (Of late, Turkey’s<br />
opportunist military alliance with<br />
Israel has also been good for a few<br />
shame-faced Jewish votes as well.)<br />
Obama’s unambivalent<br />
record<br />
President Obama comes to this issue<br />
with an unusually clear <strong>and</strong> unambivalent<br />
record. In 2006, for example,<br />
the U.S. ambassador to <strong>Armenia</strong>,<br />
John Evans, was recalled<br />
for employing the word genocide.<br />
Then-Sen. Obama wrote a letter<br />
of complaint to then-Secretary of<br />
State Condoleezza Rice, deploring<br />
the State Department’s cowardice<br />
<strong>and</strong> roundly stating that the<br />
occurrence of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n genocide<br />
in 1915 “is not an allegation, a<br />
personal opinion, or a point of view,<br />
but rather a widely documented<br />
fact supported by an overwhelming<br />
body of historical evidence.”<br />
On the campaign trail last year, he<br />
amplified this position, saying that<br />
“America deserves a leader who<br />
speaks truthfully about the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
genocide <strong>and</strong> responds forcefully<br />
to all genocides. I intend to be<br />
that president.”<br />
For any who might entertain<br />
doubt on this score, I would recommend<br />
two recent books of exceptional<br />
interest <strong>and</strong> scholarship<br />
that both add a good deal of depth<br />
<strong>and</strong> texture to this drama. The first<br />
is <strong>Armenia</strong>n Golgotha: A Memoir of<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide, by Grigoris<br />
Balakian, <strong>and</strong> the second is Rebel<br />
L<strong>and</strong>: Travels Among Turkey’s Forgotten<br />
Peoples, a contemporary account<br />
by Christopher de Bellaigue.<br />
Shattering evidence<br />
In addition, we have just learned of<br />
shattering corroborative evidence<br />
from within the archives of the<br />
Turkish state. The Ottoman politician<br />
who began the campaign of deportation<br />
<strong>and</strong> extermination, Talat<br />
Pasha, left enormous documentation<br />
behind him. His family has<br />
now given the papers to a Turkish<br />
author named Murat Bardakci,<br />
who has published a book with the<br />
somewhat dry title, The Remaining<br />
Documents of Talat Pasha. One<br />
of these “remaining documents”<br />
is a cold estimate that during the<br />
years 1915 <strong>and</strong> 1916 alone, a total<br />
of 972,000 <strong>Armenia</strong>ns simply vanished<br />
from the officially kept records<br />
of population. (See Sabrina<br />
Tavernise’s report in the New York<br />
Times of March 8, 2009.)<br />
There are those who try to say that<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n catastrophe was a regrettable<br />
byproduct of the fog of war<br />
<strong>and</strong> of imperial collapse, <strong>and</strong> this<br />
might be partly true of the many<br />
more <strong>Armenia</strong>ns who were slaughtered<br />
at the war’s end <strong>and</strong> after the<br />
implosion of Ottomanism. But this<br />
is an archive maintained by the government<br />
of the day <strong>and</strong> its chief anti-<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n politician, <strong>and</strong> it records<br />
in the very early days of World War I<br />
a population decline from 1,256,000<br />
to 284,157. It is very seldom that a<br />
regime in its private correspondence<br />
confirms almost to an exactitude the<br />
claims of its victims.<br />
Ankara’s unchecked<br />
arrogance<br />
So what will the deniers say now<br />
The usual routine has been to insinuate<br />
that if Congress votes to assert<br />
the historic truth, then Turkey will<br />
inconvenience the NATO alliance by<br />
making trouble on the Iraqi border,<br />
denying the use of bases to the U.S.<br />
Air Force, or in other unspecified<br />
ways. This same kind of unchecked<br />
arrogance was on view at the NATO<br />
summit last weekend, where the<br />
Ankara government had the nerve<br />
to try to hold up the appointment<br />
of a serious Danish politician,<br />
Anders Rasmussen, as the next<br />
secretary-general of the alliance,<br />
on the grounds that as Denmark’s<br />
prime minister he had refused<br />
to censor Danish newspapers to<br />
Muslim satisfaction! It is now being<br />
hinted that if either President<br />
Obama or the Congress goes ahead<br />
with the endorsement of the genocide<br />
resolution, Turkey will prove<br />
uncooperative on a range of issues,<br />
including the normalization of the<br />
frontier between Turkey <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> the transit of oil <strong>and</strong> gas<br />
pipelines across the Caucasus.<br />
A matter of courage<br />
When the question is phrased in<br />
this thuggish way, it can be slyly<br />
suggested that <strong>Armenia</strong>’s own best<br />
interests are served by joining in the<br />
agreement to muddy <strong>and</strong> distort<br />
its own history. Yet how could any<br />
state, or any people, agree to abolish<br />
their pride <strong>and</strong> dignity in this<br />
way And the question is not only<br />
for <strong>Armenia</strong>ns, who are economically<br />
hard-pressed by the Turkish<br />
closure of the common border. It is<br />
for the Turks, whose bravest cultural<br />
spokesmen <strong>and</strong> writers take genuine<br />
risks to break the taboo on discussion<br />
of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n question.<br />
And it is also for Americans, who,<br />
having elected a supposedly brave<br />
new president, are being told that<br />
he – <strong>and</strong> our Congress too – must<br />
agree to collude in a gigantic historical<br />
lie. A lie, furthermore, that<br />
courageous U.S. diplomacy helped<br />
to expose in the first place.<br />
This falsification has already<br />
gone on long enough <strong>and</strong> has been<br />
justified for reasons of state. It is,<br />
among other things, precisely “for<br />
reasons of state,” in other words for<br />
the clear <strong>and</strong> vital announcement<br />
that we can’t be bought or intimidated,<br />
that April 24, 2009, should<br />
become remembered as the date<br />
when we affirmed the truth <strong>and</strong> accepted,<br />
as truth-telling does, all the<br />
consequences.<br />
f<br />
Obama: Reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future<br />
In a speech to the Turkish parliament<br />
in Ankara on April 6, President<br />
Barack Obama addressed Turkey’s<br />
reckoning with the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide<br />
<strong>and</strong> its relations with <strong>Armenia</strong>.<br />
The following is an excerpt from the<br />
president’s remarks.<br />
Another issue that confronts all<br />
democracies as they move to the<br />
future is how we deal with the past.<br />
The United States is still working<br />
through some of our own darker<br />
periods in our history. Facing the<br />
Washington Monument that I<br />
spoke of is a memorial of Abraham<br />
Lincoln, the man who freed<br />
those who were enslaved even after<br />
Washington led our Revolution.<br />
Our country still struggles with<br />
the legacies of slavery <strong>and</strong> segregation,<br />
the past treatment of Native<br />
Americans.<br />
Human endeavor is by its nature<br />
imperfect. History is often<br />
tragic, but unresolved, it can be<br />
a heavy weight. Each country<br />
must work through its past. And<br />
reckoning with the past can help<br />
us seize a better future. I know<br />
there’s strong views in this chamber<br />
about the terrible events of<br />
1915. And while there’s been a<br />
good deal of commentary about<br />
my views, it’s really about how<br />
the Turkish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n people<br />
deal with the past. And the<br />
best way forward for the Turkish<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n people is a process<br />
that works through the past in<br />
a way that is honest, open <strong>and</strong><br />
constructive.<br />
We’ve already seen historic <strong>and</strong><br />
courageous steps taken by Turkish<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n leaders. These<br />
contacts hold out the promise of<br />
a new day. An open border would<br />
return the Turkish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
people to a peaceful <strong>and</strong> prosperous<br />
coexistence that would serve<br />
both of your nations. So I want<br />
you to know that the United States<br />
strongly supports the full normalization<br />
of relations between Turkey<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>. It is a cause worth<br />
working towards.<br />
It speaks to Turkey’s leadership<br />
that you are poised to be the only<br />
country in the region to have normal<br />
<strong>and</strong> peaceful relations with all<br />
the South Caucasus nations. And<br />
to advance that peace, you can<br />
play a constructive role in helping<br />
to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh<br />
conflict, which has continued for<br />
far too long.<br />
ttt<br />
Obama: I have not<br />
changed views<br />
During a joint press availability on<br />
April 6 at Cankaya Palace in Ankara,<br />
Turkey, President Barack Obama<br />
<strong>and</strong> his Turkish counterpart <strong>and</strong><br />
host Abdullah Gül took two questions.<br />
The first question was posed<br />
by Christi Parsons. Mr. Obama’s<br />
exchange with Ms. Parsons is reproduced<br />
below. Mr. Gül also responded<br />
to the question, offering a full-throated<br />
denial of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.<br />
President Obama: Christi Parsons,<br />
Chicago Tribune – hometown<br />
– hometown newspaper.<br />
Christi Parsons: Thank you,<br />
Mr. President. As a U.S. senator<br />
you stood with the <strong>Armenia</strong>n-<br />
American community in calling for<br />
Turkey’s acknowledgement of the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide <strong>and</strong> you also<br />
supported the passage of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide resolution. You<br />
said, as president you would recognize<br />
the Genocide. And my question<br />
for you is, have you changed<br />
your view, <strong>and</strong> did you ask President<br />
Gül to recognize the Genocide<br />
by name<br />
President Obama: Well, my<br />
views are on the record <strong>and</strong> I<br />
have not changed views. What I<br />
have been very encouraged by is<br />
news that under President Gül’s<br />
leadership, you are seeing a series<br />
of negotiations, a process,<br />
in place between <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Turkey to resolve a whole host<br />
of longst<strong>and</strong>ing issues, including<br />
this one.<br />
I want to be as encouraging as<br />
possible around those negotiations<br />
which are moving forward<br />
<strong>and</strong> could bear fruit very quickly<br />
very soon. And so as a consequence,<br />
what I want to do is not<br />
focus on my views right now but<br />
focus on the views of the Turkish<br />
<strong>and</strong> the <strong>Armenia</strong>n people. If they<br />
can move forward <strong>and</strong> deal with a<br />
difficult <strong>and</strong> tragic history, then I<br />
think the entire world should encourage<br />
them.<br />
And so what I told the president<br />
was I want to be as constructive<br />
as possible in moving these issues<br />
forward quickly. And my sense is,<br />
is that they are moving quickly.<br />
I don’t want to, as the president<br />
of the United States, preempt<br />
any possible arrangements or announcements<br />
that might be made<br />
in the near future. I just want<br />
to say that we are going to be a<br />
partner in working through these<br />
issues in such a way that the most<br />
important parties, the Turks <strong>and</strong><br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>ns, are finally coming<br />
to terms in a constructive way.<br />
Christi Parsons: So if I underst<strong>and</strong><br />
you correctly, your view<br />
hasn’t changed, but you’ll put in<br />
abeyance the issue of whether to<br />
use that word in the future<br />
President Obama: What I’d<br />
like to do is to encourage President<br />
Gül to move forward with<br />
what have been some very fruitful<br />
negotiations. And I’m not<br />
interested in the United States<br />
in any way tilting these negotiations<br />
one way or another while<br />
they are having useful discussions.<br />
Christi Parsons: Thank you. f
4 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Jennifer Omartian to direct agbu Camp Nubar<br />
Reveals plans for<br />
summer 2009<br />
NEW YORK – agbu Camp Nubar<br />
has announced that Jennifer<br />
Omartian will serve as the 2009<br />
Camp Director. Jennifer first came<br />
to Camp Nubar, located in the<br />
Catskill Mountain Region of New<br />
York, in 1993 <strong>and</strong> she has returned<br />
yearly ever since. She began as a<br />
counselor for several years before<br />
going on to serve as Activities Director,<br />
Girls Head Counselor, <strong>and</strong><br />
Assistant Director. No other director<br />
in the 46-year history of Camp<br />
Nubar has spent more time at the<br />
Catskill camp than Ms. Omartian,<br />
which is a clear indication of her<br />
passion for the facility by idyllic<br />
Lake Arax.The new Camp Director<br />
grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts,<br />
where she attended<br />
St. Mark Church in neighboring<br />
agbu Camp Nubar Director Jennifer<br />
Omartian.<br />
Springfield, MA. She graduated<br />
from James Madison University<br />
where she received her master’s<br />
degree in Middle School Education.<br />
Ms. Omartian now resides in Virginia<br />
<strong>and</strong> attends St. Mary Church<br />
in Washington, D.C.<br />
agbu: What are your goals <strong>and</strong><br />
hopes for the summer<br />
Jennifer Omartian: Preparation<br />
is crucial for a safe <strong>and</strong> fun season.<br />
I will ensure that counselors<br />
are prepared, qualified, <strong>and</strong> ready<br />
for another successful summer.<br />
I hope to see campers <strong>and</strong> counselors<br />
work alongside one another,<br />
to grow as individuals <strong>and</strong> into one<br />
family. Campers learn from their<br />
counselors, but counselors learn<br />
from their campers as well. Every<br />
session has a unique blend of people<br />
from different places. I look forward<br />
to seeing how each session will create<br />
its own set of memories using<br />
the same resources <strong>and</strong> facilities.<br />
agbu: What are your favorite aspects<br />
of camp <strong>and</strong> do you have any<br />
favorite memories<br />
JO: I love the anticipation that<br />
surrounds camp. Throughout the<br />
year, campers <strong>and</strong> counselors anticipate<br />
the following summer, the<br />
friends they will be reunited with,<br />
the bonds they will form <strong>and</strong> the<br />
memories they will make. When<br />
camp begins, the campers <strong>and</strong><br />
counselors anxiously wait for their<br />
favorite camp event, whether it is<br />
an evening activity, a carnival, or<br />
Color War. Throughout their camp<br />
careers, campers count down the<br />
summers until they finally become<br />
a counselor.<br />
I also love seeing the camp family<br />
within the greater <strong>Armenia</strong>n community.<br />
It is such a wonderful feeling<br />
to walk into church, a basketball<br />
game, or a picnic <strong>and</strong> see campers<br />
<strong>and</strong> counselors so eager to see each<br />
other <strong>and</strong> talk about camp.<br />
My favorite camp memory was<br />
watching my very first group of G1<br />
campers mature every summer <strong>and</strong><br />
then serve as counselors.<br />
agbu: What is your current occupation<br />
<strong>and</strong> what do you enjoy<br />
about it<br />
JO: I teach sixth-grade social<br />
studies in Fairfax County, Virginia.<br />
I love the diversity at my school<br />
<strong>and</strong> the many challenges that it<br />
presents on a daily basis. I teach<br />
students from all over the world<br />
<strong>and</strong> it amazes me how they blend<br />
together <strong>and</strong> learn from each other<br />
while maintaining pride in their<br />
own identity. I see this same sense<br />
of pride in our campers. Camp Nubar<br />
excels at encouraging campers<br />
to build a sense of pride in their<br />
personal <strong>and</strong> community identities.<br />
I look forward to another amazing<br />
summer at Camp Nubar.<br />
Founded in 1963, agbu Camp<br />
Nubar is a first-rate modern facility<br />
that has been highly ranked by<br />
the American Camp Association,<br />
American Red Cross, <strong>and</strong> American<br />
Academy of Pediatrics. <br />
connect:<br />
campnubar.org<br />
1-212-319-6383<br />
atp works with Yale’s Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry<br />
on new training manual for <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
WATERTOWN – <strong>Armenia</strong> Tree<br />
Project (atp) recently completed a<br />
two-year project to develop sustainable<br />
forestry training models for <strong>Armenia</strong>.<br />
Through a collaborative effort<br />
with Yale University’s Global Institute<br />
of Sustainable Forestry, atp<br />
worked with Chadwick Oliver <strong>and</strong><br />
Zachary Parisa to conduct an analysis<br />
of the forests around the village<br />
of Margahovit.”The degradation of<br />
forested areas in <strong>Armenia</strong> necessitates<br />
a new <strong>and</strong> bold approach to<br />
forestry practices,” stated atp Executive<br />
Director Jeff Masarjian. “With<br />
Yale’s expertise, atp has been able<br />
to collaborate with forestry officials<br />
to bring cutting edge forestry training<br />
to <strong>Armenia</strong>. It is our hope that<br />
the project will literally reshape the<br />
nation’s l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>and</strong> ensure a sustainable<br />
future for its population.”<br />
Working with students from the<br />
Agricultural Academy of <strong>Armenia</strong>,<br />
local residents of Margahovit, <strong>and</strong><br />
World Wildlife Fund, atp planted<br />
a 20 hectare model forest using indigenous<br />
tree species to be used for<br />
future sustainable forestry training.<br />
atp also presented a new Sustainable<br />
Forestry Manual to stakeholders<br />
in <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> developed<br />
a seminar training model to use as<br />
a guide. The manual is currently being<br />
published in Eastern <strong>Armenia</strong>n,<br />
<strong>and</strong> an English-language version is<br />
available at the atp Web site.<br />
Finally, atp assisted the local<br />
community of Margahovit in identifying<br />
non-timber forest products,<br />
bringing environmental education<br />
into the local schools, <strong>and</strong> through<br />
stakeholder meetings that outlined<br />
the benefits <strong>and</strong> challenges of community<br />
forestry. atp is currently<br />
developing a plan to conduct sustainable<br />
forestry training seminars<br />
throughout <strong>Armenia</strong>.<br />
“The project was designed to evaluate<br />
the condition of the forests in<br />
Northern <strong>Armenia</strong>, paying particular<br />
attention to the factors that are<br />
limiting the ability for regeneration,”<br />
explained Masarjian. “An assessment<br />
was made of plants, herbs,<br />
<strong>and</strong> other non-timber products<br />
that may be harvested for generating<br />
alternative income for residents<br />
living in proximity to the forests.<br />
Additional trainings on rotational<br />
grazing will also be held with livestock<br />
owners to prevent soil erosion<br />
<strong>and</strong> further degradation of forests.”<br />
“The collaboration between atp<br />
<strong>and</strong> Yale has been a great success.<br />
We worked together to create an<br />
instructional manual designed<br />
specifically for conditions in <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
that will be used to train local<br />
stakeholders in global best practices<br />
of forest management. We’re<br />
grateful for the vision <strong>and</strong> generosity<br />
of S<strong>and</strong>ra <strong>and</strong> Jim Leitner, who<br />
introduced us in the hope of creating<br />
a sustainable future for <strong>Armenia</strong>,”<br />
concluded Dr. Oliver, director<br />
of the Yale Global Institute of Sustainable<br />
Forestry.<br />
This project was funded by the<br />
Critical Ecosystem Partnership<br />
Fund, a joint program of l’Agence<br />
Francaise de Developpement, Conservation<br />
<strong>International</strong>, the Global<br />
Environment Facility, the Government<br />
of Japan, the MacArthur<br />
Foundation, <strong>and</strong> the World Bank.<br />
Since 1994, <strong>Armenia</strong> Tree Project<br />
has planted <strong>and</strong> restored more<br />
than 2,500,000 trees <strong>and</strong> created<br />
hundreds of jobs for impoverished<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>ns in tree-regeneration<br />
programs. The organization’s three<br />
tiered initiatives are tree planting,<br />
community development to reduce<br />
poverty <strong>and</strong> promote self-sufficiency,<br />
<strong>and</strong> environmental education to<br />
protect <strong>Armenia</strong>’s precious natural<br />
resources.<br />
<br />
connect:armeniatree.org<br />
Zachary Parisa (right) from Yale<br />
University gathered data on the<br />
forests in the Lori region of <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
with students from Yerevan’s<br />
Agricultural Academy.<br />
Let us know<br />
what’s on your mind.<br />
Write to us at<br />
letters@reporter.am<br />
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The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 5<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan completed<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Bone<br />
Marrow Donor<br />
Registry holds preopening<br />
celebration<br />
in Los Angeles<br />
LOS ANGELES – On the evening<br />
of April 2, the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Bone<br />
Marrow Donor Registry (abmdr)<br />
held a cocktail reception in Glendale,<br />
California, to celebrate the<br />
upcoming opening of its Stem Cell<br />
Harvesting Center in Yerevan.<br />
The event, which was attended<br />
by supporters, abmdr staff, <strong>and</strong><br />
various committee members – all<br />
of whom volunteer for the registry<br />
– served as an opportunity to announce<br />
formally the much-anticipated<br />
launch of the Stem Cell Harvesting<br />
Center, inform guests of<br />
current <strong>and</strong> future abmdr projects,<br />
<strong>and</strong> thank supporters for helping<br />
save lives through the registry.<br />
$850,000 raised<br />
In opening remarks, Dr. Frieda<br />
Jordan, president of the abmdr<br />
Board of Directors, expressed her<br />
gratitude to the numerous individual<br />
<strong>and</strong> corporate supporters who<br />
contributed to the registry’s firstever<br />
telethon, held on April 13, 2008.<br />
“Thanks to your timely assistance,<br />
the Stem Cell Harvesting Center at<br />
last became a reality,” Dr. Jordan<br />
said. “The project was realized despite<br />
being faced with so many challenges<br />
– including the Russo-Georgian<br />
war last year, because of which<br />
manufacturers could not deliver to<br />
Yerevan the machines we had purchased<br />
for the Stem Cell Harvesting<br />
Center.” She said this particular<br />
issue was eventually solved by<br />
the United <strong>Armenia</strong>n Fund, which<br />
transported all the required equipment<br />
to <strong>Armenia</strong>.<br />
“With the opening of the Stem<br />
Cell Harvesting Center, we can now<br />
save <strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> non-<strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
lives easily <strong>and</strong> cheaply,” Dr. Jordan<br />
continued. “This is why it’s so<br />
critical to continue supporting the<br />
work of the abmdr. In this respect,<br />
our next major project is the establishment<br />
of a transplant center.”<br />
Two years in the making, the<br />
Stem Cell Harvesting Center was<br />
made possible through lead gifts by<br />
abmdr Board member Dr. Carolann<br />
Najarian, an anonymous<br />
donor, <strong>and</strong> the Glendale Sunrise<br />
Rotary, followed by contributions<br />
from the Lincy Foundation, the<br />
Disney Foundation, VivaCell of <strong>Armenia</strong>,<br />
<strong>and</strong> various <strong>Armenia</strong>n organizations,<br />
as well as hundreds of<br />
donors responding to the abmdr<br />
Telethon. With a total of $850,000<br />
raised, the registry was able to fully<br />
renovate the Stem Cell Harvesting<br />
Krikorian reelected<br />
to school board<br />
GLENDALE, Calif. – Incumbents<br />
Ara Najarian <strong>and</strong> Frank<br />
Quintero <strong>and</strong> challenger Laura<br />
Friedman were elected to Glendale<br />
City Council on Tuesday, ending<br />
Bob Yousefian’s eight-year<br />
service on the body.<br />
They will join Dave Weaver <strong>and</strong><br />
John Drayman on the five-member<br />
City Council after a swearing-in<br />
ceremony on April 20.<br />
Each of the three winners garnered<br />
over 8,000 votes, while Mr.<br />
Yousefian <strong>and</strong> Bruce Philpott<br />
won around 6,500 votes. There<br />
were seven additional c<strong>and</strong>idates,<br />
Fimi Mekhitarian.<br />
Center site, provide it with state-<br />
Razmik Moghadasian.<br />
of-the-art equipment, <strong>and</strong> train<br />
personnel. Slated to open on April<br />
28, the center is expected to receive<br />
full accreditation by the European<br />
Federation of Immunogenetics.<br />
A dynamic <strong>and</strong> healthy<br />
registry<br />
According to Dr. Vergine Madenlian,<br />
the abmdr’s outreach <strong>and</strong><br />
development officer <strong>and</strong> a biochemistry<br />
lecturer at California State<br />
University, Northridge, the opening<br />
of the Stem Cell Harvesting<br />
Center is a medical milestone not<br />
only for <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Caucasus,<br />
but also for <strong>Armenia</strong>ns throughout<br />
the world. The center recruits bone<br />
marrow/stem cell donors from predominantly<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n populations<br />
worldwide, analyzes <strong>and</strong> determines<br />
the HLA tissue type of donors, <strong>and</strong><br />
maintains a database. Once it receives<br />
a request from a patient requiring<br />
stem cell transplantation,<br />
the abmdr finds matches in its own<br />
or other registries worldwide <strong>and</strong><br />
facilitates the transplantation.<br />
Dr. Madenlian, who has volunteered<br />
for the abmdr since 2004,<br />
including five <strong>Armenia</strong>n-Americans.<br />
An estimated 40 percent of<br />
Glendale’s population is <strong>Armenia</strong>n-<br />
American.<br />
Ron Borucki was reelected as<br />
city treasurer, holding off a challenge<br />
from former Glendale mayor<br />
Rafi Manoukian.<br />
In the School Board race, voters<br />
reelected Greg Krikorian <strong>and</strong><br />
Joylene Wagner. At the same<br />
time they elected Christine Walters.<br />
Unlike the incumbents, Ms.<br />
Walters <strong>and</strong> Eric Sahakian enjoyed<br />
the strong support of the<br />
teachers’ union <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
<strong>National</strong> Committee of Glendale<br />
Political Action Committee.<br />
Incumbents Armine Hacopian<br />
<strong>and</strong> Anita Quinonez Gabrielian<br />
From left, Karineh Khudikian, Naz Atikian, Amalia Keoreghian, <strong>and</strong> Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the abmdr Board of<br />
Directors.<br />
Dr. Evelyn Baghdasarian (left) <strong>and</strong> Lilit Aladadyan.<br />
were reelected as trustees of Glendale<br />
<strong>Community</strong> College. Ann Hazel<br />
Ransford was also elected. The other<br />
added that 50 percent of the registry’s<br />
over 14,000 donors are under<br />
28 years old, making the abmdr<br />
internationally recognized as one<br />
of the world’s most dynamic – <strong>and</strong><br />
healthiest – registries. “It’s just one<br />
more reason that makes volunteering<br />
for the abmdr such a spiritually<br />
rewarding experience,” she said.<br />
Following Dr. Jordan’s address,<br />
Alicia Asmarian, Naz Atikian,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Ani Azar of the abmdr announced<br />
the registry’s annual gala,<br />
“Match for Life 2009,” which will be<br />
held on July 12 at the Glendale Hilton.<br />
The event will raise funds for<br />
advocacy, education, <strong>and</strong> the registry’s<br />
ongoing life-saving services.<br />
Next to take the podium were Dr.<br />
Evelyn Baghdasarian <strong>and</strong> Lilit<br />
Aladadyan of the abmdr, who<br />
informed the guests of the registry’s<br />
next walkathon, “Walk of Life<br />
2009,” slated to take place on October<br />
3 at Glendale’s Verdugo Park.<br />
The event, which will include entertainment,<br />
music, <strong>and</strong> dancing, is<br />
being organized to raise funds for<br />
the registry’s activities as well as to<br />
recruit stem cell donors.<br />
Helping a 21-year-old<br />
man<br />
For an inside look at the abmdr’s<br />
work, Fimi Mekhitarian, a longtime<br />
volunteer <strong>and</strong> West Coast recruitment<br />
officer, spoke of a recent<br />
FaceBook appeal for a 21-year-old<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n man diagnosed with<br />
acute leukemia <strong>and</strong> requiring an urgent<br />
stem cell transplant. “There’s<br />
been an outpouring of grassroots<br />
support following the appeal,” Ms.<br />
Mekhitarian said. “Today the young<br />
man’s family <strong>and</strong> friends are organizing<br />
a stem-cell donor recruitment,<br />
<strong>and</strong> this is where we come<br />
in. In fact, we have recruitments<br />
lined up for San Francisco, Chicago,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Florida. We’re literally having a<br />
field day recruiting donors.”<br />
c<strong>and</strong>idate was Vrej Agajanian.<br />
City clerk Ardy Kassakhian,<br />
running unopposed, was reelected.<br />
The evening’s speakers also included<br />
Dr. Stuart Siegal, an early abmdr<br />
supporter who has had an instrumental<br />
role in helping Dr. Jordan<br />
establish the registry. Commenting<br />
on the launch of the Stem Cell Harvesting<br />
Center, Dr. Siegal said, “One<br />
of the most wonderful outcomes of<br />
this project is that you see tangible<br />
results in terms of saving lives.”<br />
Among the evening’s guest were<br />
many who have been impacted by<br />
life-threatening, blood-related illnesses.<br />
One such individual was<br />
Razmik Moghadasian, whose<br />
nine-year-old son lost his battle<br />
with leukemia in 2007. Even<br />
though a stem cell donor was found<br />
through the abmdr at that time, a<br />
relapse in the child’s condition<br />
prevented a transplant. “I see the<br />
abmdr as an insurance policy for<br />
everyone,” said Mr. Moghadasian,<br />
who has since volunteered for the<br />
abmdr. “If everyone had a donor<br />
[through the registry], everyone<br />
would be safe.”<br />
Established in 1999, the abmdr,<br />
a nonprofit organization, helps<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>ns worldwide survive lifethreatening<br />
blood-related illnesses<br />
by recruiting <strong>and</strong> matching donors<br />
to those requiring bone marrow<br />
stem cell transplants. To date, the<br />
registry has recruited over 14,000<br />
donors across three continents,<br />
identified 1,276 patients, found 821<br />
potential matches, <strong>and</strong> facilitated<br />
nine bone marrow transplants. <br />
connect:<br />
abmdr.am<br />
1-323-663-3609<br />
Glendale will have only one <strong>Armenia</strong>n council member<br />
Ara Najarian. Greg Krikorian. Ardy Kassakhian.<br />
Polls were slow on Election Day<br />
in Glendale.<br />
<br />
connect: glendalevotes.org.
6 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
MY NAME IS<br />
ARMEN<br />
Auntie Rose’s Kurabia<br />
by Armen<br />
Bacon<br />
Easter is my holiday. I have a collection<br />
of whimsical bunnies, fancy<br />
placemats, a dining table that<br />
easily seats 17, <strong>and</strong> a traditional<br />
menu that includes shish kebab,<br />
pilaf, soubereg <strong>and</strong> all the trimmings.<br />
The family arrives after<br />
church <strong>and</strong> we graze on yalanchi<br />
<strong>and</strong> string cheese while everyone<br />
vows that from this year forward,<br />
we will omit all mezza (appetizers)<br />
<strong>and</strong> eat more sensibly. In the blink<br />
of an eye, second helpings are being<br />
dished out, everyone is again<br />
complaining that there is too much<br />
food, the women rise to go into<br />
the kitchen to wash dishes, <strong>and</strong><br />
the men retire to the living room,<br />
eyes at half mast, ready for afternoon<br />
naps. Their youthful counterparts,<br />
the gr<strong>and</strong>children, run wild<br />
through the house, energized from<br />
all the foil wrapped chocolate eggs<br />
they have ingested since the day<br />
began. It may all sound crazy, but<br />
the scene is a welcome tradition in<br />
our ethnic household.<br />
This year, however, Easter has<br />
moved to my sister-in-law’s house.<br />
We are in the middle of pouring<br />
concrete <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scaping our yard;<br />
I am busy tending to my mother’s<br />
broken shoulder <strong>and</strong> subsequent<br />
recovery. Easter dinner, for this<br />
year <strong>and</strong> this year only, will be<br />
cooked <strong>and</strong> eaten elsewhere.<br />
Today, on the day I would normally<br />
be making a major grocery<br />
shopping list, I am headed to the<br />
market to purchase five simple<br />
items: one pound of unsalted butter,<br />
one pound of regular butter,<br />
shortening, a box of superfine sugar,<br />
<strong>and</strong> flour. These are the ingredients<br />
for kurabia, a traditional part<br />
of our holiday ritual. Regardless of<br />
whose house we may be celebrating<br />
this year’s holiday – my kurabia will<br />
be part of the annual tradition.<br />
I first tasted kurabia, a delicate,<br />
melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie,<br />
at my Aunt Rose’s house. I couldn’t<br />
have been more than 6 or 7 years<br />
old at the time. She lived across<br />
the street <strong>and</strong> Saturdays were play<br />
days with our cousins. I happened<br />
to be there one day when a mystery<br />
package arrived from her relatives<br />
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I<br />
watched her carefully unwrap the<br />
brown wrap that revealed an old,<br />
battered Sees c<strong>and</strong>y box, you know,<br />
the shiny white box with black lettering<br />
embossed on top, including<br />
Mary Sees herself with that trademark<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>motherly smile. The<br />
box however, was not filled with<br />
c<strong>and</strong>y. Instead – two layers of neatly<br />
placed cookies were inside, each<br />
perfectly shaped <strong>and</strong> precise in<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter columnist Armen D.<br />
Bacon is senior director for communications<br />
<strong>and</strong> public relations for the Fresno<br />
County Office. Ms. Bacon lives in Fresno,<br />
California, <strong>and</strong> is a wife, mother, professional<br />
woman, <strong>and</strong> writer. Since 2004,<br />
her thoughts <strong>and</strong> reflections about life<br />
have been published in the “Valley Voices”<br />
section of The Fresno Bee as well as<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter. She also writes,<br />
produces, <strong>and</strong> hosts a radio series titled<br />
“Live, Laugh, Love” on Fresno’s K-jewel<br />
99.3 radio. She can be reached at armendbacon@aol.com.<br />
size. Aunt Rose informed me they<br />
were called kurabias or shakareeshee<br />
(shakar means sugar in <strong>Armenia</strong>n).<br />
She innocently (<strong>and</strong> quite generously)<br />
offered me a taste. So began<br />
my love affair with these heavenly,<br />
mouth-watering delicacies. For the<br />
next 30 years, I would hunt down<br />
recipes to mimic this first memorable<br />
<strong>and</strong> delicious experience.<br />
Years passed. I tried recipe after<br />
recipe, all quite unsuccessfully. Consistency<br />
was off, the sweetness <strong>and</strong><br />
texture was impossible to replicate,<br />
mine tended to have a crunchy <strong>and</strong><br />
unacceptable bite to them, quite<br />
contrary to Auntie Rose’s rendition,<br />
a secret family recipe, she had once<br />
confided. Looking back, I underst<strong>and</strong><br />
now why she hid them on the<br />
top shelf of her kitchen cabinet.<br />
One day, quite by accident, I was<br />
at an <strong>Armenia</strong>n function with my<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>’s side of the family, when<br />
one of his aunties, Auntie Lorraine,<br />
confessed that she, too, had<br />
an obsession for these cookies.<br />
But unlike me, she had stumbled<br />
upon what she described as the<br />
perfect recipe. To my delight, she<br />
was happy to share it with me. I<br />
carefully wrote down the five ingredients<br />
<strong>and</strong> then quizzed her repeatedly<br />
about the proper texture<br />
of the dough, cooking temperature,<br />
which rack seemed best suited for a<br />
perfect outcome, <strong>and</strong> so on <strong>and</strong> so<br />
forth. I wanted no detail spared. I<br />
took incessant notes.<br />
The next day, I began the arduous<br />
task of baking the cookies. I<br />
clarified the butter, measured out<br />
ingredients <strong>and</strong> was ready to sift,<br />
beat <strong>and</strong> roll. I could already taste<br />
Aunt Rose’s kurabias, despite the<br />
decades that had passed since I had<br />
been in her kitchen. I whipped the<br />
butters until their appearance was<br />
likened to whipping cream. I slowly<br />
added the sugar, patiently waiting<br />
until the consistency was just<br />
as Auntie Lorraine had described.<br />
And then the final step – adding<br />
the flour – almost 2 cups but not<br />
so much that the dough might<br />
crumble. She had suggested I close<br />
my eyes <strong>and</strong> feel it with my soul<br />
– it would be slightly wet but not<br />
too sticky. I realize now that the<br />
sensory talents of our ancestors<br />
have somehow skipped my generation<br />
<strong>and</strong> at this point I was praying<br />
for a small miracle or divine<br />
intervention. I hoped that Auntie<br />
Rose might be gracing me with a<br />
smile from heaven, cheering me on<br />
in my desire to make her family’s<br />
treasured cookies. I rolled out the<br />
dough, cutting it at an angle, until<br />
finally the cookies were ready to be<br />
placed on the cookie sheet. As they<br />
baked, the aroma filled my kitchen.<br />
The moment of truth was about<br />
to arrive. After they were sufficiently<br />
cooled, I carefully lifted a<br />
slightly disfigured one from the<br />
tray, dusted it with powdered sugar<br />
<strong>and</strong> bit into it. Melt-in-your-mouth<br />
perfection. I had succeeded. Auntie<br />
Lorraine’s recipe worked. Word<br />
travels fast. I have since become<br />
the “Kurabia Queen” of the Valley,<br />
a title I wear proudly, after years<br />
of practice <strong>and</strong> hundreds of pounds<br />
of butter <strong>and</strong> sugar purchased<br />
in the process. I am called on to<br />
bake them for weddings, baptisms,<br />
birthdays <strong>and</strong> holidays.<br />
While this year’s Easter holiday<br />
is not being celebrated at my house,<br />
I am still baking my kurabias. If you<br />
happen to be in the neighborhood,<br />
drop by <strong>and</strong> let me offer you a cup<br />
of coffee <strong>and</strong> a kurabia. I promise,<br />
it will melt in your mouth. <br />
From left, Gerard Libaridian, Mary Johnson, Ann Meade, <strong>and</strong> Richard Norsigian.<br />
Metro Detroit committee promotes<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide awareness<br />
CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Committed<br />
to promoting awareness<br />
of, <strong>and</strong> gaining U.S. recognition<br />
for, the first genocide of the 20th<br />
century, The Metro Detroit <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide Committee, in collaboration<br />
with Facing History <strong>and</strong><br />
Ourselves, organized on March 25<br />
the third educator’s workshop (in<br />
Michigan) on the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.<br />
The Knights of Vartan, Detroit<br />
Lodge, sponsored the project<br />
initially conceived <strong>and</strong> sponsored<br />
by Edgar Hagopian, local businessperson,<br />
<strong>and</strong> his Hagopian Family<br />
Foundation.<br />
Richard Norsigian, a member of<br />
the committee as well as a principal<br />
in the South Lake School District,<br />
coordinated the event with the<br />
help of Kim Meade, Macomb Social<br />
Studies Consultant. Educators<br />
representing 13 school districts attended<br />
the March 25th workshop<br />
held at the Macomb Intermediate<br />
School District offices.<br />
Facilitor for the workshop Dr.<br />
Mary Johnson, Senior Historian<br />
for Facing History <strong>and</strong> Ourselves,<br />
used text <strong>and</strong> video to present a<br />
background on the “universe of<br />
obligation” <strong>and</strong> segued into the<br />
history of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.<br />
Educators using the provided<br />
resource materials were asked to<br />
participate by posing scenarios <strong>and</strong><br />
voicing their ideas <strong>and</strong> opinions on<br />
the massacre of 1.5 million <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
at the h<strong>and</strong>s of the Ottoman<br />
Turks from 1915-1923, <strong>and</strong> the response<br />
at that time from the international<br />
community. Dr. Johnson<br />
then introduced guest speaker Dr.<br />
Gerard Libaridian, who holds the<br />
Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n History at the University<br />
of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr.<br />
Libaridian also served as advisor<br />
to <strong>Armenia</strong>n President Levon Ter<br />
Petrossian from 1991 to 1997.<br />
Participants were reminded<br />
of the Second Annual <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide Essay Competition open<br />
to all Michigan Middle <strong>and</strong> High<br />
School Students, sponsored by the<br />
Hagopian Family Foundation with<br />
cash awards for both the winning<br />
student <strong>and</strong> the instructor.<br />
The Metro Detroit <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide Committee members are<br />
Edgar Hagopian, Edward Bedikian,<br />
Ray Boujoulian, Corinne Khederian,<br />
Paul Kulhanjian, Richard Norsigian,<br />
David Terzibashian <strong>and</strong> Madeline<br />
Thomasian.<br />
“The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide - a genocide<br />
that is not reflected in our history<br />
books <strong>and</strong> that on April 24,<br />
2009, represents 94 years later, even<br />
though 42 states <strong>and</strong> numerous foreign<br />
governments have recognized<br />
it, remains unacknowledged by the<br />
U.S. Government <strong>and</strong> the successors<br />
to the Ottoman Turk perpetrators,”<br />
stated Mr. Hagopian. <br />
connect:<br />
armeniangenocideessay.com<br />
Let us know what’s on your mind.<br />
Write to us at<br />
letters@reporter.am
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 7<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Sipan <strong>Armenia</strong>n School honored by <strong>Armenia</strong>’s Ministry of Education<br />
PARAMUS – On March 15, at<br />
the annual fundraising event of Sipan<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n School, Mrs. Louisa<br />
Janbazian, president of the school<br />
Board, announced that the school<br />
received an Honorary Award from<br />
Mr. Spartak Seyranyan, the Minister<br />
of Science <strong>and</strong> Education of the Republic<br />
of <strong>Armenia</strong>, for its legacy of<br />
educating <strong>and</strong> nurturing the young<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n generation with the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Spirit, <strong>and</strong> for the 30th Anniversary<br />
of its founding. Mrs. Janbazian<br />
added that the school has<br />
earned this award because of the<br />
hard work <strong>and</strong> the dedication of the<br />
teachers <strong>and</strong> especially the principal,<br />
Mrs. Arpi Kevorkian, who teach<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n children to learn <strong>and</strong><br />
love the <strong>Armenia</strong>n language <strong>and</strong><br />
our rich cultural heritage.<br />
She also thanked the Board members,<br />
the guests <strong>and</strong> the donors for<br />
their continued support for the<br />
school, <strong>and</strong> praised the founding<br />
members (<strong>Armenia</strong>n Evangelical<br />
College Students Association of<br />
Beirut, Lebanon) some of whom<br />
are still on the School Board. Thirty<br />
years ago, as new emigrants from<br />
Lebanon here in New Jersey, this<br />
group had the vision to create an<br />
environment, outside of the home,<br />
where <strong>Armenia</strong>n children could<br />
come together to learn their <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
language <strong>and</strong> history.<br />
Finally, she thanked James <strong>and</strong><br />
Maral Sahagian, who graciously<br />
hosted this fundraising event at<br />
their home in Airmont, N.Y., where<br />
the guests spent a lovely afternoon<br />
<strong>and</strong> enjoyed a delicious Lenten<br />
luncheon. The proceeds from this<br />
event, as well as the generous donations<br />
from friends <strong>and</strong> supporters,<br />
will help the school to continue<br />
with its noble mission.<br />
The Sipan <strong>Armenia</strong>n School,<br />
which meets on Friday evenings at<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Presbyterian Church<br />
of Paramus, NJ, has Pre-Nursery to<br />
seventh grades.<br />
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Some of the teachers <strong>and</strong> Board members of the Sipan School.<br />
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140 West 97th St.<br />
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By appointment 917-975-3109<br />
24 Windsor Road<br />
Great Neck, NY 11021<br />
e-mail: nlael@aol.com
8 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
J. Michael Hagopian’s documentary The River Ran Red to be<br />
screened at Englewood Public Library April 23<br />
ENGLEWOOD – In observance<br />
of the 94th anniversary of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide, the Cultural<br />
<br />
Committee of St. Thomas <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Apostolic Church in Tenafly<br />
will present an award-winning 2008,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
60-minute documentary, The River<br />
Ran Red, by award-winning filmmaker<br />
Dr. J. Michael Hagopian<br />
on Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m.<br />
in the Englewood Public Library’s<br />
Mackay Room. The program is free<br />
<strong>and</strong> open to the public.<br />
The River Ran Red is the epic<br />
search for survivors of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide along the Euphrates<br />
River, which snakes from the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Plateau in Turkey to Syria.<br />
From his archives of 400 testimonies<br />
of survivors <strong>and</strong> eyewitnesses,<br />
documentarian Dr. Hagopian<br />
weaves a compelling story of terrifying<br />
intensity <strong>and</strong> resounding<br />
warmth. The search concludes with<br />
the discovery <strong>and</strong> testimony of the<br />
last three survivors, among several<br />
thous<strong>and</strong>, who had been stuffed<br />
into a burning cave in the forbidden<br />
desert of Der Zor.<br />
“If I succeed in translating to the<br />
viewer the experience <strong>and</strong> the pathos<br />
of those <strong>Armenia</strong>ns who were<br />
deported from their homes <strong>and</strong><br />
made it to the Euphrates River only<br />
to witness the worst kind of bloodshed,<br />
then I accomplished what I<br />
set out to do,” said Dr. Hagopian,<br />
who wrote <strong>and</strong> produced the film.<br />
A resident of Thous<strong>and</strong> Oaks,<br />
Calif., Dr. Hagopian’s hunt for<br />
survivors took him to 13 different<br />
countries on five continents over a<br />
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period of four decades. He recorded<br />
such compelling accounts as the<br />
priest who returns to his birthplace<br />
<strong>and</strong> meets the man who killed his<br />
father <strong>and</strong> other family members,<br />
<strong>and</strong> people who reported seeing<br />
hundreds of bodies floating down<br />
what they described as the bloody<br />
waters of the Euphrates River.<br />
The River Ran Red, the final film<br />
in Hagopian’s Witnesses Trilogy<br />
on the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide of 1915,<br />
had its premier at the Arpa <strong>International</strong><br />
Film Festival last October<br />
24 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood,<br />
Calif. – four days after Dr.<br />
Hagopian’s 95th birthday.<br />
“We are so pleased to have had<br />
this opportunity to show Dr. Hagopian’s<br />
documentary,” noted Sylvia<br />
Minassian, Arpa Film Festival<br />
Founder. “He is an amazing man.”<br />
Dr. Hagopian was honored with<br />
the Arpa Lifetime Achievement<br />
Award <strong>and</strong> the Armin T. Wegner<br />
Humanitarian Award in 2006. He<br />
also is the recipient of Jewish<br />
World Watch’s “I Witness” Award<br />
for dedicating his professional life<br />
to chronicling the history of the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n people <strong>and</strong> commemorating<br />
victims of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide.<br />
Dr. Hagopian himself is a Genocide<br />
survivor. As a young boy, he<br />
was hidden in a well in a mulberry<br />
grove to escape Turkish marauders<br />
<strong>and</strong> later fled, with his family, to<br />
the United States, where he eventually<br />
earned a PhD from Harvard<br />
University in 1943.He started collecting<br />
film footage about <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
early on in his 60-year career<br />
as a documentary filmmaker. He<br />
established the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Film<br />
Foundation in Thous<strong>and</strong> Oaks in<br />
1979 with the help of several community<br />
leaders. He has made over<br />
70 educational films; 17 of those<br />
are about the <strong>Armenia</strong>n people,<br />
including The River Ran Red, <strong>and</strong><br />
the definitive film on the Turkish<br />
massacre of <strong>Armenia</strong>ns in 1915, The<br />
Forgotten Genocide.<br />
<br />
connect:englewoodlibrary.org<br />
You share the same<br />
community. Discover what<br />
happens when you share<br />
the same experience.<br />
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or call 1.800.ACS.2345.<br />
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celebration of Relay For Life on<br />
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1.800.ACS.2345<br />
www.cancer.org/relayNYNJ
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 9<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Relief Society centennial celebrated in New York<br />
by Florence Avakian<br />
NEW YORK – It is an organization<br />
that has served <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
worldwide tirelessly for 100 years,<br />
with 18,000 members in 223 chapters<br />
in 26 countries. On Saturday,<br />
March 28, the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Relief Society<br />
of the Eastern United States<br />
celebrated the hundredth anniversary<br />
of this remarkable organization<br />
at the Yale Club in New York<br />
City.<br />
Among the more than 200 people<br />
present from across the United<br />
States, were several guests of honor,<br />
including the Prelate of the Eastern<br />
Prelacy Archbishop Oshagan<br />
Choloyan, <strong>Armenia</strong>’s envoy to the<br />
United Nations Amb. Armen Martirossian,<br />
Rep. Anna G. Eshoo<br />
(D.-Calif.), <strong>and</strong> twelve Eastern region<br />
ars members who have given<br />
dedicated service for more than 50<br />
years.<br />
Warmly welcoming the attendees<br />
was the chairperson of the<br />
Centennial Banquet Committee,<br />
Sonia Bezdikian. Following<br />
the singing of the American,<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n, <strong>and</strong> ars anthems by<br />
Hooshere Bezdikian Kaligian,<br />
Archbishop Choloyan gave the<br />
invocation, <strong>and</strong> remarks were<br />
shared by the chairperson of the<br />
ars Centennial Committee Angele<br />
Manoogian, chairperson of<br />
the ars Central Executive Vicky<br />
Marashlian, <strong>and</strong> ars Eastern Regional<br />
Executive Board treasurer<br />
Ani Attar.<br />
A video presentation was shown<br />
detailing the history of the organization,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the sacrifice of the<br />
thous<strong>and</strong>s of <strong>Armenia</strong>n women<br />
who have devoted their lives to<br />
the service of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n people<br />
during the past 100 years.<br />
Twelve outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
members<br />
A high point of the evening came<br />
when 12 of the 115 women who<br />
have been members of the ars for<br />
more than 50 years were honored<br />
with plaques. They include Arpine<br />
Brajcovich, Anahid Dadoyan,<br />
Elizabeth Hagopian, Marie<br />
Karagullian, Alice Karjian, Arshalouys<br />
Kazanjian, Helen Parnagian,<br />
Arax Sarajian, Lucine<br />
Der Ohanesian-Sarian, Arev<br />
Sarkissian, Anais Tcholakian,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Berjoohi Yessaian.<br />
“Destiny scattered our nation all<br />
over the world, <strong>and</strong> everywhere<br />
we went we established schools,<br />
churches, <strong>and</strong> national organizations<br />
such as this one,” Amb. Martirossian<br />
said in his remarks. “The<br />
wisdom, compassion, <strong>and</strong> foresight<br />
of the founders of the ars<br />
found a fertile soil in this great<br />
country. Relations of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n-American<br />
organizations with<br />
the political institutions of the<br />
U.S. acquired a special meaning<br />
<strong>and</strong> importance after September<br />
21, 1991. The U.S. Congress has<br />
been steadfastly rendering political<br />
<strong>and</strong> financial assistance to <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
since that very first day of<br />
our independence.”<br />
Wishing the organization future<br />
success, the ambassador said, “The<br />
centennial of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Relief<br />
Society is a great event not only<br />
here in the United States, but is<br />
also duly acknowledged in <strong>Armenia</strong>.”<br />
A congratulatory message<br />
from diaspora minister Hranush<br />
Hakobyan was also read.<br />
A congresswoman’s<br />
pride<br />
Delivering the keynote address,<br />
Ms. Eshoo poignantly paid tribute<br />
to her <strong>Armenia</strong>n roots, saying<br />
they had instilled in her “devotion<br />
to family, belief in the value<br />
of hard work, charity, community,<br />
<strong>and</strong> faith.” She recounted that 100<br />
years ago, Edgar Agnouny founded<br />
the ars in New York “to provide<br />
educational <strong>and</strong> humanitarian<br />
aid to <strong>Armenia</strong>ns throughout the<br />
world.”<br />
Ms. Eshoo pointed out that ”in<br />
the subsequent century, the ars<br />
Soloist Hooshere<br />
Bezdikian<br />
(st<strong>and</strong>ing, second<br />
from left) <strong>and</strong><br />
other guests at<br />
the centennial<br />
gala.<br />
has become an important <strong>and</strong> essential<br />
source of assistance to <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
in need of a safe haven,<br />
a chance at an education <strong>and</strong> a<br />
better life, all the while preserving<br />
the identity of <strong>Armenia</strong>ns, often<br />
against those who would deny our<br />
very existence.<br />
“I am proud to be an <strong>Armenia</strong>n.<br />
I am proud to be an <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
woman,” she declared to thunderous<br />
applause. “Over the years, the<br />
ars has been one of the world’s<br />
leading women’s organizations, an<br />
extension of our capacity for love,<br />
cooperation, <strong>and</strong> good works. You<br />
are building a better world, <strong>and</strong> you<br />
are training future leaders.”<br />
A member of the congressional<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n caucus, <strong>and</strong> an original<br />
co-sponsor of House Resolution<br />
252 affirming the U.S. record on the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide, Ms. Eshoo recalled<br />
that President Obama during<br />
his campaign had promised that as<br />
president he would recognize the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide. “The time is<br />
ripe for the government of Turkey<br />
<strong>and</strong> the United States to put an end<br />
to the lie <strong>and</strong> face the truth about<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide,” she concluded<br />
to a st<strong>and</strong>ing ovation.<br />
The unique evening of celebration<br />
concluded with the Prelate offering<br />
the benediction, <strong>and</strong> again<br />
voicing strong support <strong>and</strong> congratulations<br />
to an outst<strong>and</strong>ing organization<br />
for its devoted 100-year<br />
service to <strong>Armenia</strong>ns around the<br />
globe.
10 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Nectar Munro’s second-grade class at St. Gregory <strong>Armenia</strong>n School. Photos: Gregory Lima.<br />
St. Gregory <strong>Armenia</strong>n School principal Margrit Hamparsoumian.<br />
The ten classes of <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
St. Gregory<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n School<br />
in White Plains is a<br />
positive force<br />
by Gregory Lima<br />
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – In a<br />
large sense every church is a school,<br />
some more than others. The beautiful,<br />
expansive church of St. Gregory<br />
the Enlightener in White Plains, New<br />
York, started as a school even before<br />
it had its own altar as a church.<br />
It started when a group of <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
who had moved to the<br />
northern suburbs of New York City<br />
sought a more local place to worship<br />
<strong>and</strong> to teach their children<br />
to speak <strong>Armenia</strong>n. They found<br />
Fr. Karekin Kasparian, then the<br />
dean of the St. Nersess Seminary,<br />
recently arrived in the area, who<br />
happily obliged by setting up seminars<br />
<strong>and</strong> classes on the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
spiritual <strong>and</strong> cultural heritage<br />
along with <strong>Armenia</strong>n-language<br />
classes for adults <strong>and</strong> for children.<br />
Soon the group became a parish<br />
<strong>and</strong> Fr. Karekin became its pastoral<br />
priest. Over time the means were<br />
found to raise a church that from<br />
the outset would make very ample<br />
provision for the school that was<br />
already in existence. Today, some<br />
10 years after the consecration of<br />
the Church of St. Gregory the Enlightener,<br />
the original number of<br />
classrooms has doubled.<br />
Lydia Ochoa.<br />
Jancikian<br />
Dikran Kochian.<br />
Ani Mekenian.<br />
Caroline Mardirossian.<br />
Christina Chevian.<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n as a second<br />
language<br />
Over the many years when <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
was widely spoken at home<br />
among the immigrant communities,<br />
it was regarded as the mother tongue<br />
<strong>and</strong> taught as a first language. With<br />
generational assimilation, however,<br />
Continued on page 11 <br />
Ani Ozsolak. Second-grader Talia. Christopher Mardirossian.
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 11<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
The ten classes of <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Continued from page 10<br />
it became in fact a second language,<br />
<strong>and</strong> in many cases the forgotten<br />
language, although it was not easy<br />
to recognize it as such. The loss of<br />
language threatened the profound<br />
loss of cultural identity <strong>and</strong> with it<br />
Turkish genocidal triumph over the<br />
dispossessed survivors.<br />
The recourse was to tie language<br />
instruction to the institutional<br />
longevity <strong>and</strong> organizing power of<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Apostolic Church in<br />
America; to teach <strong>Armenia</strong>n as a<br />
second language, <strong>and</strong> to be serious<br />
about it. To be serious about it meant<br />
to separate it from Sunday school,<br />
giving it its own independent space<br />
<strong>and</strong> validated academic curriculum.<br />
It also meant replicating as closely as<br />
possible family instruction through<br />
direct, personal, one-on-one teacherstudent<br />
participation in small classes,<br />
<strong>and</strong> further, to locate <strong>and</strong> employ<br />
the best pedagogical, peer-reviewed<br />
teaching techniques. It also helped<br />
to call on the cultural resources of<br />
the community.<br />
The result as seen in the St. Gregory<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n School is ten classes<br />
of <strong>Armenia</strong>n every Saturday<br />
morning. Each class is tied to the<br />
equivalent location of the children<br />
in the public school system, the<br />
children placed in nursery, pre-kindergarten,<br />
kindergarten, then first<br />
through seventh grades. Moreover,<br />
the children stay comfortably together<br />
through the grades creating<br />
enduring, interactive friendships.<br />
They take a child at any age, place<br />
him or her in the grade appropriate<br />
to the age, the teacher making the<br />
accommodating adjustments.<br />
According to Margrit Hamparsoumian,<br />
the school principal,<br />
starting at the earliest age is<br />
preferable. That is why they include<br />
teaching <strong>Armenia</strong>n at the nursery<br />
level. But at each age the children<br />
have personal strengths that can<br />
be called upon to make learning<br />
the language natural, stimulating,<br />
<strong>and</strong> fun. There have been some excellent<br />
results at all grades.<br />
A clustered archipelago<br />
Each of the classes has a distinctive<br />
character of its own. Going from<br />
one class to another is like visiting<br />
separate isl<strong>and</strong>s in a clustered archipelago,<br />
admiring the artwork in<br />
one, listening to the recitals in another,<br />
watching a group dancing, or<br />
nodding approval at the melodious<br />
harmonies of the choral voices in<br />
others. The children are kept busy.<br />
Much of the learning is through action<br />
<strong>and</strong> interactions that are akin<br />
to group play.<br />
Each grade level has its own teacher,<br />
<strong>and</strong> where necessary, two. The<br />
variation in teacher personalities<br />
creates different class atmospherics.<br />
In some classes the teacher has an<br />
overwhelming presence <strong>and</strong> one can<br />
get the impression here that spring<br />
has come <strong>and</strong> every seed must burst<br />
into bloom, <strong>and</strong> if force of will can<br />
make it happen, it will. Another<br />
might have an autumnal feeling,<br />
a time of plenty where we simply<br />
reach out <strong>and</strong> gather the already<br />
ripened fruits. Some of the teachers<br />
have their own children in their<br />
class. As 6th-grade teacher Mari<br />
Yapoujian explained, “If I ask my<br />
children to come here, I must do my<br />
part also. I may be the teacher, but I<br />
find I learn with them, not only by<br />
preparing the class but in the class.<br />
They have better memories than I<br />
have. They become my teachers too.”<br />
Not everyone is delighted to be<br />
there, <strong>and</strong> there are some you cannot<br />
keep away. As they grow older<br />
some can rebel against their parents’<br />
insistence they attend class. Asking<br />
one such very young lady what<br />
she would rather do, she answered<br />
“Sleep,” which she seemed to manage<br />
exactly where she was. Until it<br />
was time to dance. Then the sleepy<br />
girl turned into a dynamo. There<br />
was also the boy who had finished<br />
all the grades <strong>and</strong> still came back. He<br />
was drawn by the pleasure of speaking<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n, the cultural activities,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the friends he had made.<br />
Drawing on the<br />
community<br />
Language <strong>and</strong> culture create each<br />
other until there is a fusion that it<br />
may be impossible to separate. The<br />
children may be learning the language<br />
but it is successful only to the<br />
extent they are learning <strong>and</strong> directly<br />
participating in <strong>Armenia</strong>n culture.<br />
One of the strengths of this <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
school is its ability to call upon<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n cultural resources in the<br />
New York metropolitan area. A good<br />
example of this is Rita Kahvejian<br />
of New Jersey’s Shushi Dance<br />
Group <strong>and</strong> Khoren Mekanejian,<br />
composer <strong>and</strong> choirmaster.<br />
There is a special pleasure in seeing<br />
children in full costumes rehearsing<br />
their parts in an <strong>Armenia</strong>n play. Or<br />
others in rigorous dance lessons,<br />
where only perfect posture in all<br />
body parts is acceptable, along with<br />
precisely choreographed steps. Or<br />
seeing the children rise to <strong>and</strong> meet<br />
the challenge as <strong>Armenia</strong>n music<br />
fills the auditorium. Nor is the satisfaction<br />
less when visiting Shant<br />
Mardirossian’s history class <strong>and</strong><br />
seeing the students in the physical<br />
act of h<strong>and</strong>ling coins of the realm<br />
<strong>and</strong> imagining how they were used<br />
in the different historical periods.<br />
In one of the classes there is a<br />
poster-sized photograph of Erv<strong>and</strong><br />
Kochar’s great statue of the<br />
epic hero David of Sassoon. The<br />
mighty stallion’s rear hooves<br />
st<strong>and</strong> on a small pedestal that<br />
represents current <strong>Armenia</strong> in the<br />
mind of the sculptor. The horse as<br />
it prances forward covers a much<br />
larger area beyond <strong>Armenia</strong>. Kochar<br />
saw the horse as representing<br />
the whole of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
people, most beyond current<br />
national borders. David’s sword<br />
is not pointed at a single enemy.<br />
It is behind him, ready to swing<br />
in every direction. He is poised<br />
against a surrounding multitude.<br />
This is a brilliant statue that says<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>, its culture <strong>and</strong> spiritual<br />
values, <strong>and</strong> what it means in the<br />
lifeblood of its people will st<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> fight for its place in the world.<br />
St. Gregory’s <strong>Armenia</strong>n School is<br />
a positive force in that continuing<br />
struggle.
12 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Looking to the next generation in <strong>Armenia</strong>: agbu focus 2009<br />
honors Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Centers<br />
Some of the hundreds of mothers <strong>and</strong> children in <strong>Armenia</strong> who have benefited<br />
from the agbu Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Centers.<br />
CHICAGO – Since 2001, each<br />
agbu focus weekend has paid<br />
tribute to a specific agbu program<br />
that has touched the lives of<br />
young <strong>Armenia</strong>ns. Looking to the<br />
next generation in <strong>Armenia</strong>, agbu<br />
focus proudly honors agbu Hye<br />
Geen by dedicating its 2009 fundraising<br />
campaign to benefit the new<br />
Pregnant Women’s Center in Talin,<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>. The Talin Center will be<br />
the third of its kind in <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
the first in that city. agbu focus is<br />
a biennial weekend event designed<br />
for young <strong>Armenia</strong>n professionals<br />
from all over the world to congregate<br />
<strong>and</strong> share their international<br />
perspectives, as well as provide a<br />
venue to showcase notable contributions<br />
<strong>and</strong> achievements made by<br />
agbu’s diverse youth-oriented programs.<br />
Building on the impressive<br />
achievements experienced during<br />
the premiere weekend in New York<br />
in 2001, agbu focus has since united<br />
more than 1,500 young <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
from cities around the globe,<br />
with weekends hosted in New York<br />
(2001, 2007), Montreal (2003), Miami<br />
(2005), <strong>and</strong> now heading west<br />
to Chicago. Additionally, well over<br />
$125,000 has been raised for many<br />
agbu programs, including Generation<br />
Next, the Scholarship Program<br />
<strong>and</strong> the New York Summer Intern<br />
Program.<br />
From July 16-19, 2009, focus will<br />
welcome hundreds of <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
to Chicago for this unique celebration.<br />
Rooms have been reserved at<br />
the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel<br />
<strong>and</strong> a special discounted rate<br />
is available for reservations made<br />
only through agbu beginning in<br />
mid-April. Plans have also been<br />
set to host the Gala Evening, the<br />
highlight of the focus weekend, at<br />
the Art Institute of Chicago’s new<br />
modern wing, which is set to open<br />
this summer.<br />
Established by the agbu Hye<br />
Geen Committee of Los Angeles<br />
in response to the country’s high<br />
infant mortality, lack of nutrition<br />
<strong>and</strong> the shortage of resources for<br />
potential mothers, the first Hye<br />
Geen Pregnant Women’s Center<br />
opened its doors in Gyumri in<br />
2002 with the encouragement of<br />
the Republic of <strong>Armenia</strong>’s Minister<br />
for the Protection of Women <strong>and</strong><br />
Children.<br />
Two years later, a second center<br />
in Vanadzor was opened. This year,<br />
the Hye Geen Committee plans<br />
to open its third center in Talin,<br />
which is in desperate need of help,<br />
as many villages in the region are<br />
poor <strong>and</strong> practically ab<strong>and</strong>oned.<br />
These community-based health<br />
resource centers provide critical<br />
pre-natal care to pregnant women<br />
who often suffer from malnutrition,<br />
lack the funds for proper medical<br />
care, <strong>and</strong> have little access to accurate<br />
health information. Expectant<br />
mothers who gather daily at the<br />
centers benefit from vital medical<br />
exams, a congenial social atmosphere,<br />
individual meetings with<br />
counselors, nutritious meals, <strong>and</strong><br />
vitamins provided by Hye Geen.<br />
Center participants are recommended<br />
by local clinics <strong>and</strong> spend<br />
4-5 hours a day at the facilities.<br />
Meals are prepared <strong>and</strong> served by<br />
the women themselves in order to<br />
encourage good nutrition habits<br />
which are taught by the trained<br />
center staff. Each center has three<br />
local employees on staff, including<br />
a social worker, who work with the<br />
women to ensure that their babies<br />
are born healthy.<br />
Various medical personnel are<br />
invited to the centers periodically,<br />
or as required, to monitor each<br />
woman’s progress <strong>and</strong> needs. The<br />
superintendent of the centers,<br />
Nara Sahakian, who is a lecturer in<br />
psychology at Yerevan State University,<br />
travels from Yerevan for<br />
weekly visits to each center <strong>and</strong> ensures<br />
that each facility is operating<br />
at its utmost.<br />
To date, hundreds of healthy babies<br />
have been born to the mothers<br />
who have participated in the programs<br />
at the agbu Hye Geen Pregnant<br />
Women’s Centers.<br />
agbu focus believes that every<br />
child born in <strong>Armenia</strong> deserves a<br />
chance at a healthy life unfettered<br />
by preventable medical issues.<br />
Honoring agbu Hye Geen’s latest<br />
project, focus has launched a largescale<br />
pre-event fundraising effort<br />
to ensure that the Talin Center will<br />
open with all the resources it needs<br />
to carry out its mission of serving<br />
the pregnant women of <strong>Armenia</strong>.<br />
Since 1994, agbu Hye Geen in<br />
Southern California has worked to<br />
preserve <strong>and</strong> honor achievements<br />
of <strong>Armenia</strong>n women, provide a<br />
forum for them throughout the<br />
world, promote their role in family<br />
<strong>and</strong> society through research, education,<br />
<strong>and</strong> advocacy, <strong>and</strong> provide<br />
overall support to empower <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
women as carriers of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
cultural heritage.<br />
Established in 1906, agbu is the<br />
world’s largest non-profit <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
organization. Headquartered<br />
in New York City, agbu preserves<br />
<strong>and</strong> promotes the <strong>Armenia</strong>n identity<br />
<strong>and</strong> heritage through educational,<br />
cultural <strong>and</strong> humanitarian<br />
programs, annually serving some<br />
400,000 <strong>Armenia</strong>ns on five continents.<br />
<br />
connect:<br />
agbu.org/focus 1-212-319-6383 x128.<br />
Visit us at the new<br />
reporter.am
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 13<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Calendar of Events<br />
Edward D. Jamie, Jr. Funeral Chapel, LLC<br />
208-17 Northern Blvd. Bayside, NY 11361<br />
Tel. 718-224-2390<br />
Website: www.jamiejrfuneral.com.<br />
Serving the <strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>Community</strong> Since 1969<br />
Edward D. Jamie, Jr.-NY&NJ Licensed Funeral Director<br />
NEW YORK<br />
APRIL 16 - QUARTERLY FO-<br />
RUM SERIES - Remembering<br />
the Forgotten: The Untold Story<br />
of Clergymen Lost to the Genocide.<br />
The second forum features<br />
Yeretzgeen Joanna Baghsarian’s<br />
remarkable story of how<br />
a group of her students took a<br />
proactive role in remembering<br />
these forgotten martyrs. There<br />
is no charge for the evening, but<br />
RSVP is requested by email to<br />
events@armenia nprelacy.org or<br />
by telephone at 212-689-7810.<br />
APRIL 16 - SYMPOSIUM ON<br />
PREVENTING GENOCIDE<br />
THROUGH DIALOGUE Thursday,<br />
7:00 P.M. Fordham Law<br />
School, Amphitheater, 140 W.<br />
62nd St, NYC. Admission: $12.<br />
AASSSG 2009 Honoree, Andrew<br />
H. Tarsy, Awards given to Krieger<br />
Essay Contest winners. visit<br />
www.meaningfulworld.com, e-<br />
mail kalayjiana@aol.comor call<br />
201 941-2266.<br />
APRIL 18 - WALK ARMENIA<br />
organized by the ARS NY Erebouni<br />
& Mayr Chapters Walk to<br />
raise funds for Holy Martyrs &<br />
St. Illuminator’s Day Schools/St.<br />
Sarkis Saturday School. Regisration<br />
1:00pm @ St. Sarkis <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Apostolic Church Douglaston,<br />
Queens/Walk begins<br />
2:00pm for approx. 4 miles. Participation<br />
Fee $25. Further info:<br />
Hasmik Israelian — 516-330-<br />
5290 or Nayda Voskeritchian<br />
516-739-0805<br />
APRIL 18 - “HELLO ELLIS<br />
ISLAND” MUSICAL ENTER-<br />
TAINMENT BY “THE WAY<br />
WE WERE” about <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
coming to USA in 1920. 8PM<br />
in the Auditorium of <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Church of the Holy Martyrs 209-<br />
15 Horace Harding Expwy in<br />
Bayside. Adults $20 – Children<br />
$10 under age 12. Refreshments<br />
following the performance. For<br />
tickets call the church office at<br />
718-225-0235 or Lolita Babikian<br />
at 347-742-4015.<br />
APRIL 30 - THE ZOHRAB<br />
CENTER FILM SERIES will<br />
view the comedy/drama “Big<br />
Story in a Small City,” on Thursday,<br />
at 7:00 pm. Wine <strong>and</strong> cheese<br />
will be served following the film.<br />
Suggested donation is $5. For<br />
more information, please email<br />
ZCFilmSeries@gmail.com or call<br />
212.686.0710. The Krikor <strong>and</strong><br />
Clara Zohrab Information Center<br />
is located at 630 Second Avenue<br />
(at 34th street) New York,<br />
New York.<br />
MAY 3 - 32ND ANNUAL GALA<br />
DINNER-DANCE. St. Illuminator’s<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Day School, Friday,<br />
7:30 p.m. at the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Center 69-23 47th Ave. Woodside,<br />
NY. For information call<br />
718-478-4073.<br />
MAY 15 - 1ST ANNUAL COCK-<br />
TAIL RECEPTION AT THE<br />
PRATT HOUSE, NYC. Hosted<br />
by the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Medical Fund.<br />
$125. For information call Nancy<br />
Zoraian, 908-233-7279.<br />
MAY 16 - 60TH ANNIVER-<br />
SARY DINNER/ DANCE of the<br />
New York <strong>Armenia</strong>n Home<br />
(Flushing, NY) to be held at<br />
Harbor Links Golf Course, Port<br />
Washington, NY, starting at<br />
7:30 pm. Featuring Varoujan<br />
Vartanian <strong>and</strong> B<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Antranig<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Dance Ensemble.<br />
Donation: $150.00 per person.<br />
Black Tie Optional. For more<br />
details, please call NYAH: (718)<br />
461-1504.<br />
MAY 16- HMADS GALA DIN-<br />
NER DANCE hosted by the<br />
“Friends” at Russo’s on the Bay,<br />
featuring Addis Harm<strong>and</strong>ian<br />
<strong>and</strong> his B<strong>and</strong>. Cocktails 7:30<br />
pm. Dinner 9:00 pm. Donation:<br />
$ 150. For Reservations please<br />
call, school office: (718) 225 4826,<br />
Negdar Arukian: (718) 423 4813.<br />
MAY 16 - SAVE THE DATE!<br />
60TH ANNIVERSARY DIN-<br />
NER DANCE OF THE NEW<br />
YORK ARMENIAN HOME,<br />
Flushing, NY. Celebration to<br />
be held at Harbor Links Golf<br />
Course, Port Washington, NY.<br />
Featuring Varoujan Vartanian<br />
<strong>and</strong> Antranig <strong>Armenia</strong>n Dance<br />
Ensemble. Details to follow or<br />
call NYAH, (718) 461-1504<br />
NEW JERSEY<br />
MAY 3 - 50TH ANNIVER-<br />
SARY CELEBRATION BAN-<br />
QUET.Sts.Vartanantz Church,<br />
Ridgefield, NJ. Donation: $50 pp<br />
- for info/reservations call 201<br />
943-2950.<br />
NOVEMBER 15 SAVE THIS<br />
DATE: “ONE NATION, ONE<br />
CULTURE” A Cultural Festival<br />
Under the Auspices of Dr. Hranush<br />
Hakobyan, Republic of <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
Minister of Diaspora, Organized<br />
by Hamazkayin Eastern<br />
USA Regional Executive, Featuring<br />
Alla Levonian from <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Babin Boghosian & Ensemble<br />
from Los Angeles, With the<br />
participation of Antranig Dance<br />
Ensemble of AGBU, Akh’tamar<br />
Dance Ensemble of St. Thomas<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Church, Yeraz Dance<br />
Ensemble of St. Sarkis Church,<br />
NJ Hamazkayin Nayiri Dance<br />
Group & Arekag Children’s<br />
Choir & Dhol Group. SUNDAY,<br />
NOVEMBER 15, 2009. 4pm. Felician<br />
College, 262 S. Main St.,<br />
Lodi, NJ. Donation: $75, $50, $35,<br />
$25. For more information or<br />
tickets please contact: Hamazkayin<br />
@ 201-945-8992 or Paradon2009@gmail.com<br />
MASSACHUSETTS<br />
APRIL 26 - ARMENIAN MAR-<br />
TYRS’ DAY OBSERVANCE BY<br />
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COM-<br />
MEMORATIVE COMMITTEE<br />
OF MERRIMACK VALLEY.<br />
3PM, North Andover High School,<br />
Route 125, North Andover, MA.<br />
Concert by Arlina Ensemble of<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>. Complimentary admission.<br />
Reception to follow.<br />
ACAA ARMENIAN HERITAGE<br />
CRUISE XIII - 2010<br />
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - Join<br />
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the ARMENIAN HERITAGE<br />
CRUISE XIII 2010. Sailing on<br />
Saturday, January 16-23, 2010.<br />
To San Juan, PR, St. Thomas<br />
<strong>and</strong> Gr<strong>and</strong> Caicos Isl<strong>and</strong>s on<br />
Subscription Coupon<br />
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TravelGroup <strong>International</strong><br />
1-866-447-0750,ext 102 or 108.<br />
Westcoast: Mary Papazian 818-<br />
407-140; Eastcoast: Antranik<br />
Boudakian 718-575-0142<br />
the armenian<br />
reporter<br />
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U.S.A.: First Class Mail, $125; Periodicals Mail, $75<br />
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14 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Liver transplant spurs national Knights of Vartan comm<strong>and</strong>er<br />
by Tom Vartabedian<br />
WATERTOWN, Mass. – Haig<br />
Deranian is truly a knight in shining<br />
armor.<br />
Ten years ago, he was at death’s<br />
door before a liver transplant saved<br />
his life. A donor stepped forward<br />
when the situation became critical<br />
<strong>and</strong> gave him a new lease.<br />
Today, he’s the national comm<strong>and</strong>er<br />
of the Knights of Vartan,<br />
an organization that dates itself<br />
back to 451 c.e. when Vartan Mamigonian<br />
led the surge that preserved<br />
Christianity for <strong>Armenia</strong>ns.<br />
Deranian doesn’t carry a sword.<br />
He has no shield. His only weapon<br />
is the <strong>Armenia</strong>n spirit <strong>and</strong> he wears<br />
it proudly.<br />
“It was not my time <strong>and</strong> I was<br />
blessed by God,” he says of the<br />
transplant. “God decided whether<br />
I would live or die. I have a great<br />
deal of faith which was part of my<br />
upbringing.”<br />
Little is revealed about his life-ordeath<br />
struggle back a decade ago,<br />
just the way Deranian would prefer.<br />
He’s not an individualist <strong>and</strong> wants<br />
no purple heart for his survival. He<br />
puts his organization before himself.<br />
“I don’t know who the donor was,”<br />
he says. “There’s no question organ<br />
transplantation is a miracle in<br />
medicine.”<br />
But talk Knights of Vartan <strong>and</strong><br />
Deranian is all action. If he did have<br />
a sword, it would be Excalibur. And<br />
if this Knight ever came alive, well,<br />
it’s as close to a Robin Hood scenario<br />
as you can get.<br />
His Sherwood Forest is the diaspora.<br />
The mission is equality among<br />
all <strong>Armenia</strong>ns everywhere.<br />
“<strong>Armenia</strong>ns need to unite with<br />
one voice,” he points out. “I believe<br />
Haig Deranian. Photo: Knightsofvartan.org.<br />
the Knights of Vartan is the perfect<br />
organization that can cross all lines<br />
to get things done. My involvement<br />
<strong>and</strong> ultimate success are more of a<br />
team effort. I might be in the right<br />
place at the right time <strong>and</strong> was always<br />
trying to make a difference<br />
with my life.”<br />
My late pastor, Rev. Vartan<br />
Kassabian, was a Knight as well<br />
as an arf member, the leader of<br />
a church as well as an entertainer.<br />
He was the consummate <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
who would rob Peter to pay Paul.<br />
The former chairperson of our<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>National</strong> Committee of<br />
Merrimack Valley is another Knight.<br />
When Joe Dagdigian isn’t attending<br />
meetings, he’s involved with the<br />
arf Lowell Gomideh as well as the<br />
Cosmic Ray Division in <strong>Armenia</strong>. In<br />
fact, he joined the Knights to gain<br />
added clout for the crd.<br />
Deranian is also trying to make a<br />
difference. With a membership that<br />
has 23 lodges throughout the United<br />
States <strong>and</strong> Canada, along with a<br />
body of more than 3,000 Knights<br />
<strong>and</strong> Daughters, it’s Deranian who<br />
remains the catalyst.<br />
The 67-year-old has been a Watertown<br />
resident for the past 55<br />
years. He attended local schools before<br />
graduating from Northeastern<br />
University. He has a wife (Donna<br />
Pino) <strong>and</strong> three children (Gregory,<br />
Jason, <strong>and</strong> Jennifer) <strong>and</strong> is<br />
president <strong>and</strong> ceo of a company<br />
called Jad Imports, an importer of<br />
lighting products, <strong>and</strong> Deran Lamp<br />
& Shade Company, manufacturer<br />
<strong>and</strong> distributor of portable lighting<br />
products.<br />
He has taught Sunday School at<br />
St. James Church in Watertown<br />
since 1997 <strong>and</strong> has a list of credentials<br />
the length of your arm with<br />
the Knights of Vartan. No need to<br />
A community regroups after its pastor’s death<br />
repeat everything, Suffice it to say,<br />
he’s made the <strong>Armenia</strong>n community<br />
his priority.<br />
Two years ago, Deranian chaired<br />
the New Engl<strong>and</strong> Pontifical visit of<br />
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos<br />
of all <strong>Armenia</strong>ns.<br />
He has helped deliver school supplies<br />
to destitute schoolchildren in<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>, promoted hygiene <strong>and</strong><br />
sanitation in <strong>Armenia</strong>, sponsored<br />
<strong>and</strong> renovated schools, <strong>and</strong> distributed<br />
scholarships. Two of my ayf<br />
children were K of V recipients.<br />
According to one report, $19<br />
million has gone to school projects<br />
in <strong>Armenia</strong>. For every dollar<br />
the brotherhood raises, the World<br />
Bank matches $9.<br />
This July, the City of Boston will<br />
be converted into a metropolis for<br />
Knights from every corner of the<br />
country. More than 400 members<br />
are expected to converge at the<br />
Westin Copley from July 1 to 5.<br />
Had he been alive, Der Vartan<br />
would have played a key role as<br />
comm<strong>and</strong>er of the Arakadz Lodge<br />
of Merrimack Valley. In the entire<br />
history of this organization,<br />
no cleric has ever assumed such<br />
a leading role <strong>and</strong> the reason why<br />
he joined runs parallel with others<br />
who’ve taken an initiative.<br />
They wanted to make a difference.<br />
“We believe that the preservation<br />
of our racial, religious, <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />
heritage is our sacred obligation,”<br />
Deranian points out. “However we<br />
achieve that means is up to us.”<br />
Haig Deranian is alive today because<br />
he had God on his side. He’ll<br />
never dispute that. Nor will he ever<br />
contradict the work of his organization,<br />
much less the interaction of<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>ns everywhere, regardless<br />
of political or fraternal affiliation.<br />
For that, he is to be admired. <br />
by Tom Vartabedian<br />
Weeks after his death, a community<br />
continues to mourn the loss of<br />
its beloved pastor.<br />
The passing of Der Vartan Kassabian<br />
March 12 has sent the Merrimack<br />
Valley reeling with aftershock<br />
<strong>and</strong> cast parishioners from<br />
St. Gregory Church into a bereaved<br />
state.<br />
It’s not something anyone can<br />
forget overnight – or after an eternity.<br />
But like he would have wished,<br />
grief must be replaced by healing<br />
<strong>and</strong> the congregation must persevere.<br />
If anything, this pastor always<br />
preached vitality <strong>and</strong> encouraged<br />
his flock to settle for nothing<br />
less.<br />
As Sunday School students come<br />
to grips with reality, several are<br />
looking to the church for strength.<br />
The priest who once humored them<br />
with a casual Sunday sermon is no<br />
longer there.<br />
He taught them well. Hopefully,<br />
the lessons will guide them toward<br />
greater maturity.<br />
Local genocide-commemoration<br />
committees will miss his sturdy<br />
presence at events where prayers<br />
will mourn his loss. If anything,<br />
they will remember the man for his<br />
oratorical brilliance <strong>and</strong> the knack<br />
for always finding the right words<br />
in a dire situation.<br />
Two years ago, when v<strong>and</strong>als destroyed<br />
some genocide billboards<br />
around Greater Boston, <strong>Armenia</strong>ns<br />
everywhere were aghast.<br />
Could this be another vile Turkish<br />
prank Such v<strong>and</strong>alism made<br />
the Boston papers with pity.<br />
As the <strong>Armenia</strong>n public criticized<br />
the act, Der Vartan found a positive<br />
side. In an invocation he delivered,<br />
he told the audience that such acts<br />
were “a blessing in disguise.”<br />
“The publicity we received from<br />
this caught the eye of every sympathetic<br />
reader <strong>and</strong> underscored<br />
nine decades of intolerance by our<br />
people toward Turkey,” he pointed<br />
out. “You can’t buy this kind of<br />
press. They did us a favor.”<br />
With his pearls of wisdom, Der<br />
Vartan was like a firefly on a moonless<br />
night, casting certain radiance<br />
where there was none.<br />
The elderly continue to grieve.<br />
Each Sunday he would regale them<br />
with words of inspiration, whether<br />
it was from the altar or during a<br />
coffee hour. Shortly after his father’s<br />
death, Mgo walked into an<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n School class <strong>and</strong> sat with<br />
the younger students.<br />
His place, he felt, was with them<br />
as words of encouragement flowed<br />
from his mouth. A year ago this<br />
time, his essay on genocide recognition<br />
took first prize. As another<br />
contest took effect, he urged the<br />
students to enter, get involved,<br />
make a difference in their church,<br />
much the same way his father had<br />
intended.<br />
As another phase of a renovation<br />
project takes place inside the<br />
church, there seems to be greater<br />
initiative than ever to get the work<br />
accomplished in his memory. A better<br />
tribute couldn’t be possible.<br />
The Easter season took on greater<br />
significance this year as in the past<br />
with the death of Christ resurrecting<br />
an entire Christian nation. In<br />
some ways, the same could be said<br />
for Der Vartan’s demise.<br />
Life after death.<br />
Visiting clergy continue to do<br />
their part until a replacement is<br />
named. Every promise has been<br />
made by the hierarchy to find a<br />
suitable pastor. To walk in his<br />
shoes would be a daunting task for<br />
any cleric.<br />
Meanwhile, a congregation has<br />
been enamored to carry on the<br />
work he so delegated to others.<br />
Jesus Christ died two centuries<br />
ago. Presidents like Abe Lincoln<br />
<strong>and</strong> John F. Kennedy are gone. Our<br />
rich, classical composers, Bach,<br />
Beethoven, Mozart set their own<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ard.<br />
Are they really dead Are not<br />
their words <strong>and</strong> music still heard<br />
Der Vartan had no illusions of<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>eur, yet he was gr<strong>and</strong> in his<br />
own humble, charismatic way. The<br />
man some predicted would never<br />
make a good priest was fit to be a<br />
prince of his church.<br />
It isn’t the quantity of life – the<br />
number of years – that matters, but<br />
rather the quality, how that life was<br />
lived. Der Vartan lived his 51 years<br />
exceptionally well.<br />
In an age of takers, he was a giver.<br />
Like the coin of life, his life was<br />
dedicated to two sides, his family<br />
<strong>and</strong> his work. For that, he leaves<br />
Der Vartan<br />
Kassabian.<br />
behind a rich legacy we have all<br />
grown to appreciate.<br />
He took the time to love <strong>and</strong><br />
laugh – to serve <strong>and</strong> enjoy countless<br />
friendships. He took the time<br />
to dream, play <strong>and</strong> reflect a little<br />
more than we ordinarily would.<br />
Der Vartan didn’t need a clock<br />
in his timeless journey, or a schedule<br />
to maintain. He killed time by<br />
working it to death.<br />
What you do for yourself unfortunately<br />
dies with you. But what<br />
you do for others lives on after<br />
you. A man such as Der Vartan will<br />
never die in the eyes of a grateful<br />
community.
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 15
E<br />
16 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong><br />
Dilit<br />
Khojabek<br />
+<br />
Lake Khanchal<br />
Patara Khanchal 1997<br />
+ Satkha<br />
NINOTZMINDA<br />
Spasovka<br />
M. Karakhach<br />
2689<br />
J A V A K<br />
3054<br />
M. Aghrikar<br />
¸Didi Khanchal<br />
Katnatu<br />
Orlovka<br />
Bughdashen<br />
Bughdashen (Gorelovka)<br />
M. Madatapa<br />
2718<br />
H K R<br />
M. Dali<br />
M<br />
Swamp of Byurakn<br />
3196<br />
Saragyugh<br />
M. Achkasar<br />
The mosque at the center of this photograph is across the river <strong>and</strong> the border in Halimjan, whereas the buildings in the foreground are in <strong>Armenia</strong>. Photos: Tatul Hakobyan for the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter.<br />
M. Lorasar<br />
3008 2889<br />
M. Parakh<br />
2546<br />
Darik<br />
2956<br />
Lorasar<br />
M. Yerakatar<br />
Bavra<br />
M. Ashotskar<br />
Sizavet<br />
M. Gaylakar<br />
Tzaghkut<br />
2774<br />
M. Tsurtav<br />
2446<br />
3122<br />
2950<br />
Yeghnajur<br />
Zorakert<br />
2025<br />
Tavshut<br />
Garnaritch<br />
Aghvorik<br />
M. Karanik<br />
2843<br />
Ghazanchi<br />
10<br />
Ardenis<br />
2965<br />
3038<br />
M. Tchokhak<br />
Paghakn<br />
+<br />
M. Sevsar<br />
Res. of<br />
Arpi Lake<br />
Aravet<br />
Shaghik<br />
Berdashen<br />
Metz Sepasar<br />
Alvar<br />
Ashotsk<br />
2208<br />
Pokr Sepasar +<br />
M. Ashotsk<br />
M. Kaputkogh<br />
Zuygaghbyur<br />
3047<br />
+<br />
+ Hartashen<br />
Krasar<br />
+<br />
Swamp of Zarishat<br />
Zarishat<br />
2272<br />
Karmravan<br />
Musayelian<br />
Yerizak<br />
M. Sepasar<br />
2448<br />
P L A T E A U o f A S H O T S K<br />
Vardaghbyur<br />
Hovtun<br />
Moks (Ibish)<br />
M. Amasia<br />
Amasia<br />
Salut<br />
Swamp of Sghnakh<br />
B<strong>and</strong>ivan<br />
2312<br />
Tsoghamarg<br />
Bazargan<br />
+<br />
Bashgyugh<br />
Aregnadem<br />
Gog'hovit<br />
Lernagyugh<br />
Torosgyugh<br />
Pokr Sariar<br />
Gtashen<br />
Jradzor<br />
Hoghmik<br />
Arpeni<br />
M. Tsulasar<br />
2555<br />
M. Kaghamakhut<br />
Kamkhut<br />
2106<br />
Metz Sariar<br />
Pokrashen<br />
Hovuni<br />
+ Krashen<br />
Gyulibulagh<br />
Keti<br />
Karmrakar<br />
+ +<br />
+<br />
Kaps<br />
1987<br />
JA JUR<br />
Ajabaj<br />
Vahramaberd<br />
MAYI SIAN<br />
Jajur Pass.<br />
Lernut<br />
Dilaver Meghrashat<br />
+<br />
Shirak<br />
Mayisian +<br />
Jajur<br />
Marmashen Mon. +<br />
Khnkoyan<br />
Voghju<br />
Marmashen<br />
Hatsik<br />
+<br />
Kamo<br />
Haykavan<br />
Duran<br />
2312<br />
+<br />
GYUMRI<br />
M. Kapanak<br />
Kumayri Fort. +<br />
Arapi<br />
Karnut<br />
Moks<br />
+<br />
+<br />
Hovit<br />
Voskehask<br />
+<br />
Akhurian Karnut Res.<br />
After years of isolation, the ancient capitals of<br />
Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat <strong>and</strong> Bagaran are now open to visitors<br />
There are many<br />
historical sites<br />
in Yeraskhadzor,<br />
where the Arax <strong>and</strong><br />
Akhurian rivers<br />
meet<br />
by Tatul Hakobyan<br />
YERVANDASHAT <strong>and</strong> BAGARAN,<br />
Armavir province, <strong>Armenia</strong> – The<br />
residents of Bagaran wake up at<br />
the crack of dawn every morning to<br />
the voices of the muezzin from the<br />
neighboring village of Halimjan.<br />
The two villages are separated by<br />
the Akhuryan river, which serves<br />
as the <strong>Armenia</strong>n-Turkish boundary.<br />
“Of course it disturbs us,” said<br />
Gevorg Margaryan, the head of<br />
Bagaran village.<br />
Bagaran is one of the oldest settlements<br />
in <strong>Armenia</strong>. It was founded<br />
by King Yerv<strong>and</strong>, the last of the Yerv<strong>and</strong>unis,<br />
in the 3rd century B.C.E.<br />
It was here that King Yerv<strong>and</strong>, or<br />
Orontes, transported pagan idols<br />
from Armavir, constructed pagan<br />
temples, <strong>and</strong> appointed his brother<br />
as high priest.<br />
For centuries – actually until<br />
1920 – Bagaran was spread along<br />
the right <strong>and</strong> left banks of the<br />
Akhuryan <strong>and</strong> also on the left bank<br />
of the Araks River.<br />
“Our forefathers crossed the<br />
Akhuryan twice, once in 1917 <strong>and</strong><br />
for the last time in 1920, never to<br />
return,” said Mr. Margaryan.<br />
At the beginning of the 20th century,<br />
Bagaran had about 800 residents.<br />
To escape from the Turkish<br />
massacres, the residents of Bagaran<br />
crossed the left bank of the<br />
Akhuryan River. When the first<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n republic was created in<br />
1918 <strong>and</strong> the territories exp<strong>and</strong>ed,<br />
the Bagarantsis returned to the<br />
right bank. At that time, Bagaran<br />
was part of the district of Surmalu.<br />
After the loss of the republic,<br />
the Western <strong>Armenia</strong>n regions of<br />
Surmalu <strong>and</strong> the region of Kars,<br />
along with the rest of the territories<br />
of Western <strong>Armenia</strong>, became<br />
part of Turkey.<br />
The apricots are<br />
delicious<br />
“Today the village has 610 resident.<br />
Apricots grow very well here. We<br />
are primarily employed in agriculture<br />
<strong>and</strong> dairy farming,” the village<br />
head explained.<br />
After the fall of the Yerv<strong>and</strong>uni<br />
Kingdom, Bagaran lost its shine<br />
<strong>and</strong> splendor <strong>and</strong> for almost a<br />
thous<strong>and</strong> years is not mentioned.<br />
In the 9th century, Bagaran is once<br />
again mentioned <strong>and</strong> the first king<br />
of the Bagratunis, Ashot I, proclaimed<br />
Bagaran the capital of the<br />
kingdom.<br />
It was only a few years ago that<br />
one had to get special permission<br />
from <strong>Armenia</strong>’s national security<br />
<strong>and</strong> border forces to travel to the<br />
oldest capitals of <strong>Armenia</strong>, Bagaran<br />
<strong>and</strong> Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat. But today,<br />
that checkpoint has been removed<br />
<strong>and</strong> all those who wish to go <strong>and</strong><br />
visit these glorious sites, including<br />
diaspora <strong>Armenia</strong>ns <strong>and</strong> tourists,<br />
can now do so.<br />
Before traveling down to Bagaran<br />
<strong>and</strong> Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat, it is necessary<br />
to stop at a certain distance <strong>and</strong><br />
look at the breathtaking scenery<br />
from above. This is the Yeraskhadzor<br />
Valley, where the Araks <strong>and</strong><br />
Akhuryan rivers mix together.<br />
Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat is only one kilometer<br />
away from Bagaran. It was<br />
the last capital of the Yerv<strong>and</strong>uni<br />
Kingdom, taking over from Armavir.<br />
The city, which is spread over<br />
the two banks of the Araks River,<br />
used to have a vibrant population.<br />
Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat was destroyed in the<br />
4th century C.E. by the forces of the<br />
Persian King Shabuh.<br />
Today, Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat is a village<br />
of 825 residents. Since the collapse<br />
of the Soviet Union, the village<br />
has only ever had one village head,<br />
Hovan Avetisian.<br />
“I have been the village head since<br />
1991 <strong>and</strong> I don’t belong to any political<br />
party. Those who live in Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat<br />
are natives to this village,<br />
but we also have residents from<br />
Verin Sasnashen <strong>and</strong> Sarnaghpyur<br />
of the region of Talin. The people<br />
here grow fruit trees <strong>and</strong> keep cattle<br />
– cows <strong>and</strong> sheep. The village is<br />
about 4,000 hectares but only 10<br />
percent of it is used in agriculture,”<br />
Mr. Avetisian said.<br />
The village head recalled how in<br />
Soviet times, Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat was a<br />
very closed-off place. To come here<br />
one needed to go through several<br />
government departments to get<br />
the necessary permission. After<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>’s independence, diaspora<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>ns expressed great interest<br />
in visiting Bagaran <strong>and</strong> Yervadashad.<br />
However, these villages continued<br />
to remain difficult places to<br />
visit, once again tied off because of<br />
the different papers one needed to<br />
get.<br />
“In 2001, during the ceremonies<br />
commemorating the 1700th anniversary<br />
of the adoption of Christianity,<br />
initially there was an intention<br />
of including these two villages<br />
in the formal program of activities<br />
because there are many historic<br />
sites in the two historic capitals<br />
at the point where the Araks <strong>and</strong><br />
Akhuryan rivers meet. There is the<br />
fortress of Queen Parantsem, the<br />
grave of Gevorg Marzpetuni, which<br />
is right on the banks of the Araks<br />
River, but on the Turkish side,” Mr.<br />
Avetisian explained.<br />
For two years, a group of archaeologists<br />
have been working in Yer-<br />
+<br />
Kochkran<br />
Sosker t<br />
v<strong>and</strong>ashat <strong>and</strong> they have already<br />
discovered remains from the palace<br />
of King Yerv<strong>and</strong>, right on the +<br />
Dilan<br />
Seydijan<br />
banks of the Araks.<br />
K arakhan<br />
Kechut +<br />
“There is a program + being + developed<br />
with the U.N., so that some of<br />
+<br />
Lake Kechut<br />
the homes in the villages will<br />
Shahniler<br />
+ have<br />
Poldr van<br />
the ability to accept Korek guests, tourists<br />
<strong>and</strong> diaspora <strong>Armenia</strong>ns M. Argina <strong>and</strong> to<br />
Inja<br />
welcome them with freshly baked<br />
1816<br />
lavash from the tonir,” Mr. Oghuz Avetisian<br />
said.<br />
Gyulveran + Bashgetikler<br />
Khamsagarak<br />
+ +<br />
+<br />
The village head is convinced + +<br />
Bayraktarthat<br />
Mavrak<br />
Bagaran <strong>and</strong> Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat represent<br />
a great historical value. There-<br />
1701<br />
M. Yerablur<br />
fore today, when there is no longer<br />
Jala<br />
Araz<br />
any restriction or difficulty + in visiting<br />
this region, which is only<br />
Ani<br />
100<br />
kilometers from Yerevan, it will A N no<br />
I<br />
Ani Cathedral<br />
Kharkov<br />
doubt be a place of great Maghasberd interest<br />
for tourists.<br />
f<br />
K alus<br />
GEORGIA<br />
TURKEY<br />
Where the Araks<br />
<strong>and</strong> Akhuryan<br />
– <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> presentday<br />
Turkey<br />
– meet. <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Reporter map ©<br />
2009 <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Reporter LLC.<br />
Y E G H N A S A R<br />
R A N G E<br />
2886<br />
RUSSIA<br />
Yeghnajur<br />
Akhurian<br />
T U R K E Y<br />
Kars<br />
Maghasberd<br />
Fort.<br />
Bajal<br />
Yengi<br />
M R E N<br />
+<br />
Ar tagers<br />
B A G A R A N<br />
Artagers Mon. Halimjan<br />
+ Bagaran<br />
Y E R V A N D A K E R T<br />
2502<br />
Geghiart Canyon<br />
Yefremovka<br />
Zhdanov<br />
Y E R V A N D A S H A T<br />
Kalinino<br />
³íßáõï Tavshut<br />
Gharibjanian<br />
+ Shorag yal<br />
Akhurik<br />
"SHIRAK"<br />
Musayelian<br />
Arevik<br />
+ Hak<br />
Demirkend<br />
Azatan<br />
Hin Argina<br />
+<br />
Getk<br />
T ikhnis Yerazgavors +<br />
+<br />
Aygabats<br />
Argina Mon.<br />
G<br />
Shatin<br />
Beniamin<br />
+<br />
+<br />
S H I R A K A V A N<br />
Par val<br />
Bay<strong>and</strong>ur<br />
Saratak<br />
Meghrashen<br />
Lusakert<br />
Hovtashen<br />
Panik<br />
Shirakavan +<br />
+<br />
+<br />
Gusanagyugh<br />
Getapi<br />
Karmirvank Mon.<br />
Horom<br />
Anushavan<br />
K armir vank<br />
Nor Kyank<br />
Ma<br />
Lusaghbyur<br />
Hayreniats ARTIK<br />
Akhurian<br />
Isahakian<br />
+ +<br />
+<br />
Res.<br />
Tazashen<br />
Haykasar<br />
Haritch N<br />
+<br />
Tufashen<br />
Aghin<br />
+<br />
+<br />
Bardzrashen<br />
Hari M<br />
MARALIK<br />
+<br />
+<br />
Pemzashen Mon.<br />
AGHIN<br />
Dzorashen<br />
+<br />
N.Jrapi<br />
+<br />
Dzorakap<br />
+ St. Arakelahimn Mon<br />
+ Jrapi<br />
Sarakap<br />
Lernakert<br />
Horomos Mon.<br />
Karaberd<br />
Haykadzor +<br />
Sarnaghbyur<br />
+<br />
B AGR AVAN<br />
Khoshavank<br />
Dzit'hankov +<br />
Mon.<br />
Lanjik<br />
Hogevank Mon.<br />
Garnhovit<br />
An ancient khatchkar or cross stone +<br />
Bagravan<br />
Zarnja<br />
Tzaghkasar<br />
the side Nor of Artik the road. +<br />
Zovasar<br />
+ +<br />
Tsamakasar<br />
Dprevank<br />
²ÜÆ<br />
+<br />
Anipemza<br />
ANI<br />
Suser<br />
Dzoragyugh<br />
1560<br />
Vosketas<br />
M. Sevsirt<br />
+ +<br />
Mastara<br />
Karmrashen<br />
Yereruyk Mon.<br />
Hatsashen<br />
+<br />
+<br />
Sorik<br />
Akunk<br />
+ Shgharshik<br />
Tlik<br />
+<br />
Areg +<br />
Yeghnik<br />
Hakko<br />
+ Irind<br />
Getap<br />
M. Metz Arteni<br />
+<br />
Gyalto 2047<br />
TALIN +<br />
+ Verin Sasnashen<br />
Katnaghbyur<br />
Barozh<br />
Davtashen +<br />
Nerkin Sasnash<br />
Satanidar Settl.<br />
Dashtadem<br />
Aragatz<br />
Ghabaghtapa +<br />
+<br />
+ Ashnak<br />
Nerkin<br />
Lusakn<br />
Shatakh<br />
Ar tavut<br />
Jrik<br />
M. Tek<br />
Akhurian<br />
AZERBAIJAN<br />
IRAN<br />
K APUY T R ANGE<br />
Araks<br />
2425<br />
M. Yeghnasar<br />
Karakhan<br />
Kechut<br />
Gharabagh<br />
Moks<br />
KOGHB (TUZLUJA)<br />
Lake Bughdashen<br />
Kaghin<br />
Chinchavat<br />
Akhurian<br />
Arteni<br />
Argina<br />
Turabi<br />
Shenik<br />
Koghbavan<br />
Yerv<strong>and</strong>ashat M. Karmirblur<br />
+<br />
1132<br />
+ +<br />
Kmlaget<br />
Tikhnis<br />
T A L<br />
I N<br />
Akhurian<br />
Voghjaget<br />
Selav Mastara<br />
P L A T<br />
E A U<br />
Surb Mari (Surmalu)<br />
Pirli<br />
Talin<br />
2107<br />
Lake Madatapa<br />
Shirak Ch.<br />
Channel<br />
+<br />
S H<br />
S H I R A K<br />
I R<br />
A K<br />
Karakert<br />
Karkatchun<br />
R A N G E<br />
Baghramian<br />
Van<strong>and</strong><br />
P L A<br />
Dalarik<br />
Artamet<br />
Koghaghbyur<br />
Shirak<br />
U<br />
T E A<br />
Ch.<br />
Lernagog<br />
Myasnikian<br />
Khonarkhach<br />
Arevadasht<br />
Talvorik<br />
Ashotsk<br />
Hushakert<br />
Vardakar<br />
Hatsik<br />
2914<br />
Kakavajur<br />
Sardarapat<br />
Araks<br />
Khanjian<br />
Nairi<br />
Dzerzhinski<br />
Amasia<br />
M. Kechut<br />
3156<br />
Karakhach Pass.<br />
Lmbatavank<br />
Armavir Great Channel<br />
Lenughi<br />
Nor Armavir<br />
Sheram<br />
Sp<br />
K<br />
L<br />
H<br />
P<br />
Lukas<br />
Norava<br />
Hoktember<br />
Karan<br />
Bambakashat<br />
+<br />
A R M A V I R<br />
Jrashen<br />
Nor Kesaria Shenavan<br />
Nor Art<br />
Nalb<strong>and</strong>ian<br />
Berkashat +<br />
Janfida<br />
Getashen<br />
Nerkin Arabkir<br />
+<br />
C havush<br />
Baraktut<br />
+<br />
Hak<br />
Zakir<br />
+<br />
A N G<br />
Ar<br />
A R A G A T Z O<br />
M
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 17<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong><br />
In five years, <strong>Armenia</strong>, Iran to be connected by rail<br />
If this ambitious<br />
initiative<br />
materializes,<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> could have<br />
a passage through<br />
the ports of the<br />
Persian Gulf<br />
by Tatul Hakobyan<br />
YEREVAN – High-ranking officials<br />
from <strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Iran are giving<br />
assurances that in five years’ time<br />
there will be a railroad linking the<br />
two countries. According to preliminary<br />
calculations, the railroad<br />
will stretch for approximately 470<br />
kilometers, with 410 of those on<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n territory. The total cost<br />
of this undertaking is expected to<br />
run about $1.2 billion.<br />
An agreement will be signed by<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Iran sometime this<br />
month when President Serge<br />
Sargsian is expected to be in Tehran<br />
for an official visit. On April 3<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>’s minister of transportation,<br />
Gurgen Sargsian, <strong>and</strong> Iran’s<br />
transport <strong>and</strong> communications<br />
minister, Hamid Behbahani,<br />
signed a memor<strong>and</strong>um of underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
in this regard.<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>, which is currently<br />
under blockade from the west by<br />
Turkey <strong>and</strong> from the east by Azerbaijan,<br />
had a rail link with Iran during<br />
the Soviet era. The line began<br />
in Yerevan <strong>and</strong> continued along the<br />
banks of the Araks River, through<br />
Nakhichevan in the Azerbaijani<br />
republic, stretching all the way to<br />
Julfa. From there the railroad cut<br />
across the Araks River by bridge to<br />
Jolfa station in Iran. From there<br />
was connected to the Iranian railroad<br />
grid. This was the flattest <strong>and</strong><br />
shortest route: 200 km from Yerevan<br />
to the Iranian border.<br />
Mountainous terrain<br />
With passage through Nakhichevan<br />
blocked, the new rail link will have<br />
to be built across high mountain<br />
ranges – through the provinces of<br />
Vayots Dzor <strong>and</strong> Syunik. The exact<br />
route through <strong>Armenia</strong>n territory<br />
has not yet been mapped out. At a<br />
press conference with his Iranian<br />
counterpart, Mr. Gurgen Sargsian<br />
said it would be preferable to have<br />
the railroad run from the basin of<br />
Sevan toward Jermuk. Built during<br />
the Soviet era, there is today a<br />
working railroad from Yerevan all<br />
the way to the western basin of Sevan,<br />
the city of Vardenis. The portion<br />
of the railroad to be built on<br />
Iranian territory must run to the<br />
city of Mar<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Ministers Sargsian <strong>and</strong> Behbahani<br />
said that the railroad will be<br />
built in three stages. In the first<br />
stage, technical <strong>and</strong> financial studies<br />
will be carried out. This stage will<br />
require three months. The second<br />
stage will be determining the route<br />
of the railroad <strong>and</strong> the drafting of<br />
maps. The third stage will involve<br />
the actual construction. The ministers<br />
foresee that this project will<br />
take up to five years to complete.<br />
The sides expect to secure financing<br />
for this project through large<br />
banks. “Negotiations for financing<br />
have already begun with the World<br />
Bank <strong>and</strong> the Asian Development<br />
Bank,” Minister Sargsian said.<br />
If the construction of this ambitious<br />
railroad becomes a reality,<br />
then <strong>Armenia</strong> will not only be connected<br />
to its neighbor Iran through<br />
a rail link, but will be able to have<br />
transportation routes all the way to<br />
the Persian Gulf <strong>and</strong> through this<br />
Argina Mon.<br />
Horomos Mon.<br />
Khoshavank Mon.<br />
ANI<br />
Araks<br />
NINOTZMINDA<br />
Akhurian<br />
Kaputkogh fort.<br />
Yereruyk Mon.<br />
Amasia<br />
Vahramaberd fort.<br />
Marmashen Mon.<br />
Kumayri fort. GYUMRI<br />
ARTENI mnt<br />
Akhurian<br />
MARALIK<br />
2047<br />
Satanidar - paleolithic<br />
settlement<br />
TURKEY<br />
Haritchavank Mon.<br />
Hogevank Mon.<br />
ARAGATZ mnt<br />
Amberd fort.<br />
Tegher Mon.<br />
have routes to neighboring regions<br />
<strong>and</strong> states in Central Asia, the Middle<br />
East, India, <strong>and</strong> China.<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>’s railroads belong to a<br />
Russian company. The full management<br />
of <strong>Armenia</strong>’s railroad, lately<br />
renamed the South Caucasian Railway,<br />
was given to Russian Railways<br />
for a period of 30 years. Since 2001<br />
the <strong>Armenia</strong>n railroad has been<br />
a profitable operation, primarily<br />
transporting cargo from <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
to Georgia all the way to the Black<br />
Sea ports of Batumi <strong>and</strong> Poti <strong>and</strong><br />
back.<br />
Russian Railways promised to<br />
invest $570 million in <strong>Armenia</strong>’s<br />
railways. It has already stated, however,<br />
that it will not finance the <strong>Armenia</strong>-Iran<br />
initiative. The Russians<br />
will use Azerbaijan’s territory for<br />
their railway communication with<br />
Iran.<br />
A geopolitically<br />
significant project<br />
<br />
TALIN<br />
Sardarapat<br />
Monument complex<br />
GEORGIA<br />
Ashotsk<br />
H<br />
ACHKASAR mnt<br />
3196<br />
Lmbatavank Mon.<br />
Arutch<br />
karavansaray<br />
H<br />
ARMAVIR<br />
TSOLAKERT (IGDIR)<br />
Metzamor - metallurgical<br />
<strong>and</strong> observatorian complex<br />
(4-3 th. B.C.)<br />
APARAN<br />
H<br />
4092<br />
Saghmosavank Mon.<br />
Ohanavank Mon.<br />
H<br />
VAGHARSHAPAT<br />
Ejmiatzin<br />
Cathedral<br />
MASIS (GREAT ARARAT) mountain<br />
5165<br />
3925<br />
SIS (SMALL ARARAT) mountain<br />
Abel Aghabegians, a well-known<br />
economist <strong>and</strong> academician said<br />
last October that the fundamental<br />
issue surrounding the construction<br />
of the <strong>Armenia</strong>-Iran railroad would<br />
be whether the sides would be able<br />
to guarantee the required amount<br />
of cargo transport to justify the<br />
cost. He suggested that perhaps it<br />
would have preferable to renovate<br />
<strong>and</strong> shorten the distance of the <strong>Armenia</strong>-Iran<br />
automobile highway by<br />
building a few tunnels at a fraction<br />
of the cost. Mr. Aghabegians said<br />
that the cost of building this railroad<br />
could skyrocket to $2 billion because<br />
it would have to be built across<br />
treacherous territory. He hinted<br />
that perhaps the geopolitical significance<br />
of the <strong>Armenia</strong>-Iran railroad<br />
outweighs its economic benefits.<br />
During the Soviet era, <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
had several rail links with Azerbaijn.<br />
Cargo <strong>and</strong> passenger trains operated<br />
between Yerevan <strong>and</strong> Baku<br />
(this route passed along the banks<br />
of the Araks River all the way to<br />
ARTIK<br />
Dzoraget<br />
H<br />
SPITAK<br />
STEPANAVAN<br />
Pambak<br />
H<br />
H<br />
Byurakan<br />
ASHTARAK<br />
TASHIR<br />
Oshakan<br />
MASIS<br />
LORI<br />
Khuchap<br />
Mon.<br />
VANADZOR<br />
Kasakh<br />
H<br />
Hankavan<br />
ARAILER mnt<br />
2575<br />
YEGHVARD<br />
<br />
<br />
Khorakert<br />
Mon.<br />
Khor Virap<br />
Monastery<br />
Dzernak<br />
fort.<br />
LALVAR mnt<br />
2543<br />
AKHTALA<br />
H<br />
LALVAR<br />
Odzun<br />
Kecharis Mon.<br />
TZAGHKADZOR<br />
Hrazdan<br />
Debed<br />
H<br />
H<br />
ARTASHAT<br />
Garni<br />
Sanahin Mon.<br />
TUMANIAN<br />
H<br />
HRAZDAN<br />
Haghpat Mon.<br />
CHARENTSAVAN<br />
BYUREGHAVAN<br />
ABOVIAN<br />
KHOSROV<br />
reservation<br />
DILIJAN<br />
H<br />
YEREVAN<br />
VEDI<br />
H<br />
ARARAT<br />
AYRUM<br />
AZHDAHAK mnt<br />
Kirants Mon.<br />
Makaravank Mon.<br />
DILIJAN<br />
national park<br />
Haghartzin<br />
Mon.<br />
Geghard Mon.<br />
(Ayrivank)<br />
Havuts Tar Mon.<br />
St.Stepanos Mon.<br />
Hovhannes-Karapet<br />
Mon.<br />
Yeraskhavan<br />
SEVAN<br />
lake Parz<br />
Araks<br />
IRAN<br />
NOYEMBERIAN<br />
Lastiver rock<br />
Goshavank Mon.<br />
3598<br />
Sevan Mon.<br />
SEVAN<br />
national park<br />
Geghi fort.<br />
l a k e<br />
Hayravank<br />
Mon.<br />
Sulem karavansaray<br />
Nor<br />
Varagavank Mon.<br />
Noratus<br />
khachkar-field<br />
Noravank Mon.<br />
S E V A<br />
SEVAN national park<br />
VARDENIS mnt<br />
3521<br />
Julfa, then back through <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
territory at Meghri, <strong>and</strong> back once<br />
again into Azerbaijan) <strong>and</strong> Ijevan<br />
to Baku. The Yerevan-Kapan line<br />
also passed through the territories<br />
of Azerbaijan <strong>and</strong> Nakhichevan.<br />
The Yerevan-Baku <strong>and</strong> the Ichevan-<br />
Baku lines carried 80 percent of<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>’s cargo.<br />
H<br />
Aghstev<br />
H<br />
GAVAR<br />
SHARUR<br />
IJEVAN<br />
Argitchi<br />
Areni<br />
TCHAMBARAK<br />
Znaberd<br />
BERD<br />
H<br />
MARTUNI<br />
GAZAKH<br />
N<br />
Tsakhats Kar Mon.<br />
Hermon Mon.<br />
Arpa<br />
AGHSTEV<br />
YEGHEGNADZOR<br />
Khoranashat<br />
Mon.<br />
Yergevanits<br />
fort.<br />
VAYK<br />
Nakhichevan<br />
Kura<br />
St.Gevorg Mon.<br />
Vanevank Mon.<br />
Karmirvank Mon.<br />
Darashamb Surb<br />
Stepanos Mon.<br />
H<br />
Gndevank Mon.<br />
Hazarabyurats Mon.<br />
Nakhichevan<br />
(Az.)<br />
NAKHICHEVAN<br />
TOVUZ<br />
Artzvashen<br />
JERMUK<br />
JOLFA<br />
Makeniats Mon.<br />
Surb Khach Mon.<br />
St.Karapet<br />
Mon.<br />
H<br />
Hreshtakapetats Mon.<br />
GETABAK<br />
VARDENIS<br />
Amenaprkich Mon.<br />
Amenayn Srbots Mon.<br />
Yernjak fort.<br />
Áàðñóì<br />
Tzaghkotsavank Mon.<br />
JUGHA (JULFA)<br />
Charekavank Mon.<br />
KARHAT (DASHKESAN)<br />
Tanahat Mon.<br />
Surb Nshan<br />
Mon.<br />
Trtu<br />
Tzara Astvatzatzin Mon.<br />
H<br />
Áàðóì<br />
Astvatzatzin Mon.<br />
KARVATCHAR<br />
St.Tovma Mon.<br />
VORDUAR (ORDUBAD)<br />
Levonaberd fort.<br />
Shoghavank Mon.<br />
ISHKHANASAR mnt<br />
3548<br />
Karahunj<br />
observatory<br />
(4 th. B.C.)<br />
SISIAN<br />
Vorotnavank Mon.<br />
Tatev Mon.<br />
ARAMAZD mnt<br />
Dadivank Mon.<br />
Halidzor fort.<br />
Vahanavank<br />
KAPUTJUGH mnt<br />
Mon.<br />
3906<br />
KAJARAN<br />
3201<br />
KHUSTUP mnt<br />
SHIKAHOGH<br />
reservation<br />
Baghatskar Mon.<br />
Arakelots Mon.<br />
Tztiternavank Mon.<br />
Goris <strong>and</strong><br />
Khndzoresk<br />
cave-settlements<br />
Bgheno Noravank Mon.<br />
Kajkert Mon.<br />
Khatravank Mon.<br />
G<strong>and</strong>zasar Mon.<br />
Astvatzatzin Mon.<br />
Yeritsvank Mon.<br />
During that period, <strong>Armenia</strong><br />
also had rail links with Turkey at<br />
the Gyumri-Kars line, which like<br />
the other rail links to Azerbaijan,<br />
are no longer in operation because<br />
of the 20-year-old blockade. The<br />
Yerevan-Tabriz rail line has also<br />
been under blockade because a<br />
portion of that line passes through<br />
Vorotan<br />
3392<br />
H<br />
MEGHRI<br />
AGARAK<br />
H<br />
GORIS<br />
SHAKASHEN (KHANLAR)<br />
Getashen<br />
H<br />
KAPAN<br />
Horekavank Mon.<br />
Yeghishe Arakyal<br />
Gyulistan fort.<br />
Mon.<br />
MRAV mnt<br />
3348<br />
Sarsang res.<br />
Voghji<br />
Nrnadzor<br />
Araks<br />
SHAHUMIAN<br />
Kachaghakaberd fort.<br />
Ghazanchetsots<br />
church<br />
Hagari<br />
H<br />
Khachen<br />
H<br />
STEPANAKERT<br />
BERDZOR<br />
Krvaberd fort.<br />
Dzoravank Mon.<br />
KOVSAKAN<br />
MIJNAVAN<br />
Trtu<br />
Vankasar Mon.<br />
Amutegh Mon.<br />
MARGUSHEVAN<br />
H<br />
MARTAKERT<br />
Shushi fort.<br />
SHUSHI<br />
ASKERAN<br />
Mayraberd fort.<br />
"We <strong>and</strong> our Mountains"<br />
Katarovank Mon.<br />
Tovmasaberd fort.<br />
Gtchavank Mon.<br />
Aghjkaberd fort.<br />
Azokh cave<br />
HADRUT<br />
Karkar<br />
JRAKAN<br />
Khudaperin bridges<br />
AZERBAIJAN<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>’s <strong>and</strong> Nagorno-Karabakh’s railways. The borders with Turkey <strong>and</strong> Azerbaijan are closed. The only operating international rail link is with Georgia. <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Reporter map © 2009 <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter LLC.<br />
MARTUNI<br />
Amaras Mon.<br />
VARANDA<br />
HORATIS<br />
Nakhichevan. For the past 17 years,<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong> also hasn’t had rail connection<br />
with Russia because a portion<br />
of that rail line passes through<br />
separatist Abkhazia in Georgia.<br />
That rail line, which is known as<br />
the Abkhazian railroad, has been<br />
under blockade by the Georgians<br />
since 1992.<br />
f
18 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009<br />
Editorial<br />
Commentary<br />
the armenian<br />
reporter<br />
A test of Turkey’s professed goodwill<br />
The extra-large <strong>and</strong> extra-bold headline could have been, “Obama, in Turkey, affirms the<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide.” The subheads would have noted the Turkish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n reaction.<br />
During his visit to Turkey, President Obama did not speak explicitly of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n<br />
Genocide, although he did confirm that his views on the subject, which are “on the record,”<br />
have not changed. It is unfortunate that he did not take the opportunity to share his views<br />
with his Turkish hosts, as “close friends” – just as he shared his views on difficult topics like<br />
Turkey’s accession to the European Union with his hosts in the European Union earlier in<br />
the week, “as close friends of both Turkey <strong>and</strong> Europe.”<br />
What Mr. Obama did say, however, was significant.<br />
First, he expressed hope that the Turkish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n people “can move forward<br />
<strong>and</strong> deal with a difficult <strong>and</strong> tragic history.” This can only be taken to mean that the<br />
Turkish people must come to terms with the facts of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Genocide. These<br />
facts include the state’s organized effort to annihilate the <strong>Armenia</strong>n people, as well as<br />
heroic tales of Turks, Kurds, Americans, <strong>and</strong> others helping save lives. Unfortunately,<br />
President Abdullah Gul, with Mr. Obama at his side, did little to take that process forward.<br />
He put forth the classic – <strong>and</strong> patently dishonest – version of history espoused by<br />
Turkish state historians.<br />
Second, Mr. Obama told the Turkish parliament, “the United States strongly supports<br />
the full normalization of relations between Turkey <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>.” He said “an open border<br />
would return the Turkish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>n people to a peaceful <strong>and</strong> prosperous coexistence<br />
that would serve both of your nations.”<br />
This message differs from ritual calls for reconciliation. It is an explicit call for Turkey to<br />
open the border with <strong>Armenia</strong>, which it closed unilaterally 16 years ago. By calling for “full<br />
normalization,” Mr. Obama is also asking Turkey to finally agree to establish diplomatic relations<br />
with <strong>Armenia</strong> – which <strong>Armenia</strong> has all along been willing to do.<br />
It now remains to be seen how Turkey will respond to Mr. Obama’s clear – <strong>and</strong> entirely<br />
reasonable – call for action. It will be a test of the goodwill professed by the Turkish authorities.<br />
The soccer ball<br />
Responding to a question posed by the <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter’s Tatul Hakobyan, President Serge<br />
Sargsian of <strong>Armenia</strong> on April 10 insisted that the ball is now in Turkey’s court, “<strong>and</strong> if we are<br />
talking about soccer diplomacy, then we must state that the ball cannot constantly be on one<br />
side of the field <strong>and</strong> each soccer match has a predetermined time frame.”<br />
The current round of <strong>Armenia</strong>n-Turkish talks started with an invitation to a September<br />
2008 soccer match in Yerevan. Mr. Sargsian has agreed to a reciprocal invitation from Mr.<br />
Gül for the <strong>Armenia</strong>-Turkey match in Kayseri in October 2009. The question is whether he’ll<br />
go over an open border, with the new <strong>Armenia</strong>n ambassador to Turkey in tow. f<br />
Easter greeting from Archbishop Hovnan Derderian<br />
Burbank, Calif. – “Christ is Risen from the<br />
dead, Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ”<br />
The Resurrection of Christ our Lord, which<br />
provides spiritual strength in our lives as<br />
Christians, is the ultimate expression of<br />
Divine Love for humanity. This glorious triumph<br />
of Christ over death graces us continually<br />
with a renewed underst<strong>and</strong>ing of our<br />
Christian faith. This biggest miracle of all enables<br />
us to transform our God-given life into<br />
a renewed, deeper spiritual life. The Resurrection<br />
is the powerful presence of Almighty<br />
God in our lives.<br />
The glorious Resurrection of Christ our<br />
Lord is the reawakening of the Church. Indeed,<br />
the ineffable divine power of Christ’s<br />
Resurrection is difficult to underst<strong>and</strong> in<br />
mere words or logic, but could be experienced<br />
in the spiritual life of each <strong>and</strong> every faithful<br />
<strong>and</strong> the life of the Church. The Resurrection<br />
empowers us to live the Word of God in our<br />
daily lives <strong>and</strong> come closer to God.<br />
“Christ is Risen from the dead, Blessed is the Resurrection<br />
of Christ”<br />
By proclaiming that Christ is Risen from<br />
the dead we reject the deeds of darkness in<br />
our lives <strong>and</strong> turn our lives toward the empowering<br />
Light of God. Our forefathers have<br />
lived with this Faith <strong>and</strong> have taught us to<br />
live a life pleasing to God; a life that upholds<br />
the Christian faith, protects the sanctity of<br />
family, builds houses of worship <strong>and</strong> schools.<br />
This faith is complemented with our dedication<br />
to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>, <strong>and</strong> above all, our country the<br />
United States of America.<br />
The mystery of the blessed Resurrection of<br />
Christ our Lord ought to be reflected in the<br />
life of society. Inspired by the victorious Resurrection<br />
we are called to become the good<br />
h<strong>and</strong>s of Almighty God with a strong vision.<br />
If humanity has lost the vision of peace, the<br />
main reason is human greed <strong>and</strong> disrespect<br />
to our fellow human beings. The global financial<br />
crisis that societies all over the world<br />
are experience is but one dimension of this.<br />
As expressed by the newly elected head of<br />
the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness<br />
Patriarch Kyril: “Today, decisions have been<br />
affected by attributes such as greed, loss of<br />
control over consumption, a bid to enrich<br />
oneself by all means <strong>and</strong> have as much as<br />
possible… The crisis began when people forgot<br />
true value.”<br />
The blessed Resurrection of Christ our Lord<br />
impels us to live a miraculous life, to create<br />
<strong>and</strong> to illuminate the souls of humanity.<br />
I believe in the resurrection of the body<br />
“Christ is Risen from the dead, Blessed is the Resurrection<br />
of Christ”<br />
May the miracle of the Resurrection of<br />
Christ enrich our personal <strong>and</strong> communal<br />
life, so that we may put on the new person in<br />
Christ <strong>and</strong> walk with God, becoming co-helpers<br />
of God’s creation <strong>and</strong> to bring up our children<br />
with the mystery of the sanctified life.<br />
May the miracle of the Resurrection of<br />
Christ grant us the vision to become the<br />
living Church through the preaching of the<br />
Word of God, <strong>and</strong> working hard for the revitalization<br />
of the Church.<br />
Our faith in the Resurrection of Christ implies<br />
that we all are the living stones of the<br />
Church, thus we are challenged to begin a<br />
new life in making God the destiny of our life<br />
<strong>and</strong> above all to see the new life beyond the<br />
horizon, in the h<strong>and</strong> of God.<br />
f<br />
Bishop Manuel Batakian<br />
New York – “Since we have become one with<br />
him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall<br />
be one with him by being raised to life as he was”<br />
(Rom 6,5).<br />
Our Christian faith comm<strong>and</strong>s that we believe<br />
not only in the Resurrection of Christ<br />
but in our own resurrection as well. At first<br />
glance we sense that it is not so easy to profess<br />
such a faith. Indeed it is different - <strong>and</strong><br />
natural - to believe in the Resurrection of<br />
Christ, given that He is God, the Lord of life<br />
<strong>and</strong> death, whose power has no limit, <strong>and</strong> it<br />
is yet another thing to believe in the resurrection<br />
of a human being, who by definition<br />
is mortal, therefore subject to annihilation, if<br />
not spiritually, then at least bodily.<br />
And yet, every time that we profess the<br />
Creed, we proclaim publicly that our resurrection,<br />
soul <strong>and</strong> body, is an essential part of our<br />
faith. But to what extent we are convinced<br />
of it, in practical terms, when we are making<br />
that profession, that is another question.<br />
We cannot doubt God’s ability to keep<br />
eternally immortal the souls He himself<br />
created as immortal. But is it required for<br />
Him give the same privilege to the body,<br />
whuxh came from dust <strong>and</strong> will return to<br />
dust, as we read in the Scriptures<br />
It is normal <strong>and</strong> logical that from time to<br />
time the issue of the resurrection of the body<br />
comes into our minds, especially when we,<br />
as Christians, are preparing to celebrate the<br />
Resurrection of Christ, because these two realities<br />
are indissolubly linked to one another.<br />
If we believe that Christ has risen, we cannot<br />
ignore or deny that we too will rise .<br />
And the reason is evident, <strong>and</strong> founded on<br />
the word of Christ himself. Either we accept<br />
the words of Christ completely, or we do not.<br />
Now, we hear him saying : “I am telling you<br />
the truth... Do not be surprised, the time will<br />
come when all the dead will hear the voice<br />
of the Son of God <strong>and</strong> will come out of their<br />
graves; those who have done good will rise<br />
<strong>and</strong> live, <strong>and</strong> those who have done evil will<br />
rise <strong>and</strong> be condemned (John 5, 25-28).<br />
Yet there is a great temptation in taking<br />
these words of Christ, <strong>and</strong> thus the meaning<br />
of our Resurrection, in a metaphoric or<br />
symbolic sense, as if to say: yes, there is a<br />
resurrection of mankind, there is also a second<br />
life, but in spirit, not in body. The spirit is<br />
holy, the body is sinful. The first deserves to<br />
survive, not the latter.<br />
This doubt, or distrust, arises in the minds<br />
of some for these reasons:<br />
First, can we reasonably expect that God<br />
gives life back to us mortals So doing. in<br />
some way, we are even doubting God‘s power.<br />
We see in the Holy Bible the manifestation<br />
of Almighty God from the first moment<br />
of creation: Scripture is a uninterrupted<br />
succession of miracles. These miracles take<br />
on a pivotal role in the earthly mission of<br />
Jesus. The healing of the sick, the multiplication<br />
of bread, the calming of storms, the<br />
raising from the dead... what signs or proofs<br />
of divine power can there be stronger than<br />
these He who created the world from nothing,<br />
who raised from death not only others<br />
by also Himself, should He not be able to<br />
create all his creatures again<br />
The second argument is that it is difficult<br />
to imagine what form or shape our body will<br />
take in coming to life again.: will it have the<br />
same physical characteristics, the same intellectual<br />
<strong>and</strong> spiritual qualities as it has in the<br />
present life<br />
The theologians describe in different ways<br />
what our bodies will be like in a second life,<br />
confessing nevertheless that no one can fully<br />
know the exact reality, because the only<br />
source of our knowledge, the Holy Scriptures,<br />
does not give us any information about it.<br />
God certainly wants to keep the mystery<br />
alive until our encounter with him.<br />
Following their logic, biblical scholars<br />
imagine the raised bodies as being endowed<br />
with the highest qualities, even corporeally,<br />
because the souls will join these ‘glorified’<br />
bodies <strong>and</strong> become one with them. This conviction<br />
is shared by St. Augustine who says<br />
that we will be in heaven ‘as we are’, we will<br />
keep our identity, but in sublime, perfect proportions.<br />
We will find ourselves in a universe<br />
where we will see God face to face, without<br />
any intermediary or interpreter.<br />
It is impossible to separate the Resurrection<br />
of Christ from our own. Christ did not<br />
triumph over death for Himself but in order<br />
to save us from the clutches of death. St.<br />
Paul is categorical on this point: if Christ<br />
did not rise from the dead, our entire faith<br />
would be disrupted <strong>and</strong> reduced to nothing.<br />
And our earthly life would turn to an existence<br />
without goal <strong>and</strong> meaning.<br />
The resurrection of Christ is neither a legend<br />
nor an illusion. It is an irrefutable reality<br />
sealed by the blood of myriads of witnesses.<br />
It is at the same time the foundation of our<br />
hope that we will share his glory thanks to<br />
our own resurrection.<br />
f<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter (ISSN 0004-2358), an independent newspaper,<br />
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The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009 19<br />
Commentary<br />
You are witnesses of these things<br />
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian<br />
New York – He said to them, “These are my<br />
words which I spoke to you, while I was still with<br />
you, that everything written about me in the<br />
law of Moses <strong>and</strong> the prophets <strong>and</strong> the psalms<br />
must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds<br />
to underst<strong>and</strong> the scriptures, <strong>and</strong> said to them,<br />
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer<br />
<strong>and</strong> on the third day rise from the dead, <strong>and</strong><br />
that repentance <strong>and</strong> forgiveness of sins should<br />
be preached in his name to all nations, beginning<br />
from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these<br />
things.” (St. Luke 24:44-48)<br />
The new life<br />
After the bitterness of winter, after the<br />
self-restraint of Lent, after the intense emotions<br />
of Holy Week, one encounters Easter<br />
with a sense of relief. Resurrection Sunday<br />
is, after all, the soaring finale to a harrowing<br />
story - the happy ending we’ve been waiting<br />
for. Ahead of us, we might feel, lies a bright<br />
horizon, free of troubles, where everything<br />
will be set right.<br />
This is not just a matter of our own perception:<br />
the gospels affirm that something<br />
profound <strong>and</strong> final occurred in the drama of<br />
Christ’s death <strong>and</strong> return to life. “The earth<br />
did quake, the rocks rent, the graves were<br />
opened,” we read; “the saints which slept<br />
arose, <strong>and</strong> coming out of their graves after<br />
his resurrection, went into the holy city, <strong>and</strong><br />
appeared to many” (Mt 27:51-53). Even the<br />
righteous dead arise, to testify to the magnitude<br />
of what has occurred. One can hardly<br />
imagine a more “final” statement. Where<br />
could the story possibly go from there<br />
Yet, as we know, the story did go on - <strong>and</strong><br />
not just as a continuation of Scripture. The<br />
story continued in history. We inhabit its latest<br />
page, <strong>and</strong> from our vantage we can see<br />
that the resurrection of Jesus Christ - assuredly<br />
the most important <strong>and</strong> wondrous turning<br />
point in history - was not history’s end. In<br />
a scene of piercing sadness, Jesus warned his<br />
followers not to make the mistake of thinking<br />
that his sufferings would spell an end<br />
to troubles for mankind. Staggering to the<br />
cross, trailed by a company of wailing women,<br />
Jesus turned to them <strong>and</strong> said, “Daughters<br />
of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep<br />
for yourselves, <strong>and</strong> for your children.... For<br />
if they do these things to a green tree, what<br />
shall be done to the dry” (Lk 23:29-31).<br />
In such words, one sees that Christ’s life<br />
<strong>and</strong> passion, while serving redemptive purposes<br />
all their own, were at the same time<br />
encapsulations, concentrations, of the human<br />
condition overall. What was once the<br />
lonely burden of mortal man - the misery<br />
of every person who has suffered injustice,<br />
who has seen his friends desert him, his<br />
loved ones endangered on his account, his<br />
world reduced to ashes - all of these troubles,<br />
were shared, embraced even, by our<br />
Lord in his journey to the cross. In Jesus,<br />
the blessings of life surely take on greater<br />
meaning for us, as glimpses of a kingdom<br />
yet to come; but his words leave no doubt<br />
that the sorrows of human living will never<br />
cease to be ours, as well.<br />
As <strong>Armenia</strong>ns, we instinctively know this<br />
- <strong>and</strong> we have certainly lived it. We saw the<br />
blessed evangelization of <strong>Armenia</strong>; but also<br />
a costly defense of the first Christian nation<br />
at Avarayr. We saw the flowering of a distinctive<br />
<strong>Armenia</strong>n culture <strong>and</strong> identity; but also<br />
knew exile <strong>and</strong> subjection to alien powers.<br />
We welcomed a new political reality which<br />
would allow us to advance in society; but we<br />
also endured the Genocide.<br />
Yet if our experience <strong>and</strong> theology comprehend<br />
this aspect of Christ’s sacrifice, they<br />
comprehend a larger meaning, as well. To<br />
be sure, the resurrection does not promise<br />
us an easy life, free of troubles. But it does<br />
promise that the monotonous cycles of security<br />
<strong>and</strong> suffering, of prosperity <strong>and</strong> poverty,<br />
are not in the end meaningless. The world<br />
will remain a mix of blessings <strong>and</strong> afflictions,<br />
as it always has; but in Christ, there really<br />
will be a final state of peace, where “God will<br />
wipe away every tear,” <strong>and</strong> all things will be<br />
made new again (Rev 21:4-5).<br />
Even for the disciples who lived alongside<br />
Jesus, these things were difficult to underst<strong>and</strong>.<br />
We are told that Christ had to “open<br />
their minds” to help them grasp what they<br />
had seen. But having done so he also charged<br />
them with the duty of remembering, <strong>and</strong> of<br />
acting on that memory. “You are witnesses of<br />
these things,” he told them.<br />
He tells it to us, too. Every year, in our Easter<br />
celebration, we see the miracle of Christ’s<br />
Catholicos<br />
Karekin II<br />
performs<br />
the ritual<br />
washing of<br />
the feet in<br />
Etchmiadzin<br />
on Great<br />
<strong>and</strong> Holy<br />
Thursday.<br />
Photo:<br />
Photolure.<br />
resurrection re-enacted, re-lived, before<br />
our eyes. We see life emerge from the grave,<br />
hope emerge from despair. We are reminded<br />
of that final, peaceable kingdom, where our<br />
hearts will find rest; <strong>and</strong> of the painful sacrifice<br />
that purchased it for us.<br />
We are reminded, too, that a foretaste of<br />
God’s kingdom exists here on earth, in the<br />
Church our Lord established. Especially in an<br />
anxious, uncertain time, the church needs to<br />
be The Church: it needs to nourish its mission<br />
as a witness - it needs to act as a witness to<br />
Christ’s resurrection. We will have a chance to<br />
do so again, when we sing our Easter greeting:<br />
Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh harootiunun<br />
Krisdosee! Christ is risen from the<br />
dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ!<br />
This year, let us sing these words with<br />
the conviction of those who first saw our<br />
risen Lord, who touched his wounds, <strong>and</strong><br />
responded to the miracle of his resurrection.<br />
For in the deepest sense, we, too, are<br />
witnesses of these things.<br />
f<br />
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan<br />
New York – ...we have been buried with him<br />
by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ<br />
was raised from the dead by the glory of the<br />
Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.<br />
-Romans 6:4-5<br />
Christ’s eternal presence in the world <strong>and</strong><br />
in our hearts became humankind’s possession<br />
because of His Resurrection. The first<br />
witnesses to that Resurrection were His disciples<br />
<strong>and</strong> followers. They transmitted to us<br />
what they saw to which they gave witness<br />
with dedication <strong>and</strong> faith, <strong>and</strong> for which they<br />
paid with torture <strong>and</strong> martyrdom.<br />
The miracle that we try to underst<strong>and</strong><br />
on Easter is considerably above the human<br />
mind <strong>and</strong> logic. When we believe <strong>and</strong> live<br />
accordingly, then a new person is born within<br />
us, who enters into a new life <strong>and</strong> a new<br />
way of life with Christ. The most convincing<br />
statement is made by the Apostle Paul when<br />
he says, “If we have been united with him in<br />
a death like his, we will certainly be united<br />
with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans<br />
6:5). Our defeat of sin mysteriously occurs<br />
with our baptism, after which as a new creature-this<br />
time as a faithful Christian-we live<br />
enjoying the grace that one day will take<br />
us to our resurrected life. Our life is the<br />
grace given to us by God <strong>and</strong> our salvation<br />
is God’s expressed love. Salvation is not our<br />
own doing; it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:8)<br />
Therefore, this new life has a message<br />
for us. First, it is our prime duty to be<br />
cleansed internally. This takes place when<br />
we kill sin in us, for which our Lord sacrificed<br />
His life. As long as we remain in sin,<br />
we remain slaves of sin through out desire,<br />
our greed, our ego which repels us from all<br />
humankind created in our image. On the<br />
contrary, we must go to all, have compassion<br />
<strong>and</strong> love, serve <strong>and</strong> help them, so that<br />
the sinner in us will not rule, but rather<br />
Christ Himself. “For we are what he has<br />
made us, created in Christ Jesus for good<br />
works, which God prepared beforeh<strong>and</strong> to<br />
be our way of life” (Eph 2:10).<br />
Second, after destroying the sinner in us,<br />
it is our duty to gain new life. In order to<br />
gain that life, we must sacrifice our life, if<br />
necessary, just as Christ sacrificed His life<br />
to give us new life. There is no greater proclamation<br />
than that of the Apostle Paul, “For<br />
to me, living is Christ <strong>and</strong> dying is gain (Phil<br />
1:21). Blessed are those who can gain that life,<br />
a life filled with love, enlightened by sacrifice<br />
<strong>and</strong> enriched by service.<br />
May Christ’s miraculous Resurrection be a<br />
message <strong>and</strong> reminder to us all that in order<br />
to live with Him we must completely cleanse<br />
ourselves, destroy sin, in order to be worthy<br />
of salvation, His grace, new life, <strong>and</strong> our<br />
unity with Him.<br />
Christ is risen from the dead. Blessed is the<br />
resurrection of Christ.<br />
f<br />
The resurrection of our Lord brings renewal to our lives<br />
Archbishop Moushegh<br />
Mardirossian<br />
La Crescenta, Calif. –<br />
“Christ is risen from the dead!<br />
He trampled down death by death,<br />
<strong>and</strong> by His resurrection He granted life to us.<br />
Glory to Him for all ages. Amen.” (Hymn)<br />
The enlivening spirit of rebirth <strong>and</strong> renewal<br />
resonates throughout the world once again<br />
as we Christians prepare to celebrate Christendom’s<br />
greatest <strong>and</strong> most important feast,<br />
the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Savior<br />
Jesus Christ, <strong>and</strong> join together to exclaim<br />
“Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia.<br />
Come ye peoples, sing unto the Lord! Alleluia.”<br />
(Hymn)<br />
The Resurrection of our Lord brings to us a<br />
profound message of rebirth <strong>and</strong> renewal. It<br />
starts with death, the crucifixion <strong>and</strong> entombment<br />
of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, <strong>and</strong> ends<br />
with life, the Glorious Resurrection on Easter<br />
Sunday. It is the conquering of death <strong>and</strong> the<br />
dawn of a new life, a reassurance that good<br />
will always triumph <strong>and</strong> hope will abound.<br />
It is very fitting that Easter comes in<br />
springtime, a season marked by the blossoming<br />
of life when the dark, harsh winter ends<br />
<strong>and</strong> the sun shines bright again. We witness<br />
the workings of nature with the death of the<br />
old <strong>and</strong> the birth of the new. As we too undergo<br />
this natural cycle of life, we will not<br />
be facing an end, but beginning a new life, a<br />
rebirth into a new state, for the Resurrection<br />
gives us this promise, “He saves us through<br />
the washing of rebirth <strong>and</strong> renewal by the<br />
Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously<br />
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so<br />
that, having been justified by His grace, we<br />
might become heirs having the hope of eternal<br />
life” (Titus 3:5-7).<br />
One need not die physically to experience<br />
resurrection. The broader message of the<br />
Resurrection is that after pain <strong>and</strong> suffering<br />
comes redemption <strong>and</strong> hope. Many times<br />
in life we are overcome with obstacles, but<br />
these obstacles are just steps, passages to<br />
achieving enlightenment. Jesus Christ had<br />
to die on the cross to be resurrected, as St.<br />
Peter proclaims, “Blessed be the God <strong>and</strong> Father<br />
of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according<br />
to His abundant mercy has begotten us again<br />
to a living hope through the resurrection of<br />
Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3-4).<br />
The promise of the Resurrection raises us<br />
from the depths of our darkest hours by giving<br />
us freedom from our burdens, granting<br />
us strength, <strong>and</strong> hope for a renewed heart, a<br />
renewed soul, <strong>and</strong> a renewed life.<br />
Dear faithful,<br />
Easter is an awakening; a time of revitalization<br />
<strong>and</strong> rejuvenation.<br />
It is a spiritual rebirth, a journey towards a<br />
higher purpose that starts internally within<br />
ourselves when we accept Jesus Christ as our<br />
Savior with an open <strong>and</strong> pure heart, a journey<br />
whose significance cannot be overstated for<br />
in the words of our Savior, “Most assuredly, I<br />
say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot<br />
see the kingdom of God” (John 3:1-3).<br />
The Easter message is for all mankind. It is<br />
a transformative message that is needed now<br />
more than ever in a world that has become<br />
more despondent. The Resurrection of our<br />
Lord is a miraculous gift that restores faith to<br />
the faithless <strong>and</strong> gives hope to the hopeless;<br />
it allows us to pass from death to a life, from<br />
despair to optimism, <strong>and</strong> invites us to be reborn<br />
to be worthy of His abundant blessings<br />
<strong>and</strong> promises.<br />
Two thous<strong>and</strong> years ago Jesus brought<br />
His Light to the world. That light still shines<br />
brightly as a call to faith, love, <strong>and</strong> hope <strong>and</strong><br />
it is just as, if not more, inspiring <strong>and</strong> meaningful<br />
today.<br />
For centuries, our ancestors not only comprehended<br />
the mystery <strong>and</strong> awe of the Resurrection<br />
they lived it through their faith<br />
<strong>and</strong> deeds, thus renewing the life <strong>and</strong> spirit<br />
of the <strong>Armenia</strong>n people <strong>and</strong> nation.<br />
As His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the<br />
Great House of Cilicia, has proclaimed 2009<br />
the “Year of the Youth”, let us heed this call<br />
to pay special attention to the needs of our<br />
youth. Let us impart to them the uplifting<br />
<strong>and</strong> life-giving message of the Resurrection<br />
<strong>and</strong> commit ourselves to their spiritual<br />
nourishment <strong>and</strong> development not just during<br />
this time but throughout the year. Let<br />
us bridge our youth to our religious <strong>and</strong> national<br />
heritage <strong>and</strong> through them, <strong>and</strong> for<br />
them, renew <strong>and</strong> reinvigorate our mission for<br />
the survival <strong>and</strong> prosperity of our Church<br />
<strong>and</strong> nation.<br />
Let us reflect on the Easter tidings of love,<br />
hope, faith, <strong>and</strong> renewal, reaffirm our faith,<br />
<strong>and</strong> undergo spiritual rebirth <strong>and</strong> revival to<br />
live a richer <strong>and</strong> deeper quality of life.<br />
Emboldened by the message of the Resurrection,<br />
let us “put on the new man who is<br />
renewed in knowledge according to the image<br />
of Him who created him” (Col. 3:10), <strong>and</strong><br />
allow the good tidings of this glorious Feast<br />
to lift us to new life <strong>and</strong> new heights.<br />
With these sentiments, let us pray for<br />
the Lord to “Create in me a clean heart, O<br />
God, <strong>and</strong> renew a steadfast spirit within me”<br />
(Psalms 51:10).<br />
We extend our best wishes to our Clergy,<br />
Executive Council, Delegates, parish representatives,<br />
educators, sister organizations,<br />
our faithful parishioners, <strong>and</strong> to all those<br />
who labor for the splendor of our Church <strong>and</strong><br />
nation, <strong>and</strong> join you in proclaiming,<br />
“Christ is risen from the dead.<br />
Blessed be the Resurrection of Christ.” f
20 The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009
The <strong>Armenia</strong>n Reporter | April 11, 2009