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The Armenian Reporter | June 21, 2008InternationalMillennium Challenge Corp. watching Armenia developments$235 million in aidover five years atstakeby Yelena Osipova andEmil SanamyanWASHINGTON – The Board ofDirectors of the Millennium ChallengeCorporation (MCC) is takingan active interest in the politicalsituation in Armenia and discussedit at its meeting on June 17, MCCChief Executive Officer AmbassadorJohn Danilovich said at the publicoutreach briefing the same day.There was concern ahead of themeeting that the MCC board maysuspend or cancel its $235 millionfive-year assistance program in Armenia.The terms of MCC grants requirerecipient countries to maintainstandards of ruling justly, investingin people, and maintainingeconomic freedom.While no decision was taken onthe suspension of MCC-funded programsin Armenia, Mr. Danilovichindicated that the board has been“encouraged” by Armenia’s mostrecent steps and will continue towatch developments to see whetherArmenia remains eligible for aid.Mr. Danilovich said he communicatedthe MCC’s concerns to thegovernment of Armenia followingthe March board meeting in awarning letter to then-PresidentRobert Kocharian and more recentlythrough communicationswith President Serge Sargsian.The messages sent to the Armeniangovernment are part of anMCC policy process that governspotential suspension or terminationof assistance. Mr. Danilovichsaid that the board wanted to makeit clear to President Sargsian thatArmenia now has the opportunity“to make the reforms that are necessarywith regards to the rightsto public assembly, the creation ofan ad hoc bipartisan commissionto investigate the election, to takecertain action with regard to politicalprisoners and to continue inother areas of reform to take Armeniaon the path of democracy.”Furthermore, the land blockadehas done absolutely nothing to persuadeArmenia to alter its policieson the Nagorno-Karabakh issue– the ostensible cause of the landblockade in the first place. Nor isthere any prospect that it will doso. Armenia has demonstrated itsresolve to support the Armeniansof Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey ismore likely to win influence withthe Armenian government if itpursues a policy of good-neighborlinessthan if it slams the borderclosed.Why hasn’t the State Department– which opposes the landblockade – spoken out more forcefullyon this matter? Certainly it’sin our interest to diminish Iran’sinfluence among its neighbors, notto enhance it. Ambassador Fried,I’m hoping you’ll lay out for us thesteps our government has takenand is taking to convince our allyTurkey to end, once and for all,this counter-productive practice ofclosed borders.And by no means is Turkey Armenia’sonly problem in the region.I’m deeply concerned by the seriesof increasingly bellicose statementsSimilar recommendations toArmenia were made by the ParliamentaryAssembly of the Councilof Europe in April.Mr. Danilovich welcomed the reformsalready enacted and signedinto law over the past severalweeks. The “MCC board is expectingthat the Armenian governmentwill continue to make the appropriatereforms so that our cooperationon the poverty-reduction programscan continue as fruitfully as it has[so far],” Mr. Danilovich added.MCC board member and InternationalRepublican Institute (IRI)president Lorne Craner said thereform efforts are “a measure ofimportance that the Armenian governmentattaches to MCC.” He saidthe board will continue to closelymonitor the process and the otherways in which the Armenian governmentwill improve on democracyand human rights.“I am confident that at least atthe next few meetings we are goingto get reports on how Armeniais doing in respect to these issues,”he said. Mr. Craner stressed, however,that board meetings are notrequired for the MCC to take actionon the Armenia compact, shouldevents warrant a more immediateresponse.Compact movesforward despite “hold”on one projectMr. Danilovich said that the program’simplementation in Armeniais continuing and that the MCC is“very pleased” with many parts ofit.However, when asked by the ArmenianReporter, Mr. Danilovichconfirmed that about a month agothe corporation had put on holdthe commencement of negotiationson a package of road projectsin order to send a clear message tothe Armenian government aboutits concerns.“We are considering our positionon that as we go forward and wewill be making some decisions onthat regard in the coming weeks,”Mr. Danilovich added.Although on March 12 Secretaryof State Condoleezza Rice said ina congressional hearing that the 20-made over the past year about Nagorno-Karabakhby senior Azerbaijaniofficials, as well as the steadyincrease in Azerbaijan’s defensebudget as that nation acquires moreoil wealth. The serious breakdownearlier this year in the 14-year-oldcease-fire has been widely blamedon Azerbaijani provocations. Mr.Ambassador, how do you see thissituation, and what is the status ofnegotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh?Turning to Georgia, in recentweeks, we’ve seen increasingly aggressiveRussian behavior towardthe region of Abkhazia: Moscowhas established official ties withthe separatist government there,issued passports and citizenship toits residents, dispatched a Russianjet to down a Georgian reconnaissancecraft, and deployed railwaytroops to the region under dubiouspretenses.It was dispiriting to hear the newRussian president, Dmitry Medvedev,dismiss offers of foreign mediationof this conflict during hisfirst official meeting in early Junewith Georgian President MikhailSaakashvilli. Although the UnitedStates and the European Unionexpressed support for the GeorgianPresident’s peace initiativesday state of emergency in Yerevandeclared on March 1 had “made itnecessary to suspend” some of U.S.assistance programs, other officialsdenied that any “suspension” occurred.In a March 20 interview withthe Armenian Reporter, Deputy AssistantSecretary of State MattBryza said that any MCC suspensiondecisions would be based on a“subjective judgment” on whethera country has made “large amountof backtracking” from democraticstandards.Economic performanceand MCC eligibilityIn addition to such subjective criteria,Armenia’s annual eligibilityfor the MCC program is determinedbased on its democracy, economicfreedoms, and social spending ratingswhen compared against countriesin similar economic condition.Because of Armenia’s improvedeconomic performance, it has graduatedfrom the lower-income to thelower-middle income category. As aresult, starting this year its indicatorsare judged relative to less poorcountries.Asked by the Armenian Reporterwhether this would have an impacton Armenia’s eligibility, Mr. Cranerresponded in the negative. “Thisis not the issue in Armenia,” Mr.Craner said. “The issue in Armeniais [about] the election” and its aftermath.Howard L. Berman’s opening statementn Continued from page during their recent summit inSlovenia, follow-up efforts by EUforeign policy chief Javier Solanaand your deputy Matt Bryza to encouragepeace talks have garneredlittle traction. Mr. Ambassador,what steps will this Administrationtake in the coming months tohelp prevent further escalation ofthis conflict? And do you supportcalls for the Russian-dominatedCIS peacekeeping force to be replacedby a neutral EU contingentas one means of mitigating theconflict?And finally, I’d like to address anissue with long-term implicationsfor U.S. foreign policy throughoutthe region: the prospect ofdemocratization and political developmentin the South Caucasus.Lately in the wake of elections inthe region, there has been a worryingtrend of large-scale protestsand forceful police reaction. Thisexplosive combination has the effectof silencing the oppositionand strengthening ruling politicalregimes in a region that is stillstruggling to establish its democraticcredentials.Last fall, the Georgian governmentimposed a sweeping state ofemergency following demonstrationsby thousands of protestersMr. Danilovich said the MCC hasa certain level of “fluidity” aboutthe indicators, as the corporationrecognizes that they are not perfect:the indicators may suffer froma time-lag or inaccurate information.However, he said, the MCC hasa special Policy Improvement Programto find out ways to target variousaspects of institutional functioningand improve that performanceon an annual basis, in casea country has “started to slip” inits indicative performance, whichinitially had allowed it to join theMCC.Inside-the-beltwaystruggle underway forMCC fundsThe board meeting came at a difficulttime for the four-year-oldcorporation. Sen. Judd Gregg (R.-N.H.) offered an amendment lastmonth seeking to strip the MCC ofmore than half a billion dollars inunspent funds in Fiscal Years 2008and 2009, to be used for humanitarianaid around the world. (Seethe May 24 issue of the ArmenianReporter.)According to a June 16 postingon the Center for Global Development’sblog, “the rumor has itthat the original $525 million rescissionof FY08 funding to theMCC [proposed by Sen. Gregg]has been reduced in conference[to reconcile Senate and Houseover a government that appearedout of touch with the people. Armeniaexperienced violent clashesthat left eight people dead followingMarch presidential elections.And Azerbaijan could suffer asimilar fate during its presidentialelections in October, as thegovernment is already crackingdown on the media and opposition.Mr. Ambassador, we wouldwelcome your assessment of thedemocratic prospects of thesecountries, which are of suchgreat strategic importance to theUnited States. Given unstable regimesand considerable politicalacrimony, what is the potentialJohn Danilovichon right withLorne Craneron June 17.Photo: ArmenianReporter.versions of the spending bill] toaround $60 million.”Mr. Danilovich argued that theeffort to rescind the funds arosein part from a misunderstandingof the way MCC operates. It takestime to determine eligibility andcarry out negotiations with eligiblestates, and multiyear contracts requirecommitted funds upfront.“The notion that we are sittingon money is wrong,” he said, addingthat programs that have beenlaunched are already bringing benefitsto farmers from Honduras toArmenia.Further, Mr. Danilovich said thatthe campaigns of presidential hopefulsJohn McCain and BarackObama have both pledged to supportthe program. The MCC wasinitiated by President George W.Bush at a time when conventionalforeign aid programs, administeredthrough U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID), havebeen cut.Mr. Danilovich said he expectsthe corporation’s total financialdisbursements in the field to risefrom $500 million currently toclose to $1 billion before the endof 2008. At its June 17 meeting,the MCC board approved a fiveyear$480 million compact withBurkino Faso, the seventeenthcountry worldwide slated to receiveMCC funds.fconnect:http://mcc.gov/countries/armeniafor fostering sustainable dialogueon a multi-party, parliamentarylevel? I would also be grateful ifyou could address the questionof how the U.S. administrationis holding these governmentsaccountable for human rightsabuses, while at the same timeworking to achieve lasting peacebetween them.It’s a tall order; we don’t have allthe time in the world to address allthe matters we’d like to today, soI’m going to stop at this point andturn to my colleague and friendIleana Ros-Lehtinen, the rankingmember of the committee, forany comments she may wish tomake.fReach over 100,000 Armenianswith your messageAdvertise in the Armenian Reporter, on the newUSArmenia Television, and on Armenia TV onthe Dish Network. For more information, from theWestern U.S. call 818.800.3311 or from the EasternU.S. call 201.226.1995.
The Armenian Reporter | June 21, 2008 5CommunityWestern Diocese ordains two priestsby Lory TatoulianHOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Twodeacons, Vahe Abovian and MayisShahbazyan, knelt on the altarand kissed the purple and goldencolored robes before ArchbishopHovnan Derderian, Primate ofthe Western Diocese, placed theembroidered vestments over theshoulders of the young men. Asthundering hymns echoed throughoutthe sanctuary and wafts of jasmineincense drifted in the air, thetwo deacons partook in a series ofrituals that marked their passageinto priesthood.Over 500 attendees, includingDiocesan clergymen from acrossthe state and former PrimateArchbishop Vatche Hovsepian,gathered at the St. John GarabedArmenian Church in Hollywood onMay 26 to witness the ordinationof Abovian and Shahbazyan. Asthey will devote their lives to theirnew sacred vocation, the two menwill assume new names, signifyingtheir role as spiritual leaders.The deacons did not know whattheir new names would be up tillthe moment Archbishop Derderianuttered them for the first time ashe anointed the young men’s foreheadswith consecrated oil (muron),thus administering the ordination.Mayis Shahbazyan will now takethe name Fr. Khajag and Vahe Abovianwill be called Fr. Avedis. Theirlast names will remain.It has been more than a decadesince the Western Diocese’s last ordinationof priests. The clergy andthe Archbishop see the inductionof the new priests as a positive stepfor the church.“This is a milestone in the life ofthe Western Diocese,” ArchbishopDerderian said. “It is not only theordination of the two priests weare celebrating, but a new beginningin the life of the church. Ordinationsare a high point for theDiocese because it is only throughnewly ordained priests that thechurch is revitalized.”Currently the Diocese has 11 candidatesawaiting elevation to therank of priest. In addition to theirFresno mourns the passing of Richard DarmanianRenownededucator served inseveral Armenianorganizationsby Alik HovsepianFRESNO, Calif. – The FresnoArmenian-American communitylost a beloved friend and leader,Richard Darmanian, who passedaway on June 10. He was 81 yearsold.Hundreds of mourners gatheredto pay their last respects on June14, when he was laid to rest. “I washonored all my life and am honorednow that he was a part of my life,”said Meher Chekerdemian, a friendand colleague of Darmanian. “Tome, he was a guy that you alwayslooked up to. He was a guy that youlooked to to relax, to just get backto reality, to get back on the rightroad, and to just start thinkingmore rationally. He always madeyou feel that way.”Darmanian was born on November21, 1926, in Sacramento, California.He and his family moved to theCentral Valley when he was a child.After graduating from Carutherstheological training, candidates arenow required to obtain a Master’sdegree in divinity to complete theireducation.“We are supporting them in everyway possible to make sure that ouryoung priests receive the best education,and are spiritually preparedto serve the Lord and the communityof the church,” the Archbishopsaid.In a time when few Armenianmen are choosing to becomepriests in this country, Shahbazyanand Abovian stand out by decidingto devote their lives to the oldestChristian institution in the world.Shahbazyan remembers goingto church as a young boy with hisgrandmother in Gyumri and feelingdeeply moved by the music ofthe Divine Liturgy. As he grew olderand more curious, Shahbazyansought to deepen his experienceand knowledge of the church. Heattended the Gevorkian SeminarySchool in Echmiadzin, where he resolvedto become a priest.“As I became an adult and learnedabout the church, I began to understandthe meaning behind therituals and the music,” Shahbazyanexplained. “I began to really understandthe beauty of the Divine Liturgyand grasp the meaning of theprayers.”Before Shahbazyan got married,he told his then-fiancée, Tamara,The ordinationof VaheAbovian – nowFather Avedis– and MayisShahbazyan– now FatherKhajag.that he wanted to become a priest.She replied by telling him that ithad always been her wish to beinvolved in the church. The couplemarried and had a son, Haik.In the Armenian church it is requiredthat a deacon first be marriedbefore becoming a priest. Ifa deacon chooses to take a vowof celibacy, he is appointed to theecclesiastical order as an apegha,and given a cowl (a monk’s hood),which symbolizes the renunciationof worldly pleasures.Fr. Shahbazyan will be serving asparish priest for the St. Leon Cathedral,slated to be built next tothe Diocesan headquarters in Burbank.High School in 1944, he earned aBA in history and a Master’s degreein guidance and counseling fromFresno State College.In 1952 Darmanian began histeaching career at Roosevelt HighSchool in Fresno, where he taughtmathematics, history, and government.He also served as counselorand dean at Roosevelt High School.Darmanian was one of the veryfirst Armenian-American administratorsto serve in the Fresno UnifiedSchool District. In 1969 he wasappointed as assistant principalof Edison High School, and principalin 1972. Then, in 1979, he wasappointed as principal of HooverHigh School. From 1984 until hisretirement in 1988, he served asdistrict administrator in the Divisionof Instruction, overseeingthe district’s high schools. He alsochaired the California State AccreditationCommission VisitingCommittees, helping ongoing accreditationprocesses for sevenhigh schools throughout the state.Darmanian was a very activeand influential member of Fresno’sArmenian community. In 1950 hebecame a member of the ARF, inwhich he went on to serve severalterms, variously as a member ofthe Regional Executive Committeeand the Central Executive Committee.Between 1952 and 1970 heserved as regional secretary of theAmerican Committee for the Independenceof Armenia (ArmenianNational Committee – ANC). Hesubsequently served as executivedirector of the ANC Central CaliforniaChapter, from 1988 to 1996.In 1960 Darmanian had the honorto serve as a pallbearer for nationalhero Soghomon Tehlirian.Darmanian was one of thefounding members of the ArmenianCommunity School of Fresno,which opened its doors in 1976,and served as chairman of theBoard of Education for six years.In addition, he served as chairmanof the Armenian CommunityCouncil of San Joaquin Valley forseveral years.Darmanian was also active inthe church. A long-time memberof the Holy Trinity Armenian ApostolicChurch, he served on itsBoard of Trustees for several years.From 1988 to 1998 he served as amember of the Executive Councilof the Western Prelacy of the ArmenianApostolic Church of NorthAmerica. He was appointed to thePrelacy’s Education Council twice,in 1990 and 1994.Other organizations and programsin which Darmanian servedincluded the California State University,Fresno, Armenian StudiesAdvisory Board; the FresnoConvention Center; the RedevelopmentAgency PAC; and the ExchangeClub of Fresno.Darmanian was deeply devotedto his family – his wife, Armon,whom he married in 1949, their sixchildren: Aram, Charlotte, Margaret,Christine, Suzanne, and Marion;and seven grandchildren. Darmanianlived on a farm for mostof his life and had a passion forfarming.In 1995 Darmanian took a tourof historic Armenia, during whichhe visited his ancestral home inMoush. Friend and fellow touristNazig Messerlian said that Darmanianlit up when they made abrief stop in Moush. The tour alsoled them to Mount Ararat, whereDarmanian got up in front of thewhole group to sing Mer Hayrenik.Messerlian noted that she wastouched by his patriotism andcourage.“He was truly a mentor and I felthe was a fatherly figure for me,”said Berge Apkarian, who workedwith Darmanian on the Board ofthe anc Central California Chapter.“He pulled me aside, he always gaveme advice, and he was proud tosee the younger Armenian generationalongside with him, engaged“The first step I am going to takeis to see what the community wantsfrom me as a priest,” Fr. Shahbazyansaid. “I also want to introduce theteachings of the church to our youth.We are in serious need of this. Theyouth needs to start coming to thebadarak [Holy Mass] once again.”Fr. Abovian is the newly appointedyouth director of the ArmenianChurch Youth Organization (acyo),a position that requires him to createawareness among the youthabout their religion, history, andculture.Fr. Abovian also felt a connectionwith the Armenian church from ayoung age. In Yerevan he lived bythe neighborhood house of worshipand he remembers always havinggreat respect for the ceremoniesand teachings of the church.“To be a priest is to really understandthe soul of the people and reallyhelp them,” Abovian said. “Workingwith the youth has always beenmy passion. It will be my missionto help the acyo grow and make iteven more relevant for the youth.We will be there to give direction.”Abovian is married to Arminehand together they have three children:Gor, Nareh, and Ani.Following the ceremonies ofordination and consecration, thecongregants gathered inside thehall of the Taglyan Cultural Center,where Armenian Consul GeneralArmen Liloyan and Diocesan Boardmembers offered congratulatoryremarks.Richard Darmanian.in such activities that were dearto his heart. He was proud to havefolks share his values, work withhim closely for the advancementof the Armenian cause. I hope wecan teach the younger generationwhat he taught us.”“Those of us who were close tohim [are better persons today] becauseof him,” Chekerdemian said.“That’s important to me because[I’ve learned a lot from] his character,his temperament, his philosophy,his values, his approach tosolving problems, and his approachto organizing.”
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