California Courier Online, July 1, 2004
1 – Commentary
Pres. Kocharian Talks Tough
At Council of Europe Meeting
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Paris’ Dr. Herve Georgelin Appointed
Kazan Visiting Professor at Fresno State
3 – Vartan Gregorian Awarded
Presidential Medal of Freedom
4 – 372 Students Graduate at Mashdots
College’s 12th Commencement
5 – Moscow Armenian
Claims to be Cher’s
Long Lost Cousin
6 – Governor Appoints
Kalustian Chief Deputy
Director of L.A. Office
7 – UAF’s 129th Airlift Delivers
$1 Million of Aid to Armenia
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1 – Commentary
Pres. Kocharian Talks Tough
At Council of Europe Meeting
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Pres. Kocharian delivered a tough speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE) meeting in Strasbourg on June 23. He defended
his government’s actions against both domestic and foreign detractors, and
going on the offensive, blasted his internal critics and Armenia’s external
enemies.
In a speech delivered in Russian, Pres. Kocharian covered three main
topics: 1) the recent demonstrations by the opposition seeking his
resignation; 2) the Karabagh conflict; and 3) Armenian-Turkish relations.
While the leaders of the opposition in Armenia disputed the President’s
characterization of their activities, they grudgingly praised, for the
first time, his bold position on the Karabagh conflict.
Domestic Issues
Pres. Kocharian openly admitted that Armenia has not yet “achieved the
desirable level of democratic freedoms.” He said, “Democracy has a long way
to go in a country with high poverty indicators.” Yet, the President added,
“despite the blockade implemented by two fellow members of this very
organization” [Turkey and Azerbaijan], the “annual GDP growth has averaged
12% for the last three consecutive years.”
Kocharian rhetorically asked: “what fostered the activity of the opposition
to replace parliamentary work with revolutionary rallies? …Double-digit
economic growth figures and budgetary surpluses are not fertile ground for
revolution.” He said that the opposition was trying to emulate Georgia’s
“Rose Revolution,” ignoring “the fact that Armenia’s economy, as opposed to
Georgia’s, is undergoing a dynamic advance. Our government is efficient and
our democratic achievements are safeguarded by institutional structures,
including a law enforcement system capable of protecting public order.
History has often demonstrated that inspiration from foreign revolutions
never results in positive outcomes.”
Karabagh Never a Part of Azerbaijan
Pres. Kocharian took the position that Karabagh’s independence does not
undermine Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity because Karabagh historically
was never a part of Azerbaijan. When the Soviet Union was collapsing, the
Karabagh autonomous region, under the then existing Soviet laws, declared
its independence from the USSR, just as Azerbaijan had done. Therefore two
separate states emerged.
Declaring that the “independence of Karabagh today has a 16 year history,”
the President emphatically said: “an entire generation grew up there that
can think of no other status for the country. The Nagorno-Karabagh Republic
today is an established state, in essence meeting all the Council of
Europe’s membership criteria.”
Genocide and Turkish-Armenian Relations
Pres. Kocharian then said: “I would like to comment on Armenian-Turkish
relations, or rather, on their absence. Those relations are shaded by the
memories of the past: the Genocide, its consequences, and the lack of
repentance. Nowadays, the situation is worsened by the blockade of Armenia
by Turkey. I would like to outline two principles which in my view are
crucial to finding the way out of this impasse: First, the development of
practical ties and deliberations over the inherited problems must take
place
in different dimensions, and one must not influence the other. Secondly,
Armenian-Turkish relations must not be conditioned by our relations with a
third country. No prizes for guessing that I am referring to Azerbaijan.”
Pres. Kocharian then answered questions from various Parliamentarians. When
asked by a French representative about the closed Turkish-Armenian border
in view of Turkey’s desire to join the European Union (EU), he responded:
“Turkey’s desire to enter the EU must assume the fulfillment of norms that
are required of all member states and from all states that desire EU
membership. Having open borders and resolving conflicts with neighboring
states should be a pre-condition for Turkey’s accession to the EU. That
would provide an incentive for this problem to be resolved.”
In response to a question from an Azeri Parliamentarian on whether
“returning” to Azerbaijan the 7 territories surrounding Karabagh could be
viewed as a confidence-building measure, Kocharian said that Armenia is
wary of a piecemeal approach. It prefers a package deal. “If Azerbaijan had
signed the document prepared in Key West, Florida, the fate of most of
these territories would have been resolved.” Kocharian bluntly told the
Azeri representative, “Karabagh was never yours.”
In response to a question on the Armenian Genocide from a Turkish
representative, Kocharian said: “the past should be studied, particularly
since the consequences of the past have not been eradicated. …It is not
understandable to Armenians why Turkey is maintaining the blockade? Why is
Turkey isolating Armenia in various international institutions? Didn’t 1915
happen, in the last century? There is a problem. Instead of taking certain
steps, establishing normal relations, overcoming that psychological
obstacle, you are exacerbating the already complex relations by blockading
Armenia. What has Turkey done to remove that obstacle? After [Armenia’s]
independence, the Armenian-Turkish border is blockaded and diplomatic
relations are rejected. If you think that we can’t survive without you, you
are mistaken. We can survive; we are developing in a normal manner. But as
neighbors, I do not consider such relations normal.”
The most explosive exchange took place when an Azeri representative asked
Pres. Kocharian about his personal involvement in the Karabagh war.
Kocharian said: “regarding my participation in military activities, yes, I
am from Karabagh by birth. I must tell you that since 1988 my kids have not
had a childhood. I have three children. The oldest was 7 years old at the
time. From 1991 to 1994 they were living in cellars due to attacks by Azeri
jets. Yes, I am proud of the results we have today.”
It is noteworthy that Pres. Kocharian’s tough statements come on the heels
of two other recent bold moves: The President’s refusal to go to Istanbul
to participate in the NATO Summit meeting, and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian’s announcement on June 14 that Armenia intends to veto Turkey’s
upcoming OSCE chairmanship.
Armenians worldwide should support these moves for two reasons: 1) to
strengthen the Armenian government’s ability to withstand the
counter-pressures by Armenia’s opponents; and 2) to help Armenian
policymakers correctly assess their country’s capabilities in vigorously
pursuing foreign policy objectives without taking undue risks.
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2 – Paris’ Dr. Hervé Georgelin Appointed
Kazan Visiting Professor at Fresno State
FRESNO – Dr. Hervé Georgelin, of Paris, France, has been appointed as the
5th Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan visiting Professor of Armenian Studies for
the Fall 2004 semester.
Dr. Georgelin will be teaching a three unit course, Armenian Studies
120T-“Armenians’ Odyssey: Out of Empires Towards Diaspora,” on Tuesdays and
Thursday, from 3:30-4:45 PM.
The course will cover the last two centuries of Armenian history, with
particular emphasis on the following main points: “The existence of the
Armenian people without an Armenian nation for centuries,” “The genocidal
watershed in Armenian history: expulsion from Anatolia,” and “The dynamics
between the independent Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora, home for the
majority of the world’s Armenian population.”
As part of his visiting professorship, Dr. Georgelin will give three public
lectures in the fall, under the general topic of “Western Armenian
Journalists in the Political Arena: Watchful People in Critical Times.”
He received his PhD from the Department of History and Civilisations,
EHESS, Paris. His dissertation is on the plural urban society of
Smyrna/Izmir at the end of the Ottoman Empire, until its destruction in
September 1922, following the entry of the Turkish nationalist army into
the city.
Dr. Georgelin has published numerous articles on the history of the late
Ottoman Empire and on Smyrna in particular. He is fluent in French,
English, German, modern Greek, Armenian, Turkish, Italian and Russian.
For more information on how to register for the course contact the Armenian
Studies Program at 559-278-2669.
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3 – Vartan Gregorian Awarded
Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC (AP) Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation
of New York, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United
State’s highest civil award, by President George W. Bush at the White House
on June 23.
The award was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize
civilians for their service during World War II, and it was reinstated by
President Kennedy in 1963 to honor distinguished service.
“We are greatly pleased to see Vartan Gregorian’s years of public service
and tremendous contributions to the field of education recognized by
President Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. “Armenian Americans join today with Armenians
around the world in honoring Dr. Gregorian’s scholarship and many
achievements in world of learning, his truly tireless leadership in the
civic life of the United States, and, of course, his abiding devotion to
his Armenian heritage.”
Born in Tabriz, Iran, Gregorian received his elementary education in Iran
and his secondary education in at the Armenian Nshan Palandjian Jemaran in
Lebanon. In 1956 he entered Stanford University, where he majored in
history and the humanities, graduating with honors in 1958. He was awarded
a PhD in history and humanities from Stanford in 1964. A former university
professor who has taught European and Middle Eastern history at San
Francisco State College, UCLA, and the University of Texas at Austin,
Gregorian joined the University of Pennsylvania faculty in 1972 and was
appointed Tarzian Professor of History and professor of South Asian
history. He was founding dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and four years later became its provost
until 1981. That year, Gregorian assumed his position as president of the
New York Public Library, an institution with a network of four research
libraries and 83 circulating libraries. Prior to his current position with
the Carnegie Corporation, which he assumed in June 1997, Gregorian served
for nine years as the 16th president of Brown University following his
appointment to the position in 1989.
The recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, Gregorian was
awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986 and the American Academy of
the Institute of Arts and Letters’ Gold Medal for Service to the Arts in
1989. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Humanities
Medal.
Gregorian joins Pope John Paul II, American entertainment icon Doris Day,
entrepreneur Estee Lauder, famed golf champion Arnold Palmer and eight
other distinguished men and women in receiving the prestigious award.
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4 – 372 Students Graduate at Mashdots
College’s 12th Commencement
GLENDALE – Mashdots College successfully completed its 12th academic year
with commencement ceremonies held June 19 at the Calvary Presbyterian
Church in Glendale.
A host of civic and community leaders, educators, parents and friends
attended the ceremonies.
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan, who is also the College
President, emphasized the importance of the College’s mission, and its
unwavering commitment to serve the Armenian community not only to preserve
but also to enhance and strengthen a very unique heritage.
On behalf of the Class of 2004, Diana Shahumyan thanked the college Board
of Trustees, administration and faculty for their dedicated efforts in
providing unique educational opportunities to Armenian youth and adults.
She expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Der Yeghiayan for his
dynamic leadership by presenting him a “Leader for Educators and Educator
for Leaders” plaque to him.
Glendale City Councilman Dave Weaver expressed his gratitude to the College
for its role in educating the leaders of tomorrow. “Mashdots College is the
pride of our city and I commend its visionary leadership for making dreams
come true.”
The keynote speaker, Armenian Consul General to Los Angeles Gagik
Kirakosian gave an inspiring speech commending the students for their
achievements and encouraged them to continue striving to do their best. At
the conclusion of his remarks, President Der Yeghiayan honored the Consul
General by presenting the College’s “St. Mesrob Mashdots” medal in
appreciation of his service.
Talented vocalists Araksi Garabedian, Larissa Nigoghossian and Gagik
Badalian of the Class of 2004 presented medley of Armenian songs.
Department chairs Dr. Nora Sahkian, Hripsig Nalbandian, Onnik Bayramian,
Vartan Aprahamian and attorney Roupen Avsharian joined Consul General
Kirakosian and Dr. Der Yeghiayan in awarding diplomas to 372 graduates.
Los Angeles Times/Glendale News Press reporter Gary Moskowitz was
recognized by the College for his journalistic professionalism, versatility
and integrity, and received a special plaque of appreciation.
After Dr. Der Yeghiayan closing remarks, Rev. Ashot Kambourian gave the
benediction.
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5 – Moscow Armenian
Claims to be Cher’s
Long Lost Cousin
MOSCOW – During a visit to Moscow to perform in her Farewell Tour,
Armenian-American entertainer and Oscar winner, Cher was approached by an
Armenian man at the Moscow airport, claiming to be her cousin.
Yerevan resident, Marvel Sarkisian showed her a picture of his father, and
claimed that he was Cher’s father’s brother, making him her cousin.
Sarkisian said his father Vardan was killed in World War II, and his
brother, Karapet, who was allegedly Cher’s father, went to the United
States via Bulgaria and changed his name to John.
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian.
According to the Moscow newspaper Komsomolskaya, Marvel said he was ready
to have an DNA analysis to prove his relationship with Cher, but, according
to the newspaper, the Armenian-American actress did not talk to him and
left shortly after the Armenian man spoke to her.
Cher’s concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg coincided with the Moscow
International Film Festival which was held in the Russian capital last
week. Hollywood actress and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep also came to Moscow
to attend Cher’s concert. Streep and Cher performed together in the motion
picture, “Silkwood” which was directed by Mike Nichols.
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6 – Governor Appoints
Kalustian Chief Deputy
Director of L.A. Office
LOS ANGELES – Lisa Kalustian, 40, of North Hills, Calif., has been
appointed chief deputy director of Governor Arnold Swarzenegger’s Los
Angeles Office, the Governor’s office announced last week.
She most recently served as vice president of public affairs for the
western region of Health Net, Inc.
Kalustian is also currently a member of the board of directors of the
Armenian Assembly of America and Coro Southern California.
The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is
$105,000.
Kalustian is a Republican.
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7 – UAF’s 129th Airlift Delivers
$1 Million of Aid to Armenia
GLENDALE – The United Armenian Fund’s 129th airlift arrived in Yerevan on
June 26, delivering $1 million of humanitarian assistance.
The UAF itself collected $262,000 of medicines and medical supplies for
this flight, most of which were donated by AmeriCares ($138,000) and the
Catholic Medical Mission Board ($123,000).
Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were:
Armenian Eyecare Project ($351,000); Armenian Missionary Association of
America ($78,000); Dr. Mary Alani/Focus Armenia ($62,000); Medical Outreach
for Armenians ($53,000); Foundation Semra ($30,000); Armenian American
Medical Association of California and Knights of Vartan – Sevan Tahlij
($24,000); Armenian Canadian Medical Association ($22,000); and Nork Marash
Medical Center ($14,000).
Also contributing to this airlift were: Dr. Robert Garabedian of
California ($12,000); Arabkir United Children’s Charity Foundation
($11,000); Harut Chantikian of New Jersey ($11,000); E. Cherian/George
Washington University ($11,000); and Dr. Elizabeth Weller of Pennsylvania
($10,000).
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $385 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 129 airlifts and 1,064 sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, the Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America, the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the
Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
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