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09/10/2004
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1) ANCA Fellowship Established in Memory of Hovig Apo Saghdejian
2) Armenian Americans Reach out to Republicans at National Convention
3) Tbilisi Condemns Resumption of Sokhumi-Moscow Railway
4) Armenians and Georgians Clash in Ninotsminda
5) Kocharian, Allies Review Proposed Reforms
6) Austria Says to Wait for EU Turkey report
1) ANCA Fellowship Established in Memory of Hovig Apo Saghdejian
— Over $50,000 Donated for Innovative Fund to Open Doors to Public Service
for
Young Armenians
WASHINGTON, DC–The family of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, the 23-year-old student
and Armenian community activist who lost his life this July in a car accident,
has established a trust fund in his memory to advance the Armenian Cause by
helping to bring promising young Armenian Americans to Washington, DC to
pursue
careers in public service.
Hovig’s sudden and tragic death has been a great loss for his family,
friends,
and the Armenian American community–in the Central Valley and around the
nation. He was an exemplary son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend, who
left a legacy of love for his family and friends, and of selfless devotion to
his fellow Armenians and his cultural heritage. This proud son of the Armenian
nation was laid to rest at Fresno’s historic Ararat Masis Cemetery, in the
shadow of Armenian national hero Soghomon Tehlirian.
In his memory, Hovig’s father Apo, his mother Rosine, and sister, Nayiri have
asked that donations be made to the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship of the
ANCA
Capital Gateway Program. These funds will be held in perpetuity, with all the
income from fund using to finance the participation of young Armenian
Americans
in the ANCA Capital Gateway Program (CGP). This innovative program provides
qualified college students and graduates the opportunity to secure part-time
internship and full-time government, public policy, and media-related job
opportunities in the nation’s capital.
The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship fund, which has already collected over
$50,000, will on an ongoing basis, sponsor a Fellow, covering his/her housing
and providing a full range of support services–from improving the design of
their resumes and sharpening their interview skills, to making the right
introductions and integrating them into the growing network of Armenian
American public policy professionals in the nation’s capital. As one Hovig Apo
Saghdejian Fellow secures a full-time public policy job and graduates from the
program, another will be brought to Washington, DC to take his or her place,
ensuring a succession of fellowships that will, over the years, place
dozens of
Armenian American youth in the key positions from which they can support
issues
of concern to Armenian Americans. Typically, a Fellow is able to secure a
full-time position within three months.
For detailed information about the Capital Gateway Program, visit:
“The ANCA is deeply grateful that Hovig’s family has chosen to honor their
son’s memory–and to mark the loss of this exceptional young man–by opening
doors for the youth of our community to the new opportunities we are creating
here in Washington, DC to advance the sacred cause of our ancient nation,”
said
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “We are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of
support for the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship, and invite Armenian
Americans–in Fresno and around the nation–to continue building this fund in
the service of coming generations.”
Hovig Apo Saghdejian was born on December 31, 1980 in Fresno, California. He
completed his elementary education at the Armenian Community School of Fresno.
After graduation from the Armenian school, Hovig attended Kastner Intermediate
and later Clovis West High School, where he received his high school diploma,
as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors.
Early in life, Hovig became a member of the Homenetmen Armenian General
Athletic Union and Scouts, and he joined the ranks of the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF). These were the stepping-stones on which Hovig continued to
live his life. After graduating from Clovis West in 1998, Hovig attended
Fresno
City College, California State University of Fresno, and the University of
California, Berkeley, where he majored in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an
emphasis on economics, philosophy and film studies. While attending college,
Hovig was active in the Armenian Student’s Association. He also received
numerous honors, such as the Armenian Relief Society Merit Scholarship and
Foundation West Merit Scholarship.
Hovig had a passion for his Armenian culture that was instilled by his family.
As an active member of AYF and Homenetmen, as both a Scout and athlete, he
contributed to the welfare of the Armenian American community and reinforced
his commitment to his Homeland. He visited Armenia with the Land and Culture
Organization, and traveled to Beirut, Lebanon with the Hamazkayin Cultural
Society to broaden his cultural understanding.
As a devoted son of the Saghdejian family, Hovig lived a life of
commitment to
the Armenian Cause and his ancient Armenian homeland. He breathed life into
the
ideals of his youth by working to preserve and reinvent Armenian identity in
America, while bringing a sense of optimism to the people of Armenia for a
better future. As a volunteer with the Land and Culture organization, Hovig
traveled to Armenia during the summer of 2003 to work as a volunteer in
Ayroum,
developing infrastructure and self-sustainability for the impoverished
population of this village. Beyond the value of the hard work that contributed
significantly to the well being of the villagers, Hovig’s efforts helped bring
hope to all he came in contact with that the future held better things for the
people of Armenia. Commenting on his time in Ayroum, in a testimonial on the
Land and Culture website, Hovig explained that, “I know that when I reflect
back on this experience I will feel ecstatic about the work we accomplished,
the things we saw, and the bonds we forged.”
Hovig performed his civic duties by being politically involved, not only with
the ANCA, but also with Congressman George Radanovich and State Assemblymember
Steve Samuelian on campaign and public policy projects.
Hovig enjoyed life, family, and friends. He had a very special bond with his
parents, Apo and Rosine, and sister, Nayiri. He spent his spare time helping
his mother at the Adult Day Care Center, and his father with the family
business. Besides being confident, intelligent, and a driven young man, Hovig
was also lovable, caring, witty, comical, laid back and very, very
charming. He
was a fine young man who always wore a smile on his face and somehow always
managed to brighten up a room.
Those who would like to contribute to this effort should make checks payable
to the ANCA Endowment Fund, with “Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship” in the memo
section, and addressed to:
ANCA Endowment Fund
Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship
888 17th St. NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006-3307
A Word of Thanks
On the sad occasion of the passing of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, his parents Apo
and Rosine Saghdejian and sister, Nayiri Saghdejian would like to express
their
deepest thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Board of
Trustees of the Holy Trinity Mother Church, Fr. and Yeretzgin Vahan Gosdanian,
Fr. Hrant Yeretzian, Archpriest Nareg Shrikian, Fr. Hrant Arabian, Fr. Yeghia
Hairabedian, Very Reverend Bernard Geokezian, Very Reverend Mgrdich Melkonian,
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau, ARF Central Committee Western
USA, Fresno ARF Soghomon Tehlirian Gomidehoutiun, Fresno AYF Kevork Chavoush
Chapter, Fresno ARF Krisdapor Badanegan Chapter, ANCA Western Region, ANC
Fresno Chapter, ARS Western Region Central Executive, Fresno ARS Mayr and
Sophia Chapters Executives and Members, Homenetmen Western Region Central
Executive, Fresno Homenetmen Sassoun and San Francisco Homenetmen Executives
and Members, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association Western
Region Central Executive, Fresno Hamazkayin Taniel Varoujan Chapter Executive
and Members, Land and Culture, Yerkir-USA, Kessab Research Association, Dr.
Ara
Soghomonian, and to all those who personally, through letters, phone calls,
flowers and in-lieu-of-flowers donations, shared in their deep sorrow.
2) Armenian Americans Reach out to Republicans at National Convention
NEW YORK–Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) activists joined
Republican Armenians from throughout the country this past week, descending
onto the Big Apple to interact with elected officials and spread their message
among the thousands of party faithful that filled the convention halls and
hospitality suites at the quadrennial Convention of the Republican National
Committee.
The Armenian American participation at the Convention highlighted the
leadership of dozens of Congressional Republicans on issues of special concern
to the Armenian American community, including Congressional Armenian Issues
Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and George Radanovich, the lead
author of the Genocide Resolution. On the Senate side, leading advocates of
Armenian issues include Senators Mitch McConnell, who chairs the panel that
writes the foreign aid bill, George Allen, and John Ensign. The
Administration,
in contrast, has been less supportive on Armenian American issues, having
opposed a number of key initiatives, including those recognizing the Armenian
Genocide.
Armenian Americans took full advantage of opportunities in and around Madison
Square Garden, meeting with State delegations, attending receptions and
speaking directly to key Party officials. During these interactions, they
explained issues of concern to Armenian Americans, ranging from recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, to increased aid, expanded trade, the lifting of the
blockades, and self-determination for Karabagh. They noted, as well, the large
and politically active Armenian American communities in several key swing
states, including Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and
Oregon.
At a Veteran for Bush event on August 31 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in
Manhattan, the keynote speaker, Congressman Duncan Hunter, Chairman of the
Armed Services Committee, was interviewed by ANCA activists. He commented on
his long-standing relationship with Armenians, and noted that he had recently
joined the Armenian Caucus. When asked about Genocide Resolution, the
California Congressman stressed, “It did happen–the Armenian Genocide.” He
related a story of Armenian friends who were his family neighbors who had
taught him about how the Ottoman government had attempt to annihilate its
Armenian population during World War I.
At the USS Intrepid, now permanently docked as a museum at a pier on the
Hudson River, the Massachusetts delegation sponsored an event featuring
Governor Mitt Romney. Attending the event was Congressman Joe Knollenberg of
Michigan, who also spoke to ANCA activists on various Armenian issues,
including the resolution of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. Congressman
Knollenberg stated that he believed in the right to self-determination of the
people of Artsakh and would continue to defend this principle. The ANCA of
Michigan recently held a community briefing and fundraiser for the
Congressman.
Congressman Buck McKeon (R-CA), who represents the Santa Clarita area of Los
Angeles, commented to ANCA representatives that he is committed to issues of
concern to Armenian Americans. He also related stories of his longstanding
relationships, both personal and professional, with Armenian Americans back in
his home district.
ANCA activists also met with Mayor Scott Avedisian of Warwick, Rhode Island,
the youngest Mayor in the history of that city. Mayor Avedisian credited the
local ANCA chapter’s hard work and support in his campaign victory and
encouraged Armenians from all party affiliations to become more involved in
politics to ensure that the Armenian American viewpoint is heard. The Mayor
congratulated Glendale Mayors Rafi Manoukian and Bob Yousefian for joining the
“small but growing club of Mayors of Armenian ancestry in the United States.”
“We’re fortunate to have so many great Armenian Americans involved in the
Republican Party, from both the East coast and the West coasts,” commented
Doug
Geogerian, ANCA-ER Executive Director. “This convention was a tremendous
opportunity for us to thank our Republican friends and encourage others to
support our issues.”
ANCA activists Sevag Demirjian and several other volunteers joined Georgerian
as part of the ANCA delegation at the Convention throughout the week. Also
playing a central role in this effort was Massachusetts delegate, John
Meurgerian, who is a former ANCA “Leo Sarkissian” intern and recently returned
from serving in Iraq with the Army’s 4th Infantry. Other delegates included
community activist Bob Simonian, who earlier this year worked on securing
Genocide recognition statements from the Governors of various states who
previously had not had a stance on this human rights issue.
3) Tbilisi Condemns Resumption of Sokhumi-Moscow Railway
TBILISI (Civil Georgia)–After 11 years of not operating, the railway
connection between Moscow and Sokhumi, the capital of Georgia’s breakaway
Abkhazia, resumed on September 10, despite protests from Georgia.
The rail link connecting Georgia and Russia ceased operating after Abkhazia
seceded from Georgia in a violent conflict 11 years ago.
“With the restoration of the railway link, both Moscow and Sukhumi violate
all
the existing agreements. This is nothing more but disrespect of the country’s
[Georgia’s] sovereignty,” Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolutions
Goga
Khaindrava said on Friday.
In December 2002 Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to re-open the link between the two
countries
via Sukhumi, with the Georgian side demanding return of the Georgian displaced
persons to Abkhazia’s easternmost Gali region as a precondition
Claims of Pre-election Sabotage
Abkhazia’s Security Minister Mikhail Tarba accused Georgian special services
of plotting sabotage and terrorist acts in the breakaway region on the eve of
the presidential elections, scheduled in the breakaway region for October 3.
“The Georgian special services aim to disrupt the forthcoming presidential
elections and trigger destabilization in Abkhazia,” Abkhaz news agency
Apsnypress reported on September 9 quoting Tarba as saying. “The lives of the
presidential candidates are in real danger,” he said, adding that the Georgian
armed groups have been noticed in the regions of Gulripshi and Ochamchire of
breakaway Abkhazia. Meanwhile, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said on
September 10, that Georgia does not intend to launch hostilities with Sokhumi,
adding that a resolution can be found via negotiations; he added, however,
that
Georgia should strengthen its military forces.
He also called on the Russian politicians to refrain from unilateral moves
towards Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
“Everybody should understand that Grozny [capital of Chechnya] and
Vladikavkaz
[capital of Russia’s North Ossetia] belong to Russia, while Sokhumi [Abkhazian
capital] and Tskhinvali [South Ossetian capital] are part of Georgia. So, you
[the Russians] can arrive here as tourists,” Saakashvili said.
4) Armenians and Georgians Clash in Ninotsminda
YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Two ethnic Georgians initiated a clash between Georgians and
ethnic Armenians in the southern Georgian region of Ninotsminda on
September 6.
After drinking in a restaurant, the chief of the Georgian National Security
Ministry’s local branch, and the deputy head of the Ninotsminda district
council, attempted to fill up their car at a local gas station without paying,
saying that Ninotsiminda belongs to Georgians and everything should be free
for
Georgians.
After being denied free gas by the Armenian employee, the Georgian officials
attacked and beat him. The local police interfered, but were unable to stop
the
shoot-out that followed a fistfight. The Georgian officials were arrested and
transported to Akhaltsikha.
5) Kocharian, Allies Review Proposed Reforms
YEREVAN (Armenpress)–President Robert Kocharian met with coalition government
leaders on Friday to review proposed constitutional reforms and issues
relating
to the upcoming National Assembly session.
After the meeting, the president’s chief constitutional attorney Armen
Harutiunian said that discussions on proposed reforms would have to continue.
“We still don’t know how the process will unfold,” he said.
6) Austria Says to Wait for EU Turkey report
VIENNA (Reuters)–Austria’s foreign ministry stuck by a wait-and-see position
on Friday on Turkish membership in the European Union, after Vienna’s finance
minister said he opposed starting membership talks with Ankara.
A foreign ministry spokesman declined to comment directly on remarks by
Austrian Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser, a former member of Joerg
Haider’s
anti-immigrant Freedom Party (FPO).
“The position of the foreign ministry is the old one, that we have to wait
first for the Commission report on Turkey and only then can a decision be
made,” the spokesman said.
The EU executive is due to recommend next month whether Turkey has made
sufficient progress on democracy, human rights and the rule of law to open
accession talks next year.
Austria’s centre-right government coalition, which includes Haider’s FPO, has
long been reserved about Ankara’s bid.
Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, whose conservative People’s Party dominates
the
two-party coalition, on Friday said the issue must still be discussed
thoroughly.
“The discussion is just beginning,” Schuessel told a news conference, before
Grasser spoke at a meeting of EU finance ministers in the Netherlands.
“I think Turkey’s membership of the EU would not be helpful. I am amazed that
in the debate going on in Europe that practically no one has the courage to
say
that openly,” Grasser told reporters.
Grasser, who is now an independent, said Turkey was “certainly not ready for
Europe.”
EU diplomats said in June that Austria had tried to water down the EU’s
commitment to open entry talks with Turkey. The effort, which was rebuffed,
came when EU ambassadors prepared a draft declaration ahead of the 25-nation
bloc’s summit in June.
Polls have consistently found a majority of Austrians against Turkey entering
the EU.
A survey in May in the news magazine Format found 56 percent of those polled
said they could not imagine Turkey in the EU, 26 percent said they saw it as
possible and 13 percent could imagine full Turkish membership.
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