ASBAREZ Online [03-04-2005]

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03/04/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) California International Trade Office in Armenia Gets Seed Money 2) March for Humanity Campaign Will Honor Victims of Forgotten Genocide 3) ARF Faction to Propose Legislation on Sumgait Massacres 4) Organizations Ask Bush to Follow Evans Example 5) Armenian Political Parties Discuss Situation in Lebanon 6) Three Businesses Honored at AACC Annual Business Gala 7) Glendale Teachers Association Endorses Krikorian, Nahabedian, Sandbar in GUSD School Board Election 8) `Head on' at the movies 9) Swedish Filmmakers Tell About the Art of Survival in New Documentary 1) California International Trade Office in Armenia Gets Seed Money GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR) presented a check for $10,000 to the State of California to begin funding the California International Office in Armenia (CITO). The check was presented by representatives of the ANCA-WR to State Senator Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) on February 26 at the ANCA-WR offices in Glendale. The CITO is slated to open in May of this year in Armenia and is to be operated by the Foundation for Economic Development (FED), a non-profit organization. The CITO is set to serve not only as a model for other California trade missions abroad, but also as a foreign trade hub by promoting trade between California and former Soviet republics. "As the largest Armenian-American grassroots political organization in the nation, the ANCA and the ANCA-WR felt that we needed to step up to the plate and ensure that the California Trade Office in Armenia will have the initial funds needed to get off on the right foot as it launches later this year," stated Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. "We look forward to continuing to support the CITO both financially and politically in the coming years." The State of California has historically maintained international trade offices around the world. However, due to California's current state budget deficit, the state will stop funding the trade offices. California has, however, agreed to allow the CITO in Armenia to open because the office will be funded with private donations and could serve as a public-private partnership model for operating trade offices in other countries. "We are very grateful for the ANCA-WR's great generosity in making such a significant financial commitment to the CITO," remarked FED Chairman Berdj Karapetian. "The contributions of community organizations such as the ANCA-WR and individual donors will help the CITO bring new economic opportunities to Armenia." "We have been supportive of the CITO since the idea was first proposed by State Senators Jack Scott and Charles Poochigian in 2001 and this donation demonstrates to the community that the first important step has been taken," said Leonard Manoukian, a member of the Board of Directors of the ANCA-WR. The Friends of the California Trade Office in Armenia, an organization of individuals and community groups who support the CITO, has planned a number of functions to raise funds for the $75,000 needed to operate the CITO in 2005. For more information on such events, please call the ANCA-WR office at (818) 500-1918 or e-mail [email protected]. Photo caption: ANCA-WR Board Member Leonard Manoukian, Senator Jack Scott, Vahik Gourjian, and ANCA-WR Board Member Ara Bedrosian 2) March for Humanity Campaign Will Honor Victims of Forgotten Genocide LOS ANGELES--California youth will walk from Fresno to Sacramento to raise awareness about the unpunished crime of genocide committed against the Armenian people between 1915 and 1921. The 215-mile, 19-day journey, March for Humanity, will begin on April 2. "Ninety years ago, innocent Armenians also marched, but not willingly, not just 215 miles, and not just 19 days," said Serouj Aprahamian, March for Humanity Coordinator. "They were forced to death marches across desserts--hundreds of miles for months with no food or water, left to starve and die in a premeditated act of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks. This April, we will pay tribute to the 1.5 million lives lost during the Armenian genocide by marching in their memory and the memory of all those who have been victims of genocides. From the Armenian genocide to the Holocaust, from the Cambodian genocide to the hell of the Rwandan genocide, our generation has an obligation to stand against genocide and its denial." On arriving in Sacramento, participants, human rights activists, and Armenian American community members will gather at the State Capitol for a rally organized to thank the California State Legislature and 36 other states' legislatures for officially recognizing the Genocide. The rally will also promote public involvement in securing justice not only for the Armenian Genocide, but also for all unpunished crimes against humanity. "To avoid accountability for the murder of 1.5 million Armenians, the Turkish government denies that the systematic annihilation of the Armenians was genocide," said Vicken Sosikian, director of the March for Humanity. "We turn to our nation's leaders, President Bush, and US Congress, in the name of truth, righteousness, and justice, and ask him to condemn the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians by holding the government of Turkey accountable for this crime against humanity." Organizers are expecting hundreds of supporters and activists from across the country and Canada to join the March for Humanity. Participants will sleep in community centers, churches, schools and in tents on the road side. They will walk, rain or shine, for about 15 miles each day. Raffi Maronian, a participant who will walk the entire 215 mile distance, is confident that the march will open people's eyes up to the threat genocide poses for all of humanity. "Those of us who are familiar with the genocide carried out against the Armenians bear a special responsibility to make sure the lessons of such crimes are never again repeated. The recent events in Sudan serve to demonstrate that we have not done an adequate job. It's time to raise our level of activism and put an end to the cycle of genocide," said Maronian. For more information about the March for Humanity, visit 3) ARF Faction to Propose Legislation on Sumgait Massacres YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Levon Mkrtchian, who heads the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) faction in parliament, told a news briefing on Friday that the faction will propose legislation declaring the Sumgait massacres a day commemorating the forced deportation of Armenians from Azerbaijan. Mkrtchian stressed the necessity of such legislation to counter Azeri attempts of pressuring the international community to recognize the Khojalu events as genocide. The pogroms of Sumgait Armenians in February 1988 were the first instance of ethnic cleansing in what was still Soviet territory. The assault on Armenians living in Sumgait (a city located a half an hour drive away from the Azeri capital, Baku) took place in broad daylight, witnessed by numerous casual observers and passers by. The peak of the atrocities committed by the Azeris took place February 27 to 29, in 1988. The events were preceded by a wave of anti-Armenian statements and rallies that swept over Azerbaijan in February 1988. Documents corroborating the Sumgait massacres are currently in the hands of authorities throughout 12 former republics of the Soviet Union, where legal proceedings were launched. 4) Organizations Ask Bush to Follow Evans Example Washington, DC--A group of major Armenian-American organizations joined forces in asking President Bush to follow the example of US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans and other leading US officials, accurately label the atrocities of 1915 as the Armenian Genocide. Evans most recently evoked the Armenian Genocide during his first stateside visit to Armenian communities across the country. During a series of public exchanges with Armenians last week, Evans said "The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the twentieth century." Community organizations, in turn, sent a letter to President Bush on March 2, asking that he also use the word genocide to characterize the forced exile and murder of the Armenians by the Ottoman Turks. The letter was signed by the Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian Bar Association, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of America, the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenian Relief Society of Eastern USA, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, the Knights of Vartan, the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America and the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America and said in part: "In this the 90th Commemorative Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we urge that you join President Reagan and so many other leading public officials in reaffirming the facts of history you have already proclaimed with the correct name - Armenian Genocide.... Just as it was when your Administration properly termed the crimes against humanity in Darfur as genocide, US leadership is once again needed to provide clarity to the crimes against humanity committed by Ottoman Turkey against our ancestors under cover of WW I." 5) Armenian Political Parties Discuss Situation in Lebanon YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Representatives of the three major Armenian political parties discussed the current situation in Lebanon, during a March 2 meeting in Beirut. Representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), Social Democrat Hunchagian Party, and Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party, focused on plans to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. They also assessed political developments in the aftermath of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In condemning the brutal killing of Hariri, the parties agreed the 'terrorist' act was aimed at Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and demanded the details of the appalling crime be completely revealed and responsible parties be brought to justice. They also expressed the necessity of forming a national unity government, following the recent resignation of Prime Minister Omar Karame. "Armenian political parties, adhering to the principles of peaceful coexistence and settling issues through dialogue, see it necessary to unite all Lebanese forces. . . The Armenian community of Lebanon will in no way engage in creating a polarized environment..." 6) Three Businesses Honored at AACC Annual Business Gala GLENDALE--The Armenian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) celebrated its Annual Business Gala on Friday, February 18. The event honored Aida Yeghiazarian as Businesswoman of the Year, Fred Khachekian as Businessman of the Year, and Frank Melkonian/Closet World as Business of the Year. The sold out event took place at the Renaissance Restaurant in Glendale, where over 400 community members, including a large number of dignitaries and elected officials attended the event. `The outpouring of support by our sponsors, businesses, elected officials, and our community members for the Gala was a testament to the years of hard work done by our members, and this has only added more vigor to AACC's commitment to our community,' said Armond Agakhani, Chairman of the AACC. Former Mayor of City of Glendale, Hon. Larry Zarian served as the master of ceremony, while certificates of recognition were presented to the honorees by Sheriff Lee Baca, Hon. Judge Zaven Sinanian, CA State Assemblymember Carol Liu and Cindy Montanez, City of Glendale Mayor Bob Yousefian and Glendale councilmember Frank Quintero, Anthony Portantino, Mayor pro-tem City of La Canada, and a congratulatory letter from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also present during the event were Glendale community College Board of Trustee members Ara Najarian and Dr. Armineh Hacopian, Glendale Unified School Board President Greg Krekorian, Burbank Unified School District Board member Paul Krikorian, Chief Deputy Director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Lisa Kalustian, and Kevin De Leon from the CA Teachers' Association. Additional certificates were presented by Jorge Nunez, Representative for CA State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Narine Zadarian representing CA Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, Ray Cordova, Assistant to John Chiang Member of CA State Board of Equalization, Baydsar Thomasian, Field Deputy for LA Councilmember Eric Garcetti, Rita Hadjmanoukian, representative for Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Haig Kartounian, representative for Congressman Adam Schiff, and Vahik Gourjian, Representative for State Senator Jack Scott. For more information about the AACC call (818) 247-0196 or visit <; 7) Glendale Teachers Association Endorses Krikorian, Nahabedian, Sandbar in GUSD School Board Election GLENDALE--The 1,400 member Glendale Teachers Association has endorsed incumbents Greg Krikorian and Chakib "Chuck" Sambar, as well as newcomer, university professor Nayiri Nahabedian, for the three open school board seats to be voted on Tuesday, April 5. The Glendale Teachers Association Political Action Committee interviewed all candidates before selecting Krikorian, Nahabedian, and Sandbar as the three whom they trust will best represent the interests of all in the school district. The endorsement of Nayiri Nahabedian was based on her clear goals and priorities, which targets the active involvement of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff in continuing to improve the quality of education in Glendale. Current members Krikorian and Sambar are believed to not only bring to the school board their previous experiences and knowledge, but also have a record of approving measures that support innovation in education. Krikorian is a parent of five children, all enrolled in the Glendale School District, whereas Sambar has served as an administrator and teacher in the District. 8)`Head on' at the movies By Raffy Ardhaldjian I recently went to the movies to see Fatih Akin's 'Gegen die Wand' (or better known as "Head On" in the US). Besides winning many awards in Europe, the film, written in German and Turkish, with English subtitles initially provoked a great scandal when tabloids reported that the film's little-known star (Sibel Kekilli) was an ex-porno actress earlier in her career. I ended up seeing the film three times. I left each screening with further appreciation to the talent of the filmmaker and deeper reflections on its impact on me as an avid movie-watcher. I do not remember seeing a Turkish film since Yilmaz Güney's "Yol" (1982) that I related to this much (<;). I am not going to attempt to critique a film when acclaimed critics, like the LA Times' Kenneth Turan mentions that "It's easy to see why this film won so many awards in Europe." "Head-On" won the Golden Bear in Berlin, five German Lolas, and three major European Film Awards. It deals with the subject of identity and culture clash that is too familiar to our life in the diaspora. Besides, it is a beautifully crafted love story with dynamic, real characters. I thought long and hard why this film is one of the best good movies I've seen in a while. Despite the drama, the blood, and the drugs, `Head-On' is a hopeful and liberating film, as it takes its two main characters--Cahit and Sibel--through an incredible journey of personal growth, teaching them that cultural identity matters at the end of the day. And that true, unconditional love cannot be possessive and requires that we do what really makes our lovers happy. I write these lines as I remember being part of a generation that was told not to watch Turkish movies and was forbidden to listen to Turkish music. I even remember watching piles of confiscated Turkish video tapes from Armenian homes being burnt in public squares in Armenian neighborhoods in Lebanon. That was 20 years ago. Today, (if asked) I would tell every movie-loving Armenian to go watch this raw and powerful love story. Besides getting your money's worth at the cinema, you might learn something about your own identity watching two second-generation Turkish-German immigrants trying to adjust between conflicting cultures. Sound familiar? Raffy Ardhaldjian is an emerging independent feature film producer in Hollywood, CA (<;) 9) Swedish Filmmakers Tell About the Art of Survival in New Documentary "I am planning to live at least 100 years. There are so few of us left and for God's sake, I am not ready to take my story with me to the grave," the main character Garbis says in the new documentary by the Holmquist-Khardalian team called `I Hate DogsThe Last Survivor.' Garbis, a 98 year-old survivor of the Armenian genocide tells his story. One morning, the Turks seize his village; the men are separated from the women. Garbis does not realize the gravity of the situation and takes leave of his mother--a last hug and a last kiss, as it was to be, from his weeping mother. Garbis is only 9-years-old. Together with his father and several thousand other Armenians, Garbis is forced through the Syrian desert, along with his father, older brother, and a cousin, who eventually die of hunger and exhaustion. With the help of others, Garbis buries his family. Later in the evening, he goes to see his father's grave. "Then I saw several stray dogs feeding on my father's flesh. They were tearing his thighs apart. I grabbed some stones and threw them at the dogs to frighten them off, but the dogs had become wild--they started growling and ran towards me. I was terrified, so I ran away. That picture has haunted me all my life. I see the dogs, right in front of me, just ten meters away." Garbis ends up in Mosul, Iraq to start his first business at the age of 15. He eventually settles down in France and becomes a successful businessman. His son Serge, who has taken over his father's textile factory, explains Garbis's torment: "It took my dad 40 years before he felt able to tell me the story. He just could not tell it to me." Swedish filmmakers Pea Holmquist and Suzanne Khardalian made the first feature-length documentary film about the genocide of the Armenians, "Back to Ararat" (1988). The film, which received numerous awards, was screened in Grimstad in 1989. Holmquist has made films for thirty years and runs his own film company with his wife Khardalian. He is a longtime manager of the Association of Independent Filmmakers in Sweden, and, since 1992, been in charge of documentary filmmaking at Dramatiska Institutet in Stockholm. He has produced and directed more than fifty films, including Gaza Ghetto (1984), one of the first documentaries about Palestinians and occupied Gaza. He has also made Back to Ararat (1988), about a forgotten genocide in Armenia, which was screened in Grimstad in 1989. Other films are Her Armenian Prince (1997), Words and Stones Gaza (2000), From Opium to Chrysanthemums (2000), Where Lies My Victory? (2002) and My Dad--The Inspector (2003), which won first prize at the Leipzig Film Festival last year and will be screened during the international short film program at this year's festival in Grimstad. The filmmakers talk about the film: `It was just a year ago when we read a few lines--a tiny notice in `The Guardian" telling its readers that the last survivor of the genocide living in UK had died. The notice was like an alarm. We have done several documentary films on the Armenians and particularly on the Armenian genocide. "Back to Ararat" was filmed in the late 80's and in 1988 it received the golden award for best film in Sweden. The film was shown all over the world in movie theatres and TV channels. It seemed to us that however the new generation today, both foreign and Armenian are not so much aware of the issue. Hence we thought about `the last survivor.' We did extensive research and located the few still living survivors of the Genocide. The research took us to all over the world. And then we found Garbis; he was special and he hated dogs. Garbis, as a 9-year old boy, witnessed his father being eaten up by stray dogs--after losing all members of his family one by one, on the death march to Der Zor. "I Hate Dogs--The Last Survivor" is our latest addition on the Armenian Genocide. It is a short documentary, 28 minutes long, and tells the story of a human being, that in spite of evil, has managed to build a new life. Whenever Garbis is raising his glass of wine he is wishing long life for his family.' All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.