ASBAREZ Online [03-11-2005]

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03/11/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) 100th Anniversary Commemorations in Sophia Mark Death of ARF Co-founder Mikaelian 2) ARF Bureau Member Viken Hovsepian on Dialogue with Turkish Officials 3) Candidate ~SArdy~T Kassakhian Picks up Line of Impressive Endorsements 4) ANCAWR Accepting Applications for 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program 5) ANCG Fundraiser at the Home of the Baghdasaryans 6) Harvest Gallery Presents Artist Raffi Adalian~Rs Works 7) Armenian Academy of Los Angeles Inaugural Gala-Banquet 8) Ghapan Sister City Association Benefit Concert for Infrastructure Improvements 9) ~SArt for Oshagan" Nets over $8,000 for City Council Race 10) Review Essay: Phillips~Rs Book on Track Two Diplomacy 1) 100th Anniversary Commemorations in Sophia Mark Death of ARF Co-founder Mikaelian Activities include ARF youth conference, unveiling of memorial SOPHIA (ARF Press Office)--A series of events were organized in Bulgaria's capital of Sofia March 8-11, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armenian Revolutionary Federation co-founder Kristapor Mikaelian's tragic death. These included a seminar dedicated to the strengthening of Armenian-Bulgarian ties, the official dedication of a bronze bust of Mikaelian, as well as a memorial stone at his grave where a requiem service was held. At the same time, representatives of ARF youth and student organizations convened their annual conference of central executive representatives in Sophia on March 8-9, to coincide with the ceremonies. Twenty seven youth from throughout thirteen countries, including Armenia, Canada, France, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the United States, during their conference, targeted the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, and political understanding of the Armenian struggle as well as implementation of goals. The ARF youth analyzed current issues, including the situation of Javakhk--a mostly Armenian-populated region in Georgia that is economically, socially, and politically neglected. Six participating youth entered the ranks of the ARF, taking their oath at Mikaelian's grave. The youth, along with hundreds of Armenians from Armenian, Mountainous Karabagh, Javakhk, and throughout the diaspora gathered at Mikaelian's grave for the official unveiling of a bronze bust, as well as a memorial stone made of materials imported from Armenia. Speakers included ARF Bulgaria representative Sahag Tchalekian, ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margarian, and Bureau member Albert Ajemian. The ceremonies ended with the singing of ~SMshag Panvor.~T One of the Armenian revolutionary movement's most influential figures, Mikaelian was killed on Bulgaria's Mount Vitosha, along with his friend Vramshapuh Kentirian, while testing a bomb intended to be used during an assassination plot against Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II--the man who spearheaded the massacres of the 1890s, which claimed the lives of up to 300,000 Armenians. 2) ARF Bureau Member Viken Hovsepian on Dialogue with Turkish Officials --'We support dialogue that's not mere ceremony but actually seeks a solution' GLENDALE--In recent weeks, official and semi-official Turkish sources have made announcements regarding initiating dialogue with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, entrusting the study of the Armenian genocide issue to historians, and similar matters. Asbarez approached ARF Bureau member Viken Hovsepian, asking him to provide further clarification. Question: What's your interpretation regarding Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent announcement that the matter of the Armenian genocide should be left up to historians? Answer: Any offer of dialogue from Turkish governmental circles that accepts as its basis the actuality of the Armenian genocide would be welcomed. Prime Minister Erdogan's proposal, or any similar tactic that attempts to cast doubt on the authenticity of the Armenian genocide, is simply hurtful for the Armenian people, which to this day continues to endure the consequences of the Genocide. The Armenian genocide is matter that has long been proven and subjected to intense analysis, on an international level; and now is the time for immediate political action and resolution. Any deviation from that course is merely a delay tactic or the wasting of time. As much as we Armenians have a vital interest in the just resolution of our Question, so too should the Turkish statebased on its own political and economic interestsseek a final solution to the Armenian Question. Q: What would be the ARF's role in the likely event of an Armeno-Turkish dialogue? A: The ARF has often stated that it supports and appreciates the function of dialogue and negotiation for the resolution of any political matter. In this case as well the ARF would play a positive role, if it has the necessary assurance that what would take place are substantive negotiations that seek a comprehensive resolutionand not mere ceremony that seeks to leave an impression of dialogue. That sort of imitation of dialogue greatly benefited the Turkish government during recent such initiatives, in which some Armenian individuals (and an Armenian organization) unfortunately became willing instruments. What's imperative today, however, is public relations by Turkish governmental circles so that they may be able to come to terms with their past, for the sake of a brighter and morally reconcilable future. Q: Turkish businessman Kaan Soyak, while in Armenia, also made a statement regarding dialogue. What's your view regarding that? A: I appreciate Mr. Soyak's affirmations regarding the ARF and its role, especially when we take into account the paranoia and extremism that exist in Turkish governmental circles toward the ARF. As already noted, our organization is ready to play a positive part in any process that seeks to achieve frank and comprehensive solutions. Let me add that to date our organization has received no official invitation or proposal for dialogue from the Turkish government. 3) Candidate ~SArdy~T Kassakhian Picks up Line of Impressive Endorsements --Prominent elected officials show unified support as campaign gains momentum GLENDALE--With less than thirty days to go before the April 5 Glendale City elections, prominent elected officials and organizations have aligned their support for Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian for the Glendale City Clerk~Rs race, demonstrating unified support behind his candidacy. Elected officials who have endorsed Ardy include: US Representative Adam Schiff (D-29) California State Senator Jack Scott (D-SD 21) Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti (CD 13) Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca Glendale City Councilmember Rafi Manoukian Glendale Community College Board Member Victor King California State Board of Equalization Chairman John Chiang Kassakhian was the first candidate to announce his candidacy with the promise of ushering in a new era where the City Clerk will play a proactive and dynamic role as the gateway to city government for Glendale citizens. "Ardy has the work ethic, integrity, and management ability to make sure the city clerk's office operates in a sound and professional manner," said US Representative Adam Schiff. "I hope Glendale voters will join me in supporting Ardy Kassakhian for City Clerk on April 5th." The increasing number of endorsements demonstrates the growing momentum behind the Ardy Kassakhian campaign. Ardy's program to improve the clerk's office includes: Creating Accessibility and Accountability; Improving Outreach and Education; and Incorporating New Technology. Glendale city elections will occur on April 5. Voters who have registered to vote by mail will receive their ballots prior to that date. More information about the campaign can be found at <; 4) ANCAWR Accepting Applications for 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR) announced this week that the application period for the 2005 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC has opened. This year marks the 19th anniversary of this competitive and prestigious internship program, considered to be one of the best Armenian American programs of its kind. Named after long-time ANCA activist Leo Sarkisian, the eight-week intensive public affairs internship brings together numerous young Armenian Americans from across the country to gain first-hand experience in the American political system, while working on issues of concern to the Armenian American community. In addition to working at the ANCA national headquarters, just blocks away from the White House, interns also participate in a bi-weekly lecture series featuring a wide variety of guest speakers, including US government officials and Armenian American leaders and professionals from various fields. Interns are also exposed to legislative offices and meetings with national figures as part of the ANCA's on-going advocacy work on behalf of the Armenian American community. The ANCA internship program is truly a unique opportunity for young Armenian Americans to gain an insider's perspective of the intricate and complex political world in Washington, DC, while at the same time, gaining a fresh understanding of the current issues facing the Armenian American community," explained Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. "The lecture series and Washington's stimulating professional and social environment allow interns to spend an enriching and fun summer working to advance the Armenian Cause," stated Dadaian. The 2005 Leo Sarkisian Internship program will begin on June 20 and run through August 12 this year. Applications for the internship are available on the ANCA website, through the ANCA-WR headquarters, as well as other community outlets. Applications must be postmarked by April 15 to be considered for the 2005 program. For more information, or to request applications, please contact the ANCAWR headquarters at 818.500.1918 or at [email protected]. 5) ANCG Fundraiser at the Home of the Baghdasaryans GLENDALE--Over 100 supporters and friends gathered at the home of Alec and Dr. Alenoush Baghdasaryan last Wednesday evening to help raise funds for the Armenian National Committee of Glendale (ANCG). All 12 ANCG endorsed candidates were also on hand to meet members of the community and answer questions. Those in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to mingle with the candidates and ask them questions. In return, the candidates had an opportunity to discuss their platforms and visions for the city without worrying about a 30 second warning from a moderator. "Our organization's strength is in our grassroots activism and support network. We have a strong, hardworking board that is constantly working for the ArmenianAmerican community, but without supporters like the Baghdasaryans, who opened their home to us, and the over 100 people who attended the event, we would never be able to get as much done as we currently do," remarked ANCG Treasurer George Garikian. The ANCG is a grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to informing and educating the ArmenianAmerican community and representing the community's interest in the City of Glendale. Funds raised at the March 2 event will be used to pay for the ANCG current "Get Out The Vote" campaign and voter education show. Some proceeds will also be used to assist ANCG endorsed candidates in their election bids. The ANCG endorsed candidates are: Larry Miller, Ara Najarian, Anahid Oshagan and Bob Yousefian for City Council; Ardashes Kassakhian for City Clerk; Greg Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian, and Chuck Sambar for School Board; Anita Gabrielian, Armine Hacopian, and Victor King for College Board; and Ronald Borucki for City Treasurer. 6) Harvest Gallery Presents Artist Raffi Adalian~Rs Works LOS ANGELESArtist Raffi Adalian~Rs solo exhibition will be featured at Harvest Gallery from March 11-20. ~SAdalian relies on material, specifically a range of material that hovers between the painterly and the sculptural,~T says acclaimed art critic Peter Frank. Born in Armenia, Adalian is a graduate of Yerevan~Rs Music Conservatory. In 1976, in his first solo exhibit, Adalian presented 60 paintings at the Contemporary Art Gallery of Yerevan. His work has also been featured at the Leon Ragain Gallery in Lyon, France, the Grand Pallet Hall in Paris, as well as in numerous galleries around the world including in Austria, Canada, Germany, Russia, and the United States. In 2001, Adalian established The Parking Lot--an art studio and outdoor exhibition space for dozens of artists on the grounds of Avis Roto Die Manufacturing in Los Angeles. ~SAdalian revels in the texture not just of paint, but of paper and cloth and whatever other material lends itself to his hungry eye and restless hand,~T adds Frank. The opening reception is on Friday, March 11, 6:00-10:00 p.m. Adalian~Rs exhibit will be on display through Sunday, March 20. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. For general information about the exhibit, please call Harvest Gallery at (818) 546-1000 or visit <; Exhibition Dates: March 11-20, 2005 Harvest Gallery: 938 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 7) Armenian Academy of Los Angeles Inaugural Gala-Banquet LOS ANGELES--The Inaugural Gala-Banquet of the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles (AALA) is set for Friday, April 1, at the Deukmejian Hall of the Ararat Home Complex in Mission Hills. The Inaugural Gala is the Academy's first major public event, aimed at presenting a community-wide audience the goals and mission of the Academy's Board of Directors, while at the same time raising funds for the ongoing planning, development, and major fundraising activities of the Board. The Gala Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Noubar Afeyan, CEO of Flagship Ventures in Cambridge Mass., and Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Afeyan is one of the principle forces behind the Armenian 2020 Project. The AALA is a unique Armenian academic institution aiming to serve its student clientele with a combination of top-level academics and a rich Armenian studies experience. It will distinguish itself by its focus on a rigorous college-prep experience on par with that offered at the best public and private high schools in Southern California. The Academy is an independent, non-affiliated college-preparatory high school that will serve students in grades 9 through 12. At the heart of the Academy's mission is its dual curriculum program. Not only will students choose from an array of traditional prep-school courses and electives, they will also have a rich selection of Armenian subjects, from language and literature to history, culture and the arts. Part of the Academy's mission is to create an interactive learning environment by infusing traditional classwork with hands-on workshops and discussion sessions conducted by distinguished scientists, artists, and activists. The coursework will emphasize the importance of innovation and critical thinking skills. The Gala will feature the premier of the Academy PR video highlighting Dr. Vartan Gregorian, and the live performances of three commissioned artistic works. "Just as the Academy is a unique institution, based on originality and innovation, so will the artistic program of our Gala consist of commissioned, original works: a music piece, a dance piece, and a theatrical performance" says Aram Kouyoumdjian, program director for the Gala. An exhibition of Armenian artwork will also be showcased. For more information, ticket reservations or event sponsorship, please call the Gala Committee at 818-293-0010, or e-mail at [email protected]. The cocktail hour starts at 7 pm, followed by dinner at 8 pm, and the presentations at 9 pm. Individual tickets are $150. 8) Ghapan Sister City Association Benefit Concert for Infrastructure Improvements GLENDALE--The Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA) will host a benefit concert on Sunday, March 13, to raise funds for infrastructure improvements in Ghapan, Armenia. All proceeds from the concert will be used to rehabilitate Ghapan's aging school facilities, where students struggle to learn in aging classrooms that have unreliable electricity and decayed plumbing. The concert, sponsored by Daylight Adult Day Care Centers, will be held at Hoover High School Auditorium, and will feature some of the best-known Armenian artists in Southern California, including Harout Pamboukjian, Razmik Mansourian, Hovannes Shahbazian, Anahit Nersisian, Nersik Ispirian, Merujan Margarian, and Ararat Petrosian. The International Dance School, directed by Vardan and Siranoush Gevorkian, will also perform during the concert. Arpi Andonian, who serves on the Board of Directors of GGSCA and is a Vice President at Daylight Adult Day Care Centers, helped arrange the sponsorship, and is the concert's principal organizer. "We are very proud to be able to organize this effort," Andonian said. "I hope that our community will take the opportunity to attend this great concert, have a lot of fun, and help us raise the money we need to rebuild Ghapan's aging schools." In December 2002, the City of Glendale unanimously adopted resolution 17023, establishing a sister city link with the small southern town of Ghapan in Armenia. Subsequently, the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in order to foster relations between the two cities. Since its inception, the Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association has completed a variety of projects in Ghapan, including the rehabilitation of classrooms, bathrooms, libraries, and study halls in several of Ghapan's schools. The organization is planning major projects in 2005, including the launch of efforts to rehabilitate Ghapan's hospital, which includes the region's only maternity ward and operating room. Sunday, March 13, 2005 @ 6:00pm Hoover High School Auditorium 651 Glenwood Road, Glendale CA Ticket price: $20 For tickets, please call (818) 265-0506 or (818) 482-6131 9) ~SArt for Oshagan" Nets over $8,000 for City Council Race GLENDALE--Art for Oshagan, a silent auction to benefit Anahid Oshagan's bid for the Glendale City Council, netted more than $8,000 over the weekend. The event, held at Harvest Gallery from March 4 to 6, drew nearly 200 participants on opening night when 26 of 30 artworks were auctioned off. "The success of the auction clearly points to the community's faith in Anahid's campaign," said Anahid Oshagan campaign manager, Karo Torrossian. "I have never seen an art fundraiser at the local level bring in so many people and make so much money. This campaign has a tremendous amount of momentum. It is headed for success." Last week, the campaign got an important boost when Congressman Adam Schiff (D-29) endorsed Anahid's bid for the City Council. Rafi Manoukian, the Glendale ANC, the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, and the California School Employees Association have also endorsed Anahid. During the January-February time period, her campaign was third in fundraising in a field of 19 candidates. The auction included paintings, drawings, sketches, mixed media, three-dimensional works, and photographs from 20 different artists. All works were donated, as was the gallery space. Eric Grigorian delivered the surprise of the auction, donating his 2003 World Press Photo award-winning photograph. Nearly all of the participating artists sold their works. "There are many important issues in Glendale and one of them is arts and culturethis is one of my priorities in this race," said Anahid Oshagan. "Art is a universal language and it is a force that can unite many parts of Glendale's diverse mosaic of communities," Oshagan added. "Part of the success was the community's obvious and strong support for Anahid. Another part was the quality of the art donated," said Aris Ajand, artist, and owner of Harvest Gallery. "The artists really stepped up and delivered great works. And the atmosphere of the evening was great: there were at least 3 bidding wars." Other local artists are also stepping up to help Anahid's campaign. Well-known and highly acclaimed artist, author and actor Vahe Berberian will be performing one of his widely successful monologues, Yevayln Revisited, in a benefit show on March 22 at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale. Actress Lory Tatoulian is slated to perform one of her cutting edge stage sketches at another fundraising event on Wednesday, March 23. For more information please see <; Oshagan announced her candidacy for the April 5 city elections in January. Her vision to bring harmony and mutual understanding to the diverse communities of Glendale, coupled with her political experience will bring a fresh new perspective and become a unifying force for all of Glendale. Anahid's background is ideally suited for the city council. Coming from a family that instilled in her the values of hard work and helping her community, Anahid has developed a solid history of community involvement and service. As a student leader at CSUN, Anahid was instrumental in aiding the 1988 Armenian earthquake relief effort and raising awareness of Armenia's bid for independence. After graduation, she worked to aid victims of domestic violence and mentored juvenile inmates. She has taught English as a Second Language to immigrants and spearheaded fundraising efforts for a program to immunize children in Armenia and Karabagh. For the past three years, Anahid was Congressman Adam Schiff's District Representative working as the liaison to the City of Glendale and the Armenian-American communities throughout the 29th Congressional district. Anahid now works as a non-profit attorney. If elected, she will be the first Armenian-American woman to serve on the Glendale City Council. Donations may be made to "Friends of Anahid Oshagan" and sent to Friends of Anahid Oshagan, P.O. Box 4820, Glendale, CA 91222-0820. Political contributions are not tax-deductible. Please see <; for more information. 10) Review Essay: Phillips~Rs Book on Track Two Diplomacy Unsilencing the Past: Track Two Diplomacy and Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation by David L. Phillips By Charles Garo Ashjian, JD, PhD This is a book about third party mediation (ie, Track Two Diplomacy) in a world filled with "intractable conflicts that confound traditional diplomacy." Whereas, according to Phillips, the State Department "inculcates a risk-averse culture that discourages initiative and stifles creativity;" (see p. 135) informal third party mediation, or Track Two Diplomacy, embodies a flexibility that compensates for such inherent constraints on government officials. Thereby, private citizens may succeed or make inroads where officials seem only likely to fail. This book depicts the author's own experiences as chair and facilitator of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC)--the fulcrum for the Track Two Program on Turkey and the Caucasus. The Commission was quietly financed by the State Department and initiated during the Clinton Administration and formally established in 2001 and, at least, tacitly approved by the governments of Armenia and Turkey. Presumably based on the author's experiences, the book concludes with the offering of practical principles which may be of utility to those involved in such future endeavors. However, even though the author attempts to depict important accomplishments as the direct result of the efforts of TARC, there is no actual resolution of the conflicts and issues which, nevertheless, still exist between the governments and peoples of Turkey and Armenia. Actually, the Track Two activity herewith merely aggravated and compounded the situation. Contrary to the insinuations of success by the author, the overall activity of TARC was a failure. The book unwittingly or transparently corroborates and underlines this failure. For instance, in the Preface, Elie Wiesel asks the question: "Has it been fruitful?" Wiesel refrains from giving an answer. The author, Phillips, nearly gives an answer when, summarizing and referring to the concluded activity of TARC, he states: "Track Two rarely results in a breakthrough." The Bush administration never reacted with anything but a courteous nod toward this activity. The major obstacle to rapprochement or reconciliation between the governments and peoples of Turkey and Armenia is the matter of the Armenian Genocide. The TARC addressed this matter by seeking and obtaining a legal opinion, purportedly objective and unbiased, which was titled "A Legal Analysis on the Applicability of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to Events Which Occurred During the Early Twentieth Century" (i.e. the Armenian Genocide). They did so by referring the request to the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ). The ICTJ is a reputable and expert organization founded by and presided over by Alex Boraine. Its purpose is to "advise emerging democracies on addressing legacies of human rights abuse." The ICTJ, in turn, merely and only facilitated the request of TARC by referring it to an independent third-party for a legal analysis or opinion. In actuality, and since then, the ICTJ has distanced itself from the ensuing analysis by a "legal analyst" who remains unidentified, according to my knowledge, and said analyst has also been referred to as "the group" to be contacted through Phillips at the Council on Foreign Relations. (Note: the brief legal analysis is not even printed in the book.) It is repeatedly false for Phillips to indicate (e.g. pp. 154, 116) that the resultant "opinion" or "analysis" is authored by the ICTJ. Why does Phillips persistently do so throughout the book while also providing the contradictory text of the letter, dated 9/16/02, to him from Boraine? The letter states: "ICTJ has agreed to facilitate the provision of a legal analysis. The analysis will be performed entirely independently of the ICTJ. The analysis will not be conducted by any ICTJ staff member; nor will the ICTJ be involved in any way in seeking to influence the conclusions reached by the analysis. Our role is merely that of helping to identify an appropriate expert to undertake the analysis requested by TARC." (see p. 110) Why is the resultant opinion or analysis so onerous? --It falsely states that the term "genocide," though applicable to the "Events" (i.e. the Armenian Genocide), is merely a "terminological" one with "no legal applicability" whatsoever; --The opinion or analysis, in contradiction of overwhelmingly prevalent evidence and scholarship, challenges the historical truth and verity of the Armenian Genocide as merely a yet unresolved historical issue; --It treats the Genocide as a local or limited regional event and minor in both its character and magnitude; --It disputes the direct involvement and culpability of the governmental leadership and officialdom of the time. This is historical reductionism and revisionism. This is genocide denial. The actual purpose of this so-called analysis was to break the truth and throw a distorted fragment of it to each side. Armenians were supposed to become grateful because they were being given permission or sanction by TARC, even though strictly qualified, to apply the term "genocide" to their past plight. Armenians do not need such permission from anyone. But perhaps some of this is not entirely correct as Phillips, the chairman of TARC, in reference to Turkish-Armenian relations, states: "I was not concerned with the response of Armenians." Phillips was not concerned about the Armenian response to the harmful misdeeds of TARC since the key Armenian member of TARC had privately offered him assurances of support from the unidentified and most prominent or powerful members of the Armenian community. (see p. 57) The Armenian community was supposed to line up in lockstep behind TARC. It did not happen. It never will happen. (Lest there be any mistake as to the identity of this key Armenian member of TARC, it is Van Z. Krikorian, a New York attorney.) In turn, the Turkish side was supposed to become elated because if the term "genocide" does not have any legal applicability, then the Genocide Convention may not be used by Armenians to claim territory or financial reparations. Actually, even if the Genocide Convention did not exist, there remains an abundance of legal ground on which Armenians may still pursue such claims if they so choose. However, I do not believe this legal course is presently the prevailing disposition of the worldwide Armenian community or the government of Armenia. The entirety of this matter is otherwise amenable to solution. Phillips describes Krikorian as a "champion of the Armenian people." With this kind of champion, who needs an enemy. This member of TARC chose to propound and argue that the ICTJ analysis "should give both sides something" (see p. 109). Accordingly, both Phillips and this member openly advocated that the analysis achieve a "balanced outcome." These words had different meanings for each of the parties. One leading Turkish member of TARC, vocally fearful of the truth, was guaranteed such a "balanced outcome" by Phillips (see p. 111). This analysis was wrongly guided by standards more appropriately applicable to a fair and conscientious business transaction. The goal should not have been to assure a "win-win" situation. This is the source of the rot. The improper goal of TARC, which surely was communicated to the "legal analyst" for direction, was to gild and memorialize lies and provide plausible and comforting arguments for both sides, however false, for respective public consumption in the guise of seeking and establishing reconciliation. The outcome of the "legal analysis" with its false historical and legal conclusions, was designed and rigged beforehand. The members of TARC should not, as they do, rationalize that truth was not their proper or paramount concern. The proof is the stench coming from all of the lies. Everyone can smell it. What TARC and its anonymous "legal analyst" merely accomplished, because of the multitude of ulterior and ill-concealed personal and political motives, was to unduly disappoint and discourage and aggravate each side. The book by Phillips, though otherwise intended, actually provides a case study in what should not be done during Track Two Diplomacy. Phillips should have heeded his own admonition: "Track Two will flounder if its integrity is compromised by either participants or the organizer" (see p. 144). Actually, it will eventually drown. The whole truth of any genocide should actively be sought and maintained. The people who do otherwise should be exposed and rebuked. Any attempt to establish reconciliation or rapprochement on a duplicitous base of distortion and falsity is outrageous and intolerable. Ultimately, this is the most important lesson to be derived from the book. The book itself should have been titled Distorting the Past. I hope the book is read widely with due credit. 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.