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06/03/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Armenia Stands Ready to Aid Javakhk 2) His Holiness Karekin II Begins Pontifical Visit to California 3) Armenia Promises to Bring Law in Line With European Standards 4) Members of Congress Speak out Against Turkish Government Crackdown on Armenian Genocide Conference 5) Tufenkian Foundation Announces New Sponsorship in Karabagh Resettlement Program 6) Dr. Vahe Peroomian Gets Appointment to College Board 7) Hamazkayin's 'Forum 2005' Promises Fun and Enriching Summer Days 8) Postoian Preschool Secures Coveted LAUP Status and Funding 1) Armenia Stands Ready to Aid Javakhk YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Armenia's Prime Minister Andranik Margarian met with Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze and Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli in Tbilisi to discuss bilateral relations, as well as ways of improving the socio-economic situation in Javakhk, A-INFO reported. Margarian suggested that Armenia could help in repairing the roads and alleviating the acute socio-economic situation. The Georgian officials gladly accepted Armenia's offer. 2) His Holiness Karekin II Begins Pontifical Visit to California LOS ANGELES--His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, arrived in California on June 1. Greeting the Catholicos on his arrival were His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, His Eminence Archbishop Arsen Berberyan, His Eminence Archbishop Nerses Bozabalyan, several Diocesan clergy, Consul General of Armenia Gagik Kirakosian, as well as members of the Diocesan Council, and Armenian organizations. The Primate greeted and officially welcomed the Catholicos on behalf of the Western Diocese, referring to the Pontifical visit of His Holiness and a "Renaissance of Faith" for the entire Armenian community. In turn, His Holiness expressed his happiness on the Occasion of his Pontifical visit to the Western Diocese, which houses substantial Armenian communities particularly in California and Los Angeles. His Holiness conveyed his appreciation of the extensive efforts put forth by the Pontifical Visit Committee in preparation of his visit. He expressed his eagerness to meet the faithful of the Western Diocese in the various events which have been planned for the three upcoming weeks, and to extend to them his blessings form the other See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Diocese of the Armenian Church was established on July 2, 1898 by His Holiness Mgrdich Khrimian, Catholicos of All Armenians. Taking into consideration the distance between California and the East Coast, the center of the Diocese, His Holiness Kevork V, Catholicos of All Armenians, established the Western Diocese on Nov. 28, 1927. Bishop Karekin Khachadourian became the first Primate. Although the Diocese was first centered in Fresno, the headquarters moved to Los Angeles in 1957 due to the growing Armenian community in Southern California. Following the warm welcome at the airport, Catholicos Karekin II and his entourage were escorted by the Primate and the greeting committee to the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pasadena, where a host of faithful had gathered awaiting the arrival of their Supreme spiritual leader. The faithful in attendance greeted the Catholicos with warm applause. The Primate, once again, conveyed his warm greetings to the Pontiff and invited him to bless the attendees. His Holiness extended his Pontifical blessings from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the faithful. His Holiness gave an exclusive interview to Horizon TV on Friday morning. REVISED Schedule Transportation of Parishioners Pontifical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 5, 2005 St. John Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church 1201 North Vine Street Hollywood, CA 90038 323-465-9008 2:00 p.m. St. James Armenian Apostolic Church 4950 West Slauson Avenue Los Angeles, CA 9056 323-295-4588 1:30 p.m. Burbank Armenian Apostolic Church 3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504 818-558-7474 1:30 p.m. St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church 700 South La Verne Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90022 323-269-0907 2:00 p.m. St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church 1434 West Kenneth Road Glendale, CA 91201 818-243-7808 2:00 p.m. St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church 2215 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107 626-449-1523 1:30 p.m. St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church 17231 Sherman Way Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-344-4860 1:00 p.m. St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church 148 East 22nd Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-650-8367 2:00 p.m. 3) Armenia Promises to Bring Law in Line With European Standards YEREVAN (RFE-RL/Armenpress)--Senior legal experts from two leading pan-European organizations said on Friday that more amendments to Armenia's controversial law on demonstrations are needed to bring it into conformity with European standards on freedom of assembly. The law was amended by the Armenian parliament last month and makes it easier for political and other groups to organize public gatherings. Senior representatives of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission and the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) welcomed those changes at a seminar organized by them in Yerevan, but they said it still gives the authorities unjustified discretionary powers to restrict and block street protests. "There are still problems that need to be dealt with and solved, like, for instance, the list of locations where meetings and rallies are forbidden or the distances between these places and a rally," said Gianni Buquicchio, secretary of the Venice Commission. Buquicchio said Armenian authorities have demonstrated their commitment to amending the law following a Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly resolution, which called on the Armenian authorities to introduce amendments to the law on demonstrations and public assemblies by March 2005 to bring it into full conformity with Council of Europe standards. "We want to see Armenia develop both democratically and economically," he said. The Armenian authorities say they have already accepted most of the Venice Commission's recommendations on the issue. They argue that law-enforcement officials can now disperse a demonstration only if it poses a threat to "public and state security." Another amendment simplified procedures for notifying relevant authorities of plans to rally people in a particular location. Deputy parliament speaker Tigran Torosian assured that changes will be incorporated into the new law to clarify any vagueness, adding that cooperation with the Council of Europe will continue to ensure Armenia's full integration into the "Wider Europe: New Neighborhood" program. Representatives from Armenia and members of the Venice Commission will met in Strasbourg on June 23-24 to discuss the draft, after which it will be presented to the National Assembly for a second reading. The referendum is expected to take place no later than in October. 4) Members of Congress Speak out Against Turkish Government Crackdown on Armenian Genocide Conference "The sad reality, Mr. Speaker, is that when it comes to facing the judgment of history about the Armenian genocide, Turkey, rather than acknowledging the truth, has instead chosen to trample on the rights of its citizens and still maintain lies." --Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--Members of Congress this week expressed outrage and disappointment at the Turkish Government's recent decision to block a planned academic conference on the Armenian Genocide. The event, organized by scholars from Turkey's Bilgi, Bogazici and Sabanci Universities, was scheduled to take place May 25-27th at Bosphorus University. In remarks of the House floor, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) commented that the government's forced cancellation of the conference "further affirms the speculation that the image that the Turkish Government has attempted to create for itself is nothing more than a desperate attempt to create a facade. Contrary to what Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and other Turkish officials would have us believe, the Government of Turkey is not democratic, is not committed to creating a democracy, is not making an effort to create better relations with Armenia and is definitely not ready to join the European Union." Rep. Pallone went on to explain that the US "cannot sit by and allow any nation that we consider an ally and a nation that is desperately seeking admission into the European Union to behave in such a manner. To bring this development into perspective, consider that according to current law in Turkey, dozens of US Senators and hundreds of Congressmen would be punished simply for having voted for Armenian Genocide resolutions, spoken about the lessons of this crime against humanity or commemorated the victims of the atrocity. So, too, would the American academic establishment, human rights groups, the mainstream media and just about everyone else aside from the Turkish Embassy and its paid lobbyists here in Washington, DC" Fellow Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg questioned the Turkish Government's commitment to democracy and free speech. "An important test of whether a country is a healthy democracy is whether someone can go out into a town square and speak their opinions freely. When the Turkish government cancels an academic conference like this and calls the participants traitors, it becomes very clear that they have not made a sufficient commitment to protecting free speech. These actions seriously undermine Turkey's credibility," stated Rep. Knollenberg. California Democrat Adam Schiff, author of the 2004 "Schiff Amendment" on the Armenian Genocide, concurred. "The decision to hold a conference at Bogazici University to discuss the Armenian Genocide held out promise that Turkey would begin confronting all aspects of its Ottoman past. Cancellation of the conference, and the Justice Minister's inflammatory accusation of 'treason,' shows that Turkey's intellectual freedom and academic independence has taken one step forward and two giant steps back. How much longer will it take modern Turkey to recognize the facts of a genocide now 90 years old," asked Rep. Schiff. Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), who spearheaded a successful effort in 1996 to cut foreign aid to Turkey due to its ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide, stated: "Turkish government pressure on historians from Bilgi, Bogazici and Sabanci Universities to cancel the Armenian Genocide conference is yet another indication of the Turkish government's repression of freedom of speech and lack of respect for academic freedom. The action exposes as a hollow gesture Prime Minister Erdogan's call for a dialogue between Turkish and Armenian historians. The Turkish government's labeling of Turkish academics as 'traitors' simply for discussing the Genocide amongst themselves underscores the need for those of us here, in the United States, to call on Ankara to end its campaign of genocide denial." Urging Turkey to end its ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide, Michigan Republican Thaddeus McCotter argued, "Only honesty can begin to ease the ache of this evil perpetrated upon the Armenian people, and to further guard against a recrudescence of genocide anywhere in our world. Thus, any delay in acknowledging and apologizing for their nation's abhorrent historical crime only serves to embolden other proponents of genocide, and to implicate this generation of Turks in the sins of the past." Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) took direct aim at statements by Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, who dubbed conference organizers as "traitors." "I condemn the recent action taken by the Turkish government to censor academic debate about the Armenian Genocide. Democracy and truth were thrown out the window when Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek accused historians at three prestigious Turkish universities of treason when they attempted to debate the issue of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey does not deserve to be granted membership in the European Union if they continue to shut down educated discussion about this issue." The Conference, titled "Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the Empire: Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy," was jointly organized by the Comparative Literature Department of Bilgi University, the History Department of Bogazici University and the History Program at Sabanci University. Originally set to take place May 25th-27th at Bosphorus University, the schedule was to include over 30 papers by Turkish scholars from Turkey and abroad. In the days leading up to the conference, Turkish Government officials spoke stridently against the conference and its organizers. Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, in a speech before the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday, went so far as to accuse the academics of "treason." The Minister described the conference as a "a stab in the back to the Turkish nation." Cicek expressed regret that, as Justice Minister, he could not personally prosecute the organizers and participants. The government crackdown on the conference is the most recent chapter in the Turkish government's 90-year campaign of genocide denial. This effort has intensified in recent years. In 2003, Education Minister Hikmet Cetin issued a decree making student participation in a nation-wide essay contest denying the Armenian Genocide compulsory. The most recent revisions to the Turkish Penal Code criminalize references to the Armenian Genocide and the removal of troops from Turkish occupied northern Cyprus. 5) Tufenkian Foundation Announces New Sponsorship in Karabagh Resettlement Program Dr. Alber Karamanoukian joins effort to resettle Karabagh's border regions STEPANAKERT--The Tufenkian Foundation this week announced a generous gift by Dr. Alber Karamanoukiantowardits ongoing efforts to promote Mountainous Karabagh's resettlement. Dr. Karamanoukian's gift of $20,000 will underwrite the construction of one house and associated facilities in Arajamough, a new village the Foundation is building in Karabagh's border regions. Begun in 2004, Arajamough currently houses 25 resettlers, consisting of 6 families, most of them refugees from Azerbaijan. The village will welcome another 6 families this fall. The Tufenkian Foundation is committed to building and resettling at least 6 houses per year until the Arajamough project is completed. "We are grateful to Dr. Karamanoukian for his generous support of this project," stated Antranig Kasbarian, a Program Director withthe Foundation. "Indeed, his support for resettlement extends beyond this project and toward the larger vision of fortifying Artsakh--particularly its vulnerable border regions--as a crucial component of our national security." In turn, Dr. Karamanoukian praised the Foundation for itsefforts. "Resettling Karabagh is of vital importance, particularly whenmany people stilllack decent housing,facilities, and especially jobs. I commend the Foundation's commitment to raising the bar in each of thesefields, and urge others to join the effort to consolidate our victories on the ground." The Arajamough project features newly built houses with modern amenities. Alongside these, the Tufenkian Foundation isproviding water, power lines, gravel roads, as well as administrative support in bolstering the village. Future plans include animal husbandry and land cultivation, in order to providesustainable livelihoods and to spureconomic growth insurrounding areas. "Our view of resettlement is an integrated one, and moves beyond the usual humanitarian-subsistence approaches," stated Kasbarian. "The Karabagh war created many thousands of refugees and homeless persons; some of these have left the area entirely, while many others continue to eke out an existence in ruined areas amidst primitive conditions. Under such circumstances, our very existence on these lands remains tenuous. If we are to attract Armenians back and solidify our presence, then clearly having a roof over one's head is not enough. Rather, people mustgain hope that there is a future living on these lands, which is why modern facilities, infrastructure, and the promise of economic activity are essential as well." Dr. Karamanoukian is a prominent physician and businessman based in Glendale, California. He has a long record of philanthropy toward Armenian causes. The Tufenkian Foundation was established in 1999 by New York-based entrepreneur James Tufenkian. The Foundation currently pursues a wide array of projects in Armenia and in Karabagh, and also sponsors the "Armenian Forests" NGO, which addresses environmental issues. To learn more about the Foundation's efforts, please see the Foundation's website at , or contact Antranig Kasbarian at [email protected]. 6) Dr. Vahe Peroomian Gets Appointment to College Board GLENDALE--After two weeks of special meetings and candidate forums, Dr. Vahe Peroomian was appointed to the Glendale College Board of Trustees last Thursday in a 3 to 1 vote. After the election of Trustee Ara James Najarian to the Glendale City Council in April 2005, a vacant seat opened on the traditionally five-member Board of Trustees. Seventeen applicants most with PhD, EdD JD, and MBA degrees vied for that position, to make the procedure quite challenging. "We had to create a system that surfaced the best candidate," said Dr. Armine Hacopian, current member of the College Board. "Dr. Peroomian stood out from the rest of the highly qualified candidates as he was a Ph.D. in the sciences and had worked with transfer students from GCC at UCLA. Glendale Community College has an excellent, state of the art, Cimmarusti Science center and we need to bring much more focusto this excellent program and by selecting Dr. Peroomian, we hope to do just that. He will be a great asset on the board and that is why he received three out of the fourtrustee votes." Several members of the community were on hand to vouch for Dr. Peroomian's credentials. "Dr. Peroomian is not just a qualified candidate, he is an excellent candidate. His experience in the sciences will give him a unique voice on the board," praised Armond Gorgorian, Executive Direct during oral comments. "His awards, achievements, and appreciative students are only an additional testament to his wonderful character." The list of final candidates included: Christina Rodriguez, a social science instructor at East Los Angeles College; Ruth Sowby, an adjunct Glendale Community College instructor and full time DeVry instructor; Tony Tartaglia, president of the Glendale College Foundation and employee of Southern California Gas Co.; Debra Dentler, an attorney an former GCC instructor; Richard Jouroyan, a retired attorney who worked extensively with the Glendale Unified School District; Stuart Wilcox, dean of instructional planning and research at Pasadena City College; and Charles "Tye" Veden, a retired businessman "We are extremely proud of Dr. Peroomian and congratulate him, as well as the Board of Trustees, for his appointment. Although he will no doubt leave a void within our own organization as he leaves to commit his attention to the college, we feel his role on the Board of Trustees will benefit the entire Glendale community as well as the College community. We are confident that his ability to be a consensus builder and strong leader as well as his professional background will make him a valuable voice on the Board especially as the college embarks on appointing a new President," said Armenian National Committee Director Alina Azizian in a statement on Friday. 7) Hamazkayin's 'Forum 2005' Promises Fun and Enriching Summer Days Since its inception in 1995 the Hamazkayin Summer Forum has provided a friendly and exciting environment for bright young Armenians. Students get the chance to learn a great deal about Armenian culture, discover the sites and sounds of the host country, and, most importantly, plant the seeds for lifelong friendships. Thought provoking lectures, trips to historic destinations, and nights of dancing and entertainment are only some of the activities the forum has to offer. Past participants have called it "an experience of a lifetime." Forum 2005, July 21-August 3, promises to be another exciting year with visits to Khor Virab, Lake Sevan, Yeraplour, the, Armenian Manuscripts Museum (Madenataran), the Sarian and Parajanov Museums, the Genocide Memorial Monument and Museum, and the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. The forum lecture series this year features a diverse pool of speakers, including UCLA AEF Chair Professor Richard Hovannisian, art historian and critic Shahen Khatchatrian, and art curator Henrik Iguitian. Hamazkayin's 'Forum 2005' Promises Fun and Enriching Summer Days By Betty Panosian Summer is at our doorsteps and one keeps wondering what to do during the hot and lazy months that may not only be of great entertainment, but also leave a lasting impact on our lives. There's a whole package of summer fun and adventure waiting for those college students who are ready to take the opportunity of spending a couple of weeks full of unforgettable memories, newly found friendships, sightseeing trips, concerts and plays, lectures, and round table discussions on present-day topics of interest...and all in the heavenly countryside of our homeland Armenia and the bubbly streets of its capital Yerevan. Ever wanted to visit Armenia, but never had friends to go along with? Ever wanted to have real fun in the lively cafes and clubs of Yerevan while at the same time absorbing the culture and traditions of your ancestral country? Ever felt troubled by issues concerning you as a youth of Armenian origin and living in the diaspora? Ever wanted to share your viewpoints and problems with people of your age, but not finding any? Ever dreamed of having a web of friends from all over the world? "Hamazkayin Students Cultural Forum 2005" provides the answer. The well-arranged timetable enables a participant to get imbued with the Armenian heritage, and yet enjoy plenty of free and leisure time. With its cool days of trips to historic Armenian landmarks, cultural lectures and social debates, its evenings of theatre and concert attendance, and its hot nights sizzling with long hours of dancing and entertainment, "Forum 2005" promises to be a singular venue to take part in what has been called by previous participants "an experience of a lifetime." During the past decade, Armenian youth in the diaspora and the homeland have had the opportunity to participate in this summer project, combining the exciting and entertaining with the cultural and educational. These forums are an interesting and successful effort to combine the ingredients for an unforgettable summer vacation. Organized by the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society, one can be sure that they will provide a healthy and friendly environment. Get ready! Pack up! A whole bundle of entertainment is ahead! For more information on the upcoming forum, visit or contact Shoushig Arslanian at [email protected]. 8) Postoian Preschool Secures Coveted LAUP Status and Funding By Marie A. Dakessian, PhD Rose and Alex Pilibos, Mary Postoian Preschool is the first and only Armenian center for early childhood education to be funded by Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) school, the highest distinction granted in Los Angeles County. Located in the Little Armenia district of Los Angeles, for over 30 years Postoian has nurtured generations of 2, 3, and 4-year-olds in a high-quality learning environment that has made it a source of great pride for the community. "With this achievement, our years of hard work, professionalism, and devotion to the education of young children were rewarded and validated," Preschool Director Takouhey Saatjian stated. In 1998, California voters approved Proposition 10, a tobacco tax to fund early childhood health and education programs. What emerged was First 5 LA, a non-profit organization devoted to improving the lives of LA County children. Established under the auspices of First 5 LA, LAUP seeks--within ten years--to provide a first-rate preschool education to every 4-year-old child living in LA County. This objective arises in response to a number of challenges faced by the current preschool system, including overcrowding and underfunding. LAUP aims not only to establish additional preschools in underserved areas, but also to foster program enhancement at existing centers. To realize this goal, LAUP announced its "Early Launch" program, the preliminary stage of its comprehensive plan extending over the next several years. During this pilot period, classrooms in 100 education centers will be approved and accepted into the LAUP system. To date, approximately 2650 centers representing 94 classrooms have attained this distinction, including Postoian Preschool. The lengthy and detailed Early Launch process began last October. Orientation sessions were followed by written applications in November from centers that met the established curricular, licensing, fiscal, and other criteria. Based on the limited scope of Early Launch, in December a lottery was used to select applicants eligible for a site visit, the most rigorous phase of the process. Visits were conducted in January and February, with results available by March. "Getting ready to welcome the LAUP team," Director Saatjian said, "was a very challenging as well as exciting process." The site visit involved classroom assessments based upon the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), a widely used resource for program evaluation. Members of the UCLA Center for Improving Child Care Quality, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Child Care, performed the review. Factors such as teacher qualifications, adult-to-child ratio, group size, program structure, daily activities, cleanliness and personal care, classroom setup, interaction, and supervision were considered. In addition, parent interviews gleaned information regarding involvement and participation, issues whose importance is underscored by LAUP. According to Rita Noravian, Postoian parent and PTO president, "The Preschool prides itself on an open-door policy whereby parents are welcome at any time to communicate suggestions and concerns. Our parents are very involved with programs and events throughout the year and regard themselves an integral part of the Preschool." The evaluators also examined the facility's documents and written policies concerning working conditions, qualifications, benefits, professional development, retention, and community relationships. As of April, Postoian became an LAUP school. This status ensures funding for a variety of enrichment programs, such as classes in music and movement as well as in gymnastics; hands-on experiences during field trips; a summer program which will provide 4-year-olds with skills necessary in kindergarten; parenting classes throughout the year; and additional professional development seminars for staff members. LAUP's philosophy is grounded in educational progressits expectation is that approved centers not only maintain recognized standards of excellence, but that they continually improve upon them. Postoian Preschool shares this belief. For example, its Early Childhood Education (ECE) credentialed, highly experienced instructors possess the qualifications to teach at even the elementary-school level, and they regularly participate in professional training and enhancement workshops. In Rita Noravian's view, "The faculty and administration excel every day at making the children's first formal schooling experience a memorable and educational one." Postoian also has consistently been accredited by NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children. According to Saatjian, "Our high-quality program, which complies with the California Department of Education Pre-K guidelines and NAEYC standards, prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten through a bilingual curriculum. Children learn the Armenian language and heritage as well as respect for our multicultural world." For Saatjian, it's all about the children. Her dedication and commitment to early childhood education is evident in her over 20 years of experience. She recognizes the vital importance of a first-rate learning environment for Armenian preschoolers. Without her foresight, resolve, and diligence, this unprecedented achievement could not have been realized. As a Postoian parent and PTO member, I heartily applaud this success, one that the entire Los Angeles Armenian community can celebrate. 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.