California Courier Online, June 8, 2006
1 – Commentary
Interview on UPN (KCOP-TV)
On the Armenian Genocide
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Henry & Anahis Derian Donate $100,000
For Expansion of AMAA’s Camp Arev
3 – Element Band Garners ‘Best Newcomer
Album’ at Armenian Music Awards
4 – Prelacy Religious and Executive
Councils Elect Executives
5 – Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools
Publish Genocide Instruction Book
6 – Haig Kelegian Buys Crystal
Park Casino for $17.5 Million
7- Governor Names
Achadkjian to
Coastal Commission
8- Catholicos Aram I
Invited to Keynote
Conference in US
9 – UAF’s 138th Airlift Delivers
$12 Million of Aid to Armenia
****************************************** *******************************
1 -Commentary
Interview on UPN (KCOP-TV)
On the Armenian Genocide
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
FOX-TV (KTTV, Channel 11) and UPN (KCOP-TV, Channel 13) in Los Angeles, in
their evening news hours on April 23, interviewed this writer on the eve of the
91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. During both interviews, live
footage was aired via satellite of the procession of hundreds of thousands of
Armenians at the Genocide Memorial Monument in Yerevan.
The transcript of the 6-minute long in-studio interview with FOX-TV was
published in an earlier column. Here is the transcript of the more than 5-minute
long in-studio interview with KCOP-TV:
Anchor 1: Joining us now in studio to help us put some perspective on the
anniversary is Harut Sassounian of the United Armenian Fund.
Anchor 2: Let’s start off by just getting all of our viewers up to speed on
exactly what happened with the Armenian Genocide. Can you quickly tell us what
happened, where, and when this all occurred?
Sassounian: Armenians lived in their historic homeland for thousands of
years. They were later on occupied by what turned out to be the Ottoman Empire. On
the eve of World War I, while the world was busy with its own fate, the
Turkish government decided to eliminate the Armenians, as a result of which 1.5
million Armenians were deported and killed from what was historic Armenia.
Anchor 1: We have already mentioned that Turkey does not call it genocide.
How do they define these events at this time, and what would it mean politically
if they do?
Sassounian: They — the whole world, including the Turkish leaders —
recognize the facts, but they just don’t want to admit it. For political and
psychological reasons, they [the Turks] think that it would be like a scar on their
history, if they recognize it. But I think they would be better off if they
recognize it because they’re trying to join the European Union, and they would be
classified in the rank of civilized European countries. Just like Germany
recognized the Holocaust, Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Anchor 2: We had some live pictures earlier from Yerevan. Can you tell us
what’s going on there right now, because it is the next day — its actual day.
Sassounian: It’s already April 24th. Its the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide in Yerevan, Armenia – they are 12 hours ahead of us — and hundreds
of thousands of people, despite the rain, are proceeding in a solemn
procession to the Eternal Flame, the Monument of the Armenian Genocide, putting flowers
there and paying their respects. And this year especially, they’re paying
tribute to U.S. Ambassador John Evans, who’s being recalled because he said a
word that hes not supposed to say, according to the State Department — the
Armenian Genocide. So they’re recalling him. So there’s a yellow ribbon campaign –
I’m wearing one myself — as a tribute to his good sense of recognizing the
truth and the facts of history.
Anchor 1: That’s right, you mentioned that the U.S. Ambassador John Evans did
in fact call it a genocide. He has received some flack obviously from the
State Department. President Bush calls it a tragedy, does NOT call it a genocide.
What would it mean if he actually called it, recognized it, as a genocide,
and what peacemaking or peacekeeping effects would it actually have between
Turkey and the U.S.?
Sassounian: Of course, President Bush, when he was a candidate, he did call
it a genocide. But when he won and became President, he started calling it
tragedy and massacre. He even said 1.5 million Armenians were killed. So he used
all the words to describe what happened factually, except the word [genocide].
It would not have a major legal effect — just like President Reagan issued a
Presidential Proclamation in 1981 saying genocide — but it has more a moral
and psychological effect in acknowledging the fact, that it’s something that
the victims and their descendants would feel much better if people did not lie
about what took place. As they say, truth is the last victim of genocide.
Anchor 2: Now, in Turkey, how are they recognizing what’s going on tomorrow?
Sassounian: Well, there’s a leftover, a small Armenian community in Turkey,
and they’re under all sorts of repressive situations – circumstances — so they
do not dare to talk about it. They do not commemorate it, they do not have
any special ceremonies, except maybe they go to church and say their prayers.
But more and more, recently, Turkish scholars themselves are coming out and
writing books and articles, saying it is genocide. So there’s a slight movement
under pressure from the European Union.
Anchor 2: Now tomorrow, there are many things going on around town [L.A.],
right?
Sassounian: Right. At 10 a.m., there’s a huge march in Hollywood, Little
Armenia. Between 50,000 and 80,000 Armenians will gather. I’m the keynote speaker
there. And in the afternoon there’s a protest in front of the Turkish
Consulate, on Wilshire.
Anchor 2: Thank you so much, best wishes for tomorrow.
**************************************** **********************************
2 – Henry & Anahis Derian Donate $100,000
For Expansion of AMAA’s Camp Arev
HOLLYWOOD, CA – One of the highlights of the 29th Annual Camp AREV Banquet on
May 20 was the announcement of a $100,000 gift to the Camp by Henry and
Anahis Derian.
Held at the Paul Avazian Hall of UACC, the banquet saw founders of the camp
mingling with campers, parents, and friends during the social hour as a video
of campers played on the screen.
Co-Chairs, Debbie Levonian and Arsine Phillips welcomed all on behalf of the
finance/banquet committee who coordinated the evening.
M.C., Jon Khoshafian, a former camper and counselor, kept the program moving
along as he introduced Maggie Kchoyan, Camp AREV Executive Director, who
shared her vision for Camp AREV. Anthony Dorian, Lara Tovmassian, and Ara Darakjian
conveyed their impressions and experiences of camp life.
Zaven Hanessian, immediate past Chair of the Camp AREV Committee, was
congratulated by Chair Hagop Ketenjian, for his years of dedicated service to the
camp. John Jamgotchian presented him with a plaque commemorating his efforts.
The Dust to Glory band and singers lifted everyone’s spirits with their
musical selections, which included some audience participation.
Guest speaker, Aren Balabanian shared his experiences at AREV as a camper and
counselor, and how they shaped his life. He said, “Camp AREV fulfills its
original mission of the Armenian Evangelicals to realize the importance of
Scripture and the purity of the Gospels. The Camp ministry reaches all Armenians
-and helps create life-long friendships.”
Hagop Ketenjian gave a PowerPoint presentation of camp ministry, finances,
and plans for the new chapel/dining hall which will cost approximately $350,000.
The new facility, a focal point for the camp, has been designed by architect
Nubar Aroyan. He projects the completion to be in the spring of 2007 and will
not interfere with ongoing camp activity.
Rev. Joe Matossian, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North
America, read the biography of Henry and Anahis (Jambazian) Derian and invited Mrs.
Derian to the podium where she presented a check for $100,000.00 on behalf of
her husband Henry and herself, for the much- needed chapel/dining hall for
150 people for Camp AREV at the Edward J. Manishagian Armenian Evangelical
Conference Center in Frazier Park.
Co-chairs Levonian and Phillips presented Mrs. Derian with a bouquet of
flowers and a lighted birthday cake, as the audience sang “Happy Birthday.
The banquet came to a close with the benediction by Razmig Minassian.
Those wishing more information about Camp AREV philanthropy, summer/winter
camp dates, etc., may call 818-507-8297 or log on
************************************************** ************************
3 – Element Band Garners ‘Best Newcomer
Album’ at Armenian Music Awards
LOS ANGELES–Element Band, one of the hottest emerging Armenian bands
received the 2006 Armenian Music Awards “Best Newcomer Album of The Year” on May 25,
for their CD “Yev O Phe” that debut in March 2006.
Since its release, “Yev O Phe” has lured an incredible mix of listeners to
give the band a fan base that spans not only three generations, but has also
transcended the diverse musical preferences prevalent in Armenian culture.
The arrangements are bold with sounds of the Flamenco, Tango, Rembetika
wafting in and out of performances of traditional Armenian songs that are never
forsaken to foreign sounds. Refusing to compromise Armenian melodies, Element
nevertheless complements them with the use of the accordion, bouzouki, mandolin,
classical guitar, violin, and the purity of the band’s vocalists to serve-up
a compelling combination of fiery Mediterranean and hauntingly raw Armenian.
The band members were also featured last week in KPFK 90.7-FM’s “Global
Village” program, as well as their award-winning music.
And just as the Armenian alphabet incorporated two additional letters o and
phe during the Middle Ages to better reproduce the sounds of European tongues –
all the while remaining utterly Armenian – so it is with Element’s Armenian
compositions that incorporate the sounds of Europe and the Mediterranean, while
remaining untethered, simply free… to be uniquely Armenian.
Element Band can be heard in concert on Friday, June 16 at 8PM at the Ford
Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. For tickets
or information, call (818) 343-4757 or (818) 342-6624.
Also visit for additional information about Element.
***************************************** **********************************
4 – Prelacy Religious and Executive
Councils Elect Executives
ENCINO, Calif. – The newly elected Religious and Executive Councils of the
Western Prelacy, elected at the 34th National Representatives Assembly (May
19-20), held their first meeting on May 30, at the temporary Prelacy office in
Encino.
During the meetings, held under the auspices of Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, the new councils elected their executives.
The Religious Council consists of the following executives and advisors:
Chairman, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian; Vice Chair, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian; Secretary, Rev. Vazken Atmajian; and Advisors, Rev. Gomidas Torossian, Rev.
Razmig Khatchadourian, Rev. Vahan Gosdanian, and Rev. Ardag Demirjian.
The Executive Council consists of the following executive members: Chairman,
Dr. Garo Agopian; Vice Chair Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, Secretary, Boghos
Sassounian; Treasurer, Vahan Bezdikian; and advisors, Garbis Bezdjian, Garo
Avakian, Meher Der Ohanessian, Dr. Navasart Kazazian, Nerses Melkonian, Vahe
Hovaguimian, and Varoujan Der Simonian.
********’******************************* **********************************
5 – Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools
Publish Genocide Instruction Book
LOS ANGELES – The Board of Regents of the Prelacy Armenian Schools announced
the publication of an age-proper instructional handbook for teaching the
Armenian Genocide to Armenian students K-12.
The book is the first of its kind to employ psychological and pedagogical
approaches to offer age-proper instructional methodology-hands-on materials and
lesson plans-to teach the Armenian Genocide, the most complicated, doleful, and
inexplicable period of our history.
Teaching about this harrowing experience begins at an early age in our
schools, and this handbook will assist teachers of each grade level to approach this
difficult subject with approved methods and proper tools. In fact, the
handbook suggests teaching about fundamental ideas such as fairness, similarities
and differences, freedom, rights and responsibilities, justice, loss and how to
cope with it, survival, etc., in lower grades to prepare the students to grasp
the complicated concept of Genocide in the upper grades.
The 315-page handbook is the result of diligent research and hard work of the
committee of educators, appointed by the Board of Regents and led by Dr.
Rubina Peroomian. It is being published after completing a period of a two-year
classroom testing and ensuing necessary changes and revisions.
The Board of Regents of the Prelacy Armenian Schools thanked the Armenian
Educational Foundation for the donation of $2500 toward the publication of the
handbook. The handbook was published in April, 2006 in limited numbers and
distributed to all Armenian schools in California.
Those educational institutions who would like to obtain a copy of this
handbook are requested to contact the Board of Regents office at (818) 500 0822, or
e-mail: [email protected].
************************** *****************************************
6 – Haig Kelegian Buys Crystal
Park Casino for $17.5 Million
LOS ANGELES – As the owner of several California card clubs, Haig Kelegian
has made some large wagers – but none possibly as high as buying the Crystal
Park Casino Hotel in Compton, Calif.
Kelegian, who owns the 151-table Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, is buying
the property for close to $17.5 million. The card club, now known as Crystal
Casino, contains a 226-room hotel that sits on 20 acres at 123 E. Artesia Blvd.
The seller, Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., decided to sell the property shortly
after California voters roundly rejecdted a 2004 referendum that would have
allowed card clubs to operate slot machines.
Card clubs and racetrack owners complain they can no longer compete with
casinos operated by Native American tribes that have been allowed to have slot
machines.
“We took it out to everyone – commercial and industrial buyers,” said Colin
Walker, a CB Richard Ellis Inc. associate who represented Pinnacle in the
transaction. “We didn’t expect another casino operator to be the buyer.”
Except Kelegian sees promise.
The operator, who also runs Oceans’ 11 Casino in Oceanside, plans to invest
money renovating the casino and hotel to make the casino a regional
destination. Walker said CBRE valued the replacement cost of the land and structures at
close to $50 million.
“He bought the property based on the gaming,,” Walker said. “It’s the only
part that really makes money, though that could change under the new ownership.”
Kelegian could also stand to benefit from a large mixed-use development that
would surround the Compton casino and be called the Gateway Towne Center.
Costa Mesa-based prism Realty has purchased 40 acres in the area and is planning a
large retail and housing project that could draw more visitors to the area.
Meanwhile, Kelegian may have redevelopment plans of his own for the property.
With the hotel and casino occupying only 20 percent of the 20-acre site,
there’s an opportunity to propose a project on the site’s vacant land, currently
parking lots. “If they want to take advantage of it, there’s a strong real
estate play there,” Walker said.
******************************************** *******************************
7 – Governor Names
Achadkjian to
Coastal Commission
SACRAMENTO – Khatchik Achadjian, 54, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed
to the California Coastal Commission. He is the chair of the San Luis Obispo
County Board of Supervisors and has served as a San Luis Obispo County
Supervisorsince 1998.
Achadjian is a cofounder and director of Santa Lucia Bank and the owner of
three service stations in the City of Arroyo Grande. As a member of the Board of
Supervisors, he has served as a member of the San Luis Obispo County Air
Pollution Control District, Council of Governments and Regional Transit Authority.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is
$100 per diem.
Achadjian is a Republican.
************************************** ****************************************
**
8 – Catholicos Aram I
Invited to Keynote
Conference in US
ANTELIAS, Lebanon – Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia was
invited as a keynote speaker at a conference entitled “Faith and Health” that will
take place at the University of Notre Dame from December 3-5, 2006. It is
sponsored by the departments of Psychology and
Theology of Notre Dame as well as the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The conference represents a conversation between disciplines that have
developed individual perspectives on faith and health but have only recently begun
to integrate them. Hence, the main thrust of the conference will be to bring
scholars from theology, medicine, and psychology together in a way that will
allow them to not only present information from their respective disciplines but
also to integrate that information in order to set a new agenda for the field
of faith and health.
Because of the broad base of knowledge that will be presented at the
conference, the information will be of value to people from a wide variety of
professions.
************************************ **************************************
9 – UAF’s 138th Airlift Delivers
$12 Million of Aid to Armenia
GLENDALE – The United Armenian Fund’s 138th airlift arrived in Yerevan on
June 3, delivering $12 million of humanitarian assistance.
The UAF itself collected $10.8 million of medicines and medical supplies for
this flight, most of which were donated by AmeriCares ($9.9 million); MAP
International ($481,000); Health Partners International of Canada ($298,000) and
Catholic Medical Mission Board ($150,000).
Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were: Pfizer
Inc. ($445,000); UMAF from France ($309,000); Armenian Eyecare Project
($74,000); Armenian International Ophthalmic Association ($50,000); Nork Marash Medical
Center ($44,000); International Academy of Telepathology ($38,000) and Howard
Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation ($36,000).
Also contributing to this airlift were: Foundation Semra ($28,000); Armenian
American Health Association of WA ($20,000); Armenian American Cultural
Association ($20,000).
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $441 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 138 airlifts and 1,312 sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, the Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,
the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the Lincy
Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
**************************************** ***********************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted through this
service. Information in that regard should be telephoned to (818) 409-0949;
faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to: [email protected]. Letters to
the editor concerning issues addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided
it is signed by the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to
verify authorship.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
