Month: September 2013

ABMDR highlights mission with annual gala, Mt. Ararat climb

Published: Sunday September 22, 2013

ABMDR climbers on the holy mountain summit.

LOS ANGELES – Hope of Life, the 14th annual Gala of the Armenian Bone
Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), took place on the night of July 14 at
the Glendale Hilton, in Glendale, California. Over 400 attended Hope
of Life, which kicked off with a cocktail hour and silent auction in
the foyer and terrace of the hall.

The highly anticipated community event celebrated major milestones
that were reached throughout the past year, and honored many
individuals and establishments for their outstanding support of the
registry’s cause.

The evening’s main program began with the opening remarks of Tatevik
Ekezian Madjarian, who acknowledged the presence of numerous
dignitaries, elected officials, and healthcare leaders. They included
Arch. Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese; Joseph Matossian,
Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Father
Vazken Atmajian, representing Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian of the
Western Prelacy; California State Senator Carol Liu; representatives
of Congressman Adam Schiff, State Assemblyman Mike Gatto, and Los
Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Glendale City Councilman
Zareh Sinanyan; Glendale Unified School District president Greg
Krikorian; Glendale Memorial Hospital president Jack Ivie and
vice-president of Business Development David Mauss; Glendale Memorial
Health Foundation vice-president Wayne Herron; Dr. Stuart Siegel and
Dr. Neena Kapoor of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Dr. Evgeni
Sokurenko, Professor at the Department of Microbiology, University of
Washington, and Dr. Arpenik Avagyan; and, representing the event’s
major sponsors, Ramella Markarian and Peter Baker of Glendale
Adventist Medical Center, and Mike Sarian of Prime Healthcare
Services.

Tatevik Ekezian Madjarian also welcomed representatives of several
community organizations, including the Armenian-American Medical
Society, Armenian Nurses Association, Armenian Relief Society,
Armenian Cycling Association, and Armenian-American Chamber of
Commerce, as well as Chamlian School principal Vazken Madenlian.

Next to take the podium was Gala chairperson Naz Atikian, who thanked
the attendees for their “unflinching support, year after year.” “We
are here today because of you,” Atikian said.

As he took the stage following Atikian’s address, Master of Ceremonies
and ABMDR Board of Directors chair Mark Geragos, Esquire, cast a
glance at the history of the registry. “It’s truly amazing that this
organization started off with only a handful of donors 14 years ago,”
he said. “Today it has over 24,000 potential bone marrow donors in 18
countries. Growth of this scale has been made possible by not only
relentless hard work, but also the extraordinary vision of the woman
I’m about to introduce, Dr. Frieda Jordan, who is the heart and soul
of ABMDR.”

After being greeted with a standing ovation, Dr. Jordan began her
address by reflecting on the evening’s theme. “Hope of Life: yes,
there is no better way to describe the work we do,” she said.

“Each of you who has volunteered time and expertise at a recruitment
drive, or helped organize fundraising events, well knows that striving
to save lives, with precious time ticking away, is hard and stressful
work,” Dr. Jordan continued. “But we do what is hard for one reason:
to make it easier on our patients and their families, who bear such
physical and emotional pain. I reflect on this moment with gratitude,
and thank you all for making what we do a little easier.”

Next Dr. Jordan recognized the 2013 ABMDR Award recipients and the
evening’s major sponsors, Glendale Adventist Medical Center and Prime
Healthcare Services. She also conveyed her gratitude to the registry’s
Lifetime Supporters; the Western Diocese for ongoing outreach support;
His Holiness Karekin II for conferreing on her the St. Nerses the
Graceful Medal; and the registry’s numerous volunteers, benefactors,
committee chairs, and the staff of the ABMDR Stem Cell Harvesting
Center in Yerevan for advancing the organization’s cause.

Before concluding her remarks, Dr. Jordan announced that in September
2012 the registry held its first-ever Walkathon on the East Coast, in
Boston, and thanked the Kardashian family for helping raise public
awareness of the ABMDR mission, as well as the Armenian Cyclist
Association for dedicating its most recent annual bike ride to raising
funds for the registry.

Afterwards Dr. Jordan invited to the podium Dr. Sevak Avagyan,
executive director of ABMDR and head of its Stem Cell Harvesting
Center.

“When people ask about the evolution of ABMDR, we often respond with
numbers,” Dr. Avagyan said. “To date, we tell them, the registry has
recruited over 24,000 donors in 18 countries across four continents,
identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 16 bone marrow transplants.
But our fight to find life-saving donor-patient matches is not merely
about numbers. As importantly, we continue to increase the quality of
the services we provide for patients. Thus, for instance, we have made
significant enhancements to our Stem Cell Harvesting Center; we have
purchased equipment and provided training for Armenia’s – and the
Caucasus region’s – first auto-transplantation procedure; we have
adopted a new test with allows us to gauge a patient’s sensitivity to
chemotherapy drugs; and we have begun to implement immunophenotyping,
which is a major step forward for Armenia in blood-disease
diagnostics, prediction, and treatment.”

Subsequently Dr. Jordan invited this year’s honorees to the stage. The
Woman of the Year and Man of the Year Award were bestowed on Amy
Boyadjian and Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, respectively; the Volunteer of the
Year Awards were bestowed on Hilda Gourdikian and Harmik Baghdasarian;
the Armenian-American Medical Society (AAMS) of California and its
Ladies’ Auxiliary Committee received the Organization of the Year
Award, with AAMS president Dr. Vicken Sepilian and Ladies’ Auxiliary
Committee chair Ramella Markarian accepting the award; the ABMDR
Comedy Night Committee was named Team of the Year; and Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles received the Establishment of the Year Award,
which was accepted by Dr. Stuart Siegel and Dr. Neena Kapoor.

In 2012, Drs. Siegel and Kapoor were instrumental in providing vital
physician trainings to help ABMDR create the necessary infrastructure
and skill base for starting to perform autotransplantation procedures
in Armenia.

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Siegel said, “I have never seen an
organization, such as ABMDR, come together so rapidly, identify a
mission so clearly, and make it happen. You all deserve a tremendous
amount of applause for doing something that I don’t think I’ve seen
any organization pull off so impressively.”

In addition to the main awards, special plaques were bestowed on
Glendale Adventist Medical Center, accepted by vice-president of
Business Development Peter Baker; Mike Sarian of Prime Healthcare
Services; Arpine Zohrabyan, who has helped save a child’s life by
becoming a matched bone marrow stem cell donor; and Andrew Nazarian, a
high-school senior who had a key role in the realization of the
Armenian Cycling Association’s bike ride benefiting ABMDR – the
136-mile Glendale-to-San Diego ride, called “Cycle for Life,” raised
close to $10,000.

During the award ceremony, Tatevik Ekezian Madjarian read a letter of
congratulation by patient Cici, and accepted a plaque of recognition
on her behalf.

Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to spirited
performances by violinist Allen and singer Arthur (known as Mr. X).

The Gala drew to a close with the announcement of this year’s ABMDR
lottery winners.

ABMDR team climbs Mt. Ararat

August 1, 2013 became an unforgettable day for the Armenian Bone
Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) as a team of mountain climbers,
including ABMDR donors, took the organization’s flag to the summit of
Mount Ararat, in a gesture of pan-national support for the registry’s
life-saving mission.

The 11-member Ararat Dream Team scaled Mount Ararat as part of a
journey through Georgia and Western Armenia. Headed by Harut
Der-Tavitian, the team included three ABMDR donors: Hratch Lukassain,
Ashot Manukian, and Hayk Manukian.

On its way to Mount Ararat, the Ararat Dream Team passed through
Javakhk, Georgia, and visited Tmbka Fortress, where it attended the
Vahan Teryan Day celebration, hosted by the Vahan Teryan Museum. The
team also visited the ruins of Ani.

Following the arduous climb up Mount Ararat, team members held the
ABMDR flag high as the jubilant moment was captured on film.

The Ararat Dream Team also traveled to Lake Van and held a celebration
on Akhtamar Island.

Subsequently the ABMDR flag, which was signed by the team members, was
brought by the ABDMR donors to the registry’s Stem Cell Harvesting
Center in Yerevan, where the lab staff congratulated the donors for
having completed their remarkable journey.

“We were so very moved by the enthusiasm of the Ararat Dream Team and
especially the participating ABMDR donors, who had the ABMDR flag,
which we consider a wonderful symbol of pan-Armenian altruism and
collaboration, wave on the summit of Mount Ararat,” said Dr. Sevak
Avagyan, executive director of ABMDR.

About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999,
ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians worldwide survive
life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching
donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date,
the registry has recruited over 24,000 donors in 18 countries across
four continents, identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 16 bone
marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit
abmdr.am.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARS Western regional convention reviews programs, elects board

Published: Sunday September 22, 2013

Delegates during convention.

MONTEBELLO, CALIF. – The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA,
93rd Annual Regional Convention took place at a time when the “Bnag
meh Geragour” (a bowl of food) program by our sister organization in
Syria is feeding hungry families in Aleppo.

The convention heard the report by the ARS Central Executive
representative, Annie Kechichian, that a $250 donation can feed 80
families for a day. The priority placed on helping the schools and
communities in Syria for the second year in a row, had a powerful
impact on how the convention evaluated the accomplishments of the past
year and set forth a path to accomplish programs during the upcoming
year.

Sixty-eight delegates from 24 chapters from Arizona, California and
Nevada, Regional Executive Board members, and guests participated in
the convention held at the Armenian Center in Montebello, California
from July 12 through 14, 2013. The Montebello Nairy Chapter was the
host of the convention with Arpik Najarian leading the organization
committee members.

Lena Bozoyan, Chairperson of the Regional Executive Board presented
opening remarks and introduced the special guests. Western Prelacy
Prelate Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Ashod
Kambourian and Prelacy Executive Council Chairperson Rima Boghossian.

ARS Central Executive Board (CEB) Chairperson Vicky Marashlian
attended the meeting. The ARS CEB representative to the meeting was
Annie Kechichian. The ARF Central Committee representative to the
meeting was Dr. Vicken Yacoubian. The local ARF Tro Committee
representative to the opening ceremony was Levon Kirakosian, Esq. The
ARS Eastern USA Regional Executive representative was Taline
Mkrtschjan. The ARS Regional Executive’s guests to the convention were
Hasmig Derderian, Rita Hintlian and Khatoune Pakradouni. Additionally,
the convention elected Sossie Poladian, Sossie Gabriel and Roubina
Pakradouni as guests.

Bozoyan made welcoming remarks and stated that the ARS encountered
enormous financial difficulties during the year, and faces challenges
of passing on the torch to the new generation and expanding the
adoption of new technologies. She remarked that the enormous needs of
the Syrian Armenians are at the forefront, as the needs in Armenia,
Artsakh and Javakhk continue. The Regional Executive chairperson noted
that the convention is a place where participants learn about the
organizational culture and seventeen (17) members were delegates for
the first time at this convention.

Arch. Mardirossian noted His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s proclamation
of the year 2013 as the “Year of the Armenian Mother”, and praised the
service of ARS members to young and old as that of a caring and
devoted mother. His Eminence said that as participants gain experience
during conventions, similarly, their commitment and spirit of service
should increase. The Prelate praised the dedicated service of the
Regional Executive and members, and blessed the convention.

The ARS CEB representative Annie Kechichian addressed the convention
and on behalf of the Central Executive Board wished for successful
proceedings, and hoped that the delegates bring forth constructive
ideas and ratify beneficial resolutions, which can be realized during
the next year, with special consideration for any budgetary impacts.
During the closing statements, Kechichian noted that the convention is
a fine opportunity to get together and reaffirm our oath. She added
that when we approach the issues with a positive attitude, it is a win
for our organizational mission and goals. She said that as we devote
our strengths and join in spirit of service for the ARS, our
cooperation and solidarity will help us succeed and reach our goals.

The Montebello ARF representative, Levon Kirakosian, remarked that the
ARS members’ volunteerism with their gift of time and love to the
people is the best example that our youth could have today. He also
raised the issue of the abuses suffered by women all over the world,
including in Armenia.

The ARS Eastern USA representative Taline Mkrtschjan was very pleased
to be with her counterparts on the west coast, and attend the
convention with her aunt Khatoune Pakradouni. She noted that the noble
goals of the ARS do not change with far distances, and the same call
to duty to help the Syrian Armenians reaches them with the same
intensity.

The convention continued with the election of co-chairpersons Dr.
Nyree Derderian and Arousyak Melkonian. In addition, Nazik Arisian,
Sossie Djabrayan, Maral Matossian and Meganoush Melkonian were elected
as convention secretaries (2 for English and 2 for Armenian). Khatoune
Pakradouni was appointed by the convention officers as
Parliamentarian, Rita Hintlian was appointed as Reporter and Nairy
chapter members Alice Keshishian, Leone Mooradian, Hasmig Ourfalian
and Pauline Altounian were appointed Sergeant-at-Arms.

The Credentials Committee members Ankine Agopian, Arpy Tanielian and
Maida Bezdjian verified that the convention could continue on in
accordance to the ARS bylaws. The convention chose to elect a
Nominations Committee with Silva Poladian, Nora Shirikian, Lara
Kazandjian, Arsho Sassounian and Mako Setrakian. The elected
Resolutions Committee members were Asdghig Chitilian, Talin Hindoyan
and Vera Kambourian. The Archives Committee members were Maral
Bastilian, Christine Hovnanian and Emma Garabetian.

The convention agenda includes times that the conventioneers have to
wait for a committee to complete an assignment. A video provided an
overview of the activities of the past year. The agenda included
questions of clarification regarding the Regional Executives reports,
including the Social Services and Child, Youth and Family Guidance
Center. Dr. Levon Jernazian was on hand to provide answers to
questions about the guidance center. Dr. Sevag Avakian of the ARS
Mother and Child Clinic and Birthing Center in Akhourian, Armenia,
presented the challenges faced by the clinic where 9,056 newborns were
born during the past eight years, and the cooperation with UNICEF
vaccination and USAID women’s health programs. Zaven Khanjian,
chairperson of the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) Executive
Committee, took the opportunity to thank the ARS for helping SARF.

Annie Kechichian presented the report of the ARS CEB, where the
activities of the CEB board members and staff during the past year,
and membership of the ARS in 27 countries were detailed. She noted
that despite difficulties relating to lack of food supplies, the ARS
region in Syria, is providing food for 80 families three times a week.
Donors are being sought to sponsor the “bnag me geragour” (a bowl of
food) program for $250. Vicky Marashlian elaborated on the cost of
repairs needed for the ARS Sosse Kindergarten in Stepanakert in
Artsakh.

The convention ratified bylaws amendments, the highly commendable
resolution regarding the activities of the past year presented by the
Resolutions Committee, discussed and ratified a number of resolutions
regarding organizational reporting, media communications, high school
awards and continuing programs, finishing up with adoption of a
proposed budget. This year, the accounting system was upgraded, the
presentation by General Manager Jasik Jarahian looked revised, but a
familiar audit report was received from an independent auditor.

The ARS-WUSA Regional Executive board members Judy Jingirian, Zharmen
Mirzakhanyan, Angele Ohannessian, Liza Santikian and Armenouhi
Tomassian had completed their 2-year terms. Judy Jingirian was
re-elected and Araxy Aykanian, Nanik Kupelian, Maral Matossian and
Adrine Postoyan were newly elected to the board for 2-year terms.

The new board is in charge of implementing the ongoing programs of the
ARS and newly adopted resolutions and balanced budget of the 93rd
Regional Convention.

The following were elected as Alternate Regional Executive members (1)
Sirarpi Chakalian; (2) Nevart Mooradian; (3) Ankine Agopian; (4)
Ovsanna Khachadoorian; and (5) Maida Bezdjian. The alternates are for
the newly elected board members for the same duration of two years.

The last election of the convention was for the Auditing Committee.
For the first time, a scantron system was needed to speed up the
election process. The following members were elected to the Auditing
Committee for a one-year term: Nairy Bostanian, Vivian Taslakian and
Tamar Ourichian. This committee will conduct quarterly audits and
report its findings at the 94th Regional Convention.

Dr. Vicken Yacoubian, reiterated the ARF Central Committee’s
commitment, congratulated the newly elected Regional Executive, and
thanked the retiring members of the board, convention officers and
delegates for their service. He commended the ARS for providing
effective and wide range of services, and hoped that the convention
evaluation process serves as a way to renew our commitment to the
organization.

As it is customary, Lena Bozoyan handed commemorative plaques to the
members, whose 2-year terms had expired, and each used the opportunity
to share their feelings, to thank volunteers and staff, and to
reiterate their commitment to the ARS. The two co-chairs Nyree
Derderian and Arous Melkonian used the opportunity to thank the
convention secretaries for an awesome job, to thank the convention
committees for doing a great job, and to admire on the tremendous job
that the ARS does in the region. Other guests and delegates presented
various congratulatory remarks.

Following the adjournment of the convention, a meeting held with the
ARS Central Executive representative Annie Kechichian, convention
officers and the board members, the 2013-2014 Regional Executive board
elected officers as follows:

Chairperson: Lena Bozoyan

Vice-Chairperson: Carmen Libaridian

Secretary: Karine Barikian-Setian

Treasurer: Christina Khanjian

Advisors: Araxy Aykanian, Judy Jingirian, Nanik Kupelian, Maral
Matossian and Adrine Postoyan.

This convention showed that the challenges are being met. Ani
Dikranian, a new member of the hosting Nairy Chapter, was in charge of
the electronic equipment. The first time delegates brought their full
participation to the convention and were elected to committee
assignments. The convention helped to reinvigorate the ranks for
another year in quest for service.

Host chapter’s anniversary marked

The Nairy Chapter organized a program on the second day of the
convention to celebrate its own 45th anniversary. The dinner-dance
program was held on July 13, at the Armenian Center in Montebello,
with dozens of delegates and guests participating, along with some
local residents. Among the guests was the ARS of Eastern USA Regional
Executive representative Taline Mkrtschjan.

Opening remarks were made by the convention organizing committee
chairperson Arpik Najarian, who invited the ARS members and guests to
renew their oath “to be the true successors of our founders and
benefactors.” Following with the national and ARS anthems sung by
Nairy Chapter Executive chairperson Heghine Harboyan, Pastor of Holy
Cross Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian provided blessing for
realizing the ARS dreams in service of the Armenian people. The pastor
also conveyed Prelate Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian’s blessings and
congratulations.

ARS Central Executive Board representative to the 93rd Convention,
Annie Kechichian congratulated the ARS Nairy Chapter, noting that when
the anniversary of a chapter is celebrated, it is a sign of the
chapter’s success and continued existence, and proof of the
advancement of the centenarian ARS. Kechichian urged to involve the
youth in Armenian community life, and congratulated the ARS Nairy
members for their many years of hard work and countless efforts to
help families and advance the Armenian language and culture, in
addition to congratulating the ARS supporters for their contributions.

ARS of Western USA, Regional Executive chairperson Lena Bozoyan
congratulated the ARS Nairy Chapter members for their golden hearts,
iron will and unwavering efforts during the past 45 years. She
commended the Nairy Chapter’s level of activity, dedication and strong
ties of fellowship, and she was confident that the chapter would
continue its many accomplishments. Bozoyan promised that together they
would continue to meet the ever-changing societal needs of our local
communities and serve as symbols of hope to our brethren in the
homeland.

On behalf of the ARS Regional Executive, Bozoyan presented a plaque
commemorating the Nairy Chapter’s 45th anniversary to the Chapter
Executive chairperson Heghine Harboyan.

The chapter had displayed posters of old photographs of ARS history
and a video of the early history of the ARS was shown during the
program, which was followed by the message of the ARF Tro Committee
representative Levon Kirakosian, Esq. He said that he was one of the
displaced persons (DPs) shown on the video, but wished that more of
his friends were with him. He congratulated the Nairy Chapter and
asked the ARS to include the local youth and their needs in their
programs. He handed a certificate of recognition by Christina Cortez,
the Mayor of the City of Montebello, to Heghine Harboyan.

Harboyan reminded the audience of the accomplishments of the chapter:
45 years ago the chapter was founded; 31 years ago the Saturday School
was founded; 15 years ago the day care was founded; and during the
past year 5 new members joined the chapter. The Nairy Day Care had
been recognized by the City of Montebello Chamber of Commerce as a
“Quality of Life” business for 2013. She congratulated the Nairy
Chapter members, who believe in the volunteering and savor teamwork.

Throughout the convention, the ARS Nairy Chapter volunteers had
demonstrated their willingness to do their best in order to provide
for the delegates and guests who arrived in Montebello. “Vartskernit
gadar” as they say for a job well done.

The real Turkish heroes of 1915

by Raffi Bedrosyan

Published: Sunday September 22, 2013

Celal Bey, governor of Aleppo and later Konya who refused to implement
the deportation orders against Armenians.

Germany has decided to name several neighborhoods, streets, buildings,
and public schools in Berlin and other German cities after Adolf
Hitler and other Nazi “heroes.”

If the above statement were to be true, how would you react? How do
you think Germans would react? How do you think Jews still living in
Germany would react? My guess is that you, the Germans, and the Jews
would all find it inconceivable, offensive, and unacceptable.

And yet, it is true in Turkey, where it is acceptable to name several
neighborhoods, streets, and schools after Talat Pasha and other
Ittihat ve Terakki (Committee of Union and Progress) “heroes” who not
only planned and carried out the Armenian Genocide, but were
responsible for the loss of the Ottoman Empire itself.

At last count, there were officially 8 “Talat Pasha” neighborhoods or
districts, 38 “Talat Pasha” streets or boulevards, 7 “Talat Pasha”
public schools, 6 “Talat Pasha” buildings, and 2 “Talat Pasha” mosques
scattered around Istanbul, Ankara, and other cities. After his
assassination in 1922, Talat was originally interred in Berlin,
Germany, but his remains were transferred to Istanbul in 1943 by the
Nazis in an attempt to appease the Turks. He was re-buried with full
military honors at the Infinite Freedom Hill Cemetery in Istanbul. The
remains of the other notorious Ittihat ve Terakki leader, Enver Pasha,
were also transferred in 1996 from Tajikistan and re-buried beside
Talat, with full military honors; the ceremony was attended by Turkish
President Suleyman Demirel and other dignitaries.

Is this hero worship misguided or deliberate? Is the denial of 1915
only state policy, or is it wholeheartedly accepted by the Turkish
public, brainwashed by the state version of history?

Undoubtedly, there was mass participation in the genocide committed by
the Ittihat ve Terakki leaders, resulting in the removal of Armenians
from their homeland of 3,000 years, as well as the immediate transfer
of their wealth, property, and possessions to the Turkish and Kurdish
public, and to thousands of government officials. Yet, despite this
mass participation and the hero worship, there were also a significant
number of ordinary Turks and Kurds, as well as government officials,
who refused to participate in the massacres and plunders. There is
complete silence and ignorance in Turkey about these righteous
officials who refused to follow government orders and instead tried to
save and protect the Armenians. They paid dearly for their actions,
often with the loss of their positions or even their lives as a
consequence. This article will cite some examples of these real and
unsung heroes.

Celal Bey was the governor of Konya, a vast central Anatolian province
and a hub for the Armenian deportation routes from north and west
Anatolia to the Syrian desert. He knew exactly what the Armenians’
fate would be along these routes, or if they survived the deportations
and reached Der Zor; he was previously the governor of Aleppo and had
witnessed the atrocities there. Celal Bey had attempted to reason with
the Ittihat ve Terakki leaders, saying that there was absolutely no
Armenian revolt in Anatolia, nor in Aleppo, and that there was no
justification for the mass deportations. However, one of his
subordinates in Marash inflamed the situation by arresting and
executing several Marash Armenians, triggering a resistance by the
Armenians.

As a result, Celal Bey was removed from his governor’s post in Aleppo
and transferred to Konya. Once there, he refused to arrange for the
deportation of the Konya Armenians, despite repeated orders from
Istanbul. He even managed to protect some of the Armenians who were
deported from other districts and arrived in Konya. By the time he was
removed from his post, in October 1915, he had saved thousands of
Armenian lives. In his memoirs about the Konya governorship, he
likened himself to “a person sitting beside a river, with absolutely
no means of rescuing anyone from it. Blood was flowing down the river,
with thousands of innocent children, irreproachable old men, and
helpless women streaming down the river towards oblivion. Anyone I
could save with my bare hands, I saved, and the rest went down the
river, never to return.”

Hasan Mazhar Bey was the governor of Ankara. He protected the
Ankara-Armenian community by refusing to follow the deportation
orders, stating, “I am a vali [governor], not a bandit. I cannot do
this. Let someone else come and sit in my chair to carry out these
orders.” He was removed from his post in August 1915.

Faik Ali (Ozansoy) Bey was the governor of Kutahya, another central
Anatolian province. When the deportation order was issued from
Istanbul, he refused to implement it; on the contrary, he gave orders
to keep the deported Armenians arriving in Kutahya from elsewhere, and
treat them well. He was soon summoned to Istanbul to explain his
subordination, and the police chief of Kutahya, Kemal Bey, took the
opportunity to threaten the local Armenians-either convert to Islam or
face deportation, he said. The Armenians decided to convert. When Faik
Ali Bey returned, he was enraged. He removed the police chief from his
post, and asked the Armenians if they still wished to convert to
Islam. They all decided to remain Christian, except one. Faik Ali’s
brother, Suleyman Nazif Bey, was an influential and well-known poet
who urged his brother not to participate in this barbarianism and
stain the family name. Faik Ali Bey was not removed from his post
despite his offers of resignation. He ended up protecting the entire
Armenian population of Kutahya, except for the one who converted to
Islam and was deported.

Mustafa Bey (Azizoglu) was the district governor of Malatya, a transit
point on the deportation route. Although he was unable to prevent the
deportations, he managed to hide several Armenians in his own home. He
was murdered by his own son, a zealous member of the Ittihat ve
Terakki Party, for “looking after infidels [gavours, in Turkish].”

Other government officials who defied the deportation orders included
Reshit Pasha, the governor of Kastamonu; Tahsin Bey, the governor of
Erzurum; Ferit Bey, the governor of Basra; Mehmet Cemal Bey, the
district governor of Yozgat; and Sabit Bey, the district governor of
Batman. These officials were eventually removed from their posts and
replaced by more obedient civil servants, who carried out the task of
wiping out the Armenians from these locations.

One of the most tragic stories of unsung heroes involves Huseyin
Nesimi Bey, the mayor of Lice, a town near Diyarbakir. While the
governor of Diyarbakir, Reshit Bey, organized the most ruthless
removal of the Armenians in the Diyarbakir region-with a quick
massacre, rather than lengthy deportation, immediately outside of the
city limits-Huseyin Nesimi dared to keep and protect the Lice
Armenians, a total of 5,980 souls. Reshit summoned Huseyin Nesimi to
Diyarbakir for a meeting, but arranged to have his Circassian militant
guard Haroun intercept him en route. On June 15, 1915, Haroun murdered
Huseyin Nesimi and threw him into a ditch beside the road. Since then,
the murder location, halfway between Lice and Diyarbakir, has become
known as Turbe-i Kaymakam, or the Mayor’s Grave. The Turkish records
document this murder as “Mayor killed by Armenian militants.” In an
ironic twist of history repeating itself, in October 1993 the Turkish
state army attacked Lice, supposedly to go after the Kurdish rebel
militants there; instead, they ended up burning down the entire town
and killing the civilian population. This became the first case the
Kurds took to the European Human Rights Court, resulting in a 2.5
million pound compensation against the Turkish state. At the same
time, several wealthy Kurdish businessmen were targeted for
assassination and murdered by then-Turkish Prime Minister Tansu
Ciller. One of the victims was a man named Behcet Canturk, whose
mother was an Armenian orphan who had managed to survive the Lice
massacres of 1915.

Governor Reshit was also responsible for firing and murdering several
other government officials in the Diyarbakir region who had defied the
deportation orders: Chermik Mayor Mehmet Hamdi Bey, Savur Mayor Mehmet
Ali Bey, Silvan Mayor Ibrahim Hakki Bey, Mardin Mayor Hilmi Bey,
followed by Shefik Bey, were all fired in mid- to late-1915. Another
official, Nuri Bey, the mayor of first Midyat and then Derik, an
all-Armenian town near Mardin, was also fired by Reshit Bey, and
subsequently murdered by his henchmen. His murder was blamed on
Armenian rebels. As a result, all of the Armenian males in Derik were
rounded up and executed, and the women and children deported.

The names of these brave men are not in the history books. If
mentioned at all, they are labeled as “traitors” from the perspective
of the official Turkish version of history. While the state and the
masses committed a huge crime, and while that crime became a part of
their daily life, these men rejected the genocidal campaign, based on
individual conscience, and despite the temptation of enriching
themselves. These few virtuous men, as well as a significant number of
ordinary Turks and Kurds, defied the orders and protected the
Armenians. They are the real heroes, and represent the Turkish version
of similar characters in “Schindler’s List” or “Hotel Rwanda.”
Citizens of Turkey today have two choices when remembering their
forefathers as heroes: to either go with the mass murderers and
plunderers who committed “crimes against humanity,” or the virtuous
human beings with a clear conscience who tried to prevent the “crimes
against humanity.” Getting to know these real heroes will help Turks
break loose from the chains of denialist history over four
generations, and start to confront the realities of 1915.

Sources

Tuncay Opcin, “Ermenilere Kol Kanat Gerdiler (They protected the
Armenians),” Yeni Aktuel, 2007, issue 142.
Ayse Hur, “1915 Ermeni soykiriminda kotuler ve iyiler (The good and
the bad in the 1915 Armenian Genocide),” Radikal newspaper, April 29,
2013.
Seyhmus Diken, “Kaymakam Ermeniydi, Oldurduler… (The mayor was
Armenian, they killed him…),” Bianet, April 23, 2011.
Orhan Cengiz, “1915: Heroes and Murderers,” Cihan News Agency, Nov. 2, 2012.
Tuncay Opcin, “Ermenilere Kol Kanat Gerdiler (They protected the
Armenians),” Yeni Aktuel, 2007, issue 142.
Ayse Hur, “1915 Ermeni soykiriminda kotuler ve iyiler (The good and
the bad in the 1915 Armenian Genocide),” Radikal newspaper, April 29,
2013.
Seyhmus Diken, “Kaymakam Ermeniydi, Oldurduler… (The mayor was
Armenian, they killed him…),” Bianet, April 23, 2011.
Orhan Cengiz, “1915: Heroes and Murderers,” Cihan News Agency, Nov. 2, 2012.

World Peace Day marked in Armenia’s Gyumri

15:03 – 22.09.13

On the occasion of the World Peace Day, the New Generation
humanitarian NGOs organized a number of events in Gyumri, Armenia.

`Our mission is to implement programs aimed to solve major social
problems,’ Program Executive Hovhannes Lazarian told Tert.am.

`The aim of this program is to unite people round the ideals of peace,
by means of arts, trades, music and other creative activities,’ he
added.

The organizers showed the film `I too’ by Lilit Movsisyan at the
Gyumri Jazz Club. Shot in 2012, the film tells about the mental state
of a strong-willed young man going through hardship in a mental
hospital. The show was followed by a discussion.

The second part of the event was organized by the Waterfall disco
club. A number of Gyumri beauty shops held a fashion show. The
organizers called it a Peace Platform.

A march was the last event of the series. The participants marched
from Charles Aznavour square to Vardanants square.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Armenian FM to leave for Russia

15:22 – 22.09.13

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian is to leave for Sochi, Russia, the coming Monday.

The Armenian FM is to participate in a joint meeting of the FMs,
Ministers of Defense and Secretaries of the National Security Councils
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member-states,
the press service of Armenia’s foreign office reports.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Baghdasarian

Obama: The US deeply values its enduring relationship with Armenia

23:31 21.09.2013

Armenia, Barack Obama, Independence

US President Barack Obama sent a congratulatory message to President
Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s
Independence. The message reads:

`Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of all Americans, I congratulate you and the people of
Armenia on the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s independence on September
21.

The United States deeply values its enduring relationship with Armenia
and has been made a stronger nation by the millions of Americans who
proudly trace their ancestry to your country.

The bonds of affection and respect between the United States and
Armenia remain as strong as ever, and we look forward to developing
greater cooperation between our countries in the years to come.’

Hovsep Khurshudyan. `Our security has never been so much endangered as now.’

September 21 2013

`Heritage’ party spokesman Hovsep Khurshudyan, in the interview with
Aravot.am, did not exclude that tomorrow we might celebrate the last
Independence Day. `Nothing is excluded. Putin may wake up in Russia
and decide that it’s time for Armenia to enter the zone of the ruble,
it is the time that at a larger scale offices operate here, which will
take our countrymen to work in Altay. Russia, as you know, is in need
for workforce. If everything is going to be decided in the Kremlin as
to what should happen in Armenia, how it should react in this or that
issue, it would naturally mean that the preservation of the national
flag and anthem would merely be circumstances of formal character.’
Hovsep Khurshudyan noted that all serious experts who express
objective opinion about the entry into the Customs Union rather than
trying to, in every way, justify the President’s Sept. 3 decision by
bootlicking the authorities, are saying that there would be price
increase as a result of joining the Customs Union. `Just at least with
regard to rates of customs duties, you know that it is pretty liberal
regime in Armenia, low rates of customs duties unlike the RF. If we
are going to join the CU, of course, all the products will
considerable increase. Migration will increase drastically. To
maintain their seats, these authorities, seems, they are not going to
stop before anything.’ The justification for the authorities that
entering into the Customs Union is a necessity for security reasons,
Hovsep Khurshudyan so commented.- `Our security has never been so much
endangered as now, when you give all your security tools to one
country, and there is no diversification that you will be able to at
least balance you security with the West, South, and in all
directions. You have already exposed your safety to danger. If Putin,
the Kremlin has to decide the size of your safety, I’m sure that this
person does not feel great love toward Armenia, but towards his
interests. If, tomorrow, he decides that Aghdam is not our homeland,
and say, let’s hand it over to Azerbaijan, especially when Azerbaijan,
in exchange, can buy several tens of billions of other products from
the RF at high prices, he will go for it. If he can increase the
well-being of his country on the account of Armenia, we will not be
able to do anything because we are completely given to the RF’s
expression of will. I do not think that our security, in this case, is
somehow provided. How can a country ensure our security that sells
billions of dollars of weapons to our enemy, that is not hiding the
fact that it will attack on us. I do not believe that such a country
has any interest in providing our security.’ Hripsime JEBEJYAN

Read more at:

ON THE MODERN CHALLENGES THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN LEBANON FACES

19.09.2013

Vahram Hovyan
Expert, Center for the Armenian Studies, `Noravank’ Foundation

The Armenian community in Lebanon traditionally takes plays key role
among the Armenian communities in the Middle East. Today it is even
more obvious taking into consideration difficult situation in other
Armenian communities in the Middle East region (Syria, Iraq, Egypt,
etc.).

Special role of the Armenian community in Lebanon among other Armenian
communities in the Middle East is conditioned by human and
organizational factors. As for the human factor, though the Armenian
community in Lebanon also could not avoid a wave of the Armenian
migration from the Middle East and Near Asia countries started in
middle of the 20th century reaching its heights during the Civil war
in 1975-1990, nevertheless, in general it preserves its considerable
size. Today the number of the Armenian population in Lebanon is 70-80
thousand people1. The fact that the territory of Lebanon is much
smaller as compared to other Armenian populated countries in the
Middle East (total area – about 10 thousand square miles), gives local
Armenian community a status of comparatively compact community.

Organizational factor is connected with the organizations of the
Armenian communities which are not only abundant in quantity and
diverse in types (church, educational, cultural, information, etc.)
but they also differ in the aspect of their activity. There are
organizations among them the activity of which goes far beyond the
scope of community and acquires regional (their activity is also
spread on other Armenian communities in the Middle and Near East) and
nationwide character.

In this aspect church institutions are worth mentioning:

– Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia (Antilias) – Nationwide
institution which, being one of the four main Sees of the Armenian
Apostolic Church is a spiritual center of a big segment of the AAC
adherents;

– Armenian Catholic Patriarchate (Bzoummar) – It is also one of the
nationwide institutions which is a center of the Armenian Catholic
Church;

– Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (Beirut)
– It includes six countries of the region – Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria,
Lebanon, Egypt as well as Armenian Evangelical communities in Greece
and Australia.

Due to the fact that the Armenian communities in the Middle and Near
East are mostly featured as religious entities and are administered by
the churches, one can state that the central administrative bodies of
the Armenian communities in this region (represented by the
aforementioned institutions) are in the Lebanon. Here we mean all the
confessional strata of the Armenians in the Middle and Near East –
adherents of the AAC, Catholics and Evangelicals.

At current stage the Armenian community in Lebanon also faces the
challenges which are characteristic of the Armenian Diaspora. Besides
opposition to threats jeopardizing national identity, the Armenian
community in Lebanon also must face the threats caused by this
volatile Middle East region. In other words, in case with the Lebanese
Armenians, the issue of preserving of the Armenian identity has
expanded and (like in other Armenian communities in the Middle East)
it has turned into an issue of security or even survival of the
Armenian community. The issues of the national identity (language,
culture, national self-consciousness) preservation were supplemented
by the issues of ensuring of physical security and emigration of the
community. Generally, the main issues faced by the Armenian community
in Lebanon can be divided into two groups – issues of security and
preserving of the identity.

Despite the unfavorable conditions and shrinkage of the potential of
the community, nevertheless, the Armenian institutions in Lebanon
still continue exerting efforts to oppose the challenges the Armenian
community faces. The traditional ways in this issues are supplemented
by new ones, because changing of the situation, emerging of new
challenges assumes new approaches.

Preserving of the Armenia identity

In the aspect of preserving of the Armenian identity the challenges
the Armenian community in Lebanon faces are connected with the
attributes of the national identity, in particular, loss of the
language. The problem of mixed marriages is no less acute.

Though the predominating Islamic environment in the Middle East
countries somehow puts the local Armenian communities aside from local
societies, thus contributing to preserving identity, nevertheless,
according to some specialists dealing with this problem, the shrinkage
of the number of the people speaking Armenian, and growth of the
number of the mixed marriages in the Armenian communities in the
Middle East is observed.

Struggling with the assimilation, the Armenian community in Lebanon
continues to emphasize the eagerness of the public life by means of
the regular activity of its organizational structures (church,
educational and cultural institutions, etc.).

As for new ways of preserving of the Armenian identity, in this aspect
the Lebanese Armenian community singles out two circumstances:

– Active involvement of the youth in solving of the national problems.
This is important not only in the aspect of introducing youth to the
national mentality but also in the aspect of rising of the efficiency
of the national organizations’ activity.

– Comparison of the national values with the universal values. It is
impossible to impose restrictions to the youth, thus depriving it from
a possibility of enjoying the achievements of other civilizations.
Such efforts may also contain threats of confrontation between the
community organizations and youth. Correspondingly, the best way of
preserving national identity today is not a confrontation but a
comparison of the national and universal2.

Security issues

The Armenian community in the Lebanon, just like in other countries of
the Middle East, faces the problems of physical security and
emigration which are conditioned by domestic and external
disturbances.

Lebanon stands out for its ethnic and religious-confessional diversity
of the population. In particular, strained relations developed between
the Shiite and Sunnite Muslims which form the main religious and
confessional groups in the country3. Worsening of those relations drew
the country into 15-years civil war (1975-1990). After the end of the
war the relations between Sunnites and Shiites periodically escalate
which is accompanied by violence.

At current stage the risk of the domestic crisis has increased owing
to the domestic Syrian crisis, because expansion of such moods to the
neighboring countries is one of the main features of the `Arab spring’
which burst out in 2011. According to the specialists, the collisions,
which took place in Lebanon lately, are influenced by the events in
Syria and it proves that the revolutionary wave can be `exported’ from
Syria to Lebanon.

And external shocks are connected with the Arab-Israeli conflict, in
which Lebanon is also involved and which manifests itself by
periodical escalations.

Domestic and external shocks affect both Lebanese society and Armenian
community. The community suffers not only human (victims and wounded),
but also material losses: here we mean both personal (flats, cars,
stores, etc.) and community (churches, schools, monuments, etc.)
property.

The absence of the security guarantees induces emigration of the
Armenians from Lebanon. Besides the security threats, emigration of
the Armenians from Lebanon is also determined by social and economic
conditions.

Weakening of the Armenian community in Syria, conditioned by domestic
conflict in this country, is also a challenge to the Armenian
community in Lebanon. The point is that the `Syrian Armenians are not
only a historic and organized community, but it also takes its
important place in the cultural, educational, sport and economic life
of the Armenian Diaspora’4. Proximity, interconnection and similarity
of the Armenian communities in Syria and Lebanon are so profound that
they can be considered as two segments of one big community. Weakening
and disappearance of the Syrian community will considerably weaken the
Armenian community in Lebanon. Under such conditions it is more than
obvious that the Lebanese Armenians cannot stay indifferent to the
fate of their compatriots in Syria.

It is obvious that the Armenian community in Lebanon cannot
considerably influence events of the restless Middle East region.
Moreover, interference into these events can even more endanger life
of the Armenian communities.

Correspondingly, the Lebanese Armenians tend to make efforts though
restricted to ensure their own security as well as the security of
other Armenian communities in the region. In this aspect the
importance of the cooperation with the Christian churches as well as
dialogue between religions and relations between Christians and
Muslims, `which are directed rather to the mutual understanding and
exchange of the experience necessary for the peaceful coexistence in
one and the same society, than the discussion of the theological
issues’5 are underlined.

As for the issue of preserving of the Armenian community in Syria, in
which the Armenians from Lebanon are interested, they do their best to
further it, mainly by means of the financial support6.

All the aforementioned can be summarized in the following theses:

– The Armenian community in Lebanon, as a managing center of the
Armenians in the Middle and Near East, plays a key role in the life of
the Armenian communities of the region;

– Just like other Armenian communities it faces the problems in the
spheres of security and preserving of the Armenian identity;

– Concerning the issue of preserving of the Armenian identity the
Armenian community in Lebanon at current stage, alongside with the
traditional means, also underlines importance of the active
involvement of the youth into the activity of the national structures
as well as combination of the national and universal values;

– In the aspect of the security, the Armenians in Lebanon underline
the importance of cooperation with the Christian churches and
interreligious dialogue with the Muslim world;

-The support rendered by the Armenians from Lebanon to the Armenians
from Syria, besides sincere aspiration to give a helping hand to the
compatriots who appeared in danger, is also based on the concern over
their own security.

1 Encyclopedia of the Armenian Diaspora, – Yerevan, 2003, p. 290.

2 See: General National Assembly of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia (); After completion
of works of the General National Assembly of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia Patriarch Aram I stated: `Reputation of the
Great House of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is in serving’
().

3 Conflict between Sunnites and Shiites is one of the main
inter-Muslim conflicts.

4 Statements of the General National Assembly of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia (June 12-15, 2013): Support of the Armenians
in Syria is nationwide priority

5 After completion of works of the General National Assembly of the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia Patriarch Aram I stated:
().

6 Statements of the General National Assembly of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia (June 12-15, 2013): Support of the Armenians
in Syria is nationwide priority
; Statement:
().

`Globus’ analytical journal, #7, 2013

Return
________________________________
Another materials of author

TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA: CHALLENGES AND
POSSIBILITIES[17.06.2013]
ON POLITICAL VIEW OF THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA [06.05.2013]
ISSUE OF RETURNING CHURCH PROPERTIES IN TURKEY[07.02.2013]
THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST[24.10.2012]
THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN GREECE AT THIS STAGE[04.06.2012]
ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY IN URUGUAY [06.02.2012]
CURRENT CONDITION OF THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY IN RUSSIA[09.01.2012]
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN BULGARIA[07.11.2011]
ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY IN EGYPT[20.01.2011]
ARMENIAN PROTESTANT COMMUNITY IN IRAN[22.10.2010]

ARTSAKH WAR VETERAN URGES ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO JOIN FORCES AND OVERTHROW THE RULING REGIME

by Nana Martirosyan

ARMINFO
Friday, September 20, 19:59

During the Sept 20 rally in Liberty Square in Yerevan, Artsakh war
veteran Khachatur Avetisyan called on Armenian people to overthrow
the ruling regime.

Avetisyan also called on the leaders of political forces to put aside
the ambitions and start a fight for the sake of the country’s better
future. “We joined forces once and liberated Artsakh from the enemy.

Now it’s time to fight the enemy from within”, he stressed.

Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian agreed with Avetisyan and
said that the ruling regime is leading the people into an abyss. “The
man that has signed the Armenian-Turkish protocols, is deepening the
Madrid principles in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and is going
to join the Customs Union must resign,” Hovannisian said.

Unlike the rallies in March, today’s rally was very small and
consisted of no more than 500 people representing Heritage Party,
National Self-Determination Union and protesting Karabakh war veterans.

‘OCTET’MUSIC SCHOOL OPENS IN ARMENIA’S GYUMRI – PHOTOS

18:10 ~U 20.09.13

Music School #6 ‘Octet’ after Azan Shishyan has been opened in Gyumri,
Armenia.

Attending the opening ceremony were Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
Governor of the Shirak region Felix Tsolakyan, Gyumri Mayor Samvel
Balasanyan, Armenia’s Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, other
high-ranking officials, as well as the lead singer and lyricist
for Deep Purple rock band Ian Gillan, who greatly donated to the
construction of the school.

Ian Gillan, as well as Tim Irving, owner of the Millbank music store,
presented the school with new musical instruments. Back in 2009,
VivaCell MTS, Ian Gillan and “Tony” Iommi presented musical instruments
to the school as well.

The opening of Music School #6 completes the Rock Aid Armenia, which
was launched in 1989.

It is a beautiful building, with all the necessary musical
instruments. Such initiatives are a real inspiration for further work,
said Ian Gillan.