ASBAREZ ONLINE [12-23-2004]

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12/23/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// OUR NEXT ISSUE Due to the holiday schedule, our next posting will appear on Monday, December 27 1) Russia Ready to Serve 'Only as Guarantor' in MKR Resolution 2) Community Raises $65,000 for Washington Hai Tahd Activities 3) Turkey, Syria Sign Free Trade Agreement 4) Additional Pension to Genocide Survivors 5) Ninth Graders Give the Gift of Sight for Christmas 6) Former ARS Sponsored Student Gives the ARS a Boost 7) An ARS Perspective: Creating Community Dialogue in Studio City 8) OPINION: Good News for a Change 9) Special Christmas and New Year's Eve Programs on Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television 1) Russia Ready to Serve 'Only as Guarantor' in MKR Resolution MOSCOW (RIA Novosti)--Russia is ready to mediate the Karabagh conflict settlement process and serve only as a guarantor, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference in Moscow on Thursday. "We have formulated our approach; we are ready to act as an intermediary and a guarantor of the agreements possible between the parties to the conflict--Armenia and Azerbaijan," the president told a news conference. "We do not want to become a long-term unfavorable partner for [either] one of the parties. We are unwilling to assume responsibility for that," he said, stressing that the two sides have to reach agreement on their own. Pointing to Russia's presence in the Caucasus for centuries, he said "We have our own interests in the South Caucasus. These interests should be assured but, of course, they also have to go with the interests of other nations, including Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan." According to the president, Russia has been pursuing proactive policies in the region. 2) Community Raises $65,000 for Washington Hai Tahd Activities WASHINGTON, DC--On December 3, heeding the call of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the Armenian community of Washington, DC expressed its support for ARF's pan-Armenian activities by collecting $65,000 at a fundraising reception at the home of Gourgen and Margaret Assaturian. Along with many ARF supporters and benefactors, Armenia's Ambassador to the US Dr. Arman Kirakossian, and Mrs. Kirakossian, ARF Bureau members Vicken Hovsepian and Garo Armenian, and representatives of the ARF Central Committee attended the reception. The evening commenced with a welcoming by Gourgen Assaturian, who thanked the guests' enthusiastic response to attend the fundraising function, and encouraging the ARF in its continuous struggle for the world-wide recognition of the Armenian Case. He was followed by Armenian, who spoke of the many challenges Armenians face and the necessity to unite in facing those challenges; he also stressed the importance of turning the scattered communities of the diaspora into an effective political force, dedicated to the strengthening of Armenian national statehood. As the main speaker of the day, Hovsepian expressed his appreciation for the moral and financial commitment of the Washington community to the work of the ARF and their zeal to make their success possible. Hovsepian comprehensively presented the voluminous work of the ARF in both Armenia and the diaspora, stressing that these advancements would be impossible to even conceive without the dependable contribution of supporters devoted to the mission of ARF. 3) Turkey, Syria Sign Free Trade Agreement DAMASCUS (Reuters)--Turkey and Syria signed a free trade agreement on Wednesday and discussed how to keep Iraq united and stable despite the violence sweeping their neighbor. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan flew to Damascus on a two-day visit aimed at cementing improved ties between the two countries which nearly went to war in 1998 over Turkish charges that Syria was harboring Turkish Kurdish guerrillas. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a landmark visit to Turkey in January to bury the hatchet after years of tension over the rebels and disputes over land and water resources. This visit comes days after the European Union's historic decision last week to start accession talks with Turkey. Syria is also seeking closer ties with the EU. "This visit shows how far our trade, economic, and political ties have developed since President Assad's historic trip," Erdogan told reporters in Damascus. Erdogan signed a free trade zone agreement with Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari and discussed possible Turkish investments in Syria and joint agriculture projects. "The economic and trade ties between our two countries would from now on be governed by the agreements that we have signed," Erdogan said. He said the deal would allow investments by Turkish firms in Syria, currently at $150 million, to increase rapidly. Otari said Syria was looking for capital to develop its mainly state-controlled economy. "Our goal at this stage is comprehensive development," he said. Syrian Information Minister Mahdi Dakhl-Allah said the agreement was expected to double the size of bilateral trade which currently stands at around $1 billion annually. He said better trade ties with Syria would open up the Arab markets for Turkey. "Syria is Turkey's gate to the Arab world." UNITY OF IRAQ Erdogan and Otari said they also discussed Iraq. Otari was quoted by the official Syrian news agency SANA as saying during the meeting that the US-led war in Iraq failed to bring peace and stability to the region and freedom and democracy to Iraqis. The Turkish prime minister also held talks with Assad, which most likely touched on Iraq, where elections are scheduled for Jan. 30 despite an upsurge of violence. Syria and Turkey, both with restless Kurdish minorities, are worried about any possible break up of Iraq and fear the establishment of a separate Kurdish state in northern Iraq. Dakhl-Allah said both Turkey and Syria wanted to see a stable Iraq and agreed its unity must be preserved. Before his visit to Damascus, Erdogan called President George W. Bush and urged him to act against Kurdish separatists operating from northern Iraq, Turkish officials said. Ankara, one of Washington's key regional allies, is uneasy with the US-led occupation of Iraq and refused to allow US forces to invade from Turkish soil in 2003. Syria, which opposed the invasion, is under intense pressure from the United States for allegedly allowing foreign fighters to cross its border into Iraq to join the insurgency there. Erdogan, who was accompanied by several ministers and dozens of Turkish businessmen, would attend a meeting of Syrian and Turkish businessmen in Damascus on Wednesday evening. He heads to Aleppo in northern Syria on Thursday before returning home. 4) Additional Pension to Genocide Survivors YEREVAN (A1plus)--In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, the Armenian Government has decided to provide a monthly supplement of 5,000 dram, in addition to regular monthly pensions, to survivors who were born in Western Armenia and other territories of Ottoman Turkey before 1915. The payments will begin on January 1, 2005. 5) Ninth Graders Give the Gift of Sight for Christmas Homeroom Class Sponsors Village of Margahovit for Eye Screenings NEWPORT BEACH"The spirit of Christmas is in giving, not receiving," says Miriam Samoniantz, a teacher at Mesrobian Armenian School in Pico Rivera, California. She infused the Christmas spirit in her ninth-grade students by encouraging them to participate in the Armenian EyeCare Project's (AECP) Adopt-A-Village Program. "It really is a wonderful feeling to give unselfishly." Samoniantz learned about the Adopt-A-Village Program from her parents, Choren and Flora Manukian, who are patients of AECP President Roger Ohanesian. The Manukians told their daughter about the AECP's program to help provide eye care to the thousands of Armenian people in the regions who cannot afford care. From March through November each year, the AECP's state of the art Mobile Eye Hospital follows a scheduled route throughout the country, providing eye care at no cost to vulnerable patients. The AECP doctors, nurses, and staff screen adults and children for eye disease and provide a complete eye examination with treatment, including surgery, when required. The most frequently performed surgery on the MEH is for cataracts. During the winter months, when weather prevents the MEH from traveling throughout the Marzes, it visits local nursing homes and orphanages. Since June of 2003, the start of the AECP's seven-year initiative "Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes," the Mobile Eye Hospital has visited seven regions of Armenia, screened close to 40,000 people and performed approximately 2,500 surgeries and laser procedures. The Adopt-A-Village program invites donors to sponsor the screening and treatment of residents of a specific region or village in Armenia. The cost of adopting a village ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the population. Donors can choose a village that has special meaning to them, orlike Miriam Samoniantz and her classthey can select a village in an area that will soon be visited by the MEH so that they can help people with an immediate need. "When I heard about AECP's Adopt-A-Village Program, that's all I needed. I thought that this is something that my ninth grade homeroom can do," says Samoniantz. "The AECP is truly a wonderful organization. The doctors donate their time to help people. The idea that so many people could be helped by such a small amount was appealing." Samoniantz asked the seven boys and seven girls in her homeroom class: "How would you like to give the gift of eyesight to a village? It would be truly wonderful and unselfish of you." The 14-year-olds embraced the project, which began in October and ended in mid-December. They decided to adopt Margahovit because the AECP's Mobile Eye Hospital will visit the village early in 2005. Samoniantz, who has taught at Mesrobian Armenian School for 30 years, thought the project would be especially meaningful if the class started a Margahovit piggybank. Each day the students emptied their pocket change into the bank. Soon, the students went right to the piggybank first, emptied their pockets and purses, and then greeted their teacher. In 2½ months, the students raised $535 to adopt Margahovit. "They were ecstatic. They were very pleased with themselves," says Samoniantz. "The class realizes that they're giving the gift of sight to their brothers and sisters in Armenia. It was done unselfishly and willingly. I'm really proud of these kids." Samoniantz, who "definitely" plans to adopt another village with her students next year, says that her ninth grade class hopes that their efforts will motivate other schools and organizations to participate in the Adopt-A-Village program. Other AECP donors who have adopted a village include: Arch and Nelly Azizian, San Leandro, California; Diane Der Bogozian, Virginia; Haig and Gaylynne Der-Houssikian, Gainesville, Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Jirair Hovnanian, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey; Dickie Hovsepian, San Francisco, California; Eileen Barsamian Jennings, St. Petersburg, Florida; Dr. and Mrs. Onik Keshishian, Los Angeles, California; Bizer Simonian, Worcester, Massachusetts; and Mr. Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie Kulhajian, Piedmont, California. To discuss a special adoption program for you or your family and for a complete list of villages available for adoption, please contact the EyeCare Project on their toll free number, 866-448-2327. To learn more about the AECP, visit <;, or call 949-675-5767. To make a donation, call the AECP toll-free number, 1-866-GIV-AECP, donate online at mail a check to 518 South Bayfront, Newport Beach, CA 92662. 6) Former ARS Sponsored Student Gives the ARS a Boost --"I will never be able to repay the ARS," said Ajemian. GLENDALE--The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western US Regional Executive received an encouraging boost just in time for the holidays. An exciting office dedication at the ARS regional headquarters in Glendale, along with an elegant luncheon, with over 400 members in attendance, marked a memorable end to a great year. As a former ARS sponsored student, Abraham Ajemian, with his wife Antaram, returned the favor by sponsoring one of the ARS offices. Last May, as Mr. and Mrs. Ajemian accompanied ARS members on a trip to ARS project sites in Armenia and Karabagh, they were inspired to do more for the ARS, in addition to the eight orphans they were already sponsoring through the ARS Sponsor-A-Child program. The ARS General Accountant/Controller of the Western Region, Jasik Jarahian, arranged for the sponsorship of one of the offices located on the second floor of the ARS Western Region headquarters building in Glendale. The generous donation of $20,000 was officially made during a luncheon, with ARS Regional Executive Vice-Chair, Sona Madarian, calling it "a day of celebration." Speaking on behalf of the Regional Executive, Madarian said, "There were, there are, and there will be those who believe in the ARS, because they appreciate the ARS' accomplishments. Our work speaks for itself." Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, along with parish priest of St. Mary Church in Glendale Rev. Ardag Demirjian, officiated the blessing of the newly refurbished office on December 5. As Vice Chair of the ARS Central Executive Hasmig Derderian, along with Madarian, placed the ARS emblem and tri-color ribbons on the couple, the sponsors cut the ribbon to the office. In attendance were ARF Central Committee representative Karo Khanjian, Chair of the Armenia Fund West Coast Board Maria Mehranian, Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association's Regional Executive representative Hrayr Shirikian, representatives of the Homenetmen Ararat Chapter, as well as over 100 former sponsors, current and former members of ARS Regional Executives, and current members of ARS chapter executives. 7) An ARS Perspective: Creating Community Dialogue in Studio City STUDIO CITY--Armenian Relief Society (ARS) chapters and other community organizations continually contend with how to attract new members, how to provide services to the community, and how to engage non-Armenian political and community organizations. The simple, yet ideal solution for the local ARS chapters was to organize community mixer at the Armenian Center in Studio City, so as to introduce local, non-Armenian leaders to what goes on inside its walls. Master of ceremonies the honorable Judge Greg Keosian invited representatives of Armenian organizations to present information about their work for the community, as well as guests to give their impressions of the event and how they could benefit from the community. Manig Sakayan of the Armenian National Committee introduced the role of the various organizations that operate from the Armenian Center. ARS Western region chair Angela Savoian explained that the ARS has been serving those in need since 1910, empowering members as leaders of the organization and the community, contributing to the education and well being of citizens with its five Social Services Centers, and a Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center. Savoian's presentation depicted scenes from the LA Marathon, the ARS Armenian Festival, and new ARS members taking their oath. She highlighted the work of the ARS "Meghri" Chapter, that operates from the Armenian Center in Studio City. ARS services include a Social Services branch office. The chapter also sponsors an after-school Armenian language program at Erwin Elementary in Van Nuys. Other speakers included the western region's Armenian National Committee chair Raffi Hamparian, Jack McGrath of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce, and Alan Dymond, Rafi Kuyumjian and Michael Klausman of the Studio City Neighborhood Council. Klausman is also President of the CBS Studio Center. 8) OPINION: Good News for a Change By Garen Yegparian See, I'm not all doom and gloom. I've seen a few good things on the Armenian scene this year. One was the people of the Arapkir district of Yerevan getting organized to stand up for their water rights as detailed by Apo Boghigian in some of his Asbarez columns. The initiative demonstrated by that action is what will build the country and develop a sense of accountability to the people by government. Another example of initiative, reported in the March 17 Asbarez (Armenian), is that of the Krouzian-Zakarian-Vabouragan students. They conducted research and sent a letter to effect the correction of a caption in one of their textbooks. Which leads me to the hope I have for the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles. This is an institution abirthing. Among all the good things it proposes to do, it must inspire (not instill--that would be contradictory) its students to take the initiative, yet cooperatively. Too often initiative is translated as being headstrong or doing things alone. I hope the students will come to recognize the important role they are to play in our nation's future, which necessarily means bringing the rest of our community along in their initiatives. The Academy is designed to fill a niche need. Some twenty years ago, I recall Garo Armenian describing a vision of an institution much like the Academy. A core group has been meeting intensely for the last handful of years, discussing and planning its launch. The target date is the next academic year, starting with 9th grade and building annually to a full high school. The curriculum is so rich, I want to go back to high school! As with all novel efforts, this is no mean feat. To their credit, the founders are utilizing innovative approaches to achieve their goals. This approach, of course, holds truest when it comes to financing. They're succeeding in engaging our oft-tapped benefactors in a promising endeavor. In fact, a gala kickoff is in the offing the first week of April, watch for details. No elitist, hoity-toity, snooty bunch are these founders. They're even organizing focus groups to address core concerns from financial to curriculum. Some of these have already occurred. Others are upcoming. If the campaign is conducted with the same gravity and eye to public relations demonstrated in the introductory package distributed last spring, then the greater Los Angeles community will be blessed with a major new and positive institution. As with any new project, this one too has its detractors and naysayers. The only arguably valid concern I've encountered is its possible effect on our current network of Armenian schools. Let me point out that the heyday of Armenian school building in North America was the late '70's-early eighties. Since then, our school "system" has been static. I see the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles, once successful, as the initiator of a new period of growth for the cornerstone institution of the diaspora- Armenian education and the development of compatriotic bonds in childhood. Let's support this exciting effort. Check out the website too-- Opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's and not necessarily those of Asbarez. 9) Special Christmas and New Year's Eve Programs on Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television GLENDALE--Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television will broadcast a special holiday program on Christmas day and New Year's Eve. "The Eyes of Christmas," an annual telecast taping that has become a Hollywood tradition, features some of Hollywood's top stars sharing their holiday memories, interwoven in a unique holiday movie narrated especially for the blind through a new process called TheatreVision. Horizon's New Year's Eve special programming includes a two hour year-in-review highlighting people and events that shaped the world of Armenian-Americans in 2004. The special will also include an exclusive movie premier produced by Yerkir Media, Yerevan's most popular television station. The movie, "Let's Go & Return," is a story of two young Armenian businessmen who find themselves stuck in an old village on New Year's Eve; though apprehensive at the thought of spending the evening with villagers, they nevertheless end-up encountering the unusual, to discover their rich cultural heritage. The third part of the special will feature a concert with famous Armenian singers and entertainers from throughout world. The taping will take place Sunday, December 26 at 7 p.m. at the Alex Theater in Glendale. Those interested in attending the taping may purchase their tickets at the box office or by contacting (818) 415-0415. Eyes of Christmas--airs Christmas Eve 12:30 a.m. and Christmas Day at 9:30 a.m. The New Year's Eve Special--airs 6 p.m. on Friday, December 31. 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) 2004 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. --Boundary_(ID_NVhjgRsx+Odc+xUeW2iANw)--