The Armenian Weekly On-Line
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]
http://www.a rmenianweekly.com
The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 36, September 13, 2008
Commentary and Analysis:
1. Vortex, Vertigo
By Garen Yegparian
2. Letters to the Editor
***
1. Vortex, Vertigo
By Garen Yegparian
Books by Turks, published in Turkey, keep coming out addressing-sometimes
tangentially and sometimes directly-the Armenian Genocide.
Hrant Dink is killed. Tens upon tens of thousands of Turks rally in
condemnation, with signs and slogans proclaiming, "We are all Hrant Dink. We
are All Armenians."
The most recent iteration of a commemorative genocide resolution doesn’t
pass the U.S. House of Representatives. BUT, this happens while even many of
its opponents recognize there’s no question as to the veracity of the
Turkish-organized slaughter. They just argue, "it’s not the right time" for
other, unrelated, reasons.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul is among the first to congratulate
then-president-elect Serge Sarkisian.
Sarkisian, on a trip to Russia, invites Gul to watch a soccer match between
our two countries. Simultaneously, he opens the door to the possibility of
creating the "history commission" long proposed by Turkey as a means of
delaying its genocide recognition. Sarkisian later backpedals on this
matter.
Georgia’s bellicose president, Mikheil Saakashvili, initiates a war with
Russia and his country gets beaten to a pulp. Tensions are running high
between Russia and the "West"-Europe and the U.S.-at somewhat different
levels. The region-the Caucasus-is very tense.
Azerbaijan’s war-mongering statements, occasional probing forays against
Armenia’s and Artzakh’s forces, and massive oil-money based arms buildup
continue.
Two months of hemming and hawing diplomatic gobbledygook (also
euphemistically referred to as "evaluating the invitation") later, Gul
accepts Sarkisian’s invitation. Gul goes to Armenia. Many seemingly good
feelings are announced. But the two presidents don’t discuss genocide
recognition, much less, one would imagine, territorial, historical,
cultural, and financial restitution.
Baku doesn’t like the public love-fest between Armenia and Turkey.
One of the genocide-organizing-triumvirate’s (Jemal) grandsons places a
wreath at the Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial. Many other Turks, in
Yerevan to watch the football match, go to the Genocide Museum, currently
exhibiting Armenian contributions to the development of Ottoman sports.
The Turks of Turkey, in a poll, are supportive of this seeming
rapprochement, and the elites are giddy with their discovery of "football
diplomacy," unsubtly likening it to the U.S.-China ping-pong diplomacy of
the 1970’s. I’m curious whether there’s a geographic bias to this poll. Is
it skewed with greater participation from urban vs. rural areas, or
vice-versa?
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey are to "finish" the job brought
to its midpoint by the presidents. Meetings are forthcoming.
If this isn’t a political/diplomatic vortex of accelerating speed-think of
the decreasing time intervals between each of the above developments
(compare this to hurricanes as they pick up energy), I don’t know what is.
If you’re not feeling some vertigo, you must be superhuman.
Trying to fit all these puzzle pieces together in my brain is not easy. And
that assumes that it’s even possible to form a coherent picture. I also don’t
like this queasy feeling of being left out.
More importantly, while no one is opposed to the development and improvement
of relations between our two countries, if Armenia starts cutting deals with
Turkey while excluding Armenian Diasporan voices and participation, that’s
unacceptable. If, especially, a genocide recognition deal is made, excluding
reparations and lands, then we have a serious problem. Bypassing the
Diaspora, and the Armenian public in general (and the Turkish one, too),
through secret negotiations is unwise and could land us, the relatively
weaker side, in the same boat as the Palestinians after the Oslo agreements
were signed with Israel.
Let the sun shine on whatever’s going on. Let the public in. Let’s do this
right. Both sides will be the better off for it.
———————————————- —————————
2. Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
The campaign against the genocide denials of the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) and its so-called "No Place for Hate" program has succeeded beyond all
expectations. So far, 13 Massachusetts cities and the Massachusetts
Municipal Association have ceased their sponsorship of that discredited
program.
Armenian-Americans have demonstrated against ADL national director Abe
Foxman-who never fails to stick his foot in his mouth-in Michigan and
California.
Principled Jewish-Americans have sided with Armenians and thrashed Foxman
for working with Turkey to stop the Armenian Genocide from being recognized.
The genocide hypocrisy of the ADL has been exposed to the world.
Why is any of this important? The ADL and several kindred lobbying
organizations are powerful opponents of the congressional resolution
affirming the Armenian Genocide. Exposing those organizations thereby makes
passage of the resolution more likely. Moreover, this campaign has generated
unprecedented amounts of international coverage of Armenian issues and
further laid bare Turkey’s own misguided policies.
But a number of Armenians-clergy, elected officials, academicians, political
party members, writers, business people, lawyers, doctors, and others-have
been sitting on the sidelines. They are hurting the community and their own
reputations. They may think they are fooling their fellow Armenians, but
they’re not. We all know who they are.
Armenian groups and activists have been targeting another major financial
supporter of ADL programs: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Blue
Cross executives, who are also leading members and friends of the ADL, have
worked on the inside to bring about this disgraceful sponsorship. One of
them, Peter Meade, has also worked strenuously against the proposed Armenian
Heritage Park on Boston’s Kennedy Greenway.
The Watertown Town Council, probably on Sept. 23 at 7:15 p.m. at town hall
or in a nearby school, will host a Blue Cross spokesperson who will insult
you and our history and try to pull the wool over the public’s eyes.
It is imperative for Armenian-Americans to stand up for their family and
community and join this successful and honorable campaign.
David Boyajian
Newton, Mass.
***
Dear Editor,
The reply to Andy Turpin’s review of Skin Deep by author Gary Goshgarian
(aka Gary Braver) may have been right on point, as they say. I can’t judge
because I haven’t read the novel.
What bothered me when I read the author’s response to Mr. Turpin’s review
were the uncomplimentary personal characterizations that he so freely used.
All that was required in his rebuttal was to explain why he felt that Mr.
Turpin’s analysis was flawed. All writers of whatever genre must be able to
accept criticism gracefully; that goes with the territory. The product
should be able to "speak for itself."
It’s nice to know that the author’s literary efforts have been so well
received.
I look forward to reading more reviews by Mr. Turpin in The Armenian Weekly.
Michael G. Mensoian
Newton, Mass.
***
Dear Editor,
The Armenian Renaissance Association (ARA) Sophia Chapter of Greater Detroit
has made and sent 46 blankets to the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Karin Tak
Soseh Mangabardez (Kindergarten) in Artsakh (Karabagh). Members of the ARA
would like to bring warmth and smiles to the beautiful children of Artsakh.
Nineteen crocheted blankets were made by Arshalous Avakian, a
wheelchair-bound 83-year-old member of the ARA. The yarn was donated by Dr.
Vahagan and Mary Jo Agbabian. Blankets are intended for the children of the
ARS Soseh Mangabardez in Artsakh. Each blanket is different and the children
may choose the one they like.
The largest blanket was made special for the teachers to share. This was a
gift from Mrs. Avakian. The six handmade scarves were made special for the
teachers and donated by ARA member Susan Zazaian.
Many thanks to Armen Toupouzian for arranging the transportation.
The objectives of the ARS Soseh Mangabardez Program are:
1. To provide a daily hot meal, a warm shelter, and a preschool to orphans
and children (ages 3-6) who do not have the means to receive the basic needs
for existence-five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 52 weeks a year.
2. To give the opportunity to widows or economically deprived families with
small children to work in order to increase their meager income.
Please be generous in your charitable donation to the ARS. Always remember,
you are helping the children of Artsakh; you will never resent you
investment. Checks are made payable to the Armenian Relief Society, Inc., 80
Bigelow Ave., Watertown MA, 02472, earmarked for the ARS Soseh Mangabardez
Program.
Mary Jo Agbabian
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
***
Dear Editor,
It is hard to believe that Artie Barsamian, the innovator of the modern
sound of Armenian music, turned 80 on Aug. 23. Four decades of success is a
great accomplishment in any field, and for Artie it has been a remarkable
journey.
At the age of 18, Artie traveled with a Big Band throughout the Midwest with
Leon Merian. Unfortunately, Artie’s dear father passed away and he returned
home to help his mother with his siblings. After decades of playing Armenian
and American music at weddings, functions, and our spirited picnics, Artie
went on to become the leader of the nationally acclaimed Boston Big Band.
Artie has presented the Armenians in America a musical identity that makes
us proud. He has bestowed to the generations a national and ethnic bond-a
major factor in molding our youth and American heritage.
This multi-talented artist still has an active musical career. His age has
not changed his passion for his music or his forever spirit. He is like a
fine wine; he keeps getting better and is still performing.
Our birthday wishes to our beloved musician, who will continue to bring
pleasure and happiness to us. Artie is timeless and unforgettable. Long live
the "King of Armenian Swing."
Diana Maloomian
Chelmsford, Mass.
***
Dear Editor:
Why doesn’t the media ever give credit to Marilyn Devaney, the one person
who was responsible for representing the Armenians-cutting all ties with the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program in
Watertown and other communities as well as the Massachusetts Municipal
Association (MMA)?
Every politician wants to take credit. The newspapers simply say "Watertown
was the first community to withdraw from the ADL No Place for Hate," never
saying who was responsible (Marilyn), who authored it and brought the
proclamation public.
Marilyn started international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
educated people on how the ADL has worked for decades to defeat a
Congressional resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Marilyn has
said, "The Armenians have been deprived of their history."
In August 2007, Marilyn successfully won a unanimous vote of eight town
councilors (with one councilor absent). Marilyn didn’t stop there. She
traveled to other towns and cities asking them to withdraw from the NPFH as
well. She went from a 7 a.m. meeting in Bedford to an evening meeting in
Needham. She held a public meeting in Watertown and attended various
organizational meetings in other towns. She contacted every town and city in
Massachusetts.
Marilyn went to the MMA Board of Directors meeting and passed out a
resolution for the MMA to adopt-like Watertown ‘s-and withdraw from the
ADL-sponsored NPFH. She asked for a vote but a member wanted to send it to
his small committee to write another resolution… That resolution voted by
the MMA did not do what Marilyn’s resolution asked, that is, an immediate
withdrawal from the ADL. The resolution adopted by the MMA gave the ADL
three more months as the ADL was to meet in New York City in the beginning
of November 2007.
After the national ADL met in November and took "no action" about the
Armenian Genocide, and after the MMA Board of Directors had a meeting and
took no action on the resolution, Marilyn presented a proclamation at the
Nov. 12 Town Council meeting asking the MMA to withdraw immediately since
the ADL had not responded.
The vote was not taken, however, and I watched as Councillor Jon Hecht
tabled it-"to amend it." Two weeks later, at the next Town Council meeting,
they finally voted on Marilyn’s initiative to have the MMA withdraw its
sponsorship of the ADL.
Marilyn has always been there for us. She’s not " a Johnny come lately." She’s
attended the Armenian Genocide commemorations in Watertown for the past 30
years and the Armenian Genocide commemoration in the State House for 20
years, beginning when Speaker George Keverian established it.
I am writing this because I like to see people who deserve it get the credit
for what they have done.
Arthur Papazian