Author: Andres-Papazian

AACA, Inc.
Tel: (703) 416 -2555
Lusine Sarkisyan, Program Associate

Lincy Foundation Donates $250,000 for Armenian American Wellness Center

Donation will launch Men’s Health Program

By Maria Princi

Washington, D.C. – The Armenian American Cultural Association (AACA)
announces the most recent donation of the Beverly Hills based Lincy
Foundation to the Armenian American Wellness Center (Wellness Center),
in Armenia.

Lincy Foundation, a long time sustainer of health and wellness programs
in Armenia, continues this commitment with their recent $250,000
donation to AACA, the fourth award made by Lincy Foundation to AACA
since 2001.

The Wellness Center has been active in Armenia saving the lives of
countless women/mothers since its establishment in 1997. AACA
established the Wellness Center to address the country’s need for the
early and accurate detection of breast cancer – which was and still is,
the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Armenia, according to
its Ministry of Health.

In addition to promoting its core mission to save lives by educating the
public on the importance of the early detection of breast cancer through
annual mammograms, monthly breast self-exams, and annual clinical
check-ups, AACA also introduced Basic Gynecology and Pathology
Laboratory Services at the Wellness Center, in 2001. This was crucial
for the early and accurate detection of cervical cancer, which was and
still is, the second cause of cancer deaths among women in Armenia. In
2003, AACA also introduced Family Medicine at the Wellness Center and
Preventive Health Care by educating the public on healthy lifestyles and
the importance of annual medical check-ups. In 2006, AACA was the first
to introduce Bone Density Screening and education in Armenia by
installing a state-of-the-art digital screening DEXA unit at the
Wellness Center.

The Wellness Center has screened a record 165,000 patients since its
beginning in April 1997, providing over 215,000 individual medical
services to these patients and diagnosing 4,800 cases of breast cancer
from stages 1 to 4. The Wellness Center’s US trained medical staff, has
also brought happiness to 78 couples struggling with infertility, by
making them parents to 78 “Miracle Babies”. The Wellness Center has
also provided breast screenings to 404 men resulting in the diagnosis of
17 malignant cancers and 222 benign masses.

AACA will utilize the $250,000 gift from Lincy Foundation to introduce a
Men’s Health Program/Department at the newly renovated and expanded
Wellness Center. This program will include public education about early
detection of men’s urinary diseases, especially prostate cancer by
providing annual prostate screenings, diagnostic testing and follow-up
treatment. The Men’s Health Program/Department will also conduct minor
and minimally invasive urological procedures.

The Wellness Center, which has continued operation throughout
construction, is nearing completion of a 4-year, $5.5 million renovation
and expansion of the 6-story building. When complete, the Wellness
Center, as a state-of-the-art Primary Health Care facility, built in
accordance with Western architectural and engineering designs and
standards as well as seismic reinforcement requirements, will continue
to provide high quality medical services not only to women but also to
men.

AACA relies on the donations of individuals, foundations and
corporations to continue its life saving work in Armenia. AACA is also
a proud partner of USAID through its American Schools and Hospitals
Abroad (ASHA) and Global Development Alliance (GDA) Programs.

For more information on the Wellness Center and its US sponsor, visit
, or e-mail [email protected]. Please make donations
payable to AACA, 1300 Crystal Drive, Suite 1504, Arlington, VA 22202 or
to donate by credit card, please call (703) 416-2555.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
3111 Los Feliz Avenue, #206, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Contact person: Dr. Frieda Jordan
Phone: (323) 663-3609
Email:[email protected]

ABMDR achieves extraordinary milestones
by participating in European scientific symposium

Thanks to ABMDR efforts, Armenia is chosen as first country in
Caucasus to host meeting of European Federation for Immunogenetics
later this year

Los Angeles, February 11, 2011 – The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor
Registry (ABMDR) reached two significant milestones recently. On
January 22, the organization participated in a meeting of the
European Federation for Immunogenetics (EFI). The second success came
when, at the conclusion of the event, Armenia was chosen as the first
country in the Caucasus to host an EFI meeting, in November of this
year.

The EFI provides technical support to immunogenetics laboratories
across the world, sets operational standards and methodologies, and
awards accreditation. A full member of the EFI, the ABMDR is
accredited by the federation for its HLA tissue typing laboratory in
Yerevan.

At the January 22 meeting, held in Athens, Greece, the ABMDR was
represented by Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the registry’s Board
of Directors, and Dr. Sevak Avagyan, executive director of the
registry. The event was devoted to Histocompatibility and
Immunogenetics Laboratories in the EFI’s Region 8, which includes the
Balkans. The meeting was attended by over 200 participants from 14
countries, comprising Albania, Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus,
Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia,
Switzerland, and Turkey.

DR. Jordan addressed the meeting with a presentation titled
`Organizing a Bone Marrow Donor Registry in a Small Country.’ Her
lecture, which detailed the work and goals of the ABMDR, received
high praise from attendees. Organizers and participants alike
congratulated the ABMDR for its many achievements since its launch in
1999, specifically commending the registry’s global networking,
grassroots recruitment drives, and groundbreaking accomplishments
through its Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan.

The Stem Cell Harvesting Center reached a watershed in June 2010,
when, for the first time in the history of Armenia, it performed a
stem cell harvesting procedure. Thanks to the procedure, a bone
marrow transplant was later performed in Belgium, saving the life of
a patient who suffered from a potentially terminal blood-related
disease.

At the conclusion of the EFI meeting in Athens, organizers discussed
venue and date options for the next Histocompatibility and
Immunogenetics Laboratories meeting. Several countries, including
Armenia, had presented their candidacy for hosting the meeting. After
careful consideration, Armenia emerged as the clear favorite. As it
announced its decision, the EFI committee cited the scope and quality
of the ABMDR’s work as the main factor in its selection of Armenia.

Furthermore, the committee entrusted the ABMDR to organize the
meeting, under the auspices of the EFI. The meeting is slated to be
held in Yerevan in November 2011.

`In addition to the ABMDR’s participation at the EFI meeting in
Athens, the selection of Armenia as the host of the next
Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratories meeting is a major
achievement for our registry,’ Dr. Jordan said. `For the first time
in history, Armenia will be hosting such a high-profile,
international scientific symposium. The meeting will also be the
first of its kind in the region. I think it’s likewise important to
note that Armenia is the only country in the region to have a
laboratory, namely the one at the ABMDR Stem Cell Harvesting Center,
which is accredited by the EFI.’

Dr. Jordan added that the Yerevan meeting will be a great boon to
global cooperation in the immunogenetics field. For many years, she
explained, the ABMDR has been building collaborative relationships
between the scientific communities of Armenia and its neighbors. Such
broad cooperation will further encourage scientists from Russia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Iran to participate in the EFI meeting in
Yerevan, effectively enabling Armenia to function as a science bridge
between these countries and Europe, she said.

About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999,
the 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 20,000 donors in 13
countries across three continents, identified 1,696 patients, found
1,419 potential matches, and facilitated 12 bone marrow transplants.

For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.

# # #

From: A. Papazian

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator
755 Mount Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: (617) 924-4420
Fax: (617) 924-2887
Web:
E-mail: [email protected]

1.What Image for the Death of the Witness?: Marc Nichanian Lectures in New
York
2. Searching for our place in history

*****************************************************************

1. What Image for the Death of the Witness?: Marc Nichanian Lectures in New
York

*By Aram Arkun*
*Mirror-Spectator *Staff

NEW YORK – Literary critic Marc Nichanian, currently a visiting professor of
cultural studies at Sabançi University in Istanbul, and formerly at Columbia
University, gave a lecture titled `What Image for the Death of the Witness?’
at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery here on February 3. This talk was presented
in connection with the `Blind Dates: New Encounters from the Edges of a
Former Empire’ exhibition on the same day.

To understand Nichanian’s talk, it is necessary to be familiar to a certain
degree with European philosophy and in particular debates over the past few
decades concerning the possibility and limits to `representation’ in various
forms of genocides, mass murders and similar catastrophic events. Nichanian
in his previous works, in particular the volume *La Perversion
Historiographique *(translated into English by Gil Anidjar as *The
Historiographic Perversion*, 2008), came down emphatically on the side of
those who do not believe that it is possible to portray genocides and
similar such events in literature. He continued in this vein at this
lecture, examining what an image is and its relationship to the catastrophe
and survival.

After a warm introduction by Neery Melkonian, the director of the Blind
Dates project, Nichanian gave the outline of his talk, stressing his view
that a catastrophic event could not be accounted for through historiography
because of its odd temporal structure – not everything has yet happened,
so
that it will only be an event in the future. Secondly, historiography is
based on witnessing, but because the catastrophic event is the death of the
witness, it cannot be written about historically.

Nichanian spoke in front of an artwork by Aram Jibilian and Aaron Mattocks
using masks to present Arshile Gorky, or his `ghost,’ at Gorky’s Connecticut
home. The idea of a mask covering the absence of what it is supposed to be
covering led Nichanian to the concept of the death mask as the image of the
image.

Nichanian then quoted from Siegfried Kracauer, a German-Jewish theoretician
of mass culture, who said that actual horrors, like the Gorgon Medusa,
paralyze men with blinding fear, and so cannot be looked at directly. We can
only look at images of them. The film screen (perhaps like the death mask)
is thus Athena’s polished shield, allowing us to see, for example, events in
Nazi concentration camps. Nichanian explained that the image has an
apotropaic function but Krakuaer also gives it a redemptive component. It
redeems the real, the horror, by making it bearable and thus accessible.

At this point, Nichanian turned to the recent volume by Georges
Didi-Huberman, *Images in Spite of All: Four Photographs from Auschwitz*.
Didi-Huberman maintained that the four photographs taken by sonderkommandos
at this camp refute the notion that genocide – in this case the Shoah, and
Auschwitz in particular – are unimaginable. Instead, we need to manage the
mechanism of images in order to know what to do with our memory. The image
is indeed testimony, and, Nichanian felt he would probably add, all
testimony is images. Didi-Huberman argued against those who felt that the
catastrophe does not belong in history, and against the postmodernists in
general.

Naturally, Nichanian was opposed to Didi- Huberman’s point of view and felt
that there was incredible resistance to acceptance of the idea of the death
or destruction of the witness. The nature of the catastrophe was the erasure
of the factuality of the fact through this elimination of the witness.
Nichanian expounded further: `The perpetrators knew that at the very core of
humanity was the witness, and the possibility of bearing witness.’ The
survivors of such catastrophes have to deny the experience of the witness’s
erasure or death (i.e. the witness within themselves is destroyed) in order
to go on living. That means in essence that the survivors have to deny the
very catastrophe they have lived through. Nichanian said, `This denial has
nothing to do with the denial of the perpetrator. It is a self- denial. You
know that the Armenians never use the word `Aghet’ but they use the word
`genocide,’ as if it were enough to name the event itself as a fact for it
to be what it is.’

Nichanian briefly noted that Armenians have a passion for the image, not
only as photographers, but also as novelists (e.g. Shahnur, Vorpuni and
Beledian). However, Nichanian avoided dealing with this issue during this
lecture.

Finally, Nichanian turned to the work of Maurice Blanchot in the 1940s and
1950s. Blanchot was a writer and literary theorist whose work almost
obsessed Jacques Derrida, the French-Jewish philosopher and founder of the
theory called deconstruction. In 1955, in *L’espace literaire* [`The
Literary Space’], Blanchot referred thrice to the image. He wrote that in
literature, language was its own image. Secondly, the strangeness of the
cadaver is that of image. When the person was alive he was always changing,
but the cadaver no longer changes and so is the perfect image of the person.
Thirdly, once a utensil is damaged it becomes its own image; no longer
disappearing in its use, it remains pure appearance.

Nichanian felt that the temporal structure of the catastrophe is illustrated
in Blanchot’s novel, *Death Sentence*. In the first part of the book, the
woman Natalie’s death is interrupted, and she gets to live on one more day.
Catastrophe is similarly living with us but has not yet happened. It will
happen in the future as a past event. Denialists and historians obey the
call of the perpetrator and of history by calling for the impossible –
testimony and images. In those who survived the catastrophe, the aspect of
them that is the witness died as a result of the catastrophe. This is
reflected in Blanchot’s Madness of the Day, in which a character loses his
sight but survives an accident. He is repeatedly examined about what
happened, but recounting his story would not reveal anything since
everything had long since been revealed. The character could not form a
story out of the events.

The insistence of the doctors asking the survivor of the accident to give an
account of the event that is similar to historians who ask Armenian
survivors to give an accounting of their own catastrophe and this creates a
`historiographical perversion.’ The truth of the facts is an historical
truth, but this is an impossibility in the case of what most of us call the
Armenian Genocide. Nichanian feels that art and literature can find a
creative way to turn the perfect, because `dead,’ image of the event (i.e.
the testimony about the catastrophe), into something live and worthwhile.

********************************************************************
2. Searching for Our Place in History

*By Edmond Y. Azadian*

Almost a full century after the Genocide and 20 years after Armenia’s
independence, Armenians around the world have been exploring the means to
meet the challenges of history.

Through a carefully-planned agenda, with far-reaching consequences, the
perpetrators of the Genocide have done such a thorough job that the
survivors and their succeeding generations have not been able to regroup and
develop a national ideology and a comprehensive policy to live as a modern
nation in these most turbulent times.

In recent months and years, several ideas and projects have been offered,
discussed and – inconsequentially left in limbo. All these movements seem
healthy signs of survival and only history will decide whether they are
viable endeavors or some steps that are too late and too little.

Some of the initiatives have come from Armenia and others are generated in
the diaspora.

One such initiative was the principle of dual citizenship, which the
Armenian government developed. Yet besides its sentimental value it hit a
snag. Every Armenian would like to become a citizen of Armenia after
dreaming about statehood for almost six centuries. But to achieve that goal,
citizens of many countries of Armenian origin, most of the time need to
renounce their current citizenship, because not all countries accept split
loyalties. That is perhaps why very few Armenians used the opportunity to
fulfill that historic dream.

The principal is still there, the opportunity is still open, should any
country begin minority restrictions or persecutions, Armenians in that
country may opt to return to the homeland and take up Armenian citizenship.

Another movement was developed in the diaspora to bring many factions under
one roof and to speak with one voice. That is an idea whose time has come,
because Diaspora Armenians have many opportunities to pursue the Genocide
issue and to engage in legal battles, attempting to take our usurped
national wealth from Turkey.

The diaspora needs to speak with one voice not only with Turkey, but also
with Armenia and with the international community. A movement, which began
on a sound basis, needs follow up. Unfortunately, the movement had as many
detractors as adherents, because a pan-Armenian movement may overshadow some
egos and marginal agendas.

Recently, Armenia’s Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hagopian floated a trial
balloon during a visit to Los Angeles, proposing a restructuring of the
Armenian Parliament as a bi-cameral body, with a senate, including diasporan
representatives, allowing Armenians living abroad to have a say in the
government. Some quarters hailed the idea but others found it too hasty and
not well thought-out. Some homework had to be done, some surveys taken and
even a referendum held to find out if there was a place to amend the
constitution and to allow such a conduit into Armenia’s internal affairs
by
Diaspora Armenians.

One important question remains to be answered: why was such a balloon
floated in Los Angeles and not in Armenia? The other question, which will
rise, is there a developed modality involving the diaspora into Armenia’s
legislative system. Today Armenia’s government, in order to win over the
diaspora, is showering rather profusely medals on meritorious and somewhat
less meritorious Diaspora Armenians and the minister of the diaspora is not
sparing her rich vocabulary to praise groups or individuals, sometimes
overlooking a sad history.

If such an approach will be used to elect or invite senators from the
diaspora, neither the individuals in question, nor anybody else will take
that kind of involvement very seriously.

Last but not least, a proclamation was released in Paris on February 4,
announcing the formation of a government in exile of Western Armenia. The
proclamation has been issued on official stationary of `the government of
Western Armenia.’

The proclamation has based the formation of the government in exile on
certain historic facts beginning with the document issued by the Russian
government on December 29, 1917 recognizing the independent government of
Western Armenia and ending with a declaration by the UN on September 13,
2007.

The question arises whether the formation of such an entity contradicts or
complements the other movements, essentially with the groupings who strive
to organize the diaspora.

Observing all these formations one can hardly envision a general picture.
Are these disjointed yet well- meaning activities or is there some
cohesiveness to them?

Sectarianism seems to have become too deeply entrenched into our national
psyche for us to be able to put together healthy ideas and come up with a
comprehensive formula to organize the diaspora and to empower it as an
extension of Armenia around the world.

Has the time arrived to find a common denominator for all these dreams and
projects or are we still exploring our place in history? And for how long?

From: A. Papazian

February 11, 2011
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. GARABED CHURCH IN HOLLYWOOD

On Sunday, February 13th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St.
Garabed Church in Hollywood.
Following Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will preside over requiem
service on the first anniversary of the passing of Archpriest Fr. Vache
Naccashian.

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER UNVEILING AND BLESSING OF
R. & A. PILIBOS SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 13th, the Prelate will visit
Rose and Alex Pilibos School where he will bless the principal’s office and
preside over the unveiling of the plaque outside the office. Pastor of St.
Garabed Church Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian will accompany the Prelate.
The ceremony has been organized by the school administration and
Education Board.
At last year’s 40th anniversary celebration of the school, it was
announced that the sponsors of the office are Mr. and Mrs. Vahe and Nora
Yacoubian, and Dr. and Mrs. Viken and Azita Yacoubian.

EVENING SERVICES AND TRADITIONAL BONFIRE ON THE EVE OF THE PRESENTATION OF
OUR LORD TO THE TEMPLE

– ANNUAL MEETING WITH HOMENETMEN SCOUTS

Monday, February 14th, is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord
to the Temple.
Eve of the Feast services will be held on Sunday, February 13th, at
5:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
The Prelate will preside over the service and deliver his message.
In keeping with tradition, Homenetmen scouts and representatives, as
well as members of the Armenian Church Youth Association, will be in
attendance and will be hosted to dinner with the Prelate at “Armenak Der
Bedrossian” Hall at the conclusion of the services.

MORNING SERVICES AND BLESSING OF WATER ON THE
FAST OF THE CATECHUMENS

Saturday, February 19th, is the Feast of St. Sarkis. The feast is
moveable and is observed the weekend after the Fast of the Catechumens, a
fast established by St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The Sunday preceding St. Sarkis is the eve of the Fast of the
Catechumens, when faithful fast for three days in fulfillment of their
prayers.
The fast begins at midnight on Sunday, February 13 and continues
until the morning of Wednesday, February 16, when faithful gather at Prelacy
Churches to break their fast by receiving Holy Communion and blessed water.

“YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN CHILD” KICKS OFF
WITH A LITERARY LUNCHEON AT THE PRELACY

On Thursday, February 10th, 2011, “Year of the Armenian Child”
celebrations began with a literary luncheon held at the Prelacy “Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, and organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary.
Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and over a hundred guests
attended the event.
The event began with welcoming remarks by Ladies Auxiliary member
and Master of Ceremonies Mrs. Hourig Abdulian.
The Prelate then offered the invocation, after which lunch was
served.
The lecture began after lunch. The keynote speakers were Vahan and
Anoush Chamlian School Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian and Vice-Principal
Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, and the topic was “The Armenian Child within the
American Social Environment”.
The first lecture was presented by Mrs. Kaprielian. Speaking on the
Armenian child in the American environment, she stressed that Armenian
Schools have a twofold mission in this regard; to instruct children on how
to be good individuals, and also how to be good Armenians. She then
reflected on the positive and negative aspects of the outside influences
Armenian children are subject to, and how parents can provide a healthy
environment in which our children can grow up to be not only honorable
individuals but proud Armenians.
Mr. Madenlian was then invited to present his lecture, the
foundation of which was how Armenian children can grow up to become active
and contributing members of the Armenian community. He stated that those
who grow up to become active members of their community are reared from a
young age, are raised in Armenian schools and within Armenian environments
whether athletic, cultural, or political organizations. Therefore, if the
school is the place where they receive this education, community
organizations are where they learn how to apply what they have learned and
get first hand experience on how to contribute to the community, things that
cannot be learned inside the classroom.
After both presentations, the Prelate was invited to deliver his
message. He commended the Ladies Auxiliary for organizing the event in
celebration of the Armenian Child, and the two keynote speakers for their
informative and enlightening presentations.

He then spoke of the crucial role parents, teachers, and our
churches play in the proper instruction and development of our children.
The Prelate reflected on the proclamation of H.H. Catholicos Aram I, in
which His Holiness greatly stresses the reality that our children are our
future and to look to the future of our nation, our people, and our church
we need to look at our children for in the words of our Lord, “Train up a
child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from
it”. The path of our children starts at home from the time of birth, and
continues as they start attending school, church, Sunday School, and
community organizations, said the Prelate and concluded by stressing the
unique mission Armenian elders have with regards to the education of our
children and the importance of maintaining a balance in their spiritual,
national, and social development.
The luncheon came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate.
(For the full press release please see the news section of the
Prelacy website).

PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY REPRESENTATIVES

On Tuesday, February 8th, 2011, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy representatives from the
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), led by president of the
organization Dr. Frieda Jordan. Religious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian and Executive Council members Mr. Khatchig Yeretzian and Mr. Toros
Kejejian participated in the meeting.
The meeting began with a report by the representatives on the
upcoming projects of the ABMDR. Given that this year is the “Year of the
Armenian Child”, Dr. Frieda Jordan inquired as to how the ABMDR can mark
this proclamation through their activities and with the support of the
Prelacy. The Prelate welcomed this inquiry and suggested that they start an
outreach effort at Prelacy churches on the first Sunday following Easter,
New Sunday, being that New Sunday symbolizes the start of a new life and the
ABMDR gives new life to sick children. Thus, on Sunday, May 1st, members of
the ABMDR will set up information booths at Prelacy churches to inform the
public about the services the organization provides and to register donors.
The ABMDR will also be in contact with compatriotic unions and Armenian
organizations to provide information and details and also to register
donors. Also planned are various fundraising events and the annual
walk-a-thon, details of which will be reported in due time.
The Prelate commended the work that is carried out by the ABMDR and
reaffirmed the full support of the Prelacy and Churches in their mission.

From: A. Papazian

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION For Justice & Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel/ Fax: +32 2 732 70 27/26
Website :Eafjd [1]

Donate now [2]

THE EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION RESTORES THE BALANCE

IN AN EVENT FOR AZERI REFUGEES
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (BRUSSELS) ` The European Armenian Federation
for Justice and Democracy informs that, on Thursday 9th February 2011,
an event was organized by the NGO `Human Rights Without
Frontiers’, under the patronage of the EP Vice President, Mr.
László Tőkés. The event was titled `_The Humanitarian
Consequences of an Unresolved Conflict: Nagorno Karabakh_’.

As a result of the European Armenian Federation’s timely
interventions, MEPs and other bodies’ reactions, Mr. Tőkés
changed the program of the event, and did not give the floor to the
assumed refugee from Khojalu.

The European Armenian Federation also informs that during the
meeting, the Azerbaijani Embassy’s collaborators blatantly and
violently confiscated the fact sheets prepared by the Federation for
the occasion (available on the website:
[4] )

Later, the Azerbaijanis were surprised when Mr. Tőkés stated
that Human Rights are universal, and reminded to the audience of his
speech at the EP’s plenary session of November 22, 2010, on the
occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, where he
called on the EP President Mr. Jerzy Buzek to demand the EU member
states to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Mr Willy Fautré, the
director of `Human Rights Without Frontiers’ and Mr Scott Crosby,
lawyer, concluded the event by resuming the current humanitarian
situation of Azerbaijani refugees without any debate with the
audience.

`_We congratulate Mr._ _László Tőkés for his engagement in
Human Rights’ issues and recognizing the Armenian Genocide_’,
announced Hilda Tchoboian, President of the Federation.

The European Armenian Federation considers that the imbalanced
treatment by the international community regarding refugees in Armenia
and Azerbaijan is not justified. `_Those Azerbaijanis who left
Armenia after 1988 received financial reparations from Armenia; but
Azerbaijan still has to compensate the Armenian survivors who fled
from Sumgait, Kirovabad, Mingechaour and Baku massacres to find refuge
in Armenia and Karabakh_. _We call upon Armenian and European
humanitarian structures to raise the issue of the Armenian refugees’
horrible conditions within their political institutions_’.

The Federation points out that, for years, Azerbaijan has been
exploiting the Azerbaijani refugees’ issue to its own benefit.
`_The European Union has to grant protection and assistance to
Armenian refugees too. We have raised this question with the EU
Special Representative to the South Caucasus, Mr. Peter Semneby,
within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership with Armenia and
Azerbaijan_’, concluded Hilda Tchoboian.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Library & Museum of America
65 Main St., Watertown, MA. 02472
Tel: 617-926-2562
Web:
Email: [email protected]

DATE: February 20, 2011

TIME: 2-4 PM

LOCATION: ALMA’s 3rd Floor Gallery

COST: Free. All are welcome.

To commemorate the closing of the Kevorkian exhibit and due to
multiple requests from the community, ALMA will repeat the
presentation of the Emmy award winning feature HBO film “You Don’t
Know Jack” on the life and struggles of Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

Just recently, the noted actor Al Pacino won the Golden Globe and SAG
awards for his riveting portrayal of Dr. Kevorkian, with all the
complexities and contradictions of his life.

The film’s subjects also include Kevorkian’s artistic efforts and the
director-used reproductions of Kevorkian’s startling paintings in the
film.

The original artworks are part of ALMA’s permanent collections and are
currently on display in the museum’s first floor gallery. The
Kevorkian exhibit will close on February 20.

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Studies Program
Ingrid Peterson, Administrator
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, Suite 3633
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.763.0622; Fax: 734.763.4918
email: [email protected]

German Railways Offer Unique Look into the Ottoman Empire
The University of Michigan Armenian Studies speaker discusses the
Baghdad and Anatolian Railways

ANN ARBOR, MICH., Feb. 11, 2011 –
On Monday, January 24, 2011 Dr. Murat Ozyuksel, Manoogian Simone
Foundation Visiting Scholar, presented a lecture entitled “German
Penetration into the Ottoman Empire through the Baghdad Railway.”
Ozyuksel highlighted several aspects of the relationship between
Germany and the Ottoman Empire and how they evolved from the
relationship surrounding the railways. The analysis further
contextualized the political, economic and military implications for
pre-war Great Powers and their spheres of influence.

Beginning the analysis with the importance of railways in
infrastructure development, Ozyuksel pointed to the integration of
previously closed rural economies which motivated foreign and domestic
actors. Germany looked to the Ottoman Empire as an alternative to an
administered colony and the Ottoman Empire accepted German influence
as they didn’t have any Muslim colonies nor did they want direct
control but rather profits and influence. Ozyuksel’s books, The
Struggle for Influence in the Ottoman Empire: Baghdad Railways
(forthcoming) and Anatolian and Baghdad Railroads in the Context of
Ottoman-German Relations (1988) provide complete analysis.

Murat Ozyuksel completed his Ph.D. in 1986 at Istanbul University. In
addition to Ozyuksel’s affiliation with the Armenian Studies Program,
he also is professor of political science at Istanbul University. A
recording of this lecture is available on the Armenian Studies
website:

Armenian Studies Program
The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program promotes the
study of Armenian history, culture, and society. A member of the
University of Michigan International Institute, the program organizes
educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community.
For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (734)
763-0622 or visit

University of Michigan International Institute
The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers
and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute
develops and supports international teaching, research, and public
affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and
to build connections with intellectuals and institutions
worldwide. For more information, visit

From: A. Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

11 February, 2011

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Armenia Fund U.S. Region Affiliate Welcomes
Khoren Bandazian as New Chairman

Yerevan, February 11, 2011 – After eight distinguished years of dedicated
service as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Armenia Fund USA, Khoren
Bandazian, a highly respected member of the Armenian-American community and
experienced corporate and real-estate attorney, assumed the position of
Chairman of the Board. Mr. Bandazian succeeds Raffi Festekjian of Boston,
MA, who served as chairman since 2006. Mr. Festekjian was instrumental in
bringing a contemporary vision to Armenia Fund and reaching out to a new
generation of board members and supporters.

Mr. Bandazian brings a wealth of executive experience gained in his
professional life as well as the many other Armenian organizations and
causes with which he has associated himself since he was a young adult. He
has served on various committees organized by the Armenian Diocese and the
Armenian Prelacy, such as the 1700th Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia
committee, to name but a few. He has also served on the board of Sts.
Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church of Ridgefield, NJ. In 2007, Mr.
Bandazian chaired Armenia Fund USA’s 15th anniversary gala at the United
Nations, which raised over $2,000,000 in support of the organization’s
efforts.

“Over the years, many eyes have been on Khoren as one of our community’s
most promising up-and-coming leaders of the next generation. Now, in the
prime of his life, he has accepted to take on this added and serious
responsibility using his multi-faceted skill set. We couldn’t be more
proud,” says Kevork Toroyan, who served as Chairman of Armenia Fund USA from
2002 to 2006.

Mr. Bandazian is one of the longest-serving Armenia Fund USA board members.
His history with the organization offers a keen understanding of Armenia
Fund’s mission as he leads the organization into new efforts to improve the
social and economic conditions in Armenia and Karabakh through
infrastructure and other development projects.

“Mr. Bandazian’s chairmanship is of great importance to the US Eastern
Region affiliate of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. Our Fund is proactive”,
states Ara Vardanyan, executive director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund —
“we get involved and do what we can for both our motherland and the
organization. When the time comes, some of us step up and assume leadership
roles while educating the next generation on why and how they can serve. I
am pleased to see that Mr. Bandazian, a long-time member of Armenia Fund
USA, has stepped into one such role. I am confident that under his
guidance, Armenia Fund USA will continue to flourish, attracting active
members and expanding our support base. We wish him all the best.”

“Armenia Fund is not a static organization. Although our mission remains the
same, we are constantly mindful that the Republic of Armenia is a very
different place than when our organization was formed in the early years of
its national independence,” states Irina Lazarian, executive director of
Armenia Fund USA since 2004 and also with the organization for over 10
years. “As the Armenian homeland evolves, our approaches to lingering
socio-economic challenges, such as rural poverty in Armenia and Karabakh,
must be adaptive and flexible. Khoren has demonstrated many times over that
along with his analytical and thoughtful approach to understanding the
problems, he can be just as creative and open to the best ideas to help
solve them.”

As chairman, Mr. Bandazian will oversee all activities of Armenia Fund USA.
In addition, he will coordinate efforts with the heads of the 20 other
Armenia Fund affiliates worldwide, as well as the Hayastan All Armenia Fund,
headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia.

“Khoren Bandazian represents the very best of our contemporary
Armenian-American community leaders,” states Kharen Musaelian, a fellow
board member. “Raised and educated in the United States and fully
assimilated into the mainstream culture, Khoren has somehow managed to keep
his ancestral Armenian identity equally strong. This is clearly reflected
in his ability to understand and relate to a diverse Armenian community and
to genuinely value the contributions of those from different backgrounds and
perspectives.”

Mr. Bandazian currently is a partner at Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein,
Brody and Agnello, a general practice law firm with 40 attorneys where he
specializes in corporate and real estate matters. He began his law career at
the general practice law firm of Winne, Banta, Hetherington, Basralian &
Kahn in New Jersey.

“I am honored to step into the leadership of Armenia Fund USA, following in
the footsteps of our prior leaders Berj Setrakian, Hagop Kouyoumdjian,
Kevork Toroyan and Raffi Festekjian,” stated Mr. Bandazian on the occasion
of his election to Chairman. “These prior chairmen, especially Hagop
Kouyoumdjian, demonstrated commitment to this organization that will be
difficult to match. I look forward to bringing my experience and skills to
bear on one of the most important missions we have as a people-the
reconstruction and redevelopment of our Homeland. Every effort to help our
developing nation should be undertaken by our Diaspora. Armenia Fund
provides a unique vehicle for these efforts by consolidating our resources
and channeling them towards growth of Armenia and Karabakh.”

Mr. Bandazian also pointed out that, “Armenia Fund is the most comprehensive
organization dedicated to redevelopment efforts in Armenia and Karabakh.
It is also the most universal of any other Armenian organization. Armenia
Fund crosses religious and political lines to unite our efforts for that
with which we can all agree – the rebuilding of Armenia and Karabakh.
Trustees of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund include both Holy Sees and
representatives from most all major Diasporan organizations. It is truly a
national and collaborative effort that we can be proud of as Armenians. I
hope to continue this spirit during my tenure and strengthen our
reconstruction efforts.”

From: A. Papazian

European grandeur, Indian warmth
Mansi Choksi, TNN, Feb 10, 2011, 04.35am IST

MUMBAI: Bombay House, the stately headquarters of the Tata Group and
the first symbol of powerful Indian entrepreneurship in British India,
has silently watched the commercial district in Fort turboboost around
it for more than eight decades.

The four-storey neo-classical Edwardian structure that was built in
Malad stone and completed in 1924 under the supervision of architect
George Wittet (who has designed some of the city’s best-known
landmarks like the Prince of Wales Museum, the Gateway of India and
the King Edward Memorial Hospital) was where “one could walk in to see
the graceful rise of corporate India”.

“It had the grandeur of a European office with road bollards and
signage, tall ceilings and spacious rooms. But it had an Indian warmth
to it too,” says city historian Deepak Rao.

Bombay House was built after a plot of 2,365 square yards was put up
for sale by the Bombay Municipality in 1905 and the growing Tata Group
found it difficult to accommodate its staff in the nearby Navsari
building.

While Bombay House escaped the wrath of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
(MNS), the streets around it went through their share of name
changing. The road on which the building stands used to be known as
Bruce Street (after a municipal official in the 1890s), while the
adjoining bylane was called Armenian Street (an ode to Armenian
settlers in the area). “After independence, the main street was
renamed Sir Homi Mody Street, and the bylane Sir Homi Mody Cross Lane
after the founding director of the Tata group, who was also the
governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) and a dear friend of
Nehru,” says Rao.

Till the Khalistan movement in 1980s, Bombay House was true to its
name, open for the city. “It was a thrill to enter; the pathan at the
door would never halt you. You could walk in, meet an old friend and
catch up in the canteen,” he says.

Historian Sharada Dwivedi, who coauthored Bombay, the Cities Within,
says that on the insistence of Jamsetji Tata, the building was
designed to prioritize the comfort of employees. “The rooms are
spacious, no part of the building is cluttered,” she says, adding that
she was surprised by Wednesday’s accident as properties owned by the
Tata group are known to be meticulously maintained.

But according to conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, who has
served on the Mumbai Heritage Committee, most heritage sites are
recipes for disasters. She remembers Bombay House for its precious
contemporary Indian artwork and a silver tray service when it doubled
up as a venue for the first few meetings for the Kala Ghoda
Association.

“Most heritage properties in this city are a living risk, they are
fire hazards and are endangered with electrical short-circuiting,” she
says adding that when a fire broke out at the General Post Office in
the mid-1990s, there was talk of heritage upgradation.

“But this city suffers from short-term memory loss,” she says.

Read more: European grandeur, Indian warmth – The Times of India

From: A. Papazian

Renovating historic-cultural monuments in Qashatagh and New Shahumyan.

yerkir.am
14:08 – 05.02.2011

`In 2010 in the ancient land of Artsakh the archeological excavators
found an early-Christian cemetery and coins of Tigran the Gteat’, said
Sergey Shahverdyan answering `Yerkir’s’ question of how many important
discoveries took place last year.

Important discoveries were during excavations of Azokh cave, but the
expedition group has the right to make announcements.

Sergey Shahverdyan also said that this year they will major in
renovating historic-cultural monuments in Qashatagh and New Shahumyan.

From: A. Papazian