The California Courier Online, May 24, 2012
Commentary
1 – How Should the Diaspora React
To NewTurkish Overtures?
ByHarut Sassounian
Publisher, the California Courier
2 – Armenian President Refuses to
Attend NATOMeeting in Chicago
3- Former State Department Diplomat
Callsfor US Recognition of Genocide
4- GenocideScholars Call For Financial Support
5- Cosmopolitan and Kim Kardashian Team
Up toEnd Armenian Genocide `Dispute’
6- Hacopian Elected GCC Board President
7- Independent Terry Phillips Runs for
23rdCaliforniaCongressional Seat
8- Prof. Sebouh Aslanian Named to UCLAArmenian Chair
9- ANCA Telethon Raises $2.2 Million
10- Latest Digital Mammography Technology Introducedto Armenia
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1 – HowShould the Diaspora React
To NewTurkish Overtures?
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The CaliforniaCourier
I have been informed by reliable sources that Turkey’sForeign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu is continuing his efforts to initiate apersonal
`dialog’ with the Diaspora on Armenian-Turkish issues. Earlier
thismonth, Davutoglu met with Armenian-Americans, as follow up to the
meetings heheld in Washingtonlast March.
During their conversation in May, the Armenian interlocutorsfrankly
advised the Turkish Foreign Minister that Ankara must address Armenian
demands forgenocide recognition and restitution before any
`reconciliation’ could beachieved. The Turkish side reportedly
indicated a willingness to discuss thesethorny issues with Diasporan
representatives.
Despite the seeming openness of Foreign Minister Davutoglu,Armenians
have well-founded reasons to mistrust such overtures, given Turkey’s
decades-long denial of the ArmenianGenocide and its antagonistic
policies toward the Diaspora, Armenia and Artsakh. Armenians
alsosuspect that Turkish officials may exploit meetings with the
Diaspora to scorepropaganda points with world public opinion.
Nonetheless, one wonders why the very busy Turkish ForeignMinister has
invested so much of his precious time and effort to hold a seriesof
private meetings with Armenians in recent weeks.
One possible explanation is that Turkish leaders areseriously
concerned about the upcoming 100th anniversary of theArmenian
Genocide. Ankaramay have realized that unless it took proactive
measures, it could not stem thetide of anti-Turkish publicity
generated in 2015 by Armenian commemorativeactivities worldwide.
The second likely reason why the Turkish government may wantto talk
with Diaspora Armenians is its long-standing interest in joining
theEuropean Union. As the newly-elected French President Francois
Hollande warned,unless Turkey recognizes theArmenian Genocide,
Francewill reject its application for
EU membership.
The third possible explanation for the Turkish overtures isthat Prime
Minister Rejeb Erdogan has a freer hand in tackling
Armenian-Turkishissues at a
time when his ruling party controls the Parliament and many of
hishard-line military adversaries are under arrest.
Regardless of why Turkey is reaching out to the Diaspora atthis time,
Armenians have to make their decisions based solely on their
ownnational interest, as to whether this is an opportune moment to
test Turkey’sresolve to deal with the disastrous consequences of the
Armenian Genocide.
However, before Diaspora’s leaders react to Davutoglu’spersistent
efforts for `dialog,’ they should ask Turkish officials to
clarifytheir true intentions by making some positive gestures,
starting with thereturn of the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island to
the Armenian Patriarchateof Turkey. This historic church is currently
designated as
a museum belongingto the Turkish Ministry of Culture and
Tourism. Furthermore, the Turkishgovernment has to do much more than
renovating a couple of churches fortouristic purposes and returning a
handful of properties to the
Armeniancommunity in Istanbul.There are thousands of confiscated
churches and community properties throughoutTurkeythat must be
returned to their rightful Armenian owners.
An initial test of Turkish sincerity in pursuing`reconciliation’ with
Armenians would be putting an immediate halt to genocidedenial,
eliminating Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, and ending
alladversarial behavior toward Armenia and Artsakh.
In view of the fact that the Turkish government will notwillingly and
unconditionally meet Armenian demands, and that all outstandingissues
would have to be resolved someday through direct negotiations,
Diasporanorganizational leaders should prepare for such an
eventuality. In this regard,it is important to review the records of
the 1977 meeting in Zurich, Switzerland,between Turkish Foreign
Minister Sabri Caglayangil and representatives of thethree Armenian
political parties.
Here are some preliminary thoughts to consider before anyfurther
meetings or discussions are held between Turkish leaders and
Diasporarepresentatives:
In the absence of an elected Diasporan representative body,major
Armenian organizations, with assistance from experts in diplomacy and
theart of negotiation, should start drafting a common strategy and a
list ofdemands from Turkey.No Armenian organization or individual
should be involved in separatenegotiations with Turkey, todeny Ankara
theopportunity to create disunity in the Diaspora.
It is imperative that Diasporan representatives coordinatetheir
negotiating positions with leaders in Armeniaand Artsakh to assure a
common stand vis-Ã -vis Turkey.
In normal circumstances, Turkish diplomats would have dealtwith
Armenian issues in direct negotiations with their counterparts in
Armenia.However, given Azerbaijan’sobstruction of the Armenia-Turkey
Protocols, pending the resolution of the Karabagh(Artsakh) conflict,
Turkish leaders are left with no choice but to reach out tothe
Diaspora and address its legitimate
demands.
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2 – Armenian President Refusesto
Attend NATOMeeting in Chicago
CHICAGO — Armenia’sForeign Minister Edward Nalbandian arrived in
Chicagoon May 19 to take part in the meeting of the heads of the
countries of theInternational Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Afghanistan to be held in theframework of the NATO Summit.
Nalbandian and Minister of theDiaspora Hranush Hakobyan met with
representatives of the Armenian community inChicago. Theheads of
religious and political organizations of the Armenian community,
aswell as over 400 representatives of the community attended the
meeting.
Nalbandian conveyed the greetingsof the President of Armenia and
informed his audience that “thosedays the NATO Summit is being held in
Chicago,in the framework of which the meeting of the heads of the
countries of theSecurity Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan would
be held. The headof our country was invited to take part in it, as
well. On this occasion thePresident
of the Republic was looking forward to meeting with you, the
Armeniancommunity in Chicago,as well.”
The Armenian Foreign Ministerexplained that “the draft of the Chicago
Summit declaration includesgeneral formulation on the settlement of
the conflicts in the South Caucasusand Moldova, which, in spiteof some
changes in the Lisbondeclaration, is in contradiction with the
approaches on the settlement of theNagorno-Karabagh issue of the
internationally mandated OSCE Minsk GroupCo-Chairs. Those approaches
were repeatedly stated by the presidents of
the United States, Russiaand France.This formulation is not in line
with the statements and decisions on thesettlement of the issue
adopted in recent
years. It can not only impede theprocess of the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabagh issue, but also endanger thefragile situation in the
region, in particular against the background ofunprecedented increase
of Azerbaijan’smilitary expenses and bellicose rhetoric of its
leadership. Taking into accountthis concern, the President of the
Republicof Armenia made a decision not toparticipate in the
Chicagomeeting.”
In his speech, Minister Nalbandianpresented the priorities of
Armenia’sforeign policy and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh
issue, as well asstressed the importance of the international
recognition and condemnation ofthe Armenian Genocide. He also touched
upon the results of recentlyheld parliamentary elections in
Armenia,stressed the importance of American-Armenians’ contribution to
thestrengthening of Armenian-American cooperation, as well as the
Diaspora’scontribution to Armenia’sdevelopment.
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3 – FormerState Department Diplomat
Callsfor US Recognition of Genocide
By Pam Coultis
SOUTHFIELD, MI – Dr. Sandra Bunn-Livingstone,International Lawyer and
former Diplomat at the U.S. State Department, washosted by the
St. John Armenian Church to be their keynote speaker on the
97thCommemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Remembering the one and
one-half million Armenians that were annihilatedby the Ottoman Turks
(1915-1923) and continuing their quest for U.S. recognition of this
Genocide, the churchhall was filled with local Armenian Americans
including scholars and writers,eager to hear Dr. Livingstone
present a new approach for U.S. recognition of the ArmenianGenocide.
Ms. Livingstone’s credentials include 9 years as a Professorat
Cambridge University in International Law. She received a Ph.D. in
Law at Cambridge University. She participated in a presentation at
Pepperdine University on Genocide and Religion aspart of a panel
including Israel Charny and
Richard Hovannisian. As a former member of the U.S. StateDepartment
she was informed on the Nagorno-Karabagh peace talks and is wellversed
on the history of the region.
She began her presentation with a moving comment `Make
themResponsible’ then segued into how she felt that the court of
International
Lawdoes offer solutions for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
She
outlined existing in-depth historicalevidence of the Armenian Genocide
and
referred to The Hague Convention of 1899as well as the Treaty of
Sevres 1920 that cite `crimes against humanity’ ascause for action
against Turkey.Based on her experience in the international court, she
suggested ways toapproach the court for action and recommended
pursuing an advisoryopinion. Ending her remarks with areminder that
`while justice can be slow, it is within reach and that allArmenian
Americans living today
should demand from Turkey, the four R’s; Recognition,Responsibility,
Reparations and Remembrance.’
Ms. Livingstone stayed overnight in the metro Detroit areato be hosted
at a breakfast on April 25 to meet with local scholars
andrepresentatives from
the legal community for further discussion on how actioncould be taken
in the International Court of Law. The breakfast held at the St. John
ArmenianChurch, put together by local Armenian activists Paul
Kulhanjian and JohnYavruian, included an informative question and
answer session.
The Armenian diaspora has worked tirelessly for U.S.recognition but
progress has been slow and Ms. Livingstone’s presentationinjected new
hope for a resolution that could bring about recognition of
theArmenian Genocide – a genocide that is not reflected in US history
books and 94years later, even though 43 states and numerous foreign
governments haverecognized it, remains unacknowledged by the
U.S. Government and the successorsto the Ottoman Turk perpetrators.
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4 – Genocide Scholars Call For Financial Support
TORONTO, Canada – Some 50 international scholars of Genocideand
Diaspora Studies have issued a formal statement, which appeared in
thelatest issue of
the journal Genocide Studies and Prevention (Vol. 6, No. 3),endorsing
the work of the Zoryan Institute in systematically combating thepolicy
of denial by the Turkish State and keeping the truth of the
ArmenianGenocide at the
forefront of attention of scholars, educators, opinion
andpolicy-makers, and the public at large.
`We wish to express publicly our great appreciation for
theInternational Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies and
its parentorganization, the Zoryan Institute, for their thirty years
of academic work inthe
field of genocide and human rights studies. In the face of the
continuingproblem of genocide in the twenty-first century, the
Institute is to becommended for its service to the academic community
and is recognized byscholars
for providing leadership and a support structure in promoting thecause
of universal human rights and the prevention of genocide. We
urgentlycall upon
all foundations and organizations worldwide concerned with
theseissues, as
well as individuals committed to preventing this heinous crime,
toprovide financial support for this world class academic
institution. If theInstitute is to continue its invaluable scholarly
and educational undertakings,it must secure its financial foundation
by raising funds for an endowment andits annual operations,’ the
declaration says.
`For the past thirty years, the Institute has maintained anambitious
program to collect archival documentation, conduct original
research,and
publish books and periodicals. It also conducts
university-leveleducational programs in the field of Genocide and
Human Rights Studies, takinga comparative and interdisciplinary
approach in its examination of the JewishHolocaust, the Cambodian
Genocide, and the Rwandan Genocide, among others,using the Armenian
Genocide as a point of reference. In the process, using thehighest
academic standards, the Institute has strived to understand
thephenomenon of genocide, establish the incontestable, historical
truth of theArmenian Genocide and raise awareness of it among
academics andopinion-makers.’
`We appeal to the global community, foundations,organizations,
business leaders, and national and international institutions toshow
their tangible and generous support for this highly respected
academicinstitution,’ says the document signed by Varouj Aivazian
(University ofToronto),
Israel W. Charny (Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide
Jerusalem,Israel), Vahakn N. Dadrian (Zoryan Institute Conesus, New
York), John Evans(Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Washington, DC)
and others.
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5 – Cosmopolitan and Kim KardashianTeam
Up toEnd Armenian Genocide `Dispute’
By William Ashford,
Business Correspondent
NEW YORK- For decades women have relied on one major resource for many
of their mostintimate questions. Whether for sex, health,
self-improvement, or even fashionmillions of women have turned to the
pages of `Cosmopolitan’ for generations,
findingin those glossy pages pretty much all the gossip and advice a
woman
could everwant. Even in today’s modern, digital, and largely liberated
world thesometimes seedy world that `Cosmo’ explores still has a great
deal of impactfor women, engaging new generations of girls.
Things haven’t always gone swimmingly for the magazinehowever and in
recent years, particularly with the decline of magazine salesacross
the board, things have gotten much worse for the magazine that this
yearturns 125 years old. Thos challenges have prompted many changes at
themagazine, from downsizing to distribution, but it is in the content
itself thatmuch of the real change has occurred. True, the magazine
still has all theheart-felt advice it has always had but recent
editorial decisions have openedup the
magazine to new creative, and controversial, avenues. Most recently
themagazine has come under criticism for its decision to featureKim
Kardashian, a
celebrity of Armenian descent, on the cover of theTurkish edition of
the magazine, prompting outrage from activists stillseething over the
long-standing issue of the 1917 genocide. For `Cosmo’ thoughit is just
a part of the new editorial model which they hope will help make
theworld
a better place, with a whole lot of great sex advice.
`While we certainly understand the passions of people inrespect to
this issue, we at Cosmo stand by our decision to feature Ms.Kardashian
on the cover of the Turkish edition of the magazine. Our intent isto
help aid an understanding between the Armenian and Turkish people and
dowhat we can to bring a resolution to this issue,’ said a
spokesperson for themagazine. `We hope that by featuring
Ms. Kardashian on the cover we can bringthe issue to the forefront and
begin to discuss it. Only by talking
can we cometo a resolution, advice we have been giving for 125 years.’
Both Kardashian and the Armenian National Committee ofAmerica
protested the cover, though Kardashian agreed to do another for
themagazine.
`I think that in the long picture this cover will havelittle impact on
the situation and
theongoing debate between the two nations and people. Ultimately
though if
you canget the conversation going on any level it’s probably a good
thing,’ saidScrape TV Media analyst Sarah Piper. `There is no person
of Armenian descentmore prominent than the Kardashian family right
now, Kim in particular, and sothere is really no better spokesperson
for the issue than her. Of coursewhether that has an impact on
Turkeyand the Turkish people is something else entirely, largely
because the peoplewho buy Cosmo tend to not worry too much about
hundred year old genocides.’
The genocide of the Armenian people under Ottoman ruleoccurred between
1915 and 1917, resulting in thousands of deaths, rapes,
anddeportations.
`Even a few years ago I don’t think that anyone would havelooked to
`Cosmopolitan’ to help resolve major political and social issues,
butin the end the magazine was built on giving life changing advice
and so this isnot something totally out of left field,’ continued
Piper. `I guess any attemptto bring resolution to these issues is a
good thing, and if you sell magazinesin the process, well then
everyone wins. I know that the publishing industrycertainly needs an
intervention, maybe even more than the Turks and theArmenians, and
this may be just
that.’
The issue also featured groundbreaking advice on gettingcelebrity hair
styles, and how to shed pounds to fit into sexy bikinis.
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6 – HacopianElected GCC Board President
GLENDALE, CA – Dr. Armine G. Hacopian waselected President of the
Board of
Trustees of Glendale Community College byunanimous vote of her
colleagues.
Shehas been serving Glendale Community College as atrustee for more
than 11 years and this is her third term as President of theBoard.
According to Dr. Hacopian, the Presidency has a great dealof
responsibility in guiding the college to serve students’ needs during
such economicallychallenging times when programs are being cut due to
lack of funding from theState.
Dr. Hacopian has dedicated her life and career to the field
ofeducation for more than 40 years serving in a variety of capacities,
and hasprepared herself well by earning six California Credentials,
two MastersDegrees, and a
Doctorate in the field of education. She stated that her academic
preparation hasgiven her many tools to lead the College during such
difficult financial time.
In addition, she has spent more than a decade serving on theBoard of
Regents of the Prelacy Armenian Schoolsand a number of other community
organizations, assisting in educational programdevelopment and
organizational management.
She is a role model for all the students of GCC,specifically, the
Armenian
students who comprise around 35% of the studentpopulation. Every
year, more than 45,000students attend GCC, as it is an outstanding
institution of higher educationwith very dedicated faculty and staff.
Based on the review of community college records in California, she is
theonly Armenian-American women serving in this capacity.
Due to positive feedback and encouragements from colleagues,friends
and family, Dr. Hacopian plans to seek another four-year term in
theApril 2013 Glendaleelections.
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7- IndependentTerry Phillips Runs for
23rdCaliforniaCongressional Seat
LOS ANGELES – Armenian-American journalist Terry Phillips isa
independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in
California’s new
23rdcongressional district. He is runningwith no party affiliation.
Phillips was born in Fresno, Calif. He is the son of Arousyag`Venus’
Phillips (neé Amanatian), whose parents survived the Armenian
Genocide,and Gregorios `Gregory’ Phillips (né Phillipidis), a
Greco-Armenian refugeewhose family escaped from the 1922
Smyrnaconflagration.
`I am very proud of my Armenian and Greek heritage,’ saidPhillips.
`Our cultures have much incommon including a rich tradition of public
service.’
The Central Valley nativeis a veteran broadcaster and entrepreneur. He
seeks to represent voters in most of Kern and Tularecounties as well
as a part
of northern Los Angeles County.
`I have been overwhelmed by the widespread grassrootssupport for this
campaign,’ said Phillips. `Contributions are coming in from
everywhere. It’s so gratifying.’
An award-winning journalist, author and media consultant,Phillips has
often served as host for the annual Armenia Fund telethon,
mostrecently reporting from Artsakh.
Phillips covered major events throughout the world as a
newscorrespondent for CBS, including the collapse of the Soviet Union
as well asarmed conflicts in Afghanistan,Iraq, Bosnia, Somaliaand
Haiti. He was one of the first American reporters tocover the civil
war between Armeniaand Azerbaijanincluding first-hand accounts
directly from the frontlines.
As a news analyst and commentator, Phillips has spoken outagainst
increasing government gridlock.
`I am part of the fastest-growing segment of our votingpopulation,
independent citizens who are fed up with the partisan bickering in
Washington,’ headded. `The time for politics as usualis over.’
His opponents are Republicans Eric Parker and KevinMcCarthy, the House
Majority Whip. Thereis no Democrat on the ballot. Theprimary
election is June 5. The top-twocandidates from that contest will
advance to the November general election.
More information is available on the campaign website:
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8 – Prof.Sebouh Aslanian Named to UCLA Armenian Chair
LOS ANGELES -An award-winning young historian has beenselected to fill
a chair originally occupied by retired UCLA historian
RichardHovannisian, who is widely regarded as the world’s dean of
Armenianstudies.
Sebouh David Aslanian, who joined UCLA’s department ofhistory in
September
2011 as an assistant professor of history, will beinstalled May 22 in
the Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair.
“It was a challenge to find a scholar who could one dayfill Richard
Hovannisian’s large shoes,” said David Myers, chair of UCLA’shistory
department. “But we believe that Sebouh Aslanian is that person,and we
are delighted and honored to have him.”
Born and raised in Ethiopia,Aslanian is the grandson of Armenian
immigrants who fled the Ottoman Empire in the 1890s. His maternal
grandfather, George Djerrahian,co-founded Ethiopia’sfirst privately
owned printing press in 1931. The family immigrated to the United
States in 1976, on the heels of theEthiopian Revolution, and then
settled in the United Arab Emirates, where Aslanian attended middle
school,before moving to Canada.
After completing his undergraduate degree at McGill Universityin
Montreal,
Aslanian received his Ph.D. withdistinction from Columbia
University. Beforejoining UCLA’s faculty, he taught at California
State University, Long Beach;Cornell University; the University of
Michigan; the University of Chicago; andWhitman College. From 2009 to
2010, Aslanian was a Mellon Foundationpostdoctoral fellow in world
history at Cornell.
Able to conduct research in a range of European languages(French,
Italian,
Spanish) as well as classical Armenian, Aslanian is fluent inthe
western and eastern dialects of modern Armenian. In addition, he is
one ofthe few scholars active today who is able to conduct research in
the dialect ofJulfa,
the home, until the early 17th century, of a group of Armenian
silkmerchants near today’s republic of Armenia.
The history of the merchants, who were resettled under thePersian
Empire in New Julfa, a suburb of today’s Iranian metropolis of
Isfahan, is a centraltheme of Aslanian’s scholarship. He also is
involved in global microhistory, anew trend in world history
scholarship that explores the details of the
livesof marginal or previously overlooked figures as windows onto
larger processesand trends shaping global history.
“With the skill of a detective, he traces theentwined byways of
commerce and culture traveled by Armenian merchants as theymade their
way from Julfa
to Indiato Europe and back,” Myers said.
Aslanian is the author of “From the Indian Ocean to theMediterranean:
The Global Trade Networks of Armenian Merchants From NewJulfa”
(University of California Press,2011), a history of the emergence and
growth of a global trade network operatedby Armenian
merchants. Tracing a network of commercial settlements thatstretched
from London and Amsterdamto Manila and Acapulco,from the early 17th to
the late 18th centuries, the book was selected for the PEN Center
USAliterary award for the most outstanding first book of 2011 to come
from the UCPress.
“Sebouh David Aslanian has been tireless in hisconsultation of
archival sources in India,Armenia and Iran, throughout Europe, and
even in Mexico,”said a review of the book that appeared in the Times
Literary Supplement.
With the goal of illuminating the little-told history ofFrench
expansion into the Indian Ocean, Aslanian is now working on
amicrohistory of an Armenian merchant from Julfa, Marcara Avachintz,
who in 1666was appointed by Louis XIV and his minister of finance,
Jean-Baptiste Colbert,as the first regional director in the Indian
Ocean and Iran of the newlycreated French East India Company.
He also is working on the history of the Santa Catharina,
anArmenian-freighted ship that was seized by the British navy in 1748
against thebackdrop of the War of the Austrian Succession. Using more
than 2,000 pieces offamily
and mercantile correspondence that were on the ship at the time of
itscapture, Aslanian plans to illuminate the larger history of
globalization inthe
Indian Ocean arena during the 17th and18th centuries.
In addition, Aslanian is gathering material for a thirdbook, on the
history of diasporic Armenian print culture across a range ofareas,
including Venice, Amsterdamand Madras. Ina related activity, he is
organizing a two-day international conference at UCLAon the history of
Armenian print culture. Entitled “PortCities and Printers,” the
Nov.10-11 conference will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the
printing of thefirst Armenian book in Venice.
At UCLA, Aslanian has taught a sweeping, two-quarter surveyof Armenian
history from its genesis to the 18th century. He has also taught
aseminar in one of his areas of specialization – the early modern
period ofArmenian history (1500 to 1800).
Aslanian was selected for the chair in April 2011 after aone-year
international search.
“It’s a wonderful honor to have thisposition,” Aslanian said. “I’m
extremely grateful, and it’s anexcellent fit because I get to do both
things I can’t live without -researching and teaching.”
Richard Hovannisian retired last year after a 50-year careerat
UCLA. While
earning an international reputation as a pioneer in the field
ofArmenian studies, he organized both the undergraduate and graduate
programs inArmenian history at UCLA and amassed one of the largest
collections of oralhistories by survivors of the Armenian Genocide of
1915-1923.
“As the towering figure in the study of modernArmenian history,
Professor
Hovannisian not only undertook path-breaking andfar-reaching
research,” Myers said. “He established UCLA as the majorcenter of
instruction and research in modern Armenian history in theworld.”
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9 – ANCATelethon Raises $2.2 Million
LOS ANGELES – At the conclusion of the six-hour ANCAEndowment Fund
Telethon on May 20, $2.2 million was raised from donations largeand
small from a wide cross-section of the community, demonstrating
andbolstering the grassroots power and capability of
Armenian-Americans.
During the six-hour broadcast, the telethon aired segmentsdocumenting
the activities of the ANCA Endowment Fund in working for
Genocideeducation and recognition, aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh
and encouragingparticipation by the Armenian-American community.
Volunteers from all walks of life flooded the HorizonArmenian
Television studios for the entire day to help ensure the success ofthe
telethon, which was being planned for several months.
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10 – LatestDigital Mammography Technology Introduced to Armenia
By Negar M. Joy
WASHINGTON, DC- The women of Armeniareceived an early Mother’s Day
gift this year from the Armenian AmericanCultural Association,
Inc. (AACA). Witha
value of over one million dollars, the gift is the latest
Three-Dimensional(3D) Digital Mammography System, sent to the
ArmenianAmerican WellnessCenter in Yerevan.
“In March 2012, less than a year after an innovative 3DDigital
Mammography
technology received FDA approval in the United States, AACA brought
this groundbreakingimaging system to Armenia,by acquiring two 3D
Digital machines
from Hologic Corporation,” said RitaBalian. She is the President and
CEO of AACA and Founder and Co-President ofthe Wellness Center, along
with Hranush Hakobyan, thecurrent Minister of Diaspora.
Dr. Ani Hakobyan,Chief Radiologist at the Wellness Center, stated,
“This newequipment vastly improves the accuracy of the screening and
increases ourability to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous
cells, thus,detecting breast cancer much earlier.”
Thanks to the Wellness Center, Armenia has made tremendousstrides over
the
past 15 years in improving awareness and public education for
earlydetection. By offering women thislatest technology, the Wellness
Center further improvesits ability to detect breast cancer at a much
earlier stage.
“Another bigimprovement for the patient is fewer call-backs for
additional
images,”said Dr. Ann Archer, Chair of the U.S. Medical Advisory Board
of AACA and the Wellness Center. Dr. Archer, a radiologist and a
breast screening and diagnosisspecialist, was part of the first
medical team that traveled to Armenia when the Wellness Centerwas
established in 1997. Ever since, she has traveled to Armenia on many
occasions to train the Wellness Center’s medical staff, including
duringher latest visit in mid-December, when she briefed and prepared
the Center’sradiologists on the transition from the analog to digital
mammography system.
Many people contributed to the success and completion ofthis
acquisition.
“Not enough canbe said about the role of the Hologic Corporation,”
said Mrs. Balian. “The senior leadership of Hologicworked tirelessly
to present the best options to AACA and have been verygenerous with
their guidance, insights, and resources.”
There are fewer than 100 of such systems installed throughoutthe
United States. Armenia has now two such systems!
`Thanks to grassroots donors and family foundations from thecommunity,
as well as the grants we receive from the United States
Government(USAID), we are able to pay for such sophisticated
equipment,’ said Mrs.Balian.
Since 2004, AACA has partnered with the USAID to expand the Wellness
Center’swork and to get the latest Western technology and expertise to
Armenia.Furthermore, USAID grants helped in the construction,
renovation and
seismicreinforcement of the six-story building, which has now become
astate-of-the-art facility with its seven medical departments. `Each
visitor from the Diaspora or Armenia,who enters the building is amazed
at the
quality of the work that has beenaccomplished to date,’ added Mrs.
Balian.
Larry Mowat, a biomedical engineer from Hologic USAand a member of the
U.S. Medical Advisory Board, coordinated the installationand training
process of the 3D Digital systems. Biomedical engineers andtrainers
from Hologic Europe flew to Armenia to complete the requiredwork. The
specialists were veryimpressed at the aptitude and intelligence of the
Center’s staff.
Mr. Mowat, who was on the original team thatinstalled the very first
mammography machine in Armenia and has since visitedArmenia 12 times,
stated, “There is no question in my mind that thequality of medical
care offered [at
the Wellness Center] to the women ofArmenia is light years ahead of
any care I have seen anywhere else inArmenia. It is a very
impressivefacility. I am amazed at how, despiteconstruction, you are
able to win the battle to keep the department clean. It actually
sparkles.”
For the past 15 years, the WellnessCenter has been known as much
forbringing Western technological advances to Armenia, as it is for
providingopportunities for medical exchanges between Armenian and
Western health careprofessionals. For many professionals,the
interaction with the Wellness Center’s
staff is theirfirst and only exposure to the country. Many acknowledge
that before the opportunity to work at the Center,either as part of
the installation or training crew, they had never even heardof
Armenia. “Not only we
aresaving the lives of Armenian women through high quality healthcare
services,one at a time, we are also introducing the world to Armenia,
one person at a time,” said Mrs. Hakobyan, Armenia’sMinister of
Diaspora.
The Wellness Center’scommitment to the fight against breast cancer has
revolutionized the healthcaredelivery system in Armenia. Fifteen
years ago, there was not a singlemammography machine in the
country. People had not heard the word `mammography’ and the doctors
had nonotion that
mammography screening can be used for early detection. Through
thevision, dedication and efforts of the WellnessCenter’s volunteer
founders, Rita andVartkess Balian, assisted by a U.S.medical team, the
first two analog mammography units were installed in Armeniain 1997.
These two machines were later (in2009 and 2010) upgraded into three
advanced analog systems, and this
year inMarch, they were replaced with the latest 3D Digital models.
Since 1997, closeto 200,000 patients have visited the Wellness Center
and of these, over125,000 have been screened at the Radiology
Department. To date, over 3,000lives have been saved through early
detection. The Wellness Center has evolved to seeover 2,500 patients
each month, out of which nearly
1,500 women come for theirannual mammograms.
“Introducingthe latest Digital Mammography Screening Technology to the
women and mothers ofArmenia, the Wellness Centeris once again at the
forefront
of the fight against breast cancer, which isstill the number one cause
of cancer deaths among women in Armenia,” said Khachanush Hakobyan,
the Wellness Center’s Executive Director. “We cannot be more grateful
to ourfounders’ invaluable dedication and to the thousands of
U.S. donors for their continuedgenerosity to provide us with the
capacity to save lives and bring joy toArmenian families.”
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