Author: Babajanian Karo

Armenia’s Eurovision boycott dashed Karabakh settlement hopes ` NYT

news.am
March 9, 2012 – 15:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Article titled `Armenians Are Shunning Song Contest
in Azerbaijan’ published by journalist Andrew E. Kramer in The New
York Times deems Armenia’s Eurovision 2012 song contest boycott to
undermine Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

`The greatest cultural chasm evoked by Eurovision, the kitschy
pop-song contest, might seem to lie between those who watch it and
those who do not, but in fact, behind the boy bands, teenage
heartthrobs, novelty acts and sequins lies real-world conflict,’ the
article reads.

`Armenian’s recent boycott to participate in the contest has dashed
hopes that the contest might, improbably, overcome two decades of
vendetta and violence in the Caucasus. The two countries fought a war
over Nagorno Karabakh that ended in 1994 with a cease-fire, but border
skirmishes remain common,’ Kramer writes.

`While withdrawing from Eurovision lacks the gravity of walking out of
peace talks or the Olympics, it is a negative symbol in a delicate and
long-running effort to demilitarize one of the most intractable ethnic
conflicts in the former Soviet Union,’ the article further reads.

Azerbaijan’s Ell/Nikki duet with Running Scared song won the
Eurovision 2011. Italy’s Raphael Gualazzi with Madness Of Love song
took second place followed by Eric Saade from Sweden.

Armenia’s Emmy was knocked out of Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in the
May 10 seminal, although her performance of Boom Boom song was met
warmly by the audience at Arena stadium in DÑ?sseldorf, Germany.

For several months Armenia couldn’t decide on participation in the
song contest. Public Television of Armenia demanded safety guarantees
for the Armenian delegation from Baku and the European Broadcasting
Union (EBU).

On February 24, Armenian singers refused to participate in Baku-hosted
Eurovision 2012 song contest, following the February 23 death of an
Armenian soldier in Azeri sniper attack. On March 7, Armenian Public
Television officially informed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
of Armenia’s withdrawal from the contest.

42 countries will take part in the contest, each semi-final featuring
18 participants. The final will be held on May 26.

ALMA to Host NE Rug Society Lecture on Lebab Turkmen
by Armenian Weekly
March 9, 2012

WATERTOWN, Mass. – On Fri., March 23, the Armenian Library and Museum of
America (ALMA) will host a lecture by Peter Poullada, a collector and
independent scholar specializing in the Turkmen and their weaving,
titled `Lebab Turkmen and Their Interaction with the Local Uzbeks.’

Turkmen woman spinning
The Lebab (from Persian, `edge of the water,’ i.e., `riverside’) live
in the Middle Amu Darya region. Poullada’s talk will challenge common
assumptions about their weaving and will include photographic images
of their life and the `Bukharan’ milieu – a mixture of Lebab, Uzbek, and
`Sart’ cultural and social traditions relating most directly to the
world of women.

Poullada has collected Central Asian weaving since the 1960’s. He
lived in Afghanistan and Iran in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and in Turkey
in the 1980’s. He holds a BA from Princeton in Near Eastern languages
and history; pursued graduate study at the University of California,
Berkeley; and has published articles in HALI and the Journal of the
Royal Society of Asian Affairs.

New England Society members are encouraged to bring Turkmen rugs,
bags, and trappings – so-called Ersari and Beshir examples – as well as
Uzbek pieces in their collections.

Event admission is $7 for the egenral public, free for ALMA and NE Rug
Society members. ALMA is located at 65 Main St. in Watertown. For
directions and more information, visit

Senators’ draft resolution on Christian churches not serious – expert

news.am
March 09, 2012 | 17:12

YEREVAN.- The draft resolution on return of the Christian churches
introduced by the American Senators is not a serious one, expert for
monuments Samvel Karapetyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, deep and large-scale study should be conducted to
introduce such resolution.

`Each monument, relic, – the history and documents concerning each
object should be studied thoroughly to speak of such resolutions. Each
region and district should be studied as well,’ he said.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Senators Scott Brown Dianne
Feinstein and Mark Kirk introduced a bipartisan measure on Thursday
calling upon the Secretary of State to press Turkey to return stolen
Christian church properties and allow full freedom of faith for
religious minorities.

Leading article: Slow progress on speeding up adoption

Saturday 10 March 2012

Nobody could really want to see “young lives wasted”, so David Cameron
was on safe ground yesterday when he called for the adoption process
to be speeded up, particularly with regard to mixed-race and black
children.

Those involved in the system, however, could be forgiven for waiting
for the warm words to turn into clear action before celebrating. After
all, the rhetoric rehearsed by Mr Cameron has been heard before – and
the arguments in such a complex area are more nuanced than a simple
must-do-better.

The Prime Minister is right that every effort should be made to end
the glacially slow progress of the average adoption, and to abolish
the practice of making children wait for their racial backgrounds to
be matched. The stark fact that white children are three times more
likely to leave care through adoption than their counterparts of other
ethnicities tells the tale. And pity the social worker who is expected
to find a willing couple of, say, mixed Armenian and Nigerian descent.

Modern society has, moreover, shown itself to be largely willing to
accommodate difference. The difficult days of one black child in an
otherwise white rural primary school are almost completely behind us.
While it would be naive to suggest that racial harmony reigns supreme,
prospective adopters in most British towns and cities will be
introducing a child into an integrated, mixed community.

More important, racial difference can be overcome far more easily than
other difficulties, such as the after-effects of sustained neglect or
abuse. It is these hidden traumas that are behind many of the one in
five broken adoptions, and they increase exponentially the longer the
child is left with the damaging birth family.

To remedy the current situation, the burden of proof must shift away
from prospective adopters proving they are the perfect match. Instead,
feckless birth parents must prove that they can and will improve
before being allowed to remain in charge of their children.

The latest government measures are to be applauded, insofar as they
focus on an issue too long neglected. But they are, by themselves,
unlikely to be enough. And attention must be sure to remain on the
ultimate goal – fewer children waiting – rather than on adding yet
more paperwork to a system already mired in complications.

That’s All The Collateral I Need

asbarez
Saturday, March 10th, 2012

by Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian Share Print

Artist Emil Kazaz donated “Sevil” to the ACF silent auction

BY PATTYL APOSHIAN KASPARIAN

With all the mumbo jumbo about who wore which designer and who waltzed
the red carpet with whom at the Oscars, it’s easy to forget that a few
miles away in the beautiful city of Beverly Hills, the Armenian
Cultural Foundation publicized its own celebrities – an intimate group
of 300 A-listers dressed to the nines in glamorous outfits and fashion
must haves.

Montage Beverly Hills was filled with laughter, sparkle and dazzle. It
was an alembic evening – one of firsts and even a few rarities. The
evening celebrated the accomplishments of the Armenian Cultural
Foundation and highlighted the youthful energy surrounding these
successes. The annual banquet also served to raise funds to fuel the
growth of the Western Region.

Thanks to the foresight and determination of a few individuals, a new
fundraising opportunity was introduced. Several volunteers took
ownership of this new adventure, a silent auction, and proceeded with
boundless energy and enthusiasm. Volunteers spent endless hours
assuring that the donated goods resonate specifically with our caliber
of guests.

Some committee members donated from their personal collections. Others
reached out to business owners and friends. I did the unconventional.

It was an `uh-oh’ moment where I spoke too quickly at a late night
meeting and didn’t realize the commitment I made until I said it
aloud. I suggested that we approach the internationally-famed and
multi-talented artist, Emil Kazaz, to donate a masterpiece. Some were
skeptical, others optimistic. As reality hit, I weakened at the
thought of being turned down. Yet, knowing that I would make the ask
on behalf of the Armenian Cultural Foundation instead of my own
personal interests, I felt the power, energy and confidence of a newly
crowded Miss America.

After a few weeks of electronic chat, I met Monet Kazaz, Emil’s wife
and business partner. Monet Kazaz is one of those women you sense
before you see, her grace and charm somehow arriving on the scene two
seconds before she does. We hit it off instantaneously. We spoke about
family, business, daily obligations and future aspirations. We talked
about the Armenian Cultural Foundation and its integral role in the
development of our community. I described the elegance and importance
of the banquet. We talked so much, we ran out of time.

We both ran home to tend to our kids and promised to meet a few hours
later. With great enthusiasm, I notified my committee that we would
add an Emil Kazaz masterpiece to the already impressive silent
auction.

As I met Monet for the second time, I expected her to walk in with a
small artist’s folder and hand over a small painting. I anticipated
the `let’s hurry and get this over with’ greeting. Instead, we
continued our conversation about the Armenian Cultural Foundation. She
was intrigued. She was fascinated with the wealth of information,
resources and volunteer efforts surrounding our organization.

Instead of offering a masterpiece of her choice, she asked me to
select from the prominent Kazaz collection. How could I
choose-different canvases, sizes, price ranges? Everything was so
beautiful.

After several pleases and thank yous, I pointed to two large oil
paintings similar to ones I’ve seen displayed in international
galleries and asked if I could share these paintings with my committee
members. In the name of the Armenian Cultural Foundation, I took
possession of the treasured canvases and stared blindly at Monet.
`Just like that, you’re going to let me walk away?’ I asked. `Do you
want to hold my license and credit card as collateral?’

Monet Kazaz smiled her beautiful smile and said, `For someone who
dedicates her valuable time for an organization she holds so dear to
her heart, that’s all the collateral I need.’

There’s a certain pride that goes into these experiences – actually it’s
more than pride. It’s the perfect mix of confidence, reputation and
history.

It’s the difference between going after what you want and deserve
instead of what you think you can settle for. After all, the Armenian
Cultural Foundation and its supporters deserve only the best!

Thank you to all the silent auction donors who contributed to the
success of the 2012 Annual Banquet.
Serop and Arsho Beylerian
Garboushian Gallery
Giantto
Viken and Nora Hovsepian
Emil and Monet Kazaz
Leon’s Fine Jewelry
Montage Beverly Hills
Koko Topalian
Ralph and Savey Tufenkian
Tycoon Jewelers
Vahe and Nora Yacoubian
Harry Vorperian

World Boxing News
March 10 2012

Martinez stops Martirosyan in twelve

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

Kiko Martinez remains the European super-bantamweight champion with a
final round stoppage win over Armenian-born Frenchman Arsen
Martirosyan in Lyon last night.

The 26 year-old, who improves to 26-3 with his 19th knockout, made the
first defence of his third reign as champion by using his body
punching armoury to great effect.

`La Sensacion’ started cagily in the opening three rounds but rocked
Martirosyan in the fourth and eighth with telling shots. Martinez had
slowed the challenger using his superior body work throughout and
stepped his efforts in the final two sessions, sensing his opponent
was weary.

A crunching left to the body put Martirosyan down in the final round
and despite making the count, the 34 year-old had nothing left and the
fight was waved off with Martinez piling in the punches.

The win represents Martinez’s second victory over Martirosyan
following a decision victory on Irish soil in September 2010 and he
now moves on to a possible bout against Carl Frampton or Scott Quigg
in the summer.

Los Angeles Times, CA
March 10 2012

Debating genocide denial

Should denying the Armenian genocide, or the Holocaust, be illegal?
The Times says no.

March 10, 2012

In a March 5 editorial, The Times opposed a bill in the French
parliament that would have made it a crime to deny the Armenian
genocide. The bill was proposed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, then
struck down byFrance’s Constitutional Council. Now Sarkozy says he
wants to revive it.

Reader Berj Proodian wrote suggesting that The Times may have been
hypocritical on the subject:

“In the past year, the L.A. Times has printed [several] editorials
condemning France’s law against denying the Armenian genocide. Many
Western European democracies (including France) have had laws against
denying the Holocaust for a couple of decades now. If it is
unconstitutional to punish those who deny the Armenian genocide, then
how can democracies justify denial of the Holocaust to be a criminal
offense? I don’t remember the L.A. Times ever speaking up against
that.”

Times Editorial Page Editor Nicholas Goldberg responds:

We have editorialized consistently in recent years against laws that
ban Holocaust denial and otherwise stifle free expression. As far back
as October 2006, for instance, we wrote the following about another
law that would have made it an offense to deny the Armenian genocide:
“This matches similar laws across the EU criminalizing Holocaust
denial. Both notions exhibit an unseemly lack of confidence in the
free competition of ideas and leave European governments open to
charges of hypocrisy.”

In 2009, we criticizedGermany’slaw banning Holocaust denial along with
another one making it illegal to publish “Mein Kampf,”Adolf
Hitler’sautobiographical manifesto. We wrote: “Those rules were put in
place with the best of intentions…. But liberal democracy cannot
tolerate such bans on free expression indefinitely.”

The Holocaust and the Armenian genocide are historical facts. The
editorial board has no doubt that they occurred and has often said
that they were monstrous crimes that the world should not forget. But
we do not believe that banning speech is the most effective way to get
that message across.

Dictatorships often rely on censorship, making it illegal to express
unpopular or unacceptable points of view. But democracies like France,
Germany and the United States should have robust freedom of speech
laws that include protections even for outrageous, hurtful and
ahistorical opinions.

,0,1240501.story

US Fed News
March 9, 2012 Friday 11:41 AM EST

LA PORTA TO SPEAK AT ARMENIAN LECTURE SERIES MARCH 22

FRESNO, Calif., March 9 — California State University Fresno issued
the following press release:

Dr. Sergio La Porta, holder of the Haig and Isabel Berberian Chair of
Armenian Studies at Fresno State, will speak on “Knowledege, Heresy,
and Inquisition: The Armenian Reaction to Latin Missionaries in the
14th century” at 7:30 p.m. March 22. The free, public lecture at the
Alice Peters Auditorium in the University Business Center is part of
the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program Spring Lecture Series and is
co-sponsored by the Armenian Students Organization. For more
information call 559.278.2669.

Armenian boxers perform successfully at GeeBee-Turnaus championship

news.am
March 10

Armenia’s representatives are performing successfully in the Amateur
Boxing GeeBee-Turnaus championship in Helsinki, Finland.

Aram Avagyan (56 kg) won Ruslanas Jefremovas with 22:7 points, Ara
Puluzyan (64) won Arturs Ahmetovs – 18:17, and Hrayr Matevosyan (69)
won Henri Kekäläinen – 17:8 in the quarter finals.

In the semifinals, Avagyan will fight with Evgeni Averin, Puluzyan
with Abdelhak Aatakni, and Matevosyan with Aleksander Besputin.

Andranik Hakobyan (75) will start from the semifinals and will fight
with Denis Kormilin, while Narek Abgaryan (52) will fight with Pedro
Matos.

Armenia should overcome tumor called corruption – President

news.am
March 10, 2012 | 13:56

We must continue to work to strengthen Armenia’s standing and prestige
in the region and in the world, must strive to achieve a greater
political weight, said President Serzh Sargsyan.

President of Armenia and leader of the Republican Party addressed the
participants of the 13th congress of the party held in Yerevan on
Saturday.

He stressed that they need to move forwards every day in accordance
with the adopted course.

`We will accelerate our speed regardless of how strong the resistance
will be. It is obvious that such resistance exists, when momentary
gains are deemed to be more important than our goals. But we will
overcome that resistance because we are plenty and we are strong, and
it is difficult to come up openly against our truly national goals,’
he said.

According to him, elections, parliaments and governments are tools to
achieve those goals.

`A greater respect of the foreigners toward Armenia and its citizens
is conditioned first of all by us, by our own respect toward our
state, our laws and our citizens.

If we neglect this simple truth, we will achieve nothing, while
keeping it in mind and using it, we will reform our country. Moreover,
we will do it so quickly that it will cause our own surprise and
admiration. We must defeat tumor which overwhelmed our society and
which is called corruption. Toward that end both surgical and all
other legal measures will be applied,’ President stressed.

The President underscored that it is not difficult to see that the
mentioned goals, including Armenia’s economic development, are closely
interrelated.

`An historic opportunity to create Armenia’s new appearance and image
is in our hands, literally in the hands of each of us. And we will do
it.

Normal elections are essential but not sufficient for fundamental
reforms. I would like to repeat: other objectives, which we pursue as
a nation and as a state, are more critical. Political and economic
liberties on one hand, discipline and exactingness on the other will
provide new opportunities for our comprehensive development. It is our
resource,’ he added.

`Nowadays, a full-fledged propaganda war is being waged against
Armenia and the Armenians dispersed around the globe. That war becomes
particularly vicious when we achieve success in different areas or
register developments in the process of the international recognition
and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

We don’t conduct any campaign against any country or a nation but we
face waves of hostility. In the contemporary world, only a democratic
Armenia can withstand these waves. Against these waves we must bring
out Armenia’s new image – the image of a more liberal and thus of a
stronger Armenia. How can one admire French democracy, if he/she
himself/herself does not have similar goals, if he/she himself/herself
does not share same values or does not fight for them?’