Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel. (818) 500-1343
Fax: (818) 242-3732
E-Mail: [email protected]

CONTACT: Talar Aintablian, (818) 500-1343
[email protected]

Kick-Off Reception Sparks Momentum for ARS Gala 2012

Glendale, CA.- The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS) hosted a
kick-off reception on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel
where 140 guests gathered and enjoyed good company while receiving
enlightening details about the forthcoming ARS Gala 2012. As a precursor to
the gala, the reception offered guests a first-chance opportunity to reserve
tickets, become table sponsors, and candle lighters for the main event.
Supporters and members rallied in support as 45 table sponsors and 40 candle
lighters, as well as individual donations, were secured.

Alongside ARS members, who have been chosen by their chapters to be honored
at the gala as a result of their service in select categories, guests
included representatives from local sister organizations and individual ARS
supporters.

Everyone in attendance was in high spirits in anticipation of the gala,
which will celebrate the region’s 28th anniversary and service to
communities in need both locally and internationally. This year’s event will
honor chapter members in an effort to recognize their exceptional service as
part of the driving force of ARS activities in their local communities.

Dr. Nyree Derderian, Chairperson of the ARS Regional Executive Board,
welcomed guests and paid special mention to International Women’s Day, which
is marked on March 8th. Thereafter, she presented Jasik Jarahian, General
Manager of the ARS Regional Headquarters, who is heading the gala organizing
committee comprised of representatives from nearly each of the region’s 27
chapters, to deliver the committee’s message. She recognized the importance
of collaboration amongst community organizations and remarked, “With your
support, we look forward to holding an exceptional event that highlights the
impactful nature of ARS activities throughout the Diaspora and in Armenia,
Artsakh, and Javakhk.” Following the remarks, Ms. Jarahian invited Rev. Fr.
Artak Demirjian, who offered his blessings to the ARS on behalf of His
Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy.

All proceeds from the ARS Gala 2012 will benefit the region’s vital
programs, including its Social Services Division; Child, Youth, and Family
Guidance Center; scholarships; disaster relief efforts; as well as education
and youth programs.

The ARS thanks the Glendale Hilton Hotel and Remedy Liquor for their
generosity, which contributed to the success of the evening.

The ARS Gala 2012 will be held on Friday, April 27th at the Glendale Hilton
Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The ARS Regional Headquarters can be contacted at
(818) 500-1343 or [email protected] for additional information.

The ARS of Western USA, established in 1984 and with regional headquarters
in Glendale, California, is a humanitarian organization with 27 chapters and
over 1,500 members in five western states. The ARS of Western USA operates a
Social Service Division with five social service centers and a Child, Youth,
and Family Guidance Center in Southern California, in addition to funding
numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts around the word.
For further information, please visit

###

From: Baghdasarian

REGULAR MONITORING OF KARABAKH-AZERBAIJANI LINE OF CONTACT SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 7

ARMENPRESS
MARCH 6, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The regular monitoring of the line of
contact between the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces is scheduled
for March 7 in the south-east of Gapanle village of Azerbaijani region
of Tartar.

Foreign Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh said from the Artsakh
party the monitoring will be implemented by Field Assistants of the
Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Antal Herdich
and Christo Christov.

>From the opposite party the monitoring will be implemented
by coordinator of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Peter Kin and field assistants Marius Puodziunas
and William Prior.

From: Baghdasarian

OF COOKIES AND NUKES: AN INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN MAZ JOBRANI
by Khatchig Mouradian

March 6, 2012

BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)-Comedian Maz Jobrani liked calling Iran “the
Paris Hilton of countries” back when Paris Hilton was the Iran of
celebrities. “Every time they show us on TV they always show the crazy
guy burning the flag going, ‘Death to America!'” he said in one of his
more recent stand-up performances. “Just once, I wish they would show
us baking a cookie! Because I’ve been to Iran, and we have cookies!”

Maz Jobrani With Tehran’s nuclear program currently dominating
the airwaves, Iran couldn’t be further from an association with
cookies. But the country did make headlines recently for the film “A
Separation,” which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language
Film. Jobrani was ecstatic. “I was so happy when they won. What
a film! Anyone who hasn’t seen it should go out and see it. I was
gripped by the film for two solid hours and I would have been very
upset if it hadn’t won,” he told me.

“I was a bit worried that politics might have caused the Academy to
not vote for it, but in the end it could not be denied. And what a
wonderful speech by the director! It was a proud moment for Iranians
all over the world!”

Stereotypes and acting

Jobrani was a founding member of the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which
started off with a bang (no pun intended) in the U.S., followed by
sold-out performances in the Middle East. I asked him whether the
negative stereotypes of Iranians-and Middle Easterners, in general-have
become less dominant in the media.

“The overall negative stereotypes continue to exist,” he said. “I
think as long as the West knows us more for the turmoil in the region
and some of the zealous religious leaders, it will be a hard image
to shake off.”

These stereotypes have created a market for Middle Eastern actors-to
play terrorists. “A lot of the roles that come out are the negative
roles, where we could play terrorists or other backwards religious
zealots,” said Jobrani, who has guest starred in shows like “Curb
Your Enthusiasm,” “The West Wing,” “NYPD Blue,” and “ER,” and had
recurring roles on “The Knights of Prosperity” and “Better off Ted.”

In the critically acclaimed movie “David” (2011), Jobrani plays the
Imam of a Brooklyn mosque whose son, Daud, befriends a Jewish boy,
Yoav.

“There are some positive roles that come out now and then, but they are
rare,” he said. “Naturally there are more positive roles in independent
projects that allow us to show the other side of Middle Easterners.”

Stand up and customize

I asked Jobrani about his audience at his stand-up shows. “I’m lucky
that most are attended by my fans. This is usually the case when
you’re headlining. So it’s not a random audience that’s walked in off
the street to just see a comedy show. They are specifically there to
see you. That makes it so that most nights are pretty magical!”

He said his favorite places to perform are in cities like San
Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Stockholm, and Sydney. “The way I try
to customize the show is to speak a little bit about my experience in
these places at the top of my set and then go into my act from there,”
he added.

Boundaries and inspirations

I asked him about the issues he avoids tackling and how far a comedian
can go with ethnic humor. “I don’t know if there are boundaries to
ethnic humor,” he said. “I try not to be degrading to anyone. Usually
I will point out a fun trait about another ethnicity and make sure
the person who I’m speaking to in the audience doesn’t feel like I
am saying I’m better than them in any way. I think the fact that I
do some self-deprecating material helps people loosen their guard
and laugh with me.”

Jobrani started acting at an early age and studied theatre in high
school. At the time, “Eddie Murphy was the man! He was my first
inspiration into comedy.” Jobrani earned his bachelor’s in political
science at UC Berkley and enrolled in a Ph.D. program at UCLA before
leaving academia and embracing acting. “I think I was just a big fan
of comedy growing up. I believe the reason I do it today is because
I was a fan then,” he said.

“Once I became a comedian I started to study Richard Pryor and Bill
Cosby more. There are a lot of great comedians out there.” These days,
he’s a fan of Lewis Black and JB Smoove, among others.

Iranians and Armenians

Jobrani had Armenian friends growing up in northern California, and
more when he moved to LA after college. “I’ve always known Armenians
to be a celebratory people. I know more of the Persian-Armenians and I
know most Persians are celebratory anyway. I feel like we have so much
in common that I really love having Armenian crowds at my shows. We’ve
all got the parents with the thick accents, we all love driving BMWs
and Mercedes Benz’s, we all have parents that want us to be doctors
and lawyers.”

Sure, there are differences between Armenians and Iranians, but
nothing that can’t be resolved by coming together. “The big difference
is that Persians are in Westwood and Armenians are in Glendale. We
should all just have a meeting and buy up the rest of Los Angeles.

Just a matter of time before we do.”

Jobrani performs in Boston on March 10, LA on April 3 and 4. For a
complete listing of his upcoming shows, go to

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DELIVERS SPEECH AT NATO HEADQUARTERS

Tert.am
06.03.12

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to
Belgium, held a meeting on Tuesday with NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen.

Following the meeting the Armenian leader and the NATO Secretary
General issued a joint statement.

Below is President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement:

“Ladies and gentlemen,

“I am happy to be present at the NATO Headquarters again and meet
with Mr Secretary General. Regular meetings are good occasions for
exchanging views on all the aspects of Armenia-NATO cooperation,
as well as for discussing regional problems and challenges.

“Armenia is actively cooperating with NATO is all areas. Effective
reforms in defense, security and emergency situations are progressing,
They are part of sweeping reforms in progress in Armenia.

“In this context, we stated that the Armenia-NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan remains the cornerstone of our partnerhsip.

Last November, we approved the third phase of the program and
launched it.

“We highly valued the consistent Armenia-NATO dialogue. In
this context, I stressed the importance of the North Atlantic
Council-Armenia meeting, which is a good opportunity for us to present
our view of the threats to security and challenges facing the South
Caucasus and of the ways of meeting them.

“I am happy that Mr Secretary General personally, and the Alliance
as a whole, highly appreciate Armenia’s efforts to contribute to
peace and stability throughout the world. We are well aware that it
is only by combined efforts that we are able to meet the present-day
threats and challenges. With this end in view, we tripled the numerical
strength of the Armenian corps involved in the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF).

“We have also discussed the latest developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process. Azebaijan is flatly rejecting any proposal for
confidence-building – both ones for intensifying regional cooperation
and ones for reducing tension on the Line of Contact.

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan objects to withdrawing snipers from the
front line and investigating incidents. Moreover, it has never stopped
calling for war. Just a few days ago, the President of Azerbaijan
stated that the Armenians scattered throughout the world were
number one enemy of Azerbaijanis. This fact needs the international
community’s assessment.

“Mr Secretary General and I are of the unanimous opinion that the
conflict must be settled in a peaceful way, through negotiations within
the OSCE Minsk Group. You can be sure that a final settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is only possible by respecting the peoples’
right to self-determination and cast-iron security guarantees.

“In conclusion, I would like to re-affirm Armenia’s willingness for
fuirther mutually beneficial cooperation with the North-Atlantic
Union.”

From: Baghdasarian

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHUSHI LIBERATION WILL BE MARKED: PREPARATIONS ARE ALREADY HELD

06.03.12, 16:32

On 6 March Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan held a working consultation
on organization of celebrations dedicated to the Victory Day, 20th
anniversary of the NKR Defense Army and Liberation of Shoushi.

Central information department of the office of Artsakh Republic
President informs about this.

Issues related to the preparation and holding of festive events in
our republic were in the spotlight of attention.

Members of the government commission on organization of the
celebrations delivered corresponding reports.

Bako Sahakyan assigned the members of the commission to work out the
details of the solemn events and assume all the necessary measures
for organizing and holding them at a high level.

From: Baghdasarian

NIGOGHOS SARAFIAN’S THE BOIS DE VINCENNES NOVEL ENGLISH TRANSLATION PUBLISHED

PanARMENIAN.Net
March 6, 2012 – 10:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian Research Center at the University
of Michigan-Dearborn has announced the publication of the English
translation of the short novel of exile, The Bois de Vincennes,
byone of the prominent Armenian-French authors, Nigoghos Sarafian.

Originally published in Armenian in 1947, the work is best known by
its French-language title, which has been retained in this English
translation. Ably translated by Christopher Atamian, this novel
introduces to the English-speaking world, the mind of one of the
Armenian Diaspora’s most complex writers. The book also features
an introduction by Prof. Marc Nichanian, who discusses Sarafian’s
intellectual world.

In this book readers see the effect of exile caused by the Armenian
Genocide on Sarafian. Helived in Paris from 1923 to his death in
1972 and was a member of the Menk (“We”) group ofArmenian-French
writers who attempted to renew and redefine (in part through their
eponymousjournal) Armenian identity in its new Diaspora setting. This
book is in some measure a way forSarafian to come to terms with his
own exile and the exile of the Armenian people in general. Itis also
an extended meditation in and on the Vincennes Woods, a park just
outside Paris, wherehe spent time in solitary contemplation.

Christopher Atamian, the translator of this work, is a New York-based
writer, filmmaker, andproducer. The Bois de Vincennes is his first
published, book-length translation.

The book’s publication was subvented through a generous grant from
the Ajemian Foundation, inmemory of Robert Ajemian. The Ajemian
Foundation is a Michigan-based organization with aninterest in
promoting Armenian-American cultural activity.

The Bois de Vincennes is distributed by Wayne State University Press
and can be purchased from national chain booksellers, special ordered
from smaller bookstores, or ordered from major online retailers like
Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. The retail price is $20.

From: Baghdasarian

ERDOGAN CLAIMS ANTI-ARMENIAN RALLY WORK OF ‘RAVING RACISTS’

asbarez
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

Banners read “Armenians are Bastards” during Feb. 26 anti-Armenian
rallies in Istanbul

ANKARA–Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said anti-Armenian
banners unfurled during an Istanbul rally held on Feb. 26 reflect the
feeling of some “raving racists,” not those of the Turkish people,
reported Today’s Zaman on Tuesday.

“These banners do not reflect the feelings of Turkey but those of a few
raving racists. … Necessary [legal] action has already been taken.

But it is unjust to overshadow the rally marking the massacre by a
few worthless banners. Nobody has the right to damage the image of
Turkey based on these exceptional scenes,” Erdoðan said.

Some 20,000 to 50,000 people participated in the anti-Armenian
protests on Februaru 26, with professionally printed signs that read,
“You are all Armenians, You are all bastards,” and “Today Taksim,
Tomorrow Yerevan: We will descend upon you suddenly in the night.”

Among the speakers at the demonstration in Turkey’s famous Taksim
Square was Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin, among other
leaders of Erdogan’s AK Party.

According to statements issued by the protest organizers, similar
demonstrations have been planned in more than 50 cities in Turkey.

The Armenian National Committee of America, sharply criticizing the
government-sanctioned anti-Armenian demonstrations held throughout
Turkey on Feb. 26, called on U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis
Ricciardone to forcefully condemn this latest attempt by Ankara to
foment hatred and violence against Armenians.

“Today’s anti-Armenian demonstrations in the streets of Istanbul–with
the interior minister and prominent political parties at the helm–were
clearly aimed at inciting increased racism and renewed violence against
Turkey’s own Armenian citizens and neighboring Armenia,” stated ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “These are not simply the violent
echoes of a post-genocidal state, but the determined actions of a
pre-genocidal Turkish society that is angrily lashing out at its
imagined enemies and seeking out its next target. We urge U.S.

Ambassador Ricciardone to immediately, forcefully, and publicly
condemn this government-sanctioned incitement to violence.”

A statement released by the Turkish Interior Ministry on Wednesday
said it is impossible to justify “some slogans and banners” during
the rally, referring to the offensive banners. The statement added
that legal proceedings have been launched to find these people and
groups, adding that the Istanbul Governor’s Office is working to
identify these people, reported Today’s Zaman.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA’S UN ENVOY BLASTS AZERI MISINFORMATION ABOUT KHOJALY

asbarez
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

Armenia’s Ambassador to UN Karen Nazaryan

UNITED NATIONS-Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Karen
Nazaryan, sent a letter last week to the UN Secretary General warning
of Azerbaijan’s “deceptive information” regarding the events of
Khojaly.

Nazarian decried the misleading information publicized by Azeris
and attached a statement published by the Foreign Ministry of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic regarding the chain of events that occurred
in 1992.

“I regret to note that the representative of Azerbaijan has once
again taken up an initiative of circulating misleading and deceptive
information related to the tragic events of 1992 in the settlement
of Khojalu. This delegation has on numerous occasions reacted with
anti-Armenian propaganda and falsifications on behalf of Azerbaijani
authorities relating to those events,” the letter states.

It would be most relevant to recall the appeal of the international
community, not least the European Court of Human Rights and numerous
human rights organizations, to release the Azerbaijani journalists
and human rights activists who had questioned the version of the
Government of Azerbaijan on the Khojalu events. Armenia reiterates
its position, according to which progress in the negotiations for the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue depends, inter alia,
on the establishment of tolerance and restraint from hate propaganda.

The Azeri initiative does not bode well for such objectives,” added
the letter.

Nazaryan requested that the UN Secretary-General circulate the
letter and the statement of the Foreign Ministry of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic as an official document of the General Assembly,
under agenda items 35 and 39, and of the Security Council.

From: Baghdasarian

LES DACHNAKS ET LE CNA MANIFESTENT COTE-A-COTE POUR EXIGER LE PASSAGE A LA PROPORTIONNELLE INTEGRALE
Stephane

armenews.com
mercredi 7 mars 2012

Les trois principales forces de l’opposition, Dachnaksoutioun,
Heritage et le CNA, ont manifeste hier devant l’AN pour exiger le
passage a la proportionnelle integrale, pendant que l’AN debattait la
proposition de loi en ce sens redigee par les Dachnaks et les deputes
du parti ” Heritage “. S’adressant a la foule devant le Parlement,
les dirigeants de ces forces ont reitere leurs exigences. Levon
Zourabian du CNA a salue ” l’unite de l’opposition “, affirmant que
cela ne manquera pas d’avoir des consequences positives pour le vote
du 6 mai, meme si les trois partis ne parviennent pas a faire adopter
ladite proposition de loi. Dans l’hemicycle de l’AN, la majorite a
rejete la proposition de loi, estimant intempestif d’amender le code
electoral a la veille des echeances. Le Ministre de la Justice a rejete
l’explication selon laquelle le système majoritaire etait a la base des
fraudes. Il existe, selon lui, mille moyens pour truquer les elections
au système proportionnel. Faute de quorum, la proposition de loi n’a
pas ete soumise au vote hier. / Rapporte par l’ensemble de la presse

Ambassade de France en Armenie

Service de presse

From: Baghdasarian

LA SANTE DE RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
Jean Eckian

armenews.com
mercredi 7 mars 2012

Selon un document publie par Wikileaks via le service de renseignement
americain de recherche Strategic Forecasting Inc (Stratfor), dit
l'”ombre de la CIA”, un ancien employe du Conseil national de securite
de la Turquie, conseiller de R.T. Erdogan, expert en matière d’energie,
indique que selon le chirurgien en chef qui a opere le premier ministre
turc de son cancer du côlon, 20 cm avaient ete coupes au cours de sa
dernière operation (code source TR325).

Le chirurgien aurait confie qu’Erdogan ne pourrait pas voyager pendant
quelques mois, alors que le pronostic sur sa sante future ne serait
pas très bon, impliquant, a terme, une esperance de vie reduite a
moins de trois ans.

From: Baghdasarian