Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

Reason.com: Orphan rug is likely to remain orphaned

14:43 01/03/2014 >> SOCIETY

Below, we present an article entitled “The Orphaned Rug,” published in
Reason.com.

In 1925, a group of orphans who had lost their parents to Turkey’s
genocide of Armenians presented this ceremonial rug to President
Calvin Coolidge. Despite the exertions of many activists and
historians, the rug has been kept away from public view since the
mid-1990s.

Armenian Americans have long suspected that the rug was warehoused
because the government of NATO ally Turkey does not want to see or
read any official-sounding communication that even broaches the
g-word. So when the publishers of a slim new volume titled President
Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug asked the White House to
release the Ghazir artifact for a private book party in December, the
terse response was, “We regret that it is not possible to loan it out
at this time.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) responded by planning a historically
appropriate event that he hoped even the White House couldn’t refuse.
But Schiff’s initiative probably will end up in the same place as the
annual congressional drive to get the president to use the word
genocide on Armenian Remembrance Day (April 24): nowhere. As long as
Washington feels it has foreign policy needs that only Turkey can
supply, the orphan rug is likely to remain orphaned.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESSE ARMENIENNE
Soumis aux difficultés financières, le quotidien arménien > est
devenu hebdomadaire

En déséquilibre financier, le journal > qui était l’un des plus
importants quotidiens après l’indépendance de l’Arménie avec des
tirages dépassant 50 000 exemplaires, avait ces dernières années un
diffusion presque confidentielle avec une édition de 1 500 à 3 000
exemplaires. > avait même cessé de paraitre durant plusieurs
semaines en fin d’année dernière et au début de cette année pour
raison économique. Le rédacteur en chef Hagop Avédikian a indiqué le
27 février que dès le lendemain, > deviendrait hebdomadaire. Le
journal a une nouvelle fois bénéficié du soutien financier de
nombreuses personnalités dont l’homme d’affaire arménien de Russie,
Ara Abrahamian qui est également le président de l’Union des Arméniens
de Russie. Profitant de cette nouvelle édition hebdomadaire, le format
d’> a également changé.> a affirmé Hagop Avédikian. La rédaction
d’> convaincue que l’avenir de la presse arménienne passera par
l’information électronique, développera davantage son site en ligne en
y plaçant des articles d’analyses et dossiers.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 1er mars 2014,
Krikor Amirzayan (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

FOOTBALL: CHALLANDES SET FOR ARMENIA COACHING ROLE

Agence France Presse
February 28, 2014 Friday 8:14 PM GMT

LAUSANNE, Feb 28 2014

Experienced Swiss coach Bernard Challandes told radio in his home
country on Friday that he is to take charge of the Armenian national
team.

Challandes, 62, is set to begin work next week, after Armenia’s
friendly match against Russia in Krasnodar on March 5.

A former coach of the Swiss under-21 side and several clubs in his
homeland, including FC Zurich and Young Boys, Challande will lead
Armenia into the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

The republic in the southern Caucasus have been drawn in qualifying
Group I alongside Portugal, Denmark, Serbia and Albania.

From: Baghdasarian

NO COACH FOR THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Feb 28 2014

28 February 2014 – 2:35pm

David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

At the end of last year, the Football Federation of Armenia announced
the upcoming friendly match against Russia that will take place in
Krasnodar. Today, however, with the match less than a week away,
not only the Armenian squad for the match against the Russian players
(who were already stated by Fabio Capello) is unknown, but also the
name of the head coach of the Armenian team. The lack of coach is due
to Vardan Minasyan’s refusal to prolong his contract, which expired on
October 31 for the UEFA EURO 2016 qualification period. The 40-year-old
coach prefers a different course for his career, waiting for proposals
from abroad.

Nevertheless, the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) has declared
its readiness to play a friendly match not only with Russia: on June
6 the Armenian players are to play another friendly match against
Germany. The FFA President, the infamous Armenian oligarch, Republican
Ruben Hayrapetyan, at the final press conference in 2013 attacked the
journalist who asked about the upcoming friendly matches, stating that
“it is silly to talk about friendly matches when there is no one to
steer the team.”

The matches have been announced, but there is no coach. In any case,
there is no information about his identity. Repeated attempts by our
reporters to contact the FFA in order to find out whether the team
has found a coach have failed. The FFA press secretary’s number
“does not exist”, Hayrapetyan’s private number does not respond,
and the Media section on the FFA site is empty.

Since the beginning of 2014 the Armenian media, which had been
flooded with names of the most improbable candidates to be the coach
of the Armenian team, are now keeping silence unanimously. Following
Minasyan’s resignation, the media suggested the names of various
candidates, mostly from South America, the last one was the name of
the Uruguayan Gregorio Perez.

Following the results of the toss of the qualifying tournament
for the European Championship 2016, which first was attended by 24
teams of the continent, Armenia was represented by the FFA Executive
Director Armen Minasyan. Group I, where the Armenian team ended up,
looks impressive. Apart from Armenia, the group includes Portugal,
Serbia, Albania and Denmark. The host country of EURO 2016 – France –
will only participate in the qualifying tournament at the level of
friendly matches.

Note that in the four years of Minasyan’s coaching, the national team
of Armenia achieved a breakthrough, rising from 99th to 30th position
in the FIFA rankings. Therefore, despite the serious competitors,
the Armenian team has a chance to go to France in 2016. And today,
the team led by Henrik Mkhitaryan, Yura Movsisyan, Araz Ozbilis and
Roman Berezovsky especially needs a competent coach who could solve
this serious problem.

The oligarch Hayrapetyan previously publicly stated that the
Federation has no intention of spending too much on inviting a top
coach, preferring to use the “millions of dollars to build football
schools.” According to the agency Pluri Consultoria, the “cost”
of the 30 highest paid football coaches in the world ranges from
2.35 to 17 million dollars. Against this background, the reluctance
of the FFA president to “spend” is most likely due to the lack of
this money in the FFA treasury. Therefore Hayrapetyan and the FFA
Executive Committee crave the return of Vardan Minasyan. The latter
has repeatedly refused to lead the team, waiting for invitations from
foreign clubs. Given that over the past five months Minasyan never
left Armenia, it is still likely that his name will be the one to be
announced at the last moment as the Armenian team coach.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SEMINAR HELD IN CZECH REP.

February 28, 2014 | 10:14

A seminar devoted to the Armenian Genocide was convened Thursday
in Prague, and under the auspices of the Philosophy Department of
theAcademy of Sciences of theCzechRepublic.

The keynote speaker at the event was Armenian Studies specialist
Petra KoláÅ~Yová, who has specialized in Armenian history and
Czech-language translation of Armenian literature.

KoláÅ~Yová presented the historical course of the Armenian Genocide,
screened respective photographs, and answered the questions posed by
the scholars in attendance.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

SERZH SARGSYAN’S BLACKLIST IS READY

Hakob Badalyan, Political Commentator
Comments – Friday, 28 February 2014, 17:49

The press has reported that the RPA leadership has considered
postponing enforcement of the law on mandatory funded pension by
one year. There are serious and well-grounded complaints, and Serzh
Sargsyan confessed that 80% of the society does not support the reform.

Of course, the decision on postponing the mandatory funded pension,
if it is made at all, will not be determined by the public opinion. If
public opinion mattered at all, the RPA would not be a ruling party,
Serzh Sargsyan would not be a president, and the government and
National Assembly would not have such members.

A reason for postponing could be money, strange though it may sound.

First, despite hopes to invest the finance from mandatory funded
pension contributions in the economy, a more or less realistic view
shows that the enforcement of the law will send the government into
bigger financial complications.

In particular, it has become known that lots of companies remove
their high-paid young employees from the payroll, and the companies
that have branches or subsidiaries outside Armenia transfer their
employees. Besides, a lot of companies refuse to higher young
employees.

This may deprive the budget of much more income than the money from
the mandatory funded pension. Besides, “solidarity of generations”
lying at the heart of the new law will be seriously violated.

Earlier after the famous decision of the Constitutional Court, several
government agencies, including the SRC, the Ministry of Finance, the
Central Bank issued statements that instructed employers to deduce
the amounts from the salaries. After deductions they threatened that
criminal liability will follow refusal to transfer those amounts to
the pension funds.

The tactics is evident. The government intends to include the maximum
amount of companies and organizations before the next decision of the
Constitutional Court and the political decision of the RPA. Even if
the mandatory funded component is cancelled or postponed, those who
have already joined will not be able to return.

And many have joined, particularly government agencies and big
companies. There are rumors that a list of companies which have joined
has been submitted to Serzh Sargsyan. A lot of companies have been
notified about the list.

Hence, another process is underway – the list of friends has been
updated.

At the same time, ahead of the 2017-2018 electoral period, the
government made an “inventory” to follow up on redistribution of
property and quotas.

It would be interesting to know whether Gagik Tsarukyan and other
PAP businessmen have joined the mandatory funded pension.

– See more at:

From: Baghdasarian

ZHOGHOVURD: WHY IS MIKHAIL BAGHDASAROV FORGIVEN?

12:35 28/02/2014 >> DAILY PRESS

Businessman Mikhail Baghdasarov’s Armavia airline, which stopped
operating flights last year, has accumulated large debts to its
employees and the state, Zhoghovurd writes.

Asked by Zhoghovurd’s correspondent why Baghdasarov is forgiven,
head of Armenia’s Civil Aviation Department Artyom Movsesyan said
that they are not planning to make any concessions to Armavia,
and will achieve the payment of the debt to the state. As regards
the airline’s debt to its former employees, according to Movsesyan,
the government is trying to find a solution to this problem.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

GEORGIA PRIME MINISTER PLEDGES TO EXPAND DEVELOPMENT OF SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI AND ALL REGIONS

12:16 28.02.2014

ANCA, Georgia, Javakhk

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili pledged to develop all
the regions of the Republic equally, including Samtskhe-Javakheti,
during an address at the Atlantic Council held as part of his first
official visit to the United States this week, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We have a plan to develop all regions and without making any
separations or any discrimination,” explained Prime Minister
Garibashvili. “Please be sure that I treat Samtskhe-Javakheti as any
other region. Samtskhe-Javakheti is my region. I mean all country is
my regions. I don’t separate it from other regions.”

The comment came in response to a question by ANCA Fellow Lilit
Gasparyan, who noted the poor economic situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti
prompted by past discriminatory practices. “To correct this, would
you agree to have a portion of the international assistance, in this
case U.S. aid, be earmarked clearly for the socio-economic development
of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region,” asked Gasparyan.

“We welcome Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s public affirmation,
here in Washington, of his government’s prioritization of economic
development in Javakhk and all the regions of Georgia, and hope that
this constructive commitment will translate into concrete action,
including the acceptance of development assistance being offered by
Armenian communities around the world,” noted ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian.

During his visit to Washington, DC Prime Minister Garibashvili met with
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, prior to offering
remarks on February 25th at Atlantic Council. The Prime Minister also
spoke about Georgia’s European Integration Process. and confirmed
that the EU’s Association Agreement with a Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area Component will likely be signed in July.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

February 26, 2014

___________________

Charlotte Parish Observes Name Day

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited St. Sarkis Church of Charlotte, N.C., earlier
this month as the parish observed its name day and the anniversary of the
church’s consecration.

On Saturday evening, February 15, the community welcomed Archbishop
Barsamian in the church’s Acopian Hall. Members of various parish
organizations-including the Parish Council, ACYOA, Women’s Guild, and
choir-had an opportunity to meet with the Primate, share recent
accomplishments and concerns, and to ask questions about parish life and
recent developments in the worldwide Armenian Church.

Later that evening, Dr. Sylvie Bastajian Yessayan, the parish’s Diocesan
delegate, hosted a dinner for Archbishop Barsamian, the parish’s
deacon-in-charge Benjamin Rith-Najarian, and members of the Acopian family
who generously supported the construction of St. Sarkis Church.

On Sunday, February 16, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
He was assisted by Dn. Rith-Najarian and young altar servers. As has become
tradition on the Feast of St. Sarkis the Warrior (which fell on February 15
this year), the Charlotte church’s patron saint, the Primate blessed madagh
and led a requiem service in memory of the deceased benefactor and
parishioners of St. Sarkis Church.

Later that afternoon, at a luncheon and program, the “St. Vartan” award was
presented to longtime parishioner and current parish council chair Hagop
Sarkissian. The parish also presented an award to the Acopian family in
recognition of the architectural significance of the sanctuary. A second
award was presented to the Touloukian family for the two beautiful stained
glass windows they donated to the church.

The parish’s children’s dance group, donning traditional Armenian costumes,
gave a colorful performance. Other parishioners performed on the piano and
duduk.

“It was a unique opportunity for the Armenian community in Charlotte to get
together to witness an episcopal Divine Liturgy,” Mr. Sarkissian said, “and
our program after services allowed parishioners to enjoy the talent we have
here and to celebrate our faith and culture.”

In his remarks, Dn. Rith-Najarian reflected on the historical St. Sarkis’s
status in the Armenian Church as a “saint of love,” noting that the
establishment of St. Sarkis Church “required hard work, time, money, but
most of all, it required a love of God, each other, and the Armenian
Church.” Dn. Benjamin encouraged community members to continue supporting
one another and working toward a more vibrant parish.

Dn. Benjamin began his ministry in Charlotte six months ago, and already the
parish has noted exciting changes. Young people have benefitted from an
acolyte training program and bimonthly ACYOA Bible study sessions, which are
hosted in the homes of ACYOA members. The Sunday School was re-launched
earlier this academic year, and plans are underway to re-open the parish’s
Armenian School. In addition, the new deacon-in-charge hosts regular Bible
studies for adults, which are followed by an evening service.

“It is always a joy for me to visit this community,” Archbishop Barsamian
said. “I am so happy to see that under the guidance of Dn. Benjamin-a young
and energetic leader-this parish continues to grow and to carry forward the
mission of the Armenian Church of America.”

The Armenian community of Charlotte began to form in the late 1980s and
early 1990s. In March 2000, the parish purchased a property in Charlotte and
began planning the construction of a new house of worship. The late Sarkis
Acopian of Easton, Pa., and his wife, Bobbye Acopian, generously pledged
more than $2 million to the building project in memory of Mr. Acopian’s
mother, Dr. Arax Acopian.

Four years later, a cornerstone-blessing was held, and in July 2005
Archbishop Barsamian traveled to Charlotte to consecrate the newly-built St.
Sarkis Church.

Helen Acopian, who attended the weekend’s events with members of her family,
said the weekend was uplifting. “I found it heartwarming to see the big
strides the community has taken since the construction of St. Sarkis
Church,” she said. “It was nice to see that the church has become a
gathering place for the Armenians in Charlotte, and our family is glad and
proud for playing a role in making this happen.”

###

Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Barsamian leads a procession during the Divine Liturgy
in Charlotte. Assisting him is the parish’s deacon-in-charge Benjamin
Rith-Najarian, and other altar servers.
Photo 2: The parish’s children’s dance group performs at the luncheon
following services.
Photo 3: The parish presented an award to the Acopian family in recognition
of the architectural significance of the sanctuary.
Photo 4: The “St. Vartan” award was presented to longtime parishioner and
current parish council chair Hagop Sarkissian.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
Email: [email protected]

ARMEN MARSOOBIAN TO PRESENT `THE STORY OF AN `ISLAMIZED’ ARMENIAN
FAMILY’ IN LAS VEGAS LECTURE

Prof. Armen Marsoobian will give an illustrated lecture
entitled `Survival and Resistance in the Heart of Darkness: The Story
of an `Islamized’ Armenian Family in Marsovan, 1915-1919,’ on Sunday,
March 9, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Garabed Armenian Church, 2054
E. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, NV. The lecture is co-sponsored by
St. Garabed Church, the Armenian American Cultural Society of Las
Vegas, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
(NAASR).

Prof. Armen Marsoobian will present the story of an `Islamized’
Armenian family, the Dildilian-Der Haroutiounian family, from the time
shortly before their conversion in August 1915 to the restoration of
their Christian Armenian identity in the spring of 1919. Based upon
extensive family memoirs, letters, photographs, and oral testimony, he
describes what daily life was like for members of the family during
this period.

Of the approximately 12,000 Armenians living in Marsovan (Merzifon)
and its associated villages, a small number remained behind at the
conclusion of the deportations in August 1915. The heads of these
households held occupations that were deemed essential to the economy
of the city and were allowed to remain on the condition that they
convert to Islam and adopt Turkish identity. Tsolag Dildilian was a
military photographer and was given such an opportunity. He was thus
able to save members of his immediate family in Marsovan.

The family maintained a dual identity, living their Christian faith
and Armenian identity at home but living as Muslim Turks in the
community. Upon the conclusion of the war, the family played an
important role in rescuing orphans and restoring the Armenian
identities of the converts. With the rise of the nationalist
movement, the family’s activities in support of Armenian survival
became suspect, forcing them to flee Turkey in 1922. The presentation
will be richly illustrated with photographs.

Armen Tsolag Marsoobian is Professor and Chairperson of Philosophy at
Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. He has twice been
the Nikit and Eleanora Ordjanian Visiting Professor in Armenian
Studies, Department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies,
at Columbia University where he has taught a graduate seminar,
`Memories of the Armenian Genocide: An Exploration through Memoir,
Literature, and the Arts.’ He has co-edited five books, including
Genocide’s Aftermath: Responsibility and Repair (with Claudia Card)
(2007), The Philosophical Challenge of September 11 (2004), and The
Blackwell Guide to American Philosophy (2004). He has published
articles and book chapters in aesthetics, moral philosophy, genocide
studies, and American philosophy. His essay, `Rescue in Marsovan: The
Untold Story Behind a Photograph,’ won the Hrant Dink Prize for
Historical Research in 2011.

From: Baghdasarian