Author: Boshkezenian Garik

WWF BRANCH OPENED IN ARMENIA
By Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily
05/10/2007

The activity of WWF worldwide counts already 36 years, it includes 100
countries, 700 different nature protection programs and has about 5
thousand employees. Since 1992 WWF has been running several programs
in South Caucasus, and in 2001 and office was found in Armenia. Last
year the office was officially registered as the Armenian branch of
WWF, and the ceremony of the inauguration of the branch took place
yesterday at "Armenia-Marriott" Hotel, Yerevan. At present the Armenian
branch is running 20 programs, which also contribute the solution of
a number of social and economic problems of our country.

The head of "WWF International" and the European and Central Asian
Departments, Georg Swed stated in his speech at the opening ceremony,
"Caucasus, as one of the regions, richest with wildlife diversity, is
included in the WWF ‘World’s 2000 Eco Regions’ program and is counted
among world’s 25 richest and most threatened regions. In Armenia,
which is 6,7% of the territory of Caucasus, grow over 3.500 kinds
of rare plants with one of the highest density rates in the world –
100 kinds per square kilometer. 387 kinds of those rare plants are
registered in the Armenian Red Book. These facts and many others prove
the importance of finding solution to nature protection problems,
which our organization combines with the solution of social-economic
questions. We also have the support of the Government of Armenia,
as well as 10-year experience of fruitful activity".

Armenian Minister for nature Protection Aram Haroutiunian in his turn
stated that the Government is determined to continue the cooperation
with WWF, in order to attract maximum attention to ecology problems,
and eventually reduce them to minimum. He said that a tourism center
is to be founded in the reservation of the Khosrov Woods, so as to
enhance ecotourism in Armenia.

The Minister explained the reduction of wildlife diversity and ecologic
degradation in Armenia by a number of social, economical, political and
institutional issues, such as mineral resource industry, illegal wood
throw, poaching, etc. The programs of WWF are aimed at the reduction
of the aforementioned factors. The programs provide for restoration of
natural environment, ensuring life condition for the life of animals
and plants and involvement of the society in those programs.

A competition for articles on ecology was organized for Armenian
reporters. 9 of them were awarder prizes for their works. WWF awarded
"Armenia-Marriott" and HSBC Bank-Armenia with diplomas for their
assistance to eth organization’s programs. By the way, HSBC granted
$13,2 million for the restoration of a nature memorial in Tatev,
Armenia.

ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT BREAKS LONG SILENCE, SIGNALS COMEBACK
By Emil Danielyan

Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
Oct 2 2007

Levon Ter-Petrosian, Armenia’s former president acclaimed in the West
for his conciliatory stance on the Karabakh conflict, has rocked the
domestic political arena with his first public speech in nearly a
decade. Addressing hundreds of supporters in Yerevan on September
21, he described the current Armenian leadership as "corrupt and
criminal" and called for its ouster. The blistering attack was a
further indication that he is likely to contest the presidential
election due early next year.

Ter-Petrosian has kept an extremely low profile ever since he was
forced to resign in February 1998 by his key cabinet members, notably
then-prime minister Robert Kocharian, for advocating what they saw
as a "defeatist" international peace plan on Karabakh. The plan, put
forward by the OSCE Minsk Group, envisaged a phased settlement of the
conflict with Azerbaijan and would indefinitely delay agreement on
the status of the disputed territory. Kocharian and other hardliners
found the proposed peace accord too risky and demanded a "package"
deal that would recognize continued Armenian control over Karabakh.

In his speech, Ter-Petrosian called the unresolved state of the
Karabakh dispute "the greatest crime" committed by the ruling
regime over the past decade. He reaffirmed his belief that Armenia’s
security and sustainable economic development are contingent on the
normalization of the country’s relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

However, Ter-Petrosian did not come up with any formulas for Karabakh
peace, saying that he does not know how the latest impasse in
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks can be overcome.

The 62-year-old, who led Armenia to independence from the Soviet Union,
also denounced the Kocharian administration as an "institutionalized
mafia-style regime that has plunged us into the ranks of third world
counties." He accused it of rigging elections, abusing human and
civil rights, illegally controlling courts, and extorting bribes from
leading Armenian businessmen.

Kocharian, who succeeded Ter-Petrosian as president and is now
completing his second and final term in office, was quick to rebut
the accusations, speaking to journalists on September 25. Kocharian
described Armenia as "one of the fastest developing countries in the
world," pointing to its robust economic growth, which has averaged 13%
since 2002 despite the continuing Azerbaijani and Turkish economic
blockades. "I became prime minister of Armenia in March 1997 and
inherited a $300 million [state] budget … Next year, Armenia will
have a budget worth about $2.5 billion," he said.

Kocharian went on to warn that his predecessor will become an "ordinary
opposition figure" and face "all the consequences stemming from
that" should he join the unfolding presidential race. He specifically
threatened to "remind" Armenians of the severe socioeconomic hardship
that they had suffered following the Soviet collapse and the outbreak
of the war with Azerbaijan. Throughout his presidency Kocharian has
exploited painful popular memories of the 1990s, which many analysts
view as the main obstacle of Ter-Petrosian’s return to power.

The reclusive ex-president himself indicated in his speech that he
is not sure he is popular enough to make a strong showing in the
upcoming election. He complained in particular that many Armenians
still do not understand the importance of Karabakh peace.

Ter-Petrosian’s political allies are more sanguine in that regard,
saying that he can capitalize on his international stature and what
they see as widespread popular dislike of the government.

Furthermore, they claim that he is the only politician capable
of defeating the presumed election favorite, Prime Minister Serge
Sarkisian, and have been trying to muster broad-based opposition
support for his presidential run.

However, most of the other major opposition forces have refrained
from throwing their weight behind Ter-Petrosian so far. Some of
their leaders pointed out last week that Ter-Petrosian himself rigged
elections and bullied his political opponents when he was in power
from 1990 to 1998. They recalled his decision in September 1996 to
send tanks to the streets of Yerevan to enforce the official results
of a reputedly fraudulent presidential election that gave him a second
five-year term.

Meanwhile, Sarkisian and his Republican Party, which swept to a
landslide victory in the recent parliamentary elections, claim to be
untroubled by the prospect of being challenged by Ter-Petrosian.

Whether this is really the case is unclear, though. Far more certain
is the fact that Ter-Petrosian’s comeback would add an element of
unpredictability to the 2008 election and perhaps reverse growing
public apathy about politics. That could, in turn, complicate
government attempts to rig the vote.

Even the ex-president’s most bitter opponent, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF, also known as the Dashnak Party),
has welcomed his possible participation in the presidential ballot,
saying that it will spur a healthy political debate on Karabakh,
relations with Turkey and other key issues. The ARF, which is
particularly influential in the worldwide Armenian Diaspora, had been
controversially banned and saw dozens of its activists imprisoned on
terrorism and coup charges during Ter-Petrosian’s rule. The nationalist
party was re-legalized immediately after Kocharian’s rise to power
and has since been represented in his governments. It has pointedly
refused to endorse Sarkisian for the Armenian presidency and intends
to nominate its own presidential candidate instead.

This was probably the reason why, on September 29, Ter-Petrosian paid
a sensational visit to the ARF headquarters in Yerevan and met with
two top party leaders (both of whom were jailed by him in 1995). A
short statement by the ARF said the talks focused on "issues related
to the forthcoming presidential elections." "Both sides stressed the
need for a politico-ideological debate," it added. The very fact of
such a meeting was a measure of just how intriguing political life
in Armenia is becoming these days.

(A1plus.am, September 29; Aravot, September 26; Armenian Public
Television, September 25; Haykakan Zhamanak, September 22)

POLITICIAN: ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER BLOCKADE LIFTING CAN SPUR KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2007

YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. Armenian-Turkish border blockade lifting
would spur Karabakh conflict settlement, Armenian Christian-Democratic
Party leader Khosrov Harutyunyan said.

"Armenia should view Armenian-Turkish border opening as top-priority
objective, since it will reduce Karabakh problem’s geopolitical
significance", he said.

He said Armenia has a real chance to solve this problem by itself.

Harutyunyan said Turkey is OSCE Minsk Group member, but takes steps
against another member – Armenia. He wonders why Armenian diplomats
refrain from expressing their protest in international organizations.

Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988, when Armenians-populated Nagorno
Karabakh declared secession from Azerbaijan.

On December 10, 1991, just a few days before Soviet Union collapse,
a referendum was conducted in Nagorno Karabakh with international
observers’ presence. At this referendum, 99.89% of population voted
for independence.

Responding to that, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale war against
Nagorno Karabakh. The military offensives were stopped after a
cease-fire agreement was signed in May 12, 1994. The agreement is
observed also now, and talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are under
way. The negotiations mediated by OSCE Minsk Group are being held
without Karabakh’s participation.

AZG Armenian Daily #177, 29/09/2007

International

VARDAN OSKANIAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DECLARATIONS OF LEVON TER-PETROSIAN

"The situation is generally evaluated, as there are serious
developments in the region today, new processes have started, deep
analyses are done – what kind of influence they will have on the
region and on Armenia, and what policy we need", announced Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian at a meeting of RA diplomatic
representatives and heads of consulates on September 27.

Issues of bilateral relations and multilateral diplomacy were
discussed also at the meeting. Cultural diplomacy is discussed as
means of presentation of Armenia abroad.

The diplomats discussed Russia-USA, NATO, EU broadening, power,
security and other issues, the policy on Iran, formation of the unions
in the territory of former Soviet Union, etc.

According to Vardan Oskanian the meeting of Armenian and Turkish
foreign ministers in New York is scheduled by joint initiative. "The
main issue of the meeting is if Turkish policy on Armenia has changed
or not, taking into account the new authorities of it. The Armenian
position remains unalterable – without preconditions", said RA Foreign
Minister. "What about Karabakh negotiation process, the next meeting
with OSCE Co-Chairs is already scheduled, but we can’t say the same
about the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister".

Vardan Oskanian touched upon the issue of the recent declarations of
Levon Ter-Petrosian about the unalterable position of Azerbaijan: "Any
declaration of Karabakh issue must be done cautiously. It’s an issue
that concerns all of us, it’s a national issue, and we must be careful
not to give additional opportunity to Azerbaijan to change or to
toughen its attitude. I am concerned that the recent declarations may
have that kind of result. Anyway, we’ll live and see."

By Aghavni Harutyunian, translated by L.H.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEETING FACE-TO-FACE
By Susan Kennel Harrison

Payvand, Iran
Sept 25 2007

Toronto – Does it matter if we meet face-to-face?

In 2004 I went to Qom, Iran to participate in a conference called
"Revelation and Authority", a dialogue between North American Christian
Mennonite scholars and local Muslim Shiite scholars. A few months ago,
we met again – this time in Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.

It was a joyful, collegial reunion, and in addition, a nonverbal
connection seemed to occur when we looked at each other again,
face-to-face. Each time we gather for dialogue there is a kind of
audible relief in realizing that we both really exist, that we are
dedicated to making this dialogue happen.

Face-to-face meetings are the moment when the research and
media-informed opinions we hold are measured against the experience
of the encounter with the other. There is something profound about
meeting face-to-face: noticing that someone limps or has a hard time
staying awake in a long lecture, seeing the way someone’s eyes light
up when they hear a new idea or watching the quizzical looks on a
Muslim’s face when a Mennonite explains the worship of a triune God
(a God in 3 forms).

People are like "living books", but unlike a published paperback,
our plots are constantly changing. And, as living books, our stories
interact with each other when we meet, they take account of the new
characters who in turn affect the plot line and the ensuing chapters.

However, these kinds of meetings are becoming increasingly more
difficult to arrange these days because travel visas are regularly
denied on both sides. Tense political relations in past months and
tighter borders in the wake of 9/11 have resulted in stringent travel
restrictions.

The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a religiously-based non-profit
development organization, first became involved in Iran following
the 1990 earthquake. A friendship formed between Ed Martin, the then
director of MCC’s Asia desk, and the Director General of International
Affairs in Iran, Sadreddin Sadr. Working together in disaster relief,
they shared a vision to build relationships that would undemonize
Iranians for North Americans and vice versa. A student exchange program
was proposed and Toronto, Canada, where a sizeable Mennonite graduate
student community could be found, became the venue. The Imam Khomeini
Education and Research Institute (IKERI) volunteered to host Christian
Mennonite students in Qom.

In addition to the student exchange program, which began in 1998,
the MCC developed "learning tours" that brought groups to Iran on
itinerated programs. Two tours of 10 days each allowed Mennonites
and Muslims to meet and learn about each other first hand.

An example of the power of first hand meetings is captured in the
remark of an Iranian Muslim, attending a Canadian school: "Meeting
face-to-face works as a source of miraculous mutual understanding. I
can say that people who are afraid of you, as a Muslim, or as an
Iranian, after 10 to 30 minutes of conversation begin to recognise
you as a human being."

As I write this, I am aware that I had been planning on attending a
conference, "One God of Abraham, Different Traditions", at Eastern
Mennonite University from the 9th to the 11th of September 2007. The
participants were Mennonite scholars and a guest delegation from
the Islamic Republic of Iran lead by Ayatollah Araqi, head of
the Organization of Culture and Islamic Relations. The delegation
included Iranian religious leaders and scholars, Morris Motamed,
a Jewish member of Iran’s Parliament and Archbishop Sarkissian of
the Armenian Church in Iran.

One week before the guests were due to arrive, 4 out of 15 visas were
refused for "security reasons" though the US State Department did not
send this message in writing. Since Ayatollah Araqi was among those
refused entry, the visit was unfortunately called off.

This is not only a US-specific problem. In May 2007, 15 North American
Mennonites were denied entry into Iran for a fully itinerated learning
tour. During this same time, the Western media accused the institute
of having a direct line to President Ahmadinejad’s government, and
critics accused the MCC of supporting Iran’s government by association
with IKERI.

The notion that dialogue between people of different faiths poses a
security risk to their home countries continues to be the underlying
theme of this ongoing problem of blocked encounters. N. Gerald Shenk,
a professor at Eastern Mennonite University wonders "whether the
freedom protected by ‘security’ overrides the freedom to build better
understanding across these dangerous divides."

Face-to-face encounters, according to contact theories, will break
down stereotypes and build understanding and trust that is greatly
needed between the West and Iran. Yet as Martin remarked when the
visas were refused, "It is back to ‘square one’ to figure out how to
develop relationships of understanding, trust, and friendship between
Iranians and Americans that will prevent war between our countries."

While people can critique the MCC for engaging with IKERI as Muslim
dialogue partners, the fact remains that a constructive relationship
has developed between the two communities, and if allowed to grow it
could influence the stories of those individuals who are touched by it.

About the author: Susan Kennel Harrison is a PhD candidate at the
Toronto School of Theology and has been coordinating the Toronto side
of the Mennonite Central Committee student exchange with Iran since
1998.

ADL should not redefine genocide

By Tom Mountain – Sunday September 12 2007

The police and civilian mob came for them in the night, forcing them
at gunpoint into the streets, stripping them of their property on the
spot before shipping them to internment camps for expulsion. The lucky
ones were put in boxcars, but most had to trudge on foot for hundreds
of miles under the watchful eyes of sadistic guards that tormented
their every step. The guards beat them mercilessly, shooting the
stragglers, raping the women. Those with hidden jewels or money could
get food, the rest starved. Death to exhaustion, disease and exposure
was rampant.
Already brutalized by the ravages of a long world war that destroyed
their homes and livelihoods, the captives were dragged from the towns
and villages they’d known for centuries to distant lands, leaving
behind a trail of misery and death.
No one knows for sure how many millions suffered the long marches, or
how many died as a result. Statistics weren’t kept, but the best
estimate is between 500,000 and 1.1 million deaths. That’s in addition
to the 300,000 to 600,000 killed during the bombings.
Yet these many decades later, the perpetrators still won’t acknowledge
that they committed genocide. And the victims still wait.
The Armenian tragedy?
No, the aforementioned atrocities occurred during the German tragedy
in the aftermath of World War II, between 1945 and 1950, when at least
a dozen European countries murdered, robbed, brutalized and expelled
their German citizens. Every liberated country, from Holland to
Romania, was culpable. Hungary deported most of its Germans by
December 1945. The Czechs rounded up and expelled nearly 2 million,
killing about 200,000 in the process. The Poles forced thousands of
Germans out of East Prussia by boat; they ended up in internment camps
in Denmark where 13,000 died, including 7,000 children.
If the German tragedy sounds eerily similar to the Armenian tragedy,
it is. True, the German nation was the aggressor in World War II, but
the Soviets and Eastern Europeans killed hundreds of thousands of
German civilians under the (correct) assumption that they had been
fifth column during the war – enemy combatants that posed a threat
from within, just as the Armenians were to the Turks in World War I.
The Armenians of eastern Turkey, primarily Anatolia, allied themselves
with Britain, France and Russia against the Ottoman Empire. Over
150,000 joined the Russian Army and fought against the Turks on the
Caucasus Front, in the area of present day eastern Turkey and Armenia.
The Anatolian Armenians openly rebelled against Ottoman rule, staged a
guerilla war, then conspired with and fought alongside the Russians as
the Tsarist army invaded eastern Turkey. This led to the decision by
the Turkish government to quell the Armenian revolt, defeat the
guerillas and, finally, expel the Armenians, thus causing the deaths
of hundreds of thousands through famine, exposure, disease and murder
at the hands of Turks, Kurds, and Circassians.
Yet the intent of the Turkish government was expulsion, not
extermination. And only from those eastern provinces where Armenians
were deemed a security threat. The other tens of thousands of
Armenians who lived throughout the Ottoman Empire were left alone.
The European nations had to wait until Germany was defeated in 1945
before they could expel the German civilians among them, which they
proceeded to do with a vengeance. The number of Germans killed by
Eastern European countries equaled – and may have even surpassed – the
number of Armenians killed by the Turks. And yet most of us today have
never heard of the German tragedy because nations and humanitarian
organizations are not clamoring to declare it genocide.
Nor are the Germans demanding that their unique tragedy be declared a
genocide. But they could. In fact, based on the Armenian precedent,
they ought to. As of now, the Germans have every right to expect the
Anti-Defamation League to declare the German tragedy a genocide, just
as they did for the Armenians. At a minimum, the ADL, as a human
rights organization whose latest gimmick is expanding the category of
genocide, is morally obligated to explain to the Germans why their
1945 to 1950 tragedy doesn’t qualify as genocide, despite the glaring
similarities to the Armenian tragedy, especially the hundreds of
thousands killed during mass expulsions.
By their foolishness in caving in to the Armenians, thus redefining
genocide, the ADL has opened a Pandora’s Box, paving the way for
countless victimized nations to expect the same consideration for
their own historical tragedies.
Even the Germans.

Source: columnists/mountain/?content_id=3659

Panorama.am

19:05 22/09/2007

Ahmadinejad prevented from visiting Ground Zero

New York city officials have prohibited Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from visiting Ground
Zero. This is what Americans call the place where the
International Trade Center was located. Ahmadinejad,
who is to speak at the United Nations General
Assembly, had expressed the desire to lay a wreath in
honor of those who perished on September 11, 2001.
Discussing this question, city police officials
decided that it would be impossible to guarantee the
Iranian president’s safety should he visit the site.
The White House assured it had no influence on the
decision by police. American president George Bush was
more blunt, saying in reality the police didn’t want
the leader of a terrorist state to visit Ground Zero.
In his turn, Ahmadinejad said that all he wanted to do
was lay a wreath in honor of the victims, but that he
hadn’t insisted that this be part of his visit to the
USA. We remind that permission to enter the USA was
given so the Iranian president and his delegation
could particpate at the General Assembly meeting, but
their movement in the city is limited. They are
limited to a radius of 25 miles from the meeting
place.

Source: Panorama.am

ANAND LEADS DESPITE DRAW AGAINST GELFAND

Zee News
September 22, 2007
India

Mexico City, Sept 22: World`s numero uno chess player Viswanathan
Anand took a pause as he played a very short draw against Israeli
grand master Boris Gelfand and kept his half a point lead intact in
the World Chess Championships in Mexico City.

In the eighth round yesterday, Gelfand, with white may have entertained
some thoughts of upsetting the Indian grand master, but there was
chance in the Catalan opening, which was soon.

Neutralised by Anand, who has undoubtedly become the sentimental
favourite of Mexican chess fans.

In this short 20 moves game, Anand decided to get out of the cramped
position (13th move) and to play freely, but he quickly realised that
it was not right time as Gelfand kept on developing the pieces and
got a small advantage.

But despite of the advantage, there was nothing much for the Israeli
grand master as well as for Anand, and it eventually prompted both
the players to settle for a draw.

Anand said, "I was able to use a new idea that I had worked with
in may with Sandeepan and it was a sort of surprise, it was not a
complete novelty but it is a rare move. I am happy that I was able
to equalise and finish it in 20 moves."

After a days rest, the NIIT-baked Indian will have white pieces
against Armenian grand master Levon Aronian in the ninth round of
the tournament.

Meanwhile, two other games of the eighth round — between Peter Svidler
and Vladimir Kramnik and Alexander Morozevich and Levon Aronian —
also ended in a tame draw.

However, the last game of the round saw peter Leko clinching his first
victory of the tournament against Alexander Grischuk in a long battle
that lasted over 60 moves.

THE IMAGINATION OF A REAL ARMENIAN IS REALLY BRIGHT
NAIRA KHACHATRYAN

Hayoc Ashkharh
21 Sept 2007

They Want To Get Up And See Magic

Member of "Bargavach Hayastan" parliamentary faction Vardan
Bostanjyan hosted "Urbat" club yesterday.

The MP firstly evaluated the work of their fraction during the
first four days in the Parliament," I would like to evaluate our entry
in the activity of the National Assembly as "good". It is too early to
speak about professionalism, in terms of discipline I must mention
that unlike previous times all the MPs have been present during the
sessions and that their activity hasn’t been limited only by being
present in the sittings they had active participation in the
discussions as well. "
As for the legislative initiatives submitted by Bargavach Hayastan
Party (BHP), they are various and they need discussion within the
coalition frameworks.
"We need time to coordinate those issues: as for example which
initiatives must be implemented by the coalition and which – by the
two powerful fractions, by the members of the coalition memorandum of
the parties having shared the first and the second places.
As we know the Republican and Dashnaktsutyun parties have already
announced about their intentions to stand for the presidential
elections with their personal candidate. What about BHP? In response
to this question V. Bostanjyan said," From the beginning ARF policy
was to run for the elections with their own candidate. As for the
members of the coalition memorandum RPA and BHP, according to the
functions of the memorandum we must have a united candidate and
support the united candidate."
Naturally coalition candidate has big chances," At least at this
stage the Prime Minister is a powerful candidate," the MP underscored.
Regarding the rumors about Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s possible
nomination V. Bostanjyan said," As people say when you sow "if" it
never grows. In my view there should be rivalry a there should be a
civilized, democratic rivalry, which will be manifested by the number
of the votes this or that candidate will obtain. Everything is
possible in this world."
He said he doesn’t expect any results from the meetings by various
formats organized by the opposition leaders. He said," I wouldn’t like
to hurt our opposition leaders, but I don’t think they will show any
good results. Because during the previous years they have already
displayed that hardly can they introduce any solution to any issue. I
don’t see this in case of the existing opposition?"
Later on V. Bostanjyan gave his formulation of a constructive
opposition." Constructive opposition is the one the vector of the
activity of which is directed to raising the productiveness of any
sphere. It can be state governance, supporting economic competition,
juridical-legislative system etc."
Regarding the parliamentary opposition he said," At least this
short period of parliamentary activity displayed that we lack
constructive opposition."
As for the legislative initiative about NKR recognition, submitted
by "Heritage" party he said, " If we are doing it we must first of all
think whether or not the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh will benefit from it. At this stage when we are in
the process of the mediation of international organizations, in my
opinion it is an illogical step." The speaker said the initiative is
simply before time.

Vanderbilt University News, TN

News from Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt’s Holocaust Lecture Series marks 30th year;
2007 theme is ‘Broken Silence’

9-20-2007

The longest running Holocaust Lecture Series at an American university
marks its 30th year with lectures and films this October and November
spanning subjects from the life of children in Nazi Germany to
genocide in Iraq and ethnic cleansing in the United States.

`The theme of `Broken Silence’ for this year’s series reaffirms our
long-standing commitment to expand the frontiers of our conversation
about the Holocaust and other genocides by providing a stage for new
perspectives, new questions and for conveying those narratives that
have struggled to find a voice or an audience,’ said the co-chairs of
the planning committee for the series, Shaiya Baer and Irek
Kusmierczyk. `Hence, in these lectures, we will listen to the voices
of victimized Jews as well as Kurds and Armenians, and, in the
process, we find the courage to confront the question of racial
cleansing on American soil.’

The schedule of events, all free and open to the public:

7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in Sarratt Cinema `The Skeleton in Our Closet:
Misremembering America’s Racial Cleansings’ Journalist Elliot Jaspin,
a Pulitzer Prize winner, speaks about episodes in America after
Reconstruction until the Great Depression where organized groups of
white people terrorized, murdered and forced thousands of black
Americans to flee their homes. Jaspin is the author of Buried in
Bitter Waters: The Hidden History of Racial Cleansing in America.

7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Moore Room of Vanderbilt Law School
`The Iraq Genocide: Personal Perspectives and Legal Residue’ Michael
Newton, acting associate professor of clinical law, was in Kurdish
camps as citizens fled to the mountains in 1991 amongst the
destruction of villages by Saddam Hussein. Newton will discuss the
political and legal salience of the subsequent Iraqi High Tribunal,
where he served as an international law adviser to the judges. He will
highlight the perspective of the victims in the context of Iraqi
society.

7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in The Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life
`Deep Evil and Deep Good: The Concept of Human Nature Confronts the
Holocaust’ Michael Bess, the Chancellor’s Professor of History, speaks
about the sometimes atrocious and sometimes noble actions of Europeans
touched by the persecution of Jews by Nazi Germany. He will examine
the strategies that have been followed by historians, psychologists,
social scientists and philosophers to explain the chasm between those
who tried to help and those who took part in the persecution.

7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in Flynn Auditorium of Vanderbilt Law School
`Children of Hitler’s War’ Nicholas Stargardt, a fellow at Magdalen
College, Oxford, discusses the role of children under Nazi Germany
rule. He is the author of Witnesses of War: Children’s Lives under the
Nazis.

7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, in 103 Wilson Hall `The Years of Extermination:
An Integrated History of the Holocaust’ Saul Friedländer, holder of
the 1939 Club Chair at the University of California, Los Angeles, says
he `will argue for an essential need to integrate the fate of
individuals, both Jews and non-Jews alike, within the general history
of the Holocaust.’ Friedländer is the author of Nazi Germany and
the Jews, 1939-1945: The Years of Extermination.

6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in 126 Wilson Hall `The Armenian Genocide’
Andrew Goldberg directed and produced this one-hour documentary about
the first genocide of the 20th century, when more than a million
Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks in 1915. The film will be
followed by a 7 p.m. reception in the lobby of Wilson Hall, and then a
7:35 p.m. lecture by Peter Balakian on `The Transmission of Trauma
Across Generations: Writing a Memoir about Growing Up in the Suburbs
and the Armenian Genocide.’

Selected events will be recorded and posted as podcasts to VUCast, the
Web site of Vanderbilt News Service, at

The Vanderbilt University Holocaust Lecture Series was started in 1977
by Beverly Asbury, the university chaplain.

Media Contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
[email protected]