Author: Christine Harutyunian

At least 13 people have been killed by a tornado that hit the northern Mexico border city of Ciudad Acuna, the BBC reports.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed in the city, in Coahuila state, just across the border from Del Rio, Texas.

The US state has had big floods, with at least three dead and 12 missing.

Coahuila Governor Ruben Moreira, on a visit to the stricken area, said 10 adults and three children had died and a baby was missing. Another 150 people had been taken to hospital, he said.

The authorities say that more than 1,000 homes have been damaged by the storm.

Russian military radio-electronic warfare specialists will conduct radio countermeasures against a simulated enemy during drills in Armenian mountains, the press-office of Russia’s Southern Military District reported Tuesday, Sputnik reports.

“The training of new specialists in radio-electronic warfare started at the Russian military base of the Southern Military District in the Republic of Armenia. During the drills, new recruits will exercise countermeasures against radio networks of a simulated enemy,” the report read.

During the three day exercise, participants will undergo a special course on Russian advanced military equipment, its capabilities and operating procedures in extreme conditions in the high mountain region, at an elevation of more than 2,000 meters above the sea level.

Servicemen will also conduct practical tasks, including deployment of radio jamming stations and analysis of gathered information. Finally, they will practice radio countermeasures to disrupt simulated enemy’s communication networks.

“During the drills, servicemen will search for over 2,000 cellular and satellite signals within a radius of 30 kilometers. They will have to locate and jam them with automatic jamming stations,” the district said.

The Armenian Forty Martyrs Church compound in Judayda, Aleppo, has suffered damage. The reports that a hall, parts of the wall, the courtyard, and the gate have been damaged.

Earlier, the Armenian Weekly had reported based on news sources from Aleppo that the church was destroyed. Sources in Aleppo have since informed the Weekly that despite damage to the church compound, the church itself has escaped major harm.

Some sources reported on April 29 that the church was bombed with explosives placed underneath the structure through underground tunnels; others claimed the destruction was due to shelling.

The Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern U.S. confirmed the attack on the church to the Armenian Weekly on April 28.

The Forty Martyrs Church dates back to the 15th century. The first mention of the church appeared in the second edition of the book, The Exploit of the Holy Bible, by Father Melikseth in 1476. The bell tower was built in 1912. The Church housed khatchkars, relics, and icons, including “The Last Judgment,” a painting that dates back to 1703.

The Church has been at the center of Armenian community life in Aleppo, where for centuries religious and cultural initiatives took place.

The attack on the Forty Martyrs Church comes about four months after terrorists bombed the Armenian Catholic Cathedral Our Lady of Pity (also known as St. Rita), located next to the Armenian Catholic Archeparchy of Aleppo, leaving the church partly destroyed. In September 2014, terrorists destroyed the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Der Zor, Syria—considered the Auschwitz of the Armenian Genocide.

Before the start of the Syrian crisis in the spring of 2011, between 60,000-70,000 Armenians called Syria home, constituting less than 0.5 percent of the country’s total population. More than half of them lived in Aleppo, with the other half scattered in such cities as Latakia, Homs, Qamishli, Hasakeh, Yaqubiye, Raqqa, Kessab, and the capital Damascus.

News-Leader.com
May 9 2010

MSU presidential candidate lands endorsement of ex-MSU head

Ex-MSU president John Keiser lauds Boise State provost Andrews as
intuitive leader.
Didi Tang ¢ News-Leader ¢ May 9, 2010

On Monday, Missouri State University will see its first woman finalist
for president.

Sona Karentz Andrews, 56, provost and vice president for academic
affairs and professor of geosciences at Boise State University, has
been named the third of four finalists to succeed President Mike
Nietzel.

She will appear at an open forum at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Plaster
Student Union Theater.

Should she be appointed, Andrews would be the first woman to lead the
105-year-old institution.

On Saturday, she played down the difference.

"I hope I will be viewed based on my talent and my skills, not the
gender," she said.

Andrews, Boise State’s first female provost, last year competed for
the presidency at University of Rhode Island, her home state, where
she "could be near my parents," she said.

The opportunity to become president at MSU came to her when she was
contacted by a search firm, Andrews said.
And she is interested, partly because of John Keiser, the former
university president who came to Springfield from Boise State and now
is retired in the mountains of Idaho.

"I am disposed to think well of Missouri State," Andrews said, noting
Missouri State and Boise State share many similarities.
Boise State has an enrollment of 19,000, compared to 20,000 at MSU.

"It’s a university that’s really on the move," she said of Missouri State.

And she has a favorable reference from Keiser, who told the
News-Leader Saturday that Andrews is well-liked and well-respected at
Boise State.

Andrews has the skills to lead MSU and take it to the next level in a
time of financial difficulties, Keiser said.

"She understands how to make it grow and make it better," he said.
"She understands the present budget problems and etc."
Pauline Nugent, a Missouri State professor on the presidential search
committee, described Andrews as "very competent, very capable and very
experienced on the national level."

Nugent said the committee is pleased to have a female candidate who
has made it to the final round.

Born in an Armenian family in Providence, R.I., Andrews grew up
speaking Armenian and spent her first college year in an Armenian
school in Beirut, Lebanon.

She returned to the U.S., where she completed her undergraduate
studies in geography and eventually earned a doctoral degree in the
field.

Andrews began her academic career in 1981 as an assistant professor of
geography at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, but would spend
about 16 years at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In 1995, she became an assistant vice chancellor at UW-Milwaukee.

Andrews said she did not plan to become an administrator but was
encouraged when she worked on a campuswide committee.
"People saw some attributes in me to be in the leadership," she said.
"I can get things done. I work well with people."

At Boise State, Andrews said she supported faculty efforts to
establish a policy that allows faculty members starting families or
those with disabilities or chronic illness to seek extra time to earn
tenure.

She said she believes in shared governance but such a culture must be
cultivated intentionally.

The administration must involve faculty, staff and students at the
very early stage of decision-making, keep them engaged throughout the
process and encourage different opinions, Andrew said.

"Everything is transparent and open," she said.

Andrews said she supports domestic-partner benefits because "it is a
very important piece for recruiting for faculty and staff."
In 2007-2008, Boise State was recognized nationally for faculty career
flexibility as one of six national recipients for Alfred P. Sloan
Awards.

At Boise State, Andrews initiated a "Finish in Four" program that
helps students graduate in four years. Students meet with advisers to
map out a four-year graduation plan, and Boise State guarantees course
availability.

Athletic programs, Andrews said, have tangible benefits that help the
university connect with its alumni, but it is important to make sure
student athletes get the education they need, she said.

Andrews said she believes in diversity but a university needs to
create an inclusive environment.

"You can have diversity — we have X percent of minorities and X
percent of women, but they are not included," Andrews said. "It’s more
important to have that inclusion to foster diversity.

"Let’s not look at the number but the environment," she said.

/NEWS04/5090366/1007/NEWS01/MSU-presidential-candi date-lands-endorsement-of-ex-MSU-head

WATERTOWN MUSEUM HOSTS ‘ARMENIANS IN TURKEY 100 YEARS AGO’

Watertown TAB & Press
March 19 2010
MA

WATERTOWN — Turkish journalist and historian Osman Köker will present
his book, "Armenians in Turkey 100 Years Ago," at the Armenian Library
and Museum of America on Wednesday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m.

The event, which marks Köker’s first public appearance on the East
Coast of the United States, is co-sponsored by ALMA, Friends of
Hrant Dink, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
and Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives. Admission is free and
open to the public. A reception will follow.

Köker first came to international attention in 2005 when he organized
the exhibition "Sireli Yeghpayrs (My Dear Brother)" in Istanbul.

Eventually seen by thousands of people, it presented photographs
of Armenian life in pre-genocide Ottoman Turkey, drawn from a large
collection of postcards owned by the collector, Orlando Calumeno. In
the five years since then, the exhibition has also been mounted in
Paris, Munich, Koln, Frankfurt and last year in Yerevan.

Köker originally intended to write a book about Armenian life in the
Ottoman Empire, but with the discovery of the postcard collection, the
scope of the project changed. Following the exhibition, he published
the volume "100 Yil Once Turkiye’de Ermeniler," subsequently published
in English as "Armenians in Turkey 100 Years Ago," featuring hundreds
of images showing where and how Armenians in the Ottoman Empire lived.

Köker was also involved in the creation in 1996 of the Istanbul
Turkish-Armenian daily Agos and Aras Publishing House, the only
publishing house which publishes books in Armenian and books translated
into Turkish from the Armenian.

ALMA is at 65 Main St., in Watertown. Parking is available in the
municipal parking lot behind the Museum and in adjacent areas. For
directions and more information, visit

‘UNBREAKABLE TIES THAT BIND’: NEW EXHIBIT BY ARMENIAN-AMERICAN ARTIST ADRINEH GREGORIAN

Tert.am
08.03.10

The Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art in Yerevan
(NPAK/ACCEA) will be hosting an exhibit by Armenian-American artist
Adrineh Gregorian from March 26 to April 1 called "Unbreakable Ties
that Bind."

According to the Facebook event page created by the artist, "Adrineh’s
series ‘Unbreakable Ties that Bind: Art Transcending Three Generations
in One Family’ represents one subject matter, her family, as seen
through the eyes of two different generations that are bound by
bloodline and art.

"The series is comprised of a collection of acrylic on canvas
contemporary paintings reflecting [her grandfather] Grigor’s
photo-portraits and a collection of photographs of Adrineh’s family
today taken with Grigor’s original Zeiss Ikon camera.

"Grigor was an artist out of necessity. Art was a gift offered to him
as a means of survival; whereas for Adrineh, art is a means of
expression and a creative outlet.

"In this series, Adrineh attempts to use their commonality, art, to
unite a family whose members have had contrasting destinies and to
make a connection with the grandfather she’s never met.

"Creating and exhibiting this series throughout Armenia allows the
story of Grigor and Adrineh’s ancestral line to come full circle."

The exhibit opens at 6 pm on Friday, March 26.

ARMAN’S LIFE DEPENDS ON YOUR MERCY

rman-kostandyan
04:28 pm | February 26, 2010

Social

In November 2009, the world turned upside down for 10-year-old Arman
Kostandyan and his parents after Arman was diagnosed with aplastic
anemia.

Twelve patients currently undergo treatment in the Blood Transfusion
Center named after Professor R. Yolyan, another seven were discharge
after a full recovery. Immunosuppressive Therapy is frontline treatment
for individuals with congenital or acquired aplastic anemia.

If the organism is sensitive to drugs, the treatment gives the
desirable effect, otherwise the patient needs urgent bone marrow
transplantation.

Arman Kostandyan has been in the centre for three months. He mainly
spends his time drawing. The hospital walls are decorated with his
pictures. We noticed a Bible beside his brushes and paints. Arman
says he began reading the Bible in hospital.

"I want to read it up though the book is difficult for me," says Arman.

The ten-year-old boy believes that people are kind-hearted and
careful. He wishes to return to the family and play his brother.

Doctors say if Arman’s condition does not improve after six months
treatment, bone marrow transplantation will be required," Arman’s
father Aram Kostandyan told A1+.

The parents’ attempts to find a donor in the Armenian Bone Marrow
Donor Registry were in vain as they could not to find a match among
the 15 000 donors. The family has turned to famous foreign clinics
but they asked huge sums of money for the operation. Finally, in full
despair, they opened a bank account relying on the financial support
of the public.

"Many people contact us and hold a helping hand which means people
have lost their mercy," said the parents.

Munich’s Elite Medical Clinic has agreed to make the transplantation
of the bone marrow after the family pays ~@260 000. Arman’s parents
have not responded yet.

So far, the bank account has raised $3000-4000.

Children’s Magazine in Armenian to be Launched

Asbarez
Jan 29th, 2010

GLENDALE – `Gakavig,’ a colorful new monthly magazine for children, is
being launched in Southern California in the first week of February.

Parents of young children in the Armenian-American community have long
complained of a shortage of child-friendly books and magazines in the
Armenian language. For children 7 and under, parents can find hundreds
of books with simple stories, basic vocabulary, and powerful images –
in English. Not so in Armenian.

Enter Juliette Davtian. Her clear vision: to give Armenian children a
colorful and fun way to see and hear stories in Armenian, to learn
reading and counting in Armenian, and to relate to the world around
them in the Armenian language.

`Children learn best through colorful images,’ Davtian said. `They
have different talents. As adults, we should recognize children’s
different styles of learning and interacting, and promote the best
possible development of their natural strengths and weaknesses.’

The magazine has colorful artwork and will feature stories, poems,
riddles, songs, cut-and-paste projects, children’s cooking projects, a
bit of science, and more. Using classical Armenian spelling, the
magazine is in both Eastern and Western Armenian.

A successful venture starts with a vision, but it requires much more.
Davtian brings it all to the table. She has an MBA and marketing
experience, as well as years of experience as a preschool teacher,
Armenian Saturday school teacher, and a resident counselor for
children and teenage girls, With a degree in psychology and child
development, she is exceptionally well prepared for the venture she
has started.

Now it’s a matter of hard work and enthusiastic community response.

`Starting a print publication in the Armenian-American community,
especially in a time of economic uncertainty, is not a safe path to
take, and several people have kindly reminded me of this fact,’
Davtian said.

`At the same time, I have been touched by the generous support of
several distinguished members of our community. They understand that
our community needs an excellent children’s magazine, and share my
confidence that parents and children will be excited to have `Gakavig’
in their homes every month.’

`Gakavig’ will be available through several Armenian schools and in
Southern California grocery stores. Subscriptions are available by
calling 818.548.2438 or writing [email protected]

GALUST SAHAKYAN: WE’RE READY FOR TURKEY’S REFUSAL TO RATIFY PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.01.2010 21:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian authorities’ harsh statements on current
rapprochement process were caused by Turkey’s policy of Protocols’
ratification, RPA parliamentary group leader Galust Sahakyansaid.

According to Sahakyan, Turkish Parliament will ratify Protocols,
otherwise it will have to face international -community related
problems. "Still, we’re ready for Turkey’s refusal to ratify
Protocols," RPA parliamentary group leader stated.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet
Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks
held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of
Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

The Republican Party of Armenia is a national conservative political
party in Armenia. It was the first political party in independent
Armenia to be founded (2 April 1990) and registered (14 May 1991). It
is the largest party of the centre-right in Armenia, and claims to have
140,000 members. The party controls most government bodies in Armenia.

At the 2003 parliamentary elections on May 25, the party received
23.5% of the popular vote, winning 31 out of 131 seats. At the last
parliamentary elections on May 12, 2007, the party received 33.91%
of the popular vote, winning 64 out of 131 seats. The former prime
minister, Andranik Markaryan, was the leader of the party. Current
President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, is the chairman of RPA board.

MOVEMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE NEEDS NEW IMPETUS: ARFD REP.

ArmInfo
2009-12-25 15:12:00

ArmInfo. Movement for international recognition of Armenian Genocide
needs new impetus, Armen Rustamyan, representative of ARFD Supreme
Body, Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Affairs,
told media on Friday.

"I have recently returned from the USA where I had meetings with the
congressmen and Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary for European and
Eurasian Affairs, and informed them of our stance i.e. Armenian-
Turkish negotiations must not hinder international recognition of
Armenian Genocide or depend on the Protocols on normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations," he said.

The recognition of Armenian Genocide by the US Congress will become
the best evidence of understanding of the Armenian stance by the USA,
especially when there are all the prerequisites for that, specifically
understanding of Armenia’s viewpoint.

With recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the USA two problems will
be settled: it will become clear that recognition of the Genocide
is not an anti-Turkish campaign and it will help preventing future
genocides. In this context, already in early 2010 the US House
Committee on Foreign Affairs will intensify discussing of the H.Res
252 on the Armenian Genocide.

Submitted to the House on March 17 2009 the Resolution has already
been supported by 135 congressmen. A similar resolution 316 submitted
to the Senate has 10 supporters.

Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France,
Lithuania, the Lower Chamber of Italian Parliament, the majority of
American States, the Greek, Cyprian, Argentinean, Belgian Parliaments,
the Parliament of Wales, the National Council of Switzerland, the
House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament and Polish Seim. Turkey
denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915-1923.