Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenian bishop makes first visit to North Andover
By Yadira Betances , Staff Writer
Eagle-Tribune
Eagle Tribune, MA
Nov 4 2006
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic, 158 Main St. North Andover: Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian celebrates the divine liturgy tomorrow at 10
a.m. to celebrate the Feast of All Saints and the church’s 36th
anniversary. Anoushavan is vicar general of the Eastern Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. This is the first time the
bishop will visit St. Gregory since his consecration as bishop in
June. Reception follows.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU urges Ankara to rethink stance on Hamas
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Nov 4 2006
Describing Hamas as a “terrorist group” in its upcoming progress
report on Turkey, the European Union indirectly criticizes Ankara,
urging it to conform with the common position of the Union.
According to the draft progress report obtained by The New Anatolian
before the text is released by the EU next Wednesday, although
the Union states that “Turkey has broadly continued to align its
foreign and security policy with that of the EU…and has continued
to support the Middle East peace process,” it continues by saying,
“Turkey declared in February 2006 to share the objectives EU Common
Position on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism
and ensure that its national policies would conform to that Common
Position. Hamas is on the list included in this Common Position.”
On other issues about foreign, security and defense policy, while the
Union praises Turkey’s participation in the EU-led police missions
including Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUPM), former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (Proxima) and in Congo (EUROPOL KINSHASA) and UN and NATO
peace missions for the development of European Security and Defense
Policy (ESDP), it criticized Turkey’s resistance to including Greek
Cyprus and Malta in the EU-NATO strategic cooperation based on the
“Berlin Plus” agreement. The reports also notes that Turkey continues,
for political reasons, to block Greek Cyprus’ membership in certain
suppliers’ groups, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls
for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.
Touching on Turkey’s relations with the Middle East, while the
report says that Turkey’s relations with Syria continued to develop
positively, it also praises Ankara’s efforts and concrete initiatives
to promote stability in Iraq by facilitating dialogue between U.S.
authorities and Sunni Arabs. “Turkey argues that there is a direct
link between the recent escalation of violence in the southeast of
Turkey and increased clashes between Turkish Armed Forces and the
PKK and ‘infiltration of PKK members’ from the Iraqi border,” it was
said in the report, saying that a significant number of troops were
deployed along the Iraqi border in order to prevent infiltration by
PKK terrorists from northern Iraq.
The report also praised Turkish efforts to encourage Iran to
comply with the demands of the international community and the
country’s support to EU efforts to obtain long-term guarantees for
the implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its
Nuclear Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) by Iran.
The continued strong support of Turkey for the “Bonn process”
concerning the reconstruction of Afghanistan was also praised in
the report.
Brussels urges Turkey to open its border with Armenia
The Union in the progress report also urges Turkey to open its border
with Armenia, stressing that this would be an important step forward
in the establishment of good neighborly relations between the two
countries and would boost trade relations.
While urging Turkey to open its border with Armenia, the EU cites
the lack of significant developments in relations between Turkey and
Armenia since the official exchange of letters between Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian President Robert Kocharian
in April 2005.
However the EU notes a closer alignment of Turkey’s official position
with EU positions in relation with the Southern Caucasus and Central
Asia. “Turkey has reiterated its support for the European Neighborhood
Policy. Turkey participates in the regional initiative GUAM (Georgia,
Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) with observer status.
Turkey followed closely the elections in Azerbaijan. It aligned itself
with the EU Presidency statement on the elections in Azerbaijan on
10 November 2005,” said the report.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

UNITED ARMENIAN FUND
1101 N. Pacific Avenue #301
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-241-8900
Fax: 818-241-6900
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2 November 2006
United Armenian Fund Donates $4.5 Million
To All 28 Armenian Schools in Lebanon
Glendale, CA – The United Armenian Fund, through a generous grant
from The Lincy Foundation, is donating a total of $4.5 million to
all 28 Armenian schools throughout Lebanon.
This contribution is prompted by the economic crisis of the past few
years, which was aggravated by the devastating attack on Lebanon last
Summer. Thousands of needy Armenian families could no longer afford the
tuition for the Armenian schools their children attended. Consequently,
most of these schools were in no position to pay the salaries of
their teachers and staff.
The UAF funds contributed to these schools are designated for three
specific purposes:
1) $3.2 million to pay full or partial tuition for 5,092 needy Armenian
students, which constitutes close to 75% of the 7,029 students enrolled
in all 28 schools during the 2006-07 academic year;
2) $757,000 to cover the salaries owed by most of the schools to 536
teachers and staff for the past academic year;
3) A total of $513,000 for the general operating expenses of these
schools.
Harut Sassounian, the President of the United Armenian Fund, is
currently in Lebanon to visit all 28 Armenian schools, meet with their
principals and educational councils, and deliver the earmarked sums
to each school.
“The UAF’s contribution will be allocated to all Armenian schools in
Lebanon, without exception,” Sassounian said.
The schools receiving financial assistance are:
Nine Prelacy schools: Sophia Hagopian College; Haratch C. Gulbenkian
School; Apkarian School; Aksor Kassarjian School; Yeghishe Manoukian
College; Roupinian – Sahag Mesrobian School; Souren Khanamirian
College; Noubarian – Khrimian School; and Forty Martyrs School.
Seven Evangelical schools: Central High School; Gertmenian School;
Anjar Secondary School; Torosian School; Armenian Evangelical College;
Shamlian Tatigian School; and Trad School.
Six Catholic schools: Harboyan School; Mekhitarian School; Sisters
School of Anjar; Mesrobian College; St. Agnes School; and Hripsimiantz
College.
Three AGBU schools: Garmirian School; Tarouhy – Hovagimian School;
and Nazarian School.
Armenian Educational & Cultural Society (Hamazkayin) school: M &
H Arslanian College (Jemaran).
Tekeyan Cultural Association school: Vahan Tekeyan School.
Armenian Educational Benevolent Union school: Sahaguian –
L. Meguerditchian College.
“This unprecedented gift of $4.5 million should alleviate a large
part of the heavy financial burden of the schools shouldered by the
struggling Armenian community of Lebanon. Armenians worldwide should
lend a helping hand to this most vital community which has many other
needs. Few things are as important for the future of the Armenian
people as the education of the next generation. By supporting Armenian
schools, we are investing not just in the survival, but the revival
of Armenian culture,” Sassounian said.
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $447 million of
humanitarian assistance to Armenia on board 140 airlifts and 1,359
sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America,
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Missionary Association
of America, Armenian Relief Society, Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and
The Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific
Avenue, Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armeni an Youth Federation- Western United States
104 North Belmont St.
Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 507-1933
[email protected]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 1, 2006
Contact: Mary Ashdjian
(818) 507-1933
AYF PREPARES NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS
– Over 40 AYF Members Participate in Leadership Seminar Held by AYF
Central Executive
Los Angeles, California – The Armenian Youth Federation – Western
Region (AYF-WR) Central Executive held a successful leadership seminar
last weekend during which AYF leaders attended a series of lectures and
workshops designed to facilitate the development of effective leaders.
Important topics pertaining to leadership were covered by community
leaders who have contributed to the betterment of the AYF and
previously held leadership positions within the organization.
Educationals were conducted by Armenian National Committee –
Western Region Board member Raffi Hamparian, Glendale City Clerk
Ardashes Kassakhian, former AYF leader Mourad Topalian, Homenetmen
leader Nyree Derderian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Central Committee representative Aram Kaloustian, and ARF Badenegan
leader Vahe Manuelian. Public relations, recruitment, networking,
fundraising, women in leadership, strengthening Badanegan ties and
AYF Activism were among the topics addressed.
The seminar included an executive workshop, presented by the AYF-WR
Central Executive, during which he relayed the mission and goals of
the AYF and highlighted the importance of leadership roles.
“Participants of the seminar were extremely motivated after the
lectures and workshops. They pledged to take back what they learned
to their respective communities to guide and educate the Armenian
youth in accordance with the organization’s mission,” said AYF-WR
Central Executive Chairman Saro Shirinian.
The seminar was not only a time for listening, but also sharing
ideas. AYF leaders from across the Western Region of the United States
were able to share common problems in an open forum and discuss ways in
which to address them. This experience created a valuable opportunity
for members to learn from each other, build on the successes of one
another, and establish strong ties with the Central Executive.
“We thank the speakers who took the time to help educate the future
leaders of the organization. The seminar would not have been a success
without their knowledge and guidance,” said Central Executive Member
Caspar Jivalagian.
The AYF-WR vows to prepare the next generation of educated, capable
leaders to properly lead the organization in the decades to come.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WHS’S NEW ORCHESTRA LEADER IS A MUSICAL RENA
By Marisa Kendall/ Townsman Correspondent
Wellesley Townsman, MA
Nov 2 2006
Wellesley High School’s new orchestra teacher arrived with a resume
packed with both professional and teaching experience.
Jeffrey Howard conducts Wellesley High’s orchestra during the morning
and holds private violin lessons after school. In between, Howard also
teaches classes in violin, music appreciation and music education at
Bridgewater State and Westfield state colleges.
Currently in his first year at WHS, Howard came to Wellesley from
a teaching position at the University of Texas in Arlington. “I’m
enjoying working here very much,” he said.
Howard is impressed by the “tradition” of education visible in
Wellesley, he said, and by the fact that the school’s orchestra
students “really want to be there.” Their dedication and energy
create an inspiring atmosphere, he said, because “they all sincerely
love music.”
Howard can also attribute this atmosphere to his own love of music,
both as a teacher and a professional musician. He has substituted
in the Boston Symphony, been Concord Orchestra concert master and
preformed all over the world, in places including Prague, Budapest and
Vienna. Currently Howard plays violin in the “Kassian-Howard Duo” with
his wife, Anna Soukiassian, who accompanies him on the piano. Because
Soukiassian is Armenian, the duet incorporates Armenian music into
its classical and chamber music repertoire, Howard said. Soukiassian
is also a music teacher, and teaches at Philips Academy and gives
private lessons. The duet performs regularly across the U.S., and
has a recital scheduled for Nov. 12 in Montreal.
Though the Kassian-Howard Duo has been performing together for nine
years, “there’s always a certain amount of nerves in anticipation
of doing your best,” Howard said. The stress eases with practice, he
added, but a portion will still be there. “The challenge of performing
in front of people [is the] ultimate challenge of realizing your
musical potential,” Howard said.
Howard practices with his wife for two hours a day on top of a busy
teaching schedule, but he said the two obligations complement each
other more than they conflict. “The more I teach, the better my solo
playing gets,” he said. His students make him aware of the way he does
things, Howard said, which helps him determine how he can improve
his technique and, ultimately, his playing. Helping students find
their musical voice has, in turn, helped him find his own, Howard
said. Performing has also helped to build his musical skill and make
him a better teacher, he said.
Howard has always wanted to teach and perform simultaneously, and
neither interest ever outweighed the other, he said. His father was an
elementary school teacher for 42 years, Howard said, and teaching was
in the family. Following this tradition, Howard first started teaching
music lessons during high school, and he has now been teaching full
time for 15 years. Music was an early interest as well, and as a
child he also took piano lessons. Now he plays some viola on top of
the violin.
The worlds of teaching and performing connect for Howard most
noticeably in his students, who are also some of his biggest fans. He
has a “devoted group of students” who attend all his local concerts,
he said. “[They] love seeing their teacher perform.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PAMUK AND THE NOBEL
Hilmi Yavuz
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 2 2006
After Orhan Pamuk won the Nobel Prize for Literature, I purposely
didn’t write my thoughts on the subject. I wanted to let the praise
and hysteria die down first. It was as if those who gave praise were
prepared beforehand and had already decided what they were going
to say.
But there is this point and I think it is extremely important: Those
who praised him to no end or spoke extremely ill of him, even though
they knew what they thought, were people who had not written a line
for or against Orhan Pamuk before!
I never came across an article by Yildirim Turker praising Orhan
Pamuk’s literary side nor criticism of Pamuk by Alev Alatli!.. It’s
a good thing that Pamuk won the Nobel Prize for Literature, giving
us an insight into their thoughts on the subject…
Look, during the past fifteen years I have written at least 20
articles regarding Orhan Pamuk. I am one of his harshest critics. I
wrote and said time and again that he was an Orientalist writer;
that he sees himself, in Edward Said’s words, as an “exploitation
intellectual;” that he uses Ottoman and Islamic traditions as “decorum”
and consequently, when compared to Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar and Oguz Atay,
who put the East/West question as a fundamental issue of their novels,
he is a writer without an “issue.”
I wrote that he doesn’t take Turks seriously; and that he wrote,
“When a Western observer understands me, I’ll be happy.” I also
explained it was my opinion that if his “I Lived Like My Poem” got
the Nobel Prize, his words, “We killed thirty thousand Kurds and one
million Armenians,” would decrease the value of the Nobel. These are
things known by my readers and those who know me.
Moreover, it’s obvious that the Nobel Prize lobby carries a degree of
weight that can’t be overlooked. This is not only true for Pamuk, but
for many writers who receive the Nobel Prize. Also in Pamuk’s case, of
course the work of his literary agent Andrew Wyley played a part too.
Again, as I previously wrote, some may remember that when I asked
an American friend who knows those circles (and this happened five
years ago!), his evaluation of Wyley was this: “He is a killer!..”
I know first-hand that, in the last ten years in particular, Wyley
has done everything in his power to promote Orhan Pamuk in America…
I want to make this point: Because of Pamuk’s Nobel Prize the public
and the glorious Turkish media have been divided into two over literary
value or political views. This matter is this simple and, trusting
in your forgiveness, there can be no better example of looking at
something with ignorance than this.
Neither of these two factors were not the determining factor in Pamuk’s
receiving the Nobel Prize. That couldn’t be the case!.. Orhan Pamuk’s
political stand on both the EU subject and the Armenian issue is an
implication of his long-term “Orientalist” world view that he sees
no need to hide.
Consequently, evaluating his words, “We killed thirty thousand Kurds
and one million Armenians,” as a stand independent of his Orientalist
worldview is idiocy: it is a requirement of his worldview, and he is
saying whatever Europe wants to hear from him. That’s all!
In other words, Pamuk’s getting the Nobel is not due just to his
works’ literary value or his political statements. His Orientalism,
his literary agent’s endless efforts to make Pamuk prominent (putting
him on magazine covers, articles written about him, etc.) and, of
course, his translators all carry weight.
But, of course, we have to look at the result: As long as we don’t
know how these factors influenced one another; in short, if the Nobel
Jury’s public statement justifying their selection truly represented
their real intention or not, there is no value at all in debating
whether “the prize was given for political reasons” or “no, it was
given for literary value.” Because the caravan has long since moved on.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TO RESOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT DOES NOT DEPEND ON OTHER COUNTRIES BUT ON AZERBAIJAN – AZERI DEPUTY FM
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2006
Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict does not depend on other
countries, but is the responsibility of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani
Deputy Foreign Minister, former Azerbaijani Ambassador to the USA,
Hafiz Pashayev, informed on 2 November while making a speech at Baku
State University, Trend reports.
Azerbaijan has already confirmed itself as a Country, and
having demonstrated itself as a stronger country, Azerbaijan can
independently resolve the conflict, the diplomat stated. Commenting
on the possibility of creating “Caucasus House”, the Deputy Minister
once again confirmed the position of the Country, stating that in
the current situation, Azerbaijan will not establish any co-operation
with Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MINSK GROUP TAKES UNFAIR VIEW ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH – RULING PARTY FUNCTIONARY
Author: J.Shahverdiyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2006
MP Siyavush Novruzov, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the ruling
New Azerbaijan Party, informed Trend at an exclusive interview that
he does not believe that the OSCE Minsk Group is taking a fair view
in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports.
So far the OSCE has not recognized Armenia as an aggressor though the
Council of Europe and UN have definite resolutions on this conflict.
“If the Parliament of France adopts the well-known resolution on the
so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ in Turkey, changing European values which
have been established for centuries as well as European democracy,
could can one expect it to hold fair views on the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? Furthermore, two co-chairing countries
at the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia and France, have voted against
the inclusion of an item on the settlement of frozen conflicts in
the territory of GUAM during the discussions at the UN Security
Council. The display by the Russian Ambassador during the meeting of
the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in Ramboulitte demonstrated
whom he actually sympathizes with,’ Novruzov stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

67 PERCENT BELIEVE RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE IS USEFUL FOR ARMENIA
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 1 2006
Two thirds of respondents of a public poll conducted in Armenia have
a positive opinion on the existence of the Russian military base
in Armenia. The news agency ARKA reports that the Gallup Institute
conducted the survey in association with the Armenian sociological
association. The poll was conducted July 31 to August 10, and 1200
residents of Armenia participated. 67 percent absolutely believe
that the Russian military base in Armenia has a positive effect for
our state, 15 percent think this question is not so significant, 12
percent think that the effect could be both positive and negative. 2
percent said the effect is negative, and 3 percent declined to answer.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANDRANIK MARGARYAN DREW UP “MAGNIFICENT” BUDGET FOR THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 1 2006
On November 1 the Armenian government and the standinc committees of
the National Assembly kickstarted debates on the State Budget 2007.
If formerly names were given to the state budget that are related to
the economy, such as a budget of survival or a budget of development,
this time Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, in presenting the budget
bill, thanked the government for “drawing up a magnificent document”.
The minister of finance Vardan Khachatryan was much more modest,
“This is the bill of the state budget of 2007.”
Hardly twenty members of parliament participated in the debates, which
is at least strange, since each committee includes over ten members
of parliament. The members of parliament, who showed up, represented
the coalition, and the only representative of the opposition was Aram
Gaspari Sargsyan, who left after listening to the prime minister. It
should be noted that this important bill of the state interests only
10-15 percent of the members of parliament.
Now about the magnificent budget. The government estimates a 68.3
billion drams deficit of the Magnificent, a nearly 4 percent inflation,
a 9 percent growth of the GDP, the government will battle economic
crime and improve tax and customs administration. As a result of
this improvement the executive estimates collections of 50 billion
drams. The government is hopeful that the imports will grow by 13.5
percent, exports by 16 percent, however the balance of trade will be
negative and will total 903 million drams. And since the prime minister
left without meeting the news reporters, the minister of finance Vardan
Khachatryan had to do the hard work of additional comment. One or two
news reporters hardly managed to find out from the prime minister
that independent from who the next prime minister will be, “Normal
conditions are created for the activities of the next government, the
next prime minister.” The minister of finance thinks the growth of the
negative balance of trade is not dangerous because it does not exceed
5-6 percent of the GDP. “Many countries would dream of this.” Our
foreign debt will grow as well, but “it will not affect essentially
the country’s capacity to pay.” And judging by different standards,
Armenia will be considered a country of low or average burden of debt.