Author: Jalatian Sonya

Jordan Times
Friday-Saturday, January 14-15, 2005
Bisharat progresses to the 2nd round at World Cup tournament
By Maram Sweis
AMMAN – Equestrian Ibrahim Bisharat progressed to the second round of
competitions in the World Cup tournament at the Sharjah Equestrian and
Racing Club on Wednesday, bringing him closer to qualifying for the 2006
World Cup which will be held in Las Vegas, USA.
The Jordanian missed his initial shot for Grand Prix qualifications after
his horse, Qwinto, fault by refusal prior to a jump in the first leg of the
tournament in Abu Dhabi. The mishap resulted in four faults and lost points
that counted towards qualifying for the championships.
After receiving no faults atop his other horse Ghazal, Bisharat, who was in
third place, advanced to a decisive stage at the Sharjah event, or stage two
of the tournament.
Saudi Prince Abdullah Ben Mehtab Ben Abdul Aziz came in first place, while
Qatar’s Ali Rumaihi took second place in the tournament.
Bisharat, who competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, is among 210 riders
representing countries from the Middle East and Europe – Qatar, Bahrain,
Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Germany,
Netherlands, Armenia, Bulgaria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Another Jordanian taking part in the tournament is Aya Nasif, who competed
against 25 other young equestrians. She is placed 15th in the juniors
category, with eight faults.
The 5th Sharjah International Showjumping Championship is held under the
patronage of Sheikh Sultan Ben Mohammad Al Qassimi, member of the supreme
council and ruler of Sharjah, and organised by the Emirates Equestrian and
Racing Federation, along with the Federation Equestre Internationale.
Upcoming World Cup qualifying tournaments will take place in Ajman, UAE,
from Jan. 19-21, Doha, Qatar, Feb. 6-13, and Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 23-25.
Friday-Saturday, January 14-15, 2005

PanArmenian News
Jan 14 2005
30 ARMENIANS BROUGHT ACTION AGAINST AZERBAIJAN
14.01.2005 16:24
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 30 Armenian citizens, the refugees from the
Shahumian region of NKR and Khanlar region of Azerbaijan appealed to
the European Court for receiving contribution from Baku. At present
the letters are being discussed in Strasbourg. The court is likely to
examine the issue within 2 or 3 years. To remind, the residents of
the Shahumian region of NKR, occupied by the Azeri army in 1992 with
the assistance of bribed Russian generals, were deported from their
domicile while Azeris settled in their houses. To note, this
settlement policy was set by the Azerbaijani government. The
residents of the Khanlar region were mostly deported by 1991, during
the “ring” operation carried out by the soviet army and the Azeri
OMON.

Milliyet, Turkey
Jan 13 2005
Cooperation With Russia
BYEGM: 1/13/2005
BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Leaders’ official visits to other countries rarely yield
concrete, immediate results. Taking certain decisions to strengthen
economic ties and opening a Turkish Trade Center in the middle of
Moscow are among the positive results of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s visit this week to Russia. The actual successes of the
visit are the steps taken towards strategic partnership. During
meetings in Moscow, both sides showed a new stance not only over
bilateral relations, but also regional issues. Russia’s stance on the
Cyprus issue and Turkey’s relations with the EU are concrete examples
of this. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statements about Cyprus
signalled a move away from Russia’s support for the Greek Cypriot
administration. Russia has now agreed to support UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan’s plan and will also help lift the blockade on the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This is a truly important shift
in Moscow’s Cyprus policy in favor of Turkey. Similarly, Putin stated
that he was glad about Turkey’s integration with the EU, which is
another important development. During his visit to Ankara last month,
Putin warned that such integration posed a serious obstacle to
Turkish-Russian relations. Now, instead, he says it will open new
horizons.
Putin’s statements on Armenia also signal possible strategic
cooperation between Ankara and Moscow on regional problems.
Concerning the Upper Karabagh issue, Putin said that Russia might
serve as a mediator and even a guarantor and that he would help
Turkey to forge friendly relations with Armenia. Erdogan doesn’t want
strained relations with Turkey’s neighbors and thinks that our policy
in the region is geared towards solutions. Of course Yerevan should
make positive signals towards this end, then Turkey will be able to
normalize relations. During the meetings in Moscow, it’s significant
that the Armenian issue was also on the agenda. Ankara has stipulated
up to now that firstly Yerevan should withdraw from the Azerbaijani
territory it’s occupying and solve its disputes with Baku in order
for Turkey to normalize its relations with Armenia. The reasons for
this stance can be understood easily. However, Turkey was unable to
play a mediator role because of this. Now Russia seems ready to step
in. However, if Turkey can establish a good dialogue with Yerevan, it
can help create a consensus between the parties and push claims of a
so-called Armenian genocide from the agenda. Now the Armenian
diaspora is about to try to take the initiative over the 90th
anniversary of the `genocide.’ It’s time for Ankara to step forward
now with a bold stance. This can be done in cooperation with Russia,
in light of Putin’s statements.

ARMENIA’S LOCATION MOST UNFAVORABLE AMONGE OTHER 37 LANDLOCKED COUNTIRES
Azg/arm
13 Jan 05
Out of 191 UN states 37 are landlocked, that is have no outlet to the
sea. Most of those states though have favorable geographical position
with navigable rivers and have no serious conflict with neighbors or
else is a EU member and have no problem with goods importing and
exporting.
Armenia is a classic example of a landlocked country. Armenia’s border
stretches 1254 kilometers, 566 of which fall on Azerbaijan, 221 on
Nakhijevan (that was conjoined to Azerbaijan in 1921), 268 on Turkey,
164 on Georgia and 35 on Iran. Today, only 199 kilometers or 16
percent of the border is not under blockade.
An outlet to the sea is not the only guarantee for a prosperous
country, of course. But in case of Armenia, its landlocked position
together with corruption and foul rivalry in economy is the main
factor of countryâ=80=99s underdevelopment.
We put the unsolved Nagorno Karabakh issue aside because, as foreign
minister Vartan Oskanian said, it has no price.
It’s hard to imagine that Azerbaijan will quit the blockade before the
Karabakh issue is settled. It must be noted that Azerbaijan had
blocked the railroads to Armenia before the war. Azerbaijan has also
cut off Armenia-Iran railway communication as the Yerevan-Julfa-Tavriz
railroad is passing through Nakhijevan. Ijevan-Baku railroad also does
not work thus cutting Armenia off Georgia.
The Armenian-Turkish border, stretching 268 km., has been under
blocked for 10 years now. Turkey suggests Armenia to give up Armenian
Genocide claims, declare that it has no territorial claims and
withdraw its forces from Nagorno Karabakh and only then Turkey will
open Alijan-Margara and Aqyaqa-Aghurik border-gates and the
Kars-Gyumri railway.
The Armenian-Iranian border, stretching 35 km., was the most stable
and reliable one for Armenia during the last decade. Though
Agarak-Norduz border-gate is working uninterruptedly, it is not
reliable either as, firstly, the road section passing through Qajaran
becomes impassable and dangerous in winter and, secondly, Armenia pays
far more money for its export from Russia and other states coming via
Iran.
All for 3 border-gates on Armenia-Georgia 164 km border and
Yerevan-Gyumri-Tbilisi railroad are also working uninterruptedly. But
the latter cannot be considered a road connecting Armenia with the
outer world as far as Georgia maintains blockade on the Abkhazian
railway. Nevertheless, Georgia today isthe key state connecting
Armenia with the world. The Poti and Batumi harbors receive Armenian
import and export.
Armenia’s extremely unfavorable geographical location was a headache
for every Armenian government. Russia’s blockade of Georgia-North
Ossetia border-gate and Novorosiysk-Poti sea route was enough to seal
off Armenia late last year.
By Tatoul Hakobian

Azeri experts wary about Armenia’s consent to stage-by-stage Karabakh plan
Ekho, Baku
11 Jan 05
Excerpt from R. Orucov’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 11
January headlined “Has the process started?”
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan left for Prague on 10
January. The department of information and press of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry reports that Oskanyan is expected to meet Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on 11 January to hold talks on the
settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The negotiations will be
held in the presence of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen.
The Russian co-chairman of the Minsk Group, Yuriy Merzlyakov, has said
recently that the Armenians have given their consent to the
stage-by-stage settlement of the Karabakh conflict. He said “if the
forthcoming meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers
produces tangible results, the dialogue may be continued in the near
future”.
Meanwhile, an Azerbaijani political analyst, Zardust Alizada, thinks
“the Armenians are unlikely to agree to the stage-by-stage settlement,
while the package alternative suggested by the Armenian side is
unacceptable. The stage-by-stage settlement does not mean a solution
either, because each stage involves its own obstacles.”
[Passage omitted: reported statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev]
“It is naive to present Armenia’s willingness to discuss the
stage-by-stage plan as a major achievement of the Azerbaijani
diplomacy. In principle, I am opposed to bringing the issue down to
which settlement option – package or stage-by-stage – the sides have
chosen for negotiations. It is the essence of the issue that matters.
Even under the stage-by-stage plan it is possible to accept a
suggestion that can lead to the complete loss of Karabakh,” says the
head of the Centre of peace and conflict settlement, Elxan Mehdiyev.
He believes the Armenians wanted to solve the status issue for
Nagornyy Karabakh, which is why they insisted that all the issues be
covered by one and the same agreement. “But this, of course, is
impossible, at least because of the enmity between the sides,” he
said.
Mehdiyev also recalled Oskanyan’s latest statement about the
continuation of “the Prague process”.
“According to the minister, even though Armenia has agreed to the
stage-by-stage plan, all the aspects of the negotiations that meet the
Armenian interests will be explored. So, in their view, the sides can
agree all the issues of interest and then start implementing them on a
stage-by-stage basis. The Armenians are not and have never been
against this. They simply don’t want to start discussing other issues,
leaving the issue of status for Nagornyy Karabakh for the very last
stage of the settlement plan. If Azerbaijan agrees to provide Nagornyy
Karabakh and other occupied territories with a status, the Armenians
will go for a stage-by-stage solution. They won’t accept anything
else,” Mehdiyev said.
[Passage omitted: reported comments by another Azerbaijani expert]

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
January 11, 2005
Nothing – no human creation or plan – is capable of renewing and
transfiguring the soul of man, other than the faith of God’s presence in the
life of mankind. –
His Holiness Karekin II
Christ is Born and Revealed! Blessed is the Revelation of Christ
On the morning of January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated
the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. His
Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians celebrated the Pontifical
Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
During the Liturgy, His Holiness delivered his Christmas message addressed
to all Armenians:
“…Today the star of Bethlehem is guiding us to the Savior’s manger, where
the eternal was born, the infinite was confined, and that which cannot be
comprehended was recognized as liberator. Let us not hesitate to know the
Truth, to do the good, to serve one another and to serve Christ. Let us put
aside all which will disrupt us from following His luminous and liberating
path. Freedom is the greatest grace in which our hopes and aspirations will
bear fruit, to construct a peaceful and prosperous life and a free society.
We will not only defend the freedom of our Homeland, but also make it become
freedom for each one of us.
Freedom is our choice of the good, which in itself is also a struggle
against evil. Poverty and the evil of lawlessness will be erased from our
soil with our Christ-loving and truth-loving endeavors; indifference and
intolerance will be forced out of our society and the benefits of true
philanthropy will be established. It is through our brotherhood, in our
justice and in our love that our plans and labors will succeed; aimed at the
building and strengthening of our Homeland, in the transformation of our
society, in the preservation and renaissance of national life in the
Diaspora, in the education of our children, in the development of our
culture, and in the realization of all objectives of our people”
In his message, His Holiness also spoke of the significance of the new year
of 2005, noting that the Armenian people will celebrate the 1,600th
anniversary of the creation of the Armenian Alphabet and solemnly
commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The Pontiff of All Armenians concluded his message by stating, “Let us kneel
down beside the cradle of the Infant Jesus and ask that through the presence
of God, the renewing spirit be ours as well, and the life being led towards
goodness and truth be our life as well, in our Homeland and in the Diaspora.
Let us all pray in unison that our compassionate Lord, through the
consolation of the Holy Spirit, grant comfort to the hearts of thousands
affected by the recent natural disaster in the countries of the Far East,
and with His unending mercy, grant rest to the souls of the victims. May
the peace sent from heaven be established throughout the world, and
especially today for all peoples living in the dangers of war, and may
divine paths lead the course of mankind towards the shores of
reconciliation, justice and brotherhood; towards an improving prosperous,
progressive and happy life; and towards salvation and eternity.”
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Catholicos of All Armenians
offered the Service of the Blessing of the Waters, in commemoration of the
Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The Godfather of the Cross this year
was the dean of the Medical University of Yerevan, Dr. Vilen Hakobian.
In attendance for the Divine Liturgy were the President of the Republic of
Armenia, Robert Kocharian; high-ranking officials of the Armenian
government; members of the Supreme Spiritual Council; ambassadors and
representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations; and
thousands of faithful.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a reception was held in the Pontifical
Residence.

THE PRE-CONDITIONS ARE PRESENT IN ARMENIA, HOWEVER THERE IS NO REASON
FOR “VELVET REVOLUTION”
YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMINFO. Pre-conditions are present in Armenia,
however, there is no reason for “velvet revolution”, said member of RA
National Assembly, politologist Amayak Ovanessian in the interview
with the correspondent of ARMINFO, commenting on the statement of
editor-in-chief of Russian Service of BBC Konstantin Eggert referring
to that Armenia will be the first state after the Ukraine where the
“velvet revolution” will take place.
A. Ovanessian noted that the hard social-economic conditions of the
people, the falsification of results of presidential and parliamentary
elections’ in 2003, as well as the high level of corruption and shadow
economy could be called as pre-conditions for implementation of
“velvet revolution” in Armenia.
The only fact that in Armenia the “velvet revolution” have not taken
place yet is explained only with the weakness of Armenian
opposition. However, the post-soviet states bear a great resemblance
to each other and processes occurred in these countries, on the
principle of communicating vessels, “flow” from one state into
another, noted A. Ovanessian. “If the level of democracy and social
welfare in the post-soviet states is high enough, George Soros with
his money never can do a revolution there. It is not necessary to
underestimate the factor of people ever”,- Armenian deputy
empathized. -R-

CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
09 Jan 05
For already two years the youth sports and cultural organization
`Unity’ holds a New Year and Christmas action. On the holidays the
organization gave presents to 57 children of the kindergarten for
disabled children `Zangak’ and 40 members of the center for the
disabled children. The NKR Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport,
Stepanakert City Hall and `Artsakhbank’ supported the action. Last
year the youth organization distributed Christmas gifts to the
children of the disabled of Artsakh war.
ANAHIT DANIELIAN.
09-01-2005

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 29 2004
Protests Against Occupation of Azeri Lands Continue
The Movement for Azerbaijan (MA) held a protest action in Birmingham,
the third largest city in Great Britain, under the slogan of
`Karabakh: Protest actions worldwide’ on Tuesday.
Azerbaijani students, Turkish people and ethnic Azerbaijanis from
Iran took part in the protest action. The proetsters adopted a
statement at the end of the action saying that Karabakh is the
integral part of Azerbaijan.
The MA held a picket outside the Armenian embassy in Moscow on
Monday.
The Movement started protests abroad on Sunday on the occasion of the
13th anniversary of occupation of Azerbaijan’s Khankandi region and
the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis – December 31.
Similar actions will be organized in Canada, France and Sweden.

California Courier Online, December 30, 2004
1 – Commentary
Loveless in Jerusalem, Young
Armenian Forced to Leave Israel
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
**************************************************************************
2 – AMAA Elects Board
Members and Officers
3 – Mesrobian School Ninth Graders
Give the Gift of Sight for Christmas
4 – The Netherlands Recognizes
The Armenian Genocide
5 – Knights of Vartan Fund
Offers Grants for 2005
6 – Sen. Boxer Names Adrienne
Bousian Deputy State Director
7 – CSUF Offers Honors Program
In Armenian Studies in 2005
*************************************************************************
1 – Commentary

Loveless in Jerusalem, Young
Armenian Forced to Leave Israel
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
NBC News broadcast on December 22nd a report on the exodus of Christians
from the Holy Land. More than half the Christian population or 60,000 have
left Israel in the past 50 years. Bethlehem has the largest
Christian population –around 27,000.
Surrounded by physical barriers, including concrete roadblocks, Israeli
military checkpoints, dirt mounds and a soon to be completed security wall,
the ‘little town of Bethlehem’ of Christmas songs is “an isolated,
stagnant and depressing place,” NBC reported. “Israeli soldiers on foot
patrol, in jeeps and in watchtowers monitor and restrict almost all
pedestrian and vehicle traffic in and out of town.”
Bethlehem’s Christian Mayor, Hannah Nasser, is so dejected with all the
restrictions placed on his town that he told NBC: “If Joseph and Mary tried
to come today, Israeli soldiers would check their papers, rummage through
their baggage and rudely turn them away.”
NBC cited the predicament of Karnig Balekdjian as an example of the
discriminatory treatment of Christians by Israeli officials.
Balekdjian, a 30-year-old native of Jerusalem who worked at the Armenian
Patriarchate, could not celebrate Christmas this year with his family. He
was forced to leave Israel because government officials would not allow his
26-year-old bride, Ivette Iskandarian, to come to Jerusalem to be with her
husband. NBC reported that Ivette couldn’t even visit Karnig let alone live
with him, because she is from Iran. Israel bars individuals born in
“hostile countries,” but Jews from these same countries can freely visit
Israel and immigrate without any problem, according to NBC.
Balekdjian had applied to the Israeli Interior Ministry, but to no avail.
“I went to the Interior Ministry twice a week for a year, most times I
couldn’t even get through the door,” he told NBC News. “My wife is not a
Muslim, not a terrorist, not a threat to Israel. Yet as Christians we’re
not allowed to live here.” The Armenian Patriarchate was even willing to
sponsor his wife with a job offer, but Israeli officials said no.
The most distressing part of this story is that there is no Armenian agency
anywhere in the world that an Armenian with a grievance can turn to. Here
is a young man whose most basic rights were violated, and yet
no one is interested in defending him. Armenian officials and
organizations, by showing no interest in the plight of fellow Armenians,
are clearly indicating to all foreign authorities that they can do as they
please with their Armenian subjects: there would be no complaints and no
repercussions.
Everyone else may be enjoying Christmas and the New Year holidays, but
Karnig Balekdjian is in no mood to celebrate!
On a Lighter Note…
In keeping with the holiday spirit, let’s now stick our nose in some real
serious issues.
I would like to raise the following critical questions: Should doctors
temper with an Armenian’s God-given nose and try to improve on Mother
Nature? Furthermore, after an Armenian’s nose is trimmed by a plastic
surgeon, could that person still be an Armenian?
Dr. Garo Kassabian, an acclaimed plastic surgeon from Beverly Hills, was
recently in Armenia to take part in Yerevan’s version of “Extreme
Makeover.” He served on a panel of judges for a contest that was initially
called, “The biggest Nose” or “The Most Crooked Nose.”
Realizing that these titles may offend some people, the judges came up with
a more discrete name: “The Most Armenian Nose!” Within a week after the
contest was announced, 200 men and women had applied, with 30 more nosing
their way in with each passing day.
One of the primary criteria in the selection process was “choosing a nose
that had little or no compatibility with the face it graced,” said Dr.
Kassabian courteously. The three finalists won free cosmetic surgery
donated by Dr. Kassabian and his team. The winning male contestant’s
schnozzle had been broken in five places. Most Armenians can’t afford such
cosmetic surgery. The cost of a nose job in Yerevan is about $400 – the
annual salary of an average worker in Armenia.
The top finalist was an aspiring performer who claimed the new look gave
him confidence to seek out a dream job as a TV spokesman. He edged out his
competition by a nose!
Dr. Kassabian has convincingly demonstrated that he is able to improve on
Mother Nature. The three finalists still consider themselves Armenians,
albeit with much shorter noses!
**************************************************************************
2 – AMAA Elects Board
Members and Officers
PARAMUS, NJ – The Board of Directors of the Armenian Missionary Association
of America (AMAA) at their Dec. 11 meeting, elected Dr. Hrair S. Aharonian
of Northridge, Calif., as the AMAA President for the coming year. Dr.
Aharonian, who most recently served as the Association’s Vice President, is
a long time member and an ardent supporter of the AMAA. He, for many years,
has served the Association in various capacities, such as Board member,
Co-Chair of Armenia Committee and member of several important committees.
Other elected officers of the AMAA were Peter Kougasian, Esq. of Pelham
Manor, NY and John Cherkezian of Englewood, NJ, Vice Presidents; Aram
Robert Minnetian of Park Ridge, NJ, Treasurer; David Hekemian of New York,
NY, Assistant Treasurer; Eileen Chopourian Stephey of Havertown, PA, Harry
Dulgarian of Belmont, MA, and Gary Phillips, Esq. of Los Angeles,
Co-Recording Secretaries.
Each year the AMAA carries out an election to replace one-third of its 27
elected Board members, whose three-year terms have expired. On Oct. 16, the
election results for the AMAA Board of Directors’ Class of 2007 was
announced during AMAA’s 85th Annual Meeting held at the Association’s
Headquarters in Paramus, NJ. The Nominating Committee prepared a slate of
16 candidates to be voted upon by AMAA’s constituency. Eight members were
elected from that slate and a ninth member was appointed by the Board. The
following nine members, also referred to as the “Class of 2007,” have begun
to serve their three-year terms: Dr. Hrair Aharonian of Northridge, CA, Dr.
Rafi Balabanian of San Jose, CA, Bryan Bedrosian of Fresno, CA, Dr.
Nazareth Darakjian of La Canada, CA, Elaine Kasparian of Lexington, MA,
Harold Nahigian of La Canada, CA, Eileen Chopourian Stephey of Havertown,
PA, Carlos Taraktzian of Cranston, RI and Dr. Joe Zeronian of Pasadena, CA.
***************************************************************************
3 – Mesrobian School Ninth Graders
Give the Gift of Sight for Christmas
NEWPORT BEACH, CA.-“The spirit of Christmas is in giving, not receiving,”
says Mariam Samoniantz, a teacher at Mesrobian Armenian School in Pico
Rivera, Calif.
She infused the Christmas spirit in her ninth-grade students by encouraging
them to participate in the Armenian EyeCare Project’s (AECP)
Adopt-A-Village Program. “It really is a wonderful feeling to give
unselfishly.”
Samoniantz learned about the Adopt-A-Village Program from her parents,
Choren and Flora Manukian, of Irvine, who are patients of AECP President
Roger Ohanesian. The Manukians told their daughter about the AECP’s
program to help provide eye care to the thousands of Armenian people in the
regions who cannot afford care.
>From March through November each year, the AECP’s state of the art Mobile
Eye Hospital follows a scheduled route throughout the country, providing
eye care at no cost to vulnerable patients. The AECP doctors, nurses and
staff screen adults and children for eye disease and provide a complete eye
examination with treatment, including surgery, when required. The most
frequently performed surgery on the MEH is for cataracts.
During the winter months, when weather prevents the MEH from traveling
throughout the Marzes, it visits local nursing homes and orphanages. Since
June of 2003, the start of the AECP’s seven-year initiative “Bringing Sight
to Armenian Eyes,” the Mobile Eye Hospital has visited seven regions of
Armenia, screened close to 40,000 people and performed approximately 2,500
surgeries and laser procedures.
The Adopt-A-Village program invites donors to sponsor the screening and
treatment of residents of a specific region or village in Armenia. The
cost of adopting a village ranges from several hundred to several thousand
dollars, depending on the population. Donors can choose a village that has
special meaning to them, or-like Mariam Samoniantz and her class-they can
select a village in an area that will soon be visited by the MEH so that
they can help people with an immediate need.
“When I heard about AECP’s Adopt-A-Village Program, that’s all I needed. I
thought that this is something that my ninth grade homeroom can do,” says
Samoniantz. “The AECP is truly a wonderful organization. The doctors donate
their time to help people. The idea that so many people could be helped by
such a small amount was appealing.”
Samoniantz asked the seven boys and seven girls in her homeroom class: “How
would you like to give the gift of eyesight to a village? It would be truly
wonderful and unselfish of you.”
The 14-year-olds embraced the project, which began in October and ended in
mid-December. They decided to adopt Margahovit because the AECP’s Mobile
Eye Hospital will visit the village early in 2005.
Samoniantz, who has taught at Mesrobian Armenian School for 30 years,
thought the project would be especially meaningful if the class started a
Margahovit piggybank. Each day the students emptied their pocket change
into the bank. Soon, the students went right to the piggybank first,
emptied their pockets and purses, and then greeted their teacher. In 2½
months, the students raised $535 to adopt Margahovit.
“They were ecstatic. They were very pleased with themselves,” says
Samoniantz. “The class realizes that they’re giving the gift of sight to
their brothers and sisters in Armenia. It was done unselfishly and
willingly. I’m really proud of these kids.”
Samoniantz, who “definitely” plans to adopt another village with her
students next year, says that her ninth grade class hopes that their
efforts will motivate other schools and organizations to participate in the
Adopt-A-Village program.
Other AECP donors who have adopted a village include: Arch and Nelly
Azizian, San Leandro, Calif., Diane Der Bogozian, Virginia; Haig and
Gaylynne Der-Houssikian, Gainesville, Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Jirair
Hovnanian, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey; Dickie Hovsepian, San Francisco, Calif.,
Eileen Barsamian Jennings, St. Petersburg, Florida; Dr. and Mrs. Onnik
Keshishian, Los Angeles, Calif., Bizer Simonian, Worcester, Massachusetts;
and Mr. Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie Kulhajian, Piedmont, Calif.
To discuss a special adoption program and for a complete list of villages
available for adoption, contact the EyeCare Project on their toll free
number, 866-448-2327.
To learn more about the AECP, visit , or call
949-675-5767. To make a donation, call the AECP toll-free number,
1-866-GIV-AECP, donate online at or mail a check to
518 South Bayfront, Newport Beach, CA 92662.
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4 – The Netherlands Recognizes
The Armenian Genocide
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The Dutch Parliament unanimously adopted a motion
on Dec. 21 recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Federation
announced last week.
The Armenian community of The Netherlands has persistently requested the
Dutch Parliament and the government to recognize the 1915 Armenian Genocide
for several years. Specifically last year, in the run-up to and during the
Dutch presidency of EU, the 24 April Committee of the Armenian Federation
has doggedly campaigned to bring the Armenian question under the attention
of the Members of Parliament and the Dutch public.
The motion was introduced during the debate on the outcome of the European
Summit in connection with the start of accession negotiations with Turkey.
In that debate nearly all fractions asked the government about the absence
of the Armenian Genocide issue in the Presidency conclusions.
This in spite of commitment by among others France and the European
Parliament and also by Dutch Foreign Minister Bot himself, who ensured the
Dutch Parliament that the Armenian question has always been brought up at
the meetings with the Turkish colleagues.
In the motion introduced by Chairman of the Christian Union party Mr.
Rouvoet and adopted by the Parliament, the government is asked “to bring up
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide continuously and expressly in the
dialogue with Turkey”.
The motion was supported by all the other political parties in the
Parliament.
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5 – Knights of Vartan Fund
Offers Grants for 2005
DETROIT, MI – The Knights of Vartan Fund for Armenian Studies is offering
fellowship and support for scholarly research and publications in the field
of Armenian Studies for the 2005 year.
Deadline for completed applications is March 4, 2005.
The Fund also offers support for lectures, seminars, and conferences
initiated by individual scholars engaged in Armenian Studies as well as
institutions of higher learning that offer graduate programs in the field
of Armenian Studies.
The Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees, which acts on the
recommendations of the Award Advisory Committee, consisting of: Dr. Kevork
B. Bardakjian, chair; Dr. Gregory H. Adamian, Dr. Ina Baghdiantz-McNabe;
Dr. Barbara Merguerian; and Dr. James Russell. Grants usually range between
$2,000 and $5,000 and may be made for one or two years. A final report is
expected for each funded project within three months of its completion.
The Fund has offered numerous grants to many individuals and institutions
over the past several years and will be able to provide limited grants for
the year 2005.
For more information and/or an application packet, contact Dr. Kevork B.
Bardakjian, 2068 Frieze, Dept. of NES, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
MI 481-09-1285; tel.: 734/763-7655′ e-mail [email protected].
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6 – Sen. Boxer Names Adrienne
Bousian Deputy State Director
SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) last week announced that
she has selected Adrienne Bousian as her Deputy State Director. Bousian
recently rejoined Boxer’s Senate staff after taking a seven-month leave of
absence to serve as Northern California Political Director of the Senator’s
re-election campaign.
As Deputy State Director, Bousian will run Senator Boxer’s San Francisco
office and supervise her Northern California operations.
Bousian has worked for Boxer since April 2001, first as a Field
Representative and then as Northern California Director. Before joining
the Senator’s staff, she coordinated the California Access Project for
CARAL (now NARAL Pro-Choice California).
A 16-year resident of California, Bousian graduated from the University of
California, San Diego and earned a Master’s degree in Sociology from the
University of California, Santa Cruz.
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7 – CSUF Offers Honors Program
In Armenian Studies in 2005
By Hakop Tataryan
Editor, Hye Sharzhoom
FRESNO – Ambitious Fresno State students who are taking Armenian Studies
courses have something to look forward to in the Fall of 2005. An Honors
Program has been approved for students taking upper division classes in the
Armenian Studies Program. The Honors Program will also offer numerous
benefits to its participants.
All students who apply to the Armenian Studies Honors Program, must have
Junior standing (60 units) with at least a 3.5 GPA in Armenian Studies
courses, a cumulative GPA of 3.4, and must have completed at least four
Armenian Studies classes.
Along with the Armenian Studies classes, students must participate in the
Smittcamp Family Honors Colloquium (a weekly two-hour meeting for all
honors students) as long as they are in the Armenian Studies Honors
Program. The colloquium will cover an array of topics regarded as higher
learning – including: public policy, current affairs, and contemporary
society.
To encourage community involvement and offer a greater experience, the
Program requires its students to complete twenty hours of community service
each semester. Opportunities are available for Armenian Studies-oriented
service in the various programs available on campus: Hye Sharzhoom, “Hye
Oozh Radio,” and “All Things Armenian.”
In the last semester of the program students in the Honors Program will be
researching a topic of choice under the supervision of a faculty member.
The topic can be in various areas of study such as language, history,
architecture, or art. At the end of the semester, students would be ready
to present their research findings and be prepared to submit their thesis
to be published.
The rigor of the program is obvious, but the rewards are many. Those
students brave enough, as well as competent enough, to be admitted to the
Program will have full registration fees paid for up to two years. They
will receive honors medallions upon graduation, and Honors recognition on
their diploma. Perhaps the most important attribute of any Honors Program
is the preparation it provides for Masters and PhD programs. Inevitably, by
completing the Program, students will have ascertained exceptional
research, writing, and analytical skills, making them better candidates for
postgraduate aspirations.
“With an Honors Program in Armenian Studies, Fresno State students who seek
a minor in Armenian Studies and complete the honors program will be among a
very small elite group at Fresno State who benefit from the highest
academic standards the University is able to offer its undergraduates. The
Armenian Studies Honors Program will provide students with a degree that
will immediately reflect excellence in scholarship and learning, a valuable
asset for any career,” said Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Director of the Armenian
Studies Program at Fresno State.
This is such a great opportunity for students to develop new skills and get
prepared for postgraduate studies. As fees keeps increasing and with books
costing an arm and a leg, the monetary incentive the program offers could
not have come at a better time. Information on the Program will be
available during the Spring 2005 semester by calling 559-278-2669.
Only four students will be admitted each year.
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