Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 3 2014

Judiciary is like salt; it should not go bad

MARKAR ESAYAN
[email protected]

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) administration, which
came to power after the Nov. 3 general elections, has been motivated
to eliminate the state mindset that was monolithic and discriminative
against Kurds and other minorities, over the past 11 years.

The AK Party, by sometimes taking radical or symbolic steps, distanced
itself from the single-party regime and Kemalist Turkey. However, it
cannot be said that the impacts of Kemalist popular engineering were
totally addressed by the process of democratization that religious
circles initiated in 2002. Such an expectation would be naïve, anyway.
In a speech he delivered in November 2008, then-Defense Minister Vecdi
Gönül said: `Would there be the same nation state in Turkey if the
Greeks were dominant in the Aegean region and Armenians in different
parts of the country?’

This shows that this monolithic mindset was widely held in the state.
Besides, while the government was trying to address the issue of this
mindset, parties like the Republican People’s Party (CHP) subscribed
to it. It is not easy to disconnect with the past on an emotional
level. For this reason, instead of using criticisms as political
opposition tools, it is an ethical obligation to include ourselves in
the criticisms.

The AK Party movement, by going through a process of self-criticism
and by altering its National Outlook approach after the Feb. 28, 1997
postmodern coup, realized that it needed to distance itself from the
former state ideology via a paradigm change. The common sense of
victimization that was felt by different religious circles because of
single-party and Kemalist practices was particularly influential in
this transformation. It was observed that not just religious groups
but also minorities, Alevis and Kurds were victimized by state
policies and that the source of the real problem was the state itself.
This accelerated detachment from the pro-statist and status quo
mindset. Nationalism became less significant; citizenship based on the
principle of equality was assured in a modern and civilian
Constitution.

Breakdown in the secular approach

This also led to some sort of breakdown amongst the secularists in
their approach vis-à-vis the religious circles; as a result, at least
part of these groups paid attention to the victimization religious
circles experienced during the postmodern coup era. This is one of the
major reasons for the support of the first two terms of ruling AK
Party governments by liberals, the pro-freedom left and democrats. The
religious groups, secular liberals and democrat leftists, as well as
the democrats, acted together and agreed on the same roadmap. However,
this cooperation should have been based on a real facing of the truth
rather than conjectural or temporary alliances. During the Gezi
events, a serious situation of alienation took place over the issue of
headscarved women. Religious groups seemed readier to make a fresh
start with Atatürkist circles, whereas harshly secular segments were
still relying on an exclusionary and arrogant approach.

It seems that Turkey has entered a new phase in this process of
change. We are at the crossroads of abandoning an ancient tradition,
in terms of purifying ourselves from political engineering and
completing civilianization. It is essential to protect the political
establishment; this should be our common denominator. Politics is like
an oxygen tent where all civilian solutions could come to life. But we
all are responsible for the protection of this and of making sure that
it serves as an environment where all can breathe. Therefore, how the
turmoil associated with the recent corruption probe in Turkey would be
administered, how it should be responded to and how only political
solutions should be considered is extremely important.

As far as I can tell, nobody supports corruption. Corruption bothers
the people; nobody likes it. However, it is a constant issue in all
societies in the world because of human nature. Being party to this
crisis in such a way as to destroy the political balance obscures
healthy discussion and investigation into these allegations. This
raises serious concerns among the people and leads to suspicion that
this is actually a move to redesign the political stage under the
disguise of corruption. If corruption is really considered important,
those creating an alliance against the government should reconsider.

Corruption is a problem. However, causing serious damage to the
political system and the economy to resolve this problem is not
helpful. The government has a duty to deal with corruption. If the
people are not convinced on this matter, the government would pay the
price for it. However, the opposition is also responsible for not
abusing corruption charges for political leverage. Of course, the
opposition is entitled to using these allegations against the
government. However, if this is done in the form of an alliance or an
operation involving the judiciary, this implies that the sanctity of
politics is being violated. In this case, the government has a right
to protect itself. And if there is a political establishment within
the police and the judiciary, this refers to a de facto coup. At this
stage, the people would consider this manipulation a more serious
threat rather than the corruption charges.

Now Turkey is at this stage. There is general conviction that the
political order and the popular will, as reflected by the ballot box,
is being violated by non-political methods. It can be said that the
Hizmet movement was tested in this matter. In my previous column, I
said we are responsible for how we are being perceived as well. The
media branches of the Hizmet community give the impression that they
are speakers and protectors of the prosecutors. Criticizing the
government on political matters is different from giving the
impression that you are waging a war. The situation becomes even more
problematic in social media. It is a problem to treat every allegation
as if it is proven fact. That the economic losses associated with the
recent turmoil are greater than the corrupt money shows that the
situation is getting out of hand.

Corruption or any other administration issue may weaken the
government. However, a government should be removed only by elections.
The discourse suggesting that democracy is not all about elections is
flawed. The ballot box is the most important tool to uphold democracy.
Governments pay the price for their actions in the elections. Crimes
are committed by individuals. If the people believe that the
government is responsible for these individual crimes, then the
government pays for it during elections. At that stage, the judiciary
cannot serve as a medium of political change.

The government may protect itself by adopting a more serious approach
vis-à-vis the corruption allegations; the Hizmet movement may protect
itself by distancing itself from the judicial operation. Beyond this,
the ongoing situation is turning into a loss-loss game.

N. Hollywood Armenian Church to Give Christmas Gifts to Community Kids

Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

St. Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church in North Hollywood

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – In celebration of the New Year and Christmas,
the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood will be hosting its
very own `Toys for Tots’ event on Saturday, January 4, 2014, between
12 noon and 2pm. The event will take place at St. Paul Assyrian
Chaldean Catholic Church, located at 13050 Vanowen Street, where the
Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood holds its regular
services under the pastorship of Very Rev. Father Muron Aznikian, who
will be present to give his blessings.

This non-denominational event is open to the entire community. All
children in attendance who are between the ages of three and twelve
years old, irrespective of their racial, ethnic, religious, or
cultural background will receive a Free Christmas Gift. The big jolly
man in the red suit, Santa Claus himself, will also be in attendance
to add to the festivities.

`The Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood decided to host this
event to once again emphasize its commitment to the well-being and
happiness of all the residents of our community and neighborhood.
Though we are an Armenian organization, our mission is to serve and
assist our entire community, Armenian and non-Armenian alike,
especially the disadvantaged and those in need, not just during the
holidays but during the entire year’, stated Seta Tarpinian,
chairwoman of the church’s Board of Trustees.

Levon Baronian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee of
America’s East San Fernando Valley Chapter added `we salute the
Armenian Church of North Hollywood for its generosity and commitment
to the spirit of giving and encourage all our friends who hold public
offices to get the word out to their constituents about this unique
occasion.’

For more information about the event, please contact Seta Tarpinian by
telephone at (818) 481-4378 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Turquie
Sevan Nisanyan est en prison

Le journaliste arménien d’Istanbul, écrivain et linguiste Sevan
Nisanyan, condamné à deux ans de prison par la Cour suprême turque
après avoir été inculpé pour avoir construit illégalement un petit
logement sur sa propriété dans le village d’ Iliastepe.` a été
incarcéré le 2 janvier.

Dans une interview, Nisanyan avait déclaré qu’il n’était pas surpris
par la décision. « Et, pour vous dire la vérité, je ne suis pas
triste, parce que je m’attendais à un verdict plus sévère », avait-il
dit. Ajoutant `Je ne re regrette rien et j’en suis fier`.

Avec Sevan Nisanyan, la plus grande prison du monde pour les
journalistes `reçoit` son 73 ème `hôte` de marque. Que sera 2014 en
Turquie ?

vendredi 3 janvier 2014,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

Problematic to attract Japanese companies for long-term investments in
Armenia – Ambassador

January 02, 2014 | 17:12

YEREVAN. – There is huge potential for development of cooperation
between Armenia and Japan, Armenia’s Ambassador in Tokyo told Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Hrant Poghosyan says investments are a problem, since it is difficult
to attract Japanese companies to make long-term investments in
Armenia.

`It has an explanation, and we are working to solve the problems. In
general, reluctance of working in the Armenian market is explained by
the limited scale of the market and often a lack of awareness about
its peculiarities and opportunities,’ he said.

Ambassador Pogosyan they are trying to show what Armenia really is, to
explain that the republic is developing high-tech sector- the most
promising field for cooperation.

On the other hand, the Ambassador added that the Japanese have their
research and their interests.

`Three out of five pharmaceutical companies which I recently visited
promised to give serious attention to the study of our market. One
company opened here the distribution of medicine, but not production.
Examining the market, they often come to a conclusion that investments
in production is unprofitable as compared with the countries of
Southeast Asia. We, in turn, are trying to explain that Armenia is not
only opening its market, but is a way of entering the markets of CIS,
Iran and the Middle East,’ Ambassador noted.

The diplomat admitted that the process has been slow so far and it is
affected by the absence of the embassy.

`I really hope that everything will go faster with the opening of
Japanese Embassy in Yerevan. I think very soon the Japanese side will
keep the promise, and it will happen,’ he concluded.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Tuquie
Les Arméniens musulmans

13 novembre 2013

Cengiz Aktar, ToDays’Zaman

` Pour ce qui nous concerne, 2015 n’est pas différent d’aujourd’hui ;
aujourd’hui et 2015, c’est la même chose. Il n’y a aucune raison de se
faire du souci.

Les allégations qui pourraient nous être présentées alors nous sont
présentées aujourd’hui aussi. S’ils [les Arméniens] avaient quoi que
ce soit entre leurs mains, preuves du massacre, ils nous les auraient
déjà présentées. S’ils ont une preuve quelconque, qu’ils nous
l’apportent. Il n’y a aucun document montrant qu’il y a eu génocide.
S’il y en avait une, ils n’auraient pas attendu 100 ans avant de la
montrer. Nous sommes sûrs de nous-mêmes, confiants sur notre passé.
Nous avons sauvé les Juifs d’Espagne ; nous avons ouvert l’Anatolie à
tout le monde. Il n’y a rien dans notre histoire qui puisse nous
embarrasser.

` Lorsque 2015 sera là, les gens ne devraient pas penser à la question
arménienne, mais plutôt à la Bataille de Canakkale. La question
arménienne est en fait contenue dans la Bataille de Canakkale. Si la
Bataille de Cannakkale n’avait pas eu lieu, si l’Angleterre et la
France ne s’étaient pas présentées à Canakkale, il n’y aurait pas de
question arménienne. La France et l’Angleterre étaient venues de
milliers de kilomètres d’ici, essayant d’envahir l’Anatolie. Ils ont
assiégé Canakkale, attirant les Russes et les Arméniens de leur côté.
Après tout cela, ils demandent, ‘ Pourquoi les avez-vous déportés [les
Arméniens] ? ‘. Si les Arméniens veulent vraiment des réponses,
demandons leur de poser la question à la France et à la Russie.
Pourquoi nous le demandent-ils à nous ? `.

Les citations sont tirées des déclarations du président de la Société
Turque d’Histoire au quotidien Bugun. A l’approche de 2015, le
permafrost de la mentalité et du langage de l’état en est à ce point.
Ce qui est nouveau, cependant, c’est ce zèle à lier le massacre des
Arméniens au récit de Canakkale, une tendance qui prend de l’ampleur
ces derniers temps. Face à une telle obstination, la société civile
travaille sans relche à la recherche de la vérité. ` Les soupirs des
survivants de l’épée sont audibles encore aujourd’hui. Mais
qu’`expriment ces soupirs ? La douleur ? La nostalgie ? Les pertes ?
La séparation d’avec ceux qu’ils aimaient ? Ou pour une culture perdue
? Peut-être pour cette langue que personne ne parle plus aujourd’hui ?
Ou pour la religion qu’ils avaient été forcés de renier ? Peut-être
même ne pouvaient-ils plus soupirer pour quoi que ce soit. Personne ne
les appellerait plus jamais par leur vrai nom… Ils étaient éliminés,
morts tout en étant vivants. Et à présent, ces soupirs se transforment
en une forte lamentation `.

Tels sont les mots que Rakel Dink – la veuve de Hrant Dink abattu –
disait il y a quelques jours ce mois-ci, à l’Université Bogazici, à
l’ouverture de la conférence organisée par la fondation Hrant Dink
consacrée aux Arméniens islamisés.

Ils ont été des milliers à se convertir à l’Islam, pendant les
massacres, pour sauver leur vie ; la plupart des enfants de sexe
féminin dont les vies étaient épargnées au cours des massacres ont été
islamisés. En conséquence, aujourd’hui, ils sont probablement des
millions à travers la Turquie à avoir pour ancêtres des Arméniens. Le
secret connu de tous à travers l’Anatolie est finalement discuté aussi
ouvertement que n’importe quel autre tabou.

L’annihilation n’est pas un processus qui s’est déroulé en une seule
fois. ` Les Ingénieurs de la nation et de la population `, au début du
20ème siècle, percevaient les éléments chrétiens d’Anatolie comme une
menace contre la nation nouvelle et ils les ont soumis à l’exil forcé,
au massacre et à l’assimilation. Ils pensaient ainsi pouvoir `
résoudre ` le problème. A l’évidence, les Arméniens et les autres
éléments chrétiens ont été éliminés. Leurs cultures locales ont été
détruites, probablement pour toujours. Il en a résulté une nation
turque monotone et homogène.

Mais à la fin, la mémoire des violences, l’histoire des Chrétiens
anatoliens et les racines de ceux qui ont été assimilés n’ont pas
disparu. Aujourd’hui, dans son ensemble, la mémoire revient. Cela vaut
pour toutes les autres communautés exclues par la nation nouvelle.

L’expression ` Arméniens musulmans ` défie l’identification, dans les
discours nationalistes, des Musulmans aux Turcs et Kurdes et celle des
Arméniens aux Chrétiens pour l’essentiel. Elle transforme aussi le
soupir en un son réel. Dans ce sens, elle imprime un nouvel élan à la
condition d’ arménité ` gelée `.

` À propos de 1915, nous ne devrions pas parler simplement de ceux qui
ont péri, mais aussi de ceux qui ont survécu `, disait Hrant Dink.
Finalement, nous y sommes.

Traduction Gilbert Béguian pour Armenews

mercredi 1er janvier 2014,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

DIPLOMATIE
La Suisse prend la présidence de l’OSCE pour un an

VIENNE, 01 jan 2014 (AFP) – La Suisse a pris mercredi pour un an la
présidence tournante de l’Organisation pour la sécurité et la
coopération en Europe (OSCE), prenant la relève de l’Ukraine à la tête
de l’institution dont le siège est à Vienne. La Suisse vise `des
progrès sur les conflits enlisés, la lutte contre les menaces
transationales, la promotion de la sécurité et de la stabilité, et la
mise sur pied d’un plan pour les jeunes`, a déclaré dans un communiqué
le ministre helvétique des Affaires étrangères Didier Burkhalter,
désigné président de l’OSCE pour 2014.

L’OSCE, un organisme hérité de la Guerre froide comptant 57 membres,
dont les Etats-Unis, bénéficie d’une `position unique pour relier les
aires euroatlantique et eurasienne`, a encore affirmé M. Burkhalter.
Berne, a répété le ministre, entend associer étroitement sa présidence
avec celle de la Serbie, qui la suivra en 2015. Un choix conséquent
avec l’une des priorités géographiques de la présidence suisse, qui
est de parfaire la paix dans les Balkans, notamment entre la Serbie et
le Kosovo.

L’OSCE espère aussi, en 2014, faire progresser enfin les négociations
dans le conflit ancien entre l’Arménie et l’Azerbaïdjan autour de la
région disputée du Nagorny Karabakh. Les deux pays s’opposent depuis
des décennies au sujet de cette région séparatiste d’Azerbaïdjan
peuplée majoritairement d’Arméniens. Une guerre avait fait 30.000
morts entre 1988 et 1994. Sous l’égide du `groupe de Minsk` de l’OSCE
(Russie, Etats-Unis et France), les présidents arménien et
azerbaïdjanais se sont rencontrés à Vienne en novembre 2013, une
première entre les deux dirigeants depuis janvier 2012.

L’OSCE a été instituée en 1973 sous le nom de Conférence pour la
Sécurité et la Coopération en Europe (CSCE), deux ans avant les
Accords d’Helsinki en 1975, qui avaient ouvert la voie à une phase de
plusieurs années de `détente` entre l’Est et l’Ouest.

mercredi 1er janvier 2014,
Ara ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Vazgen Safaryan affirme que le gouvernement devrait travailler à
augmenter la part de la production industrielle dans le PIB

Vazgen Safaryan, le chef de l’Union des fabricants nationaux de
produits de base, a exhorté le gouvernement à prendre des mesures pour
augmenter la part de la production industrielle dans le produit
intérieur brut (PIB) de 20 pour cent à 35 pour cent.

Vazgen Safaryan a rappelé qu’à l’époque soviétique cette part
s’établissait à 61 pour cent ce qui a « permis d’avoir un système
économique puissant et stable ».

S’exprimant lors d’une conférence de presse il a indiqué que la
croissance de la production industrielle pourrait maintenant être
assurée par une politique d’investissement active du gouvernement.

Il a déclaré que le projet de budget 2014 prévoit 6,1 milliards de
drams pour le développement et la construction industrielle, y compris
60 millions de drams de subventions pour les entreprises orientées
vers l’exportation.

La production industrielle de l’Arménie au cours des huit premiers
mois de cette année a augmenté de 6,2 pour cent en glissement annuel
pour atteindre 764,1 milliards de drams.

jeudi 2 janvier 2014,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Defense News
Dec 31 2013

China To Give Military Aid to Armenia

Dec. 31, 2013 – 01:28PM |
By JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI

WARSAW – China agreed to provide Armenia with 5 million yuan (US
$830,000) in military aid per year, the Armenian Ministry of Defense
said in a statement.

A cooperation agreement was signed by Armenian Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanyan and Chinese Minister of National Defense Gen. Chang Wanquan
Dec. 26 during the former’s official visit to Beijing. The discussed
topics included military cooperation in training and technical
assistance, the statement said.

Ohanyan said relations with China are a priority for Armenia’s foreign
policy, and Yerevan aims to enhance military cooperation with Beijing
in various fields, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

During his visit, Ohanyan met with senior Chinese military officials,
including Deputy Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Gen.
Xu Qiliang. In addition, the Armenian minister visited a number of
military units of the People’s Liberation Army and headquarters of
Chinese defense companies, according to Armenia’s MoD.

The latest agreement is part of China’s wider efforts to boost ties
with Armenia. In 2012, Beijing agreed to provide Yerevan with 70
million yuan in grants under an economic and technical partnership
agreement.

Global Data Point
December 30, 2013 Monday

Etihad Airways to launch services to Yerevan

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates,
today announced the launch of a four times per week service from Abu
Dhabi to Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, from 2July
2014.

The UAE flag carrier will operate a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft
with 16 Pearl Business Class and 120 Coral Economy Class seats,
offering a total of 1,088 seats per week.
Yerevan is the largest city of Armenia and one of the world’s oldest
continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, it
serves as an administrative, cultural and industrial centre of the
country with an estimated population of 1.1 million people.
The new flights will cater for the significant and growing demand for
air travel between the UAE and Armenia. They will also provide better
access to and from Armenia for millions of Armenian nationals living
around the world, particularly in the US, which ishome to a vast
Armenian diaspora.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer,
said: “The launch of Etihad Airways’ flights to Yerevan is consistent
with our strategy of targeting areas of strong growth in emerging
markets.
“Etihad Airways will be the only full-service commercial airline from
the Gulf region to serve Yerevan. Business and leisure travellers out
of Armenia will have great opportunities to seamlessly connect over
our Abu Dhabi hub to the entire Gulf network and key North American
destinations.
“The new Yerevan service will contribute to the development of tourism
in Armenia and strengthen the already strong trade and tourism ties
between the UAE and Armenia.’
Armenia, which is around three hours flight time from Abu Dhabi, is an
ideal destination for tourists seeking great culture and history
alongside beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.© 2013 Global Data
Point.

American University of Armenia: A Groundbreaking Year in Review

Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

The AUA’s Avedisian building

For the American University of Armenia, 2013 has been an historic year.

When the university was originally founded in 1991, its leaders were
intellectual and geopolitical pioneers, bringing an American education
to the former Soviet Union, where no American-accredited university
had ever gone.

The American University of Armenia was founded through a unique
partnership with the University of California, the U.S. Agency for
International Development, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and
the Armenian government, and accredited through the prestigious
Western Association of Schools and Colleges.*

Since that time, the American University of Armenia has built and
consistently strengthened academic and cultural bridges between the
United States, Armenia and the broader region, fostering a passion for
intellectual freedom and inquiry, and educating graduate students from
across the world.

Now, the American University of Armenia has broken new ground once again.

AUA students at a lecture hall

Expanding the Scope of a Global Education
This fall, the American University of Armenia has matriculated its
first ever undergraduate class, marking another monumental step
forward for the university and the intellectual discourse between the
United States, Armenia and the culturally diverse region that
surrounds it.

This new undergraduate program will drastically expand the American
University of Armenia’s educational scope, allowing the university to
reach an even broader group of ambitious scholars.

University leaders say that the new program will help them instill a
new generation of young people with practical lifelong learning skills
and the knowledge necessary to think critically and creatively about
the challenges of tomorrow’s changing world.

`There are more students in our halls and classrooms than ever
before,’ said Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian, president of the American
University of Armenia. `This will help us better fulfill our mission,
which is to address the needs of Armenia and the surrounding region
for sustainable development. We want to create an educational setting
that values and develops academic excellence, free inquiry, integrity,
scholarship, leadership and service to society.’

The program will also enhance the university’s efforts to connect
young minds from all over the world, and empower them to become the
next generation of leaders in Armenia.

Boghosian says that, after so much hard work by so many university
stakeholders to establish the undergraduate program, watching the
program come to fruition has been hugely rewarding.

`Seeing these young undergraduate students exploring the campus and
attending classes for the first time has been a profoundly moving
experience for all of us,’ Boghosian said. `We always strive to
enhance intellectual and cultural bonds between students and faculty
from across the world. We are proud to see that happening on our
campus every day, and we know that our new undergraduate program will
help us make our educational experience even stronger.’

AUA students in a classroom

Bringing Change to Communities Across the Region
The matriculation of its first undergraduate class isn’t the only
progress the university has made this year. The American University of
Armenia has continued to engage actively in philanthropic efforts that
provide underserved students access to educational resources; empower
entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs; help to protect
endangered regional wildlife habitats; and contribute to many other
critical efforts across the region.

The Turpanjian Rural Development Program hosted by the university, for
example, encourages economic development in rural areas of Armenia by
providing entrepreneurs education, access to funding and support to
start businesses and create jobs. So far, the program has helped 250
entrepreneurs actively operate businesses and contributed to the
creation of more than 500 jobs.

Another of the university’s programs provides tuition-free college
preparation and career development courses for Syrian-Armenians whose
access to educational resources has been substantially hindered by the
ongoing crisis in Syria.

In addition, the American University of Armenia’s Acopian Center for
the Environment fosters a strong commitment to environmental
protection in Armenia by working to strengthen crucial wildlife
habitats, educating students about biodiversity and collaborating on
conservation initiatives with environmental groups across the region.

A Tradition of Excellence in Graduate Education
The university also continues to provide the top-notch graduate
programs that have made it a unique institution in Armenia for the
last 20 years. Specifically, the university offers programs across a
wide array of academic fields, including in Business and Economics,
Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, Public Health
and the Environment.

But most importantly, whether in the context of its new undergraduate
program, its elite graduate courses or its critical philanthropic
work, the American University of Armenia continues to provide a
nurturing environment for a global community of students to learn and
grow.

`Every day when you go out, you’re just surrounded by these youthful
people, part of the change in this country,’ said Lilit Markosian, an
undergraduate student from California. `I just feel really lucky I get
to witness that.’

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent
university located in Yerevan, Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is
affiliated with the University of California. Through teaching,
research, and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the region by
supplying high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education,
encouraging civic engagement, and promoting democratic values.

*The American University of Armenia is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100,
Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001.