Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenian Studies Program
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator
5245 N. Backer Ave. PB4
Fresno CA 93740-8001

ASP Office: 559-278-2669
Office: 559-278-2669
FAX: 559-278-2129

Visit the ASP Website:

The Armenian Studies Program and CineCulture Film Course
to Screen `Grandma’s Tattoos’ by Suzanne Khardalian on October 24

Film director Suzanne Khardalian (Sweden) will be the discussant at a
screening of her film, `Grandma’s Tattoos,’ as part of the CineCulture
Film Series at Fresno, at 5:30PM, on Friday, October 24, 2014. The
film will be shown in the Leon S. and Pete Peters Educational Center
Auditorium, located on the West End of the Save Mart Center (entry at
Shaw and Woodrow Aves.). The screening is co-sponsored by the Armenian
Studies Program at Fresno State.

Director Khardalian makes a journey into her own family’s history to
investigate the terrible truth behind her grandmother’s odd tattoos
and, in the process, unveils the story of the Armenian women driven
out of Ottoman Turkey during the First World War.

During the First World War, millions of Armenians were forced out of
their homes in the then Ottoman Empire, into the deserts of Syria and
Iraq. More than a million people died in what Armenians describe as a
Genocide, although Turkey rejects this accusation.

Everybody in the family seemed to know the story, but no one ever
spoke about it.

Suzanne Khardalian is an independent documentary filmmaker and
writer. She has studied both in Beirut and Paris. She has directed
several films, among others: `Back to Ararat’ (1988), `Guldbagge’
(Swedish Oscar equivalent) for Best Film and a Red Ribbon at the
American Film and Video Festival. Other films include `Unsafe Ground’
(1993), the most frequently shown documentary in Sweden, `Her Armenian
Prince’ (1997), `From Opium to Chrysanthemums’ (2000), and `Words and
Stones – Gaza’ (2000).

The film screening is free and open to the public. Free public parking
is available in all Parking Lots near the Peters Educational Center
Auditorium.

For more information about the lecture please contact the Armenian
Studies Program at 278-2669, or visit our website at

TERROR THREAT AGAINST FEMINIST ANITA SARKEESIAN AT USU

The Standard, Utah
Oct 14 2014

by Cimaron Neugebauer, Multimedia Reporter

LOGAN — Utah State University plans to move forward with an event
featuring a prominent Canadian-American author, blogger and feminist,
despite threats of terror, a spokesman said Tuesday evening.

The decision came after several staff members received an anonymous
email terror threat on Tuesday morning from someone claiming to be a
student proposing “the deadliest school shooting in American history”
if it didn’t cancel the Wednesday lecture.

The email author wrote that “feminists have ruined my life and I
will have my revenge, for my sake and the sake of all the others
they’ve wronged.”

USU officials have consulted with federal, local and state law
enforcement and determined it’s safe to allow Anita Sarkeesian to
give her presentation, said spokesman Tim Vitale.

In order to determine the degree of risk the letter posed, police ran
the information they had through the FBI cyber terrorism task force
and a number of other statewide database analysis information centers.

“They determined the threat seems to be consistent with ones
(Sarkeesian) has received at other places around the nation,” he told
the Standard-Examiner. “The threat we received is not out of the norm
for (this woman).”

Despite getting the OK from federal and state agencies to hold the
event, that doesn’t mean they won’t be taking extra safety measures.

“We are taking every precaution, including having extra security
at the event, and are not allowing large bags or backpacks inside,”
Vitale said, adding it will continue to assess the situation up to and
after the lecture. Although the letter purports to be from a student,
authorities don’t believe it came from a university student.

The email was sent to Ann Austin, director of the Center for Women and
Gender Studies, along with several others, according to a spokesman
for the center.

Sarkeesian is the author of the video blog “Feminist Frequency” and
the video series Tropes vs.Women in Video Games, which analyzes how
women are depicted in pop culture. Sarkeesian will be speaking at
11:30 a.m. in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium.

The email was a warning to all staff and students at USU if
Sarkeesian’s talk wasn’t canceled “a Montreal Massacre style attack
will be carried out” against those in attendance, students, staff
and the women’s center.

“I have at my disposal a semi-automatic rifle, multiple pistols,
and a collection of pipe bombs,” the email continues. The threat is
“giving (USU) a chance to stop it.”

The threats increase throughout the letter, saying at one point that
even if security is increased it won’t save anyone and feminists on
campus won’t be able to defend themselves.

“One way or another, I’m going to make sure they die,” it said.

Sarkeesian poses “everything wrong with the feminist woman” and that
is why she is being targeted, the email states. “She is going to die
screaming like the craven little whore that she is if you let her
come to USU.”

The writer ended the email saying they would never be found, but
everyone will soon know their name.

“I will write my manifesto in her spilled blood, and you will all
bear witness to what feminist lies and poison have done to the men
of America.”

The FBI is currently investigating death threats made against the
woman in March at Game Developers Choice Awards in San Francisco. An
anonymous email was sent in March to 25 award ceremony organizers
that stated. “A bomb will be detonated at the Game Developers Choice
award ceremony tonight unless Anita Sarkeesian’s Ambassador Award is
revoked. We estimate the bomb will kill at least a dozen people and
injure dozens more. It would be in your best interest to accept our
simple request. This is not a joke. You have been warned.”

Threats and others like this have been reported to be part of a
recent trend in the ongoing video game culture known as Gamergate,
which began in August.

See email at

Update:

MAYOR G0OKCEK’S REMARKS ON ARMENIANS, PKK DRAW CONTROVERSY

Cihan News Agency, Turkey
Oct 15 2014

ISTANBUL – 15.10.2014 17:55:51

Ankara Mayor Melih Gökcek made provocative remarks concerning Kurds,
Armenians and atheists on his Twitter page on Tuesday.

The mayor shared three consecutive tweets on Kurds, religion and
Armenians. He first shared a video from the Cihan news agency
containing old footage of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members
entertaining other PKK members with a comedy skit poking fun at
salat, or Islamic ritualistic prayer. Alongside the video, the mayor
commented: “It’s these types of PKK [members] that don’t want a
peace process or an end to war. They are the enemies of Islam. Here
is proof.”

He continued in another tweet, “Peace to the Kurds in the east who
are putting their lives on the line for the nation and solidarity
and for Islam.” In his next tweet, Gökcek continued, “But there are
those posing as Kurds but are actually Armenian atheists… (By the
way, I absolve our Armenian brothers and sisters that are citizens
of their nation.)” The mayor later deleted two of the controversial
tweets (keeping the one with the video), though Twitter users were
quick to respond with comments.

What the mayor is referring to are “hidden” Armenians who pretended
to be Muslim Kurds in the Dersim mountains to avoid persecution during
the massacres of Armenians in 1915.

User @ubbozkurt called him an “idiot” and not someone to be taken
seriously, while journalist Benjamin Harvey reminded this user
that Gökcek is also the mayor of Ankara, with 2 million followers,
criticizing the fact that a man in such a position of power can make
senseless remarks.

Hayko Bagdat, an Armenian columnist for the Taraf daily, tweeted
to the mayor, “Which category do I fall under, boss?” Today’s Zaman
spoke over the phone with Bagdat, asking him his views on the matter,
and he explained: “This is plain racism. It’s prejudice on many
levels. It’s not just against one demographic of people but against
several: Armenians, Kurds, atheists. It is hate speech, and if this
[Turkey] were a civil country then he [Gökcek] would be removed from
his position for these remarks. But these types of remarks have become
commonplace with [Justice and Development Party] AK Party politicians,
we see it in the president.”

In August, a similar incident involving racist comments came from
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During a television broadcast on Star
TV and NTV, President Erdogan said: “Let all Turks in Turkey say they
are Turks and all Kurds say they are Kurds. What is wrong with that?

You wouldn’t believe the things they have said about me. They have said
I am Georgian … they have said even uglier things — they have called
me Armenian, but I am Turkish.” Criticisms were raised about Erdogan’s
assertion that being Armenian is “uglier” than being Georgian.

The mayor’s Twitter account continuously draws public attention,
as Gökcek is known to tweet on many topics regardless of their
relevance to his political responsibilities.

Zeynep KarataÃ…~_ (Cihan/Today’s Zaman)

ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP IN EEU WILL FURTHER UNDERMINE REGIONAL SECURITY

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Oct 15 2014

by Amanda Paul

Despite many Armenians hoping that it would not happen, it came as no
real surprise that Armenia’s president, Serzh Sarksyan, signed the
agreement to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) last Friday at
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit in Minsk. Hence
as of Jan. 1, 2015, three will become four as Armenia joins Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan.

As I have written before, like many analysts, I do not consider this
membership to be beneficial to Armenia for at least five reasons:
First, membership in the EEU will further erode Armenia’s independence
and sovereignty. Second, it will further consolidate Russia’s hold
over the Armenian economy and the oligarchic networks that control it.

Third, unlike the agreements offered by the EU, which were abandoned
in September 2013, it will not act as a roadmap for reform and
modernization. This means that the current corrupt and monopolized
system will continue. Fourth, it limits the sort of economic
relationship that Armenia can have with the EU, meaning that
diversification will be even more difficult than it was previously.

And finally, it will further undermine Armenia’s security and increase
regional tensions not least because it still remains unclear how this
is going to affect the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. There
is concern that the agreement will have very negative consequences
for Karabakh’s economy as it depends on Armenia, which is its only
export market.

This has been a very sensitive issue for other members of the EEU,
Kazakhstan and Belarus. Nagorno-Karabakh is an internationally
recognized part of Azerbaijan, and Minsk and Astana want to avoid any
negative ramifications on their relations with Azerbaijan, underlining
that membership in the EEU must be within UN-recognized borders. While
there has been some discussion over a border post between Karabakh and
Armenia, nothing is confirmed. Furthermore, one could hardly say this
would represent watertight control. Hence, there remains a very high
risk of goods from Karabakh being relabeled and exported. There can be
no doubt this situation seems set to increase tensions with Azerbaijan.

Armenians are also right to be concerned about the further erosion
of their sovereignty. However, while Sarksyan may have been the one
to sign on the dotted line this time, he is certainly not alone in
taking decisions that erode Armenia’s independence. In fact, one way
or another, all of Armenia’s presidents have made decisions that have
allowed Moscow to nibble away at the country’s sovereignty. It was
Armenia’s first president, Ter Petrossian, who cut the deal with Moscow
to allow the Russian military a base in Armenia and Russian troops on
the Turkey-Armenian border to “protect” the country from Turkey. He
was followed by Robert Kocharyan, who sold off key infrastructure to
Russia related to energy, transport and communications networks. And
then came Sarksyan, who has not only brought Armenia into the EEU, but
also extended the Russian military base lease at Gyumri for a further
50 years as well as allowing Russia to share its Erebuni airport.

Armenians believe that Russia will take care of their security and
that Russia is essential to them in their conflict with Azerbaijan
over Nagorno-Karabakh. During the Minsk meeting, Putin announced
that a military exercise at Gyumri a few days later with some 3,000
soldiers and numerous pieces of military hardware including Mig
fighter jets and tanks. Russia claims that its military bases shore
up peace and security in the region. To me it seems the opposite is
true as these military bases are used by Russia to project power and
create instability, further undermining the already-fragile security
situation in the South Caucasus

Furthermore, despite the fact that Russia claims to be Armenia’s
security guarantor and close ally, at the same time Moscow continues
to sell arms and sign military deals with Azerbaijan. Russian Defense
Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu paid a visit to Baku on Oct. 13, and it
is reported that a Cooperation Plan for 2015 was signed between the
ministries of defense of the two countries. Nagorno-Karabakh is used
by Russia to divide and rule, to play Armenia and Azerbaijan off
each other and, along with South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia,
guarantee Russia’s ongoing stake in the region. Armenia’s membership
in the EEU serves to consolidate this stake.

PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian, Public Relation Director
Kantari – Beirut
Email: [email protected]

Haigazian University Celebrates Founders’ Day and Launches its 60th
Anniversary
Special Honorees: Late journalist Ghassan Tueni and late
photojournalist Harry Koundakjian

On October 13, 2014, under the high patronage of the Minister of
Information, Ramzi Joreige, Haigazian University celebrated its
Founders’ Day, in the presence of a host of political, diplomatic,
social and academic figures, faculty and staff, representatives of
sister institutions and foundations, and a large crowd of
students. Among the dignitaries were, Armenian Ambassador Ashot
Kocharian and Consul Ashot Vartanian, Members of Parliament Jean
Oghasabian, Hagop Pakradouni, Sepouh Kalpakian, Serge Toursarkissian,
and Shant Chinchinian, and Mayor Antranig Messerlian.
This commemorative celebration, which also marked the official launch
of the University’s 60th Anniversary, honored the late journalist,
MP. Ghassan Tueni, and the late Photojournalist Harry Koundakjian.
A processional march inaugurated the auspicious ceremony, followed by
the Lebanese National Anthem, and a prayer of invocation offered by
the new campus minister, Rev. Wilbert Van Saane.
In his inspiring speech, President Haidostian placed particular
emphasis on Haigazian University’s value system, especially the value
of merit, explaining the difficult beginnings of the founders. `The
founders and donors had not inherited much from their parents but had
turned tragedy into creative life=85 We are founded on values that
focus on hard work, overcoming obstacles, openness towards others, and
valuing all forms of life, knowing well that it is in the depth of the
God-given soul that human and social diamonds are shaped,’ Haidostian
noted.
Quoting the University’s motto, `Truth, Freedom and Service’,
Haidostian went further to list the virtues of the two honorees by
saying, `Ghassan Tueini’s and Harry Koundakjian’s proven talent,
dedication, selflessness, and hard work, combined with a passion for
sharing the truth with others, are the recipe for greatness and
lasting merit in this world. The pen was for Tueini what the lens was
for Koundakjian. And the simple truth was exposed to the global
audience.’
Engaging students, the leaders of the future, to get inspired by
personalities such as Tueni and Koundakjian, Haidostian concluded his
words saying,
`indeed, Lebanon and the world will continue to need sharp yet
tolerant minds, strong, yet enlightening words of Tueni. Lebanon and
the world will need shocking yet truthful images of reality out there,
as photojournalist like Koundakjian did.’
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Joreige proudly acknowledged the
positive role Haigazian University plays in service of the Lebanese
youth, maintaining its high standard and excellent reputation amidst a
mass of universities in the country. `The future of Lebanon is ensured
only through the preservation of its strong academic system, in
promoting universal values of openness, dialogue and coexistence,’
Joreige noted.
In his congratulatory note on the honorees, Joreige, who was
a close friend of Ghassan Tueni, considered this latter an exceptional
personality, a giant in politics, diplomacy, reform, academia and
journalism. On
Koundakjian, Minister Joreige listed the various world events covered
by the photojournalist, highlighting the Haigazian Rocket Society
experiments, which constitute a rich national heritage to Lebanon.
The ceremony featured two visual presentations; `The Image of 60
years’ paid tribute to the visionary founders, and traced the early
beginnings of the University till its most recent achievements,
underlining campus development, and student life. The rich and
professional life experience of both honorees, were also revealed to
the audience through a slide of photos which summarized their work
course.
Awards of appreciation were granted on this occasion; first to the
Minister, acknowledging the continuous cooperation of the Ministry of
Information with Haigazian University, and in honor of Ghassan Tueni
and Harry Koundakjian, received respectively by his widow Chadia
Tueni, and the Head of the Union of the Lebanese Photojournalists,
Karim El Hage.
On this special event, HU student clubs were honored, and certificates
of recognition to club representatives were announce by Student Life
Director Razmig Kaprielian, and handed by Vice-Chair of the Board of
Trustees, Mr. John Sagherian, and Dean Asrawi and Dean Ekmekji
respectively. Pianist and alumna, Annie Balabanian, brought her
contribution with a musical interlude,
graciously playing a piece from Sergei Rachmaninov.
To conclude, everyone rose to sing the Alma Mater, led by vocalist,
student Nejteh Bodrumian, accompanied on the piano by student John
Hatem.
The event was capped with a reception in the Mugar Hall.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

His Holiness Aram I receives the Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon

Antelias – 10 October 2014. On Friday morning, Dr. Catherina Boura met
with His Holiness Aram I. She brought greetings from the Prime Minister
and thanked the Catholicos for his recent pastoral visit to Greece,
informing him of its positive impact on the Church and the people.

The Catholicos thanked the Ambassador for the warm welcome he had
received, shared his impressions on the visit and stressed the
importance of strengthening the historical ties between Armenians and
Greeks. When discussing the Middle East they both deplored Turkey’s
current negative politics.

“Middle Eastern Religious Leaders Bear

the Historical Responsibility to Promote a Culture of Living Together”

Catholicos Aram I

Antelias Р11 October 2014. On Saturday, Bishop Shah̩ Panossian, the
Prelate of Lebanon, represented His Holiness Aram I at a conference
organized by Adyan, the Lebanese foundation for Interreligious Studies
and Spiritual Solidarity, at the Notre Dame Du Puits-Bqennaya. After
thanking the organizers for their timely initiative, he read the message
of the Catholicos Aram I.

The Catholicos stated that the religions of the Middle East find
themselves at a critical juncture in the region and have the ability at
this moment to either enrich or destroy communities. He said that they
must take their God-given responsibility and use their influence in
their respective communities to face the present grave situation face on
by acting together to promote a culture of `living together.’

Deacon Hagop Kardanakian, Dr. Jean Salmanian and Ms. Nayiri Topalian
represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia at a training seminar, which
preceded the conference, on citizenship and living together.

# #

RUSSIA COOPERATING WITH OTHERS IN ITS INTERESTS – ARMENIAN MP

15:20 * 16.10.14

Koryun Nahapetyan, Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and
Internal Affairs, Parliament of Armenia, commented on the proposal
for military cooperation Armenia’s strategic ally Russia made to
Azerbaijan.

In response to Tert.am’s question he said that Russia’s proposal is
not viewed as a threat to Armenia.

“We are effectively cooperating with Russia in military and technical
fields. Russia is cooperating with different countries, including
Azerbaijan, in its own interests. Another question is that we should
step up efforts to expand our military and technical cooperation with
Russia,” he said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

NEW BOOK PRESENTS WORLD PRESS’ ARTICLES CONDEMNING VIOLENCE AGAINST ARMENIANS

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

11:07, 16 October, 2014

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS: The presentation of Hayk
Demoyan’s latest book titled “Armenian Genocide: Front
page coverage in the world press’’ will be held in the
conference hall of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) on
October 17, 2014 at 12.00 pm. The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
informed Armenpress that the author of the book Hayk Demoyan is the
director of AGMI, doctor of historical sciences and the Secretary
of State Commission on coordination of the events dedicated to the
100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The book is in two languages: Armenian and English. It was published
due to sponsorship of “America” Group.

The presentation will be welcomed by Vigen Sargsyan, the head of
the president staff of the Republic of Armenia and the coordinator
of the State Commission on coordination of the events dedicated to
the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; Tigran Jrbashyan,
the development director at “America” Group; Harutyun
Marutyan, the doctor of historical sciences and the leading scientific
worker of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia,
Institute of Archeology and Ethnography. Hayk Demoyan, the author of
the book, will welcome with his speech as well.

The illustrated volume includes some unique materials from the world
press of 19-20th centuries. The collection pictures realistically
the Turkish crimes against civilization and humanity. The crimes
have constantly been in the limelight of the world’s press
attention. Numerous materials can be found from English, French,
American, Italian, Russian, Australian, Czech, German, Norwegian press
sources. These condemning publications about the Turkish violence
against Armenians serve as mediated testimonies of the historical
actuality of the Armenian Genocide.

condemning-violence-against-armenians.html

WHITE HOUSE SAYS TURKEY SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE ITS PAST

13:47, 16 Oct 2014

After Rep. Adam Schiff reported Wednesday that the White House will
be exhibiting the Armenian Orphan Rug in November, a senior Obama
Administration official told Asbarez in an email that the “President
and other senior Administration officials have repeatedly acknowledged
as historical fact and mourned the fact that 1.5 million Armenians were
massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman
Empire, and stated that a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of
the facts is in our all interests, including Turkey’s, Armenia’s,
and America’s.”

“One of the principles that has guided the Administration’s work in
this area, and in atrocity prevention more broadly, has been that
nations grow strong by acknowledging and reckoning with painful
elements of their pasts, and that doing so is essential to building
a foundation for a more just and more tolerant future,” added the
official.

This clarification by the White House was made to Asbarez after an
initial statement that merely stated that the rug “is a reminder of
the close relationship between the people of Armenia and the United
States,” and that it was presented to US President Calvin Coolidge
“in recognition of the humanitarian assistance rendered by the
American people to displaced Armenian orphans,” without emphasizing
how the orphans came to be and failing, once again, to characterize
the events of 1915 to 1923 as Genocide.

The announcement about the November exhibit rightfully prompted the
Armenian National Committee of America to call on President Obama to
characterize the rug in its proper manner.

“If President Obama’s decision to publicly exhibit the Armenian Orphan
Rug is to represent a symbol of real progress, the White House Visitor
Center Exhibit will clearly and unequivocally reference the still
unpunished crime that led to its creation – the Armenian Genocide,”
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National
Committee of America.

“If, on the other hand, the exhibit purposefully evades the rug’s
proper characterization, the President’s decision to display this
artwork will be seen as yet another cynical substitute for the
very progress he promised the American people and will be further
evidence of his continued enforcement of Turkey’s gag-rule on speaking
truthfully regarding the Armenian Genocide,” added Hamparian.

The Ghazi Rug, which is also known as the Armenian Orphan Rug, was a
labor of love by orphans who were rescued from the Armenian Genocide
by American aid workers as part of the Near East Relief campaign that
was mandated by the US President and legislated by Congress in 1915 and
1916 respectively. The entire US population was mobilized to assist the
Armenians of the Near East and as a result millions of Armenians were
rescued from the Genocide, among them hundreds of thousands of orphans.

TIGRAN BALAYAN: ELABORATION OF NK PEACE AGREEMENT IS ONLY POSSIBLE AFTER CONCERTING UPON KEY PRINCIPLES

Wednesday 15 October 2014 17:16
Photo: Press service of Armenian Foreign Ministry

Tigran Balayan

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Beginning elaboration of the peace agreement on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict will only be possible after the principles
of peaceful settlement are concerted upon.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan told Mediamax
correspondent about it commenting on the statement of the Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov according to which Azerbaijan is
ready to set to working at a major peace agreement.

“It seems that Azerbaijani officials think that if they repeat
some unreal ideas aloud they will become more convincing”, stressed
Tigran Balayan.

The Foreign Ministry official representative recalled that Armenia
and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have repeatedly stated that first
they need to finish the harmonization of principles of the peaceful
settlement and only then start elaboration of the agreement.