Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Children of young Armenian couple, who died in road accident, are operated on

news.am
August 18, 2012 | 15:32

YEREVAN. – One-year-and-8-month-old Artsrun Baghdasaryan – who survived
a traffic accident on Friday – underwent a hand, foot and jaw surgery,
but he has not yet regained consciousness, Armenian capital city
Yerevan’s `Holy Virgin’ Medical Center personnel informed Armenian
News-NEWS.am.

Also, since the little child has cerebral hemorrhage, he is constantly
drowsed. On the other hand, the child’s 9-year-old brother Mher
Baghdasaryan – who likewise survived the car crash and was operated
on – has regained consciousness, and he was fed on Saturday.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an Opel – driven by Sevak
Baghdasaryan, 31 – went off road, at Armenia’s Yerevan-Ijevan Highway,
on Friday at around 6am, and crashed into a KAMAZ-model truck that was
parked along the roadside.

As a result of the collision, the driver and his wife, Marine
Badalyan, 29, lost their lives, the Gegharkunik Regional Police
Department informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The dead couple’s children, namely, Mher Baghdasaryan, 9, and Artsrun
Baghdasaryan, 1 year and 8 months, as well as passenger Davit
Avetisyan, 21 – who likewise were in the Opel – sustained injuries and
were taken to hospital.

The truck’s driver, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic resident Boris
Mejlumyan, 47, likewise was in the truck, but he suffered no injuries.

Armenian Catholicos condoles on death of Ethiopia’s Patriarch

news.am
August 18, 2012 | 14:20

The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Friday sent a message of
sympathy to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and clergy and to Ethiopian
Christian, in connection with the passing of Abune Paulos, the Abuna
and Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

`Owing to the efforts by dearly-departed Patriarch Abune Paulos, the
Ethiopian Church registered a noticeable progress in the spiritual
lives of Ethiopian Christians and greatly contributed to ecumenical
and interreligious dialogue.

The fraternal ties between Ethiopia’s Orthodox and the Armenian
Apostolic churches were best expressed during numerous official visits
and discussions. During our personal meetings, we have repeatedly
observed his profound Christian love and piety,’ Catholicos Karekin
II’s letter of condolence reads in particular.

To note, a delegation from the Armenian Apostolic Church likewise will
attend Patriarch Abune Paulos’ funeral, which will be held on August
23.

ARMENIE
Le Centre sismologique d’Arménie dément toutes les rumeurs de
Tremblement de terre

Le Centre sismologique d’Arménie a cherché à calmer les craintes
publiques suite au puissant tremblement de terre ayant touché l’Iran
voisin qui a fait au moins 250 tuées et a blessé 1800 personnes.

Le directeur de l’agence, Hrachya Petrosian, a écarté les rumeurs
qu’un tremblement de terre de la même façon frappera l’Arménie
bientôt.

« L’épicentre du tremblement de terre [iranien] était tout à fait
proche du territoire de l’Arménie : approximativement 60 à 65
kilomètres de notre frontière la plus proche » a dit Hrachya Petrosian
au service arménien de RFE/RL (Azatutyun.am). « Naturellement, ce fait
nous inquiète. Mais nous n’avons aucune indication claire et directe
que l’on attend un fort tremblement de terre sur notre territoire
aussi ».

Le tremblement en Iran a été ressenti dans la province du Syunik mais
aussi dans d’autres régions dont la capitale Erevan.

Des milliers des gens se sont précipités hors de leurs maisons,
craignant des chocs dévastateurs. La panique a aussi alimenté les
rumeurs que l’Arménie sera frappée par une calamité semblable dans les
prochains jours.

« C’est une réaction naturelle et compréhensible quand les gens,
sentant des tremblements, quittent leurs appartements pour un espace
libre » a dit M.Petrosian. « On peut comprendre les gens. C’est ce que
les gens font presque partout. Les règles de conduite pendant le
tremblement de terre l’exigent aussi » .

Le dernier tremblement de terre iranien a aussi mené à un arrêt bref
des opérations sur une ligne de téléphérique longue de 5,7 kilomètres
dans le Syunik menant au monastère médiéval arménien de Tatev.

« ` Le but principal de la pause de 15 minutes était de vérifier les
systèmes d’exploitation du téléphérique » a déclaré Tigran Ghazarian,
le directeur du téléphérique, au service arménien de RFE/RL
(Azatutyun.am). « Les inspections ont montré qu’ils sont dans un
excellent état ».

Il a été aussi annoncé lundi que le gouvernement arménien a offert
d’envoyer des équipes de secours en Iran immédiatement après le
désastre. Selon Sergei Azarian, le chef du Service des Secours
arménien, la partie iranienne n’a pas demandé une telle aide.

samedi 18 août 2012,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Rule of Chieftains

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 17:08:05 – 16/08/2012

The local electoral campaign has started. The press reports shooting
incidents, intimidation and other `usual’ occurrences typical of
electoral campaigns. After the parliamentary election the ruling
criminal and oligarchic groups are striving to strengthen their
foothold in their estates to establish absolute control there.

Although the main players are again the RPA and the PAP, clashes occur
not only between the parties but also inside the parties. In Masis,
for instance, the mayoral candidates were involved in a shooting
incident.

The leader of these disturbances is Ararat region as usual where the
lord is half-RPA, half-PAP Hovik Abrahamyan. This region is Hovik’s
possession; his relatives hold more or less `profitable’ and
significant posts and businesses.

Hovik Abrahamyan wants to arrange the early mayoral election in
Artashat to ensure his son’s election. Later his son will be the
governor of Ararat marz. Hovik Abrahamyan wants to have his relatives
in the villages and the candidates who are not his relatives undergo
duress.

PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan does not fall behind his in-law. However,
unlike Hovik Abrahamyan (their kinship allows him to go beyond Kotayk
region where almost everything belongs to him and `occupy’ Ararat marz
as well), his `entourage’ is broader and `nationwide’. It is the PAP.
It is not ruled out that the PAP will win majority in the local
elections. At least, some major communities are already in PAP’s
pocket.

A similar situation is in Armavir region with its feudal rule and
tribalism. This region is reigned by the Grigoryan family. This family
holds almost all the positions and opportunities. This family has
`prosperes’ so much that it has split to some parts, and in Armavir
the `electoral’ process is marked by conflicts among different parts
of this family. General Manvel’s son is the mayor of Echmiadzin, his
brother wants to be the mayor of Metsamor. He used to be the head of
the electric network of Metsamor, and while he was director,
mismanagement of 1 million dollars was revealed. Manvel’s brother is a
member of parliament.

These three marzes – Ararat, Kotayk and Armavir – are classic examples
of tribalism. The other marzes are no better but cannot keep up with
them. Perhaps only Shirak where Vardan Ghukasyan’s tribe has been
ruling for years but recently he has been `dethroned’.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

August 16, 2012

BLESSING OF THE GRAPES

Last Sunday, parishes throughout the Eastern Prelacy
commemorated the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, and the
Blessing of the Grapes, a popular tradition often conducted outside in
the open fields. The Eastern Prelacy’s Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Grapes at
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

Bishop Anoushavan and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian during the Blessing of
the Grapes service at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York with
Deacon Bedros Kalajian and Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian
assisting.

GRAPE BLESSING FOR RESIDENTS OF HOME IN FLUSHING

On Wednesday, August 15, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, together with some
parishioners visited the Armenian Home for the Aged in Flushing, New
York. Der Mesrob conducted the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony for the
residents and staff
of the Home.

Der Hayr explained the significance of the centuries-old tradition of
the grape blessing before the ceremony. Afterward he greeted and
blessed
each of the residents individually and presented each a bag of the
blessed
grapes.

Der Mesrob visits the Home weekly, usually on Wednesdays, and he often
makes special visits to visit those who are ill at the Home or in the
hospital. His weekly visits have become welcome and anticipated events
for the residents.

Before departing Der Mesrob presented a gift of five hundred dollars
to the Home on behalf of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian offers blessed grapes to the residents of
the Home.

Der Hayr and parishioners with staff members of the Home for the Aged
in Flushing, New York.

BLESSING OF THE GRAPES IN NEW JERSEY

Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian with deacons and altar servers at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, during the Blessing of
the Grapes ceremony.

Later in the afternoon the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony was
repeated at
the annual church picnic sponsored by Sts. Vartanantz Church and the
Dro Gomideh, with more than 250 parishioners and friends in
attendance.

VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO TROY

Bishop Anoushavan will preside over the 8th day celebration of the
Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary, at Holy Cross Church in Troy, New
York.

ANEC WILL SPONSOR SEMINAR THIS SATURDAY

The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring a
teachers’ seminar-workshop, `Train the Trainer: Armenian as a
Second Language for Newcomers.’ The seminar, which is under the
auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, will take place at the
Prelacy offices in New York this Saturday, August 18, beginning at 10
am and continuing to 4:30 pm. For information:
[email protected] or 212-689-7231.

CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Last Sunday, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral in New York, along with family, friends, and parishioners
gathered at the Bucharest Restaurant in Sunnyside to celebrate the
100th birthday of Mr. Dickran Tavitian, a parishioner at the
Cathedral. The Centennal party was organized by Mr. Tavitian’s
children.

Born on July 31, 1912, in Bazarchiki, Bulgaria, Mr. Tavitian’s family
moved to Romania. In 1938 he married Hripsime Vanlian. They were
blessed with three children, Stepan, Arsineh, and Azniv, five
grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

`Mr. Tavitian and his family have been one of the most dedicated
members of the Cathedral and the Armenian community since they came to
the United States from Romania many decades ago,’ said
Rev. Fr. Lakissian. Der Hayr warmly congratulated Mr. Tavitian on his
milestone birthday, expressed thanks for his dedication and support of
the Mother Church, and wished him continued good health.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian presents Dickran Tavitian with a plaque and
a silver Dickran the Great pin in honor of his 100th birthday.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, August 19, First Sunday after the
Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, are, Proverbs 11:30-12:4;
Zechariah 2:10-13; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Luke 1:39-56.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the
hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted
Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in
her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed
with a loud cry, `Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of
your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my
Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting,
the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed
that there would be
a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

And Mary said, `My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in
God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his
servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for
the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name. His
mercy
is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown
strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of
their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and
lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and
sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel in
remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our
ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her
home. (Luke 1:39-56)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNA and THE OIL-BEARING WOMEN

On Tuesday, August 21, the Armenian Church commemorates Saints Joachim
and Anna, parents of Mary, the mother of Christ. Joachim, son of
Barpathir, was a descendant of David, to whom God had told that the
Savior of the
world would be born through his descendants. Anna was a descendant of
the tribe of Levi through her father, and the tribe of Judah through
her mother. Joachim and Anna were childless through years of marriage
and were reproached for their barrenness. Joachim fasted for forty
days in the desert and both of them prayed for a child, ultimately
placing their trust in God’s will, whatever it may be. An angel
appeared to each of them telling them they would be the parents of a
daughter, in spite of their advanced age. That child was Mary, the
blessed mother of Christ.

On the same day the Church remembers the oil-bearing women
(Myrophores). These are the eight women who are identified as the oil-
or myrrh-bearers in the four Gospels who had different roles during
Christ’s ministry, at the Cross, and the tomb on Easter morning. The
eight women are: Mary Magdalene, Mary (Theotokos), Joanna, Salome,
Mary (wife of Cleopas), Susanna, Mary of Bethany, and Martha of
Bethany.

ST. JEREMIAH THE PROPHET

On Thursday, August 23, the Armenian Church remembers Jeremiah, one
of the prophets of the Old Testament. His writings are collected in
the Old Testament book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations is
attributed to him. God appointed Jeremiah to confront Judah and
Jerusalem for the worship
of idols and other violations of the covenant (described in the Book
of Deuteronomy). Jeremiah had the task of explaining the reason for
the impending disaster-the destruction by the Babylonian army and
captivity: =80=9CAn d when your people say, `Why has the Lord our God
done all these things to us?’ you shall say to them, `As you have
forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve
foreigners in a land that is not yours.”

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE

PILGRIMAGE IN BIKFAYA

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, presided
over the annual day of pilgrimage to the Monastery of St. Mary the
Theotokos in Bikfaya, Lebanon, on the occasion of the Feast of the
Assumption and
the Blessing of the Grapes. This pilgrimage day has been observed in
Bikfaya faithfully since 1952. The beautiful mountain town of Bikfaya
is the summer home of the Catholicosate and the site of the Cilician
See’s Theological Seminary.

Pilgrims begin arriving on Saturday to pray, meditate and give
offerings. This year the Seminary organized conferences and meetings
to coincide with the pilgrimage and feast day.

On Sunday evening, His Holiness presided over the Divine Liturgy,
celebrated by Archbishop Souren Kataroyan in front of St. Mary’s
chapel.

The pilgrimage concluded on Monday with the Commemoration Liturgy for
the departed faithful, and an agape lunch, attended by the pilgrims,
His
Holiness, clergy, seminarians and the Women’s Committee.

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

Birth of Shushanik Kurghinian (August 18, 1876)

Quite a neglected name in the literary canon, Shushanik Kurghinian was
one of the earliest figures of Armenian feminist literature. Shushanik
Popoljian was born in Alexandropol (today Gyumri) into a poor
family. She wrote in her autobiography, `Sometimes father would bring
his shoe-repair `workstation’ home, in order to save money, and I
would work for him demanding my wages, every single kopeck. Mother,
being raised in a traditional household, would reprove of my `ill
behavior toward my parent,’ blaming those harmful books for corrupting
me.’

She first studied at an all-girls school. In 1893, at the age of 17,
she organized the first female faction of the Social Democratic
Hnchakian
Party (founded in 1887). She was twenty-one when she married Arshak
Kurghinian, a businessman and a member of the socialist underground in
the Caucasus. She published her first poem in 1899 in the monthly
Taraz. Her activities against the Russian czar blacklisted her. In
1903 she escaped to Rostov-on-Don, in the northern Caucasus,

with her two children, while her husband stayed in
Alexandropol. Living in
utmost hardship and poverty, Shushanik Kurghinian immersed herself in
the Russian revolutionary milieu and some of her most powerfully
charged poetry
was written from1907-1909, during the years of her affiliation with
Rostov’s proletarian underground.

She managed to clandestinely publish her first collection of 43 poems,
Ringing of the Dawn, assisted by Alexander Miasnikian, the future
leader of the communist party in Soviet Armenia. Her second
forthcoming volume, however, was rejected by the censors and never
released. Her poetry brought
out the most silenced voices and raised such issues as the unjust
social conditions that forced poor women to lives of prostitution and
exploitation.
Kurghinian used poetry to promote feminist ideals, envisioning a
social revolution through women’s struggle for equal rights and
emancipation.

She continued to write and participate in social projects, but her
fragile health became an issue. She moved back to Alexandropol in
1921, a year after the sovietization of Armenia. She traveled to
Kharkov and Moscow
in 1925 for medical treatment, but returned home disappointed. After
the earthquake of Leninakan (the name of Alexandropol from 1924-1990)
in 1926, she settled in Yerevan. She died the next year at the age of
fifty-one.

During the Soviet era, Kurghinian’s poetry was used only for socialist
propaganda, thus undermining the artistic merit of this writer and
activist. Her feminist works were marginalized. As Victoria Rowe
writes
in A History of Armenian Women’s Writing, 1880-1922, `Soviet literary
criticism ignored the gender specific aspects of Kurghinian’s works
because they posited that socialist society would eliminate women’s
problems, and any specific addressing of women’s issues was condemned
as `bourgeois’.’ Her works have started to be seen under a new light
over the past few years.

()

FROM THE PRELACY BOOKSTORE
A New Publication:

Be Like a Bee
By Seta Simonian
Illustrated by Agata Badalyan

Presented in chapter-form with colorful, vivid illustrations, this
picture book gives an interesting story as well as scientific
information about bees through a narrative form. The author first
observed the world of beehives in Dilijan during a trip to Armenia. In
this story Merry Bee teaches readers about the characteristics and
work of bees through her own exploration of life as a bee in
Dilijan. Queen Bee teachers her daughter Merry Bee that through hard
work, goals can be accomplished. Merry Bee learns that
the traits of a bee

(hardworking, attentive, persistent, polite, intelligent, nice,
energetic,
sensible, and sincere) make happiness.
The songs included in the book are also recorded on a CD available for
purchase separately.
Be Like a Bee, 58 pages, softcover, $23.00, plus shipping & handling.

To order these or other items contact the bookstore by email at
[email protected] or by telephone at 212-689-7810.

()

PONTIFICAL VISIT COUNTDOWN

Beginning next week, Crossroads will highlight an aspect of the
upcoming Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Holy See of Cilicia. His Holiness will arrive in New York on October 4
and will visit
the parishes of the Eastern Prelacy through October 31. We invite you
to visit the Prelacy web site where a lot of information about the
visit is available. We also invite you to be our friend on Facebook.

To get to our web site click here
().

To get to our Facebook page click here
().

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 18-The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) sponsors a
teachers’ seminar-workshop, `Train the Trainer: Armenian as a Second
Language for Newcomers,’ for ANEC-affiliated schools,
under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, at the
Armenian Prelacy headquarters, New York, from 10 am to 4:30 pm. For
information, email [email protected] or call (212) 689-7231.

August 19-Annual church picnic and Blessing of the Grapes,
St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts. Festivities
start at noon on
the church grounds; free parking and admission; shish kebab, losh
kebab, chicken kebab, khema and homemade desserts. Music by John
Berberian and Ensemble. For information: 508-234-3677.

September 9-Picnic-Festival sponsored by St. Gregory Church and
St. Michael Parish of North Andover, Massachusetts, 1 pm to 6
pm. Games and activities for the whole family. Armenian and American
music. Menu from St. Michael includes: hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta
salad, chips, popcorn, slush,
American pastries. Menu from St. Gregory includes: Shish, Losh,
Chicken Kebab and Lentil Kheyma dinners, Pilaf, Salad, Pita and
Armenian pastries. For information: 978-685-5038 (St. Gregory);
978-686-4050 (St. Michael).

September 16-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Annual Church
Picnic, on the church grounds, noon to 6 pm. Best kebabs, cold beer
and tan, watermelon, home-made sweets, special `Kid-Zone’ activities
for children. Also Armenian music and dancing, raffle with great
prizes. Takeout available all day. Admission free. For information
718-224-2275.

October 4-31-Pontifical Visit to the Eastern Prelacy by His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.

November 10-Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of
New Jersey and Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy of New York, present
Inga
& Anush with performances by Hamazkayin Nayiri Dance Ensemble of New
Jersey, Hamazkayin Meghri Dance Ensemble of Pennsylvania, and Vanush
Khanamiryan
Dance Academy of New York and Connecticut. Felician College, 262 South
Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey, 5 pm. For reservations ($35 – $70) and
information: 201-739-9557, 201-684-1509, or

().

November 11-Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of
Boston and Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy proudly present Inga &
Anush with performance by Erebouni Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin
Boston. Shaw Auditorium, Watertown High School, Watertown,
Massachusetts, 5 pm. For reservations ($35 – $45) and information:
617-331-0426 or
().

November 18-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, 50th anniversary
jubilee.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

The song of Beyonce brought luck to the Armenian participant in the
`Junior New Wave 2012′

18:43, 16 August, 2012

Yerevan, August 16, ARMENPRESS: Sona Gyulkhasyan representin Armenia
in the `Junior New Wave 2012′ in the first stage of the competition
held in the Crimean city of Artek was in the 2nd place getting the
highest point 11 of all the jury members, with only one exception. In
the conversation with `Armenpress’ the press secretary of the Armenian
delegation Mher Baghdasaryan noted that Sona is among the favorites of
the competition.

On the first day of the competition Sona sang Beyonce’s Listen song,
and the second participant representing Armenia Arina Malkhasyan sang
Komitas.

`Despite the fact that Komitas has excited the whole audience, even
the recording staff behind the scenes, to everyone’s surprise Alina
did not get high points’, mentioned Baghdasaryan.

The second competitive day of the `Junior New Wave 2012′ will be held
on August 16 in the evening, during which Sona will sing Anna
Khachatryan’s `Nostalgia’ and Alina will sing Chocolade songs.

This year in the Armenian history of the `Junior New Wave 2012′
competition our country represents two participants with individual
performances. The girls repeatedly stated that they do not feel
competition against each other, but on the contrary, they support each
other.

The jury staff of the `Junior New Wave 2012′ is headed by the Russian
and Ukrainian national artist Igor Krutoy. Among the jury members are
Konstantin Meladze, Lev Leshchenko, Alsu.

The competition will be held from August 15 to 17. According to the
competition regulations the `Junior New Wave 2012′ is not broadcasted
with a live line, but is shown days after the competition by the TV of
the local country obtained broadcasting rights.

Is Western Condemnation of Cultural Destruction Reserved Exclusively for Enemies?

Posted by Simon Maghakyan
on
August 16, 2012

The Armenian Weekly
Aug. 18, 2012

International organizations, Western governments, and mainstream media
are vociferously outraged-and rightfully so-over the recent
destruction of majestic Sufi Muslim shrines by Islamist extremists in
Timbuktu, Mali, mirroring the reaction to the Taliban’s 2001
demolition of two beautiful Buddha statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.

The cemetery before it was destroyed (Photo: djulfa.com)

The violators of cultural rights in both instances are anti-Western,
al-Qaeda-linked groups, and that alone seems to have merited the strong
Western condemnation.

Otherwise, why has the West maintained its overwhelming silence regarding
the complete destruction of the world’s largest medieval Armenian cemetery
by Azerbaijan, a major energy supplier to, and arms purchaser from, the
West?

In December 2005, clerics from the Armenian Church of Northern Iran
videotaped over 100 uniformed men across the border in ex-Soviet
Azerbaijan destroying the thousands of breathtaking and unique
Armenian khatchkars, or cross-stones, of the magnificent Djulfa
cemetery. The church later issued photographs clearly showing that the
sacred site had been replaced by a military rifle range.

Azerbaijan vehemently denied the destruction report, suggesting that
the cemetery, like the medieval Armenians it memorialized, never
existed in the first place. (Official historiography in Azerbaijan
claims that Armenians did not live in the South Caucasus region until
the 19th century.) To protect its case, Azerbaijan subsequently
banned European observers (and years later, a wavering
U.S. ambassador) from visiting the cemetery site, thereby compelling
the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to
document the crime with satellite data. The AAAS joined the European
Parliament and ICOMOS, an organization for cultural preservation, as
one of a few international institutions to document or condemn
Djulfa’s destruction.

Washington’s public reaction to Djulfa’s destruction, however, came
months after the devastation in the form of a written response to a
question posed by California Senator Barbara Boxer (D). In their
response, the State Department `urg[ed] the relevant Azerbaijani
authorities to investigate the allegations of desecration of cultural
monuments in Nakhichevan,’ essentially downplaying an entire culture’s
obliteration by irresolutely calling it `desecration,’ an oft-used
description for gravestone graffiti vandalism. In private, however,
the State Department was aggravated – not with Azerbaijan’s wanton
destruction, as suggested by a leaked cable, but with Armenia’s
`strongly worded press release’ condemning it.

The international organization charged with protecting our global
heritage, UNESCO, followed suit, Washington style. UNESCO’s only
public reaction to Djulfa’s destruction was a response to my 2010
petition, wherein the organization expressed its readiness to dispatch
an investigative mission, contingent on the consent of the
perpetrator, Azerbaijan, and otherwise failed to condemn the
destruction. In other words, UNESCO has effectively committed itself
to indefinite silence by asking Azerbaijan to willingly work against
its perceived political interests, a near certain impossibility. As
expected, Azerbaijan did not react to UNESCO’s proposal.

While Azerbaijan’s destruction of Djulfa failed to elicit any
meaningful response from UNESCO, the organization did spring into
action after the word `Djulfa’ was mentioned in a 2011 exhibit of
Armenian cross-stones. Even after censoring the word, UNESCO
boycotted its own exhibit, because a photo of the cemetery was still
included in the exhibition, albeit without a caption.

The impetus behind the cemetery’s destruction and ensuing political
machinations is the territorial conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia
over the region of Nagorno-Karabagh, but the obliteration of Djulfa took
place in an undisputed region – Nakhichevan. And while the United States, as
a mediator in the Karabagh conflict, is expected to remain impartial, a
muted response to the well-documented destruction of a major cultural site
cannot be equated with evenhandedness; it is, in fact, counterproductive as
it reinforces a primary cause of the conflict: the Armenian perception that
Azerbaijan has intentionally been wiping out all traces of their indigenous
identity without accountability.

Washington’s response to Djulfa’s destruction has likely been muted, in
part, by Azerbaijan’s vast energy resources, which Baku sells to Western
markets via Turkey. Azerbaijan’s arms purchases from Israel, as well as its
speculated status as secret staging ground for a possible attack against
Iran, may also play a part in the silence over Djulfa’s destruction.

While Washington’s mealy-mouthed response may be predictable given its
energy and security interests in Azerbaijan, UNESCO’s inaction is
unacceptable, as is the silence of much of the international media
(with a few exceptions. It is troubling that Washington’s selective
condemnation of cultural rights violations, which are apparently based
on perceived self-interests, is mimicked in international media
coverage as well as in the actions of an international organization
ostensibly created to stand up for all vulnerable and threatened
heritage.

In the meantime, UNESCO Secretary General Irina Bokova has the time to
pen a CNN opinion piece on Timbuktu’s destruction, but she acts as if
she has not even heard about Djulfa, even though a 2011 document
prepared for Bokova, and once posted on unesco.org, suggests
otherwise. Its summary of a speech by the Armenian foreign minister’s
contains the following statement:

`[The minister] further explains that, with Azerbaijan, efforts to do away
with Armenian heritage go on unabated despite the continuous alarm rang
[sic] by Armenia. He refers to the annihilation of the centuries-old Jugha
(Julfa) Cemetery in Nakhichevan [previously resided by Armenians, now
territory of Azerbaijan; *comment by UNESCO*] with its thousands of carved
cross-stones being knocked over, piled and carted away between 1998 and
2005, and its transformation into a military training ground in 2005.’

In what appears to be appeasement for failing to take a stand on
Djulfa’s destruction, UNESCO indirectly acknowledged the value and
vulnerability of Armenian *khatchkars* by declaring their
craftsmanship and symbolism Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010,
without any mention of what until five years earlier was the largest
collection of * khatchkars* on earth.

Djulfa’s destruction, like that of the Bamiyan Buddhas and Timbuktu
shrines, merits widespread coverage, unwavering condemnation, and
international liability, no matter who the perpetrator is.

Third ARS International Cruise a Success
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian
X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 — ListProcessor(tm) by CREN

Posted by Weekly Staff
on August 16, 2012

The Third Armenian Relief Society (ARS) International Cruise took place
from June 30 to July 14 with over 210 voyagers on board, including ARS
members and other Armenian and non-Armenian supporters.
[image: PR Cruise 1 300×225 Third ARS International Cruise a Success]

The ARS Cruise participants at the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon

The cruise dropped anchor at various European ports, beginning with London,
where the local ARS chapter organized a tour of the city and a special
reception. There, voyagers and members of the local Armenian community had
the chance to mingle, renewing or establishing new friendships.

The cruise set sail from the British port of Southampton, visiting the
French coast of Provence, then Italy, including Florence and Rome, and
sailing on to Corsica’s port city of Ajaccio and Seville in Spain. The
cruise reached its summit in Lisbon, Portugal, where special tour buses
took everyone to popular and historic sites of the city, followed by a
visit to the Gulbenkian Foundation’s Museum. There, the visitors were
welcomed by the assistant curator of the museum’s Armenian section. After
being shown a brief documentary film on the life and works of Kalousd
Gulbenkian, the cruise visitors toured the museum, accompanied by the
curator, who not only answered all their questions as they viewed the
exhibits, but expressed his appreciation for the keen interest shown by the
ARS and its membership in the activities of the foundation and its programs.

After Lisbon, and a visit to the city of Vigo, the ship returned and
anchored in Southampton. From there, the voyagers of the Third ARS
International Cruise returned to their respective homes, carrying with them
precious memories of unforgettable days spent in good company, at sea and
ashore.

The ARS makes its presence felt in Lisbon

While at sea, the participants enjoyed four Armenian dances and banquets,
enlivened by the music of Arthur Apgarian and his Band. In addition to the
ARS Day celebration, as a cultural event, the participants had the
opportunity to view a screening of Bared Maronian’s film, `Orphans of the
Genocide.’

Many statements and e-mails of appreciation for the cruise keep arriving at
the ARS Central Office. `We had a wonderful time on this cruise and most
certainly we’ll take part in the next one,’ stated one participant.

`Special thanks to those who organized our visit to the Gulbenkian Museum,
bringing our enjoyment to its culmination,’ said another.

`Everything was beautifully organized. This was my first time on an ARS
Cruise; most assuredly it won’t be my last one,’ said one.

`When is the next one?’ asked another. `Please notify me as soon as it is
planned.’

`We are grateful to all those who participated in our Third ARS Cruise,’
stated former ARS Central Executive Board member and organizer of ARS
Cruises, Shakeh Basmajian. `They combined the enjoyable with the beneficial
by participating in this ARS program, knowing full well that the proceeds
will be applied to the humanitarian projects of our Society. In the crisis
situation of our communities, the ARS has a dire need of every penny to
assist our compatriots in various regions in their immediate basic needs
for survival.’

The Gulbenkian Foundation Museum’s curator addressing the ARS Cruise
participants

Over the coming months, the ARS will advertise the details of the Fourth
ARS International Cruise. Look for them in upcoming articles.

Armavia cannot reject second Sukhoi SuperJet

news.am
August 15, 2012 | 22:41

MOSCOW. – Armenian national carrier Armavia cannot reject the second
Sukhoi SuperJet (SSJ), without having paid for the first one, official
representative of the Civil Jets Sukhoi (CJS) Andrey Muravyev told
Armenian News-NEWS.am. He confirmed reports spread by the Russian
outlets that Armavia owes the CJS $4 million for the first SSJ,
currently the jet is at the CJS for examination. Everything depends on
Armavia, if the company pays for the jet, it will come to Armenia.

Besides, the debt for the first jet hampers rejection from the second
jet, as the contract was concluded for two jets at once.

In response to the question about the price for the first jet,
Muravyev said it made about $25-26 million. Whereas Armavia has
concluded a contract with the BTB-Armenia bank in the amount of $55-60
million for purchasing the two jets.

They Will Need to Make Money on Their `Ally’s’ Blood

Igor Muradyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:22:49 – 16/08/2012

The Russian politician Dmitry Rogozin has been included in the
administration in order to make speeches and utter things which nobody else
wants to utter. Everyone understands that he will not be allowed to do a
serious job, only shocking behavior. There are always fools in Moscow. The
Russian political scientist Alexander Doogin once referred to him as `a
badly disguised scoundrel’.

Dima Rogozin has left for Baku, perhaps in order to agree on arms supply.
In fact, this agreement is the business of other people, and Rogozin has
been sent to Baku for the final prospect. This statesman suits best for the
solution of this issue because he can afford (or he has been allowed) to
say everything.

By the way, this is not the first time Rogozin went to Baku. He was there
before for similar goals. However, Moscow hardly hopes for other
perspectives relating to Azerbaijan. The utmost Moscow can expect is
Azerbaijan’s `word’ not to participate in political and defense
initiatives.

Even though the Russian statesmen announce about strategic relations with
Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani intelligence (as well as Turkey’s and
Georgia’s) work against the interests of Russia and not only in terms of
collection of information but also actions.

One way or another, independent from goals, Moscow wants to warn Armenia
about arming Azerbaijan. The Eurasian project which is not in place yet
presupposes certain devices to include countries in a union which will
deprive them of sovereignty or external threat or a lost war or a political
disaster.

Moscow thinks that if Armenia defeats Azerbaijan and occupies other
territories it will appear in such a difficult situation that it will be
have to sacrifice its sovereignty.

Russian companies and political managers intend to boost Russian supply of
arms to Azerbaijan from 57% to 90% for which the Kremlin thinks there are
other industrial resources. In any case, they will need to make money on
their `ally’s’ blood.

Serzh Sargsyan and Seiran Ohanyan are obviously pursuing integration with
NATO avoiding causes to end relations with Russia. More exactly, it is
possible to convey to Russia the understanding that after years of
searching for ways of establishment of strategic relations with Russia the
Armenian military and political leadership has drawn a conclusion that the
technology of escaping the Russian orbit is tougher than the technology of
accession to NATO.

Apparently, one should know and understand some things not to doubt that
NATO and some of its member states have worked out certain intentions
regarding Armenia. In this situation even Robert Kocharyan, the actor of
old impressions, would play the same game.

Unfortunately, even such informed political leadership as Russia’s does not
have an adequate understanding of the Armenian issue of NATO policy. Some
military officials of Armenia were allowed to work with both Russia and
NATO to get rid of apolitical illusions. Now the team has no doubts. The
doubts are about the time of starting war. This problem exists but it can
be resolved.