Author: Tavakalian Edgar

TEENS JAILED FOR RACIST ATTACKS

Melbourne Herald Sun
September 23, 2008 02:47am
Australia

A RUSSIAN court jailed members of a teenage gang for terms of up to
10 years after the youths were found guilty of racist attacks during
August and September 2007 in which two people died.

The 13 teenagers were Moscow school students when they attacked people
who did not look European, a spokeswoman for the court said. Twelve
of the gang were under 18 when they committed the crimes.

She said the accused had been found guilty of about 10 racist
attacks. The two dead victims were a 46-year-old chess master from
Russia’s Siberian region of Yakutia and a 23-year-old violin player
of Armenian origin.

A 19-year-old was sentenced to a maximum term of 10 years in jail, the
court said. Prosecutors believe he took part in the two killings. Two
underage defendants were given a minimum term of three years.

The youths used knives and baseball bats to attack strangers in Moscow
streets, parks and trains and then posted mobile phone pictures of
the assaults on Internet sites.

The Internet images were the main evidence used by prosecutors against
the defendants in court, Russia’s state Vesti-24 channel said.

It ran some of the sequences featuring groups of teenagers chasing
darker-skinned victims, sometimes knocking them to the ground and
violently kicking them. A separate one showed a youngster chasing a
man with a hammer.

Several teenagers were also shown attacking a pregnant woman walking
with a little child in a pram.

Russian courts are currently hearing several cases of racist groups,
including one involving a teenage gang accused of 20 premeditated
and 12 attempted murders.

Local anti-fascist campaigners have repeatedly urged the authorities
to tackle rising xenophobia and neo-Nazism in Russia, which lost
millions of its citizens fighting fascism during World war II.

THE SELF-DETERMINATION RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF KARABAKH MUST BE RECOGNIZED, STATES ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

AZG Armenian Daily
23/09/2008

Karabakh conflict

During a meeting with representatives of European press on September
20 President of Armenia Serge Sargsian stated that the right of the
people of Karabakh for self-determination must be recognized.

Being asked which is the uttermost compromise to which Armenia is
ready in its relations with Azerbaijan and whether Armenia admits
Karabakh’s inclusion in Azerbaijan, President Sargsian said, "We have
stated our conditions already 14 years ago, when signing armistice
agreement with Azerbaijan, and many times after. We insist that right
of the people of Karabakh for self-determination must be recognized

The people of Nagorno-Karabakh has lived on those lands for thousands
of years, and now we must ensure safe existence for that people. In
the Soviet times, when Karabakh was included in Azerbaijan, became
clear that the secure existence of the Armenian people of Karabakh
is impossible under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan. The theoretic
question whether Karabakh may become subject of Azerbaijan or no,
can be easily solved by referendum. But I am sure that at least in
the near future the people of Karabakh will not agree to bear the
Azerbaijani rule. I have said to Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev
that in case Azerbaijan is really interested in peace and security in
Nagorno-Karabakh, it should make serious investments in the economy
of Karabakh and convince its people that Azerbaijan can become the
warrantee of peace and prosperity of the people of Karabakh. If
some day Karabakh undergoes the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan, by
chance or however, short after there will be no Armenians left on
that territory."

Answering why Armenia has not recognized the independence of of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia and whether Armenia is ready to recognize Karabakh
officially, the President said that Armenia does not consider that
opportunity yet.

"Still, there is nothing impossible," the President said, "it may
sound strange that Armenia, although Armenia having always advocated
the peoples’ right for self-determination, has not yet recognized the
independence of Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Nevertheless,
our stance is clear: we have a similar problem, the problem of
Nagorno-Karabakh. We cannot adopt the independence of those states
before we have recognized Karabakh. And why we haven’t recognized
Karabakh yet? That is because we are now engaged in negotiation process
with Azerbaijan and we are eager to settle the matter peacefully. If
you remember, when referring to Kosovo and other issues, it was always
said that recognizing the independence is the last means. If there
is no other way, Armenia will recognize Nagorno-Karabakh".

September 19, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PONTIFICAL ENCYCLICAL ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
NORTH AMERICAN PRELACY

By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
on Sunday, September 21st, the Pontifical Encyclical of H.H. Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, on the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of Prelacy in North America, which coincides with the 35th
anniversary of the Western Prelacy, will be read in all Prelacy Churches.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Church
in Hollywood during which he will read the Pontifical Encyclical.
By the direction of the Prelate, prayers will also be offered during
Divine Liturgy in all Prelacy Churches in celebration of the 17th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE TURKEY BUS CRASH

By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
on Sunday, September 21st, special prayers will be offered for the victims
of the bus crash which occurred in Eastern Turkey near the Iran border on
September 9th.
On this solemn occasion, requiem service will also be offered for
the souls of the victims at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale in which members
of the "Friends of New Julfa" Committee, which serves under the auspices of
the Prelacy, will participate.

PRELATE WELCOMES VISIT OF ARMENIA’S
MINISTER OF ECONOMY NERSES YERITSYAN

On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17th, Armenia’s Minister of
Economy H.E. Nerses Yeritsyan paid an official visit to the Prelacy, where
he was welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, as well
as Relgious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Religious Council
Vice-Chair Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and Executive Council member Mr.
Khatchig Yeretzian. Among the delegation accompanying Mr. Yeritsyan was
Consul General the Honorable Armen Liloyan and ministry and consulate staff.
During their meeting the Prelate and guests discussed the challenges
Armenia has overcome, with Mr. Yeritsyan detailing the economic progress the
republic has experienced and current efforts to further modernize the system
to make Armenia a competitor in the global economy. Mr. Yeritsyan concluded
by speaking on the purpose of his current visit to Los Angeles.
The Prelate then spoke of the mission of the Prelacy and
achievements since its establishment 35 years ago, including the endeavors
of our churches and schools. In conclusion, the Prelate reasserted the
commitment of the Armenian community of California and of the United Stated
in general to the welfare of Armenia, and actively contributes to the
prosperity of our nation.
The meeting ended with the exchange of mementos, following which the
guests were given a tour of the headquarters.

PRELATE WELCOMES ANTELIAS
YOUTH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS

Under the auspices of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, in mid-August a youth conference titled "The Youth and the
Challenges of the 21st Century" took place at the Seminary in Bikfaya,
Lebanon. By the ordinance of the H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, ten youth from the Prelacy participated in the conference under the
direction of Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
On Wednesday, September 17th, the participants met with the Prelate
to thank him for the unique opportunity and to convey their thoughts on the
conference. The Prelate commended them for their active participation
throughout the conference as well as their commitment to their fellow youth
within the Western Prelacy, encouraging them to continue on their path of
service with even greater vigor.
On Sunday, September 21st, an interview with members of the
delegation will air on the Prelacy weekly program on Horizon television.

PRELATE SENDS A LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO
MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA FOLLOWING THE METROLINK CRASH

On Monday, September 15th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, sent a letter of condolence to Los Angeles Mayor the Honorable
Antonio Villaraigosa, following the tragic Metrolink crash which occurred on
Friday.
On behalf of the Prelacy Councils and parishioners, the Prelate
expressed his sympathies for the lives lost in the tragedy and conveyed to
the Mayor that special prayers were offered in all our Churches on Sunday,
September 14th, for the souls of the victims and for the speedy recovery of
the injured.

"YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION" LECTURE SERIES

The Prelacy Religious Council, under the direction of the Prelate,
has organized lectures in various parishes in celebration of "The Year of
Christian Education".
The next lecture in this series is a three part lecture by Very Rev.
Fr. Muron Aznikian on "Religious Education in Family, School, Social, and
Community Life", the first of which will take place on Tuesday, September
23rd, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. Part two and three of
the series will take place on Wednesday, October 1st and Wednesday, October
8th respectively at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church.
The lecture series continues on Tuesday, October 14th, with a
presentation by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian on "Our Youth and the Need
for and Importance of Religious Education".

PRELATE PRESENTS MAESTRO HOVHANNES TCHEKIDJIAN WITH A LETTER OF BLESSING

On the evening of Sunday, September 14th, Maestro Hovhannes
Tchekidjian of the State Academic Choir of Armenia was honored at during a
concert which took place at Glendale Presbyterian Church. Various artists
participated in the event.
The Prelate attended the concert, during which he presented Maestro
Tchekidjian with a letter of commendation and blessing. Rev. Fr. Ardag
Demirjian accompanied the Prelate.

AZERI PRESIDENT MEETS US KARABAKH MEDIATOR

Day.az
Sept 18 2008
Azerbaijan

The president of Azerbaijan today received US co-chairman of the OSCE
Minsk Group Matthew Bryza.

At the meeting they noted their satisfaction with the level of
development of tiesbetween Azerbaijan and the USA, the future of
bilateral relations and regional issues, the agency said.

On the same day, Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev received
Matthew Bryza to discuss the military and political situation in
the region. They also exchanged views on the Karabakh problem, the
agency added.

SOCAR HOPES TO INCREASE THE LIMIT OF UNSECURED BORROWINGS BY REFINANCING THE LOAN FOR INVESTMENTS IN PETKIM

Azerbaijan Business Center
Sept 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)
has reached the limit on raising unsecured borrowings.

SOCAR Vice-President Suleyman Gasimov said the Company was counting
on raising up to $1.5 billion from European banks for three years to
finance the investments in Petkim (Turkey) as the company has similar
liabilities on borrowings for other projects.

"As a result, the loan size made up $160 million because of the
financing limit built on Company’s reports. We had to apply other
money raising schemes (including guarantees for foreign partner to
Turkish banks). Nevertheless, we are going to increase the limit
through loan refinancing," S.Gasimov said.

SOCAR is ongoing work over the development project of Petkim Neft-Kimya
Holding A.S. (Turkey). Due to that SOCAR’s share at the Turkish market
of chemical industry will increase from 28% up to 40%.

On December 27, 2007 the Turkish Privatization Administration has
halted process of transfer of 51% of shares of chemical concern
Petkim Neft-Kimya Holding A.S. to Socar-Turcas-Injaz alliance
(relevant tender winner) launched in accordance with its decision
made on November 22, 2007.

A reason for process stoppage was an action filed to Economic Court of
Turkey by professional union Petrol-Is. Before verdict is brought the
deal on transfer of the control package of shares has been suspended.

Following the tender conducted this summer this alliance offered
$2.04 billion for the set package of shares, but then the winner
became TransÑ~Aentral Asia Petrochemical Holding Consortium
(Russia/Kazakhstan) including Russian investment & industrial group
Eurasia, Kazakhstan’s Caspian Oil and investment company Troika
Dialog (the owner is Armenian on nationality) that was ready to pay
$2.05 billion.

But because of actions of the US Congress that recognized genocide
of Armenians in the times of Ottoman Empire, Turkish authorities
cancelled its decision relaying on national interests and announced
SOCAR-Turcas-Injaz alliance the Petkim shares holder.

Earlier SOCAR vice president Davud Mammadov said that alliance’s
investments in Petkim will increase shares of this company’s output
at the Turkish market from current 27% up to 40% and reduce import
opf chemical products by Turkey from current 70-75% up to 30%.

Petkim produces plastic packing, fabrics, detergents and exports ¼
of this output, but the Petkim new management in the name of the new
alliance can change manufacturing range. Current charter capital of
Petkim is around $1.6 billion. Alliance’s investments can recoup for
the next five or six years.

–Boundary_(ID_cgJGr/9T1mZFjtN51Fz1+w)–

SEVAN KINDERGARTEN N 3 REPAIRED WITH FINANCING OF SWISS ORGANIZATION

Noyan Tapan

Se p 18, 2008

SEVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Sevan’s
kindergarten N 3 was reopened after the renovation and repair work done
with the financing of the Action de Soutien l’Enfance De’munie (ASED)
Swiss NGO. 150 children aged from 2 to 6 go to this kindergarten.

This is ASED’s first program in Armenia, the implementation of which
became possible with the assistance of donors, including two private
foundations, Foundation Boghossian in Brussels, Foundation Armenia
in Geneva, Republic and Canton of Geneva, Sevan Mayor’s Office,
Banque Pictet in Geneva, Armenian Benevolent Union of Switzerland.

As Dominique Dominice, the Coordinator of ASED Armenia, said during
the reopening ceremony of the kindergarten built as far back as in the
early 1960-s, children are the most important asset that we have, do
not forget that today’s children will become the leaders of tomorrow.

Claudin Bagdjan, a representative of the Foundation Armenia in
Geneva founded in 1971, added that the Foundation was created by many
successors of the 250 Armenian children who settled in Geneva as far
back as in 1922.

According to him, though Switzerland and Armenia are separated by long
distance, the kindergarten renovation program has been implemented,
which is the result of great traditions of friendship and brotherhood
between many generations of Armenian and Swiss peoples.

Sevan Mayor Gevorg Malkhasian and Director of kindergarten N 3 Anahit
Gharibian expressed their gratitude to the benefactors.

After the opening ceremony the servants of the Armenian Apostolic
Church conducted the ceremony of "blessing" the kindergarten, then
the children expressed their gratitude by singing and dancing.

The Armenian Weekly On-Line
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Watertown MA 02472 USA
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http://www.a rmenianweekly.com

The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 36, September 13, 2008

Interviews from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions

1. Q&A with Michael Crowley
2. Q&A with Congressman Mario Diaz Balart
3. Q&A with Congressman Joe Wilson
4. Senator Coleman Chats with the Weekly
5. Karakashian Shares Impressions from RNC
6. Q&A with Aram Hamparian
7. Sarbanes: Obama has Innate Understanding of Community Struggle
8. Congressman Honda: It’s OK to Cross Over
9. Congresswoman DeLauro: The Ethnic Vote is Critical
10. Q & A with Andrew Romanoff
11. Villaraigosa on the Ethnic Vote

>From Aug. 25-28, the Armenian Weekly provided daily coverage of the
Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver on a blog especially set up
for the Convention (). Weekly editor Khatchig
Mouradian and ANCA-Eastern Region executive director Karine Birazian were in
Denver and conducted several interviews with congressmen, mayors, and
commentators.

>From Aug. 31-Sept. 4, Mouradian and ANCA legislative affairs director Raffi
Karakashian were in Minneapolis-St. Paul to cover the Republican National
Covention (RNC). A blog was setup especially for the RNC, as well
().

On these pages, we provide a selection of articles and photos that appeared
on the blogs.

***

1. Q&A with Michael Crowley

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (A.W.)-Michael Crowley is a senior editor of the journal
the New Republic (). He also contributes to the Readers Digest,
GQ, and Slate. On July 23, 2007, the New Republic published an expose by
Crowley-titled "K Street Cashes in on the Armenian Genocide"-on U.S.
politicians hired by the Turkish government to lobby against the Armenian
Genocide resolution in Congress.

Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian talked to him in Saint Paul on Sept. 1,
during the RNC.

K.M.-How has the RNC been affected by Hurricane Gustav?

M.C.-They have totally thrown the plans off and I think that there are ways
in which it’s good for McCain and some in which it’s bad. He is probably
very happy to have an excuse to tell Bush and Cheney, "We’re very sorry but
it’s just not going to work out tonight." I don’t think the McCain campaign
was looking forward to their speeches being watched and talked about in the
media. I think they were very happy to have an excuse to tell them to stay
home.

The flip side is that they have very limited time to make their case. They
are the underdogs here and they need to reintroduce John McCain to the
public as a war hero, prisoner of war, a maverick in the Senate, and they
will still have time to do that. However, they may not have enough time to
attack Barack Obama, redefine him, knock him down a couple of pegs from his
big night on Thursday [Aug. 28]. The feeling, particularly with the
hurricane, is that they don’t really want to take a nasty tone and I think
that is very problematic for them.

K.M.-What is the Republicans’ plan to counter the speech Obama delivered in
Denver?

M.C.-I think their plan is Sarah Palin. All along they wanted to take
advantage of the fact that their Convention was taking place after the
Democratic Convention. They thought that with a big surprise choice like
Palin they could-and I think did successfully-divert the media attention
away from Obama’s speech. The Palin pick put kind of a lid on the response
to Obama and his balance in the polls are not as large as people predicted,
so they may have had some success. But there’s only so much you can do when
the Democrats had a full week and Obama gave a generally good speech.

K.M.-What prompted you to write that investigative piece on the Armenian
Genocide resolution last year?

M.C.- The denial of the Armenian Genocide defies the overwhelming historical
consensus that the genocide occurred. What first got me interested in the
story was an article I had seen, which said that Richard Gephardt had signed
up on this issue to represent Turkey and that they were paying him a lot of
money. It was the first time I found out there was so much money involved in
this issue. I was only vaguely aware of how high the stakes were for those
involved and how much money was being involved, and how they-prominent
politicians or former politicians-were making a lot of money advocating on
the issue [on behalf of Turkey/the Turkish government]. As I delved deeper,
it seemed like a very revealing case study on how Washington works and how a
deeply grave moral issues becomes yet another issue for lobbying and
deal-making. I was alarmed by how a serious moral question is reduced to
business as usual in Washington.

***

2. Q&A with Congressman Mario Diaz Balart

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (A.W.)-On Sept. 2, Mouradian spoke with Congressman Mario
Diaz Balart (R-Fla.) at the RNC about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Hurricane
Gustav, and his support for the Armenian Genocide resolution in Congress.
Here are some excerpts:

K.M.-What are your thoughts on the way the media is reacting to the
pregnancy of Governor Palin’s daughter?

M.D.B.-If we worried about the media’s reaction, we would all be depressed
and there would be no election. However, the American people are the ones
who make the decision. Unfortunately, the mainstream media-the left media-is
doing everything to criticize her. The New York Times, for example, has
taken what I would consider a sexist approach in criticizing her. The
American people will see through that, will see that she’s qualified, that
she’s a maverick, and that she’s the right person for that position.

K.M.-How do you assess the impact of Hurricane Gustav on the Convention?

M.D.B.-Senator McCain has always put country before anything else. He flew
there again yesterday not for political purposes, not to get reelected, but
to help the situation after the storm. Now we have two days to get the
message out, and we can do it. We can tell the people why Senator McCain is
the right person at the right time to be president of the U.S.

K.M.-You have remained a supporter of the Armenian Genocide resolution
despite all pressures.

M.D.B.-You can’t deny the truth. You can’t deny reality. The reality is that
people were killed. And to try to hide that makes no sense. You can’t hide
history.

***

3. Q&A with Congressman Joe Wilson

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (A.W.)-On Sept. 2, Mouradian talked to South Carolina
Congressman Joe Wilson about Sarah Palin. He also asked him about the threat
of Hurricane Hanna on his district. Here are some excerpts:

A.W.-Many commentators are questioning the experience of Governor Palin.
What are your thoughts?

J.W.-I have high regard for Governor Palin. I think it is very significant
that she was elected mayor and governor. She has been a reformist. She has
uncovered corruption within the Democratic and Republican Parties. She has a
significant record in a very large state, where she has been very popular
and successful. She has negotiated in a very firm fashion with oil companies
to promote energy independence. I believe she has the right background.

A.W.-Talk about the threat of Hurricane Hanna.

J.W.-I represent the second district of South Carolina and the last
hurricane to hit the district was in 1959. It’s very infrequent that we have
hurricanes, but Hurricane Hanna is projected to possibly hit the region that
I represent. But our people are prepared. I served on the National Guard for
31 years and I know our National Guard is preparing to help with the
evacuation, to provide relief and recovery. We understand that this should
be a state issue, a county issue, and a municipal issue. We have got
excellent elected officials who know what to do and the people are prepared.

***

4. Senator Coleman Chats with the Weekly

ST. PAUL, Minn. (A.W.)-Mouradian and ANCA legislative affairs director Raffi
Karakashian caught up with Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman on the first day
of the RNC. Coleman spoke fondly with Mouradian about his trip to Yerevan
and his commitment to supporting Armenian-American concerns.

A member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Coleman was an
outspoken opponent to the State Department’s efforts last year to appoint
Armenian Genocide denier Dick Hoagland as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.
Coleman explained, "I am of the Jewish faith. I cannot imagine an ambassador
to Israel being effective without talking about the Holocaust. I am not sure
how we can continue to have ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective,
unless they give recognition to the genocide."

***

5. Karakashian Shares Impressions from RNC

ST. PAUL, Minn. (A.W.)-The Weekly talked to ANCA legislative affairs
director Raffi Karakashian, who was in St. Paul for the RNC.

A.W.-Talk about your impressions on the first day of the RNC.

R.K.-This is the first time that I have attended a political convention. The
level of excitement demonstrated by all delegates and guests is very
impressive. Nowhere does one find such passionate individuals who are
dedicated to their party and their candidates.

As part of a small group of Armenian-Americans who are here in the Twin
Cities, I feel that it is important to reach out to both political parties.
The Armenian-American presence at the RNC is necessary to ensure that our
issues are heard by both parties.

A.W.-Talk about our Republican friends in key races and how we can support
them.

R.K.-We had the opportunity to meet today with Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.)
who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is one of our most
dedicated Republican friends in the U.S. Senate. Given this year’s political
climate, Senator Coleman is facing a tough reelection challenge from a
political newcomer. Our community must do everything to support friends such
as Senator Coleman to ensure victory in November.

Several other Republican supporters of our cause are in very tight races
this year-especially co-chair of the Armenian Caucus Rep. Joe Knollenberg
(R-Mich.) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). Earlier this year, Rep. Knollenberg
led an effort, supported by Rep. Kirk, to zero-out all military aid to
Azerbaijan for its continued war rhetoric.

***

6. Q&A with Aram Hamparian

DENVER, Colo. (A.W.)-The Weekly talked to ANCA executive director Aram
Hamparian about the Obama/Biden ticket and the DNC Convention.

A.W.-Talk about the significance of the Obama/Biden ticket for
Armenian-Americans.

A.H.-The choice of Biden as running mate is a very favorable development for
Armenian-Americans. Joe Biden has a 30+ year track record of supporting
Armenian-American issues and has consistently been strong on Armenian
Genocide recognition. He is strong on U.S.-Armenian relations and an
advocate of a durable Karabagh settlement that respects the right to
self-determination.

He brings a powerful moral dimension to American foreign policy, which is,
at the same time, both realist and deeply anchored in our common values as
Americans. Most recently, a couple weeks ago, he was able to secure from the
Bush Administration-unfortunately a largely antagonistic administration-a
significant concession on the question of the Armenian Genocide, forcing the
administration to retreat from the question mark they had put over the facts
of the Armenian Genocide and making it very clear to all that U.S. policy is
one of recognition and that the only reason why the administration has
remained silent has been because of Turkey’s threats. His hard-nosed
abilities as a political leader, combined with his commitment to idealism,
in this instance was able to effectively squeeze water from a stone.

I don’t think we could have asked for two friendlier legislators to serve on
a national presidential ticket. If you read Barack Obama’s remarks to the
Armenian community this January and you add to that the speech that Joe
Biden made at the Marie Yovanovitch confirmation hearing, you will see that
those two have a deep and profound understanding of genocide and a very
clear sense of the imperative of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. They
compares very favorably with the Republican ticket, led by John McCain, who
has made it very clear that he has no intention to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, and has made no secret of that fact.

A.W.-Talk about the role of ethnic groups in the Democratic Party.

A.H.-The Democratic Party has historically been very open to ethnic groups
and recent immigrants. The Armenian-Americans are, of course, represented
across the political spectrum-and we welcome this diversity and the strength
it represents-but I think that most observers would agree that the
Democratic Party makes a special effort to welcome Armenians and other
ethnic groups into the process. One of the ways they do that is through the
National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee, which is a group of
European and Mediterranean organizations and leaders. Arabs, Poles,
Italians, Hungarians, Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians, all of Europe and
the Mediterranean are represented in this group and they are both a voice to
the DNC and the DNC’s voice to these various communities. We had a meeting
with this group today and we are going to have another meeting on Wednesday.
We are part of the fabric of this party, just as we are part of the broader
fabric of American life.

***

7. Sarbanes: Obama has Innate Understanding of Community Struggle

DENVER, Colo. (A.W.)-Mouradian talked to Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.),
a strong supporter of issues of concern to Armenian-Americans, on Aug. 27 at
the Convention Center in Denver. Here are some excerpts:

K.M.-How do you assess the importance of the ethnic vote in the November
election?

J.S.-I think it’s going to be critical particularly in some key states. We
have to figure out which ethnic communities in which states will have a
sizeable role to play in the outcome. New Hampshire is an example: The
Greek-American community that I am very connected with has a large
representation in N.H., so depending on what direction that community goes
in N.H. could affect the outcome.

K.M.-What is your message to the Armenian, Greek, and other ethnic
communities?

J.S.-Well, I believe that Barack Obama has an innate understanding and sense
of what it means to struggle as any community. He understands the story of
many ethnic communities: All communities at some point in their history have
experienced obstacles that they have had to struggle to overcome. My sense
of Barack Obama as a person, as a human being, is that he relates very well
to the struggles that people face, and that implies to any communities we
are talking about, including the Armenian community, which has both
struggled and experienced severe tragedy in its history. I think that’s
something he understands and it will make him relate very well not just to
the Armenian community, but to many other ethnic communities. That is why I
am hopeful that when it comes election day, those folks will step up and
support him.

***

8. Congressman Honda: It’s OK to Cross Over

DENVER, Colo. (A.W.)-Congressman Michael Honda (D-Calif.), a
Japanese-American, is a vice chair of the DNC. On Aug. 27, Mouradian talked
to him about the importance of the ethnic vote and the possibility of
Republicans voting for Obama. Here are some excerpts:

K.M.-Talk about the importance of the Asian-American vote and ethnic vote in
general.

M.H.-If you take all the ethnic votes in this country, it’s a big number. I
just look at the Asian-American votes and we’re something like 3 percent of
the population of votes. And when you lose an election by a fraction of a
percentage point, we become important. All the ethnic votes become very
important. But ethnic communities need to let the people know that they
exist, that they are registered, and that their turnout is increasing. Since
1992, Asian-American Democrats were something like 31 percent and in 2006
they were over 70 percent. In 2008, we should reach somewhere around 75-80
percent turn-out and registration of Democrats among Asian-Americans.

K.M.-What is the probability of crossing over and voting for Obama in this
important group?

M.H.-When ethnics see that issues are correct for the family and their
children, they will cross over from the other party. We speak to all,
including Republicans, and ask them to think about the issues, think about
their children, and then vote, because if you do that you won’t go wrong.
You’ll end up voting Democratic, you’ll end up voting for Obama. It’s a
secret [anonymous] vote, if you are Republican. It’s OK.

***

9. Congresswoman DeLauro: The Ethnic Vote is Critical

DENVER, Colo. (A.W.)-On Aug. 27, Mouradian spoke with Congresswoman Rosa
DeLauro (D-Conn.) at the Convention Center in Denver. Here are some
excerpts:

K.M.-What is your message to ethnic groups?

R.D.-Ethnic communities need to understand the importance of electing Barack
Obama and Joe Biden. Both Obama and Biden share the immigrant experience.
They understand it. They understand the values that are derived [from it].
Hard work and values are all part of what makes up the immigrant experience
and what our ethnic communities are about. We have two people who are
running for president and vice president who understand this, know what it
means, and want to work hard with these communities so they can achieve
economic success and they can achieve success for themselves and their
families and create the opportunity which is the American Dream.

K.M.-What is the importance of the ethnic vote in this election?

R.D.-The ethnic vote is going to be critical for a win. People are going to
be looking very hard and listening to Barack Obama and Joe Biden. They want
to know that their president has walked in their shoes, understands what
their lives are about.

This is a nation of immigrants and ethnic communities. They need to be
organized, they need to listen, and they need to ask questions. And they
need to vote. They need to come out and vote in what is their best interest.

***

10. Q & A with Andrew Romanoff

DENVER, Colo. (A.W.)-Mouradian talked to Colorado House Speaker Andrew
Romanoff (D-Denver) at "Exhibit Darfur," a photo exhibition dedicated to the
genocide in Darfur held in Denver on Aug. 25.

K.M.-How can ordinary Americans get involved in the Darfur issue?

A.R.-As a first step, people can log on to , which is
a website that tells you which of your own holdings are invested in
companies doing business in Sudan. We could divest whatever holdings they
have. I have done that. The second step would be to call Members of Congress
and encourage them to pass more aggressive legislation aimed at the Sudanese
regime.

K.M.-You have championed Armenian Genocide resolutions in Colorado. How
important is the recognition of past genocides in preventing future ones?

A.R.-It’s critical. It is said, "Those who ignore the lessons of the past
are condemned to repeat them." We still see denial, disinformation on the
Armenian Genocide. We see people who don’t even want to call it what it was.
They are trying to erase a stain on their country’s history, they are trying
to rewrite history, blot it out. That’s a very dangerous Orwellian trend,
which is very useful to future perpetrators of atrocities.

***

11. Villaraigosa on the Ethnic Vote

DENVER, Colo. (A.W.)-On Aug. 27, Mouradian spoke with the mayor of Los
Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.

K.M.-Talk about the ethnic vote in the presidential elections.

A.V.-When you think about what America is today, it has always been a place
of hope and opportunity-a destination for those who want freedom. Those
people come from every country in the world-the black, the white, the Asian,
and the Latino-and for all that this country has to offer. They’re Greek,
Armenian, Italian, Lebanese, and Israeli. If we [Democrats] are going to
continue to move forward, we should not only be the party of the big tent
but the nation of the big tent that embraces all of us. Every community has
to be able to participate and we all have to be able to benefit.

RECOGNITION PRACTICE AND GEOPOLITICAL RISK IN EASTERN EUROPE: GEORGIA, KOSOVO AND BEYOND

RGE Monitor
Sept 17 2008
NY

In recognizing the two Georgian enclaves – South Ossetia and Abkhazia –
Russia left no doubt that its decision was partly in retaliation for
Western recognition of Kosovo, Serbia’s breakaway province. Moscow
deeply opposed Kosovo’s independence and repeatedly warned recognition
could set a precedent for other separatist regions. In return,
western policy makers argued that Kosovo was a unique case, with no
implications for other conflicts. Similarly, following the Russian
recognition of the Georgian enclaves, western officials flatly
rejected any parallels and maintained that the Kosovo case was only
a convenient excuse for an increasingly assertive Moscow.That may be
true, but the blame games and theoretical and legal debates only divert
attention from the more serious point. Unilateral recognitions, whether
justified or not, could influence other separatist movements which
in turn could emphasize the exceptional nature of their own demands
for statehood. The cases of the Kosovo and Georgian enclaves do,
in effect, erode the international law of states’ sovereignty and the
sanctity of borders and could thaw the two remaining ‘frozen conflicts’
in the CIS region (Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan and Transnistria in
Moldavia), fuel tensions in Ukraine’s Russians populated Crimea and
again destabilize the region where the recent trend of violent state
fragmentations actually began – the Balkans. It is worth remembering
that the secessionist governments of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia
repeatedly called for international recognition following Kosovo’s
unilateral declaration of independence and argued that if Kosovo
could break away, so could they. So who is next?

South Ossetia and Abkhazia make only one half of the separatist
provinces in the CIS region. Russia was a principal player in
the outbreak and freezing of the two other ‘frozen conflicts’ –
Transnistria in Moldova and Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan. These
breakaway regions, along with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, emerged
after the collapse of the Soviet Union following brief conflicts in the
early 1990s. Moscow provided military, political and economic support
to all four separatist governments and deployed peacekeeping forces
on what have become de facto borders inside these states. Clearly,
the road to peace settlement or conflict resumption in Transnistria
and Nagorno-Karabakh leads through Moscow. This geopolitical fact
can hardly lower the political risk in a region where Russia has been
using ‘frozen conflicts’ to exert military or political pressures and
maintain leverage over its former satellites. Only a few days after the
Georgia incursion, Russian president Medvedev called Moldova to resume
peace talks with Transnistria in a move some analysts interpreted as
pressure on the Moldovan government to cut ties with NATO and accept
a peace plan that would allow Russian forces to stay indefinitely in
Moldova. Moscow’s similar initiative for settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute is also seen as an attempt to woo Baku away from the West,
secure gas purchase deals for Gazprom and undermine the pipeline
projects that circumvent Russia. In theory, Moscow could also use
the presence of the large Russian minority in the Crimea region as
a pretext for conflict with NATO-aspirant Ukraine. It would be in
accordance with recently outlined Russia’s foreign policy concept
that envisages protection of Russian citizens ‘wherever they are’.

Nonetheless, it seems that the highest risk of violent conflict
resumption has been looming over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s
breakaway region. In recent years, military spending has been on a
sharp rise in all Central Asian states, but the two leading countries
are Georgia and Azerbaijan. According to Stockholm International
Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Georgia increased its 2007 defense
spending by $200m, to almost $600m, which is a 20-fold increase
since 2000. Supported by its oil-booming economy, Azerbaijan has
also been investing heavily in the defense sector ($667m in 2007
compared to $141m in 2000), raising concerns the government may try to
recover the breakaway region by force. The growing trend of clashes in
Nagorno-Karabakh in the first half of 2008 and the aggressive rhetoric
employed by the Azerbaijan central government is another disturbing
sign that very much resembles the pre-war dynamic in Georgia. In June,
the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, stated that the government
will continue to explore political solutions for conflict resolution,
but will not dismiss military options if necessary. The Georgia crisis
only adds to the pre-existing security dilemma and could spark an
outbreak of the violent conflict. It would inflict high costs for the
economy of Azerbaijan which is named the top pro-business reformer
according to the recent World Bank report.

Finally, recent developments in Georgia could reverberate in the
Balkans again. Kosovo, whose Western-backed unilateral declaration
of independence infuriated Moscow and offered a convenient excuse
for its actions in Georgia, is facing the threat of ‘secession within
secession’. The Serbian populated northern part of Kosovo is the new
potential breakaway region that does not recognize Kosovo’s statehood,
has been under de facto authority of Belgrade and could eventually
seek to rejoin its kinship state. Russia has been a traditional ally
of Serbia and it is not hard to imagine Moscow throwing the northern
part of Kosovo in its own basket of sui generis cases that do not fall
under the international law of respecting borders. Meanwhile, border
disputes and the fact that not all EU member states have recognized
Kosovo, could further complicate EU integration process pursued both
by Serbia and Kosovo.

US AMBASSADOR FAVOURS EXPANSION OF COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN

ANS TV
Sept 14 2008
Azerbaijan

The US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse, has said that the
recent visit to Azerbaijan by US Vice-President Dick Cheney
was very productive. She said that both sides agreed to expand
their cooperation in various spheres. While in Azerbaijan, the
US vice-president said that now it is the most suitable time for
solving the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
and this solution should be based on the principle of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Ambassador Derse said the United States intends
to continue its activity as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group to solve
the conflict. She also said that US foreign policy priorities in the
South Caucasus will undergo no changes after the recent events in
Georgia and urged Russia to reconsider its actions and behaviour with
regard to Georgia. The following is the text of report by private
Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 14 September; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:

[Presenter in studio] The visit to Azerbaijan by US Vice-President Dick
Cheney caused great repercussions in the world press. The Russian press
even wrote that Cheney’s visit to Azerbaijan was unproductive. The
US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse, clarified this and other
issues in her interview with us.

Cheney’s visit

[Presenter speaking to Anne Derse in an office] What did Dick Cheney’s
visit to Azerbaijan give to the United States?

[Anne Derse speaking in English with Azerbaijani translation overlaid]
In fact, I would like to point out that we were thrilled with
the results of Mr Cheney’s visit to Azerbaijan. I think that the
Azerbaijani people should know that this is the most high-ranking
US official who visited Azerbaijan after the Azerbaijani Republic
gained its independence. And during this visit, we had very interesting
discussions on bilateral and common interests. My main message is that
there was common agreement that we intend to strengthen our cooperation
based on these interests. You know that our cooperation and interests
can apply to various spheres. And among them is the energy sphere,
security and other spheres.

Georgia and Russia

[Presenter] The European Union held a summit on 11 September. It did
not produce the expected results. The summit did not adopt a resolution
that would really support Georgia. What do you think about this?

[Anne Derse] I would like to point out that the United States of
America has applauded the steps taken by the European Union and its
activities. You know that the European Union supports the principle
of the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of states,
which is very important to the United States of America. Positive
activities have been carried out in this direction. At the same time,
peacekeepers and observers of the European Union have gone to Georgia
and intend to continue their activities there. A conference was held
on the initiative of the European Union. The main subject of this
conference was to carry out reconstruction and restoration work in
Georgia. The United States of America will join these activities. I
would like to point out that French President Mr Sarkozy has undertaken
the leading role in solving these issues.

[Presenter] Mrs Ambassador, many people think that this issue
is no longer a confrontation between Georgia and Russia, it is a
confrontation between the United States and Russia.

[Anne Derse] You know, while talking about these relations, I would
even say that this conflict could be considered to be a conflict
between Russia and the whole international community. Simply, the
Russian Federation has one choice and they have to make this choice
themselves. Either they will continue their actions in this way and
take an aggressive approach to their neighbours. In this case, Russia
will simply isolate itself. But I think that there are enough people
in Russia who realize the consequences of this and do not want Russia
to carry on in this direction. In general, Russia has an interest
in being a partner of the international community. And the United
States of America has always thought that Europe should be free. If
the Russian Federation wants to be a responsible member of that free
Europe, it should reconsider its actions and behaviour.

[Presenter] Are there any changes in the policy of the United States
in the Caucasus after the recent events? If not, what are the main
priorities for America in the South Caucasus today?

[Anne Derse] I think that there are no changes in our foreign
policy. In general, I would like to note that three [US]
administrations have changed, but they are consistently continuing
these principles and priorities. Our principles and priorities are
that we want to see Europe free and peaceful. This free and peaceful
development is suitable for us only in a democratic, secure and stable
way. I think that states which are developing in this direction can
fit into our foreign policy. These are our priorities.

Iran

[Presenter] At the summit of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization which was held this week, the heads of state recognized
Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy. This [organization] includes
Russia, Uzbekistan and several other countries, including Armenia. How
do you assess this resolution? Are there any changes in the policy
of the United States about Iran’s nuclear programme after the recent
events surrounding this country?

[Anne Derse] I would like to point out that the Unites States has
always said that Iran, like any other country, has the right to a
peaceful nuclear industry – an industry that operates in line with
international principles. However, the problem is that we think the
regime existing in Iran is trying to get hold of nuclear weapons. The
main issue here is not that Iran cannot have a peaceful nuclear
industry. Of course, they can have a peaceful nuclear industry and
benefit from it. The main issue is that Iran must stop enriching
uranium. It must stop such activities. In cooperation with its
international partners, the United States of America has prepared
a package of sanctions, both economic and other sanctions. If the
Iranian regime does not change its behaviour, these sanctions will
be imposed, which will harm Iran in the end.

Nagornyy Karabakh

[Presenter] How will the United States and France continue their
activities in the OSCE Minsk Group together with Russia? By recognizing
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia showed itself as an interested side
in these two conflicts. Does it not question the further activities
of the OSCE Minsk Group?

[Anne Derse] I think that the recent developments in the region prove
that now it is the most suitable time for solving the conflicts in the
region. Such conflicts should be solved as soon as possible. While
continuing its activities, the United States of America has been a
very loyal partner and has always worked to find a totally peaceful
and fair solution to this conflict [Nagornyy Karabakh conflict]. I
should point out that the United States will loyally continue its
activities in this direction. I would like to tell you once again
that while in Azerbaijan, the US vice-president said that it is the
most suitable time for solving the conflict. This solution should
be peaceful, coordinated and fair, and above all, should be based
on the principle of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Of course,
other international principles and diplomatic experience should also
be taken into account. Along with that, Mr Matthew Bryza will visit
Azerbaijan in the near future, and activities in this direction will
be continued. We hope that the Minsk Group will be able to continue
its activities. However, time will show this. Despite this, the United
States intends to continue its activities in this regard.

[Presenter] Thank you, Mrs Ambassador.

[Anne Derse] Thank you.

Boston University Hosts International Symposium on the Legacy of the
First Republic of Armenia, 1918-1921

PRESS RELEASE
Charles K. & Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair
in Modern Armenian History & Literature
Department of History
Boston University
226 Bay State Road
Boston, MA 02215
Contact: Professor Simon Payaslian
phone: (617) 353-8313
email: [email protected]

(Boston)?Boston University will host an international symposium on the
LEGACY OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, 1918-1921, on Saturday,
September 27, 2008, from 10:00am to 3:30pm at the School of Management
Auditorium, 595 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 105. The conference will
probe the long-term impact of the Republic on the Armenian people both
in Armenia and the diaspora. It is open to the public, and admission is
free.

The conference is sponsored by the Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian
Chair in Modern Armenian History and Literature at Boston University
and is co-sponsored by BU?s International History Institute, the
Department of History, and the Department of International Relations,
and by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research in
Belmont, Massachusetts.

Professor Simon Payaslian, Holder of the Kenosian Chair, commented that
this conference is a celebration of the ninetieth anniversary of the
re-emergence of Armenian statehood in 1918 as well as the Republic?s
independence after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. This
conference brings together some of the best scholars with different
perspectives to share their analyses with the public. Since the final
collapse of the first Republic in February 1921, the issues surrounding
its rise and fall have been too politicized and too often colored by
ideological predilections. As a result, we have no more than a handful
of serious scholarly studies on the first Republic, and we do not have
any serious works on its legacy. This conference promises to begin to
close that void in our understanding of the long-term political and
cultural significance of the first Republic.

Payaslian thanked Professor Cathal J. Nolan, Executive Director of the
International History Institute at Boston University and Associate
Professor in the Department of History, and added that this conference
would not be possible without generous contribution of time and advice
by Professor Nolan. Professor Nolan received his M.A. and Ph.D. from
the University of Toronto and is the author of several publications in
international history, American diplomatic history, and military
history, including (co-editor) ENCYCLOPEDIA OF U.S. PRESIDENTS AND
FOREIGN POLICY (2007); AGE OF WARS OF RELIGION: 1000-1650, VOLS. I AND
II, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD WARS (2006), (editor) GREAT POWER
RESPONSIBILITY IN WORLD AFFAIRS (2004); GREENWOOD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 4 volumes (2002); (editor) NOTABLE U.S.
AMBASSADORS SINCE 1775 (1997); (editor) ETHICS AND STATECRAFT: THE
MORAL DIMENSIONS OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (1995, 2nd ed. 2004); THE
LONGMAN GUIDE TO WORLD AFFAIRS (1995); PRINCIPLED DIPLOMACY: SECURITY
AND RIGHTS IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY (1993); (editor) SHEPHERD OF
DEMOCRACY? AMERICA AND GERMANY IN THE 20TH CENTURY (1992); in addition
to numerous articles and book chapters on U.S. foreign policy and
international relations.

Professor William R. Keylor, Director, International History Institute,
will serve as Program Chair. Professor Keylor has numerous
publications, including A WORLD OF NATIONS: THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER
SINCE 1945 (2nd rev. ed., 2008); THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY WORLD: AN
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY (5th rev. ed., 2006); THE LEGACY OF THE GREAT
WAR: PEACEMAKING, 1919 (1997); and JACQUES BAINVILLE AND THE
RENAISSANCE OF ROYALIST HISTORY IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY FRANCE (1979), in
addition to numerous book chapters and articles in scholarly journals.
Professor Keylor received his B.A. from Stanford University, and M.A.
and Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has been a Guggenheim,
Fulbright, Earhart, and Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and has been named
Chevalier de l?ordre national du mérite by the French government. He
has been elected to the International Institute for Strategic Studies
and has served as the president of the Society for French Historical
Studies. At Boston University, he has received the Metcalf Award for
Excellence in Teaching and the Methodist Scholar-Teacher Award.
Professor Keylor served as Chairman of the Department of History at
Boston University between 1989 and 2000.

The speakers in the morning session (10:00am-12:00 noon), in addition
to the opening remarks by Professor Payaslian, are Professor Erik
Goldstein, Chair of the Department of International Relations at Boston
University; Professor Ara Sanjian, University of Michigan-Dearborn; and
Dr. Victoria Rowe, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom.

Professor Erik Goldstein?s paper, titled GREAT BRITAIN AND THE
RE-EMERGENCE OF ARMENIAN STATEHOOD, discusses the British fascination
with and involvement in the Eastern Christians, how British engagement
in the region became a popular cause. The paper then focuses on the
extent to which the pro-Armenian groups in the British government
influenced foreign policy in the First World War, and finally why
British support for the Republic collapsed.

Professor Goldstein has been Chair of the Department of International
Relations at Boston University since 1998. Also a professor of History,
his research interests include diplomacy, formulation of national
diplomatic strategies, the origins and resolution of armed conflict,
and negotiation. Professor Goldstein is the author of a number major
works, including WINNING THE PEACE: BRITISH DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY, PEACE
PLANNING, AND THE PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE, 1916-1920 (1991); WARS AND
PEACE TREATIES (1992); THE FIRST WORLD WAR?S PEACE SETTLEMENTS:
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 1918-1925 (2002, Italian translation, 2004);
and POWER AND STABILITY: BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY, 1865-1965 (2003). He
has published in numerous journals, including REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS, MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES, EAST EUROPEAN QUARTERLY, HISTORICAL
RESEARCH, HISTORICAL JOURNAL, THE HAGUE JOURNAL OF DIPLOMACY, AND
BYZANTINE & MODERN GREEK STUDIES. He has co-edited THE END OF THE COLD
WAR (1990); THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE, 1921-1922: NAVAL RIVALRY, EAST
ASIAN STABILITY, AND THE ROAD TO PEARL HARBOR (1994); THE MUNICH
CRISIS: NEW INTERPRETATIONS AND THE ROAD TO WORLD WAR II (1999); and
GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY (2002). Professor
Goldstein is also the founder-editor of the journal DIPLOMACY &
STATECRAFT and he has served on the editorial board of BYZANTINE AND
MODERN GREEK STUDIES. Professor Goldstein received his B.A. from Tufts
University; M.A., and M.A.L.D. from Fletcher School of Law and
Diplomacy; and Ph.D. from University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of
the Royal Historical Society of Britain. He was previously Professor of
International History, Deputy Head of the School of Historical Studies,
and Deputy Director for the Centre for Studies in Security and
Diplomacy at the University of Birmingham (UK) and has held
appointments as Secretary of the Navy Senior Research Fellow at the
Naval War College and as Visiting Scholar at the Centre for
International Studies at the University of Cambridge. He is the
President of Phi Beta Kappa, Epsilon of Massachusetts. He has been the
recipient of numerous grants and awards, including the Wardrop Fund
Grant at the University of Oxford, a grant from the Smith Richardson
Foundation, the Bane Fund Grant from Cambridge University, and a Hoover
Presidential Library Fellowship.

Professor Ara Sanjian, Director of the Armenian Research Center at the
University of Michigan-Dearborn since 2006, will present a paper titled
CONTINUING THE ALL-RUSSIAN REVOLUTION OF FEBRUARY 1917: THE CHALLENGE
OF LAND REFORM. His talk covers the attempts to introduce land reform
in Eastern Armenia from 1917 to 1920, during the periods of rule by the
Provisional Government in Petrograd, the Transcaucasian Federation, and
the Republic of Armenia. The paper sheds light on social and economic
program of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Hay Heghapokhakan
Dashnaktsutiun), the ruling party in the Republic of Armenia, which was
heavily influenced by the ideology of the Socialist Revolutionary Party
in Russia. It also examines the approaches of the other political
parties active among the Armenians in Transcaucasia.

Professor Sanjian is the author of two books, TURKEY AND HER ARAB
NEIGHBORS, 1953-1958: A STUDY IN THE ORIGINS AND FAILURE OF THE BAGHDAD
PACT (2001), and THE NEGOTIATION OF ?THE CONTRACT OF THE CENTURY? AND
THE POLITICAL BACKGROUND TO THE REVIVAL OF AZERBAIJAN?S OIL INDUSTRY
(1997), as well as numerous articles on a variety of topics in Armenian
history and culture. Dr. Sanjian received his Ph.D. in modern Middle
East history from the School of Oriental and African Studies, the
University of London, and an MA degree in Armenian History from the
Faculty of History at Yerevan State University in Armenia. Dr. Sanjian
was the Chairman of the Departments of Armenian Studies, History and
Political Science at Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1996
to 2006, where he also served on the editorial board of the HAIGAZIAN
ARMENOLOGICAL REVIEW. During the fall semester of 2003, he was
appointed as the Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor in
Armenian Studies at California State University, Fresno.

Dr. Victoria Rowe (University of Greenwich, United Kingdom) will
present a paper titled WOMEN AS POLITICAL ACTORS IN THE FIRST REPUBLIC
OF ARMENIA AND IN THE CREATION OF INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS OF REFUGEE
RELIEF, 1918-1925. Her paper examines the political status of Armenian
women in the first Republic of Armenia and activism by women on behalf
of the Republic at the League of Nations. She then discusses the
resulting legacy of political participation of women in the Armenian
diaspora.

Dr. Rowe is the author of A HISTORY OF ARMENIAN WOMEN?S WRITING,
1880-1922 (2003) and has translated a series of short stories by Inga
Nalbandian (1917) on the Armenian Genocide as YOUR BROTHER?S BLOOD
CRIES OUT (2007). She is currently co-editing a volume on Ottoman women
and print culture, as well as completing a chapter on Armenian refugees
in Aleppo for a volume on REFUGEES AND THE END OF EMPIRE. Dr. Rowe has
published numerous articles in Armenian studies and has edited
translations of the works of Shushanik Kurghinian and Zabel Yesayan.
She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and has taught
Armenian literature and gender history at universities in Canada and
Japan.

The conference will resume after a lunch intermission from 12:00 noon
to 1:00pm. The speakers during the second session (1:00pm-3:30pm)
include Dr. Benjamin F. Alexander, Towson University, Maryland; Dr.
Razmik Panossian, Montreal, Canada; and Dr. Robert Krikorian, George
Washington University.

In his paper, titled THE THOUSAND-DAY REPUBLIC AND THE ASSASSINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP TOURIAN, Dr. Alexander examines the connection between
contested memories of the first Republic of Armenia and the polarized
perceptions of the Tourian affair, 1933-34.

Dr. Benjamin F. Alexander teaches History at Towson University in
Maryland and is the author of CONTESTED MEMORIES, DIVIDED DIASPORA,
which appeared in the JOURNAL OF AMERICAN ETHNIC HISTORY (2007). He
holds a Ph.D. in history from the City University of New York Graduate
Center. Dr. Alexander is also preparing a chapter for a forthcoming
volume on American immigrant anti-Communism edited by Ieva Zake. He is
working on the book version of his 2005 dissertation on
Armenian-American immigrant experiences.

Dr. Razmik Panossian will present a paper titled THE IMPACT OF THE
FIRST REPUBLIC ON ARMENIAN IDENTITY IN THE 20TH CENTURY. His paper
explores the extent to which the first Republic shaped subsequent
Armenian political thought both in Soviet Armenia and in the Armenian
diasporan communities.

Dr. Panossian is the author of the critically acclaimed THE ARMENIANS:
FROM KINGS AND PRIESTS TO MERCHANTS AND COMMISSARS (2006). His Ph.D.
dissertation on Armenian national identity and nationalism, submitted
at the London School of Economics, won the Lord Bryce Prize for Best
Dissertation in Comparative and International Politics in the United
Kingdom. He received his M.A. from York University (Toronto) and B.A.
from McGill University (Montreal). Panossian has published numerous
articles on Armenia and the diaspora and given many lectures and
academic conference papers on the subject internationally. He has also
participated in the Turkish-Armenian workshops, as well as the
Armenia-Diaspora conferences. Currently, he is the Director of Policy,
Programmes, and Planning at Rights & Democracy in Montreal. He oversees
its international work which focuses on human rights and democratic
development.

Dr. Robert Owen Krikorian will present a paper titled THE LEGACY OF THE
FIRST INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND THE COLLAPSE OF SOVIET POWER.
His study explores the historical paradigm shift which occurred in
Soviet Armenia during the democratic movement and analyzes the
competing historical narratives and their political implications in
Armenia as the Soviet era approached its end. Memories of the Armenian
Genocide (1915-1923) were rekindled following the 1988 anti-Armenian
pogroms by Azerbaijani Turks, which in turn shattered the tacit social
contract between the Soviet State and the Armenian people. The social
contract, up to that point, had exchanged loyalty to the Soviet State
for the physical inviolability of the Armenian nation. In this paper,
Dr. Krikorian focuses on the memories of the first Republic of Armenia
and how these memories acted as a competing narrative and undermined
Soviet legitimacy.

Dr. Krikorian earned a Ph.D. in History and Eurasian Studies at Harvard
University, where he was an associate of the Davis Center for Russian
and Eurasian Studies. He is currently a Professorial Lecturer at George
Washington University (GWU), where he teaches courses on the modern
history and politics of Transcaucasia and Eurasia in both the History
Department and the Elliott School of International Affairs. He is also
an Associate of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian
Studies at George Washington University. Dr. Krikorian has lectured and
written on the modern history and politics of Eurasia including the
co-authored book, ARMENIA: AT THE CROSSROADS (1999). His articles and
reviews have appeared in the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MIDDLE EAST
STUDIES, MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL, JOURNAL OF COLD WAR STUDIES, ANNUAL OF
THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF CAUCASIA, GLOBAL DIALOG, and ARMENIAN
REVIEW.

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