Massis Weekly Online
VOLUME 27, NO. 10 (1310)
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2007
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– Thousands Attend Armenian PM?s Funeral Andranik Markarian’s Death
Heightens Political Uncertainty In The Country
– SDHP Participating In The Parliamentary Elections Under The Slogan
Of "120 Years In The Service Of The Nation"
– Renovation of Akhtamar Church Used By Turkey In Lobby Against
Recognition of Armenian Genocide
– Greg Krikorian: ?We Need A Voice On The City Council That Knows The
Importance Of Our Schools?
– Merdinian School Science Fair 2007
– AMAA Presents a Benefit Spring Concert Featuring Serge Barseghyan,
Bass and Pianist Varta Tchakarian
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– Thousands Attend Armenian PM?s Funeral Andranik Markarian’s Death
Heightens Political Uncertainty In The Country
YEREVAN — Thousands of people joined Armenia?s top government
officials and politicians on Wednesday to take part in the state
funeral of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, whose sudden death
heightened political uncertainty in the country.
Markarian, who died Sunday of a heart attack aged 55, was buried in
the national Komitas Pantheon after a lengthy funeral service that
began from his Yerevan apartment in the morning.
Hundreds of cars and buses slowly moved behind his coffin, placed on
an artillery caisson and surrounded by honor guard, towards the city
center. The procession briefly stopped outside the headquarters of
Markarian?s Republican Party (HHK) and the nearby main government
building before the body was taken to Yerevan?s State Opera House
where it lay in state for three hours.
Big crowds that gathered outside the building then filed past the open
coffin as top government officials and prominent politicians took
turns to stand guard over it. The ceremony was broadcast live by state
television.
Markarian?s body was carried through the city center to the Pantheon
after a prayer service led by Catholicos of All Armenians Karegin II,
head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In an eulogy read out at the
burial site, parliament speaker Tigran Torosian, who is also a senior
member of the HHK, paid tribute to his longtime associate.
?For our state and our people, the loss of is immense and sorrow
infinitely deep,? Torosian said. ?But today ? we can also see that
there is a lot we can draw comfort from.? ?Andranik Markarian will be
remembered as a remarkable statesman who distinguished himself with a
unique style and pronounced personality,? he added.
Opposition politicians attending the ceremony also heaped praise on
the deceased premier, saying that he tolerated dissent and always
sought dialogue with his political opponents. ?In my view, the most
important trait of Andranik Markarian was his kindness,? said Artur
Baghdasarian, the former parliament speaker whose Orinats Yerkir Party
was part of the HHK-led governing coalition until last year.
Another well-known opposition parliamentarian, Arshak Sadoyan,
described Markarian as a ?bridge between the government and the
opposition.? The funeral service was also attended by foreign
dignitaries representing over a dozen states and international
organizations.
The U.S. government was represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State Matthew Bryza.
Meanwhile, messages of sympathy continued to pour in from foreign
leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Pope
Benedict XVI and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Also sending their condolences were Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
Wednesday was an official day of mourning in Armenia, with flags on
government buildings and Armenian diplomatic missions abroad flying at
halfmast and television channels broadcasting mainly somber music.
Markarian Dies of Heart Attack
Prime Minister Andranik Markarian died of apparent cardiac failure on
Sunday after nearly seven years at the helm of Armenia?s government.
In a brief statement, the Armenian government cited ?heart paralysis?
as the cause of Markarian?s death, while a senior medic spoke of an
?acute heart failure.? According to the head of Yerevan?s municipal
ambulance service, Artem Petrosian, the 55-year-old chairman of the
governing Republican Party (HHK) was unconscious and his heart stopped
beating by the time two ambulance crews arrived at his apartment early
in the afternoon.
Markarian had a history of serious cardiac problems and twice
underwent heart surgeries, first in Armenia in 1999 and later in
France. He regularly visited French and Russian clinics for medical
examinations.
A computer engineer by training, Markarian began his political
activities in the early 1970s when he joined a clandestine group
campaigning for Armenia?s secession from the Soviet Union and spent
two years in Soviet labor camps as a political prisoner. He was among
several members of that group who founded the HHK in 1989.
Markarian was appointed prime minister in May 2000 after effectively
switching sides in a bitter power struggle that was sparked by the
October 1999 terrorist attack on the Armenian parliament and ended in
Kocharian?s and Sarkisian?s victory. He held on to the post in the
shadow of Armenia?s two most powerful men, rarely defying them on
major policy issues and essentially putting the HHK at their disposal.
On Monday Armenia?s entire cabinet of ministers resigned. A government
statement cited Article 55 of the Armenian constitution which
obligates the ruling cabinet to step down in case the post of prime
minister becomes vacant.
Under the recently amended constitution, the president of the republic
has to name a new prime minister, backed by the majority of parliament
deputies, within the next ten days. The appointment must follow
consultations with leaders of the parliamentary majority.
– SDHP Participating In The Parliamentary Elections Under The Slogan
Of "120 Years In The Service Of The Nation"
YEREVAN — During a press conference held last week, chairperson of SD
Hunchakian Party Armenia leadership, Lyudmila Sarksian proclaimed that
the party will participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections
under the slogan of "120 years in the service of the nation" and
expects to overcome the 5 percent threshold.
"SDHP has a large number of followers specially in the ranks of
compatriots who immigrated to Armenia after 1948" stated Sarksian.
Speaking about the inability of the opposition forces to unite prior
to the parliamentary elections and its influence on the pre-electoral
campaigning stage Sarksian said that each of opposing political forces
is naturally engaged in pursuing its own interest. At the same time
all opposing forces must have one general problem to bring together
the people for mass meetings and gatherings after the elections to
protect their votes.
?It is a very difficult problem today, as whatever some opposition
leaders say, the people is at some extent disappointed with the
opposition. And it must explain to the people that if they sell their
votes for bribes, the next four years will be much worse than it is
today,? concluded Sarksian.
– Statement By Congress of Canadian Armenians
Renovation of Akhtamar Church Used By Turkey In Lobby Against
Recognition of Armenian Genocide
MONTREAL — The Turkish government has funded the renovation of the
historic Armenian church located on Akhtamar Island in Van with an
ulterior motive – to use it as a propaganda tool as it lobbies
governments and legislators around the world against recognizing the
Armenian Genocide.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has spent $1.5 million
dollars on this project. The Governor of Van, with the assistance of
Turkish Embassies around the world, has invited 3,000 people to attend
an opening ceremony at the site on March 29, 2007. These include many
Armenians in Armenia and throughout the Diaspora of whom several are
in Canada. At first glance that may sound like a good thing, but there
is a decidedly self serving side to these actions by the Turkish
government.
Harut Sassounian, Publisher of The California Courier, reported on
March 22, 2007 that the Turkish newspaper Zaman has let the cat out of
the bag as to why the Turkish government would spend so much money to
renovate the Akhtamar church. Last week a Turkish delegation led by
Mehmet Dulger, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the
Turkish Parliament, came to Washington to lobby against the adoption
of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the U.S. Congress.
They brought with them copies of a photo album of the renovated
Akhtamar church published by the Turkish government, and used them in
meetings with U.S. Congressmen saying: ?Turks, whom you accuse of
genocide, have renovated an Armenian church with taxes collected from
Turks.? Zaman also reported that the album will be distributed
worldwide to all organizations advocating ?Armenian
genocide claims?, and that representatives of countries who have
adopted or are planning to adopt an Armenian Genocide bill have been
invited to the opening ceremony on March 29.
The renovated Akhtamar church is referred to in the invitations as
?The Monumental Museum of Akdamar Church?, and an enclosure provides a
historic overview of its construction and expansion in the 10th, 13th
and 18th centuries without any mention whatsoever that it was ever an
Armenian church. In other documentation, the carvings on the walls are
said to ?show an influence of 9th and 10th century Abbasi art, which
was itself influenced by Central Asian Turkish Art.? It has now been
designated a museum and not a church open for Christian worship, and
it remains under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism and not of the Armenian Patriarchate. The cross on the dome of
the church has conspicuously not been replaced. All of this is
insulting to the memory of Armenians who lived and worshipped in Van
until they were brutally killed.
There were thousands of Armenian churches and monuments before the
Genocide of 1915 in what is present day Turkey. The vast majority of
them were confiscated from the Armenian Patriarchate, converted to
non-religious use, abandoned to the ravages of time, or outright
demolished by Turkish officials some as recently as just a few years
ago. This is insulting to all Armenians.
The Republic of Armenia is forced to respect official state-to-state
protocol, so as not to inflame Turkey, and will therefore be sending
its Deputy Minister of Culture to the opening ceremony on March 29.
However, at a news conference in Yerevan on March 21, Armenia?s
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian expressed regret that the
Turkish side does not respond to any initiatives directed at
normalizing relations with Armenia.
As if in answer to this comment, the Turkish military summarily vetoed
a proposal by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism that the
border with Armenia be temporarily opened for the one day of the
opening ceremony in Van. It is up to Armenians throughout the Diaspora
to counter this latest propaganda initiative by the Turkish government.
The Congress of Canadian Armenians is part of this worldwide effort.
Nothing short of the Turkish government finally recognizing the
Armenian Genocide will satisfy Armenians, and every year more
countries are joining the growing voice asking Turkey for this
recognition. Canada did so in April 2006.
The Congress of Canadian Armenians is comprised of the following
participating organizations (in alphabetical order): AGBU Alex
Manoogian School, AGBU Montreal Chapter, Armenian Democratic Liberal
Party, Holy Cross Church of Laval, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church
of Montreal, S.D. Hunchakian Party, Society of Armenians from
Istanbul, Tekeyan Cultural Association.
– Greg Krikorian:
?We Need A Voice On The City Council That Knows The Importance Of Our Schools?
For the last six years Greg Krikorian has served the city of Glendale
as a Glendale Unified School District Board Member. The 44-year-old
Marketing Director moved to Glendale in 1987 and quickly involved
himself in local activities. His accomplishments range from serving on
the Board of the Northwest Homeowners Association to working with the
Verdugo Hills Boy Scout Council, as well as serving as the President
of the Five-Star Education Coalition and Leadership in Glendale. Now
he wants to utilize his experiences and insight to serve the city of
Glendale as Councilman.
Krikorian hopes to take his skills from serving on the school board
and the relationships he has formed and use them to help create a
council that is more in touch with the needs of the community.
?My past experiences within the private as well as the public sector
has built a base for me to considerately address issues in the city
with integrity,? he said. ?Serving six years on the board enlightened
me in integral workings of government agencies and taught me to set
direction as a team.?
Krikorian feels a new addition to the city council should help the
council appreciate the dynamics of the city and be able to unite
different forces in the community. ?We must bring civility, humble
leadership, financial transparency and open communication to our city
council. Our city needs a council member who is approachable, engaging
and provides leadership representing the entire city.? he said. ?I
have those qualities.?
?Currently there is a disconnected between Glendale?s city council and
Glendale residents.? Krikorian said. ?Now is at a crucial time for the
council to adapt and change to the needs of its residence. I want to
lead the council in its efforts to tackle this disconnect.? Important
issues he actively wishes to pursue as a councilman in the city are:
supporting local businesses, examine rising utility costs and opening
communication between city and school officials. He also wants to see
the council work to preserve open space, ease traffic congestion and
improve parking, enforce hillside and zoning ordinances, stop the flow
of businesses leaving Glendale and support senior, youth and disabled
persons programs.
?We need a voice on the council that knows the importance of our
schools,? he added. ?The council should want to keep serving families
and young adults by providing the long standing Glendale tradition of
safety and jobs.?
– Merdinian School Science Fair 2007
SHERMAN OAKS, CA.?On Tuesday, February 27, 2007, Merdinian students,
grade by grade, visited the school hall, which was decorated with
banners and posters, to set up their projects on the designated
tables. The next day, judges arrived early in the morning to evaluate
the projects. Dr. Hrair Atikian, Board chairman, Dr. Paul Narguizian,
Board member, and Mr. Harold DeMirjian, former Board chairman, judged
grades 1st-5th projects.
Three scientists from Pratt & Whitney, Rocketdyne Division, led by Dr.
Hagop Panossian, judged grades 6th-8th projects. Students were well
prepared for their oral presentations. This opportunity to walk
through and discuss their findings with scientists was rewarding for
students and judges alike.
Following a luncheon, courtesy of the school caterer, Mr. Hovig
Hovaguimian, a special assembly was held in the Chapel to announce the
4th-8th grades winners. Mrs. Lina Arslanian, Science/Math Departments
Chair and Science Fair Coordinator, thanked all the judges who kindly
donated their time and effort to help our students. Mrs. Arslanian
also thanked the faculty, staff, and parents who contributed to the
success of this event. Dr. Panossian made his recommendations
regarding Science Fair experiments. The program concluded with
Principal Injejikian?s remarks. The Principal thanked the Science
teachers, especially Mrs. Lina Arslanian for her hard work in
organizing and coordinating this successful Science Fair. He likewise
thanked the students and parents for their collaborative work.
All participants received certificates of participation in recognition
of their efforts. Grades 1st-3rd projects were not ranked. Grades
4th-8th winners received trophies. The winners from 6th-8th grades
will be able to participate in the Armenian Olympiad organized by AESA
and LA County Science Fair in April.
The following are the winners: 4th Grade: Rose Avakian (1st place),
Harry Akopyan (2nd place), Sabine Bajakian (3rd place), Sevan
Kalaydjian (Honorable Mention). 5th Grade: Arteen Galstyan (1st
place), Andy Danayan (2nd place), Ani Kechichian (3rd place), Silva
Andranikian (Honorable Mention). 6th Grade: Armen Arslanian (1st
place), Lori Shirajian (2nd place), Raffi Kurbessoian (3rd place)
Michael Chorlian (Honorable Mention). 7th Grade: Diran Boolghoorjian
(1st place), Rosie Somoundjian and Zohrab Nersisyan (2nd place),
Angel Abajian (3rd place), Avedis Karapetyan (Honorable Mention). 8th
Grade: Mary Kasmajian (1st place), Berj Chorlian (2nd place), Tanya
Adamian (3rd place), Silva Sourfazian and Taron Ayrapetyan (Honorable
Mention).
Merdinian School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges. For more information about the school, you may contact
the school office at (818) 907-8149.
– AMAA Presents a Benefit Spring Concert Featuring Serge Barseghyan,
Bass and Pianist Varta Tchakarian
More than 10,000 children in Armenia, Georgia and Karabagh, who attend
summer camps organized and sponsored by the Armenian Missionary
Association of America (AMAA), will once again benefit from the
proceeds of a spring concert to be presented by the AMAA’s Armenia
Summer Camp and Christmas Committee.
This year?s concert, graciously sponsored by Samuel and Sandra
Hekemian, will feature Serge Barseghyan, Bass, with Liza Stepanova as
accompanist and Pianist Varta Tchakarian as soloist. The concert will
take place on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. at the Armenian
Presbyterian Church, 140 Forest Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey.
Born in 1968 in Lvov, Ukraine, Serge Barseghyan studied at the Music
School in Lvov. In 1975 he entered the Sayat-Nova Music School, Piano
Department in Yerevan. From 1986-1993 he studied at the Yerevan State
Conservatory, Vocal Department. He has performed with chamber, radio
and television orchestras and the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. In
1996 he was a prizewinner of a prestigious international vocal
competition "Concurso International de Canto Francisco Vinas" in
Spain. In 1998 he was a soloist at the Juilliard Opera Center, in the
United States of America. In 1998 and 1999 as a soloist at Juilliard,
he received the Schumann Fund Award, Edward Nobel Heritage Foundation
Award and the Armenian Scholarship Fund Award at the Juilliard School.
In April 2001 he performed at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Hall, Oscar
Hall, in Verdi’s Requiem with Maestro Ohan Durian and the Pacific
Symphony Orchestra. From 2002-2005 auditions include those with
Maestro Ricardo Mutti in La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera and Nantes
Anger Opera and Le Chatelet, Paris. In July 2005 he performed at the
gala concert of Stars of the Armenian Opera dedicated to the 80th
Anniversary of the renowned singer, Cathy Berberian. Mr. Barseghyan
has performed in Paris, Barcelona, Valencia, New York and Los Angeles.
Liza Stepanova, a native of Belarus, earned her Bachelor Degree in
piano performance from the "Hanns Eisler" Academy of Music in Berlin,
Germany where she was a student of George Sava. After graduation in
2005, she received a scholarship for the renowned Juilliard School in
New York, where she is currently working on her Master Degree with
Jerome Lowenthal. Ms. Stepanova has performed in the United States of
America, Germany, France and Sweden and is prizewinner of several
piano competitions.
Bulgarian pianist Varta Tchakarian has performed as a soloist in
Bulgaria, Holland, France and the United States. She is a winner of
the De Bose National Piano Competition, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She is also an award winner of numerous competitions in her native
country. In 2005, Brasilian composer Liduino Pitombeira dedicated to
her Suite Brasileira. She premiered the piece in a concert of the
National Association of Composers in the USA, in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana. The New York premier took place at Yamaha Artist Services
as a part of her New York debut recital in May, 2005 where Ms.
Tchakarian was featured as a Musica Bella Artist. Ms. Tchakarian has
been active as a chamber musician for the past 10 years. She won the
Bulgarian National Competition for best performance of German/Austrian
music, chamber music category. Ms. Tchakarian earned her Master of
Music Degree from the Juilliard School under the guidance of Seymour
Lipkin, and her Bachelor of Music of Degree from Louisiana State
University as a student of Constance Carroll. Currently, Ms.
Tchakarian is on the faculty of the Piano School of New York City.
Tickets are $25.00. For reservations and for further information you
may call Louisa Janbazian at the AMAA at 201-265-2607, Elbiz
Baghdikian at 201-615-4943, Ida Gueyikian at 732-946-2730, Seta
Nalbandian at 201-871-1352 and Rosemarie Ashbahian at 718-937-5014. A
reception to meet the artists will follow the recital.
—
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