Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

ARMENIA: FRONTIER RESTRICTIONS PROMPT EXODUS
Yeranuhi Soghoian

Institute for War and Peace Reporting IWPR
July 31 2009
UK

Empty Armenian border villages raise security concerns.

Villages along Armenia’s border with Turkey are emptying, with
their inhabitants blaming strict border regulations for making life
impossible, in an exodus that some analysts say threatens the security
of the state.

In the village of Kharkov, for example, on the bank of the river
Akhurian facing Turkish territory over the water, just one family
remains.

In 1949, when the barbed wire was installed and the Cold War made the
Turkish-Soviet border the frontline between communism and capitalism,
80 Armenian families lived here.

Turkey and Armenia still have no diplomatic ties, and the closed
border between them today is a legacy of Armenia’s war with Turkish
ally Azerbaijan in the early 1990s.

The Khachatrians were the most recent emigrants from Kharkov in 2008,
and now live in the village of Ani, about seven kilometres away. They
say they had no choice but to abandon their homes, so they gathered
up their belongings and locked the door behind them.

"My grandson had to go to school, so like it or not, we had to leave
Kharkov," said Avetik Khachatrian, the head of the family.

He said people started to leave the village, which is surrounded by
barbed wire, as early as the 1960s, as they struggled to deal with
the harsh Soviet border conditions. The school taught children only
for the first four years, and the roads were in such a poor state
that they were almost impassable.

The Khachatrians had to show special passes at a border checkpoint
to reach the outside world, they said, and had to give prior warning
if anyone wanted to visit them, including for weddings or funerals.

"They counted them in, and then on the next day they counted them out
again," said Avetik’s wife, Melsida. "Outsiders could not stay in the
village. There were cases when, because of extended document checks,
the funeral ceremony had to be postponed until 8 pm."

Now, the only village residents are the Vardanians, a couple in their
70s. When they go, the village will be empty, and that part of the
border deserted.

This movement away from the border zone profoundly troubles Stepan
Safarian, a political commentator and member of parliament for the
Heritage Party.

"These farmers guard our border, and it is especially hard since our
enemy is on the other side. The government does not provide decent
living conditions for the residents of the border areas, which raises
questions about the existence of a border at all," he said.

"If there are no villages on the border, then you either have to have
a strong army, and our country cannot afford that for any extended
period, or you have to decide not to defend the border. In this case
the biggest danger is that this area won’t be deserted for long,
since in the modern world of globalisation other people will quickly
move there. And maybe they’ll be from Turkey."

The local priest, Mikael Ajapahian of the Shirak diocese, can list
villages that have either been moved back from the border or were
relocated to make way for the Akhurian reservoir. He said an attempt
by a group of farmers to move back to Kharkov in the 1980s failed
and no one had tried to resurrect the village since.

"In the Soviet years, when everything was done to empty the villages
or evacuate people further from the Armenian-Turkish border, of course
such an initiative was doomed," he said.

Ajapahian said the Turkish government’s treatment of villages on its
side of the border was different, "There is no barbed wire there,
and everything is done to develop these villages.

"For me, it is degrading to see the current situation in Kharkov. What
law says a village must be surrounded by barbed wire? If there is
already a natural border in the form of a reservoir and a river then
why is an artificial one needed too?"

Lida Nanian, the governor of the Shirak region where Kharkov
is located, did not deny that the emptying of the villages
was a side-effect of the strict border regulations but said the
administration was doing all it could to provide modern amenities
for the villagers.

"There was a problem with the village of Meghrashat. The issue was
that the cowshed was right on the Armenian-Turkish border and not
long ago there was a case of livestock being stolen," she said.

"The border guards demanded that the residents moved their cowshed
further from the border and did not send their livestock into those
pastures. I did not agree with this but it is their job; it is what
they are paid to do."

The border guards’ involvement does not end with the location of
cowsheds. In order to graze their livestock, local people have to
carry a pass, something they find offensive.

"I no longer live in Kharkov, but I still have some land there,
and now I need to go there to cultivate it," said Avetik Khachatrian.

"I already have a pass for entering and exiting until the end of the
year but believe me, they do not make it easy. A few days ago, I had to
wait at the checkpoint from 8 am to 1 pm. for them to open it. They did
not even let me work properly. They came at 8 pm and told me to leave."

Yeranuhi Soghoian is freelance journalist in Gyumri.

SERZH SARGSYAN’S STATEMENT IS OBSTACLE TO ADDRESS OUR PROBLEMS: TURKISH MP

Today.Az
38.html
July 30 2009
Azerbaijan

Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party member of parliament
Ruhi Achikgoz spoke in an exclusive interview with Day.Az.

Day.Az: Recently Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said he will visit
Turkey to watch return match between the two countries’ football
teams only after Ankara opens borders or makes an evident move to
remove Armenia’s blockade. How can you comment on this statement?

Ruhi Achikgoz: I did not closely watch recent events, but I believe
Armenia-Turkey talks and efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict
are going on. We are trying to establish a political dialogue. Turkey
surely notifies Azerbaijan of this dialogue.

I think Armenian president should try to help us in solving common
problems, because he understands that the fact that the Karabakh
conflict is not resolved hinders Armenia in the eyes of world community
and makes situation of Armenians and complex Armenia-Turkey relations
even worse. These problems must be resolved. I hope that Sargsyan
will contribute to solving these problems. The visit by Mr. Abdullah
Gul to Yerevan, of course, was associated not only with watching a
soccer match. The visit marked the first step to solving all problems,
first of all the Karabakh conflict.

I think it would be more appropriate for Sargsyan to support this
step. Because strong politicians can take a risk on the settlement
of problems.

Q: When Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Armenia, he did not
make any terms. But Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan does make
terms. Is it a right move?

A: It will not be beneficial for bilateral relations. Sargsyan’s
statement which makes terms is one of the biggest obstacles to solve
problems.

Q: How do you assess current level of Armenia-Turkey relations?

A: I believe the policy pursued by Turkish president and prime minister
is right. Naturally, we constantly keep Armenia-Azerbaijan relations
on agenda. We get familiar with the state of affairs and discuss
it at various meetings with parliamentarians of both countries. We
participate in all initiatives aimed at resolving the problems. But
we certainly do not support a unilateral approach to the case. Turkey
does not want the region where it is located to have problems.

This is confirmed by numerous statements by new Foreign Minister Ahmed
Davudoglu. These challenges also include the Karabakh conflict and the
so-called "Armenian Genocide." Solution of these problems must not
be delayed because it does not benefit societies who are interested
in addressing them.

Q: How do you assess the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve
the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? As you know, two
co-chairs will soon have to leave the group.

A: The main thing is the process. Someone’s leaving the group will
not change anything. The settlement process must not be interrupted. I
think that process will continue regardless of the departure of any of
co-chair. We need to patiently wait for the outcome of the activities
of the Minsk Group. There are long-standing problems that can not
be solved quickly and easily. You need to wait. I think that this
process will continue and activities of the Minsk Group will lead to
positive results.

Q: Once it was widely believed that Turkey could help resolve the
Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group. This news prompted
discontent in Armenia…

A: Naturally, an increase in those who contribute to resolving the
conflict always brings benefits. I think that it may be beneficial
to both Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is wrong to believe that the
participation of Turkey in this process will benefit only Azerbaijan.

SOUTH CAUCASIAN RAILWAYS OPENS REPAIRED MASIS STATION

ArmInfo
2009-07-30 15:47:00

ArmInfo. Today South Caucasian Railways opened repaired Masis station.

Chief Engineers of SCR Samvel Haroutyunyan says that Masis is a
very important station. The company has spent 50mln AMD on this
project. "This is the first station where we have launched a
computerized control system. We have significantly enhanced the
efficiency of our repairs by obtaining modern repair equipment,"
says Haroutyunyan.

In 2009 the investments of SCR will total 2.7bln RUR. 70% of the
money will be spent on infrastructure.

South Caucasian Railways is 100% subsidiary of Russian Railways and
has 30-year concession over Armenian Railways.

WHY REMEMBER?

Huffington Post
/why-remember_b_247404.html
July 29 2009

Leslie Gilbert-Lurie. Author of the memoir Bending Toward the Sun

September of this year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of World
War II. There is no agreed upon moment, however, when the Holocaust
began. Some date it to Hitler’s coming to power in 1933. Others mark
the onset to Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, in November
of 1938. Since the Holocaust was undeniably a component of World
War II, however, it seems fair to say that next month also marks the
anniversary of its inception.

It is clear why we note the beginning of World War II. We won. The
forces of good beat the Axis of Evil, and the "best generation"
came home victorious. Less obvious is why it’s important to mark the
anniversary of the Holocaust. Why continue to look back at one of
humankind’s bleakest moments? There were no winners and far too few
heroes. Isn’t it enough that some of us have read Anne Frank’s diary
or seen Schindler’s List? I think not. In the course of writing and
teaching about the Holocaust, I have discovered that the Holocaust
is rich in lessons to sustain our humanity.

The Holocaust is a cautionary tale about leaders and cowards, heroes
and victims. In examining it, we delve into the darkest parts of
ourselves and reflect upon how we might have acted, what we could
have done, had we been present. Would we have taken a job in the
Nazi Party if we were unemployed? Would we have followed orders at
work in order to get promoted? Would we have risked our own lives,
or those of family members, in order to hide or protect others? Would
we have spoken up in the face of injustice? The Holocaust provides
an opportunity for each of us to consider how we would or should act
the next time we see others robbed of their fundamental rights.

The Holocaust is also an enlightening tale about political systems
and a horror story about the abuses of power. Adolf Hitler took
office in a democracy which, at its core, was similar to the one in
which we feel so safe today. In the blink of an eye, he converted
his government into a totalitarian regime, in which all oaths were
pledged to him. Overnight, Hitler began eviscerating the rights of the
communists, the homosexuals, the disabled, the gypsies, the Catholics,
and of course, the Jews. What does this tell us about the ability of
a democracy to protect the rights of vulnerable minorities? Lest we
forget that our own democracy, not so long ago, tolerated slavery. It
also endorsed euthanasia for the disabled and forbade women from
voting. Those educated in the abuses of power that took place leading
up to and during the Holocaust will be better equipped to vigilantly
protect the democratic values we so treasure today in our own country.

In our country, education is cherished. It is viewed as a ticket to
success and key to a civilized, informed society. Authors, politicians,
and educators espouse the importance of American youth studying hard,
in part to compete with industrious students around the world. Yet at
the same time, we must keep in mind that the Hall of Shame from the
Holocaust was filled with doctors, engineers, and lawyers. Without
judgment and compassion, without an awareness of the dangers of
following orders without reflection, we are just one election, evil
leader, or disastrous economic cycle away from another Weimar Republic
of the early 1930’s. We must teach our children to be thoughtful,
proactive citizens. In learning about the Holocaust, students can
see where a past generation failed and what role they will play in
the tragedies of their own generation.

Today, in Sudan’s Darfur region, another ethnic cleansing is taking
place. The Janjaweed militia, supported by the Sudanese government, is
systematically murdering the region’s black tribes. Outside Darfur, in
other parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, strife
and violence are rampant. Both World War I and World War II taught
us that under the stresses of war, prejudices are often heightened.

In 1915, not long after the start of World War I, authorities in
the Muslim Ottoman Empire turned against the Armenians, a Christian
minority that had lived for generations within the region. The world
politely turned away as a million or more Armenians were massacred over
the next eight years. Our country, along with many others, again looked
the other way, over and over again, as Hitler’s campaign ramped up in
the 1930’s. In 1936, at the summer Olympics in Berlin, for example,
not only did the United States agree to attend the games, but coaches
from this country pulled two Jewish runners from the relay team at the
eleventh hour, at least in part so as not to offend Hitler. In 1939,
intellectuals in our country and throughout Europe passively looked on
as Jewish professors were unceremoniously fired from the University
of Frankfurt, the most liberal university in Germany. And again,
that same year, over 900 Jewish men, women, and children aboard
the ship the St. Louis, after desperately fleeing Nazi Europe and
arriving on the shores of Cuba, were denied entry not only in that
country but also in the United States, and forced to turn back. Each
of these events emboldened Hitler. He had good reason to believe that
the world’s leaders would not object to his gross violation of human
rights. Yes, some individuals spoke up. And sometimes, when they did,
lives were spared. But mostly we were a world of bystanders, paving
the way for many more bystanders over the six ensuing years of the
Holocaust. Studying the Holocaust helps each of us to comprehend the
downside of being a bystander, or of acting at the eleventh hour,
rather than at the first opportunity. It makes us better prepared to
be good, humane citizens in today’s world.

The Holocaust occurred not so long ago and in a land not so far
away. As the 70-year anniversary approaches, we are in a race against
time. When young people today hear a Holocaust survivor speak, they are
bearing witness to that which their own children are never likely to
experience the same way. And as the voices of the Holocaust survivors
quiet, those of the ones who insist that the Holocaust never happened
will grow louder and, perhaps, more persuasive. To continue to mark
its existence, to study its implications, is to honor its victims and
better protect humankind in the future. As we vow that such a tragedy
will not occur again, we must remember that there is an awful lot of
suffering taking place in the world this very moment.

Leslie Gilbert-Lurie is the author of Bending Toward the Sun: A Mother
and Daughter Memoir.

THE OSCE MONITORING TO BE HELD

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2009-07-29 15:13
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

The Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office appealed to the NKR authorities for their support in
holding the scheduled-for-August 4 monitoring of the NKR and AR armed
forces’ contact-line near Talish settlement of Martakert region, NKR.

>From the NKR Defense Army positions, the monitoring will be held by
Coordinator of the OSCE Office, Lieutenant-Colonel Imre Palatinus
(Hungary) and Field Assistant of the Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Vladimir Chuntulov (Bulgaria).

>From the opposite side, the monitoring group will be headed by Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk.

>From the Karabagh party, the monitoring mission will be accompanied
by representatives of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry
of Defense.

PARTICIPANTS OF COME HOME PROGRAM IN ARMENIAN ANCIENT CAPITAL ARTASHAT

Noyan Tapan
July 28, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. July 27 began for the
participants of RA Ministry of Diaspora’s Come Study of Native Land
interactive classes which has already became a pleasant tradition. As
the children attend the lessons of Study of Native Land with great
pleasure the next event of the program was symbolized with special
importance for them.

The children were to visit Khor Virap church complex.

Following the guide the children got acquainted with the history of
the church-castle, went down by the vertical stairs to the basement
which is to the right of the Chapel’s Holy Altar and where is the 4.4
meters in diameter and of 6 meters deep dome-shaped concave covered
cellar where Saint Gregory the Iluminator was imprisoned. The Diasopran
Armenian young people were impressed and took photos all the time and
it seemed that the walls of the church told them about the events of
the 1700-year the history of the strong and graceful Khor Virap.

The lads and girls discussed what they had seen and felt in already
moving buses. Without giving turn to each other they showed each other
the photos they had taken as if they were competing whose photo was
the most successful one. The lively atmosphere continued till reaching
Ararat’s regional center Artashat.

Here Ararat’s deputy regional governor Samvel Mirzoyan met the
participants of the Come Home program and accompanied them to the
Charles Aznavour Cultural Palace to take part in the program Let’s Sing
and Dance Armenian held by the pupils of the cultural institution. The
Diasporan Armenian young people enjoying the Armenian folk song and
dance were taken unawares when they were invited to the stage. However
it was not the first debut in Armenia and the Armenians from different
sides of the world danced a proud round dance in Armenian ancient
capital Artashat.

Then the event moved to the park near the regional council where
Ararat’s regional governor Vardges Hovakimian and the members of
Serund (Generation) youth NGO, which cooperates with the RA Ministry
of Diaspora within the framework of the Come Home program, joined them.

According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the RA
Ministry of Diaspora, at the end of the day the participants of the
program took part in one more cultural event. They went to Yerevan
to Gabriel Sundukian National Academic Theatre where they watched
G. Sundukian’s "Khatabala" play by performance of the actors of
Tbilisi Petros Adamian State Armenian Theatre.

It seemed that the eventful day would tire the children but they were
in a good mood and had inexhaustible energy. Perhaps that energy passes
to them by their homeland’s high mountains or cold and pure water.

IRANIAN, ARMENIAN PROVINCIAL LEADERS SIGN COOPERATION ACCORD

Islamic Republic News Agency
July 25 2009
Tehran

The governor-general of Iran’s West Azarbayjan Province, Rahim Qorbani,
and the governor of Armavir Region in Armenia, Ashot Ghahramanyan,
have signed an agreement on cooperation, IRNA news agency has reported.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in West Azarbayjan’s capital Orumiyeh
on 25 July, Ghahramanyan expressed his readiness to establish a
store or a showroom in Armavir for agricultural products from West
Azarbayjan Province.

The governor of Armenia’s Armavir Region visited West Azarbayjan
Province on 24 July at the invitation of Governor-General Qorbani to
discuss ways of expanding bilateral ties.

FAMILIES FROM KOTAYK, ARARAT AND YEREVAN ARMENIAN WIN COMPETITIONS "BEST SPORTING FAMILY"

/ARKA/
July 27, 2009
TSAGHKADZOR

TSAGHKADZOR, July 27. /ARKA/. In the sixth annual national competition
"Best sporting family" the first, second and third places were,
respectively, of the Egyanov family from Kotayk region, Sahakyans
from Ararat and Santrosyanovs from Yerevan.

36 families attended the finals from 10 different regions of Armenia,
Yerevan and Nagorno-Karabakh. The awards took place on Saturday at the
sport-based city-resort Tsaghkadzor in the presence of the Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan.

"The event is in two phases, the regional part was held on June 1-14,
and the final part, where there were families from the first three
places, was on July 23-25", Deputy Minister for Sports and Youth
Affairs of Armenia Khachik Asryan, told reporters, stressing that
if in the 2004 competition, a total of 54 families were involved,
then in 2009 – 171 families were present.

According to him, for the last three days in Tsakhkadzor, the families
competed in the tug, played a relay race at 60 meters, relay race at
300 meters, long jumps, power exercises and throwing a tennis ball.

Asryan reported that the family who wins the first place in the finals
receives 500 thousand AMD, the second place – 400 thousand AMD, and
the third place – 300 thousand AMD, and a certificate signed by the
president of Armenia.

Also, those who won certain types o f competitions in the finals,
receive 100 thousand AMD.

The deputy minister informed that during the first phase of the
competition the family that won the first place has received 210
thousand AMD, the second place – 190 thousand AMD, and the third place
– 160 AMD, as well as certificates. At the same time, each family,
who won the first place in any kind of competition in the first stage,
received 50 thousand AMD.

Of the six types in the finals, the Egyanovs from Kotayk became the
first in throwing a tennis ball and the 300-meter relay race. The
first one in the 60-meter relay race game was the family of Lori
Khachatryan. In the power modes, the first place prize was taken home
by Santrosyanovs from Yerevan, in the tug the Melkonyanovs of Kotayk
were the leaders.

At the same time, the best results in the jump in length were shown
by the Abroyanov family of Ararat. The youngest competitor – Narek
Lazarian from Armavir, was awarded 100 thousand AMD by the Chairman
of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia Gagik Tsarukyan, according
to the tradition.

All 36 families participating in the finals of competitions received
sports costumes from the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

Asryan reported that the general fund of the competition was 17
million AMD, of which the prize fund was 12 million 680 thousand AMD.

"The Armenian President’s "Best Sporting Family" competitions are
bein g held for six consecutive years;-one of its main tasks is to
hold a healthy lifestyle in the Armenian families. I am confident
that next year we will have an even greater increase in the activity
of the competition ", Asryan summarized ($ 1-366, 03 AMD).

VIOLATIONS NOT REVEALED AT ONLY 62 OUT OF 1,001 ECONOMIC ENTITIES SUBJECTED TO CHECKS

NOYAN TAPAN
YEREVAN
JULY 27, 2009

In the period of January to May 7, 2009, the State Food Safety and
Veterinary Inspection of the RA Ministry of Agriculture consucted
checks of 1,001 economic entities in Yerevan and marzes (provinces)
of Armenia, including 673 checks in shops, 224 checks at public
catering enterprises (restaurants, cafes, etc.) and 104 checks at
various workshops. Head of the Legal and Information Unit of the
Inspection Susanna Minasian told NT correspondent that violations
were not revealed at only 62 out of the 1,001 economic entities. The
other 927 economic entities were subjected to administrative
responsibility. Fines of a total of 47 million drams were imposed.

She said that on May 7 the Inspection suspended checks based on
the Armenian government’s decision, under which the state bodies
authorized to conduct checks in 2009-2010 must suspend checks at
small and medium enterprises.

According to S. Minasian, since the indicated decision of the
government, checks have been conducted (by written permission of
the prime minister) at 3 economic entities – Mush, Byrakn and Viva
Karapetians LLCs where in particular foodstuffs of animal origin
which have not undergone a test were found, as well as technology
instructions, regimes and certificates were absent. S. Minasian
said that these economic entities were subjected to administrative
responsibility. Fines of 300 thousand drams were imposed on Mush and
Byrakn companies, while Viva Karapetians paid a fine of 200 thousand
drams (about 650 USD).

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Telephone: (818) 500-1918
Facsimile: (818) 246-7353

PRESS RELEASE

July 22, 2009
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANC-WR INTERNS HALF WAY THROUGH SUMMER SESSION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE

GLENDALE, CA — Working together and on their individual projects, the
seven interns of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region?s Internship
Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) reached the half-way point of the 2009
Summer Session this past week. In a few short weeks, the interns have
accomplished much from organizing community forums on the 2010 US Census and
covering the developing situation in the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to honing
resume writing and interview skills as well as meeting with community
organization leaders.

?The interns are off to a great start and I am impressed with their ability
to handle several major projects along with smaller projects all at the same
time,? said ANC-WR IEP Coordinator Haig Hovsepian. ?It is great to see them
bonding and supporting one another in their efforts.?

Interning at the ANC-WR this summer are Colette Ghazarian, Hovsep
Hajibekyan, Srbui Karapetian, Razmig Khayalian, Nare Kupelian, Elizabeth
McIntyre, and Lauren Shenian.

Although most of the work done by the interns takes place at the ANC-WR
office, the interns have also gone into the field to strengthen local ANCs
such as the ANC of Hollywood and the ANC of Orange County, by collaborating
with them on projects geared towards engaging more of their respective local
communities. The interns also led a canvassing effort to register voters at
the 2009 Navasartian Games during the July 4th holiday weekend.

?I really enjoyed helping the ANC-WR have a visible and active presence at
the Navasartian games. It was great meeting people and working to get
others involved in the American political process,? noted McIntyre. ?The
Navasartian games were also an opportunity for me to learn more about the
Armenian community and the organizations that are working to make a
difference here in Los Angeles and beyond.?

The interns also participate in weekly group meetings featuring guest
speakers and lecturers. In addition to federal and state issues briefings,
the program has featured speakers from the ANC Professional Network and from
the Genocide Education Project and covered a range of topics including
campus activism.

?I especially enjoy the group meetings because they provide us with valuable
tools and a knowledge base for future activism and civic engagement such as
networking skills, introduction to community issues and grassroots
organizing. These are the fundamentals of political activism and much
more,? said Hajibekyan.

The 2009 Summer Session of the program will come to a close on August 21st.
They will be presenting the culmination of their work to the ANC-WR Board of
Directors and local ANC leaders at the end of the session.

The application for the 2009 Autumn Session is now available online. Those
interested in applying can contact the ANC-WR office for more information.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest Armenian
American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the
country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of
concern to the Armenian American community.