CRIMES FOLLOW ONE ANOTHER

A1+
[11:44 am] 28 November, 2006

"Alternative" Initiative has released an announcement which says,
"The Acting authorities of the Republic of Armenia came to power in
1998 via power seizure. Then they implemented the Parliament carnage
of October 27, 1999 and finally ended their state revolution by the
so-called "Constitutional Referendum" held on November 27, 2005. Thus,
they eliminated the last guarantees for the protection of political
routine, legality, democracy and independent statehood.

The document represented as an "amended version" does not comply
with the well-known norms of human rights and democracy: it ensures
unlimited powers of the President of the Republic, provides mechanisms
for the current authorities’ reproduction, violates the principle of
property immunity and turns the citizens to ignored persons subjected
to exploitation.

On the other hand, taking into consideration the multiple
contradictions, incompliances, linguistic and legal drawbacks of
the document, we can state that the document under question is but
a total disgrace for the Armenian political and legal reality.

The Constitutional Referendum is a brilliant evidence of the
citizens’ vote of confidence. The acting authorities at the head of
President Robert Kocharyan committed a state crime on November 27,
2005, fabricating the results of the referendum which was boycotted
nation-wide. They realized the fabrications with open cynicism and
insolence.

unfortunately, the observers’ mission and international organizations
didn’t stop Robert Kocharyan either. Moreover, the representatives
of many countries and organizations became direct participants of
the above-mentioned crime.

The present authorities must also bear responsibility for another
crime – the destruction of the Constitution which is the fundamental
basis of the country’s statehood.

Mr. Kocharyan must be punished by the very authorities appointed
by him, which gained the public’s confidence. Their number one task
must be the restoration of the Constitution and constitutional order,
which are the legal bases for the independent statehood".

PRE-ELECTION YEAR PROMISES INCREASE OF FLATS

A1+
[01:14 pm] 28 November, 2006

Though the state budget will not allot money for the construction
of new flats in Gyumri in the forthcoming 1 – 2 years, a new
house-building program will be realised in Gyumri in 2007.

The city authorities see the investments of oversea businessmen and
the allocations of the local district as an alternative source to
solve the problem of homeless people.

"We intend to open a new fund. We have a lot of businessmen living
in Odessa. I shall assemble the well-off people of the city. Many
of them have already expressed their readiness to help," says Vardan
Ghukasyan, Mayor of Gyumri.

The new blocks of flats will be raised on the semi-built bases laid
in 1982 – 1992 in the districts of the city. Under the decision of
the RA Government, the above-mentioned buildings are currently at
the disposal of the city municipality.

There are over 847 half-built objects in the marz; 818 of them are
dwelling places and 29 – public buildings.

The construction of these buildings was halted because of the lack of
financial means. Besides, most of the construction material has been
taken away over the past years because of the public’s and authorities’
indifference. Thus, we can assume that great sums of money are needed
to raise the buildings.

Which of the homeless residents will have an opportunity to get a
flat? And which are the criteria of choosing the future dwellers? The
Mayor of Gyumri claims that first of all the multi-member families will
be provided with flats regardless of the fact they have the status of
homeless family or not. It is not known yet how many families will
become house owners. The sum required for the construction of new
blocks of flats is also obscure. All the financial means will be at
the disposal of the municipality and the future house owners will be
involved in the reconstruction works.

The construction will likely start in 2007 and the interior works will
be completed by the turn of the year. Let’s hope that the construction
plans of the authorities will be realized at least partially, taking
into consideration the forthcoming elections.

"Tsayg" TV Station, Gyumri.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EURO-INTEGRATION HAS THE SMELL OF MONEY

A1+
[05:22 pm] 28 November, 2006

"An interesting tendency is evident in Armenia; everything connected
with Europe is blackened on the eve of elections" said Karen Bekaryan,
head of "Euro-integration" NGO during the seminar titled "The Policy
of European Neighbourhood: Armenian Action Plan".

He says that the reason for it is apparent: observers will arrive in
Armenia and our authorities will gain nothing from their position.

He is astonished by the fact that prior to elections instead of
initiating black PR against their rivals, the candidates do their
best to realize black PR against the Euro-integration. "No matter
what they intend to do now, they will return to Euro-integration
later on as it has the smell of money, it is stylish and beautiful",
stated MR. Bekaryan.

The Action Plan was adopted in Brussels on November 14. Armen
Roustamyan, head of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs,
maintains that the document opens new prospects and new tasks
for Armenia. "It is high time we appreciated and contemplated over
everything thoroughly. Everybody must have his share and participation;
I mean the executive, legislative branches and the society. "

Mr. Roustamyan tried to persuade that while solving problems we cannot
neglect the European experience.

Armen Roustamyan states that we have stepped into a new phase. The
adopted laws were thoroughly considered by that important structure
and they comply with the international conventions. .

Armen Roustramyan enumerated a number of priorities of the Action Plan,
"The Action Plan is aimed at contributing to the issues of political,
health spheres, promoting democracy, human rights protection, etc."

He voiced hope that with the help of European Union we can achieve
unbiased settlement of the Karabakh conflict taking into account the
great international experience in this respect.

RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
_________________________________________ __________________
RFE/RL Balkan Report
Vol. 10, No. 11, 28 November 2006

A Weekly Review of Politics, Media, and Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty Broadcasts in the western Balkans

NOTE TO READERS: The next issue of "RFE/RL Balkan Report" will
appear on January 23, 2007.

******************************************* *****************
HEADLINES:
* CROATIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSSES BALKAN CONFLICT, KOSOVA STATUS
* KOSOVA ENTERS THE HOME STRETCH
****************************************** ******************

CROATIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSSES BALKAN CONFLICT, KOSOVA STATUS. Croatian
President Stjepan Mesic told RFE/RL’s South Slavic and Albanian
Languages Service in Prague on November 14 that the destruction of
the Croatian Danube port town of Vukovar 15 years ago was part of
then Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic’s plans to establish a
Greater Serbia by force. The big losers in Milosevic’s wars,
Mesic argued, were nonetheless the Serbs themselves.
Mesic argued that Milosevic thought in 1991 that he could
"fool the world" into thinking he was determined to preserve the
Yugoslav state when, in reality, he was trying to expand Serbia’s
boundaries into neighboring Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. "His goal
was to establish a Greater Serbia," Mesic said.
In doing so, Milosevic tricked Serbian minorities outside
Serbia by telling them he would not leave them outside Serbia’s
frontiers, and he led some of them to believe they would have a
privileged status in his new state. In the end, however, all this
came to nothing. Even his former allies in Montenegro deserted him
and have now formed their own independent state.
Mesic said he is not sure the time is now ripe for him to
invite to Vukovar his Serbian counterpart, Boris Tadic, but added
that "it would be a good [idea]."
He stressed that what happened in Vukovar was "a big crime,
even a crime of genocide." To the extent that people recall what
happened in Vukovar and honor the victims, they have taken one more
step toward ensuring that something like the destruction of that town
"will never happen again," he said.
Mesic said the time has come to resolve the question of
Kosova’s status because the current "status quo cannot remain in
the long run." It also seems to Mesic unreasonable to expect the
issue to be resolved by direct talks between Prishtina and Belgrade,
since Kosova’s ethnic Albanian majority wants only independence,
to which the Serbs will never agree. Consequently, Mesic told RFE/RL,
"the international community has to help."
Like many observers, Mesic argues that the most likely
outcome is that Kosova will become independent, but on the condition
that it observes "those standards [of conduct] that apply in Europe."
He identifies these principles as respect for "civil rights,
multiparty political pluralism, protection of national minorities,
freedom of the media, functioning [state] institutions, the
separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches, and protection for religious and historical monuments."
He added that the Kosovars will also probably be asked to
guarantee that they will not seek to form a "Greater Albania," which,
however, is not seriously sought by any leading Kosovar or Albanian
political party.
Mesic cautioned against hasty judgments regarding Zeljko
Komsic, the new Croatian representative on the Bosnian tripartite
Presidency. Mesic noted that many Croats have suggested that Komsic
might not "defend Croatian interests" because he does not belong to a
nationalist party — he is a social democrat — and because he fought
in the mainly Muslim Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina rather than in the
mainly Herzegovinian Croatian Defense Council (HVO) during the
1992-95 conflict.
"What do people expect?" Mesic asked rhetorically. "That he
should have served in the Army of the Republika Srpska? It is quite
normal that one should have fought for Bosnia-Herzegovina."
Mesic argued, moreover, that Bosnia’s problem is that it
needs to form a functioning state and get away from a tendency of its
two constituent entities to behave as though they were states.
"They’re not," he said starkly.
Mesic is one of the best-known figures on the political stage
of former Yugoslavia and has been prominent in Croatian politics for
most of the time since at least 1990, when he became prime minister.
It was the move in May 1991 by Milosevic and his allies in the
eight-member collective Yugoslav Presidency to block Mesic’s
assumption of the rotating chair of that body — a move that would
have been routine under normal circumstances — that triggered the
decisions of Croatia and Slovenia to declare independence in June.
Mesic returned to Croatia, where he was a member of President
Franjo Tudjman’s Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ). In 1994 he
broke with Tudjman and the HDZ over the conduct of the war in
Bosnia-Herzegovina and eventually found his political home in the
smaller Croatian People’s Party (HNS).
When Tudjman died in office at the end of 1999, most Croats
were clearly eager to break with a style of rule that was widely seen
as paternalistic, pompous, and rooted in the 1991-95 war. Mesic was
first elected to the presidency in early 2000 and quickly established
himself as Croatia’s most respected politician. He adopted a more
folksy style than that of his predecessor, whose stiffness was often
the butt of jokes.
Mesic also worked to break the power of the "Herzegovinian
lobby" in Croatian politics, and there is still little love lost
between him and the HDZ in Herzegovina. He has also been at odds with
organized war veterans groups, who regard him as insufficiently
nationalistic. Mesic and most Croatian political leaders since 2000
have made it clear that they want to put the war era behind them and
concentrate on raising the standard of living and on joining the EU
and NATO.
In the early years of his presidency, Mesic used the more
informal version of his first name, Stipe, although in recent years
he has usually gone by Stjepan. In a marked contrast with
Tudjman’s aloof style, Mesic traveled to the Dalmatian islands
with a regularly scheduled ferry rather than with a presidential
yacht and drank wine on the docks with fellow passengers.
Although critics have charged in recent years that he has
come to mimic the presidential style of the late Josip Broz Tito and
has drifted politically too far to the left, he has generally kept
the office free of the taint of corruption and nepotism that
blemished Tudjman’s rule (see "RFE/RL Balkan Report," September
26, 2006). (Patrick Moore)

KOSOVA ENTERS THE HOME STRETCH. The international community has put
off settling Kosova’s final status until shortly after the
Serbian elections slated for January 21, 2007. But the delay seems
unlikely to affect the outcome, which will in all probability be a
conditional independence.
By late 2005, the leadership of the UN, at the recommendation
of special envoy Kai Eide, concluded that leaving Kosova’s
political status unresolved had become a major source of problems for
the province and the region as a whole. The continuing uncertainty
had already played a role in the triggering and spread of violence
among some of the ethnic Albanian majority in March 2004 and remained
a potential source of future unrest. The lack of clarity also
discouraged the investment necessary to deal with large-scale
unemployment and jump-start the economy among people who have often
displayed sharp business acumen when provided with a clear legal
framework, as Kosovars have done in countries like Croatia,
Switzerland, or Germany (see "RFE/RL Balkan Report," December 17,
2004, and June 27, September 26 and October 24, 2006).
The decision on Kosova’s final status had been expected
by the end of 2006, and many Kosovars became apprehensive when the
postponement was announced recently. But the delay seems designed
only to minimize the effect of the issue on the Serbian vote and is
probably unlikely to impact on the substance of the UN’s final
statement on status. That would appear to be a form of independence
— which is the only outcome acceptable to the 90 percent Albanian
majority — albeit with a continuing foreign presence to ensure the
safety and rights of the minorities, particularly the Serbs, and
their cultural institutions. The EU will most likely replace the UN
at the heart of the foreign civilian presence, but is expected to
have a less powerful mandate than it currently does in
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
UN envoy for Kosova Martti Ahtisaari is expected to make his
announcement regarding the province’s status in February 2007.
Numerous media reports have suggested that U.S. and British diplomats
have recently reassured Kosovar Albanian leaders that just a little
more patience will pay dividends for them and warned them against any
hasty moves, such as issuing a widely rumored unilateral declaration
of independence if the decision on the final status continues to be
delayed. Those media reports indicate that the Kosovars have accepted
the assurances of Washington and London.
Lest anyone forget the stakes involved in finalizing
Kosova’s status, Prime Minister Agim Ceku wrote in "The Wall
Street Journal" of November 20 that "expectations in Kosova are
high…. It is ready for independence, and now is not the time to
stop the clock." He added that "we need to keep the process of
statehood on track. Kosova needs clarity to complete reforms and to
attract vital international investments, but also so that our own
people — and especially our Serb minority — can escape the
debilitating worries and uncertainty and start to build a future.
Their home and future are in Kosova."
Ceku argued that "the biggest problem in the western Balkans
is economic malaise…. Belgrade is not interested in investing in
the development of Kosova, and Kosova is not interested in a
political union with Serbia. But we are interested in developing a
productive bilateral partnership with Serbia, just as we’re doing
with our other neighbors." He believes that "social and economic
progress in the region will be the big losers if we don’t make
the bold step forward to independence. The entire western Balkan
region needs a kick start in order to catch the EU train and catch up
with the awesome economic growth of our EU-bound neighbors, Romania
and Bulgaria."
He noted that "we have a young population and a positive
birthrate. Given the shortages in the EU labor market due to negative
demographic trends, Kosova can help fill the void. To do so, we need
to retrain our work force. Hence we’re now investing in
education."
Ceku also reminded Brussels that it cannot afford to forget
its goal of "a Europe whole and free." He might have added that it is
the question of Euro-Atlantic integration, perhaps more so than even
the issue of Kosova’s final status, that will be the determining
factor for the peace and prosperity of the entire region. (Patrick
Moore)

NOTABLE QUOTATIONS. "The boys and girls of the [1998-99] war are
still alive, they are in Kosova. They are ready to protect the
freedom of Kosova. Nobody gave them weapons, they found them
themselves, they can find them again. Their blood remains the same."
— Azem Syla, former commander in chief of the Kosova Liberation Army
(UCK). Quoted in "Koha Ditore" of October 26.
"By defending Kosovo we are defending more than our own
interest and more that the issue of stability and piece in the
region. We are defending international law." — Serbian Prime
Minister Vojislav Kostunica on voter approval of the new Serbian
Constitution on October 29. Quoted by RFE/RL. The document explicitly
lays claim to Kosova, where Serbian writ has not run since June,
1999.
"Delay [in clarifying Kosova’s final status] offers no
advantages to any party. Negotiations should be concluded. Delay can
only frustrate the hopes of those who live in Kosovo and deny clarity
to Serbians as they think about their own future." — The U.S.
representative at the talks on Kosova, Frank Wisner, speaking on
October 31 at a news conference at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.
Quoted by RFE/RL.

(Compiled by Patrick Moore)
******************************************* **************
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. All rights reserved.

The "RFE/RL Balkan Report" is prepared by Patrick Moore based on
sources including reporting by RFE/RL’s South Slavic and Albanian
Languages Service. It is distributed monthly.

Direct content-related comments to Patrick Moore in Prague at
[email protected] or by phone at (+4202) 2112-3631.
For information on reprints, see:
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RA DIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

California Courier Online, November 30, 2006

1 – Commentary

1 – US Government’s "Sensitive" Study
Of Armenian-Americans Made Public
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Armenians in the Ottoman Photograph Collection
Of the Getty Museum is Topic of Dec. 3 Lecture
3 – ‘Case of Misak Torlakian’
Book Published by CAR
4 – Book Unearths New Incriminating Evidence
About Long-Censored Fraud and Mass Murder
5- ‘My Son Shall Be Armenian’
Film Now Available on DVD
6 – Developing Western Armenia
After Recognition of Genocide
Is Topic of Dec. 3 Lecture
7 – Dilijan Chamber
Holiday Concert
Features Children
***************************************** *************************
1 – Commentary
US Government’s "Sensitive" Study
Of Armenian-Americans Made Public

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

The U.S. government recently made public a fascinating internal study on the
Armenian-American community. The study, prepared in June of 2004 by the
American Embassy in Yerevan, carries the following classification: "Sensitive –
Please Treat Accordingly." It is titled, "Deciphering the Armenian-American
Diaspora," and was recently released by the Department of State at the request of
the Armenian National Committee of America, under the Freedom of Information Act.

While the study relates commonly known facts about the Armenian-American
community, it reveals for the first time the views of the U.S. government on the
Armenian community, its assessment of major Armenian-American organizations
and their impact on U.S. – Armenia relations. As the study contains some
inaccurate facts and misjudgments about some segments of the Armenian American
community, I would urge the groups concerned to send a letter to the editorand set
the record straight.

According to this study, around 1.5-2 million Armenians, out of an estimated
8-10 million Diaspora Armenians, live in the United States. This is the
second largest Diaspora Armenian community after Russia which reportedly has 2-2.5
million Armenians. The study lists "some of the largest Armenian Diaspora
populations" as living in France, Lebanon, Syria, Argentina and Turkey. Thelarge
Armenian community of Iran is not mentioned at all.

The study contends: "The Armenian-American Diaspora continues to wield
considerable influence upon the foreign and domestic policies of the Government of
Armenia [GOAM]. The influence ranges from the obvious connection of U.S.-born
and/or trained GOAM officials, the influence of private and public U.S.
assistance funding and the more nuanced impact of person-to-person relations between
the GOAM and the Diaspora."

The study specifically mentions "a number of current and former high-level
GOAM policymakers [who] were born, raised or trained in the United States with
long-term connections to the Diaspora community in the U.S. Current examples
of this connection include Armenia’s Foreign Minister, both Deputy Foreign
Ministers, various Presidential Advisors, including the Chief Advisor on Economic
Issues, the Minister of Trade and Economic Development and a number of deputy
ministers in other ministries."

According to the study, while it is not certain whether Russian-Armenians or
American-Armenians wield greater influence in Armenia, "it is impossible to
underestimate the impact of the Armenian-American community on the GOAM." Its
influence is measured in terms of being the wealthiest community of the
Armenian Diaspora, the most diverse, providing the largest amount of assistance to
Armenia, and the most organized. The study asserts incorrectly: "Roughly fifty
Armenian-American organizations claim nationwide membership somewhere in the
thousands."

The unknown authors of the study have grouped the Armenian-American
community into the following seven "clusters" or "broad categories that involve
intersecting political and religious affiliations and historical considerations":

1) "The AGBU, Ramkavars, Diocese"

2) "Dashnaks (ARF), ANCA, Prelacy"

3) "Organizations close to the ‘Hnchaks’ "

4) "The Armenian Protestant Community"

5) "Armenian-American Catholic Organizations"

6) "Professional and Cultural Organizations on the Rise"

7) "Humanitarian Groups and Private Foundations"

1) "The AGBU, Ramkavars, Diocese"

The study states: "This grouping captures roughly 30% of those active in the
Armenian-American community. While often less politically active than the two
largest advocacy organizations in the Diaspora (the AAA and the ANCA), the
AGBU and its affiliated organizations exercise considerable influence upon
grassroots thinking about Armenia-related issues."

The study describes the AGBU as "the largest worldwide charitable
organization in the Armenian Diaspora and constitutes one of the three largest groups of
Armenians in the United States today. While the AGBU claims a non-political
agenda and concentrates its programming on educational or humanitarian pursuits
worldwide, it also touts itself as the ‘mainstay of Armenian liberalism’
among Armenian-Americans."

It describes the ADL or the Ramkavar Party as "the second largest political
party" in the Armenian-American community with "considerable connections with
the AGBU. Historically, the majority of AGBU donors and board members were
members of or sympathized with the Ramkavar Party to some degree. The Ramkavars
represent one of the most politically conservative elements of the
Armenian-American community=80¦. While generally less nationalistic than some of their ANCA
counterparts in the U.S., the ADL’s political agenda includes a major push for
worldwide recognition of the events of 1915 as a ‘genocide.’ "

The Knights and Daughters of Vartan, which the study describes as "a service
organization whose recent activities are based loosely upon models such as
the rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, is one of the most active Armenian-American
fraternal associations based in the U.S. This organization claims membership in the
tens of thousands and sponsors humanitarian activities in the Republic of
Armenia including the renovation of schools and health facilities in rural
communities."

Stating that the AGBU and affiliated organizations such as the ADL and
Knights/Daughters of Vartan are generally linked with the Diocese of the Armenian
Church, the study describes the Diocese as "the largest branch of the Armenian
Church=80¦. Diocese congregations make up the majority of Armenian religious
groups in the United States. While it would be inappropriate to state that all
AGBU or ADL members worship as part of a Diocese congregation, there is a
tendency for these groups to align with one another on political issues. The
humanitarian arm of the Diocese, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), raisesand
distributes millions of dollars in humanitarian relief aid to the Republic of
Armenia each year." FAR also carries out humanitarian projects in Artsakh, the study
states.

(Next week: The Armenian Assembly and the six other organizational clusters)

*********************************** ***************************************

2 – Armenians in the Ottoman Photograph Collection
Of the Getty Museum is Topic of Dec. 3 Lecture
MISSION HILLS, CA – The illustrated lecture "A World in Transition: Armenians
in the Ottoman Photographs Collection of the Getty Museum" by Van Aroian will
take place at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum on December 3, at 3:30 pm.
Co-sponsored with the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR),
the lecture will look at photographs from the Getty Research Institute’s
invaluable collection from the Ottoman period. The program will be followed by a
reception.
The program will provide a visual presentation and sampling of these Ottoman
photographs, with a focus on its Armenian flavor and contributions. On a
fundamental level this collection provides investigators with a rare opportunity
actually to see aspects of Ottoman life and culture – a presentation of a world
in transition captured for succeeding generations. Through the social and
historical commentary provided by these photographs, audience members will walk
down memory lane and share a unique experience exploring their history and
identity.
This collection is an invaluable resource for Ottoman scholars,
ethnographers, historians of Ottoman photography, and students of Armenian Ottoman life.
Furthermore, this collection provides a valuable resource for an investigator
interested in developing the significant contribution of Armenian photographers
to the early development of photography throughout the Ottoman Empire.
Van Aroian spent some six weeks in 1999-2001 looking through the Getty’s
Ottoman photograph collection. He first presented the results of his
investigations into the Getty’s collection in an article in NAASR’s Journalof Armenian
Studies (vol. 7, no.1, Fall-Winter 2002-2003) entitled "Ottoman Photographsat
the J. Paul Getty Research Institute: Armenian Themes and Contributions."
There he offered an overview of the collection and provided detailed analyses of
several photographs of direct or indirect relevance to the Armenians.
Aroian earned a B.A. at Boston University and M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies
at Harvard University. He was a fellow in Urban Geography at Clark University
and an Urban Planner and Deputy Director of the Worcester Redevelopment
Authority. He later joined his brother-in-law Kevork and wife Mary Balekdjian
Aroian in importing and retailing Oriental carpets. He is currently a member of
the NAASR Board of Directors.
The Ararat-Eskijian Museum was founded in 1993 by Armenian Genocide survivor,
philanthropist, and art collector, Luther Eskijian, to preserve Armenian
history and heritage for future generations. It is located on the grounds of the
Ararat Home of Los Angeles at 15105 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA
91345. For information call AEM (818) 838-4862 or visit
Free admission and parking
************************************************** ***********************
3 – ‘Case of Misak Torlakian’
Book Published by CAR
LOS ANGELES – "The Case of Misak Torlakian", a new book by Attorney Vartkes
Yeghiayan and Ara Arabyan, for the first time brings to the reader the
fascinating and revealing trial transcript of Misak Torlakian, an Armenian Ottoman
subject, who was tried by the British Military Court, on the charge of murdering
Bihbud Khan Jivanshir, the Ex-Minister of interior of Azerbaijan, outside the
Pera Palace Hotel in Constantinople (Istanbul) on July 18, 1921.
It is often forgotten that before a single drop of oil had been discovered
in the Middle East, Armenians were already extracting and exporting oil from
Baku on an industrial scale. Thus this book, this primary source, in its simple
trial-transcript format, reveals new insights into the rivalries between
Armenians, Azeris, Turks, Brits, and Bolsheviks for control of the liquid black
gold.
"The Case of Misak Torlakian" is the twin of the book "The Case of Soghomon
Tehlirian."
Both trials involved the murder of a tyrant, and both of the perpetrators
were found not guilty.
During both trials, history, theology, philosophy, physiology, psychology,
and politics were invoked by both sides to sway the Military Judge in the case
of Torlakian, and the Jury of Peers in the case of Tehlirian. Thus in addition
to being landmark legal cases, these two trials clearly reveal the prevailing
mindsets and political strategies of the key participants in the Great War,
namely: Germany, England, France, Turkey, Armenia, the Azeris, and the
Bolsheviks.
Both books have been brought to the public by Attorney Vartkes Yeghiayan,
who is in the news again this week because checks went out to heirs of Armenian
genocide victims as part of the $20 million dollar settlement reached between
New York Life Insurance Company and the heirs of genocide victims. Not all of
the money was claimed by surviving heirs. The extra money, according to
Vartkes Yeghiayan, will go to Armenian charitable organizations.
Yeghiayan also has personal motives for bringing out "The Case of Misak
Torlakian."
"When I was a student at the University of California," he said, "I had the
chance to meet Misak Torlakian. Overall he was a very unassuming, inconspicuous
and modest man, who, despite his trauma, was a man who motivated others with
his humility and service to his people and his country. He was imbued with a
devotion that is difficult to find elsewhere. He inspired people with his open
minded liberalism, and others were keen to emulate him. When asked whether it
was worth it? He always answered with an unequivocal: ‘It was.’"
Turkish and British sources, were used to put together "The Case of Misak
Torlakian". The summations came from British sources, while the witness
testimonies came both from the British sources and a Turkish source.
"The Case of Misak Torlakian" is one of over a dozen primary documents
related to the Armenian Genocide that a cadre of writers, translators,
researchers, and technicians are putting together in book form, under the overall title
of "The Armenian Genocide and the Armenian Case." The next book in the series,
"The Case of Soghomon Tehlirian," will come out in December of 2006, to be
followed by "Vahan Cardashian: Advocate Extraordinaire of the Armenian Cause" and
"British Policy and the Armenian-Greek Section," to come out in January and
February of 2007.
The series is published by the Center for Armenian Remembrance. Books may be
ordered by mail, phone or email.
Send your order request to: Center for Armenian Remembrance (CAR) P.O. Box
250322 , Glendale, CA 91205-0322
[email protected]
The retail price is $20 US and $24 in Canada.
************************************************** ************************
4 – Book Unearths New Incriminating Evidence
About Long-Censored Fraud and Mass Murder
LOS ANGELES – In addition to eliminating the Christian minority Armenians in
1915, the Ottoman Turks also tried to profit from their slaughter by cashing
in on the life insurance policies of the dead Armenians – something the Nazis
would do to the Jews only 20 years later.
In a rallying cry for Justice, Dr. Hrayr S. Karaguezian – research scientist
at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA professor of medicine – has released
"Genocide and Life Insurance: The Armenian Case" to unearth the unpleasant
truth about the long covered-up Armenian Genocide of 1915.
"My book is entirely document-based; drawing pertinent information from
never-before-processed documents pulled from the US National Archives. It was
inspired by the discovery of a highly informative letter that was declassified only
in the 1980s and which proved instrumental for both the defendant and
plaintiffs in the 2004-2005 class action settlements in Los Angeles," Dr.
Karagueuzian says. "This letter-document exposes the cunning, yet spectacular, deceit on
behalf of both the insurers and the perpetrators and is the first account of
life insurance policy claims in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide. It
traces the efforts of insurance beneficiaries, beginning with the heirs of the
victims over 90 years ago and ending with the symbolic recognition of the
victims’ rights and partial compensation granted to the descendants of someof the
insured victims only in 2004-2005 in a Los Angeles court system."
Dr. Karagueuzian "spent the past twenty years investigating the history of
just one of the large catalogues of losses: the unclaimed life insurance
policies owned by Armenian victims of the Genocide," writes Dickran Kouymjian,
Armenian Studies at California State University, Fresno, in a foreword to the book.
"Since only a few of the actual policies issued have survived, it is hard to
imagine that tens of thousands of them were bought by Armenians living in the
Ottoman Empire. Since the purchasers were the heads of households, responsible
for large extended families, a considerable portion of the Armenian population
was affected."
Dr. Karagueuzian’s study "provides the essential background for understanding
the recent class action settlements of Armenian insurance claims that date
back to the tragedy of the last century., Dr. Kouymjian concludes in his
forward. "It is powerfully suggestive of all the work, the scholarship and
litigation, perhaps political activism, facing those who believe that justice can still
be done for the memory of the victims of the Genocide and the nation they
represented."
According to Karagueuzian, the book with its rich documentation is "aimed at
Universities (Departments of: History, Law School, Political Science, Ethnic
Studies, Sociology, Victimology and Libraries); genocide scholars, politicians,
insurance companies and insurance Commissioners, various worldwide Armenian
and Jewish charitable and benevolent associations and
organizations."
Published by the University of La Verne Press, La Verne Calif., the book
(paperback) is available by sending $20 check payable to: Health Risk Prevention
, P.O Box 4810, Glendale, CA 91222-0810
********’****************************** ***********************************
5 – ‘My Son Shall Be Armenian’
Film Now Available on DVD
MONTREAL – Hagop Goudzouzian’s documentary film," My Son Shall be Armenian,"
is now available in DVD format for purchase in time for holiday giving, the
producers announced last week.
Exploring the question of Armenian identity, "My Son Shall Be Armenian"
follows the initial voyage of filmmaker Goudsouzian, who, accompanied by five
Montreal men and women of Armenian origin, returned to the land of his ancestors in
search of survivors of the genocide of 1915.
Through the moving testimony of those centenarians and the funny and touching
accounts of his fellow travelers from the New World, Goudsouzian has crafted
a dignified and poignant film on the need to make peace with the past in order
to turn toward the future.
Produced by Yves Bisaillon and written by Hagop Goudzouzian and Georgette
Duchaine in 2004, the 80-minute film is in French with English subtitles.
For more information, call toll-free, NFB Customer Services : In Canada:
1-800-267-7710; in the Montreal area: (514) 283-9000; in the US: 1-800-542-2164.
************************************************** ***********************
6 – Developing Western Armenia
After Recognition of Genocide
Is Topic of Dec. 3 Lecture
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Shant Student
Association (ARF Shant) will host a pioneering panel discussion by experts on Dec.
3 at the Karapetian Hall, discussing the re-integration and re-development of
Western Armenia upon recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
By hosting such a unique event, the ARF Shant’s goal is to take the Armenian
Cause to the next level and begin planning for what comes after Turkey has
been forced to recognize the Armenian Genocide and provide restitution and
reparations.
The panel discussion will concentrate on the political, constitutional,
economic, and infrastructural challenges that the
Armenian nation faces in the implementation of a free, independent, and
united Armenia.
Experts who will be making presentations and participating in the panel
discussion are historian and political scientist Dr. Garo Moumdjian, economist Dr.
Ara Khanjian, and Civil Engineer Aram Kaloustian. The panelists will also
field questions from the audience.
The lecture, open to the community will be held at Karapetian Hall, 1614 N.
Alexandria Ave in Hollywood,.
For more details, please visit or call (818) 462-3006.
************************************************** ************************
7 – Dilijan Chamber
Holiday Concert
Features Children
LOS ANGELES – A new work for violin and piano by 11-year-old Orange County
resident Vartan Simonyan will be performed by the Glendale-based Lark
Conservatory students at the Dilijan Chamber Music Series’ Holiday Concerton December
17, 2006 at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
The program will also feature Roland Kato’s arrangement of Prokofiev’s Music
for Children, a storytelling act from bass virtuoso Richard Hartshorne
("Dobbs"), and Schubert’s "Trout" Quintet. Performers include pianist Norman
Krieger, violist Paul Coletti, cellist Timothy Landauer, bassoonist Rose Corrigan,
and violinist Movses Pogossian, Artistic Director of the series.
Highlights of the 2006/07 season include three world premieres commissioned
by the Dilijan Series, and appearances by distinguished musicians such as Ani
Kavafian, Allan Vogel, Ida Levin, Michele Zukovsky and Antonio Lysy, among
others. In January, Gaudeamus International Competition winner and Grammy nominee,
soprano Tony Arnold, presents György Kurtág’s monumental Kafka Fragments
(1985) for voice and violin, with Movses Pogossian on the violin.
The March program welcomes the Apple Hill Chamber Players, known throughout
the globe for their high quality music-making, as well as their heralded
"Playing for Peace" initiative.
The final concert of the season, in commemoration of the 92nd anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, features world-renowned violist Kim Kashkashian in a
program of music by Tigran Mansurian.
Founded by members of the Glendale, California-based Lark Musical Society,
the Dilijan Chamber Series is dedicated to showcasing masterpieces of Western
classical music, as well as promoting Armenian chamber music.
Tickets are available by calling (818) 572-5438, or at the door. Inquiries
can be addressed to [email protected], or
[email protected].
********** ************************************************** ******************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted through this
service. Information in that regard should be telephoned to (818) 409-0949;
faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to: [email protected]. Letters to the
editor concerning issues addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, providedit
is signed by the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.
******************************* *******************************************

Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society – Boston Chapter
47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: Ara Nazarian
Phone: 617.924.8849
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Lecture and Film Series on Early Armenian History

By Professor Artak Movsisyan

The Institute of Oriental Studies, National Academy of Sciences,
Republic of Armenia

Department of History, Yerevan State University

Watertown, MA – November 26, 2006 – The Boston Chapter of the Hamazkayin
Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, the Armenian Library and
Museum of America (ALMA), and the Boston University Armenian Student’s
Association are presenting a lecture and film series on early Armenian
history by Professor Artak Movsisyan.

Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control, the time and
date of two lwctures had to be modified.

Dr. Movsisyan is an Associate Professor of history at Yerevan State
University and a scholar at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the
National Academy of Sciences (Republic of Armenia). He has published
numerous monographs and articles on a wide range of topics in ancient
Armenian history, culture, and spirituality. He received his Ph.D. from
the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of
the Republic of Armenia, with a dissertation on the Hieroglyphic Script
of the Van Kingdom (Biainili, Urartu, and Ararat).

The schedule of the lecture and film series is as follows:

Lecture: Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 7:30 PM
The Origins of the Armenian Nation: From Earliest References to Now
St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown

Film Screening: Saturday, December 2, 2006, 1:30 PM
Tigran the Great – A Patriotic Sovereign
Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown

Lecture: Sunday, December 3, 2006, 3:00 PM
Pre-Christian Armenian Belief System and Transition to Christianity
Armenian Library and Museum of America, 65 Main Street, Watertown

Lecture: Monday, December 4, 2006, 7:30 PM
The Pre-Christian Written Culture of Armenia
Howard Thurman Center, George Sherman Student Union, Boston University

[Basement of 775 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston]

Admission to all events is free, and lectures will be delivered in
English. To find out more about the series please contact
Hamazkayin-Boston at [email protected], 617.924.8849 or ALMA at
[email protected], 617.926.2562.

###

About the organizers:

Boston Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society

With the reemergence of the Republic of Armenia as an independent
nation, the role and function of Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and
Educational Society in general and Hamazkayin-Boston in particular had
to be re-assessed to reflect the new realities facing the Armenians in
Diaspora and in Armenia.

With this in mind, Hamazkayin-Boston aims to uphold the ethnic identity
and cultural heritage of the Armenian community in the Greater Boston
Area by: cultivating and promoting local, national and international
Armenian arts; celebrating important educational and cultural milestones
in our history; and engaging the youth and the young professionals in
our community to raise interest and awareness toward educational and
cultural issues of importance to the Armenian community and cultivate
the next generation of local and national community leaders.

Hamazkayin-Boston holds bi-weekly meetings on Monday evening at their
Hamasdegh Library, located on the second floor of the Armenian
Educational and Cultural Center (ACEC) on 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown,
MA. Our doors are open to all who would like to help promote our
cultural treasures. For more information please visit our website
, call us at 617.924.8849 or email us at
[email protected].

Armenian Library & Museum of America (ALMA)

Founded in 1971, ALMA ‘s mission is to present and preserve the culture,
history, art and contributions of the Armenian people to Americans and
Armenians alike. Since its inception, ALMA ‘s collection has grown to
over 22,000 books and 20,000 artifacts, making it perhaps the largest
and most diverse holding of Armenian cultural artifacts outside of
Armenia. As a repository for heirlooms, the collection now represents a
major resource not only for Armenian studies research, but as well as
for preservation and illustration of the Armenian heritage. ALMA is the
largest ethnic museum in New England and the only independent Armenian
Museum in the Diaspora funded solely through contributions of individual
supporters.

"Hours: Friday and Sunday 1-5 PM, Saturday 10AM-2PM and Thursday
evenings 6-9 PM. Museum Admission: FREE/ALMA members and for children
under 12; $5/ for non-members. For more information please visit our
website , or call 617.926.ALMA (2562)." Directions to
ALMA: By car– take route 95 to 128 to 90 (Mass Pike East) towards
Watertown. Take exit 17- Watertown/Newton. Go North 1 mile towards
Watertown Square. As you cross the small bridge, get into the 2 left
lanes. Turn left on Main Street. Turn right on Church Street, and then
turn right into the municipal parking lot. By bus–MBTA Buses 71,
70/70A, 57, 52, 59, 502, 504. Please visit
<; for schedules and maps.

PRESS RELEASE
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Anush Babayan
Tel: 3741 52 09 40
Fax: 3741 52 37 95
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

28.11.06

`Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund Telethon: Unprecedented $13.7 Million
Pledged

Telethon 2006 Marks All Time High, Breaks Records

Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Yerevan – `Hayastan’ All-Armenian
Fund and its 20 international affiliates are pleased to announce that an
unprecedented $13.7 million was pledged internationally during various
fundraising events held across the world. `Hayastan’ All-Armenian
Fund’s ambitious drive to raise critical assistance and funds for
Nagorno Karabakh concluded with its 9th annual international telethon
which was held on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006 in Los Angeles.
President of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Ghoukassian and Primate of the
Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev
Martiorisyan were present at the studio, joining `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund donors in rallying support.

Broadcasting in more than 20 major U.S. cities as well internationally
via satellite through H1-Armenian Public Television in all continents
and streaming live on the internet for 12 hours, Telethon 2006 marked an
all time high amongst all telethons ever conducted by `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund. The total amount pledged – $13.65 million – almost
doubled last year’s telethon results of $7.77 million. Proceeds from
Telethon 2006 will benefit `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund’s Revival
of Artsakh program, as well as the critically important regional
development plan of the southernmost borderline region of Hadrut.

`The unprecedented success of this Telethon is a result of the
Diaspora’s unshakable belief in the mission of our unique organization
that unites all Armenians around the world under one mission –
building a stronger, viable Armenia. The consistent transparency of the
Fund through rigorous international audits, strict accounting practices,
and oversight mechanisms by the Diaspora have reinforced the public’s
resolve to help Armenia and Artsakh’, said Executive Director of
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, Naira Melkoumian.

Prior to the Telethon, `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund’s European
affiliates, under the leadership of the French affiliate – Fonds
Armenien de France – organized a successful Pan-European Phone-a-Thon
campaign that raised more than $1.5 million (1.1=80 million) in pledges.
`During the years, the Phone-a-thon has become a pan-European movement
to assist Armenia and Karabakh’, stated Mr. Bedros Terzian, Chairman
of Fonds Armenien de France. The German affiliate of the Fund –
Armenien-Fonds e.V. – has pledged more than $60,000.

The unprecedented success has echoed in the international press as well.
An article entitled `Armenians together in spirit and electrons’
appeared on the front cover of Los Angeles Times California Section the
following morning. Other prominent media outlets such as the Associated
Press, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, NBC, CBS and
others gave extensive coverage to the 12-hour live event that
highlighted the worldwide unity of Armenians. This year’s result for
the Fund’s U.S. Western Region affiliate – Armenia Fund, Inc. – is
the pinnacle of the development course that was adopted three years ago.
`This year, Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region was able to bring its
grand, mid level, and public grassroots donors together marking the
highest participation ever! This effort reflects an unparalleled $8.4
million in the U.S. Western Region only,’ stated Maria Mehranian,
Chairperson of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region.

`Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund’s 9th international telethon was also
widely broadcasted in all Eastern U.S. media markets, stretching from
the Floridian Panhandle to New England and the Great Lakes Region.
"Armenians all over the world voted with their wallets to support
Karabakh and `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund’, said Kevork Toroyan,
Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, the U.S. Eastern Region affiliate of the
Fund.

For the first time donations from Armenia and Artsakh surpassed $1.54
million dollars through an aggressive fundraising and public relations
campaign. Whether in Toronto or Buenos Aires, the Fund’s affiliates
stretching all over the globe, were truly instrumental in the success of
the worldwide fundraising effort. The Canadian Toronto affiliate has
already raised more than $300,000. The Argentinean affiliate, Fundo
Nacional Armenia, organized a benefit concert in Buenos Aires, as well
as a four day Phone-a-thon campaign. The Argentinean affiliate raised
more than $50,000. Armenians in the United Kingdom through the Fund’s
branch have collected more than $30,000.

The largest donors for Telethon 2006’s beneficiary project – Revival
of Artsakh were:

Lincy Foundation (U.S. Western Region) – $2.0 million for the
constructions of schools in Karabakh; Project CURE (U.S. Western Region)
– $2.0 million in medical equipment and supplies for Karabakh hospitals;
Vahe Karapetian (U.S. Western Region) – $1.5 million for the
construction of the road leading to the Amaras Monastery; Jerry
Turpanjian (U.S. Western Region) – $1.25 million for the construction of
the Stepanakert School #11; Ara Abrahamyan (Russia) – $1 million for
construction of a school in Stepanakert; Louise Manoogian Simone (U.S.
Eastern Region) – $500,000; Sarkis Acopian (U.S. Eastern Region) –
$250,000; Tigran Movsesyan (Armenia) – $140,000; AGBU
Manoogian-Demirdjian School (U.S. Western Region) – $115,000; Levon and
Grigor Termendjian (U.S. Western Region) – $110,000; Mikhail Baghdasarov
(Armenia) – $100,000; VivaCell (Armenia) – 67,000; Arkady Ovannessian
(U.S. Western Region) – $60,000; Samvel Alexanyan (Armenia) – $50,000;
and Ruben Hayrapetyan (Armenia) – $50,000.

`Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund continues to accept donations through
its global network of 20 affiliates and branches.

–Boundary_(ID_wUqERIl5lwMwjaFCcShzHA)
Content-typ e: message/rfc822

From: Rich Sanikian <[email protected]>
Subject: Don’t sidestep issue
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed
Content-transfer-encoding: 8BIT

Don’t sidestep issue
11/28/06
Fresno Bee Editorial

Speaker Pelosi says she supports Armenian genocide recognition.

Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has long supported the idea of American
recognition of the genocide committed against the Armenian people by the
Ottoman Turks in the last years and aftermath of World War I. Now she has a
chance to do something concrete about that.

U.S. policy under administrations of both parties has been to sidestep the
issue in order not to offend Turkey, whose geographic position has long made
it a vital geopolitical ally in the eyes of generations of State Department
officials.

That strategic consideration has diminished after the end of the Cold War,
when Turkey, a member of NATO, was seen as a bulwark against Soviet threats
against the rest of the Middle East.

But that cold calculation has been a slap in the face for Armenian
Americans, survivors of the genocide and their descendants, as well as for
many others whose notion of justice outweighs such foreign policy concerns.
Some 1.5 million people perished in the genocide, and many hundreds of
thousands of others were rendered homeless refugees.

Pelosi has promised to launch a new effort in Congress to get official
recognition of those historical facts. Just last month she said this to the
California Courier, an Armenian newspaper:

"I have supported legislation, including House Resolution 316 that would
properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. It is imperative that the United
States recognize this atrocity and move to renew our commitment to eliminate
genocide whenever and wherever it exists. This effort enjoys strong
bipartisan support in the House, and I will continue to support these
efforts in the 110th Congress."

Last spring, during April 24 commemorations of the genocide in Washington,
Pelosi said: "First, at the time of the Iron Curtain, [opponents of the bill
cited] the strategic location of Turkey, after that it was the Gulf War and
Turkey’s strategic location … Turkey’s strategic location is not a license
to kill."

Pelosi has supported genocide recognition since she was first elected to
Congress in 1986.

Earlier this month, State Department official Matt Bryza appeared to signal
that the Bush administration would continue to oppose any legislation
recognizing the genocide. That might make it hard for Republicans in
Congress who have supported recognition, such as Mariposa’s George
Radanovich, to vote to override the veto of a president from their own
party, however much they may see the justice of doing so.

Perhaps Bush will decide to support recognition legislation, though he is a
president not much given to changing his mind.

In any case, Pelosi’s strong support for justice in this matter means the
official American recognition of the long-ago genocide is closer to reality
than ever. Let’s hope her principled stand of the past isn’t trumped by the
realities of geopolitics, State Department-style – as has happened too often
before.

.html

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

November 28, 2006
___________________

DIOCESE JOINS MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY IN ORGANIZING ARMENIAN ALPHABET EVENT

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) recently joined
Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ, to celebrate the beauty and
lasting power of the Armenian alphabet.

As part of the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the alphabet by St.
Mesrob Mashdots, the Diocese and university joined together in organizing
"Armenian Alphabet in Word and Image: A 1,600th Anniversary Exhibition,"
featuring unique artifacts highlighting the importance of the alphabet in
the life of the Armenian people. It ran from November 6 to 9, 2006.

"Our alphabet is uniquely tied to all aspects of our heritage," said
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. "Working with
our new friends at Monmouth University, we created a compelling exhibit that
highlighted the fact that our alphabet has been the keystone to the
continuance of our unique Armenian Christian heritage."

The exhibit included artifacts from the Diocesan collection dating from the
17th century, along with items loaned by Congressman Frank Pallone of New
Jersey. The items helped explain the origins of the alphabet, the inventor
of the alphabet, its importance in religious practices, and historical
examples of various styles and forms of script.

The exhibit came about by chance. The brother of Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian,
Diocesan coordinator of Armenian studies, mentioned to an official at
Monmouth that his sister worked in education. He introduced the two, and
the week-long exhibit was the result, thanks to a dedicated committee of
Diocesan staff, Monmouth University leaders, and parishioners from the St.
Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ.

"I am exhilarated about the whole exhibit," Buchakjian-Kupelian said. "The
fact that we have come out of our enclave to present one of the living
vestiges of our heritage to the general public makes this exhibit special."

Along with the public exhibition of artifacts, the week included a keynote
address by historian Aram Arkun on November 8, 2006. More than 100 people
joined the Primate at the lecture in the university’s Wilson Hall, including
Monmouth University President Paul Gaffney, Armenia’s Ambassador to the
United Nations Armen Martirosyan, and Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian.

A doctoral candidate in Armenian history at the University of California in
Los Angeles, Arkun is a specialist in Armenian history. He is also editor
of the literary quarterly Ararat and secretary of the board of directors of
the Armenian Center at Columbia University. His main area of study is on
the Armenians of northern Cilicia after World War I.

He spoke of how the Armenian alphabet played an important role in the
development and maintenance of the Armenian identity for over 16 centuries.
"Perhaps no other people are as attached to their alphabet as the
Armenians," Arkun said. "What other background displays its alphabet in the
home, like a work of art, the way Armenians do?"

The link between Monmouth University and the Armenian community arose
through Dr. Tavit Najarian, a university trustee who has worked to establish
an Armenian institute at the institution. Congressman Pallone recently
requested $500,000 in federal funding for the project.

"This is a wonderful start of a journey between Monmouth University and the
Armenian community," said Dr. Saliba Salasar, the associate vice president
for academic program initiatives at Monmouth University whose introduction
to Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian initiated planning for the exhibit. "What
better way than to celebrate the Armenian alphabet."

— 11/28/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, joined by Dr.
Tavit Najarian, a trustee of Monmouth University, left, the university’s
president, Paul Gaffney, and Armenia’s ambassador to the United Nations,
Armen Martirosyan, during a lecture at the school on November 8, 2006, which
was part of the exhibit organized by the school and the Diocese to celebrate
the Armenian alphabet.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): From left, Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, Diocesan
coordinator of Armenian studies, and Dr. Saliba Salasar, associate vice
president of Monmouth University, whose introduction spurred the recent
exhibit on the Armenian alphabet at the school are joined by Susan
Doctorian, counselor to the university’s president.

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Maggie Mead
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

The American University of Armenia celebrates its 15th Anniversary with a
Gala Banquet

LOS ANGELES – As Armenia commemorates its 15th year of independence as a
republic, the American University of Armenia also celebrates the 15th
anniversary of its own founding. The University hosted a gala banquet to
honor the efforts of all who have contributed to the rapid development of
the University. In particular, a moving tribute was given to Gerry & Pat
Turpanjian, and the late Vartkes Barsam and his wife, Jean Barsam, all
dedicated supporters of AUA since its founding. The banquet took place on
November 12th at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California.

AUA has truly filled a niche in Armenia, by providing Western-quality
graduate education that prepares the region’s youth for leadership in social
and economic development. AUA anticipates a largely increased enrollment due
to the institute’s candidacy for accredition by the Western Association for
Schools and Colleges. Proceeds from the 15th anniversary banquet will
support the completion of an earthquake-reinforced educational facility,
which will house additional classroom, lecture hall, and laboratory space to
accommodate the University’s growth.

The evening began with an introduction by Charles Ghailian, Master of
Ceremonies, after which both the American and Armenian national anthems were
played. The Invocation was given by Father Bartev Gulumian, representing
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Welcoming words were offered by Sinan
Sinanian, the banquet committee chair and CEO of Sinanian Development of
Tarzana. Following this was a warm greeting from Dr. Rory Hume, Provost of
the University of California system and the new Chairman of the AUA Board of
Trustees. AUA was honored to welcome Dr. Hume and include him as a speaker
in the evening’s program.

Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian, the President of AUA, presented an emotive speech
on the theme of excellence and integrity in education. He concluded that,
"Our motto at the AUA will continue to be excellence through relevance to
the broader Community.. Thus, AUA is not just about the youth in Armenia,
but is of relevance to your own children and grandchildren. Soon it will be
possible for them to attend a university in Armenia that is US accredited. "

Keynote speaker, the former California Governor George Deukmejian, addressed
the banquet guests after dinner by lauding AUA’s commitment to its original
goals and taking a visionary look at the future. He spoke of the Turpanjian
Rural Development Project to expand educational opportunity across Armenia,
as well as the numerous opportunities now open to AUA as a result of its
accreditation candidacy. The audience responded to Deukmejian’s words with
rousing applause and enthusiasm.

The honorees of the evening’s festivities were then introduced by Dr.
Haroutune Armenian and AUA President Emeritus, Dr. Mihran Agbabian. Jean
Barsam and her son, Charles Barsam, on behalf of Vartkes Barsam, and Gerry
and Pat Turpanjian graciously accepted honorary plaques and framed State of
California resolutions as symbols of appreciation for their service. Charles
Barsam and Paul Turpanjian, sons of the honorees, offered a personal
response on behalf of their family members. A stirring video captured the
spirit of the unflagging energy and care given by these individuals to the
cause of AUA. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian then invited Gerry and Pat
Turpanjian to the podium and read the encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, praising them for their benevolence, and he
pinned on their lapels the Medal of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The
touching ceremony was brought to a close with a message and benediction by
His Eminence.

The banquet was organized and staged by a hard-working volunteer committee
based in Los Angeles. Its members included Sinan Sinanian, Charles
Ghailian, MC, Elizabeth and Mihran Agbabian, Nellie Arslanian, Charles
Barsam, Flora Dunaians, Vahe Imasdounian, Hermine Janoyan, Silba Karayan,
Lori Muncherian, Aline Patatian, Savey Tufenkan, Dr. Harout Yaghsezian, and
Jenny Yazedjian. Other contributors included Arno Yeretzian, video
production; Arpiar Janoyan, decorations; Varujan Markarian, music; Roubina
Begoumian, reception; and Tony and Lisa Truisi, who donated banquet gifts
and memorabilia.

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Attach ment:
Text of Dr. Haroutune Armenian’s speech at the AUA 15th Anniversary Banquet

As a new student at the American University of Beirut I was applying for a
partial scholarship that needed a faculty sponsor. I approached Professor
Khosrov Yeramian. He asked to see me and he agreed to recommend me for the
scholarship. However, he had a word of advice "As an Armenian student – he
said – you do not have to be good to succeed but you have to be better".

I remembered Professor Yeramian’s advice two months ago during our AUA WASC
Accreditation review process. The first formal meeting of the distinguished
review panel is with the University President and I was asked by the
Chairman of the WASC panel President Jim Appleton to explain our
understanding of excellence. In my response I said we achieve quality by
getting to a level of an established standard in structure and process, but
that excellence is a moving target and should be judged not just by
structures and processes but by outcomes and results. I said our motto at
the AUA will continue to be excellence through relevance to the broader
Community.

As I ponder about the future of Armenia and Armenians in general, I have
come to realize that if we have to survive as a nation worthy of its
forefathers, then we need to be beyond standard quality and aim for
excellence. We need to move away from some of the mediocrity that we see
mushrooming in some sectors. Armenia can be once again, a country with a
well defined niche in the world economy and an effective contributor to the
development of human civilization. And in order to achieve it we need to
invest in excellence. During our recent expedition to climb Mount Ararat and
the subsequent visit to the area of Lake Van, organized by my wife Sona and
colleagues from the AUA, we discovered that the two masterpieces of Nareg
and Aghtamar, Nareg in poetry and philosophy and Aghtamar in architecture
and visual arts, were produced within a couple of miles of each other and
within a few decades at the end of the first millennium. A fascinating
confluence in time and place.

The American University of Armenia breeds excellence whether in Armenia or
beyond. Its first 15 years have demonstrated that it can achieve beyond
standard quality within a relatively scarce resource environment. For our
accreditation review we produced a document that lists the contributions of
the AUA that were firsts in Armenia, it is a document which is more than a
dozen pages of single line listing. Of this long list AUA’s contribution to
Armenia through its graduates is probably the most significant. It is such a
sheer joy to sit with some of the over 1500 masters’ degree graduates of the
AUA and hear of their daily achievements. The two persons we are honoring
this evening; Jirair Turpanjian and Vartkes Barsam, have treasured and
witnessed the role that AUA has played and will continue to play in the
future of Armenia and Armenians everywhere.

Of the long list of achievements beyond our graduates, I would like to
highlight the Digital Library of Classical Armenian writings. Today, thanks
to the AUA we can be proud as a nation to have completely digitized our
literature from the fifth to the seventeenth centuries. The importance of
having that literature in electronic format is equivalent to the work done
over three hundred years when that literature was transformed from the
manuscript format to the printed expression. Recently, this idea was picked
up by Mr. Jirair Turpanjian, and through his sponsorship, we have embarked
to digitize over the next two years the equivalent of 60,000 pages of
Western Armenian and Diasporan literature. AUA has been able to make the
best expressions of Armenian culture available to people everywhere and for
all times. The Armenian digital library will be part of the life of your
children and grand children. We are removing the problem of access to our
literature and culture for all times.

Thus, AUA is not just about those kids in Armenia but is of relevance to
your own children and grandchildren. Soon it will be possible for them to
attend a university in Armenia that is US accredited.

AUA has helped to achieve excellence because it is an institution that can
be sustained and a fortress of integrity. AUA is not a one person show it is
a model institution that others continue to emulate.

This talk is about excellence but in order to achieve excellence we need to
invest in time and money. Proceeds of this evening’s event will go to
complete the Avedisian Building at the AUA. This excellent facility has
already introduced a number of firsts to Armenia in architecture and
construction technology. We have a valuable naming opportunity in this
unique building from small classrooms to major halls and Centers. Let us all
participate in building the future and let us give to AUA generously.