California Courier Online, May 25, 2006
1 – Commentary
Turkey Fails to Defeat French Bill
Despite Threats and Blackmail
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Cong. Napolitano’s “Women of Year” Event
Recognizes Unsung Armenian Heroines
3 – Oriental Orthodox Churches Hold
Joint Divine Liturgy at Diocese
4 – Genocide Seminar Held for High School Students in Fresno
5 – May 28 Festival to be
Held in Little Armenia
6 – Black Maria Gallery Will Host Exhibit
Of New Sculptures by Kardash Onnig
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1 -Commentary
Turkey Fails to Defeat French Bill
Despite Threats and Blackmail
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
At the request of the French government, the Speaker of the French
Parliament, Jean-Louis Debre, resorted to crass manipulation and shameful delay tactics
last Thursday, to postpone the vote on a bill that would have banned the
denial of the Armenian Genocide. The Speaker blocked the measure for now, realizing
that the overwhelming majority of Parliament members were ready to vote for
it.
The Turkish government had sought to defeat the bill outright by exerting
extraordinary political and economic pressure on France including threats,
blackmail and boycott of French products. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, therefore,
expressed its disappointment at the postponement of this bill, as it could be
reconsidered by the French Parliament next November.
The bill’s supporters now have 6 additional months to counter Turkish
pressures on the French government and garner wider public support for the proposed
law. Ankara, on the other hand, has to go to the trouble of re-enacting its
elaborate lobbying campaign and marshalling all its resources for this purpose
all over again. There is a good chance that the French public and government
officials would get fed up by Turkey’s repeated bullying tactics. The continuous
Turkish threats not only could backfire on Ankara for this particular bill,
but also increase the French public’s opposition to Turkey’s admission to the
European Union. In addition, the six-month delay would put the reconsideration
of this bill that much closer to the upcoming French Presidential elections,
making the parliamentarians more responsive to the wishes of their constituents.
Here is a list of seven major actions the supporters of this bill could
undertake in the next 6 months in order to improve the chances of its adoption:
— Explain to the public that the proposed law does not infringe on freedom
of expression, since Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
allows certain restrictions which are also approved by French courts.
— Point out that the bill simply seeks to complete the law on the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide that was adopted in 2001, by designating a
punishment for those who break that law.
— Explain that the threatened boycott of French companies and goods by
Turkey is not only morally reprehensible, but also an empty bluff. In 2001, when
France recognized the Armenian Genocide, Turkey initially cancelled some
French business deals, only to have mutual trade resume as normal and even exceed
the levels of the previous years.
— Establish direct contact with the media, explaining the rationale for
the proposed law and pointing out that there should not be a double standard on
banning the denial of the Holocaust, but not the denial of the Armenian
Genocide.
— Contact a large number of French historians, professors and legal
scholars asking them to sign a joint statement in support of the proposed law.
Publicize widely such a statement, explaining that this law would not hinder the
work of historians, but sanction the liars and denialists.
— Explain to prominent French Jewish intellectuals that unless they throw
their support behind the Armenian Genocide bill, certain historians and
advocates of free speech would next campaign for the removal of the law against the
denial of the Holocaust. The Union of Jewish Students of France (UJSF) has
already issued a statement supporting the proposed law on the Armenian Genocide.
The UJSF said that blocking this bill “for the sake of political and economic
considerations is offensive to the memory of 1.5 million victims of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915 and their descendants.” The list of similarly supportive
Jewish organizations should be expanded in the coming months.
— Make maximum use of the French government sponsored “Year of Armenia in
France,” which begins in September, to present a comprehensive image of
Armenian history and culture. This unique opportunity could sensitize the French
public and government officials to the unique heritage of the Armenian nation.
It took several decades for the French government to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. The supporters of this bill can surely wait a few more months or even
longer until it is finally adopted. All the while, the proposed law would be
hanging like a Damoclean sword over the head of the Turkish denialist state,
forcing it to expend untold energy and resources to continuously fight against
its passage!
A member of the Turkish Parliament proposed last week that the Turkish
legislative body adopt a resolution that would condemn France for committing
“genocide” in Algeria and make its denial a crime! This is one threat that Armenians
hope the Turkish state would carry out because it would create such a backlash
in France that it would virtually guarantee the adoption by the French
Parliament of the proposed ban on the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore,
the adoption of such a resolution by the Turkish Parliament would help silence
once and for all Turkish critics who have been claiming that parliaments have
no business recognizing the Armenian Genocide and should not legislate
history. A second member of the Turkish Parliament proposed making any reference to
the Armenian Genocide a crime in Turkey. If adopted, such a law, on top of
other existing draconian laws, would make it virtually impossible for Turkey to
join the EU.
With parliamentarians like these, Turkey does not need any enemies on the
outside!
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2 – Cong. Napolitano’s “Women of Year” Event
Recognizes Unsung Armenian Heroines
MONTEBELLO, Calif. – On the eve of the 91st anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, across from the Montebello Genocide memorial, Angela Savoian, Chair of
the Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., was the keynote speaker to the
“Women of the Year” Unsung Heroines event by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
(Dem-38th District).
Among the 26 “Unsung Heroines” recognized by Cong. Napolitano, were two
Armenians from the Montebello area. Goharik “Go” Gabriel was recognized for her 40
years of dedicated service to the Mesrobian Armenian School, and Barbara
Harutunian was recognized for her long years of service at Holy Cross Armenian
Apostolic Cathedral.
“It was a privilege to be invited to speak — the topic was so relevant, and
gave me an opportunity to relay my gratitude to all
the unsung heroines in general and the Armenian heroines in particular,” said
Savoian following the event attended by over
250 people, including Montebello Mayor Bob Bagwell, and councilmembers Norma
Lopez-Reid, Jeff Siccama and Rosemarie Vasquez.
Welcoming remarks were made by City Treasurer Gerri Guzman, who is also
Senior Field Representative to Cong. Napolitano. Savoian, quoting writer Zabel
Yessaian who wrote about the massacre survivors, noted, “And all these women in
their
incessant moral agony, retain the firm conviction that their suffering will
be acknowledged and that their superhuman
sacrifice will be sanctified.” She added, “The blood of those heroines flows
through me.” Savoian’s address was a very personal
as well as a universal one. Her story about her first “Unsung Heroine,”
started with her own mother’s survival at German labor camps during World War II.
She continued with her childhood in the US, presenting the Armenian culture
through dance, raising her four boy, and losing her youngest son. Her recital
moved the audience. She told of the influence of her mother-in-law whose
unconditional love, wisdom and tireless support helped her get involved to become
active in the community, and particularly in the Mesrobian School and Armenian
Relief Society (ARS).
Savoian praised the ARS saying, “I feel so indebted to those great, dedicated
unsung heroines who founded the ARS and to those members who continued to
serve and believe in the ARS ideals… ARS members were those rare women, who
gracefully nurtured their families and still found time to belong to an
organization that has grown to be an International organization that continues to
serve.” She then thanked all the men for their support of all the “Unsung Heroines..
The event concluded with Congresswoman Napolitano’s remarks, praise and
thanks to the participants and sponsors of the event.
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3 – Oriental Orthodox Churches Hold
Joint Divine Liturgy at Diocese
BURBANK, CA – On the morning of May 11, 2006, a joint Divine Liturgy took
place at the Western Diocese under the auspices of and with the participation of
the Prelates of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Bishop Serapion of the Coptic Church, and
Archbishop Mor Eugene Kaplan of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Serving at the altar
were Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
Participating in the Liturgy were clergy members from each church.
With the singing of `Hrashapar’ the four Prelates approached the altar. It
was touching to see the Prelate’s greeting each other during the moment of the
“kiss of peace.” Later on, during Holy Communion, clergy members formed four
rows to receive Holy Communion from the Prelates.
Following Mass, Archbishop Derderian welcomed the Prelates and clergy members
on this `historic day’. He then invited the Prelates individually to deliver
their remarks. Prior to each Prelate’s remarks, clergy members of that
respective church sang a hymn. The Prelates expressed thanks and gratitude for the
special day and express the necessity of such gatherings to become more
familiarized with each other and be enriched from each other. They also recognized
the four religious leaders of each church, H.H. Aram I, H.H. Karekin II, Pope
Shnouda III, and Patriarch Zacha.
Following the Prelate’s remarks, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian delivered the
message of the day. After the remarks, a group picture was taken followed by
lunch.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian then presented all those in attendance with
copies of Garo Bedrossian’s `Feasts and Traditions of the Armenian Church’ and
`Sundays of Great Lent’ books.
The Prelates also had closed meetings to discuss the possibility of similar
events in the future. The gathering then concluded in the same warm atmosphere
in which it began.
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4 – Genocide Seminar Held for High School Students in Fresno
FRESNO – One hundred and ten students from Junior High and High Schools of
Fresno and Clovis participated in a successful Genocide Seminar on May 13, at
the Armenian Community Center in Fresno.
The Seminar speakers Dr. Matthew Ari Jendian and Hasmig Tatiossian addressed
similarities between the mass killings and the political ramifications and
social issues surrounding the Armenian, Cambodian, Darfur, and Rwandan genocides,
and the implications for individual and collective responses to these events.
Hygo Ohanessian, chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Central
California, introduced the speakers. The event was organized by the ANC and
funded by the Bertha and John Garabedian Foundation.
Sato Sanikian, learning director from Selma high school, advised the students
on conduct, rules and regulations to abide at the seminar.
The speakers began the day with an ice-breaker exercise that celebrated the
diversity in the room and emphasized that we are all part of the human race,
the most similar of all species on the earth.
They then discussed the word “genocide,” (literally “race murder” from the
Greek word “genos” and the Latin “cide”) coined by Raphael Lemkin in 1944.
Unfortunately, after almost every case of genocide, denial has been a common
response. This denial, Tatiossian said, can grow over time and come to define
the identity of the person or people who are denying the events. As Cornell
West has said, “Denial of history represents a lack of maturity.” The first
step towards healing is to acknowledge the wrong we have done.
With each case of genocide discussed–Armenian, Cambodian, and Rwandan–the
speakers pointed to the lack of intervention of the international community
and, specifically, the United States. As Stephanie Power, in her book A Problem
from Hell, notes, the most common response to the question of “Why does the
world and the United States stand so idly by when genocide is occurring” is, “We
didn’t know” or “We didn’t fully appreciate the magnitude of the situation.”
But these answers are demonstrably not true. However, Power says, the real
reason the United States has not done what it could do and should do to stop
genocide is that US leaders lacked the will to do something-they believed it was
wrong, but they were not prepared to invest the military, financial,
diplomatic, and domestic political capital needed.
As Dr. Jendian said, “Knowledge is potential power; it becomes powerful when
it is acted upon.” Taking action on behalf of others requires empathy–seeing
the yourself in the other person(s) and identifying strongly with the
circumstances and pain of another human being.
One of the greatest lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King that should be passed
on to students is that the struggle for justice is not pitted against people;
rather, it’s against injustice itself. Instead of having students think that
they need to do the right thing by fighting against a person–the
“enemy”–the student must understand that the real enemy is injustice, not the person
committing it.
The seminar closed with an inspirational message about the difference that
one person can make and attempted to answer the question of “Why are we here?”:
because we’re the only species that can protect every other species–including
ourselves.
Dr. Jendian is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Director of the
American Humanics Nonprofit Administration Program at California State University,
Fresno. He received his Baccalaureate degree from CSU, Fresno in Sociology
with minor degrees in Psychology and Armenian Studies, and his Master’s and
Doctoral degrees from University of Southern California. Dr. Jendian teaches
courses on race and ethnicity, terrorism and genocide, and contemporary social
issues at California State University, Fresno.
Tatiossian is the Southern California Regional Assistant Coordinator of The
Genocide Education Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission it is to
assist educators in teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly the
Armenian Genocide, by developing and distributing instructional materials,
providing access to teaching resources and organizing educational workshops (see
). Tatiossian received her Baccalaureate degree from UC
Berkeley in International Relations with an Emphasis on Genocide and Human
Rights Violations.
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5 – May 28 Festival to be
Held in Little Armenia
HOLLYWOOD – The Armenian Cultural Foundation in conjunction with The Armenian
Youth Federation-Western Region will host a festival in commemoration of the
Armenian independence, which was established on May 28, 1918. The festival
will take place on Hollywood Blvd between the streets of Alexandria and Vermont
in Little Armenia between 10am and 6pm.
The festival will feature well-known singers and performers such as, Element,
Vokee, Sako, Ara Sahagian, Karnig Sarkissian, Nersik Ispirian, Paul
Baghdadlian, Gor Mkhitarian, Ara Shahbazian, and many more, all of which will be
accompanied by the Knar Band. In addition to the many singers there will also be
various dance groups performing traditional and contemporary
Armenian folk dances.
The festival is organized to promote the Armenian culture and raise awareness
within the greater Los Angeles community. The festival will encompass the
Armenian culture in its vast entirety through different vendors, entertainers,
performers, writers and traditional Armenian foods, and artifacts.
The Armenian organizations participating in the festival include the Armenian
Relief Society, Shant Student Association, Homenetmen, and Armenian National
Committee of America.
“The Armenian Youth Federation celebrates and recognizes the importance of
our nation’s victories in establishing, after 600 years of oppression, the first
independent republic of Armenia on May 28, 1918, which set the foundation to
today’s independent republic,” said Tro Tchekidjian chairman of the AYF
Western Region.
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6 – Black Maria Gallery Will Host Exhibit
Of New Sculptures by Kardash Onnig
LOS ANGELES – Black Maria Gallery announced a major installation by Kardash
Onnig, featuring new and recent works by the New York-based sculptor. Opening
on Thursday, June 8, at 7 PM, the exhibition will continue until Sunday, June
11.
“We’re extremely proud to organize this installation,” said Zara
Zeitountsian, owner of Black Maria Gallery. “Kardash is one of the most innovative
sculptors working in America today, and if his past exhibitions are any indication,
his upcoming show will be an event to remember. We’re also proud to host an
exhibition whose proceeds will support a peace mission launched by the artist.”
Kardash’s installation is part of his evolving “Tools” project, now entering
its third decade, that consists of sculptures based on the idea of the
quaternary.
“It’s all about universality,” Kardash explained. “Virtually every culture on
the planet has symbols and metaphors deriving from the quaternary, or the
principle of four. Think of the four seasons, the four elements, the four corners
of the world. In other words, our most profound cultural aspirations speak of
the universal, of embracing the whole, whereas we’re stuck in two-dimensional
modes of thinking such as nationalism or corporate globalization, and we
worship two-dimensional devices, such as our technological wonders, that actually
prevent us from experiencing things beyond our cocoons. The ‘Tools’ project is
my way of shattering the barriers of two-dimensionality, of crossing borders,
to both acknowledge and experience ‘the other.'”
Kardash said his project owes much to his travels throughout the world. He
has lived and worked in a number of diverse societies, and many of his sojourns
have inspired him to undertake various teaching and writing initiatives. For
the past 20 years he has conducted a Teen Apprenticeship Program in New York,
fostering unfettered artistic expression grounded in advanced techniques and
discipline. He has also authored several monographs and children’s books, all of
which share a message of nonviolence and cultural concordance through mutual
understanding.
According to Zeitountsian, the installation at Black Maria Gallery will serve
to raise funds in support of a peace mission that Kardash plans to undertake
in Turkey. The mission will include the creation of linkages with Turkish
artists and cultural leaders, collaborative projects designed to promote
cross-border dialogue, and a teen apprenticeship program in sculpture and carving
taught by Kardash.
“Ninety-one years have passed since the Genocide of Armenians in Ottoman
Turkey, yet Armenian-Turkish dialogue is not only nonexistent today, it’s an
enormous taboo,” Kardash explained. “But I’m not pursuing a specifically political
mission by trying to create links with Turkish cultural workers and teaching
sculpture to talented kids. I’m just doing my thing as a sculptor and as
someone genuinely interested in advancing peace across national divides. In the
past, I’ve conducted similar programs in Nagorno-Karabagh and elsewhere, and I’m
not interested in only the Armenian-Turkish issue. I believe the canvas of
peace and mutual understanding should be spread throughout the world, irrespective
of one’s background.”
Kardash’s installation at Black Maria Gallery will include an interactive
feature whereby visitors will be encouraged to move around his sculptures to form
distinct “ensembles” and set-ups. These movements will be taped by an
overhead camera and projected onto a screen in the main space of the gallery. There
will also be shown a mini documentary on Kardash, including clips of the artist
discussing the concept of the quaternary.
Black Maria is located at 3137 Glendale Boulevard in Atwater Village. Gallery
hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 6 PM; Saturday, 7 to 11 PM. For more
information, call 818.613.9090.
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