PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
In a letter to the UN General Secretary
“THE PRESENCE OF TURKISH PEACEKEEPERS IN THE SOUTH OF LEBANON
IS MORALLY UNACCEPTABLE”
Said His Holiness ARAM I
Expressing the concern of the Armenian community of Lebanon in a letter
addressed to Mr. Kofi Annan, the General Secretary of the United Nations,
His Holiness Aram I strongly questiond the presence of Turkish forces as
part of the UN peacekeepers in south of Lebanon. He said “How can a state
play a peacekeeping role when the culture of massacre and the ruthless
killing of innocent women and children are part of its political culture?
How can a nation that denies its illegitimate occupation of one part of
Cyprus come to defend the land and the people of Lebanon?”. His Holiness
considers the Turkish participation in a peacekeeping mission “morally
unacceptable”.
His Holiness has reminded the General Secretary that the Armenian community,
which was settled in Lebanon after the Armenian Genocide in 1915, will never
accept “the eligibility of the army of a country that has a profoundly
negative record on implementing justice and human rights”.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
August 28, 2006
ELEVATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN TANIELIAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
NEW YORK, NY-Two months ago V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General
of the Eastern Prelacy, received his Episcopal ordination and was elevated
to the rank of Bishop in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in
Antelias, Lebanon, by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia.
Bishop Anhoushavan’s dedicated service to the Armenian Church spans many
decades, and it is this service and his recent elevation which will be
celebrated on Sunday, October 1, by the Armenian American community, with a
gala celebratory banquet at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New
York. The banquet, under the auspices of the Prelate, His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, will begin at 3 pm. Prior to the banquet,
Bishop Anoushavan will officiate over the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis
Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, where he served as parish priest for
more than a decade.
Bedros Givelekian, chairman of the committee organizing this tribute,
and the members of the committee, have been meeting during the summer months
to plan the event.
“Large numbers of the Faithful from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond are
expected to attend and express personal congratulations, demonstrating the
high-esteem felt for him,” said Mr. Givelekian . A commemorative booklet
will be published on this occasion and Bishop Anoushavan has requested that
all funds raised on this occasion benefit the Prelacy’s general fund for
Christian education.
Bishop Anoushavan was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1951. From an early
age he showed a calling to serve the Armenian Church. He attended the
Cilician Theological Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon, from 1963 to 1971. He
was ordained to the rank of Deacon in 1968 by Bishop Karekin Sarkissian, to
the rank of celibate priest by Archbishop Ardag Manougian in 1972. He was
bestowed with the Fourth Degree of Vartabed in 1974 by His Holiness
Catholicos Khoren I, and the Fourteenth Degree of Vartabed in 1988 by
Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian.
After graduation and ordination, he served in various capacities at the
Catholicosate , and later in the United States where during the past 22
years he has served as a Preacher at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
Philadelphia, Sts. Vartanantz Church in New Jersey, and St. Sarkis Church in
New York. In 1991 he was appointed pastor of St. Sarkis Church where he
served with great distinction until last year when he was appointed full
time Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy, and Ecumenical Officer in the
United States for the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. He was
the founder and continues to serve as the director of the St. Gregory of
Datev Institute, the popular and highly successful summer studies program
for high school and college-age students.
After many years of concentrated studies while serving as a full time
pastor, as well as part time Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy, and
Chairman of the Prelacy’s Religious Council, His Grace was conferred with
the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from Columbia University in May
2003. He also holds degrees from the Near East School of Theology, and
Princeton Theological Seminary. His doctoral dissertation explored “Nerses
Lambronatzi’s Commentary on the Wisdom of Solomon.” This pioneering work was
accepted unanimously “with distinction” by the examining committee which
placed him among a highly select group of Columbia scholars.
The banquet on October 1 will bring together many of Bishop Anoushavan’s
friends, colleagues and supporters. Professor Hratch Zadoian, Vice
President-Emeritus of Queens College, has agreed to serve as the Master of
Ceremonies for the event. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Rev. Fr.
Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
Philadelphia, who was a classmate at the Theological Seminary in Antelias.
For reservations and/or information please contact the Eastern Prelacy,
[email protected] or 212-689-7810.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
August 28, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE LIFE IN ARMENIA THROUGH ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY SUMMER
INTERNSHIP
Yerevan, Armenia – Fourteen Armenian-American college students from
across the U.S. traveled to Yerevan to take part in the Assembly’s
largest summer internship class in the program’s history. College
students from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska,
New Jersey, New York and Texas participated in the eight-week program
to gain a better understanding of living and working in Armenia – one
of the most culturally rich countries in the world.
The Yerevan internship program was established in 1999, following the
popularity and success of the Assembly’s Washington program, known as
the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program. In fact, four of
this year’s Armenia interns are alumni of the Washington program.
While in Armenia, students said they gained a better understanding of
the lifestyle, work ethic and culture in Armenia and felt a deeper
connection with their Armenian heritage.
“I have learned so much about being Armenian that it’s hard to put
into words,” said Foreign Ministry intern Justin Kalemkiarian who is
an alumnus of the 2005 Washington program. “I knew hard facts about
the country but it’s completely different when you actually experience
what those facts can’t explain. After seeing the creativity,
intelligence and work ethic of the Armenian people I am more
optimistic about this country’s future than when I left home.”
While some of the Assembly interns spent their summer working in
Government offices including the Constitutional Court, Ombudsman’s
Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of
Urban Development, and the NKR Representation Office in Armenia,
others worked at non-governmental organizations (NGOs), medical
centers and media outlets.
WORKING IN ARMENIA
This year’s intern group found their internships very rewarding and
were placed in some of the most exciting and interesting fields. Three
of the students spent their summer working in medical centers
including the Armenian-American Wellness Center, the Nork Marash
Medical Center, the Markaryan Medical Center and the Van Dental
Clinic.
“The most important thing I gained from this internship is the ability
to express myself in Armenian within the medical field,” said intern
Ani Sinanyan who spent her summer interning at the Armenian-American
Wellness Center and the Markaryan Medical Center. “Hearing medical
professionals speak helped advance my language skills which will be
useful with Armenian patients I may have in the future.”
Other students interned at organizations such as the Armenia Tree
Project, the Armenian International Policy Research Group (AIPRG),
International Center for Human Development, Habitat for
Humanity-Armenia, Orran Chlidrens Center, the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as at media
outlets including Armenia TV and Bars Media.
Cate Norian interned at Bars Media working on a USAID project and had
the opportunity to travel throughout Armenia, visiting towns, villages
and meeting with people from all walks of life. “I’m seeing the future
of Armenia,” Norian said. “I’m seeing the ingenuity, know-how, and
drive needed to push Armenia past the status quo.”
MEETINGS WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS
During their time in Yerevan, the interns met with several government
officials including Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Justice Minister
Davit Haroutiunian, Ombudsman Armen Haroutunian and Deputy Mayor of
Yerevan Vano Vardanian. During these meetings, interns learned more
about the inner workings of the Armenian Government as well as the
important role of the Diaspora in the homeland. They also met with
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans.

Some of the major highlights of the internship program were the
cultural activities the students attended including a performance of
the Anoush Opera. They also participated in the annual “One Nation,
One Culture” festival and enjoyed the Armenian holidays of Vardavar
and Constitution Day.

Interns familiarized themselves with Armenia’s business sector and
toured the Grand Candy, Tamara Ice Cream Factory and Yerevan Brandy
Factory.
TRAVELING AROUND ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH
In addition to gaining a better understanding of life in Yerevan, the
interns traveled outside of the city, visiting historic sites such as
the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, the Garni Temple, the Geghard Monastery,
Khor Virab, and Zvartnots Church. Interns also toured the city of
Gyumri with Aram Khachadurian formerly of New York. Afterwards, they
traveled to Ashotsk Village where Khachadurian gave them a tour of
Voske Ser, Khachadurian’s dairy farm and cheese factory. During a
two-day visit to Lake Sevan, the interns spent some time enjoying the
beautiful weather.

Interns took a three-day trip to Nagorno Karabakh. On the way, they
visited the Noravank, Tatev and Gandzasar Monasteries and the city of
Goris. In Karabakh, the interns toured the capital city of Stepanakert
where they met with President Arkady Ghoukassian and Parliament
Speaker Ashot Ghulian. They also visited the HALO Trust De-Mining
Center where they learned about the deadly landmines that continue to
threaten the people of Nagorno Karabakh. The students traveled to the
town of Shushi and visited the 19th century Ghazanchetsots Amenaprkich
Church and a newly-opened lavash factory.
“The Armenian Assembly internship program not only helped me
understand the way of life in Armenia, but also opened my eyes to the
endless opportunities awaiting my homeland” said Ministry of Finance
intern Gregory Bandikian.
Intern Raffi Haroutunian of Demarest, NJ has chronicled his
experiences and those of his fellow interns on an online blog. To
access this blog go to:
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues.  It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

### NR#2006-074
Photographs available on the Assembly Web site at the following links:
4/2006-074-1.jpg
Caption: Interns met with Ambassador John M. Evans (center) at the
U.S. Embassy in Armenia.
074/2006-074-2.jpg
Caption: Interns met with NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian to
discuss the government, education system and economy of Karabakh.
-074/2006-074-3.jpg
Caption: Board of Trustees Treasurer and Birthright Armenia Founder
Edele Hovnanian (far left) along with Assembly interns and Birthright
participants met with Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
(center).
ress/2006-074/2006-074-4.jpg
Caption: (L to R) Interns Anoush Dekmezian, Justin Kalemkiarian and
Arman Avedisian spent the summer interning at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
ss/2006-074/2006-074-5.jpg
Caption: Assembly interns at the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi.
74/2006-074-6.jpg
Caption: (L to R) Interns Armine Bazikyan and Ani Sinanyan at the
Tamara Ice Cream Factory.

California Courier Online, August 31, 2006
1 – Commentary
Exploiting Israel’s Attack on Lebanon
Turks Unleash Anti-Semitic Statements
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – AUA to Mark 15th Anniversary
With Nov. 12 Banquet in L.A.
3 – Shahnazarian is Inducted into RV Hall of Fame
4 – Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches
Meeting Plans Joint Educational Programs
5- AMAA Acquires New Headquarters in Yerevan
6 – Area Residents Oppose AGBU High School
7 – USC Armenian Institute Hosts
Eye-Opening Judges’ Forum
8 – Sept. 12 Discussion in Glendale
Focuses on Armenia’s Economy
9 – Luna Playhouse to Open in Glendale
With Lilly Thomassian’s New Play
********************************************* *********************
1 – Commentary
Exploiting Israel’s Attack on Lebanon
Turks Unleash Anti-Semitic Statements

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Israel’s month-long attack on Lebanon has justifiably angered most people
around the globe. There has been an almost universal condemnation of Israel’s
massive and often indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Lebanon.

In some countries, however, anti-Semites have exploited this human tragedy to
vent their fury, not just at Israel, but Jews in general. In Turkey, for
example, where there has been widespread and long-lasting anti-Semitism among
large segments of the population, Turkish leaders and commentators not only
criticized the Israeli attacks, but went further, comparing Israel’s actions to that
of Hitler and even questioned the veracity of the Holocaust.

The Turkophile British magazine, The Economist, in its August 5 issue,
reported the upsurge of anti-Semitism in Turkey. The article quoted the finding by
the Pew Global Attitudes Survey that “only 15% of Turks look kindly upon Jews,”
which reflects the pervasiveness of anti-Semitism, not limited to the views
of a few Turkish crackpots and racists.

According to The Economist, an increasing number of Jews say “they no longer
feel secure in Turkey, and recently, some community leaders have received
death threats. Fears began growing after Turkish suicide bombers with links to
al-Qaeda blew up two synagogues in Istanbul in 2003. Anti-Semitic literature,
including Hitler’s Mein Kampf, has recently appeared in many bookstores across
Turkey.

Here are a few quotations from the thousands of such anti-Semitic statements
published in the Turkish press in recent weeks:
— Israel is carrying out state terror and genocide, turning Palestine into a
concentration camp, and doing what Hitler did to the.” (Sami Hocaoglu in Yeni
Shafak, July 14);
— Calling Jews “animals would be an insult to animals — they are creatures
lower than the animals.” (Hasan Karakaya in Vakit, Aug. 1);
— “This racist, selfish, greedy, crazed, pervert state [Israel] is a tragic
bad luck for the world. There is no sin that they have not committed, no
massacre that they haven’t carried out, no evil that they haven’t done, no piece of
earth that they haven’t sown seeds of mischief.”(Ibrahim Karagul in Yeni
Shafak, Aug. 1);
— “The terrorist Israeli state, the whore of the USA in the Middle East,
displays scenes of atrocity. Will you bring democracy to the Middle East with the
Israeli Terror Organization which in fact is the bastard of Hitler?” (Mehmet
Ocaktan in Yeni Shafak, Aug. 2);
— The Israelis “have turned into a fascist, racist and Nazi executioner,
while once they themselves were the victims.” (Umur Talu in Sabah, Aug. 3);
— “Even Adolf Hitler did not conduct the monstrous acts displayed by Israel.
If an anti-Semitic wave rises in the world, it will be the Zionist Jewish
monsters and their overseas boss responsible for it.” (Selahaddin Cakirgil in
Vakit, Aug. 3);
— “It is Jewish propaganda that Hitler killed 6 million Jews. It is a lie by
Zionist Jews. If Hitler were resurrected he would say: ‘It was a lie that I
killed innocent Jews. You look at what they are doing now. Wouldn’tt it have
been better if I totally exterminated the ancestors of these monsters?” (Ali
Eren in Vakit, Aug. 3);
— “The cruelty and inhuman acts of Israel in the Middle East has outdone the
cruelty of Hitler.” (Huseyin Tanriverdi, Parliament member representing Prime
Minister Erdogan’s ruling party, in Yeni Shafak, Aug. 3);
— “Israel is taking the revenge of the Holocaust by Hitler from the innocent
people in the region.” (Mehmet Elkatmis, representing the ruling party and
Chairman of the Parliament’s Human Rights Commission, in Hurriyet, Aksam, and
Zaman, Aug. 4);
— Jews are carrying out “more atrocities on poor Palestinians than Hitler
did on Jews. Israel is a small, but malign tumor spreading to all humanity by
metastasis.” (Huseyin Uzmez in Vakit, Aug. 8).

The above statements clearly expose the Turkish government’s lie that Turkey
is a friend of Israel. As the Pew survey showed, 85% of the Turkish public
harbors hostile feelings towards Jews. By feigning friendship with Israel,
Turkish leaders have succeeded in getting some Jews to lobby for Turkey’s interests
in the U.S. Congress.

Israeli officials and American-Jewish leaders have long been aware of the
prevalence of anti-Semitism in Turkey and have even criticized it both publicly
and privately from time to time. However, instead of taking strict measures to
condemn and counter Turkish anti-Semitism, these Jewish leaders have
shamelessly continued to do the bidding of the Turkish government in lobbying on behalf
of Turkey in Washington.

Amazingly, Barry Rubin, a former lobbyist for the Israeli government and
editor of the Turkish Studies journal, as recently as two weeks ago, wrote: “One
of the greatest achievements of the Israel lobby, on an issue which often does
not get high-profile attention, is to push for a pro-Turkish policy in the
United States.”

If, after all of the above racist Turkish statements, Israeli and American
Jewish officials continue to brag about their lobbying efforts on behalf of
Turkey, then they are just as guilty in the propagation of anti-Semitism as the
Turkish anti-Semites themselves!
************************************* *************************************
2 – AUA Will Celebrate Anniversary
With Nov. 12 Banquet in L.A.
LOS ANGELES – The American University of Armenia will celebrate its 15th
anniversary with a Gala Banquet Nov. 12 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los
Angeles.
Former California Governor George Deukmejian will be honorary chair for an
eventful day of celebration.
The Gala honors Jerry and Pat Turpanjian, and Vartkes and Jean Barsam. The
program chairman is AUA Trustee Sinan Sinanian.
The weekend commences on Saturday morning with a Board of Trustees meeting,
gaveled by Dr. Rory Hume, new Senior Vice President and Provost of the
University of California and incoming AUA Board of Trustees Chairman.
The AUA is sponsored through the generosity of the AGBU and by private
contributions from concerned individuals around the world, who understand the
importance of western education to the future of Armenia.
Fifteenth Anniversary sponsorship opportunities, which will be acknowledged
in program announcements and booklets, are available by contacting Maggie Mead
at 510-987-9125.
************************************************** ***********************
3 – Shahnazarian is Inducted into RV Hall of Fame
By Marilyn Odendahl
The Truth
ELKHART, IN – Leon Shahnasarian introduced modern refrigerators to the
recreational vehicle industry at a time when most manufacturers were still
installing heavy insulated boxes that were cooled with large blocks of ice. Showing
trailer and motorhome makers the new appliance as well as how to properly install
it, he brought a technological advancement to the industry that, in turn,
attracted more families to the RV lifestyle.
His contribution should have earned him induction into the RV/MH Hall of Fame
in the 1980s but somehow he was never nominated and many in the new
generation now running the RV industry are not familiar with the work of the lanky
Armenian.
But Shahnasarian is not angry. These days he and Mary, his wife of 53 years,
live in a quiet neighborhood in a house filled with treasures they’ve picked
up from their travels around the world. Hearing a rap of knuckles on the front
door, the couple will warmly welcome any visitor into their home for an
afternoon of conversation, games and music.
“That’s what my life was, enjoying as much as we can,” Shahnasarian said.
Shahnasarian will receive the long overdue recognition when he is formally
inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. He is among the 12 members in the Class of
2006.
“He did great things,” said Al Hasselbart, historian at the Recreational
Vehicle/Manufactured Housing Museum and Hall of Fame. “He is a deserving giant
from Elkhart.”
Shahnasarian was a young immigrant in his late 20s when he founded the
company Instamatic and started traveling around his new homeland peddling a
wall-mounted water heater. It was a device he had become familiar with while living in
Germany and when he and his family settled into a coldwater flat in
Providence, R.I., in 1950, he saw a potential market for the water heaters.
His salesman duties brought him to Zolinger Camping Trailers in Elkhart,
where the owner of the company told him the recreational vehicle industry needed
better refrigerators than the iceboxes that were being used.
The young man enlisted the help of his father, George, and the two began
searching for gas and gas-electric refrigerators that could be used in RVs. They
soon signed a 10-year contract with the Electrolux Co., which extended the
father and son business team three months of credit.
The Swedish company named the refrigerator Dometic and from 1957 to 1967, the
Instamatic-Dometic company served the RV industry. Selling the product was
not enough. Shahnasarian noted he sent employees all over the country to teach
the manufacturers how to place the unit inside the RV so it was level and the
air circulated properly.
Shahnasarian noted he sent employees all over the country to teach the
manufacturers how to place the unit inside the RV so it was level and the air
circulated properly.
Shahnasarian attributed his company’s ability to build a customer base in
part to the three-month credit agreement. The unusual beginning to the business
relationship came about because of the “excellent reputation” his father had
earned among European companies.
Recalling his father and his family’s “escapes” from Stalin’s and Hitler’s
armies still takes Shahnasarian to the brink of tears. After the Shahnasarian
family fled its home near the Black Sea to the Baltic region following the 1917
Russian Revolution, George Shahnasarian joined his brother-in-law’s automobile
distributorship and became general manager of the operation.
The family had to flee again in the mid-1940s when the Soviet appeared poised
to invade the Baltic States.This time they landed in Germany and a couple of
years later they sailed to America.
When the 10-year contract with Electrolux came due, Shahnasarian sought to
renew but the firm wanted the new American market all to itself.
With a payroll of over 100 employees in Elkhart, Shahnasarian dropped the
Dometic name, reinstated Instamatic and, with his cousin, the late Edward
Shahnasarian, built refrigerators along with roof-mounted air conditioners, gas
heaters and wall-mounted water heaters for RVs.
“We had customers; we had commitments so I decided to start producing
myself,” Shahnasarian said.
Eventually, he sold Instamatic to Magnavox.
At 82 years old, Shahnasarian now spends his days with his wife and family
and friends. He also keeps a small digital camera close at hand so he is always
prepared to snap a photo of a moment he does not want to forget.
****************************************** ********************************
4 – Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches
Meeting Plans Joint Educational Programs
LOS ANGELES – The Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches of the Western United
States held their regular meeting at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in
Eagle Rock on Aug. 14.
Participating in the meeting were Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Bishop Serapion of the Coptic Orthodox
Church, Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and
members of the clergy order. Also present was Bishop Nareg Alemezian,
Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, who was in Los Angeles for a brief
visit to the Western Prelacy.
Among the items on the agenda was the possibility of future joint ventures.
It was decided that a one-day spiritual gathering for Sunday School students
would take place under the auspices of the Oriental Orthodox Council Bishops.
The gathering is to be held on Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Archangel
Michael Coptic Orthodox Church.
Students ages 8-15 will participate in the gathering, where there will be a
joint morning services, and an educational program, among other activities.
In the past, the Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches has organized joint
Holy Mass, seminars, and the Sunday School Bible competition that took place on
May 13, hosted by Archbishop Mardirossian at St. Mary’s Armenian Church in
Glendale.
********’****************************** ***********************************
5 – AMAA Acquires New Headquarters in Yerevan
YEREVAN – A major transaction was consummated recently when the Armenian
Missionary Association of America (AMAA) purchased the former U.S. Embassy
building in Armenia from the U.S. State Department.
Plans are already underway to convert the existing buildings into the AMAA
central headquarters for all of Armenia, Karabagh, Georgia, and Russia.
Negotiations had been in progress for more than a year and a half when AMAA
Executive Director Andrew Torigian made a special trip to Armenia to seal the
purchase agreement.
The embassy complex occupies almost an acre of prime land on Baghramian
Street. Known also as Embassy Row, Baghramian Street is Yerevan’s equivalent of
Fifth Avenue.
The office of the Armenian President is but a few blocks away.
Transforming the embassy buildings to AMAA’s needs will require considerable
effort and cost. For example, an existing auditorium will be redesigned to
serve as an Armenian Evangelical church, as well as for secular events.
In the meantime, however, it will be the site of a major celebration marking
the 160th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church.
In addition to offices, the complex will house the AMAA Evangelical
Theological Academy and the Nerses and Arpine Aynilian Medical Center, serving all
needy Armenians without charge. Further, the AMAA will administer all of its
orphan and needy child support programs, currently serving more than 2,800
children throughout Armenia, plus its milk program which helps nourish over 1,000
infants.
Ample space will be designated for Christian education programs, Bible study,
and the coordination of AMAA’s several humanitarian projects for Armenia and
Karabagh.
*************************************** ***********************************
6 – Area Residents Oppose AGBU High School
By Cortney Fielding
Pasadena Star-News
PASADENA – Negative reaction to a new Armenian high school in Pasadena has
organizers asking “What’s so bad about a school?”
Residents in the Victory Park area have mobilized against the Armenian
General Benevolent Union High School, which they say will bring significant noise,
traffic and other disruptions to their neighborhood.
Members of the Mountain Park Villa Condominiums Homeowners Association
contend the AGBU kept them in the dark about plans to open Sept. 12. They are now
questioning the organization’s right to operate on a site originally approved as
a church elementary school.
“Teenagers are not little kids – they can cause a lot of noise and mischief,”
said former association board member Loraine Bernstein. “I’m very hesitant.”
Fifty students in grades nine through 11 are already registered for the
private college preparatory school’s inaugural year, school officials said.
Administrators say they anticipate adding a 12th grade and expanding to 100 students
in upcoming years. The school’s permit allows for up to 200 students.
The AGBU, a national social and educational organization that promotes
Armenian heritage, has owned the land at 2495 E. Mountain St. for more than 10
years, but has rented much of the space to the Living Waters Christian Fellowship,
which operates an elementary school. They’ve thus far used the building for
social gatherings and group functions.
At a meeting with residents Monday night, AGBU Chairman Vahe Imasdounian said
he wanted to build excitement for the private school, which he said will add
to the quality and value of the neighborhood.
In addition to cleaning out and remodeling the building, Imasdounian said the
school will also see extensive landscaping, in addition to being gated.
“Whatever it takes,” he said. “We want to make this neighborhood better and
better.”
But tensions mounted when neighbors peppered him and other AGBU members with
questions about where cars would park, where parents would drop and pick up
students, and how they would control teenagers from walking through their
property and causing disruption.
Residents also cited a decade-old incident that occurred on-site during an
AGBU party, when a fight resulted in reported gunfire, and a security guard had
to be hospitalized.
The incident, Imasdounian said, occurred “so long ago, and a lot has changed
since then.”
He vowed to ensure the school, which will eventually cost $12,000 in annual
tuition, runs smoothly and causes no disruptions.
“Discipline comes first at our school,” he said.
After the meeting, AGBU director Haig Messerlian asked homeowners association
president Karen Lindsey what was wrong about starting a school in a
neighborhood.
“The residents don’t want a high school here,” she replied.
But Lindsey also said the meeting was a positive step toward opening
communication, and she would continue to work with the group. “It’s a start,
definitely,” she said.
******************************************** ******************************
7 – USC Armenian Institute Hosts
Eye-Opening Judges’ Forum
LOS ANGELES – Over 150 guests were present on Aug. 13 at the USC campus
where, hosted by the USC Institute of Armenian Studies and the Armenian Bar
Association, an Armenian-American Federal Judges’ Forum was presented by a panel of
six Armenian-American District Court and Superior Court Judges.
Senior Federal District Court Judge Dickran Tevrizian moderated the panel
that included Federal Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, of the US District Court,
Illinoism US Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian, Central District of California;
L.A. Superior Court judges Zaven V. Sinanian, Alice E. Altoon, and Ronald M.
Sohigian.
Present in the audience were members of the Armenian Bar Association,
Armenian-American attorneys, undergraduate and law students, and members of the
Armenian community.
Welcoming the attendees were Charles Ghailian, Chair of the Institute of
Armenian Studies Leadership Council, and Frank Zerunyan, Chair of Armenian Bar
Association’s Board of Governors.
At the end of the proceedings, USC College Dean Peter Starr and his wife,
Judge Alice Hill, were introduced by USC Institute of Armenian Studies Director,
Professor R. Hrair Dekmejian. Dean Starr acknowledged the impressive
accomplishments of the Institute in a very short time and expressed his full commitment
to its future endeavors.
Issues addressed during the presentations included some of the major concerns
of the Armenian community, including immigration, gangs, elder abuse, ethnic
assimilation and careers in the legal profession.
Among the notable topics were Judge Sinanian’s discussion regarding
misperceptions about incarcerated Armenians and the need for empirical evidence; Judge
Altoon’s recommendation to provide mentoring to younger gang members of
Armenian descent; and Judge Chooljian’s comments about elder abuse and the need for
counseling programs. Judge Sohigian’s suggestion that the Institute determine
an appropriate public position with regard to ethnic generalizations was very
relevant as the next generation assimilates into the American culture. Judge
Der-Yeghiayan’s comments about the importance of Armenian leadership and
student involvement could not have been stated to a more receptive audience.
The Judges’ Forum concluded with a reception.
The USC Institute is committed to providing future venues of research on the
matters discussed at the Forum in order to confront problems facing the
Armenian community.
The Institute’s next major event will be AGBU – In its Second Century – A
Centennial Symposium, to be presented by the AGBU Southern California District
Committee in cooperation with the USC Institute, on October 28, at the USC Town
and Gown.
For more information on all Institute’s events, contact 213-821-3943 or
[email protected]
************************ **************************************************
8 – Sept. 12 Discussion in Glendale
Focuses on Armenia’s Economy
LOS ANGELES -The Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America, ARPA
Institute, Armenian Professional Society, and Friends of Armenia will host a Sept. 12
discussion on advancing Armenia’s economy through science and technology
development, at the Glendale Central Library in Glendale, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The event will feature presenters from the National Foundation of Science
and Advanced Technologies (NFSAT) of Armenian and the U.S. Civilian Research &
Development Foundation (CRDF).
Featured speakers include: Dr. Harut Karapetyan, Chairman, NFSAT. As the
only independent institution working on science & technology issues in Armenia,
NFSAT has distributed more than $3 million via merit-based grant competitions
since 1997 to strengthen the science and technology sector in Armenia and to
reform how research and development is supported; John Modzelewski, Program
Director, CRDF. A congressionally-authorized nonprofit organization based in
Arlington, VA, CRDF has worked to promote Armenia’s science and technology
development-the centerpiece of which has been nearly a decade of cooperation with
NFSAT.
Contact Areg Gharabegian for more information about this event at (626)
440-6047, [email protected]
********************* ************************************************** ***
9- Luna Playhouse to Open in Glendale
With Lilly Thomassian’s New Play
GLENDALE – Having overcome all difficulties – including the necessity of
building four toilets for a 40-seat theatre – the directors of Glendale’s newest
theatre are about to open the doors of Luna Playhouse on San Fernando Road
(corner of Brand Blvd.)
This theatre will serve as a progressive and vibrant center for performing
arts in Glendale. It will cater for all of the population of the area around it
by producing plays in English, Armenian, Spanish, Farsi, Russian, and any
other language in which actors perform plays. There will also be a company
attached to the playhouse specializing in Irish drama.
There will also be poetry readings, book events, music, singing and dance.
The first play, to open in early September, is “THIRST” by Lilly Thomassian.
It is a drama set in a mythical land, that deals with the subject of war- the
reasons why it happens and the effects it has even on its most committed
supporters.
The play is designed and directed by the second of Luna Playhouse directors
Maro Parian.
The next play in the program is the political satire “In the Name of the
People and the Fatherland” by Gevork Sarkissian. It is adapted and directed by
Aramazd Stepanian. The Armenian version will open in late September and the
English version by October, 2006.
For additional information on Luna Playhouse, contact: Lilly Thomassian (818)
261-7127.
*************************************** ***********************************
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EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANEWS RELEASE
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-MAIL: [email protected]
August 28, 2006
Law Exam Surpasses High Bar
On Saturday, August 26, 2006 the Chamber of Advocates (Bar Association) of
the Republic of Armenia conducted the first advocate qualifying exam (bar
exam) in Armenia in five years, and the first exam ever under auspices of
the newly unified Chamber.
Armenia suffers from a severe shortage of qualified defense attorneys for
both civil and criminal cases and the exam process in previous years has
been tainted with controversy from a lack of consistent procedures and an
exam process that was not transparent.
Three hundred and nine candidates from all over Armenia took the exam in the
gymnasium of Yerevan State University under very tight security provided by
the Chamber and under the watchful eyes of Armenian monitors and
international observers, including dozens of student volunteers as well as
representatives of the judiciary and press.
ABA/CEELI, funded by USAID, provided technical assistance in preparing exam
study guides with 2,400 questions and answers which were freely distributed
to all those interested. They also provided the computer technology to
generate randomized variants of both the criminal and civil exams with 100
questions each drawn from these guides on the eve of the exam. The exams
were sealed in envelopes and stamped by the Chamber´s qualifications
commission and locked up over night until opened publicly and distributed on
exam day.
The exams were graded Saturday night and results posted on Sunday morning.
190 candidates (61%) passed the written test and will advance to a second
round of oral testing next month.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x128
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, August 25, 2006
AGBU GENERATION NEXT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ACHIEVES NEW HIGHS
GLENDALE, CA – Living up to its mission, AGBU Generation Next
Mentorship Program continues to provide its participants with
innovative and productive group activities throughout the
summer. Moreover, the Program has benefited from the addition of an
enthusiastic new Director, Ara Arzumanian, who has been extremely
pleased with the overall results and commitment demonstrated by the
mentors.
“We have a great group of youth and a tight-knit team of dedicated
mentors,” said Arzumanian. “When I assumed my position this past
March, I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I didn’t expect that
we would experience such growth in such a short amount of time. In
fact, during these past four months, we participated in an improv
comedy show, took the students to a theatrical performance, a
photograph exhibit, had a game day at the park, and put on a great
artistic showcase-our biggest ever. We also recruited seven new
mentors and have 10 more ready to get started this month.”
In addition to these achievements, the Program received funding from
the Glendale Unified School District, and obtained scholarships for
seven Generation Next youth to participate in personal development
courses, and two students to attend summer camp.
Recently, Generation Next students participated in a Bullying
Awareness Workshop spearheaded by Melina Sardar of Ark Family Center,
Inc. Sardar is Chair of the Glendale Community Action Against Bullying
Committee (CAAB), a coalition of which Generation Next is also a
member. On that day, the students learned about the various forms
bullying can take, and were taught how to deal constructively with
potential situations.
The following week, Generation Next partnered with We Care For Youth,
a long-standing youth program in Glendale, to bring together Armenian
and Latino youth, and address issues of interethnic violence in their
local community. Recognizing the tension that has resulted in many
instances of violence over the past decade, AGBU Generation Next
Mentorship Program took the initiative to address this issue by
exploring the root causes of the hostility.
The fruitful summer culminated with a trip to Malibu Creek State Park,
where both mentors and mentees overcame personal fears and limitations
by climbing a 40-foot tall cliff. “I was thoroughly impressed with our
youth,” commented Arzumanian. “Almost all of them made it to the
top. With no prior rock climbing experience, these kids climbed a
completely vertical rock face, 40 feet into the skyline, an exercise
to prove to themselves that they can accomplish any goal that their
mind can conceive.” Champions Sports Adventure Programs, which
facilitated the activity, co-owner Brad Lupien explained the goal of
the experience by saying, “When faced with the challenge of trusting
the rock climbing equipment, the climbing guides, their peers and,
most importantly, themselves, the AGBU teens demonstrated both a
phenomenal ability to work together and an immeasurable amount of
self-confidence.”
With his eye on the future, Arzumanian is optimistic: “We’re looking
forward to continuing a great year, and working with all types of
organizations. Things are going well for Gen Next. We’re going to
recruit mentors and raise money, and if anyone out there wants to
help, roll up your sleeves and give me a call.”
For more information on AGBU Generation Next, please call (626)
794-7942 or visit
For more information on AGBU and its other youth programs, please
visit

Iran’s Diplomacy in Action
In this insider’s assessment of Iran’s long-awaited response to the
incentive package offered by the United States and other world powers,
Abbas Maleki and Kaveh Afrasiabi argue that this is an opportunity for
diplomacy that could actually halt Iran’s nuclear enrichment and address
the concerns of the West.
Agence Global
23 August 2006
By Abbas Maleki and Kaveh L. Afrasiabi
After months of delay in responding to the package of incentives offered
by the UN Security Council’s Permanent Five plus Germany (P5+1), Iran
has submitted a detailed and comprehensive response that puts the
diplomatic ball squarely back in the court of the P5+1.
While rejecting the UN’s demand for an immediate halt to its
uranium-enrichment activities, Iran’s response still leaves the door
open for serious negotiations, and perhaps an acceptable resolution of
the nuclear showdown for all parties.
By agreeing to put the issue of suspension of enrichment activities on
the table and to commence the talks immediately, Iran has sent a strong
signal that the internal debate between power centers in Iran’s
leadership has ended in favor of voices of moderation seeking a mutually
satisfactory resolution of the nuclear standoff with the West. It will
be a pity if Washington overlooks this opportunity for a fair
negotiation with Iran, especially considering the details of Iran’s
response.
Iran has, expectedly, sought clarification on a number of issues,
including the following:
– The incentive package mentions respecting Iran’s rights under the
nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), yet the only NPT articles
mentioned are Articles I and II, pertaining to non-proliferation, and
not Article IV, pertaining to a country’s “inalienable right” to acquire
nuclear technology;
– Iran wants firm guarantees on the proposed offers of nuclear
assistance, such as the sale of light water reactors to Iran, as well as
a secured nuclear fuel supply;
– Iran seeks clarification on the status of U.S. sanctions which
presently prohibit those offers of nuclear and technological assistance
to Iran: Is the United States willing to lift some if not all of those
sanctions?
– The package’s promise of an Iran-EURATOM cooperation agreement needs
to be fleshed out;
– The package’s brief reference to security and its hint of Iran’s
participation in a “regional security” arrangement needs further
clarification; and,
– The timeline on the promised incentives, including the economic and
trade incentives, has to be made specific.
Furthermore, Iran’s response indicates that Iran is willing to re-adopt
the IAEA’s Additional Protocol and to take the steps toward legislating
it as part and parcel of a final agreement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has declared
Iran¹s willingness to use its influence in Lebanon for an
Israeli-Hezbollah prisoners’ exchange, reminding the world of Iran’s
stabilizing role.
Clearly, given the tight interplay between the nuclear issue and Iran’s
political identity, no one should be surprised that Iran’s leaders have
opted against committing political suicide by giving in to international
pressure and suspending the nuclear fuel cycle. But, far from rejecting
this demand, Iran’s response makes rather clear its feasibility as a
result of the proposed talks, which Iran is willing to commence
immediately, particularly if Iran¹s abstract rights under Article IV of
NPT are explicitly recognized by the P5+1.
In light of the rights-sensitive Iranian public, Tehran will seriously
entertain suspending the fuel cycle if and when it feels vindicated as a
matter of principle, in a manner which creates conditions conducive to
the idea of suspensions. A face-saving solution appears in which Iran
could decide against implementing as an abstract right hitherto thwarted
by the P5+1.
And now the UN Security Council, which had given Iran until the end of
August to halt its nuclear fuel cycle, has a unique role to play either
as spoiler or catalyst with respect to the opportunity afforded by
Iran¹s response — to put the genie of Iran’s nuclear crisis back in the
bottle. Already Kofi Annan is directly involved in intense negotiations
with Tehran, and, indeed, resolving the nuclear row may turn out to be
one of the enduring legacies of the departing Secretary General.
Should the United States and its UN envoy, John Bolton, decide to ignore
this opportunity and push for UN sanctions against Iran, despite the
positive dimensions of Iran’s offer, the stage will be set for a
full-scale international crisis.
Abbas Maleki is the Director of the International Institute For Caspian
Studies in Tehran and currently a senior research fellow at Harvard
University’s Kennedy School of Government. Kevah Afrasiabi is a
political scientist and author of Iran’s Nuclear Program: Debating Facts
vs. Fiction.
For rights and permissions, contact:
[email protected], 1.336.686.9002 or 1.212.731.0757
Agence Global
1.212.731.0757 (main)
1.336.286.6606 (billing)
1.336.686.9002 (rights & permissions)
Agence Global is the exclusive syndication agency for The Nation and The
American Prospect, as well as expert commentary by William Beeman,
Richard Bulliet, Mark Hertsgaard, Rami G. Khouri, Tom Porteous, Patrick
Seale and Immanuel Wallerstein.

Nuclear Iran
The Atlantic recently asked a group of foreign-policy authorities about
Iran’s nuclear quest
The Atlantic Monthly
September 2006
The Agenda
Poll
Special extended Web version
Do you believe there is any set of incentives and economic sanctions
that could persuade Iran to give up its quest for nuclear weapons?
63%Yes
37%No
`Yes. Economic pressure can have a major impact on Tehran’s calculations,
given the demands of a young population. Such pressure would have to
include a ban on investment in the energy sector, and possibly an oil
embargo, to have the desired effect. And it would have to be coupled to a
clear economic and diplomatic rewards to provide the right incentives.’
`Yes, sort of – that is, I think they would be prepared to suspend [their
nuclear program], but hold on to enough capabilities to hedge against
unfavorable developments and restart it.’
`Yes. Iran is likely to insist on keeping a ‘research’ program that
preserves a small-scale, low-grade enrichment capability. But the right
package can forestall Tehran’s quest for nuclear weapons.’
`If the question is to persuade Iran to permanently abandon their quest,
the answer is no. If the question is to persuade Iran [not to seek]
nuclear weapons capability now (but with a capacity to move in that
direction in the future), I think the answer is yes.’
`A grand bargain with the United States might persuade Tehran to stop just
short of building the bomb. But neither [Iranian President Mahmoud]
Ahmadinejad nor the mullahs will sign any deal that requires Iran to shut
down its nuclear program. And any grand bargain will require Washington to
recognize Tehran as a major regional player.’
`Yes. There is a fifty percent chance that a grand bargain that includes
all carrots and sticks could persuade to postpone not give up – [their
nuclear program] for a period, say 5 years after which [it will be]
another issue.’
`Yes, but I think the important part of a package would be incentives,
including some form of security guarantees. I doubt that the threat of
economic sanctions is going to be all that much of a motivating force for
the Iranian leaders. The rest of the world is unlikely to be able to
boycott Iranian oil with much effect.’
`Give up? No. Postpone or delay? Yes. While a few countries, [having] once
embarked on the quest for nuclear weapons, have indeed decided to abandon
that quest when they concluded it was not in their interests. This
certainly includes Sweden, South Africa and Libya. Others have decided
that circumstances made it in their present interest to delay or postpone
an effort, but not to forsake forever such a quest. These countries,
Japan, Brazil and a few others, have kept the option available, usually
under the guise of a peaceful nuclear power program. Iran, at best, can be
moved to this second category of states.’
`Yes or no answers are difficult for these questions. My ‘Yes’ answer for
this question is very tentative. An absolutely solid set of highly
restrictive economic sanctions applied by all, or nearly all, nations
would over time force Iran to its knees. But it is highly unlikely that
such sanctions would ever be universally agreed or applied. The threat of
military action could work if it came from an alliance of nations
including the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Russia (or most of the
above). But the threat would have to be credible, and used if necessary.
Again, the ability to put such an alliance together is nil – at least at
this time.’
`No. However, a set of very strong incentives could lead Iran to slow the
program considerably to avoid further provocations. Tehran would still
seek nuclear weapons, but the problem would be put off for a while.’
`No, nothing to give up its quest but they may be willing to suspend
indefinitely or to maintain a highly inspected and monitored research
capability.’
`No, not with this regime.’
`No. I don’t believe the Europeans would make sanctions credible enough to
convince the Iranians that there’s really an ‘or else’ out there.’
`No. Iran has too much invested in its nuclear program. Even if, like
North Korea, it signed an accord, it would violate it.’
`Yes. (I note, however, that you have ‘loaded the question’ by assuming
that Iran is on a ‘quest for nuclear weapons’. There are other possible
explanations for what is going on, including prestige, regional influence,
a belief in the ‘right’ to be scientifically advanced, and getting our
goat – although you may indeed be right. Making that assumption at this
point necessarily pushes analysis in particular directions). The
incentives? In addition to the prospect of a lifting of all sanctions and
re-admission into the league of civilized nations, incentives should focus
on a U.S. offer of security guarantees for Iranian good behavior, the
latter defined in terms of a) no bomb; 2) open inspections; and 3) no more
support for Hezbollah or other terrorist groups. The fact that we will not
make such an offer (and ignored credible Iranian feelers on a ‘grand
bargain’ in 2003 – an event only marginally covered in the US press and
dismissed out of hand by the Administration) has dismayed the Europeans,
who have set as a key goal getting us to make this offer. Would it work?
Who can tell until we try; and if it does not, then we will be better able
to build genuine support among the Europeans for sanctions, etc. Indeed,
the fact that we will not put the security issue on the table only plays
into the hands of those in the Iranian leadership who would like to get
the bomb, if only for deterrence purposes. Economic sanctions? That would
just arm those in Teheran who would like Iran to thumb its nose at the
West and go hell-bent for a bomb.’
If Iran were to build nuclear weapons, do you think it would likely do any
of the following:
A. Support terrorism more aggressively, from behind a nuclear shield, with
the goal of further spreading the Islamic revolution?
58% Yes
42% No
`No. Iran’s decision to acquire nuclear weapons is driven principally by a
defensive need to deter attack and secondarily by the desire to be
recognized as a major regional power.’
`No. I think they will make that calculation whether or not they have
nuclear weapons.’
`No. They are already supporters of terrorism. Possession of nuclear
weapons is unlikely to give them an added ability to do so.’
`Doubtful, that is, ‘no.’ The Islamic Revolution is pretty much played
out, and you don’t spread revolution through the barrel of a (nuclear)
gun. It doesn’t work. And opponents can use counter techniques that stay
below the level at which an Iranian bomb could rationally be employed.’
`We need to find them an excuse to NOT pursue nuclear weapons [using]
diplomatic, security, economic, and energy incentives!’
`Yes. However, Iran’s goals would range from reducing U.S. influence to
engaging in a strategic rivalry with Saudi Arabia. Spreading the
revolution would be one goal of many, and not the most important one.’
B. Seek to drive up oil prices by bullying other OPEC members, closing the
Strait of Hormuz, or taking other actions for its economic gain?
65% No
35% Yes
`No. They are unlikely to be able to ‘bully’ enough other OPEC members to
have significant influence on oil prices.’
`No. I don’t think nuclear weapons will change their basic economic
behavior vis-à-vis oil production and transportation.’
`No. If Iran were to come to the conclusion that higher oil prices were in
its national interest we have given it far less risky options to
accomplish this. The failure of the US to put in place any national energy
policy other than convincing producers to hold US Treasuries and keep
pumping has left us with an oil market that will continue to teeter on the
brink of higher prices and lurch from one supply crisis to another. It can
do this now. If it has chosen not to do so, it is because it has learned
the lessons of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, – sudden surges in oil prices can be
as destructive to the societies of producers as to the economies of
consumers. And the lessons of Gazprom that addiction gives you more real,
continuing power – and even a German Chancellor – whereas a naked display
of that power can be costly.’
`Doubtful. Iran has to live in the same world with the other oil
producers, it has an interest in a stable market place (at a high price
for oil, of course), and a bomb will not protect it from economic and
other countermeasures.’
`Yes. But only in response to coercive measures undertaken by the
international community.’
`Yes. Iran might bully OPEC members or be more aggressive in its foreign
policy. Closing the Strait [of Hormuz] would hurt Iran tremendously,
however, and it would not do this except in very dire circumstances.’
`Yes, of course. Simply posturing about nuclear weapons is a big economic
gain for Iran because it drives up oil prices.’
C. Use its nuclear weapons offensively, either by directly attacking other
countries or by passing the weapons to terrorist groups?
86% No 14% Yes
`I would say no to all three of these possibilities, unless we attack
them.’
`No, but I am not as certain as I would like to be.’
`No. Iran can be deterred from doing so by the certain knowledge of
devastating retaliation.’
`No. They will face very credible nuclear deterrence from the US and
Israel.’
`No. Iran has had chemical weapons for twenty years now and has not passed
them to terrorists – upping the stakes and passing a nuclear weapon would be
highly unlikely.’
`No. I think they will closely parallel the Chinese approach to nuclear
weapons – as the ultimate symbol of superpower status and political might,
but not as a war-fighting asset. I think we can deal with a nuclear Iran
through traditional methods of deterrence.’
`No. Nuclear weapons will make Iran more confident and perhaps more
influential, but not necessarily more irresponsible. Certainly that has
not been the effect of such capacity upon any other nuclear power. The
U.S. will be able to deter Iran from any use of its nuclear capacity
against the U.S. and its allies. Of course Iran will to a much lesser
degree also be able to deter the U.S.’
`The questions miss the point. Iran would attempt to exploit the
possession of nuclear weapons for purposes of prestige, rather than any
immediate concrete or exceptionally well-defined objectives.’
`No. Nobody even halfway rational and the Iranians are not irrationals
going to pass nuclear weapons to anyone else, much less a terrorist group
that might just attack the country that gave it the bomb. Offensive use of
the bomb would be ridiculous, even as a cover for a non-nuclear attack,
because Iran would be destroyed in the process. And who would let it get
to the point that it would have a true second-strike deterrent? Let’s face
it: for Iran, a bomb would be a political white elephant just as Qaddafi
concluded except perhaps to show it could build the bomb and to exert some
more influence in the region. But it would become even more of a pariah
state, it would be surrounded by Sen. John Warner’s ‘ring of deterrence,’
and it would find that it had got itself a bad deal. I do not want to live
in a world where Iran has the bomb, if only because of the uncertainties
that that would pose; but that is different from saying that a bomb would
free Iran from all constraints to behave within very severe limits in a
part of the world where reasonable behavior is a price for doing
business.’
`Yes. [Iran] is not building nuclear weapons as Christmas tree ornaments.’
`Yes – the real fear is [for Iran] to, at some point at least, give
nuclear know-how and equipment to terrorist allies. This might fall short
of “passing the weapons to terrorist groups” but falls long on the scale
of danger.’
`This is the real question! Most analysts will say that history shows that
possession of nuclear weapons makes states more risk adverse and
interested in stability. Classic case is the loss of revolutionary zeal in
China after it crossed the threshold. But the real question is whether
Iran is like all other states or does it believe that it has a divine
mission whose accomplishment may well require massive destruction – even its
own. The awful truth is that no one knows the answer to this question. We
do not know it, not because we have a broken intelligence service that is
incapable of penetrating Tehran’s inner sanctums – although that is probably
true. We do not know the answer to this question because it is a battle
that is on-going in Iran itself and the answer belongs to the unknown
future not to the hidden, secret present. This leads me to the conclusion
that YES it is possible that Iran might indeed might in one way or the
other directly, actually use its nuclear weapons that we must do
everything in our power and interests to delay, postpone and deny it the
acquisition of these weapons.’
`Once again, your choices do not exhaust the possibilities. Would it
increase Iranian influence and stature? Yes. Would it tend to make them
bolder and more assertive in foreign policy in ways that may not be
predictable? Yes. Will it have the effect of making other powers in the
region seek to shore up their own arsenals? Yes.’
`No to all three, but frankly, the questions as stated miss the point.
Whether it is likely to do so or not (more than a fifty percent chance) is
less important than whether there is a reasonable chance that it might
(zero to fifty percent) and the answer to each is yes. That makes it a
sufficiently serious threat. Moreover, it could act aggressively in other
ways not contemplated in the question that should concern us – e.g. meddling
in Iraq more, funding and supporting Palestinian extremists more
aggressively [from] behind a nuclear shield without broader intent to
foment Islamic Revolution, or transferring technology (but not actual
weapons) to others that are equally threatening to US interests.’
`The biggest negatives of Iran succeeding in realizing their nuclear
ambitions are: First, triggering a ‘cascade of proliferation’ as imagined
in the recent UN high level commission report, where countries like Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, and Syria would form a multi-party arms race in the Middle
East certain to increase instability in an already-unstable region and
would likely to lead to some use of nuclear weapons. Second, the risk that
in a semi-stable regime with multiple, competing power groups such as
Iran’s, one would believe that it could transfer warhead to terrorists
without fingerprints. Third, that Israel – the state for which this is the
most urgent existential threat – attacks Iran to prevent them from getting
the bomb, leading to retaliation against not only Israel, but the US which
will be blamed as well, even if Bush administration tries to distance the
US from Israel’s actions.’
`Yes or no answers are difficult for these questions. Iran might decide to
use any of the courses of action described above, depending on how the
leadership estimated the likely response. The action that most worries me
is ‘passing the weapons to terrorist groups’. That would provide the
Iranians with the best cover for its actions.’
PARTICIPANTS (38): Kenneth Adelman, Graham Allison, Ronald Asmus, Samuel
Berger, Max Boot, Stephen Bosworth, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Daniel Byman,
Richard Clarke, Eliot Cohen, Ivo Daalder, James Dobbins, Lawrence
Eagleburger, Douglas Feith, John Gaddis, Robert Gallucci, Leslie Gelb,
Marc Grossman, John Hamre, Gary Hart, Bruce Hoffman, Robert Hunter, Tony
Judt, Robert Kagan, David Kay, Andrew Krepinevich, Charles Kupchan, John
Lehman, James Lindsay, William Nash, Joseph Nye, Carlos Pascual, Thomas
Pickering, Kenneth Pollack, Joseph Ralston, Susan Rice, Wendy Sherman,
James Steinberg.
Not all participants answered every question.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Nearer the Heart. New book of poems take us back to Armenian-American
child-hood
The Armenian Mirror Spectator
by Helene Pilibosian
5 August 2006
This new book of poems by a very prolific writer, a child of Armenian
immigrants who came to America after the Genocide, takes us back to an
Armenian-American child-hood spent in Racine and in Fresno. These
poems are made of moments, impressions out of the past and some doubts
about identity.
The name of the first section, `These are a few of my favorite
things,’ is about the neighbor Ruby or the girlfriend, Barbara Smith,
Douglas Park, the pond, and his mother.
There are three absorbing poems about William Saroyan and two of his
relatives, for the author knew the family and considered the great
writer his mentor. That fame, being so prized, brings much attention
even after death and brings the readers snatches of fascination. Later
on in the book there is another poem called `Three’ about a visit to
Bill Saroyan’s home. The author’s look at the Armenian past as
history including the sight of some Turks doesn’t communicate a heavy
sense of tragedy.
In the section titled `Beginnings’ there is a charming poem about
bridges that take us `across our town and the interstices of the
heart.’ Indeed, the bridges across hearts are precious and sometimes
difficult-. There is a lovely reminiscence about asking at
Bachaklian’s for magart (the starter for yogurt) and by mistake asking
for sarma (stuffed grape leaves). And add more scenes about fishing, the
fish fry, the yellow bricks of the abandoned factory, trains, the city,
the town, and Sammy Bar ice cream and you can relive this life through
nostalgia.
A poem tided `Thompsondale’ begins, `We will never leave the
picnic at Thompsondale, our mothers very beautiful in their summer
dresses, our fathers with straw hats and colored suspenders.’ The
details turn the clock back and keep it there. There is also a nice poem
about e. e. cummings, the famous American poet which the author wrote
out of admiration for his very original work.
In `Places’ the author writes a poem about being in Yugoslavia,
asking `had the mysterious East always been in our blood and bone?’
This writing about a foreign location is unusual in Kherdian’s work,
but it is telling. Writing about places and his reaction to them seems
to be his forte, though the places are usually in the United States,
places he inhabited or grew up in.
The style of these poems is direct and narrative in telling the reader
about experiences that have shaped his mind as he was growing up and
thus his future. Readers will find his down-to-earth approach
accessible.
This is a book that will appeal to readers of any age and even those who
don’t usually read poetry.
_________________
Nearer the Heart by David Kherdian was published by Taderon Press
(London and Reading, 2006, 94 pages) in association with the Gomidas
Institute. It is distributed worldwide by Garod Books Ltd.
([email protected]).

“Art Without Borders”, But Within Reasonable Boundaries
By: Garen Mikaelian
“Novoye Vremya” – Russian language bi-weekly
Yerevan, August 5, 2006
On August 4, 2006, a unique and unprecedented exhibition called
“Art Without Borders” opened at the Armenian Center for Contemporary
Experimental Art (“NPAK” in Armenian acronym) in Yerevan. For the
first time works of artists from Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkey
(video-art, installation, graphic art, computer art, photography)
appeared together in one venue.
The idea of the exhibition belongs to Edward Balassanian, one of the
founders of NPAK and its C.E.O. It is very simple and clear: To show
through art the brutal reality of the region and to help promote
mutual understanding between various ethnic groups of the region.
History of the region is full of dramatic and tragic events.
Relations are complex, and often non-compromising and inflexible. At
the same time we live in the XXI century, when the situation
in the world is totally different, and demands different modes
of interaction. Mankind, willingly or not is going towards
globalization. All are striving towards bright and civilized future,
for which they need to learn mutual toleration. Artists, the most
democratic and liberal sectors of any society teach lessons of
toleration.
Balassanian has worked on the project for more than 3 years.
Particularly in present conditions it is not so easy to gather
together artists of the region. However, the project succeeded. Only
Azerbaijan’s artists are missing. Apparently during personal contacts
they agreed to partake in the project. However at the end they made it
known that in Baku it is not encouraged. Organizers regret this turn
of events and hope that next time the “quintet” will get together in
its entirety.
Contemporary art in many, if not all respects has lost its national
character and is manifested by international means and methods. This
is why advocates of traditional art are nervous and excessively
agitated. But things are what they are. For contemporary artist what
is important is expression of unique and fresh ideas, in the context
of national identity, awareness and frame of mind.
An outstanding example of this is Sonia Balassanian’s installation.
Many small models of houses are placed on the floor of a dark room
simulating an entire city. Alarming sound of engines of planes flying
over are heard. Suddenly sound of an explosion. Red flashes glow in
the dark. Then silence. Unexpectedly images of human faces appear on
the houses. No need for any interpretation. It is a very passionate
and direct public statement. Everything, the space, the sound,
the color and the video are brought together to a focal point. The
emotional impact is awesome. It could hardly be possible to accomplish
by traditional means. Where could we find a new Picasso for a new
“Guernica”, and why?
Iranian artist Khosrow Hassan Zadeh reflects upon brutal murder
of 12 prostitutes in the town of Mashad. The basis of the works is
documentary photos, which have been processed by computer and have
been collaged on the mat. Pain and anger literally burst out of the
huge panels. Aren’t prostitutes God’s creation too?
Nadia Tsulukidze and Sophia Tabatadze [Georgia] presented a performance
piece using plastic and visual art. Sophia had produces a unique
“reportage” of her travels through Armenia and Azerbaijan. Her emphasis
was on human relations. There was also another, very personal layer
consisted of reading personal letters, which were about problems of
Georgian society and their interpretation. We must also speak about
issues which are usually left unspoken, and people do not like to
talk about them in public.
David Kareyan presented a telling and somber view of mans collision
with his living environment. A long line of dusty and muddy,
worn out domestic items was displayed, barren and dark. Feeling of
abandonment. Such is the situation after disasters and wars. Such
was the situation after September 11. But there is also hope. Here
and there small trees have grown. Life is continuing.
Grigor Khachatrian with his characteristic ingenuity uses Leonardo da
Vinci’s “Last Supper” and photographically replaces Christ’s and His
apostles’ faces by his own. “One of You Will Betray Me”. Deciphering
Grigorian version of the Supper is difficult, but interesting.
Anyone’s game. He provides such an opportunity. I, you, he? Which
one will betray…?
Farhad and Shirin from Tehran in their panels mock Americanization
of daily routine, by satirically changing writings on daily consumer
goods such as dish-washing liquids and similar products.
Turkish painters Ahmet Ogut and Sener Ozmen have presented
“Coloring Book”, which is a children’s book, but the pictures are
social-political images extracted from journalistic photographs. They
ask the audience to color the pictures like children would. It will
be interesting to see the outcome.
Irina Abjandadze shows series of magnificent duplex photographs, of
abandoned industrial buildings of town of Chiatura called “Parallel
Biographies”. It id difficult to describe the secret meaning. What is
it? collapse of industry, of the country, or the individual? Which one?
Contemporary art is not as simple as it was thought to be a few years
ago. Today, totally denying it, pushing it back, or trying to ridicule
it is stupid at the least. It exists. Period. Whether it appeals to
one or not is another issue. But it exists and resonates the social
and political events taking place in the world, and it does it by
accessible means. It poses questions, but does not provide answers,
as is the case with the arts in general. It is important to understand
and keep this in mind.
Besides the fact that any nation’s world and its art are multi-faceted,
they are also multi-vectored. “Art Without Borders is a plastic
oratory. Resources of contemporary art are unending.
However, they address logic first and later deal with emotions. One
should not approach it by expressions of “It is beautiful” or “It
is not beautiful”. To do so will be accepting defeat. In fact “Art
Without Borders” is a kind of independent public diplomacy. “Art
Without Borders” is common folks’, not “Knights'” concern about the
destiny and the future of the region. The future, which does not
deny the past in any way. This is why it is necessary to meet at art
exhibitions. May be something will come to fruition.
After all there is not going to be new migration [relocation] of
people. We need to tolerate one another.
Translated from Russian by EK