California Courier Online, September 29, 2005
1 – Commentary
Turkish Society Split on Genocide,
The EU, and Many Other Issues

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The Califorrnia Courier
2 – Catholicos Aram I Will Visit L.A.
Armenian Evangelical Community
3- Louisiania’s Armenians Devastated
By Hurricane Katrina and Aftermath
4 – Musa Dagh Resistance Featured
At Sept. 29 Lecture at Merdinian
5 – Paul Krekorian Takes Big Lead in
California State Assembly Race
6 – Hamazkayin Hosts Cultural Event Marking
1600th Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
7 – Catholicos Will Visit
Montebello Armenian
Martyrs Monument
8 – St. James Ladies Society Plan
Fall Luncheon, Country Store
9 – Despite Court Challenge, Scholars Hold
Meeting in Turkey on Armenian Genocide
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1 – Commentary
Turkish Society Split on Genocide,
The EU, and Many Other Issues
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
For 90 years, Turkish officials have denied the reality of the Armenian
Genocide. During the past weekend, for the first time in Turkish history, a
conference was held in Istanbul during which Turkish scholars challenged
the revisionist position of their own government on the Armenian Genocide.
This was not an easy accomplishment. It came about after the organizers
struggled to overcome a series of almost insurmountable legal obstacles and
physical attacks.
The conference was originally planned for last May. However, Justice
Minister Cemil Cicek caused its cancellation at the last minute by accusing
the participating Turkish scholars of being “traitors” and “stabbing Turkey
in the back.”
Embarrassed by stinging criticism from many European officials, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan quietly urged the organizers to reschedule
the conference for Sept. 23-25, just days before the planned start of talks
for Turkey’s EU membership. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul even promised to
deliver the opening remarks at this unprecedented gathering of Turkish
scholars.
However, just hours before the start of the conference, an Istanbul court
issued an order suspending the gathering. The judge gave the organizers 30
days to respond to a series of bizarre questions on the qualifications and
selection of the scholars as well as the financing of their travel and
lodging expenses.
This eleventh-hour postponement of the conference stunned not only the EU
officials but also most of the Turkish public, including the overwhelming
majority of newspapers and TV stations in Turkey. Both the Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister saw the court order as an attempt to derail Turkey’s
EU membership drive. The judge, petitioned by ultra-nationalists, clearly
exceeded his jurisdiction by interfering in the internal affairs of an
academic institution.
The conference, titled “Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the Empire:
Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy,” was finally held during
the past weekend after changing its venue to Bilgi University. The
organizers either took or were allowed to take advantage of a loophole in
the court order that had specifically banned two of the three co-sponsoring
universities (Bogazici and Sabanci), but not the third – Bilgi University.
Ultra-nationalist groups and retired military officers had urged all
“patriotic” Turks to converge on the conference site and disrupt the
proceedings. They called the participating Turkish scholars traitors.
Despite the presence of a strong police force to protect the university
from attacks by extremists, the protesters managed to pelt the participants
by eggs and rotten tomatoes. A few trouble-makers even managed to sneak
into the hall and attempt to disrupt the discussions.
Once they passed the gauntlet, scores of scholars presented their papers
over a two-day period. Most of them carefully avoided the use of the word
genocide, due to their fear of being hauled into court and charged with
“denigrating” the Turkish nation. Some of the participants were also weary
of being accused of siding with Armenians on this emotionally-charged
issue. The scholars made it clear, however, that Ottoman officials had
organized the mass deportations and the subsequent killings of hundreds of
thousands of Armenians.
Even though there were very few new revelations on the topic of the
Armenian Genocide during the course of the conference, the significant
aspect of the gathering was the fact that it took place at all. This is the
first time that a group of Turkish scholars, facing the wrath of many of
their radical compatriots and a legal ban, had dared to challenge the
official revisionist position of the Turkish establishment on this issue.
Of course, the proximity of the date of the planned start of Turkey’s EU
membership talks on Oct. 3 played a considerable role in winning the tacit
and reluctant support of the Turkish government for this conference.
Neither Erdogan nor Gul were probably motivated by their “deep seated
beliefs” in academic freedom to support the holding of such a conference in
Turkey.
Turkish society still has a long and uphill battle in deciding its future.
There are powerful conflicting forces within Turkey tearing the country
into two divergent directions: one looking to Europe and the other to an
ultra-nationalist, Islamist, and pan-Turkist orientation.
Before the Turks worry about whether the Europeans would allow them to join
the EU, they themselves would have to decide the direction of their own
society. When millions of Turks are still fanatically clinging to their old
authoritarian mentality, no matter which new laws their government adopts
and which agreements their leaders sign, at the end of the day, these
documents are meaningless pieces of paper. Prime Minister Erdogan’s saying
that his country should be a part of Europe does not make it so. True
reform must first take place in the hearts and minds of the people, before
it can be adopted as a legal code. Such reforms cannot be imposed from
outside. They have to come from within Turkish society.
How long would it take to reform Turkish society is a question to which no
one knows the answer. When millions of Turks are still adamantly opposed to
the most basic values shared by Europeans, it is clear that they are
neither ready now nor would they be ready anytime soon to join the EU.
Turkey should neither be rejected right away nor accepted into the EU in
the foreseeable future. Turkey should not be admitted now because it’s not
and would not be ready to join the ranks of civilized European nations nor
should it be rejected outright for fear of setting completely loose a
monster that would be a clear and present danger to its immediate
neighborhood!
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2 – Catholicos Aram I Will Visit L.A.
Armenian Evangelical Community
LOS ANGELES – Catholicos Aram I, of the Great House of Cilicia, has
accepted an invitation to visit the Evangelical community of Southern
California during his upcoming Pontifical visit to the region, Oct. 5-19,
the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America announced last week.
The Evangelical Church will welcome the Catholicos on October 7, at 3 p.m.,
at the United Armenian Congregational Church located at 3480 Cahuenga Blvd.
West, in Los Angeles.
A reception will follow at the adjoining Ayvazian Hall.
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3 – Louisiania’s Armenians Devastated
By Hurricane Katrina and Aftermath
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Twenty-six Armenian families’ homes and businesses were
severely destroyed and damaged by Hurricane Katrina and its devastating
aftermath. During this period of reconstruction and recovery, many of these
families are faced with an unforeseeable future.
The Armenian community of Louisiana is a unique community – unique in size
and spirit. The first Armenians settled here over thirty years ago hailing
from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia and Iran. In 1984, a few community
leaders gathered and decided the community needed to start a parish and
hold church services in Armenian. In an attempt to foster growth in the
community, Fr. Nersess Jebejian was appointed by the Primate, Archbishop
Torkom Manoogian of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, as the
mission parish priest to hold services in churches in both New Orleans and
Baton Rouge. The name St. Garabed Armenian Church of Louisiana was given to
the mission parish.
In January 2005, after months of fundraising, planning and construction,
St. Garabed Armenian Church of Louisiana opened its doors as the first
Armenian Church in Louisiana. This debut was a big step for this community,
which has progressed slowly over the years, but nonetheless progressed.
Now many of the Armenians living in the New Orleans Metropolitan area have
been devastated, as many of their homes and businesses have been damaged.
The Armenian community in both LaPlace and Baton Rouge has reached out to
the affected community members by opening their homes to them, providing
them comfort and consolation. Many of the community’s students –
elementary, high school and college/university students – have been
displaced and are either registered elsewhere or absent this semester.
Faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and businesses, as
well as the shocking sights in the area, it will be a long time before some
will be able to move back home. It will be months before they sense or
establish normalcy; and, even when these families are able to move back
home and businesses are repaired and reopened, the uncertain economy will
still create obstacles and challenges.
Hurricane Katrina uprooted more than trees, homes and buildings, it
uprooted lives and divided families. It has, most definitely, divided the
Armenian community. Armenians nationwide have reached out to the community,
sending donations to the affected community members. The Diocese of the
Armenian Church, under the leadership of the Primate, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, has sent money to the affected community members. Numerous other
donations have arrived from individuals and organizations around the
country as well.
Donations may be sent to: St. Garabed Armenian Church of Louisiana, 6208
Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Any questions or comments should be
directed to Fr. Nersess Jebejian, the pastor, at (727) 545-0380 or Parish
Council Chairman Vasken Kaltakdjian at (225) 413-4620. You can also e-mail
the Parish Council at [email protected].
Soon, these “Cajun Armenians” will celebrate Mardi Gras, host their
crawfish boils, and cheer on the Saints, but until then faith and community
will prevail.
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4 – Musa Dagh Resistance Featured
At Sept. 29 Lecture at Merdinian
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – Dr. Vahram Shemmassian, professor of Armenian
Studies at the California State University, Northridge, will present a
lecture on “Musa Dagh Genocide Resistance in Light of New Evidence,” on
Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Merdinian School Auditorium, 13330 Roverside
Dr., Sherman Oaks.
The presentation is co-sponsored by the ARPA INSTITUTE and the Moussa Ler
Association of California.
“Musa Dagh” is a household name among Armenians and “rings a bell” among
other people. In July 1915, during the early phase of the Genocide, about
6,000 Armenian highlanders living near the biblical town Antioch were given
deportation orders by the Ottoman government. About one-third heeded the
order and was exiled to the Syrian town of Hama, but the majority decided
to take arms and resist.
No published study exists regarding the fate of those who were dispatched
to Hama. Memoirs published in recent years and archival materials not used
before will be cited to shed new light on certain aspects of the
resistance. A replica of the cross and pictures will also be presented.
Prof. Shemmassian holds a Ph.D. in History from UCLA. His doctoral
dissertation, entitled “The Armenian Villagers of Musa Dagh: A
Historical-Ethnographic Study, 1840-1915,” is currently being revised for
publication.
Dr. Shemmassian has taught Armenian History, Armenian Language, Sociology,
and Western Civilization at the National University, Fresno, CA; Pasadena
City College, Pasadena, CA; and Los Angeles Valley College, Van Nuys, CA.
In 1989-1990, he was the Chair of the Armenology Department at the
now-defunct American Armenian International College, La Verne, CA. As
such, in addition to teaching Armenian subjects, he organized a one-day
symposium on “Armenian-Genocide Issues, 1915-1990.”
He has conducted extensive research in some 30 governmental and
non-governmental archival repositories in the United States, Europe, and
the Middle East, gathering data on such areas of interest as the Armenians
of Musa Dagh and northwestern Syria in general, as well as Armenian
Genocide survivors in the Middle East at the end of World War I. He has
published several scholarly articles, delivered lectures at community
events and in universities, and participated in symposia and conferences.
Dr. Shemmassian has also served as principal of three Armenian day schools
in the greater Los Angeles area, namely, Chamlian School, A.G. Minassian
School, and Merdinian School.
There will be traditional Musa Ler Food/deserts/snacks, at the end of the
lecture.
For information, call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660.
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5 – Paul Krekorian Takes Big Lead in
California State Assembly Race
GLENDALE – Burbank School Board President Paul Krekorian, the leading
candidate for California State Assembly in the 43rd District, has taken a
huge lead over his opponents in fundraising in the race. Krekorian has
already raised well over $100,000 for the campaign, and his nearest
competitor has raised less than half that amount, according to the records
of the California Secretary of State.
“This campaign continues to gain momentum every week,” Krekorian said. “I
am deeply honored to have earned the confidence of so many supporters in
our community, and I am grateful to everyone who has generously provided
the vital resources we need to win this election. I will continue to work
hard to earn that support and to fight for the interests of our community
when I am elected to the Assembly.”
Krekorian easily surpassed the $100,000 mark with only three fundraising
events. His nearest competitor was former Assemblyman Scott Wildman, who
is seeking a return to his old seat in the Assembly. According to the
Secretary of
State’s records, however, Wildman has raised a total of only about
$49,000.
Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero has not reported raising any
campaign funds at all and begins his campaign at a significant
disadvantage.
A poll of likely voters taken earlier this year already showed that
Krekorian is the leading candidate. Krekorian has also garnered by far the
most endorsements from elected officials, including Glendale Mayor Rafi
Manoukian and Burbank Mayor Jef VanderBorght. Now, the Krekorian campaign
also has the clear advantage in fundraising.
Krekorian is the only Armenian-American ever elected to public office in
the history of Burbank. He is running for the State Assembly seat
currently held by Assemblymember Dario Frommer, who will be leaving the
office because of term limits. The district includes the communities of
Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, Silver Lake and Los Feliz, and is home
to the largest
Armenian-American community in the United States. The election is set for
June of next year.
To make a contribution, call campaign manager Adrin Nazarian at
818-512-4045.
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6 – Hamazkayin Hosts Cultural Event Marking
1600th Anniversary of Armenian Alphabet
GLENDALE – In celebration of the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian
alphabet, the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society is organizing a
free public cultural event on October 2, 6 p.m., at the Alex Theatre in
Glendale, Calif..
S. Peter Cowe, Professor of Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA and Dr.
Stephan Astourian, Director of Armenian Studies at UC, Berkeley will be the
featured keynote speakers.
The event will be hosted by Ani Hovannisian-Kevorkian and Manoug
Seraydarian.
The event will feature musical performance by Lark and Element.
Hamazkayin’s Ani Dance Ensemble will perform and the evening will include
an original performance, written and directed by Elly award-winning
director Aram Kouyoumdjian.
The year 2005 marks the 1600th year of the birth of our precious Armenian
alphabet, a joyous occasion celebrated by all Armenians around the world.
Sixteen long centuries have passed since the miraculous day that St. Mesrob
Mashdotz of Hatzegatz, created the 36 letters of the Armenian alphabet.
Translated by holy Fathers into the newly created Armenian letters, hymns
and prayers served to preserve and protect the Armenian church from outside
intervention, and thus served to protect the culture.
For more information on the October 2 event, call 213-278-2020 or write to
[email protected].
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7 – Catholicos Will Visit
Montebello Armenian
Martyrs Monument
MONTEBELLO, Calif. – Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia will
conduct a special Memorial Service at the Armenian Genocide Monument in
Montebello on Oct. 8, at 10 a.m.
The Pontifical Service will be followed by a brief program which will
include as guests members of the Montebello City Council, elected officials
and Armenian-American community representatives.
The event is being organized by the organizing Committee of the Pontifical
Visit under the auspices of Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
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8 – St. James Ladies Society Plan
Fall Luncheon, Country Store
LOS ANGELES – The ovens are hot, the kitchen is bustling with activity, at
St. James Armenian Church where the members of the St. James Ladies Society
are preparing for their annual Fall Luncheon and Country Store to be held
Oct. 29, beginning at 11 a.m.
As crowds wait for the doors to open, they are greeted by a vast array of
home baked pastries, breads, delicacies, as well as jams, tourshi and other
Armeniab favorites.
Guests will enjoy a gourmet luncheon and musical program as part of the
afternoon’s festivities. Barbara Neshanian, Chair of the Ladies Society,
reports that this luncheon continues to be one of their most successful
events.
“We are fortunate to have a committee that, year after year, devote their
time, talent and energy towards its success,” she said. Luncheon Committee
chairs are Shirley Moore and Dorothy Carvello.
St. James Church Pastor, Avak Kahana Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian commends and
applauds the members of the Ladies Society for their hard work and
dedication to the church and the Armenian faithful.
While shopping at the Country Store, guests can enjoy a Champagne reception
hosted by Susan and Pierre Pipponian. Arlene Roupinian and Jean Barsam
chair the Raffle prizes. Alice Gondjian, Chair of the Country Store,
expresses her pride at the wide variety of home baked pastries, as well as
Armenian gourmet specialists, prepared by the Ladies Society. Simit and
Khadayif are prepared by Arpi Barsam and her committee. Tourshi is made by
Ann Vaznaian and her committee, and Alice Gondjian’s celebrated choreg will
once again delect many palates.
Program chairman Anne Mills has brought the husband and wife duo of
violinist Samvel Chilingarian and pianist Lucine Nargizian, to perform the
music of Khachadourian and other Armenian composers.
Other Committee members include Lucille Bogosian, Marion Hovivian, Anna
Kachadorian, Naomi Edison, Jeanette Rakoobian, Madeline Taylorson, Stella
Marashlian, Leann Stepanian and Emma Dionysian.
For ticket and information, call Virginia Dulgarian (310) 377-0833, or
Alice Yacoubian (310) 546-3703.
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9 – Despite Court Challenge, Scholars Hold
Meeting in Turkey on Armenian Genocide
By Benjamin Harvey
ISTANBUL (Associated Press) – Demonstrators throwing rotten tomatoes and
eggs and shouting protests again greeted scholars debating the killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks early in the 20th Century on the second day of
their conference on Sunday.
The passionately opposed conference is the first public discussion in
Turkey about the massacre of Armenians, and the European Union said it
would be seen as a test of freedom of expression in Turkey, which is a
candidate for EU membership.
The group of about 20 protesters outside the conference venue was smaller
than the hundreds who showed up on Saturday, and organizers of the
conference say Turks have been surprisingly supportive of their efforts,
despite some panelists suggesting that Ottoman Turks committed the first
genocide of the 20th Century.
Discussing the mass killings of Armenians has long been taboo in Turkey,
and scholars who use the word genocide can be prosecuted under a clause in
the Turkish penal code on insulting the national character.
The academic conference had been canceled twice, once in May after the
justice minister said organizers were “stabbing the people in the back,”
and again on Thursday when an Istanbul court ordered the conference closed
and demanded to know the academic qualifications of the speakers.
“This is a fight of ‘can we discuss this thing, or can we not discuss this
thing?”‘ Murat Belge, a member of the organizing committee, said at the
conference opening. “This is something that’s directly related to the
question of what kind of country Turkey is going to be.”
The Armenian issue stirs deep passions among Turks, who are being pushed by
many in the international community to say that their fathers and
grandfathers carried out the first genocide of the 20th century.
“There are so many documents in hand with respect to the destruction of
Armenians,” said Taner Akcam, a Turkish-born professor at the University of
Minnesota, and author of books on the subject including, “A Shameful Act:
The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility.”
On Saturday dozens of officers in riot gear kept hundreds of shouting
protesters at bay. Some protesters pelted arriving panelists with eggs and
rotten tomatoes.
Inside, the audience of more than 300 people was restrained, as only those
invited by the organizing committee and preapproved members of the media
were allowed past security.
The issue has been a taboo for many years in Turkey, with those who speak
out against the killings risking prosecution by a Turkish court. But an
increasing number of Turkish academics have called for a review of the
killings in a country where many see the Ottoman Empire as a symbol of
Turkish greatness.
With the more than 350 participants once again assembled in Istanbul, the
conference’s organizers decided that “we can either do this now or we
cannot do it all again,” said Fatma Müge Gocek, an associate professor of
sociology at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor who was on the
meeting’s advisory committee.
Organizers had selected Bogaziçi as the venue for the meeting precisely
because it is a public institution, but they decided they had no choice but
to relocate to Bilgi. The rectors of all three sponsoring universities
welcomed the participants, who met in marathon sessions to condense into
two days a program that was to have been spread over three.
Because the conference had received so much attention in the Turkish news
media, participants did not even need to be notified of the change, said
Ms. Gocek. Opponents were also aware of the new location, and about 100
protesters showed up on Saturday to heckle participants and pelt them with
eggs and tomatoes, she said.
As the conference concluded, Ms. Gocek said she felt a real “paradigm
shift” had occurred. “We had lots of Turkish journalists there who said
they are not going to use the word ‘alleged’ from now on, in terms of
talking about the genocide. They may refer to ‘genocide claims,’ but they
will no longer talk of an ‘alleged genocide,'” she said.
Papers from the conference will be published immediately in Turkish, which
was the working language of the gathering, and as soon as possible in
English, Ms. Gocek said.
Several governments around the world have recognized the killings of as
many as 1.5 million Armenians in the late Ottoman Empire as genocide.
Turkey vehemently denies the charge, admitting that many Armenians were
killed, but saying the death toll is inflated and that Armenians were
killed along with Turks in civil unrest and intercommunal fighting as the
Ottoman Empire collapsed between 1915 and 1923.
After the conference was shut down Thursday, Turkey drew condemnation from
the European Commission.
The court-ordered cancellation Thursday was an embarrassment for the
country’s leaders, who are set to begin EU negotiations on Oct. 3.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul lamented that “there’s no one better at
hurting themselves than us,” and sent a letter wishing the organizers a
successful conference. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned
the court’s decision, saying it did not befit a democratic country.
The participants were all Turkish speakers and included members of Turkey’s
Armenian minority like Hrant Dink, the editor in chief of Agos, a weekly
Armenian newspaper in Istanbul.
“Ittihat and Terakki Party (Party of Union and Progress) had a plan to
purify whole Anatolia from the non-Turks, starting from the Aegean Region,
before the World War I, and this plan was carried out in entire Anatolia
during the years of the war
(World War I)”, argued Associate Professor Taner Akcam of Minnesota
University.
Taking the floor on the second day of the conference titled “The Armenians
during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire” held at
Istanbul’s Bilgi University, Akcam said that the relocation decision was
made at the end of long discussions and debates.
“The Ottoman documents indicate that the decision to relocate the Armenians
was made to end a deeper problem defined as the ‘eastern problem’ and to
end the dissolution process of the Ottoman Empire. This decision was not a
result of a need that erupted during the war. There are many documents in
hand with respect to the destruction of Armenians,” claimed Akcam.
On the other hand, Dr Ahmet Kuyas of Galatasaray University referred to the
four members of the Ittihat and Terakki Party, and said that a serious
massacre was made those days. According to Kuyas, the architect of this
massacre was Enver Pasha. Kuyas expressed his view that the other three
people who were responsible for these massacres were Talat Pasha, Dr
Bahattin Sakir and Dr Nazim.
Also speaking at the conference, Professor Baskin Oran of Ankara
University’s Political Sciences Department said: “Concept of class,
criticisms of Ataturk, Cyprus, socialism, communism and Kurdistan are no
more taboos in Turkey. There was only one taboo left, and it was Armenian
issue. Now, it is no more a taboo.”
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**
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

09.26.2005 Monday – ISTANBUL 23:02
Renowned Photographers Gather in Ankara
By Cihan News Agency
Published: Monday, September 26, 2005
zaman.com
Two important panels on photography will be held among the 40 th Anniversary
activities at the Ankara University Communication Faculty.
“Orientalism and Photography: the West films the East,” to be held October
17, will be attended by Nikos Economopoulos and Alex Webb from the Magnum
Agency, Reza Deghati from National Geographic and Ara Guler from Turkey.
The panel will discuss how contemporary Western photographers look at the
image of the East and the manners of Eastern photographers in representing their
own image.
The second panel, “What is Ara searching for?” will be held at 2:00 p.m., on
October 18 at Ankara University Communication Faculty Art House.
The panel will handle the social processes reflected by the Turkish
photography’s illustrious figure, Arfa Guler’s work of 55 years.
Architect Ragip Buluc will chair the panel and Ara Guler, Enis Batur and
Samih Rifat will attend.
For further information please visit

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20045
(202) 662-7500
FAX (202) 662-7512
NPC NEWSMAKER PROGRAM
Media Advisory
TO: Daybooks/Assignment Eds./Press Offices/Correspondents
FM: Peter Hickman/Vice Chairman/NPC Newsmaker Comm.
301/530-1210 (H&O/T&F)/NPC 202/662-7540Tel/662-7560 (Fax)
[email protected]
National Press Club “AFTERNOON NEWSMAKER” News Conference
Thursday, September 29, 2005, 4 p.m.
National Press Club (Murrow Room)
The Vice Speaker of the British House of Lords
BARONESS CAROLINE COX
will discuss
THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS IN
NAGORNO KARABAKH AND SUDAN
Baroness Cox is a human rights advocate who has been active in that area
around the world, and a member of numerous human rights organizations.
At the National Press Club, she will comment on and answer questions
about human rights in the Caucasus and Sudan.
Contacts:
National Press Club: PETER HICKMAN
301/530-1210 (H&O/T&F), 202/662-7540 (Fax), [email protected]
Baroness Cox: EMIL SANAMYAN (Armenian Assembly of America)
202/293-3434×233 (tel), 202/638-4904 (Fax), [email protected]
(30)

Turkey Urges Armenia to Organize a Conference on Armenian terrorism in
Yerevan
JOURNAL OF TURKISH WEEKLY:
ISTANBUL – After the controversial Armenian Conference in Istanbul, Turkish
media and public demand a conference in Yerevan on Armenian terrorism and on
the civilian Turks massacred by the Armenians.
Hurriyet daily’s headline today was “Discuss Yerevan All These” implying
Armenia should be open to discuss Armenian terrorism and Armenian attacks
against the Turkish civilians during the First World War. Armenian
terrorists killed more than 40 Turkish diplomats during the 1970 and 1980s.
Prof. Cengiz Kutay said “We support strongly the Armenian Conference in
Istanbul though we do not share the speeches made in the Conference. It is
strange that Armenians keep the events so-called happened 90 years ago.
However all the Turkish diplomats who were killed by the Armenian terrorists
and the Armenian attacks against the Turkish civilians are forgotten.”
More than 520.000 Turkish villagers were massacred by the Armenian armed
groups in order to establish an independent Armenian in the eastern
provinces of the Ottoman Empire.
JTW
26 September 2005

Posted 09/26/05 09:39
Armenia Bolsters Air Force With 10 Russian Fighters
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, YEREVAN
Armenia has taken delivery of 10 new Russian-made SU fighter jets as part of
a program to update its air force, Armenian Defense Minister Spokesperson
Seiran Shakhsuvaryan said Sept. 26.
“The purpose… is to update the air fleet. We previously had a total of six
such fighters,” the minister told AFP.
He added that the purchase was in compliance with international agreements
limiting the size of conventional forces in Europe.
Armenia’s arch-rival Azerbaijan has been building up its armed forces,
saying it may one day need to use force to retake territory seized by
Armenia in a conflict in the 1990s – should bilateral talks on the problem
fail.
Of the three South Caucasus countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia –
Armenia has maintained the closest ties with Moscow since the end of Soviet
rule in 1991.

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09/26/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) In Turkey, a First-ever Debate about Armenian Genocide 2) Groups in Javakhk Advocate Autonomy 3) System of A Down to Rally for Vote on Armenian Genocide Legislation 4) Conference Produces New Level of Cooperation among Europe's Armenians 5) Balakian's 'The Burning Tigris' Wins Raphael Lemkin Prize 1) In Turkey, a First-ever Debate about Armenian Genocide On eve of EU accession talks, conference discussing Armenians in the declining years of the Ottoman Empire found there was strong evidence that massacres and widespread deportations had been carried out, but stopped short of describing the acts as genocide. ISTANBUL (Christian Science Monitor/Guncel)--Opposition to a conference about the genocide of Armenians moved from Turkish courtrooms to the street over the weekend as scholars discussed the issue publicly for the first time on Turkish soil. Turkish nationalists, who back the official line that there was no Armenian genocide, sought to make their views embarrassingly plain by hurling eggs and tomatoes outside Istanbul Bilgi University, a back-up venue used to skirt a court order Thursday that sought to shut down the conference at another location. But participants cast the event as `a breakthrough for expanding civil society'--a key issue as Turkey prepares to open talks Oct. 3 over accession to the European Union. "The most important thing is that this [conference] is happening at all," said Cengiz Candar, a prominent columnist for Bugun newspaper, who was hit by an egg as he spoke outside the conference. "It will help to recoup some of Turkey's negative image and, more fundamentally, its commitment to the EU and democracy." Aspirations for EU membership have prompted certain democratic changes (at least on paper) in recent years. EU officials say they view the conference as a benchmark for tolerance, warning after the court ruling of a "provocation" that could hurt Turkey's case. Last May, the justice minister said the conference was a "stab in the Turkish nation's back," prompting it to be postponed, and tapping into hard-line elements. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, keenly aware of the challenges ahead in EU talks, spoke forcefully in favor of the conference after the Thursday court decision. Erdogan said he wants a Turkey "where liberties are practiced to the full." Halil Berktay, coordinator of the history department at Sabanci University, says the opposition was not surprising. "This is a country of more than 70 million, with a strong nationalist past; there are strong forces opposed to the European Union, to democracy and opening up," he says. But, he adds, "the question of what happened in 1915-1916 is not a mystery, it's not like we know just 5 percent. We know 85 percent, so the question is not finding more evidence. The question is liberating scholarship from the nationalist taboos..." "Turkey has to confront its history, and the fact of the violence of 1915 and 1916, and lack of accountability, sanctioned more [state] violence," says Fatma Muge Gocek, a sociologist at the University of Michigan and a conference adviser. "The discourse is not new; the fact that it is said in Turkey is what matters," says Gocek. "They are great developments." Candar shares the optimism. "The judiciary is one of the most reactionary and backward institutions in Turkey, and the illegal [court] verdict reflects the inherent problems," he charges. "But the fact that we are discussing this is ample evidence to be optimistic." A surprise speaker in the conference was Cevdet Aykan, formerly a minister from the long defunct right wing Justice Party (AP), who spoke on the Armenian community in the Tokat region in eastern Turkey, which he had covered in his published memoirs. According to Aykan, out of Tokat's population of 28,000 in the early years of the 20th century, 8,800 were Armenian. He said that in the census of 1924 the Armenian population was down to about 700. `It was not a good thing,' he said `Thousands of Armenians lost their houses, country, homeland and some cases their lives,' he said. Aykan said he had chosen to take part in the conference to repay debt of conscience. The events of 1915 were interpreted differently by different parliaments and that Turkey should not see the civilized world and those that run it as enemies, he said. Another delegate at the two day conference, Professor Dr. Ilhan Cuhadaroglu, said that he felt a feeling of mourning at the conference that almost moved him to tears. `I feel like asking was I in Bulgaria or Greece,' he said Candar shares the optimism. "The judiciary is one of the most reactionary and backward institutions in Turkey, and the illegal [court] verdict reflects the inherent problems," he charges. "But the fact that we are discussing this is ample evidence to be optimistic." 2) Groups in Javakhk Advocate Autonomy TBILISI (Civil Georgia)--A group of non-governmental organizations based in Georgia's southern region of Javakhk, predominately populated by ethnic Armenians, held a conference on September 23-24 to discuss current problems in the region. In a resolution adopted at the conference, the Council of Armenian non-governmental organizations in Javakhk called on the Georgian leadership to consider granting autonomy to the region with `broad authority for self-governance, including the right to hold elections for all bodies of governance.' The resolution also says that by offering the broadest form of autonomy to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Georgian authorities are `discriminating against other ethnicities living in Georgia--the rights of [other ethnicities] who have demonstrated civil loyalty are being ignored,' it reads. Participants of the conference stated that a federal arrangement of Georgia could be the best solution to the problem and called on the Georgian leadership to consider creating a `Samtskhe-Javakheti Parliament through free and direct elections, which would be authorized to carry out cultural, education social and economic policies, as well as [will be authorized] to protect public order.' 3) System of A Down to Rally for Vote on Armenian Genocide Legislation BAND RALLIES FANS, ALONG WITH ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA (ANCA) IN FRONT OF SPEAKER HASTERT'S BATAVIA, IL OFFICE TUESDAY, SEPT 27 AT NOON LOS ANGELES--System Of A Down, one of rock's most daring and innovative bands, have just announced that they--along with their fans, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA; ), Axis of Justice (<;) and the Armenian Youth Federation--will visit the Batavia office of Rep. Dennis Hastert on Tuesday, September 27 (Noon) to ask Speaker Hastert to `do the right thing' and keep his commitment to hold a vote on the pending Armenian Genocide legislation. If passed, the legislation will officially recognize Turkey's destruction of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. The band have invited their fans to join with them in this effort by attending the rally and have set up a system by which fans can directly email Speaker Hastert on the issue.* System Of A Down's four band members--Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan--are of Armenian descent and have made awareness of the genocide, and genocide around the world, a central message of the band. All have lost family members to the Armenian genocide. `Dennis do the right thing' stated Serj Tankian, `I just visited my 97 year old grandfather, my only link to the far past, and promised him that I would go and try to talk to Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, and make sure that he takes this opportunity to bring up the Armenian Genocide Resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives. This is a personal issue to me and System.' The System Of A Down/ANCA rally will take place at the offices of Rep. Dennis Hastert - 27 North River Street, Batavia, Illinois (about an hour from downtown Chicago). The rally is scheduled for 12Noon-2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27. The Armenian community, activists, and the band's fans from across the greater Chicago area are expected to attend the rally. Members of System Of A Down and Aram Suren Hamparian, Executive Director of ANCA, are available to discuss the rally and pending legislation on Tuesday, September 27 and Friday, September 30, the day of their concert at Chicago's Allstate Arena. On September 15, the House International Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide, despite objections from both Turkey and the Bush Administration. Despite his previous public support for the measure in 2000, Speaker Hastert has twice prevented the Armenian Genocide legislation from coming to a full vote in the House. Today the fate of this human rights issue rests in the Speaker's hands. He has two choices: either allow a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, giving the 435 Members of the U.S. House a chance to cast their ballots on this human rights measure or, delay, defer, and ultimately defeat the Armenian Genocide Resolution by refusing to bring the measure to a vote of the full U.S. House. The rally is in support of a fair and full vote in the House of Representatives, ending U.S. denial of this crime and opening the doors to justice - to the restoration, reparation, and restitution owed to the victims of genocide. * System Of A Down have asked their fans to take action and send a free WebFax urging Hastert to hold a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution: <;u=c9oct>
gemail.com/arch/Hit?m=zjomj33qc&u=c9oct
<; z.com/anca/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=8041966 The Speaker has, in the past, taken positive actions on the Armenian Genocide issue: 1) Remarks on the House floor, on April 19, 1994, marking the 79th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide: `Over a million Armenians were exiled and eventually murdered by the Ottoman Turks beginning on April 24, 1915. As a result of this genocide, the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire was effectively eliminated through a carefully executed government plan.' 2) His vote, on June 5th of 1996, for the Radanovich Amendment, to cut U.S. aid to Turkey until it ceases denying the Armenian Genocide. This measure was adopted on the House floor by a bipartisan majority of 268 to 153. 4) Conference Produces New Level of Cooperation among Europe's Armenians BRUSSELS--A meeting aimed to raise awareness of current challenges for Europe's Armenians was held on September 23 in Brussels, just one day after a conference on Turkey was held in the European Parliament. Both events were organized by the European Armenian Federation. Topics included the Euorpean Union's (EU) New Neighborhood Policy toward Armenia, Turkey's aspirations to join the EU, and the role and development of Europe's Armenian diaspora. Many ongoing issues were tackled by experts and political leaders, notably Turkey's stepped-up policy of denial in Europe through local media (Time Magazine and Quid cases), as well as the destruction of Armenian monasteries and monuments in Turkey and in occupied Northern Cyprus. `We received only positive feedback from the participants,' said European Armenian Federation chair Hilda Tchoboian. `We wanted to initiate a diaspora-wide dialogue. I think we succeeded. We brought together representatives of distant communities who will work together after this point,' added Tchoboian. Though most of the delegates were from major Armenian communities such as Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, and Italy, great attention was paid to those just developing in Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary. `This is the new stage in shaping a proactive and collaborative diaspora. This is our contribution to the building of Europe,' stressed Tchoboian. 5) Balakian's 'The Burning Tigris' Wins Raphael Lemkin Prize (Colgate University)--Peter Balakian's The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America's Response has been awarded the 2005 Raphael Lemkin Prize for best scholarly book in the preceding two years on the subject of genocide, mass killings, gross human rights violations, and the prevention of such crimes. The award is given by the Institute for the Study of Genocide at John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY Graduate Center in New York City. The prize, which comes with a cash award, commemorates Raphael Lemkin, the legal scholar who pioneered the international legal concept of genocide. Helen Fein, chair of the prize committee, called The Burning Tigris `a book of enduring scholarly value and of important contemporary meaning.' Previous winners include Samantha Power's A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide (winner of the Pulitzer Prize), and Alison Des Forges's Leave None To Tell The Story: Genocide In Rwanda. The Burning Tigris was a New York Times bestseller and a Times notable book of 2003. Balakian is the author of seven other books, including Black Dog of Fate, which won the 1998 PEN/Albrand Prize for memoir, and June-tree: New and Selected Poems. Balakian is the recipient of honors and awards including a Guggenheim fellowship, a National Endowment for the Art, the Anahit Literary Prize, and an Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He has appeared widely on national television and radio. Translations of his work have been published throughout Europe. He is the Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Professor of the humanities and professor of English at Colgate, where he was the first director of Colgate's Center For Ethics and World Societies. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

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
September 26, 2005
Ecumenical Symposium in New York and International Conference
In Massachusetts will Convene During Catholicosal Visit to Eastern Prelacy
NEW YORK, NY-An Ecumenical Symposium and an International Conference are
part of the many events scheduled during the visit of His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to the Eastern Prelacy.
His Holiness will arrive in New York City on October 19, beginning the
final segment of his visit to North America, which included visits to Canada
and California. Commemorative events in celebration of the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of the Seminary at Antelias, as well as religious
services and celebratory banquets are scheduled in a number of the cities
the Pontiff will visit.
An Ecumenical Symposium and an International Conference are two special
events that were planned to coincide with the Catholicos’s visit. His
Holiness will attend and participate in both.
Ecumenical Symposium
In conjunction with His Holiness’s visit, a special ecumenical symposium
has been organized on Saturday, October 22, 2005, at The Interchurch Center,
475 Riverside Drive in New York City under the general theme, “Challenges
Facing the Ecumenical Movement in the 21st Century.” The symposium, which
features The Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, Secretary General of the World Council
of Churches (WCC), as the keynote speaker, is jointly sponsored by the
Eastern Prelacy, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA,
and the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Other speakers and participants include the Rev. Dr. Wesley
Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary of the Reformed Church of America;
The Rev. Dr. Diane Kessler, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council
of Churches; Bishop Thomas Hoyt, President of the National Council of
Churches of Christ in the USA; Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary
of the National Council of Churches; Dr. Anthony Kireopoulos, Deputy General
Secretary of the National Council of Churches; The Rev. Deborah DeWinter,
Program Executive for the United States, World Council of Churches; Fr.
Leonid Kishkovsky, Moderator of the U.S. Conference for the World Council of
Churches and Ecumenical Officer, Orthodox Church in America and a
representative from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, one of the hosts of the
symposium, will provide the welcome. The Symposium will start with prayers,
in the tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church and a Meditation by Rev.
Prof. Robert Wright, General Theological Seminary.
Closing reflections will be offered by His Holiness Aram I. Attendance
to the all-day event is by pre-registration only.
International Conference
In celebration of the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian
alphabet, an International Conference will take place October 28 and 29, at
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Conference is sponsored by
the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and Harvard
University’s Mashtots Chair, Department of Near Eastern Languages and
Civilizations, and the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.
Scholars from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Armenia
will participate in the two-day conference, which will be attended by His
Holiness Aram I, who during the opening session on Friday evening will
address the gathering.
Papers pertinent to the alphabet and its creator will be presented by
the following specialists: James R. Russell, Mashtots Professor of Armenian
Studies, Harvard University, Massachusetts; Robert W. Thomson, Gulbenkian
Professor of Armenian Studies (emeritus), University of Oxford, Great
Britain; Gohar Muradyan, Senior Scholar at the Matenadaran, Yerevan,
Armenia; Abraham Terian, Director of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, New
York; Michael Stone, Professor of Armenian Studies, Hebrew University of
Jerusalem; Karen N. Yuzbashian, Oriental Institute, Russian Academy of
Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; John Huehnergard, Professor of Semitic
Languages, Harvard University; Prods Oktor Skjaervo, Aga Khan Professor of
Iranian Studies, Harvard University; Lusik Stepanyan, Senior Scholar at the
Matenadaran, Yerevan, Armenia; and Akeksan Hagobyan, Senior Scholar at the
Institute of Oriental Studies in Yerevan, Armenia.
The conference is open to the public. The sessions will take place at
Harvard University’s Center for Government and International Studies.
For information on both the Ecumenical Symposium and the International
Conference contact Iris Papazian at the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.
Ecumenical Leader
Catholicos Aram has been an active participant in the worldwide
Ecumenical Movement since the early days of his ministry, and is today an
internationally recognized and respected religious leader. For the past
fourteen years he has been serving as the Moderator of the Central and
Executive Committees of the WCC.
He became intensely active in inter-church dialogue, relations, and
collaboration in 1972 when he was appointed the Catholicosate’s
representative for ecumenical relations, a post he maintained until 1995
when he was elected Catholicos. Through these years he represented the
Church at major theological and ecumenical conferences, assemblies, and
consultations in different parts of the world.
As a strong supporter of inter-religious relations, dialogue and
cooperation, His Holiness has played a significant part in promoting common
values, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence among religions.
Pontifical Divine Liturgy in New York
A large number of the faithful, especially from the greater Mid-Atlantic
area, are expected to attend the Pontifical Divine Liturgy on Sunday,
October 23, 1:30 pm, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, one of New York City’s
landmark churches. Parishes in the area are arranging bus transportation.
Contact your local parish for information.
A banquet at The Pierre, Park Avenue at 61st Street, will follow the
Divine Liturgy. Reservations for the banquet ($200 per person) can be made
by contacting Dr. Louiza Kubikian, 516-248-2955 or Sophie Khachatryan,
212-689-7810.
Complete details of the Catholicos’s visit are on the Prelacy’s web page
().

PRESS RELEASE
ARPA Institute
18106 Miranda St.
Tarzana, CA 91356 &
Mousa Ler Association of California
Tel: (818) 596-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARPA Institute and Mousa Ler Association present the Lecture: “Musa
Dagh Genocide Resistance in Light of New Evidence”(In Armenian) by
Vahram Shemmassian, Ph.D. on Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 7:30 PM
in the Merdinian school auditorium.

The Address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
Directions: on the 101 FWY exit on Woodman, go north and turn right on
Riverside Dr.
Abstract: `Musa Dagh’ is a household name among Armenians and `rings a
bell’ among other people. In July 1915, during the early phase of the
Genocide, about 6,000 Armenian highlanders living near the biblical
town Antioch were given deportation orders by the Ottoman
government. About one-third heeded the order and was exiled to the
Syrian town of Hama, but the majority decided to take arms and resist.
No published study exists regarding the fate of those who were
dispatched to Hama. Memoirs published in recent years and archival
materials not used before will be cited to shed new light on certain
aspects of the resistance. A replica of the cross and pictures will
also be presented.

Professor Vahram Shemmassian, professor of Armenian Studies in the
Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at the
California State University, Northridge, holds a Ph.D. in History from
UCLA. His doctoral dissertation, entitled `The Armenian Villagers of
Musa Dagh: A Historical-Ethnographic Study, 1840-1915,’ is currently
being revised for publication. Dr. Shemmassian has taught Armenian
History, Armenian Language, Sociology, and Western Civilization at the
National University, Fresno, CA; Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA;
and Los Angeles Valley College, Van Nuys, CA. In 1989-1990, he was
the Chair of the Armenology Department at the now-defunct American
Armenian International College, La Verne, CA. As such, in addition to
teaching Armenian subjects, he organized a one-day symposium on
`Armenian-Genocide Issues, 1915-1990.’
He has conducted extensive research in some thirty governmental and
non-governmental archival repositories in the United States, Europe,
and the Middle East, gathering data on such areas of interest as the
Armenians of Musa Dagh and northwestern Syria in general, as well as
Armenian Genocide survivors in the Middle East at the end of World War
I. He has published several scholarly articles, delivered lectures at
community events and in universities, and participated in symposia and
conferences.
Dr. Shemmassian’s experience is not limited to higher education and
scholarship, for he has served in the capacity of principal of three
Armenian day schools in the greater Los Angeles area, namely, Chamlian
School, A.G. Minassian School, and Merdinian School.
For Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian at(818)586-9660

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
September 26, 2005
ANEC EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR IN NEW JERSEY
PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS
by Nayiri Balanian
NEW YORK, NY-“She is our community’s answer to Mayr Hayastan in the
manner with which she has nurtured the growth and education of our younger
generation at such an essential time in their lives when language is being
lost and traditions often fall by the wayside in what’s become society’s
melting pot. Teaching is one thing. Implementing is another. Sossy’s
annual hantess celebrations bring out the best in children. She’s not only
taught her students song, dance and recitation, she’s sewn their costumes,
given them poise, stage presence and personality.”
Those were some of the words that Tom Vartabedian wrote when asked about
ANEC’s Principal-of-the-Year, Mrs. Sossy Jeknavorian. Mrs. Jeknavorian is
principal of the St. Gregory School, North Andover, Massachusetts. She was
honored during the Armenian National Education Committee’s National
Educators’ Seminar, which was dedicated to the creation of the Armenian
Alphabet and the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The Seminar
took place on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church
in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, chairperson of ANEC, introduced and thanked the
ANEC members who were present: Mrs. Sossy Jeknavorian, Mrs. Silva
Kouyoumjian, Mrs. Knar Apkarian and Dr. Asbed Vassilian. She welcomed all
the teachers, principals and board members from the seven schools that were
represented. She emphasized the importance of Armenian teachers. She noted
that Armenians have a beautiful saying, God Became Human, So that a Humans
can become God-like. “This was true for St. Mesrob, an ordinary priest,
born in the village of Hatzyegatz, who through his work became a Saint.
Armenian teachers are the direct followers of St. Mesrob. They have the most
difficult and responsible task of preparing our next generations, to become
good human beings and excellent Armenians.” Mrs. Balanian went on to explain
the necessity for teachers to improve themselves, by reading books,
attending seminars and by keeping in step with modern technology.
Keynote Speaker
The keynote speaker, Dr. Mary Shamshoian- Olson, the current director of
Instruction and School Improvement at the Warren Township High School in
Gurnee, IL, is a multitalented educator with diverse affiliations in civic
and professional organizations. An author, teacher, principal, panelist,
speaker, workshop leader, the Loyola University graduate with a doctorate in
Curriculum and Instruction, is versed in teaching methods and assessment.
Dr. Olson also holds a Master of Science degree in the same discipline with
an emphasis on secondary mathematics education as well as post-graduate work
in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin and Marquette
University.
In addition to being a consultant to the Armenian Religious Education
Council, a board member of the Racine Marzbed School, she also is the
chairperson of ANEC’s Curriculum Committee.
Her presentation focused on “Teaching Armenian as a Second Language.”
She started by separating the audience into groups and asking questions. The
purpose of the project was to develop a curriculum for one-day a week
Armenian schools for students whose first language is not Armenian. Dr.
Olson explained that generally speaking, students in this program range from
ages 5-15. It cannot be assumed that there is an Armenian speaker in the
home, regardless of the level of fluency. Students who attend Armenian
School from age 5 through 15, will have had approximately 500 hours of
instruction. This assessment is based on instruction for two hours per
week, for twenty-five weeks each year. This is comparable to a four-year
high school course in a foreign language as structured in most American
public schools.
Dr. Olson said that given these parameters, it was decided to recommend
the development of a curriculum kit. Given the number of hours, 250 lesson
bundles must be developed in order to have a complete course. In order to
begin the actual writing of the lesson bundles, a scope and sequence has to
be developed. The organization of this scope and sequence has to be
topical, with vocabulary and grammar lessons being driven by the topics.
Dr. Olson’s presentation was described by attendees as interesting,
educational and very motivating. It gave the teachers a good idea of what to
expect from the new ANEC curriculum that is currently being developed.
The second speaker of the day was Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, who spoke about
“How to Teach the Armenian Genocide to Students.”
She started saying, “According to the historian Agathangelos in 301,
St. Gregory baptized half a million Armenians, members of the royal family
and the army, as well as four million people, so there were four and a half
million Armenians in 301, and the world population was 190 million. Today
world population is 6.5 billion and Armenians are 7-9 million. If we
multiplied like other nations, we should have been around 200 million. This
raises a question, “Why are we so few?”
She spoke about how the term “Genocide” was coined in1944 by a lawyer
named Raphael Lemkin. The Greek geno means “race” or “tribe” together with
the Latin derivative cide means “killing.” Genocide has come to mean
deliberate destruction or murder of a particular group of people. She
emphasized the importance of teaching the students to be the pursuers of
justice for the Armenian people. She said students should be encouraged to
become active in all aspects of life, including the Armenian American
community, and American society by taking part in the American government
and political system and serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Each school was given the opportunity to introduce itself and speak
about its achievements and concerns. This exchange resulted in a good
learning experience for all of the schools. At the conclusion of the
seminar each school was given books and a new map of Armenia and each
teacher was given a folder with educational materials.
Forthcoming ANEC activities include a School Festival on November 19,
2005, dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian
alphabet, and to the Armenian Genocide Commemoration. In March 2006, ANEC
will host another popular Armenian Jeopardy tournament.
ANEC is jointly sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy and the Armenian Relief
Society, Eastern Region.

Turkish protest over genocide conference
The Guardian, UK
Nicholas Watt, European editor
Monday September 26, 2005
Turkey avoided a damaging row with the EU on free speech at the weekend when
a conference on the Armenian genocide was finally held in Istanbul after the
organisers circumvented a court ban.
With a week to go until Turkey opens formal membership talks with the EU,
academics broke new ground by discussing the extent of the killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turkish troops from 1915-23.
Nationalists threw eggs and tomatoes at participants as they arrived at the
city’s Bilgi University. Waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans, they
accused academics at the conference of betraying the nation by discussing
claims that Ottoman Turkish troops were responsible for the genocide of 1.5
million Armenians.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, agrees with the
nationalists’ claim that Turkish forces were not responsible for genocide in
the dying years of the Ottoman empire. But he was delighted the conference
took place – avoiding a row about free speech with the EU before membership
talks next Monday. The European commission accused the Turkish judiciary of
a “provocation” on Friday after an Istanbul court prevented the conference
from opening. Ankara’s opponents in the EU, who are this week likely to
offer reluctant support for a framework for the membership talks, would have
been strengthened if the ban had succeeded.
But the conference organisers, who postponed the event in May after a
government minister declared that claims of genocide amounted to treason,
circumvented the ban by moving to a new venue.
The Turkish media welcomed the successful staging of the conference.
“Another taboo is destroyed. The conference began but the day of judgment
did not come,” said the Milliyet daily.
Turkey’s supporters in the EU will be relieved that the Turkish government
opposed the court order and was prepared to defend free speech. But Abdullah
Gul, the foreign minister, stood by the the official explanation that many
citizens of the Ottoman empire suffered terribly during the war. Claims of
an Armenian genocide were false, he insisted. “The Turkish people are at
peace with themselves and with their history,” Mr Gul was quoted by Reuters
as saying.
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