Friday, September 16, 2005
KU English Assistant Professor Wins Jaffe Award for
Emerging Female Writers
Kansas City
info Zine
The Rona Jaffe Foundation program is the only national literary awards
program devoted exclusively to women.
LiteratureLawrence, Kan. – infoZine – Rebecca Curtis, University of
Kansas assistant professor of English with Armenian roots who is
writing her first novel, will be honored Sept. 22 in New York City as
one of six emerging female writers winning a $10,000 Rona Jaffe
Foundation Writers Award.
Curtis, who has published short stories in The New Yorker, Harper’s
and McSweeney’s in addition to many literary journals, says the Rona
Jaffe award will support her research for a novel based on the true
story of a woman’s survival and escape from the Armenian genocide of
in the early 1900s.
The woman, Azni Gostanian, later cared for Curtis’ mother when she was
orphaned at age 10. Although not related, Curtis refers to Gostanian
as her great “auntie.” Two of Gostanian’s daughters, now in their 70s,
are interested in helping Curtis research the story of their mother’s
daring escape to the United States.
Curtis’ inspiration for the novel comes from Gostanian’s typewritten
account of her ordeal. Next year, Curtis plans her first trip to
Armenia and Eastern Turkey.
“I’m eager to try a different project, one that goes outside my direct
knowledge. Yet, in a way, I also feel like I’ll be connecting with my
roots by telling the story of an Armenian auntie. Her escape in some
ways epitomizes the plight of women: in dangerous times, they
sometimes need to resort to using wiles, and/or their sexuality, to
survive.
Gostanian was a young wife with a new baby in 1915 when her husband
was killed along with thousands of other Armenian men by Turkish
soldiers in a massacre in Harput or Kharput now known as Elazig, in
Eastern Turkey. To save her child, and herself, Gostanian accepted the
protection of a friend of her father. She became the fifth wife in his
harem and was treated badly by his other wives.
A Turkish woman befriended Gostanian and helped her steal a horse that
Gostanian used to ride to freedom with her infant child through the
mountainous country to the Syrian border. Curtis says she envisions a
story of romance, death, escape, betrayal, kindness, salvation and
sacrifice.
Curtis joined the KU faculty in 2003. She has a B.A. from Pomona
College, an M.A. from New York University, and an M.F.A. from Syracuse
University.
The Rona Jaffe Foundation program is the only national literary awards
program devoted exclusively to women. Jaffe created the progam to
identify and support female writers of talent and promise in the early
stages of their writing careers.
The Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Awards are given to writers of
fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Since the program began in
1995, the Foundation has awarded more than $520,000 to a total of 74
female writers. For many award recipients, this may be the first
public recognition they have had for their work. Past recipients of
the Writers’ Awards, have since received wider critical recognition
for their work.
Jaffe is the author of 16 books, including Class Reunion, Family
Secrets, and The Road Taken; a classic children’s book, The Last of
the Wizards; and her most recent novel, The Room-Mating Season
(2003). Her 1958 best-selling first novel, The Best of Everything, was
reissued by Penguin in June 2005. Email this item to a friend.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
September 15, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE OVERWHELMINGLY ADOPTS
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
— International Relations Committee Chairman and Ranking Democrat
Lead Strong Bipartisan Majority in Approving H.Res.316 and
H.Con.Res.195
— Passage Comes Despite the Strident Opposition from Turkish
Embassy, The Livingston Group, and American Turkish Council
WASHINGTON, DC – Following almost three hours of remarks by a
bipartisan group of 24 Members of Congress, the House International
Relations Committee, today, voted in favor of two measures calling
for proper U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide and urging
Turkey to end its decades long denial of this crime against
humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA). The votes clear yet another hurdle toward full House
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
“We are very gratified by the House International Relations
Committee’s broad bipartisan support for today’s action towards
U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” stated ANCA Chairman
Ken Hachikian. “The Armenian American community deeply appreciates
the leadership of Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam
Schiff (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
the support of all our friends on the panel. As we work to build
on the Committee’s favorable action, we look to Speaker Hastert to
honor his pledge and to schedule a full floor vote on Armenian
Genocide legislation at the earliest opportunity.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, a lead cosponsor of H.Res.316 and author of
H.Con.Res.195 opened the Committee’s discourse on both resolutions.
Commenting on Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide,
Rep. Schiff stated, “Ankara’s behavior is as inexplicable as it is
shameful. Turkey bears responsibility for its decades of denial and
for compounding the suffering of the Armenian people by attempting
to blame the victims for the crime.” Rep. Schiff also recognized
three Armenian Genocide survivors — Mrs. Rose Baboyan, Yeretzgeen
Sirarpi Khoyan and Mrs. Lusazine Tatarian — whose presence at the
hearing was arranged by the ANC Washington DC chapter.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman Hyde responded to arguments
that passage of the Genocide resolutions could potentially harm
U.S. – Turkey relations. While noting that, “I very much believe
the [U.S.-Turkey] relationship is of great importance to us,” Rep.
Hyde stated, “I don’t believe that these resolutions will harm that
relationship. They merely recognize the fact that the authorities
of the Ottoman Empire deliberately slaughtered the majority of the
Armenian community in that Empire.” Rep. Hyde went on to note that
“denial of that fact cannot be justified on the basis of expediency
or fear that speaking the truth will do us harm.”
In all, twenty-four Members of the International Relations
Committee spoke on the measures, with twenty-one voicing support
for Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide and three
speaking against. The speakers represented a broad bi-partisan
spectrum of the Committee, with 15 democrats and 9 Republicans
voicing their positions on the issue. Both H.Res.316 and
H.Con.Res.195 were adopted by overwhelming margins of 40 to 7 and
35 to 11, respectively. The complete vote tallies will be provided
on the Armenian National Committee of America website —
Following passage of the measures, Representatives Radanovich,
Schiff, Pallone and Knollenberg hailed the Committee’s overwhelming
approval of the legislation. Rep. Radanovich noted, “The U.S.
National Archives is replete with thousands of pages documenting
the premeditated extermination of the Armenian people. As the
Armenian Genocide was being committed, the United States launched
an unprecedented diplomatic, political, and humanitarian struggle
to end the carnage and protect the survivors.” Rep. Radanovich
continued, noting that “I appreciate the bipartisan support for
this resolution [H.Res.316], which properly acknowledges the
Armenian Genocide, reaffirms the proud and groundbreaking chapter
in U.S. history to halt the Genocide, and renews our commitment to
preventing other occurrences of man’s inhumanity to man.”
“This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,”
stated Rep. Schiff. “We are working to ensure our country
recognizes this terrible tragedy while some of the victims are
still alive, including the three brave survivors here today.”
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone stated “Today
the House International Relations Committee moved this Congress one
step closer to finally recognizing the atrocious acts inflicted by
the Ottoman Turks on the Armenian people. It is now up to Speaker
Hastert to realize the importance of this legislation, and finally
allow a floor vote. I continue to believe that if the entire House
has an opportunity to vote on recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
the truth will win out and American recognition will finally
occur.”
Rep. Knollenberg echoed these remarks, noting that, “this
legislation will show the world that America is not going to forget
this horrible crime. The victims of the Genocide and their
families deserve to have the crime recognized for the atrocity that
it was. The committee’s action today – and hopefully the approval
of the full House soon – will help make sure that this terrible
offense is never forgotten.”
H.Res.316, which was introduced by Representatives George
Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI),
calls upon the President to ensure U.S. foreign policy reflects
appropriate understanding of the Armenian Genocide. The resolution
includes thirty detailed findings from past U.S. hearings,
resolutions and Presidential statements, as well as references to
statements by international bodies and organizations. As of today,
a bipartisan group of over 140 Representatives have already pledged
their support for the measure.
H.Con.Res.195, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff and cosponsored by
over eighty Representatives, was offered following direct
negotiations with House International Relations Committee Chairman
Henry Hyde (R-IL). The Chairman agreed to Committee-level
consideration of Armenian Genocide legislation in return for Rep.
Schiff tabling a planned June 8th Armenian Genocide amendment to
the House Foreign Relations Authorization bill. The agreement
addressed serious concerns on the part of the Administration and
Congressional leaders that the Schiff Amendment – which had strong
prospects of passing – would overshadow the White House meeting,
held that same day, between President Bush and Turkish Prime
Minister Erdogan. This measure calls on Turkey to abandon its
ongoing campaign of Armenian Genocide denial and to work with
Armenia to come to terms with its tragic history.
TURKISH GOVERNMENT/STATE DEPARTMENT OPPOSITION MOUNTS IN DAYS
LEADING UP TO COMMITTEE VOTE
The Turkish Ambassador Faruk Logoglu and his lobbyists – including
the Livingston Group – actively made the rounds to members of the
International Relations Committee, seeking to block any action on
U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide. As part of this
effort, the Livingston Group distributed a four-page genocide-
denial document to Congressional offices. During the mark up,
former Congressmen Livingston and Stephen Solarz and their team of
lobbyists, were actively seeking to defeat these measures.
Earlier this week, American Turkish Council Chairman, former
National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft warned Speaker Dennis
Hastert that even the discussion of the Armenian Genocide on the
floor of the U.S. House would be “counter-productive to the
interests of the United States.” In his September 12th letter,
Scowcroft, speaking on behalf of the corporate members of the ATC,
accused Congressional supporters of Armenian Genocide legislation
(H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195) of trying to “pull Turkey away from
the West.” He stressed that: “The careless use of genocide language
provides and excuse to do so, delivering a direct blow to American
interests in the region.”
The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) also urged
Committee members to oppose the measures, arguing that, “disputes
over history, such as the Ottoman Armenian Tragedy, should be
resolved by open and rigorous historical and legal scholarship, not
political resolutions.” In an unusual development, the ATAA urged
their supporters to actually use the ANCA website and its powerful
WebFax capabilities to attempt the defeat of the measures. The
ANCA blocked all efforts along these lines.
Both the ATC and ATAA have come under scrutiny in recent weeks as
the result of a 10-page story in Vanity Fair detailing FBI
whistleblower Sibel Edmond’s reports that it’s officials were
involved in illegal efforts to defeat Armenian Genocide legislation
in the fall of 2000. According to the article by contributing
editor David Rose, Edmonds claimed FBI wiretaps – including those
of the Turkish Embassy and Turkish groups such as the American
Turkish Council (ATC) and the Assembly of Turkish American
Associations (ATAA) – reveal that the Turkish government and its
allies boasted of bribing members of Congress as part of an alleged
deal to stop consideration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
During the mark-up, lead opponent to the measure, Indiana
Republican Dan Burton, called attention to a September 15th letter
to Committee Chairman Hyde, expressing the State Department’s
opposition to the measures. The letter noted that, “House floor
debate on an Armenia resolution could damage U.S.-Turkish relations
and could undermine progress by Ankara and Yerevan as they begin
quiet talks to address the issue and look to the future.”
#####

SEEUROPE.NET
2005-09-15 16:03:59
Turkey Puts Economical Pressure on Armenia
Armenian Transport Minister Andranik Manukyan said on August 26 that Turkey
is using the proposal to build a new railway line from Kars in north-eastern
Turkey to Akhalkalaki in south-western Georgia to put political pressure on
Armenia, which might find itself in “double isolation”.
The new line would open a link between Turkey and Georgia
bypassing Armenia, reducing the need to revive the Kars-Giumri-Tbilisi line
through north-western Armenia. The fact that Armenia can trade freely only
with Georgia and Iran has incurred some costs, and the economic effect on
the region of the ‘frozen’ conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is arguably a
reason for seeking
a political solution.
The Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC), an
EU-sponsored think tank, presented a report in July on the possible impact
of the reopening of the land border between Armenia and Turkey. Turkey
closed its land border with Armenia in April 1993, as an act of solidarity
with ethnically
close Azerbaijan, then in armed conflict with Armenian forces over
Nagorno-Karabakh. The blockade initially included air traffic, but flights
across the Armenian-Turkish border resumed a year later. Armenia’s border
with Azerbaijan was already closed, leaving it able to communicate with only
two of its neighbours.
Economic effects. This situation has created some problems:
Transport costs. Georgia, Armenia’s only outlet by rail to the outside
world, imposed high tariffs for rail freight. According to another study by
AEPLAC, Armenia pays Georgia 38% more in rail tariffs than Azerbaijan, which
does not depend solely on the Georgian rail network. As a result, transport
costs in
Armenia are 20-25% of nominal goods value, more than twice the world average
and the highest in the region, comparable with those of Mongolia, which is
ten times further from the sea. Reopening the Turkish-Armenian border would
bring the
Giumri-Kars rail link back into operation, ending Georgia’s monopoly and
improving Armenia’s access to its markets, including those in the Middle
East.
Turkish trade embargo
Exports of Armenian goods to Turkey are negligible, being
worth less than 1 million dollars per year. Turkish exports to Armenia
(mainly via Georgia) are officially estimated at 40 million dollars,
probably an underestimate. During Armenia’s accession process to the WTO
(which was achieved in early 2003), Turkey made the stipulation that it
would not apply the WTO free trade regime to Armenia. As a result, in 2003,
Armenia’s trade with its immediate neighbours was only 6.2% of total foreign
trade. Georgia’s low purchasing capacity and overall instability has
restricted trade; Iran maintains
high trade barriers.
World Bank study
It has been commonly assumed that reopening the borders with
Armenia’s neighbours would stimulate its economic performance. In
particular, a World Bank study in 2000 claimed that unblocking Armenia’s
borders with both Azerbaijan and Turkey would boost GDP growth by 30%.
However, these estimates
seem exaggerated:
They assumed that Armenia has excess capacity in energy, which may have been
overstated. They were based on the year 2000, since when Armenia’s GDP has
grown by some 60%
in cumulative value. The structure of the economy has since changed to take
high transport costs into account. Compared with Soviet-era Armenia, the
share of production with a high
transport component (chemistry, construction materials exports and
machinery) has fallen. The post-Soviet economy has developed, increasing the
share in GDP of jewellery, information technology (IT) and services. Mining
of copper and
molybdenum has increased lately, but high world commodity prices have offset
the export costs.
AEPLAC study
The latest review evaluates the impact of reopening the border
with Turkey on main economic indicators and foreign trade in particular, in
the short (one-year) and medium (five-year) terms, using general equilibrium
modelling:
Short term. No significant changes are expected in foreign trade structure.
The economy will respond to some reduction in transport costs. Trade volumes
with particular countries will change, but the trade structure will remain
basically
the same. This scenario expects a 0.67% rise in real GDP, to about 20
million dollars.
Medium term
More substantial changes are expected in the volume and structure of trade
between Turkey and Armenia. In particular, electricity exports will be
equivalent to 20% of current (2003-04) production — the study reckons this
to be a ‘conservative’ estimate. Transport costs will continue falling owing
to
more efficient use of Turkish capacities by sea and land. The cumulative
change in real GDP growth over the five years is estimated at 2.7%.
Winners and losers. The mid-term scenario is largely a continuation of the
trends of the short-term scenario. The report expects some industries to
gain but others to suffer from reopened borders:
Winners. There will be a considerable increase in employment and net
investment in the utilities sector, which includes electricity. Exports of
electricity will increase, among other industrial branches. Volumes will
rise for all importing
industries, the importers of textiles, wood, paper and non-classified
manufacturing industries being the biggest gainers.
Losers. Transport, chemicals, the wholesale and retail trade, mining,
textiles and agriculture are expected to suffer, with most job losses in
these sectors. Textiles, mining and chemicals are expected to record the
largest relative
decreases in net investment. Wholesale and retail trade, and financial
intermediation will suffer to a lesser extent.
The effect on Armenia’s economic performance is therefore expected to be
rather modest. The AEPLAC authors even claim that Turkey’s eastern regions
will gain more than Armenia, as their living standards are lower (in 2002,
GDP per capita
at purchasing power parities was estimated at 2,950 dollars in Armenia and
6,000 throughout Turkey, but 1,200 in eastern Turkey).
Critique. The authors are probably correct that only limited growth in
turnover may be expected, along with some stimulation of investment, in the
short run. However, they may not be correct to expect only a mechanical
continuation of the
same trends in the medium term, with a decelerating rate of investment
adjustment. They assume that technology investment will not grow apace in
the medium term, and therefore some portion of foreign demand growth will be
met at
the expense of domestic consumption. This is not self-evident. The AEPLAC
mathematical model’s assumption that Armenia has little economic incentive
in seeking to reopen its land border with Turkey probably underestimates the
stimulation of investment that might be expected, as the term ‘blockade’
still deters potential investors in Armenia.
Turkish position. Turkey does not seem to be about to reopen its border with
Armenia. It continues to demand that the forces of unrecognised Karabakh,
supported by Armenia, withdraw from territories occupied in 1993-94. The
pro-Azerbaijan lobby in Turkey backs this position. However, another demand
is probably more important for Turkey itself. Ankara is demanding that
Yerevan abandon trying to achieve international recognition of massacres of
Armenians in
1915-22 as genocide, possibly leading to compensation claims from the
descendants of the victims, or even to demands for a revision of the current
border with Turkey. The EU wants Ankara to reopen the border, but its
influence
over Turkish policy-making is problematical, given the difficulties of the
accession issue.
The AEPLAC study’s conclusion that reopening Armenia’s border with Turkey
will have little economic effect probably overstates the case, but it may be
welcomed by those who expect little progress on an issue whose resolution
does not depend on the economic argument.

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 15, 2005
CATHOLICOS ARAM I IN GENEVA;
WILL BEGIN VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, is in
Geneva where he is chairing the meetings of the World Council of Churches’
secretariat, executive committee and several sub-committees. His Holiness is
the Moderator of the Central and Executive Committees of the WCC.
His Holiness will thereafter begin his visit to the Prelacies of North
America. He will visit the Prelacy of Canada from September 29 to October 5;
the Western Prelacy from October 5 to 19; and the Eastern Prelacy from
October 19 to November 1.
The primary purpose of the Catholicos’ visit is to celebrate the 75th
anniversary of the establishment of the Seminary at Antelias. In addition
the communities are celebrating the 10th anniversary of His Holiness’s
election and consecration.
Details about his visit to the Eastern Prelacy are on our web site
(). The site also contains historical information
about the Seminary, as well as messages from His Holiness. New material is
added to the site almost on a daily basis. We recommend that you visit the
site on a regular basis.
MARKING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations this week,
world leaders have converged in New York to mark the occasion. Leaders of
170 nations are in town, creating colossal traffic problems on the eastside
of Manhattan, where the Prelacy offices are located.
On Monday afternoon, September 12, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate,
and V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar, attended a prayer service on
the occasion of the UN’s anniversary. The prayer service was hosted by Holy
Trinity Church, across from the United Nations complex. Kofi Annan,
Secretary-General of the United Nations, addressed the gathering, which was
attended by world leaders, ambassadors, and leaders of various religious
communities.
RECEPTION FOR PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA
Archbishop Oshagan and V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan will attend a reception in
honor of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, H. E. Andranik
Margaryan and Mrs. Margaryan, tonight at Kavoukjian Hall in New York City.
The reception is hosted by the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the
United Nations, H.E. Armen Martirosyan.
PRELATE WILL BE IN WORCESTER THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he
will join the Holy Trinity parish in celebration of the 25th anniversary of
the consecration of the Church. His Eminence will officiate the Divine
Liturgy, deliver the Sermon and ordain three acolytes. A banquet following
the Liturgy will honor the Godfathers of the Church.
NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
As we told you last week, President Bush has declared tomorrow, Friday,
September 16, as a National Day of Remembrance for the disaster affecting
the Gulf States. Donations are being accepted at the Prelacy for the victims
of hurricane Katrina. Send your donations to the Prelacy, 138 E. 39th
Street, New York, NY 10016. All parishes within the Eastern Prelacy have
made special plate collections for the past two Sundays.
Archbishop Oshagan has asked the parishes of the Eastern Prelacy to open
their doors at 9 a.m. tomorrow for those who wish to offer private prayers
or light a candle.
ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Next Wednesday, September 21, is the 14th anniversary of the current
Republic of Armenia. Let us give thanks for the rebirth of the Armenian
Republic and pray for the future growth and prosperity of the Republic under
wise and visionary leadership. With our prayers let us add our wholehearted
support.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN ARMENIA
Dr. Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director of the Eastern Prelacy, is
leaving for Armenia tonight where he will spend the next ten days conferring
with the Prelacy’s office staff in Armenia, as well visiting the sites of
various charitable projects undertaken by the Prelacy.
RECEIVING CROSSROADS REGULARLY
Some of you have informed us that you do not receive Crossroads on a
regular basis. Crossroads is sent to our email list every Thursday
afternoon. We suggest that you add Crossroads to your address book and/or
mark it as “not spam” so that you receive all future issues.
AUTUMN IN OUR GARDEN
Yes, we are approaching the official beginning of autumn. Our vegetable
garden has experienced the worst planting and growing season in more than
forty years. In the springtime our seedlings endured frost, intense heat,
and violent rains leading into a summer of severe drought. However, the
plants endured, flowered, bore fruit. And then came an assault from the
animal world: groundhogs-a new experience for us. We first noticed that the
herb garden was gone-totally-no sign of anything ever being within those
borders. Then day-by-day everything else-squash, cucumbers, eggplants,
peppers, okra, tomatoes-were attacked and annihilated. We read up on some
natural ways of deterring these critters and found none. One reference
suggested a fence that must start at least three feet underground! Another
had a one-word solution: “Move!”
But we live with hope and we will try again next year. The truth is that
since our childhood we had the presence of vegetable gardens all around us.
Every tiny little patch of land was cultivated by someone. I suppose it goes
back to the “Victory Gardens” so prevalent during the Second World War, when
there were large posters encouraging Americans to grow their own crop of
food. The campaign for victory gardens came to an end with the war when food
rationing was no longer necessary. But for many the habit continued-and
continues-because it is good to be able to eat really fresh food for at
least a few months out of the year. And for some of us gardening-especially
for edible crops-is therapy, exercise, prayer and meditation, all rolled
into one.
FINALLY.
In honor of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, an institution
that is certainly at the crossroads of its existence with many critics, we
remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt from a speech defending the UN
delivered on July 23, 1952:
“There have been sacrifices and discouragements, triumphs and set-backs.
The United Nations is attempting to convert this last chance, carrying
mankind’s best hope, into an effective instrument that will enable our
children and our children’s children to maintain peace in their time. The
path upon which we have set our course is not an easy one. The trail is
often difficult to find. We must make our maps as we go along but we travel
in good company with men and women of good-will in the free countries of the
world.
“Without the United Nations our country would walk alone, ruled by fear,
instead of confidence and hope. To weaken or hamstring the United Nations
now, through lack of faith and lack of vision, would be to condemn ourselves
to endless struggle for survival in a jungle world.
“In examining what the UN has done, and what it is striving to do, it
must be remembered that peace, like freedom, is elusive, hard to come by,
harder to keep. It cannot be put into a purse or a hip pocket and buttoned
there to stay. To achieve peace we must recognize the historic truth that we
can no longer live apart from the rest of the world. We must also recognize
the fact that peace, like freedom, is not won once and for all. It is fought
for daily, in many small acts, and is the result of many individual
efforts.”
Calendar of Events
September 18-Banquet to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the consecration
of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, and
honor the Church Godfathers. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will deliver
the keynote address. For more information, 508-852-2414.
September 25-35th anniversary of St. Gregory Armenian Church of North
Andover, Massachusetts, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan.
For more information, 978-685-5038.
September 26-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, will host its second annual golf tournament at the Raceway
Golf Club in Thompson, Connecticut, to benefit the church’s Capital Fund.
For information: 508-872-9629.
October 19-November 1-Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, to the Eastern Prelacy, commemorating the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of the Cilician Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon.
October 28-29-Mashtots Conference celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the
founding of the Armenian alphabet, at Harvard University. Jointly sponsored
by the Eastern Prelacy and Harvard University Mashtots Chair, Department of
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.
November 6-St. Stephen Armenian Apostolic Church of Hartford-New Britain,
Connecticut, will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will be the keynote speaker. The program will include a slide show
presentation two non-Armenian Peace Corps volunteers who recently returned
from serving in Armenia.
November 11-13-Mini-Datev program for the Midwest parishes.
December 31-New Years Eve dinner-dance, Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) and ARF Dro
Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton. Information: 201-943-2950 or 201-945-0011.
March 5-Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) 2006 membership meeting.
March 17-19, 2006-Sunday School Teachers’ Conference at the Wonderland
Conference and Retreat Center in Sharon, MA.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]
Visit our website at

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
STATEMENT OF YEREVAN PRESS CLUB ON AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION
SUITS VERSUS “CHORRORD ISHKHANUTIUN” AND “ARAVOT”
“ZANGAK”: ABOUT THE DISABLED
PRESS NEWS
THE FIRST JUBILEE OF “TV-MOL”
STATEMENT OF YEREVAN PRESS CLUB ON AMENDMENTS TO THE RA CONSTITUTION
On September 15 Yerevan Press Club disseminated a statement with a number of
proposals on draft amendments to the Constitution of Armenia, adopted by the
RA National Assembly in the second hearing on September 1.
The statement says: “Yerevan Press Club is induced to state that the public
of Armenia has been insufficiently involved in the constitutional reform
process. Attention was not duly paid to a number of alternative proposals
made, as a result of which certain provisions of the draft continue to arise
serious concerns. In particular, we cannot be satisfied with the definitions
on freedom of expression and information. The primary subject of our concern
is the mechanisms for the broadcast regulatory body formation, as stipulated
by the draft constitutional amendments, since its independence is not
guaranteed.
As after the adoption in the second hearing the project cannot be radically
improved, we submit our proposals of editorial nature that will enable
making the existing clauses more specific and will contribute to achieving
greater clarity of definitions.”
Some of the YPC proposals aim solely at the improvement of the language in
some articles. At the same time it is proposed to maximally clarify the
status and the role of the body to be established for broadcast media. Thus,
Article 83.2 (“To ensure freedom, independence and diversity of broadcast
mass media, in accordance with the law, an independent body is established.
Half of its members are elected by the National Assembly, and the other half
is appointed by the President of the Republic – for 6 years’ term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies.”) should, in the opinion of YPC, be
narrated as follows: “In accordance with the law, a body is established,
regulating the activities of public and private broadcast mass media,
contributing to their diversity. To ensure the greatest independence of
this body, half of its members are elected by the National Assembly and half
is appointed by the President of the Republic – for 6 years’ term of
service. The National Assembly elects the members of this body by a majority
of the total number of deputies”.
The essence of the change proposed is that firstly, the bodies formed by the
state are established not to ensure freedom and independence but to regulate
the activities of a sphere. It is another thing that the Constitution must
stipulate certain guarantees for the independence of the body itself.
Secondly, the regulating function of this body should be clearly defined by
the Constitution, since the Main Law stipulates its establishment. Otherwise
it remains uncertain what it should be responsible for – this is hardly the
broadcasting, audiovisual production or interference with the inner policy
of broadcasting companies. Thirdly, both private and public broadcasting
should be subject to regulation. And if, contrary to YPC’s proposals, the
Constitution will stipulate the formation of only one body, it should be
regulating both, which must be clearly defined by the Main Law.
The proposals of Yerevan Press Club and other journalistic associations (see
YPC Weekly Newsletter, August 25 – September 1, 2005 and July 8-14, 2005) on
amendments to RA Constitution will be submitted to the RA National Assembly
before the draft is discussed in the third hearing.
SUITS VERSUS “CHORRORD ISHKHANUTIUN” AND “ARAVOT”
On September 8 the court of primary jurisdiction of Center and Nork-Marash
communities of Yerevan started and postponed the hearing on the suit of
Karen Khachatrian, the assistant of Electrical Energy Chair of State
Engineering (Polytechnic) University of Armenia versus “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” newspaper. The plaintiff demanded that the newspaper be
required to publish a refutation (as written by him) for the article “The
Odyssey of the Khachatrians of Polytechnic”, published in “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” on June 28, 2005. The article described the “unhealthy
atmosphere, created at the University” by a professor of the same Chair
Varos Khachatrian and his son Karen, who came to defend him. It should also
be noted that “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” enabled Karen Khachatrian to speak out
on the matter, having published on July 26 a piece, titled “Explanations of
K.Khachatrian of Polytechnic”.
The consideration of the suit of Karen Khachatrian versus “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” newspaper was delayed since presently criminal proceedings are
instituted on the appeal of the father of a female student of the
Engineering University, and the investigation is underway. The court has no
competence to consider the civil suit, filed by Karen Khachatrian, until the
investigation is over.
A similar suit with a similar demand was filed by Karen Khachatrian versus
another newspaper, “Aravot”. This time the dispute centered on article
“Sexual Harassment of a Student”, published in “Aravot” on June 24. The
publication based on the complaint of several students and professors of the
Engineering University about the behavior of Varos and Karen Khachatrian,
addressed to the RA Human Rights Defender. The court hearing on the case is
scheduled on September 23.
“ZANGAK”: ABOUT THE DISABLED
On September 15 “168 Zham” weekly was issued with “Zangak” supplement. The
free of charge full-color newsletter on 4 pages is published by “Unison”
NGO, protecting the rights of the disabled. The project is implemented with
the financial assistance of the US Department of State Public Affairs
Section and stipulates publication of three issues on movement-impaired
people. The print run of “Zangak” is 1,000 copies, half of which is
disseminated as a supplement to “168 Zham”.
PRESS NEWS
On September 10 the first issue of a special Saturday issue of “Chorrord
Ishkhanutiun” newspaper, “Kiraknamut” (“Sunday’s Eve”), was published. Thus,
from now on “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” will come out three times a week – on
Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
On September 9 at the celebration ceremony of the first anniversary of “168
Zham” weekly, the web-site of the newspaper () was presented.
According to the Chief Editor of “168 Zham” Satik Seyranian, soon the web
page will feature not only the pieces of the weekly print issues of the
newspaper, but also daily news. The web site is accessible in Armenian,
English and Russian languages.
THE FIRST JUBILEE OF “TV-MOL”
On September 16 “TV-mol” (“TV-maniac”) weekly celebrates its first
anniversary.
Yerevan Press Club congratulates the colleagues and wishes further success
and prosperity.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN

cybernoon.com
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Armenian Church’s dwindling members cause concern
Malankara community steps in to revive Fort’s St Peter’s Church
Situated in the bylanes of Fort, within a stone’s thrown of the Bombay Stock
Exchange, stands St Peter’s Church, the temple of prayer for the Malankara
community. Unfortunately, however, the religious community is threatened by
extinction in Mumbai as it’s presently left with only three members who use
this church. To maintain the divinity, its present members are on the
lookout for the right people to undertake the spiritual responsibility to
take over as its future torchbearers. Sunny Perirayam, a Malankara orthodox
Christian and former president of the Young Men’s Christian Association
(YMCA) is one of the few who took it upon himself to rejuvenate the Armenian
Church.For the uninitiated, the Armenian Church is an independent Christian
church, also known as the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Its head is
the Catholicos who resides at Holy Etchmiadzin, near Yerevan, the capital of
Armenia. St. Peter’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Fort is the only church of
this community in Mumbai. Says Sunny Perirayam, “This church is a very old
church built in 1892. The structure was loose and in need of immediate
attention. It was Zabel Joshi’s daughter, an architect, who renovated the
church. It’s a small church, but indeed an immaculate one. There are people
who believe that this church is leased out to us. Please note that, this
church is just given to us to conduct holy services rather let it face
extinction. They are Armenian orthodox, while we are the Malankara Orthodox
people. So it’s by an understanding that we are servicing the church.”
Incidentally, relations between India and Armenia date back to over 2,500
years, with evidence of an Indian community in Armenia during the fifth
century BC. Armenian theologist Yeghishe (fifth century) refers to the
“Hindu language” as musical. Although some experts claim the existence of
this community on the Malabar Coast in the seventh century, the first
recorded visit is that of Armenian trader Thomas Cana who reached the
Malabar Coast in 780 AD. Cut to the present. Nuvart Mehta, one of the three
members of this community, attributes the cause of extinction of the
community to migration of its young members.”When I came here in 1952, we
had 30 members. But finally figures started dropping as some young members
left for Canada, Australia and the US. Earlier this church was in bad shape
and had to be rebuilt. Now this has been properly taken care of by the
Malankara Christians. Every Sunday, they have regular services in our
church. Now I don’t know what will happen to it after us.”
T.P. Mathew, a senior member of the Malankara Orthodox Christian community,
said, “This church is a very old heritage structure and a very divine place
to conduct a mass and attracts people because of its serenity. Surely, the
atmosphere of this church will bring the essence of Armenia. It is great
work by Sunny and certain people to bring liveliness back into the
church. Many churches in Mumbai are facing extinction and someone has to
come forward to save such structures of beauty

PRESS RELEASE
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Thursday, September 15, 2005
AGBU Speaker Addresses Inaugural Press Conference and Workshop for
58th UN DPI/NGO Conference in New York
On Tuesday, September 6, 2005, AGBU speaker, Rita Balian, was invited
by the United Nations (UN) Department of Public
Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO) Conference Media
Committee as a representative of almost 700 NGOs from 86 countries to
speak at this year’s 58th DPI/NGO Conference
() Inaugural Press Conference at UN
headquarters in New York which was attended by major media
outlets. Balian was the first representative of an Armenian NGO to be
given the honor of representing all participating NGOs.
This year’s conference, entitled “Our Challenge: Voice for Peace,
Partnerships and Renewal,” explores the UN’s commitment to the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and comes at a critical time for
the UN as it re-evaluates its future and mission. Adopted by the UN in
2000, the MDGs outline a strategy to alleviate extreme poverty,
provide universal education, ensure gender equality, combat AIDS and
other diseases, encourage environmental sustainability and develop
global partnerships for development.
Spearheaded and organized by AGBU UN Representative, Adrienne
Alexanian, AGBU’s involvement in this year’s conference included the
sponsorship of a workshop on September 7, 2005 entitled, “Successful
Development Programmes in Education and Healthcare through
Partnerships.” Alexanian was also an active member of both the
planning and media committees for the three-day event that took place
from September 7 – 9, 2005.
Each year, AGBU selects an individual to highlight a project making an
impact in Armenia or the Armenian Diaspora. This year, Rita Balian,
President and CEO of the Armenian American Cultural Association and
founder of the Armenian American Wellness Center (AAWC) in Yerevan,
Armenia, was invited to participate in an AGBU-organized workshop that
was jointly sponsored with the International Council of Nurses and
Felician College. Balian is also the co-president of the AGBU
President’s Club and the founder of the AGBU New York Summer Intern
Program. The Wednesday workshop focused on the interrelated issues of
technology and education in advancing development in healthcare.
In the Spotlight
Alexanian, on behalf of AGBU, nominated Balian for the honor of
speaking at the inaugural press conference as a representative of all
attending NGOs and in recognition of her notable achievements to the
Armenian community. This important press event, which kicked off the
three-day global gathering, was attended by major media outlets and
included presentations from Jim Wurst, UN Correspondents Association
President; Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications
and Public Information at the UN; Joseph Donnelly, Chair of the 58th
Annual DPI/NGO Conference, Anwarul Chowdjury; UN High Representative
for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Least Developed Countries
and Small Island Developing States; and William Pace, Executive
Director of the World Federalist Movement.
Success at Partnering in Education and Healthcare

Moderated by Adrienne Alexanian, AGBU’s workshop featured three
distinguished speakers: Dr. Mary Norton, Professor and Associate Dean
at Felician College (USA); Rita Balian, Founder of Armenian American
Wellness Center (Armenia); and Dr. Micaela Iovine, Senior Programme
Officer, Global Programme, Council for International Exchange of
Scholars. Norton spoke about an e-learning nursing program at both
Felician College and the University of Jordan that have partnered to
produce this innovative program. With the support of private industry
and government funding, the e-curriculum augments the accessibility of
teaching staffs and resources. Iovine contributed to Norton’s
presentation by discussing relevant fellowships in the field.
Balian spoke extensively about the creation of the AAWC and its
important impact on the Caucasus region. Saving the lives of thousands
of women, over 10,000 women have benefited by the Center’s breast
screening technology and other preventative services. Pointing out the
challenges that she confronted when AAWC was first established in
1997, the Center is undergoing an extensive renovation in a five-story
building donated by the government of the Republic of Armenia and will
become a “mini-Mayo clinic” for the region.
Audience members were invited to participate in a question and answer
period with the panel and share information about similar projects in
other parts of the world.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with
an annual budget of $26 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and
humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35
countries. AGBU has been a registered NGO at the United Nations since
1989.

PRESS RELEASE
September 12, 2005
Anahid Yeremian
P.O. Box 655, Menlo Park, CA 94026
[email protected]
650 – 926 – 4444
CRD to host Solar Extreme Events – 2005 International Symposium in Armenia,
September 26-30, 2005
Over 85 scientists from 11 countries will participate in the Solar Extreme
Events 2005 conference in Armenia, organized by the Cosmic Ray Division
(CRD) of Alikhanian Physics Institute and sponsored by the international
Commission On Space Research and the International Science and Technology
Center. The local organizing committee and the international advisory
committee are chaired by Prof. Ashot Chilingarian, head of the CRD. The
program includes presentations by the participants, discussions about the
sources of Space Weather and the detection and early warning of events with
catastrophic consequences, and a tour of the extensive cosmic ray research
facilities on Mt. Aragats. Among the distinguished participants, scientists
from NASA, Stanford University and University of Delaware will comprise the
US delegation. Several key international organizations list this conference
on their calendar. Among them: NASA, Commission on Space Research, European
Space Agency and others. For more details see .
For more details about the CRD and the Diaspora participation in it visit
or call Anahid Yeremian at 650 – 926 – 4444.

STURUA PLEASED WITH TODAY’S SEARCHING YOUTH
By Tamar
AZG Armenian Daily #164
14/09/2005
Culture
“I don’t want to speak out about my love towards Armenia but I have
to say that this country is very dear to me and I have real grounds
for my love”, famous Robert Sturua, stage director of Shota Rustaveli
Academic Theatre of Tbilisi, told journalists yesterday. “I was in
close ties with Parajanov, Atchemian, Khaplanian, Elibekian and knew
many Armenian composers. I felt their influence in my works later on”,
he said.
Robert Sturua arrived in Armenia after a 10 years’ break to stage
a play within the frameworks of Shakespearean mono performances
at Armmono-3 International Theatre Festival. Director expresses
hope that the tradition of cultural visits will be restored in both
republics. On October 28, Armenian delegation will take part in the
reopening of Rustaveli Theatre.
Sturua’s staging of Shakespearean “Hamlet” in London was included in
10 best performances of last 50 years. “Perhaps there was a prankster
sitting down in me that tried to understand what will happen if I stage
‘Hamlet’ in a new way”, Sturua says.
The searching stage director is pleased with today’s youth. Though
lagging behind elders with their knowledge, young people look for
novation and try to understand everything. Sturua suggested young
directors to understand their own personality first of all, to admit
their own shortcomings and only after that open a dialogue with
the spectators.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 14 2005
UN GA INCLUDES SITUATION IN KARABAKH INTO THE 60TH SESSION’S AGENDA
The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan was considered
at the initiative of Azerbaijan and despite Armenia’s resistance at
the UN General Assembly’s 59th session, and resulted in sending the
OSCE Fact-finding Mission to the region. The Mission has revealed
the process of illegal settling of ethnic Armenians in the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan.
On September 12, 2005, one of the 59th session’s last days, the
General Assembly presided by Gabonese Foreign Minister Jean Ping has
unanimously decided to include the issue related to the situation in
occupied territories of the Azerbaijan Republic in the agenda of the
next 60th session.
Protesting the decision permanent representative of Armenia, in
response, just made an attempt to threaten the General Assembly with
his country’s pulling out of the negotiation process.
“Once again demonstrating its position of principle and supporting
the fair step of Azerbaijan, the United Nations General Assembly
has decided to continue discussions over the issue, that will be
an important political-diplomatic factor towards liberation of the
occupied lands,” Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan Yashar Aliyev
told AzerTAj correspondent.