Mother Jones, CA
Nov 12 2004

“Success” in Fallujah?

On Thursday, as the military entered what it called “Phase Two” of
the battle in Fallujah, U.S. commanders were careful to stress that
they were far from victory in Iraq. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, Gen. Richard Myers, warned Americans: “If anybody thinks
that Fallujah is going to be the end of the insurgency in Iraq, that
was never the objective, never our intention, and even never our
hope.” Marine Capt. John Griffin sounded a similarly cautious note:
“Claiming the city is secure doesn’t mean that all the resistance is
gone, it just means that we have secured the area and have control.”

By all accounts, their caution was well-advised. Even as the military
could boast that it had taken half the city and killed over 600
insurgents, larger strategic setbacks were making themselves known.
Reports were coming in that most of the key foreign
fighters—including public terrorist #1 Abu Musab Zarqawi—had fled the
city. Insurgents were opening up a second front in Mosul, and attacks
were mounting in Baghdad, Tikrit, Karbala, Baquba, Baiji, Haz, and
elsewhere. Az-Zaman reported that hundreds of Sunni Arabs in Tikrit
and Huwaijah took to the streets to protest the incursion into
Fallujah.

On the political front, the only major Sunni party that had been
committed to the electoral process, the Iraqi Islamic Party, is now
threatening to sit out the January elections. A Sunni boycott of the
elections would deprive the elected National Assembly of much-needed
legitimacy, and risk throwing the country into sectarian war.
Already, Shiite leaders are tacitly condoning this Fallujah
assault—in stark contrast to the April incursion—perhaps counting on
larger gains in the elected government should the Sunnis be
disenfranchised.

The question, then, is how the U.S. will know whether it is winning
this conflict, in both the short and the long term. The Financial
Times today asked military experts to opine on the chances of success
in Fallujah. A consensus emerges that the U.S. should be able to take
the city: The Marines, after all, have been conducting urban war
games since the late 1990s and they’re extremely well-trained for
this sort of scenario. Holding the city, however, is another
matter—and the track record here is bleak. The last insurgent
stronghold that was retaken by the U.S., Samarra, is now slipping
back into chaos. One British military official says, “[T]he jury is
still out on whether Samarra was a success.” Peter Khalil, formerly
of the CPA, notes that “[m]ilitary forces, by their very nature, are
not trained specifically to hold cities like that.” A more high
profile and effective counter-insurgency strategy would likely
require more troops, experts say. But no troops are on the way, and
Iraqi troops have not yet shown themselves up for the task.

As for the question of “What comes after Fallujah?”, several recent
reports have indicated that foreign fighters may be moving to Mosul,
a major city in northern Iraq that has been steadily deteriorating
over the past few weeks. Mosul’s population is six times that of
Fallujah, and it is already a source of ethnic tension. As with
Kirkuk, many Kurds were driven out of the city during the 1990s,
replaced by an influx of strongly pro-Saddam Sunnis. The Kurds would
love to take Mosul, and its oil fields, back—the U.S. had to force
Kurdish peshmerga troops out of the city in the early days of the
war. There are also large numbers of Turkomen, Christians, Armenians,
Shiiites, and Yezidis living in the city. If there’s any place where
the insurgents could provoke serious ethnic violence, Mosul is it.
Meanwhile, a former Republican National Guard commander has been
bragging that the “resistance” controls over 16 cities in Iraq, as
well as some key suburbs of Baghdad. If this is true—a big
“if”—Fallujah could be only the start of a wider war.

U.S. commanders are hoping it won’t come to that. The new Pentagon
strategy for Iraq counts on a win in Fallujah to act as a “tipping
point” that isolates the foreign fighters and lure disgruntled Sunni
fighter back into the political process. As one senior official
involved in drafting the Pentagon’s new Iraq strategy told the
Washington Post: “The aim is to drive a wedge between the Sunni Arab
rejectionists and the incorrigibles. Many in the rejectionist group
feel disenfranchised and are being intimidated. They need to be
relieved of that yoke and engaged, while the extremists need to be
isolated, captured or killed.”

But for this strategy to work, the U.S. will need far better
intelligence on the insurgency itself. The track record here is also
bleak. On Monday, Michael Schuer, the former chief of the C.I.A.’s
Osama bin Laden unit, noted that “we still don’t know how big [al
Qaeda] is. We still, today, don’t know the order of battle of Al
Qaeda.” The same goes for U.S. intelligence on the Iraqi
insurgency—estimates on its strength vary widely, as do reports on
the murky role that foreign terrorists like Abu Musab Zarqawi play in
the movement. (No one has even been able to figure out how many legs
Zarqawi has.) Without better intelligence, no one can know what the
metrics for military success really are.

That leaves elections as the great hope for Iraq. On the positive
side, preparations for January elections are going better than
expected. Voter registration is proceeding on schedule, and the
European Union has recently pledged increased financial and
logistical assistance for the elections. UN officials are now
expressing cautious optimism that the elections will proceed as
planned.

Yet Iraq’s political future lays very much in doubt, now that major
Sunni political parties are threatening to boycott the election. As
Sunnis steer away from the political process, Shiite Iraqis, who make
up 60 percent of the population, are looking to consolidate their own
electoral gains. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the pre-eminent Shiite
cleric in Iraq, is organizing a unified party list that should garner
most of the Shia vote. What will be important is whether or not the
Shiites, who make up 60 percent of the population, will benefit from
high voter turnout and win more than 75 percent of the seats in the
Assembly. If so, the Shiites in the elected National Assembly would
be able to modify the nation’s constitution at will, as sociology
professor Andrew Arato has noted in his study of the constitutional
process.

All of the Shiite parties support a strong centralized government and
plan to institute Islamic law as the law of the land. They may differ
on details—Sistani, for instance, thinks the religious clergy should
stay out of politics, while Moqtada al-Sadr envisions an Iran-style
theocracy—but they agree on the big picture, and will likely come up
with a unified vision for the future of Iraq. But heavy-handed Shiite
domination could incite the Sunnis to continue their insurgency; even
worse, it could drive Kurdish leaders in the North to demand
independence, and take it by force if they need to. While civil war
is no certainty, its probability increases by the day.

It will be difficult to tell what comes of Fallujah. The U.S. and the
Iraqi interim government will need to hold and rebuild the city, a
process that could take months. It will be more difficult still to
determine whether the insurgency has actually been quelled—there have
been temporary lulls in violence in the past, and the Pentagon has
often mistakenly believed that it had vanquished the insurgents.
Thereafter, the U.S. will need to draw the Sunnis back into the
political process—the same Sunnis who have had their homes bombed,
cities leveled, and families displaced. Thus far, there have been
virtually no signs of long-term success, and hence we have no way of
knowing for sure what the future of Iraq will look like.

– Bradford Plumer

–Boundary_(ID_UbonCNaJkNIoYx61eSOaPw)–

NATO Chief Affirms Expansion Of Security Force In West Of Country
By Nikola Krastev

Radio Free Europe, Czech republic
Nov 12 2004

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has affirmed that the
alliance plans to expand its operations into western Afghanistan in
advance of the next round of elections. Yesterday, de Hoop Scheffer
told the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent policy
institute, that extra NATO battalions will be committed to help
safeguard parliamentary elections due to be held in the spring. There
are currently about 9,000 NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, most of
them in the Kabul area. De Hoop Scheffer did not say how many new
forces would be committed to the country.

New York, 12 November 2004 (RFE/RL) — NATO Secretary-General Jaap de
Hoop Scheffer said yesterday that the current situation in
Afghanistan makes it logistically viable for the alliance to expand
its operations there.

“We have lived up to our promises, and at the moment the signs are
good that NATO is going to expand ISAF — the International Security
Assistance Force — into the west of Afghanistan,” de Hoop Scheffer
said. “We have covered the north now with a number of so-called
Provincial Reconstruction Teams. We will now go west, setting up what
we call a ‘forward support base’ in Herat, and then we want to move
counterclockwise to the south and the southeast of Afghanistan, as
well.”

De Hoop Scheffer said that NATO’s forces in the country have, in
general, been received well by the Afghan people. Asked why NATO,
originally created to provide security for Western Europe, is now
operating in Afghanistan, the secretary-general said the terrorist
attacks of 11 September 2001 brought about a major shift in NATO
policy.

“What is NATO doing in Afghanistan? Defending values at the Hindu
Kush in the present day international climate,” Scheffer said. “We
have to fight terrorism wherever it emerges. If we don’t do it at the
Hindu Kush, it will end up at our doorstep. In other words, this
perception gap in the long run must be closed and must be healed —
that is, for NATO’s future, of the utmost importance.”

Another priority for NATO in Afghanistan, he said, will be providing
additional security during parliamentary elections, scheduled for
April. The secretary-general said that extra NATO battalions will be
committed.

De Hoop Scheffer described NATO’s operations in Afghanistan as a
“moderate success.” But he warned that without deeper involvement by
the international community in the fight against drug production and
drug trafficking in Afghanistan, NATO’s ability to ensure the
country’s stability will be limited.

Referring to Afghanistan’s neighbors, de Hoop Scheffer underlined the
strategic role the Central Asian states play in the fight against
terrorism. Having just returned from a trip to Central Asia and the
Caucasus, de Hoop Scheffer said he envisions closer cooperation with
these states.

“We need, by the way, Central Asian nations, and the Caucasian
nations [to] play an important role in supporting the ISAF operation
because we need the lines of communication — to say in military
terms — [and] transit agreements with the Central Asians, to see
that we can adequately run the ISAF operation in Afghanistan,”
Scheffer said.

De Hoop Scheffer said Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia have all
expressed interest in closer cooperation with NATO in its Partnership
for Peace program.

“They all want to extend their partnership with NATO. Even Armenia
has now applied for the so-called Individual Partnership Action
Program, which means that we are going to develop a tailored,
Armenia-tailored partnership program with that country, with
Yerevan,” Scheffer said. “That goes for the Central Asian nations, as
well. So that partnership is developing very well.”

De Hoop Scheffer stressed that Turkey is playing a particularly
active role in the Partnership for Peace program.

NBC4.TV, CA
Nov 12 2004

Fugitive Wanted For Road Rage Slaying In Custody

Man Arrested In Armenia

LOS ANGELES — Authorities say that a fugitive wanted for allegedly
running down a man in a road-rage slaying in Universal City, Calif.,
in 2000 is in custody in downtown Los Angeles Friday morning following
his arrest in Armenia.

Shahen Keshishian, 32, was wanted for the murder of freelance film
editor Michael Craven, 44, of Canoga Park, Calif., on the southbound
Hollywood Freeway on April 29, 2000.

Authorities said the arrest in Armenia on Saturday climaxed an effort
by the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Glendale Police
Department.

Family fights to stay in U.S.
By GARY HARMON

Grand Junction Sentinel, CO
Nov 12 2004

The Daily Sentinel

Residents from two tiny western Colorado towns are trying desperately
to slow the federal government in time to prevent the deportation of
a family that friends said personify American values.

Four members of the Sargsyan family of Armenia are in custody in the
Denver Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Members of the
senior class at Ridgway High School plan to demonstrate Saturday
in front of the center for their classmate, Hayk. More than 1,500
people have signed a petition asking for agencies of the Department
of Homeland Security to slow, and reverse, the deportation of the
Sargsyans.

In addition to Hayk, Immigration and Customs Enforcement took into
custody his brother, Gevorg, sister Meri and father, Ruben.

The four were taken into custody last week after a hearing in which
they anticipated being able to post bail.

In the center of the swirl of events is Nvart Indinyan, the eldest
daughter of the family, who for the moment is free.

“They looked so good in their suits and ties and white shirts,”
Nvart said. Bail was denied, though, and her relatives were swept
away to custody.

“They won’t even let me see them,” Nvart said.

Also at stake for Nvart is her opportunity to remain in the United
States and care for her 8-year-old son, Joseph.

“They’re good people,” said Sherman Williams, a former Ridgway town
marshal. “It just breaks my heart to see what’s going on. I don’t
know what’s going on with the federal government. (The Sargsyans’)
have good religion, good family values.”

They’ve also seen a run of unfortunate events.

One attorney they hired to handle their cases was disbarred for his
mishandling of it, another simply couldn’t keep up with the volume
of work associated with their tangled web of family cases.

Now, the Sargsyans are hoping a third attorney will be able to file
a suit that will stop everything and allow them to work out their
problems.

For that, though, they need money.

Kelvin B. Kent of Ouray said town residents have outdone themselves
to raise cash for the family.

The Sargsyans, Kent said, are “innocent victims of other people’s
misdoings.”

Those misdeeds, Nvart said, began in 1994 when she met and married
an American in Armenia in 1994 and moved to America.

Her new husband, however, left behind a string of broken promises
and took with him thousands of dollars from people for whom he said
he could obtain visas to the United States.

Her family was hounded for the money in Armenia and she prevailed on
her husband to bring her kin to America, which he did, on student
visas. She was on a business visa as an associate of her husband,
she said.

Her husband refused to obtain permanent papers for her or the family.
Soon after her family arrived, Nvart sued for divorce and started a
long custody struggle.

Her ex-husband disappeared and she believes him to be in Germany
“doing harm to someone else,” she said.

Nvart remarried five years ago and her husband, Lloyd “Max” Noland,
moved to adopt his new wife’s brothers to protect them from the
possibility of deportation, she said.

Immigration officials, however, has refused to recognize the adoption,
citing Nvart’s own entry into the United States as a ruse — a charge
she denies and points to another immigration judge’s ruling that
there was no fraud in her own case.

In any case, she said, it shouldn’t matter because Noland is a citizen.

The last she heard from her brothers, their photographs had been taken,
she said.

“That’s a bad sign” because people about to be sent out of the country
are photographed, she said.

Her father’s condition while in custody is unknown, she said, while
officials have sent a psychologist in to visit with Meri, Nvart said.

Her mother, Susan, is awaiting more court rulings.

The family’s legal wranglings have cost tens of thousands of dollars
earned on double shifts, holding down two jobs and other work,
she said.

“The community has raised more than $11,000, but we now urgently need
a minimum of $16,000 to pay the last two legal bills and provide a
retainer for the next stage” of filing suit, Kent said.

Donations can be made to the Sargsyan Legal Fund, P.O. Box 774,
Ridgway 81432, he said.

Nvart said she fears that she will be deported and her ex-husband
will get custody of her son — an American citizen.

He doesn’t understand the reasons for her constant trips to Denver,
the sudden absence of close family members, she said.

“I don’t have these answers for my son.”

–Boundary_(ID_Y54FnZhTZIW1sh0vToD9MA)–

Global Population Implosion

The New American
Nov 12 2004

“For decades, much has been written about the world’s exploding
population,” noted an October 7 Christian Science Monitor report.
“But 60 countries, about a third of all nations, have fertility rates
today below 2.1 children per woman, the number necessary to maintain
a stable population. Half of those nations have levels of 1.5 or
less. In Armenia, Italy, South Korea, and Japan, average fertility
levels are now close to one child per woman. Barring unforeseen change,
at least 43 of those nations will have smaller populations in 2050
than they do today.”

“This baby dearth has potentially weighty economic consequences for
governments worried about everything from economic vitality to funding
future pension programs and healthcare,” continues the Monitor. “That’s
why many of them have been taking measures designed to encourage their
citizens to multiply.” France is offering mothers a birth subsidy of
800 euros per baby; Italy offers mothers of second children a bonus
of 1,000 euros.

South Korea has been offering tax incentives for families with young
children. Japanese prefectures (roughly the equivalent of state
governments) have been organizing hiking trips, cruises, and other
singles events with an avidity that would make the stereotypical
Yenta proud. In Japan, notes the paper, singles “are often called
‘parasites’ because, when they retire, they have no children paying
into the national pension system or helping out otherwise.”

Such efforts to address the birth dearth, like previous efforts to
combat the “population explosion,” illustrate that most governments
continue to regard children as a social resource to be managed by
the state.

WORLD INVESTMENT REPORT 2004 LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA

ArmenPress
Nov 12 2004

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Development Agency,
the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of Armenia and
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched today the World
Investment Report 2004: The Shift Towards Services, a UNDP press
release said. Tigran Davtyan, Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic
Development, and Lise Grande, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative, presented the Report, which was prepared by the UN
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The Report examines the global shift towards services and discusses
the challenges and opportunities for development that arise from this
shift. The Report shows that for the third year in a row, global
flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) are declining, reaching
$560 billion – the lowest level since 1998. Behind the global picture
of declining investment flows, the performance of different regions
varied. Overall, out of a total of 193 economies, 111 experienced a
rise in FDI inflows, and 82 a decline. The largest declines occurred
in developed countries, with inflows to the European Union and North
America plummeting by USD130 billion. FDI in Armenia increased from
$88 million in 2001 to $155 million in 2003. In the south Caucasus,
significant foreign investment occurred in Azerbaijan’s oil industry
and Georgia’s oil transport sector.

The Report shows that the bulk of global FDI is channeled into service
sectors, which are the highest growth sectors in many economies. In
the early 1970s, 25 percent of FDI was directed into the service
sector compared to 60% now. The composition of foreign investment
within services is also changing: while trading and financial
services previously accounted for about half the inward stock of
FDI in services, services such as electricity, telecommunications,
and business services are becoming increasingly prominent.

The Report concludes that to benefit from an increasingly globalize
and interdependent world economy, countries need to strengthen their
competitive services. If conditions are right, FDI can help to achieve
this. FDI’s most important contribution is in bringing the skills,
capital and technology countries need to set up competitive service
industries. This applies not only to the new information technologies,
but also to such traditional services as infrastructure and tourism.

Lise Grande noted in her speech: “Countries need to improve their
service industries to stay or become competitive. This applies
particularly to Armenia where the transition is continuing. The Report
that we have launched today shows that foreign direct investment in
services can help to improve the quality of, and people’s accessibility
to, services. The Government, private sector and international
community need to work together to create the conditions that will
help promote investment in these services, which in turn, will help
to increase the country’s competitiveness in the region and the
global economy.”

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
November 12, 2004
* * *

DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATION AND ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN OTTAWA

On Sunday November 7th, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of Canada, celebrated Holy Divine Liturgy in Ottawa. The
Komitas Men’s Choir conducted by Choirmaster Varoujan Margaryan sang the
Liturgy. Rt. Reverend Fr Ararat Kaltakjian and Deacons Hampartsoum Aghazarian,
Kami
Sarimanougian, Hagop Arslanian served at the Altar. The Diocesan Council
representative, Mr. Arto Basmadjian (Secretary) and Ms. Talar Chichmanian
(Chairperson of the Komitas Choir) joined the Ottawa parishioners in attending
the
Divine Liturgy.

In his message, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian greeted the present faithful and
prayed that the Almighty God would “grant them health and courage to better
serve
the Church of God”. During his address, the Primate spoke about the nature
and the structure of the Church. His Eminence said “In order to follow Christ
we
are called to belong not just believe. We are created for community,
fashioned for fellowshipâ~@¦and non of us can fulfill God’s purpose by
ourselves” Upon
delivering his thoughts on a Church-Community building process His Eminence
added, “We are members of Christ’s Body-Church. The word membership is of
Christian origin; the world has emptied it of its original meaning. In our
Church,
membership is often reduced to simply adding someone’s name to a roll, with no
requirements and expectations. We need to recover and practice the true meaning
of membership. The Church is a body, not a building; an organism not and
organization. I invite you all to participate responsibly in the life of our
Church
and to share its mission on many levels” concluded Bishop Galstanian.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Annual General Assembly of St Mesrob
Armenian Church of Ottawa was held immediately, under the presidency of His
Grace
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Holy
Apostolic Church. During the meeting, a new Parish Council and Diocesan
delegates were elected. The seven members of the new St Mesrob Armenian Parish
Council are Sonia Balabanian, Nina Ashekian, Nairy Bostanian, Hagop
Deukmedjian,
Shahé Avedissian, George Iskenderian, Jean-Philippe Tachdjian

After the elections, a general discussion was held about the future of the
Parish. Community members voiced their hope to have a resident permanent pastor
appointed to serve the needs of Ottawa Armenian community.

* * *

ORDINATION OF ACOLYTES IN ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL IN MONTREAL

It is with deep spiritual joy and prayers to Almighty God that we announce to
the faithful of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, from testimony of the
St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral’s Parish and as an appreciation for their
devotion to the Mother Church, Ararat Torossian, Hagop Redjebian, Ardak
Khatchadourian, Avedis Salezian, Jano Salezian, Alex Palabikian, Phillip
Palabikian, Emma Gasparyan, Sandra Afeyan, Hilda Tursucuyan, Talar Chichmanian
will be
elevated to the rank of Acolyte on Sunday November 14, 2004 at 615 Stuart
Avenue.

This elevation in rank is by the order of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada. The Rev.
Fr
Vazgen Boyajyan, Pastor will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, with His Eminence
presiding over the Holy Badarak and officiating at the Ordination of Acolyte
ceremony.

An acolyte is a cleric promoted to the fourth and highest minor order in the
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, ranking next to a sub-deacon. The duties
of an acolyte are to light the candles on the altar, to carry them in
procession, and during the solemn singing of the Gospel; to prepare wine for
the
sacrifice of the Mass, and to assist the sacred ministers during the Mass.
Altar
boys are often designated as acolytes and perform such duties and these duties
of
the acolyte in the Armenian Church, are fully described in the “Mashdots
Dzernatroutyan”.

We invite all our faithful to attend the ordination ceremony and pray that
the Almighty will strengthen these young servants of our Church and enlighten
their life with his blessed presence.

* * *

PRIMATE APPOINTS MEMBERS TO THE MISSION IN CANADIAN DIOCESE PARISHES

It gives us great pleasure to announce to the faithful, that during the
October 23 General Meeting of Parish representatives held in Kingston, Ontario,
the
following appointments were made in the Diocesan structure by the directive
of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate.

Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanian, Pastor of Mississauga’s St. Vartan Church, has
been appointed Pastor of Laval’s Holy Cross Church and Director of the Summer
Camps Committee in the Province of Quebec.

Very Rev. Fr. Hayrig Apegha Hovhannissian has been appointed Pastor of
Hamilton’s St. Mary’s and Mississauga’s St. Vartan Parishes, as well as the
Primate’s representative in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe parishes, that includes
St.
Catharine’s, Hamilton and Mississauga. Fr. Hayrig Apegha will also head the
Diocesan Summer Camp Committee.

Following the recommendations of the 21st Diocesan Assembly held in
Vancouver, and in consultation with the Diocesan Council, the Primate appointed
two
additional members to the Diocesan Council: Mrs. Lillian Sevadjian, from
Mississauga’s St. Vartan Parish, and Mrs. Shoghig Keoshgerian from Laval’s Holy
Cross
Parish

We pray that Almighty God grant new strength and vigor to our Holy Church
through this renewed organization.

* * *

BISHOP GALSTANIAN VISITED ROMAN CATHOLIC CARDINAL JEAN CLAUDE TORCOTTE OF
MONTREAL

On Wednesday, November 10, 2004 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian visited
the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal and met with the Primate Jean
Claude Cardinal Turcotte.

Bishop Galstanian thanked Cardinal Turcotte for enabling the Armenian
Community of Montreal to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide at
the Basilica, St Joseph Oratory and accepting to be the keynote speaker on
that evening. The two leaders discussed the possibilities of further
cooperation
and the views of their respective churches on various social issues.

His Eminence then invited Cardinal Turcotte to participate in an Ecumenical
Pilgrimage to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Spiritual Centre of
Armenian Christianity. Accompanying the Primate were Very Rev Father George
Zabarian, Vicar of the Armenian Catholic Community in Canada, along with the
Rev
Fr
Vazgen Boyajyan, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Montreal
and Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate.

* * *

REMEMBERING THOSE WHO SERVED AND DIED FOR CANADA

Upon the directive and instruction of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate, requiem services were held on Sunday in each parish under the
jurisdiction of Canadian Armenian Diocese.

In his letter, Primate Galstanian advised the parishes that “a requiem
service will be conducted in our parish following the Divine Liturgy, for the
souls
of all Canadians who laid down their life during the First and Second World
Wars and the Korean conflict, to defend and maintain our great country in it’s
present free state”.

Speaking about Canada’s role and mission in the community of nations the
spiritual leader of Armenians added “Canada has always been in the forefront of
humanitarian concern, not only for her citizens but also worldwide and has paid
a great price for this belief in democratic principals. “May their souls rest
in the everlasting light of our Lord.” His Eminence also suggested that any
veterans in individual parishes be recognized, either during service or the
fellowship period following service.

* * *

REPRESENTATIVES FROM SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CHURCH PARTICIPATE IN
REMEMBERANCE DAY SERVICE

St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Church of St. Catharines Sunday School,
participated in the Remembrance Day service on Sunday, Nov.7/04, with the
laying of a wreath at the cenotaph in Port Dalhousie.

Representing our church and Sunday school were Natalie Istamboulian and
Cameron Stewart, pictured accepting and placing the memorial wreath. During the
Second World War, many young Armenian men served in the military, and many gave
their lives for our continued freedom.

In keeping with our theme of commemoration, the students and parents
participated in the ceremonies of prayer and remembrance, becoming ever mindful
of the
sacrifices made by members of their particular parish.

* * *
CAAPA VANCOUVER COMMITTEE PRESENTED A PROGRAM DEDICATED TO THE HOLY
TRANSLATORS AT SAINT VARTAN ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF VANCOUVER

Accompanied by appropriate live music, the translation of the Bible into
Armenian was the theme of a tightly presented program. Beginning with a prayer
by
the V. Rev. Keghart Garabedian, Takouhi Sedefji’s piano solo of J.S. Bach’s
Prelude in C, set the atmosphere for the rest of the evening.

In his opening remarks, Armand Ayaltin of CAAPA, stressed the importance of
celebrating historic Armenian events particularly for the benefit of our young
people. Indeed the majority of the program was performed by the talented youth
of our Vancouver community.

Babajanian’s Elegie for piano, performed by Takouhi Sedefji, once again
inspired us all, for the reading rendered by Jirayr Arslanyan of Yeghishe Arch.
Touryan’s “Ayp, Pen Kim’i Tase” and L. Surmelian’s poem “Lousavorchi Asdghin
Dag.” Krikor Yaghjian, a veteran member of our cultural scene, delivered his
lecture on Tarkmanchats. He not only outlined the particulars of what we call
“Kirerou Kuede”, bringing to our attention the historic and cultural background
toward the translation of the Bible into Armenian using our own alphabet,
making
us a “self-contained-independent” nation.

To reflect the views and thoughts of our younger generation, Diana Krikorian
expounded in English, the importance of Tarkmanchats and “Kirerou Kuede,” for
her peers. The issue of the Diasporan young Armenians not reading and writing
Armenian fluently stirred much emotion in the audience.

Anoush Ekmekjian a recently arrived young Armenian to our community, recited
V.Tekeyan’s “Dagh Heyeren Lezvi” with clear diction and deep understanding.

Very young musicians provided the musical part of the program from our
community, accompanied on the piano by our talented Takouhi Sedefji. Cassandra
Tavoukjian (12) on the flute performed Ganachian’s “Oror” and Spentiarian’s “Ay
Vart”, drawing much applause for her fluent and flawless interpretation of the
above pieces.

Sevan Kochkarian (11, soprano) sang for us a most profound Armenian song,
Shahan Bereberian’s “Lousavorchi Ganteghe” with youthful simplicity and purity
of
voice, bringing us all closer to Lousavorchi Gantegh. Last on the program,
but certainly not the least, Sevan brought everyone to a standing ovation.

Very Rev. K. Garabedian, in closing, remarked that after this, there was
nothing left for him to say except pray and thus, aptly brought the event to a
close.

Visitors from San Francisco attending this event were highly appreciative of
the program and commented that they had been inspired and felt privileged to
be present at an outstanding Armenian program of this caliber. The importance
and the success of this event was, that many youngsters and their parents in
the audience approached CAAPA for inclusion in future program of this nature.

* * *

CELEBRATING AN OLD TRADITIONâ~@¦THE BEGINNING OF A NEW TRADITIONâ~@¦

The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Sunday School hosted a very unique
Thanksgiving Luncheon on Sunday, October 10, 2004. It was the ideal feast to
continue an old North American tradition of giving Thanks, and introducing it
as an old tradition with a new perspective.

Principal Deacon Vrej Berberian, together with the Board of Trustees,
Teachers, Parent Teacher Organization and the Volunteer Youth Group envisioned
bringing families together to celebrate the feast in an Armenian Church family
atmosphere.

The vision became a novel success. The Artinian Hall, where the luncheon was
held, was filled with the faithful… fathers, mothers, children,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors and old acquaintances. Each
family sat
together according to their Kértastans. There were various sizes of families
present, families who had one member representing their Kértastan to families
who
had 48 members representing their Kértastan. Later, the names of each
Kértastan were announced from the podium with a special welcome, and so the
“Kértastan
Tradition” was launched.

The 73 Kértastans in attendance enjoyed a very informative lecture by guest
speaker of the day Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton General Secretary – Canadian Council
of Churches. They also enjoyed a classical piano recital by Mrs. Marina Aksu.
The HTAAC Sunday School has become an exciting place to learn the teachings
of the Holy Bible through old and new traditions under the auspices of Rev.
Fr. Zareh Zargarian.

The Sunday School Thanksgiving Luncheon in Toronto, reflected the Mission of
Armenian Apostolic Sunday Schools in Canada. With the patronage of His Grace
Bagrat Galstanian, the Sunday Schools in Canada have adopted a standardized
curriculum based on the Orthodox teachings of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
This adaptation has unified the schools and has instilled a sense of community,
family, and most notably, a sense of purpose for everyone associated with
Sunday school.

To nurture and maintain this sense of belonging, Diocesan Sunday Schools have
planned many co-operative school activities. There are plans to have
school-to-school visits within the Diocese. There are plans for the Annual
Children’s
Armenian Christmas in 2005. An upcoming competition will be introduced for the
Sunday schools, searching for the ideal representational artwork illustrating
the Holy Etchmiadzin as seen through the eyes of children living in Canada.

The celebration of old and new traditions and special religious and cultural
education will inspire an enduring sense of belonging for our children and our
community â~@¦the greater Kértastan.

We urge you to encourage and support your local Armenian Apostolic Sunday
School by emphasizing its importance for future survival to your children,
grandchildren, nieces or nephews, cousins or friends’ children to attend Sunday
school.

“Then, see if they will not laugh again, see if they will not sing and pray
again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not
create a New Armenia” William Saroyan.

* * *

–Boundary_(ID_Aus1x0SBkfemYPjI6fmddg)–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
11/12/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Oskanian Minsk Co-chair Meet in Moscow Pre CSTO Meeting
2) ARF, Armenian Delegation Bid Yasser Arafat Farewell
3) Armenian Genocide in Argentine Curriculum
4) Opposition Supporters Seize Abkhazian President’s Offices
5) Conversation with Mark Geragos
6) ARS “Erepouni” Chapter Celebrates 70 Years of Service
7) Latest Chapter in Mt. Davidson Cross Saga
8) VODKA LEMON
9) Axis Of Justice Releases CD/DVD
10) Early ‘Intervention’
11) LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES?

1) Oskanian Minsk Co-chair Meet in Moscow Pre CSTO Meeting

ASTANA(Combined Sources)–Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received Yuri
Merzlyakov and Henri Jacolin, the Russian and French Co-chairs of OSCE Minsk
Group, at the Armenian Embassy in Moscow on Friday to discuss the Mountainous
Karabagh conflict resolution process.
Oskanian, who is in Moscow for a meeting of foreign affairs ministers of
member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), condemned
the support of certain CSTO member-states for Azerbaijan’s initiative to take
the Karabagh issue to the United Nations, calling it “incomprehensible.”
He stressed that their vote of support in the UN for the Azeri move is
clearly
counters the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, tasked to find a resolution to
that conflict.
Oskanian also met with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to discuss bilateral
ties and international developments, as well the CSTO gathering that will
primarily focus on international terrorism.
CSTO signatories Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Tajikistan have stepped-up concerns lately about the threat of terrorism,
illicit drug trafficking, irregular migration, and organized crime.

2) ARF, Armenian Delegation Bid Yasser Arafat Farewell

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) conveyed its condolences to the
Palestinian Fatah Movement on the death of one of its founders Yasser Arafat,
who until his death, was the head of the Palestinian Authority. In its letter,
the ARF Bureau expresses profound sympathy to the Palestinian people and
leadership, and hopes that they achieve victory by building an independent
Palestinian state.
Palestinians closed a chapter of their history on Friday by burying Yasser
Arafat, their leader for three and a half decades.
Arafat’s Friday burial took place at Arafat’s headquarters in the West Bank
city of Ramallah, where Israel had kept him under siege for nearly three
years.
It came just hours after an orderly funeral ceremony in Cairo.
Headed by National Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian, an Armenian
delegation joined other foreign dignitaries in Cairo for the military funeral.

3) Armenian Genocide in Argentine Curriculum

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Following exhaustive efforts by the Armenian National
Committee (ANC) of Argentina, the government of Buenos Aires has released a
44-page book on the Armenian genocide. Jointly prepared by the ANC and the
Buenos Aires Department of Human Rights, the book was published in 5,000
copies
and delivered to libraries and teachers in the city’s 600 public schools.
The book introduces the Armenian Genocide, as well as accounts by famous
international and local scholars. It includes newspaper articles, maps,
pictures, and a teaching curriculum.
Presenting the book at the Buenos Aires state school, the renowned writer and
author of the preface to the new Spanish translation of “The 40 Days of Musa
Dagh,” Osvaldo Bayer, denounced the Turkish government and its people for
denying the genocide of Armenians. He praised the ANC and welcomed the
Argentine government’s courage to publish the book.

4) Opposition Supporters Seize Abkhazian President’s Offices

TBILISI (AP/Interfax)–Thousands of supporters of Abkhazia’s opposition
presidential candidate seized the office of the outgoing president Friday,
raising tensions in the breakaway Georgian region nearly six weeks after a
disputed–and unresolved–election.
Demonstrators supporting Sergei Bagapsh and his contention that he won the
Oct. 3 election stormed the headquarters of outgoing President Vladislav
Ardzinba in the region’s main city, Sukhumi.
Election officials ruled that Bagapsh won, defeating former Prime Minister
Raul Khajimba, and the region’s highest court confirmed his victory.
However, the court overturned the verdict hours later after hundreds of
Khajimba’s supporters broke into the court building and allegedly threatened
the court’s chief judge.
Amid the turmoil, Ardzinba ordered a new election, a decision Bagapsh has
refused to recognize.
Earlier Friday, Bagapsh again claimed victory in a telephone interview with
AP.
“We were victorious in the election,” he said. “That means that my
inauguration as president will take place on Dec. 6.”
Footage on Russian television showed people waving Abkhazian flags from the
windows and armed men celebrating with champagne and vodka in Ardzinba’s
office. Scattered fist fights were seen in the hallways, and several people
were reported injured.
A Bagapsh supporter, Robert Taniya, answered the phone in the presidential
headquarters and said Bagapsh already occupied Ardzinba’s office.
But Bagapsh denied that in a telephone conversation with The Associated
Press.
The Interfax news agency reported that Bagapsh appealed to his supporters to
disperse and promised to assume the presidency by legal means.
Khajimba and Bagapsh held talks in an attempt to defuse tensions.
Bagapsh told supporters that he has offered to Khajimba to form a coalition
government. He said that all the presidential candidates, who were running in
disputed October 3 elections, should be represented in the government.
Khajimba
made no comments after talks.
Abkhazia, which has had de facto independence since Georgian troops were
driven from the region in 1993, has been in turmoil since the Oct. 3 vote.
Georgia has ignored the election turmoil. Since being elected in January,
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has vowed repeatedly to reign in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, another breakaway region.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said if the situation
in Abkhazia takes an illegal turn, “the Russian side will have to take
measures
necessary for protecting its interests.”
“Everyone in Abkhazia must know that the entire responsibility for possible
negative consequences rests with Bagapsh and his supporters, who are trying to
seize power by force,” he said.
“We should remain calm and do maximum we can to preserve peace in
Abkhazia… We
will take over power with the peaceful means,” Bagapsh said.

5) Conversation with Mark Geragos

–San Francisco APS Hosts Famed Attorney

By Teni Issakhanian Avanessian

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Armenian community gathered at Vasbouragan
Hall for the Armenian Professional Society’s “A Conversation with Mark
Geragos.” The November 6 event, which kicked off APS’s 23rd year of service to
the Bay Area Armenian community, featured an interview and question-and-answer
session with prominent attorney Mark Geragos.
“Mr. Geragos is always breaking ground in the criminal defense arena and
consistently setting precedent,” stated APS President and moderator for the
evening, Dr. John Missirian. A graduate of Loyola Law School and Haverford
College, Geragos serves as the managing partner of the twelve-year-old Los
Angeles-based law firm Geragos and Geragos–founded by his father and former
Los Angeles APS President Paul Geragos. Known for his high-profile cases and
representation of prominent figures in politics, entertainment, and business,
Mark Geragos’s client roster boasts the likes of actress Wynona Ryder, hip hop
star Nate Dogg, superstar Michael Jackson, US. Congressman Gary Condit, the
Clinton Whitewater scandal’s Susan McDougal, and currently, Scott Peterson.
In addition, Geragos is a self-proclaimed “stealth Armenian” who has
successfully defended many young Armenians involved in shootings and gang
activity in recent years. He has tackled the very real problem of racial
profiling among Armenian youth in Glendale. He even served as one young
Armenian man’s criminal defense attorney in the first California decision on
Proposition 21, which made juveniles eligible for the death penalty in
California based on gang affiliation. His successful defense not only
invalidated Prop. 21, but also saved his client’s life, reducing the sentence
from the death penalty to a brief incarceration followed by 2000 hours of
community service. This young man has since turned his life around and
become a
trustworthy and upstanding citizen.
With such stories, the APS event exposed a side of the lawyer that the public
normally does not see when observing him in court, on TV, or on his recently
launched Internet-based television broadcasting network. Besides criminal
defense, the outspoken Geragos also candidly shared his views on the recent
Presidential elections, the state of Armenians in Glendale, and his Armenian
heritage.
Of particular concern to him, however, was the intersection of law and
politics as it affects the diaspora Armenian community. “The Armenian Bar
Association is not as effective or as active as it should be. We should carry
more weight with the Governor when he makes judicial appointments,” Geragos
expressed. He went on to criticize Armenians in positions of power as one of
the primary reasons why Armenians have not made as much a name for themselves
as they should have by now. He stressed that by this point in time, we should
have taken greater strides to establish our reputation, our name, and our
presence in business, politics, media, and public affairs. He traced this
failure back to the days of George Deukmejian, former governor of California,
who did not fully maximize his golden opportunity and power to help Armenians,
open doors for them, and place more of them in visible, prestigious positions
of clout and influence. In addition, Geragos blamed Armenians themselves for
always being dissatisfied: “We have too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”
For this reason, Geragos believes we continue to envy Jews who–in contrast to
Armenians–not only unite, but upon doing so, pull one another up by their
bootstraps more loyally and in a more widespread manner.
Geragos did not confine laying blame to Deukmejian, however. He went on to
incite strong emotions among audience members when he reminded them about
Hampig Sassounian’s trial before the California Supreme Court. Of the
seven-person panel, the two California Supreme Court Justices of Armenian
descent–Justices Marvin Baxter and Armand Arabian–recused themselves when
Sassounian’s case was heard before the highest Court of the State of
California. Sassounian’s case may have turned out differently had Baxter and
Arabian stayed on for that trial. It is worth mentioning, however, that the
now-retired Arabian did sponsor many Armenian law students and young
lawyers as
clerks in his chambers, and he continues to remain involved in the Armenian
community.
No other Armenian in the legal profession has earned more of Geragos’s praise
than Federal District Court Judge Dikran Tevrizian who, according to Geragos,
is unwaveringly committed to mentoring and helping up-and-coming Armenian law
students and lawyers to excel in the profession. “He’s tremendous. He is
one of
my heroes,” Geragos pronounced with fervor.
As the evening progressed, it became abundantly clear that Geragos is
passionate about many things: his Aintabtsi wife and two children, his liberal
political views, Armenian food (his favorites are kufteh and dolma/sarma), and
his career as a criminal defense attorney. He does not apologize for his
professional choice; in fact, in true criminal-defense-attorney fashion, he
protects it wholeheartedly. “As a criminal defense attorney, you can’t care
about being liked…you must like fighting against the odds, and you must like
being in the courtroom…It’s not my job to determine guilt. My job is to
take my
client’s position and argue it zealously. I’m proud of what I do. I personally
think that criminal law defense is the noblest profession there is.”
Driving his point home, Geragos spoke of his uncles who were dragged into the
desert and murdered during the genocide. He also spoke of his mother who
landed
in Fresno two generations ago and lived in a community where signs were posted
that read: NO BLACKS, NO DOGS, NO ARMENIANS. As an Armenian who grew up
hearing
such tales from his mother, his Grandmother Rose and other genocide survivors,
Geragos certainly understands and appreciates the plight of the underdog. This
appreciation has evolved into a career devoted to challenging the Government
(particularly the District Attorney’s office) and defending each and every
client with equal dedication and conviction.”
Regardless of people’s views on Geragos’s philosophy on politics, prominent
Armenians, and his profession, his blunt and unapologetic beliefs are a
refreshing change in this otherwise politically correct and tactful society.
Furthermore, despite what one’s opinion is about Scott Peterson’s guilt or
Geragos’s values and priorities for choosing to represent him, most would
agree
that if the day ever came that they were placed in a position to need it, they
would want Geragos on their side. As Dr. John Missirian summed it up at the
end
of the evening, “If I am ever in trouble, I know who I would like to represent
me!”

6) ARS “Erepouni” Chapter Celebrates 70 Years of Service

By Vickie Markarian

SAN FRANCISCO–The Oakland Erepouni Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society
celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sunday, October 17, with an afternoon
program at the Saroyan Hall in San Francisco. Special guests from the
community
included Rev. Fr. Avedis Torossian of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church,
Serpouhi Messerlian from the ARS Western Region Executive Board, Maida
Bezdjian
from the San Francisco ARS Garin Chapter, among others.
The program’s emcee Araxie Boghossian, invited Rev. Fr. Torossian to open the
evening with a prayer, followed by the Erepouni Chapter’s chairlady Annie
Tatarian, who spoke briefly of the chapter’s various activities over the past
years.
ARS Western US Regional Executive Board Member Serpouhi Messerlian, praised
the good works of the Erepouni Chapter, especially their weekly Armenian
school
and adopted school in Armenia. She also presented the chapter with a plaque on
behalf of the Western Region, which read: “It is with great pleasure that we
congratulate you on your 70th anniversary and wish you success in your future
endeavors. Erepouni Chapter is one of the Western Region’s most industrious
and
energetic chapters and has supported the Regional Committee every year in its
helpful work to our nation.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Margit Hazarabedian, an auxiliary member of the Erepouni
Chapter, offered a stirring and nostalgic account of the beginnings of the ARS
in the Bay Area and of their wonderful work following World War II, when both
the San Francisco and Oakland chapters strived to help displaced Armenians in
camps overseas, and then brought them to this country through ANCHA (American
National Committee for Homeless Armenians). Weaving her own family’s hardships
during that time, she recalled the names of the dedicated founders and early
members of the Erepouni Chapter who gave so much of their time and effort. She
stressed that these selfless women saved many Armenian families.
One of the highlights of the program came when Vickie Markarian introduced
eight former exceptional students of the Erepouni Chapter’s Friday Armenian
School who have either gone on to university or to the work force. The
students
honored were Armine Avanessians, Alex Bunch, Tamar Kozanian, Arpy Mikaelian,
Kohar Shirikian, Vrej Tajirian, Hovig Tatarian, and Ani Tejirian. Markarian
called each student to stage and presented them with a Certificate of
Appreciation. The audience truly appreciated seeing these young people
recognized in this way and gave each heartfelt applause. The program came to a
lively end as The Mazmanians played a rousing version of “Ghapama.”
Rev. Fr. Torossian also felt compelled to offer his own words of
gratitude. He
stated that the ladies of the ARS deserve the thanks of all our people. In
addition to caring for their own families and often working outside the home,
they have taken on the task of helping their fellow Armenians, both within the
community and in Armenia. The memorable evening ended with a moving
candle-lighting ceremony.

7) Latest Chapter in Mt. Davidson Cross Saga

–Turks agree not to appeal Armenian genocide plaque decision

SAN FRANCISCO–Two Turkish-American organizations, and the Turkish Consul
General, have withdrawn their lawsuit against the Council of Armenian American
Organizations of Northern California rather than face the claim of the
Council’s attorneys for fees.
The lawsuit attacked the plaque commemorating the Armenian genocide, which
the
Council had placed near the 103 foot cross on San Francisco’s Mt. Davidson.
The
Council had purchased the Cross and adjacent land in 1997 from the City of San
Francisco, which sold it to settle a challenge to its ownership on
church-state
grounds.
In their lawsuit, the Turks claimed that the plaque violates the terms of the
deed under which the Council acquired the Cross and land from the City. The
Council’s attorneys denied any violation and also urged that the Turks lacked
legal standing to challenge the plaque. The lawsuit, they said, was an
impermissible attempt to suppress the Council’s free speech rights.
The court agreed and dismissed the case. This entitled the lawyers, who were
representing the Council without charge, to recover their attorneys’ fees from
the Turks. Faced with a claim for $100,000 in fees, the Turks agreed to
abandon
their appeal of the court’s ruling, and submitted to an injunction against any
repetition of it. They also agreed to indemnify the Council if any such
lawsuit
is brought by any of their members. In return, the Council’s lawyers, at its
request, dropped their claim for fees.
Speaking for the Council, a coalition of 35 Armenian American
organizations in
Northern California, its Chairman, Dr. Krikor Soghikian, stated that the
Turkish challenge to the memorial plaque is part of a broad campaign to oppose
any public acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, which is officially denied
by the Turkish government. The 1915 event is considered by historians as the
first genocide of the 20th century, and the most significant human rights
crisis of World War I. The leaders of the Ottoman empire systematically
carried
out the extermination of 1.5 million Armenians, more than half of the Armenian
population living in its historic homeland. The overwhelming majority of
Armenians living in San Francisco and the United States are descendants of
Armenian Genocide survivors.
Armenian Americans wished to purchase the Mt. Davidson Cross to avoid the
destruction of a San Francisco landmark. As the first nation to have accepted
Christianity in 301 AD, they believed that the Cross site would be an ideal
gathering place to remember their forefathers. Turkish groups actively opposed
the purchase, conducting a protest campaign urging city officials,
neighborhood
and political groups, to vote against the enabling proposition, but 68% of San
Francisco voters cast their ballots in favor of the proposition.
The plaque was unveiled in 1988 by Mayor Willie Brown, in the presence of
several Genocide survivors. It reads:
“The Mt. Davidson Cross was designed and built by George Kelham and
inaugurated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934. In 1997, the citizens
of San Francisco voted to approve the sale of the monument to the Council of
Armenian American Organizations of Northern California., to preserve it as a
historic landmark. This revered site is cared for in memory of the 1,500,000
victims of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government from
1915 to 1918. Over half the Armenian population on its ancient homeland was
killed, and no Armenian community remained in historical Western Armenia. By
honoring those lost, we honor all victims of injustice and cruelty. In their
name, we dedicate ourselves to the protection of human rights and the dignity
of all
peoples.

If evil of this magnitude can be ignored,
If our children forget,
Then we deserve oblivion,
And earn the world’s scorn.
Avedis Aharonian
(writer and educator, 1866-1948)
Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day
April 24, 1998.”

The Council was represented in the lawsuit by David Balabanian, Geoffrey
Holtz, and Matthew Gray of Bingham McCutchen, an 850 lawyer firm with offices
in 12 cities.

8) VODKA LEMON

A bittersweet concoction with a kick

“Vodka Lemon is the only thing the Russians have left them is the one thing
they didn’t have before-their freedom,” explains one of the characters in the
film Vodka Lemon, by Iraqi Kurd director Hiner Saleem.
The third feature by the exiled director portrays an abandoned community
that’s magically upbeat. With its blinding-white vistas, graceful Armenian
score, the film celebrates its quirky characters while it mourns their plight.
“A blessed wonder…Saleem displays the visual confidence and subtle screwball
rhythms of a master,” writes the Village Voice.

Synopsis

In the snowy badlands of post soviet Armenia, village life is nearing
subsistence level. The Russians have long departed, and almost all of the
village’s young men have gone abroad for work. In the heart of
sixty-something-year-old Hamo, a handsome widower, hope rests through his
youngest son, who has recently immigrated to France in search of work. Hamo’s
sole possessions on earth are barely enough to sustain him. But Hamo finds
contentment through his daily bus trips to the local cemetery where his wife
has been laid to rest. During one of these visits Hamo notices Nina, a
beautiful fifty-year old widow. Although an initial attraction between the two
is clear, Hamo’s loyalty to his dead wife and Nina’s shyness forestalls the
two
from allowing the sparks to fly. Nina retreats to her job at the desolate
village bar, Vodka Lemon, and Hamo hustles home with hope waning that his son
in Paris has mailed him. Retreating back to the cemetery, Hamo once again runs
into Nina–and with a few kind gestures, the two begin a September-December
romance that leads to the film’s indelible conclusion of love among the ruins.
The winner of the San Marco prize at the Venice Film Festival, Vodka Lemon’s
exclusive Los Angeles engagements begin at Laemmle’s Fairfax Cinemas in the
Fairfax District and One Colorado Cinemas in Old Town Pasadena on Friday,
November 19.
The Fairfax is located at 7095 Beverly Boulevard in the Fairfax District and
the One Colorado in Old Town Pasadena.
Call 310-274-6869 or 626-744-1224 for show-time information. See
<;

9) Axis Of Justice Releases CD/DVD

The revolution may not be televised, but it is available on your CD player
this
fall.
The Axis of Justice: Concert Series Volume I was recorded at the Avalon in
Los
Angeles as one in a series of benefits for Axis of Justice, the non-profit
organization founded by Serj Tankian of System Of A Down and Tom Morello of
Audioslave/Rage Against The Machine, in an effort to bring concerned
musicians,
fans of music, and grassroots political organizations together to fight for
social justice.
The unique night of music featured performances and surprises by a number of
special guests, including Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Tool/A Perfect
Circle’s Maynard James Keenan and Pete Yorn. The album includes the donated
track from Chris Cornell and Keenan of their cover of Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So
Funny ’bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding,” recorded at last year’s
Lollapalooza. Other highlights include all-star jams of U2’s “Where the
Streets
Have No Name,” Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Alice in My Fantasies” by
Funkadelic, and the Bob Dylan classic “Chimes Of Freedom.”
The companion Bonus DVD contains live footage of the Avalon show as well as
some excerpts from past Axis shows, which include appearances by artists such
as Boots Riley of The Coup and Wayne Kramer. It also includes Tankian’s
performance of “Speak on It,” a spoken piece about Armenian genocide with the
rapper Knowledge. Plus as an added bonus, the DVD features audio excerpts from
the Axis of Justice radio show.

10) Early ‘Intervention’

Armenia’s Moushegh Baghdasaryan’s short film “Intervention” won the the
Kenneth
F. and Harle G. Montgomery Prize for Excellence for Best Child-Produced
Film or
Video at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF).
Fourteen-year-old Moushegh’s 2 minute film transforms a symbol of war into a
thing of peace, with a message that silence speaks louder than words.
The one-minute short “Waltz” by another 14-year-old, Elen Gyulnazarian of
Armenia, competed in the same category of Children for Children nominations.
The Director of Armenia’s Manana Children’s-Youth Educational-Cultural
Center,
Ruzan Baghdasarian, revealed that only 24 films were nominated in the specific
category.
Baghdasaryan’s award marks 15 victories for Manana in international
competitions.
Thirty other films shot at Manana’s small studio have registered victories in
various film festivals in England, Greece, Spain, Serbia, and the United
States.
Founded in 1983, the CICFF is the largest festival of films for children in
North America and features over 200 animated and live action films from 40
countries. The Festival welcomes over 24,000 Chicago area children, adults,
and
educators to the screenings, and over 100 filmmakers, media professionals, and
celebrities attend the festival to lead interactive workshops with kids.
It is also the first competitive festival of films for children in the US.
The
impetus for the festival came from a need to introduce new, culturally diverse
films for children to American children’s audiences, and to recognize
excellence in children’s filmmaking. From its inception, the festival has had
independent juries of children and adult media professionals awarding
prizes in
multiple categories.
The festival provides screenings both for schools and the general public.
Educators bring their classes to school screenings during the fall festival to
view international films. Films are used as a springboard to class-work in a
wide number of subject areas, including geography, math, music, social
studies,
art, health and language studies. After screenings, children are engaged in
discussions with filmmakers and festival personnel. These discussions are
designed to lead children and teachers toward powerful dialogue about the role
of television and film in their lives. The impact of violent films, and
alternatives to them, are frequently explored.
Children attending the Festival are also instructed to view each film
carefully and critically, so that they may cast an informed ballot for
“Best of
the Fest.” These interactive experiences enrich festival audiences with a wide
range of cultural perspectives and give them a “behind-the-scenes”
understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking.

11) LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES?

Resident Skeptik delves into the deep, dark world of Armenian online dating

BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN

I’m not a smart man but I think I know what love is. I know that there are
more kinds of love than a woman has pairs of black shoes. There’s love of
country, the love of a spouse, or the love of a sibling or family member. For
instance, the way you love your parents is not the way you love your favorite
dish at your favorite restaurant. You’d take a bullet for your parents. You
(hopefully) wouldn’t take a bullet for a plate of chee kufta. But whether
you’re a rich man or poor man, educated or uneducated, almost everyone (I said
ALMOST) falls in love at one point or another in their lifetime.
I’m bringing this issue up because lately, and I don’t know why, everyone
around me is either getting engaged, married or falling in…dare I say
it…love. I thought springtime was when love blossomed but I guess we
Armenians are always late anyway. I think love is a beautiful concept but I
think people should learn to love themselves and be comfortable with who they
are before seeking validation from another human being. This is particularly
important for Armenians. Of all the people in the world, you would be hard
pressed to find a group that are bigger xenophiles (lovers of all things
foreign) than Armenians. On top of everything else, they are also
uncomfortable
with themselves. I’m not a Buddhist but I believe in Buddha’s advice: “You,
yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and
affection.” Armenians just can’t seem to love themselves unless it’s a
dysfunctional type of love. When it comes to music at a banquet or dance,
we’re
ready to run and jump in the arms of that Arabic, Persian, or
even…yes…Turkish seductress. When it comes to jewelry, clothes, food,
whatever the case may be…Armenians place such high regard on all things
foreign.
But when it comes down to it–to bringing someone home to mom and dad–90
% of
Armenians are adamant that it is important to marry someone who is also
Armenian. This makes perfect sense (sarcastic tone starts in 3…2…1) if you
think about it. After all, you have to marry an Armenian, so your children can
grow up Armenian, learn how to speak, read, and write Armenian and then only
speak English to their friends and family and shake their “voreegs” to
non-Armenian music every weekend! If anyone out there thinks that by marrying
someone Armenian, you are able to ensure that your children or grandchildren
will grow up Armenian, than I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I will sell you
for only $20,000.
There are exceptions to every rule. There are Armenians who will marry other
Armenians and find happiness but marrying a fellow Armenian isn’t the key to
that happiness. The real key to happiness is finding someone who shares your
beliefs and values. And if you value being Armenian and your spouse respects
and cherishes your values, then you will have children who will learn about
their cultural identity and grow up to be good people.
“What if she doesn’t want your children to learn Armenian?” countered my
friend emphatically during one of our hypothetical scenario debates recently.
“What about it? I don’t even know any Armenian girls that can read or write
Armenian fluently. Most of them think Hovhannes Toumanian is a car mechanic in
Hollywood and wouldn’t be able to make pilaf and dolma if their lives depended
on it,” I responded sardonically.
A week after this exchange, I discovered that my friend had registered online
with an Internet dating service. I hope it works for him and he finds “the
one,” that one girl out there who will be able to raise his children to be as
materialistic as they can be and not know the difference between 301 AD and
450
AD but be able to spot the difference between an S-Class and C-Class Benzos
from a mile away. But kudos to whoever came up with the idea to gather up all
the insecure Armenians out there and bring them together on one website. I
have
to admit, my curiosity had been aroused. I had to find out more about this
so-called “singles” website. I did a search on Google on “Armenian Singles”
and
came up with not just one, not two, but a whole group of websites all aimed at
bringing Armenians together and helping them fall in love.
The first one I visited was “HyeSingles” (HS henceforth.) HS claims to be
“Your Compatible Armenian Singles Community.” Before I delved any further
into
the world of Armenian singles, I decided to look up their “success
stories.” My
favorite was a comment by Armen with no last name. (We’ll try to use different
names to protect the innocent). Armen wrote, “Thank you for being out there
for
me. I am not lonely anymore!” This made me wonder if this was some kind of
joke. Can these really be Armenians posting success stories online? One person
from Iran met her “hubbie” in the US and they are now married. I thought maybe
these were fabricated stories until I came across a posting by
“ArmenianCutie.”
It read as follows (I’ve inserted my own opinions in bold and in brackets
where
appropriate):
Hey, so like I was not sure [ten bucks says she’s from the San Fernando
Valley, maybe even a Ferrahian grad] about this Internet dating thing and
given
the small size and talkatitive [who is this girl? Is she related to George W.
Bush?] nature of the Armenian community [talkative? A blind date is talkative!
The Armenian community makes the CIA look like a kindergarten game of
telephone] I was apprehensive posting my profile, much less my picture but
after some convincing from my younger sister (who coincidentally met her
hubbie
online) [like I care] I got up the nerve to go through with it. Well let me
tell you, I not only was amazed at the number of emails I received, but at the
quality of your members. [Nowhere else in the world will you find such a large
collection of aging, balding men with German luxury cars who still live at
home
and wear more jewelry than their mother] Long story short I went on several
dates before meeting my Armenian match so to speak.[“so to speak”
–translation: he didn’t drool, or drag his knuckles on the ground and didn’t
think that it was okay to sleep with women who aren’t Armenian because its
only
practice for when you do marry a pure as the snow virgin] We’ve been dating
for 4 months now and knock on wood [wow, I guess this is an actual Armenian
testimonial, unless “knock on wood” means something else in non-Armenian
circles, like “PLEASE SAVE ME FROM THIS ABOOSH. Oops, did I say aboosh? I
hope
no one cancels a subscription], we are both extremely happy and
appreciative to
have found each other.
So I’ve decided to conduct an experiment. After all, Ralph Waldo Emerson said
that “All life is an experiment.” It starts with this issue and will last as
long as it has to. Like Jacques Cousteau, I shall venture into the
unknown–this Armenian online singles soiree, and see if it is indeed possible
to meet normal people. The experiment will be the following. I will create
anonymous profiles loosely based on actual single friends that I have (with
their consent) and go fishing for a mate.
See you next week when we report from the world of the single, lonely, and
looking.

Skeptik Sinikian is over 5 feet tall, enjoys TV sitcom theme songs, reading
billboards, and brief sprints on the beach (he’s allergic to sand and sea
salt). Anyone interested can contact him at [email protected] or visit
his blog at

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Armenia: Internet providers protest at government’s decision

Yerkir web site
12 Nov 04

November

Yerevan, 11 November: About 100 Internet providers went on a token
strike at 1700 [1300 gmt] today.

The Internet providers took this decision following the Armenian
government’s resolution adopted at an extraordinary cabinet meeting on
3 November. In line with the resolution, the exclusive rights of the
Internet providers will belong to the ArmenTel joint-stock company
from now on.

Ex-Soviet republics back U.S. move to stop weapons proliferation

AP Worldstream
Nov 12, 2004

Russia and five other ex-Soviet members of a regional security pact
voiced support Friday for a U.S.-led effort to stem the spread of
weapons of mass destruction.

Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hailed
U.S. President George W. Bush’s Proliferation Security Initiative as
“a key part of global efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of
mass destruction.”

The six nations, which belong to the Collective Security Treaty,
said they were ready to cooperate with Bush’s program. It envisages
international efforts to intercept components of weapons of mass
destruction on planes, ships and on land.

“The Collective Security Treaty member states are located at the
crossroads of possible routes of illegal transit of weapons of
mass destruction … and are ready to cooperate … in taking the
necessary steps to counter the spread of WMD,” the six nations said
in a statement.

Bush’s initiative was launched in Krakow in May 2003. Russia joined
it earlier this year.

Foreign ministers and other top officials from the security pact’s
member states also discussed ways to bolster cooperation in fighting
terrorism and strengthening regional security.