THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 11, 2004
Americans feel upbeat, poll finds
By Jennifer Harper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
America’s mood is upbeat: The Harris Poll’s annual “Feel Good Index” finds
the nation happy with home, family and friends – with the biggest increase
in positive feelings emanating from “morals and ethics.”
Life, in fact, seems downright harmonious, with 98 percent reporting
they’re pleased with their family relations, according to the poll, which
surveyed 1,016 U.S. adults Oct. 14-17.
Ninety-five percent feel good about their homes, 92 percent praised the
quality of their lives overall, 91 percent were positive about their social
lives, 88 percent said they were happy about their health and 85 percent
gave thumbs up to their standard of living.
All of the figures are increases from last year’s poll results by as much as
six points.
In addition, two-thirds of married respondents reported they were happy
with their spouses – up seven points from last year, and the highest number
in the history of the survey itself, which dates back to 1997.
The survey reflected one concern that proved paramount during the
presidential election last week.
It found that 77 percent felt positive about “the morals and values in
their community,” up seven points since last year and 12 points since 1997.
Another 55 percent applauded “the morals and values of Americans in
general,” up 8 points since last year, and 21 points since 1997.
Those numbers represent “the highest point ever” for values
measurements, the survey noted.
Election Day exit polls revealed to many stunned Democrats that 22
percent of voters identified the importance of “moral values” as their
primary motivation in the voting booth – an issue cited more than any other
concern, including the economy and terrorism.
These so-called “values voters” supported President Bush over
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry 80 percent to 18 percent.
Forty-three percent of the respondents in the Harris survey said they
felt good about the nation’s economy, up eight points from last year’s
polls. The figure stood at it highest point – 68 percent – in 1999 and 2000.
Its lowest point was 39 percent in 2002 .
The survey reflected other financially based attitudes: 60 percent were
happy with their jobs, down four points from last year. Sixty-two percent
felt good about their financial security, up three points from last year.
The actual “feel good” index is 74 when all the numbers are averaged, up
four points from last year and the same as it was in the pre-September 11
days of 1999. The highest number on record was 75, in 1998.
Meanwhile, the United States is a relatively satisfied nation, at least
according to the most recent “World Values Survey,” conducted 1999-2001, a
massive poll charting social and political change in 65 countries over three
years by a consortium of sociologists and academics here and abroad.
They advise that “factors that make people happy may vary from one
country to the next” in the survey, which is conducted every four years.
The latest numbers rank the United States the 16th-happiest nation on
the planet.
Nigeria was the happiest country, followed by Mexico, Venezuela, El
Salvador and Puerto Rico. The least happy were Russia, Armenia and Romania.

PRESS RELEASE
Hairenik Online Radio Station
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: Jirayr Beugekian
Tel: 617-9263974 / 617-9263976
Fax: 617-9265525
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Hairenik Association Inc. launches Hairenik Online Radio Station
Watertown, MA — The Hairenik Association Inc. today formally launched
its new internet radio station, Hairenik Online Radio Station, which
broadcasts Armenian music and news about Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and
the Armenian Diaspora 24 hours a day.
The station began broadcasting with a music-only format on August 10,
2004, and has since been updating its musical selection and conducting
small promotions to test the interest of listeners. “The response
from our listeners has been overwhelmingly positive”,- stated Jirayr
Buegekian, Programming Director. The number of listeners is increasing
steadily and emails of encouragement are pouring in. We have regular
listeners in more than 35 countries!” A measure of that popularity
was reflected in a recent report, which appeared on the website of
California’s Fresno Bee newspaper, citing the unique programming
provided by the station.
Hairenik Online Radio will start broadcasting an expanded format on
November 20, 2004. “We are currently broadcasting music 24 hours a
day. Based on listener requests, we will be expanding the format to
also include some news, interviews and special programs for children.”
stated Buegekian.
However, the station will still keep music at the heart of its
programming. Prior to launching the online radio station, the
Hairenik Association worked with Bentley College in Massachusetts to
undertake a study on the viability of the launching of an internet
radio station. Based on the findings of the Bentley team, Hairenik
Online Radio will reserve at least 80 percent of its airtime for
Armenian music. “Although we think our listeners will enjoy the
expanded format, we remain committed to broadcasting lots and lots of
music,” stated Buegekian.
The Hairenik Online Radio can be accessed via the web site of the
Hairenik Association (), which also includes an online
bookstore and the online versions of its two newspapers, the Armenian
language “Hairenik Weekly” and the English language “Armenian Weekly.”
Hairenik Online Radio can also be accessed at
and selecting the media player of your choice.
November 16, 2004
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijani minister wants more anti-terrorist cooperation with Russia
15.11.2004 10:56:00 GMT

Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mamedyarov has spoken for intensifying cooperation with Russia in
resisting terrorism.
“It is one of our main tasks to intensify cooperation because it is
virtually impossible to fight terrorism single-handedly,” he told
Interfax.
“The spread of the threat can be stooped only through joint efforts,”
he said.
“Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are at a sufficiently good
level and advancing steadily,” Mamedyarov said.
Speaking of a settlement in Nagorno Karabakh he said: “Russia has very
good possibilities to promote the speedy settlement of our conflict
with Armenia.”
“Russia has declared many times and at different levels its support
for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and we look forward to
Russia’s role inthe conflict settlement increasing,” he said.

Armenian president not optimistic about Karabakh settlement
15.11.2004 10:55:00 GMT
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenian President Robert Kocharian is not
optimistic about prospects for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
“At present I am not very optimistic about that, but we keep trying,
together with Azerbaijan, to search for a mutually acceptable solution
to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem,” Kocharian told a news conference on
Monday.
He said the non-participation of the Karabakh side in the negotiating
process impeded the settlement, since Azerbaijan was only engaged in
talks with Armenia. “The situation does not reflect the essence of the
conflict,” Kocharian said.
Besides, Baku refuses to cooperate with Armenia prior to settling the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which, according to the Armenian leader,
makes it impossible to develop regional cooperation in the South
Caucasus.”
Kocharian is convinced that “an effective and speedy solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem can only be achieved through creating a
favorable atmosphere by means of cooperation.”
He said he didn’t share Baku’s criticism of the OSCE Minsk group
acting as a mediator in the conflict, adding that the group’s
co-chairmen representing the United States, Russia and France provided
an optimal format and framework for handling the Nagorno-Karabakh
crisis.
Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh during the bloody conflict
with Armenia in the 1990s. The UN Security Council, in its resolutions
on Nagorno-Karabakh, condemned the occupation of the Azerbaijani
territory anddemanded an Armenian troops withdrawal. The co-chairmen
of the OSCE Minsk group are attending to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

Armenian, Estonian culture ministers sign cooperation accord
Public Television of Armenia
Yerevan 15 Nov 04

[Presenter] It was very pleasant to get acquainted with the life and
activity of the great master. I wish the Armenian people success and
prosperity, Estonian President Arnold Ruutel wrote in the visitors’
book of the Sergey Paradzhanov museum. He is the ninth CIS president
to visit the museum. The Armenian and Estonian ministers signed the
first cooperation agreement in the museum.
[Correspondent over video of museum] The Estonian delegation, led by
President Arnold Ruutel, visited the Paradzhanov museum and got
acquainted with the sections of the museum which showed exhibits on
Paradzhanov’s life and activity in Tbilisi and a collection of his
collages made during his imprisonment.
Zaven Sarkisyan, the director of the museum, presented two of
Paradzhanov’s films to the Estonian president.
[Estonian president, captioned, in Russian with Armenian voice-over]
We have not seen Paradzhanov’s films. He is little known in
Estonia. There are interesting approaches to reality in his
art. Paradzhanov looks at the world quite differently, not as a usual
man.
[Correspondent over video of signing ceremony] The Estonian president
signed the visitors’ book.
It is symbolic that the Armenian and Estonian culture ministers signed
the first cooperation agreement in the cultural sphere in the
Paradzhanov museum. The ministers noted that the two countries have
great untapped potential in the cultural sphere.
[Estonian Culture Minister Urmas Paet, captioned, in Russian with
Armenian voice-over] We in Estonia did not know what was happening in
Armenian cinema in the last 10-15 years. Every year we hold film
festivals in Tallinn in November and I am waiting to see an Armenian
film in our film festival next year.
[Armenian Culture Minister Ovik Oveyan, captioned] This is the first
agreement in the cultural sphere that we have signed. I hope that we
shall continue our talks in this sphere.
Nune Aleksanyan, Arman Garibyan, “Aylur”.

Transport problems restrict trade with Russia, says Armenian PM
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Moscow
11 Nov 04

The cost and unreliability of road transport are holding back the
expansion of Armenian-Russian trade, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Markaryan has said. Talking about the difficulties caused for Armenia
by Russia’s recent closure of the border crossing to Georgia,
Markaryan said that in negotiations “we got the feeling that Russia’s
leadership had a definite appreciation of this problem”. Markaryan
told Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta that Russian investment was
now present in almost all sectors of the Armenian economy. He noted
that Armenia had met all its obligations to transfer property to
Russia in repayment of its debts, but that “for a number of technical
reasons connected with domestic procedural issues, the Russian side
has to this day not written off Armenia’s indebtedness for the sum of
the transferred property”. The following is the text of Viktoriya
Panfilova’s interview with Andranik Markaryan in Russian newspaper
Nezavisimaya Gazeta on 11 November headlined “Armenia on list of
debtors: Armenia suffers losses due to Russian fight against
terrorism”; subheadings inserted editorially:
In the last few years, Russia has significantly expanded its
investment presence in Armenia. Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan
spoke to NG [Nezavisimaya Gazeta ] about the dividends Yerevan has
seen from collaboration with Moscow.
Transport restrictions hold back Armenian-Russian trade
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] Mr Prime Minister, Iran and Belgium lead in the
volume of trade with Armenia, even though in recent years entire
branches of local industry and major enterprises have become Russian
property. What is the reason for this?
[Markaryan] From my point of view, the problem lies in the market’s
accessibility. Today the only type of transport linking Russia and
Armenia is motor vehicle transport, which is expensive and dependent
upon several subjective factors out of our countries’ control.
As for the volume of trade, Russia is one of Armenia’s leading
partners in its foreign economic activity. In the period 2002-03,
Russia came second after Belgium in the export of Armenian output,
although Russian output continues to account for the largest volume of
imports into Armenia. For example, results from the first nine months
of this year show Russia leading in the total trade between our
countries with 12.6 per cent. And among CIS [Commonwealth of
Independent States] countries, this index was 62 per cent. At the same
time, I would like to note that the Armenian enterprises that have
transferred to Russian ownership are still operating only at a
fraction of their production capacities and cannot have a substantial
influence on the level of foreign trade between Russia and Armenia.
Actually, at a recent meeting of the co-chairmen of the international
economic cooperation commission held in Yerevan in mid-October it was
decided to draw up proposals for so-called urgent measures to ensure
the full functioning of enterprises transferred to Russian ownership.
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] Recently Armenia found itself almost completely
isolated due to the closing of the Russian-Georgian border. And there
are no guarantees that a similar situation won’t recur. Under these
kinds of conditions, can we really talk about prospects for developing
bilateral relations?
[Markaryan] I don’t think we need to draw any far-reaching conclusions
from situations like the closure of the Verkhniy Lars border
crossing. Especially if we bear in mind that the Russian side had not
made a political decision to damage relations with Armenia. We know
that the Russian-Georgian border was closed due to the stepping-up of
the antiterrorist struggle. It remains to be seen how all this will
affect Armenia’s economy and how much the Russian side, having decided
to take this step, took the interests of our republic into
consideration or how the economic losses are being borne and will be
borne by Armenia, which is already under a tough transport
blockade. On this subject I can say that during the negotiations we
got the feeling that Russia’s leadership had a definite appreciation
of this problem. We conducted active negotiations simultaneously with
the Georgian authorities as well as Russia’s leadership in order to
find alternative communication routes. Fortunately, the situation was
settled very quickly and today everything has fallen into place. This
hardly means we are satisfied, though. As we speak, we are continuing
to search, in concert with the region’s states, for mechanisms for
creating new, mutually advantageous, efficient transport schemes.
Conflict settlement key to regional development
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] What needs to happen to establish lasting peace
and stability in the Caucasus?
[Markaryan] First of all, I would say, the peaceful settlement of all
the conflicts in our region, including the one in Nagornyy
Karabakh. It’s no secret that a fair solution to this problem would
create the prerequisites for opening all communications routes and
lifting the transport blockade around Armenia and Nagornyy
Karabakh. This would allow all the states in the region to establish
normal economic relations among themselves so that they can develop
and allow others to develop as well. I’m convinced that the
restoration of peace and stability in the Caucasus would be
facilitated as well by the implementation of regional programmes in
which all the countries of the region participate equally.
Russian capital has most effect in Armenia’s energy sector
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] In what branches of the Armenian economy is the
presence of Russian capital most tangible today? Are there spheres
that Russian business would like to invest in but cannot for various
reasons?
[Markaryan] Today Russian investments in Armenia have a very
diversified structure and are present in virtually every branch of the
economy. It’s noteworthy that as of 1 January 2004 there were 589
companies registered in Armenia that had some Russian capital – nearly
24 per cent of the total number. As for any possible subjective
reasons why investments might not be able to be made in specific
spheres of the economy – there aren’t any. The government has an open
door policy with respect to foreign investments. The legislation of
Armenia offers the most favourable conditions possible for all
investors and also ensures the protection of all forms of property. So
that Russian enterprises, just like the enterprises of other
countries, are free in both their economic activity and the
decisionmaking process.
As for the branches in which the presence of Russian capital is felt
the most, this would be primarily enterprises in the fuel and energy
complex, which is strategic from the standpoint of the republic’s
development. In particular, this is the ArmRosgazprom
[Armenian-Russian gas industry] enterprise and the Razdan heat and
power station. The Armenian nuclear power station has been handed over
to the Russian side for safe operation. There is Russian capital as
well in Armenian industry: Mars, the machine-building enterprise; and
Armenal, which produces aluminium. I would point out that our states
have a mutual interest in rapidly restoring those scientific and
production sites which have been transferred to Russian
ownership. Some of them – the scientific research institute of the
military-industrial complex, for example – are functioning actively
today. The problem is to get them operating at full capacity in the
near future – by attracting much more investment and orders and by
increasing the productive potential of these enterprises. Both Armenia
and Russia stand to gain from this, I’m sure.
Armenia seeking to encourage foreign investment
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] Which Russian financial and economic groups are
most active in Armenia? Do they have problems in their relations with
local authoriti es?
[Markaryan] Through legislation, the government of Armenia is
stimulating foreign investments in all spheres of the country’s
economy, both in the practical and the financial sectors. Thus, of the
20 banks now operating in Armenia, nine involve Russian capital.
As for relations with local authorities, we take a unified approach to
both Armenian and foreign business. Moreover, we are trying to
stimulate foreign investments. In addition, attesting to the
favourable atmosphere for business and the absence of any
differentiated approach is the continuing increase in the presence of
Russian capital in Armenia. In particular, in early 2004, Russia’s
Vneshtorgbank acquired the controlling packet of shares in Armenia’s
Sberbank [Savings Bank]. And if enterprises in their current activity
do run into any problems, then they are the same for everyone,
including Armenian enterprises.
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] Armenia’s economic legislation is considered to
be fairly liberal. How does this affect foreign investments? Does more
money come to the country from Russia or from the West? And which
investments are given preference?
[Markaryan] Indeed, the economic and especially the financial
legislation of our country is one of the most liberal and, even more
important, one of the most stable in the post-Soviet states. True, the
mere presence of liberal legislation is not enough for foreign
investments. I want to point out that the country’s leadership is
working specifically to support political stability in the country,
develop market infrastructures, and reform the structures that operate
directly with entrepreneurs, as well as on several other efforts
included in the strategic programme to combat corruption and reduce
various risks.
We can judge the favourable investment climate from the increase in
investments in the country’s economy. For example, in the first six
months of this year total investments in Armenia’s economy rose by 41
per cent, while direct foreign investments rose by nearly 80 per
cent. If we compare this to previous years (1997-2003), then among the
10 partner countries making investments in Armenia’s economy, nearly
26 per cent came from Russia. As for the issue of preferences, we
welcome all investments that will stimulate the country’s economic
development.
Armenia has met all obligations to transfer property to Russia
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] In 2002, an agreement was signed between our
countries on repaying Armenia’s state debt by transferring shares in
Armenian enterprises to Russian Federation ownership. However, the
Russian draft budget for next year once again includes as Armenia’s
debt the same sum that Armenia already repaid when it transferred
those factories to Russia. How are we to interpret this?
[Markaryan] Indeed, Armenia has met all of its obligations to transfer
property (on 5 August 2003, property worth US 63 million US dollars
was transferred to Russian ownership and in January 2004 property
worth 31 million dollars). However, for a number of technical reasons
connected with domestic procedural issues, the Russian side has to
this day not written off Armenia’s indebtedness for the sum of the
transferred property. Before the end of this year, an
intergovernmental commission is supposed to hold joint consultations
during which this issue should be resolved.
Parliament to decide on sending Armenian contingent to Iraq
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] Recently Yerevan decided to send 50 military
medics and sappers to Iraq to assist the coalition forces. However the
leaders of Iraq’s 20,000-strong Armenian community, concerned that in
that event Armenians would become the next target of international
terrorists, sent an appeal to Yerevan to reject this decision.
[Markaryan] As we know, the final decision on sending an Armenian
military contingent to Iraq will be taken by the National Assembly of
Armenia. The problem is that there was a preliminary agreement with
Poland about our participation in Iraq as part of the military group
of this country. Lately, though, Poland itself seems to have had
doubts about the wisdom of its military presence in Iraq. Naturally,
we will have to keep changes in this and several other conditions in
mind as we make corrections to our position and clarify certain issues
before the matter is submitted to parliament. Of course, in
discussions of this issue, we are also keeping in mind the interests
and security issues of our state and the opinion of Iraq’s Armenian
community of many thousands. In any event, I can say that if such a
decision is taken, then a small number of military drivers, medics and
sappers will be sent to Iraq but will not take part in military
actions.

Armenian, Estonian presidents discuss bilateral relations
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
15 Nov 04

[Presenter over video of reception ceremony] Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan received Estonian President Arnold Ruutel today, who is
paying a three-day official visit to Armenia. An official reception
ceremony took place at the Armenian presidential residence. After a
tete-a tete meeting of the two countries’ leaders, extended talks were
held. The Armenian and Estonian presidents held a joint press
conference after the meeting and answered journalists’ questions.
[Robert Kocharyan, captioned, in Russian with Armenian voice-over] We
have just finished our meeting and discussed the full range of
bilateral relations, exchanged views on regional problems.
Our region, the South Caucasus, is a complicated region. We are
interested in the experience of the Baltic countries. We also
discussed economic cooperation. I am glad to inform you that an
Estonian business delegation is also in Yerevan and today we shall
hold a business forum together.

MOSNEWS, Russia
Nov 15 2004
How to Deal With a Russian Hangover
Polina Moroz
MosNews
For one reason or another, what people know about Russia is often
linked to alcohol. Experience of Russian drinking culture is the
subject of one well known joke, when a foreigner writes in his
journal: `Monday. Drank with the Russians. Tuesday. Almost died.
Wednesday. Drank with the Russians some more. Thursday. Should have
died on Tuesday.’ So it is necessary to give homage to the way Russia
deals with the after-effects of drink, both on a national and a
personal level. The misery of a hangover has not changed for
centuries, neither has the campaign against misbehaving drunks, so
the question of post-drinking blues has a long history.
People that roam the city after their drinking escapades risk ending
up in a vytrezvitel, a ‘drunk tank’, a place that has inspired fear
in generations of Russians. It was conceived as an institution in
tsarist times, the first one opening in 1902 in Tula to save local
army men from freezing to death after their squad had a bit too much.
It was reinstated in the Soviet Union in 1931 and came under the
control of the Interior Ministry in 1940.
During the prohibitionist years, the police had a daily norm of
picked-up drunks. They drove around in a special wagon nicknamed a
kopilka (piggy bank) and singled out people that threatened public
safety: quite often the victims were chosen at random, especially on
cold nights when the patrols got tired and bored.
Even though prohibition was short-lived in Russia, putting stray
drunkards into the kopilka is still in practice; moreover, it’s
profitable for the officers. When morning comes to the vytrezvitel
and you find out that half of your money was gone overnight, the
police cheerfully tell you to be more careful next time you go out to
a bar. After all, it’s not called a piggy-bank for nothing!
If you manage to get home without event, there are a few traditional
Russian hangover cures for the morning-after that have been popular
for centuries. The most popular is the brine from either pickles or
Russian sauerkraut (called rassol in Russian) as it contains the
necessary potassium and magnesium. Another handy liquid is kvass,
which is a brown malt beverage made of fermented rye bread.
Many Russians believe that it’s better to fight fire with fire and
sip warm beer from the night before, but there is the risk of getting
carried away and continuing the previous night’s debauchery and
spiralling into the vicious circle of a zapoy, or drinking binge.
For the more ambitious, there are also Russian hangover cocktails
that juggle the classic ingredients like eggs, spices and tomato
juice. For one, known as `Sick head,’ the directions are as follows:
you have to cover a glass with a thin coat of vegetable oil, break
one egg into the glass, a pinch of salt, and red and black pepper.
Pour in two tablespoons of vodka and mix well. Close your eyes and
nose, forget what is in the glass, and gulp down the contents. After
the procedure the victim should lie down and rest with a cold towel
over the forehead.
There is also traditional hangover food. The classic greasy burger
and shake never really took off in Russia, but there is one dish that
is recognized as a guaranteed hangover remedy. It is a thick stew
called haash, which actually comes from the Caucasus and is even
served in Moscow’s Armenian restaurants on January 1st to alleviate
the morning-after misery. Haash is a pain to prepare: you have to
cook tripe and beef trotters for six hours and consume the result
with radish and a lot of garlic.
Another curing `snack’ was allegedly discovered by Tsar Nicholas II,
and is called `Nikolashka’: take a slice of lemon, put a teaspoon of
sugar and a teaspoon of coffee on top, and eat in one bite.
All of these may be helpful and tested by generations of Russians,
but when that morning comes, most people can’t find the strength to
prepare a complicated recipe. Some opt for `Alka-Seltzer and sleep’,
others put instant coffee into coca-cola, and some, like my friend
Alina, choose `rassol and a guillotine’.

The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 15 2004
Unlimited electricity for Tbilisi
Deputy Minister of Energy Aleko Khetaguri stated at a press
conference on Friday that Tbilisi will receive electricity without
limitations, and that the ministry will take all measures to continue
importing electricity from Russia and Armenia.
Meanwhile, Director General of Telasi Dangiras Mikolayunas applied to
the National Energy Regulation Commission (GNERC) to return the
license to import electricity from Armenia which was stripped from
Telasi two weeks ago. Mikolayunas told GNERC at a meeting on Friday
that they should study a letter from Energy Ombudsman David Ebrelidze
to the General Prosecutor’s Office, which blames Telasi of concluding
an “unfavorable” agreement with Armenia.
Mikolyunas said the Commission must decide whether to give the
license to Telasi or not after studying this letter.

Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
Nov 15 2004
Police department’s greater shades of culture
Newly hired Korean- American Police cadet overcame ethnic
expectations to pursue her dream.
By Jackson Bell, News-Press and Leader
SOUTHEAST GLENDALE – A self-described adrenaline junkie, Sharon Kim
can’t conceive following through with her parents’ wish for her to
work as a pharmacist in a safe, but unexciting, drug store.
So breaking what she calls a Korean stereotype of putting family
before career, the 18-year-old Kim has decided to take her first step
toward her eventual goal of working with the FBI or Secret Service –
the Glendale Community College student became a Glendale Police
cadet.
“Since I was born in America and I’m American, I feel women can
pursue careers, no matter what,” she said. “But my parents think this
career might overshadow [family life] because I might work long
shifts and not have extra time for family commitments.”
Both Kim and Patrol Officer Matt Hyun-Koo Prokosch – the first
Korean-American officer hired to the force – agree that Korean
parents, like many immigrants, usually push their children into
entering such high-level professional jobs such as doctors and
lawyers that allow for better work schedules and pay higher than
public safety careers.
With Kim and Prokosch, all it took was a little education and a lot
of passion to convince their families that police work was a good
choice.
“[Korean immigrants] learn quickly that government jobs in the United
States are good jobs, where back in Korea they are not well
respected,” Prokosch said.
While Glendale Police are ahead of their firefighting counterparts,
both agencies are still trying to diversity their staff to better
reflect the community in which they serve.
The police department’s most recent demographics reveal that of 368
sworn and civilian employees, 84 are Latino, 23 are Asian or Pacific
Islanders, 17 are Armenian and seven are black, according to city
auditors. The Glendale Fire Department, in contrast, hired its first
Korean-American firefighter earlier this year, and has no Armenian
firefighters.
Korean is one of the more prominent Asian ethnicities in the area,
with pockets found in Glendale north of the Ventura (134) Freeway and
in La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta, officials said.
“She will have the opportunity to learn about the police culture, and
hopefully we can learn about her culture through her,” said Lt. Bruce
Fox, who heads the department’s Professional Standards Bureau.
“And at the same time, we might eventually gain a police officer that
will be badly needed to serve the Korean community of Glendale.”
But Sharon Kim’s mother, Michelle Kim, plans on supporting her
daughter no matter what her career choice is.
“That is what she wants to do and is really pursuing it as a career,
and I encourage her to do whatever she likes,” Michelle Kim said.