Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
Nov. 4, 2004

NAASR plans 50th Assembly

Dr. Merrill D. Peterson will speak on “Starving Armenians: America and
the Armenian Genocide, 1915-1930 and After” at the luncheon program
preceding the 50th Annual Assembly of the National Association for
Armenian Studies and Research on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the NAASR Center
and Headquarters, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont. The assembly will be
convened at noon and lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m.

Peterson is professor of history (emeritus) at the University of
Virginia and the editor of the Library of America edition of the
writings of Thomas Jefferson. His books include “Lincoln in American
Memory,” “John Brown: The Legend Revisited,” and most recently
“Starving Armenians: America and the Armenian Genocide, 1915-1930 and
After” (University of Virginia Press).

“Starving Armenians” explores the American response to the planned
extermination and dispersion of the Armenian people during World War I,
from the initial reports to President Woodrow Wilson from his
ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, to the ongoing campaign to convince
the U.S. government to recognize the Genocide. Part of a generation who
were admonished as children to “remember the starving Armenians,”
Peterson went to Armenia in 1997 as a Peace Corps volunteer and became
fascinated by the country’s troubled history.

Following the luncheon, those attending the 50th Assembly of
Members will be informed about NAASR’s ongoing efforts to further
Armenian studies, research and publication. Reports will be presented
by the Board of Directors on organizational, informational, academic
and financial matters; and the election of directors will be held.

In addition, there will be reports by the Assembly’s special
committees on Nominations, Constitution and Rules, New Business and
Resolutions, and Auditing. The chairmen of the special committees are
Paul Boghosian of Belmont, Nominating; Karen R. Kazarosian of
Watertown, Constitution and Rules; Yervant Chekijian of Boston, New
Business and Resolutions; and Edward Der Kazarian of Watertown,
Auditing.

The assembly is open to all NAASR members in good standing (with
dues paid for the current calendar year), who “have the right to
attend, be heard, and vote.” Non-members may attend as observers.

The luncheon and subsequent program are open to the general
public. However, reservations should be made by Nov. 8 at $12 per
person by calling 617-489-1610, by fax at 617-484-1759, or e-mail at
hq@naasr.org.