California Courier Online, May 12, 2005

1 – Commentary
Armenia’s Leaders Should not Allow
A Turkish Spin on Their Messages

By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
2 – Film Foundation Commemorative Poster
Honors Survivors of Armenian Genocide
3 – Petrossian Receives
2005 ACSA Award
4 – Citizens’ League Fresno Chapter
Hosts June 4 Annual Convention
5 – New U.S. Embassy Opens in Yerevan
6 – Moscow’s Stepan Simonian
Will Debut at Carnegie Hall
7 – Book Review
“The Faces of Courage” By Richard N. Demirjian
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1 – Commentary
Armenia’s Leaders Should not Allow
A Turkish Spin on Their Messages

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Facing a large and powerful historic enemy on their western border,
Armenians have to muster all of their resources to defend the political
interests of their nascent homeland. In this battle of David vs. Goliath,
Armenia’s relatively inexperienced leaders are pitted against highly
sophisticated Turkish diplomats who are aided and abetted by the neo-cons
in Washington, the Israeli lobby, and highly skilled American consultants.
One of the things Armenians need to do to strengthen their hand in this
uneven struggle is to be much more pro-active than their Turkish
counterparts. Armenians have to take the initiative in setting the agenda
on
Turkish-Armenian relations and putting the spin on their own messages and
actions.
To illustrate this point, I would like to cite three recent examples where
Armenia did not take the initiative and did not control its own message,
thereby allowing the Turks and others to interpret and manipulate the
Armenian position on sensitive political issues.
Pres. Kocharian gave an interview to prominent Turkish journalist Mehmet
Ali Birand in February 2001, during which he discussed several important
issues, including the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and whether or
not Armenians would make any territorial claims from Turkey. Birand
broadcast the President’s interview on Turkish TV after having his words
translated, rather mistranslated, from Armenian into Turkish. The interview
generated a lot of controversy among Armenians worldwide, as Pres.
Kocharian was made to say in translation that Armenia had no claims from
Turkey. TV viewers could not hear Kocharian’s own words, only a voice-over
in Turkish. The President’ s comments were further distorted when they were
translated from Turkish into English and published in the Turkish Daily
News. Incredibly, the Armenian media printed the interview, after
re-translating Pres. Kocharian’s words from Turkish and English back into
Armenian! Surprisingly, the President’s press secretary did not release the
original Armenian text of the interview, even after the worldwide criticism
of the words attributed to Kocharian. Equally disconcerting was the fact
that the interview was initiated by David Phillips, the moderator of TARC,
trying to “mollify [Turkish] concerns about Armenia’s intentions.”
The second incident took place last month when Pres. Kocharian, in response
to a question from a Yerevan State University student, said that no
Armenian official had demanded land from Turkey. This issue would have to
be taken up by a future President, Kocharian wisely told the students.
These remarks were broadcast on Armenia’s State TV. Since the President’s
press secretary did not release the text of Kocharian’s comments, the
Turkish and international media reported various distorted versions of what
the
President actually said. Almost all of them wrongly reported Kocharian as
saying that Armenia had no territorial claims from Turkey! Once again, the
President’s press secretary issued no transcript, no clarification and no
correction. It was left up to others, including Armenia’s enemies, to
present and misrepresent what the president had said.
The third example is the letter sent by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to
President Kocharian on April 10, 2005, suggesting that a joint
Turkish-Armenian commission of historians be set up to study “the events of
1915.” In order to put the Armenian side on the defensive, the Turkish
leaders informed the international media about this letter even before
Kocharian had received his copy. Furthermore, trying to pressure Kocharian
into accepting their proposal, the Turkish officials cleverly (and in
contravention of diplomatic protocol) released a copy of the letter to
members of the U.S. Congress. Congressmen Ed Whitfield and Robert Wexler,
members of the Turkish-American Friendship Group, forwarded the letter on
April 20 to all members of Congress touting the Turkish government’s
“historic step” and urging Pres. Kocharian to respond positively to
Ankara’s “olive branch.” The Turks’ true intent was to influence Pres.
Bush’s April
24 statement. It worked. Pres. Bush endorsed Erdogan’s initiative in his
statement. German Chancellor Gerhardt Shroeder also supported this
initiative, while Armenia’s leaders were still mulling over their response.
Finally, two weeks later, on April 25, Pres. Kocharian responded to
Erdogan’ s letter, suggesting that normal relations be established between
the two countries and an intergovernmental commission be set up “to discuss
any and all outstanding issues.” It was a well thought out response, but it
had two problems: 1) It was sent long after Erdogan’s letter had made its
impact on the international community; and 2) the President’s press
secretary, once again, did not bother to release the text of Kocharian’s
response, leaving
it up to the Turks and others to selectively disclose what Armenia’s
President had said and put their own spin on it.
Until Armenia’s leaders begin to take the initiative in such matters,
disclose to the media the text of their statements, and put their own spin
on them first, the Turks and others would do it for them. Ankara shrewdly
keeps on taking the initiative and misrepresenting Armenia’s position on
sensitive political issues. All of the lobbying efforts of Armenians
worldwide will continue to go to waste, until Armenian officials start to
take the initiative and control the message. Armenia is in desperate need
of not medical, but “spin doctors!”

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2 – Film Foundation Commemorative Poster
Honors Survivors of Armenian Genocide
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Armenian Film Foundation announced last week
that it will produce an illustrated commemorative poster honoring the
survivors of the Armenian Genocide in commemoration of the 90th anniversary
of the Genocide.
“We are inviting the community to remember family members or friends who
survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915 by including their picture on the
poster in our Sponsor-A-Survivor project. By doing so, you’re honoring the
memory of those who lived to tell their personal history of survival and
triumph,” says Dr. J. Michael Hagopian, Chairman of the Foundation.
“With the poster, the Foundation will memorialize the survivor’s
experience, along with their photo and name, creating a source of reference
for future film makers, authors and genocide researchers,” says board
member Claris Sayadian-Dodge, who created the poster concept and design.
“Sponsors will not only be giving voice to a survivor, but will also be
making an important statement about the belief that human rights and
compassion are goals worth striving for, now and for future generations.
It’s the responsibility of our generation to educate and inform so that
history won’t be repeated. It’s our mission to share the stories of
survivors with the world.”
To participate in the Sponsor-a-Survivor program, people may send a
photograph of a survivor, along with a tax-deductible donation of $250, to
the Armenian Film Foundation. Or, people may designate a survivor in the
archives to sponsor. (The Foundation has amassed on film the stories of
nearly 400 witnesses, creating the world’s largest archive of testimonies
to that horrific period in Armenia’s past.) The Foundation welcomes brief
biographical sketches on survivors whose photos are submitted for the
poster project.
Each sponsor will receive a copy of the finished poster that will be
circulated among educational, cultural and media organizations worldwide.
“Additionally, we’re planning mounted posters and a companion book suitable
for display at genocide museums in the United States and abroad,” says
Hagopian.
By making a donation of $500 or more, in addition to the sponsored
survivor’s picture appearing on the poster, the sponsor’s name and the name
of the sponsored survivor will be included in the end-credits of Caravans
Along the Euphrates , the third and final film of THE WITNESSES trilogy on
the genocide of Armenians. Caravans Along the Euphrates is currently in
production by the Armenian Film Foundation. Proceeds from the
Sponsor-A-Survivor posters will be used to complete that epic documentary.
The Armenian Film Foundation is dedicated to preserving the visual and
personal histories of the witnesses to the first genocide of the 20th
Century. Since 1979, the Foundation has made its mission to serve as the
primary motion picture resource bank for Armenian Genocide footage for
public television, educational institutions, and film and television
producers worldwide. Plans are underway to digitalize its archival
materials within the next few years to make them more readily available to
people from all walks of life.
The Armenian Film Foundation address is 2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite
292, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. For more information, visit
or call 805-495-0717.
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3 – Petrossian Receives
2005 ACSA Award
GLENDALE – Alice Petrossian, Assistant Superintendent of Glendale schools,
has received the 2005 Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award from
the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). This is the
association’s highest award given to an administrator who has made a
significant contribution to education.
The award was given to Petrossian in a special ceremony held April 2 during
ACSA’s Region XV meeting at the Burbank Hilton.
ACSA is a statewide organization devoted to the promotion of public
education and improvement and professional growth of administrators in
California.
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4 – Citizens’ League Fresno Chapter
Hosts June 4 Annual Convention
FRESNO – Does anyone recognize who these men are: Ted Ashjian, Scott K.
Woods, Charlie McCarthy, Mesrob K. Mirigian, Gaspar Magarian, Harry
Sarkisian?
In 1930, these men met after working hours in the back of shop and
initiated what is known today as the Armenian-American Citizens’ League.
Incorporated in 1931, the purpose was to help immigrant Armenians to become
American citizens. In 1948, the League made the plans and raised the
necessary funds to establish the present California American Home for the
Aged in Fresno. A 40-acre ranch was purchased (“away out in the country” at
that time) and the volunteer members worked to clear up the land of the
neglected trees and vines. In 1953, the original section of the Home was
built. A home for their aged parents was the goal of the League members.
In 1968, the League established the Educational and Scholarship Fund for
outstanding youth to further their education.
Today, the California Armenian Home is considered to be one of the finest
of its kind in California and is also considered among the best in the U.S.
The League’s scholarship fund has awarded over $300,000 to date, through
donations and events.
This year, the Fresno chapter is hosting the AACL’s annual convention. The
Convention Banquet will be held in the garden-like setting of the Home on
Kings Canyon Road. The program includes a musical interlude by Elvis
Presley (his clone, really), and a “raks sharki” dancer for the enjoyment
of all. Scholarship awards will also be made at this time.
The activities on June 4 will start at 6 p.m. A catered dinner will be
served. Deadline for reservations is May 30.
For further information, call George (559) 224-3561, Anne (559) 227-1492 or
Florence (559) 222-2938.
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5 – New U.S. Embassy Opens in Yerevan
YEREVAN – President Robert Kocharian and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Evans participated in the ceremony of opening the new building of the U.S.
Embassy in Yerevan. The anthems of the both countries
were performed before the opening ceremony, attended by Armenian officials,
ambassadors of foreign countries, and former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
John Ordway.
The embassy occupies 90,000 square meters, out of which 14,000 are working
space. The new building that has cost $76 million will also house the U.S.
Agency for International Development.
Ambassador Evans said he deems the friendship with Armenia very important,
noting also that many Armenians live in the United States and contribute
to the country’s development.
The ambassador spoke also about the issues related to democracy
development, Nagorno Karabagh, and Armenia’s participation in the
Millennium Challenge Account.
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6 – Moscow’s Stepan Simonian
Will Debut at Carnegie Hall
PALM DESERT, CA – “It was breathtaking”, quoted Rancho Mirage resident
Katherine Kreuter after hearing Stepan Simonian’s rendering of the Liszt
transcription of Wagner’s Overture to “Tannhauser” at the Gala Winners’
Concert of the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition.
Simonian won two performances prizes that night: the Carnegie Hall prize
and the McCallum Theatre prize. Simonian will give a solo recital at
Carnegie Hall in New York on January 12, 2006 and another solo recital at
the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif.
Simonian was born in Moscow in 1981. He started studying piano at the age
of 5 under his grandfather’s guidance. Luckily, his grandfather was
artistic director and chief conductor of Alexandra’s Red Army Ensemble. At
7, he entered the Central School of Music in Moscow and in 2000 at the age
of 19 he entered the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory. He studies mainly
with Paul Nersessian and Armen Babakhanian.
In 2001 he won 2nd prize at the International Piano Competition in Yerevan
which was dedicated to the 1700 anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. He
returned to Yerevan the following year and took 3rd place in the Stephan
Elmas piano competition.
He played the Prokofiev 2nd Concerto with the Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra during their 2003-2004 season. That same year he played the 14th
Mozart concerto with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.
For more information on Simonian’s January Carnegie Hall and McCallum
Theatre performances, contact the Virginia Waring International Piano
Competition by phone at 760-773-2575 or by email at info@vwipc.org .
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7- Book Review
The Faces of Courage by Richard N. Demirjian, Ararat Heritage Publishing,
P.O. Box 396 Moraga, CA 94556. 656 pp. Photos. Index, ISBN 0-9622945-2-7.
. $36.95 + $3.50 for shipping and handling + $3.05 sales tax for California
residents.
By Captain Ralph Kermoian,
U.S. Navy Reserve (Ret.)
Readers are captivated from the start by a beautifully written forward by
Art Sarkisian. What follows is an exceptional continuation of Demirjian’s
first book telling of Armenians, both men and women who served in times of
war. This endeavor encompasses World War II, Korean and Vietnam.
The author includes those who wore the uniforms of countries allied to our
own. This is an important piece, as it not only lets us know of the courage
and adventure experienced by those with whom we share a common heritage,
but it reinforces the truism that one should never, ever, ignore, or look
down upon those who have reached a distinct age.
Everyone has a story to tell, and these are spectacular.
The author begins with Kegham (Chummy) Alexanian, a First Sergeant in the
Marine Corps, who learned to speak Japanese and had use for during in
Guadalcanal where his description of combat is mesmerizing. He then goes on
to Tarawa and Saipan where he tried to keep civilians from jumping their
death from cliffs. You must ready of his parachute jump into Okinawa to
gather intelligence.
Charles Aslanian lived what we saw in the movie “From Here to Eternity.”
Stephen Ananian flew 63 missions as a fighter pilot earning countless
awards. John Kizirian served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. We have
first hand accounts told with honesty and humor by combat infantrymen,
fliers, officers and enlisted; we have generals, privates, and even those
serving as spies. One can’t wait to go on to the next story.
This book is a must read, not only for Armenians, but for those who wish to
understanding what actually occurred in wartime conditions. What made these
normal, decent people rise up, serve with distinction and return to
civilian life without looking for accolades? Their accounts are presented
so well that you might think they are fiction. That these people truly
lived these experiences and can pass them on is remarkable.
Thank you, Richard Demirjian, and thank you wonderful people for allowing
us to experience a bit of your lives.
The book is available from the Ararat Heritage Publishing, P.O. 396,
Moraga, Calif. 94556.
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