California Courier Online, June 1, 2006
1 – Commentary
Senate Should Hold up Confirmation
Of Ambassador Evans’ Replacement
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – IT Specialist Will be Honored at
June 9 RAA Banquet in Glendale
3 – ANC Central California Sponsors First
Ever ‘Armenian Heritage Walk’
4 – Reno’s Isabel Krekorian
Cholakian Turns 100
5 – Founder of CSUN’s Armenian
Studies Program Retires
6 – Book Review
A GIFT IN THE SUNLIGHT
A Novel by Kay Mouradian
Review by Dr. James Ajemian
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1 -Commentary
Senate Should Hold up Confirmation
Of Ambassador Evans’ Replacement
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
After avoiding public comment for almost three months, the White House
officially announced last week the recall of John Evans, the U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia, and the nomination of Richard Hoagland, currently the U.S. Ambassador to
Tajikistan, as his replacement.
Earlier this year, I broke the news that Amb. Evans was being recalled for
affirming the facts of the Armenian Genocide, while addressing an
Armenian-American audience at the University of California at Berkeley, in February of 2005.
Within days of his remarks, and after complaints from Turkish and Azeri
officials, Amb. Evans was ordered by his superiors to issue “a clarification” in
which he claimed that he had used the word “genocide” in his “personal
capacity.” He was then asked to issue “a correction” to his “clarification,” replacing
the word “genocide” with “tragedy.”
Subsequently, under pressure from the State Department, the American Foreign
Service Association took the unusual step of rescinding the “Constructive
Dissent” award that Amb. Evans was to receive for his remarks. He was then
summoned to Washington, D.C. by his superiors for private consultations on this
issue.
Apparently not satisfied with his repeated apologies and the revocation of
the prestigious dissent award, the State Department privately informed Amb.
Evans earlier this year that he was being removed not only from his diplomatic
post after serving only 18 months of his three-year term, but also from the
foreign service altogether. He was asked to remain in Yerevan, pending the Senate
confirmation of his replacement.
Until last week when his recall was publicly announced, State Department
officials gave evasive answers to persistent media questions, by repeatedly
stating that all government officials “serve at the pleasure of the President.”
During the past few months, Representatives Adam Schiff, Frank Pallone and
Grace Napolitano wrote separate letters to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
seeking an explanation for the recall of Amb. Evans. These congressional
inquiries fell on deaf ears, as the State Dept. ignored their letters. Lastweek,
60 members of the House of Representatives sent a joint letter to Secretary
Rice with a similar request for clarification. On May 25, Cong. Pallone made his
second statement on the House floor, strongly condemning the dismissal of Amb.
Evans.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and international media provided extensive coverage of
the recall of Amb. Evans. In a hard-hitting editorial published on March 22, the
Los Angeles Times said: “The State Dept. has long avoided the word
‘genocide,’ not out of any dispute over history but out of deference to Turkey=80¦. It is
time to stop tiptoeing around this issue and to accept settled history=80¦.
Punishing an ambassador for speaking honestly about a 90-year-old crime befits a
cynical, double-dealing monarchy, not the leader of the free world.” The Fresno
Bee, in an unusually harsh editorial published on March 24, wrote: “Shame on
the State Department” for recalling the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. The
Washington Times called Amb. Evans a “Genocide ‘victim’.”
While commemorating the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24
in Yerevan, tens of thousands of Armenians tied yellow ribbons on strings at
the Genocide Memorial Monument, in honor of Amb. Evans. Yellow ribbons were
worn by the participants at various commemorative events in Los Angeles, New
York and other U.S. cities. Armenian-Americans also sent hundreds of e-mails
directly to Secretary Rice urging her not to dismiss Amb. Evans. The State Dept.
has not had the courtesy of responding to any of these messages.
The diplomatic career of Amb. Evans is being terminated for speaking honestly
about the Armenian Genocide. Why is telling the truth a crime for the Bush
administration? Amb. Evans did nothing more than uphold Pres. Bush’s unkept
campaign pledge to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Ironically, Amb. Evans is
losing his job for his honesty, while the President is keeping his by not
keeping his word!
It is amazing that the remarks of Amb. Evans on the Armenian Genocide would
elicit such a hostile reaction from the Bush administration. After all, Pres.
Ronald Reagan himself issued a Presidential Proclamation in 1981 that mentioned
the Armenian Genocide, and no one in the U.S. government dared to either
criticize him or call for his removal from office. Furthermore, the House of
Representatives passed two resolutions in 1975 and 1984 recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. Amb. Evans was simply restating the long established position of the
U.S. government on this issue. There was nothing new in what he said and no
valid reason for his dismissal!
Given the unresponsiveness of the State Department to the public at large and
to the letters of more than 60 Members of Congress, the Senate is now
obligated to place a hold on the nomination of Amb. Hoagland, even though he has had
no involvement in this debacle. A “hold” request by any one member of the
Senate on this nomination would delay its consideration by the full Senate until
that Senator is fully consulted. It is regrettable that the Senate has to
resort to such tactics to force the Bush Administration to be more forthcoming on
this issue. It is imperative that before the U.S. government sends another
envoy to Armenia, Members of Congress know what exactly caused the early
termination of the career of the current ambassador. Also, what steps need to be taken
to ensure that this unfortunate situation is not repeated during the tenureof
his successor?
When the confirmation hearing is scheduled for Amb. Hoagland, the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee should ask the State Department to go on record
stating the reasons for the dismissal of Amb. Evans — a well-respected and
highly-competent career foreign service officer. The Senators should also inquire
about the unwarranted role of the State Department in rescinding the “Constructive
Dissent” award that was to be granted to Amb. Evans by the American Foreign
Service Association. Furthermore, serious questions should be raised about
undue pressures applied by Turkish and Azeri officials on the Bush administration
against Amb. Evans for acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian Americans should flex their political muscle to let the State
Department know that they do not look too kindly upon an administration that fires a
distinguished U.S. diplomat for telling the truth about the Armenian
Genocide. Unless Armenians put their foot down on this occasion, they will be taken
for granted on other issues. If the Armenian American community and its
congressional supporters take a strong position, maybe next time the Administration
would think twice before contemplating an action offensive to the Armenian
community.
Make your voices heard on this important issue by taking the following three
steps:
— Contact you Senators and ask them to hold up the confirmation of Amb.
Evans’ replacement until the State Department makes public the reasons for his
dismissal.
— Send a webfax to your congressional representatives through
— Send an e-mail to the Secretary of State through: (click
at the bottom of the page on “contact us,” then click on “send a message tothe
Secretary of State”).
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2 – IT Specialist Will be Honored at
June 9 RAA Banquet in Glendale
GLENDALE – Well-known specialist in the field of Information Technology (IT),
Garegin Chookaszian will be honored by the Research on Armenian Architecture
USA, at its annual gala banquet on June 9, at 7:30 p.m., at Brandview
Collection Hall, 109 East Harvard Street, Glendale, Calif.
Chookaszian is an entrepreneur, intellectual, scientist and educator who
utilizes his capabilities and talents in many spheres of Armenian social life.
His efforts have promoted the growth and advancement of new technologies and
implemented a number of important socio-economic programs.
Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA), founded in 1972, has established
itself as a vital and highly productive organization in its mission to research
and document the rich Armenian cultural heritage.
Today, RAA archives have their meritorious place in the treasury of silent
documents, as containing the most trustworthy facts about the great historical
culture of the Armenian nation. RAA archives are a mighty weapon in the
Armenian people’s arsenal, in their fight for historical truth and rights.
Chookaszian technically assisted and contributed towards digitization project
of RAA’s immense archive.
>From 1999-2001, as a member of the Open Society Institute (OSI) Information
Sub-board (Budapest, Hungary), Chookaszian made strategic decisions for
information and communication programs for the OSI network in 30 countries.
In 2005, he won the United Nations World Summit Award in the e-Culture
category for the “Aram Khachaturian, the Life and the Works” interactive multi-media
CD-ROM. He also earned Special Mention in the e-Learning category for the
“Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire, 1915-1923” interactive multi-media CD-ROM.
In 2005, he won the All Armenian “Mashtots 1600” e-Contest Award in the
e-Armenian Literature Category for the “Paruir Sevak” interactive multi-media
CD-ROM
Chookaszian will also hold a public presentation on IT progress in Armenia on
June 11, at 6 p.m. at Glendale’s Central Library and, for the first time in
the USA, will demonstrate his award winning CD-ROM devoted to Aram Khachaturian.
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3 – ANC Central California Sponsors First
Ever ‘Armenian Heritage Walk’
Fresno, CA – On Saturday, May 21, 2006 the Armenian National Committee of
Central California sponsored the first-ever ‘Armenian Heritage Walk.’ The event
was hosted by the A.R.F. ‘Kristapor’ Badanegan Chapter of Fresno, California
and funded by the ‘Bertha and John Garebedian Foundation.’ The event was open
to all A.R.F. Western Region Badanegan Chapters at no charge.
“We chose to make the event only available to Badanees in effort to keep the
number of attendees low so that we could test the feasibility of extending
this event to a much larger audience.” stated Ara Catchatoorian, one of the
advisors to the Fresno ‘Kristapor’ Badanegan Chapter, as well as, one of the ANC
Central California organizers of the event.
The event, which was held from 11am to 6:30pm, started with a traditional
“Lahmahjoon and Tahn (yogurt drink)” lunch and a one hour presentation at the
Armenian Community Center at the corner of Ventura and N Streets. Welcoming
remarks were given by Ara Catchatoorian as he briefly introduced the purpose for
the event, stating that “=80¦after two years of trying to get this event off the
ground, we [ANC Central California] have finally succeeded. Welcome!”
The first speaker, Mr. John Callenburg, a librarian at the downtown Fresno
County Library and historian, gave a presentation about famous author-playwright
and former Fresno resident, William Saroyan. After a brief lecture about
Saroyan’s childhood and life as an author-playwright, Mr. Callenburg continued to
read an excerpt from a letter Saroyan had written to one of his fans. The
letter, which stated that “one should only move to Fresno to become a great
writer”, was written in response to a fan’s inquiry about becoming a great writer.
The second presentation was given by Stephanie Stockdale, an ANC Central
California member, a graduate of Fresno State, and an author and researcherof
‘Old Armenian Town’. Using the community center’s new state-of-the-art
projection system, Ms. Stockdale presented various historical city planningmaps
showing the vast area once known in Fresno as ‘Armenian Town’. In additionto the
vast information and photos presented, Ms. Stockdale presented a brief
documentary video and interview with her grandfather – a native of Fresno’shistoric
Armenian Town. The presentation at the community center ended with a brief
question and answer session.
Following the presentation, the attendees gathered outside the center where
they made their way down Ventura Street and turned on to ‘O’ Street where they
stopped in front of the famous bronze sculpture bust of ‘Saroyan’ in front of
the block-long Saroyan Theatre and Concert Hall. The attendees were once
again reunited with Callenburg where he explained the history of the sculpture and
how it was created by the reputable Armenian painter-sculptor, Varaz
Samuelian, also a long-time friend of William Saroyan.
Upon completion of the presentation of the Saroyan sculpture, the group
continued down ‘O’ Street to the world-famous bronze sculpture of “David of
Sassoun” (also by Samuelian) located at the corner of ‘O’ Street and TulareStreet in
the Fresno Courthouse Park. A brief presentation was given by Catchatoorian,
where he went on to state that this was one of two statues of ‘Sasountzi
Tavit’, where the first statue was located in Yerevan, Armenia. “There arevery
few Armenian public works of art that are not related to the Armenian Genocide
that are located outside of Armenia” stated Catchatoorian, “=80¦and Fresno is
lucky to have not one, but two which include this monument of Sasountzi Tavit
and the sculpture of Saroyan” The “David of Sassoun” presentation was concluded
with a group photo and brief tour of the site.
The last stop on the tour ended at the historic Holy Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church, a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
located at the corner of Ventura Street and ‘O’ Street. A brief presentation
about the historical significance and ties to the Armenia city of Erzrum was given
by ANC Central California Chairwoman, and church choir member, Hygo
Ohanessian. “I remember that as a child, following church services, we would run
outside and cross the street, even though dangerous, to go to the agoump” states
Ohanessian as she recalls the days when the Armenian Community Center (agoump)
and the “Asbarez” newspaper headquarters was located across from the church-
the site where the Fresno Radisson Hotel now stands. The presentation ended
with a brief walk back to the Armenian Community Center down the street.
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4 – Reno’s Isabel Krekorian
Cholakian Turns 100
RENO, NV – Seventy five family members attended the two-day 100th birthday
celebration of Isabel Krekorian Cholakian in Reno, Nevada, organized by
daughters Peggy and Diane, brothers Ham and Artie Krekorian, and Ham’s wifeGladys.
On Jan. 13, a party was given by Artie’s and Ham’s sons, Neil, Kenneth, Mark
and Gene. Ham’s wife, Gladys, sister Isabel, daughters in law, nieces,
nephews, grandchildren and great grandson attended the event at Harpoon Henry’s in
Dana Point, Calif.
Isabel, Ham and Artie were all born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and came to
California in the early 1920s. Ham and Gladys live in Palos Verdes, while
brother Artie lives in San Juan Capistrano. In 1988, Isabel moved to Reno to be
near daughters Diane and Peggy.
Isabel, married in 1927 to Mugerdich Alexander Cholakian, has two grandsons,
Bruce and Brian, and two great granddaughters Jessica and Catherine.
Isabel’s hobbies have been painting in oil, and making pottery. She loved
singing as a young girl, especially in a church choir.
Twin brothers Artie and Ham have always enjoyed playing golf. Both were in
the U.S. Navy during World War II, Ham being stationed in the Aleutian Islands,
and Artie in the South Pacific with the amphibious forces. Ham was privileged
to see the rising of the American flag atop Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima.
Ham married Gladys in 1941, and the couple will celebrate their 65th
anniversary on Sept. 13, 2006. They have two sons, Mark and Gene, daughtersin law,
Michelle and Belinda and five grandchildren.
Artie also has two sons, Neil and Kenneth, their wives, Jane and Lianne,
seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
“How blessed and fortunate we are to have these three very special people in
our lives,” say Norris and Peggy Barsumian, of Reno.
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5 – Founder of CSUN’s Armenian
Studies Program Retires
NORTHRIDGE, CA – When Cal State Northridge modern and classical languages
lecturer Hermine Mahseredjian first proposed the idea of an Armenian studies
program more than 20 years ago, she wasn’t sure what kind of reception it would
receive.
What started out in 1983 as one class in the Department of Modern and
Classical Languages has become one of the largest Armenian studies programsin the
country, offering 14 different courses in a range of subjects, as well a minor
in Armenian studies and a concentration for students majoring in liberal
studies.
Now that the program is on its feet, Mahseredjian said she’s ready to take a
breath. She is retiring as director of the program at the end of summer, but
will continue her work with the Friends of Armenian Studies.
“I’m not disappearing. After all these years, I’m just taking a little break.
I’ll still be around with the Friends of Armenian Studies and maybe teaching
a class or two,” Mahseredjian said. “We have this saying in Armenian, “You can
dig a well with a needle.’ Well that’s what we’ve done.”
Taking her place as director will be Vahram Shemmassian, an assistant
professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.
Elizabeth Say, dean of the College of Humanities, which houses the program,
said Mahseredjian has left her mark on Armenian Studies.
“She provided leadership from the inception of the program and built the
program,” Say said. “Hermine has been dedicated to establishing Armenian studies
at CSUN, and we’re thrilled that she is willing to stay on to work with the
Friends of Armenian Studies.”
Say is confident that Shemmassian will be able to build upon the “very solid
foundation” Mahseredjian established for Armenian studies at CSUN.
Shemmassian admitted Mahdseredjian’s leaves behind some big shoes to fill.
“Professor Mahseredjian’s contribution to the Armenian Studies Program is
invaluable,” Shemmassian said. “She founded and nurtured it and brought it to a
respectable level. Equally important, she has left an indelible impression on
many of her students and colleagues with her passion, dedication, and
enthusiasm. In short, her legacy will be cherished for many years to come.”
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6 – Book Review
A GIFT IN THE SUNLIGHT
A Novel by Kay Mouradian
Review by Dr. James Ajemian
In recent years Armenian political organizations in the United States have
brought increasing pressure to bear on Congress and the president to formally
acknowledge the 1915-16 Turkish genocide against the Armenians. This has
produced a politically financed assault by the Turkish government to deny such an
event ever occurred despite potent historical documentation to the contrary. In
addition, an increasing number of countries around the world have declared
their recognition of the first genocide of the twentieth century. Yet the U.S.
hesitates to do so for fear of alienating its ally Turkey, in order to gain
political, economic and military advantages in the Middle East. Nevertheless the
drive to achieve American recognition continues to grow. It has won adherents
from government representatives at all levels, including a number of U.S.
cities that have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.
In the midst of all of this activity, Kay Mouradian, a retired professor of
health and physical education, has written a novel based in part on her mother
Flora’s experience of living through and surviving the genocide. Mouradian
says, “This is more than just Flora’s story. It is also the story of every
Armenian who survived that tragic historical event that continues to be glossed
over by the modern world”
In addition to preserving family memories Mouradian did extensive research
for this book. A Gift in the Sunlight tells the story of a teenage Armeniangirl
from Hadjin and her family, her parents, grandmother, and five siblings, who,
along with all the Armenians from her village, were forced by order of the
Turkish government into a death march to Syria in the south. As we know, this
was repeated throughout Turkey, leading to the near extinction of a cultural,
religious, and civil society that had existed for more than two thousand years.
With Flora as the central character, we travel along the march with this
family. Flora and her older sister, Verkin, face dangerous encounters with Turkish
soldiers. Everyone suffers from the lack of food, water and sustenance in
general. Exposure to the elements brings illness and death to thousands.
When Flora reaches Syria she is separated from her family and faces vividly
described trying events. We see a desperate attempt for an end to her misery.
We experience her anguish over her own family and we see her in encounters
with strangers also entangled in confusion and chaos. Flora has had her world,
her hopes, ambitions and plans crushed right before her eyes. She had attended
school in Constantinople and, under the guidance of an American Missionary
instructor, had hoped to pursue higher education in America.
Because so much has been written about the Armenian Genocide I questioned
whether a description of that horrific, monstrous disaster could be successfully
narrated in a novel. Yet Mouradian’s book left me feeling uplifted and withmy
soul comforted. What is particularly intriguing is her skill in conveying all
of the emotions of a family split apart by death, by separations, and by
reunion too. The tragic story of Flora and her family stands for that of thousands
of other families that suffered a similar fate, or worse, in those
ill-begotten times.
By beginning with family history Mouradian has accomplished a feat that I
doubted would be possible. The momentum of A Gift in the Sunlight is like that
of a dramatic, vivid documentary rather than a novel; yet, like a novel, it
keeps the reader spellbound right up to the conclusion. The postscript, a
description of Mouradian’s mother’s last years, adds to the profound quality of her
writing.
The response from non-Armenian readers will differ from that of Armenians,
who are fully cognizant of those terrible times. They are in one way or another
connected to long-ago events that have very few still-living witnesses. I can
imagine the impact this book will have on Armenians who are descendants of
those who were lost or those who survived but suffered from post-traumatic stress
syndrome. Each of us could tell a story about our parents or grandparents. My
own mother, too, suffered severely and never fully recovered from her trauma.
By presenting her tale, Mouradian gives comfort to and does justice to all
Armenians.
Non-Armenian readers will be enlightened by the connection between the
Armenian Genocide and the genocides that have followed. I urge everyone to read this
book, and to be prepared for the ending as well as the postscript that
follows.
Dr. Ajemian is Professor Emeritus of Social Work at San Diego State
University
London and Reading: Taderon Press, 2005. Distributed worldwide by
Garod Books,
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