California Courier Online, July 27, 2006

1 – Commentary
Israel Asks U.S. Jews to Lobby
For Azerbaijan, Against Armenia
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – San Diego’s St. John
Armenian Church Hosts
Grape Blessing Picnic
3 – Valley PBS-TV Channel 18 Will Air
Chookasian Armenian Concert, Aug. 6
4 – USC Institute of Armenian Studies Appoints
Vatche Mankerian as Program Manager
5 – Publisher Announces New Travel Guide for Armenia
6 – ARS of Western
USA Elects New
Executive Members
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1 – Commentary
Israel Asks U.S. Jews to Lobby
For Azerbaijan, Against Armenia

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

It is common knowledge that Azerbaijan, following Turkey’s footsteps, tries
to use the political clout of Israel and American-Jewish organizations in
Washington, D.C. to counter Armenian interests. Israel obliges the Azeri demands
out of an interest in importing oil and gas from Azerbaijan and exporting
various products, possibly including weapons. Israel also needs access to
Azerbaijan in order to collect intelligence on neighboring Iran.

The details of this close cooperation, more aptly described as "mutual
exploitation," are not usually made public. The July 10, 2006 issue of The
Jerusalem Report, however, published a 13-page article by Netty C. Gross disclosing
some of the ties between Azerbaijan, Israel and American Jewish organizations.
The Report covered the visit to Baku of "a delegation of Israeli dignitaries
and Russian Jewish functionaries" in mid-May. The article titled, "The Azeri
Triangle," started with a straightforward statement: "Israel and Diaspora Jewry
are deepening their own links with oil-rich Muslim Azerbaijan and helping the
Azeri regime win friends in Washington."

Describing "a strong Azerbaijani-American-Israel-Jewish connection=80¦[that]
benefits everyone," Gross wrote that Israel "is deeply interested in
consolidating its relations" with Azerbaijan. "Israel has seen it in its interest to
encourage U.S. Jews to take up the Azeri cause in the Washington corridors of
power, at the same time reinforcing the notion held by many Azeris and others in
the Third World that the way to Washington leads through Jerusalem." It is
noteworthy that Gross implicated "U.S. Jews" in carrying out the instructions of
Israel — a foreign power — in the United States to serve the interests of
Azerbaijan.

In addition to its connections in Washington, Gross reported that Israel is
using the services of "rich and influential Russian Jewish businessmen, some
of whom have powerful contacts from the old Soviet days — and who proudly
point out to me that [Pres.] Ilham [Aliyev]’s son-in-law has a Jewish mother and a
Muslim father."

Gross provided the list of visits made to Azerbaijan earlier this year by
various Jewish individuals and groups: "In recent months, a parade of several
high-level Israeli and Jewish delegations, who have been mobilized to help
Azerbaijani interests in the U.S., passed through Baku=80¦. In early February, a
50-strong delegation from the Conference of Presidents of Major American
Organizations was received by Aliyev. In April, the Azeri president welcomed Israeli
tycoon Lev Leviev=80¦. And in early June, Israeli National Infrastructures Minister
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer arrived in Baku, to explore the idea of purchasing Azeri
oil or gas at some time in the future.=80¦ Underscoring the close tiesbetween the
Russian Jewish machers and the locals, EAJC [Euro-Asian Jewish Congress]
operatives move about Baku’s corridors of power like kings, freely initiating
press conferences and government meetings=80¦."

Gross gave the details of some of the links between the two countries as
relayed to him by Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Arthur Lenk, a native of New
Jersey: "The weekly Azerbaijani Airlines flights between Tel Aviv and Baku
are packed, and there are Jewish studies programs, with local and Israeli
students and some Israeli faculty, at Baku State University=80¦. Israeli
agro-businesses recently visited Baku for a bilateral trade forum and Israeli technology in
telecommunications and waste management is being used in Azerbaijan. (In the
past, Israelis have had financial interests in, among other things,
Azerbaijan’s second-largest cell phone firm, a hospital project and a turkey farm)."

Gross then disclosed the political connections between Azerbaijan, Israel and
American Jews regarding Armenian issues: "Israel’s main selling point with
Azerbaijan is not Israeli. Rather, it’s the American Jewish lobby, which,
encouraged by Israel, has helped Azerbaijan in Congress. The background to the story
is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict=80¦. A particularly painful sore point is
Section 907, a U.S. congressional amendment to the 1992 Soviet [sic] Freedom
Support Act, aimed at boosting economic and humanitarian aid to all of the 15
emerging former Soviet republics except Azerbaijan. Passed at the urging ofthe
Armenian-American lobby in 1993, when the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was flaring,
907 barred the U.S. from military or other cooperation with Azerbaijan=80¦.
Encouraged by Israel, influential American Jewish groups have since acted on behalf
of Baku as a bulwark against the powerful American-Armenian lobby in Congress
and have tried to get 907 repealed. Since

2002, when the U.S. needed Azeri airspace to reach Afghanistan, the U.S. has
agreed to annual presidential waivers of 907, which lift restrictions."

Gross then specifically cited Mark Levin, the executive director of the
National Conference on Soviet Jewry, a Washington-based organization that is "a
member of the coalition of Jewish groups that have worked on behalf of
Azerbaijan’s interests on Capitol Hill." Levin, who traveled to Baku with the
Conference of Presidents in February, told Gross that the organized Jewish community
has "worked closely with the administration to implement the presidential waiver
of 907 in 2002," and that the coalition "continues to express support on a
regular basis for the waiver."

Gross quoted Levin as stating that the American-Armenian lobby in Washington
"is very strong and organized, and speaks in a unified voice. On other
political issues, we have partnered with [the Armenians], but when it comesto
Azerbaijan, we are on different sides of the fence." Levin acknowledged that, on the
whole, American Jewish policymakers feel comfortable in their strong support
of Azerbaijan on the Hill and take their cue from the U.S. and Israel.

Various Azeri officials confirm the value of the Jewish lobby in countering
Armenians: "American Jews have helped us lobby in Washington against the
Armenians and their help is very important. We are very appreciative," Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told Gross. Sheikh Alla Shukur Pasha Zade,
the Spiritual leader of Azerbaijan, is also quoted telling the gathered Jewish
delegation in Baku: "I know that Jewish groups have played a role against the
Armenian lobby in trying to find a positive alternative to the conflict. I
would like to express my gratitude to these groups for lobbying on Azerbaijan’s
behalf."

Regrettably, Gross misleads his readers by not pointing out that not all
Jews sell out their souls to Azerbaijan or Turkey. As it has been repeatedly
documented in previous columns, many Jewish individuals and organizations in both
Israel and the United States are strong supporters of Armenian issues, despite
the pressures from the government of Israel!

Gross balanced the effusive pro-Azeri comments in his article by including
statements that accuse Azerbaijan’s leaders of "corruption and political
repression." He referred to critics who said that the cozy relationship between
Israel and Azerbaijan "will unravel just as Israel’s romance with Iran did." He
quoted Dr. Asim Mollazade, the chairman of an Azeri opposition party, as saying
that the United States, Israel and Jewish Americans would someday be "deeply
disappointed" for supporting the undemocratic and corrupt regime in Azerbaijan.
Gross also pointed out the double standards practiced by Azeri leaders who
present themselves to Jews as being pro-Israeli while distancing themselvesfrom
Israel in front of the Muslim world. He mentioned, for example, the fact that
Israel opened its Embassy in Baku in 1993, and yet Azerbaijan has not opened
its Embassy in Israel in order to appease fellow Muslims. Last month,
Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Countries which
held its annual conference in Baku.
Furthermore, Gross reported that the Jewish community in Azerbaijan has
dwindled from 80,000 to around 10,000 during the past decade. He also pointed out
another telltale sign of potential trouble in "paradise" when he revealed that
"all the Jewish institutions in Baku appear to be protected by armed guards."
Obviously, Israel is free to establish economic and political ties with any
country, including Turkey and Azerbaijan. American Jewish organizations are
likewise free to send delegations to various countries. But when they agreeto
place their considerable political clout at the services of Azerbaijan or Turkey
against Armenia’s interests, Armenians worldwide then have the perfect right
to expose their sinister arrangements and counter their every move.
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2 – San Diego’s St. John
Armenian Church Hosts
Grape Blessing Picnic
SAN DIEGO – On Sunday, August 20, St. John Garabed Armenian Church of San
Diego will host its Annual Grape Blessing Picnic. Parish Priest Reverend Father
Datev Avak Kahana Tatoulian and the Parish Council invite the public to join
the picnic in the cool atmosphere of Mission Bay.
Enjoy a day of fun and fellowship with delicious Armenian food, music, tavloo
tournament, and games for the children. The picnic will begin at 10 am, the
Blessing of Grapes Service at 11:30 am, and lunch to follow. Lunch Includes:
Lamb Shish Kebab or Chicken Kebab, Pilaf, Salad, Grilled Vegetables, Soft
Drinks, Paklava and Watermelon, all for $15. Kids meal for $5. For more information
call St. John Garabed Armenian Church at (619) 284-7179.
Directions from San Diego: take I-5 North, exit and go left on Sea World
Drive, right on Ingraham, left on Vacation Road… Look for Armenian Church
Picnic Signs!
Directions from Los Angeles and North San Diego County to the picnic grounds
at Vacation Village in East Mission Bay: take I-5 South, exit and go right on
Sea World Drive, right on Ingraham, left on Vacation Road…Look for Armenian
Church Picnic Signs.
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3 – Valley PBS-TV Channel 18 Will Air
Chookasian Armenian Concert, Aug. 6
FRESNO – For the first time, Valley PBS-TV, Channel 18 will broadcast a
two-hour special program on Armenian music, folk dancing, and culture featuring the
"Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble" and the "Zvartnots Armenian Folk Dance
Ensemble from Los Angeles, on Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. The concert was filmed Feb.
24 at California State University, Fresno.
This artistic cultural film will be added to the Fresno PBS film library. A
future project is to have this unique Armenian music and dance film distributed
to all of the major PBS station across California and eventually, the USA.
The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble, multiple award winners including
the prestigious "National Gold Medal Award" of Armenia, was featured in a unique
concert on the Satellite Union Stage of C.S.U.F., where the master musicians
performed traditional songs and dances of Armenia. The Chookasian Concert
provided ensemble and solo performances on traditional Armenian folk instruments
used for many centuries.
Composed of the finest conservatory graduate musicians from Armenia and the
United States, the Ensemble is known for their stunning showcase performances
encompassing the full spectrum of Armenian classical and troubadour folk song &
folk dance music. Both the Eastern and Western Armenian musical traditions
are featured in the Ensemble’s authoritative performances of songs dating from
the 16th to the 20th centuries, and Armenian folk dance tunes from as far back
as two millennia.
The PBS film will feature Fresno’s John Chookasian, celebrated Ensemble
director and premier clarinetist, performing in union with musical masters:Barbara
Chookasian, principal vocalist; Vergine Alemian, ‘kanun'(72 stringed lap
harp); Hendrick "Hindo" Avoyan, ‘d’hol, (cylindrical hand drum); Vladimir
Gregorian, ‘kemenche’ (folk violin); Andranik Mouradian, accordion & keyboard; Haig
Nalbandian, ‘dumbeg’ (hour-glass shaped hand drum) & ‘deff’ (large frame drum);
Sarkis Petrossyan, ‘santur’ (126 stringed hammered-dulcimer); Surik on ‘tarr’
& ‘saz’ (lutes); Garen Sarkissian, ‘shvi’ (high-pitched flute); Albert
Vardayan, ‘duduk’ & ‘zurna’ (flutes); and Peter Dorian, guest performer on the ‘oud’
(fretless lute).
Also, the evening’s concert line-up features the award-winning, high-energy
"Zvartnots" Armenian Dance Troupe from Los Angeles, under the direction of
Vartan and Armine Aghajanyan. This spirited folk dance troupe mesmerizes audiences
with their beautiful costuming and their incomparable, high energy
performances of traditional and Armenian folk dances, and contemporary dances using
traditional Armenian dance application.
Over the years, the Ensemble has been the recipient of numerous honors, city
proclamations government proclamations and awards.
The CSUF concert program was partially funded by the Bertha and John
Garabedian Charitable Foundation, Dr. & Mrs. Varouj Altebarmakian, Kaiser Permanente
Medical Center, Educational Employees Credit Union, Bruce Barnett and many
other supportive individuals from Fresno, Los Angeles and New Mexico.
For further information, refer to Channel 18 TV (559) 266-1800, the
Chookasian Ensemble website at: <;
www.chookasian. com, or call (559) 449-1777.
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4 – USC Institute of Armenian Studies Appoints
Vatche Mankerian as Program Manager
LOS ANGELES – The USC Institute of Armenian Studies has appointed Vatche
Mankerian as the Program Manager of the Institute. He will be in charge of
operations of the Institute and will be reporting to the Director of the Institute,
Professor R. Hrair Dekmejian.
For the past two decades, Mankerian has actively contributed to the cultural
life of Los Angeles and its Armenian community. A multifaceted and
distinguished artist, pedagogue, lecturer, and author he has performed and lectured on
Armenian culture and music in countries around the world.
Mankerian earned his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from the University of
Southern California. A member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California,
he has been a music educator at some of the leading music schools in Southern
California, including the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and Los Angeles Valley
College.
Mankerian has taught Armenian language, literature and culture for the past
several years at various academic institutions such as Glendale Community
College and AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. Most recently, he chaired the
Armenian Department at Sahag-Mesrob School, and authored three volumes of textbooks
titled Armenian Culture. The books are the first Armenian textbooks on the
different aspects of Armenian culture, written in Armenian and published inthe
United States. These textbooks have been adopted by several Armenian schools in
the Los Angeles area because of their conceptual uniqueness and originalityof
content.
Housed in the USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, the USC Institute of
Armenian Studies serves as a non-partisan center around which the entire
Armenian community can rally, regardless of political or religious affiliation.
The Institute is a resource center and repository to help preserve the
Armenian heritage in America, while providing a home to approximately 1,000
Armenian-American students who attend USC each year.
In addition, the Institute will host, coordinate and collaborate on a wide
range of academic and professional endeavors concerning Armenia and Armenians in
the fields of education, business, technology, science, medicine, history,
law, politics, religion, literature, music, dance, arts, architecture, media,
theater, cinema and others.
Some of the goals of the Institute include establishing endowed scholarships,
fellowships, research programs, publication series and lecture series.
Upcoming events of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies include an
Armenian-American Federal Judges’ Forum, which will feature Federal Judges Dickran
Tevrizian, Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, and Jacqueline Chooljian. The program is
presented in cooperation with the Armenian Bar Association. The Forum will take place
on August 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at USC Davidson Conference Center.
For further information regarding USC Institute of Armenian Studies’ events
please contact by phone at 213-821-3943, or e-mail at armenian@college.usc.edu.
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5 – Publisher Announces New Travel Guide for Armenia
LOS ANGELES – The publisher of Armenia’s best-selling travel guide, The Stone
Garden Guide: Armenia and Karabagh, announced this week that it will release
an all-new Second Edition on September 1st.
The new 304-page book will contain updated and expanded information for the
2007-08 tourist seasons and will feature 27 color maps and 135 color
photographs-nearly twice as many images as in the current edition.
The Stone Garden Guide is the most trusted, comprehensive, and up-to-date
source of travel information available for Armenia and Karabagh. The highly
acclaimed current edition was Award Finalist for Best Travel Guide by the
Independent Publishers Association and was the best-selling guide to Armenia for two
consecutive years according to independent booksellers in the US and Armenia.
Co-authors Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian have each spent more than a
decade living and working in Armenia while researching and writing this and
previous editions of the book. Karanian is an attorney. Kurkjian is a scientist.
They are both professional photographers and writers, as well.
The book is available for pre-order directly from the publisher, for $24.95
plus $4.95 shipping. Free shipping is offered on pre-orders that are postmarked
before September 1. California residents please add $2.05 sales tax. Check
to: Stone Garden Productions; PO Box 7758; Northridge, CA 91327. For larger
orders call 1-888-266-7331.
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6 – ARS of Western
USA Elects New
Executive Members
GLENDALE – The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA’s 86th Regional
Convention took place at the Radisson Hotel in Whittier, Calif., from July 13 to 16.
The Convention elected the following member for a two-year term on the
Regional Executive: Sonia Peltekian, Seda Khojayan, Sona Bostanian and Nvart
Mooradian.
The Regional Executive members whose two-year term ended were: Angela
Savoian, Rita Hintlian, Nanik Kupelian and Maral Nashalian-Arsenian.
Regional Executive members who will continue to serve for another year are:
Karine Barikian-Setian, Rose Altounian, Kristine Keshishian, Hourig Aintablian
and Adrine Postoyan.
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