California Courier Online, December 7, 2006

1 – Commentary

1 – U.S. Embassy Releases Study
On Armenian-Americans (Part II)

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

2 – Phillips Sisters Lead Marlborough High School
To California State Cross Country Championship
3 – AUA Celebrates 15th Anniversary
With Gala Banquet in Los Angeles
4 – ANCA-WR Donates AFF Documentary Film Series
To Armenian Genocide Institute Museum in Yerevan
5 – Correspondent Robert Fisk
To Speak at U of M-Dearborn
6 – AGBU Sponsors Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra’s Concert Tour of Central Europe
7 – Senators Calls on White House
To Withdraw Hoagland Nomination
8 – Amb. John Evans to be Honored by
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
9 – Take a Friend to the Movie
‘Screamers’ This Weekend
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1 – Commentary
U.S. Embassy Releases Study
On Armenian-Americans (Part II)

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

Last week, we published excerpts from a "sensitive" internal study on
the Armenian-American community, prepared by the U.S. Embassy in
Yerevan. This week’s column covers the second and third of the seven
clusters of Armenian-American organizations as defined by this study:
2) "Dashnaks (ARF), ANCA, Prelacy"
According to the Study, "the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
is a worldwide organization that reports affiliates in over 200
countries including a strong presence in the United States. The ARF
is widely known by its nickname ‘Dashnaksutyun.’ â~@¦Active since
1890, the organization is the most politically oriented of the
Armenian Diaspora groups around the world and has traditionally been
one of the most vocal supporters of Armenian nationalism. â~@¦The
ARF’s U.S.-based political advocacy arm is the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA). ANCA is the principal political
spokesperson for ARF policies in the United States."
The study also states that "together with its vocal grassroots
campaigns on political issues, the ARF has created one of the most
successful networks of cultural and youth organizations among
Armenian-Americans. The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) is a nationwide
women’s auxiliary association that serves as the ARF’s charitable and
educational arm. The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) coordinates
summer camps and political education programs for young
Armenian-Americans in conjunction with worldwide ARF programs."
The study next covers "the unofficial link" between the ARF and the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church which "recognizes the
authority" of the Cilician See in Antelias, Lebanon. "The ARF-Prelacy
alignment coincided with the outbreak of the Cold War. With Diocese
leaders based in Soviet Armenia, nationalistic ARF activists opted to
operate through Prelacy congregations in the United States which they
felt were less susceptible to Soviet influences and could best
advance their cause for an independent Armenia. Prelacy congregations
are by no means exclusively populated by ARF supporters. The
perception exists among many, however, that ‘Dashnaks worship with
the Prelacy.’ While there are fewer adherents of Prelacy
congregations than Diocese congregations in the United States, this
group remains a significant and active part of the Armenian-American
religious community." The study also notes: "There are no liturgical
or theological differences between the two branches of the Armenian
Apostolic Church. Relations are cordial if not warm."
"Making Sense of the AAA/ANCA Divide"
The study explains that while the platforms of the ANCA and AAA
(Armenian Assembly) "are not diametrically opposed to one another,
their different approaches on key topics such as relations with
Turkey and the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict at times give the impression
to observers both in and outside the Armenian-American community that
they are competitors. While the two organizations often pool their
resources for joint projects (including April 24 commemoration
initiatives on the Hill, lobbying efforts aimed to increase U.S.
Government assistance funds destined for Armenia et al.), the highest
levels of their respective membership rosters rarely overlap. ANCA’s
grassroots strategy often appears to the public as more aggressive
and politically charged than the AAA’s. Professional representatives
from two groups regularly hold informal consultations on key issues,
but high-ranking representatives agree that significant rifts about
where to invest political and human capital are commonplace." The
study notes: "While the AAA might at times be critical of ANCA’s
methodology, it appears that AAA often benefits from the increased
awareness or heightened visibility that ANCA’s activities offer the
Armenian-American community."
AAA: "Independent, but close to Diocese/AGBU Cluster"
The study states that the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) "most
often aligns itself with the AGBU/Diocese cluster on political policy
issues. The AAA’s membership is probably the most inclusive of
Diaspora organizations because it has gone to great lengths to
involve both the Diocese and Prelacy religious communities. According
to [U.S.] Embassy sources, the AAA’s dues-paying membership totals
approximately 3,000 in the U.S. with 7,000 to 9,000 AAA ‘activists’
regularly volunteering on AAA grassroots advocacy efforts."
3) "Organizations Close to the ‘Hnchaks’ "
The study points out that the "activities of the smallest, and yet of
the most well-known politically based groups of Armenian-American
organizations centers around the ideology of the Armenian Social
Democratic Hnchakian (or Hnchak) Partyâ~@¦. The party and its
affiliate organizations in the U.S. (fraternal societies, a women’s
advocacy group and various youth groups) played an historically
conservative role among Armenian-American groups during the second
half of the 20th century. â~@¦ Disputes among party leadership and
two subsequent splits in the party during the late 1990s weakened the
party’s standing in Armenia and consequently the influence of
Hnchak-related groups in the U.S. Hnchak party leaders tell the
[U.S.] Embassy that the party’s aging membership in the United
States, coupled with the recent internal disputes, have seriously
weakened their influence as an arm of the Armenian-American lobby.
The memory of the Hnchaks’ historically large membership and the
roster of influential Hnchaks in recent Armenian-American history,
however, continue to lend the group a certain degree of clout within
the Armenian-American community. Hnchak organizations support the
weekly ‘Massis’ newspaper which claims the second-largest circulation
among Armenian-American publications and posits ‘traditional Hnchak’
views on Armenian political developments." The study notes: "While
both the Ramkavars and Hnchaks retain organizational structures and a
public profile, they appear to be fading as significant forces in the
Diaspora, including in the U.S."
(Next week: The final segment of the study covering Protestants,
Catholics, professional and humanitarian groups)
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2 – Phillips Sisters Lead Marlborough High School
To California State Cross Country Championship
LOS ANGELES – What seemed highly improbable four years ago became a
reality on November 25, when the Marlborough High School cross
country team, lead by Armenian American sisters Christina and Ashley
Phillips convincingly won the California State CIF Division IV cross
country championship. Fittingly, the victory was at Woodward Park in
Fresno, a city steeped in Armenian history and tradition.
Ashley finished the grueling 5,000 meter course in a personal best
time of 19:23, good for 19th place overall. Christina was close
behind in 25th place, also in a personal best time of 19:35. Their
teammate Kate Grace, daughter of fitness video icon Kathy Smith, won
the race. The Phillips are the first two girls of Armenian descent
ever to compete in the California State cross country finals.
Marlborough’s team beat runner up Carmel by a combined team time of
over two minutes, providing the small all-girl college preparatory
school in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles with its first State
Championship in its 116 year history. The school has the Phillips
sisters to thank for that in more ways than one.
When Christina Phillips, now 17 and a senior, started at Marlborough,
the school did not have enough athletes to field a cross country
team. Having both an interest and talent in long distance running,
Christina encouraged some of her friends to go out for the team. Two
years later, Ashley, now 15 and a sophomore, joined the squad, and
the positive results were quick to follow. Backed by a base of solid
training and good coaching, the Phillips girls started developing
into national class high school runners.
This season, the sisters traded places, one usually placing as the
second, third or fourth best on the team, with the other usually very
close behind. The State Meet was preceded by a dominant victory at
the Sunshine League finals at Griffith Park, where Ashley finished
3rd overall with Christina in fourth. Their team went into the State
finals race as the number one rated team, and the performance of the
Phillips and their teammates led them to the team championship.
"I am extremely proud of Christina’s and Ashley’s performance at the
State finals," said Vicken Simonian, an assistant coach of the
Phillips, and a world class distance runner in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
"The girls have tremendous talent, determination and intelligence,
and I am not surprised at all by their success. This historic victory
serves as a source of pride for the Phillips family, their school and
the Armenian community," said Simonian.
Christina and Ashley are the daughters of renowned attorneys Gary and
Arsine Phillips and live in Hancock Park. Gary is the managing
partner of the prestigious law firm of Astor and Phillips and Arsine
is a partner in the preeminent national law firm of Parker, Milliken,
Clark, O’Hara and Samuelian.
Both girls are straight A students with promising college careers.
Christina has applied to several of the top universities in the
country, including USC, where her parents are both alumni, but still
hasn’t made a decision on where she will attend college next year.
Ashley has two more years in high school, where she will be vying for
a second State team championship, and the overall individual
championship.
"The potential of Christina and Ashley Phillips is limitless," said
Simonian. "The girls are extremely talented, very coachable and
despite their success, neither has a big ego. I predict that both
girls will run well in college, and that will hopefully translate
into international distance running honors in the future."
More information about the Phillips’ cross country season can be
obtained at the Marlborough High School website at

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3 – AUA Celebrates 15th Anniversary
With Gala Banquet in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – As Armenia commemorates its 15th year of independence
as a republic, the American University of Armenia also celebrates the
15th anniversary of its own founding. The University hosted a gala
banquet Nov. 12 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles to
honor the efforts of all who have contributed to the rapid
development of the University. In particular, a moving tribute was
given to Gerry & Pat Turpanjian, and the late Vartkes Barsam and his
wife, Jean Barsam, all dedicated supporters of AUA since its founding
AUA has truly filled a niche in Armenia, by providing Western-quality
graduate education that prepares the region’s youth for leadership in
social and economic development. AUA anticipates a largely increased
enrollment due to the institute’s candidacy for accreditation by the
Western Association for Schools and Colleges.
Proceeds from the 15th anniversary banquet will support the
completion of an earthquake-reinforced educational facility, which
will house additional classroom, lecture hall, and laboratory space
to accommodate the University’s growth.
The evening began with an introduction by MC Charles Ghailian, and
the playing of both the American and Armenian national anthems were
played. The Invocation was given by Father Bartev Gulumian,
representing Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Welcoming words were
offered by Sinan Sinanian, the banquet committee chair and CEO of
Sinanian Development of Tarzana. Following was a warm greeting from
Dr. Rory Hume, Provost of the University of California system and the
new Chairman of the AUA Board of Trustees.
AUA President Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian presented a speech on the
theme of excellence and integrity in education. He concluded that,
"Our motto at the AUA will continue to be excellence through
relevance to the broader Community.. Thus, AUA is not just about the
youth in Armenia, but is of relevance to your own children and
grandchildren. Soon it will be possible for them to attend a
university in Armenia that is US accredited."
Keynote speaker, the former California Governor George Deukmejian,
addressed the banquet guests by lauding AUA’s commitment to its
original goals and taking a visionary look at the future. He spoke
of the Turpanjian Rural Development Project to expand educational
opportunity across Armenia, as well as the numerous opportunities now
open to AUA as a result of its accreditation candidacy.
The honorees of the evening’s festivities were then introduced by Dr.
Armenian and AUA President Emeritus, Dr. Mihran Agbabian. Jean
Barsam and her son, Charles Barsam, on behalf of Vartkes Barsam, and
Gerry and Pat Turpanjian accepted honorary plaques and framed State
of California resolutions as symbols of appreciation. The sons of the
honorees, Charles Barsam and Paul Turpanjian, offered a personal
response on behalf of their family members.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian then invited Gerry and Pat Turpanjian to
the podium and read the encyclical of Catholicos Karekin II, and
pinned St. Gregory the Illuminator on them. Archbishop Derderian
concluded the ceremonies by giving the Benediction.
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4 – ANCA-WR Donates AFF Documentary Film Series
To Armenian Genocide Institute Museum in Yerevan
GLENDALE, CA – Earlier this month, Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region announced the donation of the Armenian Film
Foundation’s documentary series to the Armenian Genocide
Institute-Museum in Yerevan.
During a meeting at the museum this past August, ANCA-WR Chairman
Steven J. Dadaian and museum director Dr. Lavrenty Barseghian
discussed ways in which the ANCA-WR could assist the museum and its
research efforts. As a first step, the ANCA-WR found it fitting that
the Armenian Film Foundation documentary series would be a valuable
resource to the institute’s collection.
On October 28, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western U.S. Central
Committee Chairman Avedik Izmirlian and member Hagop Tufenkjian
visited the Armenian Genocide Institute-Museum, a division of the
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, to deliver
the documentary series on behalf of the ANCA-WR. The gift was
cordially accepted by Yeranouhi Margaryan, Deputy Director of the
Institute.
"I was impressed with the professional work the Institute has done
at the Museum, as well as the politeness and knowledge of Ms.
Yeranouhi Margaryan," remarked Izmirlian. "I believe that the J.
Michael Hagopian Film Library donated by the ANCA-WR fills an
important gap and is a great contribution to the Museum".
Established in 1979, the Armenian Film Foundation (AFF) is a
non-profit, educational and cultural organization dedicated to the
documentation and preservation of Armenian heritage in multi-media
formats. The ANCA-WR honored AFF founder and board chairman, J.
Michael Hagopian with its "Man of the Year" award at its 2000 Annual
Banquet.
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5 – Correspondent Robert Fisk
To Speak at U of M-Dearborn
DEARBORN, MI- Foreign Correspondent Robert Fisk, the author of
several books, including the recent The Great War for Civilization
will speak at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus on December
20, reported the Armenian National Committee of Michigan.
The event, co-hosted by the Armenian National Committee of Michigan
(ANC of MI), the Armenian Research Center (ARC) at the University of
Michigan-Dearborn, and the Center for Arab American Studies (CAAS) at
the University of Michigan-Dearborn, will bring in audiences from
various communities in the Michigan area to listen to Fisk speak.
"We are honored to have an opportunity to co-host the event with the
Armenian Research Center and the Center for Arab American Studies at
the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Working together to promote
ethnic ties is important," reported Narses Gedigian of the ANC.
The event, entitled: "The Middle East: The Roots and Realities of
Enduring Conflicts,"at Kochoff Hall, the University Center at 4901
Evergreen Road, will include a reception from 5:30-6:30pm, following
his lecture from 6:30-8:30pm, and is open to the general public.
Seating is limited, and there will be a question & answer segment.
Robert Fisk will also have a book-signing opportunity immediately
following the lecture. Books will be available for purchase at the
event.
As one of the world’s best known journalists through his
distinguished work as Middle East correspondent for the UK based
The Independent, Robert Fisk has informed the world about the
Armenian Genocide more widely and thoroughly than any other
journalist. In his latest book, The Great War for Civilization, Fisk
dedicates an entire chapter to the Armenian Genocide, which he titles
"The First Holocaust." He provides the historical details of the
genocide, reveals interviews with survivors in Lebanon and decries
the Turkish and U.S. governments’ complicity in denying the genocide
today.
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6 – AGBU Sponsors Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra’s Concert Tour of Central Europe
NEW YORK – The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) embarked on a
four-city concert tour of Central Europe from September 27 to October
6, 2006. The 110-member orchestra was invited to showcase its talent
in music festivals held in Nuremberg, Germany, Bratislava, Slovakia
and the Czech Republic’s two largest cities, Prague and Brno.
While on tour, APO performed alongside some of Europe’s most talented
classical musicians, demonstrating its status as an orchestra of the
highest caliber receiving invitations to perform at the most
prominent music festivals and concert halls in Central Europe.
As the leading symphony of Armenia for the past eighty years, APO
presents weekly concerts in Yerevan’s renowned Aram Khachaturian
Concert Hall. The performance venue of 1,300 is a cultural landmark
and architectural gem in the center of the Armenian capital city.
The Orchestra’s musicians are drawn from the top graduates of
Yerevan’s Komitas Conservatory and Russia’s leading conservatories in
Moscow and St. Petersburg. Since 1990, the Armenian Philharmonic has
produced and released a long list of CD recordings and hosted leading
international figures, including Italian baritone Renato Bruson,
American maestro Alexander Treger and Canadian soprano Isabel
Bayrakdarian.
Headlining APO’s upcoming schedule of events is a six-city tour of
France in February 2007. The tour will be sponsored by AGBU as part
of the organization’s Centennial celebrations and France’s Year of
Armenia festivities.
APO has been primarily subsidized by AGBU since 1992 in recognition
of the importance of the performing arts in Armenia. Annual grants
are allocated for weekly concerts, new instruments, administration,
salary supplements, international guest artists and special
festivals. APO has successfully toured Austria, England, France,
Germany, Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey, UAE and the United
States, and has produced dozens of CD recordings. For more
information on APO, please visit
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, visit

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7 – Senators Calls on White House
To Withdraw Hoagland Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC – Citing the opposition of the Armenian American
community and the growing controversy within Congress surrounding the
nomination of Dick Hoagland to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and New Jersey
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today called on President George W. Bush
to withdraw this nomination and propose a new candidate to serve in
this important diplomatic post, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a Dec. 1 letter to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Senators
Menendez and Reid recommended that the best way to move this process
forward would be for "the President to withdraw his nomination of
Richard Hoagland as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia and to propose a new
candidate to serve in this important position." Noting the broad-
based opposition within Congress, the extensive media coverage this
issue has received, and the strong stand of the Armenian American
community against this nomination, the two Senators noted that, "It
would serve neither our national interests nor the U.S.-Armenia
relationship to expect Ambassador-designate Hoagland to carry out his
duties under these highly contentious and profoundly troubling
circumstances."
"Armenian Americans welcome the principled stand taken today by
Senators Menendez and Reid in defense of our nation’s fundamental
commitment to recognizing, preventing and punishing genocide," said
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "We deeply appreciate their leadership
and value their understanding of the simple truth that a denier of
the Armenian Genocide cannot effectively promote U.S. interests or
American values in Armenia – a country that rose from the ashes of
Turkey’s brutal campaign of extermination and exile."
In announcing his decision to block the Hoagland nomination on
September 12, Sen. Menendez highlighted the principled stand taken by
former U.S. Ambassador John Evans, who, by all accounts, was fired
for speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide. .
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8 – Amb. John Evans to be Honored by
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
LOS ANGELES – John Marshall Evans, former U.S. ambassador to Armenia,
will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the Second
Anniversary Banquet of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, to be
held at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency Hotel, on March 4, 2007.
The Leadership and staff of the Institute feel privileged that
Ambassador Evans has chosen the USC Institute of Armenian Studies as
his first venue to speak in public after leaving his diplomatic post.
On this auspicious occasion the Armenian community of Southern
California will have the opportunity to salute Ambassador Evans for
his distinguished service to the United States, the Armenian Republic
and his sacrifices for the Armenian cause.
For more information about the Second Anniversary Banquet and all of
Institute’s programs, contact 213-821-3943 or
armenian@college.usc.edu.
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9 – Take a Friend to the Movie
‘Screamers’ This Weekend
LOS ANGELES – Film director Carla Garapedian urges the Armenian
community to support the campaign for genocide recognition by seeing
this movie the first weekend of its release in Los Angeles and Orange
County, Dec. 8, 9 and 10.
"Attendance is crucial on these three days — it will send a message
to the rest of the country that the Armenian communitiy really cares
about this issue," Garapedian said.
"Screamers" recently wont the AFI Film Festival’s prestigious
Audience Award and has been selected by the Skirball Cultural Center
fro its "Under-18 Selection."
See it at the Mann Marketplace in Glendale, the Mann Grauman 6
Hollywood, the Mann Criterion Santa Monica and the AMC
Block 30 in Orange. See for more
information.
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