California Courier Online, March 1, 2007
1 – Commentary
Foreign Minister Gul Shocked
To See TIME DVD on his Flight
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – ASF Announces
Three Scholarships
3 – Mardirossian Elected Chairman
Of The Near East Foundation
4 – CSUF Armenian Studies Program
To Hold 19th Annual Banquet
5 – Glendale Adventist
To Host Lecture on
Diabetes, March 10
6 – L.A. Mayor, City Council Inaugurate
Sister-City Ties with Yerevan
7 – Appeal for Funds to Support Legal Action
Against Deniers of the Armenian Genocide
8- AMAA Sponsors Lark Musical Society
Performance of Hayden’s Oratorio
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1 – Commentary
Foreign Minister Gul Shocked
To See TIME DVD on his Flight
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Several Turkish newspapers reported on Feb. 26 that Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul was shocked when he saw an Armenian Genocide DVD in the TIME
magazine issue on his plane.
Gul and members of his delegation were returning to Turkey on February 11,
after spending several days in Washington, D.C., lobbying against the pending
Congressional Resolution on the Armenian Genocide. On their Lufthansa Airline
flight, they discovered that the TIME magazine issue handed to them included a
DVD as well as a full-page announcement on the Armenian Genocide. Gul was
reportedly very upset that Armenians were carrying out propaganda activities even
on his plane. He said he would conduct an investigation.
After the delegation’s return to Ankara, Ozlem Cercioglu, a member of the
opposition CHP party, made a parliamentary inquiry, asking the Foreign Minister
if he had taken any diplomatic initiatives against the DVD being in TIME
magazine. She said that the Armenian-American Diaspora is now expanding its
"propaganda" campaign to the air!
Cercioglu wanted to know if the Foreign Minister had contacted U.S. officials
asking them to remove such "anti-Turkish materials" from these flights. She
also wanted to know if it was proper for Americans to exert pressure on Turkish
passengers in such a manner?
We presume that Gul will respond to this parliamentary inquiry at a later
date after investigating the circumstances of the insertion of the DVD on the
Armenian Genocide in TIME magazine. His aides will hopefully inform him that the
DVD and the full-page text was placed in the February 12, 2007 issue at TIME’s
expense in response to the denialist DVD surreptitiously inserted by the
Ankara Chamber of Commerce in the June 6, 2005 issue of Time Europe.
Foreign Minister Gul may also find out that the one million dollars spent by
the Ankara Chamber of Commerce backfired on the Turks and caused TIME magazine
to spend around a million dollars of its own to counter the false Turkish
claims on the Armenian Genocide. Oktay Eksi, a prominent Turkish journalist,
expressed his dismay that TIME magazine’s actions were precipitated by the unwise
and costly efforts of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce. "Some of the things we
do just wind up making the situation messier," Eksi lamented in his Hurriyet
column.
In recent days, various Turkish groups have initiated an e-mail campaign
trying to get TIME magazine to apologize for distributing the DVD on the Armenian
Genocide. Their actions, sometimes, have had comical consequences, resulting
in a total waste of their efforts. When one Turkish website asked its members
to send e-mails to TIME magazine to complain about the insertion of the DVD on
the Armenian Genocide, it provided them the wrong e-mail address. They were
told to write to The Times (London) daily newspaper rather than TIME magazine.
After receiving a large number of e-mails from Turks complaining about the
Armenian DVD, the exasperated editors of The Times (London) published the
following note in the Feb. 15 issue of the newspaper: "The Times has received a slew
of e-mails from angry Turks, who are in fact complaining about TIME magazine.
On it February 12 issue, TIME issued a documentary DVD about the Armenian
Genocide of 1915, in its European edition — an act that has prompted an e-mail
campaign alleging that Time’s action has ‘distorted the truth.’ Presumably TIME
itself has received more complaints." Significantly, the editors of The Times
of London are referring to the Armenian Genocide as such, without any
qualification.
Another Turkish website, , urged its members to send
protest e-mails to TIME magazine. Even though this time they were provided with the
right e-mail address, the sample e-mails they were given may not have been
ideal, to put it mildly. Here is an excerpt:
"I just want you to know that you or the persons who own the company are just
being a part of an old propaganda which was made up by the Armenian lobbies
to weaken Turkish Republic and force it to pay big compensations in the long
term like the Germans for what they did to the Jews during the World War 2. I
don’t know who is that Armenian sympathizer or Armenian in your corporation
[who] pushed Time Magazine to do such thing. But I know that this is just wrong. I
want to tell you that from now on neither Time magazine nor any other
publication related to your group will be purchased by me or by the work place that I
am responsible or will be responsible in the future. This may not be much,
but at least in the future we will not have to lay our eyes on totally biased
and racist pieces of paper that are sold as a magazine."
The Turks are just wasting their time and energy complaining about the
Armenian DVD. What the Turkish public and officials do not know is that after going
through a grueling 18-month long negotiations with Armenian groups in the
Europe and the U.S. and incurring a huge expense to make amends for the Turkish
DVD, the last thing TIME executives would want to do is reopen that subject
again!
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2 – ASF Announces
Three Scholarships
WATERTOWN, MA – The Armenian Scholarship Foundation (ASF) announced last week
that for the first time in five years, it is offering a $750 scholarship to
U.S. Armenian graduate students due to overwhelming demand. The organization
will also grant one $750 scholarship to an Armenian undergraduate student who
resides in the US, and will be attending a full time U. S. College or University
in 2007-2008.
It has also posted the $500 Norair Kebabjian Memorial Entrepreneurial
Scholarship application for Armenian undergraduate students in the U.S. focusing on
entrepreneurship and business.
The scholarship application for the 5th annual scholarships are posted on
ASF’s website Application deadline is May 15, 2007,
and the application fee is $10.
The Armenian Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing scholarships and guidance to Armenian Students. The resources that
the ASF offers to students distinguish it from other organizations. It is
unique in offering not only financial assistance in the form of scholarships, but
also offering a mentorship program to anyone who requests it. If you are
interested in starting a private scholarship or volunteering your time as a member
or mentor, email to [email protected] or call Leon Barsoumian at
617-869-0250.
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3 – Mardirossian Elected Chairman
Of The Near East Foundation
NEW YORK – "As the newly-elected Chair of the Near East Foundation, it is my
high honor to join the leadership ranks of this 91-year-old organization which
has had so profound an impact on me," said Shant Mardirossian.
"As an American of Armenian descent, NEF has brought me in touch with my
past…the past in which many Armenians-like my grandparents-were saved by
orphanages such as those established by Near East Relief during the aftermath of the
Armenian Genocide."
Mardirossian previously served as the organization’s treasurer.
After this election, Mardirossian, observed, "During the five years of my
involvement and now as the first Chair of Armenian ancestry, I feel an obligation
to give back to this organization that has given so much, to so many, over
its long history.
"Like the men and women who have preceded me in this role, the challenges are
great. Poverty continues to dominate most of the world, contributing to
despair, political instability and resentment. War rages on in the Middle East and
parts of Africa, where long-standing, unresolved conflicts fester. Genocide
has become all too common a term-and the slogan "Never Again" has lost its
meaning. Religion still divides rather than unites the peoples of the world. But
never have the challenges barred NEF’s way.
"Ironically, our past has brought us back to Armenia, Mardirossian said. "I
recently returned from my second trip to further expand NEF’s role and presence
there once again. Given our historical connection, NEF was enthusiastically
received by several Armenian government ministries and local nongovernmental
organizations; we also reintroduced ourselves to the local offices of USAID and
the World Bank. You can expect to hear more about new NEF programs in Armenia
shortly."
NEF also returned to its roots in relief work by responding to the
humanitarian crisis in Mardirossian’s birthplace, Lebanon, this past summer.
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4 – . CSUF Armenian Studies Program
To Hold 19th Annual Banquet
FRESNO – The Armenian Studies Program of California State University, Fresno,
will hold its 19th Annual Banquet on March 24, at the Fort Washington Golf &
Country Club, 10272 N. Millbrook, in Fresno.
The keynote speaker and special guest for the Banquet is Armenian Consul
General Armen Liloyan, who will be paying his first official visit to Fresno.
Liloyan was born in Yerevan, and received a Bachelor’s degree from the
Department of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University. In 2001-2002 he received
his M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations, from the University of
Westminster, in London. He has diplomatic experience as a desk officer for
Central Europe and later the Balkans in the Armenian Foreign Ministry. In November
2006 he was appointed as Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los
Angeles.
During the Banquet, student recipients of Armenian Studies scholarships and
grants will be recognized.
The Armenian Alumni and Friends Chapter at Fresno State is organizing a
silent auction at the Banquet.
During the past several decades the Program has gained national and
international recognition, with an undergraduate program offering as many as ten
courses in Armenian Studies. The Program houses two endowed positions, the Haig &
Isabel Berberian Chair of Armenian Studies, held by Prof. Kouymjian, and the
Henry Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies. Barlow Der
Mugrdechian and Dickran Kouymjian constitute the core faculty of the Program along
with the annual Kazan Visiting Professor.
The reception and silent auction begin at 6:00PM followed by the Banquet at
7:00PM.
Tickets are available at $50 per person, with a special price of $20 for
Fresno State students.
For more information about the Banquet, contact the Armenian Studies Program
at 559-278-2669.
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5 – Glendale Adventist
To Host Lecture on
Diabetes, March 10
GLENDALE – In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, the Diabetes Care Center at
Glendale Adventist Medical Center will host its annual "Diabetes Awareness"
community lecture on Saturday, March 10, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in English and
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Armenian at Glendale Adventist Medical Center (Main
Auditorium) 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale.
The lecture will focus on nutrition management, exercise tips and new
advancements in treating diabetes.
Nutritional Information and on-site risk assessment questionnaires will also
be available for participants.
Risk factors for developing diabetes include family history, insulin
resistance, race, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and much more.
This event is being sponsored by Abbott/Ross, Amylin, Aventis, Bayer Health
Care, Medronic MiniMed, Mini Pharmacy, Novo Nordisk Pfizer, Roche and Western
Drugs.
Parking for this event is free and refreshments will be served.
To register or for more information please call, (818) 409-8100.
Event supported by American Diabetes Association
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6 – L.A. Mayor, City Council Inaugurate
Sister-City Ties with Yerevan
LOS ANGELES – In a special ceremony during the February 23 Los Angeles City
Council session, the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
(ANCA-WR) joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Council President Eric Garcetti,
Yerevan Mayor, Yervand Zakharyan and the entire Los Angeles City Council in
inaugurating the Los Angeles-Yerevan Sister City relationship and association. The
Los Angeles-Yerevan Sister City Association (LAYSCA) was established by a
resolution adopted by the council and the agreement was signed on Feb. 23 by both
mayors during the city council session before a standing-room only crowd in
City Hall.
During the ceremony Mayor Villaraigosa reiterated his interest in forging the
relationship with Yerevan. "Today we are bridging two communities and
forever linking two cities together. Los Angeles and Yerevan have much in common,
and the establishment of this Sister City relationship will only strengthen our
commonalities and bring new ones to light," said Mayor
Villaraigosa. "I am proud to say that Los Angeles is home to the largest
Armenian population outside of Armenia and that Armenian-Americans have been an
integral part of Los Angeles’ economic and cultural vitality for decades."
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti recognized the importance of
the day in his remarks. "It’s great to see so many Armenian organizations
represented here today, you must all be proud, please take ownership of this
Sister City organization and make it the best we’ve ever seen, because we all
know that Armenian Americans have always been an integral part of Los Angeles’
cultural vitality. Thank you, Mayor Zakharyan, for accepting our invitation and
coming out to celebrate this momentous occasion with us, we have a lot to
learn from Yerevan, a City that is 2,789 years old, and I hope in return we will
have much to offer your city," said Garcetti.
The inauguration marks the culmination of an on-going effort by the
Armenian American community of Los Angeles to establish the partnership between
Armenia’s capital city and the U.S. city with the largest population of Armenian
Americans. In August 2005, Councilman Garcetti traveled to Armenia with leaders
of the ANCA-WR and the Los Angeles Armenian community in order to meet with
Armenian officials and identify potential programs between Los Angeles and
Yerevan.
In acknowledging the role the ANCA-WR played in supporting the formation of
the association, Garcetti noted, "I also want to thank the Armenian National
Committee, the organization that I work closely with, the organization that
sponsored our trip to Yerevan."
"Thanks to our combined efforts with Mayor Villaraigosa, City Council
President Garcetti and Mayor Zakharyan, today marks a new milestone as we forge an
official relationship between Los Angeles and Yerevan, two cities which hold
tremendous importance for the Armenian Americans and citizens of Armenia," said
Raffi Hamparian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR.
"Armenian-Americans are both proud Angelinos as well as proud Armenians and
it is our intention that the establishment of the sister city association will
usher in the next era of meaningful cooperation and partnership between these
two great cities of the world."
"We are grateful for the leadership shown by the ANCA-WR, Mayor Villaraigosa
and Council President Garcetti in getting the Los Angeles-Yerevan Sister City
Association off the ground," said Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, President of the
LAYSCA. "With the help of the entire Armenian American community of Los
Angeles, the association’s vision and commitment is to expand the working
relationship between the two city governments in order to build meaningful programs
that will benefit the citizens of both cities."
ANCA-WR board members and staff accompanied the mayors, city council members
and board members of the newly formed LAYSCA during official meetings and the
signing ceremony. In attendance for the special occasion was Los Angeles
Consul General of Armenia, Armen Liloyan, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian of the
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church and dozens of leaders from a wide
cross-section of cultural, social and community organizations.
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7 – Appeal for Funds to Support Legal Action
Against Deniers of the Armenian Genocide
A wave of Turkish denials and distortions of the Armenian Genocide has hit
Switzerland in recent years. Those odious assaults on the dignity of the victims
of the Genocide are especially perturbing, particularly since large segments
of the Swiss population joined, in April 2005, in the commemoration of the
90th anniversary of this crime against humanity. One of the main objectives of
the Switzerland-Armenia Association (SAA) has been to counter such violations of
Swiss laws against racism.
Recently, legal proceedings have been initiated against Dogu Perincek, the
President of the Turkish Workers’ Party, and Yusuf Halacoglu, the President of
the Turkish Historical Society, for publicly denying the Armenian Genocide
during their visits to Switzerland. In both instances, the SAA remained in
constant contact with the judicial authorities. Furthermore, the SAA secured the
professional services of a legal expert and transmitted to the appropriate
authorities the corresponding material facts.
The SAA, with less than 200 members, has a very limited budget. These legal
initiatives considerably exceed the financial means of the organization. These
expenditures cannot be covered without the support of generous contributors.
Please support our struggle against the deniers of the Armenian Genocide.
Contribution may be sent to:
Switzerland-Armenia Association
P.O. Box 497
CH – 3000 Berne 14 (Switzerland)
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8 – AMAA Sponsors Lark Musical Society
Performance of Hayden’s Oratorio
GLENDALE — "Music, at its most sublime, must affect us with the serene power
of antiquity." Inspired by these
philosophical words of Frederic von Schiller, and honoring a tradition that
goes back over ten years, the Armenian Missionary Association of America and
the Lark Musical Society have once again embarked on presenting a sacred music
concert during the season preceding Easter.
The event will take place on March 3, at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary of the
Glendale Presbyterian Church, 125 South Louise Street, in Glendale. On stage will
be the Lark Chorus, Orchestra, and Soloists, under the direction of Maestro
Vatsche Barsoumian. At 6:00 p.m., a pre-concert lecture in English, presented
by Karenn Chutjian, will introduce the work and enhance its enjoyment.
This year’s performance, entitled "Let There Be LIGHT…," will feature Franz
Josef Haydn’s The Creation, considered to be the crowning achievement of the
composer’s creative works. Written in German and translated into English
between 1796 and 1798, the text of this oratorio comes primarily from the opening
chapter of the Old Testament Book of Genesis, enhanced by words from the Book
of Psalms and John Milton’s Paradise Lost. It was first performed in Vienna
in April 1798. This optimistic composition depicts and celebrates the creation
of the world and praises God for His great and wonderful deeds.
The Lark Musical Society is a multi-disciplinary, non-profit cultural
organization, dedicated to keeping the Armenian musical arts alive in the Diaspora
through education, performance, and publication. For more than15 years, Lark
has been committed to providing significant avenues to enrich the cultural life
of the Armenian community and share its long-lived Armenian heritage with the
ethnically diverse communities of Southern California and beyond through the
universal language of music.
The music-loving public is invited to this Lenten season sacred music
concert. Tickets may be secured by calling the Lark Office at 818-500-9997. For
information on the Conservatory and its curriculum, or for details about future
events, visit the Lark Musical Society office, 543 Arden Avenue, Glendale, CA
91203
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