Author: Alex Jidarian

February 2, 2018
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org


DIVINE LITURGY TO BE CELEBRATED ON THE FEASTS OF STS. GHEVONTIANTS AND STS.
VARTANANTS

        On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, the Armenian Church will commemorate
the Feast of Sts. Ghevontiants, honoring the legacy of the brave clergymen
who not only preached against tyranny, but with a cross in one hand and a
sword in the other fought on the front lines in the Vartanants war and in
the continuing resistance during the subsequent period.
        The Feast of Sts. Ghevontiants will be commemorated with Divine
Liturgy on Tuesday, February 6 at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello (900 W,
Lincoln Ave.), presided by the Prelate and with the participation of Prelacy
clergy. Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon. The service begins at 7:00 p.m. In the
morning, the annual clergy conference on this occasion will convene at Holy
Cross Cathedral presided by the Prelate. 
        On Thursday, February 8, the Armenian Church will commemorate the
Feast of Sts. Vartanants, among the most popular religious and national
feasts of the Armenian Church and people.General Vartan Mamigonian, his
commanders, priests, and companions, numbering 1,036, are remembered on this
feast day for their martyrdom in the year 451 in defense of our Christian
faith and nation. 
        The Feast of Sts. Vartanants will be commemorated with Divine
Liturgy on Thursday, February 8, at the North Hollywood parish (13050
Vanowen St.), presided by the Prelate and with the participation of Prelacy
clergy. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will celebrate Divine Liturgy and
deliver the sermon. The service begins at 7:00 p.m.
        We invite our faithful to join us in honoring the legacy of our
heroes who selflessly gave their lives in defense of our faith and nation. 

***

FERRAHIAN SCHOOL 8TH GRADE CLASS VISITS THE PRELACY

        At the start of each year, the 8th grade class of Ferrahian School
pays a visit to the Prelacy where they present a cultural program, receive
the blessings and hear the message of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate. This year's visit took place on Friday, February 2, 2018. The 42
students, accompanied by Principal Mrs. Sossi Shanlian and teachers, were
welcomed by the Prelate, who was joined by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan,
Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, and Rev. Fr. Movses
Shannakian.
        The visit began at the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel where
clergy sang the hymn dedicated to Vartanants, given that the Feasts of Sts.
Ghevontiants and Sts. Vartanants were to be commemorated in the following
days. The Prelate also gave a brief explanation of the paintings of Sts.
Vartanants, St. Gregory the Illuminator, King Dertad, and St. Sahag and St.
Mesrob adorning the Chapel's walls.
        The visit continued at "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall,
where the students presented a program of songs, recitations, dance, and
piano pieces dedicated to the Battle of Avarayr and the Artsakh liberation
movement. 
        The Prelate commended the students for their performances and the
teachers for the instruction they are providing to our youth, and then
answered questions posed by the students on various topics relating to the
Catholicosate, Prelacy, the Sis lawsuit, and general ecclesiastical matters.
His Eminence commended the students' curiosity and interest, and noted that
such visits serve as opportunities for them to renew their allegiance to our
faith, nation, and heritage as well as the strengthening of the
Prelacy-School bonds. The Prelate stated the expectation for our students to
become active contributors to the life of our nation when they become adults
as well as to society in general, and highlighted the role of our Armenian
Schools in this regard. Finally, he urged the students to truly comprehend
the value of the Armenian Church and School and pledge to remain faithful to
our church and nation.
        The students presented a gift to the Prelate, while His Eminence
gifted copies of the Prelacy's newly published Divine Liturgy booklet. The
visit came to a close with the benediction, followed by "Cilicia" and the
Armenian national anthem, after which students toured the Prelacy.

***

PRELATE ATTENDS FAREWELL RECEPTION HONORING LEBANESE AMBASSADOR JOHNNY
IBRAHIM

        By the invitation of the Advisory Board of the Consulate General of
Lebanon in Los Angeles and a group of Armenian-American and
Lebanese-American community members, on the evening of Thursday, February
1st, 2018, a farewell reception honoring His Excellency Ambassador Johnny
Ibrahim was held at the California Club in Los Angeles.
        H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended and
conveyed his blessings and well wishes to Ambassador Ibrahim as he completes
his term as Consul General of Lebanon in Los Angeles and embarks on his new
mission as Ambassador of Lebanon in Argentina. Members of our Prelacy and
community organizations were in attendance. 

***

ST. SARKIS CHURCH NAME-DAY CELEBRATION

        On Saturday, January 27, 2018, the Armenian Church commemorated the
Feast of St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and their fourteen soldiers, who in
the 4th century were martyred in defense of the Christian faith. As the
feasts marks the name-day of St. Sarkis Church of Pasadena, on Sunday
January 28, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated
Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and conducted the blessing of madagh
at St. Sarkis Church. Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan assisted at the altar.
Executive Council members Mr. Avo Kechichian and Mrs. Therese Kemanjian,
benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian and family, parish
family members, representatives of community organizations, and a large
number of faithful were in attendance.
        As the choir sang the hymn "Hrashapar," His Eminence entered the
church in a procession to begin Divine Liturgy. The Prelate began his sermon
by giving thanks to God for the opportunity to collectively partake in the
day's Divine Liturgy and name-day celebration, and inspired by the message
of St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and their fourteen soldiers, to renew our
faith and in the words of the day's Gospel reading from John 6:22-38, to
labor not for perishable food but for the heavenly food. His Eminence
greeted the Executive Council members, benefactors, parish family, and
faithful, wishing all continued successes in their service as "workers who
do not need to be ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15).
        Citing a verse from Nerses Shnorhali's hymn dedicated to St. Sarkis,
the Prelate highlighted the saint's virtues as a fulfiller of requests,
hearer of prayers, persecutor of evil, liberator of captives, alleviator of
torments, and a brave and fearless preacher of the Christian faith, for
which he, his son, and their soldiers were martyred. Referencing the message
of the day's Gospel reading, the Prelate urged all to labor not for
perishable food but for the bread of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, as did St.
Sarkis and all of our saints. "St. Sarkis remains an everlasting intercessor
for the Armenian people. Today, let us beseech his intercession for God to
strengthen our faith so that we seek and pursue heavenly bread alone, to be
endowed with his faith so that we may overcome and conquer all troubles with
faith, and to transform us into bold and fearless soldiers and defenders of
our faith and nation," stressed the Prelate, and concluded by once again
conveying his congratulations and hoping for the message and spirit of the
day's celebration to lead all into His light.
        At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate presided over
requiem service and conducted the blessing of madagh. Prayers of repose were
offered for the souls of the first parish pastor, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis
Antreassian, the parents of the benefactors, Board of Trustees members,
Delegates, Ladies Guild members, and all departed church servants.
Afterward, as the choir sang the hymn "Oorakh Ler," His Eminence descended
from the altar and proceeded to the narthex where the celebration came to a
close with "Cilicia" and the Pontifical anthem.
        A lunch reception followed at "Andonian" Hall, presided by the
Prelate and with the attendance of Executive Council member Mrs. Therese
Kemanjian, the parish family, benefactor family, and "Lernavayr" Gomideh
Chair Mr. Arman Baghdoyan. Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltayan welcomed the guests,
expressed gratitude to the Prelate and thanks to the benefactors, and wished
for St. Sarkis to be intercessor for all. The grandchildren of the
benefactors entertained the guests with a medley of songs. Board of Trustees
Chair Mr. Koko Panossian thanked all the sponsors and especially the Ladies
Guild for their hard work over the preceding few days. Well wishes and
congratulations were delivered by Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian
and long-time parish servant Mr. Sarkis Dervishian. Following the cutting of
a cake dedicated to the parish name-day and the Prelate's milestone
anniversaries, His Eminence delivered his message highlighting the special
meaning and importance of such celebrations as opportunities for renewal and
recommitment to faith and service. He concluded by congratulating all those
bearing the name of St. Sarkis and his son Mardiros, in particular Mr.
Sarkis Kitsinian, and closed the luncheon with the benediction. 

***

26TH ANNIVERSARY ARMY DAY CELEBRATION

        On Sunday, January 28, 2018, the 26th anniversary of the
establishment of Armenia's National Army was celebrated with a special event
held under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia
and organized by the Armenian Society of Los Angeles. The honored guests
were Marat Petrossyan and Narek Malkhasyan, young heroes of the four-day
Artsakh war. 
        The evening began with a private reception and press conference,
which on behalf of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Rev. Fr.
Ghevont Kirazian attended. Alongside congratulatory and laudatory remarks
addressed to the army, Mr. Artsrun Hovannisyan, Press Secretary of Armenia's
Ministry of Defense, highlighted the brave service and important role of the
two heroes during the war and answered questions posed by attendees. Fr.
Ghevont conveyed the Prelate's blessings and in his message reflected on the
collaborative efforts of the Armenian people, church, and army in defense of
our homeland and heritage, citing the example of Vartan Mamigonian and
Ghevont Yerets from the Battle of Avarayr, the Battle of Sardarabad one
hundred years ago, and the ongoing defense of Artsakh today. 
        A public celebration followed, which was attended by Archpriest Fr.
Nareg Pehlivanian on behalf of the Prelate. The program began with national
anthems and prayer, and continued with remarks and cultural performances. 

***

HOMENETMEN REGIONAL EXECUTIVE'S ANNUAL RECEPTION
        
        By the invitation of the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive, on
Saturday, January 27, 2018, board members of local chapters, committees'
members, and honorary presidents of the Navasartian Games gathered at
Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale for the organization's annual New Year and
Christmas celebration.
        H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended and
conveyed his blessings and message, highlighted the milestone anniversaries
to be celebrated this year, among them the centennial of the first Republic
of Armenia and of Homenetmen, and the 90th anniversary of Hamazkayin,
wishing that these occasions serve as opportunities for renewal of service.
His Eminence wished for the upcoming centennial celebration of Homenetmen to
lead the organization to new heights, and blessed and commended the greater
Homenetmen family including past honorary presidents of the Navasartian
Games and "Exemplary Homenetmen Members." 

 ***

PRELATE WELCOMES PLAYWRIGHT HRANT MARKARIAN

        On Saturday, January 27, 2018, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed the visit of Dr. Hrant Markarian,
playwright, poet, theater specialist, literary critic, director, and actor,
who was in Los Angeles by the invitation of the Hamazkayin "Hovhannes
Toumanian" Chapter to present a one-man theatrical show dedicated to the
110th anniversary of the passing of Khrimian Hayrig. Dr. Markarian was
accompanied by Hamazkayin representatives Mr. Saro Nazarian and Mrs. Tamar
Tufenkdjian-Seraydarian.
        The Prelate and Dr. Markarian, long-time friends, conversed about
Armenian culture in general and their respective service in that regard. Dr.
Markarian provided details about his theatrical production dedicated to
Khrimian Hayrig, which was held the following evening. On behalf of the
Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, attended. He was
joined by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. In his
remarks on behalf of the Prelate, Fr. Torkom stated, "We have read and
learned about Khrimian Hayrig, however, today, we had the opportunity to
sense and experience his spirit and message." 
        
***

MEXICAN-ARMENIAN CULTURAL WEEK

        By the initiative of the Consulate General of Armenia and the
Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, February 2-9, 2018, has been
designated Mexican-Armenian Cultural Week. Throughout the week, the
contributions of both communities to the city of Los Angeles will be
celebrated with school assemblies, art exhibits, movie screenings, and other
events.
        The opening ceremony was held on the morning of Friday, February
2nd, at Van Nuys City Hall. On behalf of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian attended the
ceremony, which featured the presentation of a resolution introduced by LA
City Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Monica Rodriguez.
        Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the U.S., the Honorable
Grigor Hovhannisian, was in attendance, alongside members of the Consulates,
community leaders and members. 

***
 

ARTSAKH FOUR-DAY WAR HEROES VISIT THE PRELATE

        On Friday, January 26, 2018, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed a special visit from two heroes of the Artsakh four-day
war of 2016, Narek Malkhasyan and Marat Petrossyan, bearers of Armenia's
"Combat Cross" highest order of honor and Artsakh's "Medal for Courage." The
honored guests are in Los Angeles to participate in the celebration of the
26th anniversary of Armenia's National Army Day on Sunday, January 28, under
the auspices of the Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles. Very Rev.
Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, joined in the meeting. The heroes were
accompanied by Artsrun Hovannisyan, Press Secretary of Armenia's Ministry of
Defense, and Razmik Stepanyan, Counsellor at the Consulate General of
Armenia in Los Angeles.
        The Prelate warmly greeted the heroes, commending their heroism and
devotion to homeland. Following a conversation on the four-day war, the
visit continued at the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel where the Prelate
offered a prayer for the safety and security of Armenia and Artsakh and
blessed the heroes. 
        At the conclusion of the visit, His Eminence presented mementos to
the heroes.  

***

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Thursday


Azerbaijani authorities entered themselves into deadlock – Vice
Speaker Sharmazanov



YEREVAN, JANURY 25, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan, after almost every serious
international event, responds by provocation. This happened recently
after the meeting of the Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian
and Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov, as well as after
the Geneva meeting (October 16, 2017), this also happened now, Eduard
Sharmazanov – Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, told a press
conference in Armenpress.

“By this step Azerbaijan shows that it is not ready for constructive
talks, that their leaders say something around the negotiation table,
but in fact they became the victims of their own maximalist policy.
They entered themselves into a deadlock”, the Vice Speaker said.

While delivering remarks at PACE, the Armenian President said the
international community should help the Azerbaijani authorities to get
out of the maximalist situation. According to Sharmazanov, the
international community should help, but there is one truth – it’s
impossible to help someone who doesn’t want it.

“Here the problem is in the brains of the Azerbaijani leadership. They
became the victims of Armenophobic, racist policy. I don’t want to
inflame the passions, but I will say a very clear thing. Today if you
open the Azerbaijani textbooks, official websites and look at the
speeches of the Hitler leaders during 30s, you will see that Goebbels,
Hitler were replaced by Azerbaijani officials. Goebbels and Hitler
were just addressing their calls against the Jews, today the
Azerbaijani leadership makes such racist statements against
Armenians”, Eduard Sharmazanov said.

Sharmazanov said the vivid evidence of this is the elimination of tens
of thousands cross-stones in Julfa (Jugha).

“I am confident that the Armenian Army can maintain the balance by
both diplomatic and military means. If the concerned sides want
long-lasting peace in this region, Azerbaijan should be brought to the
constructive field , I don’t know whether it will be by making it
understand this, or by sanctions, pressures”, the Vice Speaker said.

Sharmazanov emphasized that such provocations can never affect the
political will of the citizens of Artsakh and Armenia. The aspiration
for freedom can never be questioned.

“All provocations cannot solve any issue. If the life of their soldier
has no value for them, for us, even a small injury of our soldier is
above all. The life of the citizen of Armenia and Artsakh is the most
expensive value”, he said.

The Armed Forces of Artsakh detected a reconnaissance penetration
attempt by Azerbaijani forces overnight January 25 in the defense
section of a military unit in the south-eastern (Kurapatkino)
direction of the line of contact. As result of preventive
countermeasures the Azerbaijani special forces were pushed back.
According to preliminary information, the Azerbaijani forces suffered
losses. Details are being clarified.

Ստեփանակերտում տեղի է ունեցել դաշնակահարուհի Բելլա Փարսադանյանի 80-ամյակին 
նվիրված միջոցառում

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В Степанакерте состоялось мероприятие, посвящённое 80-летию пианистки Беллы 
Парсаданян

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Event dedicated to pianist Bella Parsadanyan on her 80th birthday takes place 
in Stepanakert

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Սուրբ Սարգիս զորավարի տոնը կնշվի հունվարի 27-ին

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"Сурб Саркис" будут отмечать 27 января

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Feast of St. Sargis the Warrior to be celebrated January 27

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Տարին ամփոփում ենք 15 տոկոս տնտեսական աճով. ֆինանսների նախարարը հանդես է եկել 
մամուլի ասուլիսով

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Год завершаем с 15%-ым экономическим ростом: министр финансов дал 
пресс-конференцию

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Artsakh Finance Minister: 15% economic growth for 2017 is expected

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Ո՞ր ոլորտներին կուղղվեն պետբյուջեում ավելացված գումարները. մեկնաբանել է ԱՀ 
ֆինանսների նախարարը

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Արցախում արդեն ուժի մեջ է մտել 1000 դրամի պարտադիր հանգանակության մասին օրենքը. 
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The Financial Express (Bangladesh)
January 9, 2018 Tuesday


'Mirror, mirror on the wall', letting 'self-determination' say it all



Bangladesh, Jan. 9 -- One-hundred years ago, almost to the date,
Woodrow Wilson put the old wine of self-determination into a new
bottle in such a way that the remaining 20th Century and also the 21st
continue to still reverberate. Presenting his 'Fourteen Points' to the
US Congress in his State of the Union address, Wilson helped
post-World War I peacekeeping by proposing to make the League of
Nations the vehicle. Governance of this sort, conducted previously
through the Concert of Europe, for example, turned out to be too
restricted in length, breadth, and depth at a time of imperial clout,
but that helped Wilson's broad-ranging vision be heard and heeded
across an equally wide segment of the world.

This is not to say the League of Nations was the medicine that the
doctor not only ordered but also pinned any cure upon. It was instead
what the Model-T was to automobile evolution in the first-half of the
20th Century, a prototype, in this case of global governance. Of
course, it floundered where it began, in Europe, but it was partly
fated to that culmination when its 'founding father', Wilson's,
proposal was abandoned by his country, the United States. Learning
from the many mistakes, its follow-up attempt, the United Nations,
still manages to stand on its own two feet. Obviously tottering with
membership exponentially climbing beyond the chart, global governance
nevertheless held on against so many other odds, diversifying methods
and instruments, but mostly becoming a part and parcel of everyday
conversation.

More important is the central idea behind global governance.
Sovereignty may be the name for it, but how it began under that
explosive 'self-determination' label supplies one strand to measure
its fate a century after its most famous advocate brought it into the
global lexicon.

When he articulated it, Wilson directly and specifically addressed
extant empires, ranging from Austro-Hungary's and the Ottomans' in
Europe and Asia Minor to Great Britain's and France's global empires.
That his own country emerged from such a trapping in 1776 served to
inspire many intellectuals in colonised societies across the world, as
if demanding US championship of their cause. Wilson's call would have
its immediate impact in Europe, where the nation-state was born almost
three centuries before: Austro-Hungary and Ottoman Turkey were
dismantled by the post-World War I Paris Peace Conferences, while
India and a string of African French colonies had to wait a generation
or more longer.

Dismantling empires posed an unresolved problem, indeed, complicating
matters as if to thwart any such outcome. This was the nationality
problem. The Treaty of Westphalia sanctified statehood in terms of
nationality, and since that was the medium and mode, it spawned
problems not just in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, but even across
Europe. Neither the Austro-Hungarian nor Turk empires could be
dissolved into 'nation'-based states since certain nationalities,
especially the larger ones, wanted to control the minorities: Turks
wanted to control the Armenians and Kurds, among others. So too was
the case of the Slavs over Bosnians and Croats. In short, dissolving
the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires produced some vexing
problems: Yugoslavia's 1990s dissolution produced the most savage
European moments since World War II, out of which Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Croatia, and Serbia had to be carved out in the 1990s. Next-door
Czechoslovakia also had to be reduced, albeit peacefully, to the Czech
Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia; while, Turk consolidation almost
eliminated the Armenians and disseminated the Kurds into at least five
different states. Iraq and Syria continue that same struggle today, to
convert artificial state-nations into nation-states, with Shias,
Sunnis, and Kurds creating differently coloured but mostly
incompatible constellations in each.

India further illustrates what is at stake. Its well-known story began
when the 1947 independence created two major states, each congested
with too many nationalities to give any sense of stability.
Bangladesh's split from Pakistan became South Asia's Damoclean Sword,
just as Africa's thornier tribal yardstick not only presents an
alternate and more complicated statehood platform, but also predicts
far more volatile outcomes.

Whatever peace the nation-state brought to West Europe, cannot be
replicated elsewhere. This is the net result of rallying behind
'self-determination' slogans. Self-determination need not be
nationalistically-driven. Since self-determination, as a call for
freedom, rallies multiple nationalities simultaneously, how to tame
the competing nationalistic surges behind the self-determination
crusades becomes the sine qua non of state survival.

If Wilson's self-determination calls remain open-ended still, the book
on empires cannot be fully closed. From the Balfour Declaration and
the Sykes-Picot Agreement to the McMahon Line, we see divisions backed
by armies to such an extent that global security hinges upon them.
Self-determination has been snuffed or subjugated, nationalist fires
refuse to taper, and even consummated nationalism, as in Spain, hovers
close to another type of a cleavage, based on ethnicity.

Self-determination may be more problematic a label and reality now
than when Wilson elevated its call; but had he, or someone else, not
risen to the occasion, perhaps the 20th Century may have been far more
bloody than it turned out to be. If the 30-odd sovereign members of
the League of Nations had not multiplied to the near-200 UN members
today, we would have the perpetual war Thomas Hobbes warned us about;
and even if empires had broken down, dictators ruling state-nations
would have infested every continent to as abysmal a low point as any
colonial identity could.

It is for that reason that a salute is due to the man who stood out to
alert a far wider world of the basic human right being absent. When we
consider human rights issues today, behind the teeming millions still
not relishing them, the figure of Woodrow Wilson stands tall: he
helped motivate everyone to mould a more natural collective identity,
but also to institutionalise it in some way. He set the example by
drifting from his own country in order to push the nail home after
1918. Ultimately, by not following his 1918 lead, the United States
had to re-do the entire ball-game during World War II at Dumbarton
Oaks and other locations. Yet, once ensnared, self-determination
literally opened a Pandora's box of human rights that we must now
disseminate.

That he stood up from an isolationist premise redoubles his doubly
noteworthy contribution. As a forerunner of US internationalism,
though that status produced its own conflicts, and quite a host of
them, the United States still remains one of the most crucial
champions of human rights and self-determination today as they enter
their second century of inducing individuals to maximise their own
rights and values opens up. It is a salutary moment in a tribally-torn
21st Century when an individual identity-search has far outpaced its
nationality-based counterpart.

Dr. Imtiaz A. Hussain is Professor & Head of the newly-built
Department of Global Studies & Governance at Independent University,
Bangladesh.