Author: Jagharian Tania

PRESS RELEASE
March 7, 2005
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:

Ambassador Arman Kirakossian’s Farewell Address to the Armenian American
Community

Dear compatriots,

At the end of March, I will complete my diplomatic mission as Armenian
Ambassador to the United States, and return to Yerevan to continue to work
at the Foreign Ministry.

During my tenure as Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States, I have always
communicated with the Armenian American community to keep them apprised of
the Embassy’s diplomatic activities, through press releases and annual New
Year addresses. I believe that the tradition of openness and transparency
has served the Embassy well. Before my departure, I want to share with you
my impressions and perspective on the course of U.S.-Armenian relations and
the highlights of my mission as Ambassador of Armenia in Washington, DC.

I believe that U.S.-Armenian relations have strengthened and expanded
greatly within the last 5 years, a process I am privileged and proud to have
been associated with. In part, the quality of our bilateral relations today
reflects an Armenia that is more stable, economically dynamic, and confident
domestically than it was 5 years ago.

The political dialog between the United States and the Republic of Armenia
continues on highest levels. Armenian President Robert Kocharian visited
with President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, and Armenian
Cabinet members, including the Foreign Minister visit the United States on
periodic basis. Institutionally, the U.S.-Armenian Economic Task Force was
established in 1999 and since then, it has held its sessions biannually,
bringing together government officials from Armenia and the United States to
discuss issues of mutual interest in the areas of economic development,
economic, social, and legal reforms, trade and commerce, and energy. Armenia
and the United States periodically hold security consultations to discuss
issues of bilateral, regional, and global importance.

The United States has continued its positive involvement as the Co-Chair of
the OSCE Minsk Group, upholding its commitment to a peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The highlight of my term as Ambassador was
the Armenian-Azeri negotiations at Key West, Florida, hosted by the United
States government.

Economic and commercial relations between our countries have always been the
focus of my attention during my term as Ambassador, reflecting Armenia’s
continued need for foreign investment and increasing exports from Armenia.
The Business Forum in New York in May 2001, as well as Armenian Products
Expos held in Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002 boosted bilateral economic
cooperation. Armenian exports to the United States increased nearly
threefold, from 15.2 million dollars in 1999 to 46.1 million dollars in
2004. U.S. investments in Armenia also increased, especially in the
hospitality and software industries. It is heartening to know that every
year there is greater number of Armenian Americans traveling to Armenia for
business or pleasure. Both in Washington and during my visits to other parts
of the United States, I have promoted the Armenian industry and products,
encouraging the members of the local Armenian American community to visit
Armenia, and invest in the Armenian economy.

The United States government continues to provide significant assistance to
help Armenia’s economic transition. Armenia’s solid macroeconomic
performance was credited by the United States Government in its decision to
make Armenia eligible as potential recipient of a new form of U.S.
assistance, the Millennium Challenge Account, to promote further economic
growth and alleviate poverty in Armenia. The United States provided critical
support to ensure Armenia’s accession to the World Trade Organization, which
reinforced Armenia’s status as trade-oriented, liberal economy. Armenia’s
membership in the WTO validates the economic reforms in Armenia and helps
break the myth of Armenia’s isolation from the world. Since Armenia joined
the WTO, the United States granted our country the Permanent Normal Trade
Relations status. Most of Armenia’s exports to the U.S. qualify for a
duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences program. I
am confident that U.S.-Armenian trade relations will continue to increase
for many years to come.

Armenia’s military cooperation with the United States began in 2001, soon
after the terrible tragedy of 9/11 struck. The Armenian people expressed
their sympathy with the Americans, and the Government of Armenia has
provided tangible support to U.S.-led global war on terrorism. One of the
consequences of the post-September 11 geopolitical dynamics was the waiver
of Section 907, although U.S. government committed to ensuring that any
military assistance to Azerbaijan will not be used to destabilize the
fragile cease-fire regime. In the last five years, Armenia and the United
States exchanged visits by the Armenian Defense Minister and U.S. Defense
Secretary, as well as by high-ranking military officers of both countries.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and the State of Kansas National
Guard have established a State Partnership Program. The U.S. military
provided assistance to help Armenia to train a demining unit and to
establish peacekeeping capability. Armenian soldiers and officers serve with
their counterparts from the U.S. and other partner nations within NATO’s
Partnership for Peace program, and in the peacekeeping operations in Kosovo.
Armenia’s contingent is also serving in Iraq with many other nations, making
its contribution to stability and reconstruction in that nation.

During my tenure as Ambassador to the U.S., I have been privileged to visit
many universities and think tanks, attend conferences and seminars, and meet
with many distinguished scholars and academics. I have used these
opportunities to keep Armenian and non-Armenian audiences apprised of
Armenia’s domestic and foreign policies, social and economic development,
progress in democratization and economic transition.

As an historian, I have done my best to promote the Armenian Studies,
cooperation between Armenian Studies scholars in Armenia and the United
States, as well as collaboration between universities and scientists in both
countries. A recently published report on Science and Technology in Armenia,
prepared by the U.S. National Academies of Science, presents the current
state and prospects for development of the Armenian science and technology
sector, which has much to offer toward building a prosperous Armenia. I have
also made a modest contribution to the Armenian Political Studies via
publication of two books in English, “British Diplomacy and the Armenian
Question: from the 1830’s to 1914,” and “The Armenian Massacres, 1894-1896:
U.S. Media Testimony.”

Over the last five years, the Embassy has continued to promote the Armenian
culture, Armenia’s important business card. The tradition of holding
concerts, exhibitions, recitals, and community events truly makes the
Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC into the House of Armenia. We are truly
proud of the Embassy building, which is among the best Armenian chanceries
abroad, and its preservation and maintenance remained the focus of attention
of the Embassy, as well as the Building Committee comprised of distinguished
members of the Armenian American community. The building has received
necessary renovations and repair all these years.

In 2001, a khachkar stone sculpture, made in Armenia, was erected on the
Embassy grounds, in the garden, to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of
establishment of Christianity as the official religion in Armenia. His
Holiness Garegin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
graced the Embassy with his presence, and personally consecrated the
Khachkar, as a visible reminder of Armenia’s legacy in the heart of
Washington. For the last three years since the Khachkar was erected at the
Embassy, the members of the Washington-based Armenian community gather there
on April 24 to commemorate the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This
solemn occasion brings together Armenians from all walks of life and
backgrounds, and the Embassy is proud to have contributed to the unity and
cohesion of the Armenian community in Washington.

Hardly a week goes by without an occasional visitor dropping by the Embassy
for a quick tour of the building. We keep our doors open, and I encourage
you to keep us in your minds during your next visit to Washington, DC. You
can also visit us virtually from the comfort of your office or home with the
help of the Embassy website,

It has been said many times that people are Armenia’s primary resource,
whether in the Homeland or in the Diaspora. It has been a great pleasure for
me to visit Armenian-American communities in the United States, go to the
Armenian Churches, meet with community organizations and activists, and host
them at the Embassy. I have appreciated the candor with which the
Armenian-Americans discussed the many challenges facing Armenia, and I
remain convinced that Armenians in the Homeland and in the Diaspora share
the same goals, aspirations, and vision of a stable, democratic, and
prosperous Armenia.

During my years in the United States, the Embassy of Armenia has received
tremendous assistance and moral support from the Armenian-American
community. I have worked closely with the Armenian Assembly of America and
the Armenian National Committee of America, other Armenian-American
political and cultural organizations, their local chapters and grassroots
activists. Armenia owes its successes and achievements to thousands of
Armenian-American activists, who successfully lobby in support of Armenian
issues and on behalf of Armenia. I also appreciate the steadfast support of
my colleagues and friends during my tenure as Ambassador of Armenia.

I am confident that my successor will continue and build upon the great
traditions of cooperation with the Armenian-American organizations to
promote Armenian interests in Washington, D.C.

I wish you well, and look forward to continuing our joint work toward a
better future for our Homeland Hayastan.

Dr. Arman Kirakossian
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 3 2005

Iranian parliament may discuss Khojaly massacre

The Iranian parliament may discuss the Khojaly massacre of
Azerbaijanis perpetrated by Armenians in 1992, the Iranian Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Afshar Suleymani told journalists on Monday.

Suleymani said that he had presented documents on the Khojaly tragedy
to the Iranian Foreign Ministry,

expressing confidence that the Ministry would express its position on
the issue shortly.
“Iran supports the territorial integrity and the position of
Azerbaijan within international organizations,” said Suleymani,
noting that no foreign forces can affect the relations between the
two countries.

ARMENIAN COUNCIL OF AMERICA
440 W. Colorado Blvd. Suite 202
Glendale, CA 91203
Tel: 818-502-6580
Fax: 818-502-6543
email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

March 1, 2005

Contact: Peter Darakjian
818-254-7391 ACA Announces Endorsements For Glendale Elections

GLENDALE – For the upcoming Glendale City Municipal elections on April
5th, the Armenian Council of America, a political action committee, on
Tuesday March 1st, 2005, announced its endorsement of current Glendale
City Mayor Bob Yousefian, Council Member Frank Quintero, Glendale
Community College Trustee Ara Najarian and Glendale community activist
Garry Sinanian, for the four city council seats.

For Glendale City Clerk’s office and City treasurer’s office, the ACA
is endorsing city employee Paulette Mardikian and incumbent treasurer
Ronald Borucki respectively.

The ACA also announced its endorsement of Board President Greg
Krikorian and Board Member Chakib `Chuck’ Sambar for two of three open
seats in the Glendale Unified School District Governing Board
elections.

As for the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees elections the
ACA is giving open endorsement without specifying any individual
candidate.

`In the past few months, the election endorsement sub committee,
interviewed and carefully studied the agenda of the candidates,’
stated ACA Executive Director Mr. Peter Darakjian, `we feel these
individuals are best suited to represent the Glendale community, and
that is why it is important that the Armenian-American community
mobilize and vote for these individuals in the April 5th elections.’

ACA board chairman Mr. Vasken Khodanian stated; `with so many
individuals running, we felt it necessary to endorse candidates who we
have worked with before in different capacities and believe that will
better represent the needs of our community.’

Besides endorsing above officials, ACA is also actively engaged in
educating the mass about the importance of voting and urges every
citizen to fulfill his/her civic duty.

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated
to educating the Armenian-American community in local political
affairs, as well as actively pursuing Armenian-American participation
in their respective local governments.

The Age

Cheap Streets

March 1, 2005

Cheap Eats editor Patrick Witton takes readers on an exotic, gastronomic
city tour – the travel costs are minimal and no passport is required.

You know what it’s like: a pal has just returned from a Christmas break (in
February) and he’s regaling you with tales of leaky boats on the River Phrik
and sunsets over the Cote d’Anchovy. He’s reliving gibbous moon parties and
seven-day bus trips, and he’s gone for the sari-over-ugh-boots look. And
you’re happy for him. Really you are.

“And the food!” he says. “Stalls selling satay and red-bean treats … chic
cafes and tofu temples … banana pancakes by the buggy load.”

But did he have to travel so far for new gastronomic experiences? In
Melbourne’s CBD, beneath the bristling cranes and within new consumer
complexes, is an ever-changing array of splendid cheap eateries.

While researching the 2005 edition of The Age Cheap Eats we found that on a
walk from one corner of the city to the other, with perhaps a little
zig-zagging, you could discover a just-opened tapas bar, noodle house,
crafty cantina and much more. So as a taster to the latest edition, we’ve
plotted a trail to 10 of our new Cheap Eats favourites within the CBD. Some
are just-born enterprises, while others are someone’s secret-no-more. You
won’t need a passport, a fistful of travellers’ cheques, or a course of
anti-malarials, but you will need a stout appetite to complete this
gastrotour.

And what better place to start a Cheap Eats jaunt than at Spencer Street,
where so many backpackers or briefcasers begin their city expeditions. With
your back to the exoskeleton of what will soon be known as Southern Cross
Station, start walking up Collins Street, then vanish from the throng into
the city’s narrowest laneway. Here the tram ding fades, replaced by the hiss
of a hardworking coffee machine. This is first stop: Choix Creperie Cafe, a
little piece of Paris without the raucous American college students, where
you can watch as lime is drizzled on to avocado toasties, lamb and yoghurt
is origamied into crepes, and lattes are balanced on homely porcelain china
saucers.

Backtrack to Collins, cross King, then take the hidden escalator at the back
of the Rialto to Flinders Lane. Just beyond the corrugated back wall of Le
Meridien Hotel is Sataybar, a nifty little lunch spot where skewered beef,
chicken or tofu are set on the grill until smoky, doused in peanut sauce and
racked up with vegie crackers and achar salad – just like your west Javanese
grandma used to make. Lunch plates are top value, but pace yourself if you
intend to complete the tour, and dine by the skewer.

Maybe it’s time for a moment’s repose, a cleansing cuppa and a meditative
moment. So shuffle up to Queen Street and into Fo Guang Yuan Buddhist tea
house, a serene spot where ersatz pork dishes and tofu stews are served,
along with osmanthus tea “to refresh the mind”. There’s also an art gallery
that may feature incense burners, tea culture and other soothing subjects,
and a meditation room if the spirit takes you.

Once refreshed, float up Elizabeth Street (via car-free Hardware Lane) to
Chillipadi, a fresh-faced Malaysian place bedecked with cutie girl motifs.
As well as trad faves such as laksa (spritzed with mint), Chillipadi’s
kitchen folds up artful packages of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf, and
turns out Malaysian street fare such as roti sandwiches with spicy mince.

North Asian flavours feature at the next destination. Head through Melbourne
Central’s subterranean passageways, sneak over Bourke Street, then descend
into QVB’s basement food court. The pick of the bunch here is E C Pot Cafe
Bar, decorated with wood panelling and tiny terracotta tomb soldiers.
There’ll be a small wait before a lidded claypot arrives, plump with rice
(correctly cooked until just-crunchy on the bottom) and topped with spicy
pork and eggplant.

Your appetite might be flagging at this point, so just a sweet snack next.
Cross Lonsdale Street and slip down Heffernan Lane, with its perplexing
council-issue street art: parking signs stating “bigotry is the sacred
disease” and other traffic advice.

Stroll along Little Bourke, buying Hello Kitty trinkets while you’re there.
Then enter Mid-City Arcade, home to Dessert House, where homesick overseas
students find sweet relief in red-bean pancakes, black sesame ice-cream, and
pawpaw with snow fungus.

Waddle down Bourke, onto Swanston and back into Flinders Lane. It’s time for
coffee and a chance to fall asleep with your head on a textbook. Journal
shares a scholarly vibe with the CAE library next door. But here you can
dribble hot coffee (or soup, or antipasto) on your copy of Soviet Crockery
101 without fear of retribution.

Those with a strong constitution can stroll past the art galleries of
Flinders Lane for the final assault of the gastrotour. But there’s always
the beckoning clunk ‘n’ grind of the City Circle tram: bench yourself next
to a map-toting tourist as the W-class rattles its way up to Bourke Street.
Here, at the fur-hemmed, cigar-smoking end of the city are three fine cheap
eateries in which to chew. The Mess Hall attracts pollies and plebs with
Thai fishcakes, Armenian soups, and salads of beetroot, basil, goat’s cheese
and pomegranate. Around the corner on Spring Street, the marble-wood
surrounds of the City Wine Shop lures them with offerings such as duck
rillettes, crackingly good pork belly, and a hard-to-resist wall of vino.

But maybe you want to end at the top: while Parliament isn’t sitting, we the
people can perch on velvet chairs and enjoy scones, smoked salmon and other
spoils of government-issue high tea. You have to book, but there’s no better
end to a tour than with treats plucked straight from Bracksy’s pantry.

The Age Cheap Eats 2005 is available from newsagents and bookshops for
$19.95, or from The Age shop for $17.95 (subscribers $15.95).

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact:

“THE ACADEMIC WAR OVER KARABAGH”
IN BOURNOUTIAN SEMINAR AT NAASR

Historian Dr. George A. Bournoutian will offer a special afternoon
seminar on “The Academic War Over Nagorno-Karabagh” on Saturday,
March 5, at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
(NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA. The seminar will run
from 12:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a period of question and answer
and discussion to follow.

George Bournoutian is Senior Professor of History at Iona College.
He is the author of numerous books on Armenian history and has taught
Armenian history at Columbia University, Tufts University, New York
University, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, Ramapo
College, and Glendale Community College. He is currently Visiting
Professor of Armenian History at Columbia.

Fighting War Turns Into Academic Battle

This seminar will explore the ongoing academic battle over the disputed
area of Nagorno-Karabagh. Although a cease fire has kept the shooting
war between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces quiet for over a decade,
the scholarly skirmishes continue, with Azeri schol-ars presenting
a version of history that purports to show that the region has
always been Azeri territory. This academic battle has real political
consequences as both sides stake their claim to a territory where
much blood has already been shed.

Bournoutian recently published Two Chronicles on the History of
Karabagh, with a major grant from NAASR and other funders, a revised
and substantially expanded version of Bournoutian’s earlier, out of
print History of Qarabagh (1994). The two chronicles in question,
Mirza Jamal Javanshir’s Tarikh-e Karabagh and Mirza Adigözal Beg’s
Karabagh-name, provide a detailed picture of Karabagh in the 18th and
early 19th centuries. The translation of the Tarikh-e Karabagh formed
the basis of his earlier History of Qarabagh, while the Karabagh-name
makes its first appearance in English in the new volume.

Historical Revisionism with Political Impact

Bournoutian writes that “Partisans of both [the Armenian and Azeri]
sides produced polemical studies affirming their historical claims
to the region.. A number of Azerbaijani his-tories, led by the late
Ziya Buniatov, have gone beyond the bounds of scholarship and have
ma-nipulated the original 19th century Persian texts written by Turkic
Muslims, by expunging most references to Armenia and the Armenians
in the new editions of these works.”

In presenting these unexpurgated translations with substantial
commentary and sup-plemented with material from three other
sources, Bournoutian is providing a necessary corrective to such
pseudo-scholarly behavior. “Statesmen shall ultimately decide the
validity of Armenian and Azeri claims in Karabagh,” he writes.
“In the meantime, the work of these 19th-century local historians
should aid unbiased historians to sort out the facts.”

With Bournoutian serving as an expert guide, those attending the
seminar will reach a greater understanding of the troubled history
of Nagorno-Karabagh and how the writing of that history has an impact
on the shaping of current and future events.

Bournoutian’s book Two Chronicles on the History of Karabagh is
available at the NAASR bookstore and will be on sale the day of the
seminar and available for signing by the author.

The NAASR Center is located near Belmont Center and is directly
opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the U.S. Post Office.
Ample parking is available around the building and in adjacent areas.

More information about Bournoutian’s seminar, including purchasing,
or NAASR and its programs for the furtherance of Armenian studies,
research, and publication may be had by calling 617-489-1610, faxing
617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing to NAASR, 395 Concord
Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

–Boundary_(ID_Hg33hXfO2Z04X4kKwNy0AQ)–

German opposition urges Turks to ponder Armenia

Kathimerini, Greece
Feb 28 2005

BERLIN (AP) – Germany’s conservative opposition has submitted a
parliamentary motion calling for Turkey to examine its role in the
killing of Armenians nearly a century ago, a senior lawmaker said
yesterday, drawing criticism from Ankara’s ambassador in Berlin. The
motion urges the German government to push for Turkey to “look without
reservations at its role towards the Armenian people in the past and
present” and to “champion freedom of opinion in Turkey, particularly
concerning the massacre of Armenians.” No date has been set for
any vote.

ISSUE ON ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS MAY BE DISCUSSED AT REGULAR SITTING
OF TURKISH NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

ANKARA, FEBRUARY 25. ARMINFO. An issue on Armenian-Turkey relations
may be discussed at the regular sitting of the National Security
Council of Turkey.

According to the Turkish mass media, referring to some local
observers, Turkey should not be a hostage of Azerbaijan in relations
with Armenia, but is to be guided by its own interests. In their
opinion, when the border with Armenia is opened, Turkey may play far
bigger part in the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. -r-

OSCE CHAIRMAN: THERE ARE REAL MECHANISM FOR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH
CONFLICT

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24. ARMINFO. OSCE Chairman Dimitry Rupel intends to
visit Armenia and Azerbaijan to get acquainted with the realities of
the Karabakh conflict in the place. He declared during the sitting of
OSCE in Vienna, Thursday.

National Television of Armenia informs, during his speech Rupel has
mentioned that OSCE must activate its role in peaceful settlement of
the Karabakh conflict. He also pointed out that there are real
mechanisms for settlement of this problem. Dimitry Rupel also
mentioned that for resolution to the conflict the only acceptable
format of mediation is the OSCE Minsk Group. Head of Armenian
delegation Vahan Hovhannisian proposed OSCE to assist the
establishment of a direct dialogue between Nagorny Karabakh and
Azerbaijan. In his turn, OSCE Chairman stressed that there are no
obstacles for that and nobody has the right to hinder this dialogue.

Newsday, NY
Feb 25 2005

Eats
Home cooking, if your home is Armenia

BY JOSH OZERSKY.

SEVAN

216-07 Horace Harding Expy.

Bayside, 718-281-0004

Its thing: Armenian home cooking

Its hours: 12 p.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday

The Tab: Appetizers $3-$5; entrees $9-$12

Disabled Access: easy: open seating, no steps

If you have Armenian friends, sooner or later they are going to sing
you a song of lamejun.

At least that’s been my experience. I had been hearing for years
about this delicacy, which is a flatbread topped with ground lamb and
herbs. Every Armenian granny makes it, and their fortunate relatives
keep it frozen away like waffles, reheating it at needy moments.

Armenian food is said to have other hidden treasures, as well. So
when I heard about Sevan, on the service road off the Long Island
Expressway in Bayside, I headed out.

Sevan isn’t run by a grandmother, but it is a family operation. Next
door is a large grocery loaded with Armenian and Turkish specialty
items: dates, cheese, spices. A family member waits on you, bringing
out courses with helpful explanations.

On each of two trips, I started with soup. Jujoukh, or yogurt soup,
was warm and tangy, closer to great tzatskiki than what we tend to
think of as yogurt. Borscht was a satiating medley of beef, cabbage,
beets and little vegetables in broth, with a dollop of sour cream
added for richness.

On both occasions, I had lamejun on my mind.

As it turned out, the lamejun is a little underwhelming here. It’s
ground beef, not lamb, and though the herbs give it a nice little
kick, it didn’t knock me out with either its taste or texture. Far
more exciting were the potent hummus, the bulgur-dusted ground beef
kuifta, and the air-cured meat called basturma, which went well with
the olive and cheese platters that my party wisely ordered on both
occasions.

The carrot salad was the biggest surprise – bound up with ground
walnuts and garlic and scented strongly with cilantro, it made an
excellent appetizer, refreshing without being filling.

Main courses were simpler – good, if a little plain. I tried the
manti, the so-called Armenian ravioli, which the menu here describes
as “seasoned ground beef shells served with specialty tomato sauce
and yogurt with garlic.” I thought it was good but neither very
interesting nor a match for the other entrees. Pork chops are mildly
marinated, thick and grilled carefully, though I made a point (as I
always do) of asking for them not to be too dry.

The “Sevan original chicken dish” is delicately breaded poultry,
served with a “specialty yogurt sauce.” (There are a lot of
specialties at Sevan.) Grilled quail were plump and vivid. And
khinkali, a meat dumpling, was probably the homiest of all the
entrees I tried.

The best part of the meal was drinking Armenian coffee, a thick and
sweet brew like Turkish coffee, and browsing the selection of
“specialty food” next door.

I was able to enjoy Sevan completely and leave happy. I even took
some lamejun home and have been eating it for breakfast.

IMPRESSION OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES IN MIDDLE EAST AND GEORGIA

Azg/arm
23 Feb 05

We met father Haroutyun Bezdikian from Mkhitarian Congregation in
Venice upon arrival in Yerevan after a trip to Armenian communities in
the Middle East. The aim of this trip to Lebanon and Syria with the
president of Paradiz Company Martun Adoyan and few other members was
to get acquainted with historic places of Syria for shooting a feature
film on “Ara the Beautiful and Shamiram” epopee. We met Syrian
officials as well as representatives of Syrian c inematography for
this purpose. The film is an attempt to present to international
spectators the famous story of Armenian king Ara (his name was
mentioned in”The Armenian History” by Movses Khorenatsi) and the queen
of Assyria Shamiram.

During our stay, archimandrite Bezdikian had a chance to meet Armenian
families in Aleppo and to deliver a lecture titled “National Ideology”
at the Levon Shant hall of Aram Manukian Center. His impression of
Armenian communities of Middle East was not that optimistic. “The
Syrian community, famous for its warmth, has much changed, as I
see. There are less Armenians in Syria with every year, and the
majority of those who did not leave the country for the US or Europe
did so out of national feelings and wishing to keep their children
away from depravity. Few of them, mostly craftspeople, come to
Armenia. The Syrian community makes every effort to revive: they
opened a new benevolent centerand organize cultural arrangements. But
I think that the Armenian community of the Middle East is devoid of
its previous glamour and needs attention from the Armenian
government. Something has to change, and those reforms should come
from Armenia. The Armenian government should awake”.

In three days after he arrived in Yerevan he learnt about acts of
vandalism in Georgia against Armenian churches and headed for
Tbilisi. Upon his return from Georgia he visited daily Azg to share
his impression and to show pictures he shot. “I left for Tbilisi to
find out whether the media ruckus that Georgians began using Armenian
churches and replacing Armenian tombstones with Georgian ones was true
or not. I saw that sacrilege with my own eyes. The Armenian Norashen
church was deprived, Karmir Avetaran church was blown up by dynamite
and other churches were remade into Georgian ones.

“This savagery aroused Armenian community’s indignation, and the
Armenian diocese of Georgia took measures by urging mass media to
inform about these falsifications, writing letters to the Georgian
president and prime minister. A group of patriots – director of
Sundukian Theatre, lawmakers â=80`demand punishment for those
vandals. Those acts were committed by Georgian clergy mainly. The
fanatic mob attacked the churches blowing one of them and setting
another one on fire. There was a TV interview scheduled for Saturday
with father Abgar Hovakimian from the Armenian diocese.

“I am hopeful that the uproar will make Georgians settle down and
cease their barbarism”.

Nevertheless, the member of Mkhitarian Congregation was impressed by
the Georgians’ watchful attitude towards their language (Georgian
language predominates on signboards in Tbilisi).

By Melania Badalian