Author: Karagyozian Lena

Getting Down to lighten up not easy

DEEP ROOTS: Tragic Armenian history plays role in vision of distinct
thrash band

BY EVELYN MCDONNELL KNIGHT RIDDER

In concert
System of a Down Where: Pacific Coliseum When: Saturday night at 7
Tickets: $39.50-$55.50 at Ticketmaster.ca or 604-280-4444
Among the myriad norm-deviations that make System of a Down one of
the millennium’s strangest musical acts is the fact a holocaust
indirectly spawned the group.
>From 1915-23, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the
Turkish government in a horrific campaign of massacres, deportation,
starvation and torture. For System, this brutal history is something
more than prime heavy-metal-song fodder: It’s personal.
`Because of the genocide, Armenians scattered,’ System bassist Shavo
Odadjian explains over the phone from his Los Angeles home. A number
of the displaced, including four-year-old Odadjian and his future
bandmates, eventually made their way to America’s 20th-century
promised land: Hollywood. While many rock groups have their genesis
in high school, System of a Down is probably the first whose members
all attended an Armenian-American academy (albeit during different
years).
Odadjian, guitarist/singer Daron Malakian, singer Serj Tankian and
drummer John Dolmayan all speak Armenian. And though their music
isn’t filled with Armenian instruments, their shared ethnic history
undoubtedly unites them – and shapes their distinct world view and
musical vision.
`We’ve all grown up not the same, but with very similar morals and
values,’ says Odadjian. `We know how it is. We know not to talk about
anyone’s mother and sister.’
That cohesion has allowed System to carve a distinctive path through
the contemporary soundscape. They’re a thrash band that throws in
operatic trills. Progressive in their musical tastes and politics,
they’ve shot a video with Michael Moore. On Mesmerize, their recently
released fourth album, they mostly seem to be channelling the goofy,
artsy ghost of Frank Zappa, if he were in Metallica.
The band members’ experiences as progeny of the Armenian diaspora
provided the fuel for Mesmerize and Hypnotize, its companion CD, to
be released in late fall. Malakian’s family fled from Armenia to Iraq
before winding up in California. (Malakian was born in Hollywood,
Odadjian in Armenia, Tankian and Dolmayan in Lebanon.) His personal
and politicized fear, anger and sorrow drive Mesmerize, from the
opening `Soldier Side,’ through the fierce antiwar `B.Y.O.B.’ to the
melancholy `Sad Statue,’ in which the Statue of Liberty – the beacon
of immigrants – weeps over her torn domicile.
`He sees it totally differently,’ says Odadjian of Malakian’s view of
the war in Iraq. `It’s not because he’s from there, but because it’s
family. He doesn’t know when he’s going to get that call saying
something’s happened to somebody.’
Malakian’s need to express his feelings on global politics changed
the very dynamic of the band. For the first time, on Mesmerize, the
guitarist wrote the majority of lyrics and sings leads, while
Tankian, the traditional frontman, plays such instruments as acoustic
guitars, piano and synthesizers (and cowrites and sings). It’s as if
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger traded roles in the Rolling Stones.
And unlike the famously rancorous Glitter Twins, System’s songwriting
partnership apparently made the transition smoothly.
`He’s always been a singer,’ Odadjian says of Malakian. `I was not
surprised; we’re really good friends. I was surprised how Serj took
it so well and felt just like me: If you do something well, why would
I hold you back? We don’t let ego get in the way.’
Odadjian is also Zen about the way Malakian’s increased auteurship
ate into his presence on Mesmerize. The guitarist recorded many of
the bass parts himself, although Odadjian says the media has
overplayed this change.
`The way we did this album was a little different. The others we
wrote songs, played them for a while and then recorded. This time
around Daron had a vision. He wanted the bass playing to be similar
to guitar. The way I play bass is different. I did my stuff, and he
went in with my permission, with no ego, and redid some of the tracks
the way he wanted. Some songs are me, some are not.’
Odadjian does admit that he did, for the first time in his life, take
bass lessons while recording Mesmerize/Hypnotize.
The fact System’s members can so beatifically absorb one member’s
power move/creative burst is a testament to their strong roots. The
group formed in ’95, when Odadjian met Malakian and Tankian at a
shared rehearsal area. At first Odadjian was the group’s manager, but
eventually he passed those duties on to professionals.
Dolmayan joined in ’96.
Daron Malakian (from left), Serj Tankian, John Dolmayan and Shavo
Odadjian share strong roots – both Armenian and otherwise. – AP

ELDAR MAHMUDOV: “NATIONAL SAFETY MINISTRY WON’T ADMIT INSTABILITY IN COUNTRY”

Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 13 2005

Eldar Mahmudov, the Azerbaijani National Safety Minister, said that
if the opposition holds any action within law, security bodies will
not hinder them.

As Trend reports, according to Mahmudov, any illegal action of the
opposition will be prevented.

The Ministry will not admit instability on the eve of the parliamentary
elections. It is capable to prevent similar violations.

Mahmudov also informed journalists about the two Armenian citizens
kept in prison. He noted that handing over them to other country was
very difficult and long process. “We’re working in this direction,
hold negotiations with some countries. It is seems to me that positive
solution will be reached in the issue”,- he added.

URL:

ICG MAKES PROPOSALS ON GARABAGH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 12 2005

Baku, September 9, AssA-Irada
The International Crisis Group has prepared two reports on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh, its vice-president
Alain Deletroz said.

The first document covers the current situation in Upper Garabagh and
the socio-economic plight of refugees and displaced persons, while
the other one provides analysis of talks on the conflict resolution.

In conclusion of the reports, the ICG provides numerous recommendations
to the Azerbaijani government, Deletroz told a press conference
on Friday.

The ICG representative said that two of the recommendations are of
particular importance. First, the organization suggests that Azerbaijan
restore its relations with Armenia.

“Azerbaijan imposed a ban on its ties with Armenia a long time ago.

The ICG understands its position in this respect but believes it
impedes the conflict settlement. We therefore suggest that the ban
be lifted.”

The second pivotal issue in ICG recommendations is preventing the
description of Armenians as Azerbaijan’s historic enemies. The ICG
came to this conclusion after monitoring the work of local media and
reviewing historic materials, said Deletroz.

Besides, Armenians are often termed as historic enemies in the
statements of Azerbaijani officials.

The ICG representative said that if the Garabagh conflict is resolved
at some point, Armenians living in Upper Garabagh will be considered
Azerbaijani citizens. Calling Armenians ‘historic enemies’ is therefore
unacceptable, he said.

The ICG is expected to release the final version of its report on
the Garabagh conflict next Wednesday.

The International Crisis Group, established in 1995, is working on
the prevention of conflicts in 44 countries. The organization is
represented by former foreign ministers and prime ministers.*

KARABAKH MUST JOIN ARMENIA

A1+
| 15:43:31 | 12-09-2005 | Social |

“What do you think the Nagorno Karabakh status should be? ” This was
the poll question of the internet site “A1+” lat week. 287 people
participated in it.

Half of them – 50.5% think that Karabakh must form part of the Republic
of Armenia, 30t% think that it must be an independent republic,
and 5.9% think that it must form a state with Azerbaijan. 4.2%
were undecided.

This week the poll question is about the upcoming elections of local
governing bodies. We expect you to take active participation in
the poll.

AZG Armenian Daily #163, 13/09/2005

Turkey

TURKS LOOK FOR TURKISH TRACE IN ARMENIAN PATRIARCHS’ GENEALOGY

Turkish Yeni Safak published an article in its September 9 issue titled
“Mother and Sisters of Mesrop Mutafian Muslims?”. The same paper wrote an
article about Archbishop Shnork Galustian in its previous issue where it
stated that the late Patriarch’s grandmother married a Turk, adopted Islam,
and that the Patriarch was the brother of former head of department of
religious affairs, Lyutfi Doga.

Milliyet newspaper joined Yeni Safak with a September 8 article. It’s hard
to say what made Turkish paper go down the genealogy of Armenian Patriarchs
of Constantinople in search of Muslim relatives. It is evident though that
the articles citing the example of Patriarchs Shnork Galustian and Mesrop II
Mutafian aim at lessening the resistance of Turkey’s Armenian community to
mixed marriages with Turks.

Patriarch Mutafian replied to Yeni Safak’s article about his grandmother and
sister on the same day. His response was posted at , Armenian
online edition, by the Patriarchate’s press organ of Lraber. The Turkish
paper claimed that the mother of Mutafian’s mother, Mariam (Meryem) was
married first time to a Muslim Turk and even made a pilgrimage and had
children. But after her husband’s death, she married second time to
Mutafian’s grandfather. The correspondent of Yeni Safak, Fatma Durmus,
turned to the Patriarch’s niece who refused to provide explanations but did
not deny the paper’s information. Moreover, an Armenian lady from Istanbul
told the correspondent that Mutafian’s sister, Azatuhi, is married to a
Muslim.

To shed light on this matter, Patriarch told Yeni Safak’s correspondent: “My
grandmother’s father was Armenian but her father was Greek. Her father was
Poghos Qaraqashian and mother was Olympia. My grandmother’s name was Verzhin
Efzad Epraksi Qaraqashian. Her first husband was Artin Balkchian. They gave
birth to my aunt Azat and my mother Mari. My aunt married to Nshan, Armenian
Christian from Zara village of Sebastia. He is buried at the Armenian
cemetery of Istanbul. My mother married to a native of Adabazar, Onik
Mutafian, i.e. my father. As a result of their marriage my sisters Peruz and
Azatuhi and I appeared”.

The Patriarch’s words display that the name of Mutafian’s mother was not
Meryem as Yeni Safak claimed. As to the Muslim relatives of the Patriarch’s
father, Mrs. Verzhin got acquainted with Mehmed Ali Varoler after Artin
Qaraqashian’s death. They married in 1944 giving birth to a daughter Sevim
by name. Muslim Sevim Varoler married to Ersan Senqan and left for Germany
where they gave birth to the Patriarch’s niece Nilgyun Senqan. In 1995 she
married to Ahmed Gyursen and gave birth to a daughter named Ozde.

Mutafian’s sister Peruz wedded Ara Qamar and Azatuhi married Gilbert
Malghasian. Peruz had a son Natan and Azatuhi a daughter Mane. In other
words, Patriarch Mutafian has no other Muslim relatives but his aunt, her
husband and her daughter and grandchild.

In his reply to Yeni Safak, Mutafian refutes Turkish paper’s claims
concerning Islamic roots of Archbishop Shnork Galustian’s mother and that
Lyutfi Doga was his brother. Patriarch Mutafian stated that Archbishop’s
father, Mihran Galustian, was from the village of Yazgati Igdeli and mother,
Shushan, was from Bebek. Their marriage in 1908 gave birth to Anush,
Shnorhik, Armen and Arshak – future Patriarch Galustian. The Turks killed
Mihran Galustian and his 3 brothers during the massacre of 1915, Mutafian
states.

Haji Ali Doga married to Archbishop Shnork’s mother, Shushan but the woman
with her children lived in the first floor of a ruined two-storied house of
Mihran Galustian. Moreover, feeling that Turks will ill-treat her children,
she handed them over to an orphanage. Appointed Patriarch’s deputy in
Jerusalem in 1956-60, the then Bishop Galustian moves to Israel, and her
mother makes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to see her son not to Mecca as the
paper claimed.

Patriarch Mesrop II Mutafian’s replies to the correspondent of Yeni Safak
are very noteworthy as they prove false the rumors concerning the late and
current patriarch of Constantinople and once again bring to surface the fact
of the Armenian Genocide.

By Hakob Chakrian

Crescenta Valley Water District
818-248-3925
Fax 818-248-1659
[email protected]

News from Crescenta Valley Water District

PRESS RELEASE
August 30, 2005:

NOVEMBER ELECTION

CVWD will not be on the ballot this November 8th. The three Directors,
whose terms were expiring, Mr. Vasken Yardemian, Mr. Richard, Atwater,
and Mr. Ernest Webber, will all serve another term.

The filling period for this election was July 18th through August 12th
and besides the incumbent Directors, there were no other applicants.
Consequently, the Board of Supervisors will appoint each Director to
another term. Not taking part in the election will save the District
approximately $40,000.00.

CVWD is pleased to have all three of the Directors back for another four
years.

Director Webber has already served two terms on the CVWD Board, has been
a resident of the Crescenta Valley for 40 years and has over 45-years of
experience in the water industry working primarily in Geology,
Hydrology, and water quality improvement.

Director Atwater, one of our newer members, joined the Board in late
2003. He brings great knowledge and experience with his career in the
water industry, where he is currently General Manager of one of the
larger wholesale water agencies. Director Atwater served as a member of
the California Water Commission from 2000 to 2004 and has received
awards from EPA for environmental management.

Director Yardemian, who has served one term on the CVWD Board, has been
active in the La Crescenta community for the last ten years. He served
on the Crescenta Valley Town Council for five years and was also Council
president. Director Yardemian has worked for the South Coast AQMD for
the last 17 years as an environmental engineer and holds an
undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and an M.S. in Environmental
Science.

The Directors are scheduled to be sworn in at the December 13th Board
Meeting, and will serve a 4-year term.

###

ARMENIAN AND AZERI FOREIGN MINISTERS MAY MEET IN OCTOBER

DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 5 2005

Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers’ recurrent meeting may take
place in October. “We’ll try to organize the meeting”, stated the OSCE
Minsk group Russian Co – Chair Yuri Merzlyakov during the interview
for Freedom Radio Station. According to the Russian mediator, the two
countries’ Presidents’ August meeting was useful. In his words, the
negotiations proceeded in very favorable atmosphere. “They discussed
what we had proposed”, said Yuri Merzlyakov.

TIGRAN MANSURIAN. STRING QUARTETS. ROSAMUNDE QUARTET. ECM NEW SERIES
by Stephen Pettitt

Sunday Times (London)
September 4, 2005, Sunday

Tigran Mansurian

Both the first and second string quartets by the Lebanese-born Armenian
composer Tigran Mansurian are predominantly slow and mournful pieces,
each completed in 1984 and written in memory of a recently dead
friend. The language is direct, but Mansurian is not of any formulaic
minimalist school. Rather, his structures are built on a richness of
harmony and melodic expression that allies him to late Beethoven. Both
works – each cast in three movements -and the eloquent and dark single
movement Testament, dedicated to Manfred Eicher (the man behind ECM)
and composed just last year, are played with miraculously sustained
poise by the Rosamunde Quartet.

MINISTER OF DEFENSE TO LEAVE FOR LATVIA FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 5 2005

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. The Armenian delegation headed by the
Secretary of the National Security Council at the RA President,
Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan will leave for Latvia for an
official visit. According to the public Relations Department of
the RA Ministry of Defense, in the framework of the visit meetings
with the Latvian Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Head of the
Main Headquarter of the Armed Forces, as well as with the Chairman
of the parliamentary commission on national security and defense
are expected. In the framework of the visit it’s planned to sign an
agreement on military cooperation between the Ministries of Defense
of Armenia and Latvia. A.H.–0–

HAKOB BEGLARYAN APPOINTED

A1+

| 14:48:21 | 05-09-2005 | Official |

By the decision of the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Gagik
Khachatryan has been resigned from the post of the head of the “State
Purchase Agency” state non-commerce organization.

By another decision of the Prime Minister, Hakob Beglaryan was
appointed head of the “State Purchase Agency” state non-commerce
organization.