SYDNEY — On February 1, Karekin II,Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of AllArmenians, arrived on a pontifical visit tothe Armenian Diocese of Australia and NewZealand.The Catholicos of All Armenians was wel-

comed at the airport in Sydney, Australiaby Diocesan Primate Bishop HaikazounNajarian, clergy of the Diocese; diocesanand parish as well as about 20 representa-tives of Armenian organizations.On February 2, the “Hrashapar” service

was held in the Holy Resurrection Churchin Sydney. In front of the church, theCatholicos was welcomed by the clergy,members of diocesan and parish councils,choirs, schoolchildren and scouts with pro-cessional banners, flags and welcomeposters.Following the Salt and Bread service,

under the singing of the hymns, Karekin IIsolemnly entered the church where morethan 400 faithful were waiting for theblessed visit of the Armenian pontiff.Blessing the pious Armenians, he ascendedto the Holy Altar, where the church wor-ship service was held.Following the service, Najarian,

Primate of the Armenian Diocese ofAustralia and New Zealand, welcomedthe Catholicos of All Armenians andinvited to convey his Pontifical blessingsto the attending faithful.In his comments, the Catholicos said,

“Throughout the ages, our people havefaced challenges and trials, and as a resultof the Genocide spread all over the world,but in every place, according to theApostle’s order, have remained loyal to God,endured hardships and through praisewor-thy deeds raised his life. As in the Armeniancommunities throughout the world, here inAustralia also, the history of the Armeniancommunity has become an overcoming oftrials, creation of new successes, a glorioustestimony to the Motherland, our HolyChurch and our spiritual center, theMother See of Holy Echmiadzin.

“You have united here from differentArmenian communities of the world, bring-ing and preserving your traditions, with

their beautiful diversity you have enrichedand improved the community of Sydney.

see CATHOLICOS, page 2

US Official to ExploreCloser Defense Ties

With ArmeniaYEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A senior Pentagon offi-

cial has said that she will visit Yerevan soon toexplore the possibility of stepping up military coop-eration between the United States and Armenia.“I look forward to visiting Yerevan in the near

future and learning first-hand how we can deepenthe defense and security ties between our twocountries,” Laura Cooper, the US deputy assistantsecretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine andEurasia, said at a reception hosted by the ArmenianEmbassy in Washington on Tuesday, February 5.The embassy organized the event to mark the

27th anniversary of the official creation ofArmenia’s Armed Forces.Despite its military alliance with Russia, Armenia

has already deepened its military ties with the USand other NATO member states since the early2000s. It currently contributes troops to NATO-ledmissions in Kosovo and Afghanistan and regularlyparticipates in multinational exercises organized bythe Western alliance. US military assistance toArmenia has totaled about $50 million since 2002.Cooper expressed Washington’s “appreciation”

of the Armenian troop deployments in Afghanistanand Kosovo. The 160 Armenian soldiers serving in

Afghanistan and Kosovo are part of a specialPeacekeeping Brigade.

Henrikh MkhitaryanReturns from InjuryLONDON (Public Radio of Armenia) — Henrikh

Mkhitaryan made his return from injury onMonday night during the Under-23s’ PremierLeague 2 match against West Ham United.“After a while, I came back. I started playing with

the under-23s and I’m very happy. I hope that Iwon’t have any more injuries and I will keep play-ing,” he told Arsenal’s official website after thegame, on February 4.“I’m thankful to everyone who has been working

with me. To the medical staff, to the fitness coachand everyone, even to my team-mates. They weresupporting me every day. It’s life, everything is hap-pening and you can get injured or something likethat. I hope that no one gets injured any more andthe team can be fully fit for the next games,” headded.The match was called off after half-time due to

fog.“I think we did very well. We could improve in

some aspects but we scored three goals, were play-ing very good football and could’ve scored,”Mkhitaryan said.The Armenian had been out of action since

December 19 after he fractured a metatarsal in hisright foot during the Carabao Cup defeat to Spurs.

INSIDE

NEWS IN BRIEF

MusicalExplorers

Page 13

INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXIX, NO. 29, Issue 4573

FEBRUARY 9 , 2 019

$ 2.00

The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932

LOS ANGELES(Los Angeles Times)— The masked fig-ure in black walkedthe perimeters of the two private Armenian schools, clutchingTurkish flags. In the early-morning hours of Tuesday, January29. school officials and police said, he zip-tied more than adozen flags on the schools’ gates and fled.Authorities are investigating the incidents, which have

sparked concern and outrage among L.A.’s Armenians. Many

have described thedisplay of the flagsas an act of hate,intended to intimi-

date the community and discredit the Armenian genocide. LosAngeles police were reviewing surveillance footage andplanned to boost patrols near the schools.“It came as a complete shock and surprise in the sense we

weren’t expecting it,” said Arpi Avanesian, principal of AGBU see INVESTIGATION, page 7

Turkish flags outside the Ferrahian School in Los Angeles

LAPD Investigates Turkish Flags Hung at Armenian Schools

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde and Alene Tchekmedyian

By Muriel Mirak-WeissbachSpecial to the Mirror-Spectator

COLOGNE, Germany — When ArmenianPrime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and hiswife Annas Hakobyan paid an official visitto Germany last week, their first stop wasnot the capital city but Cologne. This mayhave come as a surprise to some, but therewere good reasons for it. As Pashinyanexplained to a gathering of members of theArmenian community on January 31,“Cologne is the capital of the Armenians ofGermany, and it was not accidental that westarted the official visit here.” The meetingtook place at the Diocese of theArmenian Apostolic Church, which is theseat of the church in Germany.

In his address that evening, in Armenian,Pashinyan touched on themes he was to

see GERMANY, page 4

Pashinyan Visits GermanyMICHAEL BAUSE / TH KÖLN PHOTO

Prof. Dr. Stefan Herzig, Rector of theTechnological University of Cologne, wel-comes Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister ofthe Republic of Armenia

Catholicos Karekin II Embarks on PontificalVisit to Australia and New Zealand

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II with students

S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R2

ARMENIA

German Airline Files forBankruptcy

YEREVAN (Armenpress) —Germania airline hasfiled for bankruptcy, announcing the cancellation ofall flights, including Berlin-Yerevan direct flights,Armenia’s Zvartnots International Airportannounced this week.The company is facing financial difficulties, there-

fore, it suspends all flights.Zvartnots International Airport urges its passen-

gers to contact with the office of the Germania air-line in Armenia for all questions.

Polish Delegation Led byAmbassador Meets with

PashinyanYEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister of

Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received on February 5 theAmbassador of Poland to Armenia Pavel Ceplak andthe representatives of Polish Lyubava military indus-trial company.Greeting the guests, Pashinyan highlighted the

continuous development of Armenian-Polish rela-tions and noted that the government of Armenia isready to discuss the future steps in that direction.Ceplak also talked about the importance of deep-

ening relations with Armenia and reaffirmed theinvitation for Pashinyan to pay a visit to Poland.During the meeting cooperation in various spheres

were discussed. In this context the sides highlightedthe activation of the works of the Armenian-PolishIntergovernmental Commission for EconomicCooperation.

Tankians Help FeedNeedy Families in

ArmeniaYEREVAN (Armenpress) —Armenian-American

rock musician Serj Tankian and his wife, Angela, pro-vide assistance to more than 200 needy families inArmenia.“It has been several years that Serj and Angela

Tankian are implementing charity programs togeth-er with the Orran NGO, Teach for Armenia,Women’s Resource Center and Bari Mama, aimed atovercoming poverty in Armenia.Serj and Angela Tankian’s annual Food Assistance

Program for the Needy for the year 2018/2019 wassuccessfully completed. Over 240 families from theprovinces of Gegharkunik, Lori, Shirak, Aragatsotn,Armavir, Ararat, Vayots Dzor, Syuniq, Kotayq andYerevan received three-month food supplies.“The Tankian family has been helping families in

need for the last several years and every year hasbeen expanding the number of their beneficiaries,”the statement says.

No Color, Just VelvetRevolution, Pashinyan

SaysYEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister of

Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in an interview withDeutsche Welle Russian service on February 5assessed as unacceptable placing the revolution inArmenia among the so-called “color revolutions.”“It’s unacceptable, since there was no geopolitical

context in or revolution, there was no foreign actorthat could participate or be involved in our domesticpolitical process. It’s very important for understand-ing what’s going on in our country. I understand thatit’s very easy to group the conflicts or processes, butif we want to really understand the processes in agiven place, we should be very attentive towards thedetails and differences,” Pashinyan said.The premier emphasized that the developments

that took place in Armenia in April-May 2018 weretotally domestically driven processes. “No foreign actor had the opportunity to be

involved in our domestic processes. During thosedays, like now, the Armenian people were and remainconsolidated. We held democratic elections. By theway, it’s not only my assessment, it’s the assessment

News From Armenia

CATHOLICOS, from page 1From the middle of the last century, theconfirmation of the parish, the estab-lishment of the Holy Resurrection

Church and the consolidation around ithas intensified the national and spiritu-al-ecclesiastical life of the Armeniancommunity of Sydney. The opening ofArmenian-language schools, establish-ment of youth unions, Elderly CareOrganization; all national, charitableand cultural institutions that have beenestablished and operated through yourefforts.”Conveying his appreciation to everyone

for their dedicated service and caringefforts in national-community and churchlife, the Catholicos of All Armenians offeredprayers for all Australians.At the conclusion, the Armenians had

the opportunity to approach the pontiffand kiss his hand and receive crosses.A meeting reception followed.On February 3, Karekin II offered a

Divine Liturgy at the ArmenianApostolic Church of Holy Resurrectionof the Armenian Diocese of Australiaand New Zealand.The Divine Liturgy was attended by

Gladys Berejiklian, Governor of NewSouth Wales; Paul Fletcher, member ofthe Parliament and Minister; Fred Nile,

founder and president of the ChristianDemocrat party; Father Tovmas Varkis;Roy Williams, President of the NewSouth Wales Ecumenical Council;

Elizabeth Stone, General Secretary ofthe Australian Ecumenical Council;Bishop Daniel, Primate of the Coptic

Church; Gwen Harris, President of theEmanuel Synagogue Council; membersof diocesan and parish councils; repre-sentatives of Armenian organizationsand philanthropists.Led by the procession, the Catholicos

of All Armenians entered the temple,where with the participation of devoutArmenian and numerous guests heoffered a Divine Liturgy.In his remarks, the Catholicos of All

Armenians confirmed with satisfac-tion: “We are very excited and consol-ing that the Australian-Armenian com-munity is experiencing new awaken-ing, strengthens his life of faith, unit-ed around the Armenian Church, re-evaluating the glorious memories ofthe history and heritage of our ances-tors. Today you are the Ambassadorsof the Armenian People in Australiaand due to you the ArmenianChristian and faithful spirit areknown here, as well as the ancient andrich heritage of our people and cul-ture, love, peace, freedom to create.“Dear beloved, we are responsible for our

time, and it is by our actions that it will berecorded as a time of restoration. It is withour new accomplishments and victoriesthat time should move forward of rebuild-ing the Homeland and the Diaspora. Christis our way, whom our fathers have recog-nized and whom we know.”

Catholicos Karekin II Embarks on PontificalVisit to Australia, New Zealand

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II

On February 4, the parliament of the state of new south Wales, Australia held an offi-cial reception in honor of the pastoral visit of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.He met the prime minister of the state of Gladys Berejiklian.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II at a dinner in his honor.

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INTERNATIONAL

Azeri Reporters VisitArmenia for Interviews

With OfficialsYEREVAN (Armenpress) — The editor of

Azerbaijani Turan news agency, Shahin Hajiyev, anda group of reporters, arrived in Armenia to conducta professional activity, Foreign Ministry spokesper-son Anna Naghdalyan told reporters on February 5.“They have submitted an application to the

Armenian Foreign Ministry. After passing throughall procedures, like you do, their application hasbeen approved, and Hajiyev and a group of reportersof the agency have arrived in Armenia. The visitexclusively aims at conducting a journalist activity.This is a natural process for us because dozens ofjournalists apply to the ministry daily for accredita-tion,” she said.She added that the Armenian side never creates

obstacles for limiting the activity of journalists.Earlier Armenian president’s advisor Tevan

Poghosyan wrote on Facebook: “I just gave an inter-view to the reporter of the Azerbaijani Turan newsagency Shahin Hajiyev who currently is in Yerevan. Ihope there will be no distortion of words andthought as he promised.”

Sweden Embassy to BeUsed for Danish

Representation AlsoYEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia’s Embassy in

the Kingdom of Denmark will merge into theEmbassy in Sweden, Foreign Ministry spokeswomanAnna Naghdalyan told reporters during a briefing onFebruary 5.“Certain reforms are being carried out aimed at

increasing the effectiveness of the diplomatic activi-ty. This includes also the optimization of Armenia’sdiplomatic representations. And in this regard it isnecessary to consider the merger of the Embassy inDenmark into the Embassy in Sweden,” she said.

Armenia to HaveEmbassy in Qatar in

Near FutureYEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia will have an

embassy in Qatar, and the topic is to be included onthe agenda of a February 6 meeting of the cabinet.The residence of the Ambassador will be in Doha.The maintenance expenses of the embassy will

amount to nearly 93.7 million drams annually, withthe state of Qatar ready to pay 53.5 million of thetotal sum for 3 years. The remaining 40.2 milliondram funding will come from the state budget.Diplomatic relations between the Republic of

Armenia and the State of Qatar were established in1997.

Armenia on List ofCountries Making

Democratic Progress YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Freedom House has

released the Freedom in the World report whereArmenia is included in the list of the countries thatrecorded significant progress in democracy during2018.The report says last year numerous citizens in

Armenia went out to the streets protesting againstthe leadership of that time. It says the mass protestsled to the resignation of Prime Minister SerzhSargsyan and the rise of opposition leader NikolPashinyan to the premiership.“Pashinyan’s My Step alliance decisively won snap

parliamentary elections in December, clearing theway for systemic reforms. After snap elections inDecember, a new reformist majority in the parlia-ment has pledged to promote transparency andaccountability for corruption and abuse of office”,the report notes.Among the countries that recorded progress in

terms of democracy in 2018 are Angola, Ecuador,Ethiopia and Malaysia.

International News

ANKARA (Jamanak, Nor Marmara) —Turkish Foreign Minister MevlütCavusoglu hosted Archbishop KhajagBarsamian and Very Rev. ShaheAnanyan as representatives ofCatholicos of All Armenians Karekin IIon February 4. Archbishop AramAtesian, Vicar General (ActingPatriarch) of the Armenian Patriarchateof Istanbul, accompanied the Armeniandelegation. Former Primate of

the Eastern Diocese ofthe Armenian Churchof America, Barsamianhas been PontificalLegate of the ArmenianChurch in WesternEurope andRepresentative of theArmenian Church tothe Holy See (Vatican)since September 2018,while Ananyan is direc-tor of ecumenical rela-tions of the Mother Seeof Echmiadzin. The twoarrived in Istanbul fromRome on February 2and visited theArmenian Patriarchate. The three clerics

went to Ankara together on February 3.The meeting agenda is said to have beenfocused on the issue of the Armenianpatriarchal election in Turkey. InOctober 2016, Patriarch MesropMutafyan was declared incapacitateddue to health reasons and unable toserve as patriarch. Archbishop AramAtesyan was chosen as locum tenens in2010, while Archbishop KarekinBekchyan of Germany was elected aslocum tenens in March 2017. However,the Istanbul governor’s office did notrecognize the latter’s election and soBekchyan left his position in early 2018without being able to ensure a newpatriarchal election.For the first time in the 11 years that

the seat of the patriarch has for practi-cal purposes remained empty, directcontact has been established betweenthe Turkish government and the See ofEchmiadzin. However, until the present,Echmiadzin followed all relevant devel-opments closely in Turkey and theyhave been on the agenda of its SupremeSpiritual Council. The February 4 meeting lasted 40

minutes. On their return to Istanbullater that same day, the three clericscame directly from the airport to visitRober Haddedjian, editor of theIstanbul newspaper Nor Marmara.Haddedjian wrote that CatholicosKarekin’s concern over the ultimate fateof the Patriarchate of Istanbul ledArchbishop Barsamian to contactAnkara for an appointment. The threeclerics reported that they were receivedwarmly by the foreign minister. Theytold him that not only the Armeniancommunity of Turkey but the Church ofArmenia and the Armenian peopleawait the filling of the patriarchal chair.Cavusoglu replied that the issue hasbeen transferred to Turkey’s Interior

Ministry. However, Cavusoglu promisedthat he personally would contact theInterior Ministry on this matter.Barsamian told Haddedjian that he wasconvinced that the Turkish state alsowanted a speedy election and that therewas no serious obstacle to this.The news of the Ankara meeting

spread quickly. On the evening ofFebruary 4, the three clerics were host-

ed at a dinner by OnnigNalbandghazaroglu atwhich Armenian com-munity leaders were pre-sent, and the next morn-ing the three visitedSurp Prgich, theArmenian NationalHospital, and met withthe chairman of itsboard of trustees,Bedros Sirinoglu.Discussions were heldwith the latter on thepatriarchal situation inthe light of the meetingin Ankara. According to

Jamanak’s editor AraKochunian, TurkishInterior MinisterSüleyman Soylu last

year during a meeting with Armeniancommunity representatives already hadpromised that the state would insurethat the traditional method of a patriar-chal election would be carried out. TheArmenian Patriarchate’s current reportasks for patience, and Kochunian inter-prets this as requiring time for the nec-essary atmosphere inside the Armeniancommunity to be created for the elec-tion.Barsamian participated in the divine

liturgy at St. Stepanos Church inYesilköy on February 3. Born in Turkey, Barsamian has over

his years kept in contact with variousrepresentatives of the Turkish govern-ment.

From left, Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Archbishop Aram Atesian, Turkish ForeignMinister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian

Echmiadzin Representatives Meet withTurkish Foreign Minister in Ankara

YEREVAN (Armenpress, RFE/RL) —The Armenian Foreign Ministry is plan-ning to raise the issue of Israel’sunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or mili-tary drone supply to Azerbaijan in differ-ent bilateral and multilateral platforms,foreign ministry spokesperson AnnaNaghdalyan said at a news conference onFebruary 5.The Israeli Defense Ministry reinstated

the export license of Aeronautics Ltd. –a defense company suspected of testingone of its suicide drones against theArmenian military for Azerbaijan in vio-lation of Israeli law, allowing it to onceagain sell the unmanned ‘suicide’ air-craft. The incident took place when thecompany officials were in Azerbaijan tofinalize a contract for the sale of itsOrbiter 1K UAV when they were askedto strike the Armenian military positionin 2017.According to Israeli media reports, the

company, Aeronautics Defense Systems,was working on a potential $20 milliondeal with Baku when Azerbaijani offi-cials asked its specialists to demonstrateits Orbiter 1K unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) on Karabakh Armenian soldiers inthe summer of 2017.The reports said two Aeronautics

employees refused to carry out the attackbefore two higher-ranking executiveseventually agreed to do it. They said thedrone did not directly hit their targets but

two soldiers were injured in the attack.Aeronautics’ export license was sus-

pended after a complaint was filed withthe Israeli Defense Ministry. Israel’sJustice Ministry moved in August 2018to charge the company’s chief executive,deputy CEO, and other employees withviolating an Israeli law on securityexport controls. The company deniedany wrongdoing.The Times of Israel newspaper report-

ed that the Defense Ministry returnedthe export license on Monday, leadingthe company to inform the Tel AvivStock Exchange that the ban on Orbiter1K sales to its “central customer ‘A’” hasbeen lifted. “The company can continueto supply the UAV to the aforementionedcustomer as soon as possible,”Aeronautics said in a statement.The ministry’s decision came three

weeks after Aeronautics was purchasedby another, state-owned Israeli defensecompany, Rafael, in a $231 million deal.The Azerbaijani army heavily used

similar suicide drones manufactured byanother Israeli company during the April2016 hostilities in Karabakh. Baku hadbought the Harop drones as part of mul-timillion-dollar defense contracts signedwith Israeli arms manufacturers.In 2012, Israeli defense officials con-

firmed a reported deal to provide theAzerbaijani military with more weaponsworth a combined $1.6 billion. Those

included, among other things, sophisti-cated anti-tank rockets which were alsoused by Azerbaijani forces in April 2016.Armenia has long expressed concern

at the Israeli-Azerbaijani arms deals, say-ing that they undermine internationalefforts to end the Karabakh conflict. Asenior Armenian military official hailedin September 2017 the freeze of Orbiter1K sales to Baku.Commenting on the lifting of the

Israeli ban on Tuesday, an ArmenianForeign Ministry spokeswoman said:“We will raise this issue both in our bilat-eral meetings [with Israeli officials] andon multilateral platforms … We will keeptelling our international partners that anarms race is extremely dangerous for ourregion.”“The regional arms race issue has

always been on our agenda, and we haveand will continue raising about thisissue, both during bilateral meetings andin multilateral arenas. This issue will beno exception,” Naghdalyan said.The drone scandal was exposed by the

Israeli press more than two weeks afterIsrael’s Minister of RegionalCooperation Tzachi Hanegbi visitedYerevan in an apparent bid to improvehis country’s frosty relationship withArmenia. Then Armenian ForeignMinister Edward Nalbandian visitedIsrael and met with Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu in November 2017.

Israeli Military Drone Firm Banned for AttackingArtsakh Cleared for Business Again

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INTERNATIONAL

S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9

PashinyanVisitsGermanyGERMANY, from page 1develop in greater depth in other meetings. First was the newrole Armenia has come to play since the revolution; it hasbecome “more visible and more audible for the civilized world,”he said. Sometimes the new situation creates embarrassment, hesaid, “when representatives of different powerful civilized coun-tries … tell us straight away … that they have much to learn fromus.” One should take due note of such statements, when they arerepeated again and again, he said. “Yes, we have problems inmany areas, but there is a sphere in which we are truly consid-ered a leader in the world today. I mean the building of a societyfree of violence without resorting to violence. For this very rea-son,” he added, “we can say yes, we are a country of great impor-tance in the world.” Citing poet Paruyr Sevak, he said Armeniansdo not put themselves above anyone else. However, “we shouldunderstand what we have, what we say and do in the modernworld. These tasks are positive, they are endowed with universallogic, and they are interesting to the world and civilization.” The revolution that took place, he said, was the result of a col-

lective effort, an example of nationwide cooperation. Now thatfree and fair elections have been held, and acknowledged athome and abroad, these “political transformations need to betranslated into economic changes.” This, the central message ofhis visit, means moving from a political to an economic revolu-tion, to improve living standards for all, and eliminate poverty. Toachieve this requires the contribution of all, citizens and compa-triots abroad. He stressed the role of the single individual: “Whocan change the world? Who can change reality? Individuals arethe ones to do that. The 21st century belongs to those whobelieve in their strength. The time has come for us and our peo-ple to believe in our own strength.”In dialogue with the community, Pashinyan addressed a ques-

tion related to the elimination of the Diaspora Ministry, explain-ing that his staff would have an ambassador tasked with specialresponsibilities for the diaspora. The ministry itself should bereorganized, he said, with redistribution of functions, and “onlyone agency should be involved in each function.” He cited theexample in education, where one ministry would provide text-

books to Armenian schools abroad, while another would provideteacher training. Now, he said, “the Ministry of Education andScience should take care of education,” and the aim should beto bring educational policies and culture within Armenia andamong the Diaspora into harmony.

Khachkars and Computers in Cologne

Earlier in the day, Cologne’s Mayor Henriette Reker hadreceived the prime minister at City Hall, with words of admira-tion and praise for the accomplishments of the peacefulArmenian revolution. “You are raising hopes in all those whostand for the promotion of democracy in the world,” she said.

Thanking her, Pashinyan voiced his commitment to following upthe political evolution with economic improvements, and hopedthat Germany investments would contribute to the process.Pashinyan also expressed his appreciation for the GermanBundestag’s recognition of the genocide in 2016. As Rekeremphasized, the city of Cologne had contributed to the com-memoration of the victims with a khachkar, an important step inthe “process of recognition and condemnation of the ArmenianGenocide,” which must be continued, “in a bid to develop a glob-al memory policy.” In response, Pashinyan said recognition was“crucial in terms of preventing future genocides,” and that thisconstituted a key aspect of Armenian foreign policy. In addition to economic cooperation, especially in the IT sec-

tor, Pashinyan proposed establishing collaboration betweenCologne and Gyumri, the earthquake-stricken city which shareswith Cologne a rich cultural heritage. Reker responded positive-ly to the suggestion and was ready to discuss details.Prior to his talks with the mayor, Pashinyan had witnessed the

signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the TechnicalUniversity of Cologne and Armenia’s National PolytechnicUniversity. The Rector of the university Stefan Herzig and

Armenian Ambassador to Germany Ashot Smbatyan signed thedocument, which provides for cooperation in the field of infor-mation and high technologies.“Internationalism is one of the fundamental values for us at

the Cologne Technological University,” said Herzig, in welcom-ing the Armenian prime minister. “We want to encourage ourstudents to acquire intercultural competencies, which areincreasingly important in the global world of work.” Scientificnetworks have always extended beyond national borders, headded, and his institution is eager to contribute to this furtherwith international partners. In this regard, he considered it “anextraordinary honor” that the Prime Minister of the Republic of

Armenia should be a guest of the university during his state visit.Pashinyan then delivered a lecture, entitled “Armenia after the

Velvet Revolution: Fulfilling the Promise of the Digital andTechnological Age.” Speaking in English, he focused on the roleof the ongoing technological revolution, which is transforming“everything we do, say and produce.” Not only has the digitalrevolution introduced new forms of communication, it has“empowered citizens to amplify their voices and hold govern-ments responsible,” as was manifest in Armenia’s revolution.Among the positive transformation made possible by the infor-mation technology (IT) age, are “transparency, accountabilityand better protection of human rights,” as achieved in Armenia.If, after snap parliamentary elections, this political process hasbeen completed, new challenges face the country. “Now we havea task,” he said, “not less important. We desperately need an eco-nomic revolution. To this end, we are going to widely utilize allthe opportunities that digital age promises.”Armenia has prioritized the IT sector, also because it provides

opportunities for all players, large and small. Armenia’s specialexpertise in the sector is of particular value; Pashinyan explainedthat in the Soviet Union, Armenia was considered its equivalentof Silicon Valley, because that is “where Nairi-2, the Soviet-erafirst semiconductor computer and one of the first in the world,was manufactured.” Armenia is also the place where most “com-puting systems and electronics for submarines and spacecraft ofthe USSR” were invented and produced. Armenia hosted themost advanced facilities for research, design, production and test-ing of antennas and semiconductors.Pashinyan gave an impressive overview of the five-fold growth

of the IT sector in Armenia over the past seven years, and theincreasing number of multinational companies that have set upfacilities there for research and development. Furthermore, hementioned “exciting startup projects to create ecosystems, incu-bators, including sustainable development laboratories. Artificialintelligence, cyber security, block-chain and semiconductor tech-nologies are among our priorities,” he told the students of tech-nology. He described the TUMO Center for CreativeTechnologies and its educational program, as well as the ARMATlaboratories, where schoolchildren are given access to robotics.Finally, he noted the National Academy of Sciences and theNational Polytechnic University of Armenia, which latter had justsigned the cooperation memorandum with Cologne. “And, last, but not least,” he concluded, “Armenia’s main asset

is its bright-minded and talented people with cutting-edge edu-cation.” Pashinyan said that the fact that the World Congress onInformation Technologies will hold its congress in Armenia thisyear signals recognition of the country’s potential. He ended byextending an open invitation to all the students to attend thecongress, which is expected to draw over 2000 delegates from 60countries, and to see for themselves, not only what Armeniaoffers in IT, but also to “enjoy our ancient culture, hospitality, artand food.”Rounding out his visit to Cologne, Pashinyan had alsomet with Olaf Zimelka, who is the Eastern Europe RegionalDirector of the German Development Bank (KfW). This develop-ment institution is already a partner of Armenia, having signeda grant agreement for more than 23 million euros in November2018 under the Armenia Biodiversity and Sustainable LocalDevelopment Program. During their talks, the two discussed per-spectives for new initiatives.

Lunch with the Chancellor in Berlin

In the state capital, the Prime Minister and his wife werereceived by Chancellor Angela Merkel, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference

Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Rector Prof. Dr. Stefan Herzig and Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. SylviaHeuchemer (left to right). (Photo: Michael Bause / TH Köln)

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INTERNATIONAL

LONDON — The activities of the HolocaustMemorial Day in Derby this year extended over 5days from 28 January to 1 February and includeda variety of commemorative and remembranceevents and multi faith religious services. The com-memoration service at the Chapel of St. Mary onthe Bridge was memorable. It was an opportunityfor remembrance and hope with readings from theBible the Qu’ran, and the Jewish Kaddish, accom-panied by a roll call of genocides and music fromthe Cathedral Choir that also involved local schoolstudents. During this solemn reflection the poemby Paruyr Sevak, “We are Few, but we are calledArmenians” was read in Armenian and in English.Following the Service of Reflection, the Act

of Commemoration took place at the memorialtrees on Cathedral Green where stones wereplaced around the trees in commemoration ofthe victims of Holocaust and all Genocides.The programme of activities was opened by

the Mayor’s reception in the City Councilrooms. In attendance were diplomatic represen-tatives from Jewish, Bosnian, Ukranian andArmenian communities. The Armenian commu-nity was represented by the Consul of theArmenian Embassy in London HayarpiDrmeyan, and the representatives of theArmenian Community Council in the UK head-ed by the Vice-Chairman Dr. HratchKouyoumjian and members, Viken Halajian andVahan Krikorian. The Armenian Consulthanked the Mayor for his efforts in recognisingand remembering the Armenian Genocide inthe commemoration events. In their turn theACC delegation thanked the Mayor, theCouncillors and the HMD committee for theirsteadfastness in remembering and recognisingthe Armenian Genocide. The mayor was pre-sented with several books on the ArmenianGenocide and the remembrance pin.The day of commemoration and celebration

continued with performances and presentations

by communities that have found sanctuary andsafety in Derby. The afternoon programme sig-nificantly included a reflection on the Derbyresponse to the Armenian Genocide.Derby became in 2019 the first major city in

England to recognise and remember theArmenian Genocide, following a unanimousvote to do so, thanks to the efforts of photo-journalist Mr. Russell Pollard and HMD mem-ber; a staunch supporter of historical facts. It

should be also remembered that Edinburgh in2005-2006 became the first city in the UnitedKingdom to have done so despite political pres-sure and representations from various quartersincluding the Turkish Embassy.

Left to Right: D.Saroukhanian from the Armenian Embassy, V. Krikorian ACC, V. Halajian ACC, the leader of Derby Council Ccl C.Poulter, ArmenianConsul H.Dermeyan, Dr. H.Kouyoumjian Vice-Chair ACC and Dr. S. Boghosian ACC.

Holocaust Memorial Day in Derby Includes Reflection on the Armenian Genocide

FROM PREVIOUS PAGEHe delivered a speech at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation

and met with representatives of the Germany-South CaucasusParliamentary Friendship Group.After an official welcoming ceremony, Pashinyan joined

Chancellor Merkel for a working lunch at the Chancellery. Later,in an exchange with the press the two reported on the substanceof their discussions. Merkel referred to her official visit toArmenia last summer, saying she was “glad to visit” and to “seethe dominant mood in the country.” She expressed her confi-dence in the new leadership that has been confirmed by elec-tions. She had discussed with her guest the ways that Germanymay contribute especially to economic development in Armenia,and mentioned in this context the contacts with leading researchinstitutions. Trade between the two increased last year by 40 per-cent, she reported, adding that this could increase. She thoughtrapid economic progress would be crucial for Pashinyan’s gov-ernment, to halt the economic downturn. The two had also dis-

cussed geostrategic issues, including the Karabakh conflict;expressing support for Pashinyan’s repeated contacts withAzerbaijan, she stressed that to find a solution, both sides mustdemonstrate willingness to compromise.In expressing his gratitude for the official invitation,

Pashinyan noted that Germany is especially important asArmenia’s biggest economic and trade partner in the EuropeanUnion, and second in the world. He too recalled Merkel’s visit as“an important milestone” in bilateral cooperation, adding that hewas happy and proud to be able to return the visit just fivemonths later. Declaring that the democratic process in Armeniawas irreversible, Pashinyan said that the recent parliamentaryelections had demonstrated his government’s commitment tothe rule of law, human rights, an independent judiciary and acontinuing fight against corruption.Under such conditions, the government, he said, was “set to

implement an economic revolution in a bid to improve the well-being of Armenian citizens.” In this, assistance from Germanyand the EU would be crucial. He placed special emphasis on hisappreciation of the fact that Armenia’s European partners, “espe-cially Germany,” have placed no geopolitical preconditions onrelations with his country. This refers to the fact that Armenia,which is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), can

enjoy productive relations with the EU at the same time. Indeed,it has a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement(CEPA) with the EU. They had discussed bilateral and multilat-eral cooperation, especially economic projects, and Pashinyanencouraged German companies to invest. Joint programs in IT,

environmental protection and other areas were on the agenda. In response to questions about the Karabakh conflict, Merkel

remarked that Pashinyan had “taken courageous steps, but itstill remains to be seen if the other side will take such brave stepsas well.” She urged Pashinyan to continue; at the same time, sherepeated that actions have to follow, and on both sides.Pashinyan said he was waiting for a response from Azerbaijan,which is a precondition for any progress. Referencing a state-ment he had made in Parliament, he said any settlement wouldhave to be acceptable to the peoples of Armenia, Karabakh andAzerbaijan. To date he has not heard a comparable viewpointfrom Azerbaijan. Committed to a peaceful settlement, he point-ed out that he can negotiate only in the name of the Republic ofArmenia, and not on behalf of the people of Karabakh. “Theyhave their own president, their parliament and government, whoare supposed to negotiate on their behalf as the authorized rep-resentatives of the people of Karabakh.” As for a possible medi-ating role of the EU in this process, Pashinyan drew attention tothe Minsk Group in the OSCE Co-Chairs, who have provided thenecessary platform for negotiations. But “it is up to the threesides involved in the conflict to solve it,” he said. “The interna-tional community cannot solve the conflict for the three sides tothe conflict; it can just provide a platform.”Touching on the issue of visa liberalization with the EU,

Pashinyan ended on an optimistic note. He announced that in2018, for the first time in decades, the number of Armeniansreturning to the country had increased. “We need to carry outinstitutional reforms in our country,” he said, “so that Armeniais not considered a country producing refugees.”

(Sources for this article include the official website,www.primeminister.am, the Cologne university press office,

German wires)

Prof. Dr. Stefan Herzig, Rector of the Technological University of Cologne, and Ashot Smbatyan, Ambassador of the Republic ofArmenia, sign the Declaration of Intent on Academic Cooperation (left to right). (Photo: Michael Bause / TH Köln)

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with German Bundestag PresidentWolfgang Schoeble

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Community NewsS A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

Uncovering aCentury-OldArmenianRefugee Crisis

By Florence Avakian

NEW YORK — The displacement of refugeeshas been an international concern in recentyears. A talk at the Eastern Diocese’s Krikorand Clara Zohrab Information Center looked ata similar humanitarian emergency from a cen-tury ago, which developed at the Caucasusfront following the Armenian Genocide.Asya Darbinyan spoke on the subject on

Thursday, January 17, at the Diocesan Center.She was introduced by Zohrab Center DirectorDr. Christopher Sheklian, who detailed herbackground as a doctoral candidate at theStrassler Center for Holocaust and GenocideStudies at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.To begin her talk, Darbinyan noted how a

century ago, the Armenian writer HovhannesToumanyan recorded his observations afterarriving in the town of Echmiadzin to help tothe thousands of Armenians fleeing across theOttoman border of Transcaucasia.

“In that hell called Turkish Armenia,” hewrote, “three armies exist. The first is the onein combat. The second is the army of the aban-doned women and children, the sick, the fam-ished, the naked, the refugees which is thelargest army. And third is the army of activistsand helpers which is the smallest and weakest.”Between 1914 and 1917, thousands of

Armenian refugees escaping from Turkey acrossthe border to Transcaucasia came from Kars,Igdir and Julfa. Two-thirds of them were women,since most of the men had been slaughtered.More than 200,000 refugees from Turkey hadreached the Caucasus between July and August1915. Upon arrival, they were accommodated inYerevan, Elizavetpol, Tiflis and Kars.The local Armenian populations “mobilized

all their resources towards the organization ofrelief work for the displaced Armenians, manyof whom were very poor, disabled, and in needof urgent assistance,” Darbinyan related.Dr. Samuel G. Wilson, a Presbyterian mis-

sionary from the American Committee ofArmenian and Syrian Relief, reported, “Many ofthe Armenian villagers have taken in and caredfor the destitute refugees. Others have giventhem the use of their spare rooms, bake-houses,stables and barns.”Echmiadzin became one of the major refugee

towns in the Caucasus. And Mayor AlexanderKhatisyan of Tiflis stated, “the number ofrefugees in Echmiadzin is 30,000, with the dailydeath toll above 300. Five hundred corpsesremain, that are not buried. Healthy refugeeshave scattered in panic.”

Humanitarian Crisis

Reports of Turkish atrocities against theArmenians and the Caucasian humanitarian cri-sis quickly reached the imperial Russianauthorities. The Russian government as well asa number of non-governmental organizations inthe Russian Empire provided humanitarianassistance to thousands of Armenian refugees,the speaker revealed.“Russia’s joint declaration with Great Britain

and France in May 1915 defined the atrocitiesagainst the Armenians in the Ottoman Empireas a crime against humanity, and promised tohold the Ottoman government and those impli-cated in the massacres personally responsiblefor those crimes.”Two prominent Armenian organizations in

the Russian Empire that addressed theArmenian refugee crisis were the Caucasus

see DARBINYAN, page 7

Western Diocese GivesBack Helping One Family

At a Time in LALOS ANGELES — A stone’s throw away from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is

Little Armenia, for years the inaugural stop for immigrants arriving from a slew ofconflicted countries in the Middle East during the latter half of the 20th century.As the peace in these communities derailed, Armenians found refuge in this pock-et of an American Dream in the balmy Los Angeles weather, planting a new set ofroots by establishing businesses, schools, churches and recreating yet again anoth-er Diasporan community. It wasn’t too long after that the homeland became anindependent nation and another wave of Armenians arrived in Hollywood, thelargest influx ever, who had pressing needs to be tended to.

Taking a walk down the long stretchof Hollywood Boulevard, scores ofhomeless occupy the streets, some sit-ting on a bench waiting for a bus tonowhere, while others camp out in front

of churches. Many assume this scene of squalor, beneath the infamous Hollywoodsign which bears so much promise, is a far cry from the prosperous Armenian com-munity - but that is not always the case. As the immigrants from decades ago roseto their feet and achieved financial success, they began to give back and becameproductive members of society to the community at large. It was with this human-itarian initiative in mind that Agape Circle was created under the leadership ofArchbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the ArmenianChurch of North America, to connect those in fruitful circumstances with those inprecarious ones. “It is a must for our people to participate in society and reflect our Christian

faith and love in action,” said Derderian. “We cannot just enjoy the benefits. Wehave to create them.” In its short history, the non-profit organization has spearheaded a number of

luminary contributions within and outside of Los Angeles, its reach extending cul-tural and religious boundaries, while maintaining its focus on the Armenian pop-ulation.

see PAGE, page 8

UCLA to Host 17thAnnual GraduateStudent ColloquiumIn Armenian StudiesLOS ANGELES — The Armenian Graduate

Student Association of the University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles (UCLA) will host its17th Annual Graduate Student Colloquium inArmenian Studies on February 15 from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. The event will be held at UCLA inRoyce Hall 314 and will be followed by a cateredreception.For 17 years, the UCLA Graduate Student

Colloquium in Armenian Studies has dedicat-ed itself to encouraging, fostering, and pro-moting scholarly research among graduate stu-dents in the field of Armenian studies aroundthe world.This year features presentations by 10

young scholars from the United States,France, China and Armenia on a variety of top-ics centered around the following themes: therole of literature and the press in culture andidentity formation; late antique religious art;early modern circulation of art and ideasbetween Europe and the Near East; and con-temporary sociopolitical movements. “We are delighted to welcome stellar young

scholars in the field of Armenian studies andto give them an opportunity to present theircutting-edge research, receive feedback, andnetwork with their peers and the faculty atUCLA. This year, we are also pleased to wel-come Dr. Sebouh David Aslanian, who will beour guest speaker at the event,” said JenniferManoukian, director of the 2019 UCLAGraduate Student Colloquium in ArmenianStudies.Among the speakers will be Dr. S. Peter

Cowe, Narekatsi Professor of ArmenianStudies, Near Eastern Languages andCultures, UCLA; Aram Ghoogasian, “The 1862Zeytun Rebellion and the Armenian Press”(University of Chicago); Deanna Cachoian-Schanz, “Dare (Again) Not to Speak its Name?Translating ‘Race’ into Early 20th centuryWestern Armenian Feminist Texts” (Universityof Pennsylvania); Khoren Grigoryan, “TheTransformation of Collective Identity after1915: The Case of Musa Dagh” (Institute ofArchaeology and Ethnography, Yerevan);Sipana Tchakerian, “Stone Crosses beforeKhachkars: Early Christian Four-Sided Stelaefrom Armenia and Georgia” (Université Paris 1Panthéon-Sorbonne); Ani Yenokyan,“Illustrations in Armenian Printed Books inthe Context of Early Modern ArmenianCulture: Printed Woodcuts and ArmenianMiniatures” (Matenadaran Institute of AncientManuscripts); Sargis Baldaryan, “An ArmenianTrade Manual in Circulation: Constant of Julfa,His Compendium and the Dissemination ofInformation in the Julfan Trade Network”(Yerevan State University); Xi Yang, “How toMeasure Sayat Nova’s Aesthetic and PoeticAchievement” (Chinese Academy of SocialSciences, Beijing); Armen Adamian,“The Azgagrakan Movement: An EmbodiedForm of Armenian Nationalism” (UCLA);Stefanie Kundakjian, “Homemakings andUnmakings: Syrian-Armenian WomenIntegrating in the Homeland” (AmericanUniversity of Paris); Gevorg Petrosyan, “‘NewAwakening’: Gezi Park and theTransformation of Armenian Youth Activismin Turkey” (Institute of Oriental Studies,Yerevan) and Dr. Sebouh Aslanian.The colloquium is free and open to the pub-

lic and will be live-streamed on the colloqui-um’s Facebook page(https://bit.ly/2HnVBWu).More information about the colloquium,

including the full program, can be found at thec o l l o q u i u mwebsite (https://nelc.ucla.edu/conference/agsc/) as well as on Facebook(https://bit.ly/2HnVBWu).

Dr. Thomas Lee, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Alice Chakrian

By Taleen Babayan

Trevor Turner, Armen Kavoukjian, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Heidi Kavoukjian, AliceChakrian and Eileen Keusseyan

INVESTIGATION, from page 1Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park,where Turkish flags were found. “I don’t knowwhat this person was thinking about. Whytoday? What set them off to do this? Whatdoesn’t shock me is they did it.”Flags were also found hanging at Holy

Martyrs Ferrahian High School, an Armenianschool in Encino founded nearly 60 years agoby members of a generation of ArmenianGenocide survivors, said Nora Hovsepian, chairof the Armenian National Committee ofAmerica Western Region.“This is a direct affront to them and to their

descendants,” Hovsepian said.As many as 1.5 million Armenians were

rounded up and killed by the Ottoman Turkishgovernment beginning in 1915 in what is wide-ly regarded as an orchestrated effort by theTurkish government. Historians have consid-ered what happened a model for other geno-cides that followed. Turkey denies that thedeaths constitute an act of genocide.The incident in Encino was logged as a hate

crime and the one in Canoga Park was record-ed as a hate incident, said Officer Jeffrey Lee, aspokesman for the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment. He did not know why there was adiscrepancy.Police described the suspect as a man who

stands 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall.He wore a black mask, black hooded sweat-shirt, black pants and black shoes.Some elected officials told reporters at a

news conference Tuesday evening that theywere urging authorities to find and prosecutethe suspect.“It is the equivalent of putting a Nazi swasti-

ka on the side of a Jewish school,” said LosAngeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, whosedistrict includes one of the schools. “This is aterrible affront. It is the equivalent of a positivestatement about the Armenian genocide.Putting out Turkish flags is that kind of state-ment.”The flags on both campuses were taken

down before students arrived.Avanesian said the school’s P.E. coach and

chef, who arrive at thecampus first, saw the flagshung outside the maingate when they pulled in.They took photographsand removed the flags.Later that morning, staffwalked the perimeter ofthe six-acre school, findingmore flags posted, shesaid. Video surveillancefootage shows one or twomen dressed in all blackhanging the flags on theschool gate early Tuesday,she said.“We want to all get

along,” Avanesian said.“We want people to under-stand the crimes of thepast and we can all have abright and happy future.Our hope is one dayTurkey will understandwhat their government did over 100 yearsago.”A number of countries have issued statements

over the years condemning Turkey’s actions asgenocide. But the United States has not.By the end of the school day, Ferrahian stu-

dents had responded: Armenian flags waved allover campus, hanging from stair railings andgates.

Community Condemnation

The Armenian National Committee ofAmerica (ANCA) Communication CoordinatorDickran Khodanian commented on the inci-dent in a tweet, saying, “Earl� this morning,Turkish flags were hung on various Armenianschools in LA including Ferrahian ArmenianSchool. Absolutel� disgusting and unaccept-able in 2019.”US Rep. Adam Schiff made a statement over

the incident:“Private Armenian schools in Southern

California were vandalized today with Turkishflags. These schools are attended by many

descendants of survivors of the ArmenianGenocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire,and I stand with the Armenian community incondemning this act of hate.”Rep. Brad Sherman also condemned the inci-

dent on Twitter, saying, “I strongly condemnthis hateful act of vandalism. It is particularlycruel to those whose family members died inthe Armenian Genocide.” (PT/VK)The incident took place on Wednesday at

04.00 a.m. local time and the police are inves-tigating it as a “hate crime,” the Agos newspa-per reported.While the display of the flags caused con-

cern among the Armenians in Los Angeles,Sossi Shanlian, the principal of the school, saidthat the necessary measures for the students’safety have been taken.

(Additional information from NBC and theANCA was used in this story.)

DARBINYAN, from page 6Armenian Benevolent Society with its 72branches, and the Armenian CentralCommittee in Tiflis for its assistance to victimsof war. Both established hospitals and feedingstations in more than a dozen cities and towns.

The Moscow Armenian Committee mainlyoperated in Yerevan, opening a hospital, a fooddepot, three orphanages and a school for 110orphan-students in Ashtarak and Echmiadzin.And the Committee of Brotherly Aid was amajor institution with branches in Echmiadzin,Alexandropol (now Gyumri) and other majorareas which was under aegis of the Catholicosof All Armenians.With the emergency growing speedily, the

Russian imperial authorities established theSpecial Council for Refugees to ensure the effi-ciency of the refugee humanitarian activities,issuing cards to all identified refugees for foodand medical assistance.They also insisted that able-bodied refugees

find work in farming and workshops and helpwith the education of refugee children whowere housed in orphanages throughout theCaucasus. Other Russian aid groups includedthe All-Russian Union of Towns and theCaucasus Committee.

Savior or Master?The Russian motivation was complicated.

Ottoman Armenians wondered whether Russiawas a savior or another imperial master.Russian policy towards Armenians had general-ly fluctuated depending on the economic, mili-

tary, political and geographical developments inthe region. According to historian AvetisHarutyunyan, “Russian imperial authoritiesnever actually aimed at protecting Armenians.”Their relief work was just the “by-product” ofRussian imperialist and colonization policies.Historian Peter Holquist wrote that when the

war was waged, “urgent military interest, ratherthan an anti-Armenian policy shaped thosedecisions.” Another historian Halit Akarcacalled Russian policy in Eastern Turkey duringthe war as “humanitarian occupation,” motivat-ed by strategic and political concerns.Darbinyan concluded that “the desire to help

others and save lives of strangers was there andmobilized people, agencies, governments andeven empires. As the providers of assistanceoften made, and still do make for the ‘people indistress’, help was and is based not on the actu-al needs and concerns of the refugees, butrather on their sometimes-inaccurate percep-tions of those groups.”

7S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

Asya Darbinyan speaks at the Eastern Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, inNew York.

Uncovering a Century-Old Armenian Refugee Crisis

Turkish flags on the gates of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School

LAPD Investigates Turkish Flags Hung at Armenian Schools

AGAPE, from page 6A recent collaboration between Agape Circle and

Armenian Relief Society Western Region’s SocialServices alleviated the financial burdens ofArmenian families in Los Angeles County. Throughtheir Holiday from the Hearts program, AgapeCircle adopted 21 Armenian families, raising morethan $7,000 to help them cover basic necessities,including rent and housing. They distributed goods,gift cards and presents for children, in person, whileinteracting with their fellow brethren. “We live in a bubble and think Armenians here

are fine but that is not true,” said Alice Chakrian,Chair of Agape Circle. “Through this partnershipwe were able to give to needy Armenian families.” It was a mission that brought “joy and hope in

the hearts of our brothers and sisters during theChristmas season,” said Derderian. By working hand-in-hand with Jasik Boniatian

Jarahian, general manager of ARS who identifiedthe families in need, Agape Circle served as anexemplary leader for the greater community.“Not only are we making a small contribution

but we are showing a united front,” said Alice.“We hope to be an example that our two groupscan always work together.” The families who benefited from the Holiday

from the Hearts program were scattered acrossthe city, from Hollywood to Sunland to Burbankto the Valley. Jarahian cites the increase in rentsthat attributed to a number of Armenian familiesending up homeless. “They are good people but they cannot afford

housing,” she said. “We are trying to keep familiesin their homes and through donor support weprovide the money to the landlords.” She recalls an Armenian woman who was living

in her car with her two children. Through thisChristmas collaboration, they successfully movedher into a motel and paid for her lodging until shecould secure long-term housing.

“It’s very hard when we see Armenian ladieswho are not living in a home,” said Jarahian, whoassists families with finding permanent residencesand employment. “Agape Circle and ARS have ashared goal of helping our people, which wasshown during the holiday season.” This contribution was a drop in the bucket for

an organization that has fulfilled substantial andvast endeavors since its inception in 2015 when avaluable relationship was forged with Children’sHospital Los Angeles. During a meeting of community leaders where

the needs of the top-ranked pediatric hospitalwere outlined, Derderian, keenly aware of the sig-nificance of the Armenian Church not only as areligious shepherd but as a beacon of humanitari-an work, stood up to announce a $100,000 com-mitment on behalf of the Western Diocese, heed-ing the Christian words of the Bible throughouthis years as a Church servant and steward. Agape Circle was soon launched as a bridge for

the Western Diocese to provide direct support tocommunity groups, outreach programs, and insti-tutions that strive to ease human sufferings and tosupport and contribute to organizations that haveimpacted the lives of not only the Armenian-American community, but everyone who is inneed of essential services such as healthcare andhousing as well as those who suffer from addic-tion, poverty and abuse. “We have a group of incredible ladies in Agape

Circle who have compassionate hearts,” said Alice.“As one voice and as one community, we allagreed to take on Archbishop Derderian’s$100,000 pledge.”

Under the leadership of the archbishop, theWestern Diocese was inaugurated as the foundingmember of the Armenian Ambassadors ofChildren’s Hospital Los Angeles and became thefirst ethnic Ambassador Group.“Communities have to be project-oriented,” said

Derderian. “People will give and will be eager togive when they see the necessities and becomestakeholders in these God-pleasing missions.” As a monumental establishment in East

Hollywood, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles pro-vides world-class medical care that extends intothe adjacent Armenian community, treating over14,000 Armenian children in the last decade.In less than five years, the group raised and

donated this instrumental amount and earmarkedit towards Children’s Hospital programs such theVision Center, the Children’s Center for Cancerand Blood Diseases, the Newborn and InfantCritical Care Unit, the Literally Healing Programand the Interfaith Center. To commemorate theirsymbolic friendship, a wooden Khatchkar (cross-stone) was unveiled in the hospital as a gesture ofgratitude. After fulfilling the $100,000 commitment and

witnessing the positive effects of the donatedfunds, Agape Circle decided to make anotherpledge of $50,000 last month. Through theirfundraising efforts and events, they offer theArmenian community a new and meaningful wayto become engaged in altruistic causes, particu-larly through Children’s Hospital Los Angeles andthe “huge task that the hospital realizes.”“Participating in such God-pleasing missions

certainly is a privilege,” said Derderian.Led by 17 women from the metro Los Angeles

community, Agape Circle champions the projects ofDr. Thomas C. Lee, director of the Retina Institutein he Vision Center at Children’s Hospital LosAngeles, who has provided innovative, noninvasiveand surgical treatment to children in Armenia suf-

fering from retinal dis-eases, retinopathy of pre-maturity and pediatricophthalmological issues.Through medical mis-sions, telemedicineefforts and partnershipswith the Armenian BoneMarrow Donor Registryand the Armenian EyeCare Project, Lee and hisChildren’s Hospital LosAngeles colleagues sharetheir expertise andtouch the lives ofArmenian children local-ly and in Armenia. “Agape Circle has

been incredibly gener-ous with their funds toaddress the plight of

children across the world and they have alwaysasked how they can help and how they can domore,” said Dr. Lee, an associate professor of oph-thalmology at the Keck School of Medicine at theUniversity of Southern California. “They have ahuge well of love and compassion for those inneed and the underserved.” Alice refers to Lee as a “star,” whose strong ties

to Armenia date back to 2009 when he joined theArmenian EyeCare Project on a mission trip toYerevan to help diagnose and treat diseases affect-ing Armenian infants. After the mission’s conclu-sion, he continued his connection and set uptelemedicine programs so he could monitor examsand surgeries in Armenia from over 7,000 milesaway. His critical work is sustained through AgapeCircle. “They were the very first group to really believe

in us,” said Lee, reflecting on Derderian’s imme-diate commitment that was “full of conviction”and was made “without skipping a beat.”

“We are grateful to Archbishop Derderianbecause he created the impetus for so many otherorganizations through his powerful and passion-ate call for action,” said Lee. “We view the AgapeCircle as our guardian angels.”Broadening the scope of its humanitarian work,

Agape Circle turned towards assuaging the plightof abused women by partnering up with theYWCA Domestic Violence Shelter in Glendale,California. Through their donation, the computerroom was fully renovated, creating a safe spacewhere women will have a second chance at estab-lishing new lives for themselves and their children.The computers - equipped with software in multi-

ple languages including Spanish and Armenian -allowing the members to search for jobs, housingand other important resources while they worktowards their independence. As the relationshipflourishes further between Agape Circle and theYWCA, one of the world’s oldest and largest mul-ticultural organizations that seeks to empowerwomen, they plan to renovate the backyard of theshelter so girls and women can find haven follow-ing abusive experiences. In recognition of theirphilanthropic efforts, the YWCA Glendalebestowed the Heart of Excellence Award to TheWestern Diocese - Agape Circle.

Expanding its outreach abroad, Agape Circlejoined in the efforts of Armenia Hearing AidProject’s partnership with Starkey HearingFoundation, a non-profit that provides hearingaids to people in need in the U.S. and around theworld. To date, the organizations have suppliedover 5,600 hearing aid units that have been dis-tributed and fitted for over 2,800 men, womenand children in Armenia since its first mission in2017. The vital project caught the attention of SirElton John, who joined the following year’s mis-sion trip, journeying to Tsaghgadzor and helpingfit over 1,000 patients for hearing aids over thecourse of two days. “The mission trips have been an amazing expe-

rience,” said Heidi Kavoukjian, who with her hus-band, Armen, founded Armenia Hearing AidProject. “I saw the faces of children and adults lightup when they were able to hear for the first time.” In addition to the audiologists, hearing aid dis-

pensers, doctors and volunteers from around theglobe that were provided by Starkey HearingFoundation, the organization also set up aftercarecenters in Yerevan and Gyumri so people wouldhave a place to turn to for new batteries, freerepairs or other related services. “Agape Circle has supported us unconditional-

ly since day one,” said Heidi, who is planning amission trip to Artsakh this summer. “Throughfundraising and participating in our missions,Agape Circle has truly believed in our project.” During its 5th anniversary luncheon last

October, Agape Circle honored the Kavoukjiansand Starkey HearingFoundation for theirsignificant work inArmenia. In turn, Heidiappreciates the genuineefforts of the WesternDiocese to gain supportfor this venture.“ A r c h b i s h o p

Derderian has been agreat help and hasraised awareness forour program,” saidHeidi. “By supportingus, they are supportingthe Starkey HearingFoundation, which hasgiven our people thegift of hearing.” Recognizing the far-

reaching impact ofAgape Circle, Alice seeks to establish a juniorgroup in order to welcome a new generation ofgivers. “Our organization is growing because there is

a great need for humanitarian work,” said Alice.“We have a strong following and my team ofincredible women wholeheartedly contribute theirtime and resources and do everything from deepwithin their heart to secure the lives of thosearound us.” While much has been accomplished, Derderian

has his sights set even further — implementingvisionary and fundamental programs that will ser-vice everyone from all generations and walks oflife. Derderian rightly places the Armenian Churchat the forefront as a problem solver and leads byexample for others to follow suit and embodyChrist’s message.

“We are not only building churches,” saidDerderian. “We are building communities.”

8 S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

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558 MOUNT AUBURN STREETWATERTOWN, MA 02472

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Western Diocese Gives Back Helping One Family at a Time in LA

Ani Adjemian, Suzonne Slaughter, Seda Khojayan, Abp. HovnanDerderian, Tera Peterson and Alice Chakrian

Maggie Sumian, Celene Culhaoglu, Jasik Boniatian Jarahian, Nilay Celik,Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Alice Chakrian

NEW YORK — The Knights and Daughters ofVartan invite high school and college studentsto participate in an essay contest as part of the104th Anniversary Commemoration of theArmenian Genocide that will be held in TimesSquare on Sunday, April 28, 2-4 p.m. TheKnights & Daughters of Vartan (www.kofv.org), are an international Armenian fraternal orga-

nization headquartered in the U.S.Deadline to submit the essays is Sunday,

April 7.The essay must be 1,000 words or less. Only

one essay per student may be submitted.The topic is: how has creative expression — lit-

erature, music, cinema, visual arts, witness tes-timony —enhanced your personal understand-ing of the Armenian Genocide and how has itcontributed to your preservation of the memo-ries and lessons of the first holocaust of the20th century?Writers should identify a specific example (a

novel, a poem, a film, a painting, a memorial,etc.) and convey their understanding of theArmenian Genocide and how it relates to thecreative expression you chose. Elaborate onwhy this piece touched you, why if it has per-sonal meaning, and how it has helped or willhelp share the history and memory of theArmenian Genocide with others. The essay will be judged on its originality,

clarity, historical accuracy and understandingof the essay contest theme.All essays should be double spaced, have 1-

inch margins, include page numbers, includeessay title, be typed in 12-point font, be inMicrosoft Word format only. No zip files orGoogle documents are permitted and be sub-mitted by 11:59 P.M. (EST) on Sunday, April 7.Submissions can be emailed to

apri24nyc@gmail.com. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners chosen

by the judges will be awarded $300, $200 and$100 respectively. The best essays will be pub-lished in print and online.The winners will be contacted directly and

announced to the mainstream and Armenianmedia the week of Monday, April 8.

9S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

Tekeyan Cultural Association and the AGBU Alex and Marie

Manoogian School Jointly Sponsor

Lecture and Discussion

Self-Determination of Nagorno Karabakh

Armenians Under International Law

Keynote Speaker

Philippe RaffiKalfayan

International Law

Expert from Paris,

France

Wednesday, February 27 7 p.m.On the eve of the anniversary of the Baku and Sumgait Pogroms

AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School Hall

22001 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, Mich.

Moderator

Prof. Ronald G. Suny

University of Michigan

Introductory remarks

Very Rev. Aren Jebejian,

St. John’s Armenian Church,

will offer Memorial prayers at

the beginning of the program

In remembrance of the victims

Reception to Follow

Knights and Daughters of Vartan SponsorGenocide Commemoration Essay Contest

FRESNO — The ArmenianStudies Program of FresnoState will hold its 31st AnnualBanquet on Sunday, March 17,at the Fort WashingtonCountry Club in Fresno. This year’s banquet will fea-

ture special guest Dr. ArmenBaibourtian, consul general ofthe Republic of Armenia. Baibourtian was appointed

consul general on September 6,2018. He was Armenia’s firstConsul General in Los Angelesfrom 1995 until 1997 and lateras Armenia’s first Ambassador to India, Nepal,Sri Lanka and Indonesia from 2000 until 2004.He also worked as Deputy PermanentRepresentative of Armenia to the UN in NewYork where he focused on international securi-ty and conflict resolution issues. “We are honored that the Consul General

of Armenia will be the special guest at theArmenian Studies Program 31st AnnualBanquet,” said ASP Coordinator Prof.

Barlow Der Mugrdechian. “TheBanquet is an opportunity forour student to interact withadministration, faculty and thecommunity.”More than 50 student recipients

of Armenian Studies scholarshipsand grants for 2018-2019 will berecognized at the Banquet, togeth-er with students who are graduat-ing with a Minor in ArmenianStudies.The Armenian Studies Banquet

brings together Fresno State stu-dents, faculty, administrators, and

the community, to celebrate the achievementsof the Program and its students.The reception will begin at 5:00PM followed

by the Banquet at 6:00PM.Tickets are available at $50 per person, with

a special price of $25 for Fresno State studentsand Fresno State faculty. Reservations fortables of 10 are also being accepted.For more information about the banquet,

visit fresnostate.edu/armenianstudies.

Dr. Armen Baibourtian

Armenian Studies Program at FresnoState to Hold 31st Annual Banquet

AURORA, Colo. — Colorado’s freshman Rep.Jason Crow (D), whose district is home to theCentennial State’s largest Armenian-Americanconstituency and the Sardarapat Armenian

Memorial Highway,has become thenewest member ofthe CongressionalCaucus onArmenian Issues.“The Armenian

community is avital part ofColorado sixth’sdistrict and, as amember of theArmenian Caucus, Ilook forward toworking with our

local Armenian leaders and helping serve as thecommunity’s advocate in Congress,” said Crowin a statement sent to the Armenian NationalCommittee of America – Western Region.“We thank and commend Congressman Crow

for joining the Armenian Caucasus within justweeks of starting his service in the US House ofRepresentatives,” remarked ANCA-WR chairNora Hovsepian, “and we look forward to his sus-tained advocacy for Armenian Genocide recogni-tion, humanitarian assistance to the Republic ofArtsakh, and enhanced US-Armenia relations.”In November 2018, after a heated campaign,

Crow unseated five-term Republican incumbentMike Coffman, who in recent years had becomea strong supporter of the Armenian Americancommunity. During the campaign,Crow reached out to the Armenian communityand, upon victory, met with ANCA-WR’s

Denver-based community development coordi-nator Simon Maghakyan and constituentsByuzand Yeremyan, Hasmik Khachaturyan, andMher Ginosyan to discuss issues of concern tothe Armenian American community.“I am pleased that Congressman Crow acted

swiftly on his promise to join the ArmenianCaucus,” remarked constituent and communityleader Yeremyan. “In December, when we metwith him over coffee, it was evident that JasonCrow was not a typical politician but a fellow cit-izen who cares about the communities he rep-resents. He was very knowledgeable and sym-pathetic about the issues concerning his con-stituents, which makes me believe that he willmake a difference for our district, including bybeing a proactive advocate for the Armeniancommunity.” A former Army Ranger and lawyer, Crow rep-

resents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional Districtin central Colorado including Aurora, much ofthe eastern Denver metropolitan area as well asportions of Centennial, Littleton, Brighton, andHighlands Ranch. The son of small businessowners, Crow worked his way through collegeby joining the National Guard and working con-struction jobs. It was during his National Guardtraining that he first felt the call to serve andjoined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps,ultimately graduating at the top of his class asthe Distinguished Military Graduate.Congressman Crow was commissioned as anArmy officer upon which he served in the 82ndAirborne Division. During the invasion of Iraq,Crow led a platoon of paratroopers where heearned a Bronze Star for his combat actions.Following his tour in Iraq, Crow joined the U.S.Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and served twomore tours in Afghanistan, eventually achievingthe rank of Captain. Congressman Crow serveson the House Armed Services Committee.

New Colorado Rep. Meets with ANCA Members

Rep. Jason Crow

PASADENA, Calif. — Elected officials and across-section of the Armenian American com-munity of southern California, includingArmenian Assembly of America (Assembly)members and supporters, gathered on January13 to celebrate the new year at the home ofAssembly Southern California Regional Council(SCRC) member Al and Diane Cabraloff. TheCabraloffs generously opened their home toover 125 members and guests for an eveningfilled with good cheer and delectable food tousher in a new year of effective advocacy onpro-Armenian issues on Capitol Hill and inCalifornia’s State Capitol in Sacramento.Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27), California State

Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-25), CaliforniaState Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-46), and Los Angeles County 5th DistrictSupervisor Kathryn Barger participated inthe gathering, shared remarks, and presentedcertificates of recognition to Al and DianeCabraloff for their exemplary work in the

Armenian community and in light of theircontributions for the greater good of human-ity.“I’m always pleased to stand with my friends

in the Armenian-American community. I’mproud of the strong relationship between theU.S. and Armenia, and I appreciate the impor-tant part the Armenian Assembly of Americahas played in helping to promote and strength-en that relationship. I’m committed to continu-ing that relationship, including continued sup-port for foreign aid to Armenia, a new double-tax treaty to encourage growth in both coun-

tries, and an official recognition of theArmenian Genocide which will finally put ourcountry on the right side of history,” Rep. Chusaid. The Congresswoman is a Member of theUS House Appropriations Committee, and adedicated champion of consistent US foreignassistance to the Republic of Armenia, as wellas continued humanitarian and de-mining aid tothe Republic of Artsakh. “It was such a pleasure to kick off the New

Year with the Armenian Assembly of America. Iam always appreciative of opportunities tospend time with this terrific organization andits hardworking and caring members. It’s trulyan honor to represent the largest Armenian

community in the County of LosAngeles,” said Barger.On an annual basis during the

month of April, Supervisor Bargerand fellow supervisors formallysalute Armenian Americans mak-ing a positive impact in LosAngeles County, in addition to offi-cially commemorating theArmenian Genocide, in partnershipwith a wide array of communityorganizations, during a Board ofSupervisors session. Notably, inDecember 2018, Barger spearhead-ed a $1-million contribution fromthe Los Angeles County Board ofSupervisors for the futureArmenian American Museum inGlendale.Portantino chairs the California

State Senate’s AppropriationsCommittee and serves as thefounding Chairman of the StateSenate’s Select Committee onCalifornia, Armenia and ArtsakhMutual Trade, Art and CulturalExchange. In 2018, Portantinosecured state funding for six full scholarshipsavailable to American University of Armenia stu-dent candidates to attend the University ofCalifornia’s Hastings College of Law.Nazarian chairs the California State

Assembly’s Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care. In 2017, Nazarian authored thelandmark Divestment from Turkey Act, whichreceived broad, bipartisan support in bothchambers of the California State Legislature.Other officials and staffers in attendance

included California State AssemblymemberLaura Friedman (D-43); Pasadena MayorTerry Tornek; Dickran Tevrizian, retiredsenior judge of the United States DistrictCourt for the Central District of California;former California State AssemblymemberSteve Samuelian; Board Member of thePasadena Unified School District RoyBoulghourjian; Mary Hovagimian, represent-ing Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA-28);Garo Manjikian, representing California StateAssemblymember Chris Holden (D-41); JackKayajian, representing City of Los AngelesAttorney Mike Feuer; Z. Greg Kahwajian,member of the County of Los Angeles CivilService Commission; and Harout Semerdjian,member of the City of Los Angeles Human

Relations Commission.The Cabraloff are dedicated members and

supporters of the Armenian Assembly. Al is along-time member of the Assembly’s SCRC,which regularly meets with elected officials toeducate them on policy priorities for ArmenianAmericans residing throughout southernCalifornia. During a brief program, Assembly Western

Region Director Mihran Toumajan welcomed

Assembly members and guests to the gather-ing and served as the master of ceremonies.Assembly Board of Trustees member LisaKalustian delivered a presentation on theAssembly’s advocacy, community outreach,and summer internship programs’ achieve-ments in 2018, and encouraged attendees toget involved with the Assembly through mem-bership, volunteerism, and political activism.Southern California-based leaders of the

Armenian Assembly in attendance at the gath-ering included Board of Trustees members LisaKalustian and Talin Yacoubian; SCRC membersFlora Dunaians, Helen Haig, Michelle Kezirian,Jim Melikian, and Margaret Mgrublian; andOrange County Regional Committee membersSosy Hachigian, Christine Kotchian and NicoleNishanian.

“The Armenian Assembly is grateful to Aland Diane Cabraloff for warmly welcoming adiverse group of members and friends of theAssembly to their beautiful home. The Cabralofffamily’s generous hospitality compounded thepositive and forward-looking vibes permeatingat the gathering. The Assembly intends to har-ness the constructive energy of the gatheringin its advocacy, outreach, and policy planningwork in 2019,” stated Toumajan.

10 S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 9 , 2 0 1 9 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

Armenian Assembly’s Annual New Year EventBrings Together Community, Elected Officials

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger withDiane and Al Cabraloff

CA State Senator Anthony Portantino with Dianeand Al Cabraloff

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) with Diane and AlCabraloff

SCRC member Jim Melikian, OCRC member Nicole Nishanian, SCRC member Flora Dunaians, SCRC memberMichelle Kezirian, Board member Lisa Kalustian, Diane Cabraloff, Western Region Manager Aline Maksoudian,SCRC member Helen Haig, Lily Balian, Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, Diyana Danielian, and SCRCmember Al Cabraloff

AUSTIN, Tex. – If you have ever been toa Texas honky-tonk, you know what itmeans to do the “Texas Two-step.” Themusic can be a bit “kicky” while guys andgals dressed in western wear glide acrossthe dance floor. Armenians in Texas justcompleted a major two-step victory, andare looking for a third!Step 1: After a successful grassroots lob-

bying effort, the Texas State Board ofEducation moved the classification of theArmenia Genocide from “political massmurder” to “genocide” in the TexasEssential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) forSocial Studies, the official state educationstandards for students. State Board of Education member

Patricia Hardy, Fort Worth, introduced themove by referencing H.R. 191 and numer-ous comments online detailing the inter-national acceptance of the ArmenianGenocide. Originally Texas Armenianswere led to believe that this move wasunlikely before 2023. However, due to theoverwhelming effort by Texas Armeniancommunities, sending comments to theState Board of Education, the TEKSreclassification happened in December. It will take time for this to impact Texas

schools. The Texas Education Agency (TEA)must incorporate the Armenian Genocide into

its statewide curriculum and eventually intotextbooks. The textbook implication has ramifi-cations nationwide. As states with larger popu-

lations require teaching the ArmenianGenocide, many textbook publishers will beginadding it to more editions. Once enough critical

mass happens, it will appear in all text-books.In 2018, Dallas and Austin Armenian

communities hosted several teachertraining workshops in conjunction withthe Genocide Education Project (GenEd,genocideeducation.org), a nonprofit thatcreates and delivers teacher training onthe Armenian Genocide. In October,Houston Armenians hosted GenEd forthe Texas Council for the Social Studies,a state-wide teacher conference. Theireducational presentations on theArmenian Genocide were packed withstanding-room only. GenEd’s RoxanneMakasdjian, Sara Cohan and SedaAghamianz make regular trips to Texasand have been incredibly supportive ofeach community’s efforts.Step 2: The Texas two-step continued

with the passage of a new policy by theTexas Commission on Holocaust andGenocide (TCHG, http://thgc.texas.gov).The TCHG is responsible for educatingall Texans about genocide, including stu-dents. Their official policy has been toonly recognize genocides recognized bythe United States. After Texas became

the 46th state to recognize the ArmenianGenocide In May 2017 (House Resolution 191),Texas Armenian Mihran Aroian began workingwith TCHG Executive Director Matt Verdugo tosee what could be done to include theArmenian Genocide. On Verdugo’s invitation,Aroian provided testimony at TCHG’s October2018 quarterly meeting, with Armenians fromacross the state who gathered in support, at theGeorge H.W. Bush Presidential Library inCollege Station, TX. On January 17, 2019 at the Texas State

Capitol, TCHG again invited Aroian to providetestimony, and the Commission voted unani-mously to include the Armenian Genocide intheir policy. Aroian and others will continueworking with GenEd to provide TCHG witheducational material on the ArmenianGenocide.The Next Step: Lone Star Armenians are on

an active search for a national star. InNovember 2019, the National Council for theSocial Studies (NCSS) will host their 99thannual conference in Austin. The NCSS is thelargest association in the U.S., devoted solely tosocial studies education. Beth Hudson, SocialStudies Curriculum Specialist for the AustinIndependent School District, is helping to makeintroductions at the national level of the NCSS.Our goal is to have one of the keynote speech-es delivered about the Armenian Genocide. Inorder to gain a keynote slot, Aroian and Austin-area Armenians are searching for a high-profilespeaker. Hudson wants a high-profile pro-Armenian

star for NCSS, someone who can draw a larg-er audience and speak about the ArmenianGenocide. “Our knowledge of world and U.S.history has alarming gaps,” Hudson says,“and such gaps enable the same tragedies torepeat every generation. Recognizing