Putin Praises Ties withArmenia

MOSCOW (Public Radio of Armenia) — RussianPresident Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatorymessage to his Armenian counterpart SerzhSargsyan on the 20th anniversary of the bilateralTreaty on Friendship, Cooperation and MutualAssistance, the Kremlin press service said onTuesday, TASS reports.“The 1997 Treaty marked the beginning of a new era

in Russian-Armenian relations,” the message reads.“The signing of this important document created con-ditions for enhancing political dialogue and boostingtrade, economic, scientific, humanitarian cooperation,as well as interaction in other fields,” Putin added. Hepointed to the long history of Russian-Armenian rela-tions based on friendship and mutual respect betweenthe two countries’ people.The Russian leader commended the development

of bilateral ties noting that they had reached thelevel of allied cooperation in the past 20 years.“Moscow and Yerevan have been effectively coop-

erating within the integration processes takingplace in Eurasia, coordinating their activities toensure regional security and stability,” the Kremlinpress service said.

Armenia Coy AboutSyria TroopDeployment

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s leadership onAugust 29 declined to confirm or deny a seniorRussian military official’s claim that that it is pre-pared to send a demining team to Syria.Maj. Gen. Alexander Novikov of the Russian

army’s General Staff said late last week thatArmenia and Serbia have expressed readiness tojoin an “international coalition” which Russiahopes would help its troops clear landmines in thewar-torn country.Moscow called for the creation of such a coali-

tion through its permanent representative to theUnited Nations in April.President Serzh Sargsyan’s press secretary,

Vladimir Hakobian, said: “When a decision is madeand all issues are clarified, the public will be noti-fied in an appropriate manner.” A spokesman for the Armenian Defense Ministry

similarly said on Monday that the matter requires“further examination.”Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dis-

cussed possible Armenian involvement in deminingoperations in the historic Syrian city of Palmyrawhen he met with his Armenian counterpartEdward Nalbandian in Yerevan in April 2016. “Ihope that our joint initiative can be implemented,”Lavrov said after the talks.It is not clear whether Sargsyan and Russian

President Vladimir Putin spoke about Syria whenthey met in the Russian city of Sochi on August 23.

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXVIII , NO. 7, Issue 4501

SEPTEMBER 2 , 2 017

$ 2.00

INSIDE

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

JerusalemStudents

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INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,4

From Aznavour toYerevan with Love

NEW YORK — Two Diasporan Armenian powerhouses came together onMonday, August 28, at the headquarters of the Carnegie Corporation of New York,

to announce the creation of a new andunique museum halfway around the world.Legendary singer Charles Aznavour

announced the creation of his eponymousInteractive Museum and Cultural Center inYerevan, with the help of Vartan Gregorian,

the indefatigable president of the Carnegie Corporation.Gregorian joked that “Charles Aznavour is 73, but he claims to be 93” so that

people would treat him better. He also thanked the 60 or so guests assembled,“who have defied every rule of New York” by being present in the city in lateAugust as well as “every Armenian rule” by arriving even before the noon starttime of the luncheon, contrary to a reputed predilection for lateness.The museum will be a center for all things Aznavour — his music, life and ambi-

tions, loves and family. He has recorded his life story so that those going throughthe exhibits can hear him tell his story.But it is not only that.According to the brochure, the Charles Aznavour Interactive Museum “will use

multi-media technologies such as computer animation and augmented reality towalk you through the realization of a dream and inspire you to be more than you

see AZNAVOUR, page 11

By Alin K. Gregorian Mirror-Spectator Staff

Vartan Gregorian and Charles Aznavour

Iowa RecognizesArmenian Genocide DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Governor

Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation onFriday, August 25, commemorating theOttoman Turkish Government’s murder ofover 2.5 million Armenians, Greeks,Assyrians and Syriacs, making Iowa the47th US state to properly recognize andcondemn the Armenian Genocide, reportedthe Armenian National Committee ofAmerica Eastern Region.During the official signing ceremony,

attended by ANCA-ER leaders and a coalitionof human rights groups, including represen-tatives of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council,The Philos Project, and Iowans for Armenia,Governor Reynolds also declaredOctober, 2017, “Armenia AwarenessMonth.” The ceremony, which was webcastlive on the ANCA Facebook page, concludedwith a moving prayer offered by Rev. TadeosBarseghyan of St. Sahag Armenian Church ofMinnesota, which is the closest Armenianchurch serving the Armenian-American com-munity of Iowa.Noting that the Ottoman Turkish gov-

ernment’s crime “still requires justice,”Reynolds’ proclamation cites AdolphHitler’s ominous reference to the murder ofthe Armenian people just days prior to hisinvasion of Poland and the ensuingHolocaust, which claimed the lives of over

see IOWA, page 20

Bulgarian JournalistDisclosing Azerbaijan’sSupport for TerroristsDismissed from PostSOFIA, Bulgaria (Armenpress) — Dilyana

Gaytandzhieva, a Bulgarian journalist whopublished a scandalous report onAzerbaijani state-run airline’s supply ofweapons to different unsettled parts of theworld under the cover of diplomatic flights,has been dismissed from her post. “Today after I was interrogated by the

Bulgarian National Security Agency aboutthe secret docu-ments, whichwere leaked tome about theweapons sup-plies for terror-ists in Syria, Iwas fired byTrud Daily, justfew days beforegoing back toSyria to contin-ue my job,” shewrites onFacebook, with her investigation attached,but at the same she doubts that the sourcecan be removed from Trud Daily. A scandalous investigation was pub-

lished in Trud on July 2 which reveals theAzerbaijani state circles’ direct engagementin supplying weapons to Islamic terroristgroups at different parts of the world. Gaytandzhieva’s article mainly focuses

on the illegal and large-scale export andsale of arms to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan,Pakistan and Congo by Silk Way Airlines(an Azerbaijani state-run company) underthe cover of diplomatic flights. Documentsimplicating Silk Way Airlines in arms sup-plies were sent to the author of the articleby an anonymous twitter account –Anonymous Bulgaria. Gaytandzhieva saysover the past three years the state aircraftsof Azerbaijan carried on board tens of tons

JOURNALIST, page 3

Dilyana Gaytandzhieva

B E R L I N— Decipheringthe behavior ofthe Presidentis a challeng-ing task, and not only in the UnitedStates. Narcissism, paranoia and mega-lomania are the terms the psychiatristwould use to describe the brand of

person-ality dis-o rder s

driving the erratic behavior that hasbecome routine not only in the WhiteHouse but also in the thousand-roompresidential palace in Ankara. And theclinical diagnosis would be on themark. That said, it fails to explain thepolitical calculation that the affectedsubject has contrived to rationalize hisoutrageous actions. Yet, no doubt,there must be a method to the mad-ness. The actor is after all a politicalanimal.Consider the recent moves by Turkish

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withregard to Germany, which, from anysane objective standpoint, he shouldconsider his closest European ally andtrade partner. Erdogan has been on thewarpath with Germany ever since the

B u n d e s t a g(Parliament) lastyear passed aresolution recog-nizing the

Armenian genocide. He has consistentlysought provocations and conflict. After refusing German parliamentar-

ians access to German troops sta-tioned in Incirlik, which led Germanyto redeploy them to Jordan, he ruledagainst a similar request to visit troopsin Konya, and a major crisis was avert-ed only after German legislators wereallowed to do so in the context of aNATO delegation. Shortly thereafterErdogan, addressing a mass rally of hissupporters, issued a call, or better, anorder, to German citizens of Turkishdescent not to cast their votes in theSeptember parliamentary elections forthe ruling CDU or SPD parties, or forthe opposition Green Party, ongrounds that they “are waging a cam-paign against Turkey.” When GermanForeign Minister Sigmar Gabrieldenounced the bid as unacceptableinterference into the internal affairs ofa sovereign nation, the Turkish headof state (again in a speech to a rally of

see AMBITION, page 4

Erdogan’s Extraterritorial Ambitions:The Case of Dogan Akhanli

By Muriel Mirak-WeissbachSpecial to the Mirror-Spectator

COMMENTARY

Number of AsylumSeekers Increases

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The number of asylumseekers in Armenia has increased in the first half of2017, according to the data of the NationalStatistical Service of Armenia, reports Armenpress.Most asylum seekers were from Syria, Ukraine, Cuba,Iran, Azerbaijan. The number of foreigners from CIScountries who were granted residence status inArmenia has also increased. 55 people have soughtasylum in the first half of 2017 compared to the 46of the previous year. This year 25 people from Syria,9 from Ukraine, 7 from Cuba, 6 from Iran and 4from Azerbaijan have sought asylum. Four peoplehave been rejected from the asylum claim. 2055 for-eigners were granted residence status in Armenia:most of them were from Russia (451), from Iran(336) and from India (265).

ArcheologicalExcavations in Artsakh’s

Dadivank Monastery YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Within the restoration

efforts at the small domed church of Dadivankmonastery, archeological excavations have kicked offwhich will last 10 days, the head of Artsakh’sTigranakert expedition, Hamlet Petrosyan, said.He noted that that the monastery has been par-

tially excavated since 2007, but it still remains arche-ologically important. “The southern wall of the small dome church has

been cracked, and it was necessary to check the basisfor restoration. Based on research works, under-neath has been opened under the southern wallwhich is stretched along the entire wall. Currently weare excavating it and are not clear what it is,”Petrosyan said, adding that if everything is not clearat this stage, the archaeologists will think about con-ducting excavations at that site again.During the July 21, 2007 excavations, the relics of

the apostle St. Thaddeus were found under a tomb inone of the church’s monasteries. Another mausoleumwas found which contained a man buried sitting onachair, not something found in Armenian Christianburials. Dadivank is one of the ancient monasteries of

Artsakh.

Mass Shooting SuspectTracked Down byArmenian Police

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Police tracked down andarrested on Friday, August 25, a man accused ofkilling four people and wounding seven others in anArmenian village almost a month ago.The 50-year-old suspect, Telman Kalashian,

allegedly went on a shooting spree on August 1 asseveral hundred men gathered in Shamiram, a villageabout 50 kilometers west of Yerevan, to mark aYazidi religious feast. Law-enforcement authoritiessay he fled the scene with the help of his uncle. Thelatter was arrested on August 2.Kalashian, who lived in another village also mostly

populated by ethnic Yazidis, remained on the run formore than three weeks. An Armenian policespokesman said he was caught in his home province,Armavir, but gave no details of his arrest.Another law-enforcement body, the Investigative

Committee, formally charged Kalashian with severalcounts of murder later in the day. In a statement, the Investigative Committee said

the root cause of shooting was $75,000 whichKalashian lent in 2013 to five other Armenian-bornmen, all of them brothers, who lived and worked inRussia. It said the Khudoyan brothers subsequentlypaid back only $45,000, leading the Kalashians topress their relatives and friends in Armenia to helphim get back the rest of the sum.According to the statement, the suspect traded

insults with one of those friends, GermanKyaramian, by phone hours before heading toShamiram and opening fire inside a village dininghall.

News From Armenia

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ARMENIA

CorrectionsA story in the August 26 issue,

“Tsoleen Sarian Eager to Spreadthe Gospel of Project SAVE,”should include the following cor-rections.Representatives from Project

SAVE were on hand atthe first Armenian GenealogyConference in Massachusetts, notthe recent one in Michigan.Photographs from Project

SAVE have been used in docu-mentaries by Bared Maronian,especially in “Women of 1915.” The program by Prof. Armen

Marsoobian was a symposium andlecture, and it was cosponsored byArmenian Museum of America.

Singer DanielDecker DedicatesNew Project toArtsakhSTEPANAKERT — American

singer and composer DanielDecker will visit the NagornoKarabakh Republic to presenthis new project “My Artsakh.”Details of the project dedicatedto the 25th anniversary ofArtsakh’s independence andliberation of Shushi werescheduled to be presented at apress conference on August 30.The project is being imple-mented under the aegis of theArmenian Ministry of Sportsand Youth Affairs and theMinistry of Culture.

YEREVAN — Armenian Greco-Roman wrestlers returned home to ahero’s welcome on August 23. AtZvartnots Airport the athletes weregreeted by thousands of fans, relativesand officials.Reigning world and Olympic champ

Artur Aleksanyan (98 kg) beat Russia’sMusa Yevloyev 3-1 in the final to claimgold at the 2017 World WrestlingChampionships in Paris. MaksimManukyan claimed gold in the 80-kilo-gram category.The next day, President Serzh

Sargsyan received the three-time worldand European champion, bronzemedalist of the Olympic Games, goldmedalist of the Summer Olympics in2016 Alexanyan and world championMaxim Manukyan, who won goldmedals at the Greco-Roman wrestlingworld championship. The meeting wasattended by Armenian national teamhead coach Levon Julfalakyan andMinister of Sport and Youth AffairsHrachya Rostomyan.The president complimented his

guests on coming back to the home-land with great achievements.Sargsyan thanked them for giving peo-ple great joy, pride and bolstering thespirits of all Armenians.He pointed to the fact that any win-

ning athlete sets a good example forthe rising generation who are therebyencouraged to be like them andbecome more industrious and purpose-ful.Sargsyan asked Rostomyan and

Julfalakyan about the efforts aimed atproviding more favorable conditions fordeveloping wrestling in Armenia andexpressed readiness to assist them withthe timely and proper implementationof the planned activities.The guests thanked the President for

keeping in focus the development ofsports and his sustained thoughtful-ness of the needs of Armenian athletes.They underscored that it inspires themahead toward new achievements.

Armenian Wrestlers ReturnHome to a Hero’s Welcome

Artur Aleksanyan, left, and Maksim Manukyan, receive wreaths at the airport fromGagik Tsarukyan, center.

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Americandiplomat Andrew Schofer officiallyassumed the office of US Co-Chair of theOrganization for Security andCooperation in Europe (OSCE) MinskGroup, US State Department spokesper-son Heather Nauert said in a statement. “The United States is pleased to

announce the appointment of Mr.Andrew Schofer as the next U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group forNagorno-Karabakh. Mr. Schofer bringsextensive experience in Europe andInternational Organizations to theposition, and most recently served asChargé d’ Affaires for the U.S. Missionto International Organizations inVienna (UNVIE). From August 2015until January 2017, he served as theDeputy Chief of Mission at UNVIE.”According to the State Department,

from August 2014 to August 2015, heserved as Deputy Chief of Mission atthe U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprusfrom 2011 to 2014, and has alsoworked overseas at the U.S. Embassiesin Kuwait City, Kuwait� Manama,Bahrain� and Moscow, Russia.

Schofer’s Washington assignmentsincluded postings on the Iraq Desk inthe Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs,and as special assistant to the UnderSecretary for Political Affairs, where hewas primarily responsible for theMiddle East and Counterterrorismportfolios. The statement stressed that “The

United States remains firmly commit-ted to the Minsk Group Process andhelping the sides reach a lasting andpeaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As expressed in theJune 19 and July 6 statements, theUnited States supports a just settle-ment that must be based on interna-tional law, which includes the HelsinkiFinal Act� in particular, the principlesof nonuse of force, territorial integrity,and self-determination. AndrewSchofer looks forward to helping thesides achieve this goal. We haveinformed the governments of Armeniaand Azerbaijan of Andrew Schofer’sappointment.” Schofer will assume his new position

effective immediately.

Andrew Schofer Named New USCo-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group

MELBOURNE, Australia — OnAugust 19-20, Victorian Young Laborheld its Annual Conference at theVictorian Trades Hall in Melbourne,where delegates gathered for livelydebate and passed various motionsincluding a motion to recognize theArmenian Genocide, which was adoptedwithout dissent.The motion noted: “Raphael Lemkin

invented the word genocide, based ondefining the Armenian Genocide, inorder to describe the systematic andbrutal murder of an ethnic and religiousminority… in 2017, a first majorHollywood film set during the events ofthe Armenian Genocide was aired toaudiences around the world titled ‘ThePromise’, further raising mass aware-ness of the issue.”“Victorian Young Labor condemns

the genocide of over one and a half mil-lion Christian Armenians, Assyrians andPontian Greeks at the hands of the thenOttoman Empire and all other acts ofgenocide as the ultimate act of racial,religious and cultural intolerance.”The motion called for the Victorian

State and Commonwealth governmentsto officially recognize the ArmenianGenocide.Victorian Young Labor Conference

delegate Ariel Zohar, who moved themotion, said: “I’m absolutely delightedthat Victorian Young Labor, the largestdemocratic youth political body inVictoria, unanimously supported themotion and committed to raise aware-

ness about the Armenian Genocide.”“Hopefully this motion contributes to

the increasing global pressure for theTurkish state to pay reparations to thedescendants of the victims and to theArmenian community for whom justicehas still not yet been received.”“With the South Australian and NSW

Parliaments already passing similarmotions of support, it is now up to theVictorian and Australian parliaments tofollow suit,” Zohar added.Armenian National Committee of

Australia – Melbourne (ANC-AUMelbourne) chairperson, AsbedBoymoushakian congratulated and

thanked Victorian Young Labor fortheir unanimous support and strengthin standing up for truth and justice.“This is motion is part of the tidal wave

of growing pressure with countries andorganizations around the world havingalready adopted similar motions calling forrecognition,” he said.“I call on all political parties and their

youth wings to adopt the same stance,educate their members about theArmenian Genocide and stand shoulderto shoulder with many of the victims’families and descendants, many ofwhom are fortunate to now callAustralia home.”

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Armenia Abolishes VisaRequirements for Japan YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Citizens of Japan will

be exempt from visa requirements when visitingArmenia. They will be able to remain in Armenia for180 days within a year, according to a draft decisionincluded in the agenda of the cabinet’s meeting ofAugust 31. According to the document, Armenia enjoys friend-

ly relations with Japan and has mutually beneficialcooperation with that country, the relations betweenthe two states develops, while the opening of theArmenian Embassy in Tokyo in 2010 and the open-ing of the Embassy of Japan in Yerevan in 2015 fur-ther fostered the development of relations in all thespheres. Citizens of Japan can visit Georgia without a visa,

while they receive the visa upon arrival inAzerbaijan.

Nalbandian HighlightsStrengthening Business

Ties with EstoniaYEREVAN (Armenpress) — Foreign ministers of

Armenia and Estonia Edward Nalbandian and SvenMikser exchanged congratulatory messages on the25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic rela-tions between Armenia and Estonia. Nalbandian in his message said more than the past

25 years the two countries managed to form a firmbase for the constant development of bilateral friend-ly ties. He attached importance to strengthening ofbilateral business ties, stating that there is a greatpotential for boosting the trade and economic ties.Minister Nalbandian appreciated the Armenian-Estonian productive cooperation within the framesof the EU. He also emphasized the role of theArmenian community in terms of making close thetwo countries. In his turn the Estonian FM said overthe past 25 years the relations between Armenia andEstonia have further intensified, the two countriesdeepened the practical partnership for the prosperi-ty of the two peoples. Mikser highlighted that the Estonian government

has declared the Eastern Partnership as one of pri-orities of its chairmanship in the Council of theEuropean Union and expects the signing of theComprehensive and Enhanced Partnership agree-ment between Armenia and the EU which will fur-ther expand the framework of relations.

Israeli Defense MinistryBans Defense Systems

From Supplying UAVs toAzerbaijan

TEL AVIV (Armenpress) — The Israeli defense min-istry has enforced a temporary ban on AeronauticsDefense Systems for the supply of $20 million worthof Orbitier K1 unmanned aerial vehicles to one of itsimportant customers, the Israeli Bizportal reports,citing the company’s data in the stock exchange. Thesupply had to be carried out in 2017- 2018, and in2016 the acquisitions of this “customer” comprised20 percent of the Israeli company’s income, while in2015, it was 18 percent. It also said a factory ofAeronautics Defense Systems spare parts operates inthis country. The article emphasizes that only twocountries from Aeronautics Defense Systems cus-tomers have Ba ratings — Serbia and Azerbaijan,while it is only in Azerbaijan that the Israeli compa-ny has a plant for spare parts of the UAVs. A few weeks earlier Israeli media reported that the

defense ministry is validating information allegingAeronautics Defense Systems had declined to displaythe capabilities of their new UAVs, which are beingsupplied to Azerbaijan, on Armenian positions. Themedia report said a complaint had been filed to theIsraeli defense ministry on the matter. AeronauticsDefense Systems denied the accusation. The incidentis said to have occurred when the company’s delega-tion had arrived in Baku to renegotiate supply con-ditions. Azerbaijani military officials requested theIsraeli defense manufacturers to display their prod-ucts during live combat operations, on the Armenianmilitary.

International News

INTERNATIONAL

Bulgarian Journalist Disclosing Azerbaijan’sSupport for Terrorists Dismissed from PostJOURNALIST, from page 1of heavy weapons and ammunition headed to terrorists. She added thatsome of the weapons that Azerbaijan carries on diplomatic flights were usedby its military in Nagorno Karabakh. The international media reacted to Gaytandzhieva’s investigation.

Pressure was exerted on others in Bulgaria, as well. The Azerbaijani ambas-sador even urged the Union of Journalists of Bulgaria to freeze journalistTsvetana Paskaleva’s membership, as well as to hinder the events of AGBUBulgaria branch that carries out legal activity in that country. Weeks ago itbecame known that Chairman of AGBU Bulgaria’s youth union HaykKarapetyan had to leave the post of the member of the Plovdiv National andIntegration Council under still undisclosed circumstances. The reason,according to Armenpress information, was the interference of theAzerbaijani side and the fact that Bulgaria’s state bodies succumbed to pres-sures instead of protecting the rights of a citizen of the country.

Victorian Young Labor Adopts Motion Recognizing Armenian Genocide

BERLIN (Deutsche Welle) — Theleader of Germany’s Social Democrats(SPD) Martin Schulz, on Sundayaccused Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan of establishing a politi-cal tyranny and called on the EuropeanUnion to scrap any further negotia-tions on expanding its customs unionwith Turkey.

“How long can we really continue totolerate a president, who has alreadylost all sense of proportion domestically,now losing his sense of restraint inter-nationally?” Schulz asked in an inter-view with German public broadcasterARD. “Can we continue to accept thatinnocent German citizens languish inprisons in a country ruled by tyranny?”According to the German govern-

ment, 54 German nationals are beingheld in detention in Turkey, 10 of whichare for political reasons. Two of themost high-profile detainees are jailedjournalist Deniz Yücel and rightsactivist Peter Steudtner.Schulz, the main challenger to

Chancellor Angela Merkel and herChristian Democratic Union (CDU) in

next month’s federal election, warnedthat Germany would have to seek itsown hardline measures against Turkeyif Erdogan refused to cooperate.One measure would be to halt any

talks of expanding Turkey’s customsunion with the EU. Ankara has made nosecret of its ambition to boost marketaccess for Turkish enterprises in the EU

and sees the cur-rent arrangement,agreed back in1995, as toorestrictive. Horst Seehofer,

the leader of theChristian SocialUnion (CSU),called on the EUto freeze all aidpayments toTurkey. “Payment aimed

at preparingTurkey to join theEU must immedi-ately be put onhold,” he told

Germany’s Funke media group onMonday. The state premier of Bavariawent on to say that barely a week pass-es in which Ankara doesn’t issue fur-ther threats and provocations.Turkey is scheduled to receive almost

4.5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for theperiod from 2014 to 2020. The money ismeant to help bring its institutions upto a European standard and ultimatelyhelp it become a member of the bloc.German Foreign Minister, Sigmar

Gabriel joined in the chorus of condem-nation directed at Ankara, but warnedthat any action too drastic would onlyserve to strengthen Erdogan.During a press conference Sunday in

Berlin, Germany’s top diplomat said itwould be wrong to completely call off

EU-accession talks with Turkey as“Erdogan is waiting for just that.”“He (Erdogan) would then be able to

back up his notion that Europe is turn-ing its back on Turkey,” Gabriel said.“He faces so much discord at home thathe needs to take aim at a foreign foe.”Gabriel has in recent weeks taken a

more hardline approach against Turkey.In July, he delivered the government’smost strongly-worded statement yetagainst the Erdogan regime. As partof Germany’s “reorientation” in policytowards Turkey, Gabriel warnedGerman citizens to exercise extremecaution when traveling to Turkey andadvised German firms against investingand doing business in the country.

German Pilgrim Detained inTurkey

Germany’s Foreign Ministry admittedon Sunday that another German nation-al had been in detention in Turkey sinceApril. The case had not been reported inthe German until the Bild am Sonntagnewspaper broke the story.Little official information known is

about the prisoner, David B. The 55-year-old, from Schwerin, was reportedlyon a pilgrimage to Jerusalem beforebeing arrested in south-eastern Turkey.While the reasons for his arrest havenot yet been disclosed, he is thought tohave lived with a Kurdish family whiletraveling through Istanbul.A spokesperson for the German

Foreign Office said that David B. hadreceived consular advice from theGerman embassy in Ankara.The leader of Germany’s Green party,

Cem Özdemir, told the local newspa-per Schweriner Volkszeitung the casewas the latest example of Erdogan col-lecting “hostages against our country.”He added that Erdogan only under-stood a hardline stance and the “lan-guage of money.”

Turkey Rift: German PoliticiansDemand Economic Pressure

Martin Schulz

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INTERNATIONAL

AMBITION, from page 1supporters) responded with cheap ridicule. “Who are you,”he asked Gabriel rhetorically, “to talk to the President ofTurkey? You should know your place!” i.e. he shouldaddress his remarks to his ranking counterpart, the foreignminister. He slammed Gabriel for “trying to teach us a les-son,” adding, “How long have you been in politics? How oldare you anyway?” Gabriel, he said, was “a catastrophe.”

The Long Arm of Turkish “Justice”

Days later, it became clear that the huffing and puffingwas only the prelude to an act of far graver import. OnAugust 19, on the basis of an international arrest warrantissued by Turkey, and implemented through Interpol,Spanish police arrested a German citizen of Turkish descentduring his vacation in Grenada. Dogan Akhanli, a well-known novelist, playwright and human rights activist resid-ing in Cologne and Berlin, was awakened that Saturdaymorning by loud banging on the door of his hotel room.Three Spanish policemen in bullet-proof vests and armedwith submachine guns, asked him for identification, and,

having ascertained hewas the same personInterpol was pursuingwith a “Red Notice”,slapped handcuffs onhim and hauled him offto prison. From Grenada, he

was transferred toMadrid, and then,thanks to the promptintervention of hislawyer, Ilyas Uyar, andGerman politicalauthorities, releasedthe following day, oncondition he remain inSpain for 40 days andreport weekly to the

authorities. During that ominous number of days, theTurkish authorities will have to supply documentation tosubstantiate their demand that he be extradited to Turkeyfor trial.The mood in Berlin was livid. Foreign Minister Gabriel

spoke to his Spanish counterpart by phone, urging him todeny Turkey’s demand for extradition. Chancellor AngelaMerkel said, “This is unacceptable, we cannot allow inter-national organizations like Interpol to be misused for some-thing like this.” It is due to such cases, she said, thatGermany had “massively changed its Turkey policy,” addingthat “we have to settle this conflict.” Her spokesman SteffenSeibert expressed the suspicion that the Turkish authoritieswere using Interpol against political critics. He said he wasparticularly upset because the “Red Notice” had been usedagainst Akhanli. “Here we are dealing with a German citi-zen!” he said. The SPD’s chancellor candidate MartinSchultz denounced the political motivation behind the out-rageous arrest: “Anyone who takes the liberty of criticizingMr. Erdogan is stigmatized as an enemy of Turkey and ispersecuted. This is a new level of escalation. Therefore, Ibelieve that one answer must be that we say to Turkey: fur-ther and deeper economic relations are not possible as longas Turkey behaves in this manner.” Cem Özdemir, GreenParty leader, called for a review of security cooperation withTurkey, given that it is no longer a state based on the ruleof law. Other political figures echoed these sentiments.

What Crime?

Judging by the character of the security forces deployedto apprehend Akhanli – three armed policemen at his doorand two police cars with six to eight policemen waiting out-side – one might assume the suspect were a dangerousfelon, especially in the heightened security atmospherereigning in Spain in the wake of the vile terrorist attacksthat had just shaken Barcelona. Akhanli himself told thepress that he thought the Spanish police must have beensurprised. They acted correctly, he said, but evidently, theyhad been prepared to apprehend a terrorist, and when theyfound him and realized he was a normal person, they musthave been shocked. They must have been told that he was, if not a terrorist,

at least a dangerous criminal, a murderer. For this is whatthe arrest warrant asserts. In 2010, when he travelled toTurkey to visit his terminally ill father, he was apprehendedat the airport and arrested. He was then put on trial,charged with involvement in a case of robbery and murderfrom 1989. After months in jail, the case finally came tocourt and, on grounds of insufficient proof, he was acquit-ted. Three years later however the ruling was reversed, andan arrest warrant followed. Now Turkey was activating itthrough Interpol.At the time of the trial, human rights activists mobilized

an international solidarity campaign for Akhanli, whichorganized a delegation of observers at the trial, amongthem this author. The message that was stressed in that

campaign, and what remains valid in the current situation,is that the only “crime” Akhanli has committed is that hehas told the truth.Dogan Akhanli was born in a Turkish village in the north-

east and moved to Istanbul with his brother to attendschool as an adolescent. He opposed the military regime inthe 1980s and spent two years in prison as a result. He suc-ceeded in fleeing to Germany, where he was granted politi-cal asylum and then German citizenship in 2001. Since thenhe has been engaged, not in party politics, but in civil soci-ety and, as an intellectual, he has dedicated his literaryefforts to shedding light on the true story of the Armeniangenocide. One of his novels that appeared in 1989-1999 inTurkish and was translated into German, “The Judges of theLast Judgment”, deals with the Armenian genocide. It wasthe first novel by a Turkish author to do so. In 2016, hisnovel The Days without Father appeared in German, a workthat relates the drama of a politically persecuted exile inGermany.Perhaps the most important work is the play he wrote as

a monodrama, “Anne’s Silence.” The play was conceived byGerman-Armenian actress Bea Ehlers-Kerbekian, who per-formed it on the stage in several cities in Germany as wellas Armenia. It tells the story of a Turkish-German girl whodiscovers that her mother, whom she knew as a TurkishMuslim, had actually been an Armenian genocide survivor.The play was an important contribution to the discussionprocess that unfolded in Germany around the genocide,which eventually led to the Bundestag resolution.Akhanli has also been active for years in civil society ini-

tiatives involving Germans, Turks, Armenians and Kurdsaimed at working through the common history and reach-ing recognition of the genocide, as a prelude to reconcilia-tion. He organized and led week-long seminars in Berlin(which I also participated in), dealing with the genocide andthe Shoah. He has been honored for his literary and civilsociety engagement, and was invited to be the keynotespeaker at the St. Paul’s Cathedral in Frankfurt commemo-ration of the genocide on April 24. Recently he was amongthe founding members of the German-Turkish-ArmenianFriendship Society. In short, if there is any German intel-lectual of Turkish descent who has fought for recognition ofthe Armenian genocide, it is Dogan.That is, in short, the crime that the Erdogan establish-

ment wants to punish him for.

The Time is Ripe

But then, the question arises, why should Erdogan andcompany revive their witch hunt against Dogan Akhanlinow? Here we move from the psychoanalytical to the politi-cal. Erdogan himself may have betrayed the secret, when he

spoke about the extradition of persons in Germany toTurkey. Referring to the German-Turkish journalist DenizYücel, jailed in Turkey, Erdogan had quipped that maybethe Germans would now comply with his demands for hand-ing over persons he claimed were behind the attemptedcoup last summer. In July, the mass tabloid BILD-Zeitungreported that, according to Foreign Ministry sources,Erdogan had discretely inquired whether Germany would beinterested in swapping Yücel for two former Turkish gener-als allegedly in Germany. The response, BILD wrote, was“Naturally we cannot embark on such a trade.” Now itappears confirmed that Erdogan had planned to use thearrests of enemies of Turkey abroad (like Dogan Akhanli) aspawns in a game of political chess with his European part-ners. If they will not hand over to Turkey those persons heand his regime have identified as coup plotters (=Gülenists),then he will continue to arrest persons he considers ene-mies, even if they reside in European countries. Turkey expert Rainer Hermann penned an editorial on

August 21 in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung entitled,“Erdogan’s Hostages,” in which he stated that the Akhanlicase would set a precedent: if Spain were to agree to hisextradition to Turkey, then “all critics of Erdogan wouldhave to be afraid of travel.” A day later the same newspaperof record carried an interview with Ilias Uyar, Akhanli’slawyer, in which he stated: “I believe that the Turkish legalauthorities are trying to set an example: you are not safeanywhere. Turkey perhaps assumed that Akhanli would bein detention Sunday. That would have been a very strongsign to demonstrate their power. No one is supposed to feelsafe anywhere.”Erdogan’s cheerful disregard for national sovereignty has

prompted suggestions that he may seriously style himself asa new sultan, with territorial ambitions stretching west-wards across Europe, a suggestion that would be coherentwith the vision of a “new Ottomanism” that his AKP hasembraced.

Spain’s Response

What is going to happen next? On August 25, the RedNotice was formally lifted, but it is not clear why. That deci-sion may be made on technical grounds: since it signifiesthe request to pursue and arrest the sought individual, onceAkhanli had been found, there was no reason to maintain

that level of alarm. Or, it may be lifted if it is found thatpolitical motivations were behind the issuance of the alert.Interpol headquarters in Lyons gave no reasons to the pressfor their action, and there was no statement issued by theSpanish authorities either. The German Foreign Ministrydeclared it was “glad that Interpol cancelled the RedNotice.”Whatever the thinking behind the move, Akhanli has still

not been allowed to leave the country. Reached by tele-phone by this author on August 29, he explained that hehad to wait for the procedure to be completed by theTurkish and Spanish authorities, which might take a longtime. He said he would stay in Madrid, was in good spiritsand the German Foreign Ministry was taking good care ofthe matter.As announced at the time of the arrest. Turkey would be

given forty days to provide the documentation to prove heshould be extradited. It will be up to the Spanish authori-ties to decide whether or not the documentation meets therequirements. The German government has already madeclear that it is totally opposed to any such move, and hassignaled this view to the Spanish government in severalministries. As representatives of the Justice, Interior andForeign ministries told reporters on August 21, any stateworking with Interpol can decide how it reacts to arrestwarrants and actually the organization conducting thesearch should examine the possibility of a political motiva-tion behind the warrant. In Germany, decisions at everystage of the process are both juridical and political: onemust ascertain whether or not the criminal charges arevalid, and then evaluate politically, whether the accused per-son is being politically persecuted, what the consequencesof an extradition might be for that person’s safety, and soforth. The ministry spokesmen were unanimous in exclud-ing the possibility that Spain would extradite him.Given the precedents in this case — that Akhanli has a his-

tory of juridical and political persecution at the hands ofTurkish legal authorities — and the current sad state ofaffairs inside Turkey today, where prisons are overcrowdedwith critics, dissidents, journalists, teachers, “Gülenists”who have been arbitrarily jailed, it is indeed very unlikelythat Spain would bend under pressure. When asked for hisprediction, lawyer Uyar said, “A trial against Akhanli accord-ing to the rule of law is impossible in Turkey.” To depicthow disastrous the human rights situation there is and howparalyzed the judiciary is, he pointed to the Hrant Dinkmurder trial: “… during a pause in the proceedings of thetrial, a judge was arrested.” If European standards hold inthis case, Uyar said he did not believe it would come toextradition.The entire affair has left many open questions regarding

the legality or lack thereof of Turkey’s initiative. If the inter-national arrest warrant was reactivated, and even on “RedNotice” denoting the highest degree of urgency, why werethe German authorities not informed? Did Interpol inAnkara contact Interpol in Madrid directly, instead of goingthrough the central agency in Lyons, in which case otherstates would have been informed? How did the Spanishpolice know what hotel Akhanli was staying in? WereTurkish intelligence agents involved? In short: was the lawbroken somewhere along the way? And if so, by whom?

Truth Will Tell

It may well be that the clumsy attempt on Erdogan’s partto take justice into his own hands will boomerang, as haveso many other of his ill-conceived political antics. For surehe is the one who has mud on his face; editorials and car-toons have made him the laughing stock of the political cir-cus. The story has dominated TV and press coverage sincethe arrest; on August 27, it was the topic of a prime-timetalk show, with participation of nationally prominent politi-cians, including Foreign Minister Gabriel, connected byvideo. The political establishment in Berlin has united indenouncing the abuse of power demonstrated by Ankaraand the question of how to revise German and EU policydownwards vis-à-vis Turkey has become a leading issue inthe ongoing parliamentary election campaign. Friends, col-leagues, intellectuals and human rights activists have ralliedin Dogan’s defense. As for the victim of this judicial travesty, Akhanli told

German TV reporters that he was shaken by the events,shocked to find that even in the EU he was not safe. He hadno doubts about the motivation behind events; “I haveexpressed criticism of Turkey’s politics and Turkey’s past,and they didn’t like that. They want to silence me,” he said,“but at sixty, I am not going to remain silent.” In a pressconference after his release from custody, he said it wouldbe “a juridical scandal” if he were extradited. Erdogan, hesaid, displayed “a despotic attitude” and “believes he can dowhatever he wants.” Erdogan “has nothing to do with anelected state president.” Asked what he might do during hisforty-day forced vacation in Spain, he said, “Who knows?Maybe I will write a book.”

(Quotations from German press sources have been translated by the author.)

Dogan Akhanli

Erdogan’s Extraterritorial Ambitions: The Case of Dogan Akhanli

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Community NewsArmenian Studies ProgramTo Hold Two-DayInternational Conference on‘Armenians, Greeks, andKurds: A People’s History ofThe Ottoman Empire’FRESNO — The Armenian Studies Program

will hold an international conference exploringthe topic of “Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds: APeople’s History of the Ottoman Empire” to beheld on Friday, September 22, and Saturday,September 23. The conference will be held inthe University Business Center (5245 N. BackerAve.), A. Peters Auditorium, Room 191 on theFresno State campus.Ottoman history is often studied through the

lens of Ottoman Turkish archives, sometimeneglecting the important contribution ofArmenian and other sources to the construc-tion of that history. The invited scholars areinnovators in this area utilizing Armenian andother archival sources for their papers. TheConference focuses on the pre-1915 Genocideperiod in the Ottoman Empire, with papers fea-turing micro-histories of various regions.The conference is co-sponsored by the

College of Arts and Humanities and theDepartment of History at Fresno State. TheThomas A. Kouymjian Family Foundation, theLeon S. Peters Foundation and the M. VictoriaKazan Fund for Armenian Studies are support-ers of the conference.Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof.

Barlow Der Mugrdechian and Dr. Ümit Kurt(Harvard University) are co-organizers of theconference.Der Mugrdechian will open the Conference at

7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 22 in theUniversity Business Center, Alice Peters

Auditorium, Room 191. An hors d’oeuvresreception will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.in the University Business Center Gallery, justprior to the conference.Following the opening address, the first ses-

sion will open with three panelists: Owen Miller(Union University) “The Colonization of theMountains: Sasun, Zeytun and Dersim at theEnd of the Ottoman Empire”; David Gutman(Manhattanville College) “The Sojourners ofHarput (Kharpert): At the Intersection of theLocal, the Imperial, and the Global”; and UgurZ. Peçe (Harvard University) “From Ballots toBarracks: The Conscription of non-Muslims at aTime of Parliamentary Politics in the OttomanEmpire, 1908-1912.”The conference will reconvene at 10 a.m. on

Saturday, September 23, with two sessions, thefirst chaired by Dr. Sergio La Porta, BerberianProfessor of Armenian Studies at Fresno State.All Saturday sessions will take place in theUniversity Business Center, Alice PetersAuditorium, Room 191. Session I will feature presentations by Emre

Can Daglioglu (Clark University) “Intra-ImperialSpace and Anti-Armenian Violence in the

see CONFERENCE, page 8

Armenian Assembly Co-Chairs Meet with Religious

Leaders in JerusalemWASHINGTON — Armenian Assembly of America Co-Chair and

Massachusetts Council of Churches President Anthony Barsamian travelled toJerusalem this month, where he met with religious leaders, including theArmenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian.“It was an honor meeting with the Armenian Patriarch and Armenians in

Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and holding vibrant discussions with the Armeniancommunity in the Holy Land. The Patriarch made a point to welcome us andencourage Armenian Americans to visit the Armenian Quarter and meet withmembers of this important Armenian community. His Eminence made sure wehad the opportunity to pray with our Christian brothers and sisters at SaintsJames Cathedral and participate in Divine Liturgy at the tomb of Christ, alsoknown to Armenians as the Holy Resurrection Church and the Church of theHoly Sepulchre, while having an opportunity to visit the numerous Armenianshops and enjoy Western Armenian culture which continues to exist since the4th Century,” Barsamian stated.The participants visited Srpots Tarkmanchatz (Holy Translators) Armenian

School within the Armenian Quarter. They were led by Fr. Mardiros Chevian,dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, a memberof the Eastern Diocese Council and pastor of Holy Translators Church inFramingham, Mass. They met the Gulbenkian Library Director and principal of

see JERUSALEM, page 7

Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian and Rabbi David Rosen of theAmerican Jewish Committee

Four Students fromSts. TarkmanchatzJoin St. NersessSummer Conferences

By Florence Avakian

ARMONK, N.Y. — Once again, for the 12thyear, outstanding students from theArmenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s Sts.Tarkmanchatz School joined their counter-parts at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. Thisyear, the St. Nersess Summer Conferences foryouth, afforded four Jerusalem studentsunique opportunities to interact with theirArmenian-American peers, strengthen theirChristian faith, and experience the specialNew York environs and flavor.This project was initiated by Rev. Mardiros

Chevian, dean of St. Nersess ArmenianSeminary, and has been realized by contribu-tions from donors. This year, the main bene-factors of the project were Russell and SusanKashian (Muskege, WI), with support byGeorge and Lorraine Marootian (FranklinLakes, NJ), Vicken and Rosette Arslanian(Englewood, NJ), Joseph and Kristine Casali(Ramsey, NJ), Gregory and Meline Toufayan(Saddle River, NJ), Glen and KristinDabaghian (Ramsey, NJ), and Keith andKaryn Bilezerian (Wrentham, Mass.).The four exceptional students included 17-

year-olds Ike Demirjian, Hagop Hagopian,Sevana Hekimian, and 15-year-old SerenaKarin Bush, all of whom praised their studentlife at Sts. Tarkmanchatz and its principal, theVery Rev. Norayr Kazazian.Several comments about Kazazian reflect-

ed the love and admiration they felt for himand his leadership of the school which Ikecalled “very supportive.” He was praised foradvancing the school’s its educational pro-grams and its facilities, and for being “close,friendly, kind, caring and principled” with thestudents. “Sts. Tarkmanchatz has been abeautiful flower in our lives,” declaredHekimian. Ike Demirjian, who grew up in Tel Aviv and

moved to Jerusalem two years ago with hisfamily, said he “loves Jerusalem and Sts.Tarkmanchatz” where he has served aStudent Council president, and started a bas-ketball team which he coaches. He has decid-ed to study either engineering “because I lovemaking things and am very creative,” or med-icine “in order to help people.” Born in Jerusalem, Hagop Hagopian comes

from a family of Genocide survivors. Hispaternal grandmother escaped fromEskishehie and his maternal grandparentsfrom Marash. He sees medicine as his futurework. He plans to stay in Jerusalem, attendHebrew University, then go to the MedicalUniversity in Yerevan. Having family inArmenia, and a sister studying medicinethere, he has visited Armenia nine times, andespecially loves Artsakh, “its nature, endlessgreen mountains and its weather.” Sevana Hekimian’s family came to

Jerusalem through a journey that involvedher paternal grandfather and his uncle fromMusaler, escaping the Genocide, going toSyria, Jordan and finally an orphanage inJerusalem’s Armenian Convent. There, he methis future wife at the Homenetmen Club. She plans to study economics and account-

ing management at Hebrew University, thenlive and study in Armenia “because it’s timethat our generation should be the ones tomake the country brighter.” She traveled toArmenia in 2013 with the Ari Tun (ReturnHome) program where young Armeniansfrom around the globe stay in local volunteerhomes and interact with the local population.“When I got to Zvartnotz Airport, somethingtouched my heart. It was comfort,” sherevealed.

see STUDENTS, page 9

Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, St. Nersess ArmenianSeminary Dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Gulbenkian Library Director and PrincipalVery Rev. Norayr Kazazian, and Eastern Diocese Council Member Fr. KrikorSabounjian

Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Aroosiag (Dorothy)Chakarian Hartmann passed away peacefullyon Saturday, August 19, at her home in ChevyChase, at the age of 101. Dorothy was born in Providence, RI, on

January 17, 1916 to the late NighohosKashmanian and Vartoohi Yesaian. She was alongtime resident of Watertown, as well asAmityville, NY and Dunedin, Fla. For the past10 years, she had lived in her apartment inChevy Chase.Dorothy was the wife of Albert Kevork

Chakarian (deceased) and Karl GunterHartmann (deceased). She was the mother ofDale Chakarian Turza (Peter Henry); sister ofVirginia Keljikian (Paul, deceased); grandmoth-er of Kristin Turza Campbell, M.D. (Chris),Lauren Turza Greer, M.D. and Allison TurzaBajger PhD (Dan); and great-grandmother ofChase, Haley and Baby Parker Turza Campbell,Lester Kyle and Olivia Dale Greer, and HenryAlbert Bajger. She is survived by her grand-nieces, Deborah Quick Zavaleta (Raul) and theirchildren, Raquel, Jordan, Dylan and TristanZavaleta, and Pamela Quick Reeder (David) and

their children, Jonathan and Erica Reeder, aswell as her grandnephew, Joel Mazmanian (Jill)and their children, Jacie and Jordan andcousins, Helen Krikorian (Deeran, deceased)and their sons, Mark Krikorian (Amelie) andtheir children, Alex, Ben and Theo and DavidKrikorian (Kristien) and their children,Sebastian, Katia and Ara, and AnnetteKrikorian Arnott (Peter) and their son, DavidArnott. She is also survived by ThomasHartmann and his son, Michael. She was pre-ceded in death by her two sisters and their hus-bands, Margaret Mazmanian (Joseph) and ZarieKeosian (George) and by her niece and her latehusband, Doris Mazmanian Quick (William)and her nephew, Edward Mazmanian (CaroleMazmanian Chooljian). Born and raised in Providence, Dorothy met

the “love of her life,” Albert Chakarian, a suc-cessful lawyer in Cambridge, and moved, aftermarrying him, to Boston, in 1939.During World War II, she worked at the

Watertown Arsenal and Raytheon Corporation.When her daughter, Dale, was born, Dorothydevoted her life to being a homemaker, raising

her daughter and volunteering at St. JamesArmenian Church in Watertown, where she wasvery active in the Women’s Guild, and Mt.Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, where shehelped out in the gift shop. After Albert died in 1963, Dorothy worked in

the business office of Widener Library atHarvard University. She was blessed to meet and fall in love again

with Karl Hartmann in 1971, and she thenmoved to Amityville, and Dunedin, Fla., ulti-mately relocating to Chevy Chase, in 2007 to beclose to her daughter, grandchildren andcousins. By that time, her sisters, Virginia andZarie, had also moved to Chevy Chase,Maryland. After Karl died in 2009, she joined asmall knitting group at St. Alban’s Church inWashington, D.C., as Dorothy was an inveterateknitter all of her life. She was a great Armeniancook and baker. She loved to read and playScrabble. She adored her family and friends,and they all adored her back. She will be verymissed by everyone!

Funeral services were held on Tuesday,August 29, at St. James Armenian ApostolicChurch, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA02472. Interment followed at Mt. AuburnCemetery in Cambridge, MA.

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

558 MOUNT AUBURN STREETWATERTOWN, MA 02472

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www.nardolillo.com

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Zarouhi (Zarie)Irene Keosian passed away after a very shortillness on Tuesday, May 9, in Chevy Chase,Md. at age 97. She was born in Providence, RI, on

September 25, 1919 to the late NighohosKashmanian and Vartoohi Yesaian. She was along-time resident of Watertown, as well asAmityville, NY. For the past 17 years, she hadlived in her apartment in Chevy Chase with her

sister, Virginia. She was the beloved wife of the late George

Keosian. She was the aunt of Dale ChakarianTurza (Peter Henry); sister of Virginia Keljikian(Paul, deceased); grand-aunt of Kristin TurzaCampbell, M.D. (Chris), Lauren Turza Greer,MD and Allison Turza Bajger PhD (Dan); great-grandaunt of Chase, Haley and Baby ParkerTurza Campbell, Lester Kyle and Olivia DaleGreer, and Henry Albert Bajger. She is survivedby her grandnieces, Deborah Quick Zavaleta(Raul) and their children, Raquel, Jordan, Dylanand Tristan Zavaleta, and Pamela Quick Reeder

(David) and their children, Jonathan and EricaReeder, as well as her grandnephew, JoelMazmanian (Jill) and their children, Jacie andJordan and cousins, Helen Krikorian (Deeran,deceased) and their sons, Mark Krikorian(Amelie) and their children, Alex, Ben and Theoand David Krikorian (Kristien) and their chil-dren, Sebastian, Katia and Ara, and AnnetteKrikorian Arnott (Peter) and their son, DavidArnott. She is also survived by KennethKeosian, Marlene Keosian Weinberg and SandyKeosian Kahn and their families. She was pre-ceded in death by her two sisters, MargaretMazmanian (Joseph, deceased) and DorothyChakarian Hartmann (Albert, deceased andKarl, deceased), and by her niece, DorisMazmanian Quick (William, deceased) and hernephew, Edward Mazmanian (CaroleMazmanian Chooljian). She is survived by manyloving relatives and friends. Born and raised in Providence, she was a

prominent fixture for many years in the retailworld, having worked at Gladdings inProvidence, the Guild House in Boston, andGrover Cronin in Waltham, Mass. In 1969, Zarie met and fell in love with

George Keosian, an entrepreneur from NewYork, who dabbled in politics. After marryinghim in 1970, she left retail behind and moved toAmityville, NY. When George died in 1999,Zarie and her widowed sister, Virginia, moved toChevy Chase to be close to their niece, Dale,whom they considered to be like a daughter,and her family, and later, their sister, Dorothyand her husband, Karl, and their cousins. She was a fine Armenian cook and baker,

who loved to read and talk endlessly about pol-itics. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles andplaying Scrabble and backgammon. She alwaysloved her family and friends, and they cherishedher in return. Interment was at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in

Cambridge, on August 29.Arrangements were made by the Aram

Bedrossian Funeral Home.

Zarouhi (Zarie) Irene Keosian Devoted to Family

Dorothy Chakarian Hartmann Devoted to Family, Children

OBITUARY

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Daily TarHeel) — While many students would be happywith landing just one internship before theygraduate, junior biology major Taylor Boolemanaged to score two summer interning posi-tions on Capitol Hill. Boole lived in Washington, D.C., for 10 weeks

this summer. He spent the first four weeksworking as an intern in the office of US Rep.George Holding, R-NC, and the following sixweeks at the Armenian Assembly of America,the largest non-partisan Armenian-Americanadvocacy organization in the US Boole said the experience in Rep. Holding’s

office was invaluable. “Whether you’re in research, whether you’re

in marketing, whether you’re running a busi-ness as a whole — which I’m interested in — Ithink that learning about how the politicalprocess works and influences those things isimportant,” Boole said.During his time in Holding’s office, Boole

managed daily communications between therepresentative and his constituents, attendedand wrote memos about legislative hearings,researched legislation in which Holding couldsponsor and gave tours of the US CapitolBuilding. Katie Smith, the congress member’s office

manager, said the office has a couple of internsat any given time. She said the internship pro-gram comprehensively educates its participantsabout legislation.

“The congressman’s interns are exposed toevery step of the legislative process,” Smithsaid. “The program is designed to offer studentsa firsthand glimpse into working on Capitol Hilland an overview of the legislative process.” During his internship with the Armenian

Assembly office, Boole met with legislators toadvocate for legislation regarding Armenian-American relations, kept up-to-date spread-sheets of members of the CongressionalArmenian Caucus and researched daily newsreports related to the organization’s pro-jects. Armenian Assembly program director Joseph

Piatt said the organization accepts about 20interns every summer. He said the internshipprogram is important in expanding their net-work of advocates and creating future leadersfor the Armenian-American community. “That’s why we do this particular program —

to build the new generation of leaders and ourcontacts in D.C. through positive work and con-nection,” Piatt said. Piatt said the Assembly promotes public

awareness of Armenian issues and lobbies inWashington for national recognition of theArmenian Genocide, military parity funding forthe conflict with Azerbaijan and other foreignaid funding for Armenia. Boole, who is half-Armenian, said the pro-

gram educated him on Armenian-American rela-tions and allowed him to gain a deeper under-standing of Armenian culture.

“Learning more about these issues and howto get recognition and how to fight them was avery interesting process,” Boole said. Boole said he could feel the tense political cli-

mate during his time in D.C. “Especially with all the controversy of what

Trump’s doing, it just brings the stakes higher,”Boole said. “You can tell by the way some peo-ple talk on the phone, constituents when theycall you, they’re either very happy about whatTrump’s doing or they’re very concerned.”Despite his interest in politics, Boole still

plans on majoring in biology with a businessminor to pursue healthcare consulting. He saidhe would encourage his peers to learn moreabout the political process, no matter whatcareer path they are on.“You get a different view of what it’s like

working in politics — what’s really going on andhow this legislation is developed and all thework that goes into actually passing it,” Boolesaid. “Even if I’m not a political science major,I think it’s just an invaluable learning experi-ence.”

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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

JERUSALEM, from page 5the Tarkmanchatz Armenian School, Very Rev.Norayr Kazazian, who reported the number ofstudents at the school has increased from 90 to180 in recent years.“This trip to the Holy Land was inspirational

and eye-opening. Jerusalem is one of the impor-tant centers for us and we should all make aneffort to visit the Holy Land and experience therichness of Armenian life unbroken throughoutthe centuries,” Barsamian added.

During his visit, Barsamian also met withRabbi David Rosen of the American JewishCommittee (AJC) and joined him in prayer atthe West Wall, where they both reflected uponthe need for peace and justice following theprotests in Charlottesville.AJC Chief Executive Officer David Harris

wrote a letter to President Donald Trump, andstated: “What we witnessed in Charlottesvilleon Friday and Saturday was nothing short ofhorrifying. It was sickening enough to see peo-ple drawn together by the siren songs of whitesupremacy, the Ku Klux Klan, and neo-Nazism.But however repugnant their views may be, solong as they conducted themselves peacefully,

their freedom of speech is protected in ourblessed land. But it was abundantly clear that atleast some of these racists, anti-Semites, andhomophobes came to Charlottesville lookingfor trouble.”The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward

Nalbandian, recently held high-level meetingswith the Israeli Government as relations con-tinue to expand. During his discussion with theMinister of Regional Cooperation of Israel,Tzachi Hanegbi, Nalbandian highlighted the

deep historical roots between Armenian andJewish people, “which create a good basis forthe development of inter-state cooperation.”They also discussed holding consultationsbetween the foreign ministries, enhancing theircollaboration within international organiza-tions, and increasing inter-parliamentaryexchanges, as well as developing mutually ben-eficial cooperation in culture, science, and edu-cation.“I welcome these encouraging trends in

Armenia-Israel relations and extend my appreci-ation to our friends in the American Jewishcommunity who support this development,”Barsamian said.

Armenian Assembly Co-Chairs MeetWith Religious Leaders in Jerusalem

Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian with Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, ArchbishopNourhan Manougian

Taylor Boole, left, with Rep. George Holding

College Newspaper Features Story of College JuniorConcluding Washington Internship

S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R8

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dr. Ümit Kurt

CONFERENCE, from page 5Ottoman Empire: The Aghtamar CatholicosKhatchadur III and the 1895 Van Massacre”;Varak Ketsemanian (Princeton University) “TheArmenian Revolutionary Movement betweenIdeologies and Paradoxes: A Case Study of theHunchakian Party Program (1890-1896)”; andÜmit Kurt (Harvard University) “TheBreakdown of a Previously PeacefulCoexistence: The Aintab Armenian Massacresof 1895.”Following a coffee break the Conference will

conclude with two more papers: Nilay Özok-Gündogan (Florida State University) on “CanOne Save the Voices of the ‘Ordinary’ Kurdsfrom ‘the Enormous Condescension ofPosterity?’ Thoughts on Writing the SocialHistory of the Kurds in the Ottoman Empire”and Janet Klein, (University of Akron)“Armenian Minorityhood in Ottoman andRussian History and Historiography?”.All sessions and the reception are free and

open to the public. For more information about the conference

visit www.fresnostate.edu/armenianstudies.

Armenian Studies Program to Hold Two-Day International Conference on‘Armenians, Greeks and Kurds: A People’s History of the Ottoman Empire’

STEPANAKERT — Past Commander of theKnights of Vartan Ani Lodge of Washington,DC, Jake Bournazian, traveled to Artsakh withhis son and daughter on July 17 to make adonation on behalf of Knights of Vartan. The$10,000 donation was presented to KarineAtayan, minister of health of the ArtsakhRepublic, to contribute toward the costs of pur-chasing medical equipment for a new oncologytreatment facility in Stepanakert.

Construction of the new oncology dispensarywas recently completed, in May 2017, throughfunding from Vardan and Koharig Ohanessianin France. During his visit, Bournazian metwith Atayan to discuss the major equipmentneeds to enable the dispensary to be opera-tional. After the meeting, Bournazian and hisfamily visited with the doctors and nursing staffat the current facility where patients are diag-nosed, and then toured the new building of theoncology dispensary.

“The newly built oncology dispensary build-ing needs more medical equipment, and thisdonation from Knights of Vartan will be used tohelp improve healthcare for cancer patients inArtsakh. Cancer rates have dramaticallyincreased in the population in Artsakh over thepast 10 years. Any support to improve the lifeof our compatriots is very much appreciated,”said Atayan.“It is great to see so many improvements in

Artsakh today, but still there is much to be done.

I hope this example from our lodge will inspireothers to follow,” said Bournazian. The Knightsof Vartan organization has been operating forthe benefit of Armenian people in the homelandand in the diaspora—both directly and throughits mission partners—for over a century. Today,there are 24 chapters of the Knights of Vartanthroughout the United States.In 2016, the Knight of Vartan opened its

communication office in Yerevan to facilitatecommunication with its mission partners.

ADL Supreme Council Meets Los Angeles YouthLOS ANGELES — On Thursday, August 17, leaders of the Armenian Democratic Liberal (ADL) Supreme Council, including President

Vartan Nazerian (seated, second from left), Vice President Edmond Y. Azadian (seated, third from left), and member Vartkes Kourouyan(standing at far left), met with a group of Los Angeles Armenian youth at the Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Beshgetourian Center inAltadena, California to discuss various Armenian issues. ADL Central Committee member Kevork Haleblian is seated, first on the left.Representatives of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the US and Canada present included President Azadian and Executive DirectorAram Arkun (seated, fourth from left).

Knights of Vartan Donate to Artsakh’s Ministry of Health

Bruce S. MelikianApproved forJudgeship byMassachusettsGovernor’s Council

By Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney

BOSTON — Recently Gov. CharlieBaker nominated Bruce Melikian to ajudgeship on the District Court circuit. Inaccordance with the Governor’s Councilprocedures, the council held a publichearing two weeks ago in the StateHouse Council Chambers.The Governor’s Council holds its offi-

cial hearings in the State House for everynominee presented by the Governor —judges, clerk magistrates, members of theParole Board, Industrial Accident Board,(for injured workers,) Appellate TaxBoard (an opportunity for citizen to chal-lenge local real estate taxes,) commuta-tions and pardons, vote on justice of thepeace and notaries. Every week, in theCouncil Chamber, the Council also voteson the State warrant- all the expendituresincurred in that week. At Governor’s Council hearings, the

nominee is invited to bring witnessesspeaking in support. The agenda alsoallows people to speak in opposition ofthe nominee. I met for nearly four hours with

Melikian.I am a lifelong resident of Watertown. I

had dear friends in my life who were sur-vivors of the Armenian Genocide.Melikian and I had similar interests andhistory concerning the ArmenianGenocide. His grandfather lost all his fam-ily in the Armenian Genocide.Bruce is highly qualified. Today in the

State House, when I voted for hisappointment I stated:” I will be voting infavor of the appointment of BruceMelikian to the District court. I ampleased for the Governor’s nomination ofBruce Melikian. The first attribute I lookfor is honesty and he has it. AttorneyMelikian has thirty-three years legal expe-rience as a practicing lawyer - in court ona continuing basis. He has all the attrib-utes I look for in a judge- highly qualified,with experience, integrity, temperament,age, life experience, empathy and respectfor people. In meeting him for nearly fourhours – yes four hours- I clearly know thewhole person who I am supporting. Ithank Attorney Melikian for all his timeto give me the opportunity to learn thepersonal and public person who will besitting as a judge.” On Wednesday, August 23, Melikian

received the unanimously support of theGovernor’s Council as associate justice ofthe District Court Circuit.I invite everyone to attend the public

Governor’s Council hearings held yearround in the State House Governor’sCouncil Chamber on the third floor. Council has no vacation- has no staff-

have as many hearings in August as wedo in December. (Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney can be

reached at her State House office at(617)725-4015x.)

Jake Bournazian, right, with Karine Atayan

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STUDENTS, from page 5Serena Karin Bush, whose father is German-

American, hopes to be a psychologist, or workat the United Nations. “I want to make a dif-ference in the world and help mankind advancein peace.” Her mother’s family is from Marash,Caesarea, survived the Genocide and came toJerusalem through a long trek through Jordan,Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. In summer2015, she traveled to Armenia “to see myhomeland. It was extremely overwhelming.Artsakh was just beautiful and breathtaking,but anger brewed inside of me when I wentbecause my people are getting killed over whatis rightfully ours.”

Rekindling Faith

“Before coming to the St. Nersess program,“my faith was not so strong,” confessed Bush.“Here I have been going to my room, talking toGod and feeling comfortable.” For her, “it hasbeen so refreshing, being more exposed to theoutside world from the “very traditional atmos-phere” in Jerusalem. Though she still has ques-tions, she has become “more strong” in herfaith.For Demirjian, it has been an experience of

“thinking out of the box, being more open.Everyone is so energetic, so enthusiastic, soArmenian. You can feel it. I have made so manyfriends.” He said he had attended many pro-grams before this experience at St. Nersess

that have helped him in life. This new exposure“will stay with me forever. I am now more con-fident, more social and more independent.” Hagopian, who had a “burning desire” to

come to the St. Nersess summer program “tolearn more deeply about Christianity,” saidthe experience has “greatly strengthened”his faith. He plans to stay in Jerusalem

because he “wants to be helpful to the nextArmenian generation in Jerusalem.”He expressed a strong desire that

Armenian-American youth also deepen theirknowledge of the Armenian language. “Inour history, we have fought for this.Christianity and our language are integral toour survival.”

Students from Sts. Tarkmanchatz Join St. Nersess Summer Conferences

The four students from Jerusalem, Ike Demirjian, Hagop Hagopian, Sevana Hekimian, and SerenaKarin Bush, with Rev. Mardiros Chevian and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian

Holy Trinity Church’sTrinity Family Festival,Opening of ChurchSchools to Be HeldSeptember 10

By Seta A. Buchter

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Holy TrinityArmenian Church of Greater Boston’s annualTrinity Family Festival will be held on Sunday,September 10, beginning at noon, on thegrounds of the church at 145 Brattle St.Co-chairing the Festival Committee are

David Dorian, Jack Ekchian and StephanHovnanian, who invite everyone to comeready for a day of fun and fellowship. “OurTrinity Family Festival is always a wonderfulafternoon as parishioners and friends cometogether to kick off the fall season with deli-cious food, great music, and especially thecamaraderie that day offers as we reconnectwith family and friends after the summerhiatus,” state Dave, Jack and Stephan. Delicious traditional Armenian food will

be available throughout the afternoon aswell as an a la carte menu, take-out meals,beverages, Armenian coffee and a variety ofpastries and desserts. There will be activitiesfor children including the popular Bounce

House all afternoon. The Greg KrikorianEnsemble featuring Greg Krikorian, oudand vocals; George Righellis, guitar andvocals; Bob Raphalian, violin; CharlesDermenjian, dumbeg; and Steve Surabian,tambourine, will perform.The ancient tradition of the Blessing of the

“Madagh” will take place at 4 p.m., followed bythe raffle drawing for cash prizes. This year’s raf-fle cash prizes are $1,000, first prize; $300, sec-ond prize; and $200, third prize. Tickets are $5each, 6 for $25 or 12 for $50, and can beobtained by calling the Holy Trinity Churchoffice, emailing office@htaac.org, or buying onthe day of the Festival. Holy Trinity Church’s Armenian and

Sunday Schools will kick-off the 2017-2018year on the morning of Sunday, September10, with registration for both schools at10:15 a.m., in the Peter Adamian Hall of thechurch complex. Sunday School classes, which will start on

September 10, meet weekly from 10:30 a.m.to noon, in the Peter Adamian Hall. TheSunday School program, which ranges ingrades from pre-school through 12, is opento all children and youth, ages 3 to 17. To beeligible for Sunday School, a child must bethree years of age by September 1, and toi-let-trained. Parents must register theirchild(ren) as a parental signature isrequired. For information regarding theSunday School program, contact Yn. ArpiKouzouian, Sunday School Superintendent,at youth@htaac.org, or call the church office.The Armenian School program is for children

ages 5 through 18, and meets weekly onSunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.,for students registered in the Sunday School,and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., for students reg-istered in the Armenian School only. Classes aretaught in Eastern Armenian in three grade lev-els: beginner, intermediate and advanced.Armenian School classes will begin on Sunday,September 17. For further information aboutthe Armenian School program, contact NairaBalagyozian, Armenian School coordinator, atnairab3@gmail.com,, or call the church office.

Kevork Atinizian and his doener kebab

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AZNAVOUR, from page 1thought you could be. By taking you throughthe experience of one man and his music, themuseum will show you what is possible if youallow love and your dreams to guide you.”Kristina Sarkisyan, CEO of the Aznavour

Foundation in Armenia, recalled how she and

her family had been helped by Aznavour’s char-itable efforts in Armenia in the wake of theearthquake.“We didn’t have electricity or hot water” and

the two hours of electricity every day werebecause of him, she recalled.

One slide projected showed his achievementsin his ancestors’’ land. The statistics are amaz-ing: 96,000 families helped from distribution offood or clothing, 86,6000 meals, 1,000 tons ofmedicine, 1,200 prostheses, 1.3 million peoplewith electricity, 300 houses, one retirementhome and 30 kilometers of drinking water and

irrigation pipelines, among many others.In gratitude for all his contributions, the gov-

ernment gifted him a large building at the topof the Cascade, in the heart of Yerevan.It is this very building that Aznavour is now

giving back to the country, as the CharlesAznavour Interactive Museumand Cultural Center.Aznavour was accompanied by

his son, Nicholas. He spoke withpassion about his hopes for themuseum.“I want the youth to have the

possibility of dreaming. The dias-pora and Armenia must unitetheir efforts to make Armenianculture vibrant,” he said. Thereare so many outstandingArmenian musicians around theworld, he said, including GeorgesGarvarentz and Michel Legrand,to name but two. It is time, hesaid, for Armenia to showcasethese talents, “and not just chess.”By crosspollination, the coun-

tries of both gain, he said.“[The] arts play a great role in

the history of Armenia,”Gregorian agreed.Aznavour concurred, caution-

ing that “many great cultures have

disappeared. It can happento Armenia.”Gregorian recalled his

early life as a student in theUS and how Aznavour mat-tered to him back then, too.“Whenever I felt depressedin college, I would listen toEdith Piaf and CharlesAznavour. When you sang,”he said, turning toAznavour, “I felt, ‘my God,I’m liberated. I felt ‘Life isyours and they are withyou.’”He rattled off Aznavour’s

statistics. He has writtenmore than 800 songs andrecorded more than 1,200,in eight languages. He hassold more than 180 millionrecords. And as Gregoriansaid, while apologizing tothe two archbishops in theroom, he is a “French popdeity.” In addition, he isArmenia’s permanentambassador to Switzerlandas well as its representativeto the United Nations inGeneva.Gregorian stressed that

Armenians need to focus onbuilding Armenia. “We havebuilt the rest of the world,but not Armenia.” Andthose communities eitherdie or the buildings andlands are confiscated. Herattled off examples of communities in Istanbul,Jerusalem, New Julfa, Georgia, Ethiopia, Egypt,Syria, communities where once Armenianswere numerous and prosperous, but which arenow a shadow of their former selves.Rachel Onanian Nadjarian, who is helping

with the project, explained that the museum isnot yet open but that it is in the process of gath-ering the material. Already, she explained,Aznavour has recorded the story of his life sothat visitors can listen to his lifestory in hisvoice as they tour the museum.In addition, the museum offers space for

French language, cinematography and editingclasses as well as a recording studio.She added that the museum is “beautiful,”

adding that like “everything that surroundsCharles, it is nothing less than filled with hap-piness.”Aznavour was in the US for the unveiling of

his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame onAugust 24. He added, “I am very proud to be Armenian

and to be French too,” and noted, “a man whoforgets his roots is not a man.”Present for the luncheon were a host of rep-

resentatives from the French and Dutch con-sulates as well as Armenian-American andFrench guests.For information about the museum, visit

www.aznavourfoundation.org.

From Aznavour to Yerevan with Love

Charles AznavourArchbishop Khajag Barsamian with Charles Aznavour

From left, Vartan Gregorian, Charles Aznavour and Nicholas AznavourAmbassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan

Kristina Sarkisyan

Vartan Gregorian and Armenia’s Ambassador tothe UN Zohrab Mnatsakanyan

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Ahead Of theCentennialLet Us HarmoniouslyCelebrate the CentennialOf Armenian Statehood In 2018

By Dr. Arshavir Gundjian

have no doubt that the appeal expressed in thetitle of this article will not come as a surprise toany of the readers who follow the daily discus-sions concerning Armenian life in the press, be itin the Diaspora or in Armenia.This article is the logical follow-up of my pre-

vious article which appeared in the July 9 issueof Baikar, entitled “Let Us Celebrate the 1918-2018 Centennial of the Reestablishment ofArmenian Statehood Without Falling Prey to the

Temptation of Divisiveness.”Soon after the authorities in Armenia announced recent-

ly that next year, in May 2018, the “Centennial of the May1918 Days” will be celebrated, articles and proposalsexhibiting a clear spirit of divisiveness started to appear inthe Armenian press in the Diaspora and Armenia. Evidentlythe polemic was prompted by the Armenian RevolutionaryFederation (ARF or “Tashnag”) press. Inevitably and quiteunderstandably, responding articles appeared in organs ofthe nonpartisan press, such as Aravod, as well as Baikar, apart of the partisan Ramgavar press.The articles that appear, particularly in the Diaspora

Tashnag press, clearly indicate a return to the self-centeredTashnag spirit evinced for over 70 years following May 28,1918. During those long years, the ARF exhibited extremebigotry. At the cost of ignoring its own published literatureof the relevant period, it systematically claimed exclusivecredit for the creation of the first Republic of Armenia.Quite unfortunately, the ARF has used both the firstRepublic and the tricolor flag of Armenia as symbols ofintense and sustained destructive strife directed againstevery person, organization or undertaking in favor ofArmenia, the Holy See of Echmiadzin, or any cultural, lit-erary or scientific endeavors located in Armenia duringthose 70 years.Unfortunately, today the Tashnag press is reverting to

that same self-centered bigoted spirit without realizing thatby now such an attitude is totally unacceptable. One par-ticular manifestation of this behaviour appears in its cur-rent forceful promotion of the idea that in May 2018 a stat-ue be erected dedicated to one of its leaders of the past cen-tury whom it would like to see adopted as an uncontestedhero of the entire Armenian nation.On the eve of the centennial that will be marked in May

2018, the ARF must realize that it is imperative for it torenounce such bigotry, which has led in the past to veryserious and extremely destructive crises within theArmenian community. Instead, the centennial must beallowed to become an opportunity for pan-Armenian cele-bration of the reestablishment of Armenian statehood, fol-lowing six centuries of stateless existence.The indisputable starting point of the currently uninter-

rupted hundred years of Armenian statehood has been theheroic and victorious battle of Sardarabad, which was wonby the united participation of the entire Armenian popula-tion. The victorious battle of Sardarabad was followed bythe first, second and now the third Republics, without anyinterruption. During all three periods, significant achieve-ments were realized, and to this date they continue to berealized. However, it is equally true that those same periodswere marked, including the current one, by negative anddestructive events for which the authorities of the corre-sponding periods are also responsible and accountable.I will therefore repeat, we ought to “Give to Caesar what

is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” nothing more norless.In order to clarify further my thoughts, I shall enumerate

in the rest of this article a number of facts all based onundeniable historic documentation, in the form of short

statements. Each and every one of those statements caneasily be the subject of one or more properly documentedarticles. I am presenting these facts here in a highly sum-marized form in order to make them available as a basis forthe continuing controversy on this issue.The period of May 1918, and more particularly the events

that took place during the last ten days of the month ofMay 1918, which coincided with the final phase of the FirstWorld War, were undoubtedly particularly difficult and con-fusing for Armenia. Day after day and even hour after hour,unpredictable and often contradictory developments weretaking place. Those who during those days happened to bein a position of leadership of the Armenians were neitherready nor able to take action or make decisions baseduniquely on considerations of Armenian supreme interests,as they were surrounded by enemies, and subjected to thelatter’s intense military and political pressure. The simplereality is that until the end of World War One, which tookplace on November 11, 1918, Turkey had the upper hand inimposing its will on the political decisions taken by thethree Transcaucasian Seim countries, and most particular-ly by Armenia. It is, therefore, evident that on and aroundthe 28th of May 1918, it was none other than Turkey whichwas dictating its conditions to Armenia, including the impo-sition of the condition for it to declare its independence.During those nightmarish days of May 1918, the Turkish

regular army was advancing on the Caucasian front towardsYerevan aiming at the complete occupation of Armenia. Itwas at that fateful moment of life and death that Armeniansas a whole stood up and created a turning point inArmenian history. Indeed, intellectuals, villagers, clergy-men, partisans and non-partisans, Armenians from all walksof life, responded to the call for general mobilization thatwas heralded by the ringing bells of Holy Echmiadzin. Witha heroic effort, they miraculously succeeded in stoppingand defeating the Turkish army at what is known as theHeroic Battle of Sardarabad. This turning point, the eventthat led to the declaration of Armenian independence, iscommemorated on May 25 as the Pan-Armenian HeroicVictorious Battle of Sardarabad.The days that followed Sardarabad were still literally

nightmarish for Armenians. Indeed, while a small part ofArmenia had been saved from the grip of Turkey, Armeniahad neither the means nor an army or any infrastructurewhich would allow it to become an independent nation.Under such circumstances, all those who were responsiblefor the destiny of Armenia, including Tashnags, Hentchags,and other parties which would eventually join and form theADL, such as Joghovrtagans, and Ramgavars quite desper-ately wanted to remain within the Transcaucasian Seim. Noone wished to declare independence.However, on May 26, Georgians declared independence

and the Seim was dissolved. Azerbaijan followed by declar-ing independence on May 27. Armenians had been leftalone, subjected to the pressures imposed by Turkey. Eventhough no alternative was left, there were still differentviews within every group, including within the ARF. Withinthe latter, Avedis Aharonian was against while SimonVratzian was in favor of declaring independence; the latter’sargument was that “there is no alternative left forArmenia.”After lengthy hesitations, from May 28-30, finally

Armenia was forced to declare independence. At the time,this was not considered an opportunity for joy and causefor celebration. Simon Vratzian’s recorded expressions ofthoughts on this subject are self-explanatory.Nevertheless, May 28 was accepted as the date of

Armenia’s independence. Armenia became legally an inde-pendent nation. Consequently, May 28 is an important datein the history of Armenia that deserves to be commemorat-ed. However, it is clearly evident that May 28 was notearned by any particular group or party. Simon Vratzian’sstatement that independence was imposed by Turkey has tobe kept in mind.At that time, all Armenians, everywhere, and not only

Tashnags, stood up to support the newly independent firstArmenian republic, in spite of their very limited resources.Unfortunately, during the following two years Tashnagsconsistently maneuvered to push the representatives of allother Armenian political groups out of the governing struc-tures. In spite of this Tashnag bigoted attitude, Armeniansof all different political tendencies extended a helping hand.When Aleksander Khadisian went to Egypt on a fundraisingcampaign, Ramgavars and the Armenian GeneralBenevolent Union (AGBU) gave full support and organizedmany successful events. Furthermore, Ramgavars even suc-ceeded in negotiating with the British, and raised funds toacquire twenty military planes for Armenia under thoserather highly unusual international political times…During the following two years, defeated Turkey recov-

ered. It resumed unperturbed its policy to occupy what wasleft of Armenia. It was at such time that with the help ofcommunist Armenians, Armenia became a Soviet Republicon November 29, 1920, thus establishing the SecondRepublic of Armenia.During the following 70 years, Armenia took full advan-

tage of being able to exist finally within secure borders.Undeniably, during those seven decades Armenia has livedthrough an unprecedented period of developments, achieve-ments and creativity in every and all fields of national inter-

est, such as in the areas of industry, economy, science, cul-ture and literature. Armenians were also subjected to theknown excesses and brutalities of a communist regime.Finally, in 1991, following unprecedented international

developments that were way above and beyond the meansof Armenians, the Soviet Union collapsed. Once more, dueto external circumstances, Armenia was left to itself andtherefore declared its new independence. Thus, onSeptember 21, 1991 the Third Republic of Armenia was cre-ated.This rather quick review of our nation’s last hundred

years history shows that whereas on May 25, 1918, theArmenian people were able to achieve the turning pointmajor event of the Sardarabad heroic victorious battle bytheir own means and efforts, as a matter of fact, the fol-lowing three important stages of May 28, November 29 andSeptember 21, and the corresponding Republics, were notachieved, after all, through victories of Armenian armies. Ofthe latter three only the November 29 event was obtainedwith the participation of Armenian armed forces.One hundred years is a sufficiently long period of time for

us to appreciate and value the independence that we cur-rently enjoy. We fully wish that today’s Third Republic willlast for many years to come thanks to the full support andparticipation of all Armenians, and that it will be markedwith continuing achievements and progress.Before concluding, let us refer back to that one other

issue that is being raised by the ARF in the context of themarking of the Centennial. On the scale of historical timeperiods, one hundred years is still a relatively short periodfor it to try to press for one or another personality to be rec-ognized as an unquestionable pan-Armenian hero whowould deserve to have his statue erected on a major squarein Armenia. This is another subject that is currently proneto cause controversy and discord. Indeed, if the ARF proposes that statues of Aram

Manougian or Dro receive such honor, one could easily pro-pose the alternative of General Antranik Ozanian as a can-didate who enjoys unquestionably much more universaladmiration among Armenians. In this latter case, however,we would expect a strong Tashnag objection and resis-tance…If it is really necessary to erect a statue on the occasion

of the Centennial, let it then be the statue of Tigran theGreat as the undisputed symbol of a powerful Armenianstatehood…!To conclude, I return to the heading of this article in

expanded form: “Let Us All Agree to Refrain from Self-Aggrandizing Efforts, Such That We May Celebrate in May2018, The Centennial Of the Armenian Statehood in A Pan-Armenian Harmonious Spirit Of Unity.”It is essential to avoid at all cost any effort and initiative

that leads to bigotry and divisiveness.

The author, Dr. Arshavir Gundjian, is an internationallyknown scientist and university professor, who in parallelwith his professional activities has played a leadership rolein major Armenian organizations.After obtaining his PhD in the field of electrical engi-

neering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965, hemoved to Montreal, Canada. In the following years and fora duration of half a century, in parallel with his researchactivities, resulting publications, several patents and teach-ing at the well-known McGill University, Dr. ArshavirGundjian has played an unusually active and singularly pro-ductive leadership role within the Armenian community,participating in and contributing not only to Canadian-Armenian community life but also to the ArmenianDiaspora in general and towards the establishment andmaintenance of solid and healthy relations with Armenia.Dr. Arshavir Gundjian is one of the founders as well as

the first chairman of the Diocesan Council of the ArmenianChurch of Canada. He is the founder of the first Canadian-Armenian school, the Montreal AGBU Alex ManoogianSchool, which he has served, on a volunteer basis, in thepositions of president and general director for forty years.He was one of the closest collaborators of the well-knownbenefactor, the late Alex Manoogian,. He was elected amember of the AGBU Central Board for thirty years. andserved as AGBU vice president for eight years.More particularly, Dr. Gundjian is recognized as being

one of the most active and influential leaders of theArmenian Democratic Liberal (ADL) or Ramgavar Party. Hewas elected member of the ADL Central Board for twentyconsecutive years from 1975 to 1995. He was the chairmanof the ADL Central Board for ten years, especially duringthe critical eventful years of the independence of Armeniain 1991. He is currently a member, as Senior Advisor, of theADL Supreme Council.He is also a founding member and vice chairman of the

Central Board of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of US &Canada. He is one of the founders of the Azg newspaper ofArmenia, and the Abaka weekly of Montreal.In recognition for his services and exceptional con-

tributions, he has been named Honorary Chairman ofthe Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Canada. andalso Emeritus Member of the AGBU Central Board ofDirectors.

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Music of Armenia,Georgia and Ukraine

TogetherBOSTON — A program showcasing the rich musical heritage of three ancient cul-

tures — Armenian, Ukrainian, and Georgian — will take place at Christ the KingUkrainian Catholic Church in Jamaica Plain on Friday, September 15 at 7:30p.m. and at First Armenian Church in Belmont on Saturday, September 16, at 5p.m. Talents of the World, an international concert organization, is starting a seriesof such cultural bridges, hoping to travel the world with these programs. Such per-formances’ mission is to share the uniqueness and beauty of the Armenian vocaland instrumental music with a wide audience, and partner with other communities,

to spread the idea of music transcending allpolitical borders. During the performances,representatives of different cultures are ableto show off the gems of their own musicalheritage and turn the event into an experi-ence of friendship and artistic excellence.

Talents of the World has performed onevery continent and engages world-classsingers and instrumentalists, who have per-formed at some of the most prestigious the-aters and concert halls: Metropolitan Opera,La Scala, New York City Opera, CarnegieHall, Covent Garden, et al. Its founder andpresident is David Gvinianidze, a renownedbaritone and a recipient of the UnitedNations Medal for promoting arts and cul-ture in the world.

Levon Hovsepian, a pianist and one of theproject’s organizers, said: “I always felt that itwas my privilege, love and obligation to per-form Armenian music for the Boston com-munity. Music by Komitas, Babajanian,Khachaturian and others have always been

received very well by the audiences. It connects deeply to the ancient roots of ourculture.

The program, entitled “Our Songs, Our Legacy” will display extraordinary talentsof seven musicians, who represent the three regions.

Armenia

Levon Hovsepian started his early studies at the Sayat-Nova Music School inYerevan, Armenia. Later he continued his education at the Tchaikovsky SpecialMusic School for Gifted Children. He graduated from the Komitas Conservatorywith honors, receiving his master’s degree. He has performed throughout Armenia,Estonia, Moldova, and appeared as a soloist with the Yerevan Symphony Orchestraand on Armenian National Television. After attracting major critical attention in

see CONCERT, page 14

‘Forbidden Journeys’ FilmEvent to Celebrate LegacyOf J. Michael Hagopian

LOS ANGELES — In 1967, a group ofArmenian-Americans organized by theNational Association for Armenian Studies andResearch (NAASR) were among the first totravel to Historic Armenia to find traces oftheir roots the Turks had left behind. OnSunday, October 1, portions of J. MichaelHagopian’s documentary film of that landmarkjourney will be screened along with AniHovannisian-Kevorkian’s short documentaryon the vanishing traces of Historic Armenia,shot nearly 50 years after Hagopian’s footage.

The October 1 program, “ForbiddenJourneys,” will present segments of Hagopian’s1967 film Historic Armenia and ofHovannisian-Kevorkian’s current documentaryon the disappearing vestiges of HistoricArmenia, followed by a panel that includesMarc A. Mamigonian, director of academicaffairs at NAASR, Dr. Carla Garapedian of theArmenian Film Foundation, Dr. Richard G.Hovannisian, Professor Emeritus of ModernArmenian and Near Eastern History at UCLA,and Hovannisian-Kevorkian. UCLA ProfessorsS. Peter Cowe and Sebouh Aslanian will makeopening and closing remarks.

“Forbidden Journeys” will be the first pro-gram in the J. Michael Hagopian FilmDiscovery Series jointly presented by theArmenian Film Foundation (AFF) and NAASR.It will focus on the pioneering legacy of J.Michael Hagopian — his impact as an advocatefor Armenian Studies and as a filmmaker.

The 1967 trip was the first of NAASR’s“Armenian Heritage Tours.” The Armenian-Americans who set out on this journey were

the earliest such group to travel to historicWestern Armenia. For some, it was a trip backto the places of their birth. Among the travel-ers was Hagopian, NAASR’s first West Coastdirector and co-founder of the Armenian FilmFoundation. Himself a native of Kharpert anda survivor of the Armenian Genocide,Hagopian shot film on this path-breaking trip,capturing in many cases for the first-time post-Genocide images of the Western Armenianhomeland. The film has not been screened forover three decades.

Fast forward to 2013, when Hovannisian-Kevorkian was traveling through WesternArmenia and discovered a lone Scottish explor-er/photographer who has spent 30 years qui-etly uncovering and documenting the vanish-ing traces of this lost world. Since then she hasbeen filming with him, digging beneath themodern map, encountering stories and physi-cal remnants and revealing the hidden map ofTurkey’s forbidden past.

Co-sponsored by the Richard G. HovannisianChair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA,the Narekatsi Chair in Armenian Languageand Literature at UCLA, and the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, the October 1 program willtake place at 2 p.m., at the James BridgesTheater, Melnitz Hall, UCLA. This program isfree and open to the public. A reception willimmediately follow the program. Parking isavailable in Lot 3, 215 Charles E. Young DriveNorth (at Hilgard Avenue).

Armenia Fund USAPartners with Pegasus:The Orchestra forDebut Concert

PARAMUS, N.J. — Pegasus: The Orchestrawill partner with Armenia Fund USA in pre-senting its debut concert, which combines anexhilarating one-hour music experience withunique artwork placed throughout the venuefollowed by a champagne reception. The fea-tured artwork includes Michael Aram’s PegasusSculpture and various paintings by HakobHakobyan. The proceeds from the concert willbenefit the Artsakh Housing Project, an initia-tive that builds new homes for large families liv-ing in difficult social conditions in Artsakh.

“This is a very exciting collaboration forArmenia Fund USA, being able to use music tobring awareness to one of our important pro-jects. Since the launch of Artsakh HousingProject, 16 families have been provided withbrand-new homes, and currently 16 more homesare under construction. For centuries, theArmenian culture survived though music. Musicis the key to the soul, and hopefully this concertwill touch everyone’s soul,” said Lisa Stepanian,Armenia Fund USA executive director.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with ArmeniaFund USA on our opening concert. It’s anhonor to contribute through our music towardssuch a meaningful cause benefiting the ArtsakhHousing Project. As Cultural Program Advisorof Armenia Fund, I have been fortunate toimplement a number of cultural and communi-ty initiatives and could not be more pleased forthis wonderful partnership,” added KarénHakobyan, Pegasus: The Orchestra founder andartistic director.

The concert features the principal string play-ers of Pegasus: The Orchestra along with KarénHakobyan at the piano with a program thattakes the listener from the traditional to theinnovative, displaying their dexterity and enthu-siasm. The program begins with the world pre-miere of Hakobyan’s spiritually uplifting, com-plex piano sextet Cras Es Noster (Tomorrow, BeOurs) followed by two special arrangements offive songs by Komitas Vardapet and theScherzo of Debussy’s String Quartet Op. 10.The climax of the evening comes in the form ofMendelssohn’s thrilling Piano Sextet in D-major, Op. 110.

From Mendelssohn’s 1824 piece toHakobyan’s new composition written this year,the music of the ages fits together with the con-temporary artwork creating an enhanced con-cert experience and memorable social gathering.

Members of the group include Eiko Kano onviolin, Stani Dimitrova on violin, Angela Picketton viola, Eddie Pogossian on cello and PawelKnapik on double bass.

The concert will take place on Friday,October 13 at 8 p.m., at Cary Hall at DiMennaCenter, 450 West 37th St., New York. Ticketscan be purchased at PegasusTheOrchestra.eventbrite.com

Pegasus: The Orchestra is a non-profit pro-fessional orchestra in Residence at ManaContemporary with a mission to empower ris-ing musicians with artistic freedom and pro-mote innovative repertoire in an environment ofcreative thought and expression.

Levon Hovsepian

Narine Babadjanian

J. Michael Hagopian in Hussenig

Karen Hakobyan

CONCERT, from page 13Armenia, he was invited to study at the LongySchool of Music in Cambridge, Mass. Afterreceiving his Artist Diploma and master’sdegree with honors, he continued his intenseperforming and teaching careers. He made hisNew York debut in 1994 and became known forhis compelling interpretative style and expan-sive technique.

Hovsepian was a prize winner at theArlington Concerto Competition, has appearedas a soloist with Salem Philharmonic Orchestraand New England Philharmonic Orchestra. His“Favorite Piano Masterpieces” CD was played

on WGBH Radio, Moscow and Yerevan RadioStations. He was the guest artist at the recep-tion honoring the President of Armenia LevonTer-Petrosian and Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Vartan Gabrielian, Canadian-Armenian bass-baritone, is a rising young talent based inPhiladelphia. Hailing from Toronto, he attendsthe Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelageof Marlena Kleinman Malas, and ArmenBoyajian in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree invocal performance.

Gabrielian is a 2017 Career Bridges Grantwinner and a 2016 Gerda Lissner Lieder/SongAward winner. He was most recently featured asa guest artist in the annual Opera Index SpringLuncheon Gala in New York City.

Future engagements include Gabrielian’s

return to the Chautauqua Summer VoiceProgram as a guest artist. In 2018, he will beperforming Sparafucile in Opéra de Montréal’sproduction of “Rigoletto.”

Pianist Narine Babadjanian studied at theTbilisi State Conservatory. She performed allover the world and with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Avery active performer since a young age, shewas an award recipient in numerous competi-tions including the Competition of YoungPerformers in Yerevan, Armenia, the YoungPerformers Competition in Moscow, Russia,and the Young Performers Competition inTbilisi, Georgia.

Babajanian has performed in festivals all overthe world including the International MusicFestival in Moscow, Russia, the Days ofRussian Music in Amsterdam, Holland, theInternational Chamber Music Festival in Telavy,Georgia, and the Days of Georgian and RussianMusic in Yerevan, Armenia. Ms. Babadjanianperformed as a soloist with various orchestrasthroughout Russia, Georgia, and Holland.

Ukraine

Olga Lisovska, soprano, studied at EcoleNormale de Musique in Paris, France. She wasthe winner of several vocal competitions. She isa soloist with Commonwealth Lyric Theater.

Pianist Galyna Kryvanich, piano. She has amaster’s degree in piano performance, peda-

gogy and Artist of The Chamber Ensemble,Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts,Ukraine; Bachelor Degree and SpecialistDiploma in piano performance, Odessa MusicConservatory, Ukraine

Georgia

David Gvinianidze, baritone, is the recipientof the U.N. Medal for promoting arts and cul-ture in the world; soloist of Batumi Opera.

Merab Ebralidze, piano; winner of several

piano competitions, teacher at The New Yorkconservatory.

Program will include the most belovedmelodies, such as Song about Kiev by I. Shamo,Tbiliso, Ov, Siroon, Siroon,Yerebuni, Nightingale’s Romance by A. Kos-Anatolsky, Sabre Dance by Khachaturyan,songs and piano works by Babadjanian, Bilash,Bortkiewicz, et al.

For tickets, please visit www.TalentsOfTheWorld.tix.com; Info: lisovska1@aol.com.

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

Vartan Gabrielian

Music of Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine Together

LONDON — Thousands of Armenianmanuscripts were written prior to the 15thcentury, when Gutenberg’s invention of theprinting-press provided a technologicalbreakthrough for the future progress ofmankind. Armenians at that time were notfree, but they were able to harness the newtechnology to print books thousands of milesaway in Europe. In 1512, Hakob Meghabardset up the first Armenian press in Venice.Half a century later, Abgar Dbir, who came toRome to seek support for the liberation of hishomeland, developed the notion of “book -homeland” — a national identity sustainedthrough print. Printing became a means ofArmenian national rejuvenation.

The film, “Voskan Yerevantsi,” is about thisepic struggle to produce Armenian books inthe 16th-17th centuries. The central charac-ter of the film is Voskan, who became thefirst Armenian publisher of the Bible. He seton his mission at Saint Sarkis Monastery ofUshi in Aragats (in present-day Armenia) andended up in Rome, Amsterdam andMarseilles.

One of the results of these endeveavorswas the spread of Armenian presses intoOttoman Turkey and Persia, predating thoseof Turks and Persians.

The printing of the Bible in Armenian,between 1666 and 1668, raised the standingof Armenians to that of other powerfulnations in the world. A magnificent illustrat-ed copy of the book was sent as a gift to the

Sun King, Louis XIV of France.Voskan Yerevantsi will premiere at the

Soho Hotel, Screening Room 1, London,W1D 3DH, September 5.

For tickets contact info@agbu.org.uk

Voskan Yerevantsi

‘Voskan Yerevantsi’: First Armenian Bible Printing

15S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

ARTS & LIVING

BOSTON — They say good things come inpairs — and the sequel to the hit “Where Is YourGroom? (Pesad Oor Eh)” is no exception.

After a two-year tour with sold-out perfor-mances in eight cities across the country,America’s favorite Armenian family returns inthis humorous, smart, and culturally relevantplay that ties together elements of theArmenian-American experience.

We last saw Lara celebrating with her over-joyed family when she finally found her “pesa,”but as we find out, her elation quickly dimin-ishes as both sets of parents want to plan thewedding their way. Meanwhile Yaya’s online dat-ing site has taken off, but she’ll have to contendwith her new competition, Marie theMatchmaker. As if there wasn’t enough drama,Lara’s “odar” ex-boyfriend plants seeds ofdoubt, fan-favorite Artem continues his questfor a “hars” on the Bosporos, and Lara’s broth-er Saro keeps trying to “find himself” as hedodges even more “hars lists.”

“Where Is Your Groom? (Pesad Oor Eh) PartII” will perform for the Boston Armenian com-munity on Saturday, November 11 at 7 p.m. atthe Mosesian Center for the Arts, (321 ArsenalStreet, Watertown) and promises a night oflaughs and entertainment while taking a closerlook at Armenian-American life in the diaspora.Says Nora Armani, actress, filmmaker and artis-tic director of Rated SR Film Festival, NewYork, “Such insight and talent of keen observa-

tion, but most of all the capacity of putting it allinto funny words and situations. We need moreof these comedies that shed light on the way welive, and hold a mirror to ourselves.”

To see a teaser of the play,visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78xEZqkg248

Tickets are available at http://www.mosesia-narts.org/index.php/shows/visiting-produc-tions/where-is-your-groom

Armenian Potato SaladINGREDIENTS5 medium white potatoes1 medium red onion, diced1/2 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped1/2 cup green onions, chopped1/4 cup Kalamata black olives, diced (optional)1/2 teaspoon each fresh chopped (or dried) mint and sweet basilSea or Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, Aleppo pepperOlive oil, fresh lemon juice

PREPARATION:Boil and drain the potatoes. When cooled, dice the potatoes and combine with theremaining ingredients. Toss with olive oil and lemon juice, and season to taste. Tossagain, cover, and chill.Sprinkle salad with paprika or Aleppo pepper and garnish with green onions, ifdesired.Serves 4-6.

Recipe Corner

by Christine Vartanian

Playwright Taleen Babayan

Groom Is in the Heart — Again

‘The Promise’ Screened forForeign DiplomatsAccredited to Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — The Consulate General ofArmenia in Los Angeles on Sunday held ascreening of the film “The Promise” at theUniversity of California in Los Angeles (UCLA)for accredited diplomats in Los Angeles.

As the press service of Armenia’s Ministry ofForeign Affairs told Panorama.am, the eventbrought together large number of diplomats,members of international human rights organi-zations, intellectuals, lecturers, as well as repre-sentatives of the Promise Institute for HumanRights established at the UCLA School of Law.

In her welcoming remarks, Consul ArmellaShakaryan pointed out that significant progresshas been registered in the international recog-nition and condemnation of the ArmenianGenocide thanks to the joint efforts of Armeniaand the Diaspora, with the Armenian-Americancommunity contributing greatly to the matter.

Asli Bali, director of the Promise Institute,noted that the institute aims at bringing thevision of the film “The Promise” into life bypreparing generations of human rights lawyerscommitted to justice and accountability.

Welcoming the initiative of the film screen-ing, representatives of the University ofCalifornia Kate Parker said she is proud of sucha wonderful opportunity of screening the filmat the university, enabling to see and feelthrough it what happens when a human beingturns away from another one and to realize it isimpossible to always neglect the past.

T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O RS A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 716

SEPTEMBER 10 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 pm, HolyTrinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious Armenian food – shish,losh, chicken and Kevork’s doener kebab - paklava,khadaif, and more with take-out available. Armenianmusic for listening and dancing, featuring the GregKrikorian Ensemble with Greg Krikorian, oud and vocals;George Righellis, guitar and vocals; Bob Raphalian, violin;Charlie Dermenjian, dumbeg; and Steve Surabian, tam-bourine. Lots of activities for children including theMoonwalk. Blessing of the Madagh at 4 p.m., followedby raffle drawing for cash prizes. For further information,log on to www.htaac.org/calendar/event/448/, contactthe Holy Trinity Church office, 617.354.0632, oremail office@htaac.org.

SEPTEMBER 17 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park forFamilies and Friends. 2-4 p.m. Armenian Heritage Park onThe Greenway, Boston. Cindy Fitzgibbon, WCVB-TV5 isemcee. Enjoy the Greg Krikorian Ensemble. Hoodsies! At2:30 pm meet Wally the Green Monster and his sister, Tessie.RSVP appreciated hello@ArmenianHeritagePark. org

SEPTEMBER 17 — Armenian Church of the HolyTranslators annual Armenian Food Festival, to beheld at the church (38 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA),Noon – 5 P.M. Traditional Armenian food menu includesShish, Losh, & Chicken Kebabs, dinners, beverages andpastries. Entertainment includes live Armenian music,dancing and children’s activities. Church hall is availablefor unwanted weather conditions. For further informa-tion, contact the church office: 508-875-0868.

SEPTEMBER 20 — Meet and Greet the Doctors of theMuratsan Chemotherapy Clinic of Yerevan StateMedical University, 7-9 p.m., Charles and Nevart TalanianCultural Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of GreaterBoston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. All are invited tomeet Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan and Dr. Liana Safaryan of theChemotherapy Clinic for an informative evening to learnmore about the wonderful work they are doing at thisClinic that treats children dealing with cancer from allover Armenia. Light reception. For further information,contact Cynthia Kazanjian, 339.222.9900.

SEPTEMBER 21 — Welcome Reception for New Citizensfollowing the Naturalization Ceremony at FaneuilHall. Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston.Funded by the Anna & Noubar Afeyan Endowed Fund.For information, email hello@Armenian HeritagePark.org

SEPTEMBER 22 — St. James Hye Café. Join us for deli-cious food and fellowship, and live musical entertain-ment! Enjoy Kebab, Falafel, Imam Bayeldi, and more.Doors open at 6:15 p.m. For more information visitwww.stjameswatertown.org. St. James ArmenianChurch, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.

OCTOBER 4 — Wednesday, Sts. Vartanantz - Hye PointGolf Outing @ Butter Brook Golf Club, Westford.$150 includes Golf, Lunch, Dinner, and 20 RaffleTickets. 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. Registration deskon October 4 open at 9:00 a.m. Contact: Mark at 508-633-7447; Steve, 978-808-2820; oremail StsVGolf@earthlink.net. Proceeds to benefit schol-arships for Diocesan youth programs.

OCTOBER 10 — Reducing and Managing Stress:Walking the Labyrinth. 5:30 p.m. Armenian HeritagePark on The Greenway in partnership with HollisterStaffing. HUBweek program. Networking Reception fol-lows at Hollister Staffing, 75 State Street. RSVP appreci-ated at HUBweek or hello@ArmenianHeritagePark.org

OCTOBER 13-14 — St. James 70th Annual Bazaar.Delicious Armenian Food and Pastries! Silent Auction,Attic Treasures, Booths and Vendors. Raffles, Children’sActivities and more! Details to follow. St. JamesArmenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. For more information contact 617.923.8860orinfo@sthagop.com or visitwww.stjameswatertown.org.

OCTOBER 11 — Geometry as Public Art: Celebratingthe Immigrant Experience. Armenian Heritage Parkon The Greenway, Boston. 5:30pm. HUBweek pro-gram. Reception hosted by The Bostonian Hotel. RSVPappreciated at HUBweek or hello@ArmenianHeritagePark.org

OCTOBER 14 — Armenian Friends of America, Inc.Present HYE KEF 5 Dance Featuring: ONNIK DINKJIAN.7 p.m. – Midnight, 123 Old River Road • Andover. AFAroom rates until 9/16/17 • Call 978-975-3600. Ticket PricesInclude Buffet and Dance • Cash Bar Only. $55 if purchased

before 9/1/17 • $65.00 after 9/1/17. $50 for Students 21and under. Continuous Buffet 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Advance tick-ets only. John Arzigian - 603-560-3826, Lucy Sirmaian - 978-683-9121, Peter Gulezian - 978-375-1616, Sharké DerApkarian - 978-808-0598, To Benefit: The ArmenianChurches of the Merrimack Valley (St. Gregory ArmenianApostolic Church of N. Andover, The Armenian ApostolicChurch at Hye Pointe, Haverhill, Sts. Vartanantz ArmenianApostolic Church of Chelmsford, Ararat ArmenianCongregational Church of Salem, NH) www.ArmenianFriendsofAmerica.org. John Berberian / Oud, MalBarsamian / Clarinet, Ara Dinkjian / Keyboard, RonTutunjian / Dumbeg

OCTOBER 19 — The Battle of Bash Aparan. Lecture byDr. Dikran Kaligian. Presented by the NationalAssociation for Armenian Studies and Research and theArmenia Tree Project. At NAASR, Belmont, Thursday,7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 22 — Annual Banquet of Holy TrinityArmenian Church of Greater Boston, Celebrating the56th Anniversary of the Consecration of Holy TrinityArmenian Church, Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Charles andNevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle Street,Cambridge. Save the date; details to follow.

OCTOBER 26 — Annual Fall Dinner and Drawing spon-sored by the Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club, 6:30p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, HolyTrinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Allare invited, and you don’t have to be a member of the1000 Club to join us for a delicious losh kebab and pilafdinner; $9.99 per person; tickets on sale at the door.Regular monthly raffle drawing at 8 p.m., plus five $25door prizes. “One-time” numbers will be sold on thenight of dinner; special offer: purchase five “one-time”numbers for $20, save $5. For further info, contact theHoly Trinity Church office, 617.354.0632, or emailoffice@htaac.org.

SEPTEMBER 30 — Concert by famous Istanbul-Armenian singer, Sibil Pektorosoglu (www.sibilmu-sic.com), at the Ellsworth Theatre at Pine Manor College,Chestnut Hill. Sponsored by the Armenian InternationalWomen’s Association. Details to follow.

NOVEMBER 2 — Thursday, Symposium with the partic-ipation of International media representatives, dedi-cated to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator’s 85thAnniversary. Details to follow.

NOVEMBER 3 — Friday, 85th Anniversary CelebrationBanquet of the Armenian Mirror-SpectatorNewspaper the first English Language ArmenianNewspaper in the United States @ Newton Marriott HotelBanquet Hall. 85 Years and Beyond. Details to follow

NOVEMBER 10 — Benefit dinner for Armenia TreeProject’s 100th anniversary living memorial toGeneral Dro and the Battle of Bash Aparan, present-ed by the Armenia Tree Project and the Kanayan family.Armenian American Social Club, Watertown. Details tofollow.

NOVEMBER 12 — From Armenia to Boston for the firsttime. Beloved singer RUBEN SASUNCI, live in concertwith the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston (SNDC).Sunday, at 4 p.m. at Shaw Auditorium - Watertown HighSchool, 50 Columbia St. Tickets: $45 and $35 to bereserved from front to back, in the order calls arereceived. For tickets and info, please call Mike Demirchian(617) 240-8266 or Vrej Ashjian at (339) 222-3429.

NOVEMBER 18 — Armenian Women’s WelfareAssociation Lucheon/Auction will be held on Saturday,at the Oakley Country Club in Watertown.

NOVEMBER 19 — The Westin Waltham Boston Hotel,Project SAVE will celebrate with a Thanks Givingbrunch event to honor Founder Ruth Thomasian’s visionand 42 years of service and to acknowledge the manyvolunteers, photo donors and supporters who have con-tributed to Project SAVE. An event for the community tocome together and celebrate as we look ahead to thefuture. For more information call 617-923-4542 oremail: archives@projectsave.org .

OCTOBER 8 — Sunday, 3 p.m., the Tekeyan CulturalAssociation will present a live stage play “All Rise, theCourt is in Session” at the Lawrence TechnologicalUniversity Mary Marburger Science and EngineeringAuditorium. The play is a drama by one of Armenia’sprominent playwrights, Perch Zeytuntsyan, performed bythe TCA MHER Megerdchian Theatrical Group from New

York. Adapted and directed by Gerald Papasian fromParis. The play recounts the trial proceedings ofSoghomon Tehlirian who avenged the extermination ofhis nation and family by assassinating Talaat Pasha inBerlin on March 15, 1921.The play will be in Armenianwith English subtitles so all can enjoy. For reservationsand other questions, you may contact Eventbrite or:Karine Koundjakian at 248-761-9844; ShoushanMinassian at 248-762-4641; Pamela Coultis at 248-646-7847; Noreen Masropian at 248-376-0899; DorisKrikorian at 734-464-7973; Yvonne Korkoian at 248-254-3029; Diana Alexanian at 248-334-3636

SEPTEMBER 30 — Shish Kebab supper at the historicArarat Armenian Congregational Church in SalemNH. 4:30 - 7. Delicious meal with shish kebab, pilaf, veg-etables, salad and dessert! Adults $15; children 12 andunder $7.50

OCTOBER 7 — Kalfayan Orphanage of Istanbul CharityFund Event. Please save the date for the Gala banquetcelebrating the 150th anniversary of the orphanage at St’Leon’s Armenian Church, Fairlawn. Held under theAuspices of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (Primate),Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

NOVEMBER 18 — Save the date. Gala banquet cele-brating the 70th anniversary of the Tekeyan CulturalAssociation. At the Terrace at Biagios. 299 ParamusRoad, Paramus. Featuring Elie Berberian and his bandfrom Montreal.

NOVEMBER 10-12 — Association of Armenian ChurchChoirs, 2017 Convention & Assembly, Las Vegas. SaintGeragos Armenian Apostolic Church, Contact: website:www.aaccwd.com • email: events@aaccwd.com. TheAACCWD is an organization of the Western Diocese ofthe Armenian Church of North America.

SEPTEMBER 23 — Sayat Nova Dance Company ofBoston is headed back to Pennsylvania to celebrateArmenian Independence Day, with its 30th anniversaryproduction of “The journey continues...” At CentennialHall of Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford.Saturday, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are goingfast so please reserve your seats ASAP. For tickets, callAna Torcomian at 610-659-7839, Alina Ashjian at 617-8521816 or email sayatnovadancecompany @gmail.com.Tickets are $30, $40 and $50 with discounted rates avail-able for groups of 20 or more.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017-MARCH 14, 2018 — ArmenianFilm Festival “The Nation’s Past & Present” Sponsoredby Cultural Committee of the Sts. Sahag & MesrobArmenian Church, in Hanoian Hall, 70 Jefferson Street,Providence. New exclusive showings of : “CulturalGenocide” Wednesday, September 13, , at 7 pm,“Country of Armenian Kings - 1” (Van, Diarbeqir,Tigranakert) Wednesday, October 11, , at 7 pm, “Garni,Geghard” Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 7 pm,“Armenia” (Yerevan, Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Zvartnots,Sevan, Dilijan, Lori) Wednesday, January, 24, at 7 pm“Country of Armenian Kings - 2” (Ani, Kars, Edesia,Musaler)Wednesday, February, 21, at 7 pm, “Country ofArmenian Kings - 3” (Cilicia, Kharbert, Adana, Zeytoun)Wednesday, March, 14, 2018, at 7 pm. All presented inEnglish, donation of $10.

OCTOBER 22 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahagand Mesrob Armenian Church & The Rhode IslandOrthodox Clergy Fellowship presents - Spiritual MusicFestival, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary of Sts. Sahag & MesrobArmenian Church, 70 Jefferson Street, Providence.

Calendar items are free. Entries should not be longer than5 lines. Listings should include contact information.

Items will be edited to fit the space, if need be. A photomay be sent with the listing. Items should be sent no later

than Mondays at noon.

CC AA L E N D A RL E N D A RMASSACHUSETTSMASSACHUSETTS

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEVADA

PENNSYLVANIA

MICHIGAN

RHODE ISLAND

ARTS & LIVING

17S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMENTARY

By Edmond Y. Azadian

While many Armenians in the Diaspora snub the ArmeniaDiaspora conclaves, whose sixth session will take place onSeptember 18-20, 2017, 1,700 Armenians from around the worldhave registered to participate. This means that large numbersfind a value in holding and in participating in those gatherings.Therefore, the truth lies somewhere in between.

Those who have contributed to the homeland in substantiveways seldom appear at these conclaves — benefactors who con-tribute to the tune of millions, technology experts, successfulentrepreneurs who have set up projects in Armenia, respectedwriters, people in the creative and performing arts who haveachieved fame around the world, people of Armenian origin whohold government positions in foreign countries and famousnewscasters and anchormen in the foreign media.

The goal of the organizers, perhaps, should be to target thatcategory of people rather than holding an open forum for everyparticipant to feel important. But certainly, the participants dotalk about the areas outlined above — and they talk a lot. Doersare not there but talkers are there in abundance.

We do not intend to tackle the issue with sarcasm, because weappreciate the cognitive value of the endeavor. Since the collapseof the Soviet Empire, Armenians around the world and inArmenia have been engaged in a diligent effort to get to knoweach other and thereby create a common level of understandingand cooperation in helping the homeland and using that home-land as a resource to preserve and to regenerate their identity.That is why the organizers of the conclave have adopted a mottowhich translates to: “Mutual confidence, unity and responsibili-ty.” This goal certainly implies that there still is room forimprovement in developing mutual trust.

The two-day gathering proposes an ambitious program whichis well-structured with the following specialized areas:

I. Major goals for Armenia’s development. This topic includesforeign investments, promoting tourism and cooperation in busi-ness.

II. Security concerns in the face of modern challenges — theemphasis is on Armenia’s defense and the inviolability of bordertowns and villages.

III. Armenia’s foreign policy, on whose agenda the majorissues are Karabakh conflict and the international recognition ofthe Armenian Genocide.

IV. Preservation of the Armenian identity through language,literature and culture.

It is imperative that Diaspora Armenians develop awareness ofthe issues plaguing Armenia, although in helping overcome thechallenges, the diaspora is in no position to contribute mean-ingfully. Thus, the defense issue is a matter of life and death forArmenia, yet the diaspora lacks the means to contribute to theimmense need through its limited resources.

As far as the foreign investments are concerned, the ball is inthe court of the Armenian government. Because since Armenia’sindependence, many Diasporan Armenians, inspired by patrio-tism, have rushed to start businesses or invest in the local econ-omy, only to be frustrated and burned. Every successive admin-

istration has pledged to improve the situation, to no avail.Corruption, cronyism, unfair taxation and outright robbery haverendered Diaspora Armenians’ patriotism into a farce.

Foreign capital or investments do not recognize patriotism. Ifa level playing field is offered to all, and no party remains abovethe law, then not only patriotic Armenians can contribute andinvest but foreign capital would also gravitate towards Armenia.

Unfortunately, the issue of investments has frustrated so manypeople that it will remain a sore point for a long time to the detri-ment of Armenia’s economy.

All the above issues may be debated, analyzed and perhaps somepositive outcome may emerge in those areas at the conclave.

As far as Armenia’s foreign policy is concerned, the diasporashould and can contribute if it is organized and politicized.Armenians have measurable resources in Western countrieswhich have not yet been utilized. Armenia may help to providedirection but the main responsibility remains on the diasporanleadership to get its act together.

But the measure of success will come when the gathering canfind solutions to two essential issues: developing a governmentpolicy to halt emigration and forming a pan-Armenian councilincluding representatives from Armenia and the diaspora tochart a realistic course to develop mutual trust and cooperationfor Armenia’s future. It defies logic: why would a soldier sacrificehis life on the border of a territory whose population is leavingin droves?

Turkey and Azerbaijan have blockaded Armenia and are wag-ing a war of attrition, to scare off the population. And the gov-ernment is inadvertently contributing to the hemorrhage by fail-ing to develop an effective policy to encourage its citizens to stayand hope for a more promising future. If a border guard isexpected to put his life in harm’s way, or if the diasporanArmenian decides to invest in the economy, it must be incumbentupon the government functionary to refuse to take bribes, toeliminate unfair taxation and to restore rule of law in the coun-try.

The enemy is only bent on destroying Armenia and if the gov-ernment on all levels fails to take drastic action to implement aviable policy, Armenia cannot avoid depopulation and destruc-tion. The situation is deadly serious.

The other crucial issue is the formation of a pan-Armeniancouncil to regulate relations between Armenia and the diaspora.

Thus far, Armenia’s awareness of diasporan powers and valueshas been very shallow and hope has been pinned on the wrongindividuals and organizations. The real movers and shakers inthe diaspora may not be found among the participants of theconclave, but it is the responsibility of the Armenian governmentto identify them and to enlist their support and participation.

The power sharing of the current coalition is based on wrongassumptions and premises. If the same measures and values areused forming the pan-Armenian council, it would be a recipe forfailure. The key idea is inclusiveness; all parties and groups mustfeel comfortable that they are not in a popularity contest, nor arethey prey to facile choices.

Traditionally these conclaves run parallel to lavish receptions,regalia and entertainment. As long as the entertainment part isnot confused with actual work and progress, then the conclavecan assume that it has hit a milestone.

Realistic Expectations from SixthArmenia-Diaspora Conclave

COMMENTARY

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1509

Syria’s war has entered a newphase as President Bashar al-Assad extends his grip in areasbeing captured from IslamicState, using firepower freed by Russian-backed truces in western Syria.

Backed by Russia and Iran, the governmenthopes to steal a march on US-backed militiasin the attack on Islamic State’s last majorSyrian stronghold, the Deir al-Zor region thatextends to the Iraqi border. Damascus hailedthe capture of the town of al-Sukhna onSaturday, August 12, as a big step in thatdirection.

The eastward march to Deir al-Zor, unthink-able two years ago when Assad seemed in dan-ger, has underlined his ever more confidentposition and the dilemma facing Western gov-ernments that still want him to leave power ina negotiated transition.

The war for western Syria, long Assad’s pri-ority, has shifted down several gears thanks tothe ceasefires, including one organized byMoscow and Washington in the southwest.

But there is no sign of these truces leading

to a revival of peace talks aimed at puttingSyria back together through a negotiated dealthat would satisfy Assad’s opponents and helpresolve a refugee crisis of historic proportions.

Instead, Assad’s face has been printed onSyrian banknotes for the first time, and hisquest for outright victory suggests he mayretrain his guns on rebel pockets in the westonce his goals in the east are accomplished.Attacks on the last rebel stronghold nearDamascus have escalated this month.

US President Donald Trump’s decision toend CIA support to rebels further weakenedthe insurgency in western Syria, while alsodepriving Western policymakers of one oftheir few levers of pressure.

They can only watch as Iranian influenceincreases through a multitude of Shi’ite mili-tias, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, that havebeen crucial to Assad’s gains and seem likelyto remain in Syria for the foreseeable future,

sealing Tehran’s ascendancy.Assad’s opponents now hope

his Russian allies will conclude hemust be removed from power as

the burden of stabilizing the country weighsand the West withholds reconstruction sup-port.

With hundreds of thousands of peoplekilled and militias controlling swathes of thecountry, Assad’s opponents say Syria cannever be stable again with him in power.

“There is little doubt that the Russianswould like a political solution to the war. Thewar is costly for them, and the longer it lasts,the less it will appear to be a success forPutin,” said Rolf Holmboe, Research Fellow atthe Canadian Global Affairs Institute and for-mer Danish Ambassador to Syria.

“But the Russians want a solution on theirterms, which is one where Assad stays inpower,” he said.

“The ceasefires do two things. They allowthe Russians to take control of the politicalnegotiations and look good internationally.

see ASSAD, page 18

Assad’s March East Compounds West’s Syria Dilemma

By Tom Perry and Suleiman Al-Khalidi

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

COMMENTARY

ASSAD, from page 17But more importantly, they allow Assad and

the Iranian-backed militias to free troops tograb the territory that Islamic State is about tolose.”

The eastwards advance has on occasionbrought government forces and their Iranian-backed allies into conflict with the US militaryand the forces it is backing in a separate cam-paign against Islamic State.

But the rival campaigns have mostly stayedout of each other’s way. Government forceshave skirted the area where Kurdish-led militiassupported by Washington are fighting IslamicState in Raqqa. The US-led coalition hasstressed it is not seeking war with Assad.

Bisected by the Euphrates River, Deir al-Zorand its oil resources are critical to the Syrianstate. The province is entirely in the hands of ISexcept for a government stronghold in Deir al-Zor city and a nearby air base. It is also in thecrosshairs of the US-backed Syrian DemocraticForces (SDF).

SDF spokesman Talal Silo told Reuters onWednesday there would be an SDF campaigntowards Deir al-Zor “in the near future,” though

the SDF was still deciding whether it would bedelayed until Raqqa was fully captured fromIslamic State.

But questions remain over whether the gov-ernment and its allies, or the US-backed mili-tias, have the required manpower. IS hasrebased many of its fighters and leaders in Deiral-Zor. The Syrian army is drawing on the sup-port of local tribal militias in its advances, localtribal figures say.

A Western-backed Syrian rebel with detailedknowledge of the area said Deir al-Zor would bea tough prospect. “Deir al-Zor tribes are moreintertwined with those of Iraq,” the rebel said,describing them as religious hardliners.

Andrew Tabler, a Syria specialist at theWashington Institute for Near East Policy think-tank, said Assad hoped to regain international legit-imacy through the campaign against IS.

FILE PHOTO: A man walks along a desertedstreet filled with debris in Deir al-Zor, easternSyria February 14, 2014.Khalil Ashawi/FilePhoto

“They believe that by doing so they can getreconstruction money, and they believe thatthings are going to go back to the way they

were before. That’s just not going to happen,”he said.

There has been no sign that Western statesare ready to rehabilitate Assad, accused byWashington of repeatedly using chemicalweapons during the war, most recently in April.Syria denies using chemical weapons.

RULING “ATOP RUINS”The April attack triggered a US missile strike

against a Syrian airbase. But the US responsewas calibrated to avoid confrontation withMoscow, and has not resulted in further suchaction.

Trump’s decision to shut down the CIA pro-gram of support meanwhile played to Assad’sadvantage and came as a blow to the opposi-tion. Rebel sources say the program will bephased out towards the end of the year.

Damascus has been pressing ahead with itsstrategy for pacifying western Syria, pursuinglocal agreements with rebellious areas that haveresulted in thousands of rebel fighters beingsent to insurgent areas of the north.

But significant areas of western Syria remainin rebel hands, notably Idlib province in thenorthwest, a corner of the southwest, an area

north of Homs, and the Eastern Ghouta ofDamascus.

In the southwestern province of Deraa, oneof the areas in the US-Russian truce, the gov-ernment is seeking investment in reconstruc-tion, the provincial governor told al-Watannewspaper, saying the “shelling phase” wasover.

Shunned by the West, the government hopesChina will be a major player in the reconstruc-tion. Seeking to project an image of recovery,Damascus this week will host a trade fair.

“The regime is quite keen to imply by signalsthat it doesn’t care, that ’we are fine, we arereally utterly prepared just to sit atop ruins, andto speak to friends who will help us with ourproject’,” said a Western diplomat.

Mohanad Hage Ali, director of communica-tions at the Carnegie Middle East Center, saidthe Assads have been “masters of the waitinggame”. Time is on their side, he said. “But theyhave two challenges: political normalizationwith the world, and the economic challenge,which is significant.”

(This column originally appeared on Reuterson August 17.)

Assad’s March East Compounds West’s Syria Dilemma

By Suraj Sharma

The symbolism was huge, as was the message that followed:the highest level talks in almost 40 years between Turkish andIranian military commanders, then an announcement byTurkey’s president of a new “alliance.”

After Hulusi Akar and Mohammad Hossein Bagherimet last week, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whohas traded barbs with the Iranian leadership over “sectarian”meddling abroad, suggested the time was right for militarycooperation.

It was yet another swift about-face by big players in the MiddleEast, and one that may have huge implications for the region.

So why now, and how far can such an alliance go? At the moment, we have an agreement to cooperate against

the PKK and its offshoots. This is perfectly in line with devel-opments Huseyin Bagci, a professor of international relationsat Ankara’s Middle East Technical University, told the MiddleEast Eye that the developing relationship was based on coun-tering the “Kurdish threat” across the region.

“At the moment, we have an agreement to cooperateagainst the PKK and its offshoots. This is perfectly in line withdevelopments, especially in Syria and Iraq. It is difficult to saywhere it will lead to in the future,” he said.

Hakki Uygur, deputy director of the IRAM think-tank,which focuses on Iran studies, concurred, saying there is nowa growing synergy between the two country’s foreign policies.“What we have now is a very short-term and very specificalliance to combat the PKK, YPG and to an extent the issueof the referendum in northern Iraq,” he said. “The potentialfor expanding this alliance is strong though, when regionaldevelopments, including the Gulf crisis, are considered.”

The Kurdish QuestionAnkara is alarmed by developments in northern Syria and

the gains being made by the Syrian-Kurdish DemocraticUnion Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the YPG, and espe-cially by the possibility of creating a corridor along theTurkish border through linking cantons under its control.

Turkey views the PYD and YPG as extensions of the PKK,which it has fought for more than 30 years and lists as a ter-rorist group, as do the US and EU.

Concerns have reached such levels that Ibrahim Karagul, awriter known to reflect the view from the president’s palace,wrote in the pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper thatAnkara should consider letting the past go and start cooper-ating with the Bashar al-Assad government in Damascus totackle the Syrian Kurdish threat.

The ongoing US military support for the YPG, with scantregard for its old ally’s most existential concern, has theAnkara government questioning the value of its alliance withWashington, and by association NATO.

Turkey has also found some success in its efforts to bring ameasure of calm to war-torn Syria by working with theRussians and Iranians.

The fallout from Syria’s Idlib province, on the Turkish bor-der, also has Ankara concerned. The US wants the provincecleared of the now al-Qaeda-dominated rebel forces and is in

talks with both Russia and Turkey.According to Bagci, Turkey indicated a change in its Syria

policy after Binali Yildirim became prime minister. And, hesaid, it is a consequence of that policy change and the Astanaprocess to bring peace to Syria that has led to more proactiveengagement with Iran.

“Turkey and Iran never identify the other as an enemy. It isalways the word rival instead of enemy that is used. Territorialintegrity has become a keyword for both countries, whetherit is Iraq or Syria, and is drawing them even closer together,”said Bagci.

The most recent tensions began coming to a boil after theMassoud Barzani-dominated Kurdistan Regional Governmentin neighboring northern Iraq announced an independence ref-erendum for late September.

Barzani, the Least WorstOption

The Barzani clan is the least repulsive of Kurdish politicalmovements for Erdogan and his government.

The vast trade ties and Islamist conservative nature ofBarzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) mean a rela-tionship has developed between the two sides, evidenced inthe relatively fewer stinging rebukes from Ankara since thereferendum was announced.

However, it does not mean Turkey is enamoured in theslightest by even the thought of an independent Kurdishstate, considering the potential impact on its own sizeableKurdish population.

Here, too, like in northern Syria, Ankara holds a grudgeagainst the US. The only intervention thus far has been a tele-phone call by the US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, toBarzani.

Barzani brushed off that conversation in a recent state-ment saying all he had promised Tillerson in regard to theplanned referendum was to communicate more intensivelywith the central government in Baghdad.

James Mattis, the US defence secretary, also met Barzani on22 August as part of a regional tour in which he also visitedAnkara.

For Iran, Barzani’s KDP represents a bigger Kurdish threat.It was Barzani’s father, Mustafa, who headed the armed wingof the short-lived Kurdish Mahabad Republic of 1946 in cur-rent day Iran’s territory.

Tehran is none too fond of the KDP-dominated KRG’s closeties with the US in present day Iraq either.

“There is nothing Turkey and Iran can do about this refer-endum. It is in Barzani’s hands,” Bagci said. “What are Iranand Turkey going to do. Declare war?”

Erdogan, who also had an audience with the visitingIranian chief of staff, Mohammed Hossein Bagheri, on 21August said Tehran and Ankara were discussing joint militaryoperations in northern Iraq and along their own bordersagainst the PKK and its Iranian affiliate PJAK.

This would represent a soft starting point for increased mil-itary cooperation in the future. In the past, Iran and Turkeyhave had limited coordination, if not cooperation, in anti-PKKand PJAK operations.

Breaking Points AplentyThe US is unlikely to be pleased to see Turkey, with

NATO’s second-biggest army, working with a regime itconsiders its sworn enemy.

The first visit by an Iranian chief of staff since the rev-olution in 1979 is not the only sign of growing tiesbetween Tehran and Ankara, in spite of the symbolismattached to it.

A major energy deal among Turkish, Iranian andRussian firms was announced on 15 August.

Tehran and Ankara, in recent years, seem to haveagreed on a policy of permitting regional bickering butrefraining from any domestic criticism, Uygur said.

The Turkish government kept silent in the face of thebrutal crushing of the 2009 pro-democracy protests inIran. Tehran was one of the first governments to voicesupport for Erdogan’s government as a coup attempt wasunderway last July.

Yet, Erdogan has on two public occasions within thepast six months attacked Tehran for engaging in what hetermed “Persian nationalism” in the region and of resort-ing to sectarian policies to advance its expansionist ambi-tions.

Tehran in turn warned Ankara that its patience was notinfinite in the face of such accusations.

The referendum in northern Iraq might be what bringsAnkara and Tehran urgently together at the moment, butit is also Iraq that could put an end to any alliancebetween the two.

Ankara has a long and meaningful relationship withNATO and is not looking for an excuse to end it

Ankara is dismayed to see the growing influence Iranhas exerted over Iraq through its Shia connection andirregular military involvement. Barzani’s regional govern-ment, despite its Kurdishness, is Sunni.

It represents one of the few meaningful avenues leftthrough which Turkey can maintain influence in Iraq.

The ideal situation for Ankara would be if eitherTehran or Washington steps in to thwart the referendumprocess, allowing Turkey to maintain cordial ties withBarzani and its connection to Iraq.

The depth of the US-Turkish alliance is such that whileWashington will watch Turkey and Iran with concern, itis unlikely to do so with trepidation for the moment.

Washington still holds the trump card. Ending its mili-tary support for the YPG would have a grateful Turkeyfully back in its camp, irrespective of other issues affect-ing the relationship.

“An alliance with Iran is Turkey’s plan B and plan C,”Uygur said. “Ankara only resorted to that option after theUS started supporting the YPG.

“If that were to change, Turkey would go back to itsalignment with NATO policies in both Iraq and Syria.

“Ankara has a long and meaningful relationship withNATO and is not looking for an excuse to end it.”

(This article originally appeared in the Middle EastEye on August 24.)

Analysis: Turkey Seeks Iran ‘Alliance’ against Kurds as US Pull Wanes

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

COMMENTARY

19

Azerbaijan Forces Bulgaria to FireReporter Who Exposed ArmsShipments to Terrorists

Last month, I wrote about Bulgarian journalist DilyanaGaytandzhieva’s revelations that Azerbaijan’s state-run Silk WayAirlines had shipped under diplomatic cover 350 planeloads ofheavy weapons and ammunition to terrorist groups in Syria andmany other countries in the last three years.

On August 24, Dilyana tweeted: “I just got fired for tellingthe truth about weapons supplies for terrorists in Syria ondiplomatic flights.”

Dilyana posted on her facebook page that she was fireddue to pressure on the government of Bulgaria byAzerbaijan, as she was about to leave for Syria to continueher investigation.

In an interview with Armenpress, Dilyana said that beforeher firing she was called by the Bulgarian Special SecurityAgency and asked about her sources of information for herrevelations. She replied that her source was the website ofthe Embassy of Azerbaijan which was hacked, but she wouldnot provide any further details. Two hours later, she got a

phone call from her newspaper, Trud Daily, telling her thatshe was dismissed.

After she published her article, Dilyana revealed that theAzeri Embassy urged the Bulgarian government to investi-gate her; as a result, she was fired from her job.

The daring Bulgarian journalist, however, refuses toremain silent! She told Armenpress that no one can stop herfrom continuing her investigation: “They couldn’t stop metwo months ago; they couldn’t stop me yesterday to speakout. I just posted on social media. They can’t force an inde-pendent journalist to keep silent. I’m not obliged to anybody.I’m obliged to tell the truth to the people, this is my job.”

Dilyana stressed that Bulgaria was well-informed aboutthese illegal weapons’ shipments since she had all the docu-ments proving that the Bulgarian government, severalEuropean countries, the United States, and many others hadgiven their approval for this secret and illegal operation.

The Bulgarian journalist urged the United Nations tolaunch an investigation against Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, theUnited States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. In addition,Dilyana appealed for support from independent journalistsand the public at large. She emphasized: “I am not the firstand last journalist to be fired for doing their job. I don’t havehigh expectations from the mainstream media, because theyhave their political agenda, their objectives and their policy.What I expect is to be able to spread this information world-wide not by the mainstream media.”

Dilyana also revealed that Azerbaijan paid Bulgarian jour-nalists to publish articles favorable to Baku. “I can give youa fact obtained from the leaked documents after the cyber-attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy. The Azerbaijani Embassypays money to journalists for articles in favor of Azerbaijanor articles ordered to be published by Azerbaijan.”

Dilyana insisted that she is determined to continue herwork: “I’m going to set up my own on-line media, because noone in Bulgaria will now agree to publish my investigations.I will not be offered a job in the Bulgarian media. So, I thinkabout establishing my own media; this is the solution.”

Confirming Dilyana’s revelations is an article by ThierryMeyssan, in the sott.net website, reporting that OperationSycamore involves at least 17 states and represents severaltens of thousands of tons of weapons: “Over the last sevenyears, several billion dollars’ worth of armament has beenillegally introduced into Syria…. Numerous documents attestto the fact that the traffic was organized by General DavidPetraeus, first of all in public, via the CIA, of which he wasthe director, then privately, via the financial company KKRwith the aid of certain senior civil servants…. New elementsnow show the secret of Azerbaijan in the evolution of the war[in Syria]…. While Bulgaria was one of the main armsexporters to Syria, it received help from Azerbaijan.”

Meyssan, in his article, quotes Sibel Edmonds — ex-FBItranslator and founder of National Security WhistleblowersCoalition — revealing that “Azerbaijan, under Pres. HeydarAliyev, from 1997 to 2001, hosted in Baku the number 2 ofAl-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri. This was done at the request ofthe CIA. Although officially wanted by the FBI, the man who[was] then number 2 of the international jihadist networktravelled regularly in NATO planes to Afghanistan, Albania,Egypt and Turkey. He also received frequent visits fromPrince Bandar ben Sultan of Saudi Arabia.”

The Armenian-American community should invite the dis-tinguished Bulgarian journalist Dilyana to the United Statesin order to publicize through lectures and press conferencesher sensational revelations about Azerbaijan’s illegalweapons’ shipments to terrorists.

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

In the last five years, Armenia has experi-enced major upheavals both in its political lifeand in the geopolitics around its borders.During that time, the country has gonethrough periods of socio-political turmoil,changes in its constitution and political regime,the hosting of thousands of Armenians fromSyria as war refugees, the commemoration ofthe Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, theredirecting of its strategic foreign priorities andthe rekindling of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.Let us try to explore mutual representationsand to review the stakes at work today inArmenia’s relations with its oldest strategic ally,Russia.

In spite of choosing a multidirectional or so-called “complementary” foreign policy, Armeniais almost always considered and presented bythe international community as a loyal “satel-lite” of Russia. However, that labeling, muchdisliked by Armenians themselves–-as indeed byany post-Soviet country similarly tagged — isvery simplistic and shows a profound lack ofunderstanding of what is at stake in Russian-Armenian relations.

Without running through the whole historyof cultural ties between the two countries, letus say that in contrast to their South-Caucasusneighbors, Armenians have never felt hostiletowards Russians despite some controversialperiods in their common history. On the con-trary, the image of “savior Russia” has longbeen rooted in Armenian minds. To this day,Russia and its military bases in Armenia are stillpresented as the only safeguard of the coun-try’s security, in particular opposite militaristicAzerbaijan, which has cast Armenians as anenemy, and an increasingly nationalist Turkishregime, more intolerant and unpredictable thanever.

This type of representations is often based onthe assumption that the little Republic ofArmenia having no natural resources, it is of noreal interest to Western countries — not even asa transit zone along the South Eurasian corri-dor since its Eastern and Western borders areclosed by the Turkish and Azeri blockade —whereas Armenia is more valued along theNorth-South axis, i.e. for Iranian and Russianinterests. In the light of Russia-Western worldconfrontations, one could see here a resurgence

of the South-Caucasian “geopolitical cross”which had lost in importance after the“relaunch” of Russian-American relations of2010 and the relative opening of Iran. But thatview is often contradicted by supporters of abreakup with Russia, a country they accuse,sometimes with blind anger, of being responsi-ble for Armenian “misery.” They generallyblame Armenian authorities for compromisingthe future of their country by leaving it “opento the greed” of Russia, in particular when itcomes to the sale of strategic national compa-nies to Russians, such as ArmRus Gazprom,now Gazprom Armenia. They insist that inte-gration with European structures, as didGeorgia, would be a much better solution forArmenian interests.

It should be noted however that these twoconflicting views are now minority standpointsfor, among the people as well as the politicaland intellectual elites of Armenia, there is anoverwhelming national desire and will to devel-op balanced political and economic foreign ties.And as regards the bleak socio-economic situa-tion of the country, if the Turkish-Azerbaijaniblockade does play a part in it, Armeniannationals are also well aware of the inner polit-ical issues that cripple their country’s eco-nomics and drive some of them to emigrate.Deterioration of Russia’s Protective Image

This nuanced set of representations is in partthe result of the deterioration of Russia’s pro-tective image among Armenians. An active seg-ment of the new generation, in Armenia as wellas in the Diaspora, has already drawn some wis-dom from Armenian history by moving beyondthe past of persecutions and genocide to claimfor reparations and for a strong Armenia.Patriotic, smart and multilingual, they aredemanding citizens who will not stand beingdisappointed. However, Moscow has oftenneglected that generation as it has preferred towork exclusively with the authorities, using allthe economic and political levers at hand.Consequently, the frequent street demonstra-tions that rocked Yerevan in the last years haveoften been interpreted by Russian experts asprovocations by Western NGOs trying to pre-pare a “color” revolution as in Georgia andUkraine. But although the workings of thosedemonstrations are still difficult to analyze,reducing them to Western provocations as mostRussian experts bluntly do shows their refusalto understand the problems of the country.

The greatest disappointment came from the

arms sales and strategic partnership of Russiawith Azerbaijan. As President Serzh Sargsyanaptly summed it up, being attacked by Russianweapons posed a psychological problem to anArmenian soldier. On their part, Russians triedto reassure Armenians by presenting threemajor arguments: that it was only business, thatwith its S-300 missiles, Armenia will keep itsstrategic edge, and that Russia will be able tobetter control the use of this armament since itwill be in charge of its maintenance and supply.It was only after the introduction of thoseweapons during the Nagorno-Karabakh war inApril 2016 that a debate emerged in Russia toreassess the goals and effects of that sale.

Another tragic event that happened inJanuary 2015 has even further damaged theimage of Russia: the mass murder of theAvetisyan family by Valeri Permyakov, a ser-viceman from the 102nd Russian military basein Gyumri. The massacre triggered spontaneousdemonstrations in Yerevan and Gyumridemanding that the murderer be tried inArmenia. Consequently, the Russian militarybase of Gyumri found itself in the limelight–when its lease had been renewed duringPresident Dmitry Medvedev’s State visit inAugust 2010, to last until 2044, although theterms of the contract make it clear that theRussian military forces in the country are thereonly to defend the security of Armenia and notof Nagorno-Karabakh. The ambiguity lies at theheart of the Collective Security TreatyOrganization (CSTO), the armed body of theCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS), ofwhich Armenia is a member with Russia,Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan andKyrgyzstan. But although supposed to warrantthe security of its members against the attacksof other countries, the CSTO often remainssilent in front of the repeated Azerbaijanishelling of Armenian villages such as the manyprovocations of 2014 and 2015. It was not untillate December 2016, after an Azerbaijaniattempt at trespassing into Chinari (TavushProvince), that former Secretary General ofCSTO Nikolai Bordyuzha, in that position since2003, issued a communiqué that condemnedthe aggression. The clear-cut, long-awaitedstatement which was hailed by Yerevan, wasfinally only issued at the very end of his longterm in office.

Then, Bordyuzha’s succession generated adeep crisis within the CSTO. It was decidedthat, like the presidency of the organization,

the position of Secretary General should alsobe rotating in order to let member countriesalternate in that capacity. After the decisionwas implemented in January 2017, Armenia,coming first by alphabetical order, was to be thefirst country to fill that position. Armenia’s for-mer Minister of Defence, Seyran Ohanyan, waseven rumored to be appointed, which he laterdenied. But the lack of consensus about enArmenian appointment can be explained by thestaunch opposition of Belarus and Kazakhstan,due to the very close relations of PresidentsLukashenko and Nazarbayev with AzeriPresident Ilham Aliyev. Although they are part-ners with Armenia within the EurasianEconomic Union, the two countries keep trig-gering open hostilities with Armenia—such asBelarus’s decision to extradite Israeli-Russianblogger Alexander Lapshin to Azerbaijan—andmaking declarations of friendship toAzerbaijan, which is not a member of thosestrategic alliances. This generates indignationin Armenia and questions the eligibility to suchcoalitions of countries which Russia largely ini-tiated.

In front of this situation, some voices rose inRussia to call the authorities and experts forcaution. Essentially coming from Russian foun-dations and organizations in the public diplo-matic field (The Gorchakov Fund, CreativeDiplomacy), these specialists are actively work-ing in Armenia and becoming increasinglyaware of the real challenge that sooner or laterRussia will have to face. However, following apersuasion tactic, which is still a far cry fromthe soft power described by Joseph Nye, themessage that Moscow is trying to bring acrossis that post-Soviet societies share the same tra-ditional values with Russian society and have acommon history, not only from the times of theUSSR but going back to the Czarist Empire.This clearly shows a will to cultivate a sense ofbelonging to the “Russian world” among post-Soviet societies by underlining their differencewith the “Western world” in order to preventtheir shifting towards “rival propaganda.”

Stakes of Armenian Membership in EurasianEconomic Union (EAEU)

Thus, the accumulation of the above-men-tioned factors has damaged Armenia’s trust inRussia, with unforeseen consequences in thelong run. Paradoxically, popular consciousnessis adjusting to these disappointments.Displaying pragmatism, the authorities are

see RUSSIA, page 20

Complex Ties between Russia and ArmeniaBy Lilit Vardanian

RUSSIA, from page 19trying to maneuver within the limit of what ispossible to ensure the country’s security anddevelopment. In 2013, Armenia had made apragmatic and strategic choice by refusing tosign the Association agreement with theEuropean Union as part of the Eastern part-nership, favoring instead economic integrationwith Eurasian structures. Today, looking backon those events and in particular on develop-ments in Ukraine, we observe that that choiceprobably was the best solution to come outpositively of the delicate situation Armeniawas in at the end of 2013, caught as she wasin its conflicts of interests and contradictoryclaims between Russians and Westerners. Thesituation seemed all the more absurd thatRussia and the EU accused each other of notleaving signatory countries any alternativeoptions. Thus, European officials would talkabout the pressure exerted by Moscow onArmenian and Ukrainian leaders to pull themtowards economic integration of Eurasianstructures. To which Moscow replied that ithad to protect its own market and local pro-ducers. In fact, at the time, the Kremlin and itsEurasian partners feared that cheaperEuropean products would swamp the marketof the soon-to-be Eurasian Economic Unionvia Ukraine and Armenia, if the latter twocountries signed the Association Agreementwith the EU. But although this seems quite

logical, there was much more at stake forRussia than its economic interests: it wasabove all about preventing Western encroach-ment into its vital space.

Indeed, the emblematic side of Russian rep-resentations of post-soviet space, whichincludes South Caucasus, is often underesti-mated at the expense of its vested economicand security interests. However, the constantsearch for Russian identity after the fall of theUSSR and its yearning to recover the formermight of the Czarist Empire and the SovietUnion are just as important in definingRussian geopolitical choices as are its need fora strong economy and security. We shouldremember that at the beginning of his firstpresidential mandate, in 2000, VladimirPutin’s main concern was the recognition ofthe status of Russia as a great power—that itshould be respected and considered as anequal by world powers. This ran counter to the“Western-prone” stance of Boris Yeltsin’s firstadministration, who had favored a rapproche-ment with NATO and the United States. TheCommunity of Independent States (CIS) hadfound itself subjected to the primary goal ofthe new Russian power: to join the “civilizednations” of the world. But that exclusive west-ward orientation had not produced thedesired result. Not only was Russia no longerconsidered a power as in the Soviet era, but tomake things worse, it was brushed aside in the

political and economic processing of the post-Soviet era. So Moscow quickly revised its strat-egy by placing the “foreign periphery” at theheart of its external policy. Stepping up theseclaims to power even further, Vladimir Putinand the Russian authorities later opted for theconcept of Eurasian power in order to under-line the double identity of Russia, bothEuropean and Asian.

In contrast with the years 2000 to 2008when the Kremlin was trying to assert its sta-tus by opposing the great Western politicaltrends and advertising itself as a viable alter-native to American power, today, the Kremlinis proud of its achievements on the interna-tional scene and sells itself as one of the polesin a multipolar world. And the first demon-stration of that power was displayed in SouthCaucasus, upon its military intervention inGeorgia in August 2008. Since then, Russiahas also multiplied Armenian-Azerbaijani talksunder its aegis, along with the works of theMinsk group. The annexing of Crimea, the

adoption of counter-sanctions againstEuropean countries and the United States aswell as its military engagement in Syria alsoparticipate in that logic of demonstration ofpower.

After the fall of the USSR and its declara-tion of independence, Armenia has alwayssought as much as possible to balance out itspolitical economic and military relationsbetween Russia, the EU, the United States andIran. But the geopolitical turbulence of SouthCaucasus and the demands made by Moscowto express “loyalty” did not leave Yerevanmuch room for maneuver and imposed choic-es in foreign policy dictated primarily by thecountry’s security concerns. As a result of thisinextricable situation compounded by the haz-ardous treatment reserved by Russian policy,Armenia’s trust in its traditional strategic allyhas gradually deteriorated, creating a majorchallenge for Russia itself.

(This commentary originally appeared in therepairfuture.net website.)

S A T U R D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R20

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Iowa Adopts Armenian Genocide RecognitionIOWA, from page 16 million Jews, and resulted in the decimation of other targeted racial and religious minori-ties.

The document recounts the cycle of subsequent genocides of the 20th and 21st centuries,specifically mentioning the 2016 Congressional condemnation of the Islamic State genocideagainst Middle East Christians, Yezidis and other minorities. It concludes with the assertionthat by “recognizing and consistently remembering the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaustand all cases of past and ongoing genocide, we help protect historic memory, ensure thatsimilar atrocities do not occur again and remain vigilant against hatred, persecution andtyranny.”

Armenia welcomes Iowa state recognition of the Armenian GenocideArmenia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement welcoming the move.“We welcome Iowa’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Proclamation of the

Governor of state of Iowa, United States,” reads the message posted on the country’s MFAofficial Twitter account.

Complex Ties Between Russia and Armenia