The Ties That Bind - August/September 1999 by Armenian International Magazine

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AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 1999

8&9

DEPARTMENTS

5 7 10

18 20 22 80 82 84

Editor's Note Letters to the Editor

View 12 Notebook 15 Bytes on File 16 Global Picture AIM

Armenia Briefs Economic News

Diaspora Briefs Faces

Underexposed Essay

NATION

24 Focus-Six

Days in Baku

Journalists from Armenia and Georgia meet with Aliyev in Baku.

The Risk of Democratization The Keys to the Millennium: Challenges facing the Diaspora.

Armenian journalists spend a week in Baku, a first since the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

REGlON

Kosovo Revisited Armenia's Oskanian and Azerbaijan's Guluzade compare the Karabakh and Kosovo conflicts.

Doing Business in Armenia Despite risks and red tape, Diasporan businessmen are in Armenia

to stay. From children in Yerevan to Tibetan monks in Paris, people around the globe watched century's last solar eclipse.

EDUCATION

Training Diplomats A private foundation sends young cadres from Armenia's Foreign Ministry to a top US international relations school.

Up in Smoke Armenia's booming cigarette industry poses major health threats to society.

CONNECTIONS

Doctors on Call Diaspora physicians involved in Armenia.

Diaspora physicians bring hope and expedise

to Armenia.

The Armenia Fund On the road again.

Working in the Homeland Young Diasporans participate in nation-building.

COVER ABT AND DESIGN BY RAFFI TARPINIAN (155N 1050.3471) L publkhed mmthlyt t45 Fr year, by Th. roud Milbnnium kcly, 207 Suh Band &ulevad, Suib 203, Glendab, q 912&i Phone:(818)245.79D,ril(818)24'mS.PeddtakP6bt.FiatGkndah.qandadditufrlmalli.Eoftc.s. GnadaPdPublicahnrMailP.odud 5al6 ASrmmnt No. 61457. @ coprighl 198 by Th. roud Mlbnniun tuiely. Al dghB .*d ArM nay not h rep.ducd in any manner, either in wiSoul wnnen F6ir*n lm theFutsher. Th.dib6ile ndrewnibk for unrclicitd manu$npb whob orin pad, wi$oul manuscnpb o.ad unle$ a shmFd, shmPd, *lFaddr.$e( *lFaddr.$ed envelopâ&#x201A;Ź t .n.bs.d. Opinimt expred in si8nd aftchr & mt iftMry rcp@nt the vies of The Foudh Millennium kiely. Fo. dvedtsint qu.n s call

ArM

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It's Tough

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1\INI #r*ifir;* Armenian lnternational Matazine 207 South Brand Blvd. Suite 203 Glendale, CA 91204, USA fel: AA 2467979 Fax: 818 246 0088

Made in Heaven A friend of mine says this new independent Armenia sure changed a lot of lives, relationships and assumptions-in the Diaspora. Nearly a decade later, the major Armenia-Diaspora relationship, too, is still a work in progress: Armenia and Diaspora continue to have a tough time figuring each other out. On the occasion of the first Armenia-Diaspora Conference which will take place September 22-23 in Yerevan, this special August-September combined issue of AIM looks at some of the ideas, individuals and activities which form the elements of the Armenia - Diaspora relationship. In our June issue, Ambassador Jivan Tabibian wrote of the institutional challenges which the Republic of Armenia must overcome to make a healthy and promising entry into the next millennium. In this issue, he examines the' Diaspora-or diasporas. You will have to hunt long and hard to find a more ontarget assessment of diasporan reality. Humanitarian help, medicine and education are often cited as the areas where the Diaspora can most easily con-

tribute to Armenia. John Hughes and Matthew Karanian highlight the small-

time heroes-the individual businessmen and medical professionals-who are helping turn Armenia

into a real place

with authentic successes, despite some very genuine problems. (In upcoming issues, we will highlight the trials, tribulations and very real achievements of those involved in big business-from James Tufenkian of New York's Tufenkian Rugs, to Chahe Arslanian of Arslanian Bros. Diamonds in Antwerp.) In all cases, Matt and John didn't go looking for the positive stories. No one told these businessmen what to say. If they sound upbeat, it's because, despite all the problems which they either detail or merely allude to, they are. Or, quite simply, they wouldn't be there. Two programs which link the resources of homeland and Diaspora demonstrate that educational assistance to Armenia can mean more than money for textbooks. One involves training Armenian foreign service personnel in a top US university with funding by an Armenian-American who believes in investing in the future. The other-a product of Diasporan vision and planningteaches Armenia's teenagers about the dangers of smoking. Finally, when photo editor Harry Koundakjian called to say the eclipse should be included in this issue, we wondered how we could pull that off and still make our coverage different from what you are likely to have already read and seen-and make it fit. With Harry's help, I believe we succeeded and you will marvel at the photos on pages 46-47. A good reading of this issue demonstrates we have a long way to go. Although we are proud of AIM's coverage-there certainly is no other attempt at such a broad view-it's still not comprehensive. But, more critical, the kinds of cooperation, coordination and links between Armenia and Diaspora are not nearly ideal yet. That's OK. It takes 200 years for the sun and the moon, even, to come into perfect alignment.

4W"r

EDITOR.PUBLISHER Salpi Haroutinian

Ghaarian

MANAGING EDITOR Hratch Tchilingirian ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A. H. Alexandrian, Yerevan SENIOR EDITOR Tony Halpin, London DESIGN Raffi Tarpinian

PRODUCIION AND PHOTO MANAGER

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Dania Karakachian SUESCRIPTIONS

MANAGER

Seta Khodanian ADVERTISING MANAGER Fimi Mekhitarian INTERNS Karina Avedissian

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS John Hughes, Ronald Grigor Suny, Taline Voskeritchian CONTRIBUTORS Artdhes Emin, YeEvan; Suqn Pattie, London; Edik Balaian, Ara Chouljian, YeNani Kotchunian, Los Anteles; ranet Samuelian, Palm Spdn$; Ma* Malkasian, Rhode lsland; George Boumoutid, Lola Koundakjian, New Yoil; Mydam Caume, Pair; Matthew (aranian. Moorad M@radian, Wdhington, Dc; Vartan Matiorrian, Buen6 Ai6.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Mthitar Khachatrian, Zav€n l(hachikian, Roub€n Mantararian, \brevan; Antoine Agoudlian, Amineh Johannes, Aline Manoukian, Pilis; Edmond Terakopian, Londoni l(arine Amen, Kevork Djansezian, Raffi Ekmetii, tric Naadan, Ara Osha&n, Los Anteles; Garo lachinian, M6schusetis; Ardem fulanian, New Je6ey; Harry (oundaljian, New Yot Eerge Ara Zobian, Rhode lslad. EDITOR EMERITUS chailes Ndarian

EDITORIAL CONSUTTANT Min6 Kojaian INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION AND ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES flcEtfilt{A:

Colegio lvlekhitarirta, vtrre, d6l Pino 3511 (1425) Buenoe AiB, Tel. 5,41 552 3590 .AUSTMU:Ve,Irkendedan,148K@hAw.tastKlhnNS1W,2071Tel.02.92512882i,c,{redl4ail&n, PO. 8ox 370, Haris Pak NSW 2150, Tel. 08897 1845i Vaie (abb PO. Box 250, PM Melboume, Vr.loda 3207, Tel. 03 9794 00(D . CIIUDA: RamB thkm&h, 5595 Hari Be,e W6l lddhal, PCl, H4R 2E1, Tel. 514 339 2517. HONG XOtaGi iad RM. A2, ttlF,8bd A,26 Xai Cheung Rd., (Nloon Bay, Kowloon, Tel. 852 795 9888 . IT IY: ^{tdhn, Heft Balaiu, VE Moda@ 51 M/5, Roft, T€i. 995 1235 . UBANON: R6e Kabakiil, PO. 8ox 55559, &irut, Lebar@, Tel. (1) 510212 . UNITED 8 E {tlMTE: Cda Jonitr, PO. Box 44564, Abu Dhabi, UAI, Tel. 97'l 2 n1, td 971 2 191 . UNmo mNCoOM Misl Ohmiil, 1O5A Mill Hill Rd. Actn, London W38Jl Tel. 0181 992 4621.

WRITE TO

lt ,5

AIM!

We welcome all communication. Although we read all letters and submi sions, we are unable to acknowledge everything we rcceive due to limited staffing and resources. Lett€rs to the Editor may be edited tor publication.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1999

Courtship Having read the AIM View on dating (May 1999), here is a suggestion to fill

a need.

We have an increasing number of intelligent, highly educated, capable Armenian professionals who may be economically successful, but at the same time socially dissatisfied. They may be good sons or daughters, siblings, uncles or aunts-though somewhat aloofand have friends, but they cannot get truly involved in exciting personal relationships with the opposite sex. They are past the age of romantic love or infatuation. They are too committed to serious work to have "cheap" affairs or pastimes. They believe in falling in

love, getting married with the right person, forming a family. They'd be great as parents. They resist any meddling in their lives, and

Those Who Give

In Decade of Giving (Cover Story, February 1999) I noticed there are seven organizations

in the Diaspora

doing the

same

thing. God bless them all for their kind heart. But one thing crossed my mind: Are these committees or organizations communicating with each other or not? If not, how do they know that the same orphan is not receiving benefits from more than one organization. I know it is in our genes not to unite, but in matters like this, we have to, because these collected funds have to be spent wisely, as each cent is needed to help these young orphans, not only until he or she reaches the age of 18, but beyond that age too, because you cannot leave a young human being wandering in the streets high and dry and vulnerable without thinking to do something for them after the age

18.

When I was in Armenia, I noticed so many small items imported from Iran or Turkey, like tissue paper, children's clothing and fabrics, which can be easely manufactured in Armenia. So I suggest to these organizations to open small or big factories for these youngsters to work and establish a future for themselves. The ones who want to continue their

education can use the income from working in the factory. In this way, we will help those with the brain or the will to study and accumulate skills, instead of leaving them in the streets after they reach the age of 18, not

knowing what will happen to them. We must find a way for them to work and stay in the country. 7-abel Malas Gue ragosian Middlesex, England

especially any suspected matchmaking. The men are good targets for husbandseekers. The Armenian girls are less lucky. The men who might have been their sweethearts are already married. Though physically good-looking, they do not attract the men they like, because they are too dignified or shy to approach them with a relationship in mind. In both groups, there is the fear of being rejected. Here is a proposal: to form something like a Club APSI, a selective club whose members have to be Armenian, professional, single, interesting with interesting endeavors and activities. It can be club, like Club Mediterranee. Single people, with similar lev-

els of intelligence, capacity, culture, would have an opportunity to meet and enjoy one another's company, conversation and professional experience. If personal relations develop, all the better.

YoungAPSI candidates, with an ability in leadership and organization could be invited to form groups in their own localities. The center

or sponsoring institution could be in the US. Perhaps an initial meeting of the coordinators could be held, and a chartered tour organized, during which participants from the five continents could decide their own future activities. Of course, such an organization would be totally non-partisan. The common heritage is

to hold the group

ture of myself. But there it was in your May issue (Faces), with a background story about me including special mention of the women in

my family. While the contents were fundamentally correct about me, the story about my family was a bit distorted. Please let me correct the record since the women in my family (and the men, I must add) played such an important role in my development and touched so many people during their lives. My mother's correct name is Araxie Lucy Samelian (nee Hovsepian). Her mother, my grandmother, was Clara Hovsepian who created Lucy Claire. Lucy Claire is a business that was

in 1932 and has continuously operated under my mother's control from 1943 to this day. My great-grandmother was Dr. Lucy Gulezian, the doctor in your article. Dr. Gulezian operated a successful general medical practice until her death in 1958. She was also an activist in support of Armenian causes and was very active in Armenian Near East Relief (and the Daughters of Armenia), an organization that rolled into what later became the Armenian National Red Cross. As for the key man in my life, my father was John Onnik Samelian, an artist who practiced architecture worldwide until his death in l979.He gave me my first job in the construction business and, with the aid of my mother, taught me to strive toward excellence, maintain the highest ethical standards at all times, and practice fundafounded

mental fairness and respect for all people. All

these people and many

who were never

mentioned in the article, are the stuff from which I was made and the gauge against which

measure

myself today. Fred Samelian San Juan Capistrano, Califumia

Propaganda Games The conspiracy has been looming around Armenia and whatever is Armenian since her independence in 1991. However aggressive hesident Aliyev's style is in public relations and lobbying, the effective force behind it, is and has been the western media. It is observ-

able that Armenia needs organized

and

together, and determine common interests and objectives. Coming from different countries and cultures can be a definite asset.

stronger public relations and propaganda campaigns to at least neutralize the distortions, fal-

Who, which organization or institution, could launch such an association?

Minor, the Central Caucasus and the with the name Armenia left out, calling

Alice T. Ezegelyan Buenos Aires, Argentina

Armenia Eastern Azerbaijan in documentaries

sufficient

The People Behind the Faces

When

open the pages of AIM each

month, the thing I least expect to see is a pic-

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

sifications and disinformation which encounters: Turkish prepared maps

she

Asia region

and TV reports such as during the 1998 Armenian elections, showing the poverty stricken Armenians of Gumri after the earthquake living in shipping containers and referring to it as the capital, thus depicting a false

The Fourth Millennium Sciety is an independently funded and administered

public charity committed to the dissemination of infomation for the purpose

of developing an infomed public. Underpinning all our work is the firm conviction that the

image of Yerevan to the viewer. The conspiracy of the westem media is obvious and when approached as to why those distortions, silence prevails. "We are keeping a

low profile" says Secretary

of the

Lilit

Toutkhalian, First

Armenian Embassy in

Washington. "We aren't launching an aggressive (propaganda) campaign because we don't want to exacerbate problems." Armenia's soft policy strategy, keeping a low profile and playing the good Christian-tum the other

cheek--does not work any more. Armenia's both cheeks have been deformed by the repeated slaps and blows of nearly successful campaigns of the enemy who creates a lie, believes in it, and makes the whole world, which is unaware of the facts, believe in it too; thanks again to the western media of the so called "civilized nations". "Peace is threatened by the world's oldest demon" said President Clinton at the NATO Summit. "This demon" he said, is "fear of others". Respectable "others" do not cause fear. For many centuries distrust and fear of the surrounding demons was Armenia's best teacher. If biased expediency is the name of the game in politics, and usually it is, the demon or "fear of others" will never be erased from memories for generations to come. Sebouh Tashjian Sydney,

Austlalia

vitality of an independent prcss is fundmental to

dem@ratic s@i-

ety in Armenia and dem@ratic institutions in the Diaspora. The Founh Millennium Society publishes Amenian Intemational Maguine in its effort to conribute to the national dialogue. The directors oe gratâ&#x201A;Źful to the Benefactors, Trustees, Patrons

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Friends of the Founh Millennium Society who are commit-

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Michael Nahabet- Raffi Zinzalian. Directom.

DIRECTORS'99 Shahen Hairapetian, Armen Hampar, Zaven Khanjian, Michael Nahabet,

Alex

Sarkissian, Bob Shamlian, Raffi Zinzalian.

BENEFACTORS Sarkis Acopian, Albert and Tove Boyajian, Hirair Hovnanian, The Lincy Foundation

Louise Manoogian Simone

SENIOR TRUSTEES

AUSTRALIA: Heros & Kate Dilanchiani CANADA: Razmig Hakimian, Kourken Sarkissian HONG KONG: Jack Maxian CALIFORNIA: Khachig Babayan, George & Flora Dunaians, Araxie M. Haroutinian, George & Grace Kay, Joe & Joyce Stein RHODE ISLAND: Papken Janjigian FOUNDING TRUSTEES AUSTRALIA: Varoojan Iskenderian CALIFORNIA: Garen Avedikian, Mardo Kaprielian, Edward Misserlian, Bob Movelf , Varoujan Nahabet, Norair Oskanian, Emmy Papazian, Zareh Sarkissian, Raffi Zinzalian FLORIDA: Hagop Koushakjian PENNSYLVANIA: Zarouhi Mardikian ASSOCIATE TRUSTEES Ralph and Savey Tufenkian

u1,

Il,, ]r""t

o'l

otr

Commerce Casino: Hasmik Mgrdichian, George Tumanjan

NASA Services Inc.: Sam & Elizabeth Sarkisian, Nick & Kamelia Sarkisian, Arsen Sarkisian Remax of Glendale: Vahe & Aida Yeghiazarian

PATRONS

ARMENIA Khachatur and Rouzanna Soukiassian

AUSTRALIA Aman

Nairi Derderyan George and Vanouhi Tavoukjian and

Anin Etmekjian Anonymous

CALIFORNIA Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian Gdabed Akpolat Armand and Nancy Arabian

Underexposed,

July

1999, Mrs. Anna

Jebejian was incorrectly identified as Mrs. Alexanian. AIM apologizes for {he error.

reference to Notebook, June 1999, AIM has been informed that it is standard pm-

cedure in all Antelias-affiliated churches that permission from the Prelate be granted if any clergyman other that the parish

priest is to perform or participate

in a

sacrament. This includes Antelias-afFrliated clergy, and obviously then, Mekhitarian priests, as well.

Vartkes and Jean Barsam Hmy and Alvart Barseghian Amm and Terez Bassenian Berj and Hem Boyajian Hagop and Violet Dakessian Ardash and Marian Derderian

Dimitri

Tamua Dimitri Steve and Lucille Estephanian Manoushag Femanian Gagik and Knr Galstian Vahan and Audrey Gregor Piene and Alice Haig Amen and Gloriat Hampar and

Arpiar and Hermine Janoyan Waher and Laurel Karabian Kevork and Satenig Kaajerjian Nishant and Sona Kazazian John and Rose Ketchoyan Gary and Sossi Kevorkian Zaven and Sona Khanjian Krikor Krikorian Dora Serviarian Kuhn Avik Mahdesiant Stepan md Erdjanik Markdian Harout and Rita Mesrobian Edward and Alice Navasargian Kenneth and Cindy Norian

Rafi Ourfalian Michael and Hemine Piranian Hratch and Helga Sarkis

CANADA Migirdic and Ani Migirdicyan

CONNECTICUT

uis T. Hagopian

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ITALY Krikor and Harout Istanbulian LEBANON Kevork Bouladian MASSACHUSETTS Richard Simonian

MICHIGAN GeorSe Chamchikian

Alex Manoogiant Kirakos Vapurciyan NEVADA Larry and Seda Bmes

Alex Sarkissian

NEWYORK

Roben and Helen Shamlian

Harry and Aida Koundakjian Vahe Nishaniant

Petros and Garine Taglyan

Ara and Avedis Tavitian

UNITED KINGDOM

Gaidzag and Dzovig Zeitlian

Diran and Suzi Chakelian

FRIENDS OFAIM The Fourth Millennium Society is grateful to the following for contributing during the last month to ensure AIM's financial independence.

FRANCE: Piene Terzian; JORDAN: George and Mary Dakessian CA: Kevork & Liza Santikian: MD: Garo S. Matossim.

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Finst llate Jittcns Amenia and lliaspora are iust beginning lhe lomal couilship plocess

The

Armenia-Diaspora Conference scheduled for

September 22-23 in Yerevan is the first attempt at this megalevel to begin to formally, systematically, regularly, thoroughly study, understand and improve relations between Armenia and the Diaspora. Or should that be Armenia and its Diaspora? A lir tle of both. The Armenians in Russia and Eastern Europe are largely former residents of Armenia, looking for better economic opportunities. The Armenians of Europe and North and South America, as well as the Middle East, are the descendents of

those who were deported from their homeland-Western Armenia. Today, these two groups together are Armenia's hope. And Armenia, for many Diasporans, is either a dream or a memory, of great significance. To say that the conference this September is going to be something like a first date for all concerned is no trivial comparison. How to impress? What to say? To defer and let things pass or start strong from the first moment? To show who's in charge right out front, or to wait and see how the give-and-take develops? When and how to decide whether it's worth continuing to meet like this? What does the other expect?

Each side will have different answers to these and all other questions. What will they ask me when I get home? Will I lose face if I never do this again? And the killer question-what can be done to get the other to change just a few bad habits? Nobody ever said first dates are easy. Most are memorable-often for the wrong reasons. Still, they are an unavoidable step that must be taken in order for both sides to move on and see what kind of relationship is possible. In the case of Armenia and the Diaspora, the outcome-the final relationship-is clear. These two have been betrothed to each other for a very long time. The relationship just hasn't had a chance to grow. Their infrequent meetings are laden with expectations (often unreal) on both sides. The long-distance between the two has taken its toll-as it so often does. This conference is only a first date (or a second date after a long separation). It's not the whole relationship. Let it happen, take the good from it, and move on to a second date. This first formal meeting depends, to some extent, on the chaperones, but mostly it will hinge on the seriousness-and maturity-of the

partners.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

Iaking J.R. llut ol Yeneuan Bfinging rcality in Peyton Place was the first, Santa Barbara was the most recent and Dallas the most ostentatious. These are the lifestyle shows, the "soap opera" which condense all life activities, all crises, all real and imagined and potential traumas into one life cycle and package it as entertainment for the world. The average television viewer knows that despite what the screen says, the normal gestation period for a human baby is nine months, that the average income of an American household is less than $500,000, that few wardrobes include all the latest vogue fashions, and fewer still are the number of women who wake up in the morning looking like Cindy Crawford. The average viewer knows this because he or she (and most of his or her friends and relatives) indeed earn a small fraction of JR's income, live in neighborhoods not at all similar to Peyton Place and know no one who looks or acts like anyone in

why should Dallas be necessarily viewed as fiction? It's a small leap from that conviction to the assumption that anyone can and does live, notjust in Dallas and Santa Barbara, but also llke Dallas and Santa Barbara. It is against this background that Armenian-Americans are surprisingly, frequently judged in Armenia. They are fictional characters living incredible lives. As such, they are in no position to understand or empathize with, or join in any local

TV's

The results? Expectations from individuals and organizations which are completely unfounded; disappointment and loss of face in light of less-than-expected delivery; a cooling of

Santa Barbara.

But the average viewer in Armenia has none of this firsr hand knowledge or experience. As a result, the very real-seem-

of American fiction come to embody a rock band's excesses or Disney's entertainments are real despite seeming incredible, then a soap opera can easily be authentic. America, after all, is the country which places larger-thanlife TV in living rooms, where disposable panties can be purchased, and where ticketless flying in preferred. In this context, ing

characters

real America.

ARh6EN

Realty

problems, challenges, undertakings. The two sets of lives, the one from Yerevan, the other from America, appear to have nothing in common-no intersection.

It is not the American or Armenian-American reality that the average Yerevan resident sees or knows. It is the extrapolated version of the phony American reality which is all they see, and which they ascribe to Armenian-Americans.

relations between the two newly-reconciled halves

the

nation.

anyone wants the Armenia-Diaspora relationship to get

serious, real images and true depictions

of American-and

Armenian-American life-need to get to Yerevan. Until then, J.R. Ewig is more real than the local priest or party chief. !

Siran Der-Bedrossian 18 Years

of Experience

Rrerrox CRS - GRI Monrcacs Bnornn

Pager: 954.992.0630 Fax 954.938.8955 Eve: 954.555.0452

Norany Pueuc TRANSLATOR

E-mail: armenrealty@att.net Web page: wr,vr,rr.newmls.com/armenrealty

YOUR REAL ESTATE CONNECTION IN

FLORIDA (954) 938-9858

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

Conflict Resolution AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

mlt would have been the biggest genocide since the second world war.r, primeMinisterorr"#:"::#::il,'1",rr,2-5yearsaso to send Tuikish tritops t|"infude northem Cyprus

E d i to r i

; r;;o*

Ghristian hith o-*,an culhrrc,iust as Armenian culUrc has cortributed to enriching the understanding of tfte Ghristian faith in new and unique ways.ll John Paul Il

IIIhe

"Now we feel Turkey has to consider a serious opening to Armenia and score new points. The late Alparslan Turkes, leader of the Nationalist Movement Pafi (MHP), had made a point of trying to improve Turkey's ties with Armenia despite his nationalistic views and close affiliation to Azerbaijan. Maybe the MHB which is now in power with a strong showing in the coalition government, will also support such a policy."

-Pope

IIlt's very clear to me how people in Gumri (Armenia) are conneoted to people in Humboldt (Kansas) and what somebody does in Humboldt does make a ditference to what happens in Gumri.ll Wollen

-.ludy '7;,'fl:;;;!i#:;::L':#r;:':{';,:l; llWe have in our program that we will push our Parliamentary ac'tivity for Armenia to become a center for collaboration among Russia, Georgia, Armenia, lran, and Arab countries, that we will create a real economic partnership, and become a factor against 1{AT0 and Western pressure against our region,tl

-Hrant

Khachatrian

at,

r;ll

B:,?;f$:-",

"While Armenia's policy towards Turkey has been hostage to history, Turkish policy has been hobbled by its concern for the Azerbaijani position in the conflict. The current deadlock in the [Karabakh] peace process speaks to the necessity for a more active Turkish role, with greater independence from the Azeri position in the conflict.... A more even-handed Turkish approach would also strengthen the hands of liberals in Armenia and encourage them to change their stance with respect to peace negotiations."

_Bulent Aras

Department of International Relations, Fatih University, Turkey

"0ur bilateral relations with Turkey should not be conditioned by our relations with a third party." Kocharian

-Robert President

of Armenia

"Turkey's need for a rapprochement with Armenia is not just for immediate pragmatic reasons, but to strengthen its moral standing in Europe and its relations with Russia." us coordinator Committee

on Eastem

zurop" onalrlli3

r:*Xi;

"l prefer that the Turks not screw up.... they cannot be in Europe if they do not act like Europeans."

Member of Armenian Parliament, Justice and Unity Alliance

Brzezinski

-Zbigniew Former US National Security Advisor

IIWe haue to recognize that the years of Heidar Aliyev's leadership [in the 1970s] began a new era for Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. . . Thus, if in 1970 Azerbaijanis made up 18 percent of llagorno Karabakh's population, in 1979 they were 23 percent, and after 1989-30 percent.ll ,rr"rro,

*ffi'^:::::;

llKarabakh is not only Azerbaijani but also Muslim territory.ll -Movladi

Udugov

Former Prime Minister of Chechnya

Ililo

amount of money will buy Karabakh,

it is too

expensive.tt Ghukasian

-Arkady President of Karabakh

IlArtsakh (Karabakh) is not an issue, Artsakh is an occupied part ol Armeniall -Hrant

Matevosian

Prominent write4 Writers Union of Armenia

IlThere is no northern or southern Azerbaijan [ran], there is one united Azerbaijan.tt -Eldar

Garadagly

Chairman of newly established Azerbaijan Salvation Party

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 1999

Caucuian Battlefields, The Battery Press, 1953.

o K

MinisteninU to [iplomats When Garnik Nanagulian, 46, left his post as Armenia's Minister of Industry and Tourism in November 1998, many wondered what he would do. Would he join the private sector in Armenia? Would he leave the country completely? Nanagulian did neither. "I left thinking I'd get a position in an American think tank, maybe, For two reasons: Both to give me some time to think, reflect on all that's gone on in Armenia since 1991, and also for personal reasons: family, financial, etc. I did not think I would end up at Harvard." Yet, that's where Nanagulian is. He has a one-year position as Visiting Fellow at the Harvard University Center for International Affairs, where he rubs elbows with other current and former ambassadors and ministers from Sweden, the UK, Iran, Spain, Mexico and other countries around the world. "The conditions at Harvard are ideal," he says, "both to think, and to find ways to help my country. I will go back to Armenia, either to the private sector,

or to anotherjob in government." Until then, Nanagulian is conducting research and teaching three seminars, all of which fit right in line with his experience in Yerevan, and his years in Canada as Armenia's first ambassador there. Graduate students in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area can sign up for Nanagulian's courses in Post-Soviet Development in the Transcaucasus, or US Policy Perspectives on the Region, or Problems of Controlling Comrption in Emerging Democracies. At the same time, Nanagulian sits on the board of the Canadian Intergold Company, and consults with an American firm, as well. "Leaving a job in Armenian govemment does not mean that a life or a career is finished," notes Nanagulian. "This is not the end of the road."

Henoic Pnorurtions A monument dedicated to national hero General Andranik was inaugurated in the Malatia-Sebastia district of Yerevan on the 134th anniversary of the popular hero's birthday. Designed by Ashot Smbatian, the statue is the work of sculptor Rafik Sargsian and was funded by the municipality of Yerevan as well as several benefactors. However, the opening of the monument was not without controversy. While the statue presents Andranik in deep thought "pondering his homeland," former Yerevan Mayor Suren Abrahamian disagreed with the design, arguing that it does not represent the great hero's "real image," which is generally depicted on a white horse with sword and military uniform and medals. There are plans to build a public park adjacent to the monument, with swimming pools, fountains, playground and tennis courts. According to local Malatia-Sebastia officials serious thought is being given to rename the southwest Massive district of Yerevan the Andranik District. Meanwhile, the remains of the genera'l are scheduled to be transferred to Armenia from a Paris cemetery where they were transferred in a year after his death in Fresno, Califomia, in 1927. Born in Shabin Karahisar in northeastem Turkey, in 1866, Andranik Ozanian is famous as the general who fought the Russians from the days of the Tsar through early Soviet times. Prior to that, he fought the Turks as a member of Armenian self-defense groups as early as the 1890s during the Abdul Hamid massacres. He continued to work for Armenian self-determination even in the decade during which he lived in Bulgaria, prior to the Genocide of 1915, as he provided armaments and other forms of assistance to fedayees in Turkey. During and after the Genocide, he led bands of refugees and soldiers in Armenia's defense. He led the Armenian legion of the Caucasus army. In 1918, just as the Transcaucasian republics were declaring their independence, Andranik played a decisive role in saving Zangentr from Turkish domination, and in defending Shushi from attacking Turkish armies.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

48 Percentage of Azeris who lack confidence in

the

48 Percentage of Armenians who lack confidence

in the US

48 Percentage of Georgians who lack confidence

in Armenia s k

Number of design companies in Montana named Ararat

lile $auinu lechnolouy

A couple of times ayear, a flyer on a community center wall repeats familiar plea. The name is different but the desperation is the same: An Armenian with leukemia is looking for a suitable donor (AIM, July 1998). Leukemia, or cancer of the blood, can sometimes be cured by a bone marrow transplant. However, the bone marrow used for the transplant must come from a compatible donor or the body will reject it. For most people, the most compatible donors are members of their family, or their ethnic group. That is why there are national bone marrow registries in 35 countries around the world and over 3.5 million registered volunteer donors worldwide. However, it is unlikely that a bone marow registry in the US or Canada or France will help an Armenian leukemia patient, since those data bases will not contain information about enough local Armenians or other Armenians living outside that country. a

Thus, the creation

Percentage of St. Petersburgs 53 theater, mrrsic, dance and film festivals last year which were partly or entirely privately funded

50 Number of days which elapsed after May 28, 1918 that Armenia's National Council actually left Tbilisi and moved to Yerevan

77 Number of Armenians in Armenia's first National Assembly of 8O members elected in

1918

of an Armenian Bone Marrow Registry in

Armenia, which was registered in July 1999 as a charitable trust, will facilitate registering volunteer donors as well as needy patients in order to facilitate the life-saving transplants. Frieda Jordan (inset, left), a biochemist, who is Associate Director of the HlA-Immunogenetics lab (tissue typing and compatibility tesr ing) at the noted Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, heads the charitable trust, whose honorary chair is Armenia's First Lady, Bella Kocharian. Kocharian, a pediatrician, is committed to find ways to assure the success of the Registry and make inroads in saving children's lives in both Armenia and the Diaspora. The goal of the trust, which has already sent its first trainee, Armenouhi Husyan, from Yerevan to Cedars Sinai, is to set up a tissue typing laboratory in Armenia. This would be the first one in the region to bring this kind of service and technical expertise to the Caucasus and the Middle East

Funding requirements-always an issue-are minimal, according to Jordan, who has been working with Cedars Sinai for future collaboration. The Armenian Health Ministry, has offered space at the Hematology Institute for the laboratory. After all, this is one ofthose rare cases, explains Jordan, where the Diaspora is as dependent on Armenia as Armenia is on the Diaspora. The Bone Marrow Registry Trust is working through the non-profit Armenian Health Alliance of Massachusetts to proceed with the laboratory set up and initial data collection.

Number of Yezidi and Muslim representatives in Armenia's First National fusembly in 1918 3

Number of Armenian women afirong the77 Armenians in the first NationalAssembly of

1918

1945 The year French women were allowed to vote

5-10 Number of tirnes greater a Russian soldier's pay is if he's stationed in Kosovo, rather than

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER

Armenia

999

ITALY

ARGENTIlIA

Italian Minister of Transport, Ticiano Treu, and his Armenian counterpart YervantZakaian signed a bilateral cooperation agreement in Yerevan which will regulate transportation between the two coun-

Armenia's Constitutional Court Chairman, Gagik Haroutiunianwhile on a visit to Argentina heading a delegation from Armenia for consultations with the representatives of the Armenian commu-

tries. According to Zakarian, the agreement will not impose any quotas and will eliminate double taxation. It will also regulate customs services and deal with security issues. Minister Treu promised Italy's support for Armenia's bid

nities in South America-met

for full

Menem, the Acting Head

membership in

with Argentinean

President, Carlos

of the Government of

Buenos Aires, Enrique Oliveira, the Chairman of the

ropean Transport Minis-

Supreme Court of Julio Salvador Nasareno,

ters (currently Armenia

and the Chairman of

the conference of Eu-

has observer

Argentina,

the State

status),

Mint,

scheduled next year in

Armendo Kostanian.

London. So far, Turkey

During the meetings

and Azerbaijan

have blocked Armenia's participation in the London

Conference

Armenian-Argentin-

ean bilateral relations and their devel-

as a full

opment were dis-

member.

cussed.

IRAl{

UKRAIl{E

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi patd a one-day official visit to Yerevan and met with President Robert Kocharian and other officials. During meetings with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian the two sides discussed bilateral political and economic ties and regional issues, including the Karabakh conflict. Kharrazi

Prime

said that Tehran is ready to facilitate a "dialogue between the leaderships of Armenia and Azerbaijan" to end the protracted dispute over

Karabakh. Oskanian welcomed Iran's "serious interest"

Karabakh settlement, but pointed out that the OSCE should remain the main forum for negotiations. The Armenian-Iranian $120 million gas pipe project was also prominent on the ministers' agenda. o Armenia's Ambassador to Iran, Gegham Gharibjanian, met with Iranian Parliament (Mejlis) Speaker, Ali Akbar Nateq-Nuri in Tehran. The Speaker noted thatArmenian-Iranian bilateral ties have grown in the last few years and that relations in various fields should be further promoted. Referring to the region, Nateq-Nuri said: "We are totally against interference by foreign countries in the internal affairs of the region and we believe that regional states should through promotion of bilateral and multilateral relations solve their problems and prevent foreign interventions." At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Gharibjanian submitted to his Iranian host an invitation for a visit extended by the Armenian Parliament Speaker. Nateq-Nuri said that he would pay a visit to Yerevan at an opportune time.

GREECE A delegation of the Greek OTOE Federation of Bank Trade Unionsrepresenting 90 bank officers in Greece-and the OTOE Institute of Labor visited Yerevan and established formal relations with bank officers in Armenia. Possibilities for training and technical support to Armenian financial officers were the focus of discussions. The Greek organizations have signed an agreement with the Greek government under which the OTOE will implement training programs in Armenia and Georgia, within the framework of the Technical Assistance Protocols signed by the Greek, Armenian and Georgian governments.

Minister

Yazgen Sargsian paid an official

visit to

Ukraine.

Meeting with his

Ukrainian coun-

terpart,

Valery

Pustovoitenko, in

Kiev, the focused

talks

possibilities

the

increasing trade between the two countries by at least two to three times. Recently, bilateral trade has decreased by $13 million. Sargsian welcomed Ukraine's cooperation with Armenia within the framework of the European Union's INOGATE program (above) and the development of the TRACECA transport corridor.

KARABAKH Major-General Seyran Ohanian was appointed Defense Minister of Karabakh by President Arkady Ghukasian. The controversial former Defense Minister Samvel Babayan retained his position as Commander of the Karabakh Army. Bako Sahakian, Armenia's former representative for Interior and National Security Ministry in Moscow, was appointed Interior Minister of Karabakh. o Meanwhile, a group of US House of Representatives visited Stepanaket as part of their tour to the region. Headed by Representative Cony Morella, the delegation met with Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasian. Possible resolution to the Karabakh was the focus of discussions. Ghukasian told the delegation that his govbrnment supports OSCE's latest, November 1998 peace proposal, which was rejected by Baku. He also thanked the US Congress for its approval of direct US government aid to Karabakh.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

POLAI{D President Robert Kocharian

paid an official first visit to Poland. During meetings with Polish President Aleksander

Kwasniewski, talks focused

on establishing bilateral economic and political contacts. The two presidents also participated in the opening ofthe

Polish-Armenian

Business

Forum in Warsaw. Kocharian and his delega-

tion visited the site of

the

Auschwitz-Birkenau former Nazi death camp in OswiecimBrzezinka and laid flowers

(left) paying tribute to

the

25,fi)0 victims who were executed at the site. "This crime against mankind should never be forgotten, and it will not be forgotten," wrote Kocharian in the visitors'book in the Auschwitz State Museum. Kocharian also met with members of the Armenian community in Poland. There are an estimated 40,000 persons of Armenian origin living in Poland. The Union of Armenians in Poland, which was reactivated in 1997, has 3,000 members.

GEOBG!A Culture Ministries of Armenia and Georgia signed in Tbilisi an cultural cooperation, as part of the broader 1993 interstate agreement on "Cultural, Scientific and Humanitarian Cooperation." The cooperation will promote cultural relations between the two countries and will foster exchanges in cinematography, theater, music, art, museum management issues and library sciences. Meanwhile, in Yerevan, another agreement of cooperation agreement on

was signed between Armenia's Chief of Presidential Staff, Alexander Harutiunian, and Georgia's Chief of the Chancery of the President, Petre Mamradze. The agreement will create mechanisms to share experiences and exchange information in 1998-2000 between the two countries' presidential staffs.

cHrl{A

UNITED STATES The US House of Representatives, in passing the Silk Road Act which is designed to expand US trade and economic agreements with the countries of Central Asia and the Caucusus, maintained Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, despite pressure from the White House to eliminate it. Section 907 bans direct government-to-government aid to Azerbaijan until Baku lifts its blockade of Armenia. The House also approved the year 2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, which ensures US assistance to Armenia at this year's levels or higher, and pushes for an end to the Karabakh conflict. The Senate version (passed in June) also maintains Section 907 and provides "not less than $90 million" in aid forArmenia, of which $15 million is earmarked specifically for the earthquake zone. . A US Congressional delegation, including John Porter (above left) and Frank Paltone (above right), the co-chairs ofthe bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues which brings together some 70 US lawmakers, visited Yerevan. The delegation met with President Robert Kocharian and a number of Armenian officials, and discussed US-Armenian bilateral relations. The Caucus has been very active and instrumental in passing key and significant pro-Armenian initiatives in the US Congress. The Congressional team visited Stepanakert and Baku as well.

Armenia and China signed a protocol establishing an ArmenianChinese Commission for Tlade and Economic Cooperation. The commission, consisting of nine representatives from each side, will foster cooperation in all economic spheres. Armenia attaches great importance to wider cooperation with China according to Flrair Aramian of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Already several Chinese-sponsored economic development projects are being implemented in Armenia, including the establishment of joint production of mini-tractors in Armenia, the modemization of the Hrazdan Power Plant, and the development of Armenia's mining industry. China is allocating $35 and $330 million for the latter two projects respectively. While geographic distance between the two countries remains an obstacle to deeper economic cooperation, the level of foreign trade tumover between Armenia and China amounts to about $10 million, of which 9.9 million are imports.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

ROMANIA

Armenian Defense Minister, General Vagharshak Harutiunian (left) and his Romanian counterpart, Victor Babiuc, signed a military cooperation agreement in Bucharest. The agreement calls for collaboration in the defense industry, in military training, and in the protection of military information.

Harutiunian also met with Romanian Prime Minister Radu Vasilen.

col{sflTuTroilAl COUilTSSIOil

PRESIDEI{TIAL ADYISOB

President Robert Kocharian appointed a new

After dismissing four of his five

l5-member Constitutional Amendments Commission composed of legal specialists and constitutional law experts. Replacing the former commission which was appointed in May 1998 and chaired by Paruir Hairikian,

President Kocharian appointed ARF-member Razmig Davoian (righ0 as presidential advisor for public organizations, national minorities, culture and education. Also, a new Foreign Relations Department was established in the presidential administrative apparatus.

the new commission

will be headed by

will prepare a number of constitutional amendments to be discussed by parliament in October. In a little over a year, Hairikian's commission, which consisted of representatives of political parties from within and outside parliament, had prepared two sets of constitutional amendments which are already on the agenda of the National Assembly. Some of the more important issues up for study include the distribution of power between the president of the republic and the National Assembly, including the president's right to dissolve the legislative body, as well as questions concerning local administrative bodies. Amendments to the constitution are to be discussed in the context of a possible change from the presidential political system to a parliamentary one.

advisers,

Justice Minister David Harutiunian (right) and

ARMEilIAl{ ilATIOITIAL MOVEII|ENT In recent years Armenia's former ruling party, the Armenian National Movement (ANM), underwent major internal splits. Dissidents within the movement separated and established their own party or movement. Since February 1998, when former President Levon Ter Petrossian resigned, real political power shifted from the ANM to the Yerkrapah parliamentary group. Since then the ANM has found itself in a precarious position. With a tarnished public image, changing of the name of the movement had been discussed in ANM circles, but no practical steps taken. Recently, however, several liberal-minded ANM leaders seem to have adopted a new tactic by establishing tiny non-political organizations to regroup those followers who approve ofthe political line ofthe movement but do not wish to be identified with it. In the last three months, ANM leaders have founded three such organizations. Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Babken Ararktsian, founded the Root organization; Vice President of the National Assembly, Karapet Rubinian, established the Way to Europe; and most recently, ANM vice president, Andranik Hovakimian, established Yerevan.

MAYORS AND COiTMUI{ITY HEADS

SoGrAL-ECONOmlc COUI{GIL Five minor political parties-Armenia's Liberal Democrat Party, the Democratic Party, the Constitutional Rights Union, the ScientificIndustrial and Civic Union, and the Union of Socialist Forcesannounced the formation of a Social Economic Inter-Party Council, which will continue the task of the social-econornic committee of the former Political Council established by President Kocharian in September 1998. The new council brings together Armenia's larger political parties and provides them

CONSTRUGTION The Lincy-3 progrtrm, a $15 million construction project in the earthquake zone is due to be implemented soon after the announcement of the results of the tender presented by building companies. The American Red Cross, which is heading the program to be completed by the end of 2000, said that in the first stage some 14 residential buildings will be constructed in Gumri and two in Vanadsor. The second stage will include construction of 160-180 apartments in Spitak. The remaining funds will be used in the Lori and Shirak regions.

and

Varazdat Mgrtchian were elected community chiefs for Yerevan's Davidashen, Malatia-Sebastia and Nork-Marash districts respectively. The previous community chiefs of these four districts have been elected to the National Assembly. The poll in the fourth district of Ajapniak were declared void after there was shooting during the election.

forum to express their views to the

The president's Political Council was dissolved after the May parliarhentary elections afforded all major parties the opportunity to be represented in the new parliament. However, since the members of the President's Council had been pleased by the work done by the social and economic committee, they decided to preserve it under another form, without any links to the president of the republic. The founding parties were convinced, however, that the membership of the new Council would grow and would become a place for wide inter-party cooperation. Already, the founders declared that the ARF, Communist Party and the Artsakh-Hayastan Union will soon become members, too. The founders have rejected a pre-condition set by the National Democratic Union, which requested the right of veto over the work of the new council.

The new government in Armenia appointed Vahakn Hakobian governor of the Gegharkunik region. While elections for local self-government bodies are scheduled for November, several posts were filled through early elections. Varujan Nersisian was elected mayor ofljevan, the previous mayor, Armen Ghularian, was appointed governor of the Davush region. Garen Yesayan and Hamlet Sardarian were elected mayors of Alaverti and Spitak respectively; Spitak's former mayor was elected to

the National Assembly. Suren Ghukasian, Aghvan Grigorian

authorities.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

RESHUFFLE Following the formation of the new government, Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian reshuffled a number of ministries. The Finance Ministry was affected most: Ara Aslikian was appointed First Deputy Finance Minister, and Merujan Mikayelian, Pavel Safarian, Gagik Arzumanian and Adom Janjughazian (also Chief Treasurer) were appointed Deputy

Finance Ministers. Garen Sargsian was appointed Deputy Energy Minister and Garen Adonts became the second ranking person in charge of Ministry's coordination of productive infrastructures. At the Ministry of State Revenues, Grigor Melkumian was put in charge of the Customs Department. Sargsian also appointed four advisors to himself from the ranks of those ministers who were left without portfolio after the new cabinet appointments. Vladimir Movsisian became advisor for rural economy,

ecology, migrations, refugees and resettlement problems. Gagik Martirosian is advisor for productive infrastructures, urban construction, real estate and land registry; he will also head the central committee of humanitarian aid to the country. Levon Mgrtchian is advisor for social and religious affairs, Armenia-Diaspora relations, press and public rela-

tions; Andranik Kocharian will advise on national security, defense, interior affairs, emergency state affairs, executive policy and problems related to the reconstruction of the disaster area.

GOI]IG TO UilIVERSITY Higher education institutions in Armenia, including Yerevan State University, received 11,500 applications from high school students (above, taking entrance exams) for a total of 8,991 available spaces. Tuition fees for 3,284 students are paid by the state. This year there were 1,800 more applicants than in 1998.

PIPEL!1{E According to Armenia's First Deputy Energy Minister, Karen Galustian, Armenian experts' studies indicate that the construction of a pipeline to carry Caspian oil across Armenia-a route across the northern part of the country-would cost about $500 million less than any other option. Estimates for a pipeline from Baku to the Turkish Mediterranean coastal port of Ceyhan across Azerbaijan,

Georgia and Turkey range from $2.4 billion

to $3.7 billion.

Galustian stated that the Armenia route seems to make more economic and technical sense than other options. However, "Let the investor himself weigh all the economic and political factors," he said. Meanwhile, the European Union's INOGATE program for estimating the potential of gas exports from Caspian and Central Asian countries to Europe has for the first time included two routes across Armenia on the list of possible options for investors to choose from. In an unrelated interview with Moscow News, when asked about the possibility of the pipeline passing through Armenia, President Robert Kocharian said: "Naturally, the advantage of this route is obvious if you look at a map. However, I do not want the issue of the transportation of Caspian oil to be linked to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict which is inevitable in the given situation."

TED]A In partnership with the Eurasia Foundation,

the Cafesjian Family Foundation announced the establishment of a Media Strengthening Program (MSP) at Eurasia's Yerevan office with a grant of $88,750. The program's task is to establish an altemative full-color, commercial newspaper printing press inArmenia. The Cafesjian fund will provide the computers, technology, software and staff training to selected newspapers.

EBRD'S l{EW OFFICE The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) opened its office in Yerevan in mid-July. Armenia was the only country where the EBRD did not have official representation. The move is supposed to provide a new boost to the Bank's projects in Armenia. EBRD Vice President, Charles Frank (above left, with President Kocharian), who was in Yerevan for the opening ceremony, described Armenia as "a country with huge potential" where the bank intends to finance important investment projects. During the EBRD delegation's meetings with Armenia's President, Parliament Speaker and Prime Minister, discussions focused on investment possibilities in Armenia's energy, telecommunications and pharmaceutical sectors. They also discussed the development of small and medium size enterprises, as well as agriculture. Currently, one of EBRD's main interests in Armenia is ArmenTel, the country's 90 percent Greek-owned telecommunications monopoly. By the end of the year, ArmenTel's parent OTE could receive an EBRD loan of up to $80 million to be invested inArmenia's telecommunications network.

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

IMF AND TARIFFS After two weeks of difficult negotiations with the

International Monetary Fund, the government of Armenia pledged to comply with its commitments to the IMF. As a result, the IMF will decide in midSeptember whether to release some $28 million, the second and last portion of an ESAF loan to Armenia. If released, the loan will increase the Central Bank's reserves. It would also help Armenia's balance of payments and will back up the national curency. The IMF agreement is conditional for the release of the World Bank's $50 million structural adjustment SAC3 loan, the first trench of which was due to be released in June, but was postponed for the same reasons. The WB loan was to be used to finance the budget deficit. The IMF is asking Armenia to correct deviations from a mutually agreed course of action. The deviations have been observed in the economy since the beginning of the year. One of the main problems is the government's failure to meet the revenues in the state budget, which is 22 to 60 billion Drams short of projections. The government has either to find ways to raise the budget revenues through additional tax collection and increased tariffs, or to curtail the planned expenditures. The first option seems unrealistic due to the economic and social situation in the country. Curtailing budget expenditures will result in squeezing even further the already meager social programs for the current year. This, however, is a step the government is likely to take in September by addressing the National Assembly with a motion to introduce changes into the law on the 1999 budget. The current budget crisis was, above all, the consequence of the former government's over-optimism about the current year's economic performance, say current ministers. Another IMF requirement is that the financial situation of the energy sector be remedied. This has to be done either by raising the electricity tariffs or, again, by curtailing expenditures. While visiting a poor district in Yerevan, Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian pledged not to increase tariffs on electricity and telephone. The IMF "wanted to force me to do so" said Sargsian. "They told me: 'If you don't raise ttaritrsl, then we won't give the loan, which is already included in the budget and is to be used for the payment of wages'. I won't raise them; we'll find that sum from somewhere else," he concluded, trying to remain faithful to his election promises.

HAZARDOUS BUT BOOiIII{G Since July 1, all Armenia's imported cigarette boxes bear the inscription "smoking is Hazardous to Health," in Armenian. In addition to its obvious significance for health, this novelty is designed to constitute a major barrier against cigarette smuggling into Armenia, since the inscriptions are to be printed by the producers themselves, only for the boxes officially intended for the Armenian market. Prices are said to remain unaffected.

mfiilfrfi .*iffiffit*"

illj$l[ll

({ *

qu('ungffiltq*ur**o

Meanwhile, the main local cigarette producer, the CanadianArmenian joint venture Grand Tobacco company is to increase its production of more than five billion cigarettes per year by another billion. The company has been steadily increasing the volume of its exports, particularly to the CIS countries, but also to the US. The total value of cigarette exports increased from 44.4 million Drams in May to 68.2 million Drams in June (+65.1 percent). In July, increased export volumes and work done at the factory provoked a major shortage of Grand Tobacco cigarettes on the local market. Correspondingly, there was a jump in prices as well.

According to Grand Tobacco President, Hrand Vardanian, there are plans for the launch of a new cigarette producing enterprise in Armenia,

initiated by brothers Samvel and Karen Babayan, respectively Karabakh's army chief and mayor of Stepanakert. In the past, the Babayans were reported to have big stakes in the business of importing cigarettes. Last year, Karen Babayan became an important shareholder

ArmTabac, the second largest cigarette producing company in Armenia. Vartanian and Ruben Hairapetian, the main shareholders of Grand Tobacco, own 97 percent of ArmTabac since May 1997. Vartanian welcomed the competition. "If they produce good quality cigarettes for the local market, then we'll export more," he said.

GT PLAilT Iil ARMEI{IA After two years of studying investment possibilities in Armenia and the regional market, US car-manufacturing giant General Motors (GM) made a final decision to launch production in Armenia to assemble minibuses, small tractors and trucks. The company expects to sell its products mainly in Armenia, Russia and CIS countries. A delegation representing the company's US headquarters and its official CIS distributors visited Yerevan in July to finalize the project. AIA Motors, headed by Levon Hairapetian, is GM's distributor for CIS countries.

AIA Motors has provided Moscow's police department and medical institutions with police cars and ambulances. Those same official cars in Armenia are often 20 years old, and more than 700 vehicles are needed for various public institutions-in addition to the demand for new minibuses. According to the representatives of the company (above, with Armenian government officials), there is a big demand for such cars in the CIS. Hairapetian said that in the frst stage, large vehicles will be produced for the local market only, while keeping a close watch on production quality and standards. Production for other markets in the CIS will follow later. Assembling cars in Armenia would cost 30 percent less than in the US. The Yerevan plant is GM's 39th in the world and the second in the CIS, after Tatarstan.

FUEL PRICES Following brief shortages of bread, flour and local cigarettes, an acute fuel crisis was felt in the Armenian market, accompanied by a sharp increase in prices. In late July, most gas stations in the country were empty, and when gas was found, the price had risen from 3,600 Drams ($6) for 20 liters (5 gallons) to 6,000-8,000 Drams, at some places rising to as much as 12,000 Drams. The shortage was resolved a few days later, but the price of 20 liters was widely expected to stabilize at 4,000-4,200 Drams. The fuel shortage in Armenia coincided with wider shortages in Russia and Ukraine, following recent price increase of petroleum on the international market. However, Armenia imports its fuel from Bulgaria where no drastic shortage was reported. It was widely rumored that Armenia's crisis was related to the elections and to changes in the posi tions of those politicians who were said to be linked to the trade.

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

Eastern Eumpe Bulgaria

COI]NTRY

IMFORT

E)(PIORT

1998

wn.1

805363

l9yl

r99E

299136.7

23t02U.9

(in thousands of US$)

CIS Countries Azerbaiian Belarus Georgia Kazakhstan

n47.7

Moldova

856 44.8 150.3

Russia

62898.5

820.6 9573.3 366.s 37.3 36.6 39986.3

13751.9

0 22726.4

Kyrgyzstan

Tajikistan Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Karabakh

t0726.9

4t.t

3491.8

3971.8

1410.3

444.2 2573.3

152.4

62.7 3320.7

38248.3

2073.5 7.2 84.2

215862.t

t.4 t1560.2 202.8 13.4 2767

Czech Republic Hungary Macedonia Poland Romania Slovakia

66370.1 762763

Austria

765.9

Belgium

46966.t

Denmark Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece

Ireland

Italy Luxembourg Netherlands

0.9 0 42.4

9281.6 1160.9

157.9 75.8 368.3 56.2

6236.5

Portugal

1.0

Spain Sweden

0.5

1256.1

50.0 49838.9

t754.6

0.3

0.r

249.0

70406,3 61ffi.9

70.2

China Cyprus Egypt

111.9

Canada

Iran

2488.1 2096.4

54631.0 4360.1 1756.2 27413.5

177

7912.3 4.8 0.2

15437.8

9t.l 471.7 662.2

24.2

1250.5 2470.2 39.5 t634.t 1424 354.4

293313 16186.1

37s6.6 2961.9

r26.t 3154.3 981.3 620.1

7U2 2.4 435.7 269.1

l3g9.2 t73.4 448.1 '177.7

39952 232.5 1660.0 2tO2;7

t6.2

Japan Jordan

47.9

0ther Countries

Estonia

2755.6

36244.3

3.1

553.5 8932.3

Baltic CounHes

2590!109

801.7

332.0 421.6

25443.3

Latvia Lithuania

19460.7 26222.2 34037.0 10450.5 69136.0 t0223.2 9131.3

66.2 9303.1 8097.8

ytms

1028.s

5X2 60.8 143.2 318

26830.2 456.0 7.1 68.1 191403.2

t7tt63s 2263.7

49673.1

13493

India EU Countries

525.1 464.4 24.1 o 00 0 00 00

8054.0 34583.6

800.I 9647.8 448.9 1814.4 521.2

42583.6

Lebanon New Zealand

Norway Panama

Singapore South

73.2 0 449.3 30.6 21.8

Africa

South Korea Switzerland Syria Turkey

367.7 123.9 223.5 0,1

264.2 31392.3

0 61.1 00 4219 t345.4 00 5.8 0 187.2 0 00 0 4.5 2 2.8 1572 .2481.8 2754.1 1295.5 7152.7 298',7.5 2938.4 3696.2

UAE United States

Other

1306.7

11566.9 5833.5

3E0300.9 31yr67.4

6585.r 7296.3 2966.6 13.5 t333.4

88671.4

2988.6 14"t.9 1993.3 21.2 5787.7 302s.6 534 1130 690.3 2263.9 4981.9

38395.9 7L'13t.5 116086.6

3284.3

s6293 9960.4 5240.8 124.8

3672.8 63912.5 6189.3 0.0 8237.9 94.8 1956.6 22083.1

848.7 85.6 807.0 25634.9 3925.3 56779.8 54480.7 96301.2 13801.3

Source: Amenia's Ministry of Statistics, State Begister and Analysis: AIM Research.

FIRST OUARTER OF 1999 In the first quarter of 1999, Armenia's foreign

trade registered a total of $493.3 million. Exports were at $111.5 million; imports $381.5 million. Trade balance was negative by $269.9 million ($236.4 million exclusive of humanitarian aid goods). Compared with first quarter of 1998, the volume offoreign trade circulation decreased by 7.3 percent, with exports falling by 3.9 percent and imports by 8.2 percent. As such, the negative trade balance decreased by 9.9 percent. Foreign investments in 1999 have totaled $8.65 million, about ten times less than same period in 1998 (984.5 million). In the first six months of 1999 industrial production totaled $246.2 million, an increase of 2.8 percent over last year's index.

LUTGyS $rOOn The US-based Lincy Foundation started funding loans under its $100 mil-

lion Entrepreneurial Lending Program, designed to foster the development of small and medium size enterprises in Armenia. The loan agreement htween the Lincy Foundation and the Government of Armenia was signed in July 1998. While Armenian banks generally provide only shortterm loans at interest rates as high as 50 percent, the Lincy funds will provide three-year loans to businesses with interest rates not to exceed 15 percent. Already four commercial loans have been granted to local businesses and another four applications have been approved and are await-

ing funding. Lincy is providing the funds as no-interest loans

Armenia's Central Bank to loan the funds to local Armenian banks at a rate of three percent per year. In tum, the banks will lend-in local currency-to local businesses, ranging in amounts from a minimum of

$ 100,000 to a maximum of $ I ,000,000. To apply for a loan, an applicant must be an Armenian citizen or an Armenian entity with a minimum ownership of 5 I percent by residents ofArmenia and no more than 20 percent

owned by the govemment. Credit evaluations and final decisions are made by the 14 local banks selected to participate in the project. The banks are also ible for all defaults.

TEtCOOil Intracom SA, Greece's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, won a three-year, over $100 million contract to supply equipment and services to upgrade Armenia's telecommunications network, which includes digitalization of wire networks. The first phase of the contract, signed with ArmenTel, Armenia's monopoly telephone company, and

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

CYPRUS The Council of Europe reprimanded the Turkish authorities of North Cyprus for failing to pay attention to the preservation of historic sites, including the St. MagarArmenian monastery (below) in occupied Halevaka, which was to be turned into a resort hotel. The Council asked Ertugrul Hasipoglu, representative from Northem Cyprus, to account for the situation of the monastery. He stated that the hotel project was developed "in order to save" the monastery, however, because ofinternational protest, the project has been cancelled. The Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Sub-committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, said to Hasipoglu: "I am happy to hear that you have cancelled the project. However, you are not giving us true information. I have investigated the project on the spot. Your aim is not to restore the monastery. You want to destroy the monastery. It is good that you have cancelled the project. However, you did not tell us the truth on this issue. This issue is not closed. You have to restore the monastery."

TURKEY On the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey (below, far left), attended a special ecumenical prayer service in the historic city of Antioch, where the followers of Christ were called Christians for the first time in history. A large crowd of Christians and Moslems, as well as local government officials attended the service over which Bishop Ruggero Franceschini, the Roman Catholic Bishop in Mersin presided. Later on the same day, Mesrob II met Patriarchs Bartholomew of Istanbul (below center) and Ignatios of Antioch (below right) at the St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Antioch. Following religious services, the three patriarchs were escorted to Harbiye (Daphne), a resort on the hills near Antioch, where a 300-people luncheon was held. While in the region, Mesrob II also met with the Turkish governor of Hatay province (below, far right). More recently, Patriarch Mesrob II received visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Harold Honglu Koh, in the patriarchal office. Koh was in Turkey to undertake what he described as "a listening tour" which included stops in Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern part of the country. During the 40-minute meeting, Mesrob II told Koh that the Armenian community did not encounter major problems in Turkey, however, "the Armenians in Turkey encounter certain problems that result from the regulations of the late I 930s goveming minority affairs which are still in force," said Mesrob II. He called for the "updating" of these regulations so that problems are more "easily" resolved.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

UilITED STATES

ROMANlA

e Califomia Governor Gray Davis

(right) signed rhe

Representatives of the Armenian community of Romania, along with other minorities, participated in a seminar on Inter-ethnic Dialogue in

1999-2000

California State budget which

the central Romanian town of Sfantu Gheorghe. Organized by the press association of the national minorities, the minority representatives expressed satisfaction with their status and rights in Romania, including, among other things, the fact that they are free to speak both

allocates $463,785 for the comple-

tion of a feature length documentary on the Armenian Genocide entitled The Wtnesses. The funding for the project was requested by State Senator Adam Schiff (D-

their respective languages and Romanian, the official language.

Burbank) (righQ.He represents the 2lst State Senate District with a significant Armenian constituency. The film will be produced by the Armenian Film Foundation (AFF) and used by educational institutions and public television stations. AFF, and the film's producer J. Michael Hagopian, have been researching the film for over a decade, and have interviewed some 350 survivors of the genocide. The three-part documentary is expected to be completed next year on the 85th anniversary of the Genocide. o An exhibit at the New Yorker Danesh Museum (New York City),

entitled "Revealing the Holy Land: The Photographic Exploration of Palestine" featured photos of Armenian pilgrims by Horatio Phillips taken in 1870 (below). Originally curated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the exhibit consists of 92 historic photographs and two albums from the late l9th century showing Jerusalem, the strategically important landscapes and many porhaits of people from the period.

LEBANOTTI The Beirut-based Haigazian University, the only Armenian higher education institution in the Diaspora, graduated 81 students during its 39th Commencement Exercises in June. BA degrees were conferred in Business Administration, English, Social Work, and Education; BS in Computer Science. This year also saw the first graduates in Medical Laboratory Sciences and an MA in Clinical

Psychology.

An Honorary Doctorate was conferred upon former

Dean Wilma Cholakian who had presided over Haigazian during the most difficult days of the Lebanese Civil War. Biology honor student, Ohannes Melemejian delivered the valedictory on the university's motto: Truth, Freedom and Service.

LATVIA The Armenian community in Latvia, together with 18 other ethnic minorities which make up 43 percent of the population of the country, in a letter of protest called upon the Latvian president to bring the law on the state language in line with international norms. The new law proclaims all non-Latvian languages as "foreign" creating discrimination against ethnic minorities. The law requires that all dealings with the state should be in Latvian, thus depriving most minorities of a chance to address government offices, to exercise and protect their rights, and leaves them defenseless before administrative and other arbitrary actions. The protest letter also notes that due to the low incomes of 80 percent of non-Latvian, they cannot afford to pay for translation into the Latvian language. The minorities in Latvia fear that this law will be used "as an instrument of

reprisals" against them and is aimed at "coercive assimilation of national minorities."

JOBNAN Armenian youth fromJordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Jerusalem attended the first ever Middle East Armenian Youth and Scout Camping at a 10,000 sq. meter camping site near Amman. Organized by the Armenian Watani Sporting Club of Jordan, some 100 youth, ages 14-25, participated in the week-long summer scouting, cultural and educational program.

CA]IADA The Armenian Medical Association of Quebec (AMAQ) and MAP International of Canada, a medical aid agency, sent a large shipment of medicine and hospital supplies acquired from the Canadian pharmaceutical and health care industry to Armenia. The $ 700,000 shipment completes a million-dollar-plus aid to Armenia by the Canadian-Armenian joint program. In addition, "two highly-qualified laparoscopic surgeons from Saskatchewan province will train doctors in Armenia. In 1994, a needs assessment in Armenia was conducted by a team of three AMAQ doctors and two McGill medical students. In 1995, MAP sent over $ 500,000 worth of medications to Armenia donated by Canadian research-based pharmaceutical companies. AMAQ includes more than 100 physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other health care professionals.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

Armenian journalists visit Azerbarlan for the first time since the beginning of the Karabakh Conflict Text & Photos By VICKEN CHETEBIAN, Geneva

he srnall UN plane took off frorn Yelevan's Zvartnots airport. It was June 28. The passengers were not the usual lbreign passport holding busincssrnen or diplomats. Six of them were Arrnenian citizens, and although I hacl the white-crossed Swiss passport. my name, too, ended with the tamiliar "ian." ln the plane, some were silent, while others talked and laughed. It still sounded incredible that we were heading to Baku. Upon landing. a UN ofllcial greeted us. He asked whether someone would be rreeting us. Although I said "yes." our contact there, Kernal Ali, a Baku-based journalist was nowhere to be seen. The airport security was not infbrmed that we were coming, but reacted in a very relaxed way and provided irs with a phone. One of the airport workers, a woman in her 40s. said loudly to a colleagrre, "Ranshe (Before) we had so many Armenian friends in Baku. They were very nice people." Forty minutes and many cig)4

arettes later, Kemal appeared accornpanied by tall and muscular officers. who would ensure our security over the next few days. The drive frorn the airport to Hotel Azerbaijan revealed the numerous images all first-time visitors encoLlnter: Aliyev posters and slogans everywhere. rusty oil-pipes and rigs. a brown countryside and the heat and humidity of summer. This was the l'irst group of Armenians going to Baku since the conflict over Karabakh turned into a lull-scale war. Our group included Alyosha Manvelian. the Armenia correspondent of the BBC-Azeri service, who had been to Baku and Ganja in 1996 and Gayane Movsesian, chief editor of SNARK news agency, who was born in Baku's Ermenikent district. The occasion ol our trip was the eighth conference of the three-year old Caucasus Media Support Project. In October 1991 , Azeri.journalists fnrrn Baku visited Arnienia and in the summer of 1998. a group of Azeri journalists took part in a conf'erence in Stepanakert. For over a year and a half. I had been trying to get the green light to come to Baku with Armenian.journalists. Baku is a special town. Aside from Moscow, probably it best represents the "transition" from Sovietism to capitalism. More than elsewhere, here one sees luxury cars, new hotel and office complexes, shops full of irnported ltalian shoes and Swedish furniture. Next to that. one can see a political system based on the Brezhnev-style personality cult, side-by-side with impovelished peasants fiom the countlyside looking fbr a day-job. As at the turn

AIM AIJGIIST,SEPTEMBER I 999

of the century, Baku remains a city of extremes. The idea of the Caucasus Media Support Project was simple: First, to create working conditions between journalists from different sides of a conflict; then, invite them to participate in conferences on the "other side," using the occasion to meet with local politicians and people, and return with material for publication or broadcast. Thus, journalists would become more sensitized to the "enemy's" fears, hopes and point of view, and therefore provide more varied reporting. This, in turn, could have great impact on public opinion. Communication by itself is not enough to resolve problems, and especially, one of the magnitude of the Karabakh war. But without many more such exchanges-at both the governmental as well as the people's level-it is impossible to imagine finding a civilized way to resolve conflicts. The conference featured some good papers, often better than those presented in earlier meetings. But, there was a general sense of impatience. The Armenian and Georgian participants wanted to go out to the streets, meet with the Bakintsi, and, especially, with politicians. And already on the second day, we were able to meet with Senior Presidential Advisor Vafa Guluzade. Guluzade had played an important role in making our visit to Baku a reality, by talking about it to the Azerbaijani president and receiving his agreement. Guluzade is a seasoned diplomat and the architect of Azeri foreign

He was there serving former president Ayaz Mutalibov, and he is there next to President Heidar Aliyev today. Guluzade speaks fluent English and is an Arabic specialist who served as the personal translator for various Soviet leaders, including Brezhnev, during meetings with Anwar Sadat, Yassir Arafat and others. But, surprisingly, what Guluzade said was not very diplomatic. He repeated his position, already heavily publicized by successive interviews given since late last year, that the conflict over Karabakh was, in fact, a struggle between the Azerbaijani drive to policy.

independence and Russian imperial forces.

He openned

the

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, read some passages from Russian analysts, and turned to the journalists packed into his office and said, "This confirms that the source of the conflict is Russia's struggle against the Azerbaijani people for complete independence. The Armenian nation has less possibilities to resist, and has become dependent on

the Russian rnilitary machine. Russia has even

unified

Mountainous Karabakh to Armenia, to keep Armenia in a dependent position. Without Russian protection, Azerbaijan could return Karabakh back to its rule." Guluzade is a diplomat with a difficult mission. How to explain the Azerbaijani defeat against such a tiny little force as Karabakh Armenians? Add Karabakh to Armenia, still they are

smaller than Azerbaijan in every aspect-population, economy, military. So, accusing Russia of being behind the war would serve

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

yet another aim of Azeri policy, that is to become attractive to the West, and especially to Washington. This policy was enhanced through oil contracts in the years between 1994 and 1997, and since oil discovery has been somewhat disappointing, now the policy is to attract the West through becoming a NATO base between Russia and Iran. This is a risky bet, but Baku does not seem to have many choices.

sanctions. The minister was also confident about the future of Caspian oil, and was not bothered by recent failures. "Although some companies are leaving, others are signing new contracts," he said. Even those who leave do so after having made important investments. For example, Pennzoil left Baku in February, after investing $120 million on the Karabakh offshore field, from which the Azeri economy benefitted.

The Russia-is-behind-it theory is popular in the region. In Armenia, many will tell you that the 1988 earthquake was in fact

The highlight of the trip was the meeting with President Aliyev. After being checked through double metal detectors, with

caused by the Russians through an underground explosion to pun-

cameras and recorders clicked on and off, we were invited to take our places in the presidential conference hall. Seven TV cameras were recording the encounter. Aliyev is an impressive personality, who has kept a firm grip on Azerbaijan for nearly three decades. But he looked pale and weak after his operation this spring in a US hospital. Aliyev started his speech by greeting the journalists in the three languages of the Caucasus: "Salam, Gau marios, Barev."

ish rebellious Armenians. In Georgia, the defeat in Abkhazia is directly attributed to Russian military intervention there.

No one bothers to take a serious look at Russia, to explain how that same omnipotent mega-power was defeated by disorganized Chechen rebels. In the midst of the crisis to explain both the sudden collapse of the Soviet giant, the reasons of the conflicts, and the curious phenomenon that smaller units-Karabakh, South ones any

Ossetia, Abkhazia, Chechnya- won against larger explanation is good, and any interpretation is political.

The president was informed that Azerbaijani journalists

had already been to Armenia, and expressed apreciation at such initia-

Then, Guluzade left the field of diplomacy to talk about history. "Ifone

tives. "The

talks about history,"

Aliyev said. "The creation of mutual trust is of the

said, "then

emotions

everyone

Yerevani Khanate, which

Russia created Armenia on Azerbaijani territory.

talk

years back, such visits were

about Zangezur. It was given to

difficult to imagine-that a

separate

group of Armenians could

to Baku-or vice versa. You journalists,

Azerbaijan from Turkey." The presidential advisor

come

also talked about the

through such

Armenian

which is using the issue

that European Armenians had recently held a gathering in Brussels, and decided to create a Geneva-based forum. In Baku, the Armenian Diaspora seemed to be held in higher esteem than among many politicians in Yerevan, even.

Zulfugarov is a young minister, who looked relaxed and impressed us as a professional. Without any introductory remarks, he was ready to answer questions. About Baku's attempts to enter into alliance with NATO, he said, "The idea of an Azeri-US military cooperation should be seen against the background of a Russian-Armenian military alliance." To the question that in spite

maintaining sanctions against Azerbaijan, Zulfugarov said that the sanctions were becoming less and less strong, and in the future Armenia itself might be subject to US

in a chain which will lead to peace in the

put

pressure on Turkey, "for events that happened" under the Ottoman regime. Why did a diplomat go so far? Was it done with certain political intentions? Or, was it Guluzade, the man, repeating beliefs commonly held by the Azerbaijani political elite? The foreign minister Tofik Zulfugarov was equally attentive to the activities of the Armenian Diaspora. For example, he knew

of oil, the US is

exchanges,

serve our strategic aim. I consider this a ring

Diaspora,

of the Genocide to

the

of the people,"

journalists is worthy of support. I think that journalists can do a lot. A few

was Azerbaijani territory.

Armenia to

l-year-old

utmost importance. In this context, the initiative of the

knows that Yerevan was

Let's

conflict has sharpened

Transcaucasus," he continued.

Aliyev analyzed the past, going back to the years ofthe Soviet

Union and talked in detail about his relationship with Karen Demirjian, now President of Armenia's National Assembly. He was confident that a peaceful solution can be reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Referring to Karabakh, he added, "I am not using the expression of autonomy, but the status of self-government, which can be the highest status that exists in international practice. To enter into a more detailed discussion one should agree with the idea that yes, Karabakh should have self-government status within Azerbaijan-this is a status bordering independence."

As for the opposition in Azerbaijan, Aliyev said: "We have opposition, but it is immature. I wish the opposition was serious, and didn't think exclusively about taking power." He added, "Our society transitioned from one system to another, and we are asked to have the highest form of democracy..." For the president, it is social and economic challenges which face Azerbaijan in the next century.

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I 999

At a time when Azerbaijan is insecure about the post-Aliyev period, Isa Gambar is considered one of five potential successors. Gambar, parliament speaker in 1992, during Abulfaz Elchibey's presidency, heads the Musavat party. Gambar's positions on foreign affairs and the Karabakh conflict is similar to those of the current authorities: Russia is the major enemy of Baku, and the major obstacle to resolving the Karabakh issue. Yet, Gambar has serious differences with the government, going so far as to say that "the current authorities are not legitimate and unable to solve both the issue of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and its socio-economic problems." About lran, Gambar said, "There are objective reasons for the difficult development of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan.

Iran does not want to see a normal, developed and stable Azerbaijan that could attract millions of Azerbaijanis living in Iran. Iranian Azerbaijan should have cultural rights, their own schools and the right to develop natural relations with Azerbaijan." On the sixth day, the Georgian journalists left by train, and five Armenian journalists went back to Yerevan on the UN flight. Two of us stayed in Baku, waiting for a flight the next day to Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan, for

stand towards the Popular Front position"-that is, considering Russia an adversary and not an ally. "On the plus side, Aliyev was able to bring order to a country that was under the shadow of armed groups." Still in the caf6, as the discussion was about to end, a skinny young man, with bad teeth, approached our table wanted to talk to "the Armenian journalists." There had been such great attention from all media-television, front page articles and photos-that people recognized "the Armenian journalists" as we walked in downtown Baku. The young man said that he was a leader of the young Turkic nationalists, and he wanted us to publish what he was about to tell us. It went like this: He believed that Armenia had won the war both de facto and de jure. But, in time, the Azeri people would avenge this and not a single Armenian would be left in the entire Caucasus. After the young man finished his speech, we had numerous questions: How many members do they have? What does it mean that "Azerbaijan lost the war de jure?" But the young man, trembling and excited, left almost immediately, as if to make his escape.

This was our only "aggressive" confronta-

tion. More

another

working trip to Central

commonly,

people talked about

the

friends they had,

the

Asia. We spent the extra day in Baku meeting with two

places they had visited in Armenia. A refugee from

more opposition leaders.

Alaverdi (northern Armenia) said that he

Zardusht

leader

Alizade, the Social-

dreams about the mountains of his birthplace nearly every night. He wanted to talk to the

Democrats, is a unique intellectual. Also an orien-

talist, he speaks Arabic like

an Egyptian; he

worked there in the 70s. "We think that the conflict should be

Armenian journalists, but

by the Armenian

To a journalist like myself, born in Beirut, the thought of six Israeli

solved

and the Azerbaijani

Armenia. "When will

all this end?" he asked.

peo-

ples, without NATO, without OSCE. Each mediator that comes here has its own interests," he said. Alizade's thoughts are along these lines-Karabakh should be

kept within Azerbaijan, its Armenian population enjoying all rights. For that, Azerbaijan should win Armenians' trust, and guarantee them their safety and prosperity within Azerbaijan. "Our party calls for dialogue with Armenia, and with Nagorno Karabakh," affirmed Alizade. "We never said let us give Karabakh to Armenia. In January, we called for an end to the blockade of Armenia. Our oil reaches the Armenian market through Georgia anyway."

For Alizade, a democratic Azerbaijan is the answer. "When the head of state changes, there will be a change on the Karabakh question. Aliyev has reached a dead-end," he concluded. The last meeting was with Nizami Guliev, a deputy in the (National Assembly) from the opposition Popular Front. The meeting took place in the "caf6 of the popular front,"

Milli Mejlis

behind the Turan news agency. "We do not support his domestic politics," said Guliev. "But in foreign policy, Aliyev has moved from his earlier pro-Russian

journalists visiting

and

being greeted with "When will all this end" or "We used to live

well together" is unimaginable. Yet, without parroting the typical soviet toast to "druzhbafriendship," there is no doubt, that based on prior meetings with politicized circles of officials andjournalists, we were expecting a more aggressive public. Azerbaijani public consciousness (at least in Baku-we never made it to the provinces) appears to be shifting away from confrontation with Karabakh. Two major areas of preoccupation are the post-Aliyev political era and the way the transition will take place; and, the fact that less oil is being discovered and more and more foreign companies are leaving the country. On July 2, we were at the airport again. After good-byes to Kemal and the security guard Fakhruddin, we checked in, and went directly to passport control. The officer there was surprised to see an Armenian passport; he got a bit nervous and then called his superior. He recognized us as "the Armenian journalists," and tried to behave civilly. "When will all this end?" he said.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

9S9

IhG HsK OI DGmO

Reforming Diaspora institutions will require freeing them from By AMBASSADOB

JlVAil IABIBIAN, Vienna

he issues related to

institutions in the Armenian

political manifes-

tations, as well as linguistic patterns. There are those who

very

are still predominantly Armenian speakers-Eastern or Western. There are those who speak predominantly the

There have been, over the last 70-80

of the more objective, sociologically significant traits

language of their residence or adopted citizenship: English, Russian, French, Polish, Greek, etc. There are those who speak both, and, more interestingly, those who are trilingual as a matter of convoluted transmigrations: Armenian-Farsi-English, Armenian-Russian-Polish,

of the Armenian Diaspora must be acknowledged.

Armenian-Arabic-French,

because the Armenian Diaspora itself is a

complex phenomenon. years,

for understandable reasons perhaps, sev-

eral self-serving myths surrounding the idea of diaspora. These myths must be put to rest, and instead, some

There

is no

single Diaspora. The Armenian

even Armenian-Arabic-

dis-

Portuguese or Armenian-Turkish-Spanish, or ArmenianTurkish-German. With these limitless permutations come

with multiple waves of

variations in world view, in consciousness, and ultimate-

Diaspora is a diaspora of diasporas. Geographically persed, multi-generational, and

migrations within migrations, nothing more can be said about all Armenians in the Diaspora than that they do not live within the borders of the Republic of Armenia. The ancestors of the majority of Diasporan Armenians were not themselves from within the borders of the pre-

ly, variations in self-definition.

This is why it is perhaps more fruitful to speak of self-definition, rather than to speak of identity. In a dynamic, modern, global context, the question of identi-

The large Diaspora communities in the countries of the former Soviet Union and its satellites, particularly in Russia or Poland for instance, are altogether different from those in the West and the Middle East. They are primarily Eastern Armenian in origin, and also split

ty for Armenians who are citizens of Argentina, Belarus, Canada, Ethiopia, Iran, Russia, Syria or the US is a burdensome and paradoxically alienating abstraction. It is self-definition that allows a more flexible, inclusive multidimensional way of coping with separate and multiple forms o[ belonging and functioning. Meanwhile, it is important to remember that host countries range across the full spectrum, from traditional, pre-modern, theocratic to modern, open, democratic secular states, from centralized to decentralized, from mixed agrarian to industrial to post-industrial, from unitary to homogeneous to multicultural multi-ethnic polities. The social place Armenians occupy in each of these diverse societies both as community and individuals varies enormously. In terms of civic rights and responsibilities, community and personal entitlements and obligations, as well as political participation, the variation is very great. Host countries can be broadly divided into three significant groupings: the Islamic and post-Ottoman world

variously among communities dating from before

(Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, etc.), the

1920, 1920-199 1, and after independence.

Western, European

sent republic. From host country to host country, Diasporan Armenians vary in historical experience, economic condition, cultural assimilation and homogeneity.

For example, the Lebanese community is largely

made

up of descendants of the survivors of the

Genocide in Western Armenia. On the other hand, the larger immigrant community in the US (and in particular Southern California) is made up of several layers: American-bom, third or fourth generation descendants

of refugees from Turkey who came from 1890 to 1922; later immigrants from Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Syria; and, more recently, Armenians from Soviet era and independent Armenia.

is a recent

group of economic emigrants from Armenia and Azerbaijan to Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and elsewhere who are only that: economic emigrants. These differences in experience and place of origin There

are reflected in cultural, economic and

Diaspora are complex and complicated,

and North American post-

Enlightenment secular democracies (France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Benelux countries, Canada and the US, etc.) and the East European, Slavic or Orthodox constellation (Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Rumania, Bulgaria, Georgia, etc.). The significance of these admit-

AIM AI]GI]ST-SEPTEMBER I 999

cFatvall0n each other's clutches, and insuring their autonomy tedly sweeping and rough distinctions is to emphasize the fact that for Armenians in these three main configurations, the principles and practices of what is civic, political participation, and political rights and relations with the "majority" are drastically different. In postOttoman states, the idea of religious-ethnic communities with identity and self-government has some continuity and tradition. But Western societies maintain a secular framework of unitary citizenship, allowing for some cultural expressions of community life without corresponding expressions of political representation. Based on these distinctions and variations in the politics, culture and society of the adoptive countries, one would expect the structures of the various Armenian Diasporan communities would similarly be distinguishable from each other, and that they would exhibit some unique, adaptive traits. This is not the case, however. Armenian community structures seem to be similarly conceived, similarly legitimized, similarly constructed, similarly functioning whether in Tehran or Toronto, whether in Baghdad, Beirut, Boston or Buenos Aires, whether in Nicosia or New York, or even Aleppo, Athens or Antwerp. The reason there is so much similarity between Glendale, Fresno, Marseille and Montreal, even though California, Quebec and France are different universes, is because they are descendants of our first, significant, distinctive Diasporan post-Genocide structures consolidated after 1918, essentially in the Middle East, in the post-Ottoman Arabo-Islamic world. There, our ideas of community, identity and community organizations were organically descended from the notion of millef. A com-

munity within the larger polity but apart, with selfadministration, quasi-autonomous structures, socio-cultural in nature, with some form of legitimate representation, a sub-community, apart, in the large cauldron of the larger society, with a very pre-modern notion of the "political." The anchor of the Armenian millet was the church, and the criterion of distinction was religion. By the time the Genocide of 1915 happened, the ARF-Dashnaktsutiun, the Hnchakian Social Democrats, and the Democratic Liberals (Ramkavars) had emerged. Influenced by 19th century European ideas and incubated in Paris, Zuich or St. Petersburg, they tried to add a

national, nationalist dimension to the religious commu-

nity identity. The process of nationalist-reformist transformation

of the millet system in 1908, within the overall progressive transformation of the Ottoman Empire, was a failure. And the brief first Armenian Republic did not last long enough to consolidate the modernizing, secular, democratic, strictly political transformation of the "political parties." They had begun primarily as liberation movements, and found themselves half transformed into political parties without a country in which to continue their evolution. Instead, they found themselves in Lebanon and Syria, in exile, with large concentrations of the old millet, destitute, rudderless, uprooted and in strange lands, but lands where the idea of millet still prevailed, still functioned and still constituted the framework for political life and power. Once again, the church became both the symbol and the defining icon of community identity. The separation of church and state never took place. Denied the opportunity to play a strictly political role, absent a counfiy and without formal, institutional political structures, the "political" parties gave themselves the role of insuring the physical protection and

survival of the rag-tag masses of the post-genocide Diaspora, of becoming the guardians of its identity and resisting its cultural assimilation. Thus, the parties became overarching, all-encompassing, multi-faceted, tentacular organizations. Their claim to legitimacy came from being sole defenders, and they competed with each other for title to that exclusivity. No activity, no social enterprise could be conceived outside a party's structures, ideology or leadership. The success and effectiveness of a political party was measured by the range and scope ofits penetration and control of the non-political associations and organizations that were created within emerging Diasporan communities. Church, school, press, cultural associations, sports clubs, social clubs--each became integrated within the domain of a party. A party's strength and claim to legitimacy came from the breadth and depth of its affiliated, captive, or satellite organizations. The church and its resources being the first prize, churches became the crown jewel.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1999

inuoil a ghotto

uultn tho klnd 0l

instltutlonal

ssuctuFos

fiat

mlnlorco It and gluo lt

fio antlficlal

tn0ppln0s 0l a psoudo-stato ls

cosuy.

This interdependence between political parties, on the one hand, and all aspects of community life, became the norm. It is still the norm whether in Syria or Lebanon or "exported" to the US and elsewhere. In its most acute form, in major Diasporan communi-

The

iletto,

a wonld apant,

eale in its

vulnenabillty,

is a state oI mind,

[ut lt ls not a state.

with no partisan preference, affiliation or allegiance, must be welcomed in an Armenian choir group or an

An association of Armenian medical professionals, lawyers, public health professionals, engineers, should not predicate Armenian basketball team.

ties, there are at least two, sometimes three such parallel structures, each under the umbrella of one central group or core, "entrusted" with the whole job. This model can be characterized as a form of totalism, whereby a single, dominant institution, a "political" party, appropriates the legitimation and empowerment of all aspects of civil, community life. This prototype has some very important consequences for the development and evolution of institutional life of Armenian Diasporas. Totalism is not totalitarianism. In the older Diasporas, no party, no institution has either tried or succeeded in eliminating other parties and their respective attempts to form their integrated constellations of church-schoolpress-culture-sports, etc. Totalism can never achieve the level of thorough, exhaustive, comprehensive, exclusive penetration that can be the hallmark of totalitarians [see box, page 331. But, it can generate its own brand ofunique traits that do not allow Armenian communities to become synchronized with the level of civic development prevailing in their host societies. Totalism makes it difficult to seed and nurture groups, organizations and therefore individuals, who wish to stay out of the reach of the dominant

their membership on standards and criteria of ideological orthodoxy and tests of Armenianness. Civic society, made up offree individuals, freely associating, and free to define themselves as Armenians do not regress continuously into acts of identity symbolism. With a free, sovereign, independent Republic of Armenia, Armenians in the Diaspora must exercise their freedom of choice: both vis-a-vis their motherland and vis-a-vis each other and their communities. lmagine if the test of a good Frenchman would be to belong to a particular party, read only the newspaper of that party, send his/her children to that party's schools

parties.

mainstream public life, and rallying around the flag of particularism and identity-is a state of mind. But it is

Institutional transformation, therefore, must address and strengthen the ability of Armenians in the Diaspora to get together by choice in order to engage in activities with others who define themselves as Armenians and wish to engage in similar activities. They may join together because they want to create and support schools where their children can learn Armenian and get an "Armenian" education. They may get together and form an association to study and promote Armenian folklore, dance or music. They may wish to worship in an Armenian Apostolic, Catholic or Evangelical church because that is their faith or religious preference. They may get together with likeminded Armenians in their city, region or country, who believe they should extend a helping hand for the rebuilding of a village or a hospital in Armenia. Or, they may believe that together they will be able to effectively lobby their host governments to adopt a certain policy towards the Republic of Armenia. In all these instances, the associations, organizations and institutions that ensue must reflect the initiative, the choice and willingness of a particular Armenian to act. The ability or desire to associate for one particular purpose cannot be made contingent on the willingness to do anything else. Someone who wishes not to worship or belong to a church must have the right and the opportunity to still send his/her children to an Armenian school. Someone

and play soccer only on the party's team.

The

Democratic and Republican parties in the US do not keep their own separate school systems. Nor do the Israeli political parties-the Likud or Labor-maintain their respective synagogues in the Diaspora. The identity associated with totalism emphasizes

isolation, purity, exclusivity, exceptionkind of purity and authenticity that can best be preserved in the ghetto. The ghetto-a world apart, safe in its vulnerability in the margin of separateness,

alism-in

short, the

not a state. To invest a ghetto with the kind of institutional structures that reinforce it and give it the artificial trappings of a pseudo-state is costly. This isolates its members from the mainstream environment and inhibits beneficial participation in the political and cultural life of the host society. And, the reification of the ghetto has an even more potentially damaging consequence. It results in the ghetto competing with Armenia as a parallel, legitimate political entity. The defense of that

is fundamentally unique: government, a sovereign geographArmenia, a state, a ic political, social, economic and cultural reality.

parallelism distorts what

in and of

the ghettoes must not be seen as parallel and equivalent. In fact, now with an independent, sovereign Armenia, institutions in the Diaspora, in all Diasporas, must change gear. They must recast themselves with tasks and methodologies whose primary objective is the de-ghettoization of our public life abroad. These newly structured institutions, functionally organized, voluntary, autonomous, democratically legitimized, free from burdens, can help Armenia in its quest for modern and effective political

Institutions

and economic progress. Armenia needs Diasporas where the institutions,

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 1999

associations and organizations are models of efficient, equitable, open, democratic, participatory, autonomous consfructs that constitute the basic, foundational elements in a civil society and civic political culture.

REFtlRM$ Reforming Diaspora institutions will require freeing them from each other's clutches, and defining and insuring their autonomy. This will require of course endowing them with leadership and management that is primarily responsible to and accountable to their own membership, their own constituencies and not to something "bigger." The young, the educated, and the modern second and third generation children of the original refugees and immigrants, will not approach institutions which are not accessible to them. Holding on to the symbolic and ritual expressions of community life intimidates the young; they are required to continuously affirm their loyalty, their commitment, in short-their "identity." Emerging scholars are pressured to study and write exclusively on Armenian subjects, talented composers are expected to create within the vernacular of a rich but limited folkloric heritage. An opening to the larger world is considered a threat; universal values or themes a form of dilution. The artificial, unnecessary barriers that have been erected between being Armenian and being modem,

secular, multicultural and open

to others must

letic or literary, out of loyalty to parent, kin or nation. Rather, they should join because in those clubs, likeminded individuals-"Armenians"-have a common interest, and a desire for effectiveness, entertainment, excellence or shared experience. Diaspora institutions must provide opportunities where the satisfactions, the joy, the psychological benefits of participation, of cooperative action and of connectedness are sufficient to sustain a sense of belonging. This is preferable by far to forcibly adopting identities based on a fear of excommunication and the guilt of betrayal.

Implicitly and consistently-at home, at school, in social clubs and church halls, at annual picnics and charity balls-words and references are used to define the "real" Armenian in an odar counffy. Through some mixture of pride, arrogance and self-deprecation, attitudes and behavior pattems are claimed to be national and proprietary traits, even when they are clearly dysfunctional or inappropriate. It is the role of institutions and organizations to help break the mold, re-channel energies and provide the means to modify entrenched patterns. Instead, as they are organized now, Diasporan institutions and associations seem to reinforce these traits and patterns-fractiousness, contentiousness, "adhoc"racy, self-righteousness, grandiosity, presumption, a contempt for facts, impulsiveness, recalcitrance, stubbornness, anti-meritocratic, patriarchal, nostalgic, self-congratulatory and self-loathing all at the same time. Some of those same traits have

opposite-and pos-

removed.

itive-attributes. After all, the social-psychological

To be a good Armenian writer in the Diaspora, it is necessary to be a good writer, one whose works are read

resources that helped Armenians survive and even prosper also depended on what might be called "national

by the widest possible audience. It is not necessary to either write in Armenian, or even about Armenian themes. Such a good writer who still considers being Armenian a dimension of his self-deflnition is likely to

character." Individualism, inventiveness, adaptability, perseverance, tenaciousness, passion, dedication, creativity, loyalty, generosity, compassion and a long 'hational" memory are qualities that ought to be recognized and nurtured. Institutions and organizations can build on those positive tendencies just as they have come to rely on reinforcing the negative.

make a grater contribution both to Armenian culture and

toArmenian values. Itwill linkArmenians, connect them to the larger, civilizational currents and intellectual community to which Armenian culture must actively, effec-

Paradoxically, existing structures must take

chance to make the switch; they must take certain risks in order to give the best and brightest a chance. That

occupations. In short, the young generation must be con-

risk is the risk of democratization. Democratization is a slow, untidy, unpredictable process. Its outcome can

is no inherent

tension or conflict between being Armenian and being of the world. In the Diaspora, one must be very careful about what is "foreign" - odar. Only inArmenia do those terms have

meaning, fully and juridically. Everywhere else, that false characterization can only marginalize the youth and exacerbate a process of alienation. Rather than alienating the youth, organizations must be recast to make the youth's participation a natural experience, not a challenge. They should notjoin a club, ath-

neither be guaranteed nor pre-ordained. Existing interests may be jeopardized and occupied chairs may be threatened. But democratization is the condition sine qua non for letting in fresh air and new blood. Democratic processes must be transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive. But first, the self-serving myths that Armenians in the Diasporas are not ready for democratization, that they do not have the social and political maturity to live with its imperfections, that

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 1999

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The totalist model is different from the model that prevailed in the former Soviet Union. There, the more accurate description would be totalitarian. Only the Communist pafly had the right and power to claim authority, legitimacy and fherefore penetrate all aspects of social, political, cultural and civic life. The party defined'all the parameters of those activities. Every institution, every activity had to flow from the cenral role ofthe party. Nothing outsidelts alJ-pervasive structures, no intrusion, no altemative framework, could be accepted. And since ttr" pu.ry'r role was essentially political, it could tolerate no comPetition, nor recognize the legitimacy of any autonomous institution outside its own domain. Recovering from this totalitarian framework is difhcult. Whether within Armenia, or in diasporas within the- fonner Soviet Union. the buitding o[communiry institutions has no valid precedent, no relevant experience l]om which to draw. Everything from the Writers'Union to the schools and the press were subordinared to the role of the Communist Party and the State. Leaming how and why to establish autonomous. non-state dependent structures will take time. The Diasporas in the former Soviet Union and its satellites are still in the earliest stages of conceiving, and creating organizations and institutions for civic cooperation and delivery of non-govemmental services. As the countries ol Central and Eastem Europe are moving towards building civil societies. new emigrants flom Armenia are registering some success in reorganizin! their ownlcommunities. tn fte"Czech Aepublic; Poland, Hlngary and the. Crimea, the nascent Armenia diasporas have to create, de novo, new forms of community life and structures;. that have little resemblance to the old models prevailing in the more esrablished Diasporas of the Middle East and Europe, Of course. this effort is more problematic in some of the republics of the lormer Sovier Union, panicuiarly Russia. where the larger society is having difficulty making the switch to u non-gou.*mental. civic, uol*tary. autunomous institutional public life as a way to create a counrervailing weighr to the state. Within Armenia, the chaltenge is unique. anJmore-critical. But ultimately, it's more doable. since independence and statehood can act as lhe necessary catalysts to trigger the kjnd of social, potirical and culturat life that may foster the building of a civil society. ,

authoritarianism, supposedly innate, cannot function with the open-ended character of democratic initiativeall these myths must be abandoned. There is also the belief that only strong leaders, top down decisions and a firm hand can compensate for inherently anarchical and centrifugal tendencies. This presumed authoritarianism, too, must be demythologized, bit by bit, small step by small step, each time an old institution evolves, or a new one is initiated and constructed.

And like all attempts at demythologizing, no marter how awkward, how painful, how "disrespectful". critical analysis must be encouraged and welcomed. Every

impart orthodoxy. Both institutions, in a democratic context, must instead become instruments for the cultivation of

the widest possible inquiry. Schools and media must become the tools for countering propaganda, not espousing it blindly. In conclusion, at the threshold of the 2l st century-the fourth Armenian millennium-Armenian Diasporas are

poised to meet the challenge of modernization through democratization. The success of this process will greatly atl'ect the well-being of Armenia, and contribute to the steady and solid evolution of the Republic toward stable,

Dsmocpatirfitior

independent, democratic institutional consolidation.

assumption, every shibboleth, every sacred cow must be scrutinized, tested, argued, debated and challenged. That process of critical evaluation is a morai and intellectual

There is a certain, inevitable interaction between the kind of public life and organizational activity going on in the Diaspora and the quality and effectiveness of public institutions in Armenia. Their congruence, their structural

precondition in order for the Diasporas to modernize their institutions, to reinvigorate their communal lives, to revalidate the mandate oftheir diverse organizations and

and methodological convergence will strengthen both, just as tension and mismatch will make cooperation and synergy harder to achieve. Their symbiosis, their symmetry, their

unprEdistable

rejuvenate both their vision and their mission. An ongoing national debate is a prerequisite-and

coherence can make possible supra-national schemes and structures possible, effective, productive. These two enti-

0F0cG88.

an engaged discourse the method-in order to make democracy work for an informed, interested, enlightened

ties, Armenia and Diaspora, can amplify and reinforce each other's strengths and legitimacy just as they can undermine

constituency. made aware

All

in the Diaspora must be And in the process of educating

Armenians

stakes.

and raising awareness, schools, and especially the media must be re-examined and re-thought.

So far, a heavy dose of indoctrination as essential functions of both schools and the press has not only been tolerated, it has almost been assumed. Yet, both schools and the media must be liberated from the obligation to

(by lack of democratic symmetry and openness)

ie a slow, untidy,

any

attempt at collaboration and cooperation.

Achieving this symmetry is a tall order, and cannot be realized instantly. It will take time, dedication and a clear focus. But more than anything else, it will take determination to pursue reform everywhere, and recognize that unir ed in a commitment to democracy, at home and abroad, Armenia and Armenians also belong to the future. r

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

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m.[g$gyg.$g$"ilpnlsor In June, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian spoke on the Karabakh conflict at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC. In that talk, he made references to possible parallels between the conflicts in Kosovo and in Karabakh. Azerbaijani officials, among them Senior PresidentialAdvfuorVafa Guluzade, rcsponded with their own comparisons on the two ethnic struggles. AIM asked both Oskanian and Guluzade for their views on possible similarities in these two situatiors. Precented here are Oskanian's edited comments from the CSIS talk. Guluzade submitted this essay to AIM for publication.

s we talk about Karabakh, we certainly can't avoid making reference to the conflict that is much more talked about these days; that is Kosovo. Certainly some comparisons can be

made between Kosovo and Karabakh, and there are some lessons to be learned and applied to Karabakh to avoid future disasters.

Much of what we read about Kosovo is for us, d6ji vu, reminiscent of what we had gone through in 1992-1993. If we look at what Milosevic did to bring the Kosovo situation to its peak [in June 1999], we see that Karabakh, too, was treated much the same. But, in 1992-93 the Caucasus was still considered to be in Russia's backyard, in their sphere of influence, and the world didn't pay much attention to what was going on in Karabakh. ButArmenia and Karabakh were undergoing experiences very similar to that which the Kosovar Albanians went through this past couple of years. How did Milosevic address Kosovo's call for self-determination? He abolished Kosovo's autonomy. Azerbaijan did the same to Karabakh in 1991. What did Milosevic do to the majority? He simply ignored their claims. That's what the Azerbaijnis did in the late 80s and early 90s, when the Karabakh population peacefully demanded more rights and self-determination. The Karabakhis were totally ignored. What did Milosevic do to the Kosovar self-determination movement? It was suppressed militarily and brutally. Karabakh was subjected to that same treatment in the early 90s, particularly 1992, 1993. What was Milosevic's main argument for his actions? That Kosovo has always been Serbian and that the Kosovars are extremists,

with AM's request to comment on possible parallels of the situation in Kosovo with the situation in the Karabakh

n connection

region of Azerbaijan, I would like to say the following. In both regions, local populations of Kosovar-Albanians and Azerbaijanis have been subjected to cruel ethnic cleansing. As a result, a million Azerbaijanis as the Kosovars have been ousted from their native places and live now in tent camps. Twenty percent of internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan has been occupied by military forces of the Republic of Armenia. Despite the fact that the

United Nations has adopted Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and

884

demanding unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from all occupied Azerbaijani territories, they are still absolutely ignored and are not complied with. As in the case of Albanians in Kosovo, the Armenian part of the population in Karabakh claims total independence. In difference to Kosovo, where Albania doesn't fight for local Albanians, military forces of Armenia are fighting on the side of separatists from upper part of Karabakh. Kosovars do not occupy any part of Yugoslavia, but Armenian separatists of Nagomo Karabakh, jointly with the Armenian army, have occupied seven large Azerbaijani regions around upper part of Karabakh having destroyed all settlements (700 cities and villages in general). The conflict in Kosovo is of an inter-ethnic character, but the conflict in Karabakh is of an interstate character, what this means is that it is a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the upper part of Karabakh. Considering that Armenia has occupied not only Nagorno Karabakh but a substantial part ofAzerbaijani territory around it, then

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radicals and terrorists. That was Azerbaijan's argument, too: that Karabakh is Azerbaijani, it was part of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era and has to remain so. And the 'extremist, terrorist' labels were and are still given to Karabakh Armenians. And finally, Milosevic accused Kosovo of want out of Serbia. And that's what Azerbaijan tells the international community, that Karabakh wants to be out of Azerbaijan, that's why they should not be allowed to set a precedent, that's why it has to be suppressed by all means. The Karabakh peace process today is in a deadlock. The ceasefre continues to be maintained with the exception of the latest incidents which were blown out of proportion by the Azerbaijani side. The facts on the ground are that the Azeri forces advanced a couple of hundred meters, and this is recorded and registered by the OSCE monitors. For us, it was clear from Day I that these recent provocations by Azerbaijan were simply meant to attract attention and misuse the experience of Kosovo. When you have a conflict, you can politicize the issue, blame Armenia for aggression, for arms deliveries and call for NAIO involvemenl. And why not, maybe even bomb Armenia. If NATO were to be involved, maybe they

this is an open military aggression against the

"should bomb Baku." Why?

Because

Azerbaijan is the one that has refused to accept the peace proposal that has been submitted by the cochairmen of the Minsk Group-Russia, France and the US. If we draw a parallel there, it was Serbia that refused to accept the Rambouillet accords proposed by the intemational community. Secondly, it was Azerbaijan that in 1992-93 wanted to provide the final solution to the Karabakh conflict by ethnically

cleansing

all of

sovereign Azerbaijani state. Taking into account Russia's involvement, including signing a military alliance with Armenia, when military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is going on, then this conflict can be considered an international one. Should the Kosovo version be repeated in our region, most probably the following can be

imagined. NATO offers the parties its version of settlement, the same way as Milosevic was suggested in Rambouillet. This is simultaneous granting of high status of self-rule to upper part of Karabakh along with the observation of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and immediate retum of all Azerbaijani refugees to Nagorno Karabakh as well as to other occupied regions. Armenia must be presented with the ultimatum to immediately withdraw its military forces from seven Azerbaijani regions and Nagorno Karabakh, then NAIO forces must be brought there so that it provide s the secure

return

Azerbaijani refugees.

and missile strikes on Armenia could be excluded, because it is unlikely that it will fight against united NAIO-Russia forces. t

Karabakh. The parallels

between Kosovo and Karabakh can only be drawn when we put the whole thing in its right perspective. And that is by going back to 1992-1993, when the whole conflict became militarized. The only difference between Karabakh and Kosovo is that our 'KLA at that

time was much stronger than Kosovo's Liberation Army was or is today. We basical-

ly did NATO's job.

case

Armenian military forces refuse to leave occupied Azerbaijani territories, NAIO precision strikes should be carried out on them and all the military technique and communication of invaders put out. I think Azerbaijan has full right to agree on the performance of such military operation on its own soil. ln this case, Russia which has military bases in Armenia and is the latter's military ally, must refuse its ally functions and take part in peacekeeping operations, the same way it acts in Kosovo now. I think that bombing

What NATO did in

Kosovo, Armenians did for themselves. We stopped Azerbaijani aggression at that time. We stopped the ethnic cleansing process. We succeeded.

Having said all this, despite all the problems and animosities that still exist between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, there is still hope to resolve this in a peaceful manner, but only if both sides demonstrate the political

will to compromise. AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1999

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BUSINESS

ECONON,IY

antuGa[le Hs[ From Syria, Canada, the US and France, Business People Succeed in Armenia Text & Photos By MATTHEW KARANIAN

odak was displeased with the development oi its lilm business in Armenia. One-hour photo labs, many

them prominently displaying the

Kodak name, had become Yerevan's equivalent of Starbucks, the US coffee franchise. One day there were none. The next, it seemed that everyone in the business community had corne up with the same original idea.

The problem for Kodak, however, wasn't the sudden abundance oftilm processing shops. Kodak's problem was maintaining the good name of its product in a market where most ol the business people had never before been exposed to film. The luster of Kodak's good name was at risk of fading as quickly as the familiar yellow and orange film boxes that the shopkeepers improperly displayed in their hot and sunny windows. Film that is not stored

in a cool, dark place quickly

deteriorates,

but many of Yerevan's dealers seemed not to know this. And some merchants were selling outdated, and sometimes counterfeit, Kodak products. To help solve the problem, the people at Kodak turned to Ghevont Manougian, a Syrian of Armenian descent who was living

in Damascus. ness

Manougian was part owner of a busiin Damascus called Next Vision, which

was operating as Kodak's distributor for Syria. So the people at Kodak knew him. They also knew that he was of Armenian descent. Would Manougian be interested in

being Kodak's distributor in Armenia,

well?

Early last year, Manougian agreed to Kodak's suggestion. A simple inquiry had led to the establishment of yet another Diaspora business in Armenia. Today, Next Vision is Kodak's sole dis-

tributorship for Armenia. From otllces on

Pushkin Street in central

Yerevan-

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

BUSINESS

ECONOMY

could be happy living in Yerevan. The answer was-

n't clear.

always wanted to

do something here," says. But wanting to

he do something in Armenia, and actually doing it, are about as

born

rocket, he suggests.

Manougian let his heart decide. He opted for the rocket blast.

Manougian

says

deciding to move to Armenia was difficult because he was deciding for his family, too. He moved to Yerevan with his

wife and their young

son

during the summer of 1998, and began the sometimesdifficult process of adapting. Next Vision opened for

business

September,

1998.

Manougian singles out

the "psychological problems" of his move for special comment. Picking upa rollollilm iseasylorlocalsandtourists ..r^ 1(tAA "ln 1946, many people Manougian and his partner oversee the I came here from Syria. They were rich peoimportofallKodakproducts,andtheywork I ple. They lived good in bad times," says with merchants to ensure that Kodak prod- ] Manougian. The result, back then, was ucts are properly maintained and displayed. resentment. Manougian says there may be A third partner stayed behind in Damascus shades of a similar resentment today.

The response to these new Diaspora

from some of the

local

Armenians has been good, but "some may be scared." They shouldn't be, he says.

'Local Armenians don't have money. Social conditions are very bad. We have

had only been to Armenia once. This was 1988-the year of the earthquake, the

money," he says. The conclusion Manougian reaches, and that he hopes the local people will reach, is that he and his partner can help improve conditions in Armenia. Some of the local people have instead concluded that

decide, he traveled to Yerevan twice more. He looked around. He needed to know

Manougian is trying to win them over, starting with the people in his own office. The work force is "very young, very organized. They want to work. Everyone understands if you don't work you don't eat. Everything is changing," he says' Next Vision pays its local Armenian employees-all eight of them---competitive salaries that are higher than the average,

process.

Before Kodak's inquiry, Manougian

in I year the Karabakh Movement began, and the I year that marked the beginning of the perse- I cution and expulsion of the Armenians liv- I i ing in Azerbaijan. So Manougian didn't know what ro ] expect in early 1998, l0 years later, when he was presented with this opportunity to operate a business in Yerevan. To help him

ifhe

Manougian's business partner, lkatch

blasted there on top

businessmen

workers. Parsekhian, does not sound quite so idealistic. Parsekhian is also a Diasporan, also

different from each other reading a book about the moon, and actually getting

to operate the business there. As a consequence, the market for Kodak in Armenia is stronger. Consumers I can have greater confidence in the quality of I Kodak's products. And Kodak stands to ] increase its market share. Manougian's life, I however, got turned upside down in the

according to Manougian. He refuses to say exactly what he means by "competitive," or what he thinks is the "average," but he says "you must pay a good salary to get a good worker." Manougian believes he has good

they should be wary of the

newcomers.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

1999

Syria. He and Manougian

had

known each other back in Damascus. But back in 1988, when Manougian came to Yerevan for a 10-day holiday, Parsekhian was in the process of moving to Yerevan, to attend Yerevan State University. Manougian didn't return for l0 years. But Parsekhian stayed behind, and he endured plenty. He was here during the slow and painful demise of the USSR. He lived through the difficult early days of independence. So, naturally, Parsekhian's perspective is different from his partner's. "In winter 1992, each night I put one liter of gasoline in my car, and at night I took it out [and brought it home]," he says. No one had fuel then, and if he had left the gasoline in his car overnight, it would certainly have been stolen, he explains.

Parsekhian was one of the privileged few back then who had both a car and a liter of gasoline to put in its tank. Parsekhian was sometimes distrusted. "Some people [in Yerevan] say 'he came here to take money from us,"' Parsekhian says. But there were also many who welcomed him.

Today, living conditions are "not

good, but not so bad," he says. "There are problems with the country, with flack ofl

water, where to buy [food and consumer goodsl. Now it's OK. I don't feel bad that we came here."

Not feeling bad isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for packing up and moving to a

foreign country. Manougian, howeveg

more positive. He talks about Armenia the way that cheerleaders talk about their team. He shrugs off the difficult social conditions, and he says the business climate in Armenia is better than its reputation in the Diaspora. "Sure there are some difficulties coming to Armenia. Every business beginning in a new country has difficulties," he says. "But Armenia is better than other countries. There are more problems in Ukraine

and Russia." Here, says Manougian,

the

business laws are "better," and "easy to understand." "I feel good here, I feel at home."

BUSINESS Ph0t0 LaI hachatur Derderian's friends, back in France, thought something was odd when they learned, in 1995,

that he was planning to open

photography business in Armenia. More than odd, actually.

"They called it Hari Kari-ritualistic suicide," says Derderian. At the time, Yerevan had no electricity, the people in Yerevan had no money, and the amateur photographers of Armenia did-

n't yet exist. Nevertheless, Derderian believed that

6. ECONOMY

Armenian is now, officially, a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. But when I became one of his first customers back in April, 1996, he was simply known as "Frenchie."

by Derderian, who must import all his supplies. Last year's collapse of the Russian ruble was just one more hardship, which resulted in less discretionary income for

To himself and to everyone else, he's still a Diasporan from France. Derderian's early successes may have encouraged others to open photo labs. His success, ironically, may have been the catalyst for a significant downturn in his business. Within a year after he had begun business, everyone wanted to get in the market. Dozens of shops opened throughout the city. By the end of 1997, it had become more convenient to process a roll of color film

luxuries such as photographs. Some of the labs have started to fail, and Derderian counts at least two that have closed in just the past couple of months. "I would prefer that some more close,"

Bagramian Street storefront, prompting him to buy a small shop across the street. His business had become a fixture on Bagramian, and he had become another of Armenia's successful Diasporan business people.

Derderian was born in Istanbul, but he had left Turkey by the time he was 13 years old. After a frolic and detour of several years

in Italy, he and his family settled in Derderian studied at the Universify of

Paris. France and became a translator. But in 1991, when Armenia gained its

independence, Derderian left France, renounced his Turkish citizenship, and moved to Yerevan. This Diaspora-born

my children to be raised as

people are hesitant to cause any trouble for him, because they are uncertain ofhis back-

ground. Is he important? Is he politically connected? He isn't, but people still wonder, and he lets them, he says.

invested $22,000 in some refurbished film processing equipment, and in April, 1996, he became the owner and operator of only

that his landlord raised the rent on his

"I didn't come here for this lab. I just came here because I wanted to come here. I

Derderian thinks that he has benefited

Derderian wasn't deterred by these arguments. He wasn't detened by his lack of experience in photography, either. He

Indeed, his success was so apparent,

out,

in Armenia by being a Diasporan. Local

more than two labs serving the entire country, they insisted.

one.

is going to stick it

as he.

the third film lab in all of Yerevan. Within a year, his profits had paid off the loan on his equipment, and his business was drawing customers from throughout the city. Foreign ambassadors processed their film with him, and it seemed that most of Yerevan's foreigners were his customers. He charged 100 Drams (20 cents) for a 4 by 6 print, and he gave no discounts, not even to the Chinese diplomats who requested

Derderian though.

Armenians." His daughter and son are fourteen-year-old twins who were bom in the US, during a brief period when Derderian and his wife were living in New York. His children, it seems, will be as multi-national

there were only two other one-hour photo labs in the entire country. This absence of other film labs proved the opposite to some of Derderian's friends. If a consumer market for film processing

in Armenia, then there would

enough business to go around.

wanted

the market for instant, consumer-grade film processing would be strong. His evidence:

existed

he says with a smile. There's just not

Derderian brushes aside suggestions that there are burdensome hidden taxes, and other hidden costs, for business people in Armenia.

"The bribes are not too big."

0ne-hour photo sales take ofl in Yerevan than to make a call on a public telephone, or to mail a letter. By the end of last year, sales at Derderian's shop were down more than 50 percent from their 1996 level. To compete, he's been forced to drop his prices. That 4 by 6 print that he was selling for 100 Drams in 1996 is now selling for only 70 Drams. Smaller prints, which he sold for 80 Drams

three years ago, are now practically given away, he says, for 40 Drams. His profit margin on one brand of color transparency film is only about 100 Drams. Fortunately, he says, there aren't too many customers for this type of film. Three years ago, the dram was valued at approximately 400 to the dollar. Today it takes about 535 Drams to buy one dollar, which just compounds the difficulties faced

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 1999

Derderian's experience is similar to the experiences of many other business people in Armenia, he says. Sometimes paying a little extra will help speed up the approval for a license, or for some other official document. If you want to get your license in a month, there's the regular, official, price, in Armenian Drams. If you require faster service, there's the slightly higher price, in US dollars.

understand them, because their

salaries are nothing. tn the US,

paying

in the form of

I would

taxes to subsidize

their salaries."

Derderian says he hasn't been threatened by organized crime, either. "There's no Mafia. I never saw any racket. And it's been three years now," he says. Indeed, he laughs at the mention of a Mafia in Yerevan. It's all rumors, he says. What about the bribes that grease the palms of the bureaucrats? These are small, he says, and not a problem. They'll take a little money, maybe some free film once a month. "But they won't kill you," he says

with a laugh.

BUSINESS

llonuts Inom

Ganada

alk to a Diasporan who's doing business in Armenia, and chances are you're talking to someone who can claim to have been among the first in Armenia to do what

he's

doing. Jirair Avanian is one of these pioneers. He's also perhaps the best known, and the most inspiring. Avanian is a Diaspora Armenian from New York City who happened to think, in May 1994, that Yerevan might actually be a good location for a retail

This is the year he opened Yerevan's first Western-style grocery business.

6. ECONOMY

in Montreal for 35 years, as a franchisee for Mister Donut, when he decided it was time to retire and move to Yerevan. He brought his doughnut expertise with him. This father-and-son-team is not an ordinary duo of young entrepreneurs, inexperienced and overly eager to take a risk. The younger of the two Kerakosians is 63 years old. The older Kerakosian looks after the business with his son during the summer, and then heads back to Canada to avoid the rigors of the winter.

Kerakosian had visited Armenia only twice before, in 1993 and in 1995. He didn't have any special expertise, and he didn't

This requirement didn't leave enough room on the sign to spell out the full name of the shop. So his business became J and J's, at least according to the storefront on Abovian Street. Kerakosian talks like a successful businessman who has reached a point in his life where philanthropy is more important than profit. "Our aim was not to make money, but to give employment. Most of our profit we donate to schools, orphanages, army bases," he says. But Kerakosian isn't giving away cash. He gives away food. Kerakosian estimates that he delivers 2,000 free doughnuts each week.

"It's

store.

By the time he had opened a in May 1995,

restaurant next door,

the two side-by-side businesses had become the town square and central

Everything comes from back home." Kerakosian personally imports all the raw material for his doughnuts from Canada. He goes to

meeting spot for just about every American and European in town.

Avanian was the first to sell bacon and egg sandwiches. His store was the first in Armenia to stock

Montreal every six months or so, visits with friends and family, and

peanut butter and Kellogg's Corn Flakes. His restaurant was the first to have a big screen TY and what Avanian describes as a "college-pub" ambience (see next story). He was also the first person to

Donuts, bear claws and apple

fritters-in

irranges to ship to Armenia the supplies he figures he will need for the coming six months. When he's home in Montreal, Kerakosian's friends ask "Why are you going," according to Sarkis, the

Yerevan

sell genuine Jewish-style bagels in Armenia. For this, he had gone so far as to arrange for a Jewish baker from Brooklyn to come to Yerevan to teach his employees how to make the bagels so that they would be authentic. Still, they never caught on with the locals, and the poor sales forced

father. "They're going

it's

Armenians who took the honor of being the first to sell doughnuts here.

Gerard Kerakosian and his

father, Sarkis, opened Jerry and John's Donuts last

ye,u on Abovian Street,

in the center of

Yerevan's finest shopping district. They didn't keep their distinction as the only-dough-

nut-shop-in-town for long. Within week, a competitor had opened Yum Yum Donuts, on Mesrob Mashtots Street, several blocks away. Kerakosian had been selling doughnuts

steal least

Armenians stealing,"

says

say let them.

Sarkis.

Kerakosian isn't planning to slow down. "The machine that works never rusts," he says with a wink, sounding as if he has had to explain his industriousness several

breakfast

favorite-doughnuts-would arrive in Armenia. Surprisingly, Avanian wasn't involved. It was a couple of Canadian

to At

[from] you.

Avanian to stop selling them later that year. He had become the first businessman to stop selling bagels in Yerevan, as well. It would be another two years

before another American

introducing them to

doughnuts. They love it," he says. The Americans in Yerevan love them, too. "They say it tastes like back home. Well, of course it does.

receive any special guidance in operating a business in Armenia. But, he says, he's "not the scared type." "Ijust asked around about regulations,

out," says Kerakosian. Some little trouble, he it off as nothing extraordinary. He had often encountered

figured

bureaucrats gave him a says, but he just shrugs

similar difficulties in Montreal, he says. One of the regulations that he did not anticipate, however, was the requirement that he write the sign for his business in Armenian, in addition to the English text that he had selected.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

times before. Already, he's beginning to franchise his shops. He has a franchisee who operates a couple of carts at a market, and another who runs a small store at Zvartnots Airport. "It's the nicest shop at the airport." This work has sometimes been difficult for Kerakosian. He slept on the floor of the store for the first six months, because he couldn't afford to waste time by leaving. Now he is thinking beyond doughnuts, too. There's nobody selling Pita bread in Armenia, he says. "You know, the bread that

has

a pocket? We're going to make it.

Maybe next year." "We're going to be the first people to make Pita bread here."

BUSINESS Snoconlos magine that you are shopping for groceries. You need some vegetables and some canned goods. And then there

are all the other items you need and just don't know it yet. But when you get to the store you're not allowed to touch anything. You must make your selections from a distance of several feet, with a tall counter and a lifeless clerk standing between you and the food. You can't read the labels. You can't compare the prices. You can't compare the brands.

& ECONOMY

Five years later, in the autumn of 1999, one may reasonably conclude that he's done

all of that, and more. When he first arrived, Avanian thought that he might work for one of the public agencies helping Armenia with its transition to a market economy. Employment in this area, he figured, would allow him to use his skills as nesses

businessman. Avanian's past busi-

in the US have included an antique

car dealership, an art gallery and some shoe stores.

He applied to the US Agency for Intemational Development (USAID). "I'm

Avanian explains his retail technique: This was a time when Armenia was seeking to orient itself toward the West, and when Western products and ideas were novelties

that Armenians admired, he

Electricity was scarce. Yerevan

went black each night. Avanian bought the right to build his own

You can't select the tomatoes that you want, and you can't buy less than one kilogram of whatever the

electric station. And for this electricity, he paid eight times the local rate. He had cold running water, but only fwice a day, for about an hour each time. So whenever the water

shopkeeper selects for you.

Heck, with the poor lighting, you can't even see half the tomatoes. If you can imagine all this, then you can understand some of Jirair

spigots were turned on, he would rush to fill large holding tanks, so that he'd have water throughout the

Avanian's success. A businessman from New York City, he moved to

day.

Armenia five years ago, and opened a grocery store. He allowed customers to touch and to look at the tomatoes before deciding whether to buy them. He put the stock out where customers could see and read the labels. And if customers wanted only one tomato, he

didn't yell

Avanian was a hands-on businessman. He hired local help, but he was at his store all day, every day. As

a result, the American community came to know the store not as Bravo, but simply as "Gerard's," which is a variant of Jirair Avanian's frst name. His store was open way into the night for those who got home to find they had no bread. That was another novelty about

at them.

And then--call him crazy-he provided his customers with bags for their purchases, so they wouldn't have to bring in their own.

Bravo-one stop shopping. Meat and vegetables and bread and canned goods and drinks and even deli items could all be found under one roof.

These were radical retailing practices back in 1994. His customers, who grew more numerous

Locals and expats often won-

each week, Ioved it.

"When we first opened, we had daily receipts of US $30. Within three months, it was up to $2,000. And it stayed there," says Avanian. On an unusually busy day, the till might contain $5,000 at the end of the day. Not bad, especially when one considers thatAvanian didn't have any particular business plans when he first moved to Yerevan

1993.

His objective, he says, was simply to help rebuild the Armenian nation. Moving to Armenia, he says, was an opportunity to help the homeland and to be a "useful cornerstone of society. And, with all that, still make some money."

says.

Armenians admired America. They wanted to do things, or at least try things, the way they were done in the US. When Armenians saw that Americans were shopping at the store, they figured "it must be good," says Avanian. "With the backdrop of Soviet retail, it looked even better," he says. Doing all this in 1994 required some ingenuity.

dered ifAvanian had friends in high places. After all, his business seemed to be prospering, which meant no one was bothering him. Avanian laughs. The man who leamed

Avanian's lolk art gift shop on Abovian Street

still waiting to hear from them," he says with a broad smile. Avanian stocked the shelves of Bravo, his grocery store, with plenty of products from the US, to attract business from the Americans living in Yerevan. Word quickly spread in the expatriate community that there was a store on Terian Street that sold things such as Bumble Bee brand tuna fish, and Skippy peanut butter-just a couple of items that were unknown in Armenia five years ago, and which are still difficult to find.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1999

the art of doing business in Greenwich Village says it's no different in Yerevan. You see them coming and you gauge the situation: some you feed and send away, others you stand up to, and try to talk your way out.

But Avanian wasn't alone. In Bravo, he

had four partners, each of them a local Armenian. He says that helped, too. The following year, instead of simply basking in the success of Bravo, they all agreed to open a restaurant. They named it Chicken Coop,

BUSINESS

ECONOMY And in September he plans to begin manufacturing what he

and they located it right next door. Chicken Coop occupied an unused basement that "looked like a cave from the Middle Ages." Avanian and his partners converted it to a pizza and hamburger joint, complete with a big screen TV and a college pub atmosphere. Chicken Coop became the only place in Yerevan that sold pizza and burgers the way they make them back

describes as "designer furniture" with an Armenian flair. What that means is not clear, but Avanian is sure to make it a success. Avanian denies he has accomplished a lot here, and he says he gave

up "everything" in the US so that he could be in business here. He misses his family. His two sons, Shant, age

The restaurant, not surprisingly, did well. By 1997, Avanian and his

Massachusetts with their mother, from whom Avanian is divorced.

home. The prices were the same

15 and Andranik, age 9, live in

back home, too.

business partners were being rewarded for their long days, and their bold ini-

tiative, with annual partnership draws in the neighborhood of $25,000 to $35,000. Avanian wanted to expand the

Still, when Avanian denies being Avanian, right, explains the origins of the folk art he displays and sells

ting involved in manufacturing, maybe the hotel business, and, at a minimum, another restaurant.

Armenian wine, which makes the dining

His partners didn't share his vision. "They were making enough money," is

even more pleasant.

hours a day. the US," he says.

But for Avanian, as for many Diaspora Armenians, the quest for money was not what brought him to Armenia. Instead, it was the quest for Armenia. I

But Avanian's motivation for expand-

Httx*

Square, and has become a haven for tourists who need to find a gift to take home, and don't quite know how to judge the mass of

items at the Vernissage Crafts fair held every weekend just a few hundred meters away.

Avanian has designed Salt Sack so that it easy to part with money and feel good about it. The gift items are displayed so beautifully that the buyer is not worried about making a bad

its warm, inviting decor makes

choice and paying for it. The selection of stone, wood and clay ornaments and accessories, as well as carpets and art work is tasteful and accessible. And not too cheap.

But then, the price includes Avanian's charm and personal involvement in the choosing and the packaging.

Earlier this year, Avanian returned to business of food service with Dolmama's, a restaurant that features, no surprise here, dolma. "Can you imagine, in

the

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

I'd earn more money in

Avanian's explanation. ing the business of the partnership, one suspects, was not money. Avanian wanted to expand, it seems, simply because he wanted to expand. He's a businessman who enjoys being in business. So Avanian left the partnership, and set off on his own. He got as far as Abovian Street, a few blocks south. He converted a residential apartment, and opened a gift shop called the Salt Sack. It's close to the Hotel Armenia and Republic

false modesty.

"In real numbers, if I worked all of Armenia, a tourist can't go anywhere and eat real Armenian dolma?" he said in the summer before he opened. As preparation, he acquired large quantities of good

empire. He envisioned the partnership get-

successful, one doesn't suspect

lrrHilK

tfi AcHERrAil

Centuny'$ Last Kharpert hadn't seen so many foreigners since the missionaries left after World War I. The century's last eclipse brought thousands of specialists and spectators to southeastern Turkey to view a near-

ly total

solar eclipse.

In Armenia, at

around

4 in the

afternoon on August

11,

observers watched the sun turn into a crescent and disappear. Some

imaginative entrepreneurs were selling dark pieces of glass for about $l apiece for those who wanted to attempt a direct look at this celestial occurrence. A total eclipse was last registered in Armenia in the early 1950s. The sky was partly cloudy in Yerevan, and in most places on the eclipse path, but not in southeastern Turkey, where visibility is always better than in other parts of Europe.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1999

EDUCATION

Dlplomats-ln-malnln$ A New Young Cadre from Armenia's Foreign Ministry Trains in the US Text by ARAXE HAJIAI{

Photos by Mark Morelli

he temperature is climbing to 100 degrees in the Murrow Room at the

Fletcher School

of Law and

Diplomacy at Tufts University, in

Medford, Massachusetts, yet 15 working professionals from the

Republic of Armenia are listening intently to a lecture onAmerican foreign policy. The group

gathered here as part of a six month Armenian Foreign Service Training Program designed to train young, working diplomats fromArmenia. Anna Tsaturyan, assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Karabakh, is getting her first exposure to official diplomatic training. In her college days, she studied foreign languages. At Fletcher, she is learning about negotiation theory and American foreign policy. She will go home equipped with new skills and a better understanding of the pragmatism

underlying the American mentality. "Maybe

I'll

be able to participate in direct negotiations in Stepanakert," she hopes.

to explain the workings of US foreign policy and the machinery by which American policy is crafted, alluding to the fact that some of the

ent issues. The program is intended to give

in the room will one day be writing

Joyce Barsam, an Alumni Trustee at Tufts University, has been the facilitator and

Stressing that an understanding of the US is crucial to understanding US foreign policy, he cites the roles of economic

intermediary between the donor who has made

people

Not all the Armenian students at Fletcher are new to diplomatic training. Lilit Davidian,

treaties.

who works in the Ministry's

Constitution

US-Canada department, has participated in several shortterm programs in Westem Europe. She says she has found the Fletcher program particularly helpful, especially the course on bilateral relations between Armenia and the US, and

Armenia and Canada.

Alan Henrikson, Associate Professor of Diplomatic History teaches that course. He lecfures to the students who are seated around a large table, amid oriental carpets, armchairs

and sofas. The environment is very different from what most of them were used to in their Armenian university days. Everything else is different, too. Even his class "texts". Today, Henrikson is distributing recent statements by President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright explaining that "it's a model for what you might be writing someday for your own counhry." The next hand-out includes selections from Richard Holbrooke's To End A War, and contains agreements drawn to conclude the Bosnian war. Henrikson uses these documents

interests, ethnic groups, social classes, and geographical sections in the formulation of

policy. 'Tust like a tree, there are a number of roots that nourish foreign policy," he says. Henrikson goes on to compare various elements of US foreign policy to theoretical parallels in USSR structures, and tries to engage the students by grounding new concepts in the familiar. Henrikson's class, and the entire course of study, were developed in conjunction with Armenia's Foreign Ministry to meet some spe-

cific goals. Suzy Antounian, advisor to Armenia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the person in the Ministry most directly for the pro$.rm, stresses, "The is intended to introduce the students to the critical and multi-disciplinary thinking

responsible program

that is common in US universities, and provide them with the means to think in structured terms, to raise questions and familiarize themselves with contrasting perspectives on differ-

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER

1999

them basic analytic tools as opposed to emphasis on a single region."

the program possible-the

Tavitian

Foundation of New York, the Fletcher School and the Foreign Ministry, "trying to balance everyone's needs and best interests." As the person on the ground closest to Fletcher, she was to be the person to call when problems developed. To everyone's delight, she hasn't received too many calls. "The students have exceeded the expectations of everyone associated with the program. Fletcher did not know what level ofintellectual capability or work ethic to expect. Our students have been excellent ambassadors for Armenia at Fletcher. They have indeed educated and sensitized the faculty and administration there about Armenia and its concerns. In fact, now each of the faculty members wants to come to Armenia to see it for themselves." The students' English language ability was much better than Fletcher had anticipated, and a more rigorous English course will be

instituted. This suits Armenia's Foreign Ministry which was concerned with language mastery.

EDUCATION "Today, a professional diplomat needs to have significant ease in communicating in English. This is not simply a matter of language; it is also a matter of thinking in terms that are easily understood by others, exposure to Westem communication and behavior and an appreciation of howArmenia and the region are viewed globally," says Antounian. "These are very bright and resourceful young people. They possess much information and wide backgrounds of knowledge, but they are learning to read and write more analytically, to use research methods and techniques which are internationally available now and to apply more global insights to their thinking,"

rary policy of Turkey toward Armenia, oil

in the Caspian Sea region, water problems in the Middle East, Women in pipelines

Afghanistan, democracy and its implications for Armenian foreign policy. This is not the kind of education they received in Soviet-era universities. It is interesting that Fletcher's other similar programs are from oil-rich countries. Armenia, without those resources, may not have been able to take advantage of a top US international relations program had it not been for the Tavitian Foundation. "These are times in Armenia that require bold initiatives which will create changes in

Barsam adds.

with other students outside their program. Fletcher's multiculturalism (50 percent of the student body is from outside the US) makes it a good environment for this kind of informal training. Intermixed with the heavy demands of this challenging intellectual program have been cultural trips of all sortsfrom a Red Sox baseball game to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They have not had much free time to get involved in Armenian community affairs, but they did attend the April 24 commemoration

the

at the Massachusetts

State House, where their boss, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian gave the keynote address. Oskanian, and

Armenia's frst foreign minister, Raffi Hovannisian are both Fletcher graduates.

Andrew Hess, Professor of

ty to Armenia; but he decided it would be more beneficial to place students in an overseas environment. This way, the students benefit from over a dozen professors who cover various themes in six hours of daily lectures. Students write and present two major papers each month, participate in discussions and simulations, and research and debate topics, including national and global security, ethnic issues in the Caucasus, nuclear proliferation, the contempo-

But, the Fletcher program is something more. Barsam, a member of the board of the Tavitian Foundation, explains, "This pro-

ships to students of Armenian descent to accomplish something educationally substantive for the Republic of Armenia." And Tavitian makes the point several ways. "Certainly this is a way to fund education," he said in an interview with AIM, "but the real thrust of it is to help the Armenian Foreign Ministry, to provide the means so that Armenia can exercise its foreign policy. It's a specific, very focused way of helping Armenia in an area where help is needed. "Armenian foreign policy was for so long exercised through Moscow. This prograrn will help them develop their cadre of diplomats; these are all young people, all quite bright. believe that given the changes that Armenia is going through and will contiue to go through in this next decade, preparing a generation of capable young people is important," Thvitian adds. "What better way to invest in Armenia." Tavitian has met with the students who are the first to beneht from this program. "We insisted that the selection be

novel. The staff at Fletcher beat Barsam to a response. 'The students have been wonderful, attentive, considerate," says one adminstrator responsible for housing and other logistics. And they interact

Diplomacy and director of this Fletcher program has developed and runs similar programs for diplomats from Kuwait and Qatar. Originally, his idea was to take Fletcher facul-

educating young people. "I received financial assistance all the way through my university education," he says, "and there were people behind those scholarships. Setting up a foundation to help bright young Armenians, especially those who had been accepted to Ivy League colleges, is kind of my way of giving back," Tavitian explained.

Foundation to go beyond its original function of providing individual scholar-

break any program, especially one this

Genocide

nuclear engineering and then moved into computer software, stresses his commitment to

gram began with the desire

What about simple social skills? Attitudes and behavior can make or

of the

of Syncsort, a computer-software company, based in New York. Tavitian, a Bulgaria native, who started at Columbia University in

based the short term, and that is what the Foundation has done here. At a gathering in my home the

day after the group arrived, one of the group remarked that eight percent of Armenia's Foreign Ministry was in my living room at that moment. So the donor has had the courage to finance graduate education for a critical mass of young diplomats, exposed to an intemation-

al view and better capable of dealing with global realities. This is the kind of investment which we hope will continue to pay dividends for Armenia for a long time, beginning now," says Barsam. The donor is Aso Tavitian, 59, chairman AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

purely on merit. Young, capable

people is what we wanted." And he's committed to seeing the program continue. "As long as it makes sense, it will continue. We'll evaluate it on a year-by-year basis. It will certainly not be discontinued for a lack of funds." For those who may not see foreign policy as such a key area, Tavitian recounts what someone at a gathering with the Fletcher students said earlier in the year. "When your best neighbor is Iran, you know you're in a tough neighborhood," he says and adds. "I believe in the importance of giving to build Armenia's foreign policy. I thanked the foreign minister for giving me the opportunity to do this." 5L

rllll), United States Agency for International Development

Excmuc ImynsmaENrr{orr{T Vnvn-lnn OpponruNmEs wrrrr rHE USAID AnunNreu LaNo Tlruruc AND RncrsrnerroN Pno;rcr The State Unified Cadastral Department of Real Property of the Republic of Armenia has begun a two-year project to streamline the land title registration system and facilitate the development of a real estate market. One of the project's key objectives is to train Armenian professionals in the areas of real estate brokerage, surveying and appraisal. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through

RONCO Consulting Corporation in association with International Land Systems, Inc., is assisting the Armenian government in this component of the nation's overall economic reform effort. An integral part of this project is the creation of accurate, up-to-date cadastral surveys that

will provide the foundation for a parcel-based

sys-

tem for the registration of rights to real property. Currently, only surveyors licensed by the State Unified Cadastral Department

Real Property of the Republic of Armenia currently provide these surveys. However, there is currently a shortage of firms available who can carry out this work. Over the next several years USAID, the World Bank and the European Union are combined, providing over $10 million USD for these necessary surveying services. Our project team can facilitate interaction between interested parties and qualified

Armenian firms. For more information on how to establish an Armenian surveying

firm or how to invest in a joint venture with an existing Armenian firm please contact us at:

Noel Taylor, Survey Specialist RONCO Consulting Corporation/IlS, Inc. Land Titling and Registration Project Room 3O7,7 Arshakuniats Street, Yerevan 375010, Republic of Armenia. Telephone: (374-2) 529-124,560-097 Fax: (374-2) l5l-794 Email: ronco@arminco.com

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ilo $moHnu, Plea$o Or drinking, or drugs: A pilot program talks to l2-year-olds about lifestyle issues trx!4Jlqtoq ry

I'l4ryHEW KARANIAI'I

erop Der Boghossian had been helping to coordinate an anti-

Two boys said they had quit. Then a third boy raised his hand to claim that he,

smoking program

too, had become a non-smoker. The classroom erupted in laughter.

in Yerevan's

schools for more than a year, when

This

incident demonstrates the sometimes difficult task of measuring one's success when trying to persuade children and teenagers to avoid risky behavior. Some smokers and say that they don't smoke. And some of the

he attended one of the program's

final

classes,

appraise the

results-

He was speaking to a group of 12 to 14-year-olds, a group that is considered to

of the

be the most vulnerable to the allure of

children who don't smoke

smoking. Has anyone here stopped smoking cigarettes this year? This might seem an improbable question to put to such young children. But, l0 months earlier, some of these same children had raised their hands when their teacher asked if any of them smoked.

will lie and

say that they do.

Nevertheless,

by most accounts in

Armenia as many as 80 percent of the boys, and 20 percent of the girls, begin smoking while they are teenagers. Their reasons for starting are not unusual. Their friends smoke. Plus, "It's a symbol of manhood to start smoking," says Der Boghossian. So the boys want to be

So Der Boghossian wanted to know: Had the school's anti-smoking program persuaded anyone of the demerits of cigarettes?

will lie

known as smokers.

AIM AUCUST-SEPTEMBER

999

EDUCATION Maldng Public Hcalfi Relevant For the first time, educators in Armenia and specialists from the Diaspora began a coordinated and systematic effort last year

to prevent children from smoking-and drinking, and other behavior which can have long term health consequences. The tlree pupils who said that they had quit are some of the first children to have benefitted from this effort.

This pilot program was set up as an elective course of study for 12 to l4-yeuolds, most of them in Yerevan. The classes, which became an extension of the school day for these children, proved to be popular. There was virtually no absenteeism among the 750 pupils who enrolled, and many said this was their "most exciting" class, according to Der Boghossian. The classes met once each week, for one hour, all year long. Teachers raised lifestyle issues, and they engaged the children in candid discussions about the risks of extra-marital sex, drinking and drug abuse, as well as smoking. One class was asked to devise an antismoking advertising campaign. The chil-

people when they come up with good ideas. ARPA simply acted. Karagueuzian was asked to develop a

dren said that the course material had meaning to them. It was relevant. By contrast, the traditional health class that is required of all students, which is heavy on science, is often avoided.

whole textbook on preventive health care, specifically for Armenia. The book would form the core of a preventive health care

I UNNNSTTiaSTTU All.l1,Ill.IUItJl",

I Goflilmatiue Effon

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The idea for this health and lifestyle

pilot program can be traced back

several

approval. The Ministry of Education and Culture endorsed the project, subject to a few condi-

years. Shortly after Armenia regained its independence, a group ofArmenians in Los

Angeles formed an organization called Analysis, Research and Planning for

tions. The class had changed. The

Hrayr Karagueuzian, director of Basic Cardiac Electro-Physiology research at the

Technical Fellow

Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Division

Angeles, approached ARPA with a proposal: helping Armenia's children learn about the dangers of smoking, drinking and other lifestyle choices with long-term health implications.

Panossian, ARPAs founder and president

that

ARPA worked with the in 1992 to program an energy conference in Yerevan, and on other energy and economy-related projects as well. Later, ARPA spearheaded the Sarko

explains

Energy Ministry

Tilkian Blood Services Center which

was

elective

And the book would have to

identify Armenia's greatest needs. Not surprisingly, health issues topped their list.

at Boeing, Rocketdyne Canoga Park, California.

to be an

because there already was a health class.

Armenia (ARPA) in 1992. They set about to

"ARPAhad already been involved in other projects," says Hagop Panossian,

curriculum. ARPA arranged to have the book translated into Armenian. Karagueuzian developed and implemented a teacher training module. Der Boghossian and Karagueuzian lobbied the government ministers for their

Los

This lifestyle, for everyone to see, included smoking lots of cigarettes, drinking lots of vodka, and eating lots of fatty

in an atmosphere of often great

first

125 pages covering

smoking, alcohol and diet were fine. But the 25-page section on sexually transmitted diseases might offend some parents. So it was excised and published separately. Now there were two books. ARPA came up with a name for the

project-the Health Education Lifestyle Program (HELP)-and the Armenian Missionary Association of America, came up with the money that would be needed to

print about 1,000 copies of the text, in Armenia.

It was now late January,

set up in December 1988 to provide modern blood services to Yerevan's hospitals and

foods,

stress, and relatively little exercise.

Panossian and ARPA met

patients. And in Spring 1994, ARPA hosted

ARPA endorsed the idea fully. Then, instead of studying the matter further, ARPA took another step-a step that so often gets overlooked by kind-hearted

l0 of Armenia's best schools who were attending an education conference in Los Angeles. They talked about the proposed curriculum. They discussed the logis-

forum on forein policy options for Armenia (See AIM, May-June 1994). But in 1996, they found a new project.

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

1998.

with the princi

pals of

EDUCATION an

dents. And they made plans for encourag-

start of school, they got oral approval, which was good enough. The ARPA project

ing teachers to accept the extra workload.

was again underway.

tics of offering

additional class

stu-

Everything fell

together. Karagueuzian's idea had become a viable project. After the meeting, each of the l0 principals had agreed to allow at least one class to be offered at his school. There would be a total of 22 classes, and roughly 750 students. Seven of the schools were to be located in Yerevan. The other three schools would

be in the nearby towns of Abovian

Considering

that

public health

groups have campaigned against smoking for over th-ree decades, and the government has imposed increasingly strict restrictions on

tobacco advertising, and only recently has cigarette consumption fallen into widespread

disfavor, Der Boghossian says Armenians shouldn't expect the immediate results from

any anti-smoking programs to be dramatic. Therefore, and also because resources are limited, he says it is necessary to first target

and

Ejmiatsin, and also in the more distant town

of Bjni.

the children-Armenia's most vulnerable

The teachers would receive an honorarium of $25 per month. This gift, modest by

group. ARPA s health program is scheduled to begin its second year this September. The original l0 schools from last year will continue to offer the class. And, there is a plan to

standards, would triple the monthly salary of some of the teachers. But then, as sometimes happens to plans, this one began to unravel.

expand the program

The approval from the Ministry of Education and Culture had not been put in writing. It was oral. And when the Deputy Minister who had given this approval was suddenly, in August 1998, no longer the Deputy Minister, the approval was, suddenly, no longer an approval, either. ARPA didn't balk. "We brought copies of the finished book to the new [Deputy] Minister in August. The school year was

just about to begin, and here we are again looking for approval," exclaimed Der Boghossian. "Again we explained the program to them. Hurry, we said. Time is running out. School is starting soon." ARPA still couldn't get a written approval for the project. But, just before the

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

to an additional

schools, if funding becomes available. To do this, ARPA must raise an additional $15,000. The organizers would eventually like to be able to offer this program to every 12 to 14year- old in the country. Last year, says Der Boghossian, the teachers in the HELP program encouraged students to go home and tell their parents about smoking related diseases. "Some kids say their parents argued with them, but the

kids presented them with the facts." These children-with-the-facts are the exception in Armenia.

Marat Hovanessian is

16 year-old

boy from Yerevan, who says he started smoking when he was 14. He started at about the same time as many other boys in Yerevan. Sarkis Khandalian is 23 years old,

and already he's been a smoker for eight years. Barsam Bedrossian started at age 15. Arthur and Arnak are a couple of l2-yearold smokers, and Sedrak Sedrakian is a 17year-old who started smoking five years ago because all his friends were smoking. It wasn't difficult to find these six young men. They were the first six men that an interviewer approached on Yerevan's Republic Square one summer evening. The smoking histories of the next dozen young men to be interviewed were roughly the same. They had each begun to smoke between the ages of 12 and 15. They had started because everyone else was smoking. They continued because of habit.

None

of them could

articulate what he

enjoyed about smoking. Five years ago, a health class such as the one that is now underway might have given some of these young men a reason not to start smoking. Today, encouraging them to stop will be difficult.

Karagueuzian says this is why "we have to reach out to the pre-teen children. From the public health aspect, the best way to be helpful is to teach preventive medicine. And this is best before addiction kicks in," he says.

Armen Sarkissian, a department head Ministry of Health, on the other hand, sympathizes with the smokers. In Armenia, he says, "Life is very hard." As a result, many "people don't care about themselves. [They think that] their life is not worth much." He wishes things at the

were different.

He expects that programs such as the

one sponsored by ARPA will encourage today's youth to understand the value of preventive health care. But for many of Armenia's young men, smoking is a sign of

SI lJI irItitl

masculinity, and there's no machismo in preventive health care, says Karagueuzian.

They need

learn that this isn't true.

Attitudes need to be changed. "Armenians are struck with heart disease while they're in the prime of their life," he says. There's nothing macho about that. And this year, there's a group of 12year-olds in Yerevan and in three other towns who are getting this message. r

SAVE 400/o'70% EVERYDAY AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

CONNECTIONS

DoGtoF$ 0n Gall

Diaspora Specialists Help Establish First-Rate Medical Care in Armenia

lhiltHlmFUihalHt Text & Photos By ARMIilEH JOHAI{NES

heart center with heart," says Dr. Hrair Hovaguimian,

e are a

45, proudly, referring to the Nork Marash Medical Center OIIvIMC) in Yerevan. In his ultra modem operating room, a CD is playmg Vivaldi, and three-month-old Narek is undergoing a seven-hour proceudre for a venfficular septal defect of his heart. Hovaguimian andhis staff of 12 are pedorming the operation. At an operating room next door, an adult is being prepared for a by-pass operation as soon as Narek's procedwe is completed. Not all of Hovaguimian's patients are from Armenia. Three-month-old Siranush, bom with a serious heart defect, is from Russia.

"They told me that the operation was free and all I had to pay for was the blood fransfusion which costs $200, since blood is purchased from donors. In a few weeks, we can go back home to Krassnoselk. Everyone here has been very attentive and kind to us," said Simanush's mother, Christina. In another room, four-monttr-old Anna

Medelishvili is also recovering after her recent operation by Hovaguimian. "Our

daughter needed urgent surgery for TGAtransposition of great arteries; she had trouble breathing and her face was blue," saidAnna's parents. "We contacted Debora Heart and Lung Center in New Jersey-which participates in UN aid programs helping sick children in the world-and they offered to operate on Anna; but the trip to New Jersey was too long and too risky, so they referred us to

NMMC's Cardiology Department

has

from other countries-many from Russia and

performed pediatric heart surgery since 1993, and adult operations since 1996. Surgery performed on children under 15, who represent one third of NMMC patients, are completely free of charge-with the exception of blood transfusion costs. "This is a state-owned hospital with 150 rooms and 320 employees, 15 of whom are

especially from Georgia. Of the 1,800 surgeries performed since 1994, 300 were on patients from Russia and Georgia," said

cardiologists and operating room staff," explained Lydia Muratian, 54, the director of the hospital since 1987. "The state pays us 75,000 Drams ($140) for each child operated on here; however, the real cost for each operation is about $ I,800; we manage to cover our costs because we charge patients who come

Initially sponsored by the US-based Medical Outreach and then up to 1998 by the United Armenian Fund, NMMC managed to operate on 800 children, purchased modern surgical equipment from the US to create a supplementary operating and reanimation unit, established a diagnostics centet an ultra modem lab, and repaired and remodeled of sections of the building. "If we ignore the aesthetic questions, we can say that our center is as efhcient as any in the West," said Hovaguimian, director of cardiolvascular surgery. "We do not allow compromises. We abide by two important rules: not to sell our on our professional conscience, and to have realistic and intelligent financial management," he explained.

Armenia. We drove from Tbilisi to Yerevan. The operation cost $3,800, which is a great sum for us, but we managed to hnd sponsors to pay the bill. We are very satisfied with the conditions in this hospital and, actually, surprised to find such professionalism. The staff is very kind and makes us feel at home." said the Medelishvilis.

Hovaguimian here

Muratian.

Hovaguimian's highly acclaimed work is totally voluntary. He even lives in the hospital in order to be available around the clock. After graduating from Armenian universities, local surgeons receive further training by Hovaguimian and work under his supervi-

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

CONNECTIONS sion. Zpvxt Azaian, a retired nurse from New Jersey, spends almost all her time in Armenia, training NMMC nurses, who have acquired high levels of professionalism. *ln 1992,I performed my first surgery in Armenia and, after that, every year I spent six months in Armenia performing on 20 to 30 adult cardiac patients," said Hovaguimian.

"For the last two years, I've spent nine months a year in Armenia and three months at the Albert Starr Academic Center in Portland, Oregon, where I work. I shall keep coming back to Yerevan as long as my presence is required," he said. And listening to him, it is clear that Hovaguimian is not just a physician. There is a bit of a missionary in him. "I want Diaspora

Armenians to know that all is not dark in Armenia-that good things are created next to bad ones, and good is always appreciated. There is nothing that gives me more satisfaction than working here; something new is being built in this country that past generations did not have, so it is both emotionally and professionally very gratifying to be here." Dr. Ilrair Karapetian, director of a cardiac clinic in Spokane, Washington, is also Chief Pediatric Cardiologist at NMMC. He visits the Yerevan center two or three times a year and trains the local doctors. [n addition, he brings logistical support and is involved in

CIS, offering to perform cardiac surgery free of charge for 12 children every year. Two operations have already been performed within this humanitarian program, and two others are scheduled-a five-year-old Uzbek, and an l1-year-old Russian. NMCC recently signed an agreement with a Russian association which helps children born with heart defects. The association refers patients to NMMC. "We had a six-year-old girl who had very

"Today our center functions like a Limited State Corporation-this is one step

we managed to operate on her, although there were high risks involved," said Jamalian. "In fact, the difficult part is to gain confidence, because a patient who has been refused operation countries such as Russia and

closer to self-management and away from the absolute centralized system. [n fact, financial management is as important here as the treatment patients receive. Since the social conditions in the country are poor, and there is no

England, will find

insurance system, the

hard to believe that

someone in a small country like Armenia can carry out the operation," he continued. While Azerbaijan and the Baltic counffies have refused to take part in this program,

comparable to those in major western hospitals. Three to five percent of children bom with heart defects- such as ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of fallot, trasposition of

patients-is forced to serve as an insurance company and to find ways to help people in circumstances," explained

difficult

Generally, NMMC charges between ,500 to $4,5ffi for pediatric cardiac patients from other countries. Operations on adults $

cost between $2,900 to $3,70G-$500 of which goes for the necessary blood transfusion. [nArmenia,2,500 new cardiac cases are revealed annually, 1,000 to 1,500 of which need operation.

"It is not that the number of people with heart problems has increased, it's just that previously, the average age for consulting a

a five-year-old Azei child was recently are

hospital-in addition to its primary function of providing care to

Hovaguimian. "If they have financial difficulties, our center admits them and they pay a monthly sum over a period of time, or if they are very poor, they are operated on free of charge. Indeed, if we didn't have patients coming from other countries, we would have to close this center," he said.

"In the past few years, contacts from abroad have increased in Armenia," said Hovaguimian. 'This is important in order to be able to reevaluate oneself, ask questions, introduce changes and improvements. The style of work we try to implement here is patient-centered-the patient is always right, so you have to listen and have patience," he NMMC's success and failure rates

filtered out.

complicated problems and was refused surgery in Russia and even in England, but

the management of the Center.

laughed.

have to pay before you can demand quality," said Hovaguimian. "You cannot pay 5,000 to 15,000 Drams a month and expect honestythis is absurd. "ff the govemment lacks the necessary budget, then it should become smaller and reduce its sphere of control. If hospitals are decenfralized, then they will move up in quality-none of the qualified personnel will be

referred to the center through a Russian organization, and sent his medical file to the center. NMMC agreed to operate on the child, without charge. They have not yet received a

cardiologist was seven, and it has now dropped to 1.8. This means that parents are

bringing their children for consultatio'n much earlier. The reason for this is because before 1994, there was not a reliable cardiological

response.

surgery center

great vessels--die during surgery and 0.7 percent of patients die within 30 days after coronary bypass surgery. The overall failure

"In Armenia, we have managed to solve both the medical and financial problems

Jamalian.

rate does not exceed three percent. "Five out of 1,000 births are

proudly say that this is an accomplishment," said Hovaguimian. "Today, we have not only taken care of our own problem, but we are looking beyond our boundaries and actively helping children in CIS countries. The financial aspect of this program is totally taken care of and I don't think that there are many countries in the world which can do that," he said with a sense of achievement. "Here at NMMC, doctors are paid $500 a month and nurses $60 to $70 a month. You

with some

sort of heart defect, 40 percent of which need to be operated on either in childhood or later.

Sometimes there are very complicated defects, but so far Hovaguimian has refused to operate only once or twice," said Smbat Jamalian, 29, a pediatrc cardiologist who began as a resident at NMMC five years ago.

In 1998, NMMC contacted health ministries and children's foundations within the

linked to surgeries-all Armenians can

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER

999

"In

Yerevan,"

explained

general, we purchase all our equip-

ment from the US, the transportation costs are sponsored by the UnitedArmenian Fund. We recently received a Phillips CatLab machine as a gift from the US Embassy in Yerevan, but

in and operate the machine we need to invite experts from Phillips. This will cost to plug

$50,000, which we do not readily have; how-

ever, God has given

us Dr.

Hrair

Hovaguimian, and thanks to him, we manage to find all the necessary equipment and devices to continue our work here," said Lida Muratian.

CONNECTIONS

ffru $euGFG Pleasre

where Hill lives during visits. If an explanation for his contribution to

eye care

by JOHI'| HUGHES

I I

e doesn't share others'reasons for

being here.

I I I- I I I

This is not Richard Hill's "motherland": these are not the eYes ot kln he looks lnto. No agency pays me eye oocror ro

here.

Yet, twice

year, the Southern

California ophthalmologist leaves his practice and his family of three for medical missions to Armenia where he is an adopted son.

His professional colleagues know Hill as a respected

glaucoma specialist,

tenured member

recent-

of the University of

California Irvine faculty, an enthusiast of history.

At the Republic Eye Hospital in

Yerevan he is simply "Dr. Rick" to the hun-

of patients he has treated since his first visit in 1994. There, without the benedreds

Armenia were necessary it

might be found in something Hill once said after one of those typically long days in which he was still in the operating room only an hour before he was due to board a plane for home: "A lot of things are universal," Hill

said. "Going blind means just about the same thing

in any country."

Still, Hill's interests in health care for Armenia go beyond the bounds of a physi-

cian's oath. (Why else would an odar add

If he'd

world on

a week's notice was "no problem." Subsequent trips have revealed problems Hill could not have expected. "You see cases here you just don't see

back home," Hill says. Some of the worst cases have required specialists that don't exist in Armenia and for a few of those cases, Hill has assisted Ohanesian in bringing patients for treatment in the US.

Patients bring him food, cognac-

weekly Armenian lessons to an already busy schedule?)

In addition to his hands-on treatment of hundreds and training of dozens of doctors

in Armenia, Hill also wrote a curriculum that is part of Armenia's academic require-

ments

for ophthalmologists. And

was

through Hill's efforts that UCI has begun a fellowship program for visiting eye doctors from Armenia (supported by the Armenian

American Medical Society and

the

known then the words he knows

Hill would have said problem chka. Five years ago Hill knew little about Armenia. But a trip halfway around the now,

small gifts from appreciative hearts. Still the rewards of Richard Hill's work are not as

obvious as the needs themselves.

And so the adopted son returns for reasons of his own, to continue among familiar strangers a work that "severe pleasure."

Hill

refers

to as his

ffiyuhue,mlyuham; Imr yr $etm frum It has been more than 10 years

since

Boston internist Carolann Najarian began work in Armenia that she thought would last

"a year or two." She first visited her parents' homeland 1988, partly out of curiosity over what she was hearing about Karabakh. It was a time of anticipation, of unease, of rallies at

Opera Square. And a time when she and her husband were "tolerated, if not completely welcomed guests." Years later, the doctor is welcomed and honored in Armenia for work that began for

it did for so many Diasporan Armenians-with the Gumri earthquake. "Then (Armenia) just took over our lives," Najarian says. "It became hard to

her as o

extricate ourselves from it." It began simply, urgently.

fit of common language, Hill is known for his kind manner, his soft face and an untir-

ing passion for his work that sustains 18hour work days and the patience to assist young doctors in procedures he could do in half the time. Chief of Staff Alex Malaian says Hill "has an Armenian heart." An examination coat with Hill's name on it hangs penna-

nently

Malaian's hospital,

in a

room

Armenian Eye Care Project). It all started with a phone call.

ln 1994, Hill received a call from Roger Ohanesian (see accompanying article) a Southern California ophthalmologist who founded and directs the Armenian Eye Care Project. Ohanesian told Hill he had a glaucoma patient he'd like Hill to see. Of course Hill agreed. Then Ohanesian told him the patient was in Armenia.

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

With others from the Boston Armenian community, George and Carolann Najarian set up a relief center in their home, culminating in an airlift in January 1989 and the second of what are now nearly 30 trips. In the beginning "it probably would have helped more if I were a surgeon," says the intemist. But also in the beginning, there was need simply for the willing if not the specialized and so Najarian began broad-based help that would eventually become more specific.

CONNECTIONS musty odor, contains four women with pregnancy complications. There is nothing much that can be done except keep them on bed rest, I am told. I look from bed to bed, avoiding their eyes, wishing for a moment that I had not seen them." Far, yet, from Western medicine standards, that matemity hospital today is being renovated, largely due to Najarian's efforts (and the work of Italian relief workers and British businessman David Dowell (see CONNECTIONS in this issue).

"The Karabakh issue for me is paramount problem," Najarian says.

the Armenian story.

It is

our

the

"It is

essence.

Everytime I say to myself 'I am tired. I can't take this anymore,' I think of those people. And I have to help." She keeps an apartment in Yerevan and

one in Stepanakert and her focus split between her "normal" job as Assistant Medical Director of Middlesex County

Hospital and the work in Armenia. It is not a simple life. Rewards come with frustrations, especially in dealing with an inexperienced democracy that steadily becomes more bureaucratic if not more effective. "First you fall in love with the land and the people," Najarian says. "Then you start to hate it all because of the man-made obstacles people are confronted with that aren't necessary. "Then you get over that and you settle down and say 'But this is it. This is what we have. We've got to keep it.'"

Ith Lack ol Ulsion It is far from Yerevan,

inside the Southern California home, that the driving spirit of Roger Ohanesian is glimpsed in an episode that is not uncomkitchen

"They would say 'We need incubators,' and we'd go back and get them," Najarian says. "Or they'd say 'We need a chainsaw for cutting wood,' and we'd arrange to have a

chainsaw delivered."'

Sometimes the needs were as simple as electrical adapters and at times as complex as how to treat critically ill patients in hospitals blacked out by energy embargoes.

To organize the considerable task, in 1989, the Najarians founded the Armenian Health Alliance Inc., a non-profit group for aid to Armenia. She has since opened a primary care center in Gumri. ln 1992, Najarian made her first trip to Karabakh. Since then, the maternity hospi-

tal in

Stepanakert has become

major

emphasis of her work.

Earlier this year Najarian published A Call from Home, a memoir of experiences in which she writes about the first time she saw the maternity ward: "The five rooms of the maternity unit are filled with women, some newly delivered, some in active labor. One doctor and several nurses are in attendance. All appear sad and look exhausted. Bullet holes pock the walls opposite the windows. Their sur-

gical instruments are being sterilized on a wood-burning stove in the middle of the main room, causing soot and smoke to fill the air. Another room, dark and filled with a

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

of his

mon.

A guest in his home hears the eye doctor and the repairman talking and enters the kitchen. And there is the repairman looking, not at the dishwashet but at a wall while Ohanesian gives him a vision test. Family vacations have often include sidetrips for the doctor to visit foreign hospitals to observe their methods of ophthalmology.

Such

vacation was planned for

London in 1992, when, a day before the family was to leave Califomia, Ohanesian received a fax from the Minister of Health in Armenia: Casualities of war, lingering problems from the earthquake, economic

CONNECTIONS burned out and there were no replacements.

And at the main hospital in

Stepanakert, Ohanesian watched as doctors

"sterilized" for work by having a nurse pour cold water from a pitcher over their hands. Prior to that fax from the Minister of Health, Ohanesian's involvement toward Armenia was distant if at all. Now, his organization is in a campaign to refurbish the eye clinics of Stepanakert and Gumri in the same manner as it transformed Republic Eye Hospital. The efforts are driven by a physician of insatiable passion for his work. And by a simple conviction that feeds the passion: "Our homeland deserves better."

o o

Ghanging hardship had created

a crisis. Could he

help?

With his wife and son's blessing, the

The changes he has seen in eye care "were unimaginable" Ohanesian says, lrom that first trip when surgeons carried flash-

second-generation Armenian-American

lights with which to operate in case of the

first trip to Armenia. In October he

inevitable power outage. Still, more changes are needed. "I am concerned that members of the

made his

will make his fifteenth.

Like Carolann Najarian and others of their generation, Ohanesian turned the effects of his good fortune and hard work (including graduation from Harvard Medical School) into benefits for those

Diaspora see the general progress in Yerevan and

think that all is well in "An hour's

Armenia," Ohanesian says.

[ttUde$, not

Iechnology Images of last month's earthquake in Turkey were flashbacks for San Francisco orthopedic surgeon Francois Antounian. In 1989, Antounian made his first visit to Armenia to examine patients in Gumri and Spitak and to select children to bring back to California for treatment at Shriners Hospital.

1990, he returned

to study post

natal

whose bloodlines cross with his.

Since that first impromptu mission, Ohanesian has established

a relationship

with Armenian colleagues that has transformed Yerevan's Republic Eye Hospital from a run-down clinic into a facility that now attracts patients from throughout the Caucasus.

Ohanesian founded and directs the Armenian Eye Care Project (with support from the United Armenian Fund and the

Armenian American Medical Society). Recently, Ohanesian (who, like the other doctors in this story, receives no compensa-

tion for his work in Armenia) has branched out to focus on regions beyond the capital, including Stepanakert and Gumri. Twice yearly, Ohanesian arranges trips for himself and other eye care specialists to Armenia, where the doctors not only see patients, but conduct seminars and train young Armenian doctors in techniques of

drive outside town will tell you that that is

Western ophthalmology.

simply not true."

In 14 trips toArmenia, associates of the Eye Care Proiect have examined more than 10,000 patients, performed more than 4,000 surgeries and have arranged for eight cases-untreatable in Yerevan- to be brought to the US for free surgeries.

a 6

On his most recent visit to Gumri, Ohanesian toured the clinic of ophthalmologist Haik Abrahamian and saw an operating microscope that had been rigged with lights

and a battery from Abrahamian's automobecause bulbs in the microscope had

bile

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

deaths from infections.

The need for immediate care brought Antounian to Armenia. The need for training has kept him going back at least yearly ever since.

"I realized that I needed to do something that was more pefinanent," Antounian says. "I didn't believe that specialists coming and

CONNECTIONS going from the outside was sufficient. I wanted to raise the level of orthopedic medicine there." Antounian calls his early notions "naive" as he was setting himself up for encountering unexpected obstacles. His idea to establish an orthopedic clinic at Erebuni Medical Center was not greeted warmly by Yerevan's academic leaders who thought the clinic should be the Orthopedics Institute. This is a system that

didn't agree with the system.

"I didn't want to have a hand in depriving Armenia of good physicians," Antounian says. "I said to the chief orthopedist 'You cannot have two generals on one battlefield. So just give me this little room and copy what I do if it works.' "Now, things have changed. Not enough to our taste, but things have changed. We

can't change the system and hope

it will

trickle down. Change has to come from the

fosters territorial cliques and stepping into

inside."

that can be slippery Antounian soon leamed. But he had his reasons and stuck with them. "Politics played some role in resistance to ideas)," Antounian says. "But the problem

It wasn't just ideology that has made Antounian's work a challenge. "We were bringing fiber optics to a place

with all Soviet-trained doctors is that they

"But in the darkest hours, when we were operating by flashlight, we gave the people

where the telephones didn't work," he says.

believed nothing was lacking in understanding; that all they needed was technology. My concept was just the opposite. Technology was the last thing they needed. They finally realized that equipment was not the problem, it was their whole approach." That approach most often was a single notion about orthopedics-a Soviet idea that

treats all problems with invasive surgery. Against that mentality Antounian and his plans for teaching orthoscopic medicine (less invasive and with less chance of infection) were met with skepticism. "The physicians there are intelligent people, but they have not had good teachers," Antounian says. "It has been the blind leading the blind." Armenia's chief orthopedist was suspicious Antounian's intentions, and Antounian was cautious to not interfere, even

hope."

The successes of Antounian's work include a woman who was confined to bed who is now walking after replacement of four joints. Significantly, two of the joints were replaced by a physician trained by Antounian. Antounian has taken about $2 million worth of equipment to Armenia to establish the orthopedic clinic, most of which was donated or purchased from donations. Now, like other Diaspora doctors who rely on chariry, he says he is concerned about "donor fatigue"----especially as the Armenian economy has not reached self-suffrciency.

"These people deserve good care," Antounian says. "Forget about the absence of a system, these people have a right to a chance for good care."

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER 1999

CONNECTIONS $omcthlng t0 smlle A[out Gary Kevorkian's contributions to Armenia's health care was not brought on by disaster, but rather was inspired by a simple desire to improve the quality of living. In 1992 Kevorkian, a Southern California dentist, helped establish

the

Armenian Dental Society of Califomia. Of the group's 90 members, 20 have visited Armenia and five have made repeat trips. Kevorkian has been going every three or four months since his first trip rn 1994.

"We went to see what we could do," Kevorkian says. "And the first thing we realized is that we had to do something quick."

With medical attention in Armenia

focused so much on the trauma of war and earthquake,

Kevorkian and associates found dental care severely lacking. His group's hrst involvement was to create a mobile clinic. Using a panel van and generators and hoping for good roads, Kevorkian took dentistry to people who could not travel to the major cities, and to dentists who could not receive contemporary

training. The ADS has since established clinics in many of the places where that mobile clinic was the

only source of care. Now Kevorkian and

to those clinics to focus on teaching local dentists. "The educational system for dentistry in

others travel

Armenia was built on theory," Kevorkian says. "The five years of study in dental school is mostly book work. But dentistry is a hands-on type of profession. You can't

learn how to do a root canal or set a crown from reading a book." The ADS has helped implement the clinical aspect of training into the curriculum of the country's major school of dentistry. It has also stocked Yerevan clinics with modem equipment and the overall result, Kevorkian says, is that "the idea of private practice has caught on to the point that they can be as creative as doctors here in Southern California." A very limited amount of Western-style

Kevorkian is currently working to establish a residency program that would maintain a Westem-trained dentist in Yerevan who could train as many as 15 young dentists at a time. ADS is also hoping to create a library that would include an internet hookup with the American Dental Association. "Funding goes a long way toward how much you can go forward," Kevorkian says. And while he shares the opinion of

orthodontic work is even being done in fslsv6n-4 considerable leap from five

decreasing "the

years ago when equipment was run on truck batteries and "sterilization" was the use of a

Kevorkian says, "but that so many who give don't have a first hand contact with the people who we see benefit from their charity."

wet towel between procedures.

Diaspora colleagues that donations are fatigue

is not so much from giving,"

IIAI\{AZKAYIN CUUruRAL ASSOCIAUON AI.ID McGILL UNITERSTTY MONTRIAL

ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR'S SIR EDWARD BEATTY TECTURER

VARIAN GREGORTAN nusdsnq Carnegie C"orporation of New York

CONNECTIONS

llsdln0 fte lleslost Suons Armen Goenjian remembers when school children in Gumri would cower at their desks when a noisy truck carrying debris would pass near their classroom. Goenjian is a UCLA pyschiatrist who has been studying and treating the psychological needs of Gumri residents since just days after

the earthquake.

He offers a glimpse into the psychological imprinting that such an event leaves. Goenjian says the symptoms of post traumatic stress remain with the children of Gumri at levels equivalent to that in rape victims and war veterans.

But there are other, perhaps unexpected, effects that shape these children who will shape the future of Gumri.

Through studies at two clinics set up by

UCLA in the earthquake zone, Goenjian and his colleagues have leamed that children in Gumri "have an understanding of right and wrong that is beyond their age," Goenjian says. "Their moral comprehension is quite advanced." Simply, it seems that the youth of Gumri

have had maturity thrust upon them. Many who lost parents have had to take on parental roles lor younger siblings.

And most, Goenjian says, "have

&**

been

DZI[-U-lnn

faced with moral dilemmas" that are atypical to the greater world's young. Their perception, however, comes with a

twist. Because they have seen their world, quite

literally, turned upside down, the children who survived the earthquake are often afflictcalls

PUTUCTTIlllIS

Gll Me WInYow Fiend Is &

Fire and Wfiter, Sister and Braths

ed with what Goenjian's profession "pathological interference."

That is, although they have advanced knowledge of moral behavior, they also have an inherent insecurity caused by trauma. It is that unstable side of their reasoning that often causes the children to behave in a manner that contradicts their advanced comprehension.

Further, the psychiatrist says, children raised in the domigs of the earthquake zone have experienced an artificial adolescence in circumstances that force them to alter the natural behavior of active youth. Through the Armenian Relief Society Clinic of Gumri and Spitak (which has seen

as many as 3,000 to 4,000 patients each year), Goenjian and others have trained other professionals to tend to the mental health of the region. His frequent trips are to monitor the progress

ofthose professionals as well as the progress of their patients. It is an essential work that is an unhappy consequence

of positive changes coming too

slowly after devastation that took only

sec-

onds.

The earthquake, the collapse of communism, severe winters, war "have changed the g

profile of the population," Goenjian

says.

"We will still be able to recover from some scars, but others are going to stay for a long

time."

nrmffi lmqlrr rm arrc,.ffi m; Onm

lnn:rnr loorrrcffir H Grrr t3r01 47o,-a2at E-f,llu f,6|,,afir,tr,fle,[il-e8l

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

CONNECTIONS

0n the Road AUaln

Armenia Fund Gears up for a Longer Highway Project The Armenia Fund is building a road again. This one---called the backbone of Karabakh-will provide a critical north-

tious project: the road being called Karabakh's backbone. The Armenia Fund, was, for a long time the only

visible institutional link between Armenia and __---Eiaspora. Following the Armenia-Diaspora con-

south artery to the small republic. As part of Azerbaijan, all its communication net-

ference, new relationships may also be defined. Until then, the Fund and its branches are on the road again: " to build the road

works went through neighboring Azeri regions. One had to drive through Azeri towns to get from one Armenian village to another. Today, it is possible to drive from Martakert in the north to Hadrut in the south, but it will take more than half

'to

Karabakh's prosperity and stability." The first step down that long road

will be Telethon '99, on Thanksgiving Day, -- November 25,1999. AIM asked Armenia Fund Executive Director Vahan Ter Ghevondian in Yerevan. Armenia Fund of the Western US, Inc.,'s former President Rafi Ourfalian, and its current acting president Zaven Khanjian, as well as

a day, and leave out many villages and towns along the way. So, the Board of Trustees of the Armenia Fund have taken on this huge task: to collect $25 million and build a 100-mile long road. The Armenia Fund's most visible project to

Migirdic Migirdicyan of

date has been the construction of the Goris- .,c*r Stepanakert Highway which provides a physical link between Karabakh and Armenia. Following the successful telethons held in Los Angeles in 1996 and 1997, which contributed the bulk of the funds for that road construction, the Board of the

rlull [s comment

I I I

Armenia Fund has embarked on an even more costly and ambi-

VAHAiI TER GHEVOI,IDIAN

the

Armenia Fund Canada in Toronto,

ter quality than any road in the Caucasus.

on the challenges.

Completed Goris-Stepanakert Highway Projected lrlorth South Highway Existing North South Roads

unaligned, unidentified Armenians, while at time respecting and cooperating with existing organizations. Wherever only organizations are represented in the Fund's work, the effectiveness the Fund is limited. On the other hand, working without the backing of

the same

Ou run Nonrn.Souru Hrcumy The new road project is even bigger than the Goris-Stepanakert highway and three times as long; but the first road cost $250 per meter because of the rugged terrain. We literally carved a road out of the mountainside to link Armenia to Karabakh. This new northsouth Karabakh backbone is easier: it will cost only $150 per meter. Yet, this one road will link more than 20 towns and villages to the center. Its demographic, social, economic, military significance cannot be overestimated.

Ox rur: Gonts.SrnpnNlrpnt Htcuw.ry: The Goris-Stepanakert Highway was built at minimum cost. $10.1 million is what the entire 70 km. road cost. Whatever standards and calculations you use, including World Bank standards,

official Armenian government num-

bers, this road comes out cheaper and is of bet-

Or rur Elnruqu.axr Zoxr In the government's plan which calls for a reconstruction of the earthquake zone to be completed within three years, the Armenia

traditional organizations can be difficult. It

Fund will have been responsible for about 20 to 30 percent ofthe total building process: res-

the

idential buildings, schools, hospitals from Gumri to Spitak, Vanadsor, Stepanavan.

bring together these two methods that have

ON TUT ABILITY To ATTRACT THE UNINVoLYED: The Fund in France has representatives

from all the organizations but their activity is

thing like an alternate revenue or income-generating agency, for Karabakh, the Fund is even more significant. In Karabakh, there are no international agencies, foreign funds, major investments. All Armenia Fund activities are not only a major assistance to Karabakh's

not limited to those organizations. They go out to towns, wherever there are 10 individuals or five families, they identify and bring in people who perhaps have never attended an Armenian Church in their lives, but give regularly to the Armenia Fund. So, it is up to each individual Armenia Fund office to go beyond the traditional community structures and seek out the

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

is those Fund offices which have managed to been most efficient.

rup Nrrunn on run Fuxp If for Armenia, the Armenia Fund

is some-

infrastructure, but they also create jobs. Whether the Fund is building roads, schools or hospitals, these projects create jobs.

CONNECTIONS Armenia.

RATI OURFALIAN

I think Armenia itself is ambiguous

and unclear about the Fund.

run Fuxo's Appplr.

Traditional organizations focus on differences very well; we wanted to focus on areas that would be common to a large segment of the community.

Ox run Los Aucr:r,Rs TnrstHorls Telethon '96 was a resounding success:

hundreds of volunteers participated. The telethon surpassed by far anything done by the Diaspora in terms of funds raised and participation. The first telethon's success was also due to a large extent to the Lincy Foundation which matched the funds and were very generous in the terms of the match. JimAljian and Alex Yemenidjian were very forthcoming in supporting this activity, and that inspired a great deal of confidence.

The focus

I think the leader-

ship in Armenia is in search of a redefinition of the Armenia-Diaspora relationship.

see

it: Essential

project + Reasonable budget + Tangible product = Confidence. Orl ruosn wHo

tuB FuNDts Drnpnnnxcn

The Fund being the sole Armenian organization which is a collaborative effort of all major organizations, should distinguish itself from the fractious Armenian reality in Armenia and the Diaspora. We are faced with the monumental task of nation-building, not just state building. With independence, not just Armenia, but also Karabakh and the Diaspora had to reassess their values and focus in terms of what needs

to be done. So, the Fund was to be not a replacement of anything else, but a complement to everything else.

of the first

telethon was to connect the two legs of Armenian soci-

ety-Armenia

road. This is the formula as

ARD RtirtcuNT To crvn The widespread corruption in Armenia has had its affect on everyone. For some, it is a legitimate concern and so they have taken a passive role until more confidence is built. For others, unfortunately, it is an excellent excuse to deny responsibility and justify the denial. Safety measures are needed to build more con-

fidence but no one can run away from the responsibility ol building our nation.

ON GrvrNc ro rrrn f,'uND AssrsraNcn ?0 ARMENTA

vs. Ixorvrnulr

Armenia Fund was the first attempt to bring together the effective unity in resources. know-how and experience of the two segments of this nation and put them to work for the creation of a better and more

powerful Armenia, without being limited by Armenia's

and

Karabakh-with a major infusion from the Diaspora, the

geography. This relationship is

third leg. This created symbol-

part of the nation-building

ic and real connectedness. The second telethon in 1997 did not raise as much money, but

process. Add to that the concentrated effort in building and/or upgrading the infrastructure of a country and one can clearly see that this in no way can be comapred to or replaced by humanitarian aid to sustain families and friends in Armenia. The latter is a process that will hopefully be unnecessary one day. The former, how-

the number of participants almost doubled, thus validating the all-Armenian nature of the fund. Still, we never intended to

do perpetual telethons.

The

idea was to do a few telethons, create a substantial base for the Fund and then. with that critical mass, branch offinto different types of activities and create that environment in which any-

one who defines himself as Armenian would

ever. should be an ongoing process continuously developing ON

rnn FuNnts KARABAKE Focus:

feel that his regular, yearly participation, in

Armenia, as a recognized state, has access to international funds, by way of loans, grants,

whatever form, was a moral duty.

credits, etc, that Karabakh does not have. Armenia Fund's assistance to Karabakh sort of

ON "INsTITUTIoNALIZINc'' THE FUND My fear is that the Armenia Fund may suffer the same fate as other organizations: not evolve into an institution, but remain depen-

dent on given personalities at a given time. The leadership in Armenia is preoccupied with what are perceived to be larger issues. But unfortunately, like everything else, they have

the gap. Additionally, because of (sometimes well-founded) skepticism in the

we can say here

is one of those important

efforts that must be pressed forward together with Karabakh negotiations, economic infrastructure building, etc. I think there is a certain confusion in the community with the multiplicity of organizations who purport to do similar things for

new

M IGIRDICYAI.I

On ConnuprroN

Look at the results: major highways, schools, waterworks, residential buildings, the Fund has completed over 100 projects both in Armenia and in Karabakh. If monies were lost due to heavy corruption, those projects could not have materialized. The French Amyot firm conducts a regular outside audit.

in Los Angeles.

to press on all fronts, or we'll have gaps. Armenia Fund

MIGIRDIC

closes

community about aid to Armenia, tangible projects make more sense. The board in Armenia decides the priority of projects based on the simple logic that the people on the ground know best what they need, better than

into

dimensions.

ON ZAVEN KHAI'IJIAN

"Wttv A RoAD?" Projects like the road are not only absolute necessities of economic and social life, but are also tangible products of our assistance. We can see, feel, touch, ride and travel on the ON

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

Annrnnn.Dnsponl RELATIoNs The Fund is a working model of a

suc-

cessful Diaspora relationship, which can easily become the core of a more encompassing Armenia-Diaspora Assembly, perhaps, as long as the Diasporan institutions sincerely adopt

the principle that supporting Armenia

and

Karabakh is not a negotiable item.

CONNECTIONS

Llke ElulnU to Youn EHldnGr Britain's David Dowell's Mission is Karabakh By J0Hl'l HUGHES; Photos by BRUCE STR0I'|G

nside this hut Stepanakert,

warehouse in

walking canes and

crutches and baby scales and hospital utility tables and clothes and toys and

computer parts and spark plugs and assorted this and that shape the chaos of David Dowell's 35th trip to Armenia and Karabakh in 10 years. On this moming, the Brit is overseeing the sorting of a shipment that, typically, has made its way through shipping yard thieves and over-zealous bureaucrats and changing schedules and lorry breakdowns and the unpredictable attitude of springtime in the mountains that are Karabakh. Crates, 40 feet by eight feet by eight feet, began at Kimble Airfield an hour from

London, England, were flown

Thessalonica, Greece then shipped to Poti, Georgia, then trucked from Poti to Yerevan and from Yerevan to Stepanakert. It costs

$6,000

to ship a crate and when he has

gathered the goods, Dowell also gathers the

financing.

Dowell,

a veteran

of surviving disorder,

is standing among workers whose language he doesn't speak, nonetheless making jokes with them as they meticulously record every single item as only those trained in Soviet inventory-taking can.

This shipment includes a small

car,

donated by Dowell's mother-inlaw. Once, he brought a fire truck. It is a scene the United Nations should witness. For here, England's Dowell is sorting through mounds of shoes made in Italy

for use in a Japanese car factory which have been passed from British workers to the yet unknown of some Karabakh village. The piles of goods are without specificity; as if a massive and eclectic yard sale were about to begin,

Len Gulian from Karabakh's Ministry

of Social Affairs is here to

oversee the unloading. Dowell is here to oversee the overseeing. It is his only assurance that goods go where they are intended, a hard lesson learned from years of doing this. Dowell's shipments always mean long

days of labor for Gulian's staff. For after inventory, the goods must be distributed to places where needs have been identified. It

is a simple formula, and a throwback of sorts to a time before Karabakh emerged closer to self-reliance.

country transportation and other expenses connected to what averages out at 3.5 trips per year. But it is work that has become an avocation of passion for the Brit-a second career after he retired from ownership of a

"The focus of our government now is to try to engage new businesses," Gulian says.

very successful roofing company.

"The only person still bringing humanitari-

fanfare.

an aid is David,"

David Dowell didn't ask for publicity. In fact he agreed to talk about his work in

Of course major agencies still have a presence here. Medicins Sans Frontieres, for example and Baroness Caroline Cox's Christian Solidarity Worldwide (for whom Dowell has occasionally gathered items for shipment to Karabakh). But Dowell sees benefits in working independently: He sets his own schedules, answers to no committees, is responsible only for himself and to himself and to those who are the benefactors of these assorted items.

He sees, too, the difficulties of that independence: It is a consuming commitment, demanding time that Dowell might rather spend with his wife, Felicity, a jurist. And it is costly, working without sponsorship. He pays for his own air fare and in-

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

And

it is work he does without great

Armenia and Karabakh only after a promise that he would "not be made to look like a hero.'n

He is content being relatively unknown.

But know this: Absent headlines and airtime and ministerial receptions, Dowell has perhaps done more for Karabakh than has been accomplished by any single person. And certainly more than any other nonArmenian. No, he is not a hero. Unless the definition is someone who sees need and devotes a great deal of his life to fixing it for a people to whom he has no blood connection in a land most haven't heard of.

\ \

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gr,"t

5.:;i

ffi",

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rv+ildrss tirTg$

CONNECTIONS worked in concert with donors from his country to make sure the school in Gumri

in 1994,he travelled to Karabakh to do roofing work on the rehabilitation hospital for which Baroness Cox is honored. Like many journeys since, the first ride from Yerevan to Stepanakert was a memorable one. After waiting six hours for the electricity to be turned on so his trucks could be loaded, was sustained. Then,

Dowell sat off for the twisting ride with a driver who pulled a bottle oi vodka from under the seat, his means of staying warm for the drive around hairturn pins on uncertain roads. Soon the driver was singing and soon after that he stopped the truck and refused to drive any further unless David began singing too.

It was so cold in the truck that the condensation from their body heat formed ice on the inside of the windshield. And so it was that a vodka drinking Armenian and a reluctantly singing Brit aimed for Stepanakert. "It didn't take me long to realize that if I drank part of the vodka, there would be less for the driver," Dowell recalls. So Dowell did his part until the bottle was empty. "And I thought 'Thank God, we've finished off the vodka.' Then, the driver reached under the seat and pulled out another

bottle." Somewhere around that time, and near a

village called Daik, Dowell and the driver watched the truck in front of them slide into a snowbank and then turn over on the side the mountain.

Dowell spent much of his fust night's journey huddled in a donkey stable, burning straw to keep warm, before some Armenian villagers took Dowell and the driver in until they were rescued. His convoy reached Stepanakert where the snow was too deep to allow work. The Brit was housed with a family of

Baku refugees before meeting Valeri Maroutian, a well-known Karabakhi heart surgeon who took him to his home. Thus began a fast friendship.

Like many among the humanitarian aid community, Dowell first heard of Armenia

1988 when the December 7 earthquake

put Gumri in the news.

At that time Dowell was director of Bracknell Roofing, one of several outhts invited to submit bids to do construction work on Gumri's Lord Byron School, a gift from Margaret Thatcher. Dowell's company was given the job,

and in early 1989 he and a crew moved to Gumri for a couple months of work that was often intemrpted by winter weather too severe for roofing. It was more than a new school that Dowell left when his work in Gumri was finished. He left behind a new collection of friends and a notion for making their lives better-a notion that has become a tether.

Over the next several years, Dowell AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

Unable to work because of the weather, Dowell was taken to see parts of Karabakh, still suffering the immediate effects of war. In the village of Hakaku, Dowell saw devastation that would soon become familiar. And when Maroutian said "Will you try to help?," Dowell, not knowing the lifechanging events he would set in motion, said

"Yes."

Dowell left Karabakh after five snowy days

without hammering a single nail.

Fly British Airways or their alliance partners and one ticket is all you need to get to Armenia, wherever you are

in America. With more transatlantic flights from more states to London Heathrow, then non-stop to Yerevan, there's no easier way home. For full details contact your local travel agent, the British Airways website at www.britishairways.com or call British Airways anytime on Free phone 1-800-AIRWAYS. Services from Heathrow operated by the independent carrier British Mediterranean Airways Ltd.

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CONNECTIONS away from Maroutian and had painted over the doctor's name. Last summer, Valeri Maroutian died of a

heart attack. When Dowell went to Stepanakert for ceremonies commemorating life, he leamed that the van he'd given Maroutian that subsequently had been taken from him, was used to haul the docthe doctor's

tor's coffin.

"That really upset me," Dowell says. "The bastards wouldn't let him have a decent vehicle, then they used it to take him to his grave." It is not those memories, however, that bring Dowell back to this warehouse. It is, rather, the thought of a newbom sleeping in an incubator Dowell has delivered, or a village farmer enjoying the shoes of a British car builder that are the reason behind the passion. He has been a sailor, is a pilot, calls himself, still, "a roofer." And in the combination

is someone who Back in England, he was in a store buying wallpaper when he remembered the sites in Hakaku. Dowell wrote a letter to the manager of the store and the company donated 500 rolls of wallpaper.

"I thought 'This isn't too diffrcult'," Dowell says. "So I wrote letters for tiles, for toilets, for faucets. And I got the lot." The lot has gotten bigger and it has come to include medical goods and supplies that are slowly transforming Stepanakert's

maternity hospital from shambles left by war into a (relatively) respectable place for newboms. It is the same hospital which receives

assistance from US physician Carolann Najarian and the Armenian Health Alliance. (See page 60 in this issue and AIM March 1996.) And just this year an Italian humanitarian agency began renovating the facility.) On an early trip to the hospital, Dowell took a video camera and recorded the pitiful conditions.

Back

England, an Armenian physi-

cian, Ara Nahabedian saw the videotape and

wrote, Dowell recalls, "I'm ashamed of myself. I've seen your video and have leamed that you have done something for my country, and I haven't."

Dowell's involvement led

Nahabedian's. And now the doctor has teamed with the retired roofer to help gather

the goods that Dowell delivers

Stepanakert-and to Gumri, where he continues his relationship with the Lord Byron school.

By the time Dowell reaches home after

trips to Armenia, a new shipment is already being prepared. The commitrnent goes far beyond casual concern.

But why? Dowell guards the answer, wrapping up his reasons in dismissals of the question-a shrug or a suggestion that anyone would do the same if he or she could. "When I delivered the first boxes (in the Karabakh villages)," Dowell says, "I realized my little bit is just a drop in the ocean." Somewhere, though, his link to Armenia and especially Karabakh is revealed in something Dowell once said about his first

sees

his own altnrism as

self-rewarding. Why? Dowell answers with a question: "Do you get a better feeling when you receive a present from your wife, or when you give one to your children?" r

8nAilI lr{oRt{Io}t IIITTRilAIIOI{AI ATIYOT TXCO

impressions of Gumri.

"Compared to those of us from privi leged countries, they have nothing. Yet they have everyhing we want." The work has often been as frustrating as it is constant: Shipments have been looted at

Anryof Exco membsr

of Oronl lornlon lnlemottonuf

uudling ond runsrhing compmy is looking for expcri-

ffireJ oudilon wilt inhmolionol ruork experieme for the

wuk plocementin

our Yerevon office.

ports.

Unscrupulous Armenian offrcials have taken goods meant for common people. Once, Karabakhi inspectors burned medicines right in front of Dowell because the expiration dates were barely expired, even though the firms that donated the medicines vouched for their viability.

Confounding bureaucracy

is a regular

roadblock to his goodwill. Once it almost became overwhelrning. Over the years, Dowell and Maroutian became like brothers. On one trip, the Brit brought a van for the doctor to use on his trips into villages and even painted Maroutian's name on the side. Dowell retumed the following trip to find that a military chief had taken the van

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1999

thliddof

ouditond

mdlor o-moildrok fls lo sddres, prmising tho decired solory: Ihose dro tuvp iusl gloduuhd ftom Universities ond Applionts me mked to hx,

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ln$itules ore oho rwkome h opply for on inhrmhip ot th pmsihfiy of further emphymenl.

our compony wilh

18, Vw&nonls $real, lhrovon, Armenio

Iet52-2401, fox5$-63-73; omyoftDormimo.om

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Gogik Gdbudqyon,

ftmuling llonogsr

A Summer in Armenia Changes Life for Good sk any one of the Land and Culture Organization's hundreds of volunteers and they will tell you that their ties to Armenia were established during that one exhausting, sweaty, laborious summer when they built a kindergarten in Gogaran or helped renovate a church in Amberd, or cleaned out a village storage building in Karintak, Karabakh (above)-and the stories go on. Some will tell you that as a result, if they don't go back every couple of years, they

feel cut off. Others want to go back and do something else, and as a result, have participated in one of several new internship programs, from the

Armenian Assembly's Internship program at Armenia's Foreign Ministry (see interns on opposite page), to the AGBU's professional

they do. They eat, sleep and work and establish ties that bind.

in villages

The Armenian Youth Federation has various Armenia and Karabakh-based programs,

as does the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia, established as part of the Armenian Church Youth Organization by Archbishop

program (see AIM, January 1999).

Hovnan Derderian (below, speaking to a group

The LCO's success bred several similar programs which work on the same premise: to tie Diasporan youth to the homeland, they must experience life in Armenia first-hand. So,

of volunteers, in Armenia.)

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

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H3 CANADA

ARTS AvedissHouse Museum in London, compares Avedissian's trajectory and contribution to those "19th art. Rose Issa, who was curator of

ian's 1995 exhibit at the Leighton

their wonderful homage to the ancient ruins make a stenciled painting of the diva." was quite in contrast with the generally This became the creative catalyst for a silent tourists burdened with heavy guide series of "dialectic" works for Avedissian. books, listening to obscure Egyptologists His stencils present bits of visual life in try to clarify the complicated god system." Cairo. They are, as he describes, "reflec-

century writers, who revolutionized declining Arabic literature by not only translating Avedissian stayed in Luxor for three tions of the orientalist vision of the international novels but also introducing a months, "in a small room, in a small hotel, Egyptian looking to his own culture. I want-

new prose and style and encouraging infrontoftheKarnaktemple,"heexplains. "This super 'mediatized' Gulf war took indigenous concepts and dialects." Avedissian's "rediscovery" of indige- place for three days within, what was for nous artistic creation goes back to his long me, the strangest media blackout. My visit association with Egyptian

ed to disturb the traditional concept of 'painting' and incorporate the Egyptian artistic heritage so closely linked to writing of calligraphy." He has used

and the art

Latin and Armenian scripts

well in his paintings.

architect Hassan Fathi, who is

considered the Arab world's

"There is no room for paint-

ings in an Arab house and so I started to produce textile hangings. There is, really, no room for chairs in an Arab house," says Avedissian, whose room resembles a box, a wooden platform with matting and sliding

best known architect and one

the first masters to encourage the use of local material and craftsmanship in buildings. Having studied painting in

Montreal-where he lived for three years

in his early 20s-

and applied arts in Paris, in 1980 Avedissian returned to Egypt. For a decade, Avedissian compiled Fathi's archives,

paper screens. A ladder leads to

his workshop up on the second level where everything is neatly stored in various-size boxes. His visit to China, where he

filing, cataloging, and impos-

spent considerable time and started to learn the language,

ing order on mountains of academic papers and architectural

plans. Avedissian traveled

provided him with

throughout Egypt photographing Fathi's extensive buildings

perspective. "Why visit London, New York or Paris when the West is here, in Cairo. Cairo can be more West than the West," he

for a book. His

fascination

with Fathi's focus on ancient

different

says a-matter-of-factly. "But in

Egyptian art led to his search "for the essence of an Egyptian way of doing and seeing." The Gulf war, in January 1991, was a turning point for

China," he continues, "they do not care what lies in the West. Mention Egypt and they might have heard about the Pyramids

Avedissian.

but nothing else. This

"I went to Luxor, in Upper Egypt, for a long stay, at a time when we all knew the Gulf War was imminent in the very heart of the Middle East," explains Avedissian. "Luxor looked like

the setting of the movie

gives

space." Avedissian makes his case, with this: "In Egypt I am

Armenian,

Europe

Egyptian, but in China these def-

initions mean nothing." Avedissian constantly chal-

lenges

Zfte

the

taken-for-granted

Shining. Five star hotels, red

assumptions of his interlocutors.

carpets, glittering decorations,

do not do art," he declares with the voice of a victor. "I have to do what I do, as an Armenian born in Egypt and against all Western influences. I

elegant hotel personnel, luxurious boats on the Nile and spec-

tacular Pharaonic monuments," he continues. "But this highly

don't do art. I do fighting against touristic town was totally empty, except for its sparse inhabitants. to the temples in this atmosphere made the influences. I paint, it's not political art, but Everything looked strange; the usual reality sense of time vanish despite the mega- it's an attitude." His constant intellectual and artistic was shifted to a totally different value sys- media war." It was in Luxor that a lady asked fight against "Western, colonial, imperialistem. The real owners of the temples and tombs had them back to themselves. Avedissian to do a painting of her idol, tic" influence on "Eastern" art makes him

Egyptian schoolboys and girls became

the

of the temples. Extremely vibrant with musical instruments and songs, sole visitors

most

controversial, and perhaps a true "post modsinger Um Kalsum, the Arab world's famous artist. "Not having painted for some ern" artist. "We must go to the East," Avedissian says with conviction. 10 years," says Avedissian, "I decided

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

6*y'/r*.&,nâ&#x201A;Ź,""r/{Q7/r*O4or1;a,/{r7t?,*)t

ARTS He elaborates his views when discussing artistic values inArmenia-where he visited for three months-and the Diaspora.

"Armenians' notion of artistic value is based on European criteria," he says, "even though they hardly know what Europe or European is. Armenians have always used European criteria to evaluate their own culture. We do not need this," he says with determination. "In Armenian cultural discourse, we are constantly comparing our art with tasteless European art, starting with our opera to the art galleries to the philharmonic orchestra. We are always trying to have European standards. Why shouldn't we compare our art with other cultures, say Chinese, Mongolian or Kazakhi?" His anger goes further: "The

Islamic, and this creates a reaction among the Armenians. A young Armenian looked at one

of my paintings and the frst thing he said pointing to a motif was 'This is an Ottoman symbol'," Avedissian says, visibly angry. "We have to realize that we live in countries around the world that are not European and we are attracted to countries or culfures where Armenians have been completely absorbed or intoxicated by the local culture.

"An Armenian might come to

exhibit because I'm Armenian, not because he likes my style. That's very pleasant and nice. But he is coming wearing European spectacles; starting from his pants to his tie, he is 'European'."

example. "Take

therefore I'm an Egyptian, period." Avedissian has a pragmatic approach to the question of identity. Instead of defining it in terms of culture, he defines it in terms of citizenship. "If you travel with an American passport you are

The 'civilized world'

with you

differently

even recognize me as a person?

As in the Middle East, in

provides

Armenian passport and live in Armenia. If you have two passports, then you are two persons. I carry an Egyptian passport and

Egyptian, how can I love or respect French culture or art? How can I appreciate the cultures of countries when they don't

colonialism by Armenians."

you're

if you are holding an

depending on your passport or citizenship. When France refuses to give me a visa because I'm

playing Chinese music as playing Chopin or Beethoven. Very few Armenians know the names of Chinese artists. This is cultural colonialism, I would say even auto-

Aznavour. He is a fantastic artist and for 70 years he has gone from one peak to another in France. The respect people in Armenia accord to him is a respect accorded to a Europeanized Diaspora Armenian. The Middle Eastern Diaspora Armenian artists are not as much appreciated as the Europeans." More concretely, Avedissian discusses the reaction of Armenians to his art. "The work I do could be considered Ottoman or

Armenian only

deals

An Armenian can be as good by

ple," says Avedissian.

and elsewhere. You can say

passport.

and Tokyo are in Armenians' heads.

hand, the "internal and external perceptions of ourselves and the other," and, at the same time, "European versus non-European aspects of creativity." He advocates a global rather than particularistic, Western-centered view of art. "If people in Armenia are studying English or French in school, they must also learn Chinese or Japanese, so that the influence of British or French culture is slowed down and a wider perspective is instilled in peo-

in Cairo

treated differently than if you are carrying a Lebanese or Egyptian

racist, fascist power of what You find in Paris, London, New York

Armenian cultural discourse more weight and legitimacy is given to 'high' culture than 'low' or indigenous culture, which are often considered 'uncivilized.' "We are fighting on many aspects," says Avedissian. On one

question of identity is difficult," admits Avedissian. "Unfortunately, I define myself only and exclusively by my passport. This sounds funny, but the ultimate place where you know who you are is the police station, where you have to declare and prove who you are. It has happened to me in Yerevan,

could care less

While generally Armenians' collective orientation, both in Armenia and the Diaspora, tend to lean toward the West, going back to at least the 19th century there are exceptions. "You do not see that 'European hysteria' in the writings of Yeghishe Charents," points out Avedissian with relief. "To me, he is one of the greatest writers in the world. And it starts with the language. Language is

one of the greatest powers that Armenians have, because when you write in Armenian, it cannot be French or British or something else. Thank God we have our language, otherwise we would have become something else by now."

On the other hand, "Visual art in Armenia is Western," he says sadly. "You go to any museum in Armenia, it's the same thing. Armenian'classical' artists-for example Hagop Hovnatanian (1806-

1881)-are always compared with European artists and evaluated based on accepted

European'norms."'

Inevitably, questions of identity

are

central to Avedissian. "My answer to the AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER T999

about Shakespeare's entire literary corpus if I can not go to England, say, tomorrow. But, if you are an American, you do not need a visa. This is

colonialism:" Nevertheless, he rea"lizes that it is not as simple as all that. He explains: "Of course, holding a passport of a country does not mean yqu are fully embracing or are fully aware of the culture of that people. If you hold an Armenian passport, it doesn't mean you are fully aware or appreciative of

Annenian culture. You pick and choose what you want. It is riot a matter of pre-packaged culture that you just carry with you." For Avedissian, culture is also connected to authority. "The ultimate reality is that authority imposes culture," he says. "We could sit in a room and talk about Shakespeare or the Monastery of Geghard

in Armenia. But, in the final analysis, in order for you to visit Geghard and then go to Paris and Cairo and later to New York, you need a certain passport and certain amount of money or resources." He admits, "We do not live in an equal world." Then he asks, "What kind of cultural appreciation takes place in an unequal

world?"

$ltootin$ Faces in

loul Places If you've ever worndered what's

been going on

ol Hotlywood, photographer Ken Karagozian (below) can show you. Since I 994 he has spent three hours each day,

deep beneath the streets

three days a week underground, side by side with the subway construction workers. Throughout the vast network of tunnels extending over four miles, in the $6.1 billion, Iargest public works project in Los Angeles history, Karagozian shot unforgettable images in

. *.w&

.tt {'\ ',* '3! -A ".dr"*

black-and-white (above) of the men and women in overalls: "l developed a deep appreciation fbr their devotion and talent-there's a tre-ntendous sense of family. Teams work around the clock like a city that never sleeps." Karagozian's subway prints were f'eatured in the May issue of Life Magazine Pasadena's Huntington Library has acquired l3 lbr their permanent collection. An exhibition of his photos runs fiom September l5-October 31 at Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood. He will lecture about his experiences several times during the run of the exhibition.. Meanwhile, he vows to be back down there when the Iasr rock is cleared.

-1

ryi lnsane Creature$ in Iown Ycrcvan-basccl actor. clircctor'. scrccnwriter anct producer vigen chaldranian.

his ncw f iLr called Lrtrtl I-ltl'e Mcn.t. Thc f ilm, subtitled "A Filnt of My Turvn." is an artistic study of spiritual dislocation in Ycrevan. While the filrn budger was only $l-5,000, Chaldlanian had to do almost all the work hirnsell' and had to sell his house to cover the cosrs. "There just wasn't any lronev to pay anyone else," he told Voriet .v. Even the heroine in the fihn. Irina Karacheva. starred fbr free and paid for her own London-Yerevan travel expenses. Lorcl Hut,e Mercf is the lastpiece in the tllmmaker's trilogy begun in 198-5. Chaldranian is former Deputy Culture Minisrer responsible fbr cinema. ,14. linished

Prayer to the Insane Creature s

AIM AU(JTJST-SEPTE]VIBI]R

999

Sociologist Eileen Vartari Barla-$i ol the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) maintains a busy schedule traveling around the world researching and lecturing about alternative religions and cults, as new religious movements are popularly known. Last year. Barker became a Fellow of the prestigious British Academy. Established in 1902 by a Royal Charter. the British Academy is an independent and self-governing fellowship of scholars, elected for distinction and achievement in one or more branches of the acadernic disciplines that make up the humanitie$ and social sciences. Only 35 new fellows are elected in any one year. For over three decades, Barker has published numerous.books and articles on new religious movements. ln addition to teaching at LSE and giving lectures at univirsities and institutes around the world, she is frequently invited by public organizations. government and law enforcement agencies for consultations. As the number of "dangerous" new religious movementssuch as the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, and other suicide groups in

s o F

North America and Europe increases-Barker's work contributes to an understanding of these groups and prevention of violent clashes. She is the founder of the London-based INFORM. one of the world's most comprehensive archive and resource centers on new religious movements and groups. In addition to her, primary focus on alternative religions, Barker has also conducted ,resear,ch in the Armenian Diaspora and the Republic of Armenia w-here. she visits about once a year.

Ihe lasl ol the Eneats Singer Charles Aznavour, 75, sang at the ancient Roman citadel of Baalbek in Lebanon to a nostalgic audience of 5000 who had last heard him at this site 22 years ago. "I normally sing a few of my new songs," he said, "but I think tonight is a night for my old ones." The concert was one unforgettable event for both Aznavour and Lebanon which is still recovering from the consequences of the civil war that ended in the early 1990s. Recently, French newspaper Le Figaro called Aznavour "The Last of the Greats."

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

999

fiememleninU tltc fienneilys The Kennedy name and legacy extend far beyond the US. In the 60s and 70s, Armenian immigrants in the US (and many still living in the Middle East) often had pictures ofPresident John F. Kennedy in their homes, displayed proudly. The death of Kennedy's son, John F. Kennedy Jr (above),

rekindled memories

the

Kennedy-Armenian connection. Congressman Patrick

Kennedy-son

Senator

Ted Kennedy-(bottom, second from right)-is a member of the Armenian Caucus in the US Congress. He has

made several trips to Armenia, most recently

accompanying Congressman Pallone (bottom, first from

right), who heads the Armenian Caucus. Patrick Kennedy has expressed a special interest in helping Armenia's developmentally disabled and encouraging their participation in the Special Olympics. In 1994, during his US visit, President Levon Ter Petrossian (above left) visited the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University where he received a bust ofthe late President from Ted Kennedy (above right). In the diffrcult winter of 1993, Congressman Joe Kennedy-son of Robert Kennedy(1eft, top and center) visited Armenia, including the destroyed towns in the earthquake zone and met with local residents, one of whom greeted him with a photo of his uncle who had squared off with Soviet leader Khruschev decades earlier, in another era.

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

I lillined Bouri Squeezed between shoemakers ateliers, a grocery store, a tiny perfume boutique next to an aromatic spice shop, are a growing number of cyberstores in the Armenian-populated neighborhood of Bourj Hammoud, a suburb of Beirut. Flickering computer monitors can be seen in the dark alleys and narrow streets of Bourj Hammoud, and in the most unexpected places, where the ghetto meets the globe*the Internet. These wired shops provide a mix of arcade and 'cybercafe,' where children and adults play computer games (mostly) or browse the Net. The cybershops provide a place for the youth to hang out long after all the shops of the neighborhood are closed and the deafening noise of the hammering in auto-repair shops merciiess. ly pounding steel are silent. An estimated 40,000 people in Lebanon are wired.

Maestno llononeil Composer Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) (above, depicted in a new statute at the Yerevan Opera House) was honored in Tbilisi, Georgia, where a memorial plaque was placed at the house

where he lived betweenl906 and 1922. Armenia's Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and a host of Georgian and Armenian artists and diplomats attended the ceremony.

AIM AUGUST.SEPTEMBER I999

Where's Home? By J0H1l llUGllES

a big red face that splits like a July melon to release wide grins and deep belly laughs like those loosed at the dinner table when I tried to offer an Armenian toast and in doing so called his brother-inJaw a girl. He lives in Massif, a hilltop section of Yerevan where more than one third of the city's population has lived since Nikita

rtush has

Kruschev's urban development dictum bloated the capital with villagers stacked on top ofeach other in high-rises the color of soot. Two children lived there before they moved to Moscow, drawn by opportunities that no longer exist, raising the possibility that

Artush's apartment might soon be full again. But for now it's just him and Seda, to whom he has been married long enough that she can diagnose his health by whether Artush has the energy to grouse: about the weather, about politics, about doctors whose services were once free but who now charge

prise me when it comes to dollar figures and Hollywood. Then he wants to know about the place where I lived in Southem California. He thinks I am kidding when I tell him the flat I had is about the size ofhis kitchen. I'm guessing he thinks something totally unflattering when I tell him how much I paid in rent for the very non-Dallaslike apartment. Artush wants to know if I am married. Then he wants to know why not. And now I am wishing that the questions had been about Bill and Monica or NAIO and Yugoslavia.

"If you are not married," Artush wonders, "why don't you live with your parents?" Nicolai, Artush's son, is about my age and is not married. And if he returns to Yerevan, this Massif apartment is where he

will live. It is where his mother will cook and clean for him as she did

fees.

And, this day, about the sorry news that the state

television channel will no

when he was a boy, which

longer carry reruns of

It is his home at age 40 as surely as at age four and it is inconhe still is to her.

Dallas.

I don't think Artush knows that they are reruns. So

ceivable that there might be

I suspect his impression of

another way.

I turn to my interpreter for help and realize there isn't any. Realize that, at 26, my

Americans is that we all live on hectares of horse-grazed

115gl:*ffi/ cocktails served on

silver trays

notion

white-gloved

servants all of whom are Black. I sense his disappointment that

of pastel polyester, but

I am not wearing wide lapels counter the shortcoming with a damned

impressive theory on who shot J.R. Seda loads the kitchen table with a bowl of nuts, a platter of Russian candies and serves demi-tasse coffee and a sweet, watery

drink of Kool-Aidish origin. No rightthinking Armenian would solicit meaningful conversation before first offering his guest sustenance for the energy of thought. So, with nourishment at hand, Artush says he's got some questions about America. I brace for a discussion about Bill and Monica or NAIO and Yugoslovia.Then: "Is it true that Larry Hagman got $20 million to do a year of

Dallas?" This I'm not ready for, so I tell Artush that nothing would sur-

of a

middle-aged

American living with his parents. Consider what an oddball that would make me in my country-as much as I am an oddball here for not doing so. Artush is amused by this discovery and now I feel like an archeological dig, giving up mysteries of some incomprehensible lifestyle. So why do you live alone? Who does the cooking and cleaning? Don't you want children? And who takes care of your parents? I can see the questions piling up and they all have the same answer: Our cultures are just different. It is not a qualitative difference, just a difference. As different as the TV Dallas is from the real-life Yerevan. It is not just the surlmer weather that has my scalp sweating. Artush's questions are without harmful intent, but they are making my brain tired. So I offer one: "Artush, what do you think about Bill and Monica?"

AIM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER I999

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