The Race Is On - February 1996 by Armenian International Magazine

Apala Smrn INSTITUTE

WHY AND HOW TO INVEST IN ARMENIA 8th, 9th and L0th May 1996, Yerevan n.E. LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN, PnnsnrNr or AnUENIA Lnaites you to Yereaan to

see

first hand the far-reaching gooernment reforms and positiae market

deaelopments in this strategic country and to meet the key ministers, including:

u.E. HRANT BAGRATIAN, PRTwTE MrNrsrEn Vnnnnu Avnurssra,ry Mrxrsrrn or EcoNovrv LEvoN BenxgouDARIAN/ Mnvrsrnn or FTNTRNcE Becnnr AsernnN, CHunueN oF rHE NRuoNar Baur Plvnr GrrarrnrHCHIAN/ CnamrurlN, Boeno or PnrvlrrzArroN Asnor VosreNIaN, MrNrsrnn or AcnrculruRE aNo Fooo Asgor SerenIeN, MrNrsrnn or IuousrRv IN A HIGH-LEVEL

CONFERENCE CHAIRED BY:

Gactx SnannnzIAN, MrNrsrER oF THE Rnpusuc VeuE |azNrnoenlAN,

oE AnnmNIR

PnrsroENT, AnvruNrlr.r BusnEss Fonul,r

INVESTMENT WINDOW FOR KAZAKSTAN 6th and 7th |une \996, London into its country, and to highlight potential co-operation mining industries, the Kqzak gooernment together with gas sector and the minerals and in its oil and 'lnoestment Windoza' for the global inoestor community tlrc Adam Smith Institute is hosting its first

To promote realistic inaestment opportunities

H.E.

AKEZHAN KAZHEGELDIN,

will

PRtvtE MtNIsrnR oF

KazaxsrlN

bring a team of senior representatiaes from his gooernment to London, including:

LJtumzax SuuxErv, MrNrsun or EcoNovrv ArExlttpEn Pevrov, Mrr.rrsrrn or FrNnucu Onaz Dzna.Nposov, CuarnvAN oF rHE Neuoruar BnNx Genny Scurolrg MrNrsrrn or IruousrRv RNo TRRps NunrnN BarcrunlEV, MrNrsrEn or Or erup GRs SEntrsur DRuxrEv, MrNrsrER oE Grorocv S,q,nunet KaruunzAYEV/ CuarnrrnN op Srers PnorEnrv Corurvurrnr complemented by high-leael Keynote Speakers from the West, including:

RoN FnESMAN, Frnsr Vlcr PnEsrorur, EBRD For full conference programme and registration details, please complete and return this application form to: Ulrike von Lonski, Adam Smith Institute, 11-13 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1M 7AN, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 171 490 3774, Fax; +44 (0)171 490 8932 Name: Address: Tel:

Organisation: Fax:

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vol-.7, NO. 2

Fssnuenv 1996

EDITOR'S NOTE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BYTES ON FILE

FOCUS

6 7

ARMENIAN SUBVEY

FonrcnouNo

TnB Racr' rs oN Who Shall Influence US Policy on Armenia? He Caun, Hr Slw, Hr CoNeuonno Catholicos Karekin I's visit to the US and

Canada. INTERNATI()NAT

Tsn CnrunlN CoNNecuoN

Interview with Anushavan Danielian, of Crimean's Armenian Union BBC Spnlrs Azrnr

ECON(lMY

CTIPPINGS AND COMMENTABY

?? LL

HE CAME. HE SAW, HE CONQERED: An uncertain, untrusting, doubtful community heard the message of Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, during a marathon trip to the Armenian communities of North America.

AHTS

PHOTOGRAPHY

Father and Son photographers Antranig and Vahan Kochar document Armenia's intellectual history.

SERENADING THE SOUL

The very young and very popular Serenade Chamber Orchestra of Armenia

n.I Ll

{N THERACEISON who Shall Influence US Policy on I []

LANDING A BETTER AIRPORT From Runways to Restrooms, Improvements are Underway at Zvartnots

Armenia?

BO()KS

AN EXCERPT FROM MARKARAX'S IN THE NAME OF MY FATHER, A FAMILI A TOWN, A MURDER

UNDEBEXPOSED

OIHEB PE()PTE'S MAII.

GI.OBAI. AGEIIDA

ESSAY

The BBC World Service Speaks Azeri

CALLING rHE SHorS: Suren 10 Arzoomanian.joins the ranks of

tJtl

professional basketball referees.

Covgn lrrusrnlrtoru

lro

DEstctt ev

Rlrrt

Tlnprrunlr

AIM (ISSN 1050 3471 ), FEBBUARY 1996, Vol.7, No. 2, is published monthly, $45 per year, by The Fourth Millennium Society, 207 Soulh Brand Boulevard, Suite 107, Glendale, CA 91204: Pl^one: (818) 246-1975, Fax: \8'8) 246 0088. Second Class Poslage paid al Glendale. CA and addilional hailrng ollices. Canada Post Publrcatons Mail Product Sales Agreemenl No. 051 6457. O Copyright 1 996 by The Founh Millennium Society. All nghls reserued. AIM may not be reproduced rn any manner, either rn whole or in parl. wilhoul wrilten permission lrom the publisher. The edilors are nol responsible ror unsoliciled manuscripls or ad unless a slamped, seltaddressed envelope is enclosed. Opinions expressed in signed arlrcles do nol necessarily represent lhe views of

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AIM Fennuany

1996

rr r

ffi

lffE

BECAUSE O1{E CAl{IIOT DO EVERYTHIl{G

sH0utD

1{0T ilEA1{

0ilE

CA1{1{0T D0 S0irETt{t1{G

ast month, former Califomia governor Edmund G. (PaO Brown died. He is remembered fondly, not just by veteran California and US politicians, but also by activists in the Armenian community as one of the first public officials with whom Armenians of California (through the Armenian National Committee) established contact. Govemor Brown was an activist himself. He chose the following words uttered by John Henry Cardinal Newman a century earlier as the motto for his public career: Because one cannot do everything should not mean one cannot do something. This is an appropriate message for all those who attempt to influence events which in tum impact our lives-and especially appropriate as AIM takes another look at the Armenian presence in Washington, DC, and the various attempts to influence US pol-

icy on Armenia.

It has been nearly five years since AIM first covered the lobbying scene in the US capital (April 1991). Looking back, nothing seems to have remained the same. Listing the changes is unnecessary. Yet, they are so significant and so numerous that it doesn't hurt to at least remind ourselves that just five years ago, we were still a "single-issue constituency." US officials were asked to acknowledge that Armenians were the victims of Genocide, and-this part wasn't so simple-that the government of Turkey should acknowledge this crime. Period. Other domestic and foreign policy matters did not pull in collective Armenian involvement. Today, the challenges facing the Armenian community are diverse and complicated. The Armenian presence in Washington is now, as it was then, also diverse (and complicated). The major players remain the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The newest player and the one probably wielding the greatest clout is the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, yet the AAA and the ANCA are the ones that can claim to speak for the ArmenianAmerican constituents of Washington lawmakers. Ana Radelat, a Washington-based journalist, takes a hard look at the agendas and operations of each of these three entities and their race to influence US policy on Armenia. It is no coincidence that this issue of AIM also includes a report on the visit of Karabakh's president and foreign minister to the US. Speaking at a press conference upon his return from a 10-day trip to Washington, New York, Chicago and Detroit, Karabakh's Foreign Minister Arkady Ghukasian stressed their surprise and pleasure at finding an "organized Armenian Diaspora" and recognizing its potential. "We understood that the Diaspora is a strong force. We sensed the pride and empathy with which they view Karabakh. That psychology that says we are the children of a defeated nation is changing. In the Diaspora, Karabakh is giving rise to other feelings. Our compatriots have understood that Armenians are those people who can be victorious, can defend themselves. And this is very important. Our main conclusion, therefore, is to use that great potential force which the Diaspora represents to help Armenia and Karabakh realize our objectives." At AIM, our main conclusion is that the more our readers know about the process involved in influencing policy, the more productive our individual and collective efforts will be. And given all that is at stake, those efforts can't be anything but productive.

/",/.@f+.'

0URIll illtttltlttlllliil S0CltTY

A Not-IorProfit, Public Benefit Corporation

DIRECTORS

MICHAEL NAHABET VARTAN OSKANIAN RAFFI ZINZALIAN ASSOCIATE TRUSTEES

KHACHIG BABAYAN FLORA, GEORGE DUNAIANS CALIFORNIA

RAZMIG HAKIMIAN CANADA

JACK MAXIAN HONC KONC

FOUNDI]IG TRUSTEES

CARENAVEDIKIAN CALIFORNIA

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BOB MOVEL CALIFORNIA

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RAFFI ZINZALIAN CALIFORNIA

207 SOUTH BRAND BLVD.

Although this Februarl issue has reached you late, March will follow quickly u'ith stories ahout the social underclass ignored in Armenian Diasporan life, and April should bring us bac'k on schedule v'ith details on the Armenia Fund' s growing challenges.

AIM

FtsBRUARY

996

SUITE I07 GLENDALE, CA 91204, USA Telephone: 818 -246 - 7979 Fax: 818 - 246 - 0088

I\INI

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Editor - Publisher Sr-pr H,rnorrrrntrN GHAZARTAN Assistant Editors Svl-ve Deresst,{r{, Los ANGELES

'ik E ffi

#F,

we Armenians of the Diaspora cannot in running a periodical such as

succeed

Me.nx Gnlcont*r, YEREVAN

AIM.

Art Director

Anes DaNrr,lrAN, MD

RerR TenpntlN Design, Photo Editing and Production AREG ASATRIAN, SrlN CanlsoN,

KENI, UNIreo KINcDoM

ZAVEN KHACHIKIAN, ROUBEN MANGASARIAN

Editorial Assistants

I received the December 1995 issue of AIM with many thanks. I read carefully your detailed explanation of your financial

GoHe,n SlHexre.N, Yensven MEGAN BARRoN, Loutsr A. Sunu NEw YoRK

Thanslators

problems which broke my heart. In fact, my eyes watered at a certain point. I read with dismay that all the major donors had turned you down. Enclosed is a small contribution. I always feel proud of the quality of AIM. HpNnv Beonen, MD Orraase. Npsnesre

ARAM OHANIAN, ARIS SEVAC

Director of Operations Spr.c KHooeNtrN

Subscriptions AsHor BocHossrAN, YEREVAN ARA PIRANIAN, LOS ANGELES

Advertising ALINE KASABIAN YETERIAN, EDWARD JAMGOTCHIAN,

MELNE OUNJIAN

Contributing Editors SARKIS SHMAVONIAN. RONALD GRIGOR SUNY, JIVAN TABIBIAN, TALINE VOSKERITCHIAN

Writers ARMEN BACHDASARIAN, HRAIR ZORIAN, YEREVANI ToNY HALPIN, LONDoN

Contributors AneM Aan.AHA.\4reN,

ARTesHgs Eurru, Yenevru;

Hnarcu TcsrrNcrRrAN, SUsAN PAr-nE, LoNDoN; Je.Ner Sluuslret, Los ANGELES; MARK MALKASIAN, RHoDE lsLANDl GEoRcE BouRNourIAN, LoLA KoUNDAKJIAN, NEw YORK; MooRAD MooRADtAN, WASHINGToN, DC Photographers MKHITAR KHACHATRIAN, ZAVEN KHACHIKIAN, RoUBEN MANGASARTAN, YEREVAN; ALrNs M.{Nouxr.AN, ARMTNEH JoHANNES, PARISi EDMoN TERAKoPIAN, LoNDoN; KARINE ARMEN, KEvoRK DJANSEZAN, Los ANGELESI ARDEM ASLANIAN, NEw JERSEY; HARRY KOUNDAKJiAN, NEW Yonx; BBncE Ane ZoBrAN, RHoDE ISLAND

Editorial Con$ltant MINAS KOJAIAN FoUNDED rN

l9m

MWDING EDITOR FOWDINC PUBLISHER VARTAN

OSXANIAN MICHAEL NAHABET

sERvtcE BY THE FoURTH MILENNIUM SOCIETY

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CANADA: Razmig Hakimian, 6695 Henri

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Congratulations on the reappearance

long silence. I hope you'll keep up the good work with unbiased reporting that is

of your high-quality magazine. I must admit I thought that the almost all-photo January 1995 edition would be the last. It

was a pleasant surprise to receive

December 1995 edition and even more of a surprise when January 1996 appeared in our letter box. Your perseverence is to bq admired.

do, however, have a quibble about

3 Fax 03-752-3638

were not met. Salpi Haroutinian Ghazarian criticized an Economist article for portray-

ing the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia as "three brawling drunkards." In fact, it did no such thing. It actu-

ally said, "Like three brawling drunkards, the republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have spent much of the past four years noisily throwing away their fortunes and their futures." The only part of the Economist article that I took exception to was a reference to the economic blockade imposed on Armenia by "its Muslim neighbors, Azerbaijan and Turkey." My view is that highlighting religious differences between

Armenia and its neighbors is unhelpful it diverts attention from the true

because

WRITE TO AIM! We welcome all communication. Although we read all letters and submissions, we ue unable to acknowledge everything we receive due to limited stalfing and resources. Write to us ! We can be reached at AIM4M@AOL.COM or the traditional way at AIM PO. Box 10795 Glendale, California 9 1209 -5793, or by fu, 818.246.0088, or phone, a18.246.7979.

underlying causes of the blockade.

Gporr CoNrvon Welr-rNcroN, New ZEalaNo

AIM

sure to encourage more readers

after

sub-

scribe.

ArreN BexNeveu

the

an item appearing in the January issue where your usual journalistic standards

CHARLES NMARIAN

was one of your first readers and

was happy to get my issue of

Editor Emeritus

AIM IS BACK AGAIN

AtuunN, JonoaN Thank you. This is truly a world-class I also thank you for making every effort to keep AIM from closing its

publication.

doors.

KenBnN OoeeesHreN ScensoR.oucH, ONrenro, CaNnon

am glad to see that you are back

again. Your magazine fills an important niche in the Armenian community-that of an independent publication dedicated to quality reporting about Armenian issues. It avoids the hollow ffibutes to political, business and religious leaders that fill up other

Armenian publications. This

is to

applauded.

Is it possible to get more information about Samvel Karapetian, the mapmaker (People, December 1995)? His work is invaluable to the cause of documenting the of Armenians throughout the Transcaucasus. I hope that AIM can devote more space in future issues to the history of the Armenians in Georgia, Azerbaijan and the Caucasus.

history and importance

Pxlt- NonornN WoncgstEn, MessecHusprts VIA E-MAIL

am delighted that you have resumed

publication.

I very

be possible to place

much hope that

it will

AIM

finan-

on a secure

cial base. It would be an absolute disgrace

We received with thanks and happiAIM with the accompanying explanatory letter. We ness the December 1995 issue of

fretters to the Editor may be edited fbr publication.

AIM Frsnueny 1996 l7

Address Send

your check or money order, oryour credi card information to:

AII/^,207 S. Brand, Glendale, CA91204, or Credit Gard Exp. Date

to BIB . 246 . 0088. You are assured delivery of a quality l lx14 inc

print within"4 to 6 weeks.

,affi

&Y* w

r@sYw

& :\/'# * *#ffi&u*

,ii.f"#-*

#;*wffiffiffiffifl"e

can understand your difficulties very well, because we are in almost the same situation. We congratulate you for your courage

to restart the publication of your excellent magazine.

Eorronrel Boeno Spunr MecezrNe BETRUT,

LEsaNoN

I am proud to have AIM back in our hands. We are a nation, perhaps small in number, but have great courage and perseverance which

will

enable us

and contribute to the continuation

support

of AIM.

as a prestigious publication meeting international standards. EucEur C. J. Sanxrss Tue Hacue, NprHenr-aNos

I renew my subscription hoping that you will remain a fair and impartial source of information about events in Armenia and the Diaspora, regarding political, religious and all aspects of problems and issues conceming all Armenians, without becoming a messenger for rulers of the Armenian Republic. As one Western diplomat expressed his opinion about their leader, saying "Zwabian's boss

has

become pragmatic with the arrogance of power." (Clippings and Commentary, January 1996.) SvrN CHour-olrau

Los ANcr,r-Es. CalrronNra You are doing an excellent job. We

lvlflHIll IS fl]'lflR I'|OIIIH Ever since its inception in 1918, and thanks to the support of caring people, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) has been serving the physical and spiritual needs of Armenians throughout the world with a range of evangelistic, educational, relief, child care and social service programs.

March is AMAA Month. It is an opportunity to thank God and promote His work through commitment and support. God blessed us with many comforts. A moment's meditation will surely us aware of a feeling of indebtedness to Him, and an urge to share the bounqr of His love with others less fortunate. Won't you take just a moment and share your blessings with others who need your love and matr<e

are very proud of you.

AuonBv Gnscon Bevenly Hlr-ls, Cnt-rponNre

have just received the December 1995 issue ofAIM and your five page letter outlining the trials and tribulations of

AIM's first five years.

It amazes and saddens me to realize that evidently Armenians do not have the necessary commitment

These and hundreds of other children in Armenia and the Middle East are helped through AMAA ministries.

support the

strengthening of their own nation. I am also astounded, yet not altogether surprised, that major institutional donors have not been forthcoming, either.

Unless Armenians develop

care?

Fill out the coupon below and become a partner reach of the AMAA.

in the worldwide out-

ARMEI\IIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIAflON OF AMERICA 140 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652

I'd like to support the AMAA and become a partner in its worldwide outreach. Enclosed is my gift.

Yes,

a wider

vision and a long-term multidimensional and cohesive strategy for five, 10, 50 or even 100 years and commit their human and material resources to bring it to

Address

fruition, there is little hope for the regeneration of the nation.

City, State, Zip

Geno KrHsveN Nrcosre, Cvpnus

Name

Make your tax-deductlble check payable to AMAA Outreach Programs.

9 /AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

ffiffiffi 22.428 Total number of air miles travelled by Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians during his visit to the United States and Canada, from January l0 to February 20,1996

Number of cities visited by the Catholicos

40 days

2OO+ Number of formal speeches and sermons given by the Catholicos during the entire trip

o Number of Caucasian countries other than Armenia which have received guest status at the Council of Europe

o Number of Caucasian countries other than Armenia which have Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility loan arrangements with the Intemational Monetary Fund

2 Total number of military aircraft in Estonia's Army

33 Total number of military aircraft in Lithuania's Air Force

36 Total number of military aircraft in Armenia's Army

123 Total number of military aircraft in Azerbaijan's Air Force

25 Percentage of businesses which received permits

for restaurant operation during 1994-1995 in Armenia

69 Percentage

of retail alcohol sales permits received in Armenia during the

same period

.63 Percentage of Armenia's GNP spent on environmental protection in 1993

r.o3

Percentage spent

1988

94.(,9 Amount of income projected for the Republic of Armenia's 1996 budget in billions of Dram

t33.6 Amount of projected expenses for the Republic of Armenia's 1996 budget in billions of Dram

35.5t Amount of projected deficit for the Republic of Armenia's 1996 budget in billions of Dram

Ayiation

Week

and Space Technolog,y, Diocese of the At menian Chutth of Amerim, Economist, Hoyastani Hanropetuliun, Levon Trarel

Plrnotu$ 0r THE FOURIH MII.TBIINIUM $OGETY Patrons ol the Fourth Millennium Society are committed to the well-being, growth and development of Armenians and Armenia through the promotion of open discussion and the free frow of informatio' supporr the work of rhe Fourth

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MiHRAN AND ELtzABETH AcgnsraN LnRny elro SEDA BARNES VaRrres eruo JenN Blnsela

ArveRr BanseeHtnt BeRl lt'to HeRa Bovernlr

HARRY AND

HAGoP AND VtoLet Daressntt ARDASH AND MABY ANN DeRoeRreru

ARueru DeRoeRrnlr STEVE AND

LucrLle EstEpxltrnlr

ABAXTE

M. HARoUINtAN

KRrroR lr.ro HARour

ISTANBULTAN

RrrA MESBoBIAN

ARPTAR AND HeRurrue JnuoYaru

MrctRDtc AND Ar'rr MrcrRotcvan

Kevonx Mrruassraru Rlrt OuRreunlr

MnruousHno Fpnulruraru

KRTKoR KRTKoRtAN

Avtr MnsoEsnr'r

Arrce Herc

llo

JASMTNE MGRDTcHTAN

Kevonx nruo Sarerurc Knne.leR,lraru GroRce nuo Gnece Kay GnRo Kesevlru JoHN AND RosE KercHoyaru Zlveru nruo SoNA KHANJTAN Hnnnv euo Aloe Kouruoer,itaru

Gacrr elro KNAR GALSTTAN VAHAN AND AuoRey GRecoR PTERRE AND

HlRout

ALEX MANooGTAN

Stepnt

nruo ERollrutr MnRxnntnru

FRIBUDS (lT

MICHAEL AND HERMINE PIRANIAN

ALEx SARKtSSTAN DoRn SenvraRraru-Kutr'r RoeeRr lNo HELEN SHAMLTAN JoSEPH AND

Jovce SreN

PerRos ltto Gnnrrue Tncrvnru RALPH AND Snvtv Tureruxnt't Glrozle nruo Dzovrc ZEITLTAN

[!M

The Fourth Millennium Society is grateful to the following for contributing $10-$999 during the last month to help secure AIM'S financial future. Jacques & Jeanine Adanalian, NJ; Madeline Adrian, CA; Zaven & Armine Adrouny, CA; Noubar & Anna AIeyan, MA; Martin Agegian, CA; Vahe & Clara Agopian, Canada; Set & Susan Aidie,

UAE; Nerses & Arpine Aynilan, NJ; Mardik Babaian, UK; Avanes Khan Badalian, Canada; H. & M. Badeer, NE; Alexan Baghdiantz, France; Vatche & Elbiz Baghdikian, NJ; Rali & Sryan Barsam, CA; Alice N. Bashian, NY; Hera Basmaciyan, FL; Gabriel Basmajian, Canada; Aram & Terez Bassenian, CA; Carlos & Ursula Bedrossian, Ml; David & Queen Benson, VA: Garbis

Lre, Rl;Avik Mahdesian,

CA; Haig & Hilda Manjikian, CA; John & Bose Manoogian, Ml;Aramad Mansourian, CA; Ara K, Marangosian, NJ;Marcos carabet Marcarian, Argentinaisamuel

Dearon & Lucy Mazmanian, PA; Jack & Eva Medzorian, MA; Harout & Shake Mekhjian, NJ; Richard E Msnasian, FL; Rafi Mikaelian, Lebanon; George Minasian, CA; Paul Minasian, Wt; Serj Nazarian, NJ; Sarkis & Marita Nazarian, AR; Edward H. Noroian, NY; Margaret S. Ohanesian, CA; George & Dians Ohanian, CA; Nora Ohanjanians, Canada; D. & J. Ohannessian, Canada;

Canada; Baffi Yessayantz, CA; Raymond Yezeguelian, France; Arthur Zakarian, CA; Diane Zanaanian, NY; Rafii & Nairy Zohrabian, NY; Bany & Margaret Zorthian, DC

FOURTH MILLENNIUM SOCIETY A Not-for-Prolit, Public Benefit Corporation 207 S. Brand Blvd. Glendale, California 91204, USA Phone: 81 8.246.7979 Fax: 81 8.246.0088

AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

I ll

,t & $

tId r,

r IJ

{l d

ffiffi[F.Y:ru'ffi ffiffiWd.ffi The Department of Passports and Visas of the Ministry of Interior offrcially declared on January 15 that the passports of the former USSR will not be

Armenia. As a result of reorganization done in 1995 to improve the system and avoid chronic bankruptcy, 23 commercial

valid in Armenia after December 31, 1996. The citizens of the Republic of

they were unable to integrate into the Armenian economy and increase their reserye capital up to a sum equal to US

Armenia must tum theii old passports in for new ones before that date.

The government issued a report citing 30 deaths resulting from firing on the borders of Armenia from Azerbaijan. Half were civilians.

about 3fi),fi)0 families, emigrated from

The Minister of Energy of Armenia, Gagik Martirosian, signed an agreement with the French organization Frarnatom on January 26. According to that a$eement, a depository for nuclear waste will be built in Metsamor. The construc-

when 240,000 persons departed. In 1995, the figure decreased by three-fourths.

This research was part of the preparatory process for a full census of Armenia's population planned for 1999. In early January, the Central Bank of

Armenia summed up the status

the

Armenian banking system. At the beginning of the year, there were 34 resident

and 3 nonresident banks operating in

ry -

14 I

AIN{

FEBRUARY 1996

$100,000.

At the request of the United Nations Development Program (I-INDP) office in Armenia, migration pattems were studied by the Ministry of Economy. According to the data obtained, 700,000 citizens, or Armenia in the period 1991-1995. Most of the families left the country for good. The height of the exodus was in 1993,

FFI

banks ceased their operations, because

tion will start in 1996 and conclude by the end of 1997. The depository will use the so-called "dry" method of nuclear waste storage, instead of the "wet" method which is currently used in the Armenian nuclear power station. At the moment, the waste is kept in special water pools. The new technology will also allow the reuse of a considerable amount of the waste as

ffi+

%-;W#Sffi

*:!

l,*,:=

7,rr:aaaaaa:.,.4

.Ft I &i.

"ii

.t!

fuel. The French govemment allotted 40 million francs for the purpose. Twentyfive million comes in the form of preferential credit. The remainder is transferred without compensation as technical assistance. Armenia's National Assembly ratified the agreement on February 8.

Azerbaijan's Supreme Court sentenced Arif Pashaev, the paramilitary

participate in the celebration of the 1700th anniversary ofthe adoption of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia. The decision was made by tak-

ing into consideration that Armenia

was

the first country to officially adopt Christianity, in 301 AD. UNESCO also cited the special role of the Armenian Apostolic Church and a Christian Armenia

world culture and civiliza-

commander accused of having surrendered Lachin and Shushi in the Karabakh war, to six years imprisonment. A group of former military and security officials

tion. UNESCO recommended that its members assist Armenia in these

was sentenced to death on charges stemming in part from the October 1994 coup attempt against President Haidar Aliev.

A high-level Armenian delegation to Georgia in early February, in preparation for an upcoming visit by President Levon Ter Petrossian to the nothem neighbor, repeated a request that Georgia pay in

The General Secretary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) headed a delegation that visited Armenia on February | and 2. The purpose of the visit was to become familiar with the work of the Armenian Red Cross Society, the social and economic situation in the republic, and the implementation of IFRC programs in Armenia. The active help of IFRC to Armenia started in 1988, after the Spitak earthquake. Several dozen IFRC programs are in place inArmenia at an estimated value of US $250 million. Armenia became a member of the IFRC

in November 1995. In the year 2(X)1, UNESCO will

anniversary ceremonies.

full its debt to Armenia of US $7 million.

According to the CIS Intergovemmental Statistics Committee, Azerbaijan's Gross Domestic Product declined

17.2 percent

Tajikistan's by Kazakhstan's

12.4

by 8.9

1995;

percent,

percent

and

Kyrgyzstan's by 6.2 percent. Armenia's GDP went up by five percent. The huge decline in Azerbaijan's GDP is partially explained by the war in Chechnya, as a

result of which Russia closed the border between Azerbaijan and Dagestan.

AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

ljh";li}rB$r\*H:$T{il33fi";e?G:F-'/

qffi Yfl

#il " r' '}*' :'."' 1*ffiss's#ffi&$$$'dffia@'&t $# #

Kfuffi ruffiffiry ffiru Who Shall

lnfluence

0il

Policy on Armenia?

When a Texas lawmaker attempted last summer to ease sanctions that banned US aid to the Azerbaijan government, activist members of the Armenian-American community

who advocate a hardline US policy toward Armenia's neighbor responded with lightning speed. With little effort they were able to persuade Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.), a member of the House Armenia Caucus, to speak on their behalf. Cornering House members and giving an impassioned speech on the

House floor, Visclosky was able to defeat Texas Democrat Rep. Charlie Wilson's endeavors.

Wilson later succeeded in weakening the sanctions against Azerbaijan-but not as much as he had wanted-and the colorful Texas lawmaker was impressed by Armenian-

American clout. "They still won in the end," Wilson aide Terry Peel said. "We had to limit ourselves in what we could do." In Washington, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National

Committee

America have established

sophisticated operations that enhance the political power of Armenian-Americans who care passionately about the fate of the new Republic of Armenia. Both organizations have lobbyists who foster good relations with key members of Congress. Both help write legislation that

benefits Armenia. More importantly, both

zr I

z 5 ai

organizations have developed ways to contact Armenian-Americans from coast to coast at a moment's notice and ask them to telephone or write to a lawmaker about an issue. Such grassroots lobbying is critical to success. "When a congressman receives a letter or a phone call, he knows it's from a voter who is politically active and really cares about an issue. The constituent's concern gets noticed," a House Democrat said.

Aram Hamparian, executive director of the ANCA s Washington office, is proud of his three fax machines that work day and night to inform lawmakers, members of the media, think tanks and the organization's members of the issues.

6 / AIM FesnuenY 1996

ffi

ffi Every election year the ANCA

issues "report cards" which grade how

each lawmaker voted on Armenian ANCA also gives out "talking points" and sample letters to "make it easy for people to express their views," issues. The

Hamparian said.

nation banned the party and jailed some of its leaders, accusing them of dealing in contraband and plotting to destabilize the country. Not surprisingly, the ANCA has few kind words for Armenian President Levon Ter Petrossian or members of his govemment. Over the past

The ANCA endorsed President Clinton when he was a candidate for the White House in 1992. To bolster its influence on Capitol Hill, the ANCAs political action committee donated more

members of the Armenian Assembly and US policymakers who

than $30,000

seek closer US-Armenia ties. Hamparian

Congress during the 1992-94 election cycle. While the Armenian Assembly is forbidden by its tax-f,iling status from

declined to reveal the ANCA's yearly budget, which is funded by contributions by individuals, but conceded that it was

to key members

making campaign donations or endorsing candidates, it shares a legislative agenda with the ANCA and has incorporated the Armenian American Action Committee, or ARAMAC, as its "grassroots arm." The ANCA has long depended on and successfully utilized its own grassroots-members and supporters of

year, the ANCA has intensified its denunciation of Armenia's human-rights record on Capitol Hill, much to the cha-

grin of

zation said. The Assembly has close ties with the

Armenian govemment and its diplomats in Washington, an office in Yerevan and, though the Assembly is funded by trustee dues, also receives grants from the federal govemment for some of its projects. In 1994, for example, the Assembly raised about $1.6 million from trustee pledges,

donations and other fundraising activities, and reported more than $4.5 million

in grants. Its Washington office employs 16 people, including a lobbyist who works on Capitol Hill and another who heads the organization's grassroots efforts. Executive Director Ross Vartian

NESHAN NALTCHAYAN

the

Armenian Revolutionary Federation-who have faithfully backed its agenda. Both the Armenian Assembly and ANCA fought for increased US aid

to Armenia, against weakening the ban on US aid to Azerbaijan and for the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which restricts US aid to Turkey because of its blockade against Armenia.

Both prganizations claimed victory when Congress reduced aid to Turkey, approved $85 million in aid for Armenia

and passed the Humanitarian Aid Conidor Act. But since the

groups worked on the issues in tandem and both

represent Armenian-Americans

eyes

of most

the

lawmakers, many in

Congress say neither group is entitled to take full credit.

But foreign aid is only a part of for-

eign policy. Aligning themselves with US and Armenian interests in the Transcaucasus region

increase the influence

would greatly

Armenian-

American activists in the development of US foreign policy. Failing this, they risk

to the margins of debate on Armenia's

being consigned Washington's future.

Despite a similar lobbying agenda,

the ANCA and the Assembly remain adversaries. ANCA's roots are in the

more than $l million. The Assembly was formed about 20

years ago

Washington

two

also lobbies, concentrating his efforts on

State Department and other administration officials.

Georgetown University professors; it is the outgrowth of a coalition of Armenian groups that had banded together to press for acknowledgment and compensation from Turkey for the Armenian Genocide. The ANCA was a member of the coali-

ANCA is impossible because of the "partisan" nature of the organization. "We're committed to not interfere

tion, but split from it in the early 1980s. The Assembly is now mainly an organi-

Jemal said.

zation

individuals, called trustees,

who are fewer than 600 in number.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation, or

The Assembly's goals changed dra-

Dashnak party, which struggled for Armenian independence for nearly 75 years. In 1992, however, Armenia

matically after the devastating earth: shifted toward humanitarian and relief

became independent without them. Worse yet, the government of the new

efforts, "the Genocide issue was never shelved," a spokeswoman for the organi-

quake in Armenia. But while its attention

Timothy Jemal, the Assembly's chief congressional lobbyist, said collab-

oration between the Assembly

and

with the intemal affairs of Armenia," Despite

the ANCA's

blistering

attacks on the Ter Petrossian govemment,

Hamparian recently issued a conciliatory to the Assembly and Armenia's representative in Washington, Armenian Ambassador Rouben Shugarian. He said the ANCA is willing to work with the Assembly and the Armenian government message

AIM Frenueny 1996 / 17

ocably tied to NATO ally Turkey. The United States also seeks closer rclations with Azerbai.jan. l-cgislation backed by the ANCA and thc Asscmbly that cuts

open."

Dcpartment's Annenia Desk saitl both thc ANCA and the Assernbly havc "high

Harnparian ollcred. For his part. Atubassador Shr.rgariatt

access" to lawmakers and Clinton Administration policymakers. But he

said he'd wclcomc help I'ront ANCA members who "might be usctul" in promoting assistance lirr Annenia. But he criticizcd ANCA 1br ''living in a dreatl"

noted thal the war bctween the ot-uanizations could damage their ability to seek infl uence in Washington. "There shoulcl be an acknowlecls-

that does not bear rescnrblance to

the

ment by both siclcs that dillcrences

that oil will onc clay l-low frttn't

Armcnian realily. "For 7tt yeflrs. llre) \\er\'(rcalillq il rnakc-belicvc Arrnenia," Shugarian saicl. "Thcy belicve that Am'rcnia is a can that was scaled in l9lt3 and openccl in l9titJ as if nothing happenccl in Arnrenia tluring those 70 years antl no pcople Iived

shoulcl be toleratccl." Sabilla said. "That would be healthy lor both sides."

Azerbaiian through Arnrcnia to Turkey

ests-ancl perhaps Artnenia's long-range

there."

intcrests as well.

on issucs they can all

a-elrec

on.

"Oul cloor is alrvays

Chris Sabilla of the

State

US aid to those nalions was opposed by the Aclministration.

adclition. the

Clinton

Adrninistration supporls Arnrenia's hopc

and the Meditcrrancan. The

State

Dcpaftment woulcl likc all nations in thc

grcater problem

fbr the

State

Department is that the ANCA and the Assernbly otten work against US inter-

The Clintorr Adrnini:tlution

itlcv-

regiorl to

bencf

it fiorn thc cxport of

oil wcalth. It

backs plans to Azerbai.jan thlough Gcorgia to the Black Sca antl plans to run another lrorn Azerbaijan thlou-qh Russia to the Black Sca fbr so-calletl "early oil." Aze rbailan's

lay a pipcline fkrnr

But Azerbaijan is belicved to have

sucl-r

*"-

IM:, s

r.:F

ft .& t;t E;x

llt{,j-Lrtffir

r:=:...;.,..:.=

=t.--;-

W. ffiro

rich rcscrves that the

State

Dcpaltment is in tirvor ol' an adtlitional ror-rte hrr "latcr oil" through Anncnia ancl Turkey to Mccliterranean ports. "They're 1r'ying to kcep cverybody happy." remarked John Kinston. cclitor'-in-chiel' of Plurt's Oilgrant. A pipclinc would provide Armenia

with millions of dollars in lransit flcs. But the plan

reclr-rires cooperalion fronr

Turkcy and Azerbai.jan. which calls tirr

resolution o1' the Nagorno Karabakh problern ancl better relations with Turkey.

Mehnret Gucuk, a political cour.rselor at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, complains that rrost o1'his

embassy's public relations work has revolved arouncl counterin-g the antiTurkish campaign by the AnncnianAmerican groups, which arc often.ioinecl h1 Kurtlislr arttl Greck Am,'r'ican olgant-

I8 /

AI\l

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I996

zations. "Our lobbying efforts are mainly defense oriented," Gucuk stated.

formed these crucial functions for the Armenian Embassy for free. "Many,

He also said Armenian-American groups worked against Armenia's best interests with their wholesale condemnation of Turkey. "They identify with antiTurkish issues rather than pursuing their

many ambassadors envy me," Shugarian

Canada, downplayed

said.

between the objectives of the ArmenianAmerican groups and the Armenian government.

own interests," opined Gucuk.

Turkey pays public-relations giant Fleishman-Hillard more than $2 million a year to polish Turkey's reputation. The flrm helped the Turkish Embassy attract media attention for Prime Minister Tansu Ciller's visit to the United States last year and worked on other projects, including Turkish participation in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Azerbaijan also hired a Washington

lobbying firm, TKC International,

open doors for its diplomats on Capitol Hill. Last year, for a $65,000 fee, TKC lobbyists made a series of phone calls to House and Senate foreign relations and appropriations committee staffers, meeting with several of them to seek the end of the ban on US aid to Azerbaijan.

Yet he distanced himself from some

of the Armenian-American groups' lobbying goals. Interviewed amid the bustle of movers on the day the Armenian Embassy was moving into its beautiful new building in Washington (a gift from

Assembly Trustee Chairman Hirair Hovnanian), Shugarian said that "most of the things [the groups] did for us we can do for ourselves now." There are marked differences between Shugarian's goals and those of the ANCA, otherArmenian organizations and sometimes even the Assembly. On the top of Shugarian's agenda is the reso-

lution of the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. Another goal is to replace or augment the United States' humanitarian assistance to Armenia with trade credits and help in obtaining loans from the

as minister-counsellor

Washington

before his appointment as ambassador to

said.

the

differences

"Sometimes they contradict us," he "But this is life."

source close

to the

State

Department was more blunt about the policy differences between ArmenianAmerican groups in Washington and the Armenian govemment.

"The Armenian government

much more pragmatic. They know they need some kind of rapprochement with Turkey and that in such a solution both sides are going to have to give something," he said. "The Diaspora lobbying groups are much more rigid."

The source, who is Armenian-

International

American and prefers to remain anonymous, also said that the hard-line stance against Turkey and Azerbaijan adopted

1993, the Armenian Embassy hired lobbying firm Jefferson Waterman

Development Bank and other intemational lenders. Shugarian envisions an "inter-

by the Armenian-American groupsespecially the ANCA- "puts constraints

regional cooperation," which would

on the Armenian government."

to plan Ter Petrossian's tour of the United

include trade ties

States, arranged

a meeting between

Petrossian and the New York Times edi-

torial board, and distributed helpful biographies ofthe new president to other members of the media.

While other former Soviet republics are dependent on their high-priced lobby-

ing firms to educate them about the ways

of Washington and introduce their government offrcials to US policymakers, Armenian-American groups have per-

World Bank, the

Turkey and

Azerbaijan to spur Armenia's economic development. Punitive actions against Turkey and Azerbaijan do not appear on his "must do" list. Gamik Nanagulian, the Armenian Ambassador in Ottawa, said Armenia's goal in Canada and elsewhere is "not to create unfavorable conditions for other states but to create favorable conditions for Armenia." However, Nanagulian, who served

"We've got to look forward, not backward," he concluded.

The Russians prefer that oil pipelines from Azerbaijan bypass Armenia, and the source worried that the "hard-nosed position" adopted by the Armenian-American groups "is giving the US govemment no choice but to fall toward Russia" on the pipeline issue.

well-placed source on Capitol

Hill, who also declined to be identified, agreed. He thinks the punitive actions

AIMFrsnuARv 1996l19

Z.l

rffis\li%""*arANlllWwWWh.r Z#;*.na.{.1=:J,.=r ffiS#P.i;jffiHffi; 4S#'a]{lWiWJ

the support of

well-con-

nected members

of the

Armenia Caucus, cochaired by Reps. Frank

:il#

=Yil$rHrHrrirlfiffiil

ffiry=ffi,ffiffi-I

Pallone (D-NJ) and John Porter (R-Ill.).

The

ffimi bflo

Republican

Congress in 1994 also provided Armenian-American lobbyists with a lucky break. takeover

propelled Sen. Bob a champion of

Dole,

Armenian causes, into the

powerful position of Senate majority leader.

heels

ffhe

of success in establish-

s tir**

gn*$

: r. i:::r:= triNilr. *,,rfud#ffi1 Azerbaijan, kn#r 1.

This allowed Dole to mar-

shall the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act

through

the Senate. Unlike many members

of the Armenia

Caucus, the senator's concem for Armenia is not based on wishes to please

constituency group-

few Armenian-Americans live in his home state of

plans to construct

"If

oil

pipelines through

agreements could be reached [between Armenia and its neighborsl, Armenia has the potential fbr

Armenia.

becoming the Switzerland of the region," the Capitol Hill source said. Armenian Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian was optimistic that oil will one day flow through Armenia.

"[The pipeline] will be built in

the

future," Vartian insisted. But his organization and the ANCA seem to have little inclination to tone down their campaigns against Armenia's neighbors.

"We're not attacking Turkey

This year, the ANCA and

simple human act:

Kar&}ffii |Azed obsq+stion

the

gave to the senator's shaltered body after Dole was injured in World War II. If Dole wins the Republican presidential nomination and goes on to defeat

Clinton, Armenian-Americans will have a good friend in the White House. But President Dole's job will be to look out for US interests in the Transcaucus region, just as Clinton has done. It will be difficult for Dole to advocate a tough US stance against Azerbaijan

policy toward Armenia

20 / AIM' Fesrtrenv 1996

-::traffic

.to ffi* ffiafed

from 1988, becoming" total in .,, l-, . ,,'r.: lE ', 1992., d= iffi il bu-n*[alln= fl

effest,

on*

or Turkey. If

Clinton wins re-election, US foreign policy will remain on the same track with continued overtures toward Azerbaijan and close relations with Turkey. In either case, Armenian-Americans will be given the choice of taking the lead in US foreign

struggling

-.srrug$iflg 84ffi .=

*._- eo#

trff

BY ANA RADEI-AT RADELAT Is A JOURNALIST WORKING IN THE WASHINCTON, DC AREA.

M*irffiffi b*-,}

"@$ff ffi the@er of

key.

against it and losing political influence.

the Assembly will lobby for as much US aid to Armenia as possible. Even in the antiforeign aid atmosphere created by the RepublicanJed Congress, the groups are expected to prevail. They can count on

U.S';ai+=il $Hjffi

arF@kades A=qrefld ffid

vacuum," pointed out Assembly lobbyist Jemal.

Kansas. Dole's affection for Armenia was bom of a

care an Armenian doctor

sought by the ANCA and the Assembly toward Turkey and Azerbaijan could be used successfully by Russia to derail

"ffirffi,***=

ffi-ry=.=-=u le$nuIHfifl fl

ft#-d1 lffiffino';+p

the

ffifi

*fll*f

eotrrr*itsd

r&xffiril

ffi ff, E.r ,1 rE

ffl

:= i=-

llil|i

-*rd ffiLm**iDok' *irhN 1993:

consultation with

Richard Lehman (D-CA), a Fresnodistrict representative at the time, the Armenian Assembly of America conceives of a legislative action to help end Turkey's blockade of Armenia.

March 24, 1994: Lehman first introduces the Corridor Act. The effort to press fbr the Corridor Act is communitywide.

x i

ifl

1995: In the face of unyielding opposition from the Clinton administration and the Turkish lobby, the

1995: Momentum is building and the community responds with countless grassroots awareness events, hotline campaigns and constituent visits to urge members of

important support of the Armenia Caucus and its Cochairs Rep. John Porter (R-IL) and Frank Pallone (DNJ) keeps the Act on the front bumer.

Congress to vote for passage.

July I l, 1995: It pays off when the House passes the Corridor Act in its ver-

May 12, 1995: The bill starts to wind its way through the system when

the House International

sion

Act to

which authorizes foreign aid spending

8, 1994 The Act falls

for Fiscal Years 1996 and 1997.

victim to congressional pre-election June 7, 1995: Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) offers the Act as an ,irl

January 13, 1995: 0n the basis of in 1994. the Armenian

bill, by a wide

the sweeter.

gridlock, as Congress recesses without taking action on the bill,

foreign aid

September 21,1995: In the Senate, Dole succeeds to amend the CorridorAct to the foreign aid bill. The Senate's 9l -9 vote for passage of the entire bill makes Armenia's fourth Independence Day all

the

American Overseas Interest Act October

of the

Relations

Committee votes decisively, 27-7, to

amend the Corridor

October 24,1995: A nine-hour con-

Aid Authorization Bill, approved with a amendment to the Senate Foreign

ference to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the foreign aid bill leaves the Corridor Act intact.

lessons leamed

convincing 14-4 vote.

Assembly worked closely with the Act's chief proponent in the Senate, Bob Dole (R-KS), and his cointroducer, Paul Simon (D-IL), to jump-start a

1995l. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on

November-December 1995: With the House locked in a bitter dispute over fam-

revitalized approach by reintroducing the Corridor Act (S. 230) early in the

Foreign Operations approves the Act as an amendment to the Foreign Aid

November elections without passing the reconciled bill. The dispute continues for a short time in December, between two

l04th Congress.

February 14, 1995: This move is

quickly followed in the House (H.R.

942) with Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Joseph Kennedy (D-MA) in the vanguard. February 22, 1995: The legislation is discussed at a hearing of the Senate Foreign Operations Committee. March 3, 1995: The legislation is discussed before the House Intemational Relations Committee. March 9, 1995: The legislation is discussed before the House Foreign Operations Committee.

June

Appropriations Bill (H.R. 1868), offered by Porter. The motion by Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-TX) to table (in order to kill) the amendment fails in a close 6-7 vote.

ily

:il

planning, Congress adjoums for

government shutdowns, as the adminisfration and Congress stare each other down. A year of legislative activity hangs in the

[u1-i

balance.

ii=

June 15, 1995: Then going to full committee, the House Appropriations

January 25,1996: ln a move to keep the federal govemment running through March 15, the House approves a short-

Committee approves the Fiscal Year 1996 Foreign Aid Appropriations Bill,

term spending measure (known as a con-

containing the Corridor Act.

June 28-29, 1995: Capping a memorable legislative all-nighter, the House keeps the committee-approved

Corridor Act in the

Foreign

Operations Appropriations Bill with a voice vote.

tinuing resolution) that includes the CorridorAct. January 26, 1996:. On the eve of a third govemment shutdown in as many months, the Senate also approves the bill.

January 26, 1996l. Averting a shut down by only a couple of hours, President Bill Clinton signs the legislation shortly before midnight. The Humanitarian Aid ConidorAct ttrus becomes law.

iit t:i

Hp CAvE

z V

il o ql

F{E SAw ftfe Criiori.o, frt.f.in lt Virit to North America f

hat a difference 40 days can make. Before his historic first

Ejmiatsin, and now, many in the rest of the churches-the See of Cilicia-

tainty

among the Armenian communities of the United

to the other side."

it was understandable then,

school students held at Hollywood High School. One teacher from a public elementary school where the student body is over one-third Armenian noted the positive effect of the Catholicos's words

States and Canada concerning

that an administratively divided church

and presence on the teachers and admin-

I. But by the time

often manifested confused messages on

istrators.

visit, there was much

Catholicos Karekin

uncer-

the 19-city tour was over, he had indeed

become,

people's hearts,

the

Catholicos of All Armenians. But that wasn't the mood when he arrived. After all, less than a year ago, he

had been Karekin

II.

Catholicos of

Cilicia, and as such, his jurisdiction was not even acknowledged by over halfthe churches on the North American continent-those belonging to the See of Ejmiatsin. After his election in April

1995, he established residence in

thought he had "sold out and gone over Perhaps

the eve of the pontiff's visit to

the

cially disappointing in

New York amid a forbidding blizzard and spent one week on the east coast of the United States. Prior to his arrival, weeks of several tull-page advertisements announced the various public gatherings, church services, youth rallies and banquets organized by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in several cities. A record crowd of over 3000 turned out for the church

youth rally, a few thousand at

services

at St. John the Divine

Cathedral, the largest in the United States. A unique opportunity to address the thousands of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan was a great success. In Canada, too, the turnout was remarkable. Official figures say nearly

5,000 came

church services in

Montreal. And the Catholicos visited schools and centers in the cities of Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.

In California, the Diaspora's

largest concentration of Armenians did not tum out in appropriate numbers to match their size. A very successful banquet, well attended by all factions of the community and by the city's ecumenical religious leaders, was an exception to an otherwise sloppy and overcrowded schedule. Another welcome exception

was a rally for Armenian and public HARRY KOUNDAKJIAN

22 IAIM Fssnuenv 1996

Otherwise, the numbers were espe-

largest Diaspora communities. On January 10, Karekin I arrived in

Southern

Califomia. A few hundred appeared at a the

Sunday service in the middle of the San

to more than 60,000 Armenians, and less than a thou-

Fernando Valley home

sand to the Hrashapar service at St. John's Armenian Cathedral in the middle of Hollywood or "little Armenia." One community member who preferred to remain anonymous observed, "It was as if the Diocese and Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian were not sure what message to give to the people. Were these events being organized because they 'had to'or did they really want to reach the masses and introduce them to the new

Catholicos? Was Karekin

really

accepted as the Catholicos of Ejmiatsin

or was there still a feeling that he was somehow not deserving

of his throne?

Small, poorly designed advertisements in the local papers. no advertisements in the ARF press, all this led to a confused situation."

Even if the Los Angeles turnouts were sometimes disappointing. in Fresno and San Francisco, on the other hand, after some initial hesitation, local clergy and community leaders pulled off a series of successful and well-attended gatherings.

THE MESSAGE

Even if the church's message was somewhat hazy, the Catholicos' message

'A new era in Armenian history heralds a new era for

was loud and clear.

the church," he repeated everywhere. 'An administrative division that was caused by an old world order does not

edge Karekin I's ability or willingness to change the status quo, there were those who expected that the Catholicos would issue a decree and immediately end the 60-year-old division.

There was, of course, no such magic. Instead, there was a consistent

need to continue under today's political

message that "the wall other people con-

conditions." They had heard about his charisma and ability to communicate with an audi-

structed between Armenia and the Diaspora [and within the Diaspora] must be gradually destroyed."

of its size and age.

In some ways, his visit was a start in that direction. If an invitation from the Westem Prelacy to the pontiff inviting him to visit Prelacy-affiliated churches

ence, regardless

"Everywhere he went, he appealed to the youth to come to the church and participate," stressed Archbishop Barsamian, who accompanied the Catholicos on a good part of his travels. "Those young people who went to see and hear him were impressed by his command of language and his willingness to listen to them and understand them." While many were pleased at the change in tone and attitude among those who had previously refused to acknowl-

was intended to corner either the Catholicos or the Diocese, it didn't seem to work. Karekin I seemed eager to

bridge the differences and visited

many different institutions and organizations as possible, from the Armenian

Missionary Association of America to the Armenian Assembly of America. In between, he officiated at services at

And if certain leaders in the church and the community still have a problem with the changed world, Karekin I

churches affiliated with the Cilician See

and blessed schools and

newspapers

affiliated with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun. Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic churches ofthe Eastern US and Canada, affiliated with Cilicia, was present at many of the Eastern and Canadian

made

clear that

that

didn't. "Either I am Catholicos of ALL Armenians,

approach to hit the west coast. where the

not

v zo

events.

may take some time

for

or I am

locum tenens of the Westem Prelacy,

Catholicos,"

who was invited to be present at the banquet honoring the Catholicos. was introduced not as prelate but simply as the pastor of a church, thus leaving many in the audience under the mis-impression that the prelacy had not sent a representative. Some in the Armenian evangelical community were also displeased that

announced more

than once,

mixture

D d

selfconscious laughter and applause. B ars am i an,

who heard

the

Catholicos"s

ser-

mons and speeches several dozen times was continuously impressed. "He was able to convey his message to each audi-

Armenian government official could

ence,

order to build a healthy nation, whether in the Diaspora or in Armenia, there

have come and said the same things. But

another disagreed, explaining that in

in a

specific. appropriate way, never repeating himself, never tiring of

the message."

must be a responsible, moral society and

Besides the urging to recognize each other and begin to find ways to come together, the Catholicos also stressed the need for spiritual renewal. For a people with a national church, it was refreshing to hear a clergyman

z sN IJ.]

that requires an active and spiritually healthy church and church leaders, echoing the pontiff's own words: "Ejmiatsin is not a monument. It must become a human resource in order for us to build a state and a fatherland, a healthy society."

speaking about spiritual matters. "The of the Armenian Church in Armenia and Diaspora is to nurture the spiritual life of the people. And, always, Karekin I spoke a lan-

Finally, in assessing the impact of

mission

o guage

this historic visit, the Catholicos himself set the parameters which must be con-

sidered: "The aftermath

sometimes

more important than the event. The event comes and goes, but what impact does it leave? That is what is important."

that was easy to understand. the subject was scripture

vd Whether

o ("Jesus brought what you, in America, v call the pursuit of happiness"); or the questions of the youth ("Don't expect IJ.]

while leaders of other non-Armenian churches were given a chance to address

the Catholicos, Armenian and Catholics were left out.

Protestants

gv SeLpr HARourrNrAN GHaza.nnn

ready-made answers to be thrown to you. We are here for dialogue, not for

monologue"); or history ("What makes history? Our works and our words. Life means progress. A static, stagnant

life

can not make history"),

Karekin I created an enthusiasm about the future of the church and the community. And he was very

aware of the people's reactions. "How can we together, not waste this enthusiasm," he asked, "and

build a dynamically, meaningfully, involved church?" It was a call for the membership to initiate change, if that's what they really want.

Finally, the pontiff's message was as much political as it was religious. One churchman com-

plained that any high-ranking BERGE ARA ZOBIAN

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it is unrealistic to

Afagh is an Azeri from Iran, bom and raised in Tehran. His first language

is Farsi, and he freely admits that

speaks only "kitchen Azeri." He joined

the BBC World Service in 1983 and became a producer in its Persian broadcasting division, later working as a

of the BBC's Central Asian and Caucasus service, Behrouz Afagh, is anxious to dispel the notion that Britain is biased towards Azerbaijan, or that

the choice of Azeri as the only Caucasian language means that the BBC

writer, mainly on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.When the BBC decided to set up the Central Asian and Caucasus division, he was chosen to head it. He describes the BBC's staffing policy: 'All [of the staffl come from the area. We have Azeris, Uzbeks, a Kazakh, a Kirghiz, as well as freelance contributors here, around the world, and in the region. We have one regular stringer in Armenia, an Armenian who files both in Russian and in perfect Azeri. "It is very important for BBC staffers to take a global view. They must be able

see events

in a world perspec-

in Armenia-or

tive---or have the ability to leam. For

Georgia. "The BBC Azeri-language service, launched in January 1995, broadcasts in Uzbek, Azeri and Russian," explains Afagh. "Our Russian-language programming is different from that provided by the BBC's Russian service, and is specifically targeted at the audience in the Caucasus and Central Asia."

example, in covering the Karabakh conflict, that would mean not just covering the conflict itself but reporting it in the context of the rest of the world." How does the new division ensure that there is no national or political bias, especially with stories as sensitive as the conflict over Karabakh? "We follow the

ignoring listeners

in the

BBC editorial approach," said

Afagh.

canteen, Afagh explained why

famous BBC Azeri was

"We double-check the news and verify it

the only Caucasian language chosen. "The choice of languages is never an

the Karabakh conflict, we report from both

Over coffee

exact science," he said, and cited the fact that there are "about eight million Azeris

in the former Soviet Union, with a further

million or so in Iran." Other con-

siderations included the political importance of the area generally, and especial-

from independent sources. In

the Armenian and Azeri sides---or if there are any other sides, such as Russian, or international, we take them into equal consideration."

The same, he went on, is true of intemal political stories. "We talk to

visit Armenia in the near future to discuss the possibility with local officials, although he is well aware of the problems with the electricity supply. The BBC knows that media competition, locally, is not minor. Afagh notes, "We broadcast less than Radio Liberty or Voice of America, just half-hour slots of each language at present. There is also Moscow Radio, and a growing number of increasingly more sophisticated local stations, as well as broadcasts from Turkey and Iran. They have their own market."

It remains to be seen whether the target audiences in the Caucasus and Central Asia will tune into broadcasts that deliberately seek to appeal beyond the national boundaries of the ex-Soviet republics. BY FELrx CoRLEY

coRLEy rs A JorrRNALrsr wH,,

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MATTERS OF RELICION AND ETHNICITY WITHIN

THE FoRMER SoVIET UNIoN

DAILY NEWS FROM ARMENIA Get information about Armenia on a regular daily basis. ARAGlf, is a daily digest of the Armenian press in English. Based on newspapers and additional sources, ARAGIL will provide you with up+o-date information about the events taking place in Armenia and Karabakh. You canhave ARAGIL delivered by electronic mail every day. Send your payment today with your e-mail address or contact us via e-mail at:

ly for Britain.

governments, the opposition, academics,

The British government (which funds the BBC's intemational broadcasting service department directly via the Foreign Office) and the BBC agreed that the Caucasus and Central Asia were

joumalists and ordinary people. When the political situation is sensitive. we

P e rs onal s ub sc ription

must be doubly sure we are balanced."

l-3 months

$7 per month $6.50 per month $6 per month

important areas, said Afagh. Then came agreement on the three languages that would make the biggest impact.

"Launching

an Armenian or

Georgian service is a matter of money," he explained, adding, "we have a tight

$peaks Azeri

financial situation and hope for them now."

he head

#;,

As for the various

govemments'

response, "the governments are part of our audience. We would be surprised if the governments didn't monitor what we broadcast," Afagh acknowledges. The BBC hopes to increase its broadcasting range in the region by utilizing local transmitters. Afagh plans to

request@ aragil.arminco.com

4-6 months 7-l I months

Palment in $US checks or mone! orders should be sent to: PR Research

Attn: Mr. Manucharian P.O. Box 021785

Brooklyn,

I 1202

AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

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The Gnimean Gonnection Born in an Armenian village in Georgia, 39-year-old successfully wears many hats.The vice speaker of Crimea's Parliament, he is also head of the Federation of Armenian Communities, an international organization comprised of the elected representatives of 14 An

sh avan D anieli an

Armenian communities of Eastern Europe.

AIM: The Crimea has

lived

through a tumultuous political period, inter-ethnic relations have been aggravated, the Russian and Ukrainian elements are on a collision path, the relations between Simferopol [the Crimean capitall and Kiev are

strained. Has the former ruling Russophile "Russia" Union failed? DANIELIAN: The idea of re-unification with Russia is still fanatically supported by the majority of Crimeans. It is necessary to respect and understand this. Unfortunately, politicians exploited this

and made all kinds of inesponsible promises. When the people started to ask themselves, what happened to these promises, the dissatisfaction grew and

in the defeat of the Russia Union during the elections for local

resulted

executive councils. This is an instructive lesson for all politicians who forget that there is a long and bumpy road between promises and their implementation.

examples

of Abkhazia, Chechnya

and

Yugoslavia demonstrate how emotional-

ism can result in tragedy. We cannot allow such a thing. Historical injustice differs from historical justice in terms of time. The former can be eliminated with a mere stroke of the pen, but it may take centuries to restore the latter. Even as you are vice speaker of the Parliament, you are also chairman of the Crimean Armenian Union. Does the first hamper the second?

However busy

I may be, the

Armenian community has always been and will be my first priority. The Crimean Armenian Union has been growing and now has local branch-

in all Crimean cities, all working together. There are some matters regarding which we must work together with the govemment. For example, at our suggestion, an executive order is being worked es and representatives virtually

on which makes ethnic cultural centers equal to those of all other state cultural institutions. So, they will be financed by the state. Imagine how effective we will

be at developing and preserving our national culture, if such work is carried out by a consolidated army of professionals on a stable salary. The time has also come to introduce certain changes into the by-laws of the Crimean Armenian Union. For example, instead of the board which is currently in

charge

community management

between congresses,

we will have

national council. There are many initiatives

if the majority of Crimeans still espouse a union with Russia, the chairman of the

of that national structure self-govemed by representative bodies. If we succeed, it may be a model of self-organization for many diasporan

Parliament declared a commitment to

communities.

However, even

stay under the jurisdiction of Ukraine. There is no contradiction here. I am convinced that sober-minded Crimeans, even those who profess a pro-Russian ideology, support the realistic policy of the present-day leadership. We are not

going

to sit, our

hands folded, and

become Kiev's toy. We must try to fill Crimean autonomy with the kind of content that would enable the republic to achieve a new degree of integration not only with Russia but also with other former Soviet republics. Our leaders have no right to act based on emotions or personal interpretations of reality. The

26 lAlIl

Fesnueny

1996

kind; we plan to establish a

You are the coordinator of the

international Confederation of Armenian Communities. What are its objectives? One of the most important tasks of the Confederation is to achieve the establishment of an all-Armenian representative body, the World Armenian Assembly, as an organization which

would unite the potential of

Armenians, by means

all

supra-community representative structures. There have been many attempts unite the

Armenians all over the world; this idea

may sound lofty and far-fetched.

managed to publish an official trilin-

gual (Armenian, Russian, English) The World Armenian

newspaper,

Assembly. However. financing is necessary ifwe are to travel from one country to another, to implement programs. For this purpose, we created business enterprises which would help link the economic potential of Armenians and

provide stable finances for the organization. We also expect the support of the Armenian govemment. I know that the

Foreign Ministry

the Republic of

Armenia and Armenian parliamentarians understand what we are trying to do. and I believe, with their support. we can make the process go faster.

In many countries, including Russia, Canada, Brazil, Lebanon, Syria, Romania, there are parliamentarians of Armenian origin. Do you believe cooperation is feasible? Cooperation is possible in two areas: economic and political. In the political domain we can use our influence and presence in different parliaments for the development of inter-parliamentary ties between Armenia and other countries. In this respect, I think, it is also necessary to secure coopera-

tion among Armenians employed dilferent levels

This is one

of executive power.

of the tasks of

our

Confederation. BY HRAIR

ZonIaN

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or more than l0 years, starting in the 1980s, no renovations were carried out at Zvartnots. Runways were in a state of disrepair-an

accident waiting

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happen. Interminable tie-ups at the baggage-claim area were the rule, and no one ever seemed to know who was in charge of what. The situation could also

be comical: It was not unusual for disembarking passengers to be greeted by livestock that had wandered onto the tarmac from neighboring villages through gaps in the airport's wall. Airport Director Vagharshak

Mnatsakanian remembers the days before his appointment when people

from the village of Arbat would get off the bus at neighboring Parakar and use the airport as a shortcut, walking right across the runways to get home.

That has all come to an

that upped the classification of Zvartnots to a Type 2 airport, according the levels established

Intemational Civil

Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO's director says that no CIS republic figures in the highest level at present: most are at Type 3 and a few, like Armenia, have attained Type 2. Although there are four operating airports in Aimenia, Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan is undoubtedly the most important. Serving approximately one million passengers per year, Zvafirots is the only one which receives intemational flights. In Armenia in 1993 there was but one daily govemmental flight to Moscow. Nowadays, two Armenian and two Russian companies

end,

complete 80 regular flights

Mnatsakian says. In fact, during the past

to 32 cities per week. [n

36 months he has seen at least one improvement each day at the airport. Landing strips have been repaired, the holes in the walls sealed and the runway lights restored to working order, changes

addition,

Armenia

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Additionally, in March, construction of a new cargo terminal will begin; the cost will be US $23 million and the estimated time of completion: three

for the terminal

years. Financing

has

been provided by the European Bank for

Reconstruction

and

Development

(EBRD).

"The terminal, with a capacity for 80,000 tons of cargo a year, will help Zvafinots Airport become a freight hub for Armenia and neighboring southern Russian regions," said an official who declined identification. The most significant projects, how-

suc-

ceeds in buying a Boeing 757, it is possible to envision a direct Yerevan-US route in the future.

AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

I 27

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There are brand-new reception for official visitors and those willing to pay a fee. One lounge has a lounges

bar, satellite television and fax, and it is here that the President of Armenia has his office.

Delays, noise and low-quality service are still problems----old habits die hard. One recent traveler to Russia cited long lines and unsanitary food stands as two major areas in need of improvement, although he added that the situation is the same all over the CIS. Flight attendants certainly see much of the inner workings of an airport. Irina Sirikh, who has six years experience on the job, noted some the great improvements of recent years, saying. "The interiors ofplanes have been reno-

will be realized with the help of SERCOIAL, a British company. In a

ever,

press conference

in Yerevan in

mid-

December, 1995, Shahen Petrossian, the Armenian government's Representative in Civil Aviation, declared that Zvartnots

Airport will become a joint-stock company, with 5lVo to be held by the

remained inside Ukraine, Belarus and Russia sensed the opportunity to demand astronomical sums. Last year, for example, the factory in Minsk billed $270,000 to fix one TU-134 and this year is charging $370,000 to do the same work. The aging of Armenia's fleet is the

sion to put up with all of the problems. "Often the flights are subject to long delays and passengers are stuck on board for hours. We really have to make

main impetus behind the current deal-

said.

Armenian government and 49Vo by SER-

ings to lease two Boeings. Armenian

COIAL. According to Vice President of

Airlines will pay $5 million in advance,

Ter Tachatian, SERCOIAL already owns numerous airports, including 1007o of

with the remaining sum to be paid during five or more years of use. Contractual terms have not yet been finalized, and the seller's identity is being kept a secret

Armenian Aviation Armen

the Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan;

also the largest

shareholder of

until

Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Airport.

With an initial SERCOIAL

invest-

ment of $lfi) million, Zvartnots is to be entirely renovated and upgraded, able to handle four flights simultaneously,

according

officials. Moreover, the

construction of two new terminals near the old building at a cost of five million dollars is foreseen. It will also be possible to purchase up{o-date equipment,

acquire new planes-still a top priori-

ty-and

papers are signed. "It is a very good opportunity and a

very good price," asserted Petrossian during the press conference. "Normally, Boeings cost $50 million each, so that would be $100 million for both. One could buy the whole country with that sum."

On the ground, a tour of Zvartnots reveals some significant changes.

terminal has been reserved for

flights outside the CIS and its roof, which had leaked whenever it rained or

extend the runways. The Armenian Airlines fleet is comprised of several dozen aircraft, including the heavily used Tupolev-l54s and Tupolev-l34s, all of which were appro-

snowed, has been repaired at last. A telephone information service has been up and running for a year

priated from the former Soviet Union.

installed-but not all of them work.

These planes are

old-the maximum-use

Public telephones have

been

Flight attendants have

a place to rest section that was formerly reserved for Customs. Public restrooms, closed in the past,

Maintenance Service, Victor Adiyan, explains that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the airline factories that

have reopened. The sanitary situation, notorious in previous years, has been improved-but still has a ways to go.

limitations for the TU-134 and TU-154

aircraft are fast approaching-and repairs are always costly. The Director

I AIll

FEBRUARY 1996

vated and more agreeable conditions have been created to assure quality service." But Alvart Navasardian recounted the difficulties of being a flight attendant

in a

and said one must really love the profes-

lot of effort to relieve the tension," she

Security, also problematic in the past, has been overhauled. It is now impossible to access the runways without proper credentials. Head of Security

at Zvartnots is Krikor Hakopian, who

confides, "Obviously we have better

techniques now, but it still isn't enough.

We've confiscated arms, munitions and explosives. This doesn't happen very often, but it does occur. Once we even discovered a revolver concealed in an old woman's clothes!"

Everyone has

a story

about

overzealous or impolite customs agents. But even that seems to be changing. A frequent flyer from the US recently noted that customs agents actually

smiled. The unnecessary wait

and

unwelcome conditions have been such a source of grief for travelers, that a year ago, at a meeting with certain airport officials, President Levon Ter Petrossian denounced the "inquisition" to which passengers were subjected. He stated that it took less time to fly from Europe

to Armenia than it did to get out of Zvartnots.

As for corruption among customs officials-another major problem of Customs-the head of the agency declared that he "has no mercy" with custom agents who abuse their positios. 'Although their salaries are unbearably low, they must be terminated. Customs agents and border police are the first

individuals whom foreigners encounter upon arrival, and it is at this moment that these travelers are forging an impression of the country." GRrcoRrAN, Mecnn BnnRoru mo NoUVELLES D,ABMENIE MAGAZINE. PHoros BY WTLHELM AKouNtAN.

ev Menx

INTERVIEW WITH CHAHEN PETROSSIAN, HEAD OF CIVIL AUIATION d'Armenie Magazine: How would you describe the situation at the

Nouvelles

airport when you first took over in 1993? Petrossian: Airplanes had become trolleys. Passengers without tickets stood in the aisles during flights. The airport was filthy. It was impossible to buy tickets except on the black market. Some employees were actively involved in the trade. They would deny all illegality and blame it squarely on the famous Mafia who operated in the town of Parakar, near

the airport. Whole groups of

people

would send and receive merchandise on the black market at the airport. In sum, it was sheer chaos.

What did you do to improve the situation?

We broke the monopoly. Competition between the airports and the

airline companies paved the way to improving the airlines themselves. An agreement was signed with the maintenance service of Air France by which the interiors and exteriors of three airplanes

were completely renovated, allowing them to reach intemational standards.

Our revenue sources changed

well. Until 1993-94, Civil Aviation received money from the government, whereas today it is a viable operation and pays taxes. The second stage was privatizing services. Tickets are sold at travel agencies and it's now possible to purchase airline tickets in peace-without paying intermediaries or bribes. The problem of fuel shortage has also been addressed. Since privatization, we

receive fuel by land through Georgia. And, for the first time in a long while, our planes fly without refueling stopovers. In the Soviet era, Aeroflot had a reputation for bad service. Has Armenian

Airlines inherited this tradition? Our pilots all perform at a high level. [He knocks on wood before continuing.l The proof is that there haven't been any air catastrophes. The only acci-

dent on record was one involving the IL18 shot down in Voronez in 1975. Thus the total number of accidents in Armenia

is actually zero. Furthermore, pilots and technicians do their jobs with a gteat sense

responsibility. However,

true that our flight attendants were not always at the highest level of competence. We worked hard on this matter and today can proudly boast the best flight attendants in the CIS.

There was a strike when you began restructuring this category of personnel. Certain political opposition forces criticized your moves. Was the problem politics or were there justifiable social reasons?

This category of personnel did not want to give up their benehts or their bad habits. We announced a series of layoffs and many employees thus risked losing their iobs. As a general rule, how do you react to the social demands of your personnel? I will answer that question by saying we pay some of the highest salaries in the Republic. Furthermore, in the last two years these salaries have not stopped rising. Do increasing salaries keep up with the level of benefits?

Yes,

I think so. Benefits

have

improved tremendously and are proportionate to salaries. Funding for salaries has been maintained, in part, as a result of some job cuts. We have been forced to reduce waste. After the earthquake in 1988, many workers were hired because we needed them at that time, but now our

industry can no longer afford to keep them on. Companies throughout the world are familiar with this situation and very. few function without such restructuring.

AIMFEBRUARY 1996129

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rshile Gorky has come to

symbolize much for the Armenians. Admired as a leading representative of American Abstract Expressionist art of the first half

of the 20th century, as an Armenian, Gorky is the rare man of arts who was able to utilize art as a way of expressing the trauma of the Genocide and the loss

of the fatherland. Peter Balakian, poet and literary critic, is professor of English at Colgate University. In a long essay in the February 1996 issue of Art in America, Balakian explains how Gorky's experience of grief and loss is an inseparable part of his paintings. As Balakian says, "In

an era

before the Holocaust gave rise to a global discourse about genocide, Gorky sought

to express what had happened to him, his family and his people." The surprise in Balakian's lengthy analysis, which is part modern Armenian history, part biography and part art criticism, is that, according to the writer, most critics and biographers of Gorky have, until now, missed the central point: that Gorky tried to recreate in his art that which he had lost as a result of the 19 1 5 Genocide of Armenians in Turkey; the resultant deprivation most profoundly shaped Gorky's life, and therefore, art. After all, the Genocide left him a child survivor "with tragic knowledge," explains Balakian. Deportation, starvation, an absent father with whom he was reunited in America, only to forge a strained relationship, all these became the content of his celebrated art. Balakian eloquently drives home his point: to understand Gorky's art, one must understand Gorky's life. That life was a textbook example of Genocide victim and survivor.

they don't know anything about Armenians, they know Armenian food. More and more, food editors are taking the time I to talk not only about measurements and ingredients, but about il the cultures and traditions from which they come. A February t w issue of the Los Angeles Times featured "secrets from Armenian Kitchens," recipes taken from an easy-to-follow cookbook published by the Ararat Home of Los Angeles. This residential and convalescent home has become everyone's favorite charity. In the Diaspora's largest outpost, countless people are cognizant of impending old age, and the cookbook is one of a long line of easy-to-swallow fundraising efforts for this multimillion dollar institution. Recipes for the omnipresent kebab, cheoreg and kadayif are offered from the cookbook's dozens of selections.

30 / AIM FEnnuenv 1 996

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t rmenian-American writer David Kherdian, and his wife, awardwinning illustrator Nonny Hogrogian legitimized Armenian folklore and history as the subject of American children's literature. Hogrogian has won the coveted Caldecott award for illustration, and Kherdian's semi-autobiographical The Road from Home was a Newberry Honor title, the equally prestigious award given to a select few children's books each year in the United States. Together, they have pub-

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lished several dozen titles whose themes stretch from Hovannes Toumanian's folk tales to immigrant life in the working-class towns of Racine, Wisconsin and Fresno, California, after the Genocide. Kherdian and Hogrogian's most recent collaboration is Forkroads, A

Journal

Ethnic-American Literature. The quarterly, published in

Spencertown, New York, premiered in the fall of 1995, and has since estab-

lished itself as an easy-reading, accessible tool in the new field of Multicultural or Ethnic Literature. Poems by Kherdian himself, excerpts from the work of Peter Najarian, appeared together with Italian-American, Jewish-American and Latino writers in the first issue. In the two issues which have appeared since, there are stories, memoirs and poems by many hyphenated Americans, including Poles, Chinese, Greeks and Arabs. ev SeI-pt HenourrNreN GuezemeN

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207 South oranse St.

ctenoate,cAel2o4 Ter: r818r 244-2468

Fax:(818)244-1930

AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

I 31

tI{i-#WTffi

i::*i:x;i;r*,$i:;::}y,1i:;::'::;,r'-.::t:i;i::;i#i

Ix Mv FATHER's Naup TOWN,

FAMILY,

MURDER

SrMoN AND ScHusrep. 1996. ISBN

0 6lt4

808,15-5.

Too often, history has become a burden for Diasporans afraid to scratch too hard or dig too deep-for fear of encountering truths which would remove the veneer of victim or shield of hero, and simply render the Armenian a "regular Joe." For Mark Arax, third-generation Fresnan and grandson of genocide survivors, history is not a millstone. Instead, it is a tool which helps him uncover the answers to the all-important questions which shaped his life-who murdered his father and why. Journalist Arax (whose profiles of Kirk Kerkorian and Alex Manoogian have appeared in AIM) succeeds in poignantly documenting his search for answers. He discovers early on that "there were four murders in our family. Two of us killed. Two of us killers. Two murders in the old country, two murders in the new country. In between was the murder of the Armenian nation. It all linked up-each crime bound to the other." By the end of this half memoir, half murder mystery, one breathes a sigh of relief as motives and killers come into plain view. Yet, it is the intensely personal depictions of a cast of characters-both unique and familiar-that makes this book a remarkable work and a satisfying read. AIM is proud to feature this excerpt. #':s

:*mlnl1

32 I AluFesnuenv

1996

the 1980's I tried to stall Grandpa Arax's slow slide into

detested the soft ones. His pace quickened, and I began to feel a little funny

senility which the

that she had four sisters who were killed along with their father and mother in the

through

omnipresence I brought to bear on my mother's cancer. His daughter, Jeanette, was the first to notice his decline. She had accompanied him to Armenia to dedicate a shrine to Saroyan and found him that first night about to urinate in the hotel closet. The next day he gave a speech that was excessive even by Soviet standards. Jeanette chalked it up to jet lag and blindness, but there were more slips. He could no longer hunt and peck on his typewriter and wondered if a tape recorder might do for one last stab at an epic poem about early Fresno. I bought him a nice compact Sony but he kept pushing the wrong buttons. Frustrated, he just let the tape run end to end, and free flowing verse of shower arias and socialist rant and love songs to daisy the dog.

took him everywhere with

me.

Driving to Modeslo to visit a reporter who had come across a state department of justice report on Dad's murder, we got on the subject of a poet's muse and he told me about a woman whose urgings and scoldings were the reason he took up writing again in the 1960s, after decades

of silence.

"I have loved this woman for twenty-five years," he said calmly, an admission that could not have found a more eager and willing audience.

tried to strike a note of indiffer-

me. "Love?" "Maybe it was Platonic inspiration. Maybe indebtedness. She was the one who told me, 'Aram, you are spending all your time in the coffee houses playing pinochle. You must write everyday.

ence but my voice revealed

Everyday a poem.' "She has all my poems. In case you want my writings after I die.... Maybe we will visit her one day." The next day I helped him into the car and we said good-bye to Grandma under pretenses now forgotten. He had the map of Fresno memorized and called out the streets in a bouncy, giddy voice. "You know, Mark, I haven't bought

her anything for four

or five

years.

Maybe that's why she's angry with me."

He made me stop at a drug

store

where he picked out a box of Whitman's chocolates, the nutty kind because she

thing. He

about the whole

same

explained

to America an Her husband, a tyrant, died

massacres. She came

orphan.

when she was 57 and she has lived alone ever since. Her name is Mushkanetz in Turkish and Shahd Naz in Armenian. It means

Wnrrpn

Mlnr Aux

much/little, the ambivalence that was their relationship. Friends call her Mary but he called her Mush. Grandma called her the woman with the flesh hanging from her arms. Mary greeted us at the front steps and took us around to the back, pointing to a spot where Grandpa planted a row of camelias that died in a frost many years ago. She was a big-boned woman,

all around sturdy, thick hands,

ankles

feet. She had pretty blue eyes and a pleasant face painted in red lipstick and rouge. Her hair was dyed dark brown, and

eyebrows a shade lighter.

Grandpa and I sat down on the couch. Mary hunied into the kitchen and came out with a tray of walnuts, almonds, raisins and 7-Up. "Come sit by me," he said sweetly. "I want to see your face." She pretended not to hear him and took a seat across the room. "I don't like it," she gestured to his beard. "I don't like it at all."

"How about a

rendezvous in

Armenia?" He was playing with her and she played back, a little nasty. "What comrades do you have anymore?" she asked, knowing full well

that

all but two of them had

died.

'Assadurian in Pasadena maybe?" 'Assadurian died last week. Heart attack."

"You had

someone

Pasadena? Varich? Varich die,

else

too?"

"No, he's still alive." She wanted him to know that however bad he had it, she had it worse. "You've got people over all the time, Aram. You've got Alma." "She likes to talk too much. Her ears are fine but they don't hear too well." There was silence This small talk did not please him. He gestured as if leaving.

"Why are you going?" "Because you don't like me any-

AIM

FEBRUARY 1996

more..... What do I have to do over here, America," he said. "Mark is over here. I enjoy it. You're here. I enjoy that. But what else? That is my country. I have been back seven not enough."

eating impressed me so badly. When I saw the difference between your grandfather and him, I said, 'I can't live with that millionaire one minute."'

"Money is the main thing for her. Why? I don't know. Being an orphan or something. She never said don't come

She scowled and began to court me:

"He goes with the big shots

in Armenia. He goes to operas and dinner meetings. But my relatives back there say life is very hard. Aram comes back here and says there is no place like Armenia. I see another Armenia." "So many lives without body," he muttered twice.

to this house. She cried with me several

days. She loved Ara so much." She sat beside him now, the poems spread out before her, and began to read them out loud, sunlight through the

kitchen window dancing across their faces. They were eye-to-eye for the first

time, no more nasty jabs and

there is not a book

still!

points through me, and suddenly

You go there,

you come together and drink and talk. You never wrote your book!" "What is it good for if I am the only one who reads it?" "It has to come into the world, generation to generation. The book is never lost. You were lazy about your work. You promised me you were going to write a book. What happened, Aram?" She excused herself and brought out two grocery bags filled with his letters, cards and poems kept in a closet for twenty years. There was a tacky card with a young couple naked in soft focus

and the words,

said. There was always something. She

showed teeth, cheeks tightened, pink with blood. "Twenty years of my life," she said. "Not knowing what to do. It was difficult but it was not tragic. He is my ungar now. My comrade. Nothing more." "Mark, on summer nights I came

to count the somethings. "His

here and we sit out late on the porch. I

mother's death. Ara-boy's death. His sicknesses. How could I close the door? I pitied him. He was at the back door, tears falling on the ground. 'My Araboy."' I waited for Pop to interrupt, to say that she was exaggerating her impor-

tried to kiss her. I kissed her. She said, 'No, please Aram. The moon will see

began

"The

ir."

"I was scared. Aram. I worried. All the time someone going to see us." "We did the right thing," he said. "Everybody start

to talk. I fell

shamed."

Pleasures of Love."

She grabbed

scoring

I felt like an interloper. He smiled and

She scolded him, gently at first. "You went to Armenia seven times and

"Careless you asked? I

don't feel guilty. I feel

poem and held it up as exhibit. "I am the rea-

proud that

I loved you.

If you didn't

son Aram is famous.

feel proud. that's your busi-

Before he met me, he

ness."

was living in

the Armenian coffee hous-

es, gambling his life away. I told him to

stop

"I didn't feel free. You think too much [ree. I'm not your type, Aram. I'm still old-

Is liS i,r

country type. Don't put my name in peo-

frequenting.

'This is the beginning of your new life.' I

ple's mouth..." She lifted the poem to her nose and sniffed

made him the writer. He became famous and I became the talk of the

the years.

I wrote him letter from San

Armenian community. He was famous. I was

"Markie,

gossip."

Francisco.

Pop didn't know

the

what to say. "Yes, she was my inspiration. I can admit that.

tance in his

But she was an orphan and

for pity. He said nothing.

she had the

martyr's syndrome. She could not live

with my love. So our

life, that he was too

proud

She went on, telling the story of

relationship

rich Armenian in Los Angles who wanted to marry her and she was about to say

She couldn't turn him away, she

yes until he invited her to dinner. "His

became this."

sent

it to

bar. I told him

when he reads it, tear ir and throw it away. He kept it in he office desk and she found it. Your grandma couldn't share literary love. So I wrote him this letter encouraging him to write and she found it." "I couldn't tear it," he said. "She

But

am dead every way else, too.

Sometimes

feel like I'm living in

desert. I don't mean the weather, Mark. There is nothing to satisfy me. There is nothing left for me here."

Late that afternoon, while Pop napped and Grandma busied herself in the kitchen,

rummaged through the

contents of those two grocery bags now entrusted to me. There were poems and fragments of poems and what appeared to be the outline of a two-act play writ-

ten on scraps of paper and Ara's

Apartments cocktail napkins. Much of it

was

indecipherable, penned in

Armenian. One poem, half completed, leaped out from the rest. It was titled "Green Stem Broken," composed in English in his meticulous arabesque. As I read it a second time, I began to wonder what my grandfather had known once and forgotten to tell me.

found it."

"Your grandmother spoiled

January second, 1972 At the doorsteps of the New Year

ther is too much free-minded." "I am not the slave of those bastards. I don't care what they think. There is nothing wrong. There is noth-

Kill my 40-year-old Ara

I love you and

you love me, forget everyone Forget the world."

"When

love,

want free

T\rro

never want my enemy such evil misfortune

love.

Knock on the door and he runs in the closet. I couldn't live with you. I want real love, not dreaming love. Do you know how many men I retumed because of him, Markie? It's too late. The damage to my character is done." There was silence again. It was time to go.

Can

visit you

son

time?" he asked.

"No. Just

when

dently lunded and administered

public charity committed to the dissemination

of information and developing an informed public.

Underpinning all our work is the

firm conviction that the vitality of an independent press is funda-

mental to a democratic society in have

The heart and the beloved The loss of a son Innocent offspring What do I say? How can I look into your eyes when

else.

shades.

criminals, insidious,

Be a father and endure this Be a mother and endure this

Love that I'm not scared. I want to live with the man I love. I don't want to live

with closed windows. Behind

Millennium Society is an indepen-

name. What can I do now? It's too late. My character went down. Still today people talk about me.... Your grandfa-

ing right in this world

Founded in 1993, the Fourth

see the protest

Against the killers of this society? Against drug dealers Do not kill, my beloved offspring Do not seek vengeance This is the will of my sunset

Armenia and democratic institu-

tions in the Diaspora. The Fourth Millennium Society supports Armenian lnternational Magazine

in its effort to contribute to the national dialogue.

Please remember the Fourth

Millennium Society with your gifts. Think of the Fourth Millennium Society as you prepare your will. We can help you with planned giving and estate planning.

Markie's here."

We got up to leave and he leaned over to kiss She turned away, offering her sturdy hand.

Fourth Millennium Society

In the car, back home to

Glendale, CA 91209

her.

Grandma, I asked if he was all right. "She's practically dead anyhow. She smells

like hell. Like all those old women. I am alive.

P.0. Box 10793

Phone (818) 2467979 Fax

(818) 246 0088

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F Ed

n t hasn'l been easy to be a musician in il Yereuan these last few years. But music I lor.r, in the capital gor a big lifl from tr 'Artrrnn Serenade," the First I" Intemational Chamber Music Festival inYerevan last fall. The festival was the brainchild of Nika Babaian, manager (yes, professional manager) of the Serenade Chamber Orchestra.

Formed only four years ago, Serenade is young and talented. Most of its members are

students

from the

Yerevan Komitas

Conservatory the Romanos Melikian Music

College and the Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School. kd by 24-year-old Artistic Director and Conductor Eduard Topchian, the orchestra has participated in festivals in Europe, and in I 995 alone gave more than 60 concerts during a four-month tour of Frankfurt, St. Tropez, Berlin, Paris and Hamburg.

Babaian and the Serenade Orchestra realized that a festival in Yerevan would be really special. They invited renowned British

cellist Steven Isserlis, the winner

Royal

Philharmonic

the

Society's

Instrumentalist of the Year award in 1993, who has performed with such stellar conductors as Ashkenazy, Slatkin, Rozhdestvensky, Tilson Thomas and Solti. When Isserlis agreed to come to Armenia, the festival was a go. After all, he had performed in Yerevan

in 1989-and a critic

had written in Azg,

"Both concerts displayed his true genius...." In Yerevan's Chamber Music Hall, Isserlis and the Orchestra opened the festival

with a performance that included Haydn's Concert for Cello and Strings in C Major and Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht. On the following day Isserlis played with pianist Igor Yavrian, a professor from the Yerevan

Komitas Conservatory; selections such

Vladimir Blok's Dedication to Armenia,

z (, L

z tingly, given by the'Armenian Nightingale,"

ing for humanities before they cut other pro-

soprano Gohar Gasparian.

gams, the arts can be a country's

Since the festival, the

Serenade

Chamber Orchestra has been anything but idle. October l0 saw them kick offa tour that

lasted until early December and covered Holland, Germany and ltaly. They won first

arts for a nation and for the intemational

prize in Italy's "Valentino Bucci" chamber music competition; members of that jury

community, encouraging creativity and

represented 14 countries. In 1996, they will travel to Boston for a special event celebratYerevaning the 40th anniversary

facilitating intemational exposure." In these times of freezing rehearsal rooms and no state sponsorship, while many

gifted musicians have emigrated,

Serenade Chamber Orchestra has persevered. The orchestra's repertoire is rather extensive: Topchian estimates that it consists of at least 40 concerts for strings. While the musicians are not paid, the orchestra eams money from concert tours and receives assistance from private donors in Armenia. This, together with the orchestra's youth

Siranossian, who works closely with Serenade, helped make the French tour a

makes it a unique phenomenon, indeed.

success, and an encouraged Babaian scheduled more venues. Babaian feels that the young orchestra fills an important and perhaps underestimated role: "We have to show the Westem world that we excel in the classical arts, that we are a cultured nation with ancient ties to westem civilization." In other words, though govemments around the world usually slash fund-

sv MARr GnrconreN nup MgcaN BennoN

Arnold Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht

and Eduard Mirzoyan's Symphony for Su'ings and Timpany. 1994, Russian Disc, NAB-9401, RDCD 00478, and AslamazianKomitas, Miniatures Armeniennes. 1994,

MPO France,NAB-9402.

gS ARM

had

unforgettable performances, often with the Serenade Orchestra. There was the violinist Jean Ter-Merguerian from France; pianist Igor Sloutsker from Russia; and soprano Arax Davtian, who has sung for many years with the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Vladimir Spivakov. The final concert was, most fit-

38 /AIMFeenuenv

1996

the

Cambridge sister cityhood. Serenade, which began as a small scholars' group, matured quickly in 1992 when Babaian organized a tour to France. To keep expenses to a minimum, the orchestra played in small towns and villages, and usually stayed with welcoming local families. French-Armenian Conductor Alexander

Schumann's Five Pieces on Folk Style, Op. 102 and Grieg's Sonata for Cello and Piano delighted the audience. During the festival's 12 days of festivi-

ties, many intemational musicians

best

export. 'Armenia needs a state cultural policy," insists Babaian. "The state can support the arts without providing funds, but by recognizing and underscoring the value of the

On:hesre de Charrbr ".$creneta' Dirokxr : Alurndn iinn*:ian

whom already knew him from NBA camps. "But," he says, "everyone on

0alllltu IhE $ltols

will try to get away with something. It doesn't matter who is reffing, things are going to happen." To further complicate their lives,

every level

the replacement referees were required

to officiate in two-man crews instead of the standard three. Suddenly, the referees were not only contending with some of the world's best and highestpaid athletes but also with a blind spot created by the diminished crews.

fi t's a long way from the Basketball fr Continental

Arzoumanian, who nonetheless relished every minute of the challenge,

ffi Association (CBA) to the National fi Basketball Association (NBA). f nut the road got a lot shorter for

29-year-old referee

states, "With only one partner. it was especially difficult to always see what was going on away from the ball."

Suren

During his stint in the NBA, Arzoumanian worked several games

Arzoumanian earlier this season. Arzoumanian got the call for the

Show last October when the NBA

with 2-year CBA referee

locked out its regular referees in a dispute over the terms of their new salary increases. The NBA signed the entire

Gulbeyan. Arzoumanian laughs, "First

there were no Armenians at

"Every single moment was memorable," says Arzoumanian, who refereed a total of 30 NBA games before the labor dispute was settled in December. "The crowds alone, walking into an arena of 20, 25,000 fans, was incredible."

Twenty-five-thousand jerseywearing fanatics is a far cry from the 12 lonely American outposts, such as

Yakima, Sioux Falls and Shreveport, that quietly support CBA teams. The circuit's official nickname, "League of Dreams," is an apt description for players and referees alike. While numerous players, especially those using the opportunity to bolster their

low-profile college careers,

have

recently used the CBA as a steppingstone to the NBA, more often the CBA is a last low-paying stop for former NBA players and draft choices who never made the cut.

"There's no comparison,"

says

Arzoumanian, iin terms of numbers of fans, the top players, the amount of money bet on the games. Every

moment

in the NBA thereis another

exciting play."

Arzoumanian has worked the CBA for four years. He was a scholarship soccer player at Cal State Los Angeles but got his pinstriped start in 1985 when he took an officiating class

and

now suddenly there are two."

The NBA was

CBA staff, as well as several officials from college ball, to monthly contracts and plunked them down in the middle of the biggest, fastest basketball players in the world.

all

Roy

sufficiently

impressed with Arzoumanian to invite

at Glendale Community College. He began refereeing on the elementary school level and for Armenian club teams, eventually moving up to working high school games before an NBA observer spotted him and recommended him for the professional ranks. The decision to enter the NBA as a replacement referee was not an easy

one.

"It

was tough," Arzoumanian

says. "There was the anti-union stuff and I had friends in the NBA to consider. Ultimately, though, I had to look out for my future as a referee. You can(t say no to the NBA."

According to Arzoumanian,

the

fans heaped no particular abuse on the referees because of their crossing the union line. "Once the game starts, nobody cares who's reffing," he says. "They're there to see the players." The players and coaches did not extend the same kid-glove treatment. During the lockout, newspaper articles

were rife with complaints about the referees' performance and accusations that their inexperience was leading to sloppy play and increased injuries.

The criticism doesn't faze Arzoumanian. "Guys in my profession don't read the newspapers," he says

good-humoredly. 'According to the papers, nobodyis made a correct call

yet." Arzoumanian felt respect from the players and coaches, most of

him to next year's training camps. Currently, he works the six-month CBA season as well as at

a silk-screen-

ing business and an Italian restaurant he owns with partners. The schedule is

wearing thin on him. He hopes to make the NBA on a permanent basis

within the next three years and feels the outlook is positive for new, young refs as the league continues to expand and the gameis pace becomes even faster and more difficult to keep up with.

preparation, Arzoumanian

working harder than ever, physically and mentally. Official observers critique all of the referees and there are endless videotapes of games to be replayed. Arzoumanian analyzes the tapes to check his angles and to better understand how he may have missed a

call. In addition to being required, the activity helps pass the long hours on the road.

Back

October, Indiana Pacer

Reggie Miller complained about parttime referees who were icoming out of supermarketsi to officiate NBA games. If all goes well in the next couple of years, Arzoumanian should be able to leave his silk screen and pasta behind and give Miller's superstar playmates his full attention. BY LoUISE SMITH

AIM FesnuARy

1996

I 39

WE NEED DEDICATED MEl{ AND WOME}I TO JOIN OUR VOLUNTEERS ON OUR 1996 SUMMER PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA, ARTSAKH AND IN KESSAB, SYRIA

The Land & Culture 0rganization (LC0) is now recruiting volunteers to work on the land during our annual Summer Programs ranging from renovation of historic monuments, construction projects to help Armenian refugees resettle in Armenia and Artsakh, and our ongoing agricultural projects, Your involvement will entail 4

weeks in either july and/or August 1996.

0ver the past 18 years, more than 700 LCO volunteers from the U.S., Canada, France, England, Armenia and other countries have worked hand in hand with local villagers on the land to assist the population and to

preserve our culture. The benefits to our heritage are as important as they are to our volunteers.

Our efforts not only have direct benefits for Armenia, but they also deliver a profound and powerful psycholo$cal boost to native Armenians, to say nothing of the fulfillment relished by our volunteers, The three program venues are Armenia proper, Artsakh and the Armenian villages around Kessab, Syria.

IF YOU ARE AN ABLE BODIED INDIVIDUAL, DEDICATED, ADAPTABLE AND WITLING TO WORK ON OUR LAND,

WE NEED YOU YeS, I want to be part of the LCO 1996 Summer Programs tr Please rush me a brochure and volunteer application. tr can't go, but would like to subsidize the cost of a volunteer and help support the Summer Programs. I

(Please fomard your check with this coupon to the address below.) All contdbutlons are

$50

tr $100 D $250 o

For inquiiles, wilte

tax deduc{lble.

$500 o $1000 o 0ther

u call: Land & Culture

Organlzatlon

138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Iel:2L2 697-5822, or Annita Nerses at 201,222-9242 evenings. PLEASE RESPOND BYAPBIL 15, 1996

I.AITD

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middle of the night because I had to get a flashlight and toilet paper out of my suit-

Dear K.

You asked how a politically active mathematician from Yerevan ends up in a small college town in the Midwest. It is quite simple. My contract expired at UCLA and they had more important people from more important countries to keep. The only offer that I got was from this university for another year. I chose to accept because it gets me closer to

financial centers like New York and

Many things have happened

this

past year, the most exciting being my trip

to Armenia with the Land and Culture Organization to do earthquake relief in the small village of Gogaran.

Packed with many-and mixedexpectations, my venture began. After a long and exhausting flight, we still had to go through customs in Yerevan, which meant being smashed in a tiny room for

Chicago.

three hours with the entire flight. Just

Upon my arrival, I started to develop relations with the finance department at the university and began studying a

when things stafted to become intolerable, I turned my head and saw beautiful Mt. Ararat at a distance. What a vibrant sightl As we traveled to our hotel and

field that was completely new to me. After a while I convinced them that I may be

some use. So, now,

I'm

research scientist doing the same math,

only instead of publishing irrelevant papers that only a couple of people in the

world will understand and value, I'm trying to solve some very practical problems that still require the highest acade-

mic training. If I'm successful it will raise my living standards as well. I'm not overly enthusiastic about this position at the business school. but in a shrinking job market on Wall Street, it

buys me some time and is a step towards resume building. One thing is for certain: we will not stay here. I don't know if you have ever been to this part of the US, but it's nothing like California. You deal with very narrow-minded people who think they are the most intellectual people on earth. doesn't make any sense to leave Yerevan to establish ourselves in a small town with a village mentality. I'm hoping to get a good job with an adequate salary so we can move to a large metropolitan area. But you never know what

surprises life has waiting for you. Two I would never have imagined that we would end up here. years ago

I haven't been in touch with the folks in Armenia for a long time. My

only source of information is Groong. Is there a shift in the people's mentality? Yours, M

44 /

AIM Fesnuenv

1996

later, as

walked

the streets of Yerevan, I kept looking at

case, and put on my shoes to go to the

outhouse while I was still half asleep. Worse yet, it was a challenge to satisfy a chocolate craving at l0:00 pm because there is no chocolate in the villages. It was a challenge to get food and supplies for the week from the nearest town because we often ran out of gas and there aren't any 24 holur stations just around the corner. It was a challenge to make a phone call, mail a letter, or go sight-seeing. So, I missed using a

the phone.

I missed

toilet. I missed

variety: variety in

color, variety in food-sugar, diet Pepsi, water, coffee, ketchup, french

fries, pasta with Alfredo sauce. But I was also supple-

people wondering they were in some way related to me. Gogaran,

mented with things that are a challenge

In we worked at

to get at home. I had community. I

rebuilding an 18th-

had quiet at the end

century

and beginning of

church

which had

NADIM

been

lrANr each day. I had time

built on top of a 4th-century church. This was the only church in the village and it had been destroyed by the earthquake.

to sit and talk with friends every day. I

Our work developed character in us and spurred the villagers to work, but more than that it gave them a sense ofhope. As the director of the LCO said one day, "when we work we open up roads; when we don't we become still and die." As the days progressed, I began to understand this concept more and more, but the discovery of that was never easy in Armenia. I was surprised at the daily inconveniences that Armenians have to live with compared to what we spoiled Americans demand on a daily basis. Challenge was involved every step of the way, but that was how I came to understand the people and way of life in Armenia. It was a challenge to wash my face in the morning because we didn't have indoor plumbing, but instead we had a big water trough outside. It was a challenge to go to the bathroom in the

thoughts. There was time to share closeness. There was simplicity.

had time for laughter. There was time each day to write and reflect on my The hardest thing for me,

the

beginning of my venture. was giving up all the conveniences that I had in Orange County, California. But, ironically, those conveniences also made it the most difficult when I returned because I now saw

people who wanted everything on demand as being wasteful and arrogant. I don't know, life sure is different depending on which way you look at it.

K, I have to say this trip was an will never forget. Let me tell you, if you ever want to go, I'm ready.

experience I

Anyhow, I must sign off for now. I'11 get back to you next month-just don't expect my letter to be quite so adventurous.

Best regards,

MAx,AwNxlA EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Artur Papazian

joins conductor Mariusz Smolij and the New Jersey

The Zoryan Institute Open University will feature anthro-

Armenian Bible Conference co-sponsored by the Zohrab

Symphony Orchestra in a program enti-

pologist Dr. Susan Pattie, who will present a seminar on Diasporas

Armenian Chair and the St. Nerses

tled "An Exploration of Space" featuring

Theater, New Brunswick, March 29;

within the Diaspora: Case Studies from Cyprus and Kessab. Tufts University, Medford,

Count Basie Theater, Red Bank,

Massachusetts, March 30.

the music of Offenbach, Chopin, Strauss,

Goldsmith, Holst and Williams. State

March 30; Symphony Hall, Newark,

the

Armenian State Museum, the Sartarapat Museum, the Erebuni Museum and the

Bible into Armenian. the influence of

24-26.

to Invest in

Business

Armeniu. Sessions

include the business, political and reg-

Shirak Geological Museum. MusEe

ulatory environment, and various

DOBR...E, Nantes, France, March 23-

fields of investment, including agroin-

JuIy 31.

dustry, extractive and chemical industries, clothes manufacturing, precision

Sociologist and genocide expert

engineering. Yerevan, Armenia,

Professor Vahakn Dadrian

May 8-10.

The United Nations Habitat 2 Conferencâ&#x201A;Ź on managing urbanization and improving the living environment will feature a world assembly of cities, along with sessions on needs and opporlunities for investment in infrastructure and services in develop-

ing countries. An exhibition of art works from 33 countries will include three from Armenia by Ashot

(sponsored by the National Association

forArmenian Studies and Research) will speak on

presenta-

Nations Development Fund has orga-

Ancient Armenian Cultural

Forum, together with the support of the World Bank and the United

borowed from the collections

will feature 25

nized a symposium on Why and How

The Armenian

exhibits

Seminary

tions including the translation of the the Bible on the Armenian language and culture, the artistic and musical influences of the Bible and the development of printing in regards to the Bible. Diocese of the Armenian Church, New York, New York, May

March 31.

T[easures includes 300

Information Center. Columbia's

March 22, Jewish Center and

Los Angeles; March 30, 31, the Bay

Hovhanessian, Marine Dilanian, Martin Petrossian. Istanbul, Thrkey

Area; April 1, Sacramento.

June 1996.

Synagogue, Malibu, March 26, USC,

Ani and Ida Kavafior, sisters

whose joint concert

are rare,

will

International Philately Exhibition, in conjunction with the 32nd World Chess Olympiad.

violinisr

appearances

appear together

April

Cole Chapel, Norton, Massachusetts;

April 20, Ford Center,

Yerevan, Armenia, September to October 2,1996.

Toronto,

Ontario.

The AGBU Armenian

presents The Philharmonic

Vahe Berberian, Words and Colors, an exhibition featuring the

conducted by Loris Tjeknavorian and featuring Cellist

artwork of the playwright, critic and

Information is correct at press time,

artist. Barnsdall Park Junior Arts

but please reconfirun dates and times.

Alexander Chaushian. Pasadena Civic

Center, Hollywood, California,

Readers are welcome to submit infor-

Auditorium, Pasadena, California,

through April 7.

mation

Orchestra

May 3.

for possible inclusion in

this

listing.

AIM

FEsnueny 1996 I 45

You, MG, Agassi and Napoleon'$ Bodyguand very time Andre Agassi bounces up on my TV I zap to another the

will recount for

the

channel since commentator

know well

millionth time: "Here's our compatriot Agassi!" Whose compatriot, may I ask? Why "compatriot"? Was

he born anywhere near Sari

Tagh?

Perhaps you herded geese together in the

hills of Hamzachiman? Does the cutie of the world courts consider himself your compatriot? What does he consider him-

guards the store around the comer? Whenever I pick up a morsel in the

press on our countrymen I honestly try to evoke a high tide of patriotic sentiment that invariably flags. Even plain polite puzzlement fails me so what, I think, we're not the only weirdoes in this world. Although if somebody told me that Gerard Depardieu is Zulu, maybe I would be surprised, because his complexion is too light for a real Zulu. And if a Zulu is not a real Ztlu, who needs

self to be, besides

just the sprinkling of beards with French cologne.

On one hand, it is somewhat pleas-

ant that our people are everywhere, though the pleasure is ofdubious nature.

On the other, nobody asks the tens of

thousands abandoning their country whether they are Armenian or not. Perhaps there's no time for a question like this or no one simply bothers. At most, the customs offlcial will admit he's Armenian too. So what? Instead, whar beneft will

our

an exceptional tennis player?

And

when

N'T

ARE

around the ancestral tombs of the

AR14ENIAN

Prime

from

worldwide name-

they start to sniff

former

descendants

derive YOU

searching, just ticking off who is

Armenian:

the

best tiler of the

French

Minister.

state of Utah; the

Eduard Balladur. I have nothing but

personal driver of the 15th aide of the Govemor General of

compassion for him. The poor guy

lived his routine life, never hurt a fly, and suddenly

out of

in-the-world duckbill trainer,

Adelaide,

nowhere

enter these

cious

Canada: the first-

Australia. Our compatriots will worry

tena-

Levantines

who insist that

declare

day and

himself

Armenian. Maybe,

after all, the

MECAN BARRoN

guy

doesn't want it. As if his own scandals weren't enough. I just can't grasp the

meaning behind all this. Last week I

such a Zulu? Accordingly, since nobody claims that Gerard Depardieu is Zulu, he must be Armenian.

read somewhere that the personal barber

Isn't it interesting what

Ethiopia was Armenian. Believe me, I didn't experience a surge of pride; even the pulse

Armenian heritage bestows on a person, especially when it remains unadmitted? Maybe that question is not even important. Maybe we should ask what the person contributes to his or her heritage. Good question. If the grammar of the Turkish language was compiled by an Armenian, should we quit framing our bright capitalist future halfway through and subscribe to courses of Turkish? That shouldn't pose a problem, but how do we construe the fact that one of the most prosperous owners of a brothel chain is an elderly lady of Armenian origin? I mean, what should be our course of action? This is getting serious, it's not

of the

Emperor

remained stable. I must admit, though, I

was glad for the imperial beard friendly power.

Nevertheless,

the identity

Napoleon's bodyguard is a totally different matter. A true Armenian, although a Mameluke. A real Mameluke, though an

Armenian. But then again, I feel genuinely sorry for the night guard of our local grocery store. He is also Armenian,

but no one seems to herald his ethnic belonging over the Intemet. Who is to blame that the old man merely safe-

46 /

AII|I Frsnuanv

1996

the

night

about the welfare of their poor

motherland, going to great lengths at the same time to conceal their origins and thus avoid pleas of assistance from their former countrymen. Whereas, down

here, we

will still

ascertain their

Armenianness and feel proud about it. Getting serious, why wait for the distant future? Ifwe finally agree to consider Armenian all who deny their ori-

gin, we'll end up with a host of contestants: everybody knows that Rabindranath Tagore, Lope de Vega and Emperor Bocassa have never admitted to being Armenian. They remained incognito, smart alecks. Only an Armenian can penetrate their subterfuge.

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