Disaster and Recovery - January 1991 by Armenian International Magazine

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DISASTER AND RECOVERY When Soviet leader MiWail Gorbachcv toured rnrthern Armenin iust afterthe devastatins earthaunke, he promisedto have the stricl<cn region iebuilt in twoyear{, The dbadline hix already passed andyet Moscow's reconstrur:tion is moving at a crawling pace. Most European countries have already completed their proiects, some Armeninn organizations have iust finished iheirs, while bthbrs hnve yet to decide wrru''t to fui with the niillidns of contribuiion futllars. Meanwhile, the population is trying to survive another harshwinter.

SPECIAL REPORT

INTERVIEW

The Road to Leaderchip

ARF Leader on Amenia

Frompolitical activists to nationnl heroes to rulers in Dower. a srouo of 'forwai'd-fookihg"

Hrair Maroul<hinn,

intellectunls leads a nation to dernocract andindependence."

Dashnnhsutiun's reestablishmznt in the

World Bureau chnirman of onz of Diaspora's I e adi n g pol iti cal pa rt ie s, dtscusses

homelnnd. 30

BUSINESS

SPORTS

The Fruit of their labor

l#dH"ess Book While the homelnnd

Sirrce Armeninns settled

gropes out of th.e natural disaster, the Communist legacy and the Karabagh

in Californin's San Joa.ouin Vallev back in 1881. thn h"aie introd ure d sei e ral varie ti e s of fruits and vegetables and organized the agi:

culrurdlindustry. "

Publishers'note Letters Armenian world Profile People

7 38

conflict. a couole

records and enter the

Guinness

Transition Music Books Viewpoint

45 46 48

Perspective

AlM, January 1991

Ariuninns brbakwortd

book 42

COVER DESIGN: Vahe Fattal PHOTO: An Orphan in l.eninakan by AIM Yerevan photographer Zaven Hachikian

A Note from the Publisherrs

1\INI

hedding the wrinkled skin of an old year

EXECUTIVE EDITOB: Charles Nazarian MANAGING EDITOBS: Vartan Oskanian

us,

Armenians, there is always a sad reminder from the recent or distant history. Last year was

the 75th anniversary of

of the

Nahabet

SENTOR EDITORS: Osheen Keshishian (1.A.), Harut Sassounian (1.A.) ASSOCIAIE EDITOB: Minas Kojaian (Nicosia) OOll?BlBUTlilG EDITORS: Kevorklmizian (Boston); Ara Kalayd.lian (Boston) ART EDITOR: Neery Melkonian (Santa Fe)

the

Armenian

STAFF WBITER: Tony Halpin (L.A.)

earthquake. It is unfornrnate to start the year with a cover story on the earthquake in Armenia. Yet it

is imperative to reflect on an

(Boston);

Rafii Shoubookian (1.A.)

COIISULTING EDITOR: Haig Keropian DIREGTOR OF OPERATIOIIS: MiAhael

Armenian Genocide and the

second

Inc.

Rrblished by AlM,

provides for tlre budding

of a fresh outlook. But for

CONTRIBUTORS: Mary Ann Aposhian, Vicken Berberian, lshkhanJinbashian, Joseph Kechichian, Gerard

Waslington: ankuAnnenian Detroits

AIM'S Tony Halpin

Boston: Arto Payaslian London:

issue which continues to ffouble our minds and hearts. Two years later, the situation in the

earthquake area is as bad as ever. Very little progress has been made despite the unprecedented outpouring of help from the world community. Many promises were made, yet thousands of Armenians continue to live in untolerable conditions. We put our Yerevan Bureau staff to work on collecting the necessary data on the reconsffuction efforts to enable us to evaluate the situation. And we asked our L,os Angeles staff member Tony Halpin to write the cover story after inquiring about the progress of the Diaspora Armenian organizations involved in the relief efforts. In our note in the inaugural issue we promised that, in addition to spotlighting our successes, AIM will engage in investigative repoting and try to fenet out our shortcomings as a communify. It is our strong belief that we cannot solve our problems until we go to the roots of the problems and understand how they come about and why they persist. Research and investigation offer a way of examining and understanding these problems. They provide a point of view that uncovers things which would otherwise escape our awareness. They will let us pierce through our perspective and get a look at the realities that lie beyond our normal vision, but above all, will hold those in leadership roles accountable to the people. "l'm very appreciative of the fact that all the individuals I contacted made themselves abundantly available," says Tony. "And as a non-Armenian I was truly impressed with the tremendous effort that these organizations have put in the relief projects. However, it was my feeling ttrat Armenian leaders are not used to being questioned by the Armenian press and felt uncomfortable at some of the more probing inquiries." This issue's cover story is our hrst such effort, and cenainly not the last. With this report, we want to mark the start of a new ffadition in the Armenian press, and lets hope that our leaden and the public at large will join us.

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Lena Sanents, Ari Stamatiou Pads! ArminehJohannes, Aline Manoukian Arrrnan: Karekin Kelelian Yerevan: Zaven Hachikian, Roupen Mankasarian PBODUCTION DIBECTOR: Vartan Karaoghlanran CIRCULATIOI{ DIRECTOB: Thomas Yeterian ART DIRECTOR: Vahe Fatal PUBLIG HELATIOI{S DIRECTOR: Sona Hamalian ADVERTISING: Ani Steoanian SALES A]{D iIARKETING: Garo Nalbanoran PRINT!1{G: Calilornia Otlset Printers Co. GOLOR SEPARATIOII! A & A Graphics, Canada; Moushuaka & Vartanian, Amman, Jordan ADtllillSTRATlVE ASSISTAI{T: SetaKouzouian

Alil

(ISSN 1050-3471) is a monthly publication headquartered at 109 E. Harvard St., Suite 305, Glendale, CA 91205; Pho.!re. (818) U6-2246. Fax (818) !fi-2283. Copyright @ 1990 by AlM. lnc. All righis re6erved. AIM may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without written permissionlrom the publisher. The editors are not responsible lor unsolicited manuscripts or anunless astamped, self-addressed envelope isendosed. Opinions expressed in signed articles do not necessanly represent the views oI the editors.

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ilAilIEltAilcE REFllilSfltr0

Well... Has off to you, gentlemen of AIM, for bringing to us, the ArmenianAmericans, high quality joumalism badly needed in our community, and surpassed only byTIME Magazine. Noubar Babikian

sembly Executive Director Ross Vartian in your November story accuse Prcsident Bush

of "bad manners?" Is this the level of political maturity the Armenian-American community wants to project on the national stage?

Barryhrthian

New Milford, New Jersey

FormerChairman, Ar me nian Ame ric ans for

I would like to congratulate all of you for doing such a fine job on covering the Armenian intemational scene. Writing about our history and problems in English will make the non-Armenian understand our case in a proper way. I am very proud of AIM. Keep up the goodwork. Maral A. Mahredjian Amman, Jordan I am impressed and wish you the

bestof

luck for continued success. We need Your outstanding magazine is the best Armenian publication that I have had the pleasure of reading. It's first class. TIME magazine betterbe careful for AIM has a very good chance ofoutdisrancing it.

VictorV. Arzoomanian Executive Director, Armenian Church Endowment Fund, New York

I can frrally say to the non-Armenian communities that there is now an Armenian magazine that is representative of our culture, politics and arts on an intemational scale that will do us and our people justice. Gassia Apkarian Mission V iej o, C alifornia When vision, dedication, professionalism, quality and pride are combined in any venturc, the ourcome can only be success. AIM magazine certainly qualifies on all counts, and verifies to all Armenians the importance of the above-mentioned virtues in creating any success story.

Garbis DerYeghiayan Pre sident, American Armenian

International College U niv er siry of

V erne, C alifornia

CONGRATLJLATIONS! You are sharp ard analytic, bright and imaginative. AIM has created an image in the Armenian national and intemational scene where it applies perfectly.

notonly offers news but comment and criticism of the highest order in

magazine that

these important times for our nation.

Dr. Lorne Shit'inion St.

Luc, Quebec, Cqnada

Political maturity & president's visit I want to compliment you and your associates, particularly Tony Halpin, for a fair and balanced story in your November issue on President lrvon Ter-Petrosyan's inaugural visit to the United States. Your story helps draw attention to an impo(ant point which may be overlooked in evaluating the visit. As you know, President Ter-Petrosyan came to the U.S. on a private visit. There was no official invitation from the U.S. govemment or request from the Soviet Embassy for official shnrs. (I am told the President even went through customs like an ordinary tourist.) Despite all this, President Ter-Petrosyan was welcomed in the White House along with his own interpreter by the President's senior White House adviser on intemational affain, General Scowcroft; he was invited to the Departnent of State for an offrcial signing of an American assistance program for Armenia, and was scheduled to meet with Vice President Quayle. In view of all this, I find it difficult to undentand how ttre Armenian Assembly can write a letter to President Bush with the claim that his performance was "inexplicable." And then in the comment by As-

AlM, January 1991

B us hl Quole

trade or not to tade

Harut Sassounian's article against trade with Turkey (Nov. 190) was right. Trade with Turkey is an invitation to new disasters. The Marxist principle of "economic determinism" - that all history can be explained in terms of economic forces - may be simplistic in its extremism, but there is enough truth in the notion to make one highly skeptical of the new leaders of Armenia who think they can separate business with the Turks from the "Armenian Ques-

tion."

Business and politics are inseparable. If not, then why, behind the smoke and mirrors of a phony morality play, is the United States in Arabia in defense of l8-miles-agallon automobiles but not in Cyprus to expel the Turks for an equally brutal invasion of a neighboring country? The Turks of today are no different from the Turks of 75 years ago. Our use of the qualification "Ottoman" Turks in reference to the past is a way of making the Genocide Resolution more comfortable for American

politicians;

it is not an acknowledgment

that today's Turks have changed. What next, if there is no trade with Tur-

key? Moorad Mooradian, the best political analyst to emerge in the Armenian pIess, has made it clear that one of Armenia's greatest needs is a competent diplomatic corps functioning with the knowledge that intemational relations are seldom, if ever, conducted on the basis of"right" or "moral-

ity."

The

state

of affairs between Yerevan

and Moscow is tragic. It was brought about by our naive brethren, moved by righteousness and wittr no understrnding of Psychology l0l, who thought Karabagh was obtainable with lots of noise and mass rallies instead of with quiet diplomacy and the employment of current political realities for leverage. Their loud demands were a challenge to the authority of the then-powerful Politburo and would have meant a loss of

face for the Politburo

The

any concessions

had been made to the overt challenge.

Then we made a lifelong enemy of Gorbachev. With the whole world watching, he cut short his visit to New York to fly to Armenia to give aid after the earttquake. There, before a worldwide

audience, he

was harassed and humiliated by demands for Karabagh while in the presence of thousands of dead and injured who, one would have thought, would have been the center of attention. Is it surprising that the Armenians of Karabagh are being killed or deported wittr Moscow's collaboration?

As for Armenia itself, much of the freedom now existing could have been achieved

by following in the wake of the Russian Federation-the most powerfrrl republic in the Soviet

Union; any concessions and lib-

erties thecennal governrnentmade to Yeltsin and the Russian Republic establishedprecedents for duplication in Armenia without creating animosity in Moscow.

Pierre B. Haig S o ut h

This is to rcply

l,a gurw, C alifornin

o my friend Harut

Sassounian's article in the November issue

of AIM about Armenia trading with Turkey. Being a survivor ofthe 1915 Genocide, there is no love lost benveen Turkey and me. But we have to look at the long-

hrmeniqn .Direclgry is mgking

qbig

.impres5ion! That's why our staff is working harder than ever to bring you an exceptional new 1991 Armenian Dlrectory Yellow Pages. Due in March. Call us! (8I8) 244-LL67 or 1 464-)L67.

term picture of relations benveen the two counfiies with common borders. Turkish govenrments are against recognition of their guilt in theGenocidebecausethey are afraid they will be asked to pay compensation to theirArmenian victims if they confess. How dowegetsomettring that we want? With money, by force orpersuasion. In this case it is persuasion. We should talk to the new leaders of Turkey and also trade with them. Many Turks recogrize and regret the Genocide in private, but they can do nothing because of treir dicatorial govemmen$. Maybe in time they will recognize their guilt. In the meantime, frading could benefit both sides; alking and trading does not mean we are giving up our rights. Nishan Nercessian W e sfrninster, California

Diaspora Armenians cannotbe in aposition to pass judgment on what leaders in Armenia can or cannot do for the good of the Re,pubtc. Sup,reme Council hesident I-evor Ter-Fetosyan and his colleagues were elected by tlte people in Armenia and they are accountable for ttpir deeds to those who

,at I

t\r

ARMENIAN DIRECTORYf' YELLOW PAGES A UNIARTS ADVEHTISING COMPANY

424 WEST COLORADO ST., SUITE 202, GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA 91204 U.S.A. 61900 t'NIAE,IS ADVEHNSNG. AIT RG}IIE RESERI/ED. 'AFMENIAN DIRECIOEY IS A TRADEIi'ARK OF UNIARIS

AlM, January 1901

ROGER K. DERDERIAN FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

estab-

author, even toward the Armenians whom he affects to admire ("paronize" would be

lish made ties with Turkey, but I feel that we

a better term). So great is his Victorian

shouldn't be interfering with their intemal affairs any more. Kevork Keushkerian, Pasadena,California

English fear and hatred of Tsarist Russia that he is driven to make some incredible comparisons between the lots of Armenians living under the Turkish yoke (which he greatly prefers) and those living under Tsarist Russian domination.

elected them, not to us

SHEARSON LEHMAN

BROIIIERS

Mr. COMMERCIAL PLAZA 25T]{ FLOOR

ONT]

HARTT'ORD. CT

06I03

203 240 2400 800 842 8450 800 243 3154 USA

living abroad.

I don't condone their decision to

Sassounian's arguments against es-

tablishing trade ties with Turkey are quite convincing. But what other options does Armenia have? Mr. Sassounian fails to explore other altematives to these ties in his otherwise thoughtful article. Ara Norenzayan

However, Armenians may take some small

comfort in the fact that Lynch, the quintessential Victorian Englishman, does not confine his contempt to our race, but saves some for another "subject people" - the Irish:

Fresno,Cqlifornia

"A less bright side of the Armenian character was, they (the Turkish authorities) said, their inveterate treachery toward members of their own race. ln this re-

"UncriticaP' book review

K RCARIAN

Att

YOUR

VEL NEED$,

Lt us...

E'RE MILES AHEAD ERVICE

Wilson Ave. Suite 202

spect, as well as in the domain of personal chastiry, there appears to exist a rough analogy between the Armenians and the Celtic population of Ireland. But one must be careful not to press the resemblance too closely, the two peoples being fundamentally unlike."

I received my first issue of and I devoured it from cover to cover at one sitting. Please convey my sincerest appreciation to all your stafffor what to me is the most dynamic and enthralling publication on Armenian affairs. It is particu-

I think that Jinbashian's unalloyed praise

larly praiseworthy that such a publication

for ttre author should have been tempered

has come into being at this very crucial and potentially vulnerable time in ourcountry's

with a liule more critical appraisal. Haig M.D. Utidjian, M.D.

Yesterday

AIM

chequered history. On the subjectof book reviews, although I applaud much of what yourreviewer Ishkhan Jinbashian wrote about H.F.B. Lynch's clas-

sic: "ARMENIA: Travels and Studies," I think that the review is altogether too "uncritical" and yourreaders should be wamed of the obnoxious late Victorian imperialistic racism and incredible insensitivity of the

Wayne, New Jersey LETIERS are welcome and should be addressed to: AIM Arrrnian lntemdional iiiagazine P.O.Box3296 i*anhattran Beach, CA 90266 Fax (818) 54e228i,

lâ&#x201A;Źttols should irclude the wrlEr's lull narre, addmss and hometalephone number, and ]my beediHtor purposesof chrtty and sp@.

The Annenian Evangelical Social Service Genter of Hollywood The Armenian Evangelical Social Selice Center of Hollyrlood celebrates over of vital support for thousands of Armenian immigrants. During those years, the câ&#x201A;Źnte!'s reputation for extraordinary, caring seruice has spread from Yerevan to California. tn 1989.S) alone, some 12,fi)0 people received an education or counseling in social and suruival issues. With funds from Los Angeles County Armenian Critical i.leeds Ploiect, an expanded outreach is affordbd to newcomers as they overcome social, cultural and psychological hurdles. Thd dramaticbhange brought about by rcfugee resettlement has grcatly challenged

Please send Contributions to:

13 years

The Annenian Evangelical Social Service Center 5250 Santa [tlonica Blvd., Suite 2Ol Los Arpeles, CA 90029 Tel: (213 ) 6&t-1137

the Armenian American Community of Los Angeles. AESSC is meeting these

!*o,

critical challenges daily. The center has bedn visited by Mrs. George Deukmejian as well as Federal, State, and County Officials. lt is considered one of the most successlul of its kind in America.

[_^dd,"*

AlM, January 1991

The Armenilan World

Dedicated to Armenians

Wgmenr'Building

Bridges'

LYON

Newly reanointed world chess champion Garry Kasparov dedicatd his victory n the 2t[-gane series to Armenians and said he would sell the one-million-dollar winner's fophy and distribute the profiE among Armenians. At the closing cercmony January 2 in Lyon,

BosroN

'tsuilding Bridges around the World" was the title given to the inaugural meeting of ttre newly formed Armenian Intemational Women's Association heldDec. I in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The gathering, which atrracted more than 100 people, featured guest speakers and workshops centered on themes of interest to women generally and

France, Kasparov was presented with the trophy, studded with 1,018 diamonds, and a check for $ 1.7 million. Challenger Anatoly Karpov received $1.3 million for his effort to retake the title.

to Armenianwomen, inparticular. Awards

"I wonthe worldchampionship inftefinal min-

were presented to five "women of achieve-

of the year," Kasparov said of of his Dec. 30 victory. "But I do not forget that the year (1990) started with a tagedy." He was referring to the thousands of Armenian residents of Baku who fled the Azerbaijani capital-Kasparov's own

ment" for their pioneering spirit; ttrey in-

utes

cluded a Republican Party activist, a businesswoman, a copyright lawyer, ttre fint Armenian woman to practice pharmacy and

birthplace-following pogroms perpetated against them by Azeris. "The money gathered will be distibuted to those who today have no work and who no one takes care of," said Kasparov, whose mother is Armenian (his father is Jewish). Neither grandmaster was likely to retain much more than one-fourttr of their winnings after the Soviet state takes its share: "Too much," both men ageed. Kasparov, Zl ,he,adelbrckto Moscow on Jan. 4 andjets to the United States at the end of the month to promote chess in America. r

Fallen idol

YEREVAN

In the suburbs of Yerevan, in the vicinity of Jrveztr hills, a sculpnue workshop which belongs to the ArmenianUnion of Artists is situated. Two or three years ago, the enterprise was busy fulfilling the orders of various party offices and state factories to make sculptures of [,enin. Now the workers do not know what to do to getrid of the heap of amassed gypsunl which is scattered all over the place, in every single comer: bodyless heads, torsos, arrnless and legless figures. Many of them are used as ashtnays and garbage bins, because the clients refuse to claim

owrrrship. There was a time when

even in his lifetime. This wooden sculpture was installed in Kirovakan. Today, no one disputes this poing and nobody really cares. That monument disappeared long ago. The teacher fell from the pedestal. ltre is no

more,

two representatives from Armenia: Hasmik

Mikaelian, president of tlre Artsakh Mothers Fund, and Elma Parsamian, an

on the women's movement in

authority

Armenia

lsolated pockets USSR

A Soviet army soldier guards a village in the Armenian area of Berdadzor, just outside Armenia's borders in Azerbaijan, following ferocious attacks by Azeri militia in late November. Several homes were bombed

out;atleastoneArmenianwaskilled.

was

claimed that the first monument to Lenin was erected in Armenia-

ACLU Backs Al{G The American Civil Liberties Union and

acommunity activist. In the following days, AIWA also hosted

LOSANGELES

U.S. ethnic organizations are backing the

Armenian National Commifiee, Westem Region, in a'lfree speech" legal battle over a peaceful prctest it organized against a performance by the Soviet Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble last year. The ANC was named in a lawsuit brought by the show's p,roducer, seeking $100,000 in lost income plus punitive damages. The November 1989 show at Los Angeles' Stuine Auditorium was delayed mone than two hours as 1,000 Armenian demonstaton blocked the

tlrcatâ&#x201A;Źr entance to protest the Red Amry's complicity in the Azerbaijani blockade of Arrnenia andits humm righs violations against Karabagh

furnenians.

AlM, January 1991

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cad-

ing carlr. MikharI Gor.birchcv r.r'as irr Ncr,r' York pronrising to cut thc Rcd Anril'b1 5(X).(XX)

troops. In Su,crlcn. Palcstine Libcration Organization lcatler Yassar Aralat llnallv recognizr.t Ismcl, ancl Nelson Nlarde la lt-tar

his long roacl to lieedonr in South Atiica with a nrove to a sccure house aticr 2(r vears in prison.

Ganrik Sahakian was happy. t(x). lhirt Weclnesday nurrning on his nav to tl'rc Spitak bank where he worked as an cnginecr. His dr>ctor wile Sollk and their 3 year old twins Michael and Kutane \\"crc at honre packing fiir thc tanrill"s ilrst risit to thc I rritt'd Slrrlt':. ttr scc rclalirc:. At I1:.11a.m. on Dcccmbcr7. 1988. thcir horne and thcir.u'odcl collapscd Lrnder r-utrblc.

Sofig died instantly, the childrcn lav br.rr"ct.l firr three davs belilre lescuers pullecl thcrn. rrrjtrred hrrl lrlire. l'ri,rrt the nrin'. ii

It ttxrk.jrrst .10 see orttis lbr urt car-thclLrakc. classecl as u rttodenrtc (r.9 on the Rie hter scalc. to lar' u aste nruch ol'nonherr r\r.rrrenia. SpitirL disi ntegratcd: Leninakan. ,\r'nrcuia's scconcl-lurgest city. krst 7-5 perccnt of it\ hlrildirlgs. and in the countryside .5fi r illagcs srr.nplr cnrnrbled to nothins. In thosc f'ew nronrents at least l-s.(XX) 1'rcoplc ncrc killed. 31.(XX) injured. and

tanrc lit $7.3 hillion. l\{ore thrur l(X) countries ol'lcr-ed help as thc cxtent o1'the catastrophe hccame clear. thc largest single resl.ror.rse to a natural dis-

[.lnion acccpted disaster assistance lhrrr the L,nitecl States firr the frrst tirne since World War II. Gorbacher', cutting shorl his U.S. trip kr scc the dcvustation in Lenrnakan for himscll. promiscd grieving Armenians that their crtv would bc rcstorcd in trvo ycars. 1'wo years have passcd and thc people

olllciallv

}{ ).{ ){ X ) tt t;rtlc ltr rnlule\) r 'nC itt \Cvel'l Armenians. l-he earth's deaclly dance de\trovc(l I I.0(X) hornes and wreckccl hundrecls ol schtrrls. hospitals ancl lirctories. I)arrragc was plrl at $20 billion. 'l'hc shock rvuve s lrorn (he quake literally s\r'cpt thr'plalr0t. re-cjstcring on the seismo and hcarls of a slr.rnned r,'orld. Il -o.raphs

responded with waves ol'assistance wo(h hr-rnrlrcds ol' rnillions o1'dollars and a con celn that was prrceless. In thc clays tirllowing the clisaster. sonrc J.(XX) lcrrcrgrr voluntccrs workcd alongsidc Arrrtcnians irnd Sor ie ts to help surlivor-s. Srx'iet olllcials rnovcd <iuickll' to uxrbilizc aicl. clclivcrinu 17.(D0 rail cars o1'sLlpplics within ll davs. The Llnited Nations vlrlrred the lcvel ol'crncrgenct Soviet assis-

AlM. January 1991

rstcr. At lcast 55lJ6 rnillion poured inlo

Annenia ll'om governnrents. charities. corrrntrnity groups, and indir idual donors. Arme niu can.rc to syrrrbolizc the new spirit of intcrnutional grxdrvill lr'hen the Soviet

still wait. many doubting that their u'ill ever imprrve. Reconstruction

lir.'es

hlrs slowed

to a snail's pace. months. even yciu's behind schedule, bogged down hy Annenia's po

liticirl upheavals. Soviet burcaLrcracy, the Azerbaijani hlixkade. irnd sonrctinles plain incontpetencc.

Khachik Starnhol{syan. cl'rairman of L,eninakun's (nou renarnccl Kumairy') colnmittce tilr the disaster iu-ca an(l rclirgecs. estirnates only | 0 perccnt olbuildings

AIM Photo / Berge Ara Zobian

ruined in the quake have been replaced. In Spitak, Kirovakan, and Stepanavan, rebuilding is no more than 25 percent complete. In some places homes are finished but strnd empty because they have no water, sewage, or electricity services. In others, projecs remain halfcomplete because workers from other republics went home when the blockade cut offbuilding supplies. Meanwhile, thousands of people continue to live in huts, tin shacks, train carriages, whatever will afford them shelter. The urgency of the initial rescue operation has been replaced by a sense ofdrift in the face ofthis continuing overwhelming need. What has gone

wrong?

Experts with experience of other major

each republic responsible for completing a percentage of the immense task.

None came near to success; the Ukraine wasclosesq completing one-thirdof its goal. The

giant Russian republic managed only 12 percent of its housing quota, and even Armenia completed only I percent of its allotted consffuction in 1990. The consequences are painfully apparent More than 350,000 people remain wittrout homes, schools for only 5,500 children have been built - just 8 percent of the in-

disasters always viewed the two.year dead-

tended total, and kindergartens exist for

line for rebuilding as hopelessly unrealistic, even without Armenia's special problems. "When you really get down to it you are looking at a generation, easily 20 years," says [,os Angeles architect Ronald Altoon,

only 1,200 infanB- a mere 4.5 percent of target. No Soviet hospitals have been re-

who led a U.S. team in Armenia to work

built anywhere in the earthquake zone. But the idea of a quick fix continues to cast a spell over many in Armenia, making achievable long-term plans diffrcult.

with Soviets on plans to rebuild Spitak. Nevertheless, Soviet central authorities passed a twG.year plan in 1988 making

'"The builders, the designers, the bureaucrats have a wishful ttrinking process about everything, about their economy, their po-

AlM, January 1991

AIM Photo / Berge Ara Zobian

litical stability, and also that reconstruction

will eventually get done in a relatively short period," says Professor Mihnan Agbabian, chairman of civil engineering at the University of Southem California. Chronic shortages of materials, particularly concrete, the blockade's disruption of supplies and the battle of wills between Moscow and Armenia's independence movement continue to act as brakes on the pace ofreconsEuction. The Soviet Union, bankrupt and tom apart by dissent in nearly every republic, now lacks the ability or the will to revive its plan.

Hunger in Moscow, not housing in Armenia, occupies the Kremlin's mind. Many dedicated organizations and indi-

viduals continue to work against the odds to relieve suffering and improve lives in the disaster zone. There have been numerous successes, such as the Norwegian hospital, Italian village, and 500 German-built homes in Spitak, the Austrian village and British and Hungarian schools in Kumairy, andthe Mongolian school and kindergarten in Talin. Armenian groups in lrbanon and the United States set up a prosthesis factory in Yerevan which has been providing artificial limbs to disabled quake survivors for more than a year. Other schemes, including a $10 million Red Cross

often will not do things unless they are paid off" says Dr. Kevorkian . Stories abound of relief goods labeled "for Armenia" appearing on the black markets of many regions in the U.S.S.R. hardly surprising in a society where illegal trading was hard to get is an economic necessity. More serious is ttre black market in buildAIM Photo / Martin Shakhbazian ing materials, which disrupts work and diverts resources according to ability to pay ratherthan

problems commonly experienced by Westem workers. The absence ofclear leaders to direct reconstruction has led to a "totally splintered, fragmented relief effort," including the duplication of aid. Soviet bureaucracy was

also so unwieldy that

need.

Russell Barry, con-

struction manager in Kumairy for the Arme-

nian Assembly of America's $3.3 million plan to build three hous-

project to supply 3 15 homes,

ing components factories,

two hospitals, four clinics,

confirmed the problems of dealing with local bureaucrats, who usually

two schools and three kindergartens, are nearing com-

answer to distant bosses in Yerevan orMoscow. '"fhe concrete they supply is of poor qual-

pletion. Dozens o[ organizations, Armenian and non-

Armenian, are committed to programs of improvement

in every field, from health and education to housing

opening ceremony of the first phase of Hovnanians' housing proiect in Stepanavan

The

ity. They promised all too often to send police to protect materials from looters and black

and industry.

things done.

But initial expectations for projects are often ground down by the realities of life in

The competence of local reconstruction workers was also questioned, he said, with many asking why foreign housing projects were needed when the Soviet Union was a world leader in iron and steel production. Finally, comrption riddles the system. "It is not isolated but on a multiple level. People

the crumbling Soviet system. George Kevorkian has just completed a year as director of the American charity

Dr.

hoject Hope's pediatric rehabilitation program in Armenia. He identified four key

marketeers, even bolts and screws," he says. Diaspora organizations have not been ex-

empt from the diffrculties of working in Armenia and projects have been hit by extended delays.

The Assembly's chairman, Hirair Hovnanian, predicted in its 1989 newsletter

t "

How many really died in *re Armenian earthquake? Answers have ranged from the official Soviet body-c.ount of 25,000 to local rumom of over 100,000 killed A United Nations report at first estimated 50{0,000 dead but later revised it to a 'tonservative estimate" of 3G35,000, &hers have repeated the Soviet flgure, usually adding that the final toll was likely to be higher. Now an Armenian scientific snrdy is bnding support to &e official toal. Ld by Ashot Ohanessian, director of *re Ministry of f{ealt}t's reprblican information computer center. teams of workeru are compiling information from 10,000'families in the earth.

quake zone. ail mgedrer, 5Q000people, l0 percent of ttre local pcpulation, are being rurvcyed to provide detailed information on &e impm of the disaqter on people's lives. The project is auracting intenq. tiixral'interest'from experts in quake relief $trarcgies. '.rt'kd1id,lesglts &om^our nnOings show that tlrc official figure of 25,000 is mue or less'conect " Dr. Ohannessian toH AIM,: 'My personal estimation prior to our data collecting was two or .l1,tres,,6mcs the o{ficial figqre. But the pattems'from t}e darabase qtr$ry o&erwise, based on tlre number of &mities:and the casual-

,:.. ': ties in each farnily." The study,has corepiled rq: formation on wlrcre people were within buildings atthe moment dre earthqu*e hit, vvhat ttry ,,,:; were doing, and howtheir rerytions influanced theii surviv* ""',

"Peeple who ran

ort:of,llr

building during ttrc senryhad mole chance of surviving &n

,,,,,

.' i':,r"

if iou sayed w,ithiu the:build-.,rii in!; evâ&#x201A;Źn if, yotrsoughq,,shlter,, under a table,"'Dr'

Ohon'11e9''''"

sian said.

TtK'ir&$!!SiA$!, used

AlM, January 1991

qfq@, &

l+,'.:;"+

capable of producing 10,000 homes a year,

would be "operational in three or four months." They are now scheduled to open in March. The Assembly had to commit ex-

tra cash for work on power and sewage services, which Armenian officials were contracted to supply. It recently appealed for $500,000 to buy additional equipment to make the factories operational, and is

also considering sending supplies of raw materials for an initial period because local sources are so shaky.

The Armenian Relief Society's Earthquake Relief Fund for Armenia (ERFA) told supporters in its November 1989 report that homes, a school, and a kindergarten in the village of Grashen were expected to be ready by the end of that yeer. In fact they were handed overto local people only three months ago. Spokesman Berdj Karapetian blamed the delay on the blockade's disruption of supplies, adding that the homes were empty for a month while local authorities finished the infrasfiucture. "It has been frustrating that it has taken as long as it has, a lot of the time it was outside our control. I think we have become

a lot more realistic about how things

are

thert," he said. Perhaps the most serious problems have been encountered by the Eastem Diocese of

the Armenian Church of America. It committed itself to an ambitious $30 million plan to build a 624-home village in Stepanavan, complete with shops, aclinic, a school, and community centers, for 4,000 people. In its 1989 repoft it stated that the first l0 buildings, containing 160 apatmenls, would be complete by mid-1991 at a cost of $6.9 million. The $900,000 clinic would be built immediately afterward. To date just one l6-apartment building is finished. No homes are occupied because Armenian autirorities have not installed water, power, and sewage facilities. Project director George De Martino reckoned spring I 991 as the "most realistic" date. All materials for this first building were shipped to Armenia fiom the U.S., as plarured. After that, materials were intended to come from sources in Armenia and the Soviet Union. Instead, supplies for a second partlycompleted building and for a third, set ro begin in the spring, have also had to be shipped in. The result has been a dramatic increa-se in costs. making the homes as expensive to build in Armenia as in the U.S., and a drastic scaling down of the Diocese's plan. "Ifwe could have avoided shipping costs

ForcignAid Kfuichik Stcunboltsyan, chairman of the for DisasterAreas and Refugees, and chairman

P arliamentary Commis sion

of the Gtutyun (Charity) Society, is one of the bu.tiest officials in Armenia todaY. The inteniew wcts conducted AIM Yerevan bureau staffmember Gurgen Khazlulq,an. by

Q: Two years have passed since Armenia was struck by the devastating earthquake, and only l0 percent of the destroyed homes have been reconstrusted. Homelessness remains a critical protilem. what actions are being taken by the parliamen. tary Committee for the Disaster Area and Refugees? A: why are we having such a dif{icult time in the quake areas? Because the Communist Party's Politburo created the Recovery Commission, and did not have a single Armenian in its membership. And it has no special interest "lf every Armenian abroad in the fast recovery of lhe area. The commiswould donate single sion was a typical Communist bureaucracy. dollar a rnonth, $re would And what about our local leaders before the receive tens of millions of prcsent non{ommunist govemment was elected? It is a well-known fact. that they always were dollars a year to expedite ' strongly dependent on their Moscow bosses. The housing organizations ofRussiaand other

justa

Annenia'srecovery."

republics do not hire local workers to build their homes. because they want money for reconstuction to remain in their own republics. They want to pay only their own workers. kesident Gorbachev declared to the entire world that the Soviet union,will resto-,re Armenia in rwo years. where are the l0 biliqn rubles he promised us? That statement certainly resulted in decreasing foreign aid.

Q: What would you like to say about foreign aid - past and future? The foreign aid was unprecedented. A total of l13 countries, as weil

as ruuly

intemational and national organizations and individuals, sent us financial and material assistance. Turkey also sent aid. We are grateful to all. To expand our foreign contacts, we need to establish direct airline routes with countries abroad - our own national airline, as well as our own customs house. And both should be absolutely independent of Moscow. Charles Aznavour has promised to build a children's food plant in Hoktemberian which is locaEd 70 miles from Yerevan. Soon we will receive special machines to make stones from stone wastes. Aznavouralso is making arrangemeniitb send us about 100 doctors each year to treat victims in the quake areas. After the holiday season. I will go to the United States to meet with American officials and Arnrenian community representatives to discuss and coordinate funher aid.

Q: Iilhat

is your opinion about aid from Armenians in the Diaspora? I want to thank all the Daspora organizations and individuals who came to {he aid of the homeland. I would like to offer one piece of advice. It was a common practice for many org*dz* tions to send us the same items. It would be more practical and more efficient io eitablish a g.entryl agency with a single bank account. It would make it easier to periodically publish a Iist of donors. And through the purchase of larger quantities of relief items, the overall cost would be considerably lower. In conclusion. I am cailing on our brothers and sisters abroad to continue with their noble aid to Armenia- If every Armenian in the Diaspora would donate just a single dollar

a month, we would,,:eceive tens of millions or ooilars a year to eipeoite {rmeniai recovery that would include aid to the quake areas, as well as aid to the victims. AlM, January 1991

INVEST NOW II|I ARMENIA'S FUTURE ll n iq ue State-of'th e'A rt Hou s i ng Manufacturing Complex Nears Completion

Armenia's Homeless Need Our HelP

On December 7,{988 o powefuleorlhquoke lev' eled cities ond villoges ocross Armenio, killing more ihon 50,000 people ond leoving over 500,000 homeless. Two yeors loter, mony ore still without permonent

housing, lMng in tents ond mokeshifr shocks; some hove even moved bock into unsofe oportment bui d' I

ings.

Building Manufacturing Factories under construction

The Armenion Assembly of Amedco, using funds contribuled to o speciol eorlhquoke relief fund' is corrying out on ombitious project to oddress lhe serious need for new, eorlhquokeresistont housing

- by erecting o Weslern-slyle, slole'of-the-ort housing monufociuring complex just ouiside Gumoiri (formerly Leninokon), ond providing on-site troining

ond experlise.

Conslruction begon lost yeor on lhis mulli-milliondollor, three-foclory complex. lt is the only focility of its kind being erecled in Armenio, ond is expecied to be operotionol by next spring. Ihe complex will monufocture enough building componenis - con' crete blocks, roof trusses, roll sheel metol roofing, window ond door fromes - to build up to 40,000 homes o yeol

AID Supports Proiect The U.S. Agency for lnternotionol Development recently recognized lhe importonce of lhis pCIecl

ond oworded just orer 52 million to the Assembly's Relief Fundos poriof o consorliumof prominentinter' notionol U.S. orgonizotions corrying oul eorthquoke

relief work in Armenio. The AID gront will support two mojor efforts over the next three yeors lhe estob-

lishment of o construction troining progrom in

Ar-

ARMEiIIAI{ ASSEIIBIY OF AiJlERICA EARTHQUAKE RETIEF

tncome/Expense Report DOI{ATIONS RECETVED AS OF EXPEI{DITURE OF FUilDS AS OF Total Donatlons: 94,180,319 Total Expendltures: sll,Gr5,195

Houslng fanufacturlng Complex lh armenla'

ceneral Donatlons

s3.182.689

menio, designed by the Home Builders lnstitute, io provide monogement ond vocoiionol instruction in sofe construciion prociices; ond ihe purchose of odditionol equipment to focilitote production ot ihe building component ftcclories.

Your Support Is lrleeded Since Decemberl988, the Assembly's Relief Fund hos received S4,'180,3{9 in conlributions from Americons ocross the counlry, ond in neorly two yeors the

Fund hos spent 54,095,195, over 98% of ihe donolions received. WhiletheAlD gront brings in importont new fundino, odditionol items not covered by the gront' thot wiii cost oi leost 5500,000, remoin on the "needs"

lisi including:

o SendingtechnbolteomstoAlrnenbtoinstollequipment ond troin locol personnel in the operotion of the foclories;

Purchosing o dustcollection,ventilotion ond com-

pressed oir system for lhe window ond dool monufocturing plont; o Purchosing on industriol sow, os well os odditionol fork lifts ond front end looders; o The cosl of sotellile communicotion ond other ex-

penses reloted to the operotion of the Assembly's

Yerevon office.

a Difference Don't miss this unique opportunity to moke on imporlont long-term inveslment in Armenio's future thotwill help provide new, eorthquoke+esistont housing for monyyeors to come. lf you ond others who respond to ihis oppeol donote ot leosi $'t00, we will be oble to moke more

Just 5100 Can Make

homes, more quickly, for the ihousonds who remoin homeless. Your contribution con moke o reol difference.

i-eC;ffi I ! i

;;.-,'-",o-*,Tnil-!

nometess by contributing

; fors-

Nome (Pteose

Print)

tl I

s.t69:.173

*Monutocturing Complex Mojor Expendilures:

S'1,508,29'l Conciele block monuircludng equipment Pre-{obdcoted buildings thot house monufocludng equipment Roof truss monulrcturing oquipment 5293,594 Wndow ond door monuloclurhg equipmenl 5233,0'15 Roll sheel melol roofing equlprnenl S't96,2m Tronsrormers, swilch geor, wiIe ond coble 558,549 Sewoge heotrnenl focilry 5'13,848

$492,'l'l'l

I I I

I I I I

ll t'" I l,

. . . . . . .

to the Armenion I

Assembly of Americo Relief Fund, lnc. Enclosed pleose find o check or money order

Stote

ZiP

Confiibulions should be mode oul The Armenion AssemblY of

Relief Fund, lnc. 122C Street, NW, Suile 350 Woshington, DC 2000'l

(2O2\ 393-U34 I-IIII

lo:

Americo

l I I

I I

we probably could build 25 percent more units for the same money," concedes De Martino. Ared Bulbuljian, general manager of the Diocesan Fund for Armenia's Recovery, said they now plan to build 96 apartments, then switch to building 200 single-story, semi-detached homes. The work could be completed sometime in 1992, but he admif ted this was "more hopes than projections." Much will depend on overcoming severe shortages ofconcrete and skilled labor, he said.

Work so far has cost $ I .7 million and the talk now is of a $15 million project rather than the original. No date has been set for

A Finnish worker in Spitak

the clinic and the money remains in a bank.

regularly plundered by Azeris or contained

Armenia's economy has been crippled

tion

sabotaged goods and spoiled food. Huts sent to shelter thousands of homeless earthquake survivors arrived vandalized, often stripped of doors, windows, heaters and

it would

by the series

blockades imposed

by Ar-

erbaijan since September 1989, according to a joint study by the Armenian Supreme Soviet, the Reconstruction Commission of the Soviet Academy of Sciences and the 7-oryat Institute in Boston. They calculate that nearly 5 million tons of essential building supplies, food, fuel, medicines and raw materials failed to reach the country, resulting in a $5 billion loss to Armenia's economy. Rail cars that made it to the republic were

fumiture. Social and industrial life is also periodically paralyzed by fuel crises caused when Azerbaijan cut the flow of Russian gas to Armenia, they report. This has added to the energy problems caused by the closure of the Medzamor nuclear power plant after the quake.

The Soviet govemment passed a resolu-

AIM Photo / Zaven Hachikian

as early as December 20, 1988,

saying

ensure unintemrpted supplies of construction materials to the disaster area. In practice, despite occasional threats to send

troops, Moscow has done nothing to lift the blockade. The flow ofcash from the central authorities to assist reconstruction in Armenia, initially generous, has also slowed to a trickle and, according to some reports, ceased altogether. '"The resources they need are not all being generated intemally," says Dr. Agbabian. "If the center doesn't supply the money I

don't know where the Armenian govemment is going to get it." Those resources have been further strained

by the influx of up to 300,000 refugees from ethnic violence in Azerbaijan.

Psychologicaltrauma That tlrc people carry onatall in the face

of such adversity is ribute to their spirit. But the quake and its aftermath continues to take a heavy mental and physical toll. "People have become hopeless, they lack motivation and feel their future is gloomy; Many wish to die," says Dr. Armen Goenjian, who leads EMA's Psychiatric Outreach p,rogram which sentintemational teams of psychottrerapists to feat quake survivors in the eanhquake region. Post Traumatic Sfiess Disorder, in which

survivors suffer constant mental flashbacks

of the

disaster, have nightnares, serious depression and live in a high state of arxiety, remains widespread. Dr. Goenjian found 22 percent of the students in one class of l6-year-olds had suicidal feelings. Other youngsten were afiaid

to leave their parents, could not concentrate, jumped at the slightest noise and had sudden changes ofmood. Among ttre general population there were indications of a 5G percent increase in suicides, rising alcohol abuse and violent be-

AlM, January 1991

havior. Some survivors avoided buildings, others harbored feelings ofguilt at surviving. Many were deeply angry that construction workers responsible for shoddy buildings which caused the tragedy had not been punished. Srong family structures in Armenian society were aiding recovery, said Dr. Goenjian, but the disaster had exposed the enfeebled state of the Armenian Church and its inability to respond to the population's spiritual needs. Into ttris "spiritual vacuum" had jumped other groups; as many as 25,000 people are believed to have taken up ffanscendental meditation since the disaster. "Historically, our Church has been very effective in our psycho-social life but in recent years the Church has failed to accomplish this," Dr. Goenjian said. Facilities and training in mental health care are gradually building up in Armenia, thanks to dedicated groups ofprofessionals. People will need ffeatment for years to come,

Dr. Goenjian. "Right now there is pessimism, cynicism,

asserts

misffust and resentment. The pervasive feelings are apathy and anger. "Ifthe adverse conditions didn't exist, recovery would be faster. There are people who have not grieved and moumed their losses properly. They are still struggling with the physical consequences like homelessness, lack of food and cold," he said. Some of the resentment is directed at Yerevan as Dr. Agbabian found in talking to suryivors in the devastated area. 'They say they don't believe that Yerevan is doing all it can do to bring up the devastated area to a normal life. They are criticizing the lack of support they are ger ting from their own government," he said. The harsh conditions are extracting a

School children in l.eninakan following group therapy

physical price, too. Incidents ofdisease have doubled since the quake, according to Dr. Vartkes Najarian, chairman of Medical Outreach for Armenians. "Even the death rate since the quake has doubled. Every day there are twice as many

dying in Armenia than before," he said, citing a lack of medications, the absence of proper shelter, poor nutrition and the psychological impact of the quake among the reasons.

Rebuilding lives literally starts with rebuilding homes. A survey conducted by Psychiatric Outreach in Armenia last year showed 87 percent of victims considered housing their most important need.

Building methods Yet, here too, doubts exist as to whether the quality of work will help to avoid funrre tragedy. The present disaster was as much man-made as it was a force of nature, and it

exposed the shortcomings of Soviet building methods. "Damage experienced in Armenia far ex-

A schoolchild at a housing construction site in Gughark rcgion

ceeded what we would have expected in an

area where construction was according to acceptable building codes," Dr. Agbabian said. The quake was unusual in that two shocks

occurred in quick succession, largely preventing people fleeing from weakened buildings before they collapsed in the second shock. Even so, it was considered of only moderate force. Buildings designed in Moscow with little reference to local conditions, inferior concrete and other materials, shoddy work standards all contributed to structures that were simply incapable of withstanding the shock ofa moderate earthquake. Ronald Altoon, who argues passionately that the whole Soviet system of consffuction by quota was discredited by the disaster, puts it more starkly.

"Every single multi-story building built in Gorbachev's Chemenko's, Andropov's, Brezhnev's, and Krushchev's time were totally desffoyed. '"Those

built in Stalin's time withstood

ttre initial shock and therefore saved lives, but will have to be desroyed because they are notrepairable. The buildings constructed

in trnin's time survived with superficial sffuctural damage and are repairable and habitable.

'Those buiJdings built in the time of the Czar had absolutely no damage whatsoever. In those days you built the way your ancestors built," Altoon said. In his view, even the best efforts to revive Armenia will be thwarted unless the free market system with is inherent quality controls supplants the cenralized Soviet command system. There is disturbing evidence that lessons have not been leamed. Dr. Agbabian said tests conducted on concrete made accord-

ing to Soviet formulas showed them

ca-

pable

of withstanding only 800 to

1,500

pounds per square inch ofpressure, instead of the 3.000 claimed by Soviet engineers. "If they are using this local mix in buildings that are going up, it makes us worry," he said. "It gives them false security." Asadour Hadjian, who chairs the earth-

a = o L o

q, = f

= o

quake safety committee of the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America, also expressed fears over construction plans for 100 kindergartens he had studied. Planned according to Soviet building codes, they contained only halfthe reinforcing bars that would be considered necessary in earthquake areas of the United States. "Their codes are not doing thejob. Those school buildings are going to collapse in the next earthquake, I guarantee you, but those buildings are going on," Hadjian said. He has larger fears, too, over the fate of

Yerevan. The capital's buildings are dre same type as those flattened in the north and a major fault line runs south of the city. Mr. Hadjian estimates a shock of similar magnitude in Yerevan would kill up to 250,000 people, injure up to nvice that number

and leave the entire population of the city homeless. The nearby Iranian earthquake lastyear servedas

A grandfather with his grandchildren who lost their patents during the earthquake

Cautiousoptimism Two years after the quake, the situation in Armenia seems grim, with little apparent room for optimism. A growing shortage of food has added fuither misery, yet a determination to improve the situation lives on. Hopes have been raised that, with the Armenian govemment taking over direct control of reconstruction, the stifling bureaucracy can be reduced. Better coordina1l tion of work is also exf

Yerevan's vul-

o o pected. N Projects, though deo o layed, will slowly bear f

nerability without

Io fiuit. Meanwhile, some

long- term program to reinforce

aidgroups haveformed zt = t, consortiums to coordil nate and deliver aid

a warning of

its buildings, believes. Yet

he he

moreeffectively.

has found no backers among

Armenianworkers are gathering new skills and

Daspora organi-

have improved stan-

zations for a $2.5

dards from their experience of working with

million plan to

foreign organizations. This is laying the foundation for a more effi-

begin the work.

"Iamabsolutely flabbergasted that

peoplecannotsee thataneafihquake

inYerevanwould almostbetheend

italian polyclinic in l.eninakan is being built to meei quake sabty codes

of the Armenian nation. 'The threat is there. I don't think we have to prove it. Eventually it is going to happen and if it does, it will be the end," he said. "We could not handle the last earttrquake." The four-point plan to map out seismic activity in the area, test the resistance of buildings, an! develop a list ofpriorities for work to strengthen the city, has found enthusiastic support from Yerevan officials. But without the funds the project remains stillbom.

are increasingly aware

technology and equipment you've established here will wear out. "Let us form joint ventures which benefit all concemed, here and abroad. And to my Armenian compatiots here I say let us n:ain, let us prepare ourselves in every way.

lrt

us become truly self-sufficient," Hambartsoumbian said.

amik and his children got to see their relatives in America a year late. Relatives of other Armenian children have not been so fortunate. Nobody countedhow many orphans were among the estimated 78,000 people evacuated to other republics from Armenia following the disaster. Locals recall buses, even helicopters,

full

cient economic system

of children leaving the earthquake

infuture.

and continue to insist that not all orphans have been returned, despite repeated assurances to the contrary fiom the authorities. The question remains unsettled. Gamik and his father have now nearly finished rebuilding the family home in Spitak. The children say with theirgrandmother at Sevanlake sanatorium, resting and recovering. They all miss Sofik.

Shortages of materials, particularly concrcte,

persist. Some, such as Professor Agbabian, argue that the new Armenian govemment must reach a compromise with Azerbaijan to get the blockade lifted and ensure movement of supplies. lnadequate machinery, poor communications, a shortage of skilled labor can and are being gfadually overcome. But reconsftuction in the earthquake zone is becom-

ing entwined with the revival of Armenia itself, and this will require partnerships with the outside world. AlM,

tncal officials

this and a mood of self-reliance is growing, as the comments of Kumairy's Mayor Karlen Hambardzoumian, a deputy in the new Armenian Parliament, indicate. "I say to foreigners whose difficult yet noble work here we appreciate so much: what will happen to these factories, hospitals, and other facilities after you've left our counffy? Five or l0 years from now the

Januayt99l

zone,

Life for them, as for hundreds of thousands ofothers, is being restored one day at a time. The future is uncertain, but they go on.

With reportsfrorn AIM Yerevan bureau

rN IessANEARTHQUAKE LEVELED ARMENIA. TODAY, \$TE'RE STILL DEALING \TITH THE AFTERSHOCKS.

n December 7,1988, an earthquake turned entire towns in Soviet Armenia into rubble. The number of people killed, injured and left homeless was staggering. And while the devastation was over in a matter of seconds, the painstaking process of recovery will continue for years . . . Project HOPE is now at work in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, helping to establish a pediatric rehabilitation center that will benefit thousands of children crippled in the earthquake.

It will

take time and

dedication. r--------

But it will also take money, and we need your help. Your donation will provide these children with the prosthetics, therapy

and medical care they need to restore their hope for the future. So please give whatever you can. \7e couldnt prevent the earthquake from happening, but we can prevent it from becoming a greater catastrophe.

! $25 tr $20 ! $15 n $10 Other Name

City

Please send check or money order to:

ProiectHOPE,Millwood,VA22646*-_--l=yf O 1990, Project HOPE.

-----r

I'd like to help. Enclosed is my contribution of

:Td

AUAITABIE TOR IiIilEIIIATE IIETIUERY TR|IT TIIE

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Published by the Armenian Prelacy and Harry N. Abrams, lnc.620 pages, 1,000 illustrations, 182 large color photographs. A joy to behold.

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AlilElllA:

IRAUETS & STUIIIES by H.F.B. Lynch

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Ohr Pmdo's 0rmor oy Nerses

Hovhannesian The tragedy encountered by a young couple tormented by immigration problems. 89 minutes. English . .20.00

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$ltrl: Uttl! Iltlto IOun A 38 minutes documentary on the life and traditions of the Armeniansof Akhalkalak. Directed by HaroutiuneKhatchadourian ............10.00 GOnd e gS-minute documentary depicting the sad state of Gond, the famous ancient quarterof Yerevan. Directed by Haroutiune Khatchadourian . . . . . .. . . ..10.00

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-! J

o o @ o a o o

N o o

Life goes on. Central square in Gumayri (Leninakan)

EARTHOUAKE CHRONICLE

Hoping lor the better: a crowd in front of Leninakan church during the visit of Catholicos Karekin

A woman smashed under a

two years

fivefloor building, still in bed after

T f o

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c@ a

o N

-,iJ

J o l l o

q o f

Spitak,.;...

n J

Post.earthquake generation: Children born on the day of the lst anniversary ol the earthquake in the Norwegian hospitalin Spitak

n j

o O

N a

o a

x E o f

Spitak's new church was built by the villagers a few months after the earthquake

Waiting in line lor psychiatric treatment -U =

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A grandmother with a portrait ol loved ones killed in the earthquake

Earthquake art from the Children Afi Center in Leninakan

illions of dollars flooded into ap peals launched by ArmenianAmerican organizations following the earthquake. Today ttrat flood has slowed to a trickle, partly because public attention has drifted away, but also because ofa crisis of confidence among donors. An AIM investigation shows that millions of dollars remain unspent in banks. What has been done with your money? The Armenian General BenevolentUnion (AGBLI) rercived nearly $3.2 million

following the earttrquake. By ttre end of 1989 the account coniaining unspent donations had swollento $6.5 million. [.ess than 10 percent ofconftibutions had been spent. A further $1.5 million came in during 1990, with an extra $373,m0 in interest. A U.S. goverrunent grant of $1.4 million brought the total to $9.7 million. Cash began to be allocatâ&#x201A;Źd for reconstruction work only in 1990. In March the

rection." I\{rs. Simone said the telethon committee "preferred" its donation to go towards the syringe plant, but "it was not a p,rerequisite of receiving their money." The project

off because the AGBU had its full with existing plans, she said.

was put hands

Dr. Der Yeghiayan saidthe telethon fund spent more than $200,000 on medical

sup

plies, tents, and blankets for ArmeniA and had about $8Q000 left. hoposals being strrdied by the committee included a small factory and a school. The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian

Church of North funerica, plagued by problems with its proposed village in Stâ&#x201A;Źpanavan, has spent just $1.7 million of the $7.8 million it received by ttre end of 1989 from

parishioners and outside donors. With interest, it has some $7 million of unspent donations in the bank, waiting to fund declared projects.

AGBU transfened $5 million

to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization to pay for the consEuction by a Danish firm of a 60,00Gsquare-

The Armenian Assembly of

M.lS million in its fund-three-quarters of the $85,000 of ttre

foot cold food storage plant in

money-{n is housing manufacturing complex. It is appealing

the

AGBU's major projecg began

for another $500,000 to complete the project.

in August and is expected to be finished in December 1991. Some $2.7 million of the original $8.3 million raised by the AGBU remains. It intends to spend $2

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) has just finished an

By TOI{Y HALPIN

million toward establishing a plastic surgery unit in Yerevan, $625,000 on a fiveyear agricultural program to increase food production in Armenia" and an unspecified sum to run a business rnanagement department from September as part of a planned American University. AGBU president Louise Manoogian Simone defended is progress on

pojtrts, saying

some people were naive about the speed with which reconstuction couldbe achieved "Dopeople know what ittakes to do a $5 million cold food storage? It would take 1.5 to 2 years here," she said. The AGBU plans a drive to raise additional funds this year. A nationwide telethon for Armenia five days after the quake raised $600,000. Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayar; chairman of the fund s

distribution committee, said more than $250,000 was given to the AGBU towards

The Western Diocese has spent almost nothing of the $1.4 million collected in its earthquake fund. It plans to spend "at least

$1 million" building a school in Stepanavan, to start early this year. Asked aboutthe delay, Archbishop Valche Hovsepian described those who criticized the handling of funds as "ignorant." "We know what we are doing; we are not going to squander our money. We want to be sure that the money reaches its purpose and gets to its destination," he said. "There is so much confusion in Armenia about their needs. Ifthey give us clear guidance on what their needs are, based on that we will move fonvard."

The Armenianhelacy could not sup ply hgures on its fund because it said a 1990 financial report was still being pre-

with the projecq he said: "We were not informed of that. We as an organization

Archbishop Mesrob Astrjian saidjust over$2millionhadbeenraised, with $50,m to $75,000 remaining. The largest portion, $675,000, was sent to the Church in Etchmi-

made our donation on that basis; we have to be informed if they have changed their di-

kepton how the money was spent.

a proposed disposable syringe plant. Told that the AGBU was not proceeding

adzin to meet the needs of the people there," Archbishop Ashjian said. A $215,000 bulldozer sent to Etchmiadzin for use in the earthquake zone was instead given to thegovernmentin Yerevan. "I don't know where it is or how it is beingused," the Archbishop admitted. This experience had influenced a decision not to proceed with a $175,000 mobile clinic for Armenia. "When you send something, you want them to be accountable," he said. The clinic was among six relief projects outlinedin an October 1989 report, of which only one, to send road curting machines, has been done. The church's Venezuelan branch recently took over its plan to build a $150,000 wind nrbine in Armenia. The Archbishop said talks were continuing to send a $96,000 incubator system capable of pru' ducing nearly 50,000 chickens a week The rest have been scrapped

America saidithad spent all but

L,eninakan.

Work on the plang

'They don't have a system of sending us reports saying 'we spent so much for this and that.' It was our way to help Erchmi-

pared.

adzin

forrelief work, but accounts were not

AlM, January 1991

$875,000 house-building project in the vilIage of Shirakian, but still has $1.5 million of its $2.4 million total. A nurse training

program will consume $400,000, but no decision on spending ttre remaining $1.1 million has been made, the fund's executive secretary, Maral Habeshian, disclosed.

The Ear0rquake Relief Fund forArmenia (ERFA), received $4,469,000, the majority of itinthe frst few weeks afterthe quake, spokesman Berdj Karapetian said. It has spent $3.8 million sofar,Tl%o of it on building homes, a school, and kindergarten in a program expected to finish in the spring. Cash left over will go to the United Armenian Fund programs, he said.

Ihe Armenian Missiomry Association of America had by September 1990 spent $ I . 1 million of the nearly $2.7 million in its Armenia Relief Fund. Two mobile clinics, costing $270,000, have been sent" but completion of a $350,000 program to suprply a wind urbine generator andtwo waterpumps has been delayed from mid-l90 to spring of this year. Executive director Rev. Movses Janbazian said the balance was committed to a

series

ongoing projects, including

$400,000 programto supply Bibles and other

spiritual material. Fund-raising was also continuing. Those involved in raising money acknowledge the public suspicion that exists and the consequent difficulty ofgetting fresh injections ofcash. "Not all organizations have spent all their funds and I would imagine the community would say quite rightly, 'show us what you have done before we give you more,"'Adrienne Berenson, project manager of the Assembly's relief fund, said. "It does have an effect on the willingness of people to give," admitted Ared Bulbuljian, general manager of the Eastem Diocese's fund. "But I don't think it is an insurmountable problem. It's more of a communications problem than anything else." Nevertheless, the absence of visible success has influenced the diocesan decision not to try to raise further funds at present. "I would have had a dfficult time going in front of people and saying please give more money when I can't spend quite at the ratel thoughtwecould," Mr.Bulbuljian said. The AMAA's Janbazian felt more confident. "lfyou present a concrete project to the public, specify it, and describe it in terms of where, how, how much, and why, they are always generous and they always respond." ERFA's Karapetian said the public was right to hold organizations accountable for money raised, but added that they often expected to see results more quickly than was possible in Armenia. Others regard the very number of Armenian-American groups as part of the problem. "It is getting harder and harder to collect

money for Armenia," said Dr. George Kevorkian, who led a progam in Armenia for the American charity Project HOPE. "You have the rypical Armenian thing of a heck of a lot of people doing their own thing." "There is no one voice collecting money for this eafthquake; there are a million and one groups," he said.

Dr. Vartkes Najarian, chairman of Medical Outreach for Armenia, argued that a united body of all Armenian-American organizations was the only way to restore public tmst. It would have a common bank

Armenia, but would, if necessary, be used to help establish a small pharmaceutical plant, which is being studied. Armenian and non-Armenian organizations have formed consorliums to obtain $9.8 million in United States Govemment funding for relief programs. The United Armenian Fund (UAF) has also brought together seven major organi-

banquets and weddings, he said. Medical Outreach had by September 1990 received more than $845,000 in donations, with some $483,000 remaining. More than

relief.

publicized audited accounts in

Armenian community rrcwspapers in an effort to retain public confrdence.

Ir I

wo years after the earthquake,

there are depressingly few completed projects to convince a sceptical public that Diasporaorganizations are delivering tlrc goods

effrciently. Before digging into ttreir pockets in the future, donors are likely to demand proofthat groups have a track record

ofsuccess.

The Second Annual Gonference th Armenia's Reconstruction on the TwoYears 3,4,

t(xt and 90

of Armenia formally

trr be agreed upon

non-govemmental

ao of the 2. The

a special "super-

to the.Rro[iament's standing corn-

mitree

tlif rebriiltfiig

3. effort by

development as well as the execution of the new

6o r. so

justice 5.

needs

o. priorities.

stantly

its

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impactmultiplied

technolosrrus@es: "'rl&d 5

,ir.

ment 8. The

râ&#x201A;Źconsfuction

The

confinue.

iliihe name,of

the

3(} OJ

n ,o

account and the authority to raise funds on a

long-term basis through an Amenia levy on social events, ranging llom concerts to

zations to coordinate nearly $12 million of

$4.6 million worthof donatedmedical services and materials had also been provided. Dr. Najarian said the remaining cash was seed money for a future hospital project in

""8[E' SGHOOL$

s6ats

Planned:

tt! !:r: A:.:

.. l*','

KI!ID=RGARTE}I3 HOSPITALS 2477 beds seats

Source: lnternational Bulletin for the Reconstruction and Development ol Armenia

AlM, January 1991

[

been senl" including one planeloacl b Tehran in thc wakc ol-last ycar's Irunian carllrquake. 'lhe el'llcicncv ol'the opcration wls displayed in tlre frnancial report. u hich shclwed that 99.t) percent olthe

UAF:

raisccl funcls wela- spcnt on rclief pro.jccts.

A United Way Tte

f;nitea Amenian Funcl openecl ils secof opcrations last month with ils [5t11

t'rnd 1'ci,,'

idriili ol'supplics

to Armcni;r ancl a decllu'ation

o1'purposc ttt thc public. "Thc LiAF is living ltnrof that, togethcr. u'e can accornplish rnore than u,hat each one of oul organizations is able tcl accornplislr on its own. lJnity is powcr," it saicl in ne\\'spapcr adlertiseurenls. rlisplaying a lirll financial reroRl ol-its I'ir'.t yeur"s tictivitl Unit-v and a busincss-like approach to the task of aicling Annenia havc nrar'licil the LAF since its lbrmutior.r on Novembcr' 7. 191J9 as a bocly to coorrlinate re lief u'ork. "lt is thc onlv cxaurple ol'seven nta.ior orgtutizatirus in thc Anncnian conununity coming togethcr to assist the hotnelanrl." cxecut i vc direclor Hanr t Sassclun i ar.r saiil. It is aiso the only,one to \ecurc thc involvcment ol'billionairc Kilk Kerkorian in earlhquakc rclicf wort. clcscribecl as a "rnalol break.

through" by Sassounian. Kelkorian's [.inc;, Foundiition is a mr:rnber of' the UAIr. along with the Annenian Gencral Bencvolent L.]nion. Arltenian .\ssen'rbly of Anrerica. An'nenian Relicl'Society. Arrcnian Missionary Association of Anrcrica, the Dioccse ol lhc Anncnian Apostolic Clhurch ol-Amcrica. and thc Prclao' o1'tlrt- Anlcnian Apostolic Church ol'Arncricl

The firr-rnclation pays thc bLrlk ol'the UAI--'s operalinu budget ol $324.000. with each of thc otl.rer six uroups ply,ing 526,333. It has also paid nrorc than S 1.5 nrillion to lirnd.the llights. So far aboLrt -5(X) tor-rs ol'sr-rpplics *.\r.-

worth morc than Sl2 n.rillion havc

"'l-he ovorwhelrling majority o1'the _goocis r,',e hitve shippd are clonated itcnrs. either front urembcr organizations or other nonUr\ F or-uan i zatiorrs, incl ucling tlonations lrotn utany non-Arrncn ian sroups," Sassounian said. "My job is to tq, to cio thc ntaxir.r.rlun goorl to Anncnia without straining the Anlenian comnrr-u.rity's rcsourccs in tl'ris coLtntlr.." hc adclcd.

Initial fiiehts conccnlrated oll carg()cs o1'lixrtl. cnrergcncv ntcclical sLrpplies. inlirnt krrrlula und other urgcnt nccessitics. But tlic tocus hus gradLralll' shiliccl tcxvard krng-tcnr econorr.rie lr.covcr), w ith trlctcirs. contpute rs. l.rrick-rnaking nrachincs. industrial equiprnent und

buikling matrrriills.

"We rvant to give tlrcnr thc e-cyLripment lutd krtow'-hor.v and train. ing to irc'lp tl.rcnrsclves." said Sassounian. "The [-incv l]oLrnd.rtion has maclc a comuritment ol' financins tr,t o lhirds ol tlte cosr ttf longtcn.n UAF prcr.jects that i1 iiltprovcs." Ncvclthless, cl'ises thut call lirl immcdiate attention slill arisc. Last month's llight cailictl emcr.sellc\, sultplics lo kecp rliulysis tnitchincs operatittu. llirrl,: anothcr was scheclrrlccl to arrive in Arl'rcnia in mid Jluruary. with 3-5 tons of rrrilk. I(cquests lbr hclp front i\rmcniu are str-rciicrl bl crperl r,)ntntittecs in lhc LIAF bclirre a dccision is rtradc lo uteet the nccd in the nrost ell icicnt rliinncr. Aid is supcrvisctl on an'ivul in Arruenia to cnsul! it reachcs lhe proper peoplc. ancl checks arc tuadc orr thc usc of donirtccl gtxxls. -'Wc lolkrw up antl i1'sonrcthing is n'risuscrl tle nlrkc sulc \,!,e don'1 continuc with the santc inciivitluuls. Bul therc is ver1, little evidcnce of nrisusc." Sassoluriln said. llc bclievcs the aclvantagcs of thc tlAF as a nolr 1llrrlisrut eo, orciinator o1' reliel' at'c three-lirlcl. It plcr,ents cluplicllion cll uirl. sencls un iilrporlant sisnal to Ar-rnenia thal Diaspora stoups lrc rvorking for thc honrcland ''u ith ort heart unrl onc soul," und 'rrovcs 1() socictl' at lar!.c tltat Arnrenilurs can r.vork to-ecthcr. "Oirr plan is to hclp Arnrcrria a lons &t tinrc to collc.' he saiil. I

---hrl]

UAF

*1,*,

Airlifts

ol,rrr

During The

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UtgwtlBe*resff MEDICAL OUTREACH FOR ARMENIANS a

MEDICAL OUTREACH was formed to help Armenia long before the 1988

earthquake. lt provided much-needed medical and surgical supplies to hospitals. Volunteer doctors were sent from America to wok with their Armenian colleagues.

Just days after the earthquake calamity, MEDICAL OUTREACH was the first to deliver40,000 pounds of medical supplies and the services of member physicians and pharmacists. MEDICAL OUTREACH was one of the pioneers to bring patients to the United States lor treatment. The effort continues to this day.

Presently six patients are in Los Angeles and one in Fresno receiving medical care. The East Coast branch is involved with pediatric open heart surgery, and four children presently await surgery in New York. Over 150 patients from Armenia have received medical and surgical care so far in American hospitals. MEDICAL OUTREACH has sent teams of American surgeons and health personnel to travel to Armenia on a regular basis, to operate on patients and teach local physicians.

At the present, MEDI,CAL OUTREACH is involved in developing a small pharmaceutical factory in Armenia. Their ultimate goal will be to build a 125-bed hospital and nursing school with the highest westem standards prevailing.

dollars F-T-tF----r-rrrr million I I dollars worth of medical and hospital care for patients from ! ---Armenia. MED|CALOUTF|EACHdonatestoArmeniagTcents I I E!}, I want to heh Anneniar too. I of every dollar that it receives. Due to the innumerable hours I ---I H.;o"ei io rrry donetlo' of $ donated by volunteer members and cooperating hospitals, ;

To date MEDICAL OUTREACH has sent 5.5 million

worth of medical supplies and equipment, along with 5

our |

MEDICAL OUTREACH overhead is only 3%. We can help peoplehelpthemselves. PleasehelpwitnyOURdonationtoo!

I I

t t t

] l. I 1.,.,

Armenian American Hospital - Yerevan Armenia

N"r"

Ad&ess

GH,

State

ANM:TheRoad to Leadership

During the recent Parliamentary elections, the Armenian Natiornl Movement won more thnn 35 percent of the seats. Now that authority and power are in its ha n"ds, what will happen next? By

ilARK IIALKASIAN

Special to Al]rl

You might say that the philosophy of the Armenian National Movement

November 23-26 seemed to balk at giving a definitive answer (see box). Like the Solidarity movement in Poland, the ANM was conceived more as expression of national consciousness than as a political party. The function was more symbolic than practical; the tone more moral than diplomatic.

(Haiots Hamazkayin Sharzhoom) can be summed up wittr a sug-

A Dramatic Beginning

gestion box.

The demonstrations that brought a million people into the sfeets of Yerevan in February 1988 constituted ttre first mass movement of the Gorbachev era in the Soviet bloc. The public outpouring initially set its own pace, with the microphone passing from hand to hand and impromptu rallying cries echoing through Opera Square. Notuntil February 24drda

Don't be confused, however. The suggestion box is not one of metaphor. It's real. In fact, a number of them were set up by the ANM on the steps of the Armenian

Archival Library (Madenataran) alongside information booths in the spring of 1989 to foster debate on the direction of Armenia's democratic movement. The slips of paper that ended up inside perhaps held no great ttroughts, but the suggestion boxes themselves said something more important. This was the ANM's concept of grass-roots empowerment, participatory democracy for the average citizen.

Naive? Idealistic? Theatrical? The critiANM and its forerunner,

cisms aimed at the

the Karabagh Committee, have included these and others. What carmot be denied, however, is the leading role of the ANM and the Karabagh Committee in the national reawakening of Armenia that began in February 1988. From popular spokesmen to political prisoners to newly elected office-holders, the ascentof the movement's foremost proponents has been stmning. Now,

two of the ANM's most prominent figures -kvonTer-PetrosyanandVazgenManukian - officially head the govemment of the republic as president and prime minister, resprctively. BothTer-Petosyan andManukian ANM executive committee after winning ttreir posts, but the plar form of the movement will nonetheless guide

resigned form the

them as they grapple with Armenia's enormous problems. As for the ANM, the loose coalition

democratic forces has reached an ironic crossroads. l.ess than a year after its founding congress, the movement has succeeded

in capturing political power. But what's next? The ANM's second congress of

diverse assortment of political activists come together to form the Armeniabranch of the Karabagh Organizing Committee. The original group was

the mid-1960s. The two participated in the first mass commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan on Apn124,1965, and were caught up in the spirit of the brief

national revival that followed. Later, they were reunited as professors in the applied mathematics deparffnent at YSU. Ashot Manucharian and Hambardzoum Galstyan were products of the next generation. Their first clash with Soviet authority came in the mid-1970s, when both rose to leadership positions in the YSU branch of the Komsomol. With Manucharian as first secretary of the Communist Youth kague, they proposed that student delegates to party conferences be elected democratically rather than hand-picked by local bosses. The challenge to the system cost Manucharian and Galstyan their offices and put their career paths on a new course.

Eventually, they found a new vehicle for

social change in School #18!Armenia's

only example of experimental education. The school drew in not only Manucharian as a vice-principal and Galstyan as a part-

time history teacher, but dozens of other young scholars ftrstratedby the atrnosphere of do-nothing academic institutes. The two AIM Photo/

united principally in their opposition o the government and commitrnent to democracy. Most were in their 30s and 40s, many with graduate degrees in the sciences. Somewhere they had spumed

membership in the Soviet nomenklatura and taken a Thousands gathered in front of Madenataran ln Yerevan on iIry 1S to stand as outsiders. As with celebrale the triumphant horrecoming of Karabagh CommitEe nrem'' other disaffected intellectu- bersfrom prison als in the SovietUnion, they found few outlets to freely express their top administrators - Director Ashot Bleyan and Principal Ashot Tabaghyan - were later convictions. The threats to Armenians in elected to the ANM's first executive body, the mountainous Karabagh Autonomous while history teacher Samson Ghazarian Region and recognition of the Genocide was a member of the Karabagh Comminee. served as the subjects of occasional open The desire for democracy and cultural letters and leaflets. The ecology movement of ttre mid-1980s offered a forum for the revitalization was tanslatedintobroadpowem for student government, an innovative curcritique of reckless economic development policies. For the most part, though, politiriculum stressing participatory leaming, and l2-hour days for the staff. Perhaps most cal discussion was a private, not a public, exhilarating was the cafeteria, where admatter. mins[ators, teachers and high school stuManukian and Babgen Ararktsyan, for example, first met as members of the Ardents oftenclustered ancundrectangularables and plates of rubbery hot dogs to debate menian Cultural Club, a dissident student issues that had bubbled to the surface with organization at Yerevan State Univenity in AlM, January 1991

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the thaw of glasnost. A new consciousness had coalesced at School #183 long before February 1988. The attitude was a break from the heavy-handed apathy of the Brezhnev era. If a single school could be changed, so could the entire society. School #183 was about taking responsibility for the republic's destiny, and it was not long before the energy spilled over into the streets

ofYerevan.

From Activists to lcons By the close of 1988, the Karabagh Committee and the Armenian people could claim a number of remarkable achievements: the popular will had rebounded from the massacre of Armenians in the Azerbaijani coastal city of Sumgait and the military occupation of Yerevan to again challenge the authori-

ties in the spring; the first republic-wide

in Soviet history had presArmenian Supreme Soviet in June to endorse reunification with Artsakh; and Manucharian and Khachik Stamboltsyan (founder of the benevolent organization Gtutyun) had been overwhelmingly elected to the Parliament as write-in candidates. Then the earthquake struck. In the confugeneral strike sured the

sion that followed, the Karabagh Committee assumed a key role in the rescue and relief effort. Three days after the disaster, the committee was dispatching 60 to 70 bus loads ofvolunteers daily to the quake zone, establishing local information centers, transporting survivors to safe areas, and distrib-

uting relief supplies. This time, however, the shortcomings of the Communist system were too glaringly obvious. Unable to match t}rc effectiveness of ttre Karabagh Committee's

efforts and unwilling to cooperate, the govemment responded with repression. Within a month of the earthquake, all I 1 Karabagh Committee members had been anested along with more than 200 others. The Soviet and Armenian media launched a fierce campaign to depict the activists as power-hungry fanatics. Manucharyan was quoted as urging "armed struggle" to gain Artsakh. The responsibility and motivation behind the crackdown have never become totally

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clear. The first series of arrests coincided with Gorbachev's visit to Armeni4 suggesting the initiative came form Moscow. Others blame the paranoia of the local govemment. A third line of reasoning points to the prospect of competing with the Karabagh Committee in the March 1989 elections to the USSR Congress of People's Deputies as the chiefconcem ofauthorities. Where almost everyone concurs, though, is on the failure of the crackdown. As one Karabagh Committee member has noted, the activists went to prison as unassuming critics of the govemment and retumed as

living martyrs. From the outset, the media blitz of vilification only reinforced popular contempt of the govemment. Meanwhile, an intemational human rights effort spearheaded by Andrei Sakharov and adopted by Amnesty International, Helsinki Watch, and dozens of other groups created a public relations embanassment for glasnost and perestroika. [n Yerevan, martial law failed to contain popular expressions of support for the Karabagh Committee. The fint public outburst came March 8, 1989, when 500 women marking Intemational Women's Day shifted the theme to the political prisoners. The number of demonstrators swelled to 5,000 before troops moved in to disperse the

crowd. Three days later,

a soccer match

between Armenian and Belorussian teams ended in a spontaneous rally for the release of the Karabagh Committee. In April, associates of the Committee established the Armenian National Movement to carry on the work of their jailed colleagues. By May, the group was drawing hundreds of thousands of sympathizers to Opera Square. At the same time, imprisonment lent an almost mythical aura to the 11 Karabagh Committee members and five other activists awaiting trial in Moscow. The stories that filtered out soon acquired the power of folk legends: Galstyan's 16-day hunger

strike and isolation cell confinement; Stamboltsyan's spiritual counseling to convicted murderers; fundraising for the Armenian earthquake survivors among common criminals. AlM, January 199't

6!Ai

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lnstitutionalizing the Movement The political prisoners werâ&#x201A;Ź released May

31, 1989. They retumed to Yerevan in triumph, riding ttre shoulders of supporters through a throng gattrered in front of the archival library to celebrate their homecoming. Plailrly, the momentum of political events had swung beyondthe govemment's Sasp. On June 16, 310 delegates from unoffrcial civic organizations met at YSU to formalize the creation of the ANM and affrm the group's dedication to "universal principles of human righs, national selfdetermination, social justice and democracy." The Armenian Supreme Soviet officially recognized the movement June 28. In August, fourout offivecandidates backed by the ANM won seats to the legislature in special elections. Meanwhile, the Karabagh Committee's regular Friday evening meetings were again attracting crowds in the hundreds of thousands. Wittr the republic's growing desperation as a backdrop, the ANM convened its fint congrcss in Yerevan November 4-5. More than 1,500 people attended, included 500 from outside Armenia. During the course of the weekend conference, nearly every one present had a few minutes at the microphone. Debate on the Artsakh question and relations with the govemment sparked heated exchanges. Even Armenian Communist Party First Secretary Suren Harutunian was given his tum at the speaker's platform. The conference concluded with the election of a 36-person executive committee (including the l1 members of the Karabagh Committee) and the adoption of a statement outlining the movement's goal and byJaws. As expected, the reunification

of Artsakh

ANM's shortterm aims. Moreover, many of the prowith Armenia

headed the

nouncements on national self-defense, eco-

nomic autonomy, separate foreign policy, freedom of expression, and multiple forms of property ownership would find their way into the Armenian Supreme Soviet's declaration ofindependence, August 24, 1990, The resolutions of the congress also served

to crystallize the ANM's opposition. From ttre popular movement's first days in February 1988, a basic division on the pursuit ofthe Artsakh issue had been evident. The viewpoint ttrat came to dominate the ANM

Even the inclusion of two celebrated corruption-fighting prosecutors form Moscow, Telman Gdlyan and Nikolai Ivanov, on the ANM slate did not arouse much interest. Nonetheless, by mid-summer the ANM had

placed the struggle in the context of human rights and democracy. The other perspective - personified by Igor Muratyan, a Baku Armenian who had been an underground activist in Artsakh since the 1970s - took a more militant position while focusing almostexclusively on reuniffing Artsakh wittr

won more than 35 percent of the seats in the legislature and could count on the support of perhaps two-thirds of the total body. Terpresident on the fourth ballot overArmenian Communist Party First Petrosyan's election

Secretary Vladimir Movsisyan conhrmed the ANM's dominance.

The victory in the legislature marked a clear milestone fbr the ANM. The transition from outspoken dissidents to ruling political force had been completed. The pace of events, however, left the movement in a curious position. The founders of the Karabagh Committee were individuals instinctively critical of authority and mistrustful of power. What happens now that authority and power have ended up in their hands? The ANM and the Armenian republic are waiting to find out.

Armenia. Muratyan has been joined by

7ni Balayan, a prominent joumalist born in Karabagh, who has emphasized the danger Armenians face form pan-Turkic ambitions in Turkey and Azefuaijan. In addition, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the largest political party of the Diaspora has pressed for an expanded agenda to include historical Armenian lands in Nakhichevan and eastem Turkey.

The Road to Leadership The congress committed ttre ANM to the ballot box as the means for implementing

the movement's goals. Elections to the

ANM'sSecond '

The Second Annual Congress of the Armenian National Movement, held Nov.2325 inrthe curvention hall of the Armenian

Padiarrent, failed to agree on nvo of its rmost importart agenda issues: its identity and its political platform. r,r,r,,The

participants, including 20 delegates

representing political paties and organizations frcrn the,intemal and extemal diaspoAmA to resolve the question whetier

f*,

ANM would continue

Armenian Supreme Soviet had been scheduled for May 1990. In January, however, bottr ttre ANM and the Armenian people

duariuli

were rocked by the anti-Amenian pogroms in Baku. The ANM was immediately thrust into a quasi-governmental role, organizing

self-defense units. collecting weapons, cooperating with the govemment and Communist Party in a crisis management tearn, and even engaglng in negotiations briefly

me secorU Aay of the confercnce w,as v@,to g8ier u4,ient -.,,: is$iis,suchasKm- re--rWffi A a-DiO- ,..:--

wi0r the Azerbaijani Popular Front. To many in Armenia however, the events of January only confirmedthe inesolvable nature

of the conflict with Azeftaijan and the hopelessness

of Armenia's future.

Politically, the ANM continued on the road to power. Four executive committee

members were elected to the Armenian Supreme Soviet Presidium. Among them, physicistRafael Ghazarian, tre oldestmember of the Karabagh Committee, was chosen as

the republic's vice-president. In general, the legislature increasingly followed the initiative of the ANM, directing bolder and bolderdemands to Moscow on the situation in Artsakh. As the May elections indicated, however, the growing sense of despair was itself an obstacle to the ANM. Participation in the first round of elections fell below 50 percent in many areas of Armenia (as contrasted with the 94-percent tumout in Artsakh). ANM candidates did well in Yerevan and other cities but failed to defeat enffenched Communist bosses in rural areas.

Ole

tio be a coalition groups or would it become a full-

fldCed political party wiftin tlrc govemlrll ThtMoviix,rpnt's role in and position prysent goyenxqent atso remained

undsfined

,ffi

f@igrt

would play to forestall a civil war

Armenia and the subsequent occupation the Red Army, similar to that which spired in Baku: Vice-president Babken Ararktsyan sioned the role

of the organization in

intermediary betrveen the and the parliament. He also accused the demenian Communist Party of "attempting ar, *^r^ / 7ar6^ q.*iLian restore the old order.' Paruyrllayrikian, as an

..,.2 , Ei*S,liI

exiled leader

National Alliance

*friil:";iil'** ,

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Movement, b cl$&i',' ,r :&Et-Vrys&radefdry Sg,, r,,,' ;@.l.*it ;,,, *&ffid At the

thepevioulweelc theconventionthat

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l&itto:orgatizei!.,,,, fuL while the advocated becomi t$f.'ltp6r1r 6i*',bnd, powerful first to &Saewhofouglrt&e ,., come independent. r,&$*}vl ar6 pdttical ,''' ' tooay' DehgEEsatANMbsecordconvention .t'ury!-.*^ :9tqt":. elected to rhe A $liryruidl:l:. :r:..:,. .$i '''T celmof attention, however, was the I executive committee. A quarter of the ,ryWq giyrert bi,ifu er chairman and I membercentral body were new faces. the presitbnt of Armenia's Supreme Coun- | "This congress was much more seden ci ,;-t,evoq Ter8.eftmyan He saw the re- | than the first," remarked Arpik of'r,Armenian independent I editorof dre Paris-based Haratch ,gF@@

qq,

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ANM'

per, charac{erizing last year's convention

AlM, January 1991

ARF Leaderon Party's Futurle

irresponsible. Nof'withstanding the fact that we have snuggled against the Soviet system for 70 years, we do not link Armenia's path to independence to the demolition of

inArmenia

The Armenian Revolutionnry Federation ( D ashnakts outiun) in August announc ed its organizational pre s enc e in Armenia. Hrair Maroukhian, chnirman of the ARF World Bureant,was interviewed by NM during his recent visit to l,os Angeles.

understand the Yerevan bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has comphted, although notyetpublishe{

the party's political platform in Armenia. Could you give us the main points

this platform?

As much as I recall, the platform has more than 10 chapters. It basically outlines our organization's perception of the concept of democracy in Armenia. Everybody talks about democracy in the Soviet Union, but not all freedoms that are inherently associated with democratic principles are granted. For example, the distinction between the executive and legislative powers is not yet clearly def,rned, and one branch

usually trespasses into the jurisdiction of the other. One chapter which occupies considerable space in the platform is the one devoted to Armenia's economy. Our ungers [title given to party membersl in Yerevan have opted for a compromise solution that allows for a gradual transfer to market economy rather than an abrupt tumaround which may have catasffophic social and economic repercussions. They consider such atentative, stepby-step approach of uffnost importance. Other chapters outline judicial, educational, healttr and other programs. You mentioned free-rnarket economy and overhauling the Soviet system. The ARF has adherrcd to socialist prfurciples

tlrough-

out its existence and remains so today. How do you envision your party being able to reconcile Socialism with a freemarket system? Does your platform propose a compromise between the disinte.

grating Communist ideolog and capitalism? First, our party has a Social Democratic approach to economics which we strive to attain under the most ideal conditions. We have leamed from the past experiences of European democratic counties where, once they won in ttre elections, Socialist parties

formed govemments that dgidly adopted

the principles of Socialism by ttrc book. By not heeding the imperatives of their times, not only did these govemments fail in their mission but also canied their rcspective nations economically backwards. After all, that which the socialist system envisions is

objectified in the global reality.

It is not

possible to contemplate a Utopian socialist world; one has to find a middle road between the prevailing realities of ttre environment, which also comprises principles of free enterprise and frree market-within certain bounds, so as not to have the nation reverting to acapialistic system which could lead to other types of problems. It is precisely this concept that our pany platform has adopted a fonvardJooking eco'

nomic plan with Social Democratic principles.

As to Communism, we never have believed in the Communist economic system. Our approach to Socialism is based on economic models which exist in such countries as Sweden, and which have continually prcven successfirl. I believe Sweden is far ahead with its political system than even the most advanced nations of the world. It is the closest thing to a Utopian state, where social justice, disribution of wealth, citizen's welfare, health and cultural concems have been most ideally addrcssed. Staying in the political spherg what are themore important points in your agenda and how do they differ from those of the other political parties and groupg specifically the Armenian National Movement? We have always disagreed with the concept of abrupt change which some movements in Armeniaas well as otherrepublics

theU.S.S.R. The Soviet Union which we have opposed for so many years and the Soviet Union which has existed in the past few years are not the sarne system. This does not signify that we have come to be reconciled with the policies of those five years; what it means, rather, is that we have taken into consideration certain realities on the global stage.... In our plaform, we have clearly defined

our strategy: the process of independence and the pursuit of the Armenian people's tenitorial claims should proceed at the same tempo and with an equal level of priority. Thismeans onehas to complementthe other. None of these goals will be accomplished in one day, but with aparallel commirnent the Armenian people will eventually arrive at both. When the present political leadership in Armenia relinquishes our national claims and puts them aside even for a minute, then we become a people who buries its historic rights with its own hands. And our platform is uncompromising on this issue; at one point it states that our claims encompass Artsakh [Karabagh] and all the way to Mush, Van and Vaspourakan [all regions in historic Westem Armenial.

How would you evaluate the ARF membership and the Dashnak popular base in the homeland? In our estimation, the party cadres in Armenia constitute some remarkable elements--+rofessors, college graduates, intellectuals. There is also the grassroots, the preponderant segment which lives and is active in the villages and rural areas. In Yerevan, the party tries to operate with a low profile, because, first of all, that is the capital city; secondly, one has to consider the inglorious Communist institutions which have planted their sffuctural roots there for 70 yean; and then there are the Mafia groups, based in Yerevan and wielding considerable political power. Although we already had mass support, we decided not to participate in the parliamentary elections [in May], because all indications led to the belief, subsequently

vindicated, ttrat the elections were not as free as purported. They could be qualified free, but only in relation to past elections. We did not wish to defile our party in a

have advocated. In ttris aspect, ourpolitical agenda goes parallel to our economic plan

process which manifested blackmail,

in that both propose gradual rather than

dation, bribery and dirty campaigning be-

pecipitous change. We have never adhered o Armenia's problems lies in the desfruction of the Soviet Union. We consider such an approach

tween the Communist and ANM candidates. I do not wish to imply that we might

to the viewpoint thatthe solution

AlM, January 1991

intimi-

have won the majoriry if we had taken part in the elections, but it would have secured

ARF cunstitution? No, it is not a question of constitution. Political parties usually have such conventions, which are based on a general consensus; they are not necessarily written laws, but rather

ofconducl.. andtlrc number itself is not specified.

codes

Armenia is expected to have presidential elections in the coming months. Does the ARF plan to present a candidate in those elections? Now that tlre party is a functioning organization in the republic, there is no reason for not participating in ttre elections and having a candidate.

But I should emphasize that the Dashnaktsutiun has no intentions to take to power any parfy boss or leader. It could very possibly support the candidacy of someone who might not even be a Dashnak. The guiding criterion would be tlre candidate who has the best qualifications to be the Presius an important foothold in the govemment.

As to the number of the ARF membership, no concrete figures are available yet. Only the upcoming cenral regional meeting in Yerevan would be able to present us with a clear picture as to our number. Here, I would like to remind you of an ARF precept which has been in our constitution ever since our fighting days for the liberation of Armenia: the number of Dashnak party members should not exceed one percent of the local population. This should give you an idea of what our approach is to numbrs. Keeping the one-percent principle in mind, the ARF could have at most 35,000 parry members (from apopulation of 3.5 million) in the most promising period-four or five yean hence. It is very easy to have a 100,000 membership, the same way that the Com-

munist Party has given away 200,000 membenhip cards, but that is not the manner in which a serious political party should operate.

I should sffess here that the same ARF model that we have in the Diaspora-with affiliated cultural, relief, student and athletic organizations-also will be established in Armenia. The process already has started with some of these organizations. What is the basis for the one-percent preept you mentioned, and under what circumstances was

it introduced in the

dentof Armenia.

What about the parliamentary elections

which might be called in the future? Would the ARF consider entering into coalition with other parties? We will certainly take part in the next elections; there is no reason we shouldn't. As to forming a coalition with other groups, not only do we foresee such a move but we have, on several occasions, publicly announced our firm belief in the importance of unity at this historic juncture of our nation. It is our deep conviction that only through united efforts can the Armenian people surmount the political, territorial, economic, self- defense and other dfficulties that lie ahead. Thus, we are ready to work closely with ttre ANM, the Hunchaks, as well as the Ramgavars, when they also establish themselves in the homeland (alttrough we do not understand the propaganda campaign they have started against us lately). We also foresee the formation of a coalition with benevolentorganizations, and even a "purified" Communist Parfy. I sfiess the word purified,bause we would never work with the previous Mafia. One criticism of tlre Daslmaktsutiun which

some people have expressed lately is that the ARF has politically struggled against

the communists for the past 70 yearg and yet today it has established close AlM, January 199'1

relations with them. I categorically deny that the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has ever collaborated or is developing relations with the Communist Party. Such accusations are only unprincipled political provocations. The present situation in the Diaspora inarguably testifies to the fact that our political parties, including the ARF, have no history of unified action or working together. In your case, what assurances could the Dashnaktsutiun make to the Armenian public that the case would be different in Armenia and that a spirit of national unity would prevail? We, as a party, have always been open to if the Diaspora has had a different record in that regard, there is a reason for that. In ourconcept ofunity, there should be a representative proportion between the different sides or forces. In Lebanon, for instance, when another group has offered gestures for unity, they have suggested that a national body be formed with equal representation from all sides. Such an approach is neither democratic nor signifies unity. We believe each party should participate in decision-making according to its base, and who makes up the base if not the people-it is the people who make the final decision. And tomorrow, when the time comes to

uniry;

forming coalitions in Yerevan, the same principle of proportion would be in effect.

we represent

percent of the nation, we

would constitute l0 percent of the coalition or the govemment of national unity. Coming to economic issues, what sort of practical contribution is the ARF considering for reviving Armenia,s ecunomy? First of all, I should state that our economic contribution to the homeland will be forthcomingregardless of ttre party in power. We consider the govemment the vehicle through which we will administer our economic contribution. The ARF has worked out and prepared a comprehensive economic program through

a nine-member ad hoc committee, which has Dashnak and non- Dashnak experts and

even people who have anti-Dashnak sentiments. The committee has completed studies, conducted consultations, made several trips to Armenia and organized seminars in Yerevan. Its work was so thorough that even Moscow has appraised its value and has-we have reliable information on this-taken measures to implement some of its points. The next step will be for this commitree to go to Armenia in late Novemberand prepare the ground forthe practical implementation of the plan, which already was approved by the previous govemment. Once

ARMENIAN ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS oF AMERICA, INC. A'UTUOU'UCES

A COMPREHEN'S,.VE PLAN FOR THE ECONOUIIC HESTRUCTUB"UG

OF ARMENIA FEBRUARY 21-23, 1991 LOS ANGELES AIRPORT HILTON LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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Comprehensive Planning Session Cocktail Reception of engineers, scientists and industrialArmenian Engineers and Scientists of America, lnc. (AESA) is a not-for-profit, tax exempt proiessional society unprecedented and highly successists of Armenian descent, organized in 1gg5 in southern california. AESA was the sponsor and organizer of the 1 989. in August Angeles in Los held industrialists and scientists engineers, Armenian f ul First World Congress of 91205 Armenian Engineers and scientists of America, lnc. (AESA): 126 s. Jackson street, Suite 202A, Glendale, Calitornia

u.s.A. Tel. & Fax (8181547 3372

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Leon Garoyan Director, Center of Cooperative Research,University of California at Davis

Alan Bromley (invited)

Wahe Balekjian

Assistant to the U.S. president for Science and Technology

Head. Department of European Law, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Jean Claude Derian Advisor in Science and Technology policy with the Government of France

Karen Galustyan Vice President, Yerevan Polytechnic lnstitute

Georgi Markosov

Mihran Agbabian

Chief Economic Advisor to the Soviet Ambassador in the United States

Chairman, Civil Engineer Department, University of Sourthern California

Galina Starovoytova The People's Deputy of U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet

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delegation will retum to the Diaspora and start work on forming a national cenral body that will coordinate the phases of the program with the Armenian govemment. This body will be made of economic experts, industrialists, joint-venture investors, related groups and organizations from many cities and the program is put into place, ttre

counEies in the DiasPora. Reganding the ARF's strategic moves now that it has re-established itself in Armenia, will the headquarters move to Yerevan, or will it have two centers or bu' reaus? The Dashnaktsutiun has never had a head-

quarters throughout its history. Constitutionally, the party has is Cenral Bureau but is not allowed to have a physical center. It has a central office or central offices, whose location is decided by the quadrennial party congress. We reminded lrvon Ter-Pe[osyan of this fact when we first met him after he was elected President. [One of the first public statements the new President had made

was to invite all Diaspora parties to move their centers to Armenia and become active participants in the political process.l There is a possibility-if not certaintythat the next general meeting, which will have an overwhelming proportion of delegates from Armenia and which is scheduled for 1992, may or will decide to have the Central Bureau seated in Yerevan.

This is naturally

speculation, but one

I can say for certain: in the pres-

thing

ent condition, with so many urgent PoIitical, economic and national issues con-

fronting us,

How soon do you think Armenia will have a true multiPartY sYstem? have to applaud our neighbors, the

Georgians, for adopting de facto a multiparty system regardless of the Soviet Constitution. Unfortunately, such a system so far has been elusive in Armenia, and that raises questions as to our concept of fue democracy. And this despite the fact that the whole country is on the verge of adopting a multiparty system.

What does the ARF see as the solution to the Karabagh question? The Artsakh problem is a first-priority issue for us, and there is no demagoguery in this statemenL As Stepanakert

the path towardour national territorial claims passes through Karabagh." Apart from the

right to self-determination of Karabagh Arminians, our success in this territory is of vital importance from economic, strategic and military viewpoints. Our struggle will be formidable, considering the Azerbaijani presence in the region

well as their allies not only in Moscow but also overseas, mainly in Turkey. One as

practical and immediate objective that we should pursue is to secure an autonomous status quo for Karabagh Armenians, so that they have control over their economic' social and cultural affairs.

"ln the plesent condi' tion, it is inconceivable

thattheARFwouH have its center of decision'

making outside the homeland."

it is inconceivable

that

the

Armenian Revolutionary Federation would have its center of decision-making outside the homeland. But we will continue to have our funda-

mental infrastructure in the Diaspora, because we believe that the Diaspora has to be

kept strong and indestructible. Regardless of our slogan, "Retum to the Homeland," at best 100,000-150,000 Armenians might heed that call. The remaining Diaspora has to be firmly anchored and cherished; after all, there still will be the need for political lobbying. As we are in variance with the foreign policies of the present administration in Yerevan, our political centers in the Diaspora are needed as much as

ever-the

Armenian National Committee offices in Washington and lns Angeles, our oncevibrant centers in alrbanon that is recover-

ing, in Paris, Athens, Sydney-all

these

centen will be essential in ourpolitical work.

MayorMaksim

Mirzoyan said recently in [-os Angeles, "In the final analysis one has to understand that

To achieve this goal, the

intercst of further sfiengIhening the traditional friendship. This is a serious issue, especially when our access to sea outlets is considered. I am not saying we should relinquish all

our tenitorial claims in Georgia... political dialogue creates opportunities for compromise, and it is this mutual give-and-take that makes such political negotiations worthwhile. If the concessions are unilateral, as is the case with Armenia's present relations with our "Big Neighbor" [Turkey], this is not the basis for a healthy relationship. Trading meatfor lamps does not secure political credit and, in the present global situation, seems quite puerile. We have always believed in and called for political dialogue; this was the reason behind our meeting in the past, together with the other Armenian parties, with Turkish officials in Zurich. But we believe any such dialogue should be conducted keeping

in mind the norms of intemational diplomacy. Starting negotiations [with Turkey] merely on the basis of trading meat and bread with cotton and a few motors from Hyelectrotech does not constitute a political dialogue that would be beneficial to Armenia. We believe the negotiations should be moved to a higher level and to give the message that Armenians have not abandoned their territorial rights.

Could you be more sPecific as to what eachside could cuncede once the Armeno-

intemationalization of the

Turkish dialogue is started in optimal

futsakh issue is of absolute necessity. And we or without the cooperation of the present leadership in Armenia---{he

circumstances? It is no news that the Turkish leadership is quite adroit and flexible; so much so that the Turks were able to tum their political liability into a huge asset in the latest Gulf crisis. And one has to admire this resource-

same leaden whoarrived

fulness.

will pursue

this path

with

to power because of their past struggle to reunify Karabagh and now seem to have disavowed their national cause.

What about relations with Armenia's neighbors? In our campaign to internationalize the Karabagh issue we will need to develop and foster relations with Russian intellectuals, politicians and influential circles. Such ties have been nonexistent for a long time, and if they existed, they were not utilized to

theirfull potential. As to our neighbors in the north, whether we like it or not and whether they like it or not, Georgians and Armenians are the most natural allies in the Caucasus. First we need to overcome a few territorial disputes [historic Armenian lands in southem Georgial,

and this is one area where the Armenian people could agree to a political compromise and yield to the Georgians, in the AlM, January 1991

If they are able to ply this same talent for flexibility and far-sightedness in coming to terms with the fact that the Armenian Question can never be obliterated, and that sooner or later they have to join the world public

opinion in officially recognizing the crime of Genocide... if modern Turkey, as they call themselves, finally sees the light and acknowledges the Armenian Genocide and also, after coming to the realization that it has not succeeded in the past 50 years and will never succeed in populating the Armenian lands in eastem Turkey, takes the pen and redraws the map, then I do not think ttrat Armenians-from the ARF to the other parties and the Armenian govemment-

would not be flexible enough to abandon their aspirations for an Armenia that s[retches

from seato sea.

Interview conducted in Armenian by Harut Sassouni.an, Vartan Oslcanian and RaffiShoubookian

Fruit of Their Labor Ingenious Armenianfarmersfind their place in the California sun in lg2oana sdrteA growing grapes on his 2O-acre farm. His son, Gregg, followed him and expanded operations. Today, under the direction of

By SHIRLEY MELIKIAil ABIIBRUSTER

Connecticut to Reedley

Special to AIM rmenian farmers in Califomia's San Joaquin Valley were identified in an lmmigration Commission study at the tum of the century as innovative, risk-taking and diligent. Today, people knowledgeable about Califomia agriculture describe the Armenian farmers in those same terms and add one more higlrly successful. Armenian farmers are well known and respected throughout the state of Califomia as well as the nation and world. '"The Armenian people in agriculture, especially in the raigrapeandnee-fmit industries, are industrious and productive sin,

grants developed new techniques which dramatically boosted production. They introduced new crops and originated new varieties ofgrapes and Eee fruits," he said. Janigian, 40, is one ofthe highest ranking Armenians in the Agriculture Departrnent of Califomia. He was appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian and confirmed to a five-year term by the State Senate. It is believed the first Armenian to come to Califomia was Alexander Arakelian, who visited San Francisco on business in 1829. But Califomia's first Armenian settlerswerethe Seropian Sirlin Studio / Sacrarnento brothers-Hagop and Garabed. They came from Marzovan, Tur-

businessmen and

were instrumental in

fortlrcWestemGrow-

convincing ttreir fellowArmenians intheir

native town of

2,600-member ffade

group

of growers,

Marzovan to pull up

packers and shippers in Califomia and

stakes and travel as a grouptoFresno, which

Ari-

zona.

'Through their foresight and hard work, these industries continue to thrive today,"

theydescribedinglowing terms as the "Garden of Eden." State committee chairman Bruce Janigian

she said.

California Agricultural Labor Relations Board Chairman Bruce J. Janigian said the

of Armenians to Califomia agriculture simply cannot be overstated. "Within a generation, Armenian immi-

contribution

cultivate 1,000 acres in Fresno and Tulare counties and operate a modem, computerized packing house. Within five years, Surabian Packing Co.'s annual production is expected to exceed more than 2 million packages of soft fruit and specialty fruit crops, according to Dennis Surabian, company president. A leader in the industry, the firm's sales are expected to approach $10 million this year.

"Our 'Denny Boy' label and trademark of quality since it was

has been a symbol

established in 1947," he said.

key, in 1881. These early settlers

women," saidBarbara Buck, spokeswoman

ers Association,

his grandsons Dennis and Jerry, the Surabians

The children of those pioneers continued the

tradition and many farms, packing houses and related operations today are in the second and third generation of Armenian ownership. One such family is the Surabians of Reedley, California. Murad Surabian moved his family from

AlM, January 1991

The company ships nectarines, plums, apricots, white peaches, apples, pomegranates, persimmons, kiwi fruit and oranges to major supermarkets. Responding to the growing and increasingly competitive marketplace, the Surabians are constantly improving equipment and undertaking consumer research studies. In 1988 they completely refurbished theirpacking house with a computerized weight sizer and l6 lanes for packing operations. A $1.5

million expansion project for their cold -

facility this winter will double the their plant to I 33,750 square feet. In the raisin industry, a major producer is National Raisin Co. of Fowler, Calif., storage

size of

owned by brothers Emest, I(rikor and Ken-

neth Bedrosian and two

of their

sons.

fig and melon industries. In the late 1880s, Henry Markarian and his son succeeded in producing the white Adriatic fig for the first time in the United States. They also produced other varieties and became the largest fig growers in the United States, controlling 20 percent of domestic the

production.

KrikorArakelian came to Fresno in 1883 at the age of 12 and eventually pioneered melon production in the United States. He and his brotherHarry cultivated 3,000 acres of melons with a 1,500-man work force and were recognized as the "Melon Kings" of the SanJoaquin Valley. '! = f

o .I

Surabians cultivate 1,0(X) acres

Krikor Arakelian ventled into rai-

also

c sin and wine produc-

tion. His "Mission label made him the first

National's "Champion" brand raisins is the third largest brand in the United States. "We process about 30,000 tons of raisins annually liom our own farms and other growers," said Emest Bedrosian, president

Bell" wine

Armenianmulti-mil-

Califomia Recognized as

lionaire in

of the company. "and we export raisins to 30countries through our subsidiary, Champion Raisin International."

"Melon King" of the Imperial Valley was

Organizingthe industry

who arrived in San

"In the raisin industry, most of

the pack-

ers are Armenians and there would be no Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) without the Armenians," he said. In 1969 he led efforts to organize the association and was its first president. The RBA negotiates the price growen will receive for their raisins from independent packers.

Today the RBA represents about 2,000 growers and

Vahan Azhderian,

Nectarines are packed at Surabians'packing plant

marketing of raisins. He pushed hard for govemment marketing orders that would regulate the amount of production and marketing of raisins. He was namedchairman AIM Photo / Mike Chen

of both the Federal

Raisin Advisory Board and Federal Raisin Adminisra-

40 percent of the

tion

raisin tonnage pro-

which were formed in 1949 to enforce

duced in California. Vaughn Kol-

igian is

the

association's general manager.

Another prominent Armenian in the raisin industry

was the late A.

"Sox"

Setrakian,

Committee

the orders.

He served as chairman of both groups

for22years until he resigned in 1971. "Without'Sox'there would have been no RAC," said Emest Bedrosian.

who was involved

in wine produc-

lntoducingvvhite

tion, but was best known for helping

fig, melon

to establish order

nians also pioneered

out ofchaos in the

the development of

Fresno area Arme-

AlM, January 1991

Franciscoin 1890at theageof 14. Healso

planted the first

grapevines in that region. Other enterprising Armenians have been credited with introducing the yellow watermelon, Persian, Kassaba, Diyarbekir and Turkish melons and the Armenian cucumber to American markets.

Ikikor Anlanian of Yettem, Calif., prepared the first sulphur-dipped raisins for commercial use, a forerunner of the golden bleach process that resulted in the California golden seedless raisin. By 1930, Armenians controlled Fresno's wholesale fruit and vegetable business. Armenians also owned 40 percent of the county's raisin acreage and represented 25

percent of its raisin growers. They inno' vated the fancy fruit gift packages and became the leading dried-fruit packers and treâ&#x201A;Ź-fruit shippers. "Despite these successes, it wasn't until the 1950s that Armenian farmers began moving into positions of leadership in the state agricultural system," said lron Garoyan, director of the Center for Cooperatives of the University of Califomia and an Emeritus Economist with UC in agricultural economics.

Armenians have conquered the state's agri-

cultural frontiers, they have nrmed their eyes toward their horneland and are introducing the latest agricultural techniques to the Republic of Armenia." In aproject initiated by Dr. Hazarabedian,the

University of Califomia at Davis has entered into an agreement with Armenia to work on improving farm production in the homeland. Dr. Hazarabedian led a delegation that included Ron Khachigian on a trip to Armenia in the fall of 1989 to explore ways to

improve farm production. The delegation issued a 5O-page report on the project which AIM Photo / Mike Chen

Dick Marlorian: "Agriculturist of 1990. Garoyan said Armenians eventually served on ttre boards ofcooperatives for fiuit, grapes and wines. They also helped found the Raisin Bargaining Association.

One of Califomia's dedicated champions

of agriculture has been Dick Markarian of Fresno. He was named l990 "Agriculturist of the Year' by the Califomia State Fair Agriculture Advisory Committee. Markarian came to Fresno County at the age of 7

Dr.

Ar*nr

Hazarabedian, agricultural econo'

mist and who serves on the Chancellor's Council of UC Davis, said that in Sacramento, Armenians are considered leaders in agriculure. "Armenians have climbed through the roles

ofpeasant, sharecropper and rancher; now they have risen from toilers ofthe soil to the higher offices of agriculture," he said .

outlines a four-year plan to be financed at $250,000 a year. As Armenian farmers look to the future, they see more hard work, ard even a few unexpected natural catastrophes such as the worst cold in more than half a century that hit Califomia in December and devastated the state's $8 billion fruit and vegetable industry, but a lot more success is ar','aiting them. "The pattem of success will continue it's ingrained," Garoyan said. "I'm meeting

third-generation Armenian farmers now. They're university trained. Some even have

and worked in the fields and packing houses

Helping Armenia

as a youth. In 1935 he rented a farm and later bought it. Today, he and his children own or lease 1,500 acres on which they grow grapes, cotton, com and almonds. He

Janigian, Califomia's Agricultural Labor Relations Board chairman, said: "Now that

has served more than three decades on the Califomia Raisin Advisory B oud, 22 years

How Armenians Savsd French Vineyards Struck by Blight

as chairman.

With the election of Gov. George Deukmejian

1980, Armenian farmers

moved into positions that impacted the poli cies of state agriculhre, said Garoyan, himself the son of a farmer in Fowler. "When Richard Peters became chairman of the Califomia Board of Agriculture, that was the stafi of our influence," said Garoyan. Peters, a Fresno farmer, was appointed to the post by Gov. Deukmejian in 1983.

Buck said Westem Growers Association has many Armenian members and directors on its board. One of the directors, Ron Khachigian, is senior vice president in charge of operations for Blackwell Land Co., Inc. in Kem County. Blackwell, a privately owned New York firm, has 10,000 acres of wine grapes, almonds, lettuce, onions, garlic and carrots. Its annual sales total $10 million. "I noticed that since Deukmejian became govemor, non-Armenians have developed

a great deal of respect for Armenians," Khachigian said. "It's a welcome situation."

resno's Armenian farmers played a key role in saving the French wine industry from a disaster of camsrophic proportions toward the end of the lgth century. French wine gmpe* had been intnoduced to Califomia earlier in the century and they flourished in virnyards culti-

E r

vatedby Armenians. The Armenian immigrants from the Caucasus region brought with them agriculnral skilts dating back many years, from a landthat intre. duced nrlips, apricots and other ag-

ricultural producB to far flung areas of the globe and ttrey applied ttreir expertise to the cultivation of their vineyards.

France's wines, particularly those from the Bordeaux and Champagne regicns, acquired ahigh reputation as the mostelegant in the world. Then disaster struck. In 1863, the root louse Phylloxera vastaffix, meaning "leaf withener," sucked the life out of

AlM, January 1991

MBAs."

dreir rmxs;,the leav.es fell offand the virmp died. The louse iBelf survived to attack future plantings. The plague spread with devastating speed. By the erd of the 1800s the root louse had infeoted all of the Rhone Val@, the- Bordeaux region,and Ctslrl pagae. In the end, ttn solution,l+t& simple.

It was discovercd that natiYe, American vines resisted the parasite, but theii grapes yielded wire' of poorer guality. By grafting Europeat vinifera vines onto Atn !. can roolstock growers could have the best of both worlds. The hardy cuttings grown mostly in ttp Arrnenian'v.ine', yards were sent to ttre resc*e of the French wine industry. At first, conservative growers argued agains grafting noble vines onto

vulgarroots. But necessity triumphed ovef nicety. Once begun, the rapid reconsdMon of France's vineya'ds was miraculous.

3-t

Ad Man's Secret: Enthusiasm Louis Hagopian Became All He Could 8e... and More By ZANKU ARIIIENIAN Contfbuting W;iter

a3 panl

his is your brain [showing an eggl This is your brain on drugs- [eggs frying in a frying Any questions?" Most people,

particularly the young, recall this advertisement that depicts the harmful effects of using illegal drugs. What may not be common knowledge, however, is that an Armenian-American by the name of [-ouis T. Hagopian has been an integral part of this anti-drug campaign since its inception. The anti-drug TV spot mentioned above is part of a

can, Hagopian was bom and raised in Pontiac, Michigan. His father was from a village near Erzurum, presently in eastern Turkey. Soon after immigrating to the U.S., the family he left behind became victims of the Genocide. His mother, on the other hand, was from a town called Sungrulu, which is near today's Ankara. Hagopian studied business at Michigan State University and served as a naval officer. He is married and has three children, all in careers ranging from television to advertising to law. Hagopian started his career as a district manager for General Motors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later

thatpoint, he joined N.W. Ayeras manager of its Detroit office. Six years later, in 1967, Hagopian was made manager of Ayer's New York office. In 1973 he became vice chairman of the company and in 1976 he was made chairman and CEO of tlre entirc company. Hagopian says, ''I tlrurght that when I was made manager of the Deffoit office [of N.W. Ayer] that I was way beyond what I ever had dreamed of being." He says his philosophy throughout his career has been not to look too far ahead in terms of his career. 'Tust take one project at a time and if you do yourjob, someone will

reward you. I never was one for plotting or

complaining to any superior that I wasn't 'growing,' which always tumed me offas a boss."

If you think you don't know any of the advertising campaigns that Hagopian has been involved in, think again. Do the ad slogans "Reach Out and Touch Someone" (AT&T), "A Diamond is Forever" (DeBeen),or"Be All YouCan Be" (J.S. Army)

campaign started

1986 by the Partnership

for a Drug-Free America. The Partnership,

coalition

of major advertising agen-

cies. media outlets and â&#x201A;Źtovernments. was spearheaded and founded by Hagopian, who was then chairman of the American Association of Advertising

Agencies (4A).

was

formed to organize the larg-

est pro-bono educational campaign in the history of the United States.

The campaign cunently delivers approximately $l million worth of advertising per day in an effort to

deglamorize illegal drugs. according to James Burke, the current chairman of the

Partnership and former

chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson.

Hagopian: "People grow old only by deserting their ideals"

At that time, Hagopian also was chairman of N.W. Ayer, the nation's l7th largest advertising agency wittr offices in twelve countries, aposition he had held since 1976 until his retirement a year ago. Hagopian continues to play an active role in the Partnership, of which he is currently the vice chairman. A second-generation Armenian-Ameri-

in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1953, at age 28, he joined Chrysler Corp. as a national sales promotion manager for Dodge cars. l.ater in l956he became director of advertising and sales promotion forthe Plymouth division, which was then Chrysler's largest division.

It was 1960 when Hagopian's career switched from corporate client to being the agency man for the Plymouth account. At AlM, January 1991

sound familiar? Other companies that can

Ayer's clients include: Proctor & Gamble, Gillette and Citicorp, just to name a few. What kind of person does it take to succeed in the advertising agency business? The kind of person that would be most successful in advertising, according to Hagopian, is "the person who is an enthusiast and who wants to pass on that enthusibe counted among N.W.

asm to others; those are people who are usually very good in advertising. If you really don't get enthused and you really don't care, it's very difficult to persuade

says that the Turkish govemment is after a couple of things in the United States. 'The Turks are still after money from this country and they also want to get in the Euro.

money there." Hagopian says that Armenians in the West, particularly those with expertise in manufacturing, can be helpful by assisting in establishing factories in

somebodymrysomething

Armenia that can produce

or buy something." Hagopian encourages

goods forexport andthus

Uring in money to the S country. Thatistheonly E type of investment that j will build a consumer 61

Armenian-American youth topursue advertising if that is where their interests lie. "If someone like me can make it, I don't know why other Armenian kids

o economyinArmenia

can't

make it," exclaims Hagopian. "I would as-

Hagopian, one gets the impression that he is a man who is in the prime of his career, not someone who is retired. Per-

sume that in America to-

day almost every field should be open to Armenians."

haps this can be explained

by some thoughts he expressed in a speech

Though not deeply involved in the community, Hagopian does hold some l{agopian with President Bush strong opinions about ispean community. They've been rejected sues that affect ttre Armenian-American comby ttre European community so they think issue, munity today. On the Genocide they ought to get as much money as they Hagopian finds the continuing denial by can from this country." the Turkish govemment deplorable. "I have On the positive side, Hagopian is very often wondered if anybody, any Armenian interested in the situation in Armenia today. group, ever tried to talk to the Turkish gov"I certainly never dreamed that in my lifeemment to make them understand that it time there might be an independent Armedrives Armenians crizy to keep telling [us]

thatour mothers and fathers liedto us about the massacres," says Hagopian. "Every Armenian is entitled to just go up the wall when he reads that the Turks have told people and bought people off to say that it [Armenian Genocide] just didn'thappen or that it was a minor incident." Hagopian

E-r,-rlrrr-rrrr--rt! r--.L----z-

Armenian county, not just a puppet Russia. It gives Armenians in this country a tremendous opportunity to be helpful in any way we possibly can," says Hagopian. '"The problem in Armenia like all of Eastern Europe, is that there aren't consumer economies because there isn't any

ni4

state of

. .

AUTOACCIDENTS PRODUCTSLIABILITY

O MALPRAC]ICE O - WRONGFULDEATH O - TOXIC & CHEMICAL INJURIES O GENERAL, CIVIL & BUSINESS

your despair. "In the central place ofevery heart, there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages ofbeauty, hope, cheer and courage, so long are you young. When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only, have you grown oId...."

ROBEHI'DOURIAN &

-4

delivered to N.W. Ayer employees upon his retirement. "Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as

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one copy, with each promotional mailing. ln our effort to reach out to our communities worldwide,we are compelled to use as many mailing lists as are available to us from various sources. ln such instances we urge you to pass those extra copies to friends and relatives. Aim is in @nstant lookout for professionally compiled and updated mailing lists, and any assistance lrom our readers to that effect will be highly appreciated. It is a United States Postal Service law that any new publication be delivered by a third class mail for some period unill it meeb certain requirements for a second class stiatus. We ask lor your tolerance (for few more months) for any inconveniences that may result from the delays caused by the third class mail delivery, which may range from three to 45 days, depending on the postmaster's workload.

The tragedy of the Armenian earthquake isn't just the people who died ....

It's the children they lett behind. The Armenian earthquake has left thousands of children homeless, hungry and alone. With the onset of winter, many continue to live in overcrowded, makeshift shelters. Your help is desperately needed to pay for food, housing, clothing and medical care. As you exchange gifts with your loved ones this holiday season, remember the orphans of Armenia. Your love and compassion can relieve the misery. And bring a smile to a child's face. Here's what your gift can do:

_ -_ -

Name: Address:

$100 will provide a child with food, clothing and school supplies for 6 months $200 will help achild for a year $1000 will help 5 children for a year Other

YES, Im enclosing my gift of $

City/StateZip:

llako youl taxdedrctiUe check paydle to

to help the Armenian orphans.

Alf,rw^rmenian EartftquC(e OrDhan Fwd

Mailwith yourgiftto : Armenian Missionary Association ofAmerica '140 Forest avenue

Paramus, NJ 07652

AlM, January 1991

,Tr{E LAW

orrrc,u or

Hurtling into the Guinness Book By GURGEN KHAZHAKIAN AltYercvanBureau

f or their spectacular achievement, two F ar*.ni* atlrletes-)-gor Nersisyan, a long-distance swimmer, and Seiran Farmanian, 8, a squatting champion * have been listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Nersisyan, whose parents hail from Kara-

bagh, was honored for swimming across Lake Sevan (a distance of 45 kilometers) in 15 houn, 59 minutes and 37 seconds in June of last year. The feat was performed

while the water temperature in ttre alpine lake was l2to 14 degrees. And it was wit-

with Amtenia

Nersisvan with his son holdin!, the Guinrcss @rtiticate one has to leam to hold his breath for long periods of time. At the age of 12, I was able

minutes." [,ater, Nenisyan was motivated by the achieve-

to hold my breath for four

ments of the distinguished American swimmer Linn Coxe, who swam across the Ber-

ring Straits (water temperature 7 degrees)

nessed by Donald McFarlan and Norris McWhirter, official record keepers of the Guinness Book of Records. Swimming was a natural sport for Nersisyan, since he was bom in the vicinity of the Caspian Sea, where he spent most of his boyhood years in seaside recreational activities.

in 2 hours and 5 minutes. And to impress the Soviet Goskomsport with his own swimming skills, Nersisyan swam a distance of 32 kilometers along the Yalta seashore in the Crimea (water tfmperature 15 degrees) in 13 hours and 15 minutes.

"We even got interested in underwater hunting," Nenisyan said. "While diving,

swam such a long distance," he said.

"Now,

I can hold my

for l0

"It was the frst time in my life that I breath under water

82ffi n,affiE PG8

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swam across the Great Sevan because

McWhirter. His father, a prominent sportsman in the past, started to ffain Seiran before he had reached ttre age of 4. His routine included power exercises, the use of dumbbells and walking on his hands. Two years ago, he

it was my dream to do so as an Armenian. Sevan is one ofournational treasures. When I finished my hea! I was welcomed at ttre shore by 25,000 of my compatriots. It was an inspirational reception." Nersisyan fur-

o therdisclosedthat 3 his future plans in-

j minutes.

9. dented feat of p swimmingacross ! Lake Baikal in g August. "It will $ beaverydanger$ ousfeat,"hesaid. 3 'Itisknownasthe

would

need only a few weeks of training to prove that I can. In the winteq I enjoy fishing under water. After swimming for

15minutes,Tyryy

killer lake. But I am not afraid.

ffi

is conditioned to dive hundreds of times, and at depths of as low as 30 meters. "People often ask me what I believe in. I

tell them that I believe in the 'great harmony of man and nature.' Unfortunately, people don't observe the Ten Command-

ments

of God. We don't improve our-

selves.

Lepotar

cludettreunprece-

were a scoun-

drel, the seawould

have swallowed me up a long time ago. And I am not planning any special training for that expected heat." Young Seiran Farmanian, who has been

called the "wonder kid," made the Guinness Book of Records for squatting 3,124 times during a one-hourperiod. His achievement was also witnessed by McFarlan and

saw an American boy featured on television

for squatting 2,800 times. What he saw gave him ample motivation to emulate the feat. A year ago, he went beyond that total. He reached the 3,000 mark, and on March 23, 1990, he went as high as 3,124 squars the total that eamed him a listing in the Guinness Book. But he did not stop there. There was more to achieve. On September 20, he reached a new high of 3,490 squats. There are also three other athletes in Armenia who are hopeful that someday they will be listed in Guinness. They are Grigor Margarian, a resident of the Ashnak village who can walk 37 kilometers while uninterruptedly tottering a ball; Robert Galastyan of Artashat, who is capable of pulling a 12ton Soviet lorry for six meters with a rope attached to his teeth, and l0-year-old Koryrn Tovmasyan of Etchmiadzin, who can lift a 6.5-kilo weight 798 rimes in 25 minutes. Currently, all three are listed in the Armenian Records Book (Diutsaawgirk). r

COMPUTERS AND CONSULTING

e Aecounting (Pemhtree, Arqrack, Reat World, etc.)

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I Insurance (MVRs, Reports, AcrcountinB, Word- processing, etc.) o Graphlcs (Microsoft Windows ver 3.0,-Eervard, ' Corel ErawnPagemak*r) r' r t Wordproqesslng (Microsoft lVord, Mi*rrlsftWorks, Wordperteel, Wordstar, etc.) r Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Itotus 123, Borland euaEro pro etc.) f Database {Ashtolr/Tde.Dbase IV, Microsoft Worka,-Borland ..,

PARADIOX, etc.)

o lus1op{rygramrrd{9., o Tectrtieal SupporL tr'râ&#x201A;Źe installation and 2 hours of :Irnlnlng wlth wery computer purchase. ,

a Pcrmnal Computers business models)

sales (XT Models to

AT .496

o Sr*lity se_rviee for IBM and IBM Compatibles. o Psssonol Computer servlce maintenance contracts.

Petreoual Computer upgrades (Graphics, Memory, Hard Disk, Tape Bmkups, etc.) Crxnputer aided destgn worhstation (CAD) Dol Matrix printers (Selkosha 9 pin to 24 pin with up to 9 oxi.$rn-al fonts & I\ILQ option). laser Prlirtcm {fiP, Canon, Panasonic, Alps,Brother,etc.) o Sup-plies/Ae*ssorles (Dlskettes, Modems, Mouse, Tape backups, etc.) Networks (Novell), Sitka, Artlsoft, etc. Complete inotatlation for computers and programs.

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we provide in house or at your facility training for every program we sell in English an-d Annenian languages for any level of computer knowledge. Special quantity pricing for corporate bry"r., sihool{ colleges & universities, in Califomia and iationwide. Financing or leasing

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AT LEPOTAR, WEWILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD

AlM, January 1991

Not a criminal nor a martyr

-TENGiUEFITAI\T

'MoEELsr lNc.

"I feel like I'm walking on a cloud," rejoiced Dr. Jack Kevorkian as he heard the Mchigan judge dismiss trc fi rstdegree mrnder charges brought

-]P]EO]PL]E--W against him

for helping

suicide or assisting it, prosecutom had no case against Kevorkian, the judge said in dismissing the charge against the 62-yearold retired pathologist who had invented the suicide machine. Despite the dismissal, Kevorkian, of Royal Oak, Michigan, is not

ft,ee to again use his device, which remains

in police custody. "My ultimate aim is to positive experience," said Dr. Kevorkian, who has stirred a national debate on the moral aspect ofsuicide and a make euthenasia

patient's right to choose

death.

John Nazarian. Five years afterhe was narrowly edged out for the presidency, Nazar-

ian, who has spent his entire career at

'The right man for the right iob"

A fun-f,rlled week of festivities kicked off the official inauguration ceremony of the eighth president of Rhode Island College, After living in forced exile in the United States for almost two years, political dissident Paruyr Hayrikian

Providence's highest school, became its top adminisfiator. "He is the right man, at the rigt time, for the right job," said an RIC board member. A Rhode Island native, Nazarian, 57, is highly regarded as a hnancial manager. In his inauguration address, Nazarian emphasized his roots, noting that he was one of l1 children of Armenian immigrants from Syria who ran a mill until the Depression forced the family to sell everything. He was the first in his family to attend college. Before becoming a teacher, Nazarian aimed toward a career in music first, as a concert violinisr He has also played the oud (Middle Eastem lute) for 40 years, including petformances with Danny Thomas. Pictured, Nazarian is wearing the Charles B. Willard Medallion, symbol of RIC's

highestoffrce.

Home at Last

set foot in Armenia again in November and received a hero's welcome at Yerevan airport. His return to ttre homeland was made possible by a resolution of the Soviet Parlia-

ment to rescind a decree that re-

voked his Soviet citizenship. Immediately after aniving in Yerevan, Hayrikian, who was elected a deputy in the May elections, was led to the Armenian Parliament by Prresident

lrvon Ter-Peftosyan. I

AlM, January 1991

Professional Modelmakino ArchiteEts Develooers Museums Marketers

for

APPIOII{TED

ELECTED JohnS.Simoniaq25,

was elected to the Rhode IslandHouseof Representatives in the Novemberelections. A third-year law sfirdent

at Boston Univenity, Simonian istheyoungest Armenianelected to public office in the United States. He previously served as legislative aide to Sen. Claiborne Pell @-RI). He will represent ttre 27th Disrict of Rhode Island-the smallest state in the Union.

ance company in the United States. He was promoted in November but will not replace the present chairman until I 992. Chookaszian joined tlrc Chicago-based compan y n 197 5 , and rose through the frnancial operations to become vice president ofcorporate finance and controller ofboth CNA lnsurance and

Ih.VailanGrigorftm, president of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Islan4 wasappointedbyPresi-

dent George Bush to dreJ.Wiliamtulbright Foreiga Scholarship Board. Dr. Grigorian

will

serve on the board through September

Colony of Petersboroug[ New Hampshireretneat established in 1907 to provide artists with private space and time to pursue their work.

theArmenianMission-

ary Association of of

America. Janjigrar1

BenonSevan,aCy-

Franklin l,akes, New Jersey, was elected unanimously at the AMAA's November meeting and succeeds two-year president

prus-born Armenian who joined the United Nations Secretariat in 1985, was appointed

Dr. Hrair P. Hovnanian. A native of Aleppo,

b*.12

Syna and president of his import/export finn, Janjigian was first elected to the 72year-old association's board in 1960, and has held numerous posts within the group. He and his wife Lucy established an endowment fund in 1981 to provide income for various AMAA projects.

Stepan Poghosyan replaced Vladimir Movsisyan as fint secretary of the Cental Committee of the Armenian Communist Party in elections held during the party's 29th annualcongress in Yercvan- Poghosyan

is a historian and has been the director of the ArmenPrrss news agency and tlre Armenian State Radio & Television.

by UN Secre-

tary- General Javier Perez de Cuellaras coordinatoron

Humani-

tarian and Economic Aid Programs for Afghanistan. Sevan, 53, is the highest rank-

ing Armenian in the world body. He will continue his post as special reprcsentative of the Secreary-General in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Dennis H. Chookaszian,47, has been named chairman and

chief executive of CNA hsurance-tlre eighth largest insur-

LIFESIYIJ:

How do Annenians arurndtlrc

wqldrelax? Wlue & tley vmtion? What are *Eirhobhies?

INSTITUIIONS: A rcguhr series of mqju Annenian organizdms dehts with a tluepart

pofile of

political

prties.

EC(}llO0,fY: Cuen@ing a joint venaue in Arnpnia? We strow you dre pitralls, ee stnmr$mdthehws. SOCIAL: We hok at tln Arnurian wqnan

ttrclrangcs in herlife. TECXIN(XIrcY: In tb wnpuff age, we arc y$ to haYE a ffirrdd Alme'lian ke,ilildthen and now,

AIM dso ewhrfies diftm{* Arwrian wud pocessing softtilarE

fq botr

IBM-cum@Ei$Erns.

rhe !,lacimosh

and has 15,000 employees.

l992,helprngto decide an annual program of 5,000 student and faculty exchanges involving 120 parnrer countries. He has also been named chairman of the McDowell

a working

Edward Janjigian is the new president of

the CNA Financial Corporation. The company reported assets of $28.7 billion in 1989

SFORTS: kr differentcounries, young Armenian* ap 6spsgi11g as tomorrow's champions in variotrs sputs. Af,.IS; Armeniaru are well-lnown collecton of and &lâ&#x201A;Źrs in arts and aatiques. We showcaseafew.

FOLffICS: How

effective is the Arnrcnian lobby inwashington, D.C.? AIM goes to Capr-

tolHilt JIISIICE: cal

pismus

(ID

We pay a visit to Anrrcnian politiaroturd the world and their cause.

ARMff{IAN COMMUNIIES: The serie.s dnuesfris yeu witr sopovers in lvlassachust&' Ca&ad4 dle U.K, Italy, Syriq kbarrcn, Inrtir mdAusfralia

AlM, January 1991

Judy GmtryCheteyan has been named direc-

tor,Member& Section Relations Group, Ql.ral-

ity and Human

Resources of the Society of Automotive Engineers, based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. SAE Intemational is

an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of mobility technology to better serve humanity.

REAPPIOINTED Set Momjian was reappointedby President George Bush to the

United States HolocaustMemorialCoun-

cil for a term of five years. Momjian,

afor-

mer member of the Council, was one of five members swom in Dec. 17 by Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan. The Memorial Council was established by Congress in 1980 to plan and build the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

DIED Anton Kochinian, formerchairman of the Armenian Council of Ministers and first secreAry of the Armenian Communist Party Cennal Committee (196-7 4), passed away December 1. He was 77. Kochinian is considered to be the founder of the Armenian nuclear power station at Medzamor.

OONVICTED Nazareth and Vahe Andonian, two [,os Angeles gold taders, on Dec. 27 wercerch convicted by a Federal jury of 25 money laundering counts, each count carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The two brothers, who immigrated from Beirut, were part of a $l billion operation that laundered Colombian drug money through

the jewelry markets Angeles andHouston.

of New Yorlq tos

Harmony forthe Beyond

center, called the "moving/instinctual center," is gravitated in the solar plexus. It uses the language of sensations and concems

Gurdjieff: the Mystic and his Music lopsided wheel, while Gurdjieff was un-

By GERSHON SIEGEL

earthing an already rounded one forged long before by humanity's first psychiatrists-'tlre

Special to All{

mystics. Modem psychology is only now he 42 yean since the death of

George

Ivanovirch Gurdjieffhave done lirle to erase theenigma sunounding this mystic philosopher. Not his book nor the hundreds of others he inspiredtowrite have made his name a household word. It could even be argued that no other man in modem history has had such a profound impact on Westem thought and yet remained so

beginning to acknowledge the mystical frathat those ancient sciences provided a rich un-

ditions. Gurdjieff long ago realized derstanding

the

for

gy's main thrust has always been therapeutic

tem. At the tum of the century

than not come down to some form of be-

he emerged

chosen initiates. This "system" and similar ones inspired by it continue to this day to be disseminated by hundreds of discrete groups spreadthroughoutdozens of countries around the world.

Gurdieff was born in Alexandropol (I-eninakan after the Revolution, recently renamed to Gumairy by the council of the quake-ravaged Armenian city), during the Russo-Turkish war of 1877. His family soon migrated to Kars-the former capital of Armenian kings-where he grew up. His

in nature. Its limited scope is to help a patient'tope" with aper-

ceived dysfunction. This has more often

havior modification whose aim is to some-

how circumvent the dysfunction. Gurdjietr argued that man still was an evolving, incomplete being. He posited that ttris incompleteness underlined all dysfunctions and that mere behavior modification was insufficient

for tue evolution to

mother being Armenian and his father Greelq

happen. Somekindof

it was

alchemical, ransforma-

natural that he leamed those languages as well as Turkish and Russian. No doubt his fluency in these idioms served him well as he taveled extensively throughout the Middle East and beyond, searching for- the meaning of life. He posed as a searnan, a crafuman, a handyman, a rug merchant, a healer, a hypnotisg a spy for various govemments and other guises that he needed to furttrer his aim at frnding what he termed'bbjective knowledge." As Freud and his contemporaries were groping blindly to sketch out the unseen territory of the human psyche, Gurdjieff was piecing together his own map of man's inner world. His models were those he foundhidden away in monasteries forthousands of years. Freud was reinventing a

stnessed that

improving it. Westem psycholo.

completely obscure. At a time when Freud was developing his theories of psychoanalysis, Gurdjieff was gathering up ancient techniques for self-perfection from Middle Eastem, Christian and Tibetan traditions and amalgamating them into his own unique coherent sys-

in St. Petersburg and began to teach "the system" to a small inner circle of hand-

of the individual. Gurdjieff

of Bennett Elookâ&#x201A;Ź / Santa Fe, NM

mechanism of the human psyche as well as practical techniques

itself with the voluntary and involuntary functioning of the body. Ideally, in the fully developed man, all three centers function in a totally harmonious way. However, according to Gurdjietr, man inhis presentstate of evolution is dominated by either one ofthese centers or another, depending upon his type and conditioning. Nature brings man to a certain point in his development and any further progress requires ceftain efforts on the part

G.l. Gurdiieff

tive action was required for man to reach his full potential. Before this, however, a human nepded to observe and understand his "machine." Gurdjieff describes man's makeup as

bringing these three centers into harmoni-

consisting ofthree distinct yet interdependent centers. Each of these centers has its own locality, language, speed and domain. The frst center, called the'flrinking center," is located in the brain. It uses the language of words andconcepts and moves the slowest of the three centers; its domain is the intellect. The second center, called the "feeling center," is located in the chest; its language is that of impressions perceived with the eyes and ears. It moves the fastest and presides over the emotions. The third

Gurdjiefffelt that ttre naturally occurring imbalance in man of one 'tentef' over another was the root of individual pathology and that war was merely a country's extension of its citizens' individual psychosis. Gurdjieffs chief aim for himself was the ending of war and he attempted to do this by teaching people how to bring themselves into balance. This aim which he had set for himself was the result of his years of searching for the objective tuth. During this search Gurdjieffcame across

AlM, January 1991

ous balance was man's primary aim in life.

He called this pursuit "working on oneself," and a person engaged in this action was said to be "in the work."

knowledge conceming the effects of sound and movement upon the human psyche. He became convinced that the disparate parts of man's mental, physical and emotional makeup could become harmonized through the scientific use of music and dance. While

living and studying in esoteric schools, such as Sufism, throughout the Middle East and Tibet, he was exposed to sacred dance and music which later became an integral part

with some additional music by l,aurence Rosenthal. Rosenthal also plays piano on an earlier release of Gurdjieff/de Hartman mlusic called Hymnsfrom A Great Temple, released on a private label in 1977. In 1980, acclaimed pianist Keith Jarret released an album called G.L

Gurdji$/kcred

Hymns on the ECM label. There is also a

four-album anthology called Music of Gurdjieff/de Harnnan,

withThomasde Hartman on the piano, re-

of his teaching. With the help of Rus-

leased

siancomposerThomas de Hartman, Gurdieff catalogued the music thathehadheand, along with the dances he had seen in these schools.

by Triangle

in 1985. is probably definitive Gurdjieff/de Editions, [nc.

B rni,

$ # g 3

Their collaboration, with Gurdjieff hum-

Hartmanbutyou may find it difficult to locateunless you know someone involved in

.d the "work." The most recent re-

ming the melodies in de Hartman's ear, and

= lease inthis idiom and

de Hartman ffansposing them and fillingthe gaps, haslefttheworld

most readily available is an album ironically tilded Joumeys to In-

a body of music that

crcc e s sible P lac e s,

with pianist Elan Sicroff.

rivals any of the world's great musical uaditions.

Unfortunately, relatively few people are

Mr. Sicroff, a protege of Madame de Hart-

Thomas de llartman

man, hasbeenpresent-

aware of this music and even fewer have it. This is largely because the ffaditional Gurdjieff group will only show a student the dances when he or she has demonsEated a sincere effort to "work on himself." This often means coming to group meetings for as much as a year or more before the more "esoteric" knowledge is revealed to the neophye. Anyone who has ever participated in the Gurdjieff Movements knows that the experience is something quite rare in the everyday world. There are few instances in life that so demand an engagement of the physical, emotional and mental aspects of our beings. The efforts required to listen to the sacred music while doing the sacred dances make possible, for some at least, ttrat alchemical, transformational experience that Gurdjieff claimed was necessary for our ever heard

harmonious development. Of course it is not practical for everyone to hang around with a Gurdjieff group for years waiting to hear the music and leam the dances. However, it is possible to rent the Peter Brook film on GurdjiefPs early life,

cdld Meaings with Rerrurl<able

Men, v,ftich

shows a few brief but tantalizing minutes of sacred dance. Its sensational soundtrack was released on Varese Records in 1979. Most of the music is Gutdjieff/de Hartman,

ing this music in public concerts for some 20 yean and is probably the preeminent living interpreter of the Gurdjieff/de Hartman legacy. His CD is on the EG Editions label, released in 1987.

In today's world of electonic gadgetry,

it is possible to play

a constant soundtrack of our own choice 24 houn a day. Its omnipresent "white noise" in elevators, supermarkets and dentists' ofEces have made it

easy to take all music for granted. Our ancestors, on the other han4 thought music was quite special. Some cultures thought it so special that musicians could only play for religious and state purposes. Anyone who has ever really listened to a Beethoven or a Mozart knows that there is some music which has an unseen power that can alter a mood or even invite a transcendent experien@.

Of course we have all heard the wives' tale about music's ability to soothe the savage beast. Like much folk wisdom which finds its way into popular culture, there is often a deeper truth hidden in the obvious. For anyone interested in a deeper truth, listening to the music of Gurdjieffmight be a satisffing experience indeed.

Siqel isawriterba*d - Gershon Santa Fe, lGrw fulertco.

AlM, January 1991

sos. forA Rhapr"d, Maverick AR]IIIENIA sfcrov

oF rHE GENTURY

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Large-format hard-cover book published in Finland, exclusively distributed in U.S. and Canada by NAASR Armenian Book Clearing House.

$45.00(list); $38.00 (for NAASR

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PERSEVERANCE AND THE ARMENIAN CAUSE By LawrenceTerzian

Inqtressions, Publishers Kitc'hener, Ontario, I 990 95pp., $7.95

ReviewedlorAlM

By lshkhan Jinbashian

mong the more significant consequences of the recent ideological sweep in Armenia has been, almost by a timely stroke of luck, the infusion of

but with a grain of salt. Is it any wonder, for instance, that the average Armenian youth

who has been versed in the ways of unilinear thinking at party-funded schools and clubs will suddenly experience a ffemendous sense of liberation, an almost transcendental feeling ofrelease, once he is exposed to any intellectual endeavorthat would purge him of the dismally smug, stodgy "nationalistic" ethos that he's been driven to embrace throughout his formative years? As to the very real political gains that have come about on the intemational scene

ttrough

the direct efforts of Armenian parties, the question necessarily arises as to whether a

new momentum into Armenian political

whole metaphysic of hatred is in fact im-

parties that are based in the Diaspora. In f'act, the immensely flattering vogue that these organizations currently enjoy in the homeland could easily serye to muffle the

perative for the proper management of the Armenian Cause.

fact that for decades the Diaspora's political machine has been losing ground on its home

dogmatists and poets, they've also had to face a number of valiant critics, though few and far in between. Of the latter specimen, most have been silenced, ostracized, or at best ignored, with the result that in time one of two general emotions would mechanize the Armenian psyche as far as national political institutions were concemed: either blindfolded submission or chill apathy bor-

turf.

might well be argued that the process

of decline, at least in a spiritual sense, had already taken hold with the assassination of Archbishop Tourian in I 933-a pivotal event

DISTRIBUTOR OF BOOKS IN ENGLISH ON ARMENIAN AND IRELATEDSUBJFCTS

National Association

ARABALIOZIAN:

that would give the finishing touches to the most fundamental dichotomy of the postIndependence era, and whose far-reaching psychological ravages would come close to defining the very cultural fabric of the Diaspora. That dichotomy, which even in its present relaxed form bears the imprint of Stalinist Armenia's active complicity, would not only pit one political camp against the other but, owing to its almost religious ferocity, would also sow the seeds of hatred and violence for generations to come, in eI1'ect splitting an entire nation in two (and sometimes more) belligerent factions. The dramatic shooting match of 1958, during which hundreds ofDashnags and Hunchags would mortally slug it out in the streets of Beirut, is only a minor postscript compared to the larger picture of zealotry that has cost the Diaspora much of its best energies and, more profbundly, its creative genius and

equanimity. In light ofsuch an unsavory background, then, the much-hailed cultural uses of the Diaspora's political parties cannot be taken AlM, January 1991

If the Diaspora's political parties have offaith, their legions of

had their defenders

dering on cynicism. Even fewer, and far luckier, have been those-people like Vahe Oshagan-who have been allowed to voice their criticism from x,ithin the party apparatus.

Among the mavericks of the last decade, Ara Baliozian commands the attention as one of the most consistent and prolific. Perched atop the furthermost point of the Diaspora, in Kitchener, Ontario, and happilyfree of any partisan affrliations, Baliozian has been lashing at the North American wing of the Establishment with merciless,

if somewhat homespun, candor, making himself something of a nightmare for certain circles of English-speaking functionaries, top brass and jack-in-office alike. Though Armenian weeklies have served as the platform for Baliozian's copious criticism, he has also published a number of works in book form, notably translations of Granian, Zarian, Yessayan and Zohrab, and collected writings that comprise essays, short stories,

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Armenion Studies Armenion Churc h Sludies Diversified Educotion (Armenion emphosis) Teochet Educolion Compuler Science ond Engineering Eleclronics Engineering Lose r/ O ptic ol E n g i n ee r i ng (one of very lew in the Uniled Slotes) Allilioted with the Universily of Lo Verne ond offering cross-regislrolion lor more thon 55 ocademic majors in Humonilies, Sciences ond lhe Arts. Student Body includes tolented young men on women from ocross the United Stotes ond l8

diosporon countries. Foculty ond Sioff ore outsionding professionols who ore dedicoted to excellence in higher educotion. The Arthur H. Dodion Acodemic Cenler in Lo Verne, Colifornio. The firsi permonent Armenion college building in the Western Hemisphere, this lovely new edifice is enhonced by o decorotive focode of Armenion tufo stone, This unique ond beoutiful stone olso groces the interior of the building, os well os o clossic fountoin in the courtyord ond o sculpture gorden, The Acodemic Center olso houses the Alfred

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ture ond ortifocts, The Community Cullurol Cenler in Tujungo/Glendole. Providing centrolized forum for Armenion ortists ond intellectuols, culturol ond ocodemic progroms, youth ond sociol octivities, this focility olso includes o Teocher Educotion Center, Librory ond Music Conservotory, Public Service is inherent ot AAIC. Workshops, seminort symposio ond culturol progroms ore orgonized by the College for the benefit of the community. ln oddiiion. AAIC publishes books ond pomphlets of greot scholorly interest ond volue to the public.

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book reviews, interviews, and a prize-winning novella. The thrustof Baliozian's polemic has been straightforward enough; calling for selfJiberation on a grand scale and renewal of positive strengths (with frequent references to a collective unconscious), it consists of a variegated damning of that unholy cycle of hypocrisy, ineptitude, and gutless and soulless thinking, i.e., the Armenian political culture, as the chief perpetrator of the Diaspora's spiritual doom. With a position as crystal clear as this (despite an inherent degree of generalization), and an admirably articulate polemical style to match, one would think that Baliozian is in no need of any apologists coming to his rescue. And yet precisely the opposite impression is evokeAby Ara Baliozian: Perseverqnce and the Armenian Cause, an overweening book of prarse pennea by Lawrence Terzian, who has previously written the intoductions to two of Baliozian's works.

ments, Baliozian the writer, and more importantly, Baliozianlhe man, is reduced to a mere caricature. By way of delivering the elementof completeness, Terzian has thrown in a few appendices that contain some of Baliozian's essays and a bibliography. The treatrnent, however, remains unsatisfactory. Baliozian's dogged insistence on keeping a physical distance between the Armenian world and himself, for instance, is tackled with perfunctory haste. "Nonsense, Ara will tell them. Doesn't he read reports in the Armenian joumals and weeklies?...Doesn't he listen to all political voices? Ifhe is not often in direct communication with participants, he does meet the disillusioned and disenfranchised-those who write to him or come to see him..." Since when, we must ask here, do Armenian joumals and week-

daily realities ofa real people? And to what extent can a writer, and one like Baliozian who has made it his business to fight all manner of alienation, form a sense of the totality of a culture without maintaining a direct link-and not just a haphazard series of peripheral contacts-with the very epicentra of that culture? Beyond

lies reflect the

tlre partisan antics, beyond the

"panchoonies,"

the intolerance, the delusions and fears, there

Ara Baliozian

More of a pamphlet, Perseverance purports to be "a fully documented appraisal of the writing life of...Ara Baliozian," but only rarely does it venture beyond the confines of an almost sophomoric adulation. ln a loosely dialectical fashion, Terzian sets forth some of the basic objections raised by Baliozian's critics, and then proceeds to glorify him ad nausealn, washing it all down with passages such as the following: "To responsive readers he conveys an exaltation ofsudden understanding, an intellectual as well as aesthetic realization akin, we can say, to the stimulus of profound music: totality of form, content, emotion transmuted

into enduring sensual impression." Somewhere among the clutter of aphorisms, epigrams and other lofty pronounceAlM, January 1991

is in the Diaspora, and throughout the burgeoning immigrant communities of North America in particular, a highly potent interplay of sociological and cultural currents, an evolving drama of fusions, of which neither Baliozian nor Terzian seem to have an intimate working knowledge. Another shortcoming in Terzian's project is its tendency to quarantine all of Baliozian's so-called detractors, regardless of their backgrounds or the relative validity of their arguments, in one ghastly dump, and gener-

ally to treat them as nothing more than woefully misguided heretics. For a book ttrat so unequivocally upholds the inviolable rights of the critic, its manner of responding to Baliozian's critics produces a rather comic effect, aside from doing a disservice to Baliozian's work. In short, Perseverance might pass as decent enfertainrnent during a particularly

hped-

up gattrering of discontented souls: somebody might read the book out loud, and hisses and sighs of doleful agreement will surely ensue. But if the aim is a thorough and evenhanded analysis of Baliozian's thought, let alone an enlightening critique ofthe socio-political backdrop that inspires the polemicist, we must wait for a tad more incisive offering.

Armenia Should Trade with Turkey... for lts Self{nterest By MOORAD MOOBADIAN ne significant reason that 1918 Armenia died a painful death was the Republic's failure to reach accommodations with its neighbors. Asking kvon Ter-Petrosyan and a rebom Armenia to repeat the identical error of not coming to terms with bordering states is tantamount to national suicide. Events are rapidly unfolding. Armenia is likely to be fending for

itself more rapidly than it wished, including responsibility for a large portion of its own security. Prolonging the prospects of an active enemy, 57 million strong (Turkey) on one side, and another active enemy, 7.7 million (Azerbaijan) on the other, is courting disaster.

Like itornot, Armenia's geographical prison links it wittr traditional unfiiendly nations. Most Armenians assume problems with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Georgia has not been historically friendly, is increasingly nationalistic and will expel Armenians if the nationalists take over the govemment and implement their stated programs. It is folly to believe ttrat tiny Armenia wi*r its 3.3-million population, without access to the sea, no agriculture to speak of, sparse natural resources, monumental energy problems, etc., etc., should shun a possible first step in normalizing relations with Turkey. Geopolitical realities make it essential for Armenia to begin discussions, and trade is an excellent starting point. The sooner the better. Armenia has suffered from ttre economic bankruptcy of the Communist system and the people are not going to wait forever to derive benefits from "freedom." Armenians want to eat. Emotional, Diaspora Armenians urge fledgling Armenia to fall on its sword over the Cenocide issue, "... payment of reparations and the retum of occupied territories." When the ancient Romans fell on their swords to prove their devotion-they died. Armenia must live. Turkey's stock in the U.S. Congress has skyrocketed once again thanks to the Persian Gulf crisis. A Genocide resolution is lucky to make the floor for a vote until the business with Saddam Hussein is over and the cooling-offperiod has passed. Armenians have to look reality in the eye. Turkey has more to offer the powers-that-be than an Armenia not yet recognized as a separate nation. It looks almost like a replay of the opening scenes

in 1918. Turkey has one million troops and U.S. support. What incentive for Turkey to surrendertenitory or anything else to Armenia? Even with a neuffal U.S., there is no nation in the world capable of forcing Turkey to pay reparations or to cede lands to Armenia. Concessions from Turkey must be won on diplomatic bargaining tables, and that cannot be achieved by continuing the "long-standing policy of shunning all contact with Turkey." Armenia does not have the luxury of waiting that "all outstanding issues between the two sides should first be resolved..." is there

First, starting trade with Turkey as a first step is a long measure from depending on Turkey as a trading partner. Turkey would only be one of several trade agreements. Ter-Pefrosyan's government has begun the process with several nations. Second, even with a multitude of trading partners, Armenia needs salt-water ports. The least costly and most efficient route is through Turkey. Armenia is also talking with Georgia to develop a rail routeover treacherous mountain passes that are closed for weeks during the winter months. If it is unwise to patch differences with historical enemies Turkey and Azerbaijan - is it not the same with Georgia that has not exactly been the staunchest Armenian supporter? Georgian nationalism is restive. They can seize control and oust all non-ethnic Georgians.

Thus, that hoped-for Armenian rail link to the outside world via Georgia is also tentative. The final altemative for a rail route is through Iran to the persian Gulf. But Muslim fundamentalists could sever ties with Christian nations. Iran. too. is precarious. Every option for potential rail passage to an ocean port is fraught

with danger. For Armenia's sake every possibility must be fully exploited.

Fourth, establishing trade with Turkey need not amount to an Armenian surrender on anything. Mature nations agree not to agree on certain issues. Armenia and Turkey can work out a compromise that neither side will raise certain points in official political circles. This does not exclude Armenia from attaching the Genocide and is ancillary issues in the academic arena and providing govemmenal resources to wage an intellectual and public-relations war.

It is a matter of approaching the problem from a different slant. Once Armenians win some battles in academia and convince a few

Turkish intellectuals, Turkish political opposition on the issue will ercde. Meanwhile, the Armenian Republic can go about the business of providing its people with jobs and security. Fifth, a trade agreement is not etched in stone. Both sides can break agreements utilizing an escape clause written into the pacts. Sixth, Congressman Jim Moody has been in the pocket of the American Friends of Turkey for many years. He has successfully joined tlrc fight against a Genocide resolution without havingpreviously quoted a Ter-Petrosyan. Turkey's sfength in Congress transcends

anything that the Armenian president said. President Bush's characterization of Turkey as America's staunch ally is enough ammunition for the likes of Moody to frighten many lukewarm Armenian supporters under cover until the Persian Gulf crisis is settled and the battle lines for the next national election become clear.

lrvon Ter-Petrosyan firlly understands the dangers involved in *re lonely road Armenia travels. He also knows that achieving a consensus on dealing with Turkey within the Armenian political spectrum will reduce his efforts to the lowest common denominator. The Genocide killed 1.6 million Armenians. Emorional, knee-jerk reaction to dealing with Turkey equates to a continuum of the Genocide that may add 1990 Armenia to its list of victims. Coming to terms with its neighbors and skillfully compromising for its selfinterest is a sane approach to enable Armenia to manre into an independent nation. Moorad Moondian is a l*turer, writer and a consultant on history and international rclations. lle has rcsidd in Springtield, Virginia,bine his rctircnent trom U.S. Army as Colonel.

AIM, JANUARY 1991

THE DIASPORA IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE By Gerald Libaridian' PhD ne of the factors destabilizing our institutions and value systems is the changing role of communities in the Middle East. Europe and North America. In the beginning (of the modem, posrGenocide Diaspora) Armenians had an overwhelming need to reassert their collective existence and cultural identity. This was a natural, albeit a reflexive, reaction to the Genocide. The task needud no explanation, and involvement was its own reward. The expendirure of energy and resources in the name of the "culture," "identity," "causg" (at some point they all came to mean the same thing) was

is own justification.

Success was measured

the amount of energy spent, not by the result achieved. What mattered was "doing something." Energies were channeled largely through organizations which provided a sense of closeness, of fellowship. The losses of the Genocide were such that each individual needed to become the embodiment of the nation; and the only way individuals felt sure the nation had survived was when the senses of political nationhood and national belonging were reduced to that of a closely knit family where quarrels can abound, or that of a medieval-type fratemity where group loyalty was more important than debate and discourse. The nation was the extension of the extended family. Much that was done in the Diaspora was beneficial; occasionally it was inspiring. This does not mean that all was perfect and the system did not have weaknesses. It also does not mean that even the best of systems does not grow into a self-serving anangement which, unless overhauled and restructured, performs a negative role under new circumstances. We paid a price for institutionalizing our reflexes and confusing them with a program. trt's faâ&#x201A;Ź it. We ended up adopting as ideal values and structures institutionalized in communities closest to the Ottoman, non-political definition of Armenians, i.e., that of a millet. Institutions developed in the Middle Ea.st defined what the Armenian cause was, who should pursue it and how. North American communities' deemed incapable of preserving culture, provided the complementary base for large donations to finance the agenda. There was' in brief, a nice division of labor, at the time quite convenient. Moreover, institutions, especially those that had the legitimacy of a pre-Genocide past, became "untouchable." Criticism and questioning, normal in political societies and common in pre-Genocide

Armenian behavior, were seen as equal to an attack on one's identity. Even when they caused Armenians to kill Armenians - as the political parties did, even if they caused division and waste - as the church did, their value and their value systems were regarded beyond reproach since they "kept" our identity. The founding of the frst day school in the U'S' in 1964 may have been the beginning of the end of a diaspora "model" that dominated the strategy, thinking, and actions of most organizations. It reflected and encouraged rethinking about the needs of Westem communities, their participation in the definition of cultural and, by extension, political goals. Rethinking, though not well articulated or fully conscious, intensified as North American communities recovered some cultural self-confidence and as it became clear that Armenian communities in the Middle East had inherent weaknesses. The absence of a solid structure of statehood in lrbanon that gave the Armenian commu52

nity there uncommon status and maneuvering room, for example' was also the reason why it could sustain one of the longest and deadliest civil wars in history and why the govemment of lrbanon, despite the number of Armenians there and in its parliament, could do nothing for the Armenian cause . It tumed out that the cultural and institutional premises for our diasporan model were anchored in a region which was unstable, to say the least, a region whose development had little to do with the nature of emerging problems, whose cultural agenda was the least enlightening to the Westem experience, and whose understanding of politics was enffenched in the psychology of a victimized reli-

gious-ethnic community. Emigration from the Middle East has been a permanent phenomenon, only intensified at times of crises and violent outbursts. The current base of our diaspora values, institutions' and leadership has been eroding for some time. But no new thinking has come to replace the old. Immigration to the West in large numbers has often resulted in the transposition of questionable systems. One must also challenge the second part of the division of labor. The economy of the U.S., and by extension of North America, is in recession. It may go into a depression. A recovery may or may not be complete. That means the financing of diaspora instirudons may have to be completely revamPed. A change in thinking is in order. Such a change involves much more than adopting computer technology or finding a leadership with a new birthplace. New thinking emerges from a recognition of real problems, the clear articulation of issues, from public and rational debate on goals, and from a decision-making process that is democratic. Technology can be bought - look at Iraq. Birthplace is an accident whose disadvantages may be overcome with a conscious process and whose advantages may be squandered by a misguided sense of power, by the absence of self-criticism and intolerance of criticism. The Diaspora has serious questions to answer regarding its present and future, before we even start considering the challenge of new Armenia. What happens to the Middle Eastem communities? (How does the Iraq-Kuwait conflict affect us?) How do we face the challenge of a probable U.S. economic decline? How can we adjust to the rise of Europe and Asia? What are the effects of changes within the European community on our institutions? On our communities? What adjustments or changes must institutions introduce to face the future? The world of our organized community is one where policy is made by reaction, and often confused with iq where success was measured by the strength of the appeal to symbols and symbolic acts. How can we move on to a world - and to a new generation of Armenians - who demand that we set achievable goals that respond to real needs.

We must replace the fear of assimilation as the centerpiece of diaspora strategy. It has been nothing more than a sure recipe for cultural stagnation, intellectual paralysis; it has caused much of the problem it claims to resolve. And it has become the mechanism of survival for institutions that have managed to "lose" more Armenians in every new generation than they may have managed to "save." Gerald Libaridian is the director of the Boston'based Zoryan lnstitute

AlM, January 1991

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